Chavenage House: A Family's Quest to Preserve Their Historic Home

James Lowsley-Williams, a 32-year-old former professional cyclist, is preparing to assume the role of chatelain at Chavenage House, a 450-year-old Elizabethan manor in Gloucestershire. The estate, acquired by the Lowsley-Williams family in 1891, has been a cornerstone of their lives for generations.

Chavenage House, built in 1576, boasts 19 fireplaces and has gained fame as a filming location for popular television series such as Poldark and Lark Rise to Candleford. The Grade I listed property spans 1,900 acres and includes agricultural land, cottages, and a ballroom.

The estate's management has been a family affair. James's grandmother, Rona, oversees the cattle farming, while his aunt Caroline manages house tours, weddings, and filming opportunities. His aunt Joanna runs the catering business, and his father George manages the farm.

James is set to inherit Chavenage, bypassing his father's generation for tax reasons. He recalls signing ownership documents in his early 20s, realizing the magnitude of the responsibility ahead. The estate's lease on the main house expires in 2026, at which point James and his fiancée Emma will assume full management.

The couple faces significant challenges in maintaining the historic property. Emma notes, "It's like being handed a business and somebody saying, 'make this work, keep this working', but there's no manual." The greatest hurdle is making the estate affordable to live in, with heating costs being a primary concern.

To address these challenges, James and Emma are exploring innovative solutions. They've converted an old stone barn into a café and plan to offer overnight accommodation and guided walks. Leveraging James's background in content creation, they're launching a YouTube channel to document life at Chavenage.

"YouTube is my passion, content creation is my passion," James explains. "And the house is a story I want to tell." The couple aims to engage a younger audience, with plans for entertaining videos that showcase British heritage in a fresh way.

As they prepare for their winter 2024 wedding at Chavenage, James and Emma are embracing the estate's social media presence. With over 73,000 followers on James's cycling-related accounts, they're cautiously optimistic about the potential impact of their new venture.

The Lowsley-Williams family's dedication to preserving Chavenage as a family home while adapting to modern challenges exemplifies the evolving nature of historic estate management. As James and Emma take the reins, they're poised to write a new chapter in Chavenage's 450-year history, blending tradition with innovation to secure the estate's future.

"It was never the goal to make loads of money. Everything at Chavenage was geared towards making the house a happy home."