The villagers must confront their feelings on racial diversity as a young black family compete against a Yorkshireman, his girlfriend and her three teenagers. Simone and Phillip, both 35, have three young children, sons Lewis (7), Joel (4) and Elliot (3). They currently live in Epsom Downs and felt the move to Grassington was too good an opportunity to miss. However, as a young black family they are conscious that they will be very conspicuous in the largely white, middle class village of Grassington. After introducing themselves in the local pub, Simone and Phillip decide to go door to door to meet as many people as possible. Phillip is keen to put his aspirations to be an MP to good use and sets up a 'surgery' to help locals with any issues. Partners Nicky and Steve, aged 48 and 49, are keen to escape Birmingham - the 'grey faceless city' that is currently their home - and move to Grassington with Nicky's three children Harvey (17), Otis (14) and Matilda (12). Yorkshireman Steve, a strapping carpenter and builder, is quickly welcomed to the village, especially by the ladies. As Steve demonstrates his handyman skills, Nicky takes more of a behind-the-scenes role and plans a drinks party. But her teenage sons fail to deliver the invites and head off to the chippy instead. As party time arrives it becomes apparent no one from the village is coming. Undeterred by some frosty responses to the arrival of their family, Simone and Phillip press on proving their worth as engaging potential neighbours. The pair set about organising a variety night in the local town hall with acts of all ages from the village. The variety night is a roaring success, showcasing local talent as well as Phillip's rendition of My Way. Have Phillip and Simone done enough to impress the village and guarantee votes, or can Steve's Yorkshire charm help carry his family through to the next round?
The villagers welcome nude model Sarah and lesbian couple Donna and Louise, who are hoping to start a family in Grassington. Single mum and life model Sarah, her daughter Aysha and son Sol currently live in Glastonbury, but are Yorkshire folk born and bred. Keen to make a bold first impression when introduced to villagers in the pub, Sarah sets out her plans to pose for local artists in a life drawing class and to hold a charity auction to win a date with her. Both ideas receive a frosty reception, especially from some of the village wives. Meanwhile Donna, who works in customer services, and Louise, a tiler, have been married four years and tell the villagers they hope to start a family of their own soon thanks to IVF treatment on the NHS. In a bid to win over the mums, Donna heads to the village toddler group to talk about their IVF plans. She also plans a cookie-decorating party in the square for local children. The two families' mentor for the week, Jane Walmsley, hosts lunch on her farm for some of Grassington's key faces to get to know Sarah, Donna and Louise better. But Sarah has to defend herself as a life model when some members of the group feel she may be perceived as promiscuous. Events take a turn for the worse when pub landlord Stuart faces a walkout from his staff who are opposed to Sarah's charity date auction. Can she turn things around before the vote, or is village life proving anything but the idyllic dream she hoped for?
Musicians Kate and Corwen face salesman Jay and his wife Steph. Traveller musicians Kate and Corwen have spent more than a decade living in a caravan miles from anyone. Their bohemian lifestyle draws some wide-eyed disapproval from the community and 'freaks people out'. But their decision to put on a folk music night for the village goes down well with the more creative locals and their Viking instrument stand in the village square is a winner with the village children. Self confessed 'Del Boy' Jay, his pregnant wife Steph and their two young children are welcomed by many in the village as their young family would mean more children for the village schools. But Jay and Steph's Prince and Princess of Grassington pageant descends into chaos and some in the village begin to question if they are really putting enough effort in to win such a life-changing prize. Both couples are feeling the tension, and feedback from the village stirs up emotions. At the halfway point the village finds itself divided right down the middle, and beginning to question what it is they really want for their community.
Married London professionals Sunny and Anoop compete against Surrey-based couple Vicky and Andy. Vicky and Andy would like to get married but still live with their parents. Introducing themselves to the locals in the pub, Sunny and Anoop reel off their impressive qualifications (Sunny has a PhD in Education from Oxford and Anoop a PhD in astrophysics), which causes a few raised eyebrows. Sunny wants to open minds while she's in the village by introducing Grassington to her and Anoop's Indian heritage, while Vicky and Andy pledge to be useful citizens. But Andy soon realises that the community may not like someone competing with locals for work. Sunny and Anoop's Bollywood-themed fundraiser draws in 50 visitors to the cottage, but Vicky's Latin dance class gets young and old on to the dance floor. As Grassington goes to the polls, which couple has done enough to win over the locals and secure a place in the next round?
The village must choose between same-sex couple Craig and Dean, and Italian family Anna and Lello, and their two young daughters. As the family explore the village Anna soon realises the enormous effect winning could have on their lives. In her determination to win the community over she begins a charm offensive which includes canvassing door to door. The children would be an enormous asset to the village school and the family immediately feel at home. Meeting villagers in one of the local pubs Craig and Dean are warned that some in the village still have very traditional views and may not like the fact that they are gay. Undeterred, Dean's attempt at schmoozing the locals with trendy free haircuts goes down well with the younger generation. And keen to prove he is not afraid of hard work he offers to put his hairdressing skills to good use and help out local farmer with his sheep shearing. Anna's exuberance does not go down well with some of the more reserved locals, and when she fails to turn up to the meditation class she is teaching she fears that her reputation in the village will be damaged for good. Will Dean's hairdressing skills win over the locals?
Single mum Laura takes on Yorkshire couple Paul and Andrea. It's not long before the village suspect that Paul and Andrea might have a secret. Fifty-three-year old Paul and his 52-year-old wife Andrea are semi-retired and soon to be grandparents. Nine years ago Paul came out to Andrea as a transvestite, called Linda, and admits, 'I like to show the cleavage and I like to show the legs. And sometimes I like to show them both.' Meanwhile 41-year- old Laura has brought her son Solomon up on her own. Laura works as a part time model and part time beauty therapist but has had to top up her earnings with housing benefit at times. How will these two families fit in with the Grassington locals?
It's semi final time in Grassington, and only six families remain, battling it out for a place in the final. The six families have all previously won a heat, and secured a vote of confidence from the locals. Now they must fight against each other in an emotional week-long contest. All of them have made friends in the village, but can they count on them now they face some real competition? With the competition getting serious will the decision split the community or will they be united in who will be best for the village?
It's the grand final in Grassington, and the last two families must battle it out over an emotional week-long contest for a dream cottage in this small village in the Yorkshire Dales.
