The couple Dick and Angel Strawbridge, known for the Channel 4 series “Escape to the Chateau,” recently appeared as guests on the ITV daytime program “This Morning.” The pair discussed their ongoing renovation of Chateau de la Motte-Husson, a 45-room castle located in the Loire Valley region of France, which they purchased in 2014 for £280,000.
During the interview, the Strawbridges detailed the money-saving strategies they have employed over the past four years to fund the extensive restoration of their property. They explained that after spending their initial savings on essential items upon moving in, they immediately began operating the chateau as a wedding venue. The revenue generated from each individual booking was then allocated to fund specific renovation projects. Angel Strawbridge elaborated on their method, stating they would write down all potential revenue sources and assign projects with a system of smiley or sad faces to prioritize based on happiness as well as cost.
This disciplined financial approach has been central to their progress. Angel Strawbridge emphasized that the couple strictly designated income from weddings for particular tasks, such as a specific sink or bathroom, and avoided using those funds for any other purpose.
However, the couple admitted that their renovation process does not always proceed strictly according to plan. Dick Strawbridge revealed a specific rule he instituted regarding painting, born from experience. He stated that Angel is not allowed to repaint any rooms until all other work in the chateau is complete, a rule created after he returned from a trip to find she had repainted one of the rooms for a second time. Angel Strawbridge acknowledged this tendency, humorously noting that when Dick is away for a weekend, she likes to gather her paints so he will “come back to a treat.”
Their appearance on “This Morning” was met with a positive reaction from viewers, many of whom took to social media to describe the couple as fun and lovely people. The Strawbridges have balanced the substantial castle renovations with running their wedding events business and raising their two young children.
The work on the chateau itself is reportedly around 80 percent complete, though significant projects remain, not including the various outbuildings scattered across the grounds. After four years of painstaking restoration, the couple now presides over a small team of employees who assist with managing events and wedding preparations at the property.
With the main chateau renovation well advanced, the Strawbridges have now turned their attention to developing a new glamping business within the sprawling grounds of their estate. Their television series, “Escape to the Chateau,” which documents their journey, is currently in its fifth series on Channel 4.
The segment on “This Morning” showcased the couple’s practical and pragmatic approach to a monumental renovation task, focusing on careful planning and dedicated funding streams. Their story continues to follow the ambitious project of transforming a historic French castle into both a family home and a sustainable business. The ITV program “This Morning” airs on weekdays, while “Escape to the Chateau” airs on Sunday evenings on Channel 4.
