Château DIY: Win the Dream

Château DIY: Win the Dream

Channel 4 Running DIY

1 Season · 20 Episodes · Premiered January 26, 2026

Château DIY: Win the Dream will see aspiring chatelains compete in challenges to prove they have what it takes to win a life-changing prize: an authentic castle in France with multiple bedrooms, living quarters and outbuildings which could be worth up to £250,000 – lower than the average price of a home in the UK. The challengers will compete in a series of heats testing their skills in design, renovation, and business acumen: essential traits they'll need for running their own property. Each challenge will be guided and judged by the familiar faces of Château DIY's main series, who will share their vast and varied expertise of renovating and running these magnificent properties with the competitors. After three weeks of heats, a selection of successful candidates will be put through to the finals week where one lucky pair could win the prize of their dreams. 

Where to Watch: Channel 4

Official Site

Next Air Time: No upcoming air date

Seasons & Episodes

Season 1

20 episodes
E01
Episode 1
Mon, Jan 26 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
The first four pairs of contestants tackle their first challenge for head judge Max McMurdo - transforming run-down garages into elegant entertainment spaces
E02
Episode 2
Tue, Jan 27 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
The renovation challenge continues, with contestants competing for the chance to run their very own historic French property. Decision day sees one couple's dream of a new life in France hanging in the balance. Judges Max McMurdo and Stephanie Jarvis to put the contestants' entertainment spaces to the test
E03
Episode 3
Wed, Jan 28 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
As the first heat reaches its midpoint, Max McMurdo's latest renovation challenge pushes the contestants' creativity, skill and nerves to the limit. With their future in the competition on the line, each pair must deliver standout work to prove that they deserve to stay.
E04
Episode 4
Thu, Jan 29 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
The three remaining pairs have poured everything into transforming their bedrooms, but only the team with the strongest creativity, design and finish will impress enough to keep their place in the competition. Judges Max McMurdo and Stephanie Jarvis face an agonising decision in determining who will earn a spot in this week's final challenge.
E05
Episode 5
Fri, Jan 30 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
In heat one's final showdown, the last two pairs must give everything to secure their place in the grand final and move closer to winning their dream chateau in France. Max McMurdo raises the stakes by taking them to the remarkable Château de Lalacelle, where they face their toughest challenge yet - planning and hosting a real event for real guests. With high expectations, tight timings and the pressure of performing in a working chateau, only the pair who deliver creativity, organisation and confident execution will progress.
E06
Episode 6
Mon, Feb 2 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
The second heat begins with new contestants tackling attic snug transformations. Working in paired teams, the renovators must balance comfort, style and clever design as they bring the forgotten corners of the chateau back to life. With personalities, approaches and ambitions already clashing, the pressure mounts from day one.
E07
Episode 7
Tue, Feb 3 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Donna and Paul Newman join head judge Max McMurdo to give their thoughts on the attic snugs, scrutinising everything from layout choices to atmosphere and finish, before the first elimination of the second heat takes place.
E08
Episode 8
Wed, Feb 4 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
With one pair already gone, the remaining renovators step into the solo phase of the competition in which they must create a breakfast room suitable for paying guests. They must show flair in both design and functionality while staying true to the chateau's character - but with no partner to rely on, confidence and creativity are pushed to the brink.
E09
Episode 9
Thu, Feb 5 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
The breakfast room challenge reaches its critical conclusion as guest judges Donna and Paul Newman return to help Max McMurdo make a difficult decision. The three remaining pairs have put everything into transforming their rooms into welcoming, charming, practical and stylish spaces, but only two will secure a spot in this week's final, so for one pair, the dream of a new life in France ends here.
E10
Episode 10
Fri, Feb 6 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
The final of the second heat sees the contestants manage a group of workaways to transform the château grounds, turn over gîtes ready for paying guests and much more. With a place in the grand finale at stake, only the pair who deliver excellence across the board will triumph. Head judge Max McMurdo presides, alongside Château DIY favourites Alison Wright and Zion Kadosh.
E11
Episode 11
Mon, Feb 9 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Heat three begins as four new pairs arrive at the picturesque French chateau, where Max McMurdo tasks them with transforming two tired outbuildings into luxurious dining rooms worthy of a grand estate. With the contenders working in combined teams, creativity and cooperation are pushed to their limits in an opening challenge that sets the tone for a fiercely competitive heat ahead.
E12
Episode 12
Tue, Feb 10 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
Guest judges Janet and Philip Barnard-Brown join Max McMurdo to give their thoughts on the dining room transformations. With expectations high, the contestants worry that their ideas may fall short - and for one pair, their French dream will be over as the judges decide whose efforts don't meet the standard they are looking for.
E13
Episode 13
Wed, Feb 11 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
With one pair gone, Max McMurdo sets a new brief designed to reveal imagination and personality - transforming blank interiors into elegant reading rooms or libraries. Working alone for the first time in this heat, the hopefuls must balance comfort, functionality and atmosphere while showcasing their design sensibilities.
E14
Episode 14
Thu, Feb 12 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
E15
Episode 15
Fri, Feb 13 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
E16
Episode 16
Mon, Feb 16 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
E17
Episode 17
Tue, Feb 17 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
E18
Episode 18
Wed, Feb 18 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
E19
Episode 19
Thu, Feb 19 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min
E20
Episode 20
Fri, Feb 20 2026 5:00 PM GMT+0000 60 min

Cast

Max McMurdo
Max McMurdo as Head Judge and Narrator

User Reviews

Rate this show

Your star rating (required)