0:00:02 > 0:00:03Making the move from city to countryside
0:00:03 > 0:00:06is often a momentous step.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Never in a million years I would imagine
0:00:08 > 0:00:10I would be seeing a house like this. Never, ever.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12But for many years,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Escape To The Country has been supporting countless people
0:00:15 > 0:00:19on the hunt for a new home in a more rural location.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22- What do we think of this? - LAUGHS:- Oh, my! Chocolate box.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of Britain...
0:00:26 > 0:00:29- Take a look at that killer view. - That's amazing.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Oh! But how pretty is that?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38- ..that our buyers just couldn't resist.- Ooh!
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Jules!
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Seriously, get your cheque-book out now.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I'm actually blown away.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51..to find out how the move changed their lives
0:00:51 > 0:00:54when they escaped to the country.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Today we're in North Yorkshire, a vast, rural county
0:01:15 > 0:01:18home to two of most treasured national parks -
0:01:18 > 0:01:20the Dales and the Moors,
0:01:20 > 0:01:22whose striking landscape is carved up
0:01:22 > 0:01:26by these beautiful, ancient dry-stone walls.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Now, they survive as the oldest man-made relics
0:01:29 > 0:01:31of Britain's farming heritage,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34used to keep livestock penned in for centuries.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38And there are over 5,000 miles of these walls in the Dales alone.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40So, why am I here in this part of the world?
0:01:40 > 0:01:42Well, I'll be catching up with
0:01:42 > 0:01:44some former Escape To The Country house-hunters
0:01:44 > 0:01:49who fled the capital and now call this wonderful region their home.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Today I'll be retracing my steps
0:01:52 > 0:01:56within the sought-after area known as the Golden Triangle,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58between Harrogate, York and Leeds.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02And it's the turn of Kris and Kat from London
0:02:02 > 0:02:06who have made the 200-mile journey north to Yorkshire
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and ended up buying one of the properties that we viewed together.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11Along with their two young sons,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14they are now settling into their beautiful new home.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Blanketed by vast swathes of heather moorland and woodland,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23with the rugged North Sea coast to the east,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27north Yorkshire has been inspiring creatives for generations.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Most notably the Bronte sisters,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32for whom the wild grandeur of the Moors
0:02:32 > 0:02:36was the atmospheric backdrop to the classic novel Wuthering Heights.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40As for me, this is one of my favourite parts of the country.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43And, judging by the steady stream of buyers we help to escape here,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45well, I'm in pretty good company.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48And one such couple who were chomping at the bit
0:02:48 > 0:02:51to call this place home were Kris and Kat,
0:02:51 > 0:02:56looking for that classic country pile in which to raise their kids.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Back in the spring of 2016,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02the couple, with their sons Sam and Oliver,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06were living in London's North Finchley in a five-bedroom terrace.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08We've been in Finchley for eight years together,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12and we've been in London for close to 19 years.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13We are getting to the stage now
0:03:13 > 0:03:15where we want to move out into the country
0:03:15 > 0:03:19just to have that next stage for the boys to enjoy the outdoors,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21and London doesn't really give us that.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Their decision to move away from the city
0:03:23 > 0:03:26was driven by Kris and Kat's country roots
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and their desire for more family time.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33We've chosen to move to Yorkshire because it's closer to my family.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37We wanted to move out of London and try and find a much bigger place
0:03:37 > 0:03:38to enjoy the countryside,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40and we figured, actually, moving north
0:03:40 > 0:03:44would be the obvious choice for financial reasons
0:03:44 > 0:03:48and close to the bigger cities where we can both work.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51I grew up in a really rural village.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Well, it wasn't even a village, it was more of a hamlet.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58So that way of life really appeals to me,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01and North Yorkshire is just stunning.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03They also saw the move as a springboard
0:04:03 > 0:04:07to spending lots of time in the great outdoors together.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09We're a pretty active family, and at the weekends,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13as well as getting out on our bike and going for walks,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17we also enjoy playing tennis, the boys like playing football.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20When I grew up in the countryside, I loved horse riding,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and so that's something I'd really, dearly like to pick up again
0:04:23 > 0:04:26when moving to North Yorkshire, is to get back into riding.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30The couple were after a detached character house
0:04:30 > 0:04:33with a large kitchen-diner and four bedrooms.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36With Kat keen to take up horse riding again,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38she wanted some land with outbuildings.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Their £850,000 budget was generous,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43but they wanted a village location
0:04:43 > 0:04:46in an area where properties do attract a premium.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Our first offering was in the village of Walton,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57just over the border in West Yorkshire.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01It was three miles from the market town of Wetherby,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04with its attractive honey-coloured stone buildings.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I showed them a property that was architecturally in keeping -
0:05:07 > 0:05:12a 19th-century farmhouse which had been refurbished a few years before.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15Come right in, because...
0:05:15 > 0:05:17- I'm hoping you'll get...- Oh, wow.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21..a really nice view of this substantial pile of stone.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Yeah, it's fantastic. Lovely garden as well.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Stunning from the outside. Lovely.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- You've got a local pub.- Yes.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- You've got a local cricket club. - Ooh!- OK.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32- Good for the boys.- Yes.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37Now, you've got an Ofsted-rated "good" school within about a mile.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40But you've got Wetherby just a couple of miles up the road.
0:05:40 > 0:05:41- Fantastic.- Let's go inside.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Oh, it's lovely. Really light, lovely big windows.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Nice high ceilings.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Sometimes in houses that have got lots of character,
0:05:54 > 0:05:56you get the smaller windows and it seems a bit dark inside,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59but you can't say the same for this property, it's lovely.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- Back home, are you kitchen dwellers? - It's probably the kitchen, yeah.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Somewhere where we can all meet.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06- Let's keep looking around.- OK.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09The heart of the home, as in most people's houses, is the kitchen.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14Oh, lovely. Nice big kitchen and, you know, sociable as well,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17so when you're cooking and preparing the food,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19you can chat to people, glass of wine.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Yeah, Looks good.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Now, for when you do your Hyacinth Bucket bits,
0:06:23 > 0:06:28you've got a formal dining room at the top end of the house and a snug,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31but it would be a decent-size living room in most other people's houses.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Just behind me here, you've got a utility room.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Really good size, which means you get all the white goods
0:06:36 > 0:06:38that you don't normally use out of the kitchen.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40That would be a real benefit.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- Upstairs next. Let me squeeze through.- After you.
0:06:42 > 0:06:43Thank you very much.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46The hallway staircase led up to the first floor
0:06:46 > 0:06:49where we found four bright and airy bedrooms.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Two of the spare bedrooms made use of the stylish family bathroom
0:06:52 > 0:06:54with walk-in shower,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58while the third benefited from its own en suite.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01And the extensive master clearly impressed them.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02- Lovely size.- Yeah. Really nice.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Lovely features, as well, with the fireplace. Really pretty.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08You've got a walk-through wardrobe with an en suite,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- if you want to take a quick peek. - Right, OK.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- I don't know if you have that sort of facility back home.- Wow.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15- No! - SHE CHUCKLES
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Oh, look, his and hers sinks.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21And plenty of cupboard space for all my clothes, so...
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- HE CLEARS THROAT - Uh, no comment.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Yes, quite...
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- So...four bedrooms.- Yeah. - The other with an en suite,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31which, you know, you want your guests to be comfortable,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33not having to use the family bathroom.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35So you've got three bathrooms in total on this floor.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- Wow, really?- It's big, isn't it? - Yeah, it's big, yeah.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Well, you both sound very positive to this,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43but I want to show you something that you'll get in this house that,
0:07:43 > 0:07:45well, you just can't get in London.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- Follow me.- OK. Now I'm intrigued.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Back out on the landing, and up a second flight of stairs
0:07:52 > 0:07:57was a huge space packed with potential tucked away in the eaves.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Now, of course, you probably could get this in London...
0:08:00 > 0:08:02if you were a Premiership footballer.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03THEY CHUCKLE
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Oh, wow!- Wow. My word. - This is amazing.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- This is clearly my space. - Genuinely blown away.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10It's a lad space, isn't it? Come on?
0:08:10 > 0:08:12OK, lad space. Yeah, it's fantastic.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15And, actually, our eldest plays the guitar,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18and the youngest would definitely want to play the drums
0:08:18 > 0:08:20because he's that sort of personality.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22The internal space had gone down well,
0:08:22 > 0:08:25and the extent of the plot outside was impressive.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28That included a garden laid to lawn,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31and an adjoining paddock which had five years left on the lease.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34It's quite a private area here for your barbecues,
0:08:34 > 0:08:36but...something a bit different here.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- Wow.- Wow.- Wow!
0:08:38 > 0:08:41It's a really nice surprise. Unexpected.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Now then, the difficult thing is pricing it.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45- Oh...- OK.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49I shall go in with around £800,000.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50- OK.- Yeah, yeah.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53I was thinking just below, but not far off.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57- This house is on the market at £850,000.- OK.- OK.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- And that has come down just shy of...well, just under £900,000.- OK.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04So they've given it a substantial price reduction.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06But you've got a lot of property here.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Right on budget, this first property had met their brief.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11I think this house is lovely.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13It's got a lot of potential,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15there's certainly a few surprises in there.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18The attic, certainly, we didn't see that one coming.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21And this paddock certainly gives us something to think about.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- So, your first viewing.- Yes. Great.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Is the dream getting closer?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- It's a great start. - Yeah, absolutely.- Really positive.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Well, hopefully something to compare the other two with.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Come with me.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Well, I was confident that the first house
0:09:39 > 0:09:42had given Kris and Kat everything they'd asked for.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45But, on reflection, I thought they hadn't really been touched by it,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48it hadn't affected them emotionally.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50So next up, I wanted to take them to a house
0:09:50 > 0:09:53that had such instant visual appeal
0:09:53 > 0:09:55it was bound to pack an emotional punch.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00With that in mind, we went to the village of Branton Green,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02where the second offering was
0:10:02 > 0:10:05a stunning Grade II-listed period property.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08In a lot of ways, what you've asked for
0:10:08 > 0:10:12is a stereotypical Escape To The Country home.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13- So we found you one.- Yes.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Wisteria round the front door. She's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Wow.- Absolutely stunning. - Yeah, beautiful.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19I love the wisteria.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- It looks pretty big as well. - Yeah, yeah.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25I'm interested to know how many bedrooms it has got.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- I'm almost running out of fingers. Let me show you.- Really? Oh, wow.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Laid out over three floors, there was no shortage of space,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35with three reception rooms on the ground floor.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Now, there is a few living rooms to draw upon.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- This is really cosy! - This is my favourite.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- I love that fireplace.- It's amazing.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Well, these are normally on the ticklists of people that are
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- moving out of the big city, aren't they?- Yeah, absolutely.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53I think anybody that moves here will probably have to
0:10:53 > 0:10:55put their own touch on this place,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57you know, try and maybe think about lighting the rooms
0:10:57 > 0:10:59in a, perhaps, more modern way.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03You can imagine a nice warm winter's evening in here with this fire on.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- It's lovely. Really nice and cosy. - Really nice.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- Let's go to the kitchen. - OK, I'll follow you.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- You've got a downstairs loo just through there.- Right.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15The kitchen is the modern part of the property.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- Oh, wow, yeah. - Yeah, totally different.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19Yeah, isn't it? But it works.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22No, it completely works, and it's really homely as well.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23I wasn't expecting it.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25And a great, you know, space to have off the kitchen,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27cosy for the family.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Really bright. Windows literally the full length of the property.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Yeah, really light.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I'm looking forward to seeing outside as well.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35I bet you are!
0:11:35 > 0:11:37Before we do that, though,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40let's go and take a look at the bedrooms this house gives you.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Upstairs, there were six good-sized bedrooms spread over two levels,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49so their boys could take their pick.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53I showed Kris and Kat the largest of the six on the first floor.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- I think we're all right head height. - Yeah, definitely. We're fine.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- But bags of character. - Oh, wow. Yeah!
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Oh, this is fantastic. A lovely room AND an en suite.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Really big windows as well, so plenty of light.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09I know you were very positive walking around the first house,
0:12:09 > 0:12:11but you look more comfortable in this one.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13I feel very positive about it.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- This has the character that we're after.- Yeah.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18It reminds me, some of the features remind me
0:12:18 > 0:12:21of growing up in the family homes, definitely.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25With the house evoking warm feelings of nostalgia in Kat,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27we went outside to survey the land,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29which included a lawn with shepherd's hut -
0:12:29 > 0:12:31great for the boys to play in -
0:12:31 > 0:12:33and numerous outbuildings,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37including a separate stone barn which had project potential.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39You will be pleased to hear that this building
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- is contained within the property, OK?- Right.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- It actually predates the house we've been looking at.- Wow.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Yes, you can tell. This is amazing.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51So you've got plenty of space for residential accommodation.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53It's got electricity supplied to it.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55CHICKENS CLUCK It's got chickens inside it -
0:12:55 > 0:12:56you can hear at the moment.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- But it's also got water as well. - OK.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00It's primed and ready.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01This is an amazing project,
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- but it's something you never have to do if you don't want to.- No.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08There is a wonderful workshop in there, there's a tack store,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11because you'll want the tack for the horses you keep
0:13:11 > 0:13:12in your one-acre paddock.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Oh, my word!- Wow.- Wow. - KRIS CHUCKLES
0:13:15 > 0:13:17For a first-time equestrian property, if you like,
0:13:17 > 0:13:19I mean, this is it.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20I'm absolutely blown away.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- It's ticking a lot of the wish list, isn't it?- Yeah, definitely.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25I'm actually blown away.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- Look at you.- I know.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32LAUGHS: Aw...
0:13:34 > 0:13:36You see, these are the emotions and the reactions
0:13:36 > 0:13:37I was hoping I would get.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Just as long as you're not allergic to chickens.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41I can't speak. Yeah, no, it's absolutely lovely.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45It really reminds me of lots of things.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47I'm completely blown away.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- It really sweet. - It's got everything.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- How much would you pay for it? - Oh, God...
0:13:51 > 0:13:53I think it's going to be more than 850.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Um... Go on, I'm going to go for 875.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58- All right.- What do you think?
0:13:58 > 0:14:02I'm going to go for over 900. 915?
0:14:02 > 0:14:03- Good guessing.- Really?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05My eyes are still watering.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06- I'm afraid it is over budget.- Yeah.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- On the market at £875,000. - Oh, wow.- OK.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13- I was spot on, but...- Spot on.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17And we've spoken to the owner, and because they know your position,
0:14:17 > 0:14:21they said they would entertain offers of around £850,000.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- My goodness.- OK. - So you could get this on budget.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Incredible. - That would be unbelievable.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32£25,000 over budget, but with the owner open to offers,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35the second property had clearly stirred the emotions.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38I think I've fallen in love with this house. Absolutely love it.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42I think it was just bringing back a lot of memories, a lot of nostalgia,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46things from my childhood that actually I'm looking to recreate
0:14:46 > 0:14:48with my family and my children.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- You like this, don't you? - Yeah.- Really like it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Well, that's all we're going to look at today.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Hopefully something really good to think on tonight.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56- Mm, definitely.- Absolutely.
0:14:56 > 0:14:57- Shall we go?- Yeah.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04The highs and lows of house-hunting
0:15:04 > 0:15:07can often be an emotional experience,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10but when you get tears of joy halfway through a viewing,
0:15:10 > 0:15:12well, you know you know you're on to a winner.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16And it's clear to see that Kat and Kris had fallen for
0:15:16 > 0:15:19the charms of that beautiful wisteria-clad home.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23It really was an Escape To The Country classic.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26However, they still had to see the Mystery House,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30and, as we know, that can throw some surprising elements into the mix.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33It was located in the village of Clifford, West Yorkshire.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36With two strong contenders banked already,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40our mystery property was a bit of a gamble in some ways.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45But as they saw, it still excelled in terms of space and character.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48In we come. Something a little bit different.
0:15:48 > 0:15:49Very different.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52What is it, a church? It's a...?
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Well...what would you say if I was to say
0:15:54 > 0:15:57it ended life as a converted nunnery?
0:15:57 > 0:15:58OK!
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- Oh, yes, you can see the cross above the door.- Yeah.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Keep an open mind. It's something very different.
0:16:03 > 0:16:04It's very pretty.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07We think we've got two really good options in the bag,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09so we've really mixed it up with the Mystery House. OK?
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Let's go.- Absolutely.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Let's start with one of the two reception rooms
0:16:16 > 0:16:18on this raised ground floor.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Very nice.- Yeah. It's really big. Really big.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Windows both sides as well makes it incredibly bright.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Yeah, it really light. And it's a great size.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- I mean, it's enormous, really, isn't it?- Yeah, it is.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31This house is slightly different in the way it's laid out
0:16:31 > 0:16:34in the fact that you've got this reception room here,
0:16:34 > 0:16:35you can just sneak a peek through there
0:16:35 > 0:16:37to more of a snug or a music room.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- Yeah. Still pretty big.- Yeah.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42And then downstairs, as you will see, you've got the cooking area.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- Oh, right. OK. - Let's keep walking around.- OK.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47See if you can adapt to a very different kind of house.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49Come with me.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51The unusual layout of the mystery offering
0:16:51 > 0:16:54meant the kitchen was downstairs.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57So, on the lower ground floor, we've got a really good-sized kitchen.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Yeah, really lovely kitchen.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Downstairs, but actually really light and airy.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- They've done a good job on the conservatory here.- Yeah.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- But big, isn't it?- Yeah. - It is big.- Really well done.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Now, you've got a room next door.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13It serves at the moment as a spare bedroom,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17but I thought if you were to come downstairs to do your cooking,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20you'd either have that as a little TV room
0:17:20 > 0:17:22or just as a formal dining room, wouldn't you?
0:17:22 > 0:17:24Let's have a peek at one of the bedrooms,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26just so you see the dimensions and then we'll go outside.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27Come with me.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32The remaining three double bedrooms were up on the first floor,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34including the master.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Lovely bedroom.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38The developer was made to keep as much of this is possible.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- It's Grade II listed, this building is.- OK, yes.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42Look at it, it's beautiful, isn't it?
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Yeah, they've made a great job.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48Outside, across the courtyard, was even more accommodation -
0:17:48 > 0:17:51a jaw-dropping annexe within the nunnery's former chapel.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Now, I distinctly remember you saying on your shopping list
0:17:56 > 0:17:57you wanted a chapel.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59THEY LAUGH Right?
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Oh, my word.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I was going to say, "Holy Moley," but, you know...
0:18:04 > 0:18:05I don't know what to say.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- Unbelievable. - That's incredible, isn't it?
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Well, I won't have to go far on Sunday morning, will I?
0:18:10 > 0:18:12I bet even you'd still be late for this.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17Or is it party Saturday night? And you get very irreverent.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18Yeah. Probably more likely.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- But what would you use it for? - It'd be a games room, wouldn't it?
0:18:21 > 0:18:23And a party room. Absolutely. It couldn't be anything else.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25It must take quite a lot to heat it, though.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- You've got underfloor heating. - Oh, wow.- OK.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31- Thought of everything. - But, yeah, it's handy, isn't it?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34This unique property certainly offered Kat and Kris
0:18:34 > 0:18:36lots of indoor space,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40but it was time to reveal the mystery twist - the garden.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42There was a lawn with raised borders,
0:18:42 > 0:18:44but there wasn't that extra land they'd asked for.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Let's have a go at guessing the price.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50750.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51Kris, have a go.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55I'll say...£751,000.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57JONNIE LAUGHS And, you know what?
0:18:57 > 0:19:00It serves you right, because she's a spot on at 750.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- Oh, wow. Well done, Kat. - Well done me.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06A substantial £100,000 below budget,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09this mystery proposition really pushed the envelope
0:19:09 > 0:19:14on delivering enormous living spaces and incredible decorative character.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16I mean, when you walk into that chapel it's unbelievable.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21The mosaic features, and the mosaics are beautiful.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27All three houses had their own individual merit,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29but which one did they decide to buy?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33They reacted positively to property one,
0:19:33 > 0:19:37which was on the money and gave them a great balance of house and land.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40The house is fantastic. Lovely garden.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43When you came inside, all the rooms were really good sizes.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44Actually, you could move straight in,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47there's nothing that you need to do to the property.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49I really like it.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51But let's not forget Kat's tears in house two,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53which was picture perfect,
0:19:53 > 0:19:55but gave them less land than the first
0:19:55 > 0:19:58and did nudge over budget.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03However, there was a £100,000 saving up for grabs with the mystery.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05So did they compromise on outside space
0:20:05 > 0:20:08in favour of a supersize interior?
0:20:08 > 0:20:10When we sat down to discuss what they would do next,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13it was clear they had made their minds up.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16So, time to tell me your favourite property.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19I'm pretty sure I know which one it is, but put me out of my misery.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22- Duh-duh-duh! Number two! - It was, though, wasn't it?
0:20:22 > 0:20:23- Yeah, number two.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25For both of you, though?
0:20:25 > 0:20:27I know you were very emotional at the time. Kris?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Yeah, it was an outright winner. Definitely.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33They were so taken with that wisteria-clad house, too,
0:20:33 > 0:20:37they went back for a second viewing, bought it, and now call it home.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42I've come back to find out if country life
0:20:42 > 0:20:44is everything they hoped it would be.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47They probably never use this door.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51- Hello.- Hello.- Hello.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54I was just thinking, you probably never use that front door.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57No. Yeah, we had it locked, so we had to run and get the keys.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- How are you settling in?- Very well. - Really good.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01- Can I have a snoop around? - Absolutely.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Lovely. Thank you very much. - See what you remember.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Well, you've not been here long, have you?- No. Four weeks.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07- Four weeks, is it?- Yeah.- Right.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- So probably not a lot of work has been going on.- Yeah.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13That looks pretty much the same.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Not changed much because we bought their furniture.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I was going to say, do I recognise that dining table?
0:21:19 > 0:21:23It fits so well, they couldn't take it, so it's still here.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24As you say, it fits great.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27But the first room to change in any house, especially with kids,
0:21:27 > 0:21:28- is the kitchen, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Come on, lead the way. Let's have a look.
0:21:31 > 0:21:32Tried to give it that family feel.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Just a few subtle changes have helped to countrify their kitchen.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41And I'm keen to find out how these former city dwellers
0:21:41 > 0:21:44are adjusting to rural life.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47So here we are. You did it, you made the big move.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48Yeah, we've made it.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- You've cut the umbilical cord of London.- Oh!
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- It was painful.- Was it?- Yeah.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Well, you had a good network of friends down there, didn't you?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Yeah. No, it was difficult.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I must admit, the first few weeks I found quite tough,
0:22:02 > 0:22:06missing friends from London and feeling quite isolated.
0:22:06 > 0:22:07That's not to say...
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- Everyone has been really friendly here.- Yeah, of course.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12But, you know, Kris was off to work,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14and I would be like, "Right, what can I get done?"
0:22:14 > 0:22:17And then I'd just have, every now and then, this sort of "Oh..."
0:22:17 > 0:22:18pining for London.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23But, you know, it is great, and when you realise what we've now got,
0:22:23 > 0:22:25it's just that sort of emotional side, that upheaval.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28How have the boys taken to life up here?
0:22:28 > 0:22:29The boys have taken it really well.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I mean, they had three or four months to prepare themselves for it,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and, actually, since they've been up here,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36they've hardly watched any television at all.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39They've been outside in the barn, they've been in the paddock.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41You know, they've been playing around, exploring everywhere.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43So they've really got into it.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45A lot of people, when they move,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48they have their bribe, to make it easier for the kids.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51How have you bribed, or incentivised, your lads
0:22:51 > 0:22:53for the big move up here?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- We had a little list, didn't we? Before we moved up.- You did?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59There's a couple of things on there. Certainly a trampoline was on there.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- Yeah.- Tick. That's done. - That's easy.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03The big thing was a puppy.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- You've got a puppy?!- It's coming.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- It's coming on Monday.- Is it? - Four days, yeah.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- It's all part of this country existence, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I mean, it is a bit of a cliche, going to the countryside and...
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- But cliches exist because they're sometimes so right.- Yeah.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18They're so agreeable with everyday life, aren't they?
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Yes, we joke it's for the boys and it's for me,
0:23:20 > 0:23:26companion during the day and another girl in the family, so, yeah...
0:23:26 > 0:23:28You're trying to balance things out a bit, are you?
0:23:28 > 0:23:29Right, good luck.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Despite only moving in a few weeks ago,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34they've already unpacked their boxes,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37and Kris and Kat are showing me around.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39The reception room with log burner
0:23:39 > 0:23:42has been turned into a family-friendly living space.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45And the bedrooms have already been rearranged
0:23:45 > 0:23:47to welcome visiting friends.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48I'm particularly eager to see
0:23:48 > 0:23:51if they're making use of the detached stone barn,
0:23:51 > 0:23:54one of the property's real selling points.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Oh, hello.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Have the owners left this, or have you bought another one?
0:23:58 > 0:23:59Yeah. They left it behind.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02You've got a dart board up, music over there.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04Yeah, proper party room.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05We've got some friends coming this weekend.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07There is a beer festival on in the village,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11and then we'll come back here and get the children to bed.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13- We've got the fridge. - You've got a fridge there as well!
0:24:13 > 0:24:14It's going to be perfect.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Little bit chilly, but maybe some heaters at some point.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19That was going to be one of my questions, actually,
0:24:19 > 0:24:20because you've got all this space.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23You said you were initially going to be missing your friends -
0:24:23 > 0:24:27you've surely got a home that people want to come up and visit.
0:24:27 > 0:24:28We hope so.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30That's what really hoping, just have visitors
0:24:30 > 0:24:31and friends locally as well.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34- What's your social calendar like? - Yeah, it's pretty busy now.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35- Fully booked up till Christmas. - Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38It may serve as a great entertaining space for now,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41but the barn also has some obvious project potential.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43You've got some plumbing through there as well.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- You've got a basin... - There's a loo and a basin.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48There's a place for a cooker down there cos there's a cooker point,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51so it's got everything there ready to go.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I mean, don't tell the boys, but, you know,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57this has got self-catering unit written all over it, hasn't it?
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Yeah, definitely. That's one of the thoughts that we've got.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01- Holiday let... - We're not going to rush into it,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04but clearly it is potential to do a lot of things with the space.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Yeah, it will be hard to give up but, you know...
0:25:06 > 0:25:11But, you know, you give this up, you've got plenty of outside space.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13And it was the land, with its equestrian potential,
0:25:13 > 0:25:15that really reminded Kat of her childhood
0:25:15 > 0:25:19and made her fall in love with the property.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20She's yet to get a horse,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22but their one-acre paddock and stabling block
0:25:22 > 0:25:24have been prepped and readied.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- Did you clean this up a bit, no? - Yeah.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30So I thoroughly cleaned it out, got mask, goggles, hat,
0:25:30 > 0:25:31swept everything.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34There was lots of cobwebs and dust, which is good,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37it felt good to do a bit of clearing out.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38- One loose box here.- Yes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40There used to be a second here,
0:25:40 > 0:25:44so we're going to get a new front in, a stable door there,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46and then tack room, which is all lockable.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Then you've got obviously space for tying up said horse there.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- The only thing missing here is a horse.- Yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- What's the plan? - Well, all in good time, really.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Eventually you'd like to ride again. - Yeah.- Would you?
0:25:58 > 0:26:00I've been out for a couple of rides
0:26:00 > 0:26:03with the girl who's got two horses next door,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- and she's really kindly taken me out.- Oh, really?
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Yeah, it's been lovely. Really nice.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Kat was also keen to grow her own produce -
0:26:12 > 0:26:15something she didn't have the scope to do back in London.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17She's definitely got that space here,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19and luckily for her, she's been able to take over
0:26:19 > 0:26:22a well-stocked greenhouse and kitchen garden
0:26:22 > 0:26:23from the previous owner.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26You can't take credit for what we're seeing at the moment, can you?
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- Not at all!- Did you inherit much?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30I mean, it looks like the owners were keen gardeners.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Absolutely. She was a really keen gardener
0:26:32 > 0:26:35and obviously got tomatoes here, there were some more tomatoes.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Cucumber plant here -
0:26:37 > 0:26:39we had a couple of cucumbers when we first moved in.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42There's lots of herbs, so we've got sage.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- Have you had to learn a bit now? - Oh, yeah!
0:26:44 > 0:26:47So, my mother and Kris's grandma
0:26:47 > 0:26:50gave me some tips for the raspberry canes, in terms of what to do,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53because they'd all finished, so what you have to do there,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55and obviously these are nearly finished.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57But, actually, if you look here, there's going to be some coming up.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- These must be a different breed of tomato!- They are so tasty.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03The little ones are really tasty. You should try one, actually.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Well, this is how you get the boys into this sort of...
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Well, no, they don't like them, actually.- Really?!
0:27:07 > 0:27:10No! I'm going to try and get them to like them.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11- Here, try that.- Oh, lovely. Thank you.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13This is what I do - I go to people's house
0:27:13 > 0:27:15who we've helped find a house for them
0:27:15 > 0:27:17and I eat their tomatoes, that's my job.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Well, this is thanks to the previous owner. But really tasty.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- They are REALLY sweet. Oh! There are gorgeous.- Yeah.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Although Kat and Kris have only been in their new property for a month,
0:27:28 > 0:27:31they already seem right at home.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34Later on, I'll be finding out how their sons, Ollie and Sam,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37are adjusting to their new country life.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39What is your favourite thing about
0:27:39 > 0:27:41living out here in the countryside, do you think?
0:27:41 > 0:27:43- The wildlife.- Really?- Yeah.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46And to kick-start their gardening ambitions,
0:27:46 > 0:27:48we'll be visiting Beningbrough Hall
0:27:48 > 0:27:51to sample the potential fruits of their labours.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Oh, I'm off.- Come on, Kat! Give it some.- Give it some muscle!
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Who needs a gym subscription?
0:27:57 > 0:27:59See, you moved to the countryside, mate,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02I knew I'd get you maypole dancing.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- Well, cheers, then. ALL:- Cheers!
0:28:08 > 0:28:12But, coming up before that, here are a couple of highlights
0:28:12 > 0:28:15from our other house-hunting success stories in Yorkshire.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17It's always fantastic to hear from our buyers
0:28:17 > 0:28:21who made that all-important offer on a house we showed them
0:28:21 > 0:28:23and went on to buy their country home.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Way back in the spring of 2010,
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Alistair Appleton was property searching
0:28:30 > 0:28:34with retirees Alan and Linda from Taunton, Somerset,
0:28:34 > 0:28:35who were downsizing and heading north
0:28:35 > 0:28:39to the rural surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42I think one of our favourite pastimes is walking,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45just enjoying the views and the countryside.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49What we would like is to be able to look out of the window
0:28:49 > 0:28:51and to be able to walk from home, almost.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56They wanted their £375,000 budget
0:28:56 > 0:28:58to deliver a cosy three-bedroom property
0:28:58 > 0:29:02with a large kitchen-diner and lots of hiking opportunities.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06So, when Alistair took them to the market town of Settle
0:29:06 > 0:29:08on the edge of the Dales National Park,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11this Victorian stone cottage showed real promise.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- Well, from the outside, it looks very nice.- It does look really nice.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17And it's in such a lovely position, by the green.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19It's certainly a solid-looking building.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22The main body of the building is from the 1840s.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25- It's not going to fall down any time soon.- No. That's right.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27I think you're going to love the inside.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29- OK.- Let's hope so.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31Alistair's confidence was well placed,
0:29:31 > 0:29:35as this home boasted the large open-plan kitchen they were after.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Come on in.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40- Wow.- What do you think about this?
0:29:40 > 0:29:43It's a fantastic kitchen. I love it, absolutely love it.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48- And the dining area is a nice size. - It's so light, isn't it?
0:29:48 > 0:29:52It's light and bright and been beautifully done up.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54I love it.
0:29:54 > 0:29:56- You're speechless, Linda.- I am.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- And... Is that a tear you were wiping away?- Yes.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Really? Do you really like it that much?
0:30:02 > 0:30:04It's lovely.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Aw! I love it when...
0:30:07 > 0:30:09- That's wonderful.- Oh, don't!
0:30:09 > 0:30:13It was clear this house tour was becoming an emotional experience.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's very nice.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17So, this is the totality of your downstairs space.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- Yeah, I could live with that quite easily.- Yeah.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- Not crying in this room. - No, no. I'll contain myself.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26I think the combination of the two rooms is just ideal.
0:30:26 > 0:30:27It's just what we wanted.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30You've got a light and airy modern space to live in there
0:30:30 > 0:30:34and a cosy, older-style feel in the lounge.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38Upstairs, they awarded top marks to the family bathroom.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- Brilliant. - That's perfect.- Perfect.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44We have "perfect" we had tears, we have "perfect" -
0:30:44 > 0:30:46it's very good.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48And with a total of three bedrooms,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51the view from the master completed that perfect picture.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53The views out to the green.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56The green AND the beginning of the Dales.
0:30:56 > 0:30:57It's lovely.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02The small garden was surrounded with traditional dry-stone walling.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06But would this all fit within their £375,000 price limit?
0:31:08 > 0:31:11Perhaps if I pitched this one at 340,000?
0:31:11 > 0:31:14Yeah, I'm inclined to say about 340 as well.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16- You're both being very optimistic. - Oh!
0:31:16 > 0:31:20- It's on the market for 365,000. - Right.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23I know we both love this house, don't we?
0:31:23 > 0:31:25It just feels right for us.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28It just seems this is what downsizing is about.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Linda and Alan were true to their word,
0:31:30 > 0:31:32bought that charming cottage
0:31:32 > 0:31:35and are now enjoying their rural life in Settle.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41A year later, in the autumn of 2011,
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Jules Hudson was on a house search mission
0:31:43 > 0:31:46with Stuart and Tracy from Twickenham, London.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50They had left their jobs in the city with the aim of working freelance
0:31:50 > 0:31:53and returning to the Yorkshire countryside to be close to family.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Welcome back to Yorkshire.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- Cos this is your patch, isn't it? - Yes.- It's home.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- What do the family think about it? - Um...
0:32:02 > 0:32:03- Go on.- They don't know.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08We haven't told them. It's a big surprise for them.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11Armed with their budget of £700,000,
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Jules hoped to make that big surprise a reality
0:32:14 > 0:32:16and helped them pinpoint a detached house
0:32:16 > 0:32:19with up to four bedrooms, along with a large, sociable kitchen.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Close to the village of Bishopthorpe, they had
0:32:22 > 0:32:26this extended late-19th-century farmhouse to look at.
0:32:26 > 0:32:32Now, a little bird has told me that you have spotted this online.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34- We did. - But you haven't been inside it yet.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35No.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36So, tell me, what was it about this
0:32:36 > 0:32:39that attracted you from the pictures that you've seen?
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Well, initially, the location.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45And then I think the fact that it's got a nice driveway,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48it's set in own plot, which is something you really like.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50- Yeah.- Old-style bricks.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53So, yes, we do like stone-built, but this is old-style brick,
0:32:53 > 0:32:55which is also really attractive to us.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Could this be the one? Come on, let's have a look.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01After promising signs outside,
0:33:01 > 0:33:04it was time to see if the interior layout
0:33:04 > 0:33:07would furnish them with the space they were after.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12- Well, let's see how this matches up to your expectations of it.- Yes.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Come on in, Stuart.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18- Nice and light. This is what I would call a Christmas tree hallway.- Yes.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21- Where you can put your big Christmas tree.- Yep.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Come and have a look in the kitchen.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29So, what do we think of this?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- Very nice.- That's nice, yes.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- Is it wide enough put an island in? - I knew that was coming.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36I was waiting for the whole island...
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I suppose you wonder about whether you want to ruin the flow through,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42but I don't think we should discount the idea of an island.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44I think we may be trying it.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51Not only was the kitchen the bright and airy space they wanted,
0:33:51 > 0:33:53it flowed through to a conservatory.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56And there were even more sociable reception spaces
0:33:56 > 0:34:00with a formal dining room leading into an enormous sitting room.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03- This is a lovely size, isn't it? - Yeah, it's wonderful.
0:34:03 > 0:34:04It would be tremendous for parties, I think.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08Parties, Christmas, hosting Christmas for the family.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11We've got about 20 years of catching up to do on that.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15The property also had plenty of other areas
0:34:15 > 0:34:17for family and friends to chill out in,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19with an additional reception room on the ground floor.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24Upstairs there were four bedrooms as well as a family bathroom
0:34:24 > 0:34:26along with a massive master en suite.
0:34:27 > 0:34:31So, how has this sort of matched your expectations so far?
0:34:31 > 0:34:34There's a broad grin. Don't fight it. Go on.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40Um... Matched, if not exceeded my expectations.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42- And Stuart? - It's a really nice house.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Wrapped up in a splendid half-acre plot,
0:34:45 > 0:34:47it met their property requirements,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50if they could decide it was worth investing in.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52- This is ideal.- Beautiful. - Absolutely ideal.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I mean, is this the sort of garden you would be prepared to take on?
0:34:55 > 0:34:57How green-fingered are you?
0:34:57 > 0:34:59I think Tracy only needs to spend a couple of hours a day
0:34:59 > 0:35:01and this would be fine.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03Love it. Got his own back there, didn't he?
0:35:03 > 0:35:04I love it. Yeah.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06Now then, the price.
0:35:06 > 0:35:07You have seen it online -
0:35:07 > 0:35:09do you remember what it was on the market for?
0:35:09 > 0:35:10Remind us.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14£695,000.
0:35:14 > 0:35:15The space is great.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19I can imagine living here, entertaining friends here,
0:35:19 > 0:35:20having my family here.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22Just everything about it adds up, really.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24I absolutely love it.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28I'm happy to report that they did decide to buy that enticing property
0:35:28 > 0:35:32and have enjoyed being reconnected to their Yorkshire roots ever since.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37So two more happy outcomes there from our property-searching efforts.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45But of course securing a new home is just the first step of building
0:35:45 > 0:35:47a fresh life in the country.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51We are back in North Yorkshire with Kris and Kat.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I have already seen how they are successful in the throes
0:35:54 > 0:35:57of settling into that magnificent period property I showed them.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01As they're branching out into home-grown produce,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04we've arranged to get some local fruit-growing advice
0:36:04 > 0:36:06at nearby Beningbrough Hall,
0:36:06 > 0:36:11a 300-year-old stately home now in the hands of the National Trust.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Gardener Mark Pethullis has tended the kitchen garden here
0:36:14 > 0:36:16for over 20 years,
0:36:16 > 0:36:20including caring for a community orchard planted by local families.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- Hello, Mark.- Hello. - Good to see you.- And you.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26This is Kris and Kat, who I told you about.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27Hi. Morning.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30Mark, this is a beautiful garden.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31It feels very formally set out.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33How long has it been in this shape and form?
0:36:33 > 0:36:36Some bits have been here a long time, some are relatively new.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38The orchard was only planted in 2009. 2010.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40I mean, there is a lot to this garden.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42I imagine it obviously served the big house here.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Yes, the kitchen garden, particularly,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46the walled garden was all cultivated originally.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48This was historically called a slip garden,
0:36:48 > 0:36:50so it was vegetables and fruit.
0:36:50 > 0:36:51I think, during the war,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53a lot of the lawns were dug up to grow vegetables,
0:36:53 > 0:36:54the Dig For Victory effort.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57So it's had a mixed history.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00The mid to late 19th century was the heyday for the gardens
0:37:00 > 0:37:02when up to a dozen gardeners
0:37:02 > 0:37:04maximised fruit and vegetable production
0:37:04 > 0:37:07to serve the appetites of the grand house.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- You've got apple trees at your place now, haven't you?- Yeah.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12A little but unsure as to how to look after the tree.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14- Any advice you can give? - Is it an old tree?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- It is an older tree.- Winter and summer pruning comes into it.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Winter pruning is taking the thicker wood out
0:37:19 > 0:37:22to try and rejuvenate the tree, get new growth come in.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Also helps get rid of the dead and diseased wood.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26Summer pruning is what we've been doing with these -
0:37:26 > 0:37:27shortening the new growth back.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30That encourages the fruit tree to produce more flower buds.
0:37:30 > 0:37:31What type of tree do we have here?
0:37:31 > 0:37:33This is an old variety called Dog's Snout.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35It's called that, presumably, cos of the point on it,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37which somebody thought looked like a dog's nose.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40You'll notice that one has got quite a waxy coating on it,
0:37:40 > 0:37:41and that just protects it from bad weather.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45This garden now contains 48 different varieties of apple.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50Much of the crop makes its way to the visitor shop and restaurant.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Today we're gathering a late-season harvest,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55and our yield is being added to some apples and pears
0:37:55 > 0:37:58that were picked earlier to make some fresh juice.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- We're getting close to the business here, aren't we?- We are.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04- This is a press, I take it? - Apple press, yes.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07You can press anything in it, vegetables, tomatoes, pears.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10- We do apples and pears, mainly.- OK.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- So these are going to go into...? - Chop them into quarters.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16If you put the whole apples in, they don't go together very well
0:38:16 > 0:38:17- and you get a lot of wasted space. - Right.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21We find that sometimes we mix different apples
0:38:21 > 0:38:23and you get an interesting mix - no two batches are the same.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25So you can mix it? Putting pears in...
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Yes, every single batch is a different colour, different flavour.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30But also, just chopping these different types of apples,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33the knife went through this Dog's Snout in a very different way.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35It felt almost pear-like going through.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38Some of the apples are very soft, and they do get sweeter in storage.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Some apples are much nicer when stored for a few weeks.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42- Have we got enough here to play around with?- Should be fine.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Put them in the mincer.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46The next stage is to grind them down a bit.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49The more of a pulp you get, the more juice you get out of it.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51So minced apples, you get more juice.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53MACHINERY CLATTERS
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- Come on, Kat! Give it some. - Come on! Give it some muscle.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Sometimes you get the odd apple that gets lodged.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01- Just go backwards slightly.- OK. - And back again.- OK, I've got you.
0:39:01 > 0:39:02Just to free it off.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06You've got a big apple tree - you better get used to this.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08I was just thinking that I'd quite like to have one of these,
0:39:08 > 0:39:09and now maybe not!
0:39:09 > 0:39:11Who needs a gym subscription?
0:39:15 > 0:39:18The next stage is to place a disc of wood, called a cheese,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21on top of the apples, engage a locking pin
0:39:21 > 0:39:23and turn the press.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25So, you moved to the countryside, mate -
0:39:25 > 0:39:27I knew I'd get you maypole dancing.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Have we not got a little Shetland we can just attach to this?
0:39:30 > 0:39:32You can stand in one place and do it like a rowing motion.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34It's a bit worn, but you can try that.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37- That's better.- Come on.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40This large press was acquired around 15 years ago
0:39:40 > 0:39:43from a home-brewing supplier at a cost of several hundred pounds.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- How much juice can you get out of one press?- Well, a full barrel.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49On a good day, maybe get five or six litres.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54And now all that's left to do is taste the fruits of our labour.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57We've stood next to the apple tree, picked the apples,
0:39:57 > 0:39:58pressed them straightaway.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59- And here we are.- Here we are.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- You can see where it has come from, can't you?- Yeah.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03- Well, cheers, then. ALL:- Cheers.
0:40:06 > 0:40:07Mm, that's delicious. Really good.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10I could probably drink more of this
0:40:10 > 0:40:13than I would normal apple juice you buy
0:40:13 > 0:40:14because it's not too sweet,
0:40:14 > 0:40:16it's got that sort of tartness to it.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17It's really fresh.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Well, the apple juice is absolutely splendid,
0:40:19 > 0:40:21and I hope you two have been inspired
0:40:21 > 0:40:24- to make use of all those wonderful fruit trees you've got.- Definitely.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26I'm going to have a bit more of this - it's beautiful.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28Having gained some useful tips
0:40:28 > 0:40:31on how to make the most of their home-grown produce,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34I'm finishing off my visit back at Kris and Kat's house.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Their boys, Ollie and Sam, have only known life in the city,
0:40:39 > 0:40:41so I'm keen to find out how they're settling in
0:40:41 > 0:40:42to their new surroundings.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44I tell you what, Kris,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46you've got to be loving having a bit of space like this, haven't you?
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Yeah, it's fantastic.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51The boys come up here, they play on the swing.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53It's fantastic being outside.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55We could never have had this in London.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57Have they said anything about having this extra space?
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Have they made any telling comments?
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- The boys?- Yeah.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04No... I mean...they love it. The conker tree. They...
0:41:04 > 0:41:07The smiles speak for themselves, though, don't they?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Yeah, I mean, look at them. They're going crazy over there.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11So, how was school today, boys?
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- Good.- Good?- Yeah.
0:41:15 > 0:41:16Well, it is school, isn't it?
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Have you made any new friends at school yet?
0:41:18 > 0:41:20- Yeah.- Kind of.- Kind of?
0:41:20 > 0:41:22Who's your new mates, then, Ollie?
0:41:22 > 0:41:27Alfie, Oscar, Lucas. I can't remember...
0:41:27 > 0:41:30There's a whole tribe of you, isn't there? Loads of you.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32The boys are doing well.
0:41:32 > 0:41:33They're making friends and settling in.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- I forgot Benji.- Benji.- There we go.
0:41:35 > 0:41:37It is a roll call, isn't it?
0:41:37 > 0:41:40So, Sam, what is your favourite thing about living out here
0:41:40 > 0:41:41in the countryside, do you think?
0:41:43 > 0:41:44The wildlife.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46- Really?- Yeah.- Like what?
0:41:46 > 0:41:50Like more fields...
0:41:50 > 0:41:53and, well, definitely more animals.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Fantastic. You like the animals, do you?
0:41:55 > 0:41:58Yes. More less houses.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01Less houses! Yeah, well, that's what it's all about, isn't it?
0:42:01 > 0:42:03You don't want too many houses around, do you?
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Otherwise it wouldn't be the countryside.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Correct answer.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Listen, you don't want to be talking to two grown-ups for too long.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11We'll let you boys go and have some fun.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- We're going to go inside for a bit. - Bye.- See you in a bit.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18It's early days,
0:42:18 > 0:42:22but the whole family seem to be embracing rural life.
0:42:22 > 0:42:23And they've already put things in place
0:42:23 > 0:42:28to make the transition from city to country as smooth as possible.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34The time I spend with our house-hunters means that
0:42:34 > 0:42:38I'm always really invested in their move to the countryside.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41And whilst it's still only early days for Kris and Kat,
0:42:41 > 0:42:43you can clearly see it's had a positive impact on
0:42:43 > 0:42:44not just their lives,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47but also on the lives of their two young boys.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50And, who knows, maybe what they have just done can inspire
0:42:50 > 0:42:54many other people to make their move to the countryside themselves.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56I wish them all the very best of luck.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00If you dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03England or Northern Ireland, and would also like our help,
0:43:03 > 0:43:05why not apply online?