Architect George Clarke travels around Great Britain profiling people restoring historically and architecturally significant buildings.[2] The series typically features people aiming to convert non-residential structures – including churches, water towers and windmills – into homes.[3] Each episode chronicles the difficulties the owners face during the conversion, including restrictions in place for listed buildings. Clarke researches each building's history and architecture, interviews people who previously lived or worked there, and shares his findings with the new owners.
Gareth and Jill Williams buy a disused medieval church in Wales. The 15th-century building must first be excavated by archaeologists – with the Williams covering the cost at £600 a day.
Clive, an electrical engineer, aims to restore an 1833 windmill on the island of Anglesey and turn it into a vacation home for him and his wife, Jane, who is recovering from cancer. Problems include rotting beams and damage from storms, and Clive's motivation wanes when Jane's cancer returns.
A couple work to restore a 17th-century cruck-framed fieldhouse into a home for their combined family, and ask George Clarke to design the extension. The structure is surprisingly not listed, but they still need permission from the local council, which rejects their plan for the extension.
Lisa and Darren Walker convert a Grade II-listed 18th-century coach house into a home. Converting agricultural structures requires special consideration, as these buildings typically have never had water or electricity.
Laird Henderson restores an 1833 ice house, used in the booming western Scottish salmon industry. Clarke visits Petworth House to see an extravagant 18th-century ice house, built solely for the Duke of Somerset's family to indulge in ice cream.
A couple, Pete and Nikki, attempt to restore a windmill that has been in Pete's family for a century. However, midway through the conversion, Nikki is diagnosed with terminal cancer and given months to live.
A couple take on the restoration of a 19th-century Victorian Church. To save money, their brother-in-law acts as project manager, but he's inexperienced with restoration. Meanwhile the bank denies their request for an additional mortgage, and extreme weather causes problems.
Mark and Pat Rand convert an 1876 water tower into a residence. The Grade II-listed water tower lies on the historic Settle-Carlisle Line and has been out of use since the 1960s.
A Newcastle couple, Keith and Sheenagh McIntyre, hope to restore a ruined church designed by Thomas Telford on the small island of Berneray, and turn it into an art studio and vacation home. Only the stone walls are left of the church, built in 1829. The extreme weather causes problems as strong winds shred the insulation and blows debris all over the island, angering local residents, and the McIntyres are dealt a major blow as the custom windows ordered from a Scandinavian company don't fit.
Dave and Margaret Hedley take on an old mill, which they plan to not only restore, but get working again to generate hydroelectric power for the house. Clarke discovers the first mills on the River Coquet were built by the Earl of Northumberland to earn income to pay his steep fine after he was accused of conspiring in the Gunpowder Plot.
Alison and Matthew Grey sell their London flat to buy an 1888 Victorian pumping station in Hertfordshire. After spending £750,000 to buy the station, they are left with a budget of only £60,000.
Alan and Dora Appleby, who are experienced with restoring listed buildings, decide to restore a dilapidated flint mill into a retirement home. However, the cost of restoring the 18th-century mill ends up much higher than the Applebys had budgeted.
Neil and Jackie attempt to convert an abandoned church into their family home. The church, built in 1874 and deconsecrated in 1977, has suffered water damage over the years and needs a new roof.
A couple experienced in restoration take on a derelict school. With little money in the budget, they plan on doing the renovation themselves, and ultimately stretch themselves to the limit. Meanwhile, Clarke looks into the school's history and organises a reunion of its former students and teachers.
Jamie and Jane Brown buy a World War II bunker to convert into a bed and breakfast. The bunker, which has been empty for more than 50 years, has no electricity or windows, and is flooded.
Clarke returns to Northumberland to see the 17th-century mill restored by Dave and Margaret Hedley, who now have the mill running again to provide power.
First-time restorers Russell and Nadia Smith renovate a Grade II-listed farmhouse on a tight budget. George Clarke tries to date the property, that has a timber-frame back, typical of the 16th and 17th centuries, and a Georgian brick front typical of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Jim and Bee Goody purchase a 19th-century schoolhouse to convert into a country home. Jim is frustrated by the restrictions on the Grade II-listed property, and they're forced to max their credit cards to get by when their old house doesn't sell.
A couple takes on a very unusual renovation project: restoring an air traffic control tower from a World War II airfield. Clarke tracks down veterans who trained for combat missions at the airfield.
Matt Whittle and his father-in-law-to-be Mike Readfern pool their resources to convert an enormous water filtration plant into a pair of semi-detached houses sharing an internal garden atrium
Jude McKelvey wants to restore a dilapidated but listed 17th-century barn to its former glory, while also creating a family home to share with her two boys