When the pandemic struck in 2020, the couple decided to focus on renovating the estate's farmhouse, a beautiful old building dating back to 1881. Like the main house, it was in a poor state of repair and required a lot of work to bring back to life. But remarkably, it's now been transformed into a beautiful retreat for friends and family – and it's also proved a big hit with holidaymakers.

The Pauls have also renovated the red and white carriage house on the property, and have their sights set on rebuilding the old piggery too.

Given their extensive experience in bringing historic structures back to life, they have wise words of advice for any aspiring renovators: "It's gonna take more time and money than you ever imagined," says Jean. "Learn as much about the history of the place as you can so that you can do the restoration with integrity and incorporate the past as much as possible."

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This couple turned an abandoned farm into a dream home