From City to Smallholding
20 Episodes
Follow a young couple as they trade city life for the wild hills of West Wales, restoring a crumbling 13.5-acre smallholding into a dream rural homestead. This heartfelt docu-series captures the raw reality of starting over—from collapsing barns and leaky ceilings to triumphant first harvests and moments of quiet joy. Blending renovation, resilience, and rural life, this is a journey of transformation, grit, and the pursuit of a more meaningful life, set against the stunning Welsh countryside.
-
S1E1 Buying a Derelict Welsh Farmhouse and Starting From Scratch
Episode 1
Gavin and Nicole leave London behind to take on a neglected Welsh farmhouse with a plan to rebuild it largely by hand. After renovating a city flat and converting a van, they commit to a smallholding with huge potential—and serious challenges ahead. With tight finances, ambitions for solar and hy...
-
S1E2 Renovation Begins on an Abandoned Welsh Farmhouse
Episode 2
With the purchase complete, Gavin and Nicole waste no time getting to work on their abandoned Welsh farmhouse. Fresh from city life, they begin assessing the scale of the renovation while balancing tight finances and big ambitions for self-sufficient living powered by solar and hydro. As Gavin ap...
-
S1E3 Early Renovation Setbacks Reveal Hidden Problems
Episode 3
As renovation work continues, Gavin and Nicole uncover hidden issues that force a rethink of their early plans. Cleaning out the kitchen turns up unexpected finds, while setting up a home office reveals deeper structural damage than anticipated. Improved internet makes remote work easier, but ins...
-
S1E4 Transforming the Land as Renovation Work Expands Beyond the House
Episode 4
Gavin and Nicole shift focus beyond the farmhouse, taking on land improvements despite relentless Welsh weather. From removing a massive stump to building a rain shelter and carving out a functional parking bay, progress comes through persistence and problem-solving. As garden work continues, the...
-
S1E5 Uncovering Hidden Features and Questionable Past Repairs
Episode 5
As Gavin and Nicole dig deeper into their Welsh smallholding, clearing rooms exposes hidden features—and a trail of questionable past repairs. Heavy furniture and forgotten materials make demolition harder than expected, while a family visit adds encouragement and extra hands. With plans forming ...
-
S1E6 Starting With the Worst Room to Tackle Damp and Structural Damage
Episode 6
Gavin and Nicole begin renovation where the problems are most severe, taking on damp issues in their 120-year-old farmhouse. Ceilings come down, crumbling floorboards are exposed, and long-hidden issues surface as real work begins. Along the way, they uncover an original slate hearth and remove o...
-
S1E7 Touring the Farm and Planning the Future of Historic Outbuildings
Episode 7
Gavin and Nicole step back to tour their smallholding, sharing progress across the wider farm beyond the main house. They explore the history of the piggery, assess the condition of the old cottage and tractor shed, and outline plans to restore each space while preserving the property’s character...
-
S1E8 Demolition Chaos as Ceilings Come Down and Plans Take Shape
Episode 8
Demolition ramps up as Gavin and Nicole strip ceilings and walls back to expose the true condition of their Welsh smallholding. Damp issues and poor past work come to light, reinforcing the need for breathable materials and proper structural upgrades. As usable materials are salvaged and waste is...
-
S1E9 Tearing Down Walls and Revealing What This Old Farmhouse Holds
Episode 9
Week nine of the renovation puts interior demolition front and center as Gav tackles wall stripping on his own, relying on skill and experience to manage the physical demands of the job. As this old house begins to open up, surprises appear—including adopted cattle tangled in blackberry bushes ju...
-
S1E10 A Myriad of Work
-
S1E11 Outbuilding Work Reveals the Scale of a True Farmhouse Renovation
Episode 11
This week, Gavin and Nicole shift focus to the outbuildings, where progress comes with plenty of dust, debris, and unexpected discoveries. Vaulted ceiling work and insulation removal inside the farmhouse reveal both challenges and momentum, while clearing the piggery uncovers remnants of the prop...
-
S1E12 Six Months In: Progress, Storm Damage, and a Farmhouse Taking Shape
Episode 12
Six months after leaving Southeast London, Gavin and Nicole look back on the progress made at their derelict Welsh farmhouse and across the surrounding 13.5 acres. Overgrown land has been cleared, major repairs tackled, and key decisions made to modernize the house without losing its character. S...
-
S1E13 Land Clearing and Trenching as Essential Farm Systems Take Shape
Episode 13
As the renovation moves beyond visible finishes, Gavin and Nicole focus on the less glamorous but essential systems that make rural living work. An upgraded septic solution takes center stage as engineers assess treatment plant locations, conduct soil tests, and navigate changing regulations. Alo...
-
S1E14 Bringing Stone Walls Back to Life While Structural Plans Shift
Episode 14
Work slows as Gavin and Nicole pause the renovation to address lime removal and reassess next steps before restarting in November. As walls are opened and checked, rotten joists and moisture damage come to light, reshaping plans for underfloor heating and future structural work. A new laser measu...
-
S1E15 Crumbling Joists Force a Major Rethink Seven Months In
Episode 15
Seven months into the renovation, Gavin and Nicole hit a major setback as crumbling joists and failing lintels are uncovered beneath the floors. Removing the fireplace reveals original brickwork, reshaping plans and pushing structural repairs to the top of the list. Creating safe access means lif...
-
24:17Episode 16
S1E16 Opening Up Walls for Greater Spaces
Episode 16
Home renovation faces unexpected challenges, including rot and delays. Family visits occur during tile removal and preparation for further work. The demolition of the last wall begins to enhance kitchen space, prompting a design reevaluation. Flooding leads to wood storage issues, requiring an up...
-
S1E17 Spring Brings Stone Laying, Compost Bays, and New Farm Projects
Episode 17
With spring arriving, work shifts outdoors as bulbs emerge and new farm tasks take priority. Gavin and Nicole complete compost bays, experiment with land use, and continue balancing house renovation alongside smallholding projects. A hands-on lesson in stone laying highlights the skill and patien...
-
S1E18 Repairing Rotten Joists and Preparing Walls for Lime Mortar
Episode 18
Structural repairs take priority as Gavin and Nicole tackle rotten joists, replacing damaged sections with new timbers and treating exposed wood with borax gel for long-term protection. Layers of old paint are stripped back from beams and carefully neutralized, preparing the walls for breathable ...
-
S1E19 What We Wish We’d Known Before Buying and Renovating the Farm
Episode 19
In a candid Q&A, Gavin and Nicole respond to viewer questions about the realities of buying property, renovating an old farmhouse, and adjusting to small-space living. They share lessons learned around mortgages and financing, finding the right property, and building connections within a rural co...
-
S1E20 New Windows Go In as the Farm Moves Toward a Self-Sufficient Future
Episode 20
A major visual shift arrives as new windows replace failing originals, bringing light, views, and fresh momentum to this old house renovation. Family members lend a hand as demolition uncovers more structural fixes that need attention, reminding everyone this fixer upper still has lessons to teac...