Country House Rescue

Ruth visits Pen-y-Lan, a 17-century mansion in Wales.

Pen-y-Lan was built in 1690 by the founder of Lloyds bank and was bought by the Holloway family in 1849. The house has been passed down the generations. Emma Holloway grew up in the house and has, in turn, brought up her four children there. To Emma Pen-y-Lan is her life. But the house is also a noose around her neck - with £300,000 of debt. The house is in a shabby state and without the income to do it up the future looks bleak.

Ruth suggests Emma looks into two new business ventures - a pop up restaurant to complement her sociability and cooking skills and horse riding holidays to compliment her equestrian interest.

On Ruth's return very little has happened. Ruth sits the family down for a head to head where she confronts Emma and her children that enough is not being done. And then Emma suggests her own idea - residential art classes.

The art day goes to plan and, as Ruth had hoped, Emma offers good food and good service. But with plans of only doing this for six weeks a year will it be enough to save their home?