0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today I'm in a county whose temperate climate makes it possible
0:00:05 > 0:00:07to grow produce as diverse as chillies and tea.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Nine years ago, this was a barren landscape -
0:00:09 > 0:00:12no level ground, no vegetation, no plants.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Today it attracts more than a million visitors a year.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Where am I? Find out as we Escape To The Country.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Today we'll be helping a couple go in search of rural isolation
0:00:32 > 0:00:35for their family of 14 dogs and cats.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39And it's definitely the animals that are top priority.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40That is doggy Nirvana.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43We have hand-picked a selection of gorgeous properties.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- Shall we talk money?- You are going to break our hearts now.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51And, as ever, there's the mystery house. But will any of the properties
0:00:51 > 0:00:53succeed in matching their dream?
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Today I'm in Cornwall, at the Eden Project,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00which is famous for this, the largest greenhouse in the world.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03They are actually called biomes, and they house a million plants,
0:01:03 > 0:01:068,000 species from all over the world.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Since opening back in March 2001,
0:01:08 > 0:01:1111 million visitors have come through the gates.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15The outside space alone is larger than 30 football pitches,
0:01:15 > 0:01:17and it boasts its own tea plantation,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19which is a good thing, because I fancy a cuppa.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24With more than 400 miles of glorious coastline,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Cornwall lies at the south-westerly tip of Britain.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31It's a county with its own distinctive identity,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35history, culture and language, and regularly experiences
0:01:35 > 0:01:38temperatures higher than the rest of the mainland.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41With its economic history rooted in fishing and mining,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Cornwall today relies heavily on tourism,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47which brings in five million visitors a year,
0:01:47 > 0:01:51contributing £1.6 billion annually to the economy.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56They are drawn in by the spectacular landscape and dramatic coastal scenery,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00which inspired resident and internationally acclaimed author Daphne du Maurier,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04who penned the novels Rebecca and Jamaica Inn here.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07With its natural beauty, it has long been a popular place to live.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10But recent attention has been drawn to Saltash,
0:02:10 > 0:02:14which in August 2009 was identified as Britain's most desirable postcode
0:02:14 > 0:02:18due to its stable house prices and good schools.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Cornwall's popularity just goes from strength to strength.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30The price of seaside property in coastal hotspots such as Padstow
0:02:30 > 0:02:35has risen by an incredible 493 percent over the last ten years.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38But if you are not after that sea view, don't panic.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41A detached property will set you back about 8.5 percent
0:02:41 > 0:02:43above national average.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47But whatever the budget, there are some lovely properties out there. Just take a look.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50If you must have a coastal location,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53and you can stretch to £1.5 million, then this four-bedroom house
0:02:53 > 0:02:58overlooking the Fowey Estuary has to be top of your list.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01Forget about the interior. This is all about position.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06If you are wondering how it sits in the landscape, it is right here.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Or how about this three-bedroom thatched cottage near Perranporth,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15on the market for £595,000?
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Unusually for a property of this style, there are vaulted ceilings,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24but the best selling point has to be the incredible view.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Or finally, for £395,000,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30you could be the lucky owner of this pretty Cornish cottage.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It has the stone walls, flagstone floor
0:03:33 > 0:03:36and beams you might expect from a property like this,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and it comes with two acres of land, including a paddock.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44So, with plenty of Cornish delights on offer,
0:03:44 > 0:03:49let's hope there is something to whet the appetite of today's buyers. Let's meet them.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Mike and Sarah from Wilmington in Kent are looking forward to
0:03:53 > 0:03:55early retirement from the police force.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57They are making a move with their six dogs
0:03:57 > 0:04:00and eight cats to the Cornish countryside.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04They met 12 years ago, and have been living in Sarah's property,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06convenient for the commute to work.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10This house is a 1950s four-bed two-bath detached bungalow.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14The location is great, but we are still surrounded
0:04:14 > 0:04:17by other houses and suburbia,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21and I really just want to get completely away from all of that.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26I am looking for something truly in the middle of nowhere.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29I have thought about this for a long, long time, over the years
0:04:29 > 0:04:32when I have been doing night duties in London,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and I have always had this dream about relocating one day.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40- And one day is here.- We are willing to compromise on the house itself.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44The location is paramount. If it had some land, great,
0:04:44 > 0:04:47because I've always had a self-sufficiency thing.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50And a lake, a river or even a beach within 20 minutes' drive,
0:04:50 > 0:04:56that we could basically load the dogs in the morning and go down and swim with them.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58It must be right. This is our forever house.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00No pressure for us, then!
0:05:00 > 0:05:03In a nutshell, what are we searching for?
0:05:03 > 0:05:06We want a minimum of two but preferably three bedrooms,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08because obviously people will be coming to see us.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12And hopefully a decent sized kitchen where we can do some entertaining,
0:05:12 > 0:05:16because we live in the kitchen. Other than that, we are flexible.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19One of the most important things about the new place
0:05:19 > 0:05:23is it has got to have an area, something like this for the dogs.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28We really do need something with a tiled floor and some space for their toys, beds, water,
0:05:28 > 0:05:33and somewhere when they come back from being muddy, after we have rinsed them down,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36they can stay and get dry before we let them into the rest of the house.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39I think I would like our next place to have some land.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44Really for these dogs. We are restricted here.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46They can't run free. I have to walk them on leads.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49And I think our next place is as much about their needs
0:05:49 > 0:05:51as it is about our own.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55So, the dogs rule. But before we can head off to Cornwall,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57we need to get a handle on money, so we have arranged for
0:05:57 > 0:06:00a local estate agent to provide a current valuation.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05The property is a four-bedroom detached bungalow.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07It's on the most desirable road in the area.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11We would expect to achieve in the region of £500,000.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15The estate agent's valuation is, to be honest,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17about where I thought it was going to be.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21There are people out there that have lost thousands in the current recession,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24so to get back virtually what I paid for it, that's fine.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28I'd like to keep the budget for the next property on a par with what this sells for.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Then hopefully within a very short time of moving,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33we would be mortgage-free.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36So the budget for our next house will be £500,000.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42So, Mike and Sarah are after solitude,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46and this move is all about location. The more remote the better.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50No neighbours, no busy roads, and no more dogs on leashes.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53The dogs - they are the key to this move.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Make the dogs happy, and Mike and Sarah will follow suit.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59They are pretty flexible regarding location,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03as long as the property is remote, so Cornwall is our oyster.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Over two days, we will be showing them houses
0:07:05 > 0:07:09that could turn their Cornish dream into reality.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13But as ever, I won't be revealing the price tags straight away.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Our final stop will be the mystery house,
0:07:16 > 0:07:20which will push their idea of a good life to the limit.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Sarah, Mike. Welcome to Cornwall. - Thank you.- How are you?
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- We are well, thank you. - Looking forward to it?- Absolutely.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- And I suppose you're looking forward to escaping the rat race.- Yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36It is definitely time to leave London, leave all the clamour and the bustle.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39So you move to the country to put your feet up?
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Or are you going to embrace the lifestyle, grow your own veg?
0:07:42 > 0:07:44- That's his department.- Really?
0:07:44 > 0:07:47Yeah, the plans are I can go as self-sufficient as possible.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Which is why we are looking for something with land.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52I do dabble in growing vegetables at home,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56but I am hoping to pretty much provide our needs here if we can.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59You know you have chosen a massively expensive area?
0:07:59 > 0:08:02It is in the top 20 most expensive areas in Britain to live.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07But we have got some lovely properties to show you, including the mystery property.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- It could be our get out of jail free card.- Oh, God.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13There's going to be loads of those gags. Get used to it now.
0:08:13 > 0:08:14Come on, let's go.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19So, after decades of urban living, Mike and Sarah are ready
0:08:19 > 0:08:24to embrace Cornwall with a generous £500,000 in their pocket.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26For these two passionate animal lovers,
0:08:26 > 0:08:30it is all about location, location and location again.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Remoteness is key.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Ideally, the house will have two to three bedrooms,
0:08:35 > 0:08:36a dedicated room for the dogs
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and plenty of land for them to bounce around in,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42and of course for Mike to realise his green dream.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Well, guys, I don't want you to think that I am buttering you up,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51but you both look far too young to be retiring.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- Of course we do.- Why are you, then? - Because it will be a better life.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58No more work, just enjoy ourselves.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- And so far, are you loving Cornwall? - Oh, I love it.
0:09:01 > 0:09:07We came down here for years for family holidays, Mum, Dad,
0:09:07 > 0:09:08sisters and everything.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11And I have always loved it down here.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13But you have only ever been once, haven't you?
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Once, when I was about 17. And it is a beautiful place.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Well, there's no disputing that.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24And we'd love to see them settled here, so for our first house,
0:09:24 > 0:09:28we are heading over to Trebell Green, ten miles from St Austell.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31The small hamlet is no more than a handful of houses,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and will offer Mike and Sarah the tranquility they seek.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Traffic comes in the form of walkers, as the Saints Way runs through it,
0:09:38 > 0:09:39on its way from Padstow to Fowey.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43Local amenities are just two miles away in Lanivet, which was
0:09:43 > 0:09:49the subject of a Thomas Hardy poem after he visited here in 1872.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51Over in Trebell Green, our house sits in a fantastic position.
0:09:51 > 0:09:57Even on a gloomy day, it still has superb views.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01What you have is what was originally two farm workers' cottages
0:10:01 > 0:10:05that have been knocked into one. It's 300 years old. What do you think?
0:10:05 > 0:10:08First impressions, it is really pretty, isn't it?
0:10:08 > 0:10:09Even down to roses round the door.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- It is what you'd expect. - It is, it's cute.- Shall we get in?
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Because it is horrible. You can take your hood off then.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21'Great. We are on the right track, but cute cottages come with cute doors,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24'which might be a bit of a squeeze for six-foot Sarah.'
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Come on in, guys. Mind your head.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31It's good to take your coat off, isn't it? What do you think?
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- Yes.- I like it. - It's unusual.- I do, I like it.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- The locals call this house Hug House.- Yes, I can see why.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42It's got that feeling that it hugs you when you walk in.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- It's a feelgood house. - Very low ceilings.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50Yeah, you just about clear it. So, this is a little breakfast room.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Too small for you?- Yes. It is, yes. But let's see the rest of it.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57You're quite positive, though?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Yes, I thought it had a really nice feel as you came in.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03I'm not as tall as Sarah, so it doesn't quite have the...
0:11:03 > 0:11:06I suppose, once you relax into the fact that you ain't
0:11:06 > 0:11:09going to bang your head even in your high heels...
0:11:09 > 0:11:11The doorways would be a challenge.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14First impressions, it's really, really nice.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Come on, I'll show you the rest. Do mind your head.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23So, a sitting room with a fireplace.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- That is really nice, isn't it? - Isn't it just?
0:11:27 > 0:11:31That's the original lintel, so they'd cook over that fire.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- Good grief. That is really nice. - You mentioned the beams.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37It is slightly higher here.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41These are original beams that have been painted over. It's bright.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44- It's not dark. - It is a good idea to paint those,
0:11:44 > 0:11:47because otherwise it would be too dark. That is nicely done.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- It is a very light room, yeah. - 'Well, that has lifted their spirits.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55'But what about the dining room?'
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Again, it is not lacking in space, is it?- No, it is a good-sized room.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03It is a beautiful room.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05It feels bigger than the other room next door.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'It's certainly spacious, but there's no covering up
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'that the kitchen is a tad on the economical side.'
0:12:11 > 0:12:17- One kitchen. - It's, um...quite small, isn't it?
0:12:17 > 0:12:21- It's the smallest room you've been in so far, isn't it?- Yes.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- Your face has changed!- It has.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- Things have taken a downturn, I'm afraid.- It's really nicely done.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36It's really cute. But it's far too small for us.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40Shall I show you the room that could be the room for the dogs?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- Yes, do. There is one positive in this room.- Which is?
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- You don't have to mind your head. - That's true.- Follow me.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48'Oh, dear, we've hit a snag.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51'But if the dogs come first, I have a couple of options.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54'Firstly, a wet room next to the kitchen.'
0:12:54 > 0:12:59- What do you think?- It's really nicely done.- I love the wet room.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Great for the dogs.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05To come in and be able to rinse them off and all the rest of it, that's great.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09'It is, however, clearly too small for six dogs to hang out in here.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14'So my other option is the sunny conservatory with a dog-friendly stone floor.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16'I think this property is a great place,
0:13:16 > 0:13:20'and house number one is always a toe in the water.'
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- So, this is the main bathroom.- OK.
0:13:26 > 0:13:27It's a good size.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Again, size is great.- Honestly, I would put a new suite in.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35But there is nothing wrong with the size.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39'Well, at least that hit the mark, but what about the master bedroom?'
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- The floor slopes a bit. - If does, doesn't it? A definite tilt.
0:13:42 > 0:13:48- It naturally propels you to the bed. - It is quite cute.- It is, yeah.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- Presumably that's the only storage. - Yes. Do you have lots of clothes?
0:13:53 > 0:13:58Every woman does. No, no. So, it is a good-sized room,
0:13:58 > 0:14:04but unless we use one of the other bedrooms for a dressing room or something...
0:14:04 > 0:14:09I spoke to the owner, and basically, she has partitioned these rooms off herself, more or less,
0:14:09 > 0:14:11so actually there is a possibility to have two bedrooms,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15to have three bedrooms, to have two bedrooms, two bathrooms.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19- You can do what you want with the upstairs.- Now, that I like. - That works for us.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22So the fact that that is the only storage at the moment,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25you know, is neither here nor there, really.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29- No, that is a good naughty cupboard. - What, if the dogs have been bad?
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- No, more for me.- For him!
0:14:32 > 0:14:35'I don't know how much time you spend in the naughty cupboard, Mike,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38'but one of the other bedrooms might be more comfortable.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42'There are two doubles or a single. Take your pick.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45'Well, that's all the evidence that this is a lovely cottage
0:14:45 > 0:14:46'in a great location.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48'It is crammed with character features.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50'It's just a shame the kitchen's too small.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54'We did, however, have the half-acre garden with its idyllic
0:14:54 > 0:14:57'view of Helman Tor well in mind when choosing this property,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00'and there's one more bonus that drew us to this house also.'
0:15:01 > 0:15:03This was a substantial vegetable plot.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06You could be totally self-sufficient.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- It's a massive plot.- It's a lovely garden. It's manageable as well.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14And it ticks all the boxes. It's a great location.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16OK, you've seen the house, seen the garden
0:15:16 > 0:15:19with the potential vegetable plot, it's big enough for the dogs.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22- We're all happy on that front. - We are.- Mm.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24What do you think it's worth?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27It's really pretty, it's in a good location.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33475, 480?
0:15:33 > 0:15:37480,000, you reckon. OK. What about you?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- No, I think it's a little less. - OK.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42I think it's a little less, I'm going to pitch in at 445.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45£445,000.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- I think you're being quite optimistic there.- Well, we'll see.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Yeah, you're wrong.- No!
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- It's on the market for £450,000. - Really?
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I honestly thought with the location and the like that that would
0:15:57 > 0:16:02probably put a premium on it, just exactly where it is.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- It's encouraging, it's encouraging.- It is.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- It's £50,000 under budget. - Yeah.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10That in itself gives me great hope.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14- Go and have another look around, because it's raining cats and dogs out here.- Yeah.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- You see what I did there? - Very good, very good.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- I'll come and find you. - OK.- Thank you.
0:16:18 > 0:16:23At £450,000, this property sits in a wonderful rural location.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24It has three reception rooms
0:16:24 > 0:16:27offering plenty of space to spread out.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Downstairs wet room which we thought would be great for showering down the dogs.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33And a large garden with a potential vegetable plot
0:16:33 > 0:16:36to satisfy their self-sufficiency dreams.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40I can't fault the location. There's no traffic down here at all.
0:16:40 > 0:16:46Downstairs, a couple of great rooms, the dining room and sitting room.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48The upstairs of the house was a lot more interesting.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52There were partition walls so there's a good chance to put an extra bathroom in.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54A blank canvas that we could play with.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Very nice view up to the top of the hill.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58I don't think you can fault the gardens.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00The views are spectacular,
0:17:00 > 0:17:02the gardens are everything that we asked for.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04The location's good, I do like the location.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08Most of the house would work for us, but the most important rooms don't.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11The kitchen is far too small for me. It's not a big enough sociable space
0:17:11 > 0:17:14and the most important thing for us is the dogs
0:17:14 > 0:17:18and that space is just nowhere near big enough.
0:17:18 > 0:17:19- Seen enough?- Yes, thank you.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22- Right, hood on.- Mm. - Plenty more to see.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24- Come on.- Good.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Mike and Sarah are looking for rural seclusion for their dream home
0:17:36 > 0:17:40but their move to Cornwall will place them close to some beautiful tourist hotspots.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Padstow, sitting on the west side of the Camel Estuary,
0:17:42 > 0:17:46ranks pretty highly on the tourist must-see list.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50- It's beautiful.- I agree. As a day visit, a wonderful place.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54So earlier in the week they made the most of the glorious sunshine
0:17:54 > 0:17:56and met up with local tourism manager Tina Evans
0:17:56 > 0:17:59to hear a little more about Padstow's history.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05In the 1900s Padstow was a really thriving bustling port, with
0:18:05 > 0:18:08trading vessels, fishing vessels, all sorts of things going on,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11and it was reflected in the businesses around the quay -
0:18:11 > 0:18:14grain stores, coal merchants, boat builders.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Of course the tourism industry now is massively important to Padstow.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21From Easter certainly until the end of October most of the time
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Padstow is busy, which is great for visitors because now,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28the restaurants, shops, everything stays open all year round.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Many tourists are drawn to Padstow because it has the reputation
0:18:32 > 0:18:35for being the foodie capital of Cornwall.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39Celebrity chef Rick Stein opened his first restaurant here back in 1975
0:18:39 > 0:18:43and it subsequently spawned a growth of quality competitors.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Local businesses cater well for the tourist pound.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49The attractive streets are lined with pastel-washed shops
0:18:49 > 0:18:53selling everything from souvenirs to the much-celebrated Cornish pasty.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Today, with a much diminished fishing industry,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59the harbour is largely taken over by the sailing fraternity,
0:18:59 > 0:19:01who use it as a base for exploring the dramatic coastline
0:19:01 > 0:19:04of the rock outcrops and fine sandy bays.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09The tourist crowds will be too much here for Mike and Sarah,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11so our journey continues.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13House number two is in Wendron,
0:19:13 > 0:19:14nine miles from Helston
0:19:14 > 0:19:17at the northern edge of the Lizard Peninsula.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20It's a secluded location, well off the beaten track,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24and is perfect dog-walking country for our couple's canine family.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Hundreds of years ago, nearby Helston was a thriving port,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32but during medieval times, the mouth of the Cober River began to silt up,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34creating the largest freshwater lake in Cornwall.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- It's amazing, isn't it?- It is.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41One minute it's raining, next minute the sun's out for us.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46- I know, the sun. Hurrah!- Now, this is a site of an old tin mine.- Uh-huh.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Right.- And this is where the miners used to live.- Really?
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Built in the 1800s. It was extended by the previous owners,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55and the current owners converted the garage.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- What do you think? - I think it looks great. I really do.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- Shall we get in?- Yeah, let's. - I hope you like it!
0:20:01 > 0:20:03'Yeah, wait till they COP a load of this.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06'I think it might just top the BILL. See what I did there?'
0:20:07 > 0:20:09- Come on in, you two.- Thanks.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13Well, boss, what do you think?
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Yes, I like this. It's nice.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- How did you know I was talking to you?- Obviously you were!
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- Of course I was.- Nice!
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- I've a good feeling about this place.- Oh, really?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- Yeah, I like this.- Yeah. Lovely.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- OK. Let's go see the kitchen.- OK.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- It's a good size, isn't it? - It is, yes.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38No, I like this - yeah, I do. I like the size of it.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41I like the stone walls, again.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- The flooring's ideal for dogs. - Great.- No problem at all.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- Onward to the sitting room, I think. - OK.- Lead on.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48This is going very well, isn't it?
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- Do mind your head.- Yeah, thanks!
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- So this is the original part of the house.- Right.- So, 1800s.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- Working fireplace.- That's nice, isn't it?- Pretty majestic, isn't it?
0:21:03 > 0:21:05- Hmm, yeah - I like that. - That's a focal point.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10- And what about the exposed beams? Fan of?- I've not...
0:21:10 > 0:21:13They're not really for me, but they're OK.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- It gives this room some real character, doesn't it?- Mm.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- Big enough for you?- Yeah.- It is.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21I know it's not open-plan, but it has that feeling of it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- It flows through.- Kitchen through to here, through to the conservatory.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26It flows really well.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31- The natural progression is, let's go have a look at that conservatory.- OK.- Right.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- This was put in by the current owners.- Right.- It's lovely.- It is.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40It's fairly new.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43It's a very nice room
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- and it opens out onto... - Fantastic garden.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- ..what is probably perfection in terms of us.- Really?- That is.
0:21:51 > 0:21:52In all honesty.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54I could not ask for anything more.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- Couldn't ask for anything better. - That is doggy nirvana.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Shall we go upstairs?- Yeah, let's. - Please, lead on.- I hope you like it.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05'Doggy nirvana? Wow, it doesn't get better than that for the pooches!
0:22:05 > 0:22:09'No doubt the upstairs is sure to set our buyers' tails wagging too
0:22:09 > 0:22:11'as the spacious feeling continues.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14'And I'm sure they'll agree this next room has
0:22:14 > 0:22:16'one of the best appointed seats in the house.'
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Again, a stunning view.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- It is, isn't it? Look at that. - Isn't it just?!- Great.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26You can be in the bath looking at the view.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- Yeah, it's lovely. - Bedrooms?- Uh-huh.- Please.- Go on.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32'There's plenty of space up here.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35'The first room is a double and the owners have made best use of
0:22:35 > 0:22:37'the landing space by creating a study area,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39'next to which is the second double
0:22:39 > 0:22:43'with an en suite and views of the ruins of Wheal and the tin mine.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46'Last for us is the third double room.'
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Actually, you see, I would prefer this as the master bedroom, I think.
0:22:51 > 0:22:52I thought you'd say that.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55I really would. I know it hasn't got the shower room,
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- but this is just a nicer feel to it. - It is, absolutely.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- It's more good space. - If it's space you're after,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- my God, you're in for a surprise! - Lead on.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08'I have been a little cunning in leading them to believe
0:23:08 > 0:23:10'that that's it for the bedrooms. Oh, no!
0:23:10 > 0:23:14'Back downstairs, the owners have skilfully converted the garage.'
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- Oh, that's lovely. - Oh, wow!- Now, that IS nice.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- That is EXACTLY what you could ever hope for.- Now you've blown me away.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- That IS a bedroom.- That is really, really nice.- Will this do you then?
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- Yeah, it would.- Big enough for you? - Yeah.- Oh, yeah!
0:23:34 > 0:23:38It is, it's more than I ever expected to see here.
0:23:38 > 0:23:43This room has quite a few wow factors. This is one of them.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Pop your head in there. You're going to like.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47- Oh, excellent.- OK.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50That's enough room for clothes! That's fantastic.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- It is fantastic, absolutely. - OK.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- There's more.- Right.- Good grief. - Follow me.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01That's fantastic.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- This is one stunning set-up. - Isn't it just?- Yeah.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Who'd have thought that a garage could be so well done?
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- This is a serious en suite. - It is, isn't it?
0:24:11 > 0:24:14This part of the house is just...amazing.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- You have the outside space to see too.- Can't wait.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- Let's have a look. - Come on, let's go.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23'This surprise master en suite is the cherry on top of the icing on this wonderful cake.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26'I don't think the outdoor space is going to let it down.'
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Nice, isn't it?- Beautiful.- Lovely. - Absolutely beautiful.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- So you've got about two acres here. - Good grief!
0:24:32 > 0:24:36It's... It's got the wow factor inside and outside.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- That's certainly enough, isn't it? - Yeah, more than enough.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44It's Cornish stone boundary. You've got a little fish pond down there,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47an orchard. You have a vine where you can pick your own grapes,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50some decking. The garden shed as well, double garage.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- Mm-hmm.- Yeah, I love it.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57- It's great. - You like it, you love it?- Mm-hmm.
0:24:57 > 0:24:58What would make you love it?
0:24:58 > 0:25:00See, that's the problem.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Because I really like it, now I know it'll be too expensive.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Do you think?- Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06What do you think it's on for?
0:25:06 > 0:25:09This can not be anywhere near our budget,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I think it's probably nearer £600,000. Maybe 590?
0:25:12 > 0:25:14- £590,000.- Mm-hmm.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17I actually think less than that.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19I think it's probably around the 550-560,
0:25:19 > 0:25:23which is still too much, but I think it's around the 550-560.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28£600,000...is what it was on the market for.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29- Right.- Mm-hmm.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32It's now on the market for £545,000.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Wow.- It's dropped quite a bit. - It has.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38545 is a very reasonable price for what you're getting.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40- It's a lot house for the money. - Very reasonable.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- Listen, you've got so much to take in.- Yeah.- Yeah.- Go and do it.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- I'll catch up with you by the front door.- OK.- Take your time.- Cheers.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51This house is perfect for Mike and Sarah in so many ways.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54But it is over-budget, at £545,000,
0:25:54 > 0:25:57and will incur a higher rate of stamp duty.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Yet it delivers pretty much everything they asked for,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03and that's why we thought it was worth taking them here.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07As always, perhaps a reasonable offer will get a reasonable answer.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Its four bedrooms include a fabulous master en suite.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I'm blown away by this property. It's a big place.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21It's got a big, solid feel to it.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24The outside is fantastic for our animals.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26The icing on the cake and the real wow factor
0:26:26 > 0:26:29is when I walked in that garage -
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I just didn't expect to see what I saw.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35It kind of took my breath away, actually.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- This is unusual.- I didn't realise you could grow grapes in Cornwall.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40No. It's obviously mild enough.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43It would be quite nice to sit out in the evenings - peel me a grape!
0:26:43 > 0:26:47This has given me a lot to think about. It's got the wow factor.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51I now need to try and reconcile with myself about the money.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56I know Mike is very taken with it - one of us has got to be sensible.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Cor, blimey - could you two have taken any longer?!
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- It's nice, I wanted to have a good look.- There's a lot to see.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06- You're still smiling.- It's gorgeous. - You can't not, can you?
0:27:06 > 0:27:10You're saying all the right things. Plenty more to see, though.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21Mike and Sarah are keen to grow their own fruit and vegetables,
0:27:21 > 0:27:24and couldn't have picked a better county for it.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Benefiting from the Gulf Stream, the Cornish climate
0:27:27 > 0:27:30is the closest we have to that of the Mediterranean,
0:27:30 > 0:27:34enjoying over 1,500 hours of sunshine a year.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36To find out what grows well in these parts,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40they're visiting the Eden Project, near St Austell,
0:27:40 > 0:27:43to meet up with horticulturalist Gill Cartwright,
0:27:43 > 0:27:45who looks after the ornamental vegetable garden.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- Morning, Gill.- How are you? - Very well.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53The Eden Project is widely known for its huge, iconic biomes,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56which house plants from all over the world.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00Gill is quite rightly proud of her achievements.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02How long has this taken you to cultivate?
0:28:02 > 0:28:07Well, I have been here, looking after this particular plot,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09for the last eight years.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13What you can see now is our midsummer display.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15- Which has got everything in it.- Yes.
0:28:15 > 0:28:20- You've got tomatoes, you've got, what, chard...?- Kale, spinach.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24Lovely red cabbage over there, which is nearly ready to go
0:28:24 > 0:28:27And also lots of flowers, for pollination.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32- Can you grow all these in a normal house in Cornwall?- Absolutely.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36Yes, if you've got the space - and even if you haven't got the space,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38because a lot of these things will grow in containers.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42What I'd be interested to know is, for the two of us,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44how big a plot would I need
0:28:44 > 0:28:48- to pretty much go self-sufficient on veg?- Just on veg.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52You would need about a quarter of this plot, I would say.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- Oh, right! - Gosh, right, quite small, then.- Yes.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57The soil here is man-made,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00due to the fact that this site is an old clay pit.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04But with well-maintained soil, you can expect to grow everything
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Gill grows in your own garden.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08With Cornish weather,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Gill can grow crops which are more common in southern climates.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16One thing she is adamant about is no use of fertilisers.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18Her produce is entirely organic.
0:29:18 > 0:29:22To ensure tip-top conditions, she mixes home-made compost with the soil
0:29:22 > 0:29:25to provide the most nutrient-rich environment.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Put your back into it now, please.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Listen, we start gently. - With energy, with energy!
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- Have you got any seeds to plant?! - We might have.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38We might later, you know!
0:29:38 > 0:29:42'While Mike and I get stuck in, Sarah is sowing salad leaf seeds,
0:29:42 > 0:29:43'which, when harvested,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46'will put a crunch into winter salads.'
0:29:47 > 0:29:51- Had a good time?- Had a great time, thanks.- Gill, it's been fantastic.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- You're very welcome. - Good luck with it all.- Thanks.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Come back and see your seedlings. - The produce of our work!
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Thank you, we had a great time, thank you.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11As the day draws to a close in Cornwall,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15our couple get a chance to relax and compare notes.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- OK, cards on table time.- Mm-hmm.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22- What about the two converted cottages?- I liked the sitting room
0:30:22 > 0:30:24and that fireplace - magnificent.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26And I liked the dining room.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29The kitchen is an absolute no-no for me.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- It's just far too small. - No, I'd go along with you.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- The space downstairs was just too small...- It was.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- ..for our animals - although it was a nice location.- Yeah, it was.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43- A pretty place.- So, what did you think of the tin workers' cottage?
0:30:43 > 0:30:47- I think you know what I thought. - It was lovely.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52- I was blown away by that place. - The space was fantastic.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55The master bedroom was just absolutely stunning.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58I haven't seen anything better for our...
0:30:58 > 0:31:00No, I'd agree with you.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- But it is over-budget. - ..tribe of animals.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05And we really need to sit down
0:31:05 > 0:31:08and have a conversation and do some facts and figures.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- I know it's already been reduced... - No, I know.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15..but we really do need to sort out the money.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17The properties are obviously out there,
0:31:17 > 0:31:21and I'm looking forward to what they'll show us tomorrow.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23- I'm quite excited by it, to be honest.- Yeah.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26I really didn't think that we could get close to our dream
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- for the budget that we had. - No. Surprising.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- But it's out there, I'm sure it is. - Tomorrow should be really good.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Mike and Sarah, from Kent, are looking for total isolation
0:31:41 > 0:31:44in Cornwall for their family of six dogs and eight cats.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47They have a budget of up to £500,000
0:31:47 > 0:31:51and so far we've shown them two houses. And coming up -
0:31:51 > 0:31:53a tempting property that comes with a twist.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Good grief, what a fantastic space!
0:31:58 > 0:32:02So, it's a new day, and money seems to have divided our couple.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall
0:32:04 > 0:32:07last night in Mike and Sarah's bedroom... Stay with me!
0:32:07 > 0:32:10Mike says, "I loved that property with the two acres!
0:32:10 > 0:32:13"Just perfect for you, me, the cats and dogs."
0:32:13 > 0:32:17Sarah stamps her authority - "Mike, we can't afford it."
0:32:17 > 0:32:22Will time and a heated discussion have diminished Mike's passions?
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Or will Sarah realise that by spending a little bit over budget,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30she gets the house of her dreams? It could be a small price to pay.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32I can't wait to show them the mystery property.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34I hope it will sufficiently delight.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37There's a clue there. It's going to be exciting!
0:32:40 > 0:32:44'We're starting our house-search this morning just near Gorran,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47'12 miles from the popular town of St Austell.'
0:32:47 > 0:32:49The house sits next to Caerhays Estate,
0:32:49 > 0:32:51which is dominated by Caerhays Castle,
0:32:51 > 0:32:55designed by John Nash at the beginning of the 19th century.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Together with Porthluney Cove, half a mile down the road,
0:32:58 > 0:33:03it's easy to see why it's been designated as an Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06The beach would be perfect for walking the dogs,
0:33:06 > 0:33:10and the village of Gorran with its amenities is within two miles.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13'This next property is off the beaten track,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16'but close to a country lane - will that be the deal breaker?'
0:33:18 > 0:33:20A nice rural setting for you.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- It's very pretty. - It's a pretty stunning location.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Not what I was expecting at all.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30It's the first time you've both gone relatively quiet on me.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33It's...
0:33:33 > 0:33:35I can hear the cars.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38That is a real big downer for me.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40But this is a massively rural location.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- Your nearest neighbours are about half a mile away.- Yeah.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46You really are off the beaten track.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48It's the first modern build that we've shown you.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- Yeah.- 30 years old, it is. It was originally a bungalow.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- Built by a local farmer.- Right.
0:33:55 > 0:33:59- And it's been extended. Shall we get in?- Yeah, let's.- Come on.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03'Well, keen-eared Sarah has picked up the slight traffic noise
0:34:03 > 0:34:05'from that nearby country lane,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08'but this house has so much to offer inside,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10'so I'm hoping it will win her over.'
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- Straight into the very bright dining room.- Very light, isn't it?
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Good grief!
0:34:16 > 0:34:19You've got a lovely, galleried walkway up there.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21A wood burner...
0:34:21 > 0:34:25- That's nice.- I like the idea that the chimney goes straight through.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- Yeah.- So you get the warmth upstairs. - Yeah, good idea.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32You've got a music room there, but it could be a bedroom or...
0:34:32 > 0:34:33- Office.- Office, yeah.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37You probably wouldn't want a bedroom off a dining room.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40No. Nice for an office, with the view over the garden.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- Onwards?- Yeah.- Yep.- Let's go through to the sitting room.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Oh, this is a nice space, it's a lot squarer,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52lends itself to different permutations with the furniture.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- Again, you've got a lovely view. - It's nice.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00Three sets of windows, so it lets a lot of light in.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04'Mike has gone quiet, and although Sarah is trying to be positive,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08'I'm finding it tricky to read her true thoughts.'
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- This is quite a nice kitchen. - Yeah, it is. It's...
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- smallish.- Right. - I like the colour of the units.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16You wouldn't have to do anything to this room.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18No, you wouldn't, no.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- It's well-designed.- This is just a move-in kitchen, isn't it?
0:35:21 > 0:35:26There's also the bonus of a small utility room for hiding things away.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Finally downstairs, there's one of the four bedrooms,
0:35:29 > 0:35:32which the owners are using as another music room.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35- Excellent, somewhere to put my piano. - You've got a piano?- Yes.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Fantastic. Didn't know that.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41- See? Full of surprises.- You wouldn't change this into a bedroom, then?
0:35:41 > 0:35:45No, I'd keep this for the piano, and double up as an office,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48an office and music room would be really good.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52- So, it didn't start very well, on the outside of the house.- No.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54- But the inside is working for you quite well.- It is.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56The inside is really growing on me.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01'It just goes to show you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05'So let's hope the story gets better upstairs.'
0:36:05 > 0:36:08- So this is your galleried walkway. - Nice.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12- Look at this for a view. - It is lovely, isn't it?
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- That is a great view, yes. - That is really, really nice.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Three bedrooms off here and a bathroom.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- I'll take you to the master bedroom first.- Excellent.- OK.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- This is the master bedroom. - Nice size.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- Triple aspect again.- Very big size, yeah. Love the views. Fantastic.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34That's the neighbours' farm. You've got an en suite, so...
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- Ah, Michael's en suite.- That works well.- It does, doesn't it?
0:36:38 > 0:36:41'Excellent stuff. That gets a tick from Mike.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44'The other bedrooms are doubles, one overlooking the wonderful lake.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47'And finally, next door is the family bathroom
0:36:47 > 0:36:49'which is small but functional.'
0:36:49 > 0:36:53- Plenty of space for you, really. - There is, yeah.- Yeah, more than enough space for us.
0:36:53 > 0:36:58'So there's no problem fitting them and their 14 animals into this quirky house.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00'This property, just 15 minutes' walk from the beach,
0:37:00 > 0:37:03'could suit them well. And without small children,
0:37:03 > 0:37:07'the main feature outdoors shouldn't be an issue.'
0:37:07 > 0:37:08So, we're back to the lake.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11- It's lovely.- Isn't it just? - Lovely to look at.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15- Very picturesque.- You've got about just under an acre here.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17I thought it was a good-sized plot.
0:37:17 > 0:37:21- You could manage this, couldn't you? - It's a nice garden. It's very pretty.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25- It's quite high on the maintenance, I would've thought.- It is.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27- Well, let's talk money, shall we? - Right.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30That's a tricky one. It's a great location.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34And I think the proximity of the beach will affect the valuation,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37so I'm going to say I think this is pretty much on budget.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39- I would say 500.- OK, £500,000.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43I understand what you're saying about the beach location and everything.
0:37:43 > 0:37:48But, no, I'm going to go around the 465, 470.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53- It's on the market for £475,000. - Right, OK. Surprises me.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57- It's under budget.- Yeah.- It is, yeah.- Does that change anything?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00If you could just dig up the road and divert it,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02then I'd think about it.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06- You need to divert it in your mind! - No, I can't.- You can't, can you?
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- No.- It's a real block, isn't it?- It is, yeah.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11Go and have a look around. Go and look at the grounds.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- I'll catch up with you.- Thanks.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17I know what you're thinking.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19It's an amazingly idyllic spot
0:38:19 > 0:38:24and in so many respects, it's perfect for Mike and Sarah.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27It's just that road. I can't hear it.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33'At £475,000, this house is £25,000 under budget.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35'And it's spacious and light,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39'has four bedrooms, including the en suite Mike always wanted,
0:38:39 > 0:38:42'it sits in almost one acre with a beautiful lake,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46'but will the nearby road prove to be a dead end for our buyers?'
0:38:46 > 0:38:47House itself, very unusual.
0:38:47 > 0:38:51There's a lot of glass in there and it really lets the light in beautifully.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54I think the lake creates a few problems for us.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56I've got seven dogs that adore water.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59I'd probably have to fence the lake off.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02But it is a nice space, I've got to say.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06- It's a nice greenhouse, isn't it? - Yeah, there's vines at the end here.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09- Tomatoes are doing really well. - I'd love a greenhouse like this.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12As a house, yeah, we could make it work for us.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15I like the spaces, I like the proportions of the room,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17I like that they're all nice and bright.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20But I was disappointed because I expected us to be
0:39:20 > 0:39:23a lot further away from the road than we are.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25Ah, there you are.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30- Ready to go?- Yeah.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34- That road you've been mentioning constantly, it's time to hit it.- OK.
0:39:40 > 0:39:42DOGS BARKING
0:39:42 > 0:39:45'Mike and Sarah's move to Cornwall
0:39:45 > 0:39:47'is driven by a passion for their dogs.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50'With retirement looming, they'll have plenty of free time,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54'and one way of keeping busy and to get to know like-minded people
0:39:54 > 0:39:58'would be to volunteer at the local animal rescue centre.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00'They're meeting up with manager Louise Barker,
0:40:00 > 0:40:03'who also made a life-changing move to the country.'
0:40:03 > 0:40:04Myself and my husband,
0:40:04 > 0:40:08we moved here a couple of years ago to Cornwall from Leicestershire,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- and we've got no regrets whatsoever. - Good.
0:40:11 > 0:40:12We find it absolutely fantastic.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16'The centre provides a temporary home for dogs and cats
0:40:16 > 0:40:20'that are strays or, for various reasons, can no longer stay with their owners.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22'They rely heavily on volunteers,
0:40:22 > 0:40:26'who keep the dogs exercised and entertained till they can be re-homed.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30'Today it's a full house, with 24 dogs and 20 cats,
0:40:30 > 0:40:32'all looking for new owners.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35'Louise is keen to introduce two of them to their visitors.'
0:40:35 > 0:40:39- Aah!- This is Shady and Phoebe. - Hey, guys.- Come on!
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Shady is a six-year-old greyhound
0:40:41 > 0:40:44who came to the centre with a lot of problems.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46He was very frightened and timid,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49so we've had to give him lots of confidence training.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52What kind of training have you done with him?
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Shady's actually noise-phobic,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57so it's training where we would divert his attention
0:40:57 > 0:40:59to the noises that he's frightened of.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03I have a golden retriever, Sam, at home, and he's a beautiful dog,
0:41:03 > 0:41:07but he's terrified of thunderstorms and fireworks.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Do you have any tips for me?
0:41:09 > 0:41:11When you know something's going to happen,
0:41:11 > 0:41:14you need to get something that he's going to really focus on,
0:41:14 > 0:41:16whether it be food or toys.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- I imagine a retriever is quite food-oriented...- Very food-oriented!
0:41:19 > 0:41:23So get something like fresh chicken, that you can focus on,
0:41:23 > 0:41:26and if you know it's Bonfire Night or going to be a thunderstorm,
0:41:26 > 0:41:30get it ready so he can focus on that and it would take his mind off it quite a bit.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32That's a good idea, thank you.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34And who have we got down here?
0:41:34 > 0:41:37This is Phoebe. She's a nine-year-old beagle.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40She's had several homes before she came to the centre.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42She's quite a misunderstood beagle, really.
0:41:42 > 0:41:47- What kind of home would suit Phoebe? - Hopefully we'll find her a home where there aren't many other pets
0:41:47 > 0:41:52so she could be an only one where she could be totally spoiled. That would be really nice.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- She's safe from us, then.- Oh! That means we can't take her home!
0:41:55 > 0:41:58But she's a very sociable girl and she's still very active
0:41:58 > 0:42:01so she loves to have a lark about and a play.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04Thanks for showing us round the centre today...
0:42:04 > 0:42:08- You're welcome.- ..and for introducing us to these guys. It's been an absolute pleasure.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16For our mystery property, we've found an interesting option
0:42:16 > 0:42:19which would give Mike and Sarah more land than they would ever have dreamed of.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23But there is a catch. Course there is! It's the mystery property.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26It requires a radical lifestyle rethink.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30I think they may well embrace it.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34Let's talk a little bit about Mike the vegetable-grower, shall we?
0:42:34 > 0:42:37You know, how realistic is this green dream?
0:42:37 > 0:42:39I'm confident that if we find a little bit of land,
0:42:39 > 0:42:43I should be able to be sufficient, certainly in vegetables, anyway.
0:42:43 > 0:42:48But I really want to extend it beyond just vegetable-growing.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52I'd like to think that we could do something with a wind turbine
0:42:52 > 0:42:57or possibly even solar power, and see just how sufficient we could be.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59So policeman could well become farmer?
0:42:59 > 0:43:04It's a dream and I'd like to do that, yes, yeah.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07'Well, we might just be about to make that dream come true.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10'I think we've come up trumps with our mystery house,
0:43:10 > 0:43:14'which is about a mile outside St Cleer, and close to Bodmin Moor.
0:43:14 > 0:43:19'The village prospered during the mining boom in the second half of the 19th century
0:43:19 > 0:43:23'but today it's largely a commuter village for those working further afield.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26'They'll be delighted that the property's tucked away in a valley
0:43:26 > 0:43:28'with no immediate neighbours.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31'This house comes with plenty of land,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34'and though they want to grow their own fruit and vegetables,
0:43:34 > 0:43:37'they haven't considered becoming farmers.
0:43:37 > 0:43:38'And that's the mystery here,
0:43:38 > 0:43:42'as they would have to become farmers in order to buy this place.
0:43:42 > 0:43:47'Let's see what they make of that. We're starting our tour outside.'
0:43:50 > 0:43:54- Now, then, welcome to the mystery property.- My God!
0:43:54 > 0:43:56Isn't that fantastic!?
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- That is different.- Good grief! What a fantastic space!
0:44:01 > 0:44:06They probably have as many hens as we have dogs and cats.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08Isn't it lovely!?
0:44:08 > 0:44:10- You think this is the mystery property, don't you?- No.
0:44:10 > 0:44:15- Oh, right!- There's obviously something that goes with it. - It's the mystery livestock.
0:44:15 > 0:44:17- It's a fantastic space, though, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:44:17 > 0:44:21- This is the heart of the mystery property...- This is great! - ..this polytunnel.
0:44:21 > 0:44:24- There's an agricultural tie attached to this property.- Right.
0:44:24 > 0:44:26Do you know what that means?
0:44:26 > 0:44:30Probably means you must have something to do with agriculture or be working in it.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34- Agriculture or horticulture has to be your main employment.- OK.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37- I've got some bedtime reading for you.- Oh!- It's a 12-page document.
0:44:37 > 0:44:39- Who wants it?- I'll take that.
0:44:39 > 0:44:43- At the moment, the current owner has a horticulture business.- Yeah.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45- You love it here, don't you?- I do.
0:44:45 > 0:44:49I really like the location. Stood out there, all you can hear are the chickens.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52- Let's look at the house.- Excellent.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55'I'm sure that's one surprise they weren't expecting.
0:44:55 > 0:44:57'An agricultural occupancy condition
0:44:57 > 0:44:59'is a restriction to encourage rural housing
0:44:59 > 0:45:01'and keep people working on the land.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05'It'll mean a massive lifestyle change and they'll have to do their research.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08'But I think it's already piqued their interest.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11'So now it's all down to the house.'
0:45:12 > 0:45:17- We're finally in!- Isn't it lovely? - Little seating area here.- Ah-ha.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19Let's go through to the kitchen.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24- Great size dining.- Isn't it? - Yes, it is.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27This is a really lovely space, isn't it? Yeah, good space.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29It's really well used.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32The owners have dogs, so they've given it a trial run for you.
0:45:32 > 0:45:37- Great.- Right, OK.- It works.- I bet it does.- Yeah, nice space, I like that.
0:45:37 > 0:45:42I like the shape. It's very practical and it's nice to have that going straight outside as well.
0:45:42 > 0:45:46- OK, shall we carry on with our tour? - Yeah, lovely.- Come on.
0:45:49 > 0:45:50Come on in.
0:45:53 > 0:45:57- This is your sitting area.- Isn't it gorgeous!? Look, the views out.
0:45:57 > 0:46:02There's just windows on every side. It's just... It is, it's lovely.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05- You're living in the countryside here, aren't you?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09You're part of it. It's not just a house in the countryside.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12- It surrounds you on all sides, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:46:12 > 0:46:14That's the downstairs space.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17- That's it in totality? - That's it in totality.
0:46:17 > 0:46:19Does that change anything?
0:46:19 > 0:46:24- No, not really.- I don't see it that much of a compromise on the house at all. There's two of us.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27I'd rather have less rooms but larger, usable rooms.
0:46:27 > 0:46:30So that's it. Boxes ticked.
0:46:30 > 0:46:32- Let's go upstairs.- OK.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37'I really do sense a difference in Mike and Sarah since our last house.
0:46:37 > 0:46:41'The position of this property is giving them serious food for thought.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44'First stop upstairs is the master bedroom.'
0:46:47 > 0:46:51- Lovely views out of here, isn't it? - It's a simple room, isn't it? It's simple in design.
0:46:51 > 0:46:56I don't care you can't get any wardrobes in. Don't care.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00I told you about the location. As I said,
0:47:00 > 0:47:04if I have to put the bed on bricks and put the storage underneath,
0:47:04 > 0:47:07I'll do that, but the location's everything here.
0:47:07 > 0:47:09And if you want to open the door behind you?
0:47:09 > 0:47:11Poke your head round.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15- Oh, that's a pretty room.- Oh, nice, yeah.- I like that.- Excellent.
0:47:15 > 0:47:18An en suite bathroom. Never had one, always wanted one.
0:47:18 > 0:47:21'Well, we do like to please, you know.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25'Next to the master is a small room which could be used as a dressing room.
0:47:25 > 0:47:27'Then there's another double room for guests,
0:47:27 > 0:47:29'next to which is the family bathroom.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33'Last on our tour is bedroom number four.'
0:47:33 > 0:47:37- Lovely.- Dual aspect.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39Yes, got those wonderful views again.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43- You get all dewy-eyed when you see that view.- It's just fantastic.
0:47:43 > 0:47:46- They're all a similar size, these rooms, all good sizes. - They are.- Yeah.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49All good, decent sizes, nice and square, easy to put furniture in.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52You could move in here tomorrow and it wouldn't be a problem.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55- I'm glad that you like the indoor space.- It's lovely.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58Because you will be living in this space as well.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01But I can also tell that you're itching to get out there.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04- Sorry, I keep looking out the window! - Hello, I'm over here!
0:48:04 > 0:48:06I'll tell you what...
0:48:06 > 0:48:10- Shall we go outside now? - Yes, let's.- OK, come on.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15'There's no doubt the house has passed the test,
0:48:15 > 0:48:17'and the garden is too tempting for Sarah,
0:48:17 > 0:48:20'who I can see is bubbling with excitement.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24'Out here, there's not a neighbour in sight, and it couldn't be more peaceful.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27'The mature grounds extend to almost eight acres and include stables,
0:48:27 > 0:48:31'a garage block, and a lake that draws in wildlife.
0:48:32 > 0:48:36'Even on a damp day like this, it really is picture-perfect.'
0:48:36 > 0:48:40- So, welcome to what could be your garden.- It's just fantastic.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43- From the house, you've loved it. - It is...
0:48:43 > 0:48:47I mean, look, if you look back, it's just gorgeous.
0:48:47 > 0:48:49- The lake's lovely, isn't it? - It's beautiful.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51Just beautiful. That is something else.
0:48:51 > 0:48:56We've talked about this before, we've said about the water and how the dogs get wet and smelly
0:48:56 > 0:48:59and we'd really hate that, and I don't care any more.
0:48:59 > 0:49:01No, no, they can stink away!
0:49:01 > 0:49:04There's enough land for them to go and run off.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07You've come full circle. You know what I love?
0:49:07 > 0:49:10- It's all about the dogs, it's all about the dogs.- It is.
0:49:10 > 0:49:11But it fits both of us.
0:49:11 > 0:49:15- The outside is really, really good. - Good.
0:49:15 > 0:49:18Can you afford it? Shall we talk money?
0:49:18 > 0:49:21I think you're going to break our hearts now.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24- We're going to not like you any more. - I don't see how this could be near our budget.
0:49:24 > 0:49:28- You'll come right off my Christmas card list any moment.- 650.
0:49:28 > 0:49:31- 650,000?- 650,000.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34I don't think you'd be that cruel to us.
0:49:34 > 0:49:39And it's got an agricultural tie on it, which limits its market
0:49:39 > 0:49:42and would certainly be something we have to consider carefully.
0:49:43 > 0:49:48So I'm going to say 550, 560.
0:49:48 > 0:49:52- It's been on the market for three months.- Right.
0:49:52 > 0:49:56- The owners have definitely said they'll take an offer.- Right.- OK.
0:49:56 > 0:49:59- So take from that what you will. - Yeah.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02- On the market at the moment for 550. - Yeah.
0:50:02 > 0:50:06- It's on the market at 550 and they'll take an offer?- Yeah.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09- Mmm.- Wow. That does surprise me.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11I'm staggered by that.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13I think it's going to be the agricultural tie
0:50:13 > 0:50:16that we're really going to have to look at.
0:50:16 > 0:50:20In fact, I'm going to make a phone call tomorrow
0:50:20 > 0:50:24and see who I can speak to in the council who can explain to me in layman's terms.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27OK, I think you've got a hell of a lot to take in.
0:50:27 > 0:50:31- Go and have another look around the house, whatever you fancy.- Right.
0:50:31 > 0:50:36- Glad you're happy.- Oh, we're happy. - Thank you.- We're happy.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39Oh, they're happy! What a result.
0:50:39 > 0:50:44All we need now is for Mike to embrace that farmer within him.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47This could be a result.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51It is over budget at £550,000,
0:50:51 > 0:50:55but I think we would have been fools to have overlooked this property
0:50:55 > 0:50:58as it offers them a complete change of lifestyle.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01The house has a huge lounge with views to the garden,
0:51:01 > 0:51:04four bedrooms, with an en suite for Mike,
0:51:04 > 0:51:07and it sits in eight acres with their very own lake.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10The big question is, are they prepared to commit
0:51:10 > 0:51:15to an agricultural business to satisfy the tie in the contract?
0:51:15 > 0:51:19The mystery house has completely taken me by surprise.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21This blows everything out the water.
0:51:21 > 0:51:26If it can be done, we'd certainly look to put an offer in on the place, I think.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29They've obviously got the business going here,
0:51:29 > 0:51:32- growing the hedging plants.- That's the horticultural bit I can see.
0:51:32 > 0:51:37We're going to have to look at this agricultural tie and see how on earth we can make it work.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39I wonder if there's livestock possibilities,
0:51:39 > 0:51:44because they seem to have an awful lot of hens of different varieties.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46Yeah, we're really going to have to look into it.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48I mean, look at these, they're so cute.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50We both absolutely love it,
0:51:50 > 0:51:53it's everything that we would ever, ever have hoped for.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56I'd move in here tomorrow. This is my house.
0:51:58 > 0:52:02- Still smiling?- Yeah, very much so. - Still in love with the property? - Yeah, absolutely.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Don't need to ask if you're still in love with the grounds.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09I'm not going to push you on it now, so have a good think, have a chat.
0:52:09 > 0:52:12- I'll catch up with you back at base, how's that?- Fantastic.
0:52:12 > 0:52:16- OK, drinks on me.- Hurrah! - There's always a first.
0:52:25 > 0:52:28We've scoured Cornwall for isolated retreats,
0:52:28 > 0:52:32and Mike and Sarah have now seen everything on our shortlist.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40The time has come for Mike and Sarah to make a decision.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43Which, if any, of our properties will they go for?
0:52:43 > 0:52:46I think it's fair to say that they love the area
0:52:46 > 0:52:50and they've been very impressed by the variety of properties on offer here.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52They're very definite about what they don't like,
0:52:52 > 0:52:54and that's noisy roads.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57It's when they don't agree, that's when it gets a bit confusing.
0:52:57 > 0:53:00We've got two strong characters on our hands here.
0:53:00 > 0:53:04We've got the heart, that's Mike, versus the head, that's Sarah.
0:53:04 > 0:53:05Who'll prevail?
0:53:05 > 0:53:08It's time for them to tell me the truth, the whole truth,
0:53:08 > 0:53:10and nothing but the truth.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16- Well, guys, what a journey we've been on.- We have.- Some journey.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18- Yeah, some journey. - Have you enjoyed it?
0:53:18 > 0:53:20I've had a really, really good time. It's been great.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23OK, let's talk about the first property.
0:53:23 > 0:53:26It was the farm workers' cottages, two for the price of one.
0:53:26 > 0:53:28It was really nice.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31Sitting room was really lovely, the dining room was really lovely,
0:53:31 > 0:53:35and the kitchen was just far too small,
0:53:35 > 0:53:37and the dog space was too small.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39- That really did seal it for you, didn't it?- It did, yeah.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43- Let's talk about the tin workers' cottage.- Oh, that's beautiful.
0:53:43 > 0:53:47- Huge smile on both of your faces. - That was really, really beautiful.
0:53:47 > 0:53:48Yeah, I was knocked back by that.
0:53:48 > 0:53:53And it was just down a lane, so no passing traffic. That was really good for me.
0:53:53 > 0:53:57- Yeah, the garden space was fantastic, it was two acres, wasn't it?- Yeah, yeah.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00Your faces when you saw that garage conversion.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03It was beautifully done, very tasteful, great bathroom as well.
0:54:03 > 0:54:08- Could you imagine yourselves living there?- Well, we actually did some sums around the maths
0:54:08 > 0:54:11- to see if we could stretch that far. - That was the issue, wasn't it?
0:54:11 > 0:54:15I still think it's probably a little bit too much. I do.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18But we'll certainly have another think about it.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20The property was absolutely lovely.
0:54:20 > 0:54:23Let's talk about the house close to the beach.
0:54:23 > 0:54:27There were more cars going down that road
0:54:27 > 0:54:30than the road I currently live in, which is an absolute shame,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33because you'd have loved it for the proximity to the beach.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36The proximity to the beach, for the animals, was fantastic,
0:54:36 > 0:54:40but that being its strength is also its weakness,
0:54:40 > 0:54:42because it attracts people and it attracts traffic,
0:54:42 > 0:54:44and I couldn't walk down there with six dogs.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48All the spaces in there were nice spaces, they were good-sized rooms.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51- It had so many plus points, didn't it?- It did.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53- So much light came in... - Around the whole place, yeah.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56That dining room and the gallery, absolutely fantastic.
0:54:56 > 0:54:59But I sense that it ain't going to be the house for you?
0:54:59 > 0:55:02- No, unfortunately not.- We then took you to the mystery property.
0:55:02 > 0:55:06- You both absolutely loved it, I think?- Absolutely adored it.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09Great location. The house itself, I love the downstairs.
0:55:09 > 0:55:14I was staggered that it was even close to our budget.
0:55:14 > 0:55:19The reason it's that price, you were right, is that there's a slight catch.
0:55:19 > 0:55:24It requires you to experience a lifestyle change, doesn't it?
0:55:24 > 0:55:28It does. The agricultural tie, we've had a look at the paperwork,
0:55:28 > 0:55:32and it seems achievable, but I want to be very sure on that.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35So there's a bit of research to be done on it,
0:55:35 > 0:55:38but for the location, fantastic.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42The house was lovely. Couldn't have asked for any more.
0:55:42 > 0:55:46No, I think heart and head scream, "This is the place."
0:55:46 > 0:55:50It's something that I love that much,
0:55:50 > 0:55:53perhaps the heart might overtake the head.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56I'm thrilled, I really, really am thrilled.
0:55:56 > 0:55:57It's beautiful.
0:55:57 > 0:56:01- All I can say is good luck.- Thanks.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04It's been fantastic spending time with you.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08We have had the best time, we really have. Really enjoyed it.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11It's been long, hard work, but it's been so rewarding.
0:56:14 > 0:56:18It's not every day you can say you've enjoyed being collared by the law,
0:56:18 > 0:56:21but I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with Mike and Sarah.
0:56:21 > 0:56:23They're positive, encouraging people
0:56:23 > 0:56:26and their selflessness with regard to their cats and dogs is admirable.
0:56:26 > 0:56:30But I must say, it's been tricky finding a house that'll keep them all happy.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Mike and Sarah have realised they'll have to spend more than the budget
0:56:33 > 0:56:37if they're going to find their bit of paradise down here in Cornwall.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40But, do you know what? I think we may have found them a new home
0:56:40 > 0:56:42and a new lifestyle to go with it.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46Until next time on Escape To The Country, goodbye.
0:56:46 > 0:56:48After carrying out research,
0:56:48 > 0:56:51Mike and Sarah are happy with the agricultural tie
0:56:51 > 0:56:53and can't wait to put an offer on the mystery house
0:56:53 > 0:56:56once they've secured a buyer for their own property.
0:56:56 > 0:56:59So if you want to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:56:59 > 0:57:06Northern Ireland or England and need our help, please apply online at:
0:57:22 > 0:57:26Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:26 > 0:57:30E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk