0:00:02 > 0:00:04Making the move from the city to the 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 > 0:00:12I'll be seeing a house like this, never ever.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15But for many years, Escape To The Country has been supporting
0:00:15 > 0:00:18countless people on the hunt for a new home.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21- What do we think of this?- Oh, my!
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Chocolate box.
0:00:22 > 0:00:26We've travelled to the most picturesque pockets of Britain...
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Take a look at that killer view.
0:00:28 > 0:00:29That's amazing.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32..to showcase thousands of exquisite country properties...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35Ah, how pretty is that?
0:00:35 > 0:00:37..that our buyers just couldn't resist.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40SHE SHRIEKS
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Seriously, get your cheque-book out now.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47Join us as we catch up with those who bought their dream home...
0:00:47 > 0:00:50My goodness. It's absolutely beautiful.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52..to find out how the move changed
0:00:52 > 0:00:55their lives when they escaped to the country.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Well, today I'm in Somerset,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16on the beautifully named Avalon Marshes
0:01:16 > 0:01:18at the Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve
0:01:18 > 0:01:21right in the heart of the Somerset Levels.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25This area is rich in wildlife, home to over 200 species of bird.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Amongst them - an elusive type of heron known as the bittern
0:01:28 > 0:01:32which I can tell you from personal experience is far easier
0:01:32 > 0:01:33to hear than it ever is to see.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37But these wetlands are also rich in prehistoric archaeology,
0:01:37 > 0:01:41proving that people have been living here for over 6,000 years.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Now, today I'll be catching up with two couples
0:01:44 > 0:01:46who we've helped escape to the country,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48new settlers to the area,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50to find out if their dream of a rural life
0:01:50 > 0:01:53is everything they hoped it would be.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57Somerset in England's South West is a popular county
0:01:57 > 0:01:59for those seeking a rural move
0:01:59 > 0:02:01with its relaxed way of life
0:02:01 > 0:02:04and an excellent selection of property stock.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Later on I'll be catching up with Eugene and Jane who swapped their
0:02:08 > 0:02:11suburban Hampshire home for more space in Somerset
0:02:11 > 0:02:14and have discovered that life in the country
0:02:14 > 0:02:16doesn't come without its dramas.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20So, I went out riding one day to try this horse before I bought it.
0:02:20 > 0:02:21The next thing I know, I'm laying on
0:02:21 > 0:02:24the ground and I'd fractured my spine in two places.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27But before that, I'll be revisiting Alison and Derek who've
0:02:27 > 0:02:31wasted little time transforming their fabulous countryside home
0:02:31 > 0:02:33and establishing new friendships.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Back in the spring of 2013, Baptist minister Derek's retirement
0:02:40 > 0:02:42allowed he and his wife Alison,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45who was then working as a charity promotions officer,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49to sell up their Tonbridge home of 14 years.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54We are looking forward to open spaces, scenery, views.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00The Mendips. You know, the hills, the Somerset Levels.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02We're looking forward to all of that.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06This active and creative couple craved the time and space
0:03:06 > 0:03:09to indulge their hands-on interests.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11I've done craft activities all my life.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14And so, at the moment, I'm specialising
0:03:14 > 0:03:16in making beaded jewellery.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19I love wood, love the smell of wood, love working with wood.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22I've got a lathe down in the garden in the shed,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25but I don't have room to use it down there, so I'm hoping I'll have
0:03:25 > 0:03:27considerably more room when we move.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Attracted to the villages in southern Somerset,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35they were after a characterful property with a kitchen-diner,
0:03:35 > 0:03:373-4 bedrooms and a study each.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Derek wanted his workshop and Alison was keen that the property came with
0:03:41 > 0:03:46a decent garden. And they had £500,000 to spend.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56We kicked off our property search in the village of Curload on the
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Somerset Levels, where I showed
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Derek and Alison a barn conversion built
0:04:01 > 0:04:03from local blue lias stone.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05There we are, property number one.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- I love the stonework.- Yeah.- And the contrast with the brick, as well.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13- That's lovely.- Right then, let's have a look inside.- Let's go.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16The split-level converted barn had a history dating back over two
0:04:16 > 0:04:20centuries with a contemporary feel inside.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21Come on in, Alison.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24- Oh, my word.- What do you reckon?
0:04:25 > 0:04:30- Goodness me.- Amazing space, isn't it?- Very impressive.
0:04:31 > 0:04:32It's kind of zoned in a way.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Yeah.- Obviously, you've got the kind of kitchen area here.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- Yep.- But I really like the way it all kind of
0:04:38 > 0:04:40flows through. So, living zone here.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43There's a lovely wood burner in there, too,
0:04:43 > 0:04:45so you've got a kind of cosy end, as well.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47There isn't a wow yet, though, is there?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49There isn't a wow yet.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52- Yet. No.- We haven't seen it all yet. - HE LAUGHS
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Well, let's keep our fingers crossed then. Come up here.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59The barn featured four bedrooms in total,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02including one given over to a study.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Whilst a guest room had a vaulted ceiling and original beams.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10And the master was ensuite. And here it is.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Again, vaulted ceiling which is rather nice.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- Yeah, yeah.- What are your thoughts so far?
0:05:15 > 0:05:16- I think it's interesting.- OK.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Interesting design, if not that many interesting features.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22It's all impressive, but it doesn't wow.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Oooh, that's interesting.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28Outside at the rear there was a large paved patio
0:05:28 > 0:05:30which overlooked the walled garden.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34And also included a timber workshop in the corner for Derek.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38But how much of their £500,000 would they have had to spend on
0:05:38 > 0:05:42property number one? So, who's going to go first, Derek?
0:05:42 > 0:05:44It sounds like I am.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47I would say 475.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50475. Yeah, OK.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55- 480.- 480. Not bad.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57But you could have done a bit better.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02- It's £435,000.- 435?! - Oh, my word.- You see. Ah-ha!
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Yes. Now that might put a different twist on it?
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- Yeah.- Maybe.- Yeah.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Under budget with a guide price of £435,000,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15our first property had excited Derek and Alison,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18but perhaps lacked the all-important wow factor.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21The way that the place plays with light and space
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I find very impressive indeed.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25But it doesn't quite do it for me.
0:06:25 > 0:06:30It was a lovely property, but I think if I was going to be picky
0:06:30 > 0:06:32I would prefer a few more period features.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42The next day, we pressed on with our second property viewing
0:06:42 > 0:06:43in the village of Butleigh,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47where I showed them a stone cottage in the heart of the village.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49So, come round the willow.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- There we are, property number two. - What a lovely looking property.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57- Beautiful.- Isn't it? - Really excited.- Pretty. Yeah.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00- It's got a couple of inglenooks. - Wow.- Stone staircase.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03- Oh, my word.- And a walled garden. - And a walled garden.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Always dreamed of a walled garden.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09So, a very positive start to proceedings
0:07:09 > 0:07:11and great first impressions of
0:07:11 > 0:07:15this lovely detached 17th-century cottage.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19- Come on in. Let's start in the living room.- Whoa!
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Very nice.- That was a whoa. Is that like a wow?- That's a wow.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27- Yeah, good. Excellent. - That's a Kentish wow.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Now, I did promise you a spiral stone staircase.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32It's over here. We won't use it just yet.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34But just to give you a taster.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36There it is. Isn't that lovely? SHE LAUGHS
0:07:36 > 0:07:41- Goodness. That's really nice. - HE CHUCKLES
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Right, let's have a look at the dining room across the hallway.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48There, as you can see, a kind of mirror image, almost...
0:07:48 > 0:07:49- That's nice, too. - ..of the living room.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Yeah. Another lovely fireplace.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Yes.- And I love exposed stone, as well, within the house.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Come through here, this is the kitchen.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00See what you think of this, Alison.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Oh!- Yes.- A red range.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09How about that? That's awesome, isn't it?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Yeah. I mean, it's not a huge kitchen diner, Derek,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13that you had alluded to when we first met.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16But because it leads on into the dining room there...
0:08:16 > 0:08:20- Yeah.- Fine.- Right, let's have a look upstairs. Come with me.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25There was another staircase to access the first floor
0:08:25 > 0:08:27which was home to four bedrooms.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31None of which were specifically dedicated as the master.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34This is the one with a stone spiral staircase coming up...
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- Oh, yes.- ..from the living room.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39So, I don't know, really, which one would you pick?
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Probably the end one.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- Yeah?- The other one, cos it's got the built-in wardrobe.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46The other thing to point out is that
0:08:46 > 0:08:49downstairs there's an additional granny annexe.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50Effectively, it's a big double
0:08:50 > 0:08:52bedroom with an en-suite attached to it,
0:08:52 > 0:08:54which might be useful too.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Outside, the lawned garden laid to the front
0:08:56 > 0:08:59and there was a bonus of a former double garage
0:08:59 > 0:09:01which was an ideal potential space
0:09:01 > 0:09:05for Derek and Alison's creative hobbies.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- Ta-da!- My word.- It's excellent. I think we could share this.
0:09:09 > 0:09:10- I think you could.- I think so, yeah.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Might need a little screen between us.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15But, no, no, there's a lot of room here.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- So...- Excellent.- How much is it worth? Go on, Alison.
0:09:20 > 0:09:21I'm going to go with 520.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24520. Derek?
0:09:24 > 0:09:28I hope it's a little nearer our half million.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30You may well hope so.
0:09:30 > 0:09:37- It is closer to Alison, I'm afraid. It is 525.- 525.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Although £25,000 over budget,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43our second property had clearly delighted both Derek and Alison.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46I think the house has the wow factor.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50I'm certainly very, very impressed and can see us living here.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Personally, I would definitely say this is a contender.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56I can imagine myself living here.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Yeah, watch this space.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05Well, what a fantastic start to our second day's house-hunting.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Thankfully, well, unlike today, it wasn't raining.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Now, there's no doubt that gorgeous
0:10:10 > 0:10:1317th-century stone cottage clearly worked its magic.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17And definitely had the wow or the whoa factor that Derek
0:10:17 > 0:10:20was looking for, but of course we still had one more property to come.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Our Mystery House. And for that, well,
0:10:22 > 0:10:27I really was determined to try and put the cat among the pigeons.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Not literally, of course. But in a good way.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Our final location was in the village of Shepton Beauchamp.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37And a classic Mystery House
0:10:37 > 0:10:40that was designed to test Alison and Derek's
0:10:40 > 0:10:42commitment to historic features.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46And there it is, our final property, now bathed in some rare sunshine.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- That's it.- Wow.- That is a wow. - That is stunning.- Definite wow.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53It's listed. It has lots of features in it, as you would expect.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55And a key to match. THEY LAUGH
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- How about that?- Look at that.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00It had the smallest footprint of all our houses, but seemed
0:11:00 > 0:11:04to hit the mark at face value, featuring many historic gems.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05This is charming, isn't it?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07This would be your main living room, as such.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- Right.- Is it you?- Yes. - Oh, I think so.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- A big booming yes, there.- Yes, yes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Yep.- I'm excited to see more.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16Right, let's do that.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22So this is your dining end and kitchen.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25That's nice, isn't it?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I like the granite worktop. Wasn't expecting that.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30Another lovely fireplace.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33The depth of the wood is just amazing, isn't it?
0:11:33 > 0:11:34- Yeah, yeah.- This is fascinating.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37How is this comparing with property two?
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Thus far, it excites me more than property two.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46- Does it?- Yes.- That's interesting, yeah. What about the boss?
0:11:46 > 0:11:48THEY LAUGH
0:11:51 > 0:11:55Yes, I think so. I think I'd agree.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00The ground floor was also home to a good-sized study and small workshop.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Upstairs there were three bedrooms in total,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05along with a family bathroom.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08This is the master bedroom.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Wow. That is huge, isn't it?
0:12:12 > 0:12:14This is the biggest and the best
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- we've been able to show you this week.- Surprisingly big.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20Yeah. It's certainly got some pedigree, hasn't it?
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Absolutely, yeah.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27Outside, the garden lay in a third of an acre, set over two levels.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31But would it suffice, and, more importantly, what was the price?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33I mean, would you be happy pottering
0:12:33 > 0:12:36around out here on a Saturday afternoon?
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- I think I'd be in heaven. - Really?- And I would enjoy it, too.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41- Yeah.- Very much.- Yeah.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45I fear it's way over budget, so I would guess 550.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47550, yep. Alison?
0:12:47 > 0:12:51I'm going to be a little bit more hopeful and say 540.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53540.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Well, you're both wrong.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59This could be yours for 499.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- Goodness me. Goodness. - SHE LAUGHS
0:13:04 > 0:13:06A fraction under budget,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09our Mystery House was packed with history and character.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11And left them with a big decision to make.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Are you going to mow all this grass?
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Well, I'll have to have a sit-on.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20I don't think you need a sit on.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23It was a wonderful surprise to discover
0:13:23 > 0:13:26that we could afford to buy this property.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I'm left with really positive thoughts.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32But quite a lot to think about.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Derek and Alison had something of a quandary with three fantastic
0:13:36 > 0:13:38properties to choose from.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41The lias stone barn with a modern interior
0:13:41 > 0:13:44had the open-plan layout they were after.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47The second, the stone cottage, was over-budget
0:13:47 > 0:13:51and needed some work doing to it upstairs.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55And, finally, our thatched Mystery House had character in abundance
0:13:55 > 0:13:57and had really captured their hearts.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00But which one did they choose in the end?
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Well, four years on, I'm back in Somerset to see how Derek
0:14:05 > 0:14:09and Alison got on. Because after much deliberation, well,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12they decided to buy this, our second property,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16that beautiful 17th-century stone cottage in the heart of Butleigh.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18And by the looks of it,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I'd say they've been pretty busy making it their own.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25One end of the house has been transformed
0:14:25 > 0:14:28with an eye-catching oak-framed extension
0:14:28 > 0:14:30which I'm keen to take a look at from the inside.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36- You've come back! - How are you, Derek?- Welcome.
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- Good to see you, mate. Hi, Alison, lovely to see you.- How are you?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Now, you're supposed to say we haven't changed.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45You haven't changed a bit.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- But the place has.- Well, that's what I want to see.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- This is lovely.- Come on in. - Thank you. After you.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52It's your house tour now.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Almost as soon as they moved in,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00they set about reconfiguring much of the interior.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02This is the kitchen.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05I don't know if you remember it.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Wow. I do remember it, but it didn't look like this.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10No. There was a big window there going onto the alleyway.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12And we always had the blinds down.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- So we decided there wasn't any point.- And you've kept the range.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- We've kept the range. - The great red range.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Turned it round. Yeah. - Turned it 90 degrees.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22It's really nice. You've managed to keep a lot of the original features
0:15:22 > 0:15:24that first, I guess, made it attractive,
0:15:24 > 0:15:28but reordered it so that it's right for you two.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32My eye is being drawn that way because that looks amazing.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Yeah, there used to be the back door there.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Just there.- But we've built the extension on the side.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Wow. I really want to see this.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44My goodness.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47I mean, there was a sense that your
0:15:47 > 0:15:50property needed to have a wow, Derek.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53And you've certainly created another wow with this.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55It's absolutely beautiful.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57We spend a lot of time here.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59You must just smile every time you come in here.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02How long was it, from when you moved in, did you decide to do this?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04It was fairly soon.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06The first winter we were here, the back door,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09which was, of course, here, leaked badly
0:16:09 > 0:16:13when the prevailing wind and weather hit this side of the house.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16And we thought we needed to do something about the door.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19"Hey, why don't we do something more?"
0:16:19 > 0:16:24- Let's build a porch. - And we began to dream.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26But the dream didn't end there.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31They've also reordered the upstairs of their 17th-century stone cottage
0:16:31 > 0:16:35and in the process discovered its hidden secrets.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38Ah, OK.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40So, remind me, what was here before?
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Before this was two bedrooms.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Yeah, they were quite small rooms, weren't they?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- Yeah.- This, wow, this is great.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49We just went a bit mad, didn't we, one morning?
0:16:49 > 0:16:52It wasn't a load-bearing wall so we could take that down.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55We put another wall in there, to carve off a bit.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Which is eventually going to be a shower room.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01And it's made a really nice large master bedroom.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03But that looks amazing. That wasn't there, was it?
0:17:03 > 0:17:08- That was a find.- I saw the corner of this stone and I sort of said to
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Derek, shall we see if we can go back to the stone?
0:17:11 > 0:17:15And as we did, we realised that that piece there was a much bigger
0:17:15 > 0:17:17piece of enormous stone. And it was a lintel.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21And then the fireplace was blocked in with cement.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- And rubble.- And rubble. - And soot.- It was just...
0:17:24 > 0:17:27You should have seen Alison when she'd finished.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- I literally had to go up... - You wouldn't recognise her.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32- Like, up the chimney.- She was black from head to foot.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- I was.- But that sounds like a fascinating and very rewarding
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- kind of weekend's work. - Yeah, incredible.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39But it's really made it.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43And it's given this upstairs, you know, the room it needed.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Another big idea that you've managed to incorporate...
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- Yeah.- ..into your overall plan.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Although they've lost one of the four bedrooms upstairs,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54they still have the annexe available
0:17:54 > 0:17:57next door for visiting family and guests.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59Across the garden from the house,
0:17:59 > 0:18:01the former double garage has been
0:18:01 > 0:18:03divided into a workshop for Derek and a
0:18:03 > 0:18:05study they can both share.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Derek and Alison have clearly found a property that suits them both
0:18:09 > 0:18:12but it wasn't the only one on the cards
0:18:12 > 0:18:15when we finished our house tours in 2013.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18So, I'm intrigued to discover how they got here.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21So, we gave you a pretty good selection that week.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25And there was some debate as to which property
0:18:25 > 0:18:29would be your favourite between this one and the Mystery House.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Well, we think this house was a
0:18:31 > 0:18:33combination of head and heart, really.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37We both just felt it was the right one, eventually, didn't we?
0:18:37 > 0:18:41And then also practically, with all our different needs
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- and requirements, it had everything. - It was on the market at, what, 5...?
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- 520.- 520.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Over your very good half a million budget,
0:18:50 > 0:18:51so what did you have to pay for it?
0:18:51 > 0:18:54We offered 500, because that was all we had.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58And the vendor turned us down.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00So we went home, that was the Friday.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02And we started to look elsewhere.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07And over that weekend we were a bit disappointed, to be honest.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- Yeah, down.- And then on the Monday Alison went shopping with her mum
0:19:12 > 0:19:14and the mobile rang.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17And it was the estate agent to say the vendor decided we were
0:19:17 > 0:19:20the nicest people she'd shown around
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and she would let us have it for 500.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Well, I could have told her that. Yeah, that's great. So you got it.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- Yeah.- Yep.- You know, it was everything you had,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31and looking around, you've clearly spent a fair bit on it.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35So how did you manage to join the dots financially?
0:19:35 > 0:19:36I had to go to work.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Well, we had to take another mortgage out, didn't we?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42We took out an interest-free mortgage and I started to work
0:19:42 > 0:19:46for a supermarket driving and making deliveries in all the villages
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- in the Mendips and all around here. - Which was brilliant...
0:19:49 > 0:19:51I got to know the area incredibly quickly.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- Yeah.- And lots of people, I suppose.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Oh, met some super, wonderful people.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- It's such a pretty village. - Yep.- The sense of community is
0:19:58 > 0:20:01obvious as soon as you enter it, really.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03And we're right in the heart of the village.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- Yeah.- And we've received the warmest of welcomes.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08We've not been treated as incomers at all.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12They've made many new friends in Butleigh including a neighbour who's
0:20:12 > 0:20:14happy for Derek to walk their dog in the absence
0:20:14 > 0:20:16of owning one of his own.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- So, this is...?- This is Tilly.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20- Hey, Tilly.- My neighbour's dog.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- And how old's Tilly? - Tilly's six now.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- Yes.- So you're able to take her out as and when you want to?
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Yes. They're very happy for me to take her for walks and she always
0:20:29 > 0:20:30associates me with walks.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32The moment she sees me she expects a walk.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35In fact, she will go and grab her lead and bring it to me.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39So, basic question, why you haven't now got a dog of your own?
0:20:39 > 0:20:42I had dogs all my life.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44And when we were first married, we had dogs.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48But we were living in church houses,
0:20:48 > 0:20:50where there were hardwood floors.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Now we have a home of our own with carpets,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54Alison's not terribly keen on having a dog
0:20:54 > 0:20:56because they tend to make the carpets smell.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Oh, poor Tilly.- So, here I've got all the pleasure without the
0:20:59 > 0:21:02responsibilities of vets bills or food bills.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04So I've got the best of both worlds.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06- You've got some lovely walks around here.- Oh, fantastic.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08I mean, the church is just gorgeous, isn't it?
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- Yes, yes.- And the church is playing an important role in Derek's life
0:21:12 > 0:21:15again. Although he retired from preaching
0:21:15 > 0:21:17before moving down to Somerset,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20he found a calling to return to the ministry.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Six different denominations, I go to, yeah, around Somerset.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- All over Somerset.- So, Sunday's a busy day for you?
0:21:26 > 0:21:27Sunday is a very busy day.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- So, that's a lot of sermons to have to write.- Absolutely. Yes.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34- Do you ever run out of inspiration? - No. No.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Well, I suppose out walking the dog is the perfect place to compose your
0:21:37 > 0:21:41- thought for the week. - Well, I'll tell you a secret.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Out walking the dog is a good opportunity to practise my sermon.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- Cos there's no-one around to hear. - How do they go, Tilly?
0:21:49 > 0:21:51She's got her ears pinned back.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- Boring!- Is that a good sign or a bad sign?
0:21:54 > 0:21:55Come on, then.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00And when Derek is touring Somerset as a roving rector,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Alison spends her time playing the flute,
0:22:02 > 0:22:06doing her charity work and indulging in her creative hobbies.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08She's even started up a village craft group.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Well, this is a hive of industry, isn't it?
0:22:11 > 0:22:14And I'm catching up with some of them back at the house.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Well, Alison, it's a good job you built this fabulous extension,
0:22:18 > 0:22:19otherwise all your lovely friends
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- would have nowhere to come and do their craft.- I know, I know.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25It's a good space, good light.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- It's a brilliant space, isn't it? - Yeah.- So what's everybody making?
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- What are you making?- I'm doing something called iris folding.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Which Alison's recently shown me how to do.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36It's easiest, really, if I show you
0:22:36 > 0:22:38what the finished article will look like.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39So it will look something like this.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Is it called iris folding because it creates this sort of little eye in
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- the middle?- That's right, yeah, exactly so.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47And you brought this skill into the village, then?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50- Like a pioneer that you are.- No.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Or a jack of all trades, I think.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57Now, can I ask, did any of you also move into the village from afar?
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Well, I moved here about 35 years ago.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03We've just lived in the village ever since.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05We moved from Woking in Surrey.
0:23:05 > 0:23:0735 years.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08Oh, at least that, yes.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10Now, tell me, is 35 years long
0:23:10 > 0:23:12enough for you to be considered a local?
0:23:12 > 0:23:15I think just beginning to become one, yeah.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19And what about you, Tess?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21We've been in Somerset for about...
0:23:22 > 0:23:23..40 years, I guess.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26I mean, the thing I've always loved about Somerset
0:23:26 > 0:23:29is that it does attract a very eclectic and interesting
0:23:29 > 0:23:33and, dare I say it, occasionally eccentric bunch.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Do you think that's fair?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Well, it depends which one you're putting us in.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Well, which one would you put yourself in, Hillary?
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Not eccentric, I don't think.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- Eclectic.- Eclectic, possibly.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50But this is a really lovely way, isn't it,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52to maintain those village links
0:23:52 > 0:23:55without having to rely on, necessarily,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58the pub or the village hall or other events?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01We always wanted to use the home for, you know,
0:24:01 > 0:24:02having people in and things.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05So this, for me, is ideal.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07It's great to see how Derek and Alison's house
0:24:07 > 0:24:10is now something of a venue for their friends,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14neighbours and family, as much as it is a home for them.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18But the move from Tonbridge in Kent to the beautiful village of Butleigh
0:24:18 > 0:24:20was part of a much greater plan.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24You've moved right across the country to come here to Somerset.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Can you define what Somerset has offered you?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31You probably expect us to say this because of who and what we are.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34But we believe that it was always God's plan and purpose
0:24:34 > 0:24:40that we should come here. We are so grateful to Escape To The Country,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43because it was almost an idle whim
0:24:43 > 0:24:46that made me apply in the first place.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- You found us this home.- Yeah. - So you played a big part in this.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- So we're very grateful. - Yeah, we are.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Well, I've often said it before.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Although each house hunt is of course different,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02the one thing they all have in common is choice.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05And thanks to the quality of the rural property market here
0:25:05 > 0:25:08in Britain, we are usually left spoiled for it.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11But, of course, making sense of that choice, that is the trick,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13and that was certainly the case back
0:25:13 > 0:25:16in 2009 when Denise Nurse came down here to Somerset.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19She gave her buyers a rich array of properties but which
0:25:19 > 0:25:21one would they go for?
0:25:23 > 0:25:28Back in the summer of 2009, fitness fanatic and business manager Eugene
0:25:28 > 0:25:30and medical secretary Jane were
0:25:30 > 0:25:33living in a modern three-bed house in Swanwick, Hampshire.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37But after 11 years in the suburbs, they wanted to return to the
0:25:37 > 0:25:40county where Eugene spent his childhood.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41It was always the intention,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45at some point in my life to go back to what was home, you know,
0:25:45 > 0:25:46which is in Somerset.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49I'm really tired of the hustle and bustle here.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53I'm tired of spending an hour driving 14 miles down the road
0:25:53 > 0:25:56on the motorway to get to work.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59But Jane had some reservations about the move.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01I feel quite sad about leaving this house,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03because it is my home and I have
0:26:03 > 0:26:06lived here longer than anywhere else. And I love it.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10With Jane having aspirations of owning a horse,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13they were after an acre of land as well as four bedrooms,
0:26:13 > 0:26:18a kitchen to impress and a study for Eugene who worked from home.
0:26:18 > 0:26:23They had £650,000 to spend and a portion for barn conversions.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Our first house was in the village of Sandford Hill,
0:26:32 > 0:26:36just two miles from Eugene's relatives in Bridgewater.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Now, bearing in mind their fondness for barn conversions,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Denise Nurse began with the philosophy
0:26:41 > 0:26:43of give them what they want.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44- That looks fantastic. - It looks lovely.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48- That looks just what we're looking for, actually.- Yes.- Good!
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Smiles from both of you. Looks good from the outside?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- Yeah.- Let's have a look in.- Go on. - OK.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56The barn had been recently converted
0:26:56 > 0:26:58- and was unfurnished inside. - Come on in.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02- Now, you're quite excited about this one.- Definitely.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Yes.- A nice, sort of, entrance hallway here.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07A downstairs cloakroom,
0:27:07 > 0:27:12but come into this living room and tell me what you think.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- Wow.- Oh, my goodness. - That's fantastic.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20The open-plan reception room led on to a contemporary kitchen.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- Gosh.- Oh, this is nice.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- This is lovely. - Thought might like this.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- Yes.- And...
0:27:26 > 0:27:28- Look at the view there. - That's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:27:28 > 0:27:30I will be more than happy with this.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33- Big enough for you? - Yeah, loads of counter space.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- It's perfect.- At the other end of the barn,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38on the ground floor, there was a separate annexe.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- You have your own entrance here. - Oh, I see.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- Right.- And all of this space.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47- Wow.- I was expecting a tiny little room.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50But what do you think you would do with it?
0:27:50 > 0:27:51I think it would be my office.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53I had a feeling you were going to say that.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58I see it as a bedroom actually, but guest bedroom.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Upstairs, there were four other bedrooms and a family bathroom.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04With the bedroom downstairs
0:28:04 > 0:28:06earmarked as an office come guest suite,
0:28:06 > 0:28:08they looked at the potential master.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12- Wow.- This is lovely, isn't it? - Yeah. I love it.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13- Amazing.- Love it?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16- Yes.- That's a strong emotion.
0:28:16 > 0:28:17No, it's amazing.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Eugene and Jane clearly love the inside.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22Outside there was an acre of land
0:28:22 > 0:28:24and an option to purchase the adjoining
0:28:24 > 0:28:27field if Jane wanted to keep a horse.
0:28:27 > 0:28:29All that was left was to talk money.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Give me a figure.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35I would have to say at least £650,000.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39- Right up there on the budget. - I would say 625.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44- You being optimistic there? - I am.- Well, you are spot on.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46- Oh, right.- You win this round.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49It is on the market for £650,000.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52So you have no money left over, but you could afford it.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56- Yeah, that's right.- Thoughts? - Very happy.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03Bang on budget, this high-spec barn conversion had clearly hit the mark.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05I absolutely love this house.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08And I could see myself living in it, it's just perfect.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10I can't find any faults with it whatsoever.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12So, it's all positive.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15I think it's an amazing house. It's a definite contender.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21The next house is in the village of Badgworth,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24close to the southern edge of the Mendip Hills.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27And today started off by showing Jane the land on offer.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- Because it's all of this. - Wow.- Seven acres.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- That's quite a lot.- I know you've got a big property at the moment,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36you don't want to downsize, and you do want space for the horses.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37Well, you don't have one here,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I think you could have as many as you like.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- I think so.- Cantering across those fields.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- What do you think so far? - Yeah, it's beautiful here.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45It's really scenic.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49Their potential home was a historic Somerset long house
0:29:49 > 0:29:51which had been added to over the centuries.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55- What do you think?- It's beautiful. Very beautiful.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57- What do you think, Eugene? - Charming place.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Charming, beautiful.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Does it fit your dream of a country home?
0:30:02 > 0:30:03- It's looking good.- Good.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- Right, let's have a look inside. - OK.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10The property came with two large reception rooms with characterful
0:30:10 > 0:30:14- features.- Wow, what a lovely fireplace.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- It's impressive, isn't it? - My cat would love that window seat.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20- In the sun.- A place for the cat, that's huge inglenook,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22although there is not a working fire in there,
0:30:22 > 0:30:26I think they've made good use of it as a TV sort of space.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28So this house just keeps tumbling on,
0:30:28 > 0:30:32and here we fall into a very huge kitchen.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- Gosh, that is big, isn't it? - It's massive.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36I think you could work well in this kitchen.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38It has got a peaceful feeling about it.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Upstairs, this vast house featured seven bedrooms
0:30:42 > 0:30:46- arranged over two floors. - This is lovely.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- Beautiful.- Yeah, and a nice window seat again.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53Lovely window seat. You've got the Victorian fireplace there.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- Oh, that's nice, yes. - And it's a good-sized double,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- as are all of the bedrooms. - And the original floor.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02It was certainly a house that just kept on giving,
0:31:02 > 0:31:04and there was plenty on offer outside,
0:31:04 > 0:31:09including a double garage and separate annexe as well as a pool.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13But how much was this sprawling property going to cost them?
0:31:13 > 0:31:17Well, I think it would have to be at least £700,000.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- I would say 685. - So, over your budget.- Yes.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- Yeah.- And I can see why you would say that.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27Do you know what? You could afford this.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30It's on the market at £650,000.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Wow! I can't believe that. All that house.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Bang on budget, Eugene and Jane were pleasantly surprised with the price,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42but was it too much house to handle?
0:31:42 > 0:31:46I really like this house. It's like a maze.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49We'll have to buy an awful lot more furniture to fill it.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52The thoughts are all very positive about it.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54I think we're going to have to do some thinking though.
0:31:54 > 0:31:58The only downside is it is absolutely huge,
0:31:58 > 0:32:00and I really don't know how much
0:32:00 > 0:32:03time I would have available to maintain a house of this size.
0:32:10 > 0:32:11Well, our first two properties
0:32:11 > 0:32:14certainly gave Jane and Eugene plenty to think about it,
0:32:14 > 0:32:18both very different and both offering lots of options.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21But now it was time to reveal our Mystery House to up the ante and the
0:32:21 > 0:32:26grandeur, but also to combine an important element of compromise.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30Their final house was in the village of Chedzoy.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34It was a striking Grade II listed Victorian property,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37but certain aspects of which were going to challenge them.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42Now we've brought you to the heart of a village to see the old rectory.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- Right.- Well, what do you think?
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- Well, it's amazing.- Lovely old place.- It is large, too.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50We are in the heart of the village,
0:32:50 > 0:32:52and that does mean you compromise on something...
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- Land.- Yes. - OK.- So you've got this patch here,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58and the garden over there that we'll come back to.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- Yeah.- It would mean for the horses you would have to buy some land
0:33:01 > 0:33:04a bit away. You've got farms close by.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Or perhaps rent some land.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- Come on, let's have a look inside. - OK.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Although this one lacked land,
0:33:11 > 0:33:14it more than delivered on period grandeur.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16That's what you call a ceiling.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21- Very stably.- Grand. Impressed?- I like it.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- You like it?- Yeah, I do. - What are you thinking, Jane?
0:33:24 > 0:33:25Yes, I like it too.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28The kitchen-diner was just off that impressive entrance hall.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31- Compact.- The actual kitchen area is a little small,
0:33:31 > 0:33:33but this area here is lovely.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36You're right, it's quite compact over here.
0:33:36 > 0:33:37I mean, I guess if this was your kitchen
0:33:37 > 0:33:40you might want to perhaps move the kitchen over to this side?
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- Extend it out a bit more. All right, let's keep exploring.- OK.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50- And the grand tour continues. - Oh, gosh.- I like this.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- I like this too.- Yes.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- It's beautiful.- Yeah, I'm impressed with what I see.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56It is very stately, isn't it?
0:33:56 > 0:34:01I love the ceiling rows, and you've got these shuttered doors here.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Those shutters let onto a spacious summer room,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06and but there was also a further stately reception room
0:34:06 > 0:34:09with wood-panelled walls.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12Upstairs there was a beautiful family bathroom
0:34:12 > 0:34:15with a feature bath and five generously sized bedrooms.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- Let's look at the master. - Oh, it's lovely, it's large.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- Look at this.- It's humongous!- It is.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25You could divide this into four rooms.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29- You're right.- Impressed by the scale of the Mystery House,
0:34:29 > 0:34:33Denise took Eugene and Jane outside to discuss the finances.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Tough question, but I have to ask, how much do you think it's worth?
0:34:37 > 0:34:43It is a very tough question, but I would say 625,000?
0:34:43 > 0:34:46I'm going to go for 595,000.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48595.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51You both think you can afford it?
0:34:51 > 0:34:53- Oh, yes.- And we do need some money left over
0:34:53 > 0:34:56so you can find some land for the horses.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58- Yes.- Yes.- So how about this figure?
0:34:58 > 0:35:01£550,000.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- Wow.- Wow.- I wasn't expecting that.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08- No, I wasn't.- I shocked you, Eugene. - You did.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10What do you think of that?
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Well, amazed.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15- Staggered.- Yes.- Now you've made our life extremely difficult.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Yes, you have.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19£100,000 below budget,
0:35:19 > 0:35:21the price of the Mystery House
0:35:21 > 0:35:24had surprised Jane and Eugene and the
0:35:24 > 0:35:25cogs were beginning to spin.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28This house is giving me lots to think about,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31because I really love this house.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35It's got everything except the paddock.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37The land isn't a factor for me.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41I mean, we can rent some land for Jane to get a pony.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Or buy some.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Oh, final house.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48What a great house it is.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50But lots for you to think about now.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52- So let's find somewhere for you to sit down.- OK.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59Eugene and Jane liked all three properties we showed them.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02The first, that stylish barn conversion,
0:36:02 > 0:36:04had got us off to a good start.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07The second property - the vast Somerset long house
0:36:07 > 0:36:09offered them lots of space both inside and out.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13And, finally, our Victorian Gothic
0:36:13 > 0:36:16Mystery House had the heart-of-village location,
0:36:16 > 0:36:18but lacked the land they were after.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21But which one would they go on to buy in the end?
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Well, with three very strong contenders to consider,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30it must've been a pretty difficult decision for Jane and Eugene to
0:36:30 > 0:36:32finally settle on one.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34But of course settled they eventually did.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37On this one, that very stylish barn conversion.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Now, of course, last time we saw it, it was empty.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43So I'm keen to see, not only how they furnished it,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45but also to find out how country life
0:36:45 > 0:36:48has been treating them over the last few years.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03- Eugene!- Hi. - Very nice to meet you, I'm Jules.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06- Hello, Jane.- Hi.- How are you? - Nice to meet you.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- Who are these two? - That's Max, and there's Rubin.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11Come on, you two. In you come.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Well, I gather you've been quite busy over the last few years?
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- We have, yes.- Go on, then, after you.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22Wow, this is very impressive.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24You have filled it, haven't you?
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- We certainly have. - It's amazing, isn't it?
0:37:27 > 0:37:30You've really transformed this space.
0:37:30 > 0:37:31We've added the log burner...
0:37:31 > 0:37:34- Yeah.- Which is obviously very nice in the wintertime.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36- Yeah.- That's Jane's choice.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Really furnished beautifully, actually.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39- Thank you.- Thanks very much.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Now, the kitchen looks as gorgeous today
0:37:42 > 0:37:45as it did when you first saw it.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48I mean, that was clearly a major selling point, wasn't it?
0:37:48 > 0:37:49Oh, absolutely, for me it was, yes.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52- Come on, let's have a look down there.- Yes, come through.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Yes, it's another wow, clearly, isn't it?
0:37:58 > 0:38:00- And look at the views. - Oh, lovely, yes.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Yes, it is a spectacular view.
0:38:03 > 0:38:08Which half of this house do you tend to use more, do you think?
0:38:08 > 0:38:12- Well, for me, this side, but... - This side, but down that end.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15- Down that end, yeah. - That's where my office is.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17But, must be great for parties, you know?
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- Oh, yeah.- It would be, yes. - It would be? Have you not had any?
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- We haven't had one yet.- Hang on a minute, in how many years?
0:38:24 > 0:38:27What, eight years? I think you need to have more parties,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30that's for sure. Because this kitchen, crying out for parties,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32isn't it? People milling around, moving around the space,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34sharing a drink and a chat.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38It's great, isn't it? I'm intrigued to find out just what Jane and
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Eugene have been up to since moving to Somerset.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44I think the only bit of structural work they've done to the property
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- might be a clue.- Yeah, so this is my office.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Oh, that's nice. And you've grabbed the views, haven't you?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Very much so. Yeah, nice.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Eugene's home office was created by
0:38:56 > 0:39:00dividing the huge downstairs bedroom into two rooms.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03And they've still managed to keep the other half as a guest suite.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05This is a crazy big space.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08So you basically put in this partition wall...
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- Yep. It's a nice size now. - Yeah, it really is.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Also, you can lay in bed and look at the Quantocks through the doors
0:39:14 > 0:39:16there...which is quite nice.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It's clear that business comes first for Eugene,
0:39:19 > 0:39:22who runs his own medical supplies company.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Whereas Jane works for the NHS Blood and Tissue Service and travels the
0:39:26 > 0:39:28country in her job.
0:39:28 > 0:39:29So has that prevented them from
0:39:29 > 0:39:32immersing themselves in the community and
0:39:32 > 0:39:34truly embracing country life?
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Has it been a good move?
0:39:36 > 0:39:39Good and bad, a mixture.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41OK, so let's talk through the bad points first.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Well, it should have been a good point because the reason I wanted
0:39:45 > 0:39:48to come here was to have a horse outside,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51look out my bedroom window and see my horse in a paddock.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54So I went out riding one day to try this horse before I bought it,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57and next thing I know I'm a laying on the ground and I've fractured my
0:39:57 > 0:39:59spine in two places.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03So...I had to wear a scoliosis frame for three months.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Although I have been riding since,
0:40:05 > 0:40:07because I don't let things like that beat me,
0:40:07 > 0:40:09it suddenly is not very attractive any more.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11So, I've got a sports car instead.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14But how lucky you were to walk away from that accident!
0:40:14 > 0:40:16Oh, absolutely, yes, yeah, I realised that,
0:40:16 > 0:40:20which is why I have not followed through and got a horse.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23You've still ended up with a house with land, which is very lovely.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26And it's nice to look out from your kitchen window and think
0:40:26 > 0:40:27that what you see is yours.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29I suppose the dogs must love it, Eugene.
0:40:29 > 0:40:36They do. I walk them most days. Sometimes through business I can't,
0:40:36 > 0:40:41but I always try and make the effort to walk them first thing in the
0:40:41 > 0:40:43morning. I mean, from a business
0:40:43 > 0:40:45point of view for me, it's a good location.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50Because I'm somewhat central to the areas that I travel to.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52That's clearly given you more time,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55leisure time for you to enjoy the house...
0:40:55 > 0:40:57He's a workaholic.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Right, OK, see I was thinking, oh,
0:40:59 > 0:41:01great you have loads of time on your hands.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05No, far from it. I just work long hours.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09Both Eugene and Jane are clearly committed to their jobs,
0:41:09 > 0:41:11leaving them with little leisure time.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14But when they do get a chance to explore the area,
0:41:14 > 0:41:16they could come here to the beautiful Quantock Hills
0:41:16 > 0:41:18with their dogs Rubin and Max.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21It's just a few miles from their home.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23So how often do you get up here?
0:41:23 > 0:41:24Not very often at all to be honest.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26- Not very often?!- Nope.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- Why?- We're always working.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33You see, I think you need to address this work thing.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Is it true to say that you might have moved to the countryside
0:41:37 > 0:41:40a bit too early to slow down?
0:41:40 > 0:41:42I think so, yeah. We both love our
0:41:42 > 0:41:45work and I don't want to be old and retired yet, so...
0:41:46 > 0:41:48I'm quite happy working.
0:41:48 > 0:41:49But it seems a shame in a way that
0:41:49 > 0:41:51you've got all this on your doorstep
0:41:51 > 0:41:53and you seem to be missing out on it, Eugene.
0:41:53 > 0:41:58Well, I do come up here occasionally walking.
0:41:58 > 0:42:04But certainly we don't take advantage of it like we should.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06So my final question to you,
0:42:06 > 0:42:10I'm not sure I want to ask you, but any regrets?
0:42:11 > 0:42:13No, no regrets, no.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15You have to do what you want to do in life.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17And see what happens.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18Life is an experience.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22You can't go through life regretting, can you?
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Well, this week we've seen two very
0:42:29 > 0:42:32different Escape To The Country tales.
0:42:32 > 0:42:33With Derek and Alison, we saw
0:42:33 > 0:42:37a couple who've clearly immersed themselves in their community,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39and they have transformed their gorgeous property
0:42:39 > 0:42:42to make it everything they hoped it would be.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46They seem to have country life exactly where they want it.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48But as for Jane in Eugene, well, sadly,
0:42:48 > 0:42:50their escape to the country dream
0:42:50 > 0:42:52hasn't quite worked out the way they hoped it would.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55Now they say they have no regrets,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59and I guess the truth is you'll never know until you try.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02But at least they did. I will see you next time.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06If you dream of escaping to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09England or Northern Ireland and would also like our help,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11then why not apply online at...