A Cotswolds couple are the latest to take centre stage on a new TV series.
James Lowsley-Williams, 33, a former professional cyclist, and his wife Emma, after he inherited Chavenage House, a Grade II-listed Cotswold mansion, in 2023, feature in the first episode of Channel 4’s Saving Country Houses with Penelope Keith.
Mr Lowsley-Williams inherited the historic 16th-century estate—set on 2,000 acres—from his late grandfather.
He said: "I'm not sitting here with mountains of cash to fund the place.
"We are hand to mouth right now, to be totally honest with you.
"It costs about £350,000 to £400,000 just to keep the place going every year.
"So we've got to find innovative ways to generate a revenue."
The couple have left their previous careers to focus on the full-time upkeep of their Cotswold stone manor, famed for serving as Trenwith in BBC One’s Poldark.
Despite its grand appearance, the realities of running a heritage home have left the couple feeling "hand to mouth".
Mrs Lowsley-Williams said: "You just never want to be the generation that doesn't make it work."
The series documents their transition from a two-bedroom bungalow to a stately manor, describing interiors that haven’t been updated in centuries.
During the episode, Emma showed TV crews a dimly lit bedroom containing a childhood doll James once owned.
She said: "That's not nice.
"Once we do the renovation, this could be a lovely room but there's just something about it...
"And it's that doll, gets me every time."
The couple have begun modernising the estate.
They have converted a former cattle shed into a café and now offer a one-bedroom stay in a refurbished shipping container listed on Airbnb.
Additional plans include transforming parts of the property into a yoga studio, wellness retreats, and a WeWork space.
Chavenage House is steeped in history.
Oliver Cromwell is said to have visited in an attempt to persuade the then-owner to support the execution of King Charles I.
The room in which Cromwell stayed—now known as Cromwell’s Room—is rumoured to be cursed.
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Some believe it led to Cromwell’s own death.
The Lowsley-Williams family took over from the Stephens family, who originally built the manor in 1560 and made their fortune in wool.
Neighbouring estates include Highgrove and Gatcombe Park.
The couple share their experiences of running the estate on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.
You can watch the show, which first aired on Tuesday, on Channel 4 online.
