The whole family go on holiday to France, a holiday which gets off to a bad start. However, when the family car is seen to have a crest on it, it is assumed that they are titled nobility. Mademoiselle Dupont, the pension's owner, calls Pop 'Milord' and gives him and Ma her bedroom. Even the grumpy receptionist is respectful. Primrose, the second eldest daughter, falls for local boy Marc-Antoine but Charley is annoyed to see his wife cavorting with skimpily clad French hunks on the beach.

A jealous Charley gets drunk when Mariette refuses to go on the local miniature railway, preferring to stay on the beach with the admiring local boys. Pop sobers him up and effects a reconciliation. Mariette finally agrees to go on the railway and enjoys it. Angela Snow and her sister Iris, who are also on holiday in the area, organize a first wedding anniversary party for the Charltons.

The Larkin family plan the quintessential English Christmas, with food, drink and presents galore.

Ma and Pop have a serious think about sending two of the kids, Zinnia and Petunia, to boarding school, but the girls themselves of course are none too keen.

Charley and Mariette decide to buy the brewery; the whole family repairs the twins' boarding school.

Pop gets a swimming-pool built and gets into pig-breeding, while Primrose has a new love interest.

Pop prepares a trick against George Harran whilst Primrose discovers Liverpool.

Pop runs for rural councillor while Charley and Mariette struggle at the brewery and have issues in their relationship.

Gypsies get involved in Pop's campaign for rural councillor. Charley and Mariette have to work on their marriage, and finalize the deal to buy Bristow's brewery.