Ep 4. Welsh School

In The Restoration Man season 3 episode 4, titled Welsh School, host George Clarke travels to rural Wales to visit a dilapidated schoolhouse from the 1800s that has sat empty for over two decades. The schoolhouse was originally built to serve as a vital hub for the surrounding farming communities but was abandoned in the 1980s due to dwindling enrollment.

Upon arrival, George meets the new owners, Emma and Nick, who have a vision to turn the schoolhouse into a family home. However, the building has suffered extensive damage from years of neglect and harsh weather conditions. The roof has collapsed, the walls are damp and crumbling, and the windows are broken.

Emma and Nick have a limited budget for the restoration, and with George's guidance, they have to make some tough decisions about which elements of the building they can salvage and which ones will need to be replaced. As they begin to strip back the layers of the old schoolhouse, they uncover some hidden gems that offer clues to the building's past, including old chalkboards and dated teaching aids.

The restoration team faces several challenges along the way, including the need to replace the entire roof and re-engineer the warped floorboards. They also have to work around the school's original features, such as the exposed stone walls, to maintain the integrity of the building.

Throughout the episode, George provides useful tips and insights into the restoration process, including how to select the right materials, how to work with traditional building techniques, and how to stay within a modest budget. He also takes Emma and Nick on a tour of some other beautifully restored properties in the area to give them some inspiration for their own project.

As the restoration nears completion, Emma and Nick reflect on the challenges they faced and the countless hours of hard work that went into their project. They also contemplate what the building means to them and how it will serve as a cherished family home for generations to come.

Overall, The Restoration Man season 3 episode 4 offers an engaging and informative look at the restoration process, demonstrating the importance of preserving historic buildings and the rewards of transforming them into beautiful and functional homes.