Country House Rescue

Country House Rescue starts Sun 6 Mar, 9pm, Channel 4

Ruth Watson is back for a third series of Country House Rescue, taking on some of Britain's biggest country houses and most historic families.

Britain's historic buildings are central to our sense of identity, but they are in crisis. The recession has left stately home owners facing a predicament not seen since the mass demolitions of the 1960's. Can Ruth find new ways of keeping these cash hungry buildings running, relevant and standing? 

From the Scudamores of Kentchurch to the Maxwells of Monreith; Ruth brings her no-nonsense business savvy to bear on centuries of family history and tradition.

Episode 1 - Wyresdale Hall, Lancashire

Ruth visits Wyresdale Hall in Lancashire, home to the Whewell family. The Hall belongs to James Whewell senior and his wife Sally, who have spent decades restoring the estate back to its former glory. Next in line is their son, Jim, who currently lives in London and runs a successful arts and music festival. At some point, his parents would like him to take over the estate, but for that to succeed they need to turn it from a money pit into a viable business. The only trouble is, James junior and senior don't see eye to eye - the father is a traditionalist, the son a reformer. Enter Ruth Watson.

The Hall is surrounded by derelict and decaying listed farm buildings in urgent need repair, which Ruth realises could be an asset. The estate also boasts its own fell, Nicky Nook, and a large fishing lake. Ruth takes a trip to the nearby village of Scorton and realises that it's a tourist hotspot, popular with walkers heading up to Nicky Nook Fell - it's clear that the family have been ignoring a business opportunity right on their doorstep. 

Ruth suggests that the Whewells transform the derelict farm buildings into retail outlets for farm produce, artisans workshops and even a petting zoo for farm animals. She wants them to open a small café to attract the walkers and tourists in and she wants them to arrange a big open day to show locals what could be on offer and gauge if the business model could work. But while Sally and Jim get stuck into the project, it soon becomes clear that James senior is reluctant to embrace change.

Can Ruth Watson help bring this family together and reverse their fortunes? 

Country House Rescue starts Sun 6 Mar, 9pm, Channel 4

Ruth Watson is back for a third series of Country House Rescue, taking on some of Britain's biggest country houses and most historic families.

Britain's historic buildings are central to our sense of identity, but they are in crisis. The recession has left stately home owners facing a predicament not seen since the mass demolitions of the 1960's. Can Ruth find new ways of keeping these cash hungry buildings running, relevant and standing? 

From the Scudamores of Kentchurch to the Maxwells of Monreith; Ruth brings her no-nonsense business savvy to bear on centuries of family history and tradition.

Episode 1 - Wyresdale Hall, Lancashire

Ruth visits Wyresdale Hall in Lancashire, home to the Whewell family. The Hall belongs to James Whewell senior and his wife Sally, who have spent decades restoring the estate back to its former glory. Next in line is their son, Jim, who currently lives in London and runs a successful arts and music festival. At some point, his parents would like him to take over the estate, but for that to succeed they need to turn it from a money pit into a viable business. The only trouble is, James junior and senior don't see eye to eye - the father is a traditionalist, the son a reformer. Enter Ruth Watson.

The Hall is surrounded by derelict and decaying listed farm buildings in urgent need repair, which Ruth realises could be an asset. The estate also boasts its own fell, Nicky Nook, and a large fishing lake. Ruth takes a trip to the nearby village of Scorton and realises that it's a tourist hotspot, popular with walkers heading up to Nicky Nook Fell - it's clear that the family have been ignoring a business opportunity right on their doorstep. 

Ruth suggests that the Whewells transform the derelict farm buildings into retail outlets for farm produce, artisans workshops and even a petting zoo for farm animals. She wants them to open a small café to attract the walkers and tourists in and she wants them to arrange a big open day to show locals what could be on offer and gauge if the business model could work. But while Sally and Jim get stuck into the project, it soon becomes clear that James senior is reluctant to embrace change.

Can Ruth Watson help bring this family together and reverse their fortunes? 

Country House Rescue starts Sun 6 Mar, 9pm, Channel 4

Ruth Watson is back for a third series of Country House Rescue, taking on some of Britain's biggest country houses and most historic families.

Britain's historic buildings are central to our sense of identity, but they are in crisis. The recession has left stately home owners facing a predicament not seen since the mass demolitions of the 1960's. Can Ruth find new ways of keeping these cash hungry buildings running, relevant and standing? 

From the Scudamores of Kentchurch to the Maxwells of Monreith; Ruth brings her no-nonsense business savvy to bear on centuries of family history and tradition.

Episode 1 - Wyresdale Hall, Lancashire

Ruth visits Wyresdale Hall in Lancashire, home to the Whewell family. The Hall belongs to James Whewell senior and his wife Sally, who have spent decades restoring the estate back to its former glory. Next in line is their son, Jim, who currently lives in London and runs a successful arts and music festival. At some point, his parents would like him to take over the estate, but for that to succeed they need to turn it from a money pit into a viable business. The only trouble is, James junior and senior don't see eye to eye - the father is a traditionalist, the son a reformer. Enter Ruth Watson.

The Hall is surrounded by derelict and decaying listed farm buildings in urgent need repair, which Ruth realises could be an asset. The estate also boasts its own fell, Nicky Nook, and a large fishing lake. Ruth takes a trip to the nearby village of Scorton and realises that it's a tourist hotspot, popular with walkers heading up to Nicky Nook Fell - it's clear that the family have been ignoring a business opportunity right on their doorstep. 

Ruth suggests that the Whewells transform the derelict farm buildings into retail outlets for farm produce, artisans workshops and even a petting zoo for farm animals. She wants them to open a small café to attract the walkers and tourists in and she wants them to arrange a big open day to show locals what could be on offer and gauge if the business model could work. But while Sally and Jim get stuck into the project, it soon becomes clear that James senior is reluctant to embrace change.

Can Ruth Watson help bring this family together and reverse their fortunes?