The Inspiring Story of “Sir Paul”
This is the story of Paul or Sir Paul as he’s now known to his friends. Paul’s friend of 30 years, Steven Cuddy, inspired him to not only survive a serious operation, but gave him the courage and inspiration to create this amazing piece of art and in so doing he has...
The Enchanted Childhood of Arthur and Dorothy
As all fans of Escape to the Chateau are well aware, when the family showed up with the key to the Chateau, Arthur was a toddler and Dorothy was a baby. It was an ideal time to relocate a family from their home country into an exciting new adventure. So what has...
Dick and Angel the “It” Power Couple
Step aside Harry and Meghan, David and Victoria the Strawbridges are Channel 4’s “It” Power Couple! Certainly from a popularity standpoint they are top ranked, not to forget Master Arthur and Miss Dorothy Strawbridge who are rapidly becoming rock stars in their own...
Make Do and Mend Starts July 30th & Meet Petale!
Hooray, after many reruns of Escape to the Chateau DIY, the long awaited new series Make Do and Mend is launching this week! The four-part series will share tips with viewers via video chat with the first episode airing on Thursday 30 July at 8pm on C4. AND we get...
Chateau de Sommesnil on the Alabaster Coast
The Chateau de Sommesnil is located in the area of Normandy known as the Caux, the Alabaster Coast which offers stunning beaches and imposing cliffs as well as the lovely towns of Dieppe, Honfleur and Rouen. Constructed in 1620, the Chateau stands on the site of a...
Michael & Stephanie Masked for the Ball
Another masterpiece from the palette of artist Claire Warbeck "The Masked Man" aka Michael Petherick. The inspiration behind the portrait is Claire’s recent painting of Stephanie Jarvis and both are now ready for the Masked Ball at the Chateau de la Basmaignee! What...
Young Master Strawbridge Adds Borage Flowers to His Omelette
In response to his sister’s Elderflower Champagne - and so as not to be outdone - Arthur makes an omelette using Borage Flowers? Borage what?! I for one had never heard of them so I looked them up. According to bbc.co.uk: “Borage is a plant with blue flowers that...
Young Miss Strawbridge Makes Elderflower Champagne
In the continuing series by the Strawbridge family - and in the absence of the Escape to the Chateau DIY series continuation - Dick and Angel have been making home movies of their life during lockdown. In this episode the Strawbridge family picks elderflowers from the...
The Covid Effect on Chateau Sales
A recent Daily Mail article has revealed the devastating effect that Covid 19 has had on the chateaux for sale market, positive for buyers not so for the sellers. The lockdown in France has forced many aristocrats who potentially have had the property in the family...
La Chatelaine of LaLande by Claire Warbeck
The talented artist Claire Warback has been busy and I believe she has found her new career. You recall her recent portraits of Angel and Dick, well here’s her latest - The Chatelaine of Chateau de Lalande, the glamorous Stephanie. Claire has the unique ability to...
“The Temple of Love” at Chateau Saint Georges
Ah “The Temple of Love” what thoughts does this name conjure up in your mind? The Greek Goddess Aphrodite gazing adoringly at Zeus on Mount Olympus, or lilting sitar music in Khujaraho India's Temple of Love? Well you don’t have to go that far, this Temple of Love...
The Unsung Chateau DIYers
Escape to the Chateau and ETTC DIY has given hopeful chateaux buyers the courage to take “le plonge” so we thought it a good time to focus on these “unsung” chateaux owners and renovators. In our efforts to keep readers coming back with the new fodder we’ve created a...
Tuna and Avocado Flan Courtesy of Chateau de Vaudezert
Today Karen the chatelaine of Château de Vaudezert brings us a delicious light and easy to prepare lunch recipe which will be perfect for the upcoming week when temperatures are set to soar. To quote Karen “This is ideal as a buffet starter or as a fish course which...
“Wonderful Wednesday” Offers from Dick & Angel Strawbridge
We’re all familiar with Dick and Angel’s Chateau de la Motte Husson Facebook page (with over 160,000 followers) but I only recently discovered that they have another FB presence The Chateau - News & genuine products by Dick & Angel Strawbridge which, with just...
Dick Strawbridge Portrait by Artist Claire Warbeck
The very talented Claire Warbeck has just completed this fabulous portrait of Dick Strawbridge - as if you needed to be told who it is, the likeness is incredible! You will recall Claire’s amazing portrait of Angel Strawbridge, she told us that she had [justifiably]...
The Covid 19 Impact from the Perspective of a Chateau in France
As you all know France has just today opened its borders to visitors, hallelujah! One of our featured Chateau the 800 year old medieval fortified stronghold Castelnau Des Fieumarcon located in the Midi-Pyrenees shared personal insight into just how devastating recent...
Gâteau Rose Cake Brought to you by Château de la Basmaignée
This weekend we have a Youtube video from Château de la Basmaignée and their inspiration for what was coined by a reader “Château Gâteau Rose Cake”. “Today I took a walk in the Château Gardens and got the great idea to make a cake from real roses. What to see how it...
Escape to the Chateau Makes the TV Choice Awards Shortlist!
Voting for the 24th Annual TV Choice Awards 2020 is Open! It will come as no surprise to all Escape to the Chateau devotees (Best Factual) & Escape to the Chateau DIY (Best Daytime) that both are up for awards! In fact they’ve made the shortlist for this years...
A Château in France for Your Special Occasion
We’ve written in the past about choosing a chateau as the perfect venue for a wedding. Châteaux in France come in all shapes and sizes, Wikipedia states “The French word château denotes buildings as diverse as a medieval fortress, a Renaissance palace and a...
Normandy Parma Parcels Courtesy of Chateau de Vaudezert
The Saturday recipe is brought to you by the Chateau de Vaudezert in Normandy and is aptly named "Normandy Parma Parcels". Karen is the Chatelaine at Vaudezert and she is already in Normandy preparing for and looking forward to greeting guests as soon as travel is...
Novice Artist Paints Angel Strawbridge
I spotted this painting of Angel Strawbridge on Facebook and I, like so many others, wondered who the talented artist was. After a bit of research I found the very modest Claire Warbeck who was gracious enough to share her story with me. I’m sure you will all be as...
The Strawbridge Family Picnic
Over the past few years we've watched the Strawbridges take on the mammoth task of buying a rather derelict French chateau and renovating it into what has now become a fairytale home for them and their children. We have seen Arthur and Dorothy blossom into fun-loving...
Weekend Recipe : Pears Poached in Spiced Red Wine Courtesy of Chateau de Vaudezert
Here’s your recipe for the weekend courtesy of the lovely Karen owner of Chateau de Vaudezert in Normandy : Pears poached in spiced red wine Ingredients 1 vanilla pod 1 bottle of red wine 225g caster sugar 1 cinnamon stick, halved Fresh thyme sprig 6 pears peeled but...
Dick and James Strawbridge on Sustainable Living
Prolific writer Dick Strawbridge was recently interviewed alongside co-author (and son) James Strawbridge on Sky TV’s Breakfast Show with Chris Evans to discuss the updated edition of Practical Self Sufficiency : The Complete Guide to Sustainable Living - where they...
Escape to Château de Vaudezert When Lockdown Ends
When will lockdown end so we can cross the Channel and start enjoying all that France has to offer? Well this is an as yet unanswered question, let’s see what Boris has to say at Thursday’s briefing. He has intimated that things would be opening up, and Italy and...
Debs from Chateau Gioux Shares her Recipe for Salmon Mousse
Just this morning I shared what Chateau Gioux owners Debs and Nigel ate for their “naughty” breakfast yesterday, and if it didn’t leave your mouth watering then your taste buds need a wake up call! In case you missed it here it is: Chateau Gioux Shares their Naughty...
Aug 7, 2020 The Inspiring Story of “Sir Paul”. Read More
Aug 6, 2020 It’s Thursday – Make Do and Mend! Read More
Aug 5, 2020 Escape to the Chateau on Pinterest. Read More
Aug 4, 2020 The Enchanted Childhood of Arthur and Dorothy. Read More
Aug 3, 2020 The Strawbridge family on the trampoline! Read More
Aug 2, 2020 Dick and Angel Chat with Tim and Simon on Sunday Brunch. Read More
Aug 1, 2020 Would Dick and Angel move out of the Chateau? Read More
Jul 31, 2020 Dick, Arthur and Dorothy Harvest Potatoes. Read More
Jul 30, 2020 Make Do and Mend THIS EVENING! Read More
Jul 29, 2020 17 Years on at Chateau de Vaudezert. Read More
Jul 28, 2020 In case you missed it Dick and Angel last night on The One Show. Read More
Jul 27, 2020 The Chateau de la Motte Husson Garden Tour. Read More
Jul 26, 2020 Introducing Petale, the newest addition to the Strawbridge family! Read More
Jul 25, 2020 Make Do and Mend Start Date Announced! Read More
Jul 24, 2020 Mummy Gets Her Mower at Chateau de Lalalande. Read More
Jul 23, 2020 Angel Pins! Read More
Jul 22, 2020 Help Dick and Dorothy Identify these Flowers. Read More
Jul 21, 2020 Who are Dick and Angel Strawbridge? Read More
Jul 20, 2020 The Strawbridge Love Story. Read More
Jul 19, 2020 Beautiful Blue Skies at Chateau de Vaudezert in Normandy. Read More
Jul 18, 2020 Filming of Dick and Angel’s Make Do and Mend is Complete! Read More
Jul 17, 2020 Chateau de Sauge First Ever Vintage Garden Party RESCHEDULED. Read More
Jul 16, 2020 Chateau de Sauge First Ever Vintage Garden Party. Read More
Jul 15, 2020 “The Masked Man” aka Michael Petherick by artist Claire Warbeck. Read More
Jul 14, 2020 Bastille Day 2020 – What will it look like? Read More
Jul 13, 2020 Chateau de Villette “The Splendour of French decor. Read More
Jul 12, 2020 “L’Atelier d’Artistes” at the Chateau de Chambiers. Read More
Jul 10, 2020 A Mouthwatering Sharing Board Starter at Chateau de Vaudezert. Read More
Jul 9, 2020 Young Miss Strawbridge Makes Elderflower Champagne. Read More
Jul 8, 2020 Christmas at Chateau de Lalande? Read More
Jul 7, 2020 Coming Soon to Chateau de Sauge. Read More
Recent Posts
The Inspiring Story of “Sir Paul”
The Enchanted Childhood of Arthur and Dorothy
Dick and Angel the “It” Power Couple
Make Do and Mend Starts July 30th & Meet Petale!
Chateau de Sommesnil on the Alabaster Coast
Michael & Stephanie Masked for the Ball
Young Master Strawbridge Adds Borage Flowers to His Omelette
Young Miss Strawbridge Makes Elderflower Champagne
The Covid Effect on Chateau Sales
La Chatelaine of LaLande by Claire Warbeck
