A family has swapped their terraced London home for a derelict countryside mansion, committing to a restoration project that will span decades and cost hundreds of thousands of pounds. Ben Charles Edwards, 42, a film producer, and his husband Sam, 34, a model, left the capital behind so their two sons, aged eight and five, could enjoy more space to play and explore.
Discovery of a Hidden Gem
While driving just outside Canterbury in August 2025, the couple stumbled upon a vast 11,000 sq ft Georgian property that had been converted into a care home and left to deteriorate since 2017. Despite its dilapidated state, they were instantly captivated. They purchased the mansion for £1 million and moved in during February 2026.
Ambitious Restoration Plans
The couple plans to spend at least a decade painstakingly restoring the home to its original splendour. This involves stripping out the 24 care home bedrooms and returning each room to its intended purpose. Ben said: "It's all being hand done and repaired, we're not looking to change anything, we're just looking to slowly repair it and allow it to operate as the Georgian house it was."
So far, they have cleared 20 tonnes of rubbish, including old wheelchairs and hospital beds, and stripped everything back to original materials. They even discovered a hidden staircase behind plywood. An auction document from 1901 revealed the original layout, guiding their restoration efforts.
Adapting to Rural Life
The family, who still commute to London several times a week for work, have settled into rural life. Their children are delighted by the abundance of outdoor space. Ben noted: "They've never had more cuts and bruises from playing outside... They're climbing trees and doing things that London couldn't offer a young family."
While the main house is uninhabitable due to leaks, mould, and a partially missing roof, the family currently resides in a more modern wing built by the care home. The property sits on one acre of land, which they plan to transform into a vegetable garden with a chicken coop.
Financial Commitment
The total cost of restoration remains uncertain, but the couple expects it to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds over their lifetime. Ben, originally from East London, said: "London's an amazing city... but we wanted to move to the countryside so that the boys would have more outside space."
