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 > 0:00:08Never in a million years I would imagine
0:00:08 > 0:00:11I would be seeing a house like this. Never, ever.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14But for many years, Escape To The Country
0:00:14 > 0:00:18has been helping countless people on the hunt for a new home.
0:00:18 > 0:00:23- What do we think of this? - Oh, my! Chocolate box.
0:00:23 > 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 > 0:00:33..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Oh, how pretty is that?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38..that our buyers just couldn't resist.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Jules!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- Seriously...- Really? - ..get your cheque book out now!
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...
0:00:46 > 0:00:50You two are like the bird whisperers, aren't you?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..to find out how the move changed their lives
0:00:53 > 0:00:55when they Escaped To The Country.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Today, I'm in Herefordshire and behind me are the Malvern Hills.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Now, this spectacular scenery was much-loved by the renowned
0:01:21 > 0:01:23classical composer Edward Elgar,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26who throughout his life lived in and around the Malverns.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31But he wasn't the only one inspired by this beautiful countryside.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35I'm back here to catch up with some of my past house hunters,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39whose move to this area has completely transformed their life.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Herefordshire is a land-locked county in the West Midlands,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48that nestles up against the border with Wales.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50With a rich agricultural heritage,
0:01:50 > 0:01:52the area is renowned for its local produce.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57I'm here to visit former Escape To The Country buyers
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Danny and Suzanne from Sutton Coldfield,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02who made their rural move seven years ago.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06As empty nesters, they were after a complete change of life.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10If I offered you £1 million to give all this up,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12would you be tempted?
0:02:12 > 0:02:14- No.- Yeah.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16No, you wouldn't move!
0:02:16 > 0:02:17No, I wouldn't. No.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26Back in September 2009,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29lift engineer Danny and nursery school owner Suzanne
0:02:29 > 0:02:32were looking for a change as their children had flown the nest.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37They fancied trying their hands at running some holiday lets
0:02:37 > 0:02:39to generate an income.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42We thought about doing the holiday lets really because we've
0:02:42 > 0:02:44got a lodge up in the Lake District
0:02:44 > 0:02:47and we actually rent that out now, but that's through a company.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50We'd like to do it on site so that we're there.
0:02:50 > 0:02:51And more involved.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54More involved with it and obviously have one or two more
0:02:54 > 0:02:59as well as the lodge. So whether we do a barn up, maybe, or stables.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02- And it gives us income, that's the main thing.- Yeah.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04The lodge they already owned was transportable,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07so they needed enough space to accommodate it,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11plus room for at least one more holiday let.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14In fact, the outside was key to their search,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17particularly for green-fingered Suzanne.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20Although we love this garden and we've put a lot of plants in,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22we do feel we'd like a little bit more acreage now,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25maybe one to two acres so that we can put the lodge on.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27And I can have a ride-on mower
0:03:27 > 0:03:31and we can enjoy life in a new garden, new setting.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34So with land and business potential firmly in mind,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36they were raring to go.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39The wish list for their move included a house
0:03:39 > 0:03:42with three to four bedrooms and a large country kitchen.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Danny needed a garage for his classic car,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47as well as a much anticipated ride-on mower.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Holiday let potential was essential,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53with between one to two acres for their existing lodge.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57And their budget was an impressive £650,000.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02The first house we showed our buyers was in the small rural village
0:04:02 > 0:04:05of Mathon and simply oozed character and charm,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07despite only being a couple of years old.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11This is your property. Built in 2007.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14It's a very attractive looking house, I think.
0:04:14 > 0:04:15It doesn't look brand-new.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18No, it's got character from the outside, definitely.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- Looking forward to the inside. - Great! Well, let's get started.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Thank you.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Regardless of age, this property worked in sympathy
0:04:26 > 0:04:28with its surroundings,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31so I was hoping it was just what Suzanne and Danny were looking for.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35Is this what you had in mind?
0:04:35 > 0:04:37- You've got an island as well. - Yeah.- Island.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39- A big range.- And a range cooker.
0:04:39 > 0:04:40Yes. Table!
0:04:41 > 0:04:43It's going well.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44- It's got some character.- Yeah.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- Yeah, it's lovely.- Very nice.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49The kitchen was a hit.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50Next up was the sitting room.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Oh, got my wood burner.
0:04:54 > 0:04:55Right, you can keep warm with that then.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- Are you partial to those? - Yes. That's ideal.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01And an inglenook style fireplace to go with it.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04- Lovely. Put the logs there. - You've got a stained window.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07- A nice bit of character there. - It's a good touch, isn't it?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09It also brings a bit of natural light to the hallway.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12- It does, doesn't it?- It's a good size actually, isn't it?
0:05:12 > 0:05:13Still going strong,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17next we made our way upstairs to explore the four bedrooms.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20The house came with two small doubles
0:05:20 > 0:05:23and a larger room that could work well for guests.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26But I wanted to show off the master.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- Well, here it is. - Oh, that's a good size.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Bigger than ours! - Definitely bigger than ours.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33- Is it?- Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35So far, so good.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38And as we made our way outside, I revealed that there were also
0:05:38 > 0:05:42almost 2.5 acres of land on offer,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45leaving plenty of room for their existing lodge
0:05:45 > 0:05:48as well as any additions.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51And there was one more feature I was keen to unveil.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54So I want to show you this stable block
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- because there's some options here to consider.- Oh, right.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59- As you can see, you've got three stables.- Yep.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02You've got an office at the end and you've got a tack room.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- Right.- So quite a large building.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07But you've probably noticed, this building doesn't have a garage.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- No.- No.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11So you could potentially convert this
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- into a very large double garage. - Oh, that would be good.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15That would be good for your classic cars.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17- Yep, excellent.- So that could work out quite well.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21However, with anything when you're changing a structure,
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- you have to get planning permission.- Consent.- Yeah.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Even for a garage.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28But before they could consider any of that,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30there was one pressing question to answer.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34How much do you think the current asking price is?
0:06:34 > 0:06:37Probably 655,000.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Danny?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I'd say 670,000.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44This house, the current asking price,
0:06:44 > 0:06:50is £599,950.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Oh! A little bit left over to do the necessary work.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56- It would have to be done.- Yep.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58And obviously the garage would have to be done,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- so that gives you a little bit... - It does.- ..in your budget.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03It gives us some extra there to play with.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05That's good, yeah.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07£50,000 under budget,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10this property would have left our buyers with plenty of money to put
0:07:10 > 0:07:13towards their potential holiday let business.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17But I still had more property options to show them.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22Next, we headed to rural Eastnor to see a former pumping house
0:07:22 > 0:07:24that dated to around 1895.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27So here we have your house.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- Got some history there. - It certainly has.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32And it looks to me more Arts and Crafts than Victorian
0:07:32 > 0:07:35because I think it's got a lot of beautiful character.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38It looks beautiful, yes. The whole setting.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- I'm really quite excited.- Yep.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42It just looks absolutely magnificent.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Ready to go?- Yes.- Yes, please. - Carry on.- Yes.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47What a great start.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50I was just hoping they'd find the inside equally impressive.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56- Straight into the reception room. - Oh, isn't that lovely?
0:07:56 > 0:07:58- Wood burner again. - Oh, that's lovely.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00It's got nice proportions as well.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02It's got a cosy feel to it.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Our sitting room appeared to have gained full marks.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08And there was also a separate dining room on this floor.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11But I was eager to find out if Suzanne thought the country kitchen
0:08:11 > 0:08:14measured up, so I was only too happy to take them there next.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- Ah, yes!- Oh, you've got this one. Yeah, definitely.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- Oh, lovely.- You've ticked a couple of boxes.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- Oh, and the cooker.- You've got your range there.- Nice cooker, yeah.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28The kitchen is only two years old.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- Right.- So you've got practically a brand-new kitchen,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33with granite work surfaces.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35And there's nothing to do, is there, it's all perfect.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- Immaculate.- Gorgeous. You can just leave me here now.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Music to my ears!
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Upstairs there were three bedrooms,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47including a double and a single for when the children came to stay
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and of course there was a good size master bedroom
0:08:50 > 0:08:53for Danny and Suzanne.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55But this property came with one other feature
0:08:55 > 0:08:57that I couldn't wait to reveal -
0:08:57 > 0:09:02in the form of a self-contained holiday let above the double garage.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Oh, wonderful!
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Oh, gosh, that's great.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09That is really self-contained, isn't it?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11You've got a separate entrance,
0:09:11 > 0:09:16completely away from the rest of the house and it's all done.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Because we're so close to Eastnor Castle,
0:09:18 > 0:09:19they get a lot of weddings,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21a lot of functions there.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24So, the current owners actually let this to a lot of people
0:09:24 > 0:09:28- who are going to the castle. - Oh, right.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Outside boasted around two-and-a-half acres of land,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34giving more than enough space to site their holiday lodge
0:09:34 > 0:09:36and even a few more.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Ahead of us is an Airstream caravan.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- It's a static caravan, which is going...- Aww.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47..but it gives you an idea of where perhaps you could your log cabin
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- and other log cabins or static caravans around here.- Yes.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Fantastic. It's just lovely.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58So, it's time now to think about how much this is on the market for.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- This has got to be well over the budget.- This is difficult.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03I think it's the land more than anything.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- It's perfectly formed, the house, but...- Yeah.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08You go first.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11- 700.- OK.- I think that's what we're looking at.
0:10:11 > 0:10:18- Danny?- I think probably 680, 690, something like that.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Danny, you're closer.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Oh, right.- That's nice.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- But you're not that close.- Oh.
0:10:25 > 0:10:33- Current asking price is £499,950. - No!
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- No!- Oh, my God!
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- Can you just get your cheque book out?- I know, yeah.- No!
0:10:40 > 0:10:42What's going through your mind?
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Talk to me.- Try not to cry.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Possibilities.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50£150,000 below budget.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53This house had completely blown them away.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57But not wanting to peak too early, our search continued.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04And our third option was situated in the village of Holme Lacy
0:11:04 > 0:11:06in the beautiful Wye Valley,
0:11:06 > 0:11:10where we found a farmer's cottage that dated back to the 1700s.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Oh, look.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18You've got this accommodation at the side which is attached to the house.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- Right.- You've got a beautiful courtyard,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22which needs a little bit of a love and care,
0:11:22 > 0:11:24but it's absolutely stunning.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27There is so much potential out here, you can see just standing.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- It looks good.- It looks lovely. - The layout looks great. Yeah.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33- So I bet you are intrigued now, aren't you?- Yes, very.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Very.- Well, let's start with the house.- OK.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- And we'll go from there.- Great.- OK.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42A promising initial reaction gave me hope
0:11:42 > 0:11:44that they liked what they saw so far.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48As we stepped inside, we made a beeline for the sitting room.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Oh, this is nice. I like different levels.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52A bit quirky.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- Oh, it's sweet, isn't it? - Yeah.- Cosy.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- So what room would this be? - Living room.- Yeah?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Living room, definitely.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01So, let's show you the kitchen next.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Oh, that's my bit.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Back up the stairs.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Suzanne had come across what might have been her dream kitchen
0:12:09 > 0:12:13in the last property, so this room had a lot to live up to.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- More exposed stone, original beams. - Oh!
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- The kitchen, with the biggest range...- Look at that!
0:12:21 > 0:12:22..I think I've ever seen!
0:12:22 > 0:12:26But you've also got another reception room through here.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Oh, a dining room. Breakfast room.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31God, that's massive.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I mean, you could extend your kitchen right the way out.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37You could. You could put all cupboards down that one side,
0:12:37 > 0:12:40- so literally this is just a cooking bit then.- Yeah.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43There was an additional reception room
0:12:43 > 0:12:45and a utility room on this floor.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Then upstairs, we found four bedrooms.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51There were three doubles that would have been perfect to accommodate
0:12:51 > 0:12:53guests or the children when they came to stay.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57The master was the next destination on our tour.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00- I mean, it's absolutely beautiful. - It's got the character.
0:13:00 > 0:13:01It's just what we'd hoped...
0:13:01 > 0:13:03You know, what you hope for in a cottage.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05The house had gone down very well,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09offering plenty of the character Danny and Suzanne were after.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12But we still had to look at the business side of things.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17The self-contained annexe had two bedrooms, a sitting room,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20a bathroom and a kitchen, complete with breakfast bar.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Is it already used as holiday lets? - It's not.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Although it's set up for it, they used to run their
0:13:28 > 0:13:31business from here, so this was used as additional accommodation
0:13:31 > 0:13:34for people working for them. But everything's here.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Back outside, I revealed that the property
0:13:37 > 0:13:41came with some stunning views across the countryside
0:13:41 > 0:13:43and sat in an acre of land,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46meaning sufficient space for their holiday lodge.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49The garden may have been a little on the wild side,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52but that didn't seem to faze gardener Suzanne.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54The only thing left to discuss was the price.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57So, money time.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00How much do you think the farmhouse, the garden,
0:14:00 > 0:14:03the orchard and the additional holiday let accommodation
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- is on the market for? - This is very difficult.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10I think about five-and-a-half.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- I think a bit more.- Do you? - So I would say 600.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Let's see who's right.- We'll see.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20And it is... Bang on the nose, Suzanne.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- ..£600,000.- Ah, you see!
0:14:25 > 0:14:27That sigh from Danny said it all,
0:14:27 > 0:14:31as I'd shown them another house that could have been a really good fit
0:14:31 > 0:14:34for their new lives and at a price they could afford.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40I had shown Danny and Suzanne properties with great potential
0:14:40 > 0:14:43to get their new life in the countryside kick-started.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46But there was still the Mystery House to come,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48and that was going to tip the balance
0:14:48 > 0:14:51towards one of their other criteria.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54For the last stop of our rural road trip,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57we went over to border into Worcestershire
0:14:57 > 0:14:59to the village of Hanley Swan.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01In a twist on the business potential objective,
0:15:01 > 0:15:06I served up a B&B that I thought could be right up their street.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09So here is the Mystery House.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- All of it?- All of it.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- It looks impressive. - It's very impressive.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- It also has eight bedrooms. - Eight?- Eight.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19Eight bedrooms.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22The reason this house has been picked for you
0:15:22 > 0:15:23is to look at something different
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- and that is a B&B as earning potential.- Yep.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- OK.- Are you ready to start the tour? - Yes.- Yes, please.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36As we made our way inside, it seemed that I was getting vibes
0:15:36 > 0:15:38of cautious optimism from our couple.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41So come on in. How's this for a hallway?
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- Beautiful.- That's beautiful. - Lovely size.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45That side is for the B&B,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49and the whole of this side is the private residence.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50Oh, that's nice, then.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52So for anyone staying here,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- this is the only part of the private house they go into.- Right.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Then they go through that door,
0:15:57 > 0:15:59not to be seen again until they check out.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- Oh, that sounds right. - That's good. And pay.
0:16:02 > 0:16:03And pay, obviously.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- Let's do the private part of the house first.- OK.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Passing through the large sitting room,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11it was the kitchen I was keen to highlight.
0:16:11 > 0:16:17So imagine between 7-9am, pans going, food all out.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20- Could we not do late breakfasts? - You could do, yeah. Weekends.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23I think it would be very late breakfasts.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27- Lunch!- I'm not too good in the morning. I'm really not.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Upstairs, there were five generous bedrooms
0:16:30 > 0:16:33within the private side of the house.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Again, ample room for when the family came to stay.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39The fifth bedroom was up on the top floor.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44It came complete with a sitting room and a study all of its own.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- Oh, that's good.- Look at all this. - Oh, God. And round there as well.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- That's brilliant.- So you would never think this was here, would you?
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- No.- This is really nice and tucked away.- Yeah.
0:16:52 > 0:16:57But Danny and Suzanne were itching to check out the B&B side of things,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59which consisted of a large guest dining room,
0:16:59 > 0:17:01as well as a communal sitting room
0:17:01 > 0:17:04where people could unwind in the evenings.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08To give my buyers a glimpse of the life their guests would enjoy
0:17:08 > 0:17:12when they came to stay, I took them to one of the three B&B bedrooms.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Gives you an idea of the standard of the rooms,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18which I think is very high.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19You don't normally get this size, do you?
0:17:19 > 0:17:23No, I've stayed in hotels that aren't as nice as this.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Not as nice...- A very generous bathroom next door.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28And is this a five-star accommodation?
0:17:28 > 0:17:30This is five-star.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32You're keeping this going, aren't you?
0:17:32 > 0:17:37- Is it working overtime? - Yes.- But, I mean, it is all done.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40There were two more guest bedrooms that were finished
0:17:40 > 0:17:42to an equally high standard and I was able to assure them
0:17:42 > 0:17:46the business was looking very healthy for the next few months.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Outside, Suzanne, in particular,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52was a little disappointed by the lack of a proper garden.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55I knew she was looking forward to having space to work
0:17:55 > 0:17:57her green-fingered magic, and the front lawn
0:17:57 > 0:18:00wasn't quite what she was looking for.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03But I had one more piece of information to impart
0:18:03 > 0:18:06before our talk turned to money.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09So before I ask you how much you think this property is worth,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11would you like to know how much revenue this business takes?
0:18:11 > 0:18:16- That would help, yes.- So she only had B&B about 50-60% of the year.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- Right, that that's what we would do. - Yeah.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22But her turnover is between £30,000-£40,000 a year.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- Wow.- That's pretty good, isn't it? That's good.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30So, how much do you think this house is currently on the market for?
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- 590.- OK.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37- Danny?- I think about 650, actually, with that income and stuff.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I think it's about 650, actually.
0:18:39 > 0:18:46OK. Current asking price is £625,000.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- In between the two then. - I thought so. I thought that, yeah.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54Under budget at £625,000,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56our Mystery House may not have been exactly
0:18:56 > 0:19:00what they had in mind initially, but it had got them thinking
0:19:00 > 0:19:02about the possible merits of B&B.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05I'd shown them four houses,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10each with exciting possibilities they could turn into realities.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12They'd seen character and charm at every turn
0:19:12 > 0:19:16and could easily make their holiday let dreams come true,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19or perhaps try their hands at running a B&B.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22But which house would win the day?
0:19:22 > 0:19:24It's time to find out.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29Judging by Danny and Suzanne's initial reaction
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and that tantalising price tag,
0:19:32 > 0:19:35it should come as no surprise that they actually bought...
0:19:35 > 0:19:37..the pump house.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42Yes, and I'm back and very excited to see what changes they've made.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- Hello!- Hello, Nicki. How lovely to see you.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- Lovely to be back.- Lovely.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02I can't wait to see your home.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04- Well, come and have a look what we've done.- Thank you.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Right, come and have a look at the lounge then, Nicki.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- Now, we haven't been...- Burgled! - NICKI LAUGHS
0:20:14 > 0:20:16We're waiting for our new suite.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18So, shall I pretend to sit down here?
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Yes!- That's right, yeah.- Very nice. - A finished space.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23We haven't done much in here. It was beautiful.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26It's, you know, so cosy with the fire on
0:20:26 > 0:20:29and we love it in here in the winter.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- It is a great space, isn't it? - Well, now it is, yes!
0:20:34 > 0:20:36Although this room seems unchanged,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40there are other areas of the house they've put their own stamp on.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- You won't have seen this. - Now... Oh!
0:20:44 > 0:20:45That's a good "oh", wasn't it?
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- And we've got a three-piece suite. - Yes.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- We've got some furniture this time. - I can sit down.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- Yes, you- can sit down. I can sit down.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- This is beautiful.- Thank you.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57And you've maximised that incredible garden, haven't you?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00This was the first thing that we actually did when got here.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02We knew we wanted one. We had one at the old house
0:21:02 > 0:21:05and it's just brought the garden in. It's beautiful.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Oh, I would live out here.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- I would live out here with those views!- Thank you.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- It's perfect.- The only problem is because we've got glass right
0:21:13 > 0:21:17down to the bottom, we've got all the ducks that peck the glass,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20so we're forever cleaning the glass.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21- That...- Apart from that.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24That is a lovely problem is to have, isn't it?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27A lovely problem to have.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31One thing I do remember from my last visit is how much Suzanne
0:21:31 > 0:21:33fell in love with the kitchen.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Oh, yes!
0:21:35 > 0:21:37This was my dream kitchen.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39- We haven't really changed anything in here.- No.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42If you like what you've got, then there's no need to bash it about.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44It's a lovely workable kitchen.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Lots of worktops, lots of cupboards, which I love.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48We did put a stable door in,
0:21:48 > 0:21:50but unfortunately we can't open that much
0:21:50 > 0:21:53because we get the birds and the ducks coming in.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- We had the robin in yesterday. - All sorts of wildlife.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Country problems, eh?! Do they really - they just come in?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02- Yes.- We had a little baby robin hit the window the other day
0:22:02 > 0:22:06and if that had been open it would have been in the kitchen.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09He's got a little pet robin, which I'm sure you'll meet
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- a bit later on. - I'm loving this tour.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14The wildlife, the property. This is great.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Of course, my double oven is great for all my cakes.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20- Cakes?- Oh, yes.- You're a baker?
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Well, the guests do get spoilt a little bit.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23- Do they?- With the duck eggs.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- Yes. I might just have a cake for you.- Lovely!
0:22:28 > 0:22:31No time for cake just get as they can't wait to show me
0:22:31 > 0:22:33what's changed upstairs.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Oh, it's all coming back to me now, the upstairs.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44Not the hugest of bedrooms, but we've managed to move things around
0:22:44 > 0:22:48a little, but it was he en-suite - we desperately wanted an en-suite.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- And big enough for the two of you? - Yes, fine.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54I don't believe you should have a really massive bedroom,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56it's downstairs that really matters, really. Yeah.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58And that's where you've got the space, isn't it?
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- Yes.- I remember this being a big move for the two of you,
0:23:02 > 0:23:06especially as you were considering introducing a new business
0:23:06 > 0:23:07- into it as well.- Yeah, it was.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10It was a risk, really, we took, but it's paid off.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Well, that sounds like the perfect cue to head back outside
0:23:15 > 0:23:18for a proper chat and maybe a slice of that cake.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24It really is a very attractive property, your pump house, isn't it?
0:23:24 > 0:23:29- It is pretty.- The work that went into a pump house in those days,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32it's extraordinary. Now it would be just like a concrete block.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Well, that's the Victorians.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37They always designed something that always wasn't what it is.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Gorgeous. As you come up our drive way,
0:23:39 > 0:23:42do you look at your home still and pinch yourself?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- Has the novelty worn off? - No.- No.- Never, never.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48We still look out of the windows now and think
0:23:48 > 0:23:49it's like being on holiday.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- Really?- Every window has got a different view.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- We just feel lucky every day. - But the right decision?
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Yeah, definitely.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59And what difference has it made, do you think,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01to the way you live your lives,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04the way you view the two of you together?
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Very different at the moment.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Well, unfortunately Danny had a stroke two years ago,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11so he had to give up his work. He was...
0:24:11 > 0:24:15You were about to give up, anyway, weren't you, to go part-time.
0:24:15 > 0:24:19Well, I had the stroke a month after
0:24:19 > 0:24:23I was going to actually find part-time work.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29It took my right side, not as bad as some other people,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31where they get paralysed.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33And I call it my lucky stroke, actually,
0:24:33 > 0:24:38because it was lucky that it had less effect on me.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Do you think being here has helped your recovery?
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Yeah, because you've got...
0:24:43 > 0:24:48Well, I've got more time to get well, basically.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53And you always want to get well and better when you're at home.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Well, you look so well now, sir, I have to say.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- So, all that hard work...- Thank you. - ..has paid off, hasn't it?
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Yeah, yeah, really good.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03And that made you make the decision, "I'm definitely retiring now"?
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Yes, it was made for me, in a way.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- But, yes.- Can I just say that this isn't retirement, this is hard work.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Oh, well, I was going to ask you because you haven't stopped.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Because running the business, the B&B and the holiday let,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16that is your income now coming in, isn't it?
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- We are reliant on that.- Yeah. - And that's important, isn't it?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- Yes.- Yeah.- That is important for the two of you.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23We've got to get that right.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26A lot of people who come here to stay,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29we actually find we love that interaction with people
0:25:29 > 0:25:32and we get some really nice people.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34And some people have come here, come back again
0:25:34 > 0:25:36and have started to become friends.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- They just say it's home from home, which is lovely.- Yeah.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41So do you ever have time to sit out here
0:25:41 > 0:25:43and just ponder and take it all in?
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Actually, sometimes when I'm on the ride-on mower and...
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- Oh, your ride on mower! - He got one.- I got one, yeah.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- How could I forget?- It's relaxing. It's really relaxing.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55But when I'm sitting on the mower sometimes at the top
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and I switch the mower off and I just love it.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- Do you?- Yeah.- I remember your infatuation with a sit-on mower.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- I know. It was a bit silly, really. - No, it wasn't.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09That's what dreams are all about, sitting here, taking it all in.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11And do your guests get this gorgeous cake as well?
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- They do - with the duck eggs. - Yeah, do they? They all have cake.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17- Would you like a piece, Nicki? - I would love a piece. Thank you.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24I'll be experiencing more of Danny and Suzanne's country escape later,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28because I still need to meet these famous feathered friends of theirs.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37Buying your first home together is often the perfect excuse for
0:26:37 > 0:26:40a new start. Throw in some beautiful surroundings
0:26:40 > 0:26:44and you've got a recipe for happiness if ever there was one.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51It was back in October 2011 when we met newly-weds Neil and Justine
0:26:51 > 0:26:54from Peterborough who were looking to do just that.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58They had settled on Norfolk after a recent holiday to the area,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00and were after a character property
0:27:00 > 0:27:03with a typical English country garden
0:27:03 > 0:27:05and enough room for their two dogs.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08With a budget of £425,000,
0:27:08 > 0:27:12it was the very first house in the rural Hamlet of Pentney
0:27:12 > 0:27:16that exceeded all expectations.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- Wow.- Gosh. - It's very pretty, isn't it?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21- It is, yes. Quite big as well. - It is quite big, actually.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- Bigger than I was expecting. - It's actually an old farmhouse.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27It dates back about 200 years.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30So, as a setting, does this appeal?
0:27:30 > 0:27:32I like the garden. I think it's wonderful, isn't it?
0:27:32 > 0:27:36There's plenty of room and there's a gate there to keep the dogs in,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38- but they'd love it around here, wouldn't they?- Yeah, they would.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Good. All right, how keen are you to get started?
0:27:40 > 0:27:42- Oh, yes, please!- Come on.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49Great first reactions and I was hoping we could build on those
0:27:49 > 0:27:52as we made our way inside via a large utility room.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58It's certainly a spacious house.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Gosh, this is lovely, isn't it?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Yeah. Look at the beautiful wood everywhere.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07I like the stone work as well, which goes well with the wood.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- I think this property has loads of character.- It certainly does.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- We're quite excited at the moment. - Are you?- Yeah.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18And that character feel continued in the kitchen.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- Gosh!- I like "gosh!"
0:28:21 > 0:28:25- It's beautiful, isn't it?- It is. - Yes, yes.- Look at the views.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- Wonderful, aren't they? - Now, I have to tell you this,
0:28:28 > 0:28:32the owner has spotted 120 different varieties of bird
0:28:32 > 0:28:35- from the kitchen window.- Really?! - Oh, my goodness!
0:28:35 > 0:28:38So much so he tends to hover in here.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40And look out the window all the time.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Also on this floor there was a rather splendid formal dining room
0:28:44 > 0:28:47and a separate office space.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50Upstairs, there were four bright bedrooms,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52each large enough to fit a double bed,
0:28:52 > 0:28:56and next I wanted to show them my favourite - the master.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- It's beautiful and light, isn't it? - It is.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- I don't think I've shown you a small room.- It is huge.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- It is huge, isn't it? - It's a lovely size, isn't it?- Yes.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07You'd get all your wardrobes and things in here.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11The house was certainly working its magic on Neil and Justine.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13And it was time for us to head outside,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16where we found around two-thirds of an acre of land.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18This included a garage,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22as well as an additional outbuilding at the bottom of the garden.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25All that was left was to talk finances.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Who wants to guess the price first?
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- Do you want to go first?- Oh, OK.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31Our budget is £425,000.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35So I'm really hoping that it is 425 and not above that.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Although, I mean, it's a brilliant house so it might well be.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- What do you think?- I would have to go higher than that.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45And I think I would go £450,000.
0:29:46 > 0:29:47The current asking price...
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- Neil, you're on the money. ..£450,000.- Right.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56I've spoken to the owner, they would be happy to negotiate.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59- That's exciting, isn't it? - It is exciting, yes.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03This house remained the favourite in our line-up for Neil and Justine,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06and I'm happy to report they did put in an offer.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Another one of our memorable house-hunting highlights.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Herefordshire is a firm favourite with our house hunters,
0:30:17 > 0:30:20and I can see why.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23The Malvern Hills and the Wye Valley are both protected
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:30:25 > 0:30:28and provide wonderful walking terrain.
0:30:28 > 0:30:35The county is also home to over 9,500 acres of cider apple orchards,
0:30:35 > 0:30:38which continues to fuel its cider-making tradition.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Now, local food and drink production is the lifeblood for lots of
0:30:42 > 0:30:44independent businesses here.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48And markets in places like Hereford and Ledbury continue to be great
0:30:48 > 0:30:51gathering points for the whole community.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56And it's Ledbury that's my next Herefordshire port of call.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58It's the closest town to Danny and Suzanne
0:30:58 > 0:31:01and is popular with visitors and locals,
0:31:01 > 0:31:06resplendent with boutique shops and gorgeous historic architecture.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Ledbury Country Market is a co-operative affair,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11run by members and volunteers,
0:31:11 > 0:31:15selling home-made and home-grown produce for the community.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17I'm told it's a bit of a social gathering,
0:31:17 > 0:31:21as well as a great place to pick up something delicious.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Cecily is in charge of the chutneys and jams.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Now, my husband loves lemon curd.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Freshly made yesterday.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34- Oh! By your fair hand?- Yes.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Well, I think if we're going to buy lemon curd,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39we should probably go for the big one, shouldn't we?
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- That's right. That one is £2.75. - Yeah, that one's £2.70...
0:31:42 > 0:31:44Where does it say? Yes, £2.75.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Everything you buy is written down on a sheet
0:31:47 > 0:31:48you receive at the entrance.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53The total is then added up and you pay the cashier on the door.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56The range of foodstuffs on offer here is astounding.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59And I'm told anyone can be a member of the co-operative
0:31:59 > 0:32:03if they're over 16 and have produce to sell.
0:32:03 > 0:32:05Graham is running the charcuterie stall.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09- Well, hello, sir.- Hi. - How are we today?
0:32:09 > 0:32:11- Terrific.- What are we selling?
0:32:11 > 0:32:13It's a range of charcuterie, produced by me at home.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15About 18 months ago, my wife said to me,
0:32:15 > 0:32:17"Do something now you've retired."
0:32:17 > 0:32:19She wanted me out of the house and what do I end up doing?
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Staying in the house.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Yes, but if you could tempt her with all of this I bet she's very happy.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Well, she is, but she occasionally says,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28"Can we have a real meal tonight, not bits, please?"
0:32:28 > 0:32:30What should I be tempted with? There's so much to choose from.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32I think the things which are really nice -
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- in some cases I take something like a pork tender loin...- Yes?
0:32:35 > 0:32:37..wrap it in some spices.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40It's cooked. It comes out, the cooking's slightly anaemic,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42so it's blowtorched to give it it's lovely brown colour
0:32:42 > 0:32:45and a bit of charring. That actually adds a bit of flavour as well.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48And then I smoke it for 24 hours in the whisky barrel,
0:32:48 > 0:32:50sawdust as well, at the same time as I'm probably doing
0:32:50 > 0:32:52- some of the other products.- Yes.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54And that's lovely on a sandwich or in a salad.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Let's take one of those, I think.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Generally, members don't have their own individual stalls,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03as all produce of the same type is sold together.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06There's also no minimum quantity required
0:33:06 > 0:33:10and you don't have to sell every week.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13My last stop has to be the cake stand,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16where Angela is only too happy to help.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21- Now, I've gone for the healthy bit. - Now you want the nice bit.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24I've got my eggs, got my vegetables.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26I need a little something for after, don't I?
0:33:26 > 0:33:29A little indulgence.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- All locally produced?- Yeah.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34There's four cooks that all cook and we all bring it together.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37And do you take it in turns to sell it as well?
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- We all stand here and sell. - Do you? Together?- Yeah.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- It really is a community? - It is, absolutely.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47So we all know what we bake. We all bake different things.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50So if I said to you, a jam tart.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- Yes.- Would that go down well?
0:33:52 > 0:33:53Yes. Home-made jam.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Lovely. OK, so I'll take one of those, please.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00With my basket full of home-grown fare,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03it's been lovely to experience the vibrant community
0:34:03 > 0:34:06right on Danny and Suzanne's doorstep.
0:34:09 > 0:34:10Back at their house,
0:34:10 > 0:34:14I want to find out how their holiday let business has developed.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19And I'm pleased to report that not only have they kept up the existing
0:34:19 > 0:34:24let, but they've successfully added a new holiday lodge on site.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27It's situated where the old Airstream caravan used to be,
0:34:27 > 0:34:30after they decided against bringing their old lodge with them,
0:34:30 > 0:34:33as they had originally planned.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Danny's promised to show me one further addition,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39that I think is his pride and joy.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43And here we are in the keep, this is our shepherd's hut.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47Oh, this is adorable!
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- I've never been in one before. - Never?
0:34:49 > 0:34:52And you'd think as I spend most of my life in the country
0:34:52 > 0:34:53that I would have done.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- But it's bigger than I thought it was going to be.- Yeah.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58It's a lot more glamorous.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00- I thought it would be basic. - It's a little TARDIS.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- A big double bed. - Yeah, proper double bed size
0:35:03 > 0:35:06and also there's a wardrobe in there.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08And it's all heated.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10So, how do you actually heat it?
0:35:10 > 0:35:12We've got solar panels, actually,
0:35:12 > 0:35:16which is quite a nice green, sort of, credential you can have,
0:35:16 > 0:35:21and also it provides all the power for the hot water, the heating.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- So you're nice and cosy in here. - Eco-friendly.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26- Yes, I would say. - Is it popular with your guests?
0:35:26 > 0:35:27Yes, they like that side of it
0:35:27 > 0:35:31and also the fact that it's nicely tucked into the garden here.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34I'm sure it is. Are they very expensive to buy?
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Yes, it's all dependant on specification, of course.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41You could probably start at a basic price of £15,000 upwards.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- Right, £15,000?- Yeah. It's what you want in it, really.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48And do you need planning permission for something like this, or not?
0:35:48 > 0:35:51We've had to have planning permission because we rent it out.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- Right.- If this was something that was situated here
0:35:54 > 0:35:56on its own without renting,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58then we wouldn't have to have planning for it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01I can see people coming. It's like a little hideaway,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- a little secret.- Thank you.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06And it has the added extra of this.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- That's what I want to see. - Yes. A bit of luxury.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11Absolutely. As much as I love the countryside,
0:36:11 > 0:36:13I don't want to be going out there at 3am in the morning.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16- With your torch.- Exactly, no.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19What a charming addition to the property.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21On the other side of the garden,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24I'm joining Suzanne to help with feeding time.
0:36:25 > 0:36:26So are all these ducks yours?
0:36:26 > 0:36:28These are our, sort of, wild...
0:36:28 > 0:36:31But they were wild, they're tame now.
0:36:31 > 0:36:32- Look at them!- I know.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35But we'll feed them first.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37Come on, then, come and have some breakfast.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39There we are.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41And if you'd like to go and let the girls out while they're busy.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43- OK.- There's your little tin, Nicki, for some eggs.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45- Is this for the eggs? - And they'll be in the house.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48I hope they haven't let me down.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51Hello, girls.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52Come on, into the pond.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00- Have a nice day in the pond. - Last, but not least.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02And then look at me, I'm after the bounty.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- See if you can find some eggs. - Any in here?
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Oh, look, it's like a little nest in the corner.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11Oh, one, two, three, four.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14- Is that a good day? - That's a good day.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Why is there a blue one? What's the difference?
0:37:19 > 0:37:21- The Runner ducks give us blue eggs. - Yeah.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25And the Cherry Valley and the Khaki Campbells give us white eggs.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29- So you know who's laying which egg? - Yes.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31- Very clever ducks. - A good day - four eggs.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33A good day. Thank you.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Would you like to hold those, then, Nicki?
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Yeah.- We'll get Polly up to say hello.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39- How old's Polly? - This is little Polly.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42- Hello.- She's probably about four years old now.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Her mummy left her as a baby, so we brought her up.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Aww! Are you looking for food, are you?
0:37:47 > 0:37:49- Yes, probably.- Beautiful plumage.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51- But quite happy for you to pick her up?- Yeah.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54- Sort of semi-tame. - So-called wild duck.- Yes!
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- Not quite that wild.- No. - They love you, don't they?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Look at them. Do they follow you around the garden?
0:38:00 > 0:38:03They do follow me, and if I get this tin...
0:38:05 > 0:38:09- Come on. - TIN RATTLES
0:38:09 > 0:38:12NICKI LAUGHS
0:38:15 > 0:38:17There you go.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21And it's not just the ducks ruling the roost around here,
0:38:21 > 0:38:24there's Danny's famous robin, too.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26I wonder if I can get his attention.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- He's talking to you. - Yeah, he chirps away.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36- Come on.- He's thinking about it. There you go.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Look at that.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43He's beautiful.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47You don't get him that close unless there's stuff, basically.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Look at that.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52That's what this move has all been about, hasn't it?
0:38:52 > 0:38:57Yeah, it's the wildlife and the area.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- Yeah.- Oh, Danny that was magical.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02I'd be out here for hours.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Apparently you are!
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- Supposedly, yeah. - That's the best muesli, that is.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- Sorry!- I think that was meant to be for the guests.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14- You two are like the bird whisperers, aren't you?- I know.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17We really have got close to nature since we've been here, haven't we?
0:39:17 > 0:39:20I'm showing you this beautiful old pump house
0:39:20 > 0:39:23and thinking about a taste of what life could be like.
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Never, never in a million years did I realise
0:39:26 > 0:39:29you were going to be having all of this as well.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32- I didn't think so either. - Did you not?- No, no.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34- Wonderful.- It's something you...
0:39:34 > 0:39:38It's something you want to come to and you very rarely get it,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- and we've got it luckily enough, yeah.- We never want to move.
0:39:41 > 0:39:42- Do you not?- No.- No.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44We hate it when we go away, actually.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47We always want to come back, you know?
0:39:47 > 0:39:51Any more than a week and you're just dying to come back again.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Because we just like the surrounding area.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58We always say, "Why do we want to go abroad and sit by a pool when we've
0:39:58 > 0:40:01"got our own pond here, and we can sit and have a picnic
0:40:01 > 0:40:04"by the pond and watch the ducks, and we're happy?"
0:40:04 > 0:40:07I mean, do you spend hours in your garden?
0:40:07 > 0:40:09He's spent hours training that robin!
0:40:09 > 0:40:11THEY LAUGH
0:40:11 > 0:40:16Our couple really are all about the countryside these days.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20And surrounded as they are by rolling hills and beautiful views,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22it's easy to see why.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27Before I leave, I'm joining them on one of their favourite walks.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29This is such a beautiful spot.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31And this is your normal hike, is it, into Ledbury?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33This is our walk into Ledbury.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36It takes about 30 minutes, and Ledbury's just over there
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- behind you over there, in the valley.- How lovely.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43It's a lovely walk for the guests, and then they can go and have
0:40:43 > 0:40:44a coffee or something to eat in Ledbury.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47And we can walk into the deer park from our house as well.
0:40:47 > 0:40:48Again, that's about 30 minutes.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51And that's important, isn't it, when you've got guests?
0:40:51 > 0:40:53It is. And if they want a really long walk,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55- they can actually get up on to the Malvern Hills...- Can they?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57- ..from there.- Stunning.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59The countryside has been good to the two of you, hasn't it?
0:40:59 > 0:41:02- It has.- It has.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- Wouldn't change it for the world? - No.- No.- Definitely not.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07Not now. I certainly wouldn't go back.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Does it make you re-evaluate your lives?
0:41:10 > 0:41:12I mean, obviously you've had a life-changing experience,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15anyway, Danny, but, you know, living here
0:41:15 > 0:41:18and looking at this view, which, as we know,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21changes not every day, it's every hour, isn't it?
0:41:21 > 0:41:24That's what we like about the countryside though, isn't it,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27- the seasons.- The weather... - And the changes.- ..the rain.
0:41:27 > 0:41:29It doesn't matter, it's all part of the countryside.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31It's what you get.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- Yeah.- We love it.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37If I offered you £1 million to give all this up,
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- would you be tempted?- No.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42Yeah!
0:41:42 > 0:41:45- No, you wouldn't move. - No, I wouldn't, no.
0:41:45 > 0:41:46- No.- No.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50I think, no, money isn't everything.
0:41:50 > 0:41:55I think we've found out that you have to make ends meet,
0:41:55 > 0:41:58and we love being in the country
0:41:58 > 0:42:02because it's what we wanted in the first place.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05You really are the most delightful couple
0:42:05 > 0:42:09- in the most beautiful home with all of this...- Thank you.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11- ..on your doorstep.- Thank you.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14It's been lovely to see you again and to show you what we've done.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18I'm so pleased we've played a small part in all this happiness.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- Thank you. BOTH:- Thank you.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24For Suzanne and Danny,
0:42:24 > 0:42:28their move to Herefordshire represented so much more
0:42:28 > 0:42:30than just swapping one house for another.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33That was just the starting point.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37And it's been so inspiring meeting up with them again and seeing how
0:42:37 > 0:42:42together they are now reaping the rewards of all that hard work.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46And as we've heard, sometimes it's been really tough.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50So I'm delighted they can finally enjoy their new lives
0:42:50 > 0:42:53in the country.
0:42:53 > 0:42:57If you dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00England or Northern Ireland, and would also like our help,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03why not apply online at...