Outline Productions is in production for Channel 4 with a new series following property expert Sarah Beeny and her family as they swap the urban jungle for a new life in the country.

Sarah Beeny’s New Life In The Country (8x60’) follows Sarah, her husband Graham Swift and their four sons as they quit their lives in London to start anew in what they hope will be a rural idyll. The family has bought a semi-derelict former dairy farm in Somerset where, surrounded by 220 acres of farmland, they’re planning on building the house of their dreams; a modern, carbon neutral mini stately home. Sarah and Graham also have ambitious plans to landscape the grounds as well as rewild sections of the farm.

The series accompanies the family as they begin landscaping work on the farm while waiting nervously for the result of a planning application that could scupper their dreams if it’s not granted.

Alongside the building project, Sarah wants to create an idyllic yet purposeful country life for the family – introducing bees and collecting hens, as well as road testing rural businesses from cheesemaking to cider making and chilli growing.

Sarah Beeny says: “I think I’ve always quite enjoyed the buzz from change and mountainous challenges and moving our whole family lock stock and barrel from city to country and re-inventing our whole life has certainly been that. I am so aware of how lucky we are to be able to do something like this, but it’s been a life changing experience. But ultimately I do believe you only live once and if you can make a dream real you should try and journey down that path if you can.”

Kate Thomas, Commissioning Editor for Channel 4 comments: ‘This sunny, escapist and hugely feel-good series taps directly into the daydreams that are, now more than ever, keeping us all going. A longing for a simpler, slower way of life. Closer contact with family, and a more meaningful relationship with nature. These things have a real resonance right now, and as Sarah and her family guide us through their own journey (which has a few daunting challenges along the way!) I hope that our audience will feel both comforted and inspired.’

Laura Mansfield, MD of Outline Productions adds: “For anyone who’s ever dreamed of leaving the city for a new life in the country or contemplating a new build themselves, this series provides an entertaining and inspiring account of what the reality is like. We’re thrilled to be working with Sarah and her family on what is a gorgeous and escapist series.”

Sarah Beeny’s New Life In The Country (8x60’) is an Outline (Wales) production for Channel 4. The executive producers are Laura Mansfield and Helen Veale. The series producer/director is Guy Gilbert, the director Jonathan Profaska and the production executive is Isa Campbell. The Channel 4 Commissioning Editor is Kate Thomas. It is being distributed by Hat Trick International. Outline is a Tin Roof Media company.