0:00:02 > 0:00:04Making the move from city to countryside
0:00:04 > 0:00:06is often a momentous step.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09Never in a million years I would imagine I'd be seeing
0:00:09 > 0:00:11a house like this, never, ever.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13But, for many years, Escape To The Country has been
0:00:13 > 0:00:15supporting 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? - Oh, my! Chocolate box!
0:00:22 > 0:00:26'We'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, how pretty is that?
0:00:35 > 0:00:37'..that our buyers just couldn't resist.'
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Seriously, get your chequebook out now!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...
0:00:47 > 0:00:49I like the house. It looks very cottagey.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52..to find out how the move changed their lives
0:00:52 > 0:00:54when they escaped to the country.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Today I'm in Sussex,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18surrounded by the Regent grape which will soon be turned into wine.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Now, the warm climate down here in this part of the world
0:01:21 > 0:01:23provides perfect growing conditions,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27similar to those found in the Champagne region of France.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And it's just this wonderful weather that provided the catalyst for a
0:01:30 > 0:01:34couple of Escape To The Country house-hunters who wanted to move
0:01:34 > 0:01:37south from Glasgow to this beautiful part of the world.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42And it's the coastal county of East Sussex where I'll be retracing
0:01:42 > 0:01:46my steps with retired lecturers Paul and Tony,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48one year on from our house search together.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53For them, the move was all about a new home with business potential.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57I'll be catching up with them both in the midst of realising
0:01:57 > 0:01:58their grand country ambition.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02I always enjoy coming down here to Sussex,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05and that's not just because of the weather and the wine.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08The region has great cycling and hiking opportunities,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10a fantastically rich history,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14plus a striking coastline overlooking the English Channel.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17No wonder, then, it's so popular with people looking
0:02:17 > 0:02:18to escape to the country.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22So, for Tony and Paul, the counties of East and West Sussex offered
0:02:22 > 0:02:26the perfect environment for their long journey south from Glasgow.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Back in the summer of 2015, it was Chris Froome who was grabbing the
0:02:31 > 0:02:35headlines when he became the first Briton to win the Tour de France for
0:02:35 > 0:02:40a second time. But the big headline for Tony and Paul was a planned move
0:02:40 > 0:02:44away from Glasgow to make their first house purchase together.
0:02:44 > 0:02:50And for American Tony in particular, he was hoping for warmer climes.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54I was born in Florida and lived most of my life in the south of the US.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00So coming to a place where you have to heat on and the fire on in June
0:03:00 > 0:03:01is quite an adjustment!
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Recently retired from their jobs as university lecturers, they were
0:03:06 > 0:03:10hoping for a sunnier existence close to the sea in Sussex.
0:03:10 > 0:03:16I know the south coast because my mother lived there and visiting her,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18coming from here, always sunny.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22I expect to spend more time outside, and be able to entertain
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- in the garden.- They wanted to extend their hosting skills further
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and offer bed and breakfast to paying guests.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33I'm prepared that it's going to be different.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36It's a challenge and if you don't challenge yourself,
0:03:36 > 0:03:37you just stagnate.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43They had a clear vision of what they wanted from their new lifestyle
0:03:43 > 0:03:46in the country, so we all met up in their chosen area
0:03:46 > 0:03:49to get property shopping underway.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51This is your retirement you're looking down the barrel of?
0:03:51 > 0:03:53Yes, I'm just very recently retired.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56He's much older than me, so he's been retired for some time!
0:03:56 > 0:03:58So, what are you going to do?
0:03:58 > 0:04:02Well, I'm hoping to do some B&B to keep from annoying him all the time.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04So I'll have something to keep me busy.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08How low-key can we make this B&B business?
0:04:08 > 0:04:09Pretty low-key.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14I think the thing is it would be nice to have some money from B&B,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17which was also an occupation that we enjoyed.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20It really is going to be a part-time thing.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21What about the property itself?
0:04:21 > 0:04:23What does it look like in your mind's eye?
0:04:23 > 0:04:25I like the idea of a very old place,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29and there are some of those around here. I want a garden.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31You want to grow things in your garden?
0:04:31 > 0:04:32Yes. And we want to have flowers,
0:04:32 > 0:04:34we want to have a tiny bit of vegetables.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37But not so big that you need a ride-on mower.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39He would be treacherous on a ride-on mower!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- Right, OK. - Well, yeah.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43How many bedrooms do you want?
0:04:43 > 0:04:47I would say three bedrooms and a study, or four bedrooms.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49How much money are you looking to spend?
0:04:49 > 0:04:50600,000.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52But we're willing to take on a bit of a project.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Well, I've got a good idea of what you're looking for.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- Let's get started. Come with me. - Right, OK.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Paul and Tony had set a budget of £600,000,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05and for that they were after three to four bedrooms,
0:05:05 > 0:05:06with B&B potential,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10plus a pleasant garden, and of course, proximity to the coast.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Well, I thought Paul and Tony's wish list was fairly straightforward.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Even with the requirement of having B&B accommodation, I was confident
0:05:20 > 0:05:23of showing them everything they asked for within their budget.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27And, with the first property, I was able to show them a house
0:05:27 > 0:05:31that was beautiful outside, but had bags of character inside.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Our search kicked off in the village of Ninfield,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37just four miles from the sea.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41The village offered a good selection of amenities including a store and
0:05:41 > 0:05:45post office and traditional pubs. Chock-full of quaint properties,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49the one chosen as the first in our selection was this single-storey
0:05:49 > 0:05:52classic Sussex style brick and flint cottage,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54thought to date back to the 1800s.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58And first reactions to the facade were extremely encouraging
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- from Paul.- I like the house, I like the look of it from the outside.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05It looks very cottagey cos of the style of the garden.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- With the steps. - Well, the house itself is.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Now, Tony, what's going through your mind?
0:06:09 > 0:06:12It's all on one level, which is not a bad thing at all.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14He's not getting any younger, so...
0:06:14 > 0:06:18- Hey!- I like the flint on the outside, and the tile.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20So the first impressions sound pretty good?
0:06:20 > 0:06:21Pretty good.
0:06:21 > 0:06:26Once inside, Tony started weighing up the living areas for them
0:06:26 > 0:06:27and those for the B&B.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31My initial impression is this would be ours
0:06:31 > 0:06:33and the guests would be elsewhere.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36So this is our private space, this is our space to enjoy.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Let's see how nice the rest of it is before we give it up!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Down the hallway, a large reception room packed with period features
0:06:44 > 0:06:48seemed to offer the ideal space to serve their guests.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51For a B&B, this would be perfect. It's a lounge for the guests,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55"sit down and eat for breakfast" area for the guests,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59and it's separate so they don't feel like they're underfoot,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01but it's also convenient.
0:07:01 > 0:07:07Since we're actually thinking about doing the B&B as not the main core
0:07:07 > 0:07:11of our life, then even if this was where the guests were,
0:07:11 > 0:07:13we would be here a lot.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15And the house continued to deliver when it came to
0:07:15 > 0:07:19the sleeping quarters, with a generous total of four bedrooms.
0:07:19 > 0:07:24Now, let's start with what I think would be your master bedroom.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25Yes, it is very nice.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- Big enough?- Yes.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31- Definitely.- So this, I think, would remain your bedroom.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- OK? Let's keep walking through.- OK.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38- That's the fourth bedroom or study. - Mm-hm.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42OK. Now you've got a really nice family bathroom in here.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Oh, yes. - I love the 1920s look of it.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48Yeah. Double bedroom here.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Separate access to outside there.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52Oh, OK. That's a good idea.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56And then you've got yet another bedroom here.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59That's a good... It's exactly the same size as the other one.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02- Well, nearly, anyway.- As a guest, you'd be pretty happy with this,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- wouldn't you?- Oh, yes.- The view, with the storage, certainly.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Outside, a large detached garage had lapsed planning permission to be
0:08:10 > 0:08:12converted into a two-bedroom annexe.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16The garden offered raised beds and a greenhouse,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19plus outdoor entertaining options on the patio.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23With half an acre to play with, it met Paul's approval.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26This is absolutely a perfect size of garden.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29So all that remained was to find out if they could afford it
0:08:29 > 0:08:31on their £600,000 budget.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39I'm going to take a stab at 565, with my fingers crossed.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I think it's 580.
0:08:41 > 0:08:49The estate agent is asking for between £575,000 and £625,000.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53All in all, this large, characterful single-storey home was a very
0:08:53 > 0:08:56positive introduction to our East Sussex house-hunt.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00I like the house. I really do.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03It's cute, without being cutesy.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06It's period without being restrictive.
0:09:06 > 0:09:07It's all got potential.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11Liveability for us, if it were just for us,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14would be pretty close to spot-on.
0:09:14 > 0:09:19However, to make it into a B&B with en-suite bathrooms,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21that would take some thought and some work,
0:09:21 > 0:09:25and, of course, a bit of money, so we'd have to really
0:09:25 > 0:09:30figure that in before we decided to go with this one.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34So, a good, solid start.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Great reactions from both Paul and Tony.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40I really thought the house had good potential for some B&B,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42and the guys certainly seemed to agree.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Plus that big garden, well, it was job done, surely?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48But I still had two more houses to show them.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54The next property was just outside the East Sussex town of Hailsham.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56With roots in the 13th century,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59this historic town had a lot to offer Paul and Tony,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01plus their prospective guests.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05And, mindful of their wish for a home and income,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08just a few minutes away from there was a 1930s house
0:10:08 > 0:10:11with an already up-and-running B&B.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15- First impressions? - Very nice.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19We want somewhere we can live and make a bit of money on the side,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- as they say. - Well, this could be that.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Come with me.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26A large reception room and adjoining conservatory meant guests
0:10:26 > 0:10:29were amply catered for. Big enough?
0:10:29 > 0:10:33It's big. First impressions, I want to walk towards that window,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35which is a good thing.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Yeah. - There's a nice brick fireplace.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- It's OK. - OK isn't necessarily a home...
0:10:40 > 0:10:43It's not singing and dancing in this room.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46- No.- But it may be I write my own music, as it were.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Well, there's nothing sweeter than the sound of cash in the till!
0:10:51 > 0:10:53That's maybe what this place can give to you.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- Let's keep walking round. - OK.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Tony and Paul could also enjoy a separate,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00private sitting-room in the owners' part.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02It's a nice, cosy space.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- For the way we live. - This is OK.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08This would be a nice size sanctuary.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- Would it? - Yeah.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14You've got a really nice, modern shower and loo room next door,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17and a lovely double bedroom.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19There was also a fair sized kitchen which could be a great asset
0:11:19 > 0:11:22for their hospitality aspirations.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27It's by no means open-plan, but it is a chef's paradise!
0:11:29 > 0:11:30Yes, it's got lots of bits.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35Eggs, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, bubble and squeak, black pudding!
0:11:35 > 0:11:37You forgot the blueberry pancakes.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Oh, that's in the oven, my friend!
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Could you work in this environment, then?
0:11:42 > 0:11:46It's definitely a workable kitchen, yes. Definitely workable.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49So, plenty of hob space for whipping up a full English,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51or even some American alternatives.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53And when it came to guest accommodation,
0:11:53 > 0:11:56with one further double bedroom on the ground floor
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and three more on the first floor,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01the current owner had built up a healthy B&B annual turnover
0:12:01 > 0:12:04of around £25,000.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07And this is your biggest room, and it's en-suite.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Right, that's a very nice size of room.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11It's a room you could spend time in.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- Yeah.- What I like is the business element is up here,
0:12:16 > 0:12:17we're down there.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Outside, half an acre of gardens included a patio area
0:12:22 > 0:12:28for dining outside, and a pond. Paul seemed awestruck by the perfect,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30impeccable landscaping here.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34The garden is really a sculptural masterpiece, I must say.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36I don't know how she keeps it in this order.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39I'm sort of fearfully thinking about doing it myself!
0:12:39 > 0:12:40- She's got a gardener. - Yes.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- Ah, very sensible! Yes. - You've had a look around -
0:12:43 > 0:12:46how much do you think this place is on the market for?
0:12:46 > 0:12:48I'm going to say it's probably a bit over our budget.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50I'm going to say 615.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52OK. Paul?
0:12:52 > 0:12:53I don't think it's as much as that.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55I would say 580.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Asking price is £600,000.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00OK.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03So we were right on target again, moneywise.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06And for that, Paul and Tony would bag a nice little earner,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08along with their new home.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12It's a very nice house. And the garden is wonderful.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Walking up to the property, it gave a wonderful impression.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19It's settled very nicely in the setting here,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23it's a really nice experience to walk around outside.
0:13:23 > 0:13:29The fact that this is obviously a successful B&B and a nice house is
0:13:29 > 0:13:33a bit of a trade-off to a beautiful house and a possible B&B.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40For the final property location,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43we headed across the border over to West Sussex,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45destined for the hamlet of Bilsham.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49But for this proposal, being a Mystery House,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52we took the business concern right out of the equation.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57Instead, I presented Paul and Tony with a 200-year-old brick and flint
0:13:57 > 0:14:00converted barn which originally housed livestock,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03but now simply offered them a stunning country home.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08Now, for our Mystery House, we are going along the conversion route.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- Indeed.- What say you? - Have the cattle moved out?
0:14:12 > 0:14:14- Yes, thank you. - The cattle have been converted.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Yeah. - The setting's wonderful.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19It is lovely. It really is.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23Quiet. The occasional sheep vocalising.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26First impressions, quite good.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28I'm withholding judgments.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29- Let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35Laid out in a flowing L-shape, the front door into the hallway
0:14:35 > 0:14:38led us into an impressive, modern kitchen diner.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42OK. Now, let's start in Tony's room.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Yes, yes. Nice layout, very open.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Good work surfaces.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51The kitchen is huge.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55If this was the heart of the home, it certainly would be a big heart.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57- That's certainly true. - And it just has to be that.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Just a kitchen diner.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01You've got a fantastic living room through there.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03- So, let me show you. - OK.- OK.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07I also like the fact that the living room can be made completely separate
0:15:07 > 0:15:09from the smells of burning next door.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- I like the living room. - Nicely proportioned.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- Right shape.- Lends itself to entertaining and relaxing.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20As you can tell with this Mystery House,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22the business element has taken very much a back seat.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Right. - I'm trying to be your best mate.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Yes!
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Well, except that I want to keep him out of my way, you know.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Well, that's why the kitchen's separate to here.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36The home was the star here rather than the business opportunity.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39But there was still space for guests, paying or otherwise,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42with two large, light and bright doubles,
0:15:42 > 0:15:48served by a sleek family bathroom, plus a feel-good master en-suite.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Nice size room. It's not cavernous.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- Good storage. - Look at the sunlight.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- Oh, I think it's really nice. - Private.- Very nice.- Yes.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01Outside, the walled garden included a greenhouse and large lawn.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06Now, garden-wise, for a pretty recent barn conversion development,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- you get loads here. - You could do something with it.
0:16:09 > 0:16:10It's big enough to do something with.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13There's some lovely history here. This, they used to be a structure.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- These old pillars.- Yeah. - The remains of the support there.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19And these were cattle sheds and so there'd be a dairy here, as well,
0:16:19 > 0:16:21as they were milked nearby.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- OK.- Right, right, right.- Now, before I ask you to guess the price,
0:16:24 > 0:16:25I will say one thing to you.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27- OK.- We've been in East Sussex.
0:16:27 > 0:16:28We are now in West Sussex.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31- More expensive.- With that in mind,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33how much is this house?
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Well, I'm going to be hopeful and say it's not too much over budget,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40and say 610.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- OK. - I think 625.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Well, your guess is a lot closer to the original asking price,
0:16:45 > 0:16:50but it's now been reduced to offers around £597,500.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52OK.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56This contemporary yet characterful Mystery House was finished to a very
0:16:56 > 0:17:00high standard, with scope for a B&B if they were willing to share
0:17:00 > 0:17:02the living space.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Never mind opening a B&B,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07just thinking about having friends come to stay.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09If it had one more bedroom...
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Just one more bedroom would be really good.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15The big advantage of this is there is certainly nothing to undo,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17and it's open to anything we want to do.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22So, in the end,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25which one of our houses did they press ahead with and buy?
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Admittedly, the first property was a project,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31but ultimately delivered on potential, with a home for them
0:17:31 > 0:17:35and B&B opportunities all under one roof.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Of course, it did have the draw of that half-acre garden, too.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42However, house two built on that, and presented both a garden that was
0:17:42 > 0:17:47in Paul's words, "Wonderful", and a ready-made business for Tony.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Or would they fall for the Mystery House,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53which would give them the most stylish home and could be reimagined
0:17:53 > 0:17:56to provide B&B possibilities?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58So, which one did they pick?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03House number one was a firm favourite. They liked it so much,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05they went ahead and bought it. DRILLING
0:18:05 > 0:18:08I'm looking forward to finding out what happened next.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12And by the sounds of it, they've got the builders in.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15It's over a year since I was last here, and although the exterior
0:18:15 > 0:18:18of this attractive property hasn't altered that much,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21there are signs that they have been ringing the changes inside.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27I'm interested to see what they've done and where.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29- Hi.- Oh, that was quick. Hello, gents, how are you?
0:18:29 > 0:18:31- You again! - Me again, yeah, sorry.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33I don't know whether to say congratulations or apologise
0:18:33 > 0:18:36for what I've got you into. But you look like you've been busy.
0:18:36 > 0:18:37The garden looks a bit tidier.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40It's tidy, yes. And also the back garden's pretty tidy, too.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Now, I was hoping to smell fresh coffee, I can't smell fresh coffee.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Well, there is fresh coffee.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Come on, then! Brilliant, thank you very much.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48- OK. - Thanks, Tony.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52I may not be able to smell that coffee yet,
0:18:52 > 0:18:56but the waft of paint and sawdust is clearly in the air,
0:18:56 > 0:18:58and there's definitely a transformation underway
0:18:58 > 0:18:59in the kitchen.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06So, things have changed a wee bit in here.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08Because Tony's altered quite a bit.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- Yeah. - One of the things we got rid of...
0:19:10 > 0:19:12The oil-fired range, do you remember that?
0:19:12 > 0:19:14- Yeah.- You went on and on about how wonderful it was.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15- Well, they are, aren't they? - Well,
0:19:15 > 0:19:18you have to put them on on Tuesday to cook a sausage on Wednesday.
0:19:18 > 0:19:19- But, yeah, OK. - Not just that,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22but there was no room for our fridge freezer in here.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25And we do know the Americans like their big fridge freezers, don't we?
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- There it is.- Yeah, this is a lot more contemporary.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- Is this new as well, is it? - Well, no.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- It's been redone.- That was what's there before, but it's been redone.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- And it's going to be huge. - A big range. Dual fuel range.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Well, you put pressure on yourselves to do some cooking now, then.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- Oh, yeah. - Him, actually. He's the cook.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43- Well, you're the chef, aren't you, really?- Yes, yes, he is.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Still can't see that coffee.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- Ah, well, if you go on through there.- Oh, lovely.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Tony and Paul are just six weeks into a substantial
0:19:53 > 0:19:56renovation project, and the cuppa will have to wait as they're keen
0:19:56 > 0:19:58to show me how the works are progressing.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02'But one room in their house, quite rightly,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05'retains its characterful charm.'
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Now, this, I think, was the show stopper, wasn't it?
0:20:07 > 0:20:08- Yes. - This is a lovely room.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13It looks olde worlde, without being cutesy.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14What's to do with it?
0:20:14 > 0:20:16I mean, you just... You just want to move into it and make the most of
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- it, don't you? - Yeah, it's just a nice, warm room.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21The panelling, the dining space.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24In the winter time, that's where we sit.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27On either side of the fireplace.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29This has been our refuge while all the construction's been going on.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32This is the safe haven, isn't it? Now and then, I hear building work.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Whatever's going on down at end of the building.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36I've seen your kitchen, that looks pretty much there.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38You've done some work there. So, this is...
0:20:38 > 0:20:40This is your own room where you can just be yourselves.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42This is a room that hasn't changed, and won't change.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44But there's still work to be done elsewhere.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- A lot of work to be done elsewhere. - Yes.- And...- Wait till you see.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- Oh, yeah.- Well, show me. - All right. Let's do that, yeah.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51Aside from the reception areas,
0:20:51 > 0:20:54there are plenty of changes underway in the sleeping quarters,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58which is where the business side of things comes into play.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01And they have even created an area to use as a dining room
0:21:01 > 0:21:03for their planned B&B.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Well, now, this is it, isn't it?
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Fresh... I love fresh plaster.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10You know things are happening when you see fresh plaster.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14You may remember that this was a rather narrow, dark, long hallway.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Here, there was a wall.
0:21:16 > 0:21:22- Yeah.- And then a WC and a shower and a small room.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23So, we put them all together.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26I do remember that cabinet!
0:21:26 > 0:21:28I remember thinking it was absolutely glorious, but it was...
0:21:28 > 0:21:29It was in a tiny room.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32It was in a very small room, it was described as a fourth bedroom,
0:21:32 > 0:21:33which was a bit optimistic.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- Yeah, it never really was a fourth bed, was it?- Yes.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37You've actually got a much more usable space.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40This is... This is actually a usable reception room.
0:21:40 > 0:21:46We have a lounge area there and this cabinet was actually the inspiration
0:21:46 > 0:21:47for opening the whole thing up.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50That's made this house feel completely different to me.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54We can actually have a dining table here for breakfast.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Yeah. So, where will be guests stay then?
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Cos I seem to remember the bedroom accommodation being this end.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- Yeah. - Yeah, let's show you.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02- OK. Lead the way. - OK, let's go.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06They're adding en-suite bathrooms to two double bedrooms
0:22:06 > 0:22:09to make letting rooms for B&B guests.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12They've also been busy reconfiguring their own master bedroom to add
0:22:12 > 0:22:14an en-suite to that, as well.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Now... Oh, it's a good space still.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Yes.- But it was bigger before, wasn't it?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22This is the en-suite corner.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24What we've actually done is done a curve around.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28Quite a reasonable space in here to actually have quite a big shower.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30And we've still got these beams.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33And the beam continues through here, and we tried to reveal the beams.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35I've not seen a bed yet - where are you sleeping?
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Well, at the moment, we actually had to move out.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41We really couldn't sustain being in here.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42They knocked down lots of walls,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45they were redoing the entire central heating system
0:22:45 > 0:22:47and we're insulating lots of places.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52So, essentially, it's a complete transformation.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54When do you think you might be open for business, then?
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- When's the first breakfast going to be cooked?- We're thinking spring.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Really? That's hugely exciting, isn't it?
0:23:00 > 0:23:03It's wonderful to see how Paul and Tony have developed the property
0:23:03 > 0:23:06we first saw together, and confidently on track to
0:23:06 > 0:23:10creating their dream home and that B&B income stream.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18But, of course, moving to the country is about achieving
0:23:18 > 0:23:20new lifestyle ambitions, too.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Later on, I'll discover the positive impact it's had on them.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Well, according to my doctor, my health is much improved.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30And knowing they're keen on home-grown produce,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33we'll sample some spoils of Sussex's terrain
0:23:33 > 0:23:36at one of the oldest vineyards in the county.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39You're supposed to be picking them, not eating them.
0:23:39 > 0:23:40They're very good.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47But, coming up before that, here are a couple of highlights from our
0:23:47 > 0:23:51other house-hunting success stories across the British countryside.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55It's always fantastic to hear from our buyers when they've made that
0:23:55 > 0:23:59all-important offer on a house we've shown, which goes on to be accepted.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Back in the autumn of 2013, I was further east along the south coast,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09helping property shoppers Kristi and Francesco.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Although they haven't lived in the UK very long,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15they knew they wanted to exchange city life in North London
0:24:15 > 0:24:18for the wide-open spaces of Kent.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23With their £650,000 budget, they were after a four-bedroom,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27open-plan family home with plenty of character.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32So, I was excited to show them a 16th century converted barn.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34I think you're going to love this house, I really do.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39- OK.- Prepare to be catapulted like a trebuchet when you get inside.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41Great.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44The stunning interior combined impressively-sized living areas
0:24:44 > 0:24:48with a raft of character and contemporary features, from
0:24:48 > 0:24:52timber-beamed ceilings to the clever use of reinforced glass balustrades,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56which maximise the light and gave a real sense of space.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01So, open-plan.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02It's very much open-plan.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- Yeah, beautiful. - Yeah, really beautiful.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08This is probably what we wanted in terms of open place.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- Yeah. It's like a loft, right? - It is like a loft. Yeah.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Look at the kitchen, though.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- It's a good size, isn't it? - Yeah, it's a great size.- Great size.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- Yeah.- Beautiful.- I like the island in the middle, as well.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20There's lots of storage there.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22But that wasn't the half of it.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25The 4,000 square feet included a breakfast room,
0:25:25 > 0:25:29along with a more formal dining area back in the main hallway.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33What's more, there were a generous three sitting rooms.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37I'd got the reactions I'd hoped for on the finish and flow of downstairs
0:25:37 > 0:25:42and upstairs really raised the roof, with a stylish family bathroom and
0:25:42 > 0:25:47a total of five bedrooms, including a master suite that blew them away.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- This is fantastic. - Wow.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Wow.- Yeah.- This is the size of our apartment, you know.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- Definitely. - Wow. My God.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57This is enormous.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- Wow. - Beautiful. Yeah, this is fantastic.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01You've got en-suite, of course.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Yeah. Definitely.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- It's beautiful. - More than we would have expected.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08We need to understand how can we manage all of this property?
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- Mm-hm. - If we can afford it.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Yeah, if it's within budget.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17With their £650,000 threshold at the forefront of their minds,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20they're about to hear some great news on the asking price.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I think it's well beyond the budget,
0:26:23 > 0:26:28and I'm thinking it's £735,000.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- OK. - Yeah, I think it's above our budget.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Probably, maybe less, I would say, than Kristi.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38710.
0:26:38 > 0:26:44Right. Well, this house is on the market for offers around £625,000.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- Oh!- Oh, my goodness!- Wow.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49- Really? - Really?
0:26:49 > 0:26:50- Yep. - You're not joking?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Nope. - Wow. And it hasn't been grabbed yet?
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Not yet.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Initially, I thought this house was well over our budget because it is
0:26:58 > 0:27:03so massive and because it's been done to such high standards.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06But, fortunately for us, it's not.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10It's actually under budget, so I think that
0:27:10 > 0:27:14this is definitely a property that Francesco and I will consider.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16This property clearly hit the mark.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Kristi and Francesco wasted no time seizing the opportunity,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22and swiftly put in an offer.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25They completed their purchase and moved in to their home
0:27:25 > 0:27:28six months later and I'm delighted to report they're now
0:27:28 > 0:27:31enjoying family life on the Kent coast.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Sprawling forward to the spring of 2015,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40Nicki Chapman was helping couple Louisa and Chris,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43who were living in the suburbs of South-West London.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45But now, with their young daughter in tow,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49they wanted to return to their own childhood roots in Wiltshire.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52For their budget of £575,000,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55they needed their country home to be close to a primary school and
0:27:55 > 0:27:58provide them with a large kitchen, four bedrooms,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00along with a manageable garden.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04Nicki took them to the pretty Wiltshire village of Hilmarton,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07where she showed them a surprisingly substantial property.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- I like it. - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- Yeah, I do. - What works for you, Chris?
0:28:13 > 0:28:14I like the wooden porch.
0:28:14 > 0:28:15It's a nice feature.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19It's maybe, for me, not as pretty as perhaps I'd like.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22It's a bit dark. The front is a bit dark for me,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- but we obviously have completely different tastes.- Yeah.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Although there were different reactions to the exterior,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31the family-friendly interior appealed to both of them.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36So, off the hallway we have our sitting room.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- Really spacious. - Yeah.- It's nice.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Big, nice windows.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44This is kind of our taste, isn't it?
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Quite clean and bright and fresh.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49Yeah, absolutely, yeah. Massive room, isn't it?
0:28:49 > 0:28:54- It's nice.- Huge.- Really nice.- There was also a spacious modern kitchen
0:28:54 > 0:28:57which led on to a sunny dining room in an extension
0:28:57 > 0:29:00- to the back of the house. - It's lovely, I love it.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02And again, bright, airy, clean.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04Just to our taste.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- To our taste? - Yeah, I like it.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08I do. Yeah, no, I do like it.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11I didn't want to give too much away in the sitting room,
0:29:11 > 0:29:16but in actual fact now you see, you've also got all of this as well.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Yeah, this is lovely.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20I'm starting to feel slightly excited.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22- Yeah, so are we.- Hurray!
0:29:22 > 0:29:25All three of us, that's good. Well, let's hope it continues upstairs.
0:29:25 > 0:29:26Yes.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30With the downstairs layout proving a hit, Nicki showed them the
0:29:30 > 0:29:33five bedrooms upstairs, which included three generous,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36light, airy doubles with en-suites, more than enough space for
0:29:36 > 0:29:39a growing family. But with all this on offer,
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Louisa was wondering whether the price tag was out of reach.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Is this in our budget?
0:29:46 > 0:29:48Starting to doubt it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49It's impressive, isn't it?
0:29:49 > 0:29:53Yeah, definitely. I think everything, personally,
0:29:53 > 0:29:54has been impressive so far.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Outside, the garden was easy to maintain,
0:29:58 > 0:30:00but there was also an added bonus.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Wasn't expecting that.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04- No, definitely not. - Bit of a surprise?
0:30:04 > 0:30:05Yeah, absolutely.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Not often I can offer people a pool.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11But it's fair to say it split the camp.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Can you see yourself using the pool?
0:30:13 > 0:30:14Definitely. I can.
0:30:14 > 0:30:21I think personally I would have a think about filling it in, maybe.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- Kids would love the pool, though. - It would be amazing.
0:30:24 > 0:30:25You would use it three weeks of the year.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27But, do you know what I would do, personally?
0:30:27 > 0:30:29I would keep it for a year and see.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31- If you use it. - Because if Evie loves it,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- it'll change your opinion.- Break the ice out just to make a point.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40Christmas Day! I want to go swimming.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42With the pool's future hanging in the balance,
0:30:42 > 0:30:44it was time to guess the price.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Louisa had expressed concerns whether they could afford
0:30:47 > 0:30:52this generous package on their £575,000 budget.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57I would say 585 - 590?
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- OK. - I'm going to say lower.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02560?
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Chris, you're very good at this,
0:31:06 > 0:31:09because the asking price is £562,000.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11That's amazing. Wow, OK.
0:31:12 > 0:31:17£13,000 under budget and providing them with everything they asked for,
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Chris and Louisa put in an offer, which was accepted.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23They moved in during the autumn of 2015.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Evie Grace now has a little sister to play with.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29And the pool? It didn't get filled in.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34So, two more happy outcomes from our property searching efforts there.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41But, of course, settling in it to a new home is just the first step
0:31:41 > 0:31:44building a fresh life in the country.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48We're returning to the county of East Sussex with Tony and Paul.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52They've already shown me how they're reconfiguring their new home,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55and getting it ready to open up to paying guests.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59But away from the commotion of the building work, they have a
0:31:59 > 0:32:02peaceful oasis around them, and they've each established
0:32:02 > 0:32:04their own interests to fill their days with.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09'First, I'm joining Paul and new addition to their household, Sammy,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13'on their regular countryside walk, and we don't have to go very far.'
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Well, this is just glorious, isn't it?
0:32:16 > 0:32:17It's really very nice.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19When people come to Escape To The Country, they often talk about
0:32:19 > 0:32:22getting a dog when they move out of an urban environment, and that
0:32:22 > 0:32:26kind of opens you up to enjoying the countryside a lot more, doesn't it?
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Are you happier people here?
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I tell you what -
0:32:30 > 0:32:33I don't know how I fitted in work now I'm retired.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35A lot of people say that.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37But that's also because you've come to the countryside, isn't it?
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Your day now, you've got a big house,
0:32:39 > 0:32:41you've got your project that you're doing at the moment,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44you've got over half an acre of garden that you need to look after
0:32:44 > 0:32:46as well, and then you've got your dog to walk.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48You're doing fun things.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51You couldn't fit in a job now, could you?
0:32:51 > 0:32:52Well, I'm on the parish council.
0:32:52 > 0:32:53Oh, it's started, has it?
0:32:53 > 0:32:58The parish council, and that gets involved in the community,
0:32:58 > 0:33:00get involved with the village,
0:33:00 > 0:33:02because now I can be a nice, solid Nimby.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04Yeah, of course you can. Not in my back yard.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06I'm trying not to be.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08And you've got a proper country dog, haven't you?
0:33:08 > 0:33:12We're walking a lab round here. You're a walking cliche, Paul.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13I haven't got leather patches.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16- Not yet. - But, yes, it is very much that way.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20'Whilst Paul is busy putting his new world to rights,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23'Tony's been maximising the south coast climate
0:33:23 > 0:33:26'with his very own home-grown produce.'
0:33:26 > 0:33:27So, courgettes?
0:33:27 > 0:33:28A lot of courgettes. Yes.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- They look amazing. - We have Asian,
0:33:32 > 0:33:36aubergine, eggplant, and several varieties of tomatoes here.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40This was the one thing I missed from the States is having tomatoes
0:33:40 > 0:33:42that tasted like tomatoes.
0:33:42 > 0:33:43- Give that one a try. - Can I?
0:33:43 > 0:33:46It's very sweet, it's got a real intense flavour.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53- It's almost like a strawberry, isn't it?- Yes.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55It's gorgeous. You've got plenty going on in here at the moment,
0:33:55 > 0:33:58but I can see you've still got a few bits and bobs with these
0:33:58 > 0:34:00- raised beds. Can we take a look? - Sure.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03As you can see, this was our vegetables this year,
0:34:03 > 0:34:04most of them are gone.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07You've had a full crop out of your kitchen garden, goodness me.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11We're going to be drying out what remains of our runner beans
0:34:11 > 0:34:14- for seeds for next year. - OK.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16And then I'm hoping next year to put in a couple of grapevines.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- Really?- Yeah. - You certainly are ambitious!
0:34:21 > 0:34:23- I like grapes. - Why not?
0:34:23 > 0:34:25- Who doesn't? - Goodness me.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Well, with his penchant for grapes,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Tony couldn't be better placed, as some of the country's finest
0:34:30 > 0:34:34wine-producing vineyards are found right here in the region, something
0:34:34 > 0:34:38most likely brought to the area by the Romans in the first century AD.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Just a few miles from Paul and Tony's home
0:34:42 > 0:34:45is a 20-acre vineyard owned by Roy Cook,
0:34:45 > 0:34:49who's been involved in local viticulture since the 1970s.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53He now produces around 20,000 bottles of wine a year and, on this
0:34:53 > 0:34:58fine autumn day, we're joining him for the grape harvest.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01I can see you're hard at it, Roy. Anything we can help with here?
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Absolutely. We've got the tools of the trade right here.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09You've got grape snips there.
0:35:09 > 0:35:10One each. There you go.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15What's the best way? How do you cut these?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Well, it's quite straightforward, really.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20You just grab a bunch and cut through the stalk.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Sometimes you can get a couple in your hand,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26and you just toss them in the baskets.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Roy's vineyard lays claim to being the first officially
0:35:29 > 0:35:31organic wine producer in England.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35In 2010, it started following biodynamic methods incorporating
0:35:35 > 0:35:40natural cycles, such as moon stages, into his cultivation process.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45One key factor in its ongoing success is the south coast location.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49I take it the climate plays a big role here.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53It's really does, because you're on the edge of where it's feasible
0:35:53 > 0:35:55to grow graves.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59We really are at the northern extremities of where it's even
0:35:59 > 0:36:01possible to produce a crop like this.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03Especially red grapes.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05- Exactly.- I was expecting it to be white grapes.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11Originally people did start off with white grapes in England,
0:36:11 > 0:36:16but nowadays we can grow reds and sparkling wine, all sorts.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19There's wines now, sparkling wines in particular I know
0:36:19 > 0:36:22have outperformed some of the French sparkling wines now
0:36:22 > 0:36:24- on the world stage, haven't they? - Absolutely.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27In 2011, grapes from this vineyard produced the first
0:36:27 > 0:36:30English red to win an international wine award.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34But I'm not sure how many of those we're gathering today
0:36:34 > 0:36:36are going to acquire that accolade.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Tony here... You're supposed to be picking them, not eating them.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42They're very good. What variety is this?
0:36:42 > 0:36:44It's called Regent.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46- OK. - It was developed in Germany.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48In Germany, you say "ray-GENT".
0:36:48 > 0:36:52So there's 4,000 vines of this variety here.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57That's a lot of grapes, so perhaps some picking incentive is required.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59If these guys do a good job, you know,
0:36:59 > 0:37:03show me how many grapes you can pick, then we can probably sort you
0:37:03 > 0:37:06out with a bottle of something special at the end of the day.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08I think I've already eaten my share.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14Well, if Tony fancies tucking into his own home-grown bunches,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Roy's the man with the local knowledge.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20We, like you, have a south-facing garden that gets quite a bit of sun.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24I see. The key factor is that it has to be well-drained.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29If it's not well-drained, then the vine roots,
0:37:29 > 0:37:33the fine vine roots, die off over the winter and then the plant has to
0:37:33 > 0:37:35start growing new roots again every year,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38which, of course, is not good.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39With the picking shift over,
0:37:39 > 0:37:42our gathered fruit is off to the crusher.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Here they are destalked and squashed before passing along a pipe
0:37:45 > 0:37:47into the fermentation vat.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51I can see the fruits of our labour, here.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56Red has to ferment on the pop with the skins to extract the colour
0:37:56 > 0:37:58for ten days, two weeks.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02Only after that fermentation does it get pressed.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06I'd like to think we've maybe earned a taste, maybe, shall we?
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Yeah, if you just pop around into our shop there,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Lorenz will be more than happy to show you.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Thank you very much, Roy.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Lorenz is in charge of tastings at the vineyard and has lined up
0:38:17 > 0:38:21a couple of award-winners, starting with a sparkling Pinot Noir
0:38:21 > 0:38:25Chardonnay, made in the same traditional method as champagne.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28- Cheers, gents. - Oh, cheers.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Very classic, very clean and you will get flavours of green apples
0:38:34 > 0:38:37- going on.- That's the Pinot Noir. That's a red grape, isn't it?
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Yeah, it is, yeah.
0:38:39 > 0:38:40How does that work, then?
0:38:40 > 0:38:42The important thing is to really
0:38:42 > 0:38:45just get rid of the skins very quickly, so the red colour
0:38:45 > 0:38:48that is contained in the skins doesn't seep into the wine.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50- I didn't know that. - I think it is really very nice,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- it's very light. - Yeah, yeah.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55But, it's not empty.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58I don't mean to sound surprised at an English champagne,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01or sparkling wine, but it's actually quite good.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03But they beat some of the champagnes a couple years ago, didn't they?
0:39:03 > 0:39:06That's it, and even champagne producers coming to Kent, to Sussex,
0:39:06 > 0:39:10to buy land because it is just so well, the climate.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Next up is a red that includes
0:39:12 > 0:39:15some of the variety of grape we picked earlier.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18So, you were out there picking the Regent grapes,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20and I thought we should have a sip of the Corymbus now.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24It is Regent, Rondo, Dornfelder.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Light but complex English red wine.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29What do you think, Tony?
0:39:29 > 0:39:30Erm, it's very unusual.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33It's not at all what I was expecting.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Yes, if you imagine this one with smoked rosemary potatoes,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39for example. Beautiful combination.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44- I think it's really nice.- You're now living in wine producing country.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46That's quite a move, isn't it?
0:39:47 > 0:39:50I was going to say, it's like our next chapter,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53but at our age it is more like Volume Two of our lives.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Nice way of putting it.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58It's clear that their move to the countryside has produced the goods
0:39:58 > 0:40:01for both Tony and Paul.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Back on home turf, I'm interested to hear if securing the house
0:40:05 > 0:40:07in the first place was a smooth process.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13Of course, we all play guess the price when I'm showing you
0:40:13 > 0:40:15the properties. How much did you get it for?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Well, we should ask YOU what you thought we got it for.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- Oh, no! - Why don't you guess?
0:40:20 > 0:40:21You tell us.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25OK, I'll go 565, I think you've been cheeky on it.
0:40:25 > 0:40:26Oh, no, no, no, no.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30- Damn! - We made an offer of 580, actually,
0:40:30 > 0:40:32and then we went away and looked at other properties,
0:40:32 > 0:40:36and then we came back to this one, and 590 was accepted.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37Big deal, really, isn't it?
0:40:37 > 0:40:42Moving to a different country - a huge deal.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44You are moving into retirement as well, Tony.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46How have you found that monumental move of yours?
0:40:46 > 0:40:51I think the transformation from working full-time to retirement
0:40:51 > 0:40:55was a much bigger jump than the move.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59Having the new house, with the new projects, in the new place
0:40:59 > 0:41:05has made the transition from work to retirement work for me.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08Now, this B&B enterprise - why do you want to do it?
0:41:08 > 0:41:14Is it the want to make money in your retirement, semi-retirement,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- or is it a project...? - We don't want to LOSE money.
0:41:17 > 0:41:22- No, of course not.- It's more a matter of this is my project.
0:41:22 > 0:41:26He has his community involvement.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27Sounds like Paul's busy enough.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31Yes. And I... This is my project. Something that I can excel at.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36You've retired, you're living in this beautiful countryside,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38you're going for dog walks,
0:41:38 > 0:41:40you're tending your garden - how do you feel?
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Well, according to my doctor, my health is much improved.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- Has it really?- My blood pressure's down, my cholesterol's down,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50I've lost a stone.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Apparently, this is very healthy.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54We'll walk over there to Catsfield,
0:41:54 > 0:41:57it's a mile away, another nice village,
0:41:57 > 0:41:59another nice village pub. A lovely village pub here.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- Do you use the pubs, then, do you? - Oh, yes.- Oh, yeah.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04So, we've got the traditional village pub, sit round the fire,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06you got a gastro pub there, both a walk away.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08How we haven't GAINED weight, I don't know.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10And yet your doctor says you're in better health.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12How is this possible?!
0:42:16 > 0:42:19I must say, I always get a great feeling when I help house-hunters
0:42:19 > 0:42:22find their dream property, and it's been really good catching up
0:42:22 > 0:42:26with Tony and Paul, and having a nose around their country escape.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29And I have every confidence that once they've completed their works
0:42:29 > 0:42:32they'll not only have the perfect home,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35but also a nice little B&B business.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37I wish them both the very best of luck.
0:42:38 > 0:42:42If you dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland, England,
0:42:42 > 0:42:47or Northern Ireland and would also like our help, why not apply online?