Ep 3. Tenby: The Lifeboat Station

In Grand Designs season 11 episode 3, we are taken to the picturesque seaside town of Tenby in Wales where a couple, Rob and Alida, have purchased an old lifeboat station with the ambitious plan to transform it into their dream home. The lifeboat station, located in a prime position on the Pembrokeshire coast, was built in the 1920s and is a Grade II listed building.

The episode opens with Rob and Alida taking Kevin McCloud, the show's presenter, on a tour of the run-down but historic building. The lifeboat station has fallen into disrepair, with rusted metalwork, broken windows, and a leaking roof just some of the many issues that need to be addressed. The couple is undeterred, however, and are committed to restoring the building's former glory.

Rob and Alida have a budget of £500,000 for the project, which they realize is ambitious but are willing to take on the challenge. They plan to build a new extension onto the lifeboat station to provide more living space, with large windows that offer stunning views of the sea and surrounding landscape. They also plan to create a spacious outdoor area, complete with a fire pit, to make the most of the stunning location.

As the project gets underway, the couple hits numerous obstacles. The building's structural integrity is a major concern. The lifeboat station was designed to withstand the brutal conditions of the Welsh coast, but years of neglect have taken their toll. The couple hires a structural engineer to assess the building, and the verdict is not good. The floor is uneven, the walls are unstable, and the roof is leaking. The couple must decide whether to take on the costly expense of fixing these issues or risk moving forward with the project.

With tensions running high, the couple decides to move forward with the project, but things don't get any easier. The extension is designed to be an open-plan living space, but the couple soon realizes that this presents numerous challenges. Installing the large windows they envisioned proves to be more complicated than they anticipated, as they are unable to find a supplier that can meet their specifications.

Despite these setbacks, the couple perseveres, and the finished product is nothing short of stunning. The new extension blends seamlessly with the existing building, and the large windows offer breathtaking views of the sea. Inside, the open-plan living space is flooded with natural light and feels spacious yet cozy. The couple's commitment to the project has paid off, and they have created a truly unique and beautiful home.

In conclusion, Grand Designs season 11, episode 3 takes us on a journey to Tenby in Wales, where a couple sets out to transform an old lifeboat station into their dream home. The challenges they face are numerous, but their commitment to the project never wavers, resulting in a stunning home that seamlessly blends old and new. This episode highlights the importance of perseverance and determination when renovating a historic building, and the end result is a true testament to the couple's vision and hard work.