Snowdonia 1890

Two brave families face BBC Wales's toughest challenge yet as they embark on an epic journey back in time to experience life on the barren hillsides of 19th century Snowdonia. The Braddock and Jones families say goodbye to the 21st century and take their first steps into 1890. But as they move into the tiny cottages that will be their homes for the next month, they soon realise that this will not be 'pretend living'.

The Braddock and Jones families grapple with the realities of 1890 smallholding life. It's the first day at school for the children, and the first day at the quarry for the teenage boys and the men while the women are left in charge of the animals. They're all beginning to realise that they've not just entered a different era, but a different world.

It's almost a week since the Jones and Braddock families embarked on their epic journey back in time to 1890 Snowdonia, and survival is proving a struggle. As the families come to terms with their new Victorian lives, the atmosphere in the Braddock household is tense, whilst a letter from the outside world leads to tears at the Jones's.

The families experience their first weekend in 1890 Snowdonia, but there's no escape from the daily grind of smallholding life. The men clash with the quarry owner, the women grapple with a gruesome Victorian dish and everyone gets their first taste of chapel.

The families begin their second week of life as 1890 Snowdonia smallholders, and making ends meet is proving a struggle. With the men yet to earn any money at the quarry, everyone's looking for ways to boost the family coffers. And amongst the animals, there are arrivals and departures.

It's Easter weekend in 1890 Snowdonia, and the Jones and Braddock families are looking forward to a welcome break. But tempers fray as 21st century expectations clash with the realities of Victorian life.

It's the first day of spring on the 1890 smallholdings, but the weather is less than seasonal. Heavy snow closes the quarry but doesn't deter the landlord's agent from making an impromptu inspection. Now in their third week of Victorian life, the families are learning that they may have few rights in their harsh new world but they do at least have each other.

It's the final week for the two families in 1890 Snowdonia but smallholdling life continues to bring daily hardships. A temperamental milk cow, a sickly lamb and a belligerent quarry steward cause tensions all round. Welcome relief comes in the form of a night on the tiles, 1890s style.

Emotions are running high as the Jones and Braddock families time on their 1890 smallholding draws to a close and everyone prepares to return to their normal 21st century lives. But not before the final reckoning at the quarry and a visit from the landlord's agent.

After a month of living in the past, the Jones and Braddock families' Victorian adventure has come to an end, and they've returned to their 21st century lives. This half hour special gives the inside story on how they coped with the tough realities of life in Snowdonia 1890.