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Making the move from city to countryside | 0:00:02 | 0:00:03 | |
is often a momentous step. | 0:00:03 | 0:00:06 | |
Never in a million years I would imagine I would be seeing a house | 0:00:06 | 0:00:09 | |
like this. Never, ever. | 0:00:09 | 0:00:10 | |
But for many years, | 0:00:11 | 0:00:13 | |
Escape To The Country has been supporting countless people | 0:00:13 | 0:00:16 | |
on the hunt for their new home. | 0:00:16 | 0:00:19 | |
-What do we think of this? -Oh, my! | 0:00:19 | 0:00:21 | |
-Chocolate box! -We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of | 0:00:21 | 0:00:25 | |
-Britain... -Take a look at that killer view. | 0:00:25 | 0:00:28 | |
That's amazing. | 0:00:28 | 0:00:29 | |
..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties... | 0:00:29 | 0:00:32 | |
-Aw! -But how pretty is that? | 0:00:32 | 0:00:35 | |
..our buyers just couldn't resist. | 0:00:35 | 0:00:38 | |
-Jules! -THEY LAUGH | 0:00:38 | 0:00:40 | |
Seriously, get your chequebook out now. | 0:00:40 | 0:00:43 | |
Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home... | 0:00:43 | 0:00:46 | |
I think you should be kissing Nicki! | 0:00:46 | 0:00:48 | |
..to find out how the move changed their lives | 0:00:49 | 0:00:52 | |
when they escaped to the country. | 0:00:52 | 0:00:54 | |
Today, I'm in the West Country and here in the village of Avebury in | 0:01:12 | 0:01:17 | |
Wiltshire lies the largest and most complex prehistoric stone circle | 0:01:17 | 0:01:22 | |
in Britain. Now, | 0:01:22 | 0:01:24 | |
this fascinating site is surrounded by an earthwork known as a henge | 0:01:24 | 0:01:30 | |
and is thought to have been used for sacred ceremonies. | 0:01:30 | 0:01:33 | |
My mission today is an exciting one, | 0:01:33 | 0:01:36 | |
as I'll be catching up with some of my house hunters from the past who | 0:01:36 | 0:01:40 | |
bought one of the houses they saw and have carved out a new life for | 0:01:40 | 0:01:44 | |
themselves in the country. | 0:01:44 | 0:01:46 | |
Our two couples today in the West Country now call Wiltshire | 0:01:48 | 0:01:51 | |
and Somerset home. Later, | 0:01:51 | 0:01:53 | |
I'll be dropping in on dog groomer Rick and retired teacher Dee. | 0:01:53 | 0:01:58 | |
Back in 2013, | 0:01:58 | 0:02:00 | |
they were longing to leave the busy town of Ilford in Essex for the | 0:02:00 | 0:02:03 | |
serenity of a Somerset village. | 0:02:03 | 0:02:06 | |
Dee is loving her new life in the property we first saw together | 0:02:06 | 0:02:10 | |
and Rick's dog-grooming business is thriving. | 0:02:10 | 0:02:14 | |
On a scale of one to ten, how happy has this move made you? | 0:02:14 | 0:02:18 | |
-Oh, ten. -Ten. -Without a shadow of a doubt. | 0:02:18 | 0:02:20 | |
Aw, look, she's going! | 0:02:22 | 0:02:24 | |
But first we're in Wiltshire, | 0:02:28 | 0:02:30 | |
visiting Rose and Tim at the home I showed them | 0:02:30 | 0:02:33 | |
back in the summer of 2014. | 0:02:33 | 0:02:35 | |
Has their big step of moving to the country, after four decades in their | 0:02:35 | 0:02:40 | |
urban home, paid off? | 0:02:40 | 0:02:42 | |
I'll be getting them to spill the beans on that and if they're | 0:02:42 | 0:02:45 | |
completely sold on village life, | 0:02:45 | 0:02:48 | |
where they're now volunteer shopkeepers. | 0:02:48 | 0:02:50 | |
OK, cards on the table, is it the heart of all gossip for the village? | 0:02:50 | 0:02:55 | |
-We haven't been here long enough, that's the best answer. -Perhaps you're the gossip! | 0:02:56 | 0:02:59 | |
Yes, be diplomatic. | 0:02:59 | 0:03:01 | |
So, let's wind back to that summer of 2014 when it all started for Rose | 0:03:01 | 0:03:06 | |
and Tim. | 0:03:06 | 0:03:07 | |
For nearly 30 years had been living in the town of Sandhurst, | 0:03:07 | 0:03:11 | |
Berkshire, in their four-bedroom property, | 0:03:11 | 0:03:13 | |
but now they wanted to head west. | 0:03:13 | 0:03:16 | |
We are definitely looking forward to escaping the traffic. | 0:03:16 | 0:03:19 | |
As you go West from Sandhurst, | 0:03:19 | 0:03:21 | |
it almost seems to be going back 10, 20 years in time because there's | 0:03:21 | 0:03:25 | |
so little traffic on the roads. | 0:03:25 | 0:03:27 | |
Rose had just retired from teaching after 41 years and Tim was now | 0:03:29 | 0:03:33 | |
semiretired from his job as a transport consultant. | 0:03:33 | 0:03:37 | |
No longer tied to a particular location, | 0:03:37 | 0:03:39 | |
they had their sights set on the tranquillity of Wiltshire. | 0:03:39 | 0:03:43 | |
I am looking forward to having some new places to go for some long walks | 0:03:43 | 0:03:48 | |
with the dog. We've been here now too long. | 0:03:48 | 0:03:51 | |
I have a friend who lives in Marlborough. | 0:03:51 | 0:03:53 | |
So we know some of the area for walking and it is beautiful. | 0:03:53 | 0:03:57 | |
As well as dog Bertie, | 0:03:57 | 0:03:58 | |
their journey westward would also have a caravan in tow. | 0:03:58 | 0:04:02 | |
Plus Tim was hoping to expand his new hobby of restoring furniture. | 0:04:02 | 0:04:06 | |
I'm looking forward to getting rid of my disreputable old shed | 0:04:06 | 0:04:09 | |
and getting a nice workshop in place. | 0:04:09 | 0:04:12 | |
So I shall then be able to attend to whatever challenges come my way with | 0:04:12 | 0:04:17 | |
the new house. | 0:04:17 | 0:04:18 | |
So, with a budget of £600,000, they wanted at least three bedrooms, | 0:04:20 | 0:04:25 | |
a south-facing garden, a garage and workshop, | 0:04:25 | 0:04:29 | |
plus space to park the caravan. | 0:04:29 | 0:04:31 | |
They were also keen to be within an hour and a half from friends and | 0:04:31 | 0:04:34 | |
family back in Berkshire. | 0:04:34 | 0:04:36 | |
When we met up in Wiltshire, Tim was sporting a recent injury, | 0:04:36 | 0:04:40 | |
but I sensed that wasn't going to curb their enthusiasm | 0:04:40 | 0:04:43 | |
on our search. | 0:04:43 | 0:04:45 | |
I'm not going to go too fast cos I'm a little concerned about your leg. | 0:04:45 | 0:04:47 | |
We'll take it easy, but shall we get started? | 0:04:47 | 0:04:50 | |
-I'd love to. -Great. | 0:04:50 | 0:04:51 | |
The first attempt at finding their perfect property was in the hamlet | 0:04:53 | 0:04:57 | |
of Winterbourne Monkton, | 0:04:57 | 0:04:58 | |
where we started with a 19th-century farm worker's cottage. | 0:04:58 | 0:05:03 | |
It looks good. It's nicely spread out. | 0:05:03 | 0:05:05 | |
How do you feel about being semi-detached? | 0:05:05 | 0:05:08 | |
-I don't mind. -We haven't got a problem. | 0:05:08 | 0:05:10 | |
-No? -No. -So long as there is somewhere in the garden that still | 0:05:10 | 0:05:13 | |
feels private. | 0:05:13 | 0:05:14 | |
So, this semi-detached suggestion got an early seal of approval. | 0:05:14 | 0:05:18 | |
Inside, we started in an impressive country kitchen. | 0:05:18 | 0:05:23 | |
This looks really nice. | 0:05:23 | 0:05:25 | |
-It's light. There's a view. -THEY LAUGH | 0:05:25 | 0:05:27 | |
There's a view of the garden. | 0:05:27 | 0:05:29 | |
-Yes. -I like the units, I think a really nice colour. | 0:05:29 | 0:05:32 | |
-They are nice. -Nicely fitted. | 0:05:32 | 0:05:34 | |
It's a bespoke kitchen. | 0:05:34 | 0:05:36 | |
But behind me, you've actually got a utility room. | 0:05:36 | 0:05:38 | |
-Right. -That's good. | 0:05:38 | 0:05:39 | |
With an additional sink and access to the garden as well. | 0:05:39 | 0:05:43 | |
-Good. -That's where the dog goes when he comes in muddy after a walk. | 0:05:43 | 0:05:45 | |
Right. OK, well, let's continue through. | 0:05:45 | 0:05:48 | |
At the back of the house, | 0:05:50 | 0:05:51 | |
we saw a sitting room, which grabbed their attention. | 0:05:51 | 0:05:55 | |
-And this has got the view of the garden. -Yeah. | 0:05:55 | 0:05:58 | |
-Looks fantastic. -But this is why they built this room, | 0:05:58 | 0:06:01 | |
because the sun comes round, open the patio doors, onto the terrace, | 0:06:01 | 0:06:06 | |
and then you have the view of your garden. | 0:06:06 | 0:06:08 | |
-It's fantastic. -It's lovely. | 0:06:08 | 0:06:09 | |
So, what sort of impression is this house making on you? | 0:06:09 | 0:06:12 | |
I truly do love it. | 0:06:12 | 0:06:14 | |
-Do you? -I do. -Yeah, it's quite quirky. | 0:06:14 | 0:06:15 | |
-I really do. -Right. | 0:06:15 | 0:06:17 | |
Well, we've still got more to show you, so... | 0:06:17 | 0:06:19 | |
-Good. -Good. -Let's take a look upstairs. | 0:06:19 | 0:06:21 | |
Up on the first floor, there was one more bedroom than they'd asked for, | 0:06:24 | 0:06:28 | |
with three guest bedrooms served by a family bathroom and master with | 0:06:28 | 0:06:32 | |
ensuite. But it was outside in the three quarters of an acre garden | 0:06:32 | 0:06:36 | |
that the property came into its own. | 0:06:36 | 0:06:38 | |
As well as a paddock, there were two ponds | 0:06:38 | 0:06:41 | |
and of course that all-important parking for the caravan. | 0:06:41 | 0:06:45 | |
But I had something else up my sleeve, | 0:06:45 | 0:06:47 | |
an annexe with a garage for Tim's furniture restoration, | 0:06:47 | 0:06:51 | |
plus lots of extra accommodation. | 0:06:51 | 0:06:53 | |
Well, it looks like a huge garage, | 0:06:55 | 0:06:57 | |
in actual fact it's a self-contained flat. | 0:06:57 | 0:06:59 | |
-Oh, really? -No! -Just the other side of the shrubs. | 0:06:59 | 0:07:01 | |
-Oh, fantastic. -So, downstairs you've got the kitchen, | 0:07:01 | 0:07:05 | |
you've got a downstairs bathroom, | 0:07:05 | 0:07:06 | |
and then upstairs, although it's eaved, | 0:07:06 | 0:07:08 | |
you've got a massive bedroom. | 0:07:08 | 0:07:10 | |
-That's fantastic. -Tremendous, | 0:07:10 | 0:07:11 | |
because that's just perfect for our friends from Germany | 0:07:11 | 0:07:14 | |
who want to come and spend time with us each year. | 0:07:14 | 0:07:17 | |
And it doesn't encroach on the house at all. | 0:07:17 | 0:07:19 | |
-No. -So we've got to try and put a price on all of this, | 0:07:19 | 0:07:24 | |
haven't we? I wonder who wants to go first. | 0:07:24 | 0:07:27 | |
I can't believe that all this can be in our budget. | 0:07:27 | 0:07:29 | |
So I'm going to go for 600. | 0:07:29 | 0:07:31 | |
Yeah, I think it's going to be in the region of 580, 585. | 0:07:31 | 0:07:35 | |
Asking price... | 0:07:36 | 0:07:37 | |
-..£575,000. -No! | 0:07:39 | 0:07:41 | |
-Really? -Yeah. -That's incredible. | 0:07:41 | 0:07:43 | |
It's giving us virtually everything we've been looking for. | 0:07:43 | 0:07:46 | |
Well, we certainly got off to a flying start with our first house | 0:07:50 | 0:07:54 | |
and I was feeling pretty pleased with myself. | 0:07:54 | 0:07:57 | |
It gave them everything that they'd asked us for - character, | 0:07:57 | 0:08:00 | |
enough space for the caravan and that beautiful large garden. | 0:08:00 | 0:08:05 | |
I think in their heads, they'd moved in. | 0:08:05 | 0:08:08 | |
So, how would we fare with the next two? | 0:08:08 | 0:08:12 | |
Our second offering was ten miles away | 0:08:12 | 0:08:15 | |
in the village of Ogbourne Maizey, | 0:08:15 | 0:08:17 | |
just an hour from Tim and Rose's friends and family in Berkshire. | 0:08:17 | 0:08:20 | |
It was a pretty 17th-century thatched cottage, with its own well | 0:08:21 | 0:08:26 | |
that until the 1920s was a freshwater source for the village. | 0:08:26 | 0:08:29 | |
Absolutely an English thatched cottage, isn't it? | 0:08:30 | 0:08:33 | |
-It is. -Really sweet. | 0:08:33 | 0:08:34 | |
It's certainly thatched. Is it listed? | 0:08:34 | 0:08:37 | |
It is. It's Grade II listed and we're also in an area of outstanding | 0:08:37 | 0:08:40 | |
-natural beauty as well. -Mmm. Mm-hm. | 0:08:40 | 0:08:42 | |
They appreciated the classic character and thatched roof of | 0:08:42 | 0:08:46 | |
the exterior, so what would they make of the vaulted | 0:08:46 | 0:08:48 | |
main reception room, which was filled with natural light? | 0:08:48 | 0:08:52 | |
I didn't expect to see that in here. | 0:08:52 | 0:08:54 | |
No. I wondered how dark it was going to be, | 0:08:54 | 0:08:57 | |
so this is a really nice surprise, with three aspects. | 0:08:57 | 0:09:01 | |
Patio doors out onto the garden. | 0:09:01 | 0:09:03 | |
Sun streaming in today. | 0:09:03 | 0:09:05 | |
Which is lovely. And if that's the case, | 0:09:05 | 0:09:06 | |
we're not going to need the huge fire, are we? | 0:09:06 | 0:09:08 | |
-Aw, that's lovely. -So you've got a multi-fuel burner there as well. | 0:09:08 | 0:09:12 | |
You like this room so far? | 0:09:12 | 0:09:13 | |
I like this room very much. | 0:09:13 | 0:09:14 | |
-Yeah, this is a lovely room. -Let's see what you make of the rest. | 0:09:14 | 0:09:16 | |
So, through into the kitchen, which... | 0:09:22 | 0:09:24 | |
..granted, it's not the largest of kitchens | 0:09:25 | 0:09:28 | |
but you do have a utility next door as well. | 0:09:28 | 0:09:30 | |
-That helps, doesn't it? -Yeah. -Yes. I'm just looking around, thinking, | 0:09:30 | 0:09:34 | |
after having seen the one that you showed us this morning, | 0:09:34 | 0:09:37 | |
which was fantastic, it's slightly darker. | 0:09:37 | 0:09:40 | |
They've actually put on an additional building. | 0:09:40 | 0:09:42 | |
Now, they use that, it is sort of like a sunroom, | 0:09:42 | 0:09:45 | |
but they actually use it for their plants. | 0:09:45 | 0:09:47 | |
But also on this ground floor, we've seen that wonderful sitting-room, | 0:09:47 | 0:09:51 | |
but you've got an additional dining room and quite a good-size office as | 0:09:51 | 0:09:55 | |
-well. -OK. -So I can't give you large open plan, | 0:09:55 | 0:09:59 | |
what I can give you is smaller rooms, smaller dimensions, | 0:09:59 | 0:10:03 | |
but there is that quirkiness, there is that character. Mm-hm. | 0:10:03 | 0:10:06 | |
Yes, it's certainly got plenty of character, this place. | 0:10:06 | 0:10:09 | |
There were three good-sized bedrooms on offer. | 0:10:10 | 0:10:14 | |
Outside, the gardens and an additional paddock | 0:10:14 | 0:10:17 | |
amounted to over half an acre. What's more, | 0:10:17 | 0:10:20 | |
there was a part-converted detached garage I hoped would interest Tim. | 0:10:20 | 0:10:25 | |
Now, it's been split up into two, | 0:10:25 | 0:10:26 | |
so they've got the workshop in there at the moment, | 0:10:26 | 0:10:28 | |
there's a storage room, | 0:10:28 | 0:10:29 | |
but above that has been converted into a wonderful study. | 0:10:29 | 0:10:33 | |
-Right. -Which could work really well for you, for your workshop. | 0:10:33 | 0:10:37 | |
This thatched cottage had lots of positives | 0:10:37 | 0:10:40 | |
but would it be under their £600,000? | 0:10:40 | 0:10:42 | |
I think it's going to be just over 600,000, perhaps 610,000. | 0:10:44 | 0:10:48 | |
I think it could even be as much as 620. | 0:10:48 | 0:10:53 | |
OK, it's on the market for £595,000. | 0:10:53 | 0:10:59 | |
Pleasantly surprised. | 0:10:59 | 0:11:01 | |
That concluded a great first day of house-hunting. | 0:11:01 | 0:11:04 | |
But day two brought the mystery house into the mix, | 0:11:04 | 0:11:07 | |
which lay in the village of Bratton. | 0:11:07 | 0:11:09 | |
Close by, the oldest white horse in Wiltshire | 0:11:09 | 0:11:12 | |
is carved into Westbury hill | 0:11:12 | 0:11:14 | |
and dates back to the 1700s, | 0:11:14 | 0:11:16 | |
the same century in which our mystery house was built. | 0:11:16 | 0:11:20 | |
Here's our mystery house. | 0:11:20 | 0:11:22 | |
It's a mystery. It looks incredible. | 0:11:22 | 0:11:24 | |
-It really is... -Interesting. | 0:11:24 | 0:11:26 | |
It is west of the area that you've been looking. | 0:11:26 | 0:11:30 | |
But we think it's worth coming this far over just to see this unusual | 0:11:30 | 0:11:33 | |
-house. -It's certainly worth coming to see, I think, | 0:11:33 | 0:11:36 | |
cos it's not the sort of place that we expected to see at all. | 0:11:36 | 0:11:40 | |
Inside, the mystery revelations kept on coming, | 0:11:40 | 0:11:44 | |
particularly in the huge kitchen at the rear of the house. | 0:11:44 | 0:11:47 | |
Now, the end of the hallway is... | 0:11:47 | 0:11:50 | |
Gosh! | 0:11:50 | 0:11:52 | |
Oh, what a lovely-size room. | 0:11:52 | 0:11:53 | |
-It's a large kitchen, isn't it? -Incredible. Yes. | 0:11:53 | 0:11:56 | |
I don't think I've ever been in a house like this. | 0:11:56 | 0:11:58 | |
-No. -It's unusual, isn't it? | 0:11:58 | 0:12:00 | |
We always like the mystery to surprise people. | 0:12:00 | 0:12:03 | |
It's not something I'd ever considered, or ever thought of, | 0:12:03 | 0:12:05 | |
a house like this. | 0:12:05 | 0:12:07 | |
-But it's great. -I'm glad you're enjoying, though, the tour. | 0:12:07 | 0:12:10 | |
-Very, very much. -Good. | 0:12:10 | 0:12:12 | |
There were two more reception rooms, both with feature fireplaces. | 0:12:13 | 0:12:17 | |
Upstairs provided three good-sized doubles, | 0:12:17 | 0:12:20 | |
plus a lovely family bathroom. | 0:12:20 | 0:12:22 | |
But it didn't end there. | 0:12:22 | 0:12:24 | |
Up again, on the very top floor, there was a study | 0:12:24 | 0:12:28 | |
and also this. | 0:12:28 | 0:12:29 | |
The master bedroom. | 0:12:31 | 0:12:32 | |
-I just love how unusual it is. -It's great. | 0:12:32 | 0:12:35 | |
And just look over your shoulder... | 0:12:35 | 0:12:38 | |
-Real country. -Certainly a room with a view. | 0:12:38 | 0:12:40 | |
Outside, tiered gardens featured two ponds, | 0:12:40 | 0:12:44 | |
but as with many a mystery house, it brought some challenges, | 0:12:44 | 0:12:48 | |
with no garage or off-street parking for the caravan, | 0:12:48 | 0:12:51 | |
although there was a neighbour willing to lease out a garage. | 0:12:51 | 0:12:55 | |
That could be the compromise, the caravan. | 0:12:55 | 0:12:58 | |
-Yeah. -So...might be quite a difficult one this one, | 0:12:58 | 0:13:01 | |
can we put a price on the mystery? | 0:13:01 | 0:13:04 | |
I would say 560. | 0:13:04 | 0:13:07 | |
I'm going to put it at 535. | 0:13:07 | 0:13:11 | |
-The asking price is 599,950. -Mmm. | 0:13:11 | 0:13:16 | |
-Really? -Yes. | 0:13:16 | 0:13:17 | |
So, which house in the line-up did they ultimately choose? | 0:13:19 | 0:13:23 | |
They had certainly both been charmed by property one. | 0:13:23 | 0:13:27 | |
I love the character, the individuality, perfect. | 0:13:27 | 0:13:30 | |
This house is amazing. | 0:13:30 | 0:13:32 | |
It's fulfilled so many of our requirements. | 0:13:32 | 0:13:35 | |
House two's impressive vaulted reception room did score highly. | 0:13:35 | 0:13:39 | |
And finally of course, | 0:13:39 | 0:13:41 | |
that substantial mystery house had delivered a surprise at every turn. | 0:13:41 | 0:13:46 | |
The mystery house has certainly lived up to the expectations. | 0:13:46 | 0:13:49 | |
It's an amazing place. | 0:13:49 | 0:13:50 | |
Both inside and outside. | 0:13:50 | 0:13:52 | |
It's a house that is a bit of a challenge | 0:13:52 | 0:13:54 | |
but could be a really good home. | 0:13:54 | 0:13:57 | |
Time to reveal what happened next. | 0:13:57 | 0:14:00 | |
Although great houses, | 0:14:01 | 0:14:03 | |
those two examples couldn't live up to the first property I showed | 0:14:03 | 0:14:07 | |
Tim and Rose. Try as I might to engage them, | 0:14:07 | 0:14:10 | |
their hearts were set on the Victorian farm worker's cottage, | 0:14:10 | 0:14:14 | |
but I'm pleased to say they liked it so much they actually bought it. | 0:14:14 | 0:14:19 | |
So let's find out how they're getting on. | 0:14:19 | 0:14:21 | |
Returning to this home, | 0:14:23 | 0:14:25 | |
it's clear to see how much Tim and Rose love it | 0:14:25 | 0:14:28 | |
because, apart from moving their belongings in | 0:14:28 | 0:14:31 | |
and installing a new wood burner, they've hardly changed a thing. | 0:14:31 | 0:14:35 | |
The kitchen is just the way I remember it. | 0:14:36 | 0:14:39 | |
Well, I have to say, this is all rather lovely | 0:14:41 | 0:14:43 | |
and it feels a little bit like deja vu. | 0:14:43 | 0:14:45 | |
Like I've been here before. | 0:14:45 | 0:14:46 | |
So, here's to the two of you. | 0:14:48 | 0:14:49 | |
-Thank you very much. -In your new home. | 0:14:49 | 0:14:51 | |
Welcome back. | 0:14:51 | 0:14:52 | |
Just a couple of months after our Wiltshire house hunt, | 0:14:52 | 0:14:56 | |
Tim and Rose were moving into this Winterbourne Monkton home. | 0:14:56 | 0:14:59 | |
It was a quick turnaround but it wasn't without jittery moments. | 0:14:59 | 0:15:04 | |
How many times did you view it afterwards? | 0:15:04 | 0:15:06 | |
I must admit, I came down quite a few times. | 0:15:06 | 0:15:08 | |
Tim knew instantly and I know I loved the place but it was just | 0:15:08 | 0:15:11 | |
going to be such a big move after so long in Sandhurst. | 0:15:11 | 0:15:13 | |
I think I came down five or six times. | 0:15:13 | 0:15:15 | |
So, six or seven viewings? | 0:15:15 | 0:15:17 | |
Mmm. I remember asking | 0:15:17 | 0:15:19 | |
did they think that we would be accepted here in the village | 0:15:19 | 0:15:22 | |
or was it the sort of village where they didn't like newcomers? | 0:15:22 | 0:15:24 | |
And in fact we could not have been more accepted by people, | 0:15:24 | 0:15:27 | |
it's an incredibly sociable village. | 0:15:27 | 0:15:29 | |
-Is it really? -Really is. | 0:15:29 | 0:15:30 | |
And how important was that for the two of you | 0:15:30 | 0:15:33 | |
with you making this move? | 0:15:33 | 0:15:34 | |
I think it was... | 0:15:34 | 0:15:35 | |
It was more important than we realised. | 0:15:35 | 0:15:38 | |
We thought, "Right, we've got to be very sociable, | 0:15:38 | 0:15:41 | |
"we've got to be outgoing." | 0:15:41 | 0:15:42 | |
But the village helped so much. | 0:15:43 | 0:15:45 | |
As we walked round the village with our dog, they'd say, | 0:15:45 | 0:15:48 | |
"Hey, you're Tim and Rose, are you? | 0:15:48 | 0:15:50 | |
"Oh, welcome to the village." | 0:15:50 | 0:15:51 | |
There's two wine circles, we belong to one of them. | 0:15:51 | 0:15:55 | |
There's a village club where they meet once a month, | 0:15:55 | 0:15:58 | |
so you're not in each other's pockets all the time | 0:15:58 | 0:16:00 | |
but you've got these opportunities to meet up and see other people. | 0:16:00 | 0:16:04 | |
Now, when we came down here to look at properties, | 0:16:04 | 0:16:06 | |
we also introduced you to a lady called Melissa, didn't we? | 0:16:06 | 0:16:08 | |
-Oh, yes. -Who's a blacksmith, | 0:16:08 | 0:16:10 | |
-or should I say, a creative artistic blacksmith. -Yes. | 0:16:10 | 0:16:12 | |
-That's right. -You were very taken with her work. | 0:16:12 | 0:16:14 | |
-I seem to remember. -Yes. | 0:16:14 | 0:16:16 | |
Tim's going to be hammering at home now after this. | 0:16:17 | 0:16:19 | |
Yeah, he's going to have a forge when he looks for a house now. | 0:16:19 | 0:16:22 | |
He's going to say, "I want one with a forge, please." | 0:16:22 | 0:16:25 | |
Tim enjoyed the blacksmithing experienced so much | 0:16:27 | 0:16:31 | |
he returned for a day's workshop | 0:16:31 | 0:16:33 | |
and made his own bird feeder for the garden. | 0:16:33 | 0:16:36 | |
It sits alongside pieces made by Melissa, | 0:16:36 | 0:16:38 | |
a bird bath and some artwork they've displayed inside. | 0:16:38 | 0:16:42 | |
Actually, I wondered, as she's local, if we could pop in | 0:16:43 | 0:16:45 | |
and say hello to her. | 0:16:45 | 0:16:46 | |
It's a 20-minute drive from Tim and Rose's | 0:16:46 | 0:16:49 | |
to the forge at a farm outside | 0:16:49 | 0:16:50 | |
Marlborough, where Melissa's busy working on her latest design. | 0:16:50 | 0:16:54 | |
-Hi, Melissa. -Hello. | 0:16:56 | 0:16:57 | |
Nice to meet you. | 0:16:57 | 0:16:59 | |
I would shake your hand but probably not today. | 0:16:59 | 0:17:02 | |
-But, I mean, you guys, you're old friends now. -Yeah. -Yeah. | 0:17:02 | 0:17:05 | |
So, Melissa, you've seen the house, have you? | 0:17:05 | 0:17:07 | |
I have. I was kindly invited over to the house-warming party, | 0:17:07 | 0:17:11 | |
where I think the entire village was there. | 0:17:11 | 0:17:14 | |
And then, after Tim and Rose came to an exhibition here, | 0:17:14 | 0:17:18 | |
I then went over with one of my sculptures to try it in situ, | 0:17:18 | 0:17:22 | |
so that they could see whether it was the right piece for the place | 0:17:22 | 0:17:25 | |
they had in mind for it. And then, Tim, you came over with a friend | 0:17:25 | 0:17:28 | |
from the village as well, when you did your course here. | 0:17:28 | 0:17:31 | |
So, yeah, it's really great. | 0:17:31 | 0:17:32 | |
Yeah, I'd like to do some more. | 0:17:32 | 0:17:34 | |
-Would you? -It was very satisfying to be able to produce something at the | 0:17:34 | 0:17:37 | |
end of the day. | 0:17:37 | 0:17:39 | |
And we just think how nice it is to support the people in | 0:17:39 | 0:17:42 | |
the area that we're now living. | 0:17:42 | 0:17:44 | |
Another way they support their local area is volunteering in the Avebury | 0:17:48 | 0:17:52 | |
Community Shop, just over a mile from their home. | 0:17:52 | 0:17:55 | |
It was opened in 2009 by local residents trying to bolster | 0:17:55 | 0:17:59 | |
the village facilities, and relies on volunteer help. | 0:17:59 | 0:18:03 | |
Today, the shift involves restocking the supplies. | 0:18:03 | 0:18:06 | |
So, Nicki, we've got the local produce here | 0:18:07 | 0:18:10 | |
and when you put it in the fridge, | 0:18:10 | 0:18:12 | |
you've got to put the newest thing towards the back and just bring the | 0:18:12 | 0:18:14 | |
-rest forward. -Cos of the dates. | 0:18:14 | 0:18:16 | |
-Because of the date. -And do you try and get all your meat from local | 0:18:16 | 0:18:20 | |
-suppliers? -They do here, yes. | 0:18:20 | 0:18:22 | |
Lyn is one of the managers in charge of coordinating the army of local | 0:18:23 | 0:18:27 | |
residents who keep the shop doors open. | 0:18:27 | 0:18:31 | |
So, how many volunteers do you think you have from the community, | 0:18:31 | 0:18:34 | |
roughly, working in the shop? | 0:18:34 | 0:18:36 | |
-On and off. -Oh, probably about 35, 40. | 0:18:36 | 0:18:39 | |
So, that's quite a team, isn't it? | 0:18:39 | 0:18:41 | |
It is. It sounds wonderful but some of them are husband and wives and of | 0:18:41 | 0:18:45 | |
course they go on holiday together. | 0:18:45 | 0:18:47 | |
Ah! So you're constantly looking for new people. | 0:18:47 | 0:18:50 | |
We are. We can always do with more volunteers. | 0:18:50 | 0:18:53 | |
It's a great way of giving something back, making friends | 0:18:53 | 0:18:57 | |
and being part of village life. | 0:18:57 | 0:18:59 | |
But given the proximity to the largest stone circle in Britain, | 0:18:59 | 0:19:03 | |
I'm guessing this isn't just a shop used by residents. | 0:19:03 | 0:19:06 | |
The local community use the shop but also, I can imagine because of where | 0:19:06 | 0:19:10 | |
-we are in Avebury, it must get so many tourists. -Yes. Yes. | 0:19:10 | 0:19:13 | |
Oh, yes. During the summer solstice, we get huge numbers of people. | 0:19:13 | 0:19:18 | |
It is incredible. They stay open late. | 0:19:18 | 0:19:19 | |
They stay open till ten. | 0:19:19 | 0:19:21 | |
And whereas usually you have one or two volunteers in the shop, | 0:19:21 | 0:19:24 | |
during the summer solstice they try and get four or five. | 0:19:24 | 0:19:26 | |
Somebody on the till, somebody packing up, somebody stocking, | 0:19:26 | 0:19:29 | |
because particularly the meat just flies off the shelf. | 0:19:29 | 0:19:32 | |
-Is that the big seller, the meat? -That's the big seller for the solstice, yes. | 0:19:32 | 0:19:36 | |
OK, cards on the table, is it the heart of all gossip for the village? | 0:19:36 | 0:19:40 | |
-We haven't been here long enough, that's the best answer. -Perhaps you're the gossip! | 0:19:41 | 0:19:44 | |
-Yes, be diplomatic. Be diplomatic. -I mean, certainly, | 0:19:44 | 0:19:47 | |
we've got to know more people in the village, so, yes, | 0:19:47 | 0:19:50 | |
you do start talking to them and finding out what's going on. | 0:19:50 | 0:19:54 | |
Where others dream of making the move, | 0:19:56 | 0:19:58 | |
Rose and Tim seized the opportunity and took that leap into the unknown. | 0:19:58 | 0:20:03 | |
It's clear they're thoroughly enjoying their retirement, | 0:20:03 | 0:20:06 | |
throwing themselves into village life and enriching their days | 0:20:06 | 0:20:09 | |
with new interests. We wish them much continued happiness, | 0:20:09 | 0:20:14 | |
sharing their home with friends and family and enjoying time in that | 0:20:14 | 0:20:18 | |
idyllic garden. | 0:20:18 | 0:20:19 | |
Right across the British countryside, | 0:20:25 | 0:20:28 | |
we've seen house-buyers, all with very different lifestyle ambitions, | 0:20:28 | 0:20:32 | |
fall in love with the properties we've shown them. | 0:20:32 | 0:20:35 | |
It's always fantastic to hear when they make that all-important offer | 0:20:35 | 0:20:39 | |
which goes on to be accepted. | 0:20:39 | 0:20:41 | |
Coming up, a couple of highlights from our house-hunting success | 0:20:41 | 0:20:45 | |
stories in the West Country. | 0:20:45 | 0:20:47 | |
Back in September 2015, | 0:20:49 | 0:20:52 | |
Sonali Shah was property hunting with avid seamstress Diana | 0:20:52 | 0:20:56 | |
and Jonathan, a retired policeman and now a published crime writer. | 0:20:56 | 0:21:00 | |
They wanted to quit busy Burgess Hill in West Sussex | 0:21:00 | 0:21:03 | |
and, with their £500,000 budget, | 0:21:03 | 0:21:06 | |
move to Dorset and find a home overlooking the sea. | 0:21:06 | 0:21:10 | |
When Sonali took them to a 1930s property near the market town of | 0:21:11 | 0:21:15 | |
Bridport, it was clear the location fitted the bill. | 0:21:15 | 0:21:18 | |
Now, as you both do want to live by the coast, | 0:21:20 | 0:21:26 | |
here's a house by the sea. | 0:21:26 | 0:21:28 | |
-Oh, yes. -You really get to appreciate the views which is... | 0:21:28 | 0:21:31 | |
-Yeah. -..what you're after and what you've requested. | 0:21:31 | 0:21:34 | |
-Yes. -Immediately, I see those big glass doors, | 0:21:34 | 0:21:36 | |
which is showing us the view again. | 0:21:36 | 0:21:38 | |
They're making the most of it. | 0:21:38 | 0:21:41 | |
They loved the contemporary kitchen-diner... | 0:21:41 | 0:21:44 | |
-Really nice. -Bright, I like the fixtures and the fittings. | 0:21:44 | 0:21:48 | |
-They look good. -Yeah. -And as anticipated, | 0:21:48 | 0:21:51 | |
those big glass doors from the living room gave them that sea view. | 0:21:51 | 0:21:55 | |
Really good-sized room, log burning stove... | 0:21:55 | 0:21:57 | |
-That's lovely, isn't it? -Nice, bright. -Really. | 0:21:57 | 0:22:00 | |
And the views are really... | 0:22:00 | 0:22:01 | |
-Gorgeous, aren't they? Yeah. -Lovely. -Huge, huge doors. | 0:22:01 | 0:22:04 | |
It feels like a lovely Dorset picture... | 0:22:04 | 0:22:06 | |
-Yeah. -..there, doesn't it? -Yes, very good. -Yeah. | 0:22:06 | 0:22:08 | |
Let's go higher because, of course, that sea view can only get better. | 0:22:08 | 0:22:12 | |
There were four bedrooms upstairs as well as a family bathroom with | 0:22:14 | 0:22:18 | |
separate bath and shower. | 0:22:18 | 0:22:20 | |
And it was in the master ensuite that this property again served up | 0:22:20 | 0:22:25 | |
that coastal outlook. | 0:22:25 | 0:22:26 | |
And you've got the view. Oh, that's lovely, isn't it? | 0:22:26 | 0:22:29 | |
-Really. -That's what this house is about. | 0:22:29 | 0:22:31 | |
-Yes. -That picture. | 0:22:31 | 0:22:32 | |
-Yeah. -Yeah. -And lovely big windows to show it off. | 0:22:32 | 0:22:35 | |
-If that's what you want, this is the place to go for. -Yeah. | 0:22:37 | 0:22:39 | |
We asked for a sea view and didn't think you'd find it. | 0:22:39 | 0:22:42 | |
How you did it, I don't know. | 0:22:42 | 0:22:44 | |
Although the £540,000 asking price nudged over their preferred budget, | 0:22:45 | 0:22:50 | |
it didn't seem to put them off. | 0:22:50 | 0:22:52 | |
I would hope there'd be room for negotiation because I'm definitely | 0:22:52 | 0:22:56 | |
interested. Yeah. | 0:22:56 | 0:22:58 | |
It's definitely up there. | 0:22:58 | 0:22:59 | |
I'm delighted to report that Diana and Jonathan's offer was accepted | 0:22:59 | 0:23:04 | |
and they now call it home. | 0:23:04 | 0:23:06 | |
Since moving in, that inspiring outlook has spurred Jonathan on | 0:23:06 | 0:23:10 | |
with his writing, | 0:23:10 | 0:23:11 | |
and we wish them all the best for their continued adventures. | 0:23:11 | 0:23:14 | |
Another happy ending occurred a couple of years earlier | 0:23:18 | 0:23:21 | |
in the spring of 2013, | 0:23:21 | 0:23:24 | |
when Jules Hudson was in Somerset helping Baptist minister Derek and | 0:23:24 | 0:23:28 | |
charity worker Alison. | 0:23:28 | 0:23:30 | |
They were ready to leave Tonbridge in Kent and hoped their £500,000 | 0:23:30 | 0:23:34 | |
budget would buy them a classic period home in Somerset. | 0:23:34 | 0:23:39 | |
Jules hoped to show them something with that elusive wow factor. | 0:23:39 | 0:23:43 | |
In the village of Butleigh, | 0:23:43 | 0:23:44 | |
a 17th-century cottage, built from local Blue Lias stone, | 0:23:44 | 0:23:48 | |
showed early signs of delivering just that. | 0:23:48 | 0:23:52 | |
-What a lovely-looking property. -Beautiful. -Isn't it? | 0:23:52 | 0:23:55 | |
-Really excited. -Yeah. | 0:23:55 | 0:23:56 | |
-It's very handsome. -It is. | 0:23:56 | 0:23:58 | |
Inside, they were delighted by the fireplaces and stone stairs... | 0:23:59 | 0:24:03 | |
-There it is. -Ha! -Isn't that lovely? | 0:24:03 | 0:24:05 | |
Goodness. | 0:24:05 | 0:24:07 | |
..and there was music to Jules' ears. | 0:24:07 | 0:24:10 | |
-Wow! -Very nice. | 0:24:10 | 0:24:12 | |
That was a whoa. Is that like a wow? | 0:24:12 | 0:24:14 | |
-That's a wow. -Yeah, good. | 0:24:14 | 0:24:16 | |
-Excellent. -A Kentish wow. | 0:24:16 | 0:24:17 | |
By the time they reached the dining room, | 0:24:19 | 0:24:21 | |
they were planning where the furniture could go. | 0:24:21 | 0:24:23 | |
Got a nice oak table that will just go there nicely. | 0:24:23 | 0:24:26 | |
Ah, you see? Hands are being rubbed, we're painting the picture... | 0:24:26 | 0:24:30 | |
-Moving in. -Starting to see our furniture in this place already. | 0:24:30 | 0:24:32 | |
-Can you do that though, Derek? -Oh, yes. Oh, yes. | 0:24:32 | 0:24:35 | |
Good. Right, come through here. This is the kitchen. | 0:24:35 | 0:24:37 | |
See what you think of this, Alison. | 0:24:38 | 0:24:40 | |
-Oh! -Yes. | 0:24:44 | 0:24:45 | |
A red range. | 0:24:45 | 0:24:46 | |
-How about that? -That's awesome, isn't it? | 0:24:46 | 0:24:49 | |
Yeah. | 0:24:49 | 0:24:50 | |
Alison and Derek were also impressed by the five bedrooms this property | 0:24:51 | 0:24:55 | |
delivered. Outside, along with the walled garden, | 0:24:55 | 0:24:59 | |
a double garage had been converted into a dream hobby space, | 0:24:59 | 0:25:03 | |
something they had both been looking for. | 0:25:03 | 0:25:05 | |
Although it tipped over their preferred £500,000 budget, | 0:25:05 | 0:25:09 | |
they seemed determined to make it theirs. | 0:25:09 | 0:25:11 | |
I think the house has the wow factor. | 0:25:13 | 0:25:16 | |
I am certainly very, very impressed. | 0:25:16 | 0:25:18 | |
I can see us living here. | 0:25:18 | 0:25:20 | |
Derek and Alison forged ahead with buying that handsome property. | 0:25:20 | 0:25:24 | |
Over the past few years, | 0:25:24 | 0:25:26 | |
they've made some homely changes and become involved | 0:25:26 | 0:25:29 | |
with the local church community. | 0:25:29 | 0:25:31 | |
So, two memorable house tour highlights there but now, | 0:25:31 | 0:25:35 | |
let's set our sights on where the journey started for the next couple | 0:25:35 | 0:25:39 | |
I'm revisiting, Rick and Dee. | 0:25:39 | 0:25:41 | |
Moving from a town or city to the countryside can feel like | 0:25:42 | 0:25:47 | |
a huge leap into the unknown. | 0:25:47 | 0:25:49 | |
It's never easy finding the perfect property in the right location, | 0:25:49 | 0:25:55 | |
but add another factor, a third person to consider, | 0:25:55 | 0:25:58 | |
and chances are it becomes even more of a challenge. | 0:25:58 | 0:26:02 | |
That was certainly the case back in 2013 when Rick and Dee from Ilford, | 0:26:03 | 0:26:08 | |
Essex, asked for our help | 0:26:08 | 0:26:10 | |
in relocating to the Somerset countryside. | 0:26:10 | 0:26:13 | |
The sale of Rick's mum, Ruby's, home was helping to fund the move | 0:26:13 | 0:26:17 | |
and she planned to join them in the new house. | 0:26:17 | 0:26:19 | |
To ensure there was an income, | 0:26:19 | 0:26:21 | |
Rick wanted to continue his dog grooming work. | 0:26:21 | 0:26:24 | |
I've spent the last two years building the business up | 0:26:24 | 0:26:27 | |
and it's beginning to really get going now. | 0:26:27 | 0:26:30 | |
When we met up in the West Country, Dee shared her very specific dream. | 0:26:30 | 0:26:35 | |
What are you after? | 0:26:35 | 0:26:36 | |
Absolutely ideally, I'd love a converted church. | 0:26:36 | 0:26:39 | |
Would you? | 0:26:39 | 0:26:40 | |
With £420,000, they were looking for at least three bedrooms, | 0:26:40 | 0:26:45 | |
including ground-floor living for Mum, Ruby, | 0:26:45 | 0:26:48 | |
space for the dog grooming business and some land. | 0:26:48 | 0:26:51 | |
Our first house, located in the village of Holcombe, | 0:26:52 | 0:26:55 | |
made quite a first impression. | 0:26:55 | 0:26:57 | |
Has it taken your breath away? DEE LAUGHS | 0:26:58 | 0:27:00 | |
Yeah, it really... | 0:27:00 | 0:27:01 | |
What's going through your mind? | 0:27:02 | 0:27:04 | |
Well, it's just a cottage in the country | 0:27:05 | 0:27:08 | |
what people say when they want to retire, a cottage in the country, | 0:27:08 | 0:27:11 | |
it's absolutely gorgeous. | 0:27:11 | 0:27:13 | |
It did take my breath away as well actually. | 0:27:13 | 0:27:15 | |
Yeah, it's put a little lump in my throat. | 0:27:15 | 0:27:17 | |
You're both so emotional! | 0:27:17 | 0:27:19 | |
But that's good. | 0:27:20 | 0:27:21 | |
No, that's good. Well, it proves it means a lot to you. | 0:27:21 | 0:27:24 | |
Inside, this cottage exuded country charm. | 0:27:25 | 0:27:29 | |
Well, I think it's lovely. | 0:27:29 | 0:27:31 | |
-Do you think it's too small? -Initial impressions, a small room. | 0:27:31 | 0:27:33 | |
-It's snug, isn't it? -Yeah. | 0:27:33 | 0:27:35 | |
-It is. -I like snug. -It depends what else comes with it. | 0:27:35 | 0:27:37 | |
-I like snug. -Yeah. -The good news is there's more to see. | 0:27:37 | 0:27:40 | |
Oh. | 0:27:40 | 0:27:41 | |
Log burners were a focal point in both the sitting room | 0:27:41 | 0:27:44 | |
and dining area. | 0:27:44 | 0:27:45 | |
An additional games room provided a work space for Rick's dog grooming, | 0:27:45 | 0:27:50 | |
but we took stock of the potential here in the kitchen. | 0:27:50 | 0:27:52 | |
Oh, this is very sweet. | 0:27:54 | 0:27:56 | |
It's not a kitchen diner but... | 0:27:56 | 0:27:59 | |
-No. -Now, with this cottage, even though this was extended, | 0:27:59 | 0:28:02 | |
they've sort of done it in keeping with the rest of the cottage. | 0:28:02 | 0:28:05 | |
It's small - plenty of small rooms, rather than one big open space. | 0:28:05 | 0:28:10 | |
-Mmm. -It's got everything you need, hasn't it? | 0:28:10 | 0:28:12 | |
And I suppose you've got the dining area | 0:28:12 | 0:28:15 | |
as almost integral to the kitchen. | 0:28:15 | 0:28:17 | |
Initial thoughts is kitchen's too small. | 0:28:17 | 0:28:19 | |
-Yeah. -But the budget we've got, | 0:28:19 | 0:28:22 | |
we're going to have to make compromises | 0:28:22 | 0:28:23 | |
so it really does depend on how the rest of it hangs together. | 0:28:23 | 0:28:27 | |
Upstairs, there were three good-sized bedrooms | 0:28:27 | 0:28:30 | |
plus a countryside view to wake up to. | 0:28:30 | 0:28:34 | |
-Oh... -She's spotted it. -..wow! | 0:28:34 | 0:28:36 | |
Can you see out here, Rick? | 0:28:36 | 0:28:37 | |
Have a look, Rick. | 0:28:37 | 0:28:38 | |
-Oh, wow! -HE LAUGHS | 0:28:40 | 0:28:43 | |
How fantastic is that? | 0:28:43 | 0:28:45 | |
-Fantastic. -You don't see views like that every day, do you? | 0:28:45 | 0:28:48 | |
No, you don't. And a pond as well. | 0:28:48 | 0:28:50 | |
So, does that come with the property? | 0:28:50 | 0:28:51 | |
Guess what? It does. | 0:28:51 | 0:28:53 | |
-Fantastic. -You're kidding. -No. Three quarters of an acre. | 0:28:53 | 0:28:57 | |
Oh. | 0:28:57 | 0:28:58 | |
It was a truly memorable reaction | 0:28:58 | 0:29:01 | |
and given the added bonus of a double garage and workshop, | 0:29:01 | 0:29:05 | |
Rick and Dee were left wondering just what this home | 0:29:05 | 0:29:07 | |
-was on the market for. -I think I've got to say... | 0:29:07 | 0:29:11 | |
415? | 0:29:11 | 0:29:13 | |
I'm going to come in with a fairly optimistic 390. | 0:29:13 | 0:29:18 | |
The owners would like offers in excess | 0:29:18 | 0:29:21 | |
-of £350,000. -Oh, wow! -Mmm. | 0:29:21 | 0:29:25 | |
It's unbelievable, really. | 0:29:25 | 0:29:28 | |
Unbelievable. | 0:29:28 | 0:29:30 | |
It seemed our job was done but there were two more houses to see. | 0:29:30 | 0:29:35 | |
In the village of High Ham, we'd lined up a strong second contender. | 0:29:35 | 0:29:40 | |
So, this time, we're going to show you a cottage that's even older | 0:29:40 | 0:29:43 | |
than the first one. | 0:29:43 | 0:29:45 | |
-And here it is. -Oh, my goodness! | 0:29:45 | 0:29:47 | |
This time, believed to be about three or 400 years old. | 0:29:47 | 0:29:51 | |
How much of this property do you think would be yours? | 0:29:51 | 0:29:54 | |
Well, initially, I thought up to that drainpipe. | 0:29:54 | 0:29:58 | |
And then I was hoping it's all of it. | 0:29:58 | 0:30:00 | |
You'd be right. The whole thing. DEE GASPS | 0:30:00 | 0:30:03 | |
It's just as awe-inspiring as the first one. | 0:30:03 | 0:30:06 | |
Shall we head inside? | 0:30:06 | 0:30:07 | |
-Yes, please. -Please. | 0:30:07 | 0:30:08 | |
First impressions of surprise and then delight continued | 0:30:10 | 0:30:14 | |
when they saw the interior features, | 0:30:14 | 0:30:16 | |
including an unusual fireplace in the living room | 0:30:16 | 0:30:19 | |
which conjured up images of cosy winter nights. | 0:30:19 | 0:30:23 | |
A granny bonnet, apparently, it's called. | 0:30:23 | 0:30:25 | |
-I don't think I've ever seen one like it. -No. | 0:30:25 | 0:30:28 | |
And there's a bread oven on the right. | 0:30:28 | 0:30:30 | |
I love that fireplace. | 0:30:30 | 0:30:31 | |
Fireplace is fantastic. | 0:30:31 | 0:30:33 | |
Yeah. | 0:30:33 | 0:30:34 | |
They were also pleased when they saw the generous proportions | 0:30:34 | 0:30:37 | |
of the kitchen-diner. | 0:30:37 | 0:30:38 | |
-Big enough kitchen? -Yeah, it's lovely. | 0:30:38 | 0:30:41 | |
This space is exactly the kind of thing that we... | 0:30:41 | 0:30:45 | |
It's what we'd envisaged. | 0:30:45 | 0:30:46 | |
This is what you had in mind? | 0:30:46 | 0:30:47 | |
-Yeah. -Well, that's good. | 0:30:47 | 0:30:49 | |
Through the door you've got a study. | 0:30:49 | 0:30:51 | |
This provided a good option for the ground-floor living | 0:30:52 | 0:30:55 | |
Rick's mum would need. What's more, | 0:30:55 | 0:30:57 | |
Rick had his requested work space in an area currently used to run a | 0:30:57 | 0:31:01 | |
clothing business. Then upstairs, in the four-bedroom accommodation, | 0:31:01 | 0:31:06 | |
they had an emotional vision of what their move to the country | 0:31:06 | 0:31:10 | |
could deliver. | 0:31:10 | 0:31:11 | |
It's like being inside a Van Gogh painting. | 0:31:12 | 0:31:15 | |
That's just incredible. | 0:31:17 | 0:31:19 | |
Think how that's going to change... | 0:31:19 | 0:31:21 | |
-Yeah. -..through the seasons. | 0:31:21 | 0:31:22 | |
Yeah, yeah. Well, this is why we want to move, isn't it? | 0:31:22 | 0:31:25 | |
I can see you're getting a little bit teary. | 0:31:25 | 0:31:27 | |
I'm just loving it, yeah. | 0:31:27 | 0:31:28 | |
Yeah, no, it's...it's stunning. | 0:31:28 | 0:31:31 | |
Speechless, again. | 0:31:31 | 0:31:32 | |
-Speechless. -That doesn't happen very often. | 0:31:32 | 0:31:35 | |
There were deep breaths all round as we headed out to see what they would | 0:31:38 | 0:31:42 | |
make of the half-acre plot, which included a small orchard. | 0:31:42 | 0:31:46 | |
-Fabulous. -It's lovely. -It's absolutely wonderful. | 0:31:46 | 0:31:49 | |
-Yeah. -It's a good size. | 0:31:49 | 0:31:52 | |
So, would they be able to guess the price of this idyllic slice | 0:31:52 | 0:31:56 | |
-of country life? -I'm going to take a stab... | 0:31:56 | 0:31:59 | |
385. | 0:31:59 | 0:32:01 | |
I'm going to try 395. | 0:32:01 | 0:32:03 | |
The asking price is £395,000. | 0:32:03 | 0:32:06 | |
Oh, no! | 0:32:06 | 0:32:09 | |
All very much on the money at property two, | 0:32:09 | 0:32:12 | |
but could we go one better? | 0:32:12 | 0:32:15 | |
Our mystery offering, located in the village of Charlton Adam, challenged | 0:32:15 | 0:32:19 | |
Dee's dream by presenting her with the reality. | 0:32:19 | 0:32:23 | |
With our mystery house, we're going to show you this property. | 0:32:23 | 0:32:26 | |
You are kidding me. | 0:32:26 | 0:32:28 | |
-No. -That's not really? | 0:32:28 | 0:32:29 | |
Yes. It is. | 0:32:29 | 0:32:30 | |
It's an old schoolhouse. | 0:32:30 | 0:32:32 | |
-That's fantastic. -And it was a chapel. | 0:32:32 | 0:32:34 | |
-DEE GASPS -How do you manage it? | 0:32:34 | 0:32:37 | |
-Amazed. -Yes? | 0:32:37 | 0:32:38 | |
Speechless again. | 0:32:38 | 0:32:39 | |
My first impression when we walked along the road and this was kind of | 0:32:40 | 0:32:43 | |
at the end of the road, | 0:32:43 | 0:32:45 | |
I thought, "Surely they have not managed to completely | 0:32:45 | 0:32:49 | |
"fill all my wishes and got me a little church." | 0:32:49 | 0:32:53 | |
It seemed that's what we'd done. | 0:32:53 | 0:32:56 | |
I think we should start off... | 0:32:56 | 0:32:57 | |
THEY LAUGH | 0:32:57 | 0:33:00 | |
..with the main chapel. | 0:33:00 | 0:33:01 | |
Come in. | 0:33:04 | 0:33:07 | |
It's just... I can't believe it! | 0:33:07 | 0:33:10 | |
But you've got the mullion features, haven't you? | 0:33:10 | 0:33:12 | |
Leaded light windows... | 0:33:12 | 0:33:15 | |
My Christmas tree's already in. | 0:33:15 | 0:33:16 | |
My crib. | 0:33:18 | 0:33:19 | |
The wood burner's going. | 0:33:21 | 0:33:23 | |
And just look at that stained-glass window. | 0:33:23 | 0:33:27 | |
Would you like to see a little bit more? | 0:33:27 | 0:33:29 | |
-I'd love to. -I think you... Oh, she's gone again. | 0:33:29 | 0:33:31 | |
Right, let's keep going. | 0:33:31 | 0:33:32 | |
We've lost her. Come on. | 0:33:32 | 0:33:33 | |
Just mind the slight slope leading into... | 0:33:36 | 0:33:38 | |
..a rather large kitchen. | 0:33:40 | 0:33:42 | |
-Oh, yeah. -Is it larger than you were predicting? | 0:33:42 | 0:33:44 | |
I've lost all ability to predict at the moment, so... | 0:33:44 | 0:33:47 | |
Wondering if our kitchen table would fit in this space or not. | 0:33:50 | 0:33:53 | |
That's my only initial concern. | 0:33:53 | 0:33:56 | |
It provided not only living space for the two of them but also had | 0:33:57 | 0:34:01 | |
ground-floor accommodation for Rick's mum. | 0:34:01 | 0:34:03 | |
Upstairs, off the impressive galleried landing, | 0:34:05 | 0:34:07 | |
there were two further bedrooms, | 0:34:07 | 0:34:09 | |
one a light double with leaded windows and its own ensuite. | 0:34:09 | 0:34:14 | |
But I couldn't wait to see how they would react to a stunning feature in | 0:34:14 | 0:34:18 | |
the master. | 0:34:18 | 0:34:20 | |
You have... | 0:34:20 | 0:34:21 | |
HE CHUCKLES ..your own stained-glass window. | 0:34:21 | 0:34:25 | |
Set me off again. Unbelievable! | 0:34:25 | 0:34:28 | |
The mystery twist here was that it didn't come with the outside space | 0:34:29 | 0:34:32 | |
they'd asked for. But would they compromise on that, | 0:34:32 | 0:34:36 | |
given there was a detached stone coach house in the walled courtyard, | 0:34:36 | 0:34:40 | |
offering scope for the dog-grooming business? | 0:34:40 | 0:34:43 | |
At the moment, it's divided up, | 0:34:43 | 0:34:44 | |
you've got the garage part underneath. | 0:34:44 | 0:34:46 | |
Potentially, the dog-grooming upstairs. | 0:34:46 | 0:34:49 | |
That's a very good thought. | 0:34:49 | 0:34:50 | |
-Yeah. -Very good thought. | 0:34:50 | 0:34:52 | |
Well, we've all got smiles on our faces. | 0:34:52 | 0:34:54 | |
Let's hope that remains for guess the price. | 0:34:54 | 0:34:56 | |
So, Rick, would you like to go first? | 0:34:56 | 0:34:59 | |
I'm going to come in with 425. | 0:34:59 | 0:35:01 | |
I'm going to be slightly optimistic and finish it at 420. | 0:35:01 | 0:35:06 | |
The asking price is... | 0:35:06 | 0:35:08 | |
-£375,000. -You're kidding. | 0:35:08 | 0:35:11 | |
No. | 0:35:11 | 0:35:12 | |
I think you should be kissing Nicki! | 0:35:14 | 0:35:16 | |
Yes. | 0:35:19 | 0:35:20 | |
So, extraordinary reactions from Dee to all three of our properties, | 0:35:20 | 0:35:25 | |
but ultimately, | 0:35:25 | 0:35:26 | |
did they stick to their original brief and go for one of the earlier | 0:35:26 | 0:35:30 | |
character cottages that delivered the requested land | 0:35:30 | 0:35:33 | |
they were so keen on? | 0:35:33 | 0:35:35 | |
They love the natural features of the first property... | 0:35:35 | 0:35:38 | |
-Oh! -It's definitely a wow, isn't it? | 0:35:38 | 0:35:40 | |
It really is a wow. | 0:35:40 | 0:35:42 | |
-I'd say it's bordering on a lake rather than just a pond. -Incredible. | 0:35:42 | 0:35:45 | |
..and the fabulous outlook over the surrounding countryside in | 0:35:45 | 0:35:49 | |
-the second. -Aw, it's great, isn't it? -Mmm. | 0:35:49 | 0:35:52 | |
So every bedroom has that beautiful view. | 0:35:52 | 0:35:55 | |
Or did the mystery property tempt them to do a complete U-turn? | 0:35:55 | 0:36:00 | |
I don't think I have ever had tears of joy for all three houses before | 0:36:01 | 0:36:07 | |
or since. Rick and Dee were dream house hunters | 0:36:07 | 0:36:11 | |
and I could do no wrong. | 0:36:11 | 0:36:13 | |
And as often the case, | 0:36:13 | 0:36:15 | |
it was the mystery house that was the favourite | 0:36:15 | 0:36:18 | |
and their list of priorities just seemed to fade away. | 0:36:18 | 0:36:22 | |
Now, it definitely didn't have the large garden they were after | 0:36:22 | 0:36:25 | |
but what it did have was bags of character - and they loved it. | 0:36:25 | 0:36:31 | |
So much so, they are now the proud owners of the converted chapel. | 0:36:31 | 0:36:35 | |
But when I last saw the property, it was unfurnished, | 0:36:35 | 0:36:38 | |
it was completely empty, | 0:36:38 | 0:36:40 | |
so I can't wait to see what they've done and how it looks today. | 0:36:40 | 0:36:43 | |
SHE LAUGHS | 0:36:48 | 0:36:50 | |
-Hello. -Hello, Nicki. -Hi, Nicki. -Oh, it's been a long time. | 0:36:50 | 0:36:55 | |
And what a transformation. | 0:36:55 | 0:36:58 | |
From that main reception room and it's impressive mullion windows, | 0:36:58 | 0:37:02 | |
to the master bedroom which had Dee in tears. | 0:37:02 | 0:37:05 | |
It's been two years since they completed their purchase | 0:37:07 | 0:37:11 | |
and the whole house and garden now has their stamp all over it. | 0:37:11 | 0:37:17 | |
You've done the most amazing job. | 0:37:18 | 0:37:21 | |
Tell me it feels like home. | 0:37:21 | 0:37:23 | |
Oh, it does. | 0:37:23 | 0:37:25 | |
Just came here and it felt like home straightaway. | 0:37:25 | 0:37:27 | |
So, it has been a home from day one. | 0:37:27 | 0:37:29 | |
Yeah. | 0:37:29 | 0:37:31 | |
But it's not all happy news. | 0:37:31 | 0:37:33 | |
Sadly, a few months after making the move with them, | 0:37:33 | 0:37:36 | |
Rick's mum, Ruby, passed away. | 0:37:36 | 0:37:39 | |
She became more confused as the year went on as to where she was. | 0:37:39 | 0:37:44 | |
-She had dementia. -But the people in the village embraced her, totally. | 0:37:44 | 0:37:49 | |
-Did they? -They really did. -Oh, they loved her. | 0:37:49 | 0:37:51 | |
-Absolutely. -Right from day one. | 0:37:51 | 0:37:53 | |
I know she was a very important part of your lives and, obviously, | 0:37:53 | 0:37:56 | |
we are very sorry to hear the news that she has passed away. | 0:37:56 | 0:37:59 | |
Just wish she could've enjoyed it a little bit more, but | 0:37:59 | 0:38:02 | |
she was at that stage of her life and it was tough. | 0:38:02 | 0:38:05 | |
-It was difficult. -Yeah. | 0:38:05 | 0:38:06 | |
So, let's talk about village life. | 0:38:06 | 0:38:08 | |
How quickly did you both make friends here? | 0:38:08 | 0:38:12 | |
Oh, it was very quick. As soon as we arrived, | 0:38:12 | 0:38:16 | |
people came and introduced themselves, welcomed us. | 0:38:16 | 0:38:20 | |
If you go somewhere in London, nobody really notices... | 0:38:20 | 0:38:23 | |
-True. -..come here, everybody said welcome, | 0:38:23 | 0:38:27 | |
-asked how we were settling in. -Aw! -They were really caring. -Those early days... | 0:38:27 | 0:38:30 | |
-Those early days were amazing... -..so important. | 0:38:30 | 0:38:33 | |
Now, one of the requirements Dee and Rick gave us | 0:38:33 | 0:38:36 | |
was space for Rick's dog-grooming business. | 0:38:36 | 0:38:39 | |
We thought there was potential in the former coach house located | 0:38:39 | 0:38:42 | |
in the walled courtyard. | 0:38:42 | 0:38:44 | |
And, boy, have they run with it! | 0:38:44 | 0:38:47 | |
In the last six months, the business has really got going. | 0:38:47 | 0:38:50 | |
And today, Rufus is booked in for his regular haircut. | 0:38:50 | 0:38:55 | |
He's a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla | 0:38:55 | 0:38:57 | |
and is one of many of Rick's new clients. | 0:38:57 | 0:39:00 | |
When I was in London, | 0:39:01 | 0:39:03 | |
I was doing a lot of show dogs which had very hairy coats, | 0:39:03 | 0:39:06 | |
but the working-type dogs, the springers, the cocker spaniels, | 0:39:06 | 0:39:11 | |
they probably only need grooming two, three times a year | 0:39:11 | 0:39:14 | |
cos the working dogs have a less hairy coat but the owners do like to | 0:39:14 | 0:39:20 | |
keep them under control. | 0:39:20 | 0:39:22 | |
This one, if he was just left alone, he would get very, very long, | 0:39:22 | 0:39:26 | |
very wiry and very scruffy. | 0:39:26 | 0:39:29 | |
And I do a lot of things like springer spaniels, | 0:39:29 | 0:39:33 | |
which are very active dogs that get out there in the dirty fields and | 0:39:33 | 0:39:38 | |
those customers like their dogs completely stripped, | 0:39:38 | 0:39:40 | |
so they don't have all the mud and bring the mud home. | 0:39:40 | 0:39:43 | |
And it's not just about keeping the coats of the local canines in good | 0:39:44 | 0:39:48 | |
condition. It's also been a great introduction to the whole community. | 0:39:48 | 0:39:54 | |
Because of Rufus, I've got to know Phil, because of that, | 0:39:54 | 0:39:57 | |
I'm now on the committee for the local village hall. | 0:39:57 | 0:40:00 | |
-So... -It's very sociable in this village, having a dog. | 0:40:00 | 0:40:04 | |
If you haven't got a dog, you're not really in with the people! | 0:40:04 | 0:40:07 | |
Look... He's desperate to go for a walk, now, aren't you? | 0:40:07 | 0:40:10 | |
-Go on, then. Cheerio. -See you later. Bye. -Bye. | 0:40:10 | 0:40:13 | |
And from one four-legged friend to another. | 0:40:15 | 0:40:18 | |
The rural relocation means Dee is finally fulfilling a childhood wish | 0:40:18 | 0:40:23 | |
of learning to ride. | 0:40:23 | 0:40:25 | |
Dee, you look as pretty as a picture there with these two horses. | 0:40:25 | 0:40:29 | |
-Who do we have? -Thank you, Nicki. | 0:40:29 | 0:40:30 | |
We've got Mambo here for you, | 0:40:30 | 0:40:32 | |
absolutely gorgeous, and this is Blue. | 0:40:32 | 0:40:34 | |
And is this the horse that you normally ride? | 0:40:34 | 0:40:37 | |
I only started last October, so I've just been riding for a year. | 0:40:37 | 0:40:40 | |
I come here every week. | 0:40:40 | 0:40:42 | |
I've been riding Blue for the last four or five weeks. | 0:40:42 | 0:40:45 | |
We've been getting on very well, haven't we, Blue? | 0:40:45 | 0:40:48 | |
Most of Somerset's 622 miles of bridleways are located in Exmoor | 0:40:48 | 0:40:53 | |
and the Quantock Hills. | 0:40:53 | 0:40:55 | |
In the rest of the county, | 0:40:55 | 0:40:56 | |
heading for a hack often requires riding along the country lanes, | 0:40:56 | 0:41:00 | |
which makes it all the more important to build up good control | 0:41:00 | 0:41:04 | |
and technique. That's what Dee is doing today, | 0:41:04 | 0:41:07 | |
as instructor Alice Darby puts us both through our paces in the riding | 0:41:07 | 0:41:11 | |
-school arena. -Super. | 0:41:11 | 0:41:13 | |
Good. | 0:41:13 | 0:41:15 | |
That's it, kick, kick, Dee. Look up, where you're going. | 0:41:15 | 0:41:17 | |
Always looking up and forward. | 0:41:17 | 0:41:19 | |
We're going to need to do two bounces and then go rising. | 0:41:19 | 0:41:23 | |
So we change our trot diagonal, that's it, keep going, Nicki. | 0:41:23 | 0:41:26 | |
Squeeze that leg round him. | 0:41:26 | 0:41:29 | |
That's it. Well done. Super. | 0:41:29 | 0:41:31 | |
That rising trot is coming along nicely, | 0:41:31 | 0:41:34 | |
so all that remains is to find out how pleased they are with their new | 0:41:34 | 0:41:38 | |
country life. | 0:41:38 | 0:41:40 | |
I was going to ask, on a scale of one to ten, | 0:41:40 | 0:41:43 | |
how happy this move has made you? | 0:41:43 | 0:41:45 | |
-Oh, ten. -Ten. -Without a shadow of a doubt. | 0:41:45 | 0:41:50 | |
Aw, look, she's going! | 0:41:50 | 0:41:52 | |
Dee, one of my lasting memories of you were the tears. | 0:41:52 | 0:41:56 | |
-Tears of joy. -Yes. | 0:41:57 | 0:42:00 | |
It is just such a wonderful life. | 0:42:00 | 0:42:02 | |
It really is. | 0:42:03 | 0:42:04 | |
We've got beautiful scenery and you look over and you think, | 0:42:04 | 0:42:09 | |
"God, I've died and gone to heaven." | 0:42:09 | 0:42:10 | |
I have to pinch myself almost every day to say, | 0:42:10 | 0:42:13 | |
"Is this absolutely real?" | 0:42:13 | 0:42:15 | |
It is just stunning. | 0:42:15 | 0:42:17 | |
I am absolutely thrilled you're both having such a brilliant | 0:42:17 | 0:42:21 | |
new life here in the country in your splendid home. | 0:42:21 | 0:42:26 | |
It's wonderful. | 0:42:26 | 0:42:27 | |
I'm so pleased that not only are both our couples delighted | 0:42:33 | 0:42:37 | |
with the homes we've found them | 0:42:37 | 0:42:38 | |
but they've immersed themselves in country life. | 0:42:38 | 0:42:41 | |
Making such a move can be a daunting experience, | 0:42:41 | 0:42:45 | |
but embracing it with open arms has certainly paid off and they all look | 0:42:45 | 0:42:51 | |
incredibly happy. | 0:42:51 | 0:42:53 | |
If you dream of escaping to the country in Scotland, Wales, England | 0:42:55 | 0:43:00 | |
or Northern Ireland and would also like our help, | 0:43:00 | 0:43:03 | |
why not apply online at... | 0:43:03 | 0:43:04 |