Dick Strawbridge details staggering seven-figure sum to rebuild Escape to the Chateau home

Escape to the Chateau: Dick jokes about 'naked dishwashing'

When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters.Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer.Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights.You can unsubscribe at any time.

Dick, 61, and his family moved to the Martigne-Sur-Mayenne region of France in 2016 when he and Angel, 42, bought the Chateau de la Motte-Husson. This was a very different property to what the couple were used to, as they had previously lived in a two-bedroom flat in Essex with their children, Arthur and Dorothy. The husband and wife had saved up enough money at the time to slowly begin rebuilding the dishevelled establishment for their Channel 4 series. However, the price to rebuild the gothic castle has increased significantly.

The father-of-four explains all in a blog post for The Chateau website in which he informs readers about the history of the property.

It was back in 1406 that the Husson family, who the castle is named after, gave the establishment its regal title.

Then less than 200 years later, the de Baglion family purchased the deeds to the land of the chateau and it was between 1868 and 1874 the first rebuild commenced where the old square moat was located.

Due to their privilege, the family were able to make the most of their home and the 45 bedrooms are a prominent feature of the property because of the number of staff they had.

Through the generations, the castle was handed down to ancestors of the original owners and then in January 2015, Dick and Angel become the new landlords of the regal establishment.

Since moving to the chateau, the couple have done extensive work to the property in order to bring it into the 21st century.

Members of the de Baglion family still reside nearby as they are in fact the neighbours of Dick, Angel and their children.

However, before beginning their own renovations, the pair took to the attic and found some paperwork from 200 years ago,

Speaking of the discovery, the father-of-four wrote on the blog: “We are fortunate enough to have the original plans and bills for the rebuild.”

It would cost the best part of £1 million

Dick Strawbridge

“With the necessary inflation, the bills show that it would cost the best part of £1million to do the same build today,” he added, detailing the seven-figure sum to reconstruct his home.

Unfortunately, he did not state how much the de Baglion family would have paid when they began building in 1868.

Dick goes on to explain how increase detail to the design of the establishment contributes towards the sum it would cost to rebuild the property.

This includes the suites of individual bedrooms located inside as well as the Salon d’Honeur where the occupants would gather to meet.

DON’T MISS…
Angel Adoree net worth: How much is Escape to the Chateau star worth? [ANALYSIS]
Escape To The Chateau’s Dick gets apology from star Kirstie Alley [COMMENT]
Dick Strawbridge reacts to worried Escape To The Chateau viewer [COMMENT]

Escape to the Chateau: Angel and Dick work on orangery roof

The orangery is also another pivotal feature of the home and boosts the regal status of the Chateau as they originated from the Renaissance gardens of Italy.

It is an element of the establishment the couple have fallen in love with and instead of using it as a greenhouse, they now use it as a dining space for either themselves or guests.

Dick and Angel actually bought the property for just over a quarter of the value it would cost to rebuild.

At £280,000, the couple have had to put more money into renovating the establishment since they moved five years ago.

For 40 years before they purchased the deeds from the de Baglion family, the chateau was completely vacant with no electricity, heating or running water.

As the couple have opened up their home to the public, they charge a fee for visitors to stay at the property or to host an event there.

A wedding package ranges from £19,000 and £38,000 but to stay there would set you back around £5,000 to £6,000.

However, prices and availability do tend to change and if visitors want a night under the stars, they can hire out one of the geodesic domes installed on the land for a cost of £350 a night.

Escape to the Chateau is available to stream on All4.

Source: Read Full Article