Escape to the Château fans are in for a treat tonight as the current series comes to and end with a special at Christmas.
According to blurb from Channel 4 Dick, Angel, Arthur and Dorothy enjoy a magical festive adventure, with a family celebration inspired by a very special part of France – Colmar in the Alsace region, close to the German border.
They discover an enchanting medieval town that makes Christmas feel more magical than ever.
It’s not long before they are taking part in a festive treasure hunt, sampling local baked delicacies, trying their hand at fondue, and discovering the ice and crémant wines that the region is synonymous with.
Back at the château, the Strawbridge traditions are not forgotten. Angel, her mum Jenni and Dorothy head out into the grounds to collect the fir and foliage to make the annual Christmas wreath.
It will make you want to live their fairytale life, even just for a couple of days….
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Escape to the Château: How much does it cost to stay there?
It’s certainly not cheap, but what did you expect?
It can cost between £5,000 and £6,000 to stay at the Château.
However, prices and availability change frequently as a result of the venue often being used for weddings.
Dick and Angel have also built geodesic domes on the grounds of the Château.
These are available for £350 per night and you can book here.
They also offer £230 “days of decadence” – where guests get the opportunity to meet Dick and Angel, as well as feast on lunch and afternoon tea at the Château.
The pair also charge guests £75 for a “working day in the garden”, with the website saying: “Yes to be frankly honest we are charging you to come and work!
“And in return you have to help make the place beautiful!'”
Sadly, the couple were forced to make the difficult decision to keep the Château closed for weddings and events for the whole of 2020 and into 2021.
Dick and Angel say: “This has caused some delays and ‘date juggling’ for 2020, 2021 and beyond (to quote Buzz Lightyear).
“But we are currently in the final stages of working this all out.”
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Escape to the Château cost: How much are the weddings?
Weddings can cost anywhere between £19,000 and £38,000 depending on what package you choose – but we’re sure it’s worth every penny.
The Château has the potential to host 25 weddings a year – which would equate to £1 million revenue from the weddings alone!
The Château was fully booked until 2022, although all bookings are now delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Art Deco orangery can seat 80 people for a wedding breakfast.
Meanwhile, the salle à manger can host 12 people for a sit-down course-tasting menu.
Looks gorgeous!
Where is the Château?
Château de la Motte Husson is a 19th-century property in the Pays de la Loire region of France.
The journey is three hours from Paris.
The property has 45 rooms, 78 windows, 12 acres and one moat.
Can you believe Dick and Angel paid just £280,000 when they bought it in 2015?!
At the time, the property had no electricity, heating or water.
It is now reportedly worth approximately £2 million.
The Channel 4 show follows Dick and Angel Strawbridge as they set about buying, renovating and restoring the 19th century Château de la Motte Husson.
They say: “Six years ago, we stumbled across Château de la Motte Husson, a derelict 19th century fairy tale Château in the Pays de la Loire with 45-rooms, a moat, orangery, 12 acres, 7 outbuildings and huge potential for our new life in France.
“We’ve spent an incredible five years turning Château de la Motte Husson into our home and business.
“We do love to entertain, but The Château is also our home, so other than formal events days, it is closed to the public.”
Who are Dick and Angel Strawbridge?
Lieutenant Colonel Richard Francis Strawbridge MBE is an engineer and former army officer turned TV personality.
He is often referred to as Colonel Dick.
He first appeared on TV as an engineering and environmental expert on various shows, including Scrapheap Challenge.
He’s also a regular guest presenter of BBC Two’s Coast.
Dick and now wife Angel Adoree – real name Angela Newman – appeared in the fly-on-the-wall property show Escape to the Château for the first time in 2015.
The programme followed Dick and Angel through the purchase of their abandoned Château and subsequent renovations.
Their French home Château de la Motte-Husson is located in Martigné-sur-Mayenne, France.
There has subsequently been numerous sequels and spin-offs.
There is an 18-year age gap between the pair – Dick is 61 and Angel is 43.
Angel, the founder of The Vintage Patisserie, married Dick in November 2015.
Dick and Angel have two children, Arthur Donald (born 2013) and Dorothy Francis (born 2014).
He was previously married to Brigit A. Weiner in 1982, with whom he has two children, James George (born 1984) and Charlotte Elizabeth (born 1986).
Dick and Brigit separated in 2010.
Escape to the Château at Christmas is on Boxing Day on C4 at 7pm.
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