Channel 4’s A Place in the Sun returns, this time trading in the usual retirees for a young family yearning for a Spanish adventure. Jasmin and David, joined by their offspring, have decided that drizzly Britain just isn’t cutting it anymore. Their destination: Cómpeta, a picturesque town nestled in the Andalusian mountains. The mission: find a dream home for just over £130,000. Easy peasy, right?
Host Jasmine Harman, ever the optimist, is on hand to present five potential properties. Will any of them tick all the boxes for this demanding family? Will the kids declare one a “dump” before they even cross the threshold? Will David develop a sudden, unshakeable obsession with a lemon grove, regardless of its proximity to schools or, you know, running water? The tension is palpable.
Cómpeta itself certainly looks inviting – all whitewashed walls and winding cobbled streets, a far cry from the average British semi. But finding the perfect property within budget is never a walk in the park. A Place in the Sun thrives on this familiar formula, offering viewers a vicarious thrill of property hunting, complete with the inevitable anxieties of compromise and potential disappointment.
Whether Jasmin and David find their slice of Spanish paradise remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure: the stunning scenery and predictable family dynamics will provide ample entertainment for those of us stuck in the January gloom. Just don’t blame Channel 4 if you suddenly find yourself frantically browsing Rightmove for Spanish villas.
A Place in the Sun airs Monday, January 6, 2025, on Channel 4.
