0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to a very special edition of Escape To The Country.
0:00:04 > 0:00:09Today I'm in a county which is arguably one of most beautiful in all of England.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12It's also famous for having some 300 miles
0:00:12 > 0:00:17of stunning coastline which borders not just the English Channel, but the Bristol Channel as well.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22And in terms of Escape To The Country, well, it's one of our most popular destinations.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24So, where am I? Well, I'm in Devon of course.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43In today's show, we're taking a look back at some of the finest Devonshire homes we've viewed
0:00:43 > 0:00:49over past series, including an Arts and Crafts original that harbours a sporty surprise.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50- Look at this.- Oh, my word.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52This looks like fun!
0:00:52 > 0:00:56A stunningly converted long house that could be one of my all-time favourites.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59It's got character.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03It's got bags of character. Bags of character!
0:01:03 > 0:01:06And if you've ever dreamt of owning your own village, I meet a man
0:01:06 > 0:01:11who does just that, while looking after the 200 residents who call it home.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14So you're a 21st-century squire?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17How do they see you?
0:01:17 > 0:01:18You'd better ask them!
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Yes, today we're returning to the heart of the West Country, to Devon.
0:01:25 > 0:01:30Many have referred to this place as the playground of England, and when you look at beautiful
0:01:30 > 0:01:34landscapes and seascapes like those behind me, it's not hard to see why.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38For over 250 years, visitors have flocked to this place
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and no surprise it's been a popular place for escapees ever since.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44But of course it's not just about pretty landscapes,
0:01:44 > 0:01:49it's also delivered to us some fantastic houses over the years.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Devon boasts a landscape that is not only beautiful, but unique, in that it's the only county
0:01:54 > 0:02:00in England with two separate coasts and sitting between these award-winning stretches of beach
0:02:00 > 0:02:03is a county of rolling hills and river valleys.
0:02:03 > 0:02:06Famed for Devonshire clotted cream teas, luxurious ice cream
0:02:06 > 0:02:12and picture postcard villages, it's the third largest English county.
0:02:12 > 0:02:16But with one of the lowest population densities and some beautiful properties,
0:02:16 > 0:02:21it's an ideal rural retreat for those seeking a more relaxed pace of life.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30As we begin our trip down memory lane and take a look at some of the more intriguing properties
0:02:30 > 0:02:37we've had in Devon over the years, we're going to start in mid-Devon in the company of Jeff and Pauline.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42Now, these two escapees were looking to retire to county of their birth and, armed with a healthy budget
0:02:42 > 0:02:48of £750,000, they wanted on the face of it a nice, substantial three-bedroomed house.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51So, you would have thought, all well and good.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53But, as always, there was a catch.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55We weren't just looking for a home for these two,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59but also for Jeff's extraordinary collection of 12 steam cars.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05I was taking Jeff and Pauline to just outside Newton St Cyres,
0:03:05 > 0:03:09only four miles north of Exeter. Newton St Cyres
0:03:09 > 0:03:11is an attractive village lined with thatched cottages
0:03:11 > 0:03:15and also has its own cheese maker, producing traditional farmhouse Cheddar.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20And what better to wash down the cheese than a pint of beer from the village brewery?
0:03:20 > 0:03:24The property I showed them was a four-bed character cottage.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27With a bit of work, the outbuildings could be perfect for Jeff's steam cars.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Right, well, come on through here, you two, because this is it.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37This is house number one on a very blustery Devon day.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Something you must be used to, having come from here.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- Yes.- It certainly looks very smart.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- Yes, it looks very nice. Yes.- Can't wait to see inside.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Well, that will be the acid test. Has it got all that you're after?
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Let's go and have a look.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Right, now, come in.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01- Pauline.- That's very nice, isn't it?
0:04:01 > 0:04:03Yes.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05You know, nice, quite welcoming little hallway.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Yes.- Come through here, cos, Pauline, this is what I really want
0:04:08 > 0:04:12you to look at, cos this, I think, has got you written all over it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Oh, yes, that's very nice. - Isn't that smashing?
0:04:15 > 0:04:17You wanted something that was lighter,
0:04:17 > 0:04:22cos your little galley kitchen at the moment, as you said yourself, you can't really swing a cat in it.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24- No.- Well, what about it? - This would be ideal.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Very nice indeed, very smart.
0:04:26 > 0:04:32That's a great start, and there's the added bonus of the utility room and downstairs cloakroom.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Next, the main living room.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38This is the living room, very much in the heart
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- of the old cob part of the house. What do you think?- Very nice.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47- Very nice, yes.- And it's a place with loads of storage. There's a whole new little world in here.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48It's like Narnia through there.
0:04:48 > 0:04:55There's loads of room. Possibly room for 1,000 books maybe.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- Just a kind of thought.- Yeah. - Lots to fit in.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03And studies, not least, because you do have two very different
0:05:03 > 0:05:08- sorts of study lives in a way.- Yes.
0:05:08 > 0:05:14Jeff, do me a favour. Just lead us through that doorway over there and let's see if there's enough room
0:05:14 > 0:05:16for at least one study through here.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21Heading through this little hallway, what will they make of this space?
0:05:21 > 0:05:25It's an ideal office. There's some book shelves.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26This bit's yours.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- Is this because you need a bigger space?- That's right.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33Would this be big enough for you, though?
0:05:33 > 0:05:38Maybe, yes. I might have to cut my book collection down.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41But that needs to be done any rate.
0:05:41 > 0:05:48I love the way he very chivalrously just didn't really give this to you, but dumped this room on you.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54- I know.- You're obviously hoping I've got more for you elsewhere, Jeff? - Yeah.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01Upstairs there are four bedrooms and a family bathroom, which all lead off the galleried landing.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05This house also has an asset they didn't ask for, but it might be a nice surprise.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07Here's another bathroom.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- Oh, fantastic.- It looks like any old bathroom, but this is in fact
0:06:12 > 0:06:17an en suite to this room through here, which could be your master bedroom if you wanted it to be.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20- Oh, yes.- Oh, very nice.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Goodness me, that's four bedrooms.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Four bedrooms with potential for an en suite.
0:06:25 > 0:06:31En suites often are at the top of many people's lists when house hunting.
0:06:31 > 0:06:37Not on your list at all, because it's had cars written all over it and piles of books and what not.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39So this might be a nice bonus for you.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Look at that. That's fantastic. Go and have a look.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43Yeah, have a little explore.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47The current owners had this part of the house as something of a sort of granny annex.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50So there are two things that could happen here.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Either you could keep this for visiting guests with their own bathroom
0:06:54 > 0:07:00or you could turn it into quite an interesting master suite
0:07:00 > 0:07:02with your own en suite and give them
0:07:02 > 0:07:06one of those other three bedrooms on the landing with the family bathroom.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11It's something we wanted, because we get visits from family regularly.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13And from my point of view,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15we get many visits...
0:07:15 > 0:07:17Cars coming into this?
0:07:17 > 0:07:23Yes, they come to see the cars and they quite often come from far away.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Is it a lot of hot air, Pauline, or is it just...?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Well, sometimes.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31So this house does seem to have enough space for them and their guests.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Outside there are several workshops, a stable block
0:07:34 > 0:07:39and some sheds which could accommodate the cars and the rest of Jeff's hoard.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42But they are a bit run-down and I have a better plan.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47The nice thing about this is that you've got all this hard standing behind the Victorian stable block
0:07:47 > 0:07:49- and there are these bits of building.- Yes.
0:07:49 > 0:07:56- Depending on the budget, my kind of sense would be kind of start again...- Yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58And have the whole thing purpose-built.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- Yeah, that would be fantastic. - Wouldn't that be sensational?
0:08:02 > 0:08:06But it doesn't end here. Come with me, because up here,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09purpose-built, static home, caravan.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13I don't know how much land exactly you two are up for,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17cos it is all about cars and books and all the rest of it.
0:08:17 > 0:08:23But, with your budget, you do kind of stumble over parcels of land.
0:08:23 > 0:08:30- Yes.- So, whether you like it or not, you've got in the order of about three acres here.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31So it brings us round to...
0:08:31 > 0:08:33The all-important question.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35The all-important question, Jeff.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39How much is all this worth down here in Devon?
0:08:39 > 0:08:43We've got you a four-bedroomed house, lovely big kitchen/diner,
0:08:43 > 0:08:48we've got you a range of outbuildings, you've 750 grand to spend.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51How much are you going to have to part with?
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Well, I think, as we need a bit of change for the workshops,
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- I'd say 6,950?- 6,950.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03- Pauline?- 650?
0:09:03 > 0:09:05650.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10You are absolutely spot-on. £650,000. So you've got 100 grand
0:09:10 > 0:09:12to play with, which would more...
0:09:12 > 0:09:16..than pay for a nice workshop.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- Are you surprised at that? - Yes, quite excited by that.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22So, lots to think about.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28Go and have a look around on your own, without me, and just see what you'd do with your slack £100,000
0:09:28 > 0:09:30and see if it would all work for you.
0:09:33 > 0:09:40- Yeah, I like it a lot. It's sunny and spacious and light and... - You like the eating area?
0:09:40 > 0:09:44Yes, cos that's fine for having family and friends around, isn't it?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I'm very optimistic about this house.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50It's nice and light and airy.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52It had a nice feeling to it.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55I like the general feel of the property.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59I liked the layout in general as it is.
0:09:59 > 0:10:05The kitchen's nice. And the rooms can be adapted to suit our needs.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08So, generally, the feeling I get in the property is that
0:10:08 > 0:10:12it would suit us and we could live here very comfortably.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Right, you two, it's time to go.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17I'm going to tear you away from this.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- But I think you quite like it, don't you?- Yeah, we do.- Yeah, we do.
0:10:21 > 0:10:22The money's not bad.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- Especially the price. - Especially the price.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27I knew you'd say that!
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Now, one of things many people will say they love about Devon is the way in which
0:10:33 > 0:10:37it's managed to resist the steady march of modernisation,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41and perhaps nowhere is that more the case than here on the north coast.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Down this cobbled and somewhat treacherous path
0:10:44 > 0:10:46lies the village of Clovelly,
0:10:46 > 0:10:48a place that really has been lost in time.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56Clovelly is a 13th-century fishing village and over its 800-year history
0:10:56 > 0:11:00has managed to cut itself off from the modernisation of the world around it.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03The village's timeless character is in part due to its remote location,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07cut into a steep 400-foot North Devon cliff.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10But perhaps more importantly, in 1738,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13the village went into the private ownership of the Hamlyn family
0:11:13 > 0:11:16and still remains in family hands.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22The current owner and landlord of Clovelly is John Rous,
0:11:22 > 0:11:27who has agreed to show me around this special piece of history.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- John, nice to see you. - And welcome, Jules, to Clovelly.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34So you must know this like the back of your hand.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37- I certainly do. Come and have a look. - After you.
0:11:37 > 0:11:45On a summer's day, Clovelly can welcome up to 3,000 visitors to its cobbled streets,
0:11:45 > 0:11:51where, in the absence of cars, donkeys and modified bread baskets are the main modes of transport.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55The fact this is a living, working village, I think, is what sets it apart.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58I know you run it as a tourist attraction in some measure,
0:11:58 > 0:12:02but just looking across here, "Home sweet home" written on the door.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- Whilst it's our house, it's their home.- How many people live here?
0:12:05 > 0:12:09We have about 200 people live down the village street in the 80-odd cottages.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13And let's be absolutely clear. It's a full-time, working village.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16This isn't a holiday home. It's a proper working environment.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Yes, I do interview everybody before they come to village and say that
0:12:20 > 0:12:24it is a condition of tenancy that people are in full-time occupation of the cottages.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26So, you're a 21st-century squire?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30How do they see you, do you think?
0:12:30 > 0:12:31You'd better ask them!
0:12:33 > 0:12:40However the residents see John, they certainly are lucky to be living in such an idyllic village.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43As you walk Clovelly's cobbled streets,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47you may be fooled into thinking the village is far younger
0:12:47 > 0:12:48than its 800 years.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51That's because, in the early 20th century, the village
0:12:51 > 0:12:55had something of a face-lift - a mix of architecturally styled facades
0:12:55 > 0:12:56were put onto the old cottages.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04The dates you see refer to this remodelling, rather than to the buildings themselves.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13One building that has been preserved as an authentic fisherman's cottage is Clovelly's very own museum.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Let's have a look.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Oh, hello. - Oh, look at this. Very nice.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- Jules, can I introduce you to Sheila. - Hello, Sheila. Very nice to see you.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25And you too. And I hope you enjoy what we've got here to show you.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Most of us live in houses which have got walls about this thick.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31But in the fishermen's cottages they're this thick,
0:13:31 > 0:13:35and you'll see all that and hear what it was like
0:13:35 > 0:13:39for people like Sheila, who've lived here since birth.
0:13:39 > 0:13:45Now, as a result, presumably, John didn't have to interview you for you to come and live here?
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Wasn't I lucky(?)
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Sheila continues the tour by taking us upstairs to the bedrooms.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59This is the parents' bedroom.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Technically, this is the master suite.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05- Exactly.- But this is typical. This is the sort of thing that you remember growing up?- Exactly.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10Parents would sleep in the room without any children,
0:14:10 > 0:14:14so that the dad could get up perhaps at 4 o'clock in the morning and go fishing.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18The mothers, the parents and everybody would be home,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21hoping that they would all return safely.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25That was like any other fishing village. You never knew when you said goodbye
0:14:25 > 0:14:26whether they'd come back again.
0:14:26 > 0:14:33The harsh realities of fishing are hard to imagine on such a beautiful day as this, but to find out more
0:14:33 > 0:14:38about Clovelly's fishing heritage, John takes me further down into the oldest part of village, the harbour.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47I think I've finally mastered the cobbles.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51They're easier with these steps in the bottom to get a grip on.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56We're here to meet one of the most important members
0:14:56 > 0:15:00of Clovelly's community - the harbour master, Steve Perham.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- Stephen, nice to see you. - Nice to see you.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Harbour master in a place like Clovelly. What's that like?
0:15:05 > 0:15:07It's OK. It's a good little job, really.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09I don't get any money, but...
0:15:09 > 0:15:11Well, we've got him on camera now.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13How much do you want?
0:15:13 > 0:15:14Pay rise, please.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18I sense that fishing here is something that not only created this community,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21but is something that's held it together.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23Oh, yes, fishing does that.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27It's a hard-working industry, so you have to all work together.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Well, let's talk about the lifeboat, cos you're wearing a lifeboat jersey.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32- You're a member of the lifeboat crew.- Yes.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36We bring back people who have got themselves into trouble.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40Now, there's something here.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Have you rescued him?
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- I assisted in a rescue. - John, you're the local squire.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48What's going on? You've been rescued?
0:15:48 > 0:15:49My boat had capsized.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50Guys, that's brilliant!
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Thank you very much for showing me around today. It's been a real treat.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56And congratulations, John.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Clearly a lot of work involved in keeping Clovelly as it is.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04- Gosh, I envy you living in a place like this, Stephen. It really is beautiful.- It is, yes.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Sadly, you may not be able to buy a house here in Clovelly,
0:16:14 > 0:16:19but you can live here if you rent one and if you speak very nicely to John.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22But for our next offering, we're going to leave the north coast
0:16:22 > 0:16:24and head down the south coast of this wonderful county
0:16:24 > 0:16:28in the company of Judy and Malcolm, two very discerning buyers,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30looking for a four-bedroomed property
0:16:30 > 0:16:34with a million pounds to spend, which you'd think would make the task very easy.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36But not so.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Judy wanted a nice period character property, whereas husband Malcolm wanted something
0:16:40 > 0:16:45much more contemporary that he could just move into without having to pick up a paint brush.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Now, the task of uniting these two disparate bodies was left
0:16:48 > 0:16:51to good old Alistair Appleton, who took them to a location
0:16:51 > 0:16:53that made the very best of South Devon.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Alistair was on his way to Sidbury, just three miles north of Sidmouth.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05The village is yet another classic Devonshire hamlet
0:17:05 > 0:17:11and as you'd expect, it comes complete with thatched cottages and a locally renowned packhorse bridge.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15The house Malcolm and Judy were about to see
0:17:15 > 0:17:18was at the top of the valley, commanding some spectacular views.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23- Malcolm.- This looks very nice.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26- Big smiles.- More my style.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28I'm very excited to show you this place, because you are five minutes
0:17:28 > 0:17:33- from the sea, but look at these beautiful hills.- It is lovely.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- Stunning.- Utterly, utterly stunning.
0:17:36 > 0:17:37- Let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- Come on in.- Wow, this is nice.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48If you want to come through here, you can see more clearly the staircase.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53- Nice and light and bright. - Yes. Modern.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58This house, although it's an Arts and Crafts in parts, the interior is
0:17:58 > 0:18:02completely contemporary. Let's take a look at the big reception room.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- Oh, my word. - This looks like fun!
0:18:06 > 0:18:11So how do you feel about the full-sized snooker table?
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- Mm...- If you're not a keen snooker player, you can think that away.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- Yes.- But do look at the proportions of this space. - Yes, it's a huge room.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22This is lovely and I love the views.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24It's incredible.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29They've made the most of what are incredible views, I think, and also the sun rises
0:18:29 > 0:18:32just over there and kind of crosses across and sets over there,
0:18:32 > 0:18:36so you get full sun all day long on this area.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Oh, yes.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Oh, my goodness!
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- A bright red one.- A proper Aga.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- What do you think?- It's very nice.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47"Very nice"?
0:18:47 > 0:18:53You've got nice big rustic tiles on the floor, big butler sink.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- Yeah, I like the sink. - Granite work tops.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- But you're still not convinced? - Um, yes, I think it's very nice.
0:19:00 > 0:19:06If I was choosing it from scratch, it probably wouldn't be my total choice.
0:19:11 > 0:19:17Upstairs there are four bedrooms, two of which are good-sized doubles, and the third is a large double
0:19:17 > 0:19:22with sloping ceilings, contemporary en suite shower room and stunning views.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29- This is the master.- Very nice. - Oh, yes.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33It's all about the views from here.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37Yes, that is my ideal view.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- And you've got an en suite through there.- That's perfect.- A wet room.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44That's perfect. So this house meets the criteria.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Let's take a look outside,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- cos we still haven't explored all the grounds yet.- OK.- Lovely.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56As we head outside, there's a pretty impressive hidden extra
0:19:56 > 0:20:00with this property that I want to show Judy and Malcolm.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04I said there was a pond. There is a pond.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- It's like swimming pool. - It's a pond and a half.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10Apparently, there are 100-odd koi carp in here.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Are there really?- And if you see some of the monsters, they're huge.
0:20:14 > 0:20:15They're absolutely massive.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- They're fantastic.- They think it's feeding time as well. Look.- Look.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- What do you think of the garden? - Beautiful.- It is, it's lovely.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25It is an absolutely lovely, lovely garden.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30So the garden's not too daunting? I was worried it might be too much.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33So what do you think of the house? You've been beaming since we pulled up.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38It's my ideal house. It's perfect for me. We could move straight in.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41How much do you think this is on the market for?
0:20:41 > 0:20:43I think is this is the top of our budget.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49- I think it's going to go for about a million pounds, maybe a little bit more.- How about you, Judy?
0:20:49 > 0:20:51I think about a million pounds.
0:20:51 > 0:20:57You're both pretty close, although I'm glad to say that it's just a bit under a million pounds.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59It's on at 985,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02and in the present floaty market, you may have room to negotiate,
0:21:02 > 0:21:05although I have to say it's only been on the market for two weeks.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09I think you need to go and have a little walk-about round the house and just do
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- a bit of hard sell. - Shall I go and persuade her? - I'll meet you at the front.- OK.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20When we drove up to the house, I thought, "Yeah, this is it."
0:21:20 > 0:21:24I knew as soon as we got here that Malcolm would like this house.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28I know him very well, and it's got Malcolm written all over it.
0:21:28 > 0:21:35It was clean and tidy, large. So, yeah, this would be perfect for me.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Well, for our final and one of my favourite properties,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46we're heading to east Devon in the company of John and Sally.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49They were looking for a beautiful period property
0:21:49 > 0:21:52with a nice, big farmhouse kitchen and around three bedrooms.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55But last and certainly not least, they wanted somewhere
0:21:55 > 0:21:57with plenty of outbuildings and land,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00so they could set about opening a dog training school.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04So which kind of property would tick all of their boxes?
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Of course, it had to be a beautiful Devon longhouse.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12For the mystery house, I took John and Sally to Penslade in east Devon,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14just outside the larger village of Uffculme.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Uffculme has a school, a post office,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23a pub and a small supermarket.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Now, they had a budget of £800,000, but would that be enough
0:22:27 > 0:22:32for the beautifully-renovated house I was about to show them?
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- What do you think? First impressions.- It's very pretty.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- It is.- Lovely colour, as well.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39A change from white.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42If, like me, architectural history is your thing, I can assure you
0:22:42 > 0:22:48this is one of the finest examples of a really well done restoration that I've ever seen.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50It's absolutely beautiful.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55Full of period charm and fantastic workmanship.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00As well as the house, there's land and outbuildings that are ideal for Sally and John's business.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04But I don't know yet whether a property that's ready done will appeal to them more
0:23:04 > 0:23:06than somewhere that needs work.
0:23:06 > 0:23:07Check this out.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- What a beautiful room. - Lovely, isn't it?- It is.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Gosh, everywhere you look, it's lovely.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22This is original. Suspended ceiling.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25And it's because of this that the place is Grade II listed.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Who's the chef between you?
0:23:27 > 0:23:32- Depends what time of day.- Me, most of the time. Unless it's morning.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34I do the morning shift and Sally does the evening shift.
0:23:34 > 0:23:40- Right. Well, open that door, Sally, because in there is a kitchen you will die for.- Right.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41A-ha!
0:23:44 > 0:23:50- What do you think?- This is nice. - Lovely island here.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54Over there, gas hob, electric range cooker, oven.
0:23:54 > 0:24:00- This looks like any old dresser, doesn't it?- Yes.- But open that door there.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- Microwave?- Microwave!
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Open that door, John.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07- Integrated fridge.- No!
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Needless to say, that was built for this kitchen.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- If you buy this house, that comes with it.- OK.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17I think this is a kitchen to die for. What do you think?
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- Yeah, it looks like a cook's kitchen.- Yes.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25Through there, you've got a new extension, newly completed, just a few months ago.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30- Oh, look at this.- Wow, look at the window.- It gives you...one hell of a living room.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Look at this.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38Look at the views out there...and a pond!
0:24:38 > 0:24:41And the menage. Look at that!
0:24:41 > 0:24:44- Ticking all the boxes.- Ticking more than all the boxes, I think.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48We had that built just before you get got here - we knew you wanted one!
0:24:48 > 0:24:51It's like you dragged and dropped everything in place!
0:24:51 > 0:24:54At the far end of the house is another reception room,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57and upstairs is some self-contained guest accommodation.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Ohh. What a guest room.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- This is lovely. - In here, you have a lovely en suite.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- It's too good for the guests.- Yes!
0:25:08 > 0:25:13You say that now, but wait until I show you your master bedroom.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19- Down those stairs and let's go and find staircase number two.- Right.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23The guest quarters get the seal of approval, as I'm sure the impressive master suite will
0:25:23 > 0:25:25in the neighbouring wing.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Crikey.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30- Oh, look at this.- This is...
0:25:30 > 0:25:33It's lovely, isn't it? It's got character.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It's got bags of character.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- Bags of character.- Absolutely.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40- Lovely, isn't it? - Look in there, John. En suite.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Lovely. Shower.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48John gets up very early to go to work and, because Sally doesn't like to be woken up,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52she makes him get dressed in the room next door. Don't you?
0:25:54 > 0:25:58- It's his choice.- But here's a room in which you can do that. - Let's have a look.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Big enough, my lord?
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- Indeed, yes. I could see myself getting dressed in here. - Tiptoeing around the place.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11- And a separate way out, so I only need to open the door once. - Precisely.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Also upstairs are two more double bedrooms and, at the far end, a family bathroom.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22But it's the great outdoors that my buyers are really interested in, so let's hope the land and outbuildings
0:26:22 > 0:26:24meet the needs of their proposed dog training business.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26I want to show you this first.
0:26:26 > 0:26:31This a lovely big barn, and I'm thinking indoor training.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- Gosh, it is big.- It's huge.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37- I can see that.- In here, we have the possibility of kennels.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40- And here, if you need it, a little yard office.- Yep.
0:26:40 > 0:26:46- So, we've seen the house, we've seen the buildings, let's see the land. - OK.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- All in all here, we've got nine acres.- Right.
0:26:50 > 0:26:57Mixture of pasture, woodland, stream running through there, you've got your menage.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02You've got your indoor school if you need it.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05And, let's face it, you've got a pretty fabulous house.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08All of this, of course, does come at a price.
0:27:08 > 0:27:127999999...!
0:27:12 > 0:27:14You like your nine-nines!
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Yes, it probably starts with an eight, actually.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- It does start with an eight.- Gosh.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20825.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- I think Jules has given us quite a lot to think about.- You have.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29It is absolutely stunning, I have to say.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32The quality of the workmanship is very good.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Clearly, the house has been completely done.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37There's nothing to do.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39It's somewhere we could move into tomorrow.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44This amount of land could be a reasonable size for us, and a manageable size.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48Logically, all the boxes get ticked.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52However, emotionally, there's something that doesn't quite feel right for me.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Well, I have to say, of all of the properties I've seen
0:27:58 > 0:28:03on Escape to the Country, that probably was one of best historic renovations I've come across.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07I was delighted to see that Sally loved the idea of that dressing room for John.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11And of course, it had all the outside facilities they needed for that dog training school.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14But sadly, all good things must come to an end.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18That's it for our review of some of the best that Devon has had to offer.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22But I hope it's inspired you to find your own rural escape wherever, that happens to be.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24I'll see you next time.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:47 > 0:28:51E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk