Alex Jones, the beloved host of The One Show, is taking on an enormous challenge as she embarks on a major renovation of her £2.8million Georgian mansion in Ascot, Berkshire. What started as a bold move in 2024 has turned into a long-term, grand designs-style project, and we have all the details!
A Move That Shocked Her Husband
The journey began when Alex, 49, decided to buy a sprawling four-bedroom property before her husband, Charlie Thomson, even saw it. Despite the house’s antique charm, the transformation is no easy feat, and Alex’s plans are truly ambitious.
In fact, she was so keen on the home that she wrote a heartfelt letter to the elderly owner, Penelope, pleading for the chance to buy it. Luckily for Alex, Penelope replied: “You’re exactly the type of person I want to sell this house to,” setting the stage for what would become a huge renovation project.
A Home for the Future
Located in a desirable area near Sunningdale, the mansion comes with its challenges. But Alex and Charlie are determined to breathe new life into it. Their vision includes creating a flowing living space by knocking through several rooms, adding a single-storey extension for a super-sized kitchen diner, and restoring its original Georgian features—one of which, a hidden fireplace in the playroom, Alex is particularly excited to unveil.
Despite the mansion’s charm, much of the interior is in desperate need of updating. Alex jokingly describes the existing kitchen as a “time machine,” referencing its retro 1976 design, complete with an antique fridge and a heated cupboard for tea towels.
Family Benefits, Major Renovation Plans
The couple’s children, Teddy, nine, Kit, six, and Annie, four, have already benefited from the move to the countryside. Alex has shared that the cleaner air has done wonders for her children’s health, with the persistent coughs they suffered in London now a thing of the past.
However, completing this dream home is far from a quick task. Alex predicts it could take decades before the house is fully transformed, making the potential payoff from hosting Strictly Come Dancing a crucial financial boost for the couple.
The Future Is Bright – But How Long Will It Take? 
While the transformation may take years, Alex and Charlie’s plans also include overhauling the property’s outbuilding, which will serve as their temporary living space during the extensive work on the main house. The renovation will feature a new studio, gym, workshop, and storage area, as Alex and Charlie navigate the long road ahead.
Despite the slow progress, Alex remains focused on getting it right, only planning one full renovation for the property. She’s even created a mood board to guide the interior design, pulling inspiration from scrapbooks and magazines. 
Alex and Charlie’s move to the countryside wasn’t just about space—it was about providing their children with a lifestyle closer to nature. The couple’s new home, once owned by John Lennon and Ringo Starr, is their dream retreat and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
Could Alex’s transformation of this Georgian masterpiece spark the next big renovation TV series? Only time will tell!
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
