Originally a farming family living in the farmhouse at Trereife, they assumed the role of minor gentry after gradually increasing the amount of land they owned over a period of time.

John Nicholls, after working as a barrister at the Court of Chancery in London, arranged for a Queen Anne style facade to be added to the original farmhouse.

Charles Valentine Le Grice (14 February 1773 – 24 December 1858) became the first member of the family to live there when he came to Cornwall in 1796 as the tutor to William John Godolphin (died 1815).

A string of failed business attempts at the house had left it with debts of £100,000, but the situation was turned around by the programme.

Its single B&B room prior to the arrival of the film crew was criticised for being poorly maintained and having dated decor.