S2 Ep11: James Lowsley-Williams | From the peloton to Poldark: Managing Chavenage Estate in the spotlight

Living life in the glare of publicity, with a hugely popular YouTube channel, would not be for every owner of a historic country Estate.

But for James Lowsley-Williams and his wife Emma, documenting the running of the 500-year-old Chavenage Estate in the Cotswolds to thousands of viewers every week has proved to be a major success.

In this episode of Estate Matters nothing is off-limits as James, a former professional cyclist, tells podcast host Anna Byles about inheriting the Estate, welcoming film crews for Poldark and Jilly Cooper’s Rivals, and managing family expectations in a multi-generational business.

With a café, accommodation, weddings, filming, a 2,000-acre farm and tours of the house, James and Emma have turned an Elizabethan and Tudor Manor into a 21st century diversified business.

There have been challenges and mistakes along the way, he admits, but authentic and open engagement with the local community have helped Chavenage thrive.