North Devon Escape to the Country


North Devon

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The riverbed that runs through this great Victorian aqueduct

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was the birthplace of one of England's most famous

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fictional animal heroes.

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Find out who he was, and what county I'm in,

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in just a few moments.

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On today's show, we're challenged to find

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the perfect rural hideaway with lots of land.

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And it seems the more remote, the better.

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I'd just love to be stuck in the middle of nowhere. I love it.

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-It's really pretty.

-It's really pretty.

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'And there's much more to love when we uncover

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'a potential home that may deliver the dream.'

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With this property, you also get over two acres of land.

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JULIE GASPS

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-Yay!

-Oh!

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Oh, my goodness!

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Don't, you're going to start me off!

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Today I'm in Devon,

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and behind me is the Beam Aqueduct, or Canal Bridge,

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as the author Henry Williamson called it in his classic novel

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Tarka the Otter, published back in 1927.

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Williamson's accurate description of the River Torridge

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and the surrounding countryside now form the 180-mile Tarka Trail,

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so along with the chance of spotting an otter,

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you also get to explore a landscape that has hardly changed

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since the book was written all those years ago.

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Lying in the South West Peninsula,

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Devon shares land borders to the west and east,

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with the Bristol Channel to the north

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and the English Channel to the south.

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The South West Coastal Path spans each shoreline,

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65% of which is designated Heritage Coast,

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noted for its natural beauty,

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wildlife and historical significance.

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Along the north coast, Clovelly sprang up as a fishing harbour.

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Much of it is inaccessible to cars,

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making the muddle of cobbled streets a delight to explore on foot.

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The steep gradient here

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meant goods were traditionally delivered by donkeys.

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Although the donkey work is now done by sledge,

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the much-loved animals are still a popular sight in the village.

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Devon also boasts many architectural gems.

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The 12th century Hartland Abbey was the last monastery seized

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under the dissolution of the monasteries.

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So, whether it's historic buildings, remote moorland

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or quaint seaside vistas,

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Devon is a wonderful place

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for a temporary - or more permanent - rural escape.

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The average cost of a detached home here in Devon is around £310,000.

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That's £23,000 above the national average.

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But don't forget that that figure includes the property hot spots

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of Salcombe to the south and Croyde to the north,

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where homes can often sell for double the national average.

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Move further inland and you get more for your money,

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particularly around the market towns of South Moulton and Tavistock.

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So, with that in mind,

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let's meet today's buyer and find out where they'd like to settle.

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Pharmacist Julie from Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex

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is about to embark on a complete change of lifestyle

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and has set her sights on relocating to the West Country.

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I've wanted to move westwards for quite some time now.

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I just think it's a dream of mine, and I can achieve it.

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As children, we used to go caravanning and tenting down

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in Devon, so I just feel I've grown up with that countryside

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and I've got a genuine love of it.

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And helping her to realise this dream

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is good friend and work colleague, fellow pharmacist Morella.

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I think, basically, I'm just there to support her,

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and if I see something that I think would be right,

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I would actually say what is right and what I think is right.

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I tend to go by my heart rather than my brain,

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and I'm hoping Morella will be the brain in this, this, um...

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Absolutely.

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Moving will of course mean leaving behind the three-bed end-of-terrace

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that's been Julie's home for the last 15 years

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and though she's enjoyed living there,

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she's now after a more peaceful pace of life.

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Shoreham, I feel, is definitely becoming more busy.

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Lots more traffic coming through.

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I hanker after the country life.

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I've just come back from a week's holiday in Devon, and, erm...

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I just felt I'd come home, as it were.

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It's a slice of heaven in my eyes.

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By turning her holiday destination into a permanent address,

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Julie hopes to expand on her hobbies,

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spend more time with her dogs

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and maybe even add some livestock to the list.

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She's so in love with animals.

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Everything in her life is around animals,

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so, yeah, it's very, very important to her.

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I'd like to be able to get more animals, some chickens,

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-maybe adopt...

-A horse!

-Adopt a donkey or two.

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-Goats.

-Goats.

-Everything.

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THEY LAUGH

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I've never seen Devon, but I'm excited to go,

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and I could get the Devon bug and want to move down there myself.

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Julie wants us to focus our house search in the north of the county,

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where she hopes to get the best value for her property pound.

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And before we start the search, I'm meeting up with the two friends

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in the county to find out even more about the specifics of this move.

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Welcome to Devon.

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So, what is it about Devon in particular

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that makes you dream of living here?

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It's just so beautiful and, most of all, it's quiet.

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Well, let's talk about the right place,

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about what you imagine from it, and also what you need from it.

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Well, I don't mind if it's fairly isolated,

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I don't mind if it's near a village.

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I feel that I'm quite good at making friends.

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I'd like preferably a detached house with some land,

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and that's top of my list, the land aspect,

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because I'm just mad on animals and I'd love to have a horse

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or some chickens, etc.

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I want to live a bit of the good life, really, I think,

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maybe grow my own veggies as well.

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So, we've got to have room for all the animals.

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What about for the friends when they come to stay?

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Minimum two bedrooms, maybe three would be good.

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Like most people, I want a big kitchen,

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the heart of the house.

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-This is a really big life change for you, isn't it?

-Mm-hmm.

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What do you think, Morella,

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that Julie's not going to compromise on in this search?

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I think that the land's important

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because of the animals that she wants to have.

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-I think that's probably the only thing.

-Mmm.

-Yeah.

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If the property didn't come with much land,

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as long as there was some land nearby that I could maybe rent,

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that would be a good compromise.

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So, Julie, remind me of the budget

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that we're working with on the search.

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Um...I've got £350,000.

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Any wiggle room on that for the right property?

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Maybe for the dream property, yes.

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-Yeah, maybe a little bit more.

-OK.

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Well, it's a great budget for this part of the country.

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We've got some fantastic properties to show you, so are you both ready?

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-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Let's go house-hunting.

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Julie has confirmed that she's happy to stretch her budget

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to a maximum of £375,000.

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And for that figure, she's looking for a detached house

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with two to three bedrooms and a large kitchen.

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Not forgetting land to keep some animals.

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She's after a tranquil rural setting,

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with easy access to both coast and countryside.

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We've got some wonderful houses lined up,

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all in beautifully appealing settings,

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but the price tags won't be revealed until the end of each tour.

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Our final property is the Mystery House,

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which will challenge on look, lifestyle and location.

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CAR ENGINE HUMS

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Our property search is heading to the hamlet of West Anstey.

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A picturesque hamlet right on the edge of the Exmoor National Park,

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this is a rural location with all the walks,

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woodlands and wildlife you could hope for.

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And when it comes to local amenities,

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the small town of Dulverton is a five-mile drive away,

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just over the border and into Somerset.

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But it's a short drive into the surrounding countryside

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where we find the house I want Julie to see.

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JULIE GASPS So, this is what I brought you to see.

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Oh! GINNY LAUGHS

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-Oh, my word.

-Come on closer.

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Take a proper look!

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THEY LAUGH

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-I like this, Julie.

-Oh! Wow.

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This looks really lovely.

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-That's a brilliant, positive reaction.

-Oh, yeah.

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-And the view, look at that!

-Yeah.

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-It's a fantastic view, isn't it?

-Oh, it's amazing.

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-It's fantastic.

-It's so quiet.

-You look quite emotional.

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-I know, it's lovely!

-THEY LAUGH

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The house looks really nice.

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The garden's pretty as well, isn't it?

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I couldn't have asked for a better reaction to the outside,

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so why don't we go in and explore and see if we can keep that

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-very big smile on your face?

-Yes, please.

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Well, that's exactly the response I was hoping for.

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The breathtaking location is a clear winner,

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but I wonder what they'll make of the house.

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It dates back to 1870 and is actually a former schoolhouse,

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until it was lovingly converted under its old slate roof.

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-So, we come straight into the entrance hall.

-Oh!

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Now, this would have been the old kitchen in the old house.

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From this large hallway, which is doubling up as a snug,

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the ground floor of the property is split into two halves.

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In the right-hand side, which is the original part of the building,

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there's also a sitting room and stairs up to the first floor,

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but first for us is the newer extended wing

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over on the left-hand side.

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The extension through here was done 15 years ago,

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so actually, there's a fantastic-sized kitchen-diner

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that I'm sure you'll be looking forward to seeing.

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Hey, I like this!

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-Look at the smile!

-I like this, Julie.

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What do you like about it?

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-It's really nice and warm.

-I love it.

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-She likes it.

-JULIE LAUGHS

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-She likes it!

-THEY LAUGH

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What do you like about it, Julie?

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Well, it's not just a square box. I just love the units.

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It's a bit quirky, cos you've got to step down. It's just lovely.

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-You've got a little courtyard there.

-I love it.

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There's another entrance through the side to the back of the house.

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In there is a boot room, a downstairs bathroom,

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so if you were out with the dogs, you can come in and get rid

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of your dirty, muddy boots and clean the dogs off in there.

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I'm a bit overwhelmed, I have to say.

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JULIE LAUGHS

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I've just got a really good feel.

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-It's nice to see such big smiles on your faces.

-Yeah.

-Really like it.

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Well, we've still got more to explore.

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Let's wander through into the sitting room.

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-This is nice.

-It's nice, isn't it?

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We've a second log-burning stove and some nice views.

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-Oh, it's lovely.

-It's really bright and cheerful.

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It's small, but it's perfect for what I want.

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-It's cosy, isn't it?

-Oh, lovely.

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-Are you still getting that nice feeling?

-Yes.

-Mmm.

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-Just as excited!

-SHE LAUGHS

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-Are you?

-I love it.

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JULIE LAUGHS

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Good.

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'I think it's safe to say that this property is really tugging

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'on Julie's heartstrings,

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'as the ground floor rooms have obviously resonated with her.

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'I just hope the feeling continues upstairs.

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'Here there's a bright family bathroom and three bedrooms.

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'All are comfy doubles and two feature double-aspect windows,

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'allowing the light to flood in.

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'And those beautiful views across lush farmland draw you in

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'as soon as you step inside the rooms.

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'That leaves just one more bedroom to see, and that's the master.'

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-You can see the character of the property here.

-Yeah.

-It's nice.

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It's nice, isn't it?

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-The views are superb, aren't they, really?

-Yeah, I really like it.

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What are you looking worried about? You look really worried!

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THEY LAUGH

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-What's going through your mind?

-I'm...waiting for something to be wrong!

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-Are you waiting for the "but"?

-Yes.

-OK!

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It's just been so lovely so far.

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Although Julie's a little anxious,

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I'm confident the outside space will also deliver,

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so we're heading downstairs to throw open the door

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and explore the garden.

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It's mostly laid to lawn, framed by beech hedging,

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but what hits you straight away has to be that incredible vista

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across deeply rural Devonshire fields.

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But if we take our attention back to what's on offer with this property,

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I've got something else to reveal.

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The sunsets are just over there in the west,

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-and they're apparently absolutely beautiful.

-Perfect.

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I'll have a west-facing back garden.

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-Yeah.

-So, you've probably noticed the barn,

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the old barn there in the corner with the stables.

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You're probably going to need that, I'd have thought,

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cos with this property you also get over two acres of land.

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JULIE GASPS

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-Oh!

-Oh...!

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Oh, my goodness!

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Don't, you're going to start me off!

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Oh, my goodness.

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My heart's going like mad.

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I'm just so excited about it!

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-I'm just praying the price is OK.

-OK.

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-So, would you like to go and explore the rest of the land?

-Yes, please!

-THEY LAUGH

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Beyond the stable block are three paddocks currently used for horses.

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But with two acres of land,

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there should be enough room for even more animals.

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-I could have sheep as well!

-THEY LAUGH

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That's more than enough. That's fantastic.

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Morella, you know Julie well.

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Is this the kind of place you could see her being?

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I think this is a place that she would find herself at home.

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And now comes the difficult bit,

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cos I have to ask you to guess the price.

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I'm going to say 375.

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I'm thinking 385, 90 maybe.

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Let me put you both out of your misery.

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Julie...

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-You are absolutely spot-on.

-Oh!

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-Wow! I'm so happy!

-THEY LAUGH

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I am so happy.

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It's on the market for £375,000,

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and there could potentially be a small amount of negotiation

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on that price as well.

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Oh!

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JULIE LAUGHS

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That's brilliant!

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Now, I know the land has always been

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something that really matters to you,

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so I would normally say go back in

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and have another look around the house,

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but why don't you just go and explore the land?

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-Will do.

-OK, off you go. Go on!

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On budget with a price tag of £375,000,

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this proposition is indeed a perfect match to Julie's wish list.

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A detached Victorian property,

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it has three bedrooms and the large kitchen-diner she wants

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along with a sitting room featuring views out to the garden.

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A whopping two acres of land should be more than ample

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for chickens and rescue ponies.

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And the stunning, peaceful location seems to be spot-on.

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I loved this house right from the word go.

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I like the outside, the views are just stunning.

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Inside, the kitchen, it's got lots of features,

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the lovely bare wood, the wood-burning stoves.

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I could see Julie's face that she loved it.

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It was written all over her face, so...

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And then when we went inside, she fell in love even more with it,

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and then when she saw the land, that finished it.

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The two acres of land is just amazing.

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It's just incredible. I'm so happy.

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-Have you had a good explore?

-Oh, we have, we have.

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-And that smile's still on your face.

-Yes! I want to stay!

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Well, you can't, because the search isn't over and there's more to see,

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-so I need to drag you away, I'm afraid.

-OK.

-Come on.

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With their origins in medieval war horses

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bred from stock brought over after the Norman conquest,

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Britain's working horses, whether drawing carts

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or tending the fields, were once a common sight across the country.

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However, during the first half of the 20th century,

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oil-fuelled vehicles like tractors came to be seen as cheaper,

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faster and less demanding.

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And so the nation's equine labour was slowly replaced.

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But rising concern for the environment,

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along with nostalgia for our agricultural heritage,

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means some farmers are bringing horses back to the land.

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We're sending animal lover Julie along with Morella

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to meet traditional farmer Ben May.

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He's offered to show them how he uses shires to work

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his 60 acres of Devon countryside.

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-Hello.

-Hello.

-Welcome to Lower Upcott Farm.

0:16:570:17:01

Thank you, Ben. Thank you for having us.

0:17:010:17:03

So, what methods do you use here?

0:17:030:17:05

Well, we actually use our horses a lot to do our farm work,

0:17:050:17:09

so we do our haymaking with the horses and we do all our,

0:17:090:17:12

sort of, muck-spreading in the winter and then the rolling

0:17:120:17:15

and the harrowing in the spring.

0:17:150:17:16

And then we do a whole lot of horse logging work,

0:17:160:17:19

both on the farm and commercially.

0:17:190:17:22

I suppose it's a little bit like a 1940s farm, but we kind of

0:17:220:17:25

like to think we're the best of the past and the best of the future.

0:17:250:17:29

I think Tom's getting a little bit keen to get on with some work,

0:17:290:17:32

so shall we move on and do some horse logging?

0:17:320:17:35

-Yeah.

-Yeah, let's go, let's go.

-OK. Come on, boy.

0:17:350:17:38

Shire horses are more manoeuvrable than tractors,

0:17:390:17:42

can deal with boggier and steeper terrain

0:17:420:17:44

and don't leave ruts in the land.

0:17:440:17:47

Ben and his horses often work for organisations like

0:17:470:17:50

The National Trust in environmentally sensitive locations.

0:17:500:17:54

Tom's task today is shifting some felled timber.

0:17:540:17:57

The woodland at the farm is mixed and includes some large oak,

0:17:580:18:02

along with smaller trees like ash, willow and hazel.

0:18:020:18:05

Over. Good boy, walk on.

0:18:070:18:10

As Ben is keen for his farm to be as self-sufficient as possible,

0:18:100:18:13

much of the wood is used to heat the farmhouse

0:18:130:18:15

or turned into charcoal.

0:18:150:18:17

HE CALLS TO THE HORSE

0:18:170:18:19

But Ben also uses offcuts in the farm workshop,

0:18:190:18:22

where he has another traditional technique

0:18:220:18:24

that Julie and Morella can turn their hands to.

0:18:240:18:27

So, I've got a piece of hazel here that's come up from the woods.

0:18:290:18:32

And we're going to make a parasol mushroom.

0:18:320:18:35

So, if you'd like to sit down and have a go,

0:18:350:18:37

and I'll just show you what you need to do.

0:18:370:18:39

If you put your two feet on each side of this,

0:18:390:18:42

then that's a vice for you, so it means you don't have to hold

0:18:420:18:44

the piece of wood while you're doing the work.

0:18:440:18:46

A draw knife is used to shave the end of the hazel pole,

0:18:480:18:51

which will form the stalk of the mushroom.

0:18:510:18:53

It's the same basic tool that was used in medieval times

0:18:530:18:56

to make chair legs.

0:18:560:18:58

Turn the piece of wood around.

0:18:590:19:00

And then keep going effectively until you've got a bit of a point.

0:19:000:19:04

Oh, that's great, Julie. Good stuff. Why don't you have a go, Morella?

0:19:060:19:09

-Your turn.

-Love to.

-BEN LAUGHS

0:19:090:19:11

Using the wood from his mixed woodland,

0:19:110:19:13

Ben makes a range of cottage crafts,

0:19:130:19:15

from furniture to signs and decorative items.

0:19:150:19:19

That's it. Good stuff. I think that's great. What I'll do now is...

0:19:200:19:24

I'll just take this out and we'll put it together.

0:19:240:19:26

We've got this here, and then that goes on here.

0:19:260:19:29

-So, there we go.

-Great.

0:19:300:19:32

THEY LAUGH

0:19:320:19:33

-Thank you very much.

-Pleasure!

0:19:330:19:36

One handcrafted garden mushroom completed, it's now time for us

0:19:360:19:40

to reflect on the first day of house-hunting in Devon,

0:19:400:19:43

until the search for Julie's dream home continues tomorrow.

0:19:430:19:46

It's the start of our second day of property shopping

0:19:520:19:55

for animal-loving Julie from Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex,

0:19:550:19:58

who's chosen to get away from it all in the county of Devon.

0:19:580:20:02

With a budget of £375,000,

0:20:020:20:05

she's brought her friend Morella along to help her find

0:20:050:20:08

a dream country home with some land.

0:20:080:20:11

So far, we've visited an ideal house that could prove hard to beat.

0:20:120:20:16

I'm just so excited about it.

0:20:170:20:19

But still to come,

0:20:190:20:21

our Mystery House puts her right in the thick of things

0:20:210:20:24

with an alternative outlook and style.

0:20:240:20:26

-What do you think?

-It's different.

0:20:270:20:29

THEY LAUGH

0:20:290:20:31

Different in a good way, different in a bad way?

0:20:310:20:33

It looks very attractive, actually.

0:20:330:20:35

And I'm joining the harvest when I visit a traditional Devon orchard

0:20:350:20:39

and then enjoy the fruits of our labour.

0:20:390:20:41

It's so sweet and zingy and fresh-tasting.

0:20:410:20:45

It's the second day of our house-hunt here in Devon

0:20:470:20:49

and what became clear yesterday

0:20:490:20:51

was the land is as important to Julie as the house itself.

0:20:510:20:54

Well, we'll be putting that to the test with our Mystery House,

0:20:540:20:57

which will offer Julie a slice of village life

0:20:570:21:00

in the heart of a thriving community.

0:21:000:21:03

But first, we're off to see a property that would allow Julie

0:21:030:21:05

to put her own stamp on her home here in Devon.

0:21:050:21:08

How will she feel about a challenge like that?

0:21:080:21:11

To start the day we're heading closer towards the north coast

0:21:130:21:16

and our destination is just outside the village of Parkham.

0:21:160:21:19

Being a small rural place,

0:21:190:21:21

there aren't too many amenities in the village

0:21:210:21:24

but there is a thatched 13th-century cob-walled pub

0:21:240:21:28

and a 14th-century church.

0:21:280:21:30

The village is less than a mile from the next house

0:21:300:21:32

and so within walking distance for Julie and her dogs.

0:21:320:21:36

Passing through agricultural farmland,

0:21:360:21:38

off the beaten track and up an unadopted road,

0:21:380:21:41

we come to the property we're here to see.

0:21:410:21:43

Here we go.

0:21:450:21:46

It's a very, very pretty 19th-century cottage.

0:21:460:21:50

What do you think?

0:21:500:21:51

-Yeah, I love it.

-It's really pretty.

-It's really pretty.

0:21:510:21:53

The fact that it's detached, is that a positive?

0:21:530:21:56

That's a positive, definitely. I'm more than happy so far.

0:21:560:21:59

Why don't we go and take a look inside the house?

0:21:590:22:01

-I think we're off to a really good start with this one.

-Yeah.

0:22:010:22:04

Originally starting life as two separate cottages

0:22:060:22:09

in the early 1800s, but later knocked into one,

0:22:090:22:12

this pretty property is nestled on the hillside,

0:22:120:22:15

looking out over uninterrupted views,

0:22:150:22:17

surrounded by a generous garden

0:22:170:22:19

with steps that take us down to the patio and front porch.

0:22:190:22:23

So we come straight into the kitchen.

0:22:240:22:27

What I really love about this house

0:22:270:22:29

is that it's so snug and so cosy with lots of character.

0:22:290:22:33

You've got a friend there in the corner.

0:22:330:22:35

I know - you and your animals!

0:22:350:22:37

-Is he staying?

-THEY GIGGLE

0:22:370:22:38

Sadly, he's not.

0:22:380:22:40

I like the units. I like it.

0:22:400:22:42

What do you think, Morella?

0:22:420:22:44

You're quiet, you're quiet.

0:22:440:22:46

-I mean, it's a nice little kitchen.

-It's got everything. It feels nice.

0:22:460:22:51

So I'm quite happy with it, actually.

0:22:510:22:54

-It's cosy, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:22:540:22:58

Let's go off and explore the rest of the downstairs.

0:22:580:23:00

A long, wide property, this home is just one room deep.

0:23:010:23:05

On the ground floor, the kitchen leads to two reception rooms.

0:23:050:23:09

Right next door to the kitchen is the first of these,

0:23:090:23:12

currently used as a cosy snug with a stove.

0:23:120:23:16

Then neighbouring this is the main living room,

0:23:160:23:18

which has a big feature fireplace.

0:23:180:23:20

Wow!

0:23:200:23:23

Oh, Morella, look at that.

0:23:230:23:24

-What a lovely fireplace.

-A bread oven.

0:23:240:23:27

-Yeah.

-It's welcoming.

0:23:270:23:29

That is, isn't it?

0:23:290:23:31

-And it's cosy, as well.

-It's beautiful.

-Yeah.

0:23:310:23:34

I can see myself here.

0:23:340:23:36

The fact that Julie is picturing herself here is

0:23:360:23:39

a really encouraging sign.

0:23:390:23:41

Upstairs, there are three equally charming bedrooms

0:23:410:23:44

and the family bathroom.

0:23:440:23:46

One of the bedrooms is a good-sized double,

0:23:460:23:49

another is slightly smaller with bunk beds.

0:23:490:23:51

And, finally, the one where Julie might sleep.

0:23:510:23:54

So this is the master bedroom.

0:23:540:23:56

It's nice and bright and airy. What do you think?

0:23:560:23:59

First impressions, yeah, good.

0:23:590:24:01

I like it. I do like the fitted wardrobes.

0:24:010:24:04

I can see I could maybe change a few things in here,

0:24:040:24:08

reveal the floor again.

0:24:080:24:09

Yeah, I think make my mark on this, as well.

0:24:090:24:12

-It's a really nice-sized room.

-Mm-hm.

0:24:120:24:14

Now one thing that I've realised about you is that,

0:24:140:24:17

as much as the house has to be great,

0:24:170:24:19

it's the outside that matters, just as much.

0:24:190:24:22

Let's not keep you in suspense any longer,

0:24:220:24:24

let's go and explore outside.

0:24:240:24:26

Back through the house and outside, steps lead up to an extensive garden

0:24:260:24:31

and the first of a number of lawn terraces.

0:24:310:24:33

As you can see, it's long and it's narrow,

0:24:340:24:37

-but it is actually quite a good size.

-Mm-hm.

0:24:370:24:39

OK, so you've got the area down at the bottom that you could

0:24:390:24:42

easily keep chickens in.

0:24:420:24:44

Then you've got the stepped areas here with some amazing views

0:24:440:24:48

from the area up at the top where there's a pretty garden swing.

0:24:480:24:51

It is long and thin.

0:24:510:24:53

I'm not sure whether it's big enough.

0:24:530:24:56

I'm not going to be able to spring a surprise on you like yesterday.

0:24:560:24:59

However, the farmer who lives just down the lane

0:24:590:25:01

manages and farms all the land around here

0:25:010:25:02

and there could be a conversation to be had with him

0:25:020:25:05

about potentially leasing some land.

0:25:050:25:07

I always felt that as long as there was that possibility,

0:25:070:25:11

I wouldn't rule it out, definitely.

0:25:110:25:14

There may not be acres, but I'm glad Julie is keeping an open mind

0:25:140:25:18

regarding the potential here.

0:25:180:25:20

'And up a few more small steps is a vantage point

0:25:200:25:23

'that might persuade her further.'

0:25:230:25:25

-The climb is worth it, isn't it?

-Mmm.

0:25:250:25:28

It's really pretty.

0:25:280:25:30

That's beautiful. That's idyllic countryside, isn't it?

0:25:300:25:33

-It's just.... Yeah.

-It is lovely.

0:25:330:25:35

So what do you think this one is on the market for?

0:25:350:25:38

I think, although it hasn't got the land,

0:25:380:25:40

I think because of the location,

0:25:400:25:43

I think I'm going to be optimistic and say 360.

0:25:430:25:46

-I would have said that, as well.

-OK.

0:25:460:25:48

-Well, you can both...

-You can say that.

0:25:480:25:51

I think around that price, I think she's right.

0:25:510:25:54

I'm sorry to say that you are both wrong, unfortunately.

0:25:540:25:57

-It actually on the market for less than that.

-Wow.

0:25:570:25:59

It's on for £315,000.

0:25:590:26:03

-That's quite a drop, isn't it, to what we thought?

-Wow!

0:26:030:26:06

-Wow, now that puts...

-Things into perspective.

-Yeah.

0:26:070:26:11

Wow, that's amazing. 315.

0:26:120:26:15

Yeah, that is such good news.

0:26:150:26:17

That gives me a nice little bit of money

0:26:170:26:19

to do what I really want to do.

0:26:190:26:21

A lot to see, a lot to think about at this point.

0:26:210:26:24

Why don't you wander back inside?

0:26:240:26:25

-Start thinking about where you could put your own stamp on it.

-OK.

0:26:250:26:28

-Off you go. Come and find me when you're ready.

-OK, thanks.

0:26:280:26:32

A huge £60,000 below budget,

0:26:350:26:38

this detached 19th-century property could be another contender.

0:26:380:26:43

It has a cottage kitchen, two reception rooms,

0:26:430:26:46

three bedrooms and a garden that wraps around the property.

0:26:460:26:50

And the location is in a blissful spot,

0:26:500:26:52

offering a great deal of privacy and calm.

0:26:520:26:55

I was amazed with the price. That was such good news to the ear.

0:26:550:26:59

It's really thrown the cat amongst the pigeons.

0:26:590:27:02

Um, I really like it.

0:27:020:27:04

After yesterday, I didn't think anything would beat that,

0:27:040:27:06

but I can see such a lot of potential here,

0:27:060:27:09

lots of different things that I could do.

0:27:090:27:11

How about if we could maybe knock through here

0:27:110:27:16

to open up this space into a kitchen-diner?

0:27:160:27:18

I think Julie has got more potential of making it her own here.

0:27:180:27:23

It's a little bit remote and that's what she likes.

0:27:230:27:25

So, er...I think, ideally, this could be the place for her.

0:27:250:27:29

I'm just admiring this beautiful courtyard garden,

0:27:310:27:34

there's so much going on with this house.

0:27:340:27:36

There is so much you could do with it, yeah.

0:27:360:27:39

How are you feeling?

0:27:390:27:40

A bit overwhelmed again.

0:27:400:27:43

Guess what?

0:27:430:27:44

You've got the Mystery House to see next. Come on.

0:27:440:27:47

Just 50 years ago, the county of Devon had one of the highest

0:27:560:28:00

concentrations of traditional orchards in the country and

0:28:000:28:03

the area was once known as the cider capital of England.

0:28:030:28:06

But now that a significant proportion of our apples are

0:28:060:28:09

imported, or commercially farmed,

0:28:090:28:11

many heritage varieties are under threat,

0:28:110:28:14

along with the wildlife which depends on these orchard ecosystems.

0:28:140:28:18

So to find out about the importance of preserving

0:28:180:28:21

our traditional orchards, I've come to meet Ed Nicholson,

0:28:210:28:24

head ranger of the Killerton Estate, near Broadclyst,

0:28:240:28:27

where the apple harvest is in full swing.

0:28:270:28:30

Just walking through here on this beautiful sunny day,

0:28:300:28:33

surrounded by apple trees,

0:28:330:28:35

you would be forgiven for thinking that small orchards like this

0:28:350:28:38

are alive and well and thriving here in Devon,

0:28:380:28:41

but sadly that's not the case, is it?

0:28:410:28:43

No, not really.

0:28:430:28:44

Across the region we've lost about 90% of the orchards

0:28:440:28:47

here in the south-west.

0:28:470:28:48

How is that happening?

0:28:480:28:50

Obviously, the demand for apples is still there -

0:28:500:28:52

people want to eat them, they want to drink apple juice,

0:28:520:28:54

they want to drink cider.

0:28:540:28:56

They do, the demand's higher than ever, really.

0:28:560:28:58

To harvest apples from these sorts of trees, basically,

0:28:580:29:00

is very labour-intensive.

0:29:000:29:02

So what we're doing, we're just sticking to a few mainstream

0:29:020:29:05

varieties that are easy and less complex to grow

0:29:050:29:08

and all these traditional trees are just disappearing.

0:29:080:29:11

To a greater or lesser degree, yeah.

0:29:110:29:13

Why is it important that orchards like this,

0:29:130:29:16

these smaller orchards, thrive?

0:29:160:29:17

These are a really special habitat.

0:29:170:29:20

You can just feel it on a day like this,

0:29:200:29:22

it's a magical place to be.

0:29:220:29:23

So calm, so peaceful, and yet they're just so right for wildlife.

0:29:230:29:28

Basically, we use 100% of the fruit that's in these orchards.

0:29:280:29:31

Only 50% of it goes for humans,

0:29:310:29:33

50% of it, we leave behind for the overwintering birds,

0:29:330:29:37

the insects and all of the cycles that go on with that.

0:29:370:29:39

These particular trees, they're very old,

0:29:390:29:41

they're quite gnarly and basically they've got

0:29:410:29:43

a lot lichen in there, they've got a lot of interest from

0:29:430:29:46

the mosses on there and they're just a great habitat.

0:29:460:29:49

How do we ensure then that things don't get worse

0:29:490:29:52

and that small orchards like this are there

0:29:520:29:54

for future generations to enjoy?

0:29:540:29:56

Go and taste and experience your local varieties.

0:29:560:29:58

Then, if you've got a bit of ground,

0:29:580:30:00

they do say five trees makes an orchard.

0:30:000:30:02

So, you know, get five trees, plant your own traditional orchard.

0:30:020:30:05

I've got one, they're on the way!

0:30:050:30:08

There are over 6,000 different apple varieties in Britain

0:30:080:30:11

and the estate here is home to around 100 of them,

0:30:110:30:15

with at least 70 in this orchard alone.

0:30:150:30:17

12 tonnes of the fruit are used to make cider for the estate,

0:30:170:30:21

mostly collected by community groups and volunteers.

0:30:210:30:25

'I'm told that it's only after I've joined the harvest,

0:30:250:30:28

'with Ed and Molly, that I'm allowed to taste some.'

0:30:280:30:31

You have one of those, I'll have one of these.

0:30:310:30:33

-By the time we fill these up, we should have enough.

-OK.

0:30:330:30:36

-Molly's pinched an apple.

-She helps to pick them.

0:30:360:30:39

Basically, we want everything that's nice and firm,

0:30:390:30:41

that's reasonable to eat.

0:30:410:30:43

-OK.

-We don't want anything that's mouldy.

0:30:430:30:46

Unlike eating apples, cider apples are picked from the ground,

0:30:460:30:49

for it's at the point they're ready to drop

0:30:490:30:51

that they have the highest sugars and starches needed

0:30:510:30:54

to make sweet cider.

0:30:540:30:56

I guess if most of us were asked to name

0:30:560:30:59

a few varieties of apple,

0:30:590:31:00

we could probably come up with four or five.

0:31:000:31:02

You've got an awful lot more than that growing here, haven't you?

0:31:020:31:05

There are, yeah. Each area would have its own

0:31:050:31:07

and they'd often be named after where they were born.

0:31:070:31:10

Basically, two varieties that came from the estate here,

0:31:100:31:13

Killerton Sweet and Killerton Sharp.

0:31:130:31:15

What's the ratio, then?

0:31:150:31:17

Is that going to get me a decent amount of cider?

0:31:170:31:19

Almost a pint.

0:31:190:31:21

-That's OK, that'll do.

-That'll do for a start.

0:31:210:31:23

I don't need more than a pint!

0:31:230:31:25

'I add my somewhat slim pickings to the apples collected earlier.'

0:31:250:31:29

How many's in the bag?

0:31:290:31:31

There's probably about 300kg in there.

0:31:310:31:34

'That's a hefty weight of apples to shift

0:31:340:31:37

'so Ed fires up the tractor.

0:31:370:31:39

'I help him fix the bag in place before we transport the fruit

0:31:390:31:43

'down to the estate's 200-year-old cider press.'

0:31:430:31:46

Oh, my goodness me.

0:31:480:31:50

That is a press, isn't it? Wow!

0:31:500:31:53

Yeah, quite a beast, isn't it?

0:31:530:31:55

But, yeah, this is where we turn all the apples into the juice

0:31:550:31:57

which we then ferment into the cider.

0:31:570:32:00

-I'm guessing it's not going to do that on its own?

-It's not.

0:32:000:32:03

As ever, we rely heavily on our volunteers.

0:32:030:32:06

So...are you ready, guys?

0:32:060:32:08

No pesticides or chemicals are used,

0:32:090:32:11

just pure unadulterated fruit - and a whole lot of elbow grease.

0:32:110:32:16

The juice is fermented for about six months before the cider is ready

0:32:170:32:21

but my mouth is watering now.

0:32:210:32:23

'So I'm going to sample some of the raw juice direct from the press.'

0:32:230:32:27

That's delicious.

0:32:290:32:30

It's so sweet and zingy and fresh-tasting.

0:32:300:32:34

I've never tasted apple juice as good as that before.

0:32:340:32:37

-This is very raw, raw apple juice.

-Cheers.

0:32:370:32:41

The 50 acres of orchards on this estate may now be

0:32:410:32:43

a drop in the ocean compared to the numbers that once existed in Devon.

0:32:430:32:47

But it's encouraging to witness and taste how every drop

0:32:470:32:51

of the produce grown here

0:32:510:32:53

is supporting the local wildlife and fruit-growing heritage

0:32:530:32:56

that was once so prevalent across the county's fertile landscape.

0:32:560:33:01

For our Mystery House,

0:33:090:33:10

we're making our way to the village of Bratton Fleming.

0:33:100:33:14

A large village, close to both the coast and the countryside,

0:33:140:33:18

Bratton Fleming is set on a hillside,

0:33:180:33:20

right on the fringes of the Exmoor National Park,

0:33:200:33:23

so plenty of walking opportunities on the doorstep.

0:33:230:33:27

Residents are served by a church dating back to the mid-19th century,

0:33:270:33:31

a village shop and pub.

0:33:310:33:33

There are lots of ways to get to know the local community.

0:33:330:33:37

Since Julie will be moving out to Devon on her own,

0:33:370:33:39

it's this potential social connection that's prompted

0:33:390:33:42

our choice for the mystery property.

0:33:420:33:44

It lies right on the main street,

0:33:440:33:46

smack bang in the centre of the village.

0:33:460:33:49

So the Mystery House...

0:33:500:33:52

..is right here in front of us.

0:33:540:33:56

-It's an old schoolhouse.

-It's a chapel.

0:33:560:33:59

Yeah, it was attached to the chapel,

0:33:590:34:01

which is a separate building on the right.

0:34:010:34:03

The schoolhouse on the left dates back earlier to 1881.

0:34:030:34:06

What do you think?

0:34:060:34:07

It's different.

0:34:070:34:09

Different in a good way, different in a bad way?

0:34:090:34:12

No, it looks very attractive, actually.

0:34:120:34:14

What do you think, Morella?

0:34:140:34:15

I think it looks lovely.

0:34:150:34:17

I think you're going to be in for a pleasant surprise

0:34:170:34:19

when we open the door.

0:34:190:34:20

-Really?

-Come on.

0:34:200:34:22

'Despite being in the heart of the village,

0:34:230:34:26

'they both seem impressed by the outside of our Mystery House.'

0:34:260:34:30

Converted in 2007, the interior is a prime example

0:34:300:34:33

of historic character and contemporary design combined.

0:34:330:34:37

Renovated to a high standard,

0:34:370:34:39

it also features a unique inverted layout.

0:34:390:34:42

It's an upside-down house.

0:34:420:34:44

-Oh, is it?

-Which means the main living space is upstairs.

0:34:440:34:47

-Shall we head straight up?

-Yeah.

0:34:470:34:49

The main living area may be upstairs

0:34:510:34:53

but the majority of the accommodation

0:34:530:34:55

lies on the ground floor and includes four bedrooms,

0:34:550:34:59

two bathrooms, and a kitchen-diner.

0:34:590:35:02

To really set the scene

0:35:020:35:03

'of what this unique property has on show, we're starting up at the top.'

0:35:030:35:08

So, up here, is the main...living area.

0:35:080:35:12

They took full advantage of the space.

0:35:120:35:15

It is so bright, light, airy. Vaulted ceilings.

0:35:150:35:18

Original beams.

0:35:180:35:20

It is a wow!

0:35:200:35:22

-It is definitely a wow!

-I love it!

0:35:220:35:24

The windows are lovely.

0:35:240:35:25

-It's amazing.

-Gorgeous, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:35:250:35:28

I mean, it is beautiful.

0:35:280:35:30

The Mystery House has clearly thrown Julie a curveball.

0:35:320:35:36

The four bedrooms downstairs lead off a central hallway -

0:35:360:35:39

three of which are light and bright and vary in size.

0:35:390:35:42

There is also a modern tiled bathroom

0:35:420:35:46

and down a small step, we come to the master bedroom.

0:35:460:35:50

It has an en suite bathroom just attached there.

0:35:500:35:53

And the nice high ceiling,

0:35:530:35:55

it gives it that really bright, airy feeling in here.

0:35:550:35:57

It is certainly bright.

0:35:570:35:58

It's a lovely-sized room, isn't it?

0:35:580:36:00

Could you imagine yourself in here, Julie?

0:36:000:36:03

I could imagine sleeping here.

0:36:030:36:05

-But not living?

-No. Maybe not.

0:36:050:36:09

What is it about it which is not appealing to you?

0:36:090:36:12

-Erm...

-SHE SIGHS

0:36:120:36:14

It's not cosy.

0:36:140:36:15

Um...I think I like the cosy feeling.

0:36:150:36:20

It is very white and that can be a bit cold, I think.

0:36:200:36:24

No, it is not to my taste.

0:36:240:36:27

The stark, clean lines may not be suited to Julie,

0:36:270:36:31

but I have a sneaking suspicion that Morella might be sold.

0:36:310:36:34

Back at the step and right at the end of the corridor,

0:36:350:36:37

'we come to the final room on our tour.'

0:36:370:36:41

The second wow factor part of this house, I think, is here -

0:36:410:36:45

the kitchen-dining space, with its vaulted ceiling.

0:36:450:36:48

-Yep.

-And more beams.

-Hey! That is a wow!

0:36:480:36:52

-Oh, this is nice, isn't it?

-It's been nicely done.

0:36:540:36:57

-It has.

-Very well done.

-Obviously, very contemporary,

0:36:570:37:00

but I think they have managed to get that blend of the old features.

0:37:000:37:03

-That's lovely.

-It is lovely. I can't deny it's lovely.

0:37:030:37:08

So, what do you think, as Mystery Houses go, Julie?

0:37:080:37:10

It's pretty much on the spot, I think, as a Mystery House!

0:37:100:37:15

I mean, it is such a beautiful finish.

0:37:150:37:17

It has got this contemporary feel,

0:37:170:37:20

which I know isn't your cup of tea, necessarily,

0:37:200:37:23

but I do think it is combined with the original features

0:37:230:37:26

really beautifully.

0:37:260:37:27

It is very well done.

0:37:270:37:28

There's still more to see. So, let's head outside and see

0:37:280:37:31

-if the garden can sway you more in the direction of this house.

-OK!

0:37:310:37:35

Well, one half of the pair is impressed,

0:37:350:37:39

but sadly, not the one who is actually buying.

0:37:390:37:42

'Stepping out into the sunshine, the rather compact back garden

0:37:420:37:46

'is the last place to see.'

0:37:460:37:48

Ta-da! Here it is!

0:37:480:37:50

ALL LAUGH

0:37:500:37:52

That is the other mystery!

0:37:520:37:55

-You could definitely keep a chicken or two in here.

-Yes!

0:37:550:37:58

You could.

0:37:580:37:59

Morella, I can just tell, from your face,

0:37:590:38:01

that this house really appeals to you.

0:38:010:38:04

-It might not be...

-To Julie's taste, yeah.

0:38:040:38:06

No, I think it's lovely.

0:38:060:38:08

You can sit outside and have a coffee.

0:38:080:38:11

A little barbie. It's a small garden,

0:38:110:38:14

but it's really pleasant, isn't it?

0:38:140:38:16

OK, I am going to put you on the spot.

0:38:160:38:18

Your budget is £350,000,

0:38:180:38:20

going up to £375,000, if you needed to.

0:38:200:38:23

What do you think this one is on the market for?

0:38:230:38:26

You go first.

0:38:260:38:28

-Erm...360?

-Julie?

0:38:280:38:32

I am going to go 340.

0:38:320:38:35

OK, you are both wrong, I'm afraid.

0:38:350:38:37

But Julie, you are most wrong, out of the two of you.

0:38:370:38:40

It is actually on the market for £375,000,

0:38:400:38:42

so not too far off, Morella.

0:38:420:38:45

And it is a beautifully finished house in a fantastic location.

0:38:450:38:49

-So...

-Yep, it's... I won't deny, it's a lovely, lovely house.

-Yes.

0:38:490:38:54

OK, I think, for Morella's sake, you just have to go back inside

0:38:540:38:57

and have another look around!

0:38:570:38:59

-And just take your time.

-Another look in the kitchen!

0:38:590:39:02

ALL LAUGH

0:39:020:39:03

At £375,000, the Mystery House is an incredible contemporary conversion

0:39:070:39:13

of an original Victorian schoolhouse.

0:39:130:39:17

Featuring a topsy-turvy layout, it has four bedrooms,

0:39:170:39:20

a spacious living room, as well as a large kitchen-diner.

0:39:200:39:23

And the property lies right in the middle of a desirable village.

0:39:230:39:27

As a Mystery House, it lived up to its name.

0:39:270:39:31

It certainly gave me a surprise!

0:39:310:39:35

SHE LAUGHS

0:39:350:39:37

The conversion from an old school is just amazing.

0:39:370:39:40

The design is incredible, especially upstairs.

0:39:400:39:43

The windows, all the features, it is just...

0:39:430:39:48

It is stunning.

0:39:480:39:49

I love this house. It's gorgeous.

0:39:490:39:52

This isn't the type of house that Julie would live in.

0:39:520:39:56

It's too modern for her.

0:39:560:39:59

It is not warm enough, as in, it is too white,

0:39:590:40:02

but I love it.

0:40:020:40:03

I think it's gorgeous.

0:40:030:40:05

Well, that is all the houses seen,

0:40:080:40:10

so I guess it's time for you two to have a chat

0:40:100:40:13

-and for you, in particular, Julie, to do some thinking.

-Yep. Yep!

0:40:130:40:17

It has been a lovely few days

0:40:190:40:21

and it is fantastic that a couple of properties

0:40:210:40:23

seem to have really struck a chord with Julie.

0:40:230:40:25

I can't wait to hear what she is going to do next.

0:40:250:40:27

-Hello!

-Hello.

-Hi!

0:40:310:40:34

Well, the end of the search here in Devon.

0:40:340:40:36

I think that two houses really seemed to stand out for you,

0:40:360:40:42

but I have got no idea where your thoughts lie at this moment in time.

0:40:420:40:45

So, put me out of my misery.

0:40:450:40:46

I am not really sure where my thoughts lie, either!

0:40:460:40:49

The house with the land is a definite.

0:40:490:40:52

I fell in love with that. It was wonderful.

0:40:520:40:56

And then, this morning, I was sent into confusion

0:40:560:40:59

with the cottage.

0:40:590:41:00

That was lovely, as well,

0:41:000:41:02

and I am really torn between the two, at the moment.

0:41:020:41:06

I have really got to, I think, go back and see them

0:41:060:41:09

and weigh up the pros and cons for both of them.

0:41:090:41:13

Well, that is a great, fantastic, promising start.

0:41:130:41:16

So, just talk me through what the pros and cons are

0:41:160:41:19

on the two of them, for you.

0:41:190:41:20

The house with the land - the land is a huge, huge bonus.

0:41:200:41:26

And the kitchen there was particularly lovely.

0:41:260:41:29

The boot room, for the dogs, that was great.

0:41:290:41:31

I guess the main con there was the price.

0:41:310:41:34

The cottage today hasn't got the land.

0:41:340:41:37

However, hopefully,

0:41:370:41:39

I will be able to get in touch with the farmer,

0:41:390:41:42

to see whether there is some way I can rent some land from him.

0:41:420:41:45

The actual cottage, I felt was lovely.

0:41:450:41:48

It had a lot of potential.

0:41:480:41:51

A few things needed doing,

0:41:510:41:52

but as it is quite below budget, that gave me the funds to be able

0:41:520:41:57

to make those changes, yeah.

0:41:570:41:59

So, where do you go from here?

0:41:590:42:01

-Tomorrow, we are going to go back...

-Yeah.

-..and have a look at both,

0:42:010:42:06

with the surrounding areas.

0:42:060:42:09

And, hopefully, come to a decision,

0:42:090:42:13

as to which I'd like to pursue.

0:42:130:42:16

That is a brilliantly positive,

0:42:160:42:18

you know, position to be in at the end of this search.

0:42:180:42:21

It is absolutely fantastic to have not one, but two potentials.

0:42:210:42:25

It has been wonderful being part of your search here.

0:42:250:42:28

I just really hope that, when you go back and explore more,

0:42:280:42:32

one of them stands out for you and becomes your home here in Devon.

0:42:320:42:36

So do I.

0:42:360:42:37

I'm so grateful. Thank you very much for all your help.

0:42:370:42:40

It's been wonderful.

0:42:400:42:41

It is the end of our search here in Devon

0:42:460:42:48

and it is wonderful that Julie has found not just one,

0:42:480:42:51

but two properties that she can imagine living in.

0:42:510:42:53

We really hope that one of them

0:42:530:42:55

will become her new home here in Devon

0:42:550:42:58

and wish her lots of luck with her move to this beautiful county.

0:42:580:43:01

Join me next time, on Escape To The Country.

0:43:010:43:04

If you would like to escape to the country

0:43:050:43:07

in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

0:43:070:43:10

and need our help, please apply online, at...

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