Jump directly to the content

ESCAPE To The Country host Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree were bombarded with "200 pages of reasons" not to buy their sprawling home.

In the opening episode of the Channel 4 show, viewers are introduced to the couple and told of their plans to purchase the 19th Century Chateau de la Motte-Husson.

Escape To The Chateau's Dick Strawbridge revealed '200 pages of reasons' why they shouldn't buy the French mansion
10
Escape To The Chateau's Dick Strawbridge revealed '200 pages of reasons' why they shouldn't buy the French mansionCredit: Channel 4 Picture Publ

Initially, the ramshackle mansion is uninhabitable with no running water, heating and electricity.

In the first ever Escape To The Chateau episode, Dick detailed the issues with the 45-bed home and said: "The whole of this document says ‘Do not buy the Chateau’, it says it is all our risks and if anything happened."

Angel, who also runs a bakery in east London, added: "I know."

Addressing his daughter, Dick continued: "Dorothy it’s enough to scare me sweetheart never mind you!

The show's initial episode saw the 45-bed home in disarray
10
The show's initial episode saw the 45-bed home in disarrayCredit: Channel 4
Dick said the documents were 'quite worrying'
10
Dick said the documents were 'quite worrying'Credit: Channel 4 Picture Public
Dick detailed the documents for the dilapidated castle 'basically said don't buy me'
10
Dick detailed the documents for the dilapidated castle 'basically said don't buy me'Credit: Channel 4

"It’s really quite worrying."

Mum of two Angel replied: "He’s going to say it’s 'sold as seen," before Dick said: "And you’re alright with that are you?

"Even though we have 200 pages of reasons not to buy it?

"It basically says 'don't buy me."

It transpired the TV couple were OK with the unloved state of the building as they went onto transform the abandoned castle, which had not been lived in for 40 years, into a venue for their wedding.

Before they purchased the castle, it had been abandoned for 40 years and had no running water
10
Before they purchased the castle, it had been abandoned for 40 years and had no running waterCredit: Channel 4
They paid £280,000 when they eventually bought it in 2015
10
They paid £280,000 when they eventually bought it in 2015Credit: Channel 4
The subsequent seven seasons of the show saw the venue transform into a wedding venue
10
The subsequent seven seasons of the show saw the venue transform into a wedding venueCredit: CHANNEL 4 PICTURE PUBLIC

They paid £280,000 when they bought it in 2015.

The subsequent seven seasons of the show saw the venue transform into a thriving business despite the pair only having a shoestring budget.

After the stunning restoration, the public can now book out the chateau for their own wedding.

It can cost somewhere between £19,000 and £38,000 to make the Chateau your wedding venue, and it is currently extremely popular.

The Chateau is fully booked until 2022.

Show fans can book out the luxury venue for their own wedding
10
Show fans can book out the luxury venue for their own weddingCredit: Channel 4 Picture Publ
The decor in the bathroom is stunning with green walls and a bronze tub
10
The decor in the bathroom is stunning with green walls and a bronze tubCredit: Chateau De La Motte Husson
The dining area is perfect for a party of guests
10
The dining area is perfect for a party of guestsCredit: Chateau De La Motte Husson

The Art Deco orangery can seat 80 people for a wedding breakfast, while the salle à manger can host 12 people for a sit-down course-tasting menu.

For those who fancy a holiday, it can cost around £5,000-6,000 to stay at the Chateau, but the prices and availability appear to change frequently as the venue is often in use for weddings.

Dick and Angel have also built  that you can stay in for £350 per night on the grounds of the Chateau.

Escape to the Chateau's Dick Strawbridge mortified as major safety hazard exposed 'as matter of urgency'
Topics