Cottages Escape to the Country

Today I'm in Buckinghamshire, at Milton's Cottage,

so named as it was once the home of John Milton.

And this is where he completed perhaps the greatest epic poem in the English language, Paradise Lost.

But if you, like me, think that the quintessentially perfect country cottage

could be paradise found, then keep watching.

In today's show, we took a look back at a selection of our favourite cottages from previous shows,

where a traditional Dorset stone cottage reveals some unexpected delights...

Ah! An en suite!

..and when an extended 19th-century Arts and Crafts cottage really hits the spot.

To use the jargon - it's ticking a lot of boxes!

Plus, I get to rustle up some dinner in a 19th-century cottage kitchen.

Yes, today we indulge our love for the country cottage.

And this cottage is typical of Buckinghamshire and the Chiltern area.

But whether you're looking for roses round the door, a wicket fence or a cosy fireplace,

one thing's for sure - the rural landscape has plenty to offer.

And if we've whetted your appetite, and the country cottage is your dream, then keep watching.

We have a veritable feast of chocolate-box temptations.

The first use of the term "cottage" originally described a very modest dwelling for poor farm labourers,

or cotters, a peasant who was given a place to sleep by the landlord in return for working on his land.

As agriculture changed and industry moved into the towns and cities,

those left in the countryside had to utilise their front rooms to earn a living,

such as cloth-makers and weavers,

who worked from home, hence the term "cottage industry".

And in the days before building materials could be transported all over the country,

cottages were built with regional materials that were close to hand, such as locally quarried stone

or clay for bricks, which today means they come in all shapes and styles,

reflecting the land and the geology in which they were built.

Over the years we've seen many stunning cottages on Escape To The Country, both large and small.

That's made choosing a selection a very tricky challenge.

But first, we're heading to Gloucestershire,

where newly retired Ian and Beryl were looking for a three-bedroom property with bags of character.

Now with a budget of about £400,000, Beryl was looking for a spacious kitchen-diner,

and Ian wanted a garage to house his classic car.

And that is exactly what Jules Hudson had up his sleeve.

And this gem of a cottage was to be found in the village of Oaksey,

on the Gloucestershire/Wiltshire borders.

It's a small village with a large community spirit, and plenty of activity.

And with a shared love of rugby, Ian and Beryl were pleased to note

that regular games are played on playing fields,

so the location of this property got us off to a good start.

Do you want a few clues as to what we're looking at?

We're getting there.

-We're getting there.

-Now come through here. Bit of a mystery tour, this one.

I've brought you in to this part to start with, because this is your driveway, shared driveway.

-And that's your garage.

-OK, that'd be perfect to fit my little MG Midget in there.

Come through the rickety gate...

Come in, Beryl.

Now then, Ian, come here, sir.

That's looking...good. Very sweet.

-Very quaint.

-It's about 200 years old.

Old farmer worker's cottages.

The first thing to get over, I suppose, is that it is semi-detached.

How do we feel about semi-detached in this context?

-It looks absolutely lovely from here.

-Look at your face! I love it! Brilliant.

-Well, let's get in, shall we?

-Indeed, yes.

Well, that's a relief, because this place is gorgeous and one not to be missed.

Come in here.

-Your smile!

-This is really, really nice.

-Nice oil-fired range for you.

-Table - I always like a table, sit out in the kitchen.

-We say heart of the home a lot, but his kitchen does that.

-Yes, yes, it does.

It is one of the great principal rooms. But reception-room-wise, come through here.

Now...I think this is really cosy.

But you tell me, is it big enough for you?

Yes. Yes, I agree it's cosy.

-It's cute.

-It is. I'm not so sure in terms of the size

-accommodating the furniture that we've currently got, which is fairly new.

-It could work.

-It wouldn't be a problem, it could work.

-Well, let's continue, shall we?

Behind the kitchen there's a very useful large hallway, which is almost a room in itself.

And this leads on to a small but handy utility room.

At the other end of the hall is a small bedroom, but it has an en suite. And upstairs, there's more.

Come up. Let's start with the family bathroom.

Go on, Beryl, have a look in there.

Oh, this is nice. Very pretty tiles. Pretty, bright room.

So how does it compare with what you would be leaving behind?

It's about the same size, actually.

-OK, so your downsize isn't going to be reflected in the bathroom?

-No.

-No.

-No, not at all.

-Good. Well, let's have a look at the other two bedrooms up here.

-OK.

Now...how about this as a guest room?

It's larger. It's a big size, isn't it?

Well, last but not least, the master bedroom.

Go on, sir, lead us through that hallway there. Straight on.

Keep going, across the landing.

Oh, you had to duck your head there, didn't you?

Oh, this is nice.

Very airy. You see, it's all very light and bright.

It's a nice size. For a cottage, it really is a nice-sized bedroom.

Surprisingly large. It's got little fitted wardrobes.

-And the lovely window seat again.

-And another lovely fireplace.

As you can see throughout this house, you don't really need to do anything at all.

It's all in very good order. Now then, in terms of the garden,

we saw a bit of it on the way in.

You can get a lovely view from here. But let's explore that a bit further

-and see how much it's going to cost you.

-OK, we'll follow you.

Now, that's where we started, with the lovely view of the back of this cottage.

-Indeed, yes.

-What you can see is what you get.

That's as big as it is. You've got a wood shed at the bottom. How would this work for you?

-This size is right.

-It's right?

-Is right, yes. Yes.

Keep the hedges in order, and that's it, really.

-Loads of room for your grandchild to play on.

-Sure. And safe.

-Very safe.

-Very safe, very confined.

-So let's have a think about it.

You've got £400,000 of your hard-earned money, or so.

Make me an offer, Ian.

If it was anywhere...

-If it was just below 400,000, I think we could be quite interested.

-OK.

Just below 400,000.

It's not just below 400,000.

-It's on the market for £435,000.

-OK.

A little bit over the budget,

but perhaps still within the bounds of possibility,

-if, in the final analysis, you come back and think it's the one. Yeah.

-Yes.

Go back inside, have a look around, see what you get for 435.

I'll catch up with you a little bit later.

It works very well.

It's the mix of the 200-year-old cottage and the contemporary fittings.

From the outside, it really did look quite small.

And they've certainly made full use of all the space that there is.

And I was impressed by the size of the kitchen,

and having a bathroom downstairs and up. That's brilliant.

I think the house came up with a lot of positives.

The garage outside that will house my little MG Midget.

The bedrooms are quite roomy and light.

At £435,000, I think we would have to work out whether that is actually possible.

But we wouldn't discard it on terms of price alone.

-Are you all done?

-We certainly are.

-Lots to think about?

-A lot.

-Keep those thoughts.

-Okey-doke.

Keep those thoughts.

Cottages come in all shapes and sizes.

And for our second, it's time for something a little different.

In East Sussex, Brian and Liz were looking for a three-bedroom period property for about £700,000.

Alastair Appleton had his work cut out.

It was going to take something very special to prise Liz away

from her beloved home in Greater London.

But behind the deceptive exterior of this property lay a real gem of an extended cottage.

The property Alastair took them to was in the village of Ditchling,

once home to Eric Gill,

the famous sculptor and typographer from the early 20th century.

Ditchling lies at the foot of the South Downs, and the house was to be found on the edge of the village.

This is the next property I want to show you.

I think this is an interesting property, for all sorts of reasons.

What do you reckon from the outside?

-It's got wonderful elevations.

-Yes, it's pretty.

It's obviously very interesting inside.

-It is indeed.

-How old is this?

-Turn of the century. It's an Arts and Crafts building.

-It looks very light.

-They've done some clever extensions inside. Let's go inside and see.

-Right.

-A lovely hand-made oak door.

-Yes.

-Sets the tone.

-It does.

-Isn't it marvellous?

-It's great, isn't it?

-Do you like the hallway?

-Very pretty entrance hall. Introduction to the home.

And this is where they've extended, across...

It used to be quite a small cottage staircase that went straight up there.

-They put in this support beam and then put in this lovely wooden stairwell.

-It's a pretty house.

Marvellous, it really is.

The acid test is always the kitchen-dining room.

-Ah...

-This is magnificent. It really is.

-Oh, my goodness!

It takes your breath away. I think it's ideal.

This is original Arts and Crafts. This was put in in the original building.

It's certainly in keeping with that style, that return to the values that took place back then.

-Come into the kitchen.

-Right.

I was slightly concerned that the house was too contemporary for you.

It does have a very modern... although it's keeping all the elements...

-Is it in your style?

-Very much so.

-I don't think it's too modern at all.

I think it's been very well done.

It's married up the old with the new.

And then this is the sitting room.

Oh, again, what a pretty room.

-Isn't it great?

-Oh, it's great.

-Lovely size.

-A very pretty room.

-Can't really fault this, either.

-Lovely aspect.

-Yes.

-I love the way it's decorated. It's nice and light,

-the curtains are ideal with this decor.

-Good. So let's go round to the left.

Thank you.

Oh, yes, another very light room.

This is their family room - this is where they watch telly, where the kids do their homework.

Interestingly, this used to be the garage.

-Good Lord.

-My goodness.

It is again a bright room.

-And a nice size, too.

-Yes. Good-sized room.

-So back into the lovely hall. I love that beam.

-Yes.

Beautiful, it really is. And so light.

-You've got four bedrooms.

-Four?

None of them are vast. But I think they are all beautifully...

-They are well-appointed.

-..proportioned.

-Yes.

-Once again, we've got the eaves like we have at home.

-Very nice.

This is their guest room, so it's a simple room. But you've got some storage.

Easily space for a double bed, and the original windows, which I think are lovely.

Let's take a look at some of the other possibilities.

Across the landing is the family bathroom, which is fresh and bright.

Next door is a bedroom I have thoughts about.

My view is that this would be a good study.

I'm inclined to agree, because it's a brighter room and you've got a very pretty view.

-Absolutely.

-It's very nice.

-It's lovely.

I think you'll like the master because I liked it a lot.

-Good.

-Just through there.

(MOUTHS)

That's is very nice, for a start, isn't it?

-Ah!

-Here's your en suite.

You have got an en suite, haven't you?

A shower.

-Very nice.

-Very nice and light, too.

Beautiful built-in wardrobes.

And a very nice-sized bedroom.

It is. Light and airy and bright.

-Light on both sides.

-Yes.

It's a family home with a cosy feel to it, without being overpowering and large and rambling and whatever.

Alastair, you've really, really scored.

Oh, thank you, thank you, I do try. Let's take a look outside, because outside is lovely too.

They are certainly taken with the inside, but will the garden meet their high standards?

Coming out through one of the many, many doors.

What a beautiful garden.

-It is.

-Southwest-facing, so you get sun all day long.

Lots of terracing and decking all around, lots of nice space for eating out.

It's bigger than the first one, not quite as big as the second one.

-No, the garden seems to be a nice size.

-It's an ideal size, I think, actually.

-Ah! Two weeping willows.

-Two weeping willows.

-Not one, two.

-Marvellous.

-Good grief, this is a large plot.

-It is, it's huge.

I feel that your enthusiasm has somewhat dimmed since we've gone outside.

Well, just a tad, because the garden is just a massive project.

At some stage, it's been a wonderful garden, but it's now quite neglected.

It has the potential to be an absolutely stunning garden, but it's a lot of money and work.

-A lot of money.

-Talking of money...

-Talking of money.

-Here we are. You are going to go first this time.

Um...I feel this is also at the very top of our budget, and above.

I think we are looking at about... a minimum 750.

What do you think?

I'd go under that.

I'm going to hope...it's 675.

That's quite a lot under.

I'm afraid your wife is much nearer the mark. In fact, spot on.

It's on the market at the moment at £750,000.

Yes!

That's not good, it's not good that it's so expensive.

-It's way over your budget.

-But I was right.

-Why don't you have a look inside, and I'll meet you at the front?

-Thank you. I think we'll do that.

Everything about it is actually delightful. You can't fault it.

-You can't, and it's a lovely kitchen, nice and roomy. Eat-in kitchen.

-Eat-in kitchen.

-And the downstairs is marvellous.

-It is.

After all the properties we've seen, this is the one that's really quite blown us away.

Here, you've got a really bright and lovely double bedroom.

Plenty of room. I found the bedrooms were ideal.

It's definitely the best house we've seen so far.

Many of the cottages we've shown on Escape over the years have often retained their original features -

like bread ovens and inglenooks with ranges.

If, like me, you've ever wondered how you cook on one of these devices before the age of microwaves

and instant heat, keep watching, because we are about to find out with a 19th-century cooking lesson.

This is the Chiltern Open Air Museum, which rescues old buildings and re-sites them in their grounds.

This pair of cottages started life as a barn before they were divided into two farm worker's dwellings,

demonstrating life from the 18th and 19th centuries.

And it's here I've arranged to meet Davina Watson, a living history specialist,

who has kindly offered to show me some basic cooking methods, first from the 18th century.

Very much an 18th-century cottage.

Very cold, like the 18th century!

It's not much warmer than out there.

-No, because we haven't got the big fire going.

-We have not got the big fire going.

-But we have the bread oven going.

-We have because you're going to make bread in that oven.

Davina is wearing a typical outfit from around the mid-1800s,

with a snood - or a hairnet - apron and over-sleeves, worn to protect clothing from open fires,

like the one Davina has already got going in the bread oven.

The bricks retain the heat from the fire as the embers die down.

They can be pushed back to make room for the bread, as all you need is the heat from the bricks to cook it.

First of all, you are going to need the flour. If you'd like to put in four of those.

Have you got a recipe book from the 18th century?

Not on the 18th century, but the bread recipe hasn't changed,

except that today, it's very difficult to get live yeast,

so we have to use the modern version, thee powdered yeast.

We've got powdered yeast. This is just ordinary flour?

Ordinary strong flour from the supermarket.

Bread formed part of the staple diet for farm workers,

but when they had something more substantial to eat - pigeon or rook stew -

it would be cooked here on a pan over an open fire.

Right, I think that's probably ready now.

Sprinkle a little bit.

-Oh! That feels good! It's looking pretty good, I think.

-It is.

-How long will we have to wait before our finished loaf?

-About 45 minutes,

but it depends on the temperature.

It could be a lot sooner and it might be a lot later.

But while we are doing that, we are going to go to the 19th-century kitchen

and you can make a nice rabbit stew.

-So we are hopping into the next century.

-Yes.

-Let's go.

-We've got a range - you'll enjoy that.

A-ha! Stepping into the 19th century, the late 1800s now.

Yes, yes.

-And they had a bit more furniture these days!

-A lot more furniture!

And although it's still got the bread oven, same as next door, it's now got a range.

-I can FEEL we've got a range.

-It's a lot warmer in here!

For us to make our rabbit stew.

-First thing that we have to do is fry it off.

-Oh, right.

And then just pop him in.

Basically, just to seal the outside of it.

While that's in there, we can start doing the vegetables.

-Little bits like this?

-That's right.

-OK, there we go.

This is going to be a hearty stew. At what time of the day would you do this?

You'd get up in the morning and put this on?

Yes, your stew has to cook slowly, so you'd probably put it on about 11 o'clock,

-but then most farm workers didn't come home for a lunch.

-Right.

They had their meal in the field, and sometimes it was taken out by the wives,

-and that's where you get "ploughman's lunch".

-Nice hunk of cheese!

-And if you're lucky, a bit of pickle.

-Pickle.

-Then you'd get home and this would've been cooking for a good few hours.

-Yes.

-It would've been served up for the whole family.

-That's all the vegetables done.

-Back to the rabbit. That should be nicely browned now.

-Yeah.

-We don't want it to cook, we just want it to brown off.

-OK.

We take the rabbit off the cooker, stuff it with prunes, fresh sage and some basil,

mix in the veg, and let it stew. That's what I call a hearty stew.

That will be a very hearty stew. There we are.

While that's all cooking, a quick step back in time to the 18th century next door

and the loaf of bread should be ready to go down nicely with our stew.

It's great to see all of these things in action - the range, the bread oven.

It really brings country living to life.

-Cheers!

-Cheers!

Enjoy.

For my favourite and our final cottage, we're off to Dorset,

where William and Valerie were looking to get back to their country roots.

They had a budget of £365,000 and wanted a three-bed, detached property with a nice garden.

William in particular was looking for a garage and a workshop and all Valerie wanted

was an en-suite bathroom and I had the pleasure of showing them

what I think is a classic country cottage.

And the village I took Valerie and William to was Stour Row,

three miles from Shaftesbury.

It is a picture-postcard setting with terraced cottages

built in the local stone that makes Dorset so distinctive.

The property sat on edge of the village,

surrounded by views of farmland that William was desperate for

and was sure to go down well with Valerie too.

So here we are.

Right, lovely.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Initial reactions?

Very good.

-Yeah, I like that.

-Yes.

-Yes.

It's 200 to 250 years old. Detached cottage, so you've got your space.

-Yeah.

-Right.

I bet you want to see inside. Let's go.

I think that's a thumbs up!

It's a pretty cottage and it has a fantastic setting so I've got high hopes for this one.

Come on through.

This is nice.

-What do you think of this?

-Oh, wow!

Love the wood burner.

Yes!

-It's a dual fuel burner.

-Right.

We've got the bressumer beam.

And these beams as well. How do you feel about that?

It's nice.

-It's not modern.

-No, I like it.

-You really see yourselves entertaining in this space.

-Yeah.

I'm liking the feeling I'm getting.

-But there's a lot more to see. Could you lead the way?

-Yeah.

A lovely living space for you.

-It is.

-Yes.

I like the open fire.

-A working fireplace.

-Is it? Oh, yeah. You know what that is, Denise, don't you?

-It looks to me like a bressumer.

-Good girl.

-Well done.

-So features that you like?

-Well, I do.

-Definitely.

Hold that thought. Follow me.

OK.

I think they're quite taken with this place but I'm about to reveal that

the family bathroom is downstairs and I'm keeping quiet that it's not

the only bathroom in this house.

-Right.

-Gosh.

-Nice surprise?

-Yes, nice-sized bathroom.

Bright. Roll-top bath.

-Indeed.

-No shower for you, William.

That's the only problem but I guess with a bit of shunting around, you could get a shower in.

-You like a stand-up shower?

-I do, yeah.

There's another room just along there, so, again, after you.

You asked for more space and voila!

-Yes.

-Yeah, lovely.

-Nice room. A lovely study.

-It's a really country feeling type of property.

-It is.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

It's ticking a lot of boxes.

-And we haven't even seen upstairs yet.

-That's very true.

-So let's take a look.

-Right.

What a view! You've really done it this time.

-That's beautiful. You're really in the country here.

-Yeah.

-I like that very much.

-Yeah.

Those views are also enjoyed from the three bedrooms up here, two of which are small doubles

but I'm going to cut to the chase and show them the one that holds this property's ace card.

So here we have the master bedroom.

Right. This is nice.

It's a reasonable size. In fact, it's bigger than I thought.

-It's nice.

-Nice? You like?

-We like.

-I've got something special to show you, though.

Really?

Ah! An en-suite!

Fantastic! Look at that!

That's just the reaction I was looking for. The shower!

That is definitely a plus.

-That's a plus.

-Big tick.

-Yep.

Now I've wowed you with the upstairs, let's head downstairs and look at the garden.

-OK.

-OK.

After you.

What do you think of the garden?

-It's a nice little garden.

-Little?

-You've got half an acre.

-Really?!

At the bottom there, it extends further. The thing is, it's long, not wide.

It's what you call a Dorset strip.

-Oh, really?

-It extends right the way through the back to the woodlands.

-Oh!

-How does that suit you?

-Very well.

-Great.

-We've got this space, we've got the acreage at the back but I want to show you what's round this way.

-OK.

Now, you wanted a garage and a workshop.

-There's your workshop.

-Lovely.

But on your wish-list was a garage.

-Most definitely.

-Right.

-Oh, yes.

Currently being used as a wood store.

That's very good. Handy.

-Excellent.

-Yeah.

And it's got power and everything.

-That's good.

-Let's keep moving.

I'm getting the feeling you like this place.

-Yeah.

-You could be right.

Ooh, tentative smiles!

-You definitely like that bathroom, the en-suite.

-I did.

That makes so much difference.

How much are you willing to pay to get that?

-362.

-OK.

Me, I think it's 365.

I reckon it's right at the top of our budget.

You're both incredibly close.

It's on the market at £367,000.

Just a little bit over your budget

but you can always put in a cheeky offer.

-Absolutely.

-Right.

With that in mind, go back inside, have another look around and I'll speak to you later.

Lovely, thank you.

I was a bit disappointed it was so close to the road

-when we arrived but I've not really thought about it since.

-Nor me.

The standard of finish internally to all the decoration is good.

Someone's treated maintenance seriously in this house

and as a retired maintenance surveyor, that cheers me up.

The upstairs surprised me more than anything in as much as

there was three really nice rooms and with the en-suite,

absolute bonus, which was fantastic.

It looks like I was saving the best till last with that en-suite

for Valerie but I really did enjoy showing them what I think

is one of the true treasures of the landscape, the picture-postcard cottage.

Unfortunately, that's all we've got time for today but I hope we have given you a little taste

of rural heaven and although we've only scratched the surface,

I hope we've inspired you to find your own country cottage dream.

I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.

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