SINGER Charlotte Church’s transformation of a 15th century stately home into a wellness retreat in picturesque Powys is set to return to our television screens for a second series later this year.

Charlotte confirmed to her 103,000 Instagram followers last month that Charlotte Church’s Dream Build is returning on Really and Discovery+.

Series one of the programme aired eight episodes earlier this year and followed the 36-year-old on her pilgrimage to turn Rhydoldog House, near Rhayader, into a holiday retreat, wellness centre and wedding venue.

Charlotte bought the 47-acre Elan Valley property – the mansion was previously owned by Mid Wales fashion icon Laura Ashley – for around £1.5 million in May last year.

In a post on her Instagram page, Charlotte said: “Hi guys. I’m Charlotte Church and I’m so excited to share with you the second series of Dream Build which is my project in Mid Wales where I’m turning a beautiful old house which used to belong to Laura Ashley into a retreat centre.

“We are so close to finishing and it’s been one hell of a ride, so I can’t wait to share that with you and have your feedback and see what you think.

“Make sure you’re tuned into Really and Discovery+ so that you can keep on top of all the updates, but it’s coming very, very soon and I can’t wait for you to see the journey.”

Series one hit UK screens in January, following the Voice of an Angel star and her family around the tranquil Rhydoldog estate as she set the wheels in motion on the ambitious project.

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Charlotte spoke passionately about Laura Ashley and Rhydoldog, revealing how she wanted to keep the “legacy” of Laura Ashley alive as she aims to transform the stunning stately home into a new retreat to help people get back to nature and recover following the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s really important to me the house, it’s history and the fact that Laura Ashley owned it, absolutely,” Charlotte said during the hour-long first episode.

“She was a self-made woman, from Wales, she came from poverty to make a huge success of herself, it’s amazing. She did it through making beautiful prints and making life more beautiful and that’s something that I really want to come through (in this project).

“I’d love to honour Laura’s groundbreaking work and keep her legacy alive at Rhydoldog.”

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Although set amidst stunning scenery, it’s clear Charlotte has taken on quite a job. The property looks magnificent on the outside, yet most of it was a wreck on the inside when purchased. Viewers watched as Charlotte delightedly took a sledgehammer to an interior wall in order to expand the dining room. “I have pretty much spent my entire life savings on this,” she said.

Besides the house there’s also a barn and stables in the garden to be renovated and converted, plus the magical gardens and surrounding woodland. And Charlotte had emphasised the need to be completed by June this year in order to meet the busy summer season demand and start making revenue, otherwise she could be in trouble.

County Times: Charlotte Church bought Rhydoldog House in the Elan Valley for around £1.5m in May 2021. Pictures: McCartneys/PA Charlotte Church bought Rhydoldog House in the Elan Valley for around £1.5m in May 2021. Pictures: McCartneys/PA

When the series ended there was still much to do inside and out, including planning and construction of the woodland log cabins, the staircase construction and installation, while the vital planning permission for change of use for the main house had failed to receive the green light.

In May, Powys County Council revealed there were outstanding issues being worked on by the applicant’s agent, before the planning application could be considered by the council.

Rhydoldog House was originally bought by the late fashion designer Ms Ashley – who died in 1985 – and her husband Sir Bernard in 1973, as the couple wanted to raise their family and be near to their fledgling business in Carno. The family sold it in 2009.