Some of you, my dear readers, do propably know the UK’s longest running relocation show, BBC’s ‘Escape to the Country’. A series which helps prospective buyers find their dream home in the country. Escape to the Country features a team of experts who assist a couple or family in obtaining their dream country home.
The series is currently running. This programme guides the spectators along the English countryside and shows us lots of properties on the market.
The English countryside
Image 1 Cotswolds, source LocalNomad Blog - Image 2 Cotswolds, source LocalNomad Blog - Image 3 Wales, source Beautiful Britain - Image 4 Old English cottage, source Pixdaus - Image 5 English country interior, source Country Interiors by Caroline Meredith - Cotswolds interior, source The Village Pub Cirencester
At this moment I am working on a project for a client living in the Cotswolds, one of the most beautiful and most famous parts of the English countryside! This charming area really stole my heart! I posted about the Cotswolds here. As an interior designer I love all books about English country house architecture and interiors. My latest acquisition is the gorgeous book by one of my favorite English designers Nicky Haslam : ‘Folly de Grandeur : Romance and Revival in an English Country House’.
Hardcover of the book
Nicky Haslam in the garden of his English country house. Photo credit Simon Upton (Source book preview here)
To see a preview of this book, click here.
For more information about the series BBC’s ‘Escape to the Country’ and for all upcoming broadcasts, click HERE and HERE.
BBC’s ‘Escape to the Country’
Why am I telling you about BBC’s ‘Escape to the Country’ today?
I heard that the property & lifestyle programme ‘Escape to the Country’ is expanding its production by creating a new spin-off series, 'Escape to the Continent'.
The producers are now looking for British people who are thinking of embarking on a continental adventure.
When I heard this, I knew I had to blog about this and had to inform my British readers about this BBC series! I had to promote our beautiful country Belgium !
Are you one of my British readers and do you dream of a new life in Continental Europe?
Well then, ESCAPE TO BELGIUM !
Please, email your name, telephone number and a little bit about your move
to escapetoeurope@boundlessproductions.tv
or
visit the ‘Be on a show’ page for an application form : http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/beonashow/escape_to_the_continent
And why would you choose for a new life in Belgium?
Because, Belgium is a fantastic country to live in.
Because English is widely spoken.
Because, the Belgium countryside is gorgeous! Think about the unique hilly landscapes of the Flemish Ardennes, the extensive forests of the Belgian Ardennes, the national park of the Hoge Kempen etc.
Because of its cornucopia of culture, historic places and beautiful towns and cities.
Because of its castles and other worth seeing places and curiosities. Culture lovers will feel at home by visiting the numerous museums.
Because of its beautiful golf courses, cycling routes and the famous Tour of Flanders.
Because of its traditional and contemporary architecture.
Because of Belgian world-renowned fashion designers, interior designers and architects.
Because of the Belgian craftsmanship.
Because of the numerous restaurants where delicious Belgian food is served, because of the Belgian beer, the Belgian chocolates and so many more…
The beautiful landscape of the Flemish Ardennes Source Visit Gent
Belgian Ardennes Source Cour Rimbaud
National Park the Hoge Kempen Photo credit Marc De Vos Source Natuur en Bos
The city of Bruges, called Venice of the North Source Diamond Land
Brussels,“Capital of Europe” where the headquarters of the European Union and NATO are based
Source Holiday Lines
Aerial view of the Castle of Nokere Source unknown
Golf & Countryclub Oudenaarde Source Golf Oudenaarde
Tour of Flanders Source Bicycling
The Ghent Altarpiece (also called Adoration of the Mystic Lamb or The Lamb of God), 1432- Jan & Hubert van Eyck - Saint Bavo Cathedral Ghent Source Wikipedia
Belgian mills Source Sint Blasiushof
Belgium, renown flax producing country Source Klaverke
To read more about Belgian linen, please visit the Belgian linen website at http://www.belgianlinen.com.
Table linen ‘Flanders’ by Libeco Source Libeco Home Collection
Farmhouses with their limewashed brick façades Source Timeless Living
Oak outbuildings Source Rik Storms
Belgian farmhouse with its beautiful garden Source Immo Dochy
Beguinage Bruges Source : Eigendom van www.op-reis.com & www.arakea.com : Alle rechten voorbehouden
Since a number of years we do see evolve in Belgian architecture a new style which is inspired by the architecture of the Flemish beguinages. See my bloppost about the Belgian ‘Begijnhofstijl’ here.
Beautiful country house Source Architect François-Xavier Van Damme
Characteristics of Belgian architecture and interior design : reclaimed materials as brick floor, beamed ceiling, limewashed walls and linen upholstery. Source Lefèvre Interiors
Use of natural materials as wooden floors, Belgian linen for window treatment and upholstery.
Source Timeless Architecture and Living- Yearbook 2009 Beta-Plus Publishing
Belgian interior designers love to mix old and new. Source Lefèvre Interiors
If you are interested in Belgian architecture & interior design, I would love to recommend you these Beta-Plus Publications.
Cover Exclusive Country Houses - Cover Family Houses – Cover Contemporary Living in Belgium
Source Beta-Plus Publishing
Craftsmanship of the Belgian family-owned company Lefèvre Interiors, cabinetmakers since 1890
Photo Credit Claude Smekens Source Lefèvre Interiors
Fashion design NATAN by Edouard Vermeulen Source Natan FB Page
Belgian food
Image 1 Belgian fries, Source Tumblr. – Image 2 Belgian beer, source Rough Guides - Image 3 Belgian chocolate, source Chocolaterie Belfort - Image 4 Belgian grapes, Source Streekproduct
And if you would love to see beautiful aerial views of Belgium, then I recommend you to purchase ‘Belgium The Book’.
Cover ‘Belgium The Book’
In more than 250 images aerial photographer Wim Robberechts takes you along for a flight over Belgium.
The best aerial photographs of Belgium.
Please, be sure to watch these videos about Belgium.
Isn’t Belgium a fantastic country to live in?
In case you have made up your mind, and you are living in the UK, and have decided to start your new life in Belgium, please apply to the upcoming BBC programme ‘Escape to the Continent’.
Please, email your name, telephone number and a little bit about your move
to escapetoeurope@boundlessproductions.tv
or
visit the ‘Be on a show’ page for an application form : http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/beonashow/escape_to_the_continent
BBC’s ‘Escape to the Continent’
Writing this post makes me feel as I am representing my country as an ambassador does. Well, I am a Belgian in heart and soul and I tried to convince my British readers, who are dreaming to escape to the Continent, to start their new life in Belgium.
I do hope that Belgium may be the ‘Escape to the Continent’- country of your option!
You are most welcome!
I am looking forward to hear of anyone of you, my dear readers, who has applied to be on the show of the ‘Escape to the Continent’ series.
xx
Greet
