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'Making the move from city to countryside | 0:00:02 | 0:00:04 | |
'is often a momentous step.' | 0:00:04 | 0:00:06 | |
Never in a million years | 0:00:06 | 0:00:07 | |
I would imagine I'd be seeing a house like this. Never, ever. | 0:00:07 | 0:00:10 | |
'But for many years Escape To The Country has been supporting | 0:00:10 | 0:00:13 | |
'countless people on the hunt for a new home in a more rural location.' | 0:00:13 | 0:00:19 | |
-What do we think of this? -Oh, my. Chocolate box! | 0:00:19 | 0:00:22 | |
'We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of Britain...' | 0:00:22 | 0:00:26 | |
Take a look at that killer view. | 0:00:26 | 0:00:27 | |
That's amazing. | 0:00:27 | 0:00:29 | |
'..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...' | 0:00:29 | 0:00:32 | |
How pretty is that? | 0:00:32 | 0:00:34 | |
'..that our buyers just couldn't resist.' | 0:00:34 | 0:00:38 | |
Seriously, get your chequebook out now! | 0:00:39 | 0:00:42 | |
'Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...' | 0:00:42 | 0:00:45 | |
I'm bowled over. I'm knocked for six. | 0:00:45 | 0:00:48 | |
I can't speak. | 0:00:48 | 0:00:49 | |
'..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 East Midlands, and this is the River Trent - | 0:01:12 | 0:01:15 | |
an important transport artery in this part of the world | 0:01:15 | 0:01:19 | |
since Roman times. | 0:01:19 | 0:01:21 | |
Now used mainly for leisure craft rather than working boats, | 0:01:21 | 0:01:25 | |
the waterway cuts its way through the region... | 0:01:25 | 0:01:27 | |
and we're finding it's becoming an increasingly popular search area | 0:01:27 | 0:01:32 | |
for house buyers looking to make that country escape. | 0:01:32 | 0:01:36 | |
Which brings me to the reason for my visit and it's an exciting one, | 0:01:36 | 0:01:40 | |
as I'm meeting some of our former | 0:01:40 | 0:01:42 | |
Escape To The Country property buyers | 0:01:42 | 0:01:45 | |
who made the big leap and changed their lives forever. | 0:01:45 | 0:01:49 | |
I'm returning to the East Midlands counties | 0:01:50 | 0:01:53 | |
of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. | 0:01:53 | 0:01:56 | |
Later on in the show, I'll be meeting retiree Susan | 0:01:56 | 0:01:59 | |
to find out how her new-found community in the country | 0:01:59 | 0:02:03 | |
has given her the social opportunities | 0:02:03 | 0:02:06 | |
that were lacking from her former life in the capital. | 0:02:06 | 0:02:10 | |
But first, I'll be catching up with my house-hunting couple | 0:02:10 | 0:02:14 | |
Niall and Barry, who are lucky enough to wake up | 0:02:14 | 0:02:17 | |
to the most mesmerising Peak District views every single day | 0:02:17 | 0:02:21 | |
after I helped them to find their perfect escape home | 0:02:21 | 0:02:25 | |
some years ago. | 0:02:25 | 0:02:26 | |
Back in 2009, Niall - | 0:02:29 | 0:02:32 | |
a business development manager and textile designer - | 0:02:32 | 0:02:35 | |
was struggling as he was living in a Manchester suburb | 0:02:35 | 0:02:38 | |
more than 20 miles away from his partner Barry, | 0:02:38 | 0:02:41 | |
a research scientist. | 0:02:41 | 0:02:43 | |
So together they hatched a plan to sell their respective properties, | 0:02:43 | 0:02:46 | |
pool their resources and establish a more peaceful way of life | 0:02:46 | 0:02:50 | |
in the Derbyshire countryside. | 0:02:50 | 0:02:52 | |
It's just very chaotic, | 0:02:52 | 0:02:53 | |
all the travelling around we have to do to try and sort our weekend out. | 0:02:53 | 0:02:57 | |
With being in separate houses as well and both having busy jobs, | 0:02:57 | 0:03:02 | |
quite often we'll only see each other at the weekend. | 0:03:02 | 0:03:04 | |
Maybe one evening in the week. | 0:03:04 | 0:03:06 | |
And...you know, | 0:03:06 | 0:03:09 | |
we need to move on from that. | 0:03:09 | 0:03:11 | |
For Barry, he was hopeful that the beautiful Peak District countryside | 0:03:13 | 0:03:16 | |
would give him inspiration | 0:03:16 | 0:03:18 | |
for his hobbies of hiking and landscape photography - | 0:03:18 | 0:03:21 | |
but for Niall, it was the potential house style | 0:03:21 | 0:03:23 | |
that would need to capture his imagination. | 0:03:23 | 0:03:26 | |
Personally, I'd be looking for something with character to it. | 0:03:26 | 0:03:30 | |
So maybe Victorian or even Georgian-type of features. | 0:03:30 | 0:03:35 | |
Basically, because I like that type of architecture | 0:03:35 | 0:03:37 | |
and I like that type of interior. | 0:03:37 | 0:03:39 | |
So with plans in place to tie the knot | 0:03:39 | 0:03:41 | |
and make their first joint property purchase, | 0:03:41 | 0:03:45 | |
they had a lot to organise - and that's where I came in. | 0:03:45 | 0:03:49 | |
They pictured their ideal home | 0:03:49 | 0:03:51 | |
being a detached period property with a large kitchen, | 0:03:51 | 0:03:54 | |
separate dining room for entertaining | 0:03:54 | 0:03:56 | |
and a good-sized garden. | 0:03:56 | 0:03:58 | |
And to find this they had set themselves a healthy budget | 0:03:58 | 0:04:02 | |
of £700,000. | 0:04:02 | 0:04:03 | |
Our property hunting journey together started in the small town | 0:04:05 | 0:04:08 | |
of Whaley Bridge on the edge of the Peak District. | 0:04:08 | 0:04:12 | |
Our first house had a handsome exterior. | 0:04:12 | 0:04:15 | |
And here it is. This is your first property. | 0:04:15 | 0:04:18 | |
As you can see, it's Edwardian. | 0:04:18 | 0:04:19 | |
Built in 1904. | 0:04:19 | 0:04:21 | |
What do you think as you're standing here? | 0:04:21 | 0:04:24 | |
It's got little turrets. | 0:04:24 | 0:04:25 | |
That's giving it a bit more character, as well, there. | 0:04:25 | 0:04:28 | |
It's obviously in a really nice setting with all the greenery here, | 0:04:28 | 0:04:31 | |
so the gardens must be great. | 0:04:31 | 0:04:32 | |
-Yes, it looks fab. -Let's go and have a look inside. | 0:04:32 | 0:04:35 | |
-Let's explore. -That's the exciting bit, yes. | 0:04:35 | 0:04:38 | |
'A large welcoming entrance hallway led to three reception rooms. | 0:04:38 | 0:04:42 | |
'One, a comfortable living room. | 0:04:42 | 0:04:44 | |
'Another, a cosy snug. | 0:04:44 | 0:04:46 | |
'And the last of which was dedicated to formal dining.' | 0:04:46 | 0:04:49 | |
So you guys love entertaining. | 0:04:49 | 0:04:51 | |
-Yes. -And ideally, you wanted a separate dining room. | 0:04:51 | 0:04:55 | |
That's right, yes. I think it's nice to have more of an area contained | 0:04:55 | 0:04:59 | |
so that you don't feel as though you are sprawl through a kitchen area. | 0:04:59 | 0:05:02 | |
It's got another lovely fireplace. | 0:05:02 | 0:05:04 | |
Yeah, and we've got a brilliant view there as it is. | 0:05:04 | 0:05:07 | |
I can see you are both taking it all in. | 0:05:07 | 0:05:10 | |
'At the end of a long hallway lay the kitchen, | 0:05:10 | 0:05:13 | |
'which, it's fair to say, did need updating. | 0:05:13 | 0:05:16 | |
'Upstairs, there was no shortage of room for visiting guests | 0:05:16 | 0:05:20 | |
'with three double bedrooms, one of which was used as a study. | 0:05:20 | 0:05:23 | |
'A smaller single room. | 0:05:23 | 0:05:25 | |
'Plus a spacious master.' | 0:05:25 | 0:05:27 | |
It's a good size. | 0:05:27 | 0:05:28 | |
Look at the view. Fantastic. | 0:05:28 | 0:05:30 | |
-It's fantastic. -There is your reservoir. | 0:05:30 | 0:05:33 | |
Yes! It's just a perfect room to be able to do something with, | 0:05:33 | 0:05:36 | |
put your own stamp on it and make it the way you'd like it to be. | 0:05:36 | 0:05:40 | |
'Despite some work needed in places, | 0:05:40 | 0:05:42 | |
'the house received encouraging reactions, | 0:05:42 | 0:05:45 | |
'and I felt confident the grounds wouldn't disappoint | 0:05:45 | 0:05:48 | |
'with three separate areas to discover.' | 0:05:48 | 0:05:51 | |
You didn't say there was a secret garden. | 0:05:51 | 0:05:53 | |
This is the third part of your garden. | 0:05:53 | 0:05:55 | |
Is this all for the house here? | 0:05:55 | 0:05:57 | |
-All for the house. -Right. -Wow. | 0:05:57 | 0:06:00 | |
So we're going to have to cut straight to money. | 0:06:00 | 0:06:04 | |
How much do you think this house is currently on the market for? | 0:06:04 | 0:06:08 | |
615? | 0:06:08 | 0:06:10 | |
I imagine it's probably about 645. | 0:06:10 | 0:06:14 | |
The current asking price is £675,000. | 0:06:14 | 0:06:18 | |
-Gosh, that's a lot more than I was expecting. -Yes. | 0:06:18 | 0:06:21 | |
So not at the very top of your budget, | 0:06:21 | 0:06:23 | |
but bearing in mind you would want to do work on the property, | 0:06:23 | 0:06:27 | |
something to think about. | 0:06:27 | 0:06:29 | |
So do you fancy having another little look around the house? | 0:06:29 | 0:06:32 | |
-Yes. -That would be great. -Go on, have a wander | 0:06:32 | 0:06:34 | |
-and I'll catch up with you in a little while. -All right. Thanks. | 0:06:34 | 0:06:38 | |
At £675,000, this large Edwardian home was under budget by £25,000. | 0:06:38 | 0:06:46 | |
It had clearly got them thinking | 0:06:46 | 0:06:47 | |
about what their money would buy them in the Peak District. | 0:06:47 | 0:06:50 | |
-Have you seen enough? -Yes, I think so. -I think so. | 0:06:50 | 0:06:54 | |
-A good start? -Yes. -Good. -Really nice. | 0:06:54 | 0:06:56 | |
-We've got plenty more to see so let's hit the road. -OK. | 0:06:56 | 0:06:59 | |
The next day, our search continued and took us to the village of Combs. | 0:07:01 | 0:07:06 | |
Knowing that Niall and Barry love Georgian and Victorian architecture, | 0:07:06 | 0:07:11 | |
I had high hopes for this next home | 0:07:11 | 0:07:13 | |
which was part of a Grade-II listed former manor house. | 0:07:13 | 0:07:16 | |
I love these great big chimneys on the top. | 0:07:16 | 0:07:19 | |
It's a very grand looking house. | 0:07:19 | 0:07:21 | |
'Although it wasn't detached, inside gave them space in abundance.' | 0:07:21 | 0:07:26 | |
So here's your entrance. | 0:07:26 | 0:07:29 | |
This is really lovely. Yes, really nice. | 0:07:29 | 0:07:31 | |
It's got all the period features that hopefully you're after. | 0:07:31 | 0:07:34 | |
It is beautiful, actually. | 0:07:34 | 0:07:35 | |
Now, Niall, I know this is a very important room for you. | 0:07:38 | 0:07:42 | |
It's beautiful, yes. I wasn't expecting it to look like this, | 0:07:42 | 0:07:45 | |
the kitchen, but it's fantastic. | 0:07:45 | 0:07:47 | |
It's so big, as well. | 0:07:47 | 0:07:49 | |
You both love entertaining | 0:07:49 | 0:07:51 | |
but it's important that we get the reception rooms right, isn't it? | 0:07:51 | 0:07:55 | |
-So let's see what you think of the next room. -OK. | 0:07:55 | 0:07:58 | |
Gosh, this is fantastic. | 0:08:04 | 0:08:05 | |
It's so big. I wasn't expecting this at all. | 0:08:05 | 0:08:08 | |
It's huge. | 0:08:08 | 0:08:10 | |
You'd feel like Lord of the Manor living here, wouldn't you? | 0:08:10 | 0:08:13 | |
You've found something fantastic here. | 0:08:13 | 0:08:15 | |
I really love this. It's brilliant. | 0:08:15 | 0:08:17 | |
I'm glad you love this room, | 0:08:17 | 0:08:20 | |
but I've got another one now to show you. | 0:08:20 | 0:08:22 | |
-Fantastic. -I feel a bit actually lost for words, to be honest, | 0:08:27 | 0:08:30 | |
because it is absolutely fantastic. | 0:08:30 | 0:08:33 | |
'Praise and stunned reactions for this character home so far. | 0:08:34 | 0:08:38 | |
'Upstairs, the four bedrooms were laid out over two further floors. | 0:08:38 | 0:08:42 | |
'Right up in the attic was a part-converted double room. | 0:08:42 | 0:08:46 | |
'On the first floor was a large family bathroom and three bedrooms, | 0:08:46 | 0:08:50 | |
'one used for storage, another a pretty double guest bedroom. | 0:08:50 | 0:08:54 | |
'And lastly, the master.' | 0:08:54 | 0:08:56 | |
That's lovely. | 0:08:56 | 0:08:59 | |
I don't think we've got a bed big enough for there! | 0:08:59 | 0:09:02 | |
I've got a super king-size. | 0:09:02 | 0:09:04 | |
I still don't think it will be big enough! | 0:09:04 | 0:09:06 | |
I mean, I can't believe the size of the rooms are so massive. | 0:09:06 | 0:09:10 | |
Another fantastic view, like a picture through the window there. | 0:09:10 | 0:09:13 | |
Yes. | 0:09:13 | 0:09:15 | |
The glorious countryside vistas were drawing them back outside, | 0:09:15 | 0:09:18 | |
which is where we headed next. | 0:09:18 | 0:09:21 | |
So this is the way to see the Peak District, with the sun shining. | 0:09:21 | 0:09:25 | |
Gosh. | 0:09:25 | 0:09:26 | |
I mean, the view is just spectacular, isn't it? | 0:09:26 | 0:09:29 | |
'As well as a shared tiered lawn, | 0:09:29 | 0:09:31 | |
'the house also came with its own plot, | 0:09:31 | 0:09:33 | |
'including a private terrace | 0:09:33 | 0:09:35 | |
'and a parcel of land ideal for vegetable growing.' | 0:09:35 | 0:09:39 | |
So we've seen the house, we've seen the gardens. | 0:09:39 | 0:09:42 | |
You can't fail to be impressed by that spectacular view. | 0:09:42 | 0:09:44 | |
But you're looking worried, Niall. It's time, isn't it? | 0:09:44 | 0:09:48 | |
It's that money question. | 0:09:48 | 0:09:49 | |
How much do you think this house is currently on the market for? | 0:09:49 | 0:09:52 | |
That's the bit I was worried about | 0:09:52 | 0:09:55 | |
because I think it's probably quite a lot over our budget, | 0:09:55 | 0:09:58 | |
so I'm going to have to say probably 750. | 0:09:58 | 0:10:02 | |
-OK, and the budget, at the top, was 700. -Yeah. | 0:10:02 | 0:10:05 | |
-Barry? -Yes, I think it's probably 700 to 750,000. | 0:10:05 | 0:10:10 | |
OK. The price for this property is £5 short of | 0:10:10 | 0:10:17 | |
£500,000. | 0:10:17 | 0:10:19 | |
My God! | 0:10:19 | 0:10:21 | |
-That's fantastic! -THEY LAUGH | 0:10:21 | 0:10:23 | |
Yeah. 499,995. | 0:10:23 | 0:10:27 | |
-Easy for some to say! -I can't believe that. | 0:10:27 | 0:10:29 | |
-That's amazing. -I'm just dumbstruck, really. | 0:10:29 | 0:10:32 | |
Good. Why don't you go and have another wander around. | 0:10:32 | 0:10:35 | |
Take as long as you like and I'll catch up with you in a little while. | 0:10:35 | 0:10:38 | |
-All right. Thank you. -OK. | 0:10:38 | 0:10:40 | |
Well, two very smiling faces. | 0:10:43 | 0:10:46 | |
They're so pleasantly surprised, but how can you not be? | 0:10:46 | 0:10:49 | |
I think this is the most confident I've ever felt with a property. | 0:10:49 | 0:10:53 | |
I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. | 0:10:53 | 0:10:55 | |
A shock to them both at some £200,000 below budget, | 0:10:55 | 0:11:00 | |
this property offered Barry and Niall | 0:11:00 | 0:11:02 | |
plenty of change in their pocket | 0:11:02 | 0:11:04 | |
for what appeared to be their dream Derbyshire home. | 0:11:04 | 0:11:07 | |
But we still had the mystery proposition to see | 0:11:10 | 0:11:13 | |
in the heart of the Peak District National Park | 0:11:13 | 0:11:16 | |
in the village of Calver. | 0:11:16 | 0:11:17 | |
On the banks of the River Derwent, | 0:11:17 | 0:11:19 | |
it was part of a former textile mill. | 0:11:19 | 0:11:22 | |
So this is it. This is the total area for downstairs. | 0:11:22 | 0:11:26 | |
What you see is what you get. | 0:11:26 | 0:11:27 | |
-Open-plan then. -Completely open-plan. | 0:11:27 | 0:11:31 | |
Priced at £649,000, | 0:11:31 | 0:11:34 | |
they quickly decided it was a project to far for them. | 0:11:34 | 0:11:37 | |
I don't think I could see myself living here | 0:11:37 | 0:11:40 | |
because I just feel as though it might be | 0:11:40 | 0:11:42 | |
a little bit too restrictive. | 0:11:42 | 0:11:43 | |
It's just somewhere that I don't really feel I would be at home. | 0:11:43 | 0:11:47 | |
So with two serious contenders to weigh up the merits of, | 0:11:47 | 0:11:50 | |
which would they finally press ahead with? | 0:11:50 | 0:11:53 | |
The old Manor house was the clear favourite | 0:11:54 | 0:11:57 | |
and they loved it so much they only went and bought it. | 0:11:57 | 0:12:01 | |
They moved in about seven years ago - | 0:12:01 | 0:12:03 | |
so, plenty of time to make a few alterations. | 0:12:03 | 0:12:06 | |
So I'm really keen to see exactly what they've done. | 0:12:06 | 0:12:10 | |
It was six months after our viewing | 0:12:11 | 0:12:12 | |
that Barry and Niall became the formal owners | 0:12:12 | 0:12:15 | |
of this beautiful property... | 0:12:15 | 0:12:17 | |
and in the years since our house-hunting expedition, | 0:12:17 | 0:12:20 | |
they not only made their first joint house purchase, | 0:12:20 | 0:12:23 | |
they also tied the knot with a civil partnership. | 0:12:23 | 0:12:26 | |
'They've certainly been busy - and I look forward to catching up.' | 0:12:27 | 0:12:31 | |
Niall, Barry, hello. | 0:12:33 | 0:12:35 | |
-It's been a long time. -Lovely to see you again. | 0:12:36 | 0:12:38 | |
I can't wait to see your home. | 0:12:38 | 0:12:40 | |
-Come in. -Thank you. | 0:12:40 | 0:12:43 | |
Although it was a very well presented home when I was last here, | 0:12:43 | 0:12:46 | |
Niall and Barry have completely transformed the place | 0:12:46 | 0:12:50 | |
and put their own stamp and style to it, | 0:12:50 | 0:12:52 | |
helped in no small part by Niall, | 0:12:52 | 0:12:54 | |
who stopped working in the textiles industry last year | 0:12:54 | 0:12:57 | |
and has recently set up business as an interior designer. | 0:12:57 | 0:13:01 | |
Oh, my goodness. This is beautiful. | 0:13:01 | 0:13:05 | |
I'd forgotten the size of the rooms. | 0:13:05 | 0:13:08 | |
-Yes, great proportions. -Amazing. | 0:13:08 | 0:13:11 | |
We've done lots to this room. | 0:13:11 | 0:13:13 | |
It's completely changed. | 0:13:13 | 0:13:15 | |
There was a fairly boring stone fireplace | 0:13:15 | 0:13:17 | |
so we've put in this fireplace, | 0:13:17 | 0:13:18 | |
which, I believe, is Portoro marble, it's Italian. | 0:13:18 | 0:13:22 | |
-From Italy. -You've done a wonderful job. | 0:13:22 | 0:13:25 | |
And, of course, you have that magnificent view. | 0:13:25 | 0:13:29 | |
It is like a country retreat but it feels homely at the same time. | 0:13:29 | 0:13:33 | |
Yes, we wanted to make the place feel a bit more like a country house | 0:13:33 | 0:13:37 | |
so that's the reason for the decoration. | 0:13:37 | 0:13:40 | |
We've tried to give it a little bit more of a grand feel | 0:13:40 | 0:13:43 | |
when you walk in. | 0:13:43 | 0:13:44 | |
As keen hosts with an eye for interiors, | 0:13:44 | 0:13:47 | |
they're obviously proud | 0:13:47 | 0:13:49 | |
of the stylish home they've created. | 0:13:49 | 0:13:51 | |
But before they reveal more of what they've done, | 0:13:51 | 0:13:54 | |
that view is calling me outside - | 0:13:54 | 0:13:57 | |
so Niall is making us all a brew, | 0:13:57 | 0:13:59 | |
and then we're going to have a proper catch up over a cuppa | 0:13:59 | 0:14:03 | |
out on the terrace against that incredible backdrop. | 0:14:03 | 0:14:07 | |
-Tea for you. -Thank you. | 0:14:07 | 0:14:09 | |
So tell me, how's it been in your not-so-new home now? | 0:14:09 | 0:14:13 | |
I think we've sort of managed to get it the way we want it. | 0:14:13 | 0:14:16 | |
We've got lots of challenges here. | 0:14:16 | 0:14:18 | |
-The biggest issue we have is the wind, unfortunately. -Really? -Yes. | 0:14:18 | 0:14:22 | |
We're about a thousand feet up here | 0:14:22 | 0:14:24 | |
and many days it's blowing a gale and it's too windy to sit out. | 0:14:24 | 0:14:29 | |
But when you get the nice days, it really is wonderful. | 0:14:29 | 0:14:33 | |
I think you must have the best view in Derbyshire. | 0:14:33 | 0:14:36 | |
In fact, you'd be pushed to beat that view anywhere in the UK. | 0:14:36 | 0:14:39 | |
I mean, you couldn't paint that and do it justice really, could you? | 0:14:39 | 0:14:43 | |
No, not at all. | 0:14:43 | 0:14:44 | |
So do you have literally a diary ticking off who's coming to stay? | 0:14:44 | 0:14:47 | |
Yes, we do tend to have a diary. | 0:14:47 | 0:14:49 | |
It's on the board in the kitchen. | 0:14:49 | 0:14:51 | |
Everybody wants to come and escape. | 0:14:51 | 0:14:53 | |
The number of visitors does drop off in the winter, though. | 0:14:53 | 0:14:56 | |
And how welcoming have your neighbours been | 0:14:56 | 0:14:58 | |
and the local community when you first bought the property? | 0:14:58 | 0:15:01 | |
I must say, everyone around here is amazing. | 0:15:01 | 0:15:04 | |
We've got some great neighbours just across from us | 0:15:04 | 0:15:06 | |
who, when we moved in initially, | 0:15:06 | 0:15:08 | |
we obviously didn't know a soul on the road | 0:15:08 | 0:15:10 | |
and they organised a party and invited everybody along the road | 0:15:10 | 0:15:14 | |
and further afield. So that was a great introduction to people. | 0:15:14 | 0:15:17 | |
How welcoming. | 0:15:17 | 0:15:19 | |
And, Barry, what difference has it made to you living here? | 0:15:19 | 0:15:22 | |
Hopefully more time for your hobbies, | 0:15:22 | 0:15:24 | |
because you were very keen on landscape photography | 0:15:24 | 0:15:27 | |
and also hiking, I seem to remember. | 0:15:27 | 0:15:29 | |
It's very nice just to be able to just go straight out the front door | 0:15:29 | 0:15:32 | |
rather than have to drive somewhere and plan it. | 0:15:32 | 0:15:36 | |
You notice things like the wild orchids in the limestone valleys, | 0:15:36 | 0:15:40 | |
which are beautiful. | 0:15:40 | 0:15:41 | |
Every year in May, they come round again | 0:15:41 | 0:15:45 | |
and you see all the seasonal variations. | 0:15:45 | 0:15:48 | |
It is a wonderful place to be. | 0:15:48 | 0:15:50 | |
You get some mornings now in the autumn | 0:15:50 | 0:15:52 | |
where it's just mist in the bottom of the valley | 0:15:52 | 0:15:54 | |
and that will lift gradually. Today, we've got beautiful sunshine. | 0:15:54 | 0:15:58 | |
We can open the curtains in the winter | 0:15:58 | 0:16:00 | |
and we've had this much snow overnight. | 0:16:00 | 0:16:02 | |
So you just never really know what you're going to see | 0:16:02 | 0:16:05 | |
and that's really one of the beautiful things about it. | 0:16:05 | 0:16:07 | |
So you haven't been snowed in | 0:16:07 | 0:16:09 | |
in the past seven years since you've been here? | 0:16:09 | 0:16:11 | |
We have a few times, yes. | 0:16:11 | 0:16:12 | |
-Have you? -Yes. -Well, you've both certainly whetted my appetite. | 0:16:12 | 0:16:15 | |
I can't wait to have a look round. | 0:16:15 | 0:16:16 | |
Actually, you can give me the tour this time! | 0:16:16 | 0:16:19 | |
-We'd be delighted. -Shall we? -Yes, come on. | 0:16:19 | 0:16:21 | |
'With the roles reversed today, | 0:16:23 | 0:16:25 | |
'it's Niall and Barry who are leading the way. | 0:16:25 | 0:16:27 | |
'We're entering back through the large formal dining room | 0:16:27 | 0:16:30 | |
'where there's plenty of space | 0:16:30 | 0:16:32 | |
'to display their possessions and objets d'art. | 0:16:32 | 0:16:35 | |
'Heading right to the top of the house, | 0:16:35 | 0:16:37 | |
'our next stop is the attic room, | 0:16:37 | 0:16:39 | |
'which was used as storage when I was last here, | 0:16:39 | 0:16:42 | |
'but now has been transformed for Niall's interior design business.' | 0:16:42 | 0:16:46 | |
The studio. | 0:16:46 | 0:16:48 | |
Yep, this is where it all happens. | 0:16:48 | 0:16:49 | |
I think when you were here before this room was a bit of a junk room. | 0:16:49 | 0:16:52 | |
It didn't look like this. | 0:16:52 | 0:16:54 | |
And is this a project you are working on at the moment? | 0:16:54 | 0:16:57 | |
These are just two boards I've put together | 0:16:57 | 0:16:59 | |
which are showing some new trends at the minute | 0:16:59 | 0:17:02 | |
that are coming onto the high street. | 0:17:02 | 0:17:04 | |
So it's nothing too adventurous for most people, | 0:17:04 | 0:17:07 | |
because I'm sure they'll be used to seeing them. | 0:17:07 | 0:17:09 | |
How wonderful to have a hobby and a business all in one. | 0:17:09 | 0:17:13 | |
I might ask to be a bit more nosy and see a few more of the rooms. | 0:17:13 | 0:17:16 | |
Of course. Yeah. | 0:17:16 | 0:17:17 | |
As we make our way back through the house | 0:17:19 | 0:17:21 | |
there's one more room they're eager for me to see, | 0:17:21 | 0:17:24 | |
which has definitely evolved since the last time I saw it. | 0:17:24 | 0:17:28 | |
Oh, now, I think bathrooms are worth getting excited about, | 0:17:29 | 0:17:33 | |
and this one certainly does it for me. | 0:17:33 | 0:17:35 | |
It's gorgeous. Did you do all the work yourself? | 0:17:35 | 0:17:37 | |
Well, we didn't do it ourselves, we got somebody to do it. | 0:17:37 | 0:17:40 | |
-Did you design it? -Yes. We picked all the pieces. | 0:17:40 | 0:17:43 | |
We wanted to obviously change it completely because before, | 0:17:43 | 0:17:46 | |
it was like a boxed-in radiator. | 0:17:46 | 0:17:48 | |
The bath was very small. | 0:17:48 | 0:17:50 | |
I think it had probably been put in in the '80s, | 0:17:50 | 0:17:52 | |
so it was ready for a change. | 0:17:52 | 0:17:54 | |
We both love going in the garden. | 0:17:54 | 0:17:56 | |
And when you've been out in the garden all day, | 0:17:56 | 0:17:59 | |
there's nothing nicer than a good soak in the bath. | 0:17:59 | 0:18:03 | |
And then we have - would you call that a mural? | 0:18:03 | 0:18:05 | |
Are we allowed to call that a mural? | 0:18:05 | 0:18:07 | |
Yes, it's a mural. It's, sort of, a hint on a bathing-type of scene. | 0:18:07 | 0:18:12 | |
But the best scene is if you sit in the bath and look out the window. | 0:18:12 | 0:18:16 | |
And no-one looks back in, do they? | 0:18:16 | 0:18:17 | |
No. Not unless they've got stilts! | 0:18:17 | 0:18:19 | |
That is gorgeous. | 0:18:19 | 0:18:22 | |
It may be Niall who has the career in interior design, | 0:18:22 | 0:18:25 | |
but Barry isn't without creative vision too. | 0:18:25 | 0:18:28 | |
His passion for landscape photography is evident | 0:18:28 | 0:18:31 | |
throughout the home, where there is plenty of wall space | 0:18:31 | 0:18:34 | |
for his prints to take pride of place. | 0:18:34 | 0:18:37 | |
'And before I leave, | 0:18:41 | 0:18:43 | |
'Barry wants to take me to one of his favourite vantage points, | 0:18:43 | 0:18:46 | |
'high up on Chinley Churn, | 0:18:46 | 0:18:48 | |
'which is in the Dark Peak area of the National Park. | 0:18:48 | 0:18:52 | |
'This wilder and windier part of the northern peaks | 0:18:52 | 0:18:55 | |
'has been the inspiration | 0:18:55 | 0:18:56 | |
'for many of his photographs throughout the seasons.' | 0:18:56 | 0:19:00 | |
It's certainly breathtaking up here, isn't it? | 0:19:00 | 0:19:02 | |
In more ways than one. | 0:19:02 | 0:19:03 | |
I mean, how often do you manage to come up here hiking? | 0:19:03 | 0:19:06 | |
As often as I can really. | 0:19:06 | 0:19:08 | |
-Here we go. We can sit over here. -Yes. | 0:19:10 | 0:19:13 | |
I'm ready for a rest! | 0:19:13 | 0:19:15 | |
It is the most splendid view up here, isn't it? | 0:19:17 | 0:19:21 | |
It's worth the climb. | 0:19:21 | 0:19:22 | |
Definitely. Although it is a little bit on the windy side. | 0:19:22 | 0:19:25 | |
It is a bit windy, a bit gusty. | 0:19:25 | 0:19:27 | |
So what can we see from this vantage point? | 0:19:27 | 0:19:29 | |
Well, we're looking west here | 0:19:29 | 0:19:31 | |
and you can see the city of Manchester over there. | 0:19:31 | 0:19:35 | |
It's got a huge cloud over it. | 0:19:35 | 0:19:37 | |
-Do you reckon they're going to get a downpour? -It's raining as usual. | 0:19:37 | 0:19:40 | |
And then further round, that's Lyme Park over there, | 0:19:40 | 0:19:44 | |
-which is where they filmed Pride and Prejudice. -Aha! | 0:19:44 | 0:19:47 | |
So, for the two of you, no regrets, | 0:19:47 | 0:19:50 | |
no change of heart about moving to Derbyshire? | 0:19:50 | 0:19:53 | |
-No, not at all. -No. | 0:19:53 | 0:19:54 | |
-It feels like home? -Definitely, yes. I travel quite a lot with my work, | 0:19:56 | 0:20:00 | |
but I always love coming home here the best. | 0:20:00 | 0:20:02 | |
Thank you both for bringing me up to one of your favourite spots. | 0:20:02 | 0:20:05 | |
It is glorious. We've been lucky with the weather. | 0:20:05 | 0:20:09 | |
It's been kind, although I think that rain is heading our way. | 0:20:09 | 0:20:12 | |
-I think so, yes. -We should probably head back down. | 0:20:12 | 0:20:15 | |
It's going to be a lot easier going downhill, isn't it? | 0:20:15 | 0:20:17 | |
'What a wonderful walk, high in the Peaks, | 0:20:17 | 0:20:20 | |
'and a great trip down memory lane. | 0:20:20 | 0:20:23 | |
'Sampling a slice of Niall and Barry's country life first-hand | 0:20:23 | 0:20:26 | |
'has been a truly rewarding experience | 0:20:26 | 0:20:29 | |
'and makes my job worthwhile.' | 0:20:29 | 0:20:31 | |
Right across the British countryside we've seen house-buyers, | 0:20:36 | 0:20:40 | |
all with very different lifestyle ambitions, | 0:20:40 | 0:20:43 | |
fall in love with the properties we've shown them. | 0:20:43 | 0:20:46 | |
It's always fantastic to hear when they make that all-important offer | 0:20:46 | 0:20:50 | |
which goes on to be accepted. | 0:20:50 | 0:20:53 | |
Coming up, a couple of those memorable highlights. | 0:20:53 | 0:20:56 | |
'It was in the summer of 2016 when Sonali Shah was in Derbyshire | 0:21:00 | 0:21:05 | |
'property shopping with Pat, | 0:21:05 | 0:21:07 | |
'who had her best friend Tula in tow for support. | 0:21:07 | 0:21:10 | |
'Pat had a £300,000 budget to leave Windsor in Berkshire | 0:21:10 | 0:21:15 | |
'and find a characterful home in a welcoming village. | 0:21:15 | 0:21:18 | |
'This end-of-terrace, built in 1912, seemed perfect.' | 0:21:18 | 0:21:22 | |
Oh, this is stunning. | 0:21:22 | 0:21:26 | |
Sorry. | 0:21:27 | 0:21:28 | |
That is just... Everything's stunning. | 0:21:30 | 0:21:32 | |
It looks amazing. | 0:21:32 | 0:21:34 | |
So tasteful. | 0:21:34 | 0:21:35 | |
-I'm moving in! -SHE LAUGHS | 0:21:36 | 0:21:38 | |
'There was also a beautifully finished front reception room.' | 0:21:40 | 0:21:43 | |
I love the open stone fireplace. Love it. | 0:21:43 | 0:21:48 | |
'Then, upstairs, there were three bedrooms | 0:21:48 | 0:21:50 | |
'with views across the valley.' | 0:21:50 | 0:21:52 | |
I really, really like it. | 0:21:52 | 0:21:53 | |
Really like it. | 0:21:53 | 0:21:54 | |
'The attached price tag was music to Pat's ears.' | 0:21:54 | 0:21:58 | |
I think you might have gone slightly over. I will go 310. | 0:21:58 | 0:22:02 | |
It's actually currently on the market for just under 270,000. | 0:22:02 | 0:22:08 | |
-Wow. -It's within your budget. | 0:22:08 | 0:22:10 | |
Gosh. | 0:22:10 | 0:22:12 | |
'Clearly smitten, Pat made an offer that was accepted the very next day | 0:22:12 | 0:22:17 | |
'and is now happily living the rural dream. | 0:22:17 | 0:22:21 | |
'One year earlier, in the spring of 2015, | 0:22:21 | 0:22:24 | |
'I found myself just outside the Peak District park borders | 0:22:24 | 0:22:28 | |
'at this Victorian home that started life as a humble pigsty.' | 0:22:28 | 0:22:33 | |
So our very first property, right in the heart of the village. | 0:22:33 | 0:22:37 | |
-Wow. -It looks good. It looks very pretty. | 0:22:37 | 0:22:40 | |
'I was house-hunting with Darcie and Ian from Cambridgeshire. | 0:22:40 | 0:22:44 | |
'They had a budget of £400,000 | 0:22:44 | 0:22:46 | |
'to find a period house with a home office and a kitchen-diner.' | 0:22:46 | 0:22:51 | |
I'm really liking it. It's a well-proportioned room. | 0:22:51 | 0:22:54 | |
It's got the beams in the ceiling, but they're not oppressive. | 0:22:54 | 0:22:58 | |
I could move in and live here for some time | 0:22:58 | 0:23:01 | |
-before feeling I needed to change things. -I agree. | 0:23:01 | 0:23:04 | |
'There was a generous sitting room and three comfortable bedrooms, | 0:23:04 | 0:23:08 | |
'but a separate annexe delivered more space than they imagined.' | 0:23:08 | 0:23:12 | |
So the final part of this house tour is this annexe. | 0:23:12 | 0:23:16 | |
-Wow. It's really cute. -Yes, I like this. -And for working at home, | 0:23:16 | 0:23:20 | |
it gives you that feeling of leaving and going to the office. | 0:23:20 | 0:23:23 | |
-Yes. -You can lock it away at night and not have it in the lounge. | 0:23:23 | 0:23:26 | |
But would you be tempted to come up here | 0:23:26 | 0:23:28 | |
-and check your e-mails at midnight? -No. | 0:23:28 | 0:23:32 | |
'And the house had a favourable price tag too.' | 0:23:32 | 0:23:35 | |
Well, the asking price is £310,000. | 0:23:35 | 0:23:40 | |
-You're... -THEY LAUGH | 0:23:40 | 0:23:42 | |
-You nearly said it, didn't you? But, yes. -You're kidding. 310?! | 0:23:42 | 0:23:45 | |
Interesting, yes. | 0:23:45 | 0:23:47 | |
'At £90,000 under their budget, it was a steal, | 0:23:47 | 0:23:51 | |
'and so became their much longed for country home. | 0:23:51 | 0:23:55 | |
'Another success story in our rural hall of fame.' | 0:23:55 | 0:23:58 | |
I often find that when people plan a move to the countryside | 0:24:01 | 0:24:04 | |
it's not just for the peace and quiet it affords. | 0:24:04 | 0:24:08 | |
It usually results in space, too - | 0:24:08 | 0:24:10 | |
lots more space for your money. | 0:24:10 | 0:24:13 | |
There's also the prospect of a sense of community | 0:24:13 | 0:24:16 | |
that can be lacking in cities. | 0:24:16 | 0:24:18 | |
That's exactly what Susan from London was looking for | 0:24:18 | 0:24:23 | |
with her move to Nottinghamshire, | 0:24:23 | 0:24:25 | |
guided by Mr Countryside himself, Jules Hudson. | 0:24:25 | 0:24:29 | |
'It was in 2013 that retired teacher Susan drafted us in | 0:24:31 | 0:24:36 | |
'to help her escape her small two-bedroom semidetached house | 0:24:36 | 0:24:40 | |
'right next to the Thames in London's Docklands.' | 0:24:40 | 0:24:44 | |
'I moved down to London nearly 40 years ago to start teaching, | 0:24:44 | 0:24:47 | |
'and because I've always worked in London,' | 0:24:47 | 0:24:50 | |
I've not been able to afford the sort of property | 0:24:50 | 0:24:52 | |
that I would really like to live in. | 0:24:52 | 0:24:54 | |
Now I'm looking forward to upsizing | 0:24:54 | 0:24:57 | |
and having the sort of space that I've always wanted. | 0:24:57 | 0:25:01 | |
So she wanted to increase her square footage | 0:25:01 | 0:25:04 | |
and cut back on the city chaos. | 0:25:04 | 0:25:07 | |
I'm getting a little bit tired of the hustle and bustle of London. | 0:25:07 | 0:25:11 | |
Waiting for buses, being squashed on Tubes. | 0:25:11 | 0:25:14 | |
I want to escape the crowds and live in a rural community, | 0:25:14 | 0:25:17 | |
village community, where the pace of life is much slower | 0:25:17 | 0:25:22 | |
and I could join in with lots of local events. | 0:25:22 | 0:25:25 | |
'And to help support her on the hunt for the perfect country property, | 0:25:25 | 0:25:29 | |
'Susan called on her close friend, Leslie. | 0:25:29 | 0:25:33 | |
'She is the person that I turn to for advice. | 0:25:33 | 0:25:35 | |
'She can see possibilities where I can't. | 0:25:35 | 0:25:37 | |
'I see my role as helping to keep Susan's feet on the ground.' | 0:25:37 | 0:25:41 | |
With the location fixed on Nottinghamshire, | 0:25:43 | 0:25:45 | |
Susan was after a character property with three bedrooms | 0:25:45 | 0:25:49 | |
and a large country kitchen, | 0:25:49 | 0:25:50 | |
all in a location with a welcoming community - | 0:25:50 | 0:25:54 | |
and to find this, | 0:25:54 | 0:25:56 | |
she had set a budget of £330,000. | 0:25:56 | 0:25:59 | |
'The first destination Jules took Susan and Leslie to | 0:26:06 | 0:26:09 | |
'was the small village of Epperstone | 0:26:09 | 0:26:11 | |
'where, in an exclusive development | 0:26:11 | 0:26:13 | |
'within the grounds of a historic manor, | 0:26:13 | 0:26:16 | |
'they came to the first house.' | 0:26:16 | 0:26:18 | |
-So property number one. There we are. -It's beautiful. | 0:26:18 | 0:26:22 | |
The thing we liked about it was that given where you're coming from, | 0:26:22 | 0:26:25 | |
where obviously you've got neighbours and it's quite secure | 0:26:25 | 0:26:28 | |
and it feels very at home, | 0:26:28 | 0:26:29 | |
this offers you the same sort of feel but in a lovely village, | 0:26:29 | 0:26:33 | |
Epperstone, which has got loads going on. | 0:26:33 | 0:26:35 | |
WI, lots of groups, the church is over there. | 0:26:35 | 0:26:38 | |
You know, there's a lot of community here for you to get involved with. | 0:26:38 | 0:26:41 | |
And something with a bit of character about it. | 0:26:41 | 0:26:43 | |
-It certainly has. -Let's have a look inside and see what you think. | 0:26:43 | 0:26:46 | |
Right. In you come. | 0:26:49 | 0:26:52 | |
Let's start with the living room. | 0:26:52 | 0:26:55 | |
The whole thing is open-plan, as you can see. | 0:26:57 | 0:27:00 | |
-It's lovely. -How does it compare with where you are at the moment | 0:27:00 | 0:27:03 | |
in Surrey Quays? | 0:27:03 | 0:27:05 | |
This is much bigger. | 0:27:05 | 0:27:06 | |
-This is upsizing? -This is upsizing. | 0:27:06 | 0:27:09 | |
-Good. -This is upsizing plus. | 0:27:09 | 0:27:11 | |
And very cosy. I think you will feel very at home and safe here. | 0:27:11 | 0:27:15 | |
-Yes. -It's really cosy. | 0:27:15 | 0:27:16 | |
-I'm putting myself in here already. -THEY LAUGH | 0:27:16 | 0:27:20 | |
Well, we haven't seen the rest of it yet. | 0:27:20 | 0:27:22 | |
-No. -The kitchen is through here. | 0:27:22 | 0:27:24 | |
There. | 0:27:25 | 0:27:26 | |
-Oh, it's lovely. -It's open-plan. | 0:27:27 | 0:27:30 | |
-The whole thing. -It's the whole space in one. | 0:27:30 | 0:27:33 | |
I love it. I really do. | 0:27:33 | 0:27:36 | |
-Yes? -So do I. -Is she telling the truth, Leslie? | 0:27:36 | 0:27:38 | |
-She is. -I am. | 0:27:38 | 0:27:40 | |
You'll know because I might start crying in a minute. | 0:27:40 | 0:27:42 | |
-Oh, right! -You'll REALLY know! | 0:27:42 | 0:27:45 | |
'Just off the kitchen, the staircase led them up to the first floor.' | 0:27:45 | 0:27:51 | |
So what have we got up here then? | 0:27:51 | 0:27:53 | |
Family bathroom. Very nice again. | 0:27:53 | 0:27:56 | |
A good double in there, which I'm thinking, Leslie, would be you. | 0:27:56 | 0:27:59 | |
Yes, that's my room. | 0:27:59 | 0:28:01 | |
There's another single there. | 0:28:01 | 0:28:04 | |
And so this is your bit, Sue, | 0:28:04 | 0:28:07 | |
-we're thinking. -Oh, wow. | 0:28:07 | 0:28:10 | |
Come on in, Leslie. You're hiding. | 0:28:10 | 0:28:13 | |
-There you go. -I love that. | 0:28:13 | 0:28:15 | |
The vaulted ceiling, that's so nice. | 0:28:15 | 0:28:17 | |
You've got loads of built-in storage over there. | 0:28:17 | 0:28:19 | |
And the en-suite behind us. | 0:28:19 | 0:28:21 | |
-Yes. -We walked past that. -With its own sort of frosted glass. | 0:28:21 | 0:28:25 | |
I was going to say, what's that? | 0:28:25 | 0:28:26 | |
Well, it just lets in a bit more light. | 0:28:26 | 0:28:28 | |
-Of course. -I think it's lovely. | 0:28:28 | 0:28:30 | |
All in all, this is a really interesting package for you. | 0:28:30 | 0:28:33 | |
It certainly is, yes. | 0:28:33 | 0:28:34 | |
'That wrapped up what appeared to be a very positive tour | 0:28:34 | 0:28:38 | |
'of house number one. | 0:28:38 | 0:28:39 | |
'All that remained was to check out the garden | 0:28:39 | 0:28:42 | |
'and to work out the asking price.' | 0:28:42 | 0:28:45 | |
What you see is pretty much what you get, | 0:28:45 | 0:28:47 | |
but if your green fingers get any greener, | 0:28:47 | 0:28:50 | |
the good news is that they're about to open some allotments | 0:28:50 | 0:28:53 | |
-within the development. -Perfect. -And the nice thing there, of course, | 0:28:53 | 0:28:57 | |
is you haven't got to go and buy it so you can have a go, | 0:28:57 | 0:28:59 | |
and if you get bored or it becomes too much, you can just give it back. | 0:28:59 | 0:29:03 | |
You also get a garage with it. | 0:29:03 | 0:29:04 | |
So let's have a think about the price, shall we? | 0:29:04 | 0:29:09 | |
You've got £330,000 to spend. | 0:29:09 | 0:29:11 | |
-Susan, make me an offer. -Yep. | 0:29:11 | 0:29:14 | |
I hope I can afford it. It better not be more. | 0:29:16 | 0:29:19 | |
329,950. | 0:29:19 | 0:29:21 | |
OK, yes. Leslie? | 0:29:21 | 0:29:24 | |
I think it must be at the top end of the budget, as well. | 0:29:24 | 0:29:27 | |
But I'm going to go for 325. | 0:29:27 | 0:29:30 | |
-325. -(5,000 change.) -5,000 change. | 0:29:30 | 0:29:34 | |
-Wouldn't that be nice? -That would be nice. | 0:29:34 | 0:29:36 | |
The good news is that that's exactly what it is. | 0:29:36 | 0:29:39 | |
-No! -THEY LAUGH | 0:29:39 | 0:29:42 | |
-She won! -This could be yours for 325, yes. | 0:29:42 | 0:29:46 | |
-325. -How about that? | 0:29:46 | 0:29:47 | |
I think it's been a really, really good start. | 0:29:47 | 0:29:50 | |
-It has. -It's been a great start. -Right then, off you go. | 0:29:50 | 0:29:54 | |
Go and have another look around and I'll catch up with you later. | 0:29:54 | 0:29:56 | |
-OK. -Brilliant. | 0:29:56 | 0:29:58 | |
Well, I have to confess that when it comes to property number ones | 0:29:58 | 0:30:01 | |
in this game, they don't often get much better than this one. | 0:30:01 | 0:30:05 | |
'The first property was a delightful character cottage | 0:30:05 | 0:30:09 | |
'that was £5,000 under budget and nailed Susan's wish list.' | 0:30:09 | 0:30:13 | |
The house is absolutely gorgeous. | 0:30:13 | 0:30:15 | |
It's just such a beautiful, light, airy space. | 0:30:15 | 0:30:19 | |
I love it. I would love to entertain people in this space. | 0:30:19 | 0:30:23 | |
I'm very excited thinking about it. | 0:30:23 | 0:30:25 | |
'Susan was quite taken with the cottage | 0:30:25 | 0:30:28 | |
'but Jules still had more property to deliver. | 0:30:28 | 0:30:30 | |
'The next home was in the village of Coddington. | 0:30:30 | 0:30:33 | |
'Again, it was a charming detached cottage | 0:30:33 | 0:30:36 | |
'believed to date back to 1840.' | 0:30:36 | 0:30:39 | |
-Look at this. -Oh, wow. | 0:30:39 | 0:30:41 | |
-Property number two. -A wing for me! | 0:30:41 | 0:30:45 | |
You're quite right. | 0:30:45 | 0:30:46 | |
THEY LAUGH | 0:30:46 | 0:30:48 | |
That's why I wanted to start with this aspect of it | 0:30:48 | 0:30:51 | |
because it displays this L-shape | 0:30:51 | 0:30:53 | |
and it is a wing for you. That is a guest wing. | 0:30:53 | 0:30:56 | |
That is amazing. | 0:30:56 | 0:30:59 | |
I'm bowled over. | 0:30:59 | 0:31:00 | |
I'm knocked for six. I can't speak. | 0:31:00 | 0:31:03 | |
'A bigger proposition than the first house, | 0:31:04 | 0:31:07 | |
'the guest wing featured two main rooms, | 0:31:07 | 0:31:09 | |
'one of which had an en-suite, so could be used as a guest bedroom. | 0:31:09 | 0:31:14 | |
'This accommodation was attached to the main house.' | 0:31:14 | 0:31:18 | |
OK, Susan, come on in. | 0:31:18 | 0:31:20 | |
It's huge. | 0:31:20 | 0:31:22 | |
-Yes. -It's fabulous. -Isn't it just? | 0:31:23 | 0:31:25 | |
You've given me a kitchen that's big enough to put a sofa in. | 0:31:25 | 0:31:29 | |
Yes, we brought that in especially! | 0:31:29 | 0:31:32 | |
You've given me everything I asked for. | 0:31:32 | 0:31:33 | |
-Look, Leslie, a proper sink. -You've got a Belfast sink. | 0:31:33 | 0:31:36 | |
And a beautiful wood surface. | 0:31:36 | 0:31:39 | |
-Wood burner. -And a wood burner. | 0:31:39 | 0:31:41 | |
Now it goes on. There's a study next door. | 0:31:41 | 0:31:44 | |
Come through here. | 0:31:44 | 0:31:45 | |
And your living room. | 0:31:45 | 0:31:47 | |
The study is there, which is really nice, actually. | 0:31:47 | 0:31:50 | |
-That is lovely. -And then in here we've got your living room. | 0:31:50 | 0:31:54 | |
-Come on in. -This is lovely, too. | 0:31:54 | 0:31:57 | |
-Yes. -It's lovely. | 0:31:57 | 0:31:58 | |
That's what you said, isn't it? You didn't want a huge sitting-room, | 0:31:58 | 0:32:01 | |
-you wanted the space in the kitchen. -That's right. -It's cosy. | 0:32:01 | 0:32:04 | |
It's another really good choice. | 0:32:04 | 0:32:05 | |
It is really cosy, but it's a fine room as well. | 0:32:05 | 0:32:07 | |
-It's very elegant, isn't it? -Yes. -The way it's dressed and presented. | 0:32:07 | 0:32:11 | |
So, if the upstairs is as good as the downstairs, we're laughing, | 0:32:11 | 0:32:15 | |
-aren't we? -We are. -We are indeed. | 0:32:15 | 0:32:16 | |
Let's keep laughing. Come on. | 0:32:16 | 0:32:18 | |
'Along with the potential annexe rooms, | 0:32:20 | 0:32:21 | |
'there were three bedrooms up on the first floor | 0:32:21 | 0:32:24 | |
'so plenty of space for visiting friends. | 0:32:24 | 0:32:27 | |
'Lastly, there was the bedroom for Susan.' | 0:32:27 | 0:32:30 | |
And here we are in what would be, I think, your master bedroom. | 0:32:30 | 0:32:34 | |
No, I'm having the double aspect one at the back. | 0:32:34 | 0:32:36 | |
You're having the other one? You're going to have the guest room? | 0:32:36 | 0:32:38 | |
Yes. No, this is lovely, as well. | 0:32:38 | 0:32:41 | |
You've just found such a wonderful house. | 0:32:41 | 0:32:43 | |
-I am going to cry. -It's OK. | 0:32:43 | 0:32:45 | |
It's OK. You don't have to. | 0:32:45 | 0:32:47 | |
-I pull some funny faces when I cry! -THEY LAUGH | 0:32:50 | 0:32:53 | |
I think it's a hit. | 0:32:55 | 0:32:57 | |
I think it is a hit, Leslie, yes. | 0:32:57 | 0:32:59 | |
'Emotions finally got the better of Susan | 0:32:59 | 0:33:01 | |
'as Jules had presented her with another contender | 0:33:01 | 0:33:04 | |
'for her new country home. | 0:33:04 | 0:33:06 | |
'It all hung on that all-important price.' | 0:33:06 | 0:33:10 | |
Let's ask Leslie to go first on your price guess. | 0:33:10 | 0:33:14 | |
I think it might be a little over budget at 335. | 0:33:14 | 0:33:19 | |
335. Yes, that would be nice. | 0:33:19 | 0:33:22 | |
Susan? I'm going even higher. | 0:33:22 | 0:33:24 | |
-340. -340. | 0:33:24 | 0:33:27 | |
-Yes. -It's not, it's 350, isn't it? | 0:33:28 | 0:33:30 | |
No, it's 330. | 0:33:30 | 0:33:32 | |
-THEY GASP -You are joking! | 0:33:32 | 0:33:34 | |
You are joking! | 0:33:35 | 0:33:37 | |
-Bang on. -You're not lying to me? -I'm not, no. | 0:33:37 | 0:33:40 | |
I'm really not. Come on, take it all in. | 0:33:40 | 0:33:42 | |
This could be yours for your budget of £330,000. | 0:33:42 | 0:33:45 | |
-I'm doing it again. -THEY LAUGH | 0:33:48 | 0:33:50 | |
Go on, in you go. | 0:33:50 | 0:33:52 | |
-It's fabulous. -Have a good old sob. | 0:33:52 | 0:33:54 | |
Enjoy it and I'll catch up with you later. | 0:33:54 | 0:33:56 | |
And I like the other one, too! | 0:33:56 | 0:33:58 | |
You can only buy one! | 0:33:58 | 0:34:00 | |
'Right on budget, the second property | 0:34:02 | 0:34:04 | |
'was another beautiful cottage that seemed a perfect match | 0:34:04 | 0:34:07 | |
'with what Susan was looking for | 0:34:07 | 0:34:10 | |
'and so presented a real dilemma. | 0:34:10 | 0:34:12 | |
'However, Jules still had the final property to show her | 0:34:19 | 0:34:22 | |
'in the village of North Leverton.' | 0:34:22 | 0:34:24 | |
So this is it. | 0:34:24 | 0:34:26 | |
Not the whole house, surely? | 0:34:26 | 0:34:27 | |
The whole house. The whole Mystery House, yes. | 0:34:27 | 0:34:30 | |
'The Mystery House was a huge Grade-II listed Georgian home | 0:34:30 | 0:34:34 | |
'with beautifully proportioned reception rooms.' | 0:34:34 | 0:34:37 | |
-It's lovely. -Isn't it? -It is. | 0:34:37 | 0:34:39 | |
-And it's not too big either, is it? -No. | 0:34:39 | 0:34:41 | |
'It had a substantial kitchen that was full of country charm, | 0:34:41 | 0:34:45 | |
'complete with a range cooker.' | 0:34:45 | 0:34:47 | |
Can I go over and warm my hands? | 0:34:47 | 0:34:49 | |
By all means. | 0:34:49 | 0:34:51 | |
'Upstairs, there were three bedrooms | 0:34:51 | 0:34:53 | |
'that included a double-aspect master. | 0:34:53 | 0:34:56 | |
'And if the property wasn't big enough as it stood, | 0:34:56 | 0:34:58 | |
'there were another three bedrooms in the adjoining annexe too.' | 0:34:58 | 0:35:02 | |
It's gorgeous. It really is gorgeous. | 0:35:02 | 0:35:05 | |
But it's a project | 0:35:05 | 0:35:06 | |
and it's a project for somebody that's 20 years younger than me. | 0:35:06 | 0:35:10 | |
'Susan ruled out the big and beautiful Mystery House, | 0:35:10 | 0:35:13 | |
'leaving two character cottages in the mix. | 0:35:13 | 0:35:16 | |
'One whitewashed with an open-plan interior, | 0:35:16 | 0:35:19 | |
'and the other built with red bricks that had an annexe attached. | 0:35:19 | 0:35:24 | |
'But, of course, only one would become | 0:35:24 | 0:35:26 | |
'her dream Nottinghamshire escape.' | 0:35:26 | 0:35:29 | |
I think Jules did a fine job with those first two offerings | 0:35:31 | 0:35:35 | |
but it became clear that the Mystery House | 0:35:35 | 0:35:38 | |
was just that little bit too much for Susan to take on. | 0:35:38 | 0:35:41 | |
So house number one or house number two? | 0:35:41 | 0:35:46 | |
Which one did she decide to go for? | 0:35:46 | 0:35:48 | |
I'm delighted to reveal she went for house number one. | 0:35:48 | 0:35:53 | |
So I think it's time that I met up with Susan to find out | 0:35:53 | 0:35:56 | |
how she's got on since she escaped to the country. | 0:35:56 | 0:36:00 | |
I hope she's got that kettle on. | 0:36:00 | 0:36:02 | |
-Susan. -Hi. | 0:36:10 | 0:36:12 | |
-Lovely to meet you. -Lovely to meet you too. | 0:36:12 | 0:36:15 | |
Come in. | 0:36:15 | 0:36:17 | |
'Jules had been property shopping with Susan in the spring of 2013 | 0:36:17 | 0:36:22 | |
'and she had her offer accepted | 0:36:22 | 0:36:24 | |
'just a couple of days after their viewing. | 0:36:24 | 0:36:27 | |
'Four months later, it became her new address | 0:36:27 | 0:36:29 | |
'and she's been its proud homeowner for the last three years.' | 0:36:29 | 0:36:34 | |
Susan, it is so lovely to meet you, and Jules sends his regards. | 0:36:34 | 0:36:38 | |
He's very keen to get an update on this beautiful property. | 0:36:38 | 0:36:43 | |
That's nice to know. I very much enjoyed filming with Jules | 0:36:43 | 0:36:46 | |
and, of course, I have this lovely house from your programme - | 0:36:46 | 0:36:50 | |
and I really can't thank you enough for that | 0:36:50 | 0:36:52 | |
because, well, I'm just so happy here. | 0:36:52 | 0:36:55 | |
Have you had to change anything here? | 0:36:55 | 0:36:57 | |
No, I haven't changed anything at all. | 0:36:57 | 0:36:59 | |
A local carpenter built me the thing that the television is on | 0:36:59 | 0:37:02 | |
and some wardrobes upstairs. | 0:37:02 | 0:37:05 | |
-So, really, furnishings. -Yes, just furnishings. | 0:37:05 | 0:37:08 | |
I said to Jules that I could just pop my furniture in a van, | 0:37:08 | 0:37:11 | |
come up here and move in, and that's exactly what I did. | 0:37:11 | 0:37:14 | |
Because you were coming from London, weren't you? | 0:37:14 | 0:37:17 | |
-Oh, yes. -Have there been any regrets at all? | 0:37:17 | 0:37:20 | |
Do you miss your old London life? | 0:37:20 | 0:37:22 | |
No, apart from the art exhibitions | 0:37:22 | 0:37:24 | |
that you have to make an effort to go to now. | 0:37:24 | 0:37:27 | |
You can't just choose one morning to go and see them. | 0:37:27 | 0:37:30 | |
No regrets at all. | 0:37:30 | 0:37:32 | |
You brought with you on this search your best friend in the world. | 0:37:32 | 0:37:35 | |
I think you've been friends for about 40 years or so. | 0:37:35 | 0:37:38 | |
Leslie. Has she been to see this house since you bought it? | 0:37:38 | 0:37:42 | |
She's stayed here several times, but Leslie now lives in Italy. | 0:37:42 | 0:37:46 | |
She is pursuing her dream of living life in another language. | 0:37:46 | 0:37:50 | |
Her Italian is coming on in leaps and bounds. | 0:37:50 | 0:37:53 | |
But she loves coming over here to visit you? | 0:37:53 | 0:37:56 | |
-Yes. -And we're sitting here in your beautiful cottage. | 0:37:56 | 0:38:00 | |
Peace, quiet, surrounded by the countryside. | 0:38:00 | 0:38:03 | |
What a change in lifestyle and it works for you. | 0:38:03 | 0:38:06 | |
It certainly does. I don't think I've ever been so content. | 0:38:06 | 0:38:10 | |
Now it is a rather gorgeous village, Epperstone, | 0:38:10 | 0:38:12 | |
and I know that was important for you when you were making the move | 0:38:12 | 0:38:16 | |
that you did have neighbours, you had a community around you. | 0:38:16 | 0:38:19 | |
How has that worked out? | 0:38:19 | 0:38:20 | |
Fabulous. The day after I moved in, | 0:38:20 | 0:38:23 | |
I went down to the pub for the coffee morning | 0:38:23 | 0:38:26 | |
and met loads of people, and I don't think I've looked back since. | 0:38:26 | 0:38:30 | |
-Really? -No. Everybody I've met is just wonderful. | 0:38:30 | 0:38:34 | |
'Susan really has thrown herself into village life | 0:38:34 | 0:38:38 | |
'and is involved in everything from the WI to quiz nights, | 0:38:38 | 0:38:42 | |
'the church and a local ladies darts team. | 0:38:42 | 0:38:46 | |
'She's taking me into the village where some of her team-mates | 0:38:46 | 0:38:49 | |
'have gathered for a little practice session.' | 0:38:49 | 0:38:51 | |
Hi, ladies. | 0:38:51 | 0:38:53 | |
-How are you? -This is Nicki. | 0:38:53 | 0:38:55 | |
Here are some of my friends from the darts team. | 0:38:55 | 0:38:57 | |
Hello. | 0:38:57 | 0:38:58 | |
Good to meet you. | 0:38:58 | 0:39:00 | |
'Time to partner up. | 0:39:00 | 0:39:01 | |
'Susan is with Rosemary, | 0:39:01 | 0:39:03 | |
'and poor Lisa will have to make do with an inexperienced me. | 0:39:03 | 0:39:07 | |
'And it's Lisa who's first up.' | 0:39:07 | 0:39:09 | |
Good start. | 0:39:09 | 0:39:11 | |
There's no messing, I'm feeling very confident with my team. | 0:39:12 | 0:39:15 | |
'Next, it's Rosemary for Team Susan.' | 0:39:15 | 0:39:18 | |
Arrows! | 0:39:22 | 0:39:24 | |
'Now for my turn.' | 0:39:24 | 0:39:26 | |
Here we go. RECORD SCRATCH | 0:39:26 | 0:39:27 | |
Do you really want to stand there with me playing? | 0:39:27 | 0:39:29 | |
I think you should take a good step back. | 0:39:29 | 0:39:31 | |
Just in case. | 0:39:31 | 0:39:33 | |
No laughing if I miss. | 0:39:33 | 0:39:34 | |
-At least I got it on the board, didn't I? -25. | 0:39:38 | 0:39:42 | |
'And lastly, Susan is going to show us her skills.' | 0:39:42 | 0:39:45 | |
How long have you been playing? | 0:39:45 | 0:39:47 | |
I've been playing for a couple of years, but I'm the reserve. | 0:39:47 | 0:39:50 | |
They only play me if there's nobody else. | 0:39:50 | 0:39:54 | |
That's not fair. | 0:39:54 | 0:39:56 | |
You're brilliant! | 0:39:56 | 0:39:58 | |
'I think Susan's just being modest, | 0:39:58 | 0:40:00 | |
'as from what I've seen she must be a valued member of the team. | 0:40:00 | 0:40:05 | |
'And it's really great to experience a little of the highlights | 0:40:05 | 0:40:08 | |
'in Susan's action-packed country calendar. | 0:40:08 | 0:40:10 | |
'As well as a close-knit community and a country cottage, | 0:40:14 | 0:40:18 | |
'another of Susan's aspirations was to own a narrow boat. | 0:40:18 | 0:40:21 | |
'And just a couple of months ago, | 0:40:21 | 0:40:23 | |
'the opportunity arose to purchase one. | 0:40:23 | 0:40:26 | |
'It's moored just 20 minutes away, and Susan is keen for me to see it.' | 0:40:26 | 0:40:31 | |
So, Susan, this is your boat. | 0:40:31 | 0:40:33 | |
-This is my boat. -What's her name? | 0:40:33 | 0:40:35 | |
The Gentleman's Relish. | 0:40:35 | 0:40:36 | |
That's rather fruity, isn't it? | 0:40:36 | 0:40:38 | |
-I didn't give it its name! -So you've escaped to the country | 0:40:38 | 0:40:41 | |
-and now you want to escape on the waterways? -Yes. | 0:40:41 | 0:40:44 | |
What made you buy her? | 0:40:44 | 0:40:46 | |
I think it's something that I've always wanted to do. | 0:40:46 | 0:40:48 | |
Have a boat. I've always loved boating holidays. | 0:40:48 | 0:40:51 | |
I like bobbing about on the water | 0:40:51 | 0:40:53 | |
and if I didn't do it now I might regret it. | 0:40:53 | 0:40:57 | |
So I thought... | 0:40:57 | 0:40:58 | |
-The opportunity came up, so I took it. -Why not? | 0:40:58 | 0:41:02 | |
I would love to go out on her. However, it's quite gusty today. | 0:41:02 | 0:41:06 | |
And as I'm still a novice I don't think I'd get her off the moorings, | 0:41:06 | 0:41:09 | |
-I'm afraid. -I don't know how good I'd be as a first mate, either. | 0:41:09 | 0:41:12 | |
But can we go on board and perhaps have a nice cup of tea? | 0:41:12 | 0:41:15 | |
We'll have a nice tea and a tour. | 0:41:15 | 0:41:17 | |
Right. I've got to ask you one more thing. | 0:41:17 | 0:41:20 | |
-Yes? -Captain, permission to board? -Permission granted. -Thank you. | 0:41:20 | 0:41:24 | |
And mind your head. | 0:41:24 | 0:41:26 | |
It is certainly narrow. | 0:41:28 | 0:41:31 | |
It is. | 0:41:31 | 0:41:32 | |
Here we are. You come straight into the kitchen. | 0:41:33 | 0:41:36 | |
-Gorgeous. -A little sink, a little heater. | 0:41:36 | 0:41:38 | |
It's delightful. | 0:41:38 | 0:41:40 | |
And then on we go. | 0:41:40 | 0:41:41 | |
On we go to the dining area which, | 0:41:41 | 0:41:44 | |
when we have to sleep on the boat, it converts into a double bed. | 0:41:44 | 0:41:48 | |
And this is the lounge area. | 0:41:48 | 0:41:51 | |
Bijou, compact but beautiful. | 0:41:51 | 0:41:55 | |
You did offer me, I think, a cup of tea? | 0:41:55 | 0:41:57 | |
-I did. -Shall I put the kettle on? | 0:41:57 | 0:41:58 | |
Back to the galley. | 0:41:58 | 0:42:00 | |
-Tea. -Thank you. | 0:42:10 | 0:42:12 | |
People think long and hard about making the move. | 0:42:13 | 0:42:16 | |
They always talk about it being a huge leap of faith, | 0:42:16 | 0:42:18 | |
because you're leaving behind what you know. | 0:42:18 | 0:42:21 | |
What advice would you give them? | 0:42:21 | 0:42:24 | |
Just do it. Don't talk about it, don't think about it, just do it. | 0:42:24 | 0:42:28 | |
-You wouldn't change a thing? -Wouldn't change...not one thing. | 0:42:28 | 0:42:31 | |
-Cheers to that. -Cheers. | 0:42:31 | 0:42:34 | |
-And thank you. -You're welcome. | 0:42:34 | 0:42:35 | |
When we're house-hunting with our buyers, | 0:42:38 | 0:42:41 | |
we spend so much time with them they truly feel like family. | 0:42:41 | 0:42:45 | |
So it's great to have this opportunity to see for ourselves | 0:42:45 | 0:42:49 | |
the difference making the move has made to their lives, | 0:42:49 | 0:42:52 | |
because it's not just the physical side | 0:42:52 | 0:42:55 | |
of perhaps changing a few counties - | 0:42:55 | 0:42:57 | |
it's the peace and tranquillity that country life gives them. | 0:42:57 | 0:43:01 | |
If you dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland, | 0:43:02 | 0:43:06 | |
England or Northern Ireland, and would also like our help, | 0:43:06 | 0:43:10 | |
why not apply online at... | 0:43:10 | 0:43:11 |