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Restoration Home

Series 3

Episode 8: Barnhill

Duration: 59 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC Two HDLatest broadcast: on BBC Two HD

When Geri and her husband Kevin first saw Barnhill they fell in love. All practical and sensible decision making went out of the window the moment they saw the gothic arches, quirky architectural features and in particular the glass lantern-like cupola sitting on top. Despite living in Kent, they decided to buy their dream home in Devon without even commissioning a survey, but quickly discovered if they had, they might have run a mile.

Barnhill was in a critical condition. As the restoration begins so too does a race against time to prevent it collapsing. Walls believed to be sturdy turn out to be nothing more than waterlogged rotting mud piles - Geri quickly doubles her expected restoration budget. As efforts to save the gothic fantasy grow in intensity so too does its history. Believed to date back to the 18th century, but changed significantly over time, Barnhill was always a subject of mystery and speculation in the village, but finally some hard evidence emerges. The historical investigation could even explain the reason the original build was so poorly executed.

As the financial cost of saving the house overtakes what it could ever be worth, Geri has to take some tough decisions. Her only option is to manage the build herself - but then the true impact of trying to undo two centuries of amateur construction hits home - Barnhill's defining feature, the glass lantern on top is on the brink of plummeting to the ground. As Geri attempts to rescue the old house she starts to lose control of what the final impact of saving Barnhill will have on her budget, and on her. Show less

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