Little Naish is a rare survivor from a long-lost era. Sitting in the corner of a six acre Victorian walled garden, the gothic tower appears to be directly from the pages of a fairy tale, but it's currently heading towards a tragic ending. Built as a cottage for the head gardener of a long-lost grand estate, it has been empty for almost a quarter of a century, the stonework is crumbling, rot is eating the wood, and the plaster is beyond repair.

Caroline Quentin follows progress as retired couple Peter and Anne Hills sink their life savings into trying to save it. As the restoration begins, so do the problems. Early excavations discover a series of unforeseen structural issues, all of which will cost more money than budgeted.