After Dick, here’s Angel by artist Keith Boldy
Talented artist Keith Boldy has sent us this fabulous portrait of Angel Strawbridge to go alongside his recent portrait of Dick Strawbridge. Read about Keith here. Thank you Keith!
Find Your France with Sophie Duncan
"Whether you dream of a castle, a plot or a shepherd's hut this informative and entertaining guide will help you find your France" After restoring Château St Ferriol for 22 years, my husband and I were selected for Escape to the Château DIY, a British television...
Dick Strawbridge by Artist Keith Boldy
Meet the talented self taught artist Keith Boldy, aged 74. Keith began his career owning a company which produced school uniforms, which he did for 30 years. In 2009, after he retired, Keith picked up drawing as a hobby, quite by accident. He was on a cruise ship...
Chateau Le Fleur, Honfleur Normandy
I saw some comments recently on FaceBook about how the Chateau owners recently featured on Escape to the Chateau DIY have progressed with their renovations, so I did a bit of research. Let’s start with Le Fleur which is located in Gonneville-sur-Honfleur, Normandy,...
Chateau St Gaultier, Indre Central France
Karin Borup and Jesper Moeller bought Chateau St Gaultier in October 2012. The castle itself had been empty for many years, but they started to gently restore the 43 rooms. They didn't have any water, electricity or heating in the Chateau, but they stayed in an annex...
At Last! Events to Announce at the Chateaux
Even in the midst of this pandemic which is causing, and has caused, chaos and dismay in all of our lives, there is some good news! There is life again at the Chateaux you have seen on Escape to the Chateau DIY. Speaking of which haven't we all missed seeing the...
Insights into Volunteering at a Chateau!
Volunteer your services at a Chateau? How and where do I sign up?! On Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau we’ve seen the amazing work achieved, and the fun had, by volunteers at various Chateaux including Chateau de Lalande. Earlier this year, Stephanie Jarvis...
The Château de Chambiers in the Pays de la Loire
In Anjou-Loire Valley, to dream of sleeping in a Château is not a dream but can be a reality! The charming 18th century Château de Chambiers welcomes you into its beautiful parks and gardens including a beautiful seasonal swimming pool. The decor is elegant, calming...
The Chatelaine of Lalande’s Dress
In case you missed it, or did not watch Chateau de Lalande’s Cadeaux at the Chateau recently, Stephanie received the gift of a truly amazing, handmade “Sack Gown”. To explain the origin of this term and according to Wikipedia “The sack-back gown or robe à la française...
A New Series of ETTC DIY in 2021 & the Tour de France?!
According to the folks at Chateau de Saugé they are in for a very busy day next week! Not only is the Tour de France passing locally BUT [on the same day] they are also going to be filming a new series of Escape to the Chateau DIY to be released in 2021! This is...
Dick Strawbridge Makes Does and Mends
Wouldn't we all LOVE to have a Handy Man like Dick Strawbridge around the House? The "Superman" of DIY. We saw him in action again recently in the new series Make Do and Mend. Dare I say it ladies, he defies the myth of men not being able to multi-task LOL! When...
The French Love Affair with Lunch
We live in Normandy and sometimes we forget that our host nation closes for their daily ritual of lunch promptly at 12 noon. We happened to be in the Bricomarche today and we had lost ourselves in the lighting aisle when we were politely reminded that the shop was...
Angel in the Dragons Den
What do the dreaded Dragons look for when hopeful entrepreneurs come into their Den? Innovative Ideas - Charisma - Strong Business Plans. Who fits this profile? Angel Strawbridge AKA Adoree or Angela Newman as she was know at the time. In 2014 Angel pitched the...
Château Art and Artists
The Château de la Motte Husson and others which have been featured on C4, as well as the Chateau owners, are an artist’s dream. So we decided to feature a few works which these talented people have created for us all to enjoy - and perhaps take some inspiration from?...
Inspirational “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 Cooks 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...
Miss Strawbridge & Elderflower Champers
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...
Apr 10, 2020 See Artist Keith Boldy’s portrait of Angel. See
Mar 29, 2021 Dick’s eldest son joins the upcoming show. Read
Mar 27, 2021 Escape to the Chateau Season 7 preview. Watch video
Mar 25, 2021 What Dick find hard when filming ETTC. Read
Mar 23, 2021 Doing it Ourselves live chat with Chateau de la Basmaignee. Click to View
Mar 21, 2021 We are always looking for new Chateau restorations and we found Chateau de Laran. View FB Page
Mar 19, 2021 Channel 4 has ordered 60 new episodes across two series of daytime show Chateau DIY from Spark Media. Click to View
Mar 17, 2021 Dick and Angel new series back burned. Click to View
Mar 15, 2021 Channel 4 Recommission 60 New Episodes For 2021-2022. Click to View
Mar 13, 2021 Plan your wedding at the Chateau Mas de Pradie. Click to View
Mar 11, 2021 The beautiful Ladies of Lalande. Click to View
Mar 9, 2021 A fascinating piece of history is unearthed at Chateau de Joli Bois. Click to View
Mar 7, 2021 Château De Villette The Ultimate French Vacation Experience according to HauteLiving.com. Click to View
Mar 5, 2021 The Chateau Sisters greeting cards. Click to View
Mar 3, 2021 Our chatelaine Stephanie beautifully modelling the Marie Antoinette dress. Click to View
Mar 1, 2021 An amazing wedding cake fit for a Chateau wedding. Click to View
Recent Posts
After Dick, here’s Angel by artist Keith Boldy
Find Your France with Sophie Duncan
Dick Strawbridge by Artist Keith Boldy
Chateau Le Fleur, Honfleur Normandy
Chateau St Gaultier, Indre Central France
At Last! Events to Announce at the Chateaux
Insights into Volunteering at a Chateau!
The Château de Chambiers in the Pays de la Loire
The Chatelaine of Lalande’s Dress
A New Series of ETTC DIY in 2021 & the Tour de France?!
