Dick and Angel Strawbridge celebrate ‘stunning gift’ as they make emotional return to chateau
Dick and Angel Strawbridge have made an emotional return to their French chateau after spending six and a half weeks touring the UK with their ‘Forever Home’ show.
The beloved Escape to the Chateau stars completed 33 shows across Britain before heading back to their historic home in Pays de la Loire, France.
The couple, who left their Channel 4 series in 2022, shared their homecoming joy on social media this week.
They took to Instagram to share a stunning photograph of their picturesque property and its surrounding green landscape, marking their return to their French sanctuary.
“After 33 shows, 6.5 weeks on the road and hundreds of hugs…we are home!” the couple announced in their social media post.
They shared their excitement about returning to their beloved chateau, noting there was “a lot of unpacking & catching up to do.”
Their dog Petalé was particularly thrilled by their homecoming, with the couple reporting that “her tail has not stopped wagging!”
The return follows their departure from France in October, when they headed to the UK with their children Arthur, 12, and Dorothy, ten.
Before embarking on their tour, they had shared: “It’s happening!!! Our incredible tour team has arrived at the Chateau! 1 tour manager…1 tech! 1 empty van and a lot of excitement!”
Upon their return, the Strawbridges were greeted by a magical winter scene as snow blanketed their historic French residence.
Angel shared a video of the snow-covered chateau on Facebook, expressing her delight at the unexpected welcome.
“Well this is a beautiful welcome home. I can’t even remember the last time that we had snow like this. Oh my goodness, how beautiful,” she said in the footage.
The accompanying caption to their video simply stated: “What a welcome back! It’s a snow day!”
The pristine white landscape provided a picturesque homecoming for the family after their extensive UK tour.
The Strawbridges first captured the nation’s hearts through their Channel 4 reality show Escape to the Chateau.
The couple purchased their magnificent 19th-century French property for £280,000, transforming the derelict building into a stunning family home.
After nine successful series, they decided to step away from the programme in 2022.
The decision was made to allow their children, Arthur and Dorothy, to grow up without the constant presence of camera crews in their lives.
Their journey of restoration and renovation had become a beloved fixture on British television, documenting the transformation of their historic French residence.
The couple’s Facebook post of the snowy scene garnered enthusiastic responses from their loyal followers, with over 600 people commenting.
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“Oh wow …. that looks amazing! Must be super exciting to experience the snow, and then step into the heartwarming, cozy atmosphere of your home. Enjoy,” wrote one fan.
Another supporter commented: “Aww how beautiful. I bet Dorothy Arthur and Petal will have great fun playing in that, bet it makes you all feel so Christmassy. Time for hot chocolate and making decorations I think. Enjoy.”
A long-time follower reflected: “It’s gorgeous. I remember the snow and the cold when you moved in. But now it’s magical since you have all the amenities in the castle.”
Despite leaving their TV show, the Strawbridges have confirmed their commitment to their French residence.
In a recent interview with the Liverpool Echo, they emphasised: “We’re here, we are in France. This is completely our forever home.”
“This is where we have invested everything. It’s the family home, it’s our business,” they explained.
The couple also highlighted their strong connections to the UK, stating: “We’ve got a lot of friends, a lot of family, a lot of the chateau community based in the UK so when we come home, it’s really nice to see everybody.”
Their recent return and warm welcome demonstrate their continued dedication to their French life and historic property.