0:00:02 > 0:00:04I'm in a county which, in the 17th century,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08was home to one of the greatest English poets,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12famous for his epic poem pitting Satan against his creator in a fiery battle of wills.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17Find out where I am for this devilishly good edition of Escape To The Country in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35Today, we're helping a couple realise their dream of a rural lifestyle.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Maybe a donkey as well we could squeeze in here somewhere, yeah.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41We'll be viewing some truly stunning homes,
0:00:41 > 0:00:44but we have a challenge on our hands.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48I quite liked barns, but he put me off of them. Ah!
0:00:48 > 0:00:53- I'm not certain what I do want. I'm hoping I'll know it when I see it. - So, will we ever find it?
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Today, I'm in Buckinghamshire
0:00:57 > 0:01:03and this cottage is where the visionary poet, John Milton, came to escape the plague in 1665.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07In his time, he was more famous for being a politician
0:01:07 > 0:01:10with his outspoken views of freedom of the press,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13but nowadays he's mostly remembered for his epic poem,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Paradise Lost, which he finished in this building.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20And in that poem, he describes Paradise as a happy rural seat
0:01:20 > 0:01:24of various view, which is as good as any description of Buckinghamshire.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Waxing lyrical, I would say there are a cornucopia
0:01:29 > 0:01:34of countryside vistas in this county of 726 square miles,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37which is quite remarkable considering its proximity to London.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Situated northwest of the capital and surrounded by Hertfordshire,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Bucks is one of nine home counties
0:01:47 > 0:01:49and is prize commuter-belt territory.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51It's even on the tube line.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55The south is dominated by the Chiltern Hills,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01and to the north is the flat arable landscape of the Aylesbury Vale.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Whichever direction you take,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07it won't be long before you come across a beautifully preserved market town
0:02:07 > 0:02:10or a quintessentially English village brimming with thatches,
0:02:10 > 0:02:15brick and flint cottages, Georgian manors and Victorian farmhouses.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19From Noel Gallagher to Cilla Black, many celebrities call it home,
0:02:19 > 0:02:24but the wage packets of the stars might come in handy if you want to live here
0:02:24 > 0:02:28as the average cost of a detached property in Bucks is 40% over the national average.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33I've been trying to work out
0:02:33 > 0:02:36why Buckinghamshire is so incredibly expensive.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41It has good rail links into London, a very good grammar school system and low crime rate,
0:02:41 > 0:02:46but it also, I've discovered, has a very healthy attitude towards its green spaces.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51The county council here spends half a million pounds every year
0:02:51 > 0:02:52tending its forests and byways
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and they have very strict regulations about planning.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58So you're not likely to be able to get land to build new builds.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02When you do buy your house, it'll be surrounded by unspoiled landscape.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Take a look at what's on offer.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09If you're after a very big house in the country,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12check out this five-bedroom, 17th-century manor in Dunton.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15Grade II listed, it's packed with original features
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and you get plenty of space, with two reception rooms,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21a new farmhouse kitchen, and 1.5 acres of land.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24You'll need an equally big budget to buy it -
0:03:24 > 0:03:28it's on the market for £1.35 million.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31For those with slightly less ambitious property dreams,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35how about this Grade II listed four-bedroomed farmhouse
0:03:35 > 0:03:37in the village of Bierton?
0:03:37 > 0:03:41£639,000 will purchase two reception rooms, a Shaker-style kitchen
0:03:41 > 0:03:43and one-third of an acre.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46If you've always fancied a thatch,
0:03:46 > 0:03:51then this traditional brick and flint two-bedroomed cottage could be just the ticket.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Situated in the heart of a popular Chilterns village,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57it offers cosy country living inside and out
0:03:57 > 0:04:01and could be yours for the more modest sum of £340,000.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07You see, Buckinghamshire is bursting with beautiful properties,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12but at a price, and will they be beautiful enough for our buyers today? Let's meet them.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Storage company MD Chris and wife Jenny have lived
0:04:17 > 0:04:22in their four-bedroomed modern house in Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire for the last five years.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25But an expanding business and a new warehouse in Haddenham
0:04:25 > 0:04:30means the opportunity has arisen for them to make a move to the country.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34We'd like to move to the Oxfordshire/Buckinghamshire borders
0:04:34 > 0:04:38because it's near to where we're currently working.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43We'd like to have 10 to 15 minutes travelling time from where we have the new warehouse.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48However, this move doesn't just come down to logistics.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51It's a dream of mine to keep goats but we haven't enough space here.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55When we move, what I would like would be
0:04:55 > 0:05:00- at least a quarter of an acre plot where we can have a lovely, tranquil, park-like setting.- Yes.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04It would be great to get away from the traffic noise we've got here.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09So a big garden for Jenny and her goat herd will be a top priority,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12but what about the house itself?
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I think we're quite open to looking at everything.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19This is a fairly new house and, although we have enjoyed it,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I would like something with more character.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Yes, character on the outside, contemporary on the inside.
0:05:24 > 0:05:29Up until recently they've shared their home with Jenny's daughters from a previous relationship.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31However, now they've flown the nest,
0:05:31 > 0:05:36Chris and Jenny want to downsize from four to at least two bedrooms.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40But what else is on the property shopping list?
0:05:40 > 0:05:44Currently we've got a spacious kitchen, which we love, with a separate dining room
0:05:44 > 0:05:47which was a good idea at the time, but now we've decided
0:05:47 > 0:05:51we'd really like more of a kitchen/diner to have a more sociable kind of setting.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56Busy MD Chris has more than just leisure requirements though.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58When we move, ideally, what I'd like to have
0:05:58 > 0:06:02would be an outbuilding that could be converted into an office
0:06:02 > 0:06:05so that I can separate my personal life from my work life.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09So we're downsizing the house and up-scaling the garden.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12But after months of trawling the property market,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16it's a combination that has so far eluded Chris and Jenny.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21We've both got lots of things that we think we're looking for in a house, maybe too much.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23We're not going to get everything, we realise that.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27The main thing is a big garden, but we don't need a big house,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31but it's difficult to find a small house with a big garden. That's our problem really.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Well, if there are compromises to be made,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36who will make the final decision?
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Where I tend to be sometimes unsure and negative about things,
0:06:40 > 0:06:45he balances things out by being more positive and making quick decisions
0:06:45 > 0:06:48where I'll sit on the fence for ages, thinking, "I don't know, shall we?"
0:06:48 > 0:06:50But before they can make the move,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Chris and Jenny need to know how much they'll have to spend in Bucks,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58so we've invited a local agent to value their house.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01This is a four-bedroomed detached house, presented in very good order.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Very well positioned in a quiet cul-de-sac,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08yet moments away really from several transport links including motorways.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10I'd value this property at £500,000.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17With that in mind, what's the final figure for their country escape?
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Our budget for the new house is £600,000.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Two things are ringing alarm bells for me now.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28One is the ten-mile radius around Haddenham,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30one of the best addresses in Buckinghamshire.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32And the second is small house, big garden
0:07:32 > 0:07:35because, even though they've got a big budget,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Chris and Jenny are going to have to make some compromises.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39They want three bedrooms,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42but they also want space in the garden for their goats
0:07:42 > 0:07:45and maybe an outhouse for Chris's office.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48All for £600,000 in Buckinghamshire? Hmm.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51It's a narrow property search area we have on our hands
0:07:51 > 0:07:54around Haddenham on the Oxfordshire/Bucks border.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57It's just as well they've said they're open to anything
0:07:57 > 0:08:00which means we've managed to line up a fantastic array
0:08:00 > 0:08:02of period homes and gardens to view.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05I won't reveal the price tags until the end of the tours
0:08:05 > 0:08:08and today's mystery house is a project and a half,
0:08:08 > 0:08:12but will it have them plotting out a future here?
0:08:15 > 0:08:16So welcome to Buckinghamshire.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19It's not a huge journey you've been on to get here
0:08:19 > 0:08:21because you're moving from Hertfordshire.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Yes, it's not too far at all, is it? We are quite familiar with it
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- because we're often popping in and out, aren't we?- We are.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31And I know you're moving here largely because of your work
0:08:31 > 0:08:33and because of the storehouses.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Do you have a great love for Buckinghamshire?
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Yes, we find it very fascinating countryside.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- We like the hills and dips and... - The Chilterns?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Yes, the Chilterns, the views. Very nice.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49- Because you're sort of downsizing. - Uh huh.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Sort of making your life a bit simpler.- Mmm-hmm.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56But you'd still want some land... You want to breed some animals?
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Yes, well, not breed. We'd like to keep some goats, some pygmy goats.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05So we're looking for a smaller house with a larger garden, but we know it's going to be difficult.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Good, as long as you're braced for some compromises ahead.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12It is a beautiful county, there's some lovely properties, so shall we go and find them?
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Yes, lovely.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Chris and Jenny realise they have an ambitious wish list.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21For their £600,000, they want a character home
0:09:21 > 0:09:23but with contemporary styling.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27They need two to three bedrooms, a large open-plan kitchen/diner
0:09:27 > 0:09:29and one other reception room.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Not a huge house, but with Jenny's plans to keep goats,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36they want a decent garden, at least half an acre.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38It's a tricky combination. Which of the criteria,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41if any, will they be prepared to let go of?
0:09:44 > 0:09:49Not really the land because I do want a large garden to have my goats, so that's a must.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52We could compromise on the quality of the building itself.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54As long as the structure's sound,
0:09:54 > 0:10:00we're quite happy to do quite a lot of work internally to remodel it to exactly what we want.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Are you a bit handy with the renovating?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06I've done quite a bit of work on my houses in the past.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08So when you say a bit of renovating, how much?
0:10:08 > 0:10:10I mean, are you prepared to start from scratch?
0:10:10 > 0:10:15Yes, we're prepared to do quite a major renovation project
0:10:15 > 0:10:19to the building as long as the main structure of the building is sound.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23But then we're quite happy to tear down some walls
0:10:23 > 0:10:28and remodel that internally and then rebuild the extensions if need be.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- So just little things really! - Just little things.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Hopefully our first property won't require such drastic measures.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39It's situated in Weston Turville
0:10:39 > 0:10:42which, at just 10 miles from Haddenham,
0:10:42 > 0:10:44will be an easy commute for Chris.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47It's one of Buckinghamshire's busier villages
0:10:47 > 0:10:51with a full run of amenities and period properties aplenty,
0:10:51 > 0:10:54from Victorian terraces to thatched cottages.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Surrounded by pastoral scenery,
0:10:56 > 0:11:00it's easy to escape into the county's beautiful countryside.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03Our first house is situated back off the main village road,
0:11:03 > 0:11:07but it's a charming property that also has the all-important land,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10so we just had to show it to them. Let's see what they make of it.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Well, this is the house.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Originally it was a 1920s' house, quite small.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21It was extended in the '50s and the present owner's been here 20 years
0:11:21 > 0:11:22and has done everything you can see.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25He's re-clad it, put these lovely hung tiles on,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27new windows, double glazing, put a porch,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29a lot of work. What do you think?
0:11:31 > 0:11:37I personally am not a fan of the hung tile effect on houses
0:11:37 > 0:11:40although this fits for this particular property.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Jenny, what do you think? You've got puzzled...
0:11:43 > 0:11:45I'm quite interested to get inside and have a look.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- That sounds like you're withholding judgment.- I am.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Because you don't like the outside? - Not over keen, but...
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- What don't you like? - It's just so close to the road.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- And in terms of period in property, I mean. 1920s, is that OK?- Mmm, yes.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01It's probably later than we're actually looking for.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04We're looking at Georgian, Edwardian, Victorian.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07You may well be looking Georgian, with half an acre...
0:12:07 > 0:12:10That's going to be quite tricky to find around here. Yes.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13It would be a big house as well, whereas we want the small, yes.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16So maybe Georgian? Let's have a look inside.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Well, when Jenny claps eyes on the garden,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23I have a feeling that road may all but be forgotten.
0:12:23 > 0:12:24However, first the house.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Although it's 20th century,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30I'm hoping it will deliver on space and room dimensions.
0:12:32 > 0:12:37In you come. This is the hall that they extended out.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39This is the sitting room
0:12:39 > 0:12:43and this would have been the extension, do you see the beam here?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47- That's an RSJ they would have extended out.- Right.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- And they've turned it into this big sitting room.- It's a nice size room.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52It's a nice comfortable size.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56Unfortunately, you can, even though it is good double glazing,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58you can still hear the traffic noise.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Yes, if you wanted the windows open in the summer, I think you'd get the traffic.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Do you spend a lot of time at home watching telly?
0:13:05 > 0:13:07How do you use your home?
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Yes, we spend a lot of time in the sitting room, don't we?- Yes, we do.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- We will be spending more time in the kitchen/diner.- When we have one.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19That comfortable room, when we have one. At the moment, we've got a separate dining room.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- Which we don't use, do we? - Which we don't really use.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24Well, let's go and explore that area here. OK.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29There is a little study that's being used as a music room there.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33It looks out to the front. This is the kitchen.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40- Right, well, are you taking it all in?- Yes.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43I quite like it, but I know Chris is going to hate it.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- Why are you going to hate it, Chris? - It's a country kitchen.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- You don't like country kitchens? - Ordinarily, no,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54but I do actually like the style of this.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58So what is it you don't you usually like about country kitchens?
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- Big taps, butler sinks, wooden worktops.- You've got some very specific tastes!
0:14:02 > 0:14:05You don't like hung tiles, big taps.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08That's quite strange, what about you, Jenny?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Although I do quite like this, it isn't what I'd choose, so...
0:14:11 > 0:14:16- What would you choose? - I'm not exactly certain. I'm hoping I'll know it when I see it.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19'Ah, that old chestnut.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22'Fingers crossed, we'll come across it.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24'What a pity this kitchen isn't to Jenny's taste
0:14:24 > 0:14:29'because it would be a crying shame to pull it out and refit it.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34'Just down the hallway is a separate dining room which could be used as a spacious study for Chris.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38'But that's it for the ground floor, let's turn our attention upstairs.'
0:14:41 > 0:14:45This is the master bedroom. It's a quite conventional room.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50I think you also have this image of a master bedroom that's probably not this, is it?
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Well, no. I am very lucky, I have got a very large bedroom at the moment
0:14:54 > 0:14:56with a lovely en-suite so I don't really want to...
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- Downsize.- Yes.- Well it does have an en-suite.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Oh, right?
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Through here. Do you want to go and check that?- OK.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Ah, when Chris sees this loo...
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- Agh!- What's wrong with the loo?
0:15:10 > 0:15:15- High-cistern toilets. Don't like them.- You are so fussy! High-cistern toilets, tiny taps...
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I've never liked that.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19I can't take him anywhere!
0:15:19 > 0:15:25Yes, it would be too small for what we're looking for in an en-suite.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28You're looking for a giant master suite with a giant en-suite?
0:15:28 > 0:15:33We're looking for a large bedroom with an area where you could go to
0:15:33 > 0:15:35where one side would be a dressing room,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39the other side would be a normal family-sized bathroom.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43So when you say you're downsizing, you're not actually downsizing.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- The number of bedrooms - we could do with just two.- Oh, I see. OK.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51This house hunting is turning into quite a voyage of discovery.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Jenny and Chris may not know exactly what they want,
0:15:54 > 0:15:58but they're very clear about what they don't want.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02However, there could be a solution to extending the master bedroom,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04as there is a further double bedroom
0:16:04 > 0:16:07and the dividing wall isn't structural, it's just a partition.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12There is an option here that you could knock this through.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14You could put a door at the top of the stairs
0:16:14 > 0:16:19and make this your giant, massive master suite with a fantastic en-suite.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Yes, could work.- Take away that evil high cistern.- With small taps.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- With small taps. - The small taps in the kitchen.- OK.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Giant taps in the bathroom!
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Sadly no gargantuan taps in the family bathroom,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37but along the hall are two further good-size bedrooms.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42However, for Jenny, the garden is equally important, if not more so,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46than the house itself and, at half an acre, this one should be spot on.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49There's even an added extra hiding behind the garage.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Dining area and...
0:16:55 > 0:17:01- Right.- A swimming pool. - ..and a swimming pool.- Right, OK.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03When we were seeing bits of the garden,
0:17:03 > 0:17:07we were thinking, "Where would we put the goats?"
0:17:07 > 0:17:11One of the thoughts was behind the garage, but they would be swimming!
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- A sunken goat garden!- So the swimming pool's not a big plus?
0:17:15 > 0:17:19- No, not at all.- Not for us, no.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21The rest of the garden is absolutely fabulous.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Well, there's plenty more of it and more space for your goats.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Well, that surprised me.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I can usually rely on a pool to get a big reaction,
0:17:29 > 0:17:34but no, in this case, space for the goats is the top priority.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38You said you wanted some land and it certainly goes on.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- This is the end with this new fencing here.- Right.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47- And he did actually used to have goats here.- Really?- Right, OK. Certainly enough room for goats
0:17:47 > 0:17:51and maybe a donkey as well could squeeze in here somewhere, yeah.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- See? More land, more animals. - Definitely. Yes.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59This piece here is certainly big enough for two pygmy goats.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Huge potential, this garden, it really has.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- It's a great garden, isn't it? - Wonderful, yes!
0:18:04 > 0:18:08This is what I mean, when you're here, the road is a distant memory.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- Mmm, true.- The plot of land goes a long way back.- Yes.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16How much do you think this is worth in very expensive Buckinghamshire?
0:18:16 > 0:18:20Um, I guess maybe £580,000?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22What do you think?
0:18:22 > 0:18:27I would say, because there is the pool and because it's finished,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30probably the upper end of the budget, £595,000.
0:18:31 > 0:18:36- OK, so this is on the market at £650,000.- Right.- OK.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So, we don't usually show properties that are way over,
0:18:41 > 0:18:47but in terms of this market, I kind of wanted to show you something
0:18:47 > 0:18:51that sort of came up to scratch but is just...
0:18:51 > 0:18:55This is what you have to pay to get all this round here, finished in this way.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57It is the finished article and it's got the pool.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01Have a walk around and see where compromises could be made.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- I'll see you out the front. - Lovely, thanks.- OK.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Despite this hung-tile house being over budget at £650,000,
0:19:07 > 0:19:11it has been on the market for 14 months
0:19:11 > 0:19:13so there should be a little room for negotiation.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It has the large kitchen/diner Jenny wanted,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19although maybe not the right style. It has four bedrooms
0:19:19 > 0:19:22which could be knocked through to create two big rooms
0:19:22 > 0:19:24and the half-acre garden is perfect for goats.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28And for some, there's the added bonus of a swimming pool.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31So with some re-jigging, could Jenny and Chris make it work for them?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36I love the kitchen and I love the way it flows onto the garden.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Really nice.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42It is nice but I think we want the dining area...is the bit that flows.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Yes, we did want the table to look into the garden while we're eating
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- and it's the other way round. - And the dining room would be wasted
0:19:49 > 0:19:52- being at the other end.- Yes, same as we're doing now - we don't use it.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57I love the garden. I love it so much I'm trying to make the house work.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01So I've really got to step back and think again
0:20:01 > 0:20:05because it's really having a big effect, how wonderful the garden is.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07So I've got to do some thinking about that.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11It's fantastically decorated, we can move straight in.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15The garden is absolutely fabulous, it's perfect.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18The unfortunate part about the house is the road noise.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22We wouldn't be able to live with it, but overall, you know,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25there's lots of bits about the house that we like,
0:20:25 > 0:20:27but there's too many that would outweigh.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- Hello, all done? - Hi, yes, thank you very much.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35OK, pull the door to and we'll go.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42With a new warehouse near Haddenham,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Chris and Jenny are well acquainted with the area
0:20:46 > 0:20:50but, keen to explore further afield, earlier in the week, they visited
0:20:50 > 0:20:53the picturesque market town of Old Amersham
0:20:53 > 0:20:58where local historian Anthony Toufaux was on-hand to give them a guided tour.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01The whole area is a conservation area. The reason is that
0:21:01 > 0:21:04there are a lot of 17th and 18th century buildings here.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08But going back in Georgian times, before planning rules came along,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11a lot of these houses along here, which were medieval houses,
0:21:11 > 0:21:15they added on to the front these Georgian facades.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19They wanted the big windows bringing more light in,
0:21:19 > 0:21:20and also they were fashionable.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23It gave the right impression to the neighbours.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Keeping up with the Joneses it may have been,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30but it's this wealth of historic and unusual architecture
0:21:30 > 0:21:32that resulted in a conservation order
0:21:32 > 0:21:35which has kept Amersham old town so perfectly preserved.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40With its designer shops and delis, it's definitely a well-heeled place,
0:21:40 > 0:21:46but it's a far cry from the busy commercial centre it would have been 300 years ago.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49Located on a couple of vital trade routes and roads,
0:21:49 > 0:21:51it was the first stop out of London
0:21:51 > 0:21:55and a whole industry grew up to cater for over-night visitors.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57The coaching inns are still here,
0:21:57 > 0:22:00today serving up locally grown produce to Amersham's residents
0:22:00 > 0:22:04and a couple have even played host to Hollywood,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07appearing in the Brit-flick Four Weddings And A Funeral.
0:22:07 > 0:22:13No time for the movies now though, we still need to find Jenny and Chris their dream home.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18For our next property, we're heading to Gibraltar,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20not the rocky outcrop off Spain,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23it's a tiny hamlet just two miles from Haddenham,
0:22:23 > 0:22:28which is where Chris and Jenny will go for supplies as well as work.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Haddenham's centrepiece has to be
0:22:30 > 0:22:34its 13th-century church, village green and pond -
0:22:34 > 0:22:36home to the famous Aylesbury duck.
0:22:36 > 0:22:42It's a vibrant community with seven pubs, restaurants and a smattering of good old-fashioned shops.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47The quiet lanes are home to a plethora of period properties
0:22:47 > 0:22:51and if it all looks rather familiar, well, you may have spotted it
0:22:51 > 0:22:54on more than one gentle-paced, Sunday night detective drama on TV.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57But we're in the business of finding rural abodes,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00not solving countryside crimes.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02So it's off to Gibraltar for property two,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05which is in a very quiet setting near the end of a no-through road,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07so no passing traffic here.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09This would have been a one-up,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12or two one-up, one-down farmer's cottages
0:23:12 > 0:23:15which have been knocked through together...
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- Right.- ..and pretty heavily renovated 20 years ago.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Right, OK.- Let's have a look inside.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26A somewhat muted response, but to find a smaller property
0:23:26 > 0:23:30in a quiet location with a big garden is a tough challenge.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34I think this 17th-century cottage fits the bill on those fronts.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39In through the back door - country style - into the kitchen, also country style.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45- Yes. Yes.- What are your thoughts? - Very snug.- Very small.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Yes, but it's a small country cottage.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- I have to say, can't pretend that it isn't.- No.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55But again, we're looking in a very expensive part of the country,
0:23:55 > 0:23:57so snugness might be the way forward.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Mind your head,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11because here we go into the original building
0:24:11 > 0:24:13which is, as you can see, quite low.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15Low, right OK.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18You're not banging your head, Jenny?
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- No, it's just right for me, just, just.- Jenny's fine.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23So this is...they're using it as the dining room.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Obviously, it's next to the kitchen, but it could be used as anything.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30I get the impression that you're not madly keen on this sort of property.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32If I was going on holiday to the country,
0:24:32 > 0:24:36I would adore to stay in something like this because it is amazing,
0:24:36 > 0:24:41- but I don't think I'd like to live in it.- So you're basically not looking for a period property?- No.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- So you want something modern? - Something more modern than this one.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- When people were taller. - When people were taller.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51It gets a little bit taller next door.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58This is their sitting room, this is definitely higher.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03- Yes, it's all right for you two, yes. - Yes, definitely feeling more space.
0:25:03 > 0:25:08Obviously, it's an old property but I think it's been done up in a very contemporary way.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11It's light colours, there's no horse brasses
0:25:11 > 0:25:14and they've got this beautiful inglenook,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17a proper inglenook where you can sit on either side.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21- Very nice.- And this gives off buckets of heat.- I can imagine, yes.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- In winter, it's a real roaring fire. - It's a nice cosy, small room.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30It's not such a bad size for a living room if you don't need to get around tables, chairs
0:25:30 > 0:25:34and all the work in the kitchen. It's more of a... It's nice, yes.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39The fire seems to have done the trick as they seem to be warming up to this property, ever so slightly.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42So let's check out upstairs while the going is good.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46New staircase, quite wide for a country cottage,
0:25:46 > 0:25:52up into this landing area that was the bathroom they opened up.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Straight through into this little bedroom.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Wow, really cute, isn't it?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Yes. Lovely little bedroom.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05And then you've got the bathroom which is also very charming.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Nice little study area and a very sweet bathroom.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Yes. It's different, very nice.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Very nice, lovely little window down there.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- Two...dual aspects. - And there, yes, very nice.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24They're going for this very kind of contemporary,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26kind of boutique hotel type feel,
0:26:26 > 0:26:30you know, this beautiful roll-top bath, light and bright.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33So this is the only bathroom in the house.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Everything is scaled down,
0:26:35 > 0:26:41- but you do have en-suite in your master bedroom.- Ah!
0:26:45 > 0:26:49- So this is the bedroom.- Oh, right. - It's very nice, isn't it?- Yes.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53- The whole upstairs is really nice. - Yes, because it's higher, isn't it?
0:26:53 > 0:26:57- A much better feeling about the whole house, isn't it?- Yes.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00It's got more of a sense of space upstairs. And there's an en-suite?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- I say an en-suite, it's an en-suite toilet.- Right.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08- But you do have the bathroom next door.- Yes, it's not too far to go.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13- But you've really effectively only got two bedrooms.- Mmm-hmm.- Right.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Which could pose a problem.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20Well, where there are problems we do like to provide solutions.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Chris and Jenny could remodel
0:27:23 > 0:27:27the upper level of this house into their very own sleeping quarter with dressing room,
0:27:27 > 0:27:32because out in the garden is a possible answer to guest bedroom and office space.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38In you come, different change of tone here.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- Ah!- Yes, what a nice surprise.
0:27:40 > 0:27:45- Very nice surprise.- Is this more your style?- This is more our style.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- Could you think of using this?- This could potentially be an office,
0:27:49 > 0:27:54but I think it would be a wasted space for an office really.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57There's space upstairs as well. Let's have a look at that.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Now I'm a bit confused, I thought Chris wanted an outside office.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06Very cunning Swedish staircase leads you up into all this.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Ah, much better.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- It's quite a significant space, isn't it?- It is.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17- This could work very well as an office.- I don't know what else we'd do with it.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19It is difficult finding all...
0:28:19 > 0:28:25You seem to have a very specific idea of what you want, and really not that massive a budget to get it.
0:28:25 > 0:28:30So is there anything you would compromise on? You don't seem very compromise-ready.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33We're quite... I think it's going to be a smaller garden.
0:28:33 > 0:28:38- OK, that's good.- To get a little more living space downstairs where you don't feel cramped.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41Well, miniature goats don't take that much space.
0:28:41 > 0:28:46Neither Jenny or her goats will have to compromise on outside space here
0:28:46 > 0:28:51as this garden comes in at one-third of an acre.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53You've got a lovely orchard
0:28:53 > 0:28:56with some apples, plums, a pear tree.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- Great.- Very nice, yes. - It's a super garden.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01It is a lovely garden.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03It's a super spot.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07I'm interested to know how much you think it costs, all this beauty?
0:29:09 > 0:29:12£570,000, £580,000?
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- I'd say probably £575,000. - That's very interesting.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20It's interesting what you've been saying about the property. It does really only have two bedrooms.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- It's on the market for £500,000. - Oh, OK.- So it's considerably under your budget
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- and you'd have £100,000 to play with.- But what would you do with it?
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Being listed, it would be difficult to extend.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- These are all things to consider. - Beautiful house though.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- Well, why don't you have a wander around?- Right, right.- See you later.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47At £500,000, this cottage is under budget and has lots of options,
0:29:47 > 0:29:52though they would have to seek planning consent for any changes they'd wish to make.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54It's a beautiful country cottage as it is,
0:29:54 > 0:29:58but it has potential to create a bigger kitchen/diner
0:29:58 > 0:30:02and has two reception rooms and two bedrooms.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05The converted garage delivers both Chris's office space
0:30:05 > 0:30:07and a guest room and finally,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11outside, Jenny's goats would have one-third of an acre to call home.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Is that enough to convince Chris and Jenny to rethink their wish list?
0:30:16 > 0:30:18What would you do with the upstairs?
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Well, the upstairs I think would be the office, yes.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25- Maybe this could be a room for when the girls come and stay over.- Yes.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30- But we'd have to probably put a shower or something in as well.- Yes.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34It is a fantastic looking house if that's the sort of style you like,
0:30:34 > 0:30:38but we're not really fans of the thatched cottage style
0:30:38 > 0:30:42and the rooms are a little bit on the small side for us.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45And although we're downsizing, what we're looking for
0:30:45 > 0:30:49is large rooms but less of them. I don't think this would work for us.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Mmm, I really like this room. I think you've got more height
0:30:52 > 0:30:55and it just gives a lovely feel to the room, doesn't it?
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Yes, it's nice, it's sort of nice and cosy,
0:30:58 > 0:31:01looking out both directions and the fireplace.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04This is such a gorgeous quaint little cottage,
0:31:04 > 0:31:07I'd love to come and stay here on holiday or to visit friends,
0:31:07 > 0:31:09but I can't see living here would work for us.
0:31:09 > 0:31:14Making a break with tradition, we'll leave through the front door.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Buckinghamshire has no shortage of places of interest
0:31:24 > 0:31:28for Chris and Jenny to discover once they've made the move here.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31But being a literary fan, I couldn't resist the opportunity
0:31:31 > 0:31:35to take a proper look at the country escape
0:31:35 > 0:31:38of 17th-century poet, John Milton. A museum since 1887,
0:31:38 > 0:31:42today it's in the capable hands of curator, Edward Dawson.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- Good morning, Edward.- Good morning! - Lovely to meet you.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51I feel I should say, "Hail!" or something in iambic pentameter!
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Oh, I think we can let you off there.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- So this is Milton's cottage? - It is indeed.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- His garden no less.- Absolutely. - What was he writing here?
0:31:59 > 0:32:04He was writing probably the last two books of Paradise Lost
0:32:04 > 0:32:07and then the inspiration for the sequel
0:32:07 > 0:32:10also took place here in the cottage.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- Paradise Regained. - Paradise Regained.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It's an inspiring property.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19The cottage, built from an oak timber frame and red brick,
0:32:19 > 0:32:23is a fine example of 16th-century Buckinghamshire architecture.
0:32:23 > 0:32:29So exemplary in fact, it's one of approximately 100 cottages in the UK to have Grade I listed status.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32And it's not just the house.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36The garden's the only cottage garden in the Chilterns to be listed too.
0:32:36 > 0:32:41And what are you doing to make the garden Miltonian?
0:32:41 > 0:32:45Well, we plant out as many of the plants mentioned in his poetry
0:32:45 > 0:32:47as we can through the seasons.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49What would be an example of that?
0:32:49 > 0:32:55Well, a famous plant that all the poets handled was the acanthus.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57It's the plant of resurrection,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00because this huge, massive, prickly plant
0:33:00 > 0:33:04just disappears into the ground every season and reappears again.
0:33:05 > 0:33:10Milton moved here from London in 1664 to escape the plague
0:33:10 > 0:33:15and, despite living here for less than two years, the cottage is of paramount importance today
0:33:15 > 0:33:18as it's his sole surviving residence.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22All others were destroyed, either by the Great Fire of London or World War II,
0:33:22 > 0:33:27and it's now home to the finest collection of Milton first editions.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31- Where are we now?- In Milton's study, possibly a study-bedroom
0:33:31 > 0:33:33because he couldn't get upstairs.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Blind from the age of 44 and only a ladder.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39So you can't ask a blind man to run up and down a ladder.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42So how did he write? What was going on?
0:33:42 > 0:33:45He used to rise at 4 o'clock in the morning,
0:33:45 > 0:33:5140 or 50 lines of perfect iambic pentameter, locked in here, with corrections and reading over,
0:33:51 > 0:33:55ready for dictation to the amanuensis,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59he used the lovely word, Latin word for secretary, at 11 o'clock.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03- And English language, does that owe much to Milton?- It does indeed.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06There are 630 words of Milton's.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11He was the greatest neologist - it's called neology, the coining of words - in the English language.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Cambridge University did this exercise...
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- Greater than Shakespeare? - Shakespeare is in fourth place
0:34:17 > 0:34:21behind the dictionary man Dr Johnson and John Donne.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25- Crikey.- Yes.- So what's an example of a new Miltonian word?
0:34:25 > 0:34:27Well, you use it every day, Alistair,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29but I can offer you terrific,
0:34:29 > 0:34:34and, of course pandemonium - Satan's headquarters in Paradise Lost.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39Whether literature, architecture or horticulture is your bag,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42there's plenty to take in at Milton's cottage.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45In fact I'd go so far as to say, it's terrific.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50Fingers-crossed the rest of our property search doesn't descend into pandemonium.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57Well, it seems we've had more downs than ups today
0:34:57 > 0:35:00so now Chris and Jenny have had time to reflect,
0:35:00 > 0:35:03will they change their minds about either of our property offerings?
0:35:03 > 0:35:07The first house we saw today was a fabulous house, wasn't it?
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- Once you were inside. - Yes, it was a nice house.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13But on that road, there was a lot of noise.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16The garden was absolutely fabulous, you know.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18More than we'll probably ever see again.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21It was an interesting surprise the swimming pool.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- But a waste on us because we'd never use a swimming pool.- Yes.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27OK, what about the second one, the thatched cottage?
0:35:27 > 0:35:31The thatched cottage, I didn't like that one.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35- Looked beautiful from the outside. - It was a gorgeous little house, but the word little...
0:35:35 > 0:35:38It didn't fit any of our room needs.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41- Had a lovely garden though. - It had a nice garden.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42That's why we were there I think,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- because the garden was so... - Nice long garden.- Yes.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49- Could we see the goats there though, in that garden?- Possibly. Possibly.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53Hopefully, tomorrow, there'll be some more surprises.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57- It's certainly been an interesting experience.- So here's to tomorrow.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58Here's to tomorrow.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Chris and Jenny want to swap Herts for Bucks
0:36:09 > 0:36:12and have a healthy budget of £600,000,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16but in this county, that won't stretch far.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19They want to be close to Haddenham where Chris works,
0:36:19 > 0:36:23and would like a two-bedroom period house but with a super-size garden.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26They know they can't have it all, so where will they compromise?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29We'll just have to not have any guests!
0:36:31 > 0:36:34Or will the mystery house have them making plans?
0:36:36 > 0:36:39Day two and things are getting a little tricky.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41On the one hand, I really admire Chris and Jenny
0:36:41 > 0:36:45for sticking to their guns because £600,000 is a lot of money
0:36:45 > 0:36:47and they deserve to get what they want.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51On the other hand, what they want is a period property with land
0:36:51 > 0:36:53with two big open plan rooms downstairs
0:36:53 > 0:36:55and one massive bedroom upstairs.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58But, back in the day they didn't build houses like that.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01If they had big houses, they had eight rooms downstairs
0:37:01 > 0:37:04and eight rooms upstairs and those cost millions of pounds
0:37:04 > 0:37:06and we don't have that sort of money.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09So, today we're going to have to change our tack.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13It's become clear that big rooms,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16but fewer of them, are our top priority for Chris and Jenny
0:37:16 > 0:37:19so that's what we're going to deliver with our next property.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24And for that we're popping over the border into Oxfordshire to Thame.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27But Chris needn't worry, this vibrant market town
0:37:27 > 0:37:29is just three miles west of Haddenham.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33The well-maintained high street is home to a great mix of pubs,
0:37:33 > 0:37:38family-run shops and architectural styles ranging from Tudor to Victorian,
0:37:38 > 0:37:40all of which make it a popular postcode.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Our property is situated on the outskirts of town
0:37:43 > 0:37:46on a quiet country lane in a very rural setting.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50In fact, it's peace and quiet personified.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56And we're looking at this property which as you can see is a barn.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Now this is what we're hoping might kind of answer some of your needs
0:37:59 > 0:38:04since barns are, by nature, quite big and spacious and period.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07What do you think about barns?
0:38:07 > 0:38:09I quite like barns but he put me off them.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13- Why's that? - "Oh, we're not having a wooden barn."
0:38:13 > 0:38:17But I do like the look of it and I love the setting, so I really want to have a look.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- Don't listen to him. Listen to me.- OK.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24That's our best reaction yet
0:38:24 > 0:38:27and I'm glad because it's a truly impressive barn.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Dating from the 1600s, it's Grade II listed
0:38:29 > 0:38:32and has all the interior space they've asked for.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39Come inside to your very own grand hall.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Very nice.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46Ceilings high enough?
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- Yes.- I don't think the ceilings could be higher.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54You could be on a pogo stick and still manage not to bang your head.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- I love the oak.- It's beautiful, isn't it?- Very nice.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00Wood in its natural state, it's beautiful.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04- Can you imagine what you'd do here, Jenny?- My mind is buzzing actually.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09The present owners have partitioned this end of the barn and put in a false floor,
0:39:09 > 0:39:14and then they've put the bedroom, that's the master bedroom up there, so you get views both ways.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Let's look upstairs so you can make sense of it.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21It looks like the dimensions are going down well.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30So this is the bedroom, the master bedroom.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Ah, interesting.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Now, it's not cavernously big,
0:39:36 > 0:39:39but it does have all this huge expanse of view.
0:39:41 > 0:39:46And you've got a little toilet in here, washroom.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49This is why, even though it's not a massive space,
0:39:49 > 0:39:52and it won't be a massive space, somehow it feels big
0:39:52 > 0:39:55because you've got all that light and all that space.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59- The height of the ceilings gives the whole feel.- Yes.- Let's see some more.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Let's see the kitchen.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Wow, Jenny is positively itching to see the rest,
0:40:03 > 0:40:07so let's turn our attention to the kitchen.
0:40:08 > 0:40:09It could do with some updating,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12but then Jenny could create the kitchen/diner of her dreams,
0:40:12 > 0:40:15although planning permission may be required.
0:40:15 > 0:40:20What I'm thinking is that these walls are all thin and you've got a utility room
0:40:20 > 0:40:24on the other side of this strange corridor that doesn't lead anywhere.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26So the present owner was saying
0:40:26 > 0:40:30that she would just knock out all of these walls and have one big space.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Right. OK.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34You could either have a separate kitchen
0:40:34 > 0:40:36or you could actually make it flow into that space there.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Possibly, yes.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43So there's a lot of scope here. I would tend to just open out the whole space
0:40:43 > 0:40:47and just make it one big open plan space and have a kitchen at the end.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50Right. Yes, sounds like that could work.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54Now, this is the stable block, what was the stable block.
0:40:54 > 0:40:59It's converted into a chain of rooms. You've got a sitting room
0:40:59 > 0:41:01and then a bedroom and then an en-suite, OK.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04What might you use this for?
0:41:04 > 0:41:07It seems too nice just to keep it for guests.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10I like your thinking because I'd never sacrifice a nice room.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14Yes, the oak here is just magnificent, I really love it.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16This could probably work as the kitchen.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Take out the wall in the dining room and then it goes in to the garden.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23But that would leave you no rooms for your guests.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25We'd just have to not have any guests.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29That's what I love about house hunting - this is very important
0:41:29 > 0:41:31until I see the right house in which case I don't care!
0:41:31 > 0:41:36It seems an awful lot of work, but when people start redesigning rooms,
0:41:36 > 0:41:41it's usually a good sign. They're already buying into the potential.
0:41:41 > 0:41:47But in this case, integrating the kitchen into the main barn would be a far more cost-effective solution
0:41:47 > 0:41:50and it would still leave them with the bedrooms.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53So positive reactions to the interior, but what about the garden?
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Well, in addition to the front lawn,
0:41:55 > 0:41:59the back garden is currently patio-ed and gravelled
0:41:59 > 0:42:02but could easily be made more goat-friendly,
0:42:02 > 0:42:07or they could take up the concrete hard-standing and make a pen.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10But if that isn't enough, there are other options afoot.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15- The present owner owns all this paddock around.- OK.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19And she'd be willing to rent you the quadrant
0:42:19 > 0:42:23- so you'd get a little bit of extra land.- Right.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Hmm, I wouldn't be too happy about renting my garden off someone.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30If I own the house I'd want to own the garden as well, wouldn't you?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33- Is that an option?- Well, it's always a point of negotiation.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37Now this is going to really interest me what you say this is worth.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41It doesn't have the land unless it's going to be negotiated as an extra,
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- and there is work required on the house.- Plenty of, yes.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Plenty of, which we're happy to do.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49So I'm thinking £475,000.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52I'll say about £500,000.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55This property's on the market for £595,000.
0:42:55 > 0:43:00I was afraid you were going to say that. So without a garden for our goats, we'd have to say no.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03- But it's wonderful. - Yes, it's a lovely house.
0:43:03 > 0:43:05- Not for us.- It hasn't got the land that we need.
0:43:05 > 0:43:10Well, it seems like you've made your mind up. But have a look around
0:43:10 > 0:43:12- and I'll see you at the front, OK? - OK.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15- We've still got the mystery house. - Lovely. Look forward to that one.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19Well, you know, I don't mean to be mean, but that is the price.
0:43:19 > 0:43:24I didn't make the price up and that is what the vendor's selling it for,
0:43:24 > 0:43:26so that's the price I had to give.
0:43:27 > 0:43:33However, the £595,000 price tag should be negotiable as the barn has been on the market for a year.
0:43:33 > 0:43:38Internally it has all the space Chris and Jenny have asked for.
0:43:38 > 0:43:39Two large reception rooms,
0:43:39 > 0:43:43potential to create an open-plan kitchen/diner and two bedrooms.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47There's work to be done, but it doesn't have to be a huge project
0:43:47 > 0:43:49and if they're willing to rent
0:43:49 > 0:43:52or negotiate to buy the land from the current owner,
0:43:52 > 0:43:56also the next door neighbour, then the land issue would be resolved.
0:43:56 > 0:44:00So I really hope they haven't written it off straight away.
0:44:00 > 0:44:02Maybe open-plan to the living room
0:44:02 > 0:44:04or the living room could go in that room
0:44:04 > 0:44:10and then maybe put the kitchen here with a granite worktop or something.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12Would be good, but either way we think of it,
0:44:12 > 0:44:15it's a lot of money to be spent, a lot of work to do.
0:44:15 > 0:44:18I like quite a lot of bits about this house
0:44:18 > 0:44:20and how certain things could work.
0:44:20 > 0:44:22It's just a fantastic bit of space downstairs,
0:44:22 > 0:44:24it could work really well.
0:44:24 > 0:44:29The biggest downside to this particular property was the garden.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31There was no garden that was worth talking about.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34This is a huge, wonderful building with bags of potential
0:44:34 > 0:44:38and there's so many ways you could change it around, moving bedrooms and kitchens.
0:44:38 > 0:44:42It's a dream in many ways although it is at the top of our budget,
0:44:42 > 0:44:47plus with the tiny garden, I don't really think it's for us.
0:44:48 > 0:44:55Guys, one more to go and hopefully no more disappointment.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02For many people, a move to the country goes hand-in-hand
0:45:02 > 0:45:05with keeping a few chickens and growing veg,
0:45:05 > 0:45:08but Jenny has her heart firmly set on a kid or two,
0:45:08 > 0:45:13of the four-legged variety. It's been her dream to keep pygmy goats.
0:45:13 > 0:45:16So we've sent her and Chris to the Bucks Goat Centre
0:45:16 > 0:45:20to meet farm manager Lauren Godfrey to find out more.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22- Hi.- Good morning.- Morning.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26- Hi, Jenny. - Hi, I'm Chris.- Nice to meet you.
0:45:26 > 0:45:29- So you're interested in getting a couple of pygmies.- Yes, we are.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32We've looked at a lot of goats around here.
0:45:32 > 0:45:36There's lots of pretty females and males. What would be the best to get?
0:45:36 > 0:45:39What we're looking at is for pets, not for milking, nothing else.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43It depends how big a space you've got really.
0:45:43 > 0:45:46If you've not got much of a space, then these are perfect, really.
0:45:46 > 0:45:49They're perfect pets. They're a nice manageable size.
0:45:49 > 0:45:54- These are miniature pygmies?- Yeah. Nice manageable size, you don't need an awful lot of space.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57Well, with half an acre on Jenny's property wish list,
0:45:57 > 0:46:00how much of that will go to the goats?
0:46:00 > 0:46:04Probably something about half this size if you're having a couple.
0:46:04 > 0:46:06They don't need an awful lot of space.
0:46:06 > 0:46:08They need a shelter
0:46:08 > 0:46:11because they hate the rain, their coats aren't waterproof.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15So they need a good size shelter if they're staying out all year round.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17- Or a raincoat!- Yes!
0:46:17 > 0:46:19A garden shed's quite a good idea.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21It's nice and enclosed.
0:46:21 > 0:46:25So even the goats need a property and it will need to be built to last
0:46:25 > 0:46:29as these hardy little animals, originating from Africa,
0:46:29 > 0:46:33have a life span of 12 to 15 years, so it's a real commitment.
0:46:33 > 0:46:38However, for those looking to take small steps down the self-sufficiency route,
0:46:38 > 0:46:40pygmy goats are a great starting point.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44They don't take up much room but they do produce a lot of milk for their size -
0:46:44 > 0:46:46just under two gallons a week,
0:46:46 > 0:46:49which could keep your average household in milk all year round,
0:46:49 > 0:46:54and the manure is a much-needed ingredient for any successful veggie patch.
0:46:54 > 0:46:58- So are these males or females? - These two are females
0:46:58 > 0:47:01but if you're looking for two for pets, castrated males are probably the best.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04- How old are these? - These are a year old now.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07- Are they going to grow much bigger? - A little bit maybe.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09They're fully grown at 18 months normally.
0:47:09 > 0:47:14- And what do they eat? - Concentrate and hay. If you've got grass they'll nibble a bit,
0:47:14 > 0:47:18- but they're not massive grass eaters.- We'll still need a lawn mower?- Yeah.
0:47:18 > 0:47:23And take heed, your pygmies require more maintenance than your average dog or mog.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26Every 12 weeks they need worming, de-fleaing
0:47:26 > 0:47:28and their hooves need trimming.
0:47:28 > 0:47:33It's vital to learn how to do this from trained professionals or get your vet to do it.
0:47:33 > 0:47:37Finally, all pygmies need to be registered with DEFRA -
0:47:37 > 0:47:40the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
0:47:40 > 0:47:47Ooh, do you want some milk? Come on, Leila. Leila. Yay, look at that!
0:47:47 > 0:47:49Well, it looks like Jenny has found her goats.
0:47:49 > 0:47:54Let's hope we can find them the house and garden they can all call home.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59Buckinghamshire is a hard taskmaster
0:47:59 > 0:48:03and it's so heartbreaking to see particularly Jenny so disappointed
0:48:03 > 0:48:06by the price of that last property,
0:48:06 > 0:48:09but we've got one more to go and I'm hoping the mystery house,
0:48:09 > 0:48:11by bringing things down to ground level,
0:48:11 > 0:48:14is going to provide us with a solution.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18For that, we're heading to the outskirts of Wendover
0:48:18 > 0:48:21which is a manageable 12-mile commute to Haddenham.
0:48:21 > 0:48:25Tucked away in a crease of the Chiltern hills,
0:48:25 > 0:48:27this charming little town
0:48:27 > 0:48:31is prime stockbroker territory with direct rail links into London.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35Awarded a royal market charter in the 15th century,
0:48:35 > 0:48:37the stall holders stopped trading years ago.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41But today the community is served by trendy little shops,
0:48:41 > 0:48:44coaching inns and cafe culture is de rigeur.
0:48:44 > 0:48:46As you'd expect from a town
0:48:46 > 0:48:50that was once partly owned by Anne Boleyn's family,
0:48:50 > 0:48:52period properties aren't in short supply.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Not that the mystery property is period,
0:48:55 > 0:48:57in fact, it's hardly a property at all.
0:48:57 > 0:49:01Situated well back off the road to Stoke Mandeville,
0:49:01 > 0:49:03it's a major project.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08Chris and Jenny aren't averse to knocking down walls, but will they want to start from scratch?
0:49:08 > 0:49:10This could be the perfect solution
0:49:10 > 0:49:14to finding the elusive mix of small house and big garden.
0:49:14 > 0:49:18This is not what I want to show you, because this is a building plot.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21And this plot of land has come up and I was thinking
0:49:21 > 0:49:26that maybe building what you really want might be the way forward.
0:49:26 > 0:49:31Um, yeah. We did look into self-build at one point
0:49:31 > 0:49:35and to get a self-build mortgage is a bit of a premium.
0:49:35 > 0:49:38Well, this is going to be coming down obviously,
0:49:38 > 0:49:40but the plot goes a lot further to the back
0:49:40 > 0:49:42and we've got the architect at the back
0:49:42 > 0:49:46with the plans of what's going to be built, so we can discuss it. OK?
0:49:46 > 0:49:48Chris doesn't sound convinced
0:49:48 > 0:49:51and Jenny's not talking at all which doesn't look bode well.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54But I think self-build could be a viable way for them
0:49:54 > 0:49:59to get the house that they want, with the land that they want, for the right price.
0:49:59 > 0:50:03Architect Sarah Wolstenholme and developer Nick Keeler have the approved plans.
0:50:03 > 0:50:09So talk me through your design, Sarah, what did you actually, what was your idea of the house?
0:50:09 > 0:50:14Well, for the plan, we were trying to capture as much of the natural light as possible.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17It's quite overgrown at the moment but, if the shrubbery's removed,
0:50:17 > 0:50:22there's open views over the countryside, so it's trying to capture that with main rooms.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26So you've got a big living room here and a big breakfast/diner there.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29And a big sun room which can open out into the garden.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32Is there anything else around, are there houses either side?
0:50:32 > 0:50:35- You've got an eight-acre field over there.- No neighbours.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38- No neighbours there.- OK.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42And there's 30 odd acres in that direction again, no neighbours.
0:50:42 > 0:50:47The current plans are for a 2,100 square foot detached house,
0:50:47 > 0:50:51including five bedrooms, a kitchen/diner and sunroom,
0:50:51 > 0:50:56two reception rooms and a study, all on a three-quarter acre plot.
0:50:58 > 0:51:03And in terms of planning, Nick, is it difficult to move anything around
0:51:03 > 0:51:04or change it?
0:51:04 > 0:51:09Internally, there wouldn't be any problems at all.
0:51:09 > 0:51:13It's the external elevations and siting of the property
0:51:13 > 0:51:17that will require a revised planning application.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21So you're not tempted, because then you could get the big rooms...
0:51:21 > 0:51:25- Yes, it's possible.- ..by redesigning them? It doesn't appeal to you?
0:51:25 > 0:51:29It appeals to me if it was a design and build as a finished product
0:51:29 > 0:51:33on a plot that wasn't so remote and near a road.
0:51:33 > 0:51:38If it was in a village location and someone was doing the shell for us,
0:51:38 > 0:51:42then, yes, it would be something we could then go in
0:51:42 > 0:51:46and do the internal layout ourselves. That would be ideal.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48Are you interested in finding out about the price?
0:51:48 > 0:51:51- That would be interesting to find out.- And what do you think?
0:51:51 > 0:51:55Three-quarters of an acre, open countryside.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58I'd say probably about £200,000.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01- What about you, Jenny? - Er, I think maybe a little less.
0:52:01 > 0:52:05- Oh, dear, you're quite a bit off. It's actually on at £350,000.- OK.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09And what did we say the estimated cost of the house would be?
0:52:09 > 0:52:12I think it was in the region of £250,000.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14But it's not something you're interested in?
0:52:14 > 0:52:19Unfortunately not. The location is too remote and too near a main road.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22Well, if we weren't pushing boundaries, it wouldn't be a mystery house.
0:52:22 > 0:52:27At £350,000 plus the estimated £250,000 build cost,
0:52:27 > 0:52:30this property would be bang on budget.
0:52:30 > 0:52:34The approved plans for the detached house include two reception rooms,
0:52:34 > 0:52:37a kitchen/diner, a study and five bedrooms.
0:52:37 > 0:52:41Now the internal plans, both downstairs and upstairs,
0:52:41 > 0:52:44could be changed completely to give Chris and Jenny
0:52:44 > 0:52:47the two reception rooms and two massive en-suite bedrooms they want.
0:52:47 > 0:52:52But I think it's safe to say that this one is a project too far.
0:52:53 > 0:52:57Well, that was our last shot and that didn't work either
0:52:57 > 0:53:00- so I'm afraid we've disappointed you again.- Unfortunately.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04But let's go off and regroup and see what we've learnt.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15Well, that's it for our property tour of Bucks
0:53:15 > 0:53:19and it hasn't gone to plan. With Jenny feeling increasingly poorly,
0:53:19 > 0:53:24she's decided to leave it up to Chris to fill me in on what they've concluded.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30Well, it's been quite a challenging few days and I guess that it seems
0:53:30 > 0:53:33that none of the properties we've shown you have struck home.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35Unfortunately not.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37So maybe if we go through them one by one
0:53:37 > 0:53:39and we can talk about the pros and cons
0:53:39 > 0:53:43and what you didn't like about them, primarily, by the sounds of it.
0:53:43 > 0:53:46- We're starting with the 1920s' house.- It had a fantastic garden.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49The house itself it had a nice layout to it.
0:53:49 > 0:53:54Not ideally to our taste, but it could be turned around
0:53:54 > 0:53:57and moved to what we wanted it to be.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59The main key factors that were a problem
0:53:59 > 0:54:03was the road outside was a bit of a rat race.
0:54:03 > 0:54:08And then I took you to a very pretty, charming, period property -
0:54:08 > 0:54:12the lovely thatched cottage in Gibraltar, very quiet location.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14What are your thoughts about that?
0:54:14 > 0:54:19Yes, that was a very nice location, nice hidden sort of area.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21The house was very quaint, very pretty
0:54:21 > 0:54:26but totally not the sort of style of house that we'd want.
0:54:26 > 0:54:30The barn conversion - that seemed to be quite positive at the beginning.
0:54:30 > 0:54:32What happened as we were walking around there?
0:54:32 > 0:54:37We did get excited over what could be done there. We understood what the general cost could be
0:54:37 > 0:54:42for what we needed to achieve and then, when we realised the price
0:54:42 > 0:54:47was at the top of our budget and it didn't have a garden,
0:54:47 > 0:54:49it was quite a blow.
0:54:49 > 0:54:55- It did have a garden, but not the garden that you wanted.- Didn't have the garden that we would need.
0:54:55 > 0:54:57And the mystery house,
0:54:57 > 0:55:00now this was £350,000 for a plot to build a property,
0:55:00 > 0:55:03and this didn't charm you at all.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06It was long and narrow which was quite worrying.
0:55:06 > 0:55:10But the major factor was it was on a main busy A road.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13So none of the properties really seemed to offer what you want
0:55:13 > 0:55:16even though they were lovely properties in themselves.
0:55:16 > 0:55:20What do you think you've learnt looking at the whole process?
0:55:20 > 0:55:22Um, I think what we need to be
0:55:22 > 0:55:28is much clearer on what we express as our wishes to people,
0:55:28 > 0:55:32and the criteria we need to get estate agents
0:55:32 > 0:55:35to understand exactly what we want
0:55:35 > 0:55:38when we continue with our search
0:55:38 > 0:55:42and hopefully it'll work and find us the right property.
0:55:42 > 0:55:45It's a difficult time to be buying, there's not a lot on the market
0:55:45 > 0:55:48and, you know, you've picked a hard place to shop,
0:55:48 > 0:55:53- but I wish you all the best and I hope you find what you're looking for.- OK, thank you very much.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Well, you can't win them all and it looks like Chris and Jenny
0:55:59 > 0:56:03weren't impressed by any of the properties we showed them here in Buckinghamshire,
0:56:03 > 0:56:07but perhaps you were and you'd like to move here, or any other rural part of Britain.
0:56:07 > 0:56:10So tune in next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:56:10 > 0:56:14If you want to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
0:56:14 > 0:56:17or England and would like our help, please apply online at...