0:00:02 > 0:00:05Countless English historical dramas have been filmed in today's counties.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08Film crews and set designers have clapped their hands in joy
0:00:08 > 0:00:11when they've seen medieval manor houses like this one.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Find out which county I'm in very soon.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33In today's show I'll be helping a couple head north to find a dream country home,
0:00:33 > 0:00:35and there's soon a feeling of deja vu.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37I wouldn't change a thing.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- Yes, it's beautiful.- I really do feel like I've lived here before.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43We'll be touring a selection of top rural retreats.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44- Just buy it for me...- It's very good.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- Now!- It's a very reasonable price.
0:00:46 > 0:00:53And there's a mystery house, but will any of our choices have them packing their boxes?
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Today, we're lucky enough to be in Derbyshire, and this is Haddon Hall,
0:00:57 > 0:01:02a 12th-century masterpiece which has been the backdrop of many a day's filming.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Keira Knightley was here for a scene in Pride And Prejudice, there were two versions of Jane Eyre,
0:01:06 > 0:01:11the Zeffirelli one and the BBC, and Cate Blanchett strutted her stuff as Elizabeth.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16So, if it's good enough for Cate and Keira I think it's good enough for us. Now, where's the nearest lake?
0:01:16 > 0:01:19I want to go for a swim in my riding breeches!
0:01:19 > 0:01:24Derbyshire lies in the East Midlands hugged by a multitude of counties.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27The north is dominated by the Peak District National Park.
0:01:27 > 0:01:32It's 555 square miles take in some breathtaking landscape.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And of course the park is also home to Haddon Hall,
0:01:37 > 0:01:43a fortified medieval manor house considered to be one of the finest examples to survive from its era.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Moving away from the impressive medieval homes,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49the countryside is scattered with pretty sand and limestone cottages
0:01:49 > 0:01:53originally built for farmers, quarrymen and local tradesmen.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58Today they're immensely desirable, with buyers looking for a picture perfect dream home.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06But enough Hollywood soft focus, let's get down to brass tacks.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10How much does it cost to live inside this Derbyshire film set?
0:02:10 > 0:02:13If you look at statistics, not as much as you might think.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17The average house price for a detached property is £201,000,
0:02:17 > 0:02:22which is 14% below the national average, but who'd believe statistics?
0:02:22 > 0:02:28Because where people really want to live, inside the Peak District National Park, is very expensive.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33Bakewell, right in the centre, is almost double the price of Buxton, which is outside,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36and there are only 38,000 people living inside the park
0:02:36 > 0:02:41which makes property very exclusive, but very beautiful. Take a look.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46With £1,450,000 to burn, you could be the lucky owner
0:02:46 > 0:02:49of this six-bedroom former farmhouse near Ashbourne.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52It's believed to date back to 1740
0:02:52 > 0:02:56and has been sympathetically renovated to accommodate the traditional features.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01It comes with a range of outbuildings and sits in the national park.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Staying with farmhouses, this six-bedroom property in Pikehall is less pricey
0:03:05 > 0:03:07at £50 short of £700,000.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10It's a true mix of old and new with cosy features
0:03:10 > 0:03:15and ultramodern renovations and it all sits in just over four acres.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18Or for something a little bit different,
0:03:18 > 0:03:23this three-bedroom barn conversion in Bradbourne is up for grabs at £295,000.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26The Grade II listed property has been skilfully renovated
0:03:26 > 0:03:28to provide luxury modern accommodation
0:03:28 > 0:03:31and it's just waiting for an owner to put their stamp on it.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36See what I mean? Budgets high and low can get beautiful bricks and mortar here in Derbyshire
0:03:36 > 0:03:41and fantastic views, but is it going to please our buyers today? Let's meet them.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47And they are teacher Ashley and trainee priest Lesley who live in Buntingford, Hertfordshire.
0:03:47 > 0:03:53This is a five-bedroom detached house and when we first came here in 1983 we paid £45,000 for it.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- It was a bargain.- It really was.
0:03:56 > 0:04:01And now we're hoping to get at least 440,000.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03With the children grown up, the house is too large
0:04:03 > 0:04:07and the time is now right for that long-dreamt-of move to the country.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11The pace and tranquillity of the country is something we both love.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14We really love the energy that hills and water give.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20I think as you get older that peace that you find when you're out walking
0:04:20 > 0:04:25gives you much more energy than taking any pills and potions can do.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27We've been looking to move for five years
0:04:27 > 0:04:31but you were quite ill a little while ago, about three years ago...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34- Yeah.- With cancer and it put the whole journey off a bit.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39That focused us as well, in terms of... I'm fine now, it was three years ago and I've been clear,
0:04:39 > 0:04:43but at that time we were thinking, let's go and live life, let's go out and do something different,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46so that was one of the reasons for us looking elsewhere.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Yeah. It really focuses your mind, actually.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52- It makes you realise that you just want to be together.- Yeah.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Lesley and Ashley's home has been ideal for bringing up the family,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59but now they want to downsize and have drawn up a list of desires.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04The kitchen from me is the hub of the home, so with the new property I'd love a big kitchen,
0:05:04 > 0:05:09somewhere to put a table, people can sit there while I'm cooking, I can chat to them.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12I love to feed people. It's my ambition to be Ma Larkin.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I like gadgets. I'm very into computing side
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and in the new property we're hoping we can have a study.
0:05:17 > 0:05:23OK, we've got two dogs and six hens and wherever we go it's got to be
0:05:23 > 0:05:29a secure garden so that with these six hens they're not going to go and annoy the neighbours.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33And it doesn't end there. A range cooker and an acre of land for growing vegetables
0:05:33 > 0:05:38are also on the list, along with the ability to make the house as energy efficient as possible.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41So, what would be the perfect property?
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Rural, three bedroom, definitely detached.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45Yeah.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50Don't really worry about the area as long as we've got some land.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53The property market is going through turbulent times,
0:05:53 > 0:05:58but Lesley and Ashley are hoping for a reasonable valuation from a local estate agent.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00This is an ideal family home.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02It offers well proportioned accommodation throughout
0:06:02 > 0:06:08in a popular residential location and for that reason I'd value the property at 420,000.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15We were hoping for £440,000 and...
0:06:15 > 0:06:17But he's sort of saying 420,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20so it is around the same sort of ballpark figure.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23With that news, how much are they looking to spend?
0:06:23 > 0:06:27For the perfect property, something that ticks all of our boxes,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31wants and needs, we're willing to pay a maximum of £340,000.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36It seems that Ashley and Lesley really do want to downsize.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40They want a small two or three bedroom cottage in the countryside
0:06:40 > 0:06:43and what's really exciting is they want to go as green as possible
0:06:43 > 0:06:48with a low carbon footprint and they want some land to become self-sufficient.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52The bad thing is that land is very expensive in Derbyshire.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Lesley and Ashley are flexible regarding location
0:06:56 > 0:06:59so we are focusing our search to the south and east of Buxton.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04Ashley craves rural isolation while Lesley would like to be in a village
0:07:04 > 0:07:06so compromises may have to be made.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Over two days, I'll be showing them some beautiful properties,
0:07:09 > 0:07:14but I'll be keeping them in the dark regarding the prices until after the viewings.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19The last of the three is the mystery house which always has the potential to shake things up.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- Welcome to your new home, Derbyshire.- Thank you very much.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29Not yet because we haven't found you a house, but we'll try and get you one.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- Which would be great. - That would be lovely.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35Clearly there are no houses in this bit of Derbyshire, but there is lovely spring wind.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37- There is. It's very energising. - Yeah, it's gorgeous.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- That's why you wanted to come here, to get a bit of energy.- Energy and a green lifestyle.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46You want energy efficient, don't you? You want low carbon, high vegetable output.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Absolutely. If we can get it, that would be wonderful.- Yeah.
0:07:48 > 0:07:55Now, you did mention an acre of land, which is a nice idea, but you also mentioned £340,000.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- We can dream.- You can dream. Any leeway on the budget?
0:07:58 > 0:08:02Yeah, we'd like to look at extending I think, really to about 375, somewhere in the region of.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04What about half a million?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- Wouldn't that be lovely? - We'd love that.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Because land is really a premium.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Although there's lots of it, it's all protected because it's in the national park.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- Everybody wants land.- Sure.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17So, that's a bit of a headache.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- It is.- But you're very understanding, I can see these beaming smiles.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- We'll go for it.- You're energised. The wind is going to lift us!
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- Absolutely.- We're going to find a house for you, so let's go.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31So, Lesley and Ashley have upped their budget to £375,000,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35and for that they'd like a kitchen/diner, a study, three bedrooms
0:08:35 > 0:08:38and one acre of land
0:08:38 > 0:08:40for keeping chickens and growing vegetables.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Do you know this part of the country quite well?
0:08:47 > 0:08:50I certainly know the Matlock area quite well.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Working for the Youth Service, we used to bring young people up here for Duke of Edinburgh award schemes,
0:08:54 > 0:08:59so Matlock we used to stay in quite regularly, at a residential unit at Matlock Baths, didn't we?
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- Yes.- So you know it fairly well, as well.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- Yes, and it's lovely. - It's looking very lovely today. - It's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:09:05 > 0:09:09I think this area looks lovely no matter what the season is.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14The first house on our viewing list is in Wensley,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17tucked just inside the Peak District National Park.
0:09:17 > 0:09:23The vast majority of the housing stock is built from the locally quarried limestone and gritstone
0:09:23 > 0:09:26which provide the village with uniformity.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30In the mid-1700s, lead mining was a boom industry here and many of the properties,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34including the one we are viewing, would have been miners' cottages.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- Take a look at this.- It's so...
0:09:36 > 0:09:38It's such a lovely frontage.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42- But also take a look at this. - Look at all of that! - The view over that way.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45Absolutely, well, it's glorious.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- What do you think?- It's a beautiful location, it really is.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50- I really like it.- Yeah.- I really do.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53It looks like the pictures I've always drawn since I was a child.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- Yeah.- It's making us both smile. - That's good.- That's a good point.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- Yeah.- Smiling is always good. - Yes.- Just wait until you get inside. - OK.- Let's go and have a look.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Well, I couldn't ask for more than that.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05First up is the hall. Come on in.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08And it's almost a reception room in itself.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09- Oh!- Wow!
0:10:09 > 0:10:13- It smells just like our house. - It does!- Well, that's a good sign.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Yes, it is.- Well, I hope it's a good sign!- No, it is, it is. It's lovely.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- It feels like home already.- Yeah.
0:10:19 > 0:10:24It's a cottage. It's an old cottage from the 1800s, so it's not massive.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- No, but we don't need massive. - You're downsizing.- We are.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- We're downsizing.- Yeah. I wouldn't change a thing about this room.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36I just felt very joyful as I walked through and I can't believe that,
0:10:36 > 0:10:40you know, the first property we've looked at has made me feel like this.
0:10:40 > 0:10:41The books look gorgeous.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44I can see Lesley using this as a study area, definitely.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47There's another sitting room through here.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Let's go through. That's a wood burner.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Here you've got a real fire.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Oh, I've lived here before.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55Oh! Are you having flashbacks?
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- I'm having flashbacks.- A former life.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00This is so... This is so me. Us.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03- It's such a cosy room, isn't it? It's beautiful.- This is lovely.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- It's a lovely, again, local stone. That's a modern fireplace. - I love that.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09Well, this is the place to be cosy.
0:11:09 > 0:11:14- This is the place to be cosy, but this, this is the room to be warm in.- Oh!
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- Look at those views! Absolutely amazing.- This is...
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- This is lovely.- Isn't it great?
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Yeah, you could imagine... You'd feel really healthy in here.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24You'd come in here, have your breakfast.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- Breakfast would be gorgeous in this room.- Watch the sunrise, if you're up in time.
0:11:28 > 0:11:34I'm speechless, because the first property we've seen has so far ticked every dream box that I had.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Let's look at the kitchen, that could be a deal breaker.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- OK.- Yeah, very important. - Let's walk through.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41I hope it's not, but it might be.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47So, we're going to go through here.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- After you.- OK, it's a split level kitchen/dining room.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- Oh, I like the split level. - Oh, this will not be a deal breaker.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Ah, thank goodness.- This is lovely.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02I was thinking it may be a bit small, that was my concern.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06But you have this... This area here and I could be cooking up there.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- On stage!- Absolutely. - Yeah, it's quite good.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- You could do some display cooking. - Watch me!- Yes!
0:12:12 > 0:12:18- Throw things around.- Now, this is all actually in addition, so the cottage itself ends there.- Oh, wow!
0:12:18 > 0:12:22This was put on at the same time as the conservatory, so in the 1990s.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26When they put the extension in they were going with the lay of the land.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30They went up, put it split level and they put down all this nice Yorkshire flagstone.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32I love the flooring. It's gorgeous.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34This is what we were looking at for our place.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- It was, it's strange. - But it's not a vast kitchen.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Well, no. I can imagine myself pottering around because of the...
0:12:42 > 0:12:45the other level, there's an illusion of much more space
0:12:45 > 0:12:49and I can imagine myself pottering and washing up at the kitchen.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52I'd probably put in a butler sink, that's the only thing I'd change.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- And you've got lovely views over Matlock Moor.- Yeah.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Well, I'm relieved the kitchen scored so highly.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03From here there's also access to a small utility room and there's also
0:13:03 > 0:13:07a door through to an extra pocket of space that leads to a cloakroom.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Let's hope the upstairs with its three bedrooms get the thumbs up.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13First off, the master.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15This is so cosy.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17I wouldn't change a thing.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- Yeah, it's beautiful.- I really do feel like I've lived here before.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- Maybe you have.- Yeah.
0:13:22 > 0:13:28- It's... It's unusual in a worker's cottage to have such high ceilings upstairs.- Yeah.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Very typically, they're much lower.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- I think they may have taken out a bit of head space to give that effect.- Definitely worth it.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38I think we can safely say this room is a big hit.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Next door is another double that's being used as a study.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Oh, my goodness! This is a good size, as well.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- It's another nice room, isn't it? And loft space. - A bit of loft space, too.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- Yeah.- But you could get a double bed in here if you wanted or...
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Or a couple of twins. Oh, it's...
0:13:52 > 0:13:57- It's a delight.- I'm pleased, I thought it would be too small for you, to be honest.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- No.- I quite like it as a study, too.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04Yeah. I still feel in this house that there's room to move, room to express oneself.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- And to get away from each other... I mean that in the nicest possible way.- No.- Yeah.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10When you've been married 30 years, you sometimes need separate rooms.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And a big part of your move to the countryside
0:14:13 > 0:14:19- was the outside space, do you fancy looking at that?- Yeah, great.- Yeah, essential.- Down we go.- Thank you.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22We seem to be doing quite well here.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Next door is the final double room which will be great when the family visits.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29And next to that is the main bathroom.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32The last leg of our tour takes us to the garden.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36It's not quite the size they were hoping for, but this place is all about the views.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- Words don't even do it justice. - They don't.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45We've even got the pond for the newts and the frogs to keep the slugs away.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I'm not sure whether it would really work for a veggie patch.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Well, I could probably do something quite easily for the veggie patch.
0:14:52 > 0:14:59- We don't need a lot of lawn, but the thing that I'm considering is room for the hens...- The animals.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- And the two dogs.- One of the ways round it is that Matlock...
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- Yeah.- ..which is nearby, has a very good scheme of allotments.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- Oh, right, right. - They've 40 plus allotments.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- Good.- It's £21 a year...
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- That's amazing, isn't it? - To rent them.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18And although they're not vast, you might be able to do your veggie growing there.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Yes, yes.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- The one salient point I haven't told you is how much it's going to cost.- Aw! Don't!
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Do you have an idea what it might be?
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- I haven't.- Ballpark figure.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- Bearing in mind it's in the national park.- It's in the national park.
0:15:32 > 0:15:38I think it must be at least 390, 400, possibly.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43- I was going for around 380, I think. Around 380.- Or even more.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48Well, you'll be pleased to know that actually it's on the market for £325,000.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Oh, my goodness!
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- That is very good.- Oh, you've got to just buy it for me...- Very good.- Now!
0:15:54 > 0:16:00- That's a very reasonable price.- Oh! - It's put you into a quandary. - I'm actually quite... Yeah.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02- Quite shocked, aren't you?- I am.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04That's just... That is amazing!
0:16:04 > 0:16:08It's a great price for what it is and where it is, most particularly.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Being in the park, yeah. - But that's the question of the land.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13- Sure.- Why don't you look around inside,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17then we can have another look around outside and explore down there.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19- That would be nice. - Then we'd better get moving.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Yeah.- OK. Are you all right?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- You're shocked by the price, aren't you?- I'm totally shocked!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- A hot flush!- Let's go and have a look inside.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Fantastic! It's an amazing bargain, largely because of that.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34The surroundings are amazing.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37And, you know, if they could think about the land, because,
0:16:37 > 0:16:41to be honest, to get that much land for their budget is going to be a struggle,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44so it might be a compromise that they'll have to make. We'll see.
0:16:44 > 0:16:50This cosy cottage was a superb surprise at £325,000.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53It has the kitchen/diner they're looking for,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56three bedrooms, conservatory that they loved
0:16:56 > 0:16:59and it looks out over those panoramic views.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00And there's plenty of money left
0:17:00 > 0:17:04to consider improving the energy efficiency of the property.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06This bit's absolutely amazing, isn't it?
0:17:06 > 0:17:11- It's definitely going to be your favourite room, I can see you staying in here.- It will be.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16I absolutely love the house. I've fallen in love with it. It's ticked every box inside.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21Unfortunately, outside I think I'm going to have to rethink, it's a big challenge.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Ashley loved the house. Moving around the house has been a real breath of fresh air
0:17:25 > 0:17:27and it is very homely and comfortable.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- What a beautiful room.- It is so lovely. The natural light in here.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- I love the skylight.- Yeah.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34I think I'd have this as our room.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38We have one fairly old, but one fairly active dog. The road's quite busy.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40I mean, it's beautiful, really picturesque,
0:17:40 > 0:17:45but you do get quite large vehicles going through, so that would be my only concern.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48My dream, I can't believe you've found it!
0:17:50 > 0:17:55- Come on, guys, we've got more of the peaks to explore.- Lovely.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03The beautiful spa town of Buxton sits just west of our search area,
0:18:03 > 0:18:07so Lesley and Ashley are taking the opportunity to explore.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Romans were attracted here in 80 AD by the warm springs
0:18:10 > 0:18:14which rise at a constant temperature of 28 degrees Celsius.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18St Anne's Well still offers free water today.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- So, what does it taste like? - It's fairly warm.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Mary Queen of Scots drew attention to the area by taking the water during the 16th century.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Later, in 1789, the Fifth Duke of Devonshire built the Crescent
0:18:32 > 0:18:36for the benefit of wealthy visitors the springs were drawing in.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39You can imagine the carriages just sweeping round here
0:18:39 > 0:18:43with all the grand ladies in as they came to take the waters.
0:18:43 > 0:18:49But long before that time, water played a notable role in the area, creating rock formations.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Just a 20 minute walk away is Poole's Cavern, a cave system
0:18:52 > 0:18:59created over two million years ago by rainwater dripping through cracks in the carboniferous limestone.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Wow, that's unbelievable!
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- Some of the structures are just incredible.- See that bit...
0:19:04 > 0:19:08- That bit at the top.- It's just splashing away up there.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12I think this bit's called the Frozen Waterfall. You can see why.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Neolithic tribes used the caves for shelter
0:19:15 > 0:19:19and today they're regarded as one of the finest show caves in Britain.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23Back above ground, the best place to take full advantage of the spectacular scenery
0:19:23 > 0:19:29is from Solomon's Temple, a folly built in 1895 to provide jobs for the unemployed.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32The structure sits in a former limestone quarry
0:19:32 > 0:19:35that has been transformed into a beautiful nature reserve.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38The tower's high position makes a superb vantage point.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42On a good day you can see up to 15 miles.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47What a climb, but it was definitely worth it. Isn't it beautiful?
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- It is absolutely amazing. It makes your heart sing.- Yeah, definitely.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Our next house lies in a rural position,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57two miles to the west of Belper.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02The town has a long history with the cotton industry, and today, the east mill still remains.
0:20:02 > 0:20:07The River Derwent played an integral role in the development of the industry,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09providing the power for all the mills.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12The house we are viewing sits on the Devonshire Estate
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and is thought to be an old dairy worker's cottage.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19It enjoys splendid views, but they do come at a cost. But I am undeterred.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23I have a confession to make. We were "um-ing" and "ah-ing"
0:20:23 > 0:20:26about whether we should show you this property at all
0:20:26 > 0:20:32because of one major compromise that you'll have to make...
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- The road.- ..which is the rather large A road.- Yes, OK.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38There is quite a lot going for it.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- It's very pretty.- I think you've done really well.- It's beautiful.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45And the garage is a real bonus for us.
0:20:45 > 0:20:46The land is a bit more contained.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48There is a fence so you are dog safe.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54- Yeah, and the views are incredible once again.- Another chocolate-box one.- It really is.
0:20:54 > 0:20:59- And it's bigger inside. Shall we have a look?- We shall.- Love to.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01You've got a working water pump there.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04- Brilliant. So there's a well? - There is a well.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Just be warned, there is a bit of work that needs doing inside.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- That's OK.- We don't mind.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14The is an interesting little room.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It's got beams. I know you are not mad keen on beams.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- It is in keeping.- It is in keeping with the building. It is nice.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26Let's take you to the kitchen as I think this is the area where you could probably do most imagining.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Oh! Space!
0:21:30 > 0:21:32It is quite a big area.
0:21:32 > 0:21:37I can imagine having our big table, lots of people in visiting.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42It's a bit more as I imagined you'd want a kitchen-diner country sort of...
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Yes.- ..set-up.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47It's got a nice big space.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- It's got lots of potential... - Modernise a bit, yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53Are you big improvers?
0:21:53 > 0:21:58I enjoy DIY. I'd like to rip out the kitchen and start again to be fair.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- I like watching. - Watch the improvements.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02You can go on holiday while I'm doing it.
0:22:02 > 0:22:08And the natural light. Again for an old stone cottage, I was not expecting so much light coming in.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11There are beams but you could easily paint those if you don't like them.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- Yeah.- They are growing on me.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16It is a fantastic view from the kitchen sink.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20You have a little boot room downstairs. Cloakroom out the back.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Let's take a look at the two reception rooms.- OK.- After you.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- Another good-sized room. - They are good-sized rooms.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- And the fire, it's lovely. - Yeah, it is.
0:22:33 > 0:22:38Gas-effect fire. And this is much more higgledy-piggledy stylistically
0:22:38 > 0:22:39than the previous house.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Which was more sort of straight lines.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45We have beams. You've got a bit of '70s stuff.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48So, again, you probably want to strip it back to bare bones.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Bit of a mixture, isn't it? But it is nice. And a lot of potential.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Next door is a proper dining room. Lovely views.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58Also not a bad size, really.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Not a bad size at all.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06I actually really like the way the beams are in the rooms.
0:23:06 > 0:23:12- There's ten of them.- Fits together. - Yes, it does.- Shall we look upstairs?- Let's do that.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15I am glad Lesley and Ashley are seeing the potential with this cottage.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18And they won't be short of bedrooms as this place has four.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22The largest is set up as a guest room with twin beds and built-in wardrobes.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27And just across the landing is a small double with dual-aspect windows.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30The family bathroom is small, functional and tidy.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33But I want to show them a room for them.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Master bedroom.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Actually, it is bigger than I thought it was going to be.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Again, I think dairy workers must have been quite high up in the ranks
0:23:42 > 0:23:45as this is more spacious than the lead miner's cottage.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Little cupboard in the corner.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Great hiding places for grandchildren.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Some good games of sardines to be played here. I want to show you one
0:23:53 > 0:23:56right at the back of the house which is interesting.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Go straight ahead.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02What a lovely little room.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04How sweet!
0:24:04 > 0:24:08The little attic room going through, Jake and Layla and Emily would love that.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- You could make it into a playroom, couldn't you?- It is good, isn't it?
0:24:12 > 0:24:16- This is a perfect grandchildren's house.- It certainly is.- Very quirky.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19There are beams in here as well. As a project, it's good.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22Is it something you feel you would like to take on?
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Or are you more keen on moving straight in some where?
0:24:25 > 0:24:27I've always wanted somewhere I could do some work on.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- Right.- So this appeals to me, definitely.- OK.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32That's very heartening.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Unfortunately, we have to go back outside...
0:24:35 > 0:24:39- OK- ..with that probably insurmountable problem, but let's have a look at the grounds.- OK.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43I'm delighted this house is proving to be a bit of a success.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47I have to reveal that the outdoor space isn't as much as they'd like.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49And I can't move that road.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Let's see what they make of it.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56- It's a well sealed dog-proof garden. They've got two dogs themselves. - Brilliant.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58- But it's not massive.- No.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02As you said, our budget doesn't really stretch to that.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06I did talk to the Devonshire Estate actually. There is a chance...
0:25:06 > 0:25:11The farmer who rents is from the Devonshire Estate would be happy to rent you more land.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14- Very interesting.- But it would be land alongside the road.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- Still be interesting though. - Fenced in hens. And veggies don't go anywhere.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Tell me honestly, is the road really a doubt for you?
0:25:20 > 0:25:23When I first came I was not too sure about the road.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28- Now I have seen the house and walked round, I could live with it to be fair.- I could live with it.
0:25:28 > 0:25:35If we could rent some of the land, I think the views actually counteract the road noise.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- It is a bit of a doer-upper.- It is.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42You'll need some money in your budget so how much do you think it's worth?
0:25:42 > 0:25:44I don't think we'll have anything left over.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46You don't? So you'd go for what?
0:25:46 > 0:25:50I would say top end about 370-375.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I am thinking more around 350, I think.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56You are on the money. £350,000.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57Brilliant.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03- Another lovely surprise.- You'd have to budget in quite a lot of money to bring it up to scratch.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06That's nice to hear.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- But it gives us 25,000. - Yeah, it does.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11And I can see you ticking over, "What can I do here?"
0:26:11 > 0:26:15- What can I do?- I'll let you walk around and think some more about it.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- I'll meet you out the front.- Lovely. Thank you.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21You see. You never can tell on this show.
0:26:21 > 0:26:28What you think will be an insurmountable problem vanishes like mist in the morning sunlight.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33So, Ashley's estimate for this cottage was spot on at £350,000.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36It has the kitchen-diner they hanker for.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Two receptions rooms.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41Four bedrooms, one of which could be used as a study.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43And those splendid views.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45With £25,000 left in the pot,
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Lesley and Ashley could look into energy-saving alterations.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55When I first saw the outside of the house, I thought, "Oh, lovely, another chocolate box house."
0:26:55 > 0:27:00And first coming in I thought, "Yep, I can go with that. Ashley is excited about doing projects."
0:27:00 > 0:27:03- This is lovely and big. - It's a big room.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07- I can imagine having people to come and stay.- I like the bay window.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12I actually love the house. I like the idea there is some project work needs to be doing.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16And certainly bringing it up to a more modern standard.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18- It's a lovely little room, this. - It is.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22It reminds me of where I go on retreat in the convents.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It's like a little monk's cell.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Yeah, it is. It is almost like a retreat room.
0:27:27 > 0:27:33Although Ashley is very excited about the project, I'm not as enthralled with it.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38I am still a little bit concerned about the road and I have to say after walking round,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42I am beginning to learn live with it and I could live with it quite easily.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- Ah, still sunny.- Sunshine.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- Still happy?- Still happy.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- Still ready to keep going? - Absolutely.- Definitely. - Let's do it.- Wonderful.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01It's little wonder that this county, with its spectacular scenery,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05has had no trouble attracting film crews for period dramas.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Red House Stables Working Carriage Museum
0:28:07 > 0:28:11has one of the finest collections of horse-drawn vehicles in Britain
0:28:11 > 0:28:14and played a crucial role in the making of numerous films.
0:28:14 > 0:28:20We're meeting Caroline Dale Leech to find out more about this elegant method of travel.
0:28:20 > 0:28:24Caroline, that is a beautiful thing to behold.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27- Did you do Pride And Prejudice?- Yes.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- Jane Eyre?- Jane Eyre. I've ticked them off.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32- The Duchess.- The Duchess as well?!
0:28:32 > 0:28:38All of the DH Lawrence ones, Women In Love, that's going back to the '70s of course.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42- Can we go out in a single turnout? - We can.- Where are we going? - We'll take up the reins.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- OK.- Beautiful, beautiful horses. - Brilliant.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51This unique collection of over 30 carriages was started by Caroline's father.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55We're going on the single turnout carriage which is reserved for beginners.
0:28:55 > 0:28:59Making sure the carriage is fitted correctly is key.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03It is quite a complicated contraption so the whole horse is comfortable and...
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Yes. That is to come first.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09The breast collar is what the horse leans in to pull.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11The tracer is what is actually pulling the vehicle.
0:29:11 > 0:29:15The britching here fits around the back which is holding the vehicle back
0:29:15 > 0:29:18which is really effectively your brakes.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21The reins here steer it, this is your steering wheel.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- Just to try to put it in terms for you.- Very good.
0:29:23 > 0:29:29Once Caroline has ensured that the carriage has been fitted for maximum comfort for our horse, Bobby,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31it is time for me to take the reins.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35It might look easy, but it isn't.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38It takes at least 20 hours of lessons to get a licence
0:29:38 > 0:29:41and only then are you legally allowed to drive on a road.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44How much would Bobby and this trap cost?
0:29:44 > 0:29:47You always get what you pay for, don't you?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Bobby, you pay for his reliability.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52And so he would be about £2,000.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56And the vehicle is about £1,800-£2,000 new.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00But you can pick them up if you look in auctions for £800.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02A good deal would be about £3,000?
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- Yes, a starter pack.- When you think how much a car costs, that's great.
0:30:05 > 0:30:10After a quick outing, it's time to change drivers.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- You have ridden, you've said?- Yes.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- A nice rounded hand which is different to riding.- OK.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17And this hand here is coming in front.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20The little finger in the bottom and that finger into there.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22- OK, so laced?- Yes.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25And then finding the balance there.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28- Just give him with the hands to allow him to walk on.- OK.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Walk on, Bobby.
0:30:31 > 0:30:38It may not be easy, but Bobby is patient, and it is without doubt a genteel way to travel.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45It's been a productive day's search in Derbyshire.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49And now Lesley and Ashley can refuel and take stock of events.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55- What did you think to the house with the conservatory?- I absolutely fell in love with it.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00- It smelled like us.- It did. - It looked like us.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- It was perfect...- It was.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06..in every way apart from the fact you couldn't secure the garden.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Was the house big enough for you?
0:31:08 > 0:31:12The house was big enough. And actually the land was enough.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14- It was just the way it sloped off. - Yeah.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17What did you think about the house outside Belper?
0:31:17 > 0:31:19First glance, really loved it.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21It looked great, had a garage.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24The more I looked at it, there was quite a lot of work to do there.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I didn't mind updating the kitchen, that was fine.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30The road noise for me was again a no.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Main road. Very much a main road.
0:31:33 > 0:31:40- We've looked at two very different houses today.- We've had fun doing it too.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42I wonder what tomorrow is going to bring?
0:31:42 > 0:31:45We'll wait and see. Looking forward to it.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58Lesley and Ashley from Buntingford in Hertfordshire want to downsize
0:31:58 > 0:32:01from their family home and make a new start in Derbyshire.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05They have a budget of £375,000 and ideally want an acre of land,
0:32:05 > 0:32:08which is proving tricky on their budget.
0:32:08 > 0:32:14So far they've viewed two houses, and coming up Lesley has great expectations.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16Oh, my goodness! Can we have it all?
0:32:16 > 0:32:20I was just about to say, you're not getting it all, unfortunately.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- And there's a mystery house. - I feel like I'm in a little Hansel and Gretel place.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26But will there be a fairytale ending?
0:32:28 > 0:32:33Day two has dawned on our property search. We're still looking in the Matlock area,
0:32:33 > 0:32:35but the weather has turned grey, but that's all right
0:32:35 > 0:32:40because I think it's quite important to tease out some not negative, but constructive criticism
0:32:40 > 0:32:43of the properties we're showing Lesley and Ashley,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46because they've been so nice and I think when you're spending
0:32:46 > 0:32:49that much money, you have to be able to say what you don't like,
0:32:49 > 0:32:55and the properties today are probably going to elicit at least different opinions.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59We're kicking off our property search this morning in Sturston,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02a quiet hamlet just to the east of Ashbourne.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07This small market town is famed for its annual Royal Shrovetide football match,
0:33:07 > 0:33:09which has been played for centuries.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14The two local teams use the town as its pitch and the goals are a massive three miles apart.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18The property we've lined up is away from the action
0:33:18 > 0:33:22and it's part of a development of old barns next to a working farm.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24It's semi-detached but, nevertheless,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27I'm hoping we'll get this one in the back of the net.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Oh, my goodness! Can we have it all?
0:33:29 > 0:33:33- Well, I was just about to say, you're not getting it all, unfortunately.- Oh!
0:33:33 > 0:33:37- We're looking at that portion. - It's a lovely property. I like it from the outside.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- I like the look of it.- Yeah.- And how do you feel about living on a farm?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- I was brought up partly on a farm. - Oh, really?
0:33:44 > 0:33:49So, I feel quite at home with the noise and the smells. It just makes me feel very peaceful.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Ah, that's good. What about you, Ashley?
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Home for me was a fairly rural community, so I love the smells.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57That could probably put some people off, but I adore the farm smells.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00- It's been great going in. - Let's look inside the property. - Yeah, let's go.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Great, we're on to a winner straightaway.
0:34:03 > 0:34:08We're entering into the generous hall, which the current owners are using as a study.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- Oh, lovely.- Beams.
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- Yes, again beams.- They're not huge and they're not overpowering.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18This is the smallest room, what they're using as the study,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- it could be a dining room.- Yes. - But they've used it as a study,
0:34:21 > 0:34:27- which might be nice for you.- Yes, it's a lovely study area.- Nice light coming in both ways.- Yeah.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29In many ways, people come into the kitchen
0:34:29 > 0:34:33- because that is the heart of the home.- OK.- Shall we waltz through?
0:34:33 > 0:34:38- Oh, wow! Oh, this is... - Wow, that's beautiful. - This is delightful. I would not...
0:34:38 > 0:34:42- Oh! I've just spied the Aga. - Ah, the range.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- I would not change a thing.- Really? - I really would not change a thing.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49I don't think I would, it's beautifully laid out.
0:34:49 > 0:34:54I always said that in a new house I'd need the kitchen to be the hub of the home
0:34:54 > 0:34:57and I couldn't express what I wanted, but I'd feel it.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Yeah. And you can feel it. - This is the feel. It's lovely.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04Let's take a look at the range. It's an object of desire for you.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- Beautiful, isn't it?- Very much.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09I was interested you wanted a range. They're very un-environmental.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12They are very un-green.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- They're red, in fact. - They're very red!
0:35:14 > 0:35:18But I think with me it's kind of the human want
0:35:18 > 0:35:23rather than the green in my head, but as this one is oil-fired,
0:35:23 > 0:35:30really, that's something we would need to look at, because oil isn't going to be around to be using.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31It's probably something...
0:35:31 > 0:35:34A dream that I might have to let go.
0:35:34 > 0:35:40The range looks the part, but it sounds like Lesley may have to reconsider her eco ideas.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42This is the last room downstairs.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46- Oh, this is a nice room. Cosy. - But it has a...
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- A wood burning stove. - The wood burner.- Lovely.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Dual fuel, so you can put coal on there as well.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56- Beams again but, you know, I'm beginning to like beams!- It's not that low either, is it?- No.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58These are obviously not original,
0:35:58 > 0:36:00this would have been open in the barn.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Very snug and cosy. I think, as the daylight went with the day,
0:36:04 > 0:36:08you could, you know, you could just end up in here quite comfortably.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12- You could imagine yourself here on a winter's night, couldn't you?- Yes.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Let's look upstairs, you've got three bedrooms.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17This house seems to be giving Lesley and Ashley all the right vibes.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20I only hope it continues upstairs.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26The family bathroom is a good size and houses the airing cupboard.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Next door, the owners are making the best of the smallest bedroom
0:36:30 > 0:36:33with bunk beds, and there's a beautiful feature beam.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37Bedroom two is bigger and has the bonus of built-in wardrobes.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40And then there's the master suite.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- Oh, my goodness!- Oh, I like that. I like the shape of the roof.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51Well, it's...it's... I wouldn't say huge, but it's big.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- It is big, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57- Yeah.- It's quite surprising, because you really do think it's going to be small upstairs.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01Yeah. And the light, I thought it would be quite dark, but there's a lot of light coming in.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05I like the light over the bed, you could look up at night, it would be gorgeous.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07You have an en-suite here.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- Oh!- That's good to know. - Oh, that's a lovely surprise.
0:37:09 > 0:37:13- Nice, eh?- Look at that. A walk-in shower.- Which would be great.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- A walk-in shower would be lovely. - When we're in our dotage...
0:37:15 > 0:37:19- You wouldn't be able to get up the stairs, unfortunately. - Well...- This is true.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23- I can just stay in bed.- Who would want to?- Let's go and look at that precious outside space.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Yeah, that's important.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29So, the bedroom with its en-suite is a winner, too, and outside
0:37:29 > 0:37:33I have a bit of a surprise up my sleeve in the garden department.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34Ah, Derbyshire rain, very good!
0:37:34 > 0:37:37Yes. Seasonal.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38This is your land.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42Land sounds a bit grand, doesn't it? But this is your garden.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- Well, at least it's closed in. - It is closed in.- Yeah.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- This little area here gets lovely afternoon sunshine.- Yeah.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51And you've got some great trees planted here - the apples trees,
0:37:51 > 0:37:55a plum tree. Lots of berries.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58And there's more than enough room for growing veggies, actually.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- There is.- Well, actually, this is not all your land.- Oh! - It's parcelled out.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05You've got lots of bits and, Ashley, you'll be very glad to know
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- you've got a big garage.- I saw that on the way in.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- That's a wonderful garage. Yeah. - So lots of space for...- Brilliant.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- ..creation.- Big smiles there.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15- Let's take a look at your other land.- Wow!
0:38:15 > 0:38:19Beyond the garden block lies the additional green turf.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- This is your land.- Wow!
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Oh, a little parcel of England.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28It is a little - little being the operative word -
0:38:28 > 0:38:31- but it is definitely a parcel of farmland.- It is.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33Which would be great for vegetables.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- Perfect vegetable... Maybe a chicken run, as well.- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39I can imagine building the chicken run down there.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42And the good news is the farmer is very open to offers.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- He offered originally the land all the way down to the dry-stone wall, the fence.- Did he?
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- Wonderful.- So, it would include that lovely oak.- Yeah.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52What are you thinking it's going to cost to buy this?
0:38:52 > 0:38:58Unlike the other houses where I was very surprised at how low it was,
0:38:58 > 0:39:02I think this could go 420.
0:39:02 > 0:39:08I think I'm going to go to the upper end of our budget and say between 375 and 380. It's a nice property.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10- Yeah, it is lovely.- Yeah.- Good.
0:39:10 > 0:39:17- You're very pessimistic, because it's actually on at 390, just a shade under 390.- Oh!- Right.
0:39:17 > 0:39:22It's been on for a few months and they haven't dropped the price yet, so there is the possibility...
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- Of offers.- That you could get it for the top end of your budget.
0:39:25 > 0:39:30- There's nothing that needs doing, so we wouldn't have to spend much more money.- No, we wouldn't.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32- So, it's a thumbs up? - I think that's a thumbs up.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35You have to negotiate the fact you're not isolated.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38That's the only thing. I'd like to find out how loud we can have the music.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43Let's try it. When I come back I'll find you listening to La Traviata at top volume.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45- All right, we're going in.- OK.
0:39:45 > 0:39:49This barn conversion sitting next to a working farm
0:39:49 > 0:39:52has been a hit at £389,950.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55It has the perfect characterful kitchen for Lesley,
0:39:55 > 0:39:59two reception rooms, three bedrooms, including a master en-suite
0:39:59 > 0:40:01and a range of gardens
0:40:01 > 0:40:05offering enough space to grow vegetables, and wonderful views.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10It is over budget, but in this market it's worth putting in an offer they can afford.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12This is wonderful.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- It's a fantastic kitchen. I love it. - It really is. And there's a range...
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- Yeah.- Which is fantastic.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20I've been really impressed.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24I like the way the conversion has blended the old with the new.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26It ticks every box that I wanted ticked.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30The study, kitchen, snug, the bedrooms are lovely.
0:40:30 > 0:40:37- Drum kit! This must mean we can turn the music up loud.- We can go round the corner too. A big bonus
0:40:37 > 0:40:43- is there's an extra piece of land we could actually grow vegetables on.- This house is a contender,
0:40:43 > 0:40:48and, listen... There's no cars going past. Really good.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- Hello.- Hello.- Hi. You all done?
0:40:50 > 0:40:53- Yes, we are.- Closed behind you?- Yes.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Very good. Let's head on.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03Lesley and Ashley love restoring old furniture and appreciate the beauty of period pieces,
0:41:03 > 0:41:10- so we've arranged for them to visit Colin Hall, who has a passion for reclaimed furniture.- Hello there.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- Hello.- I'm Colin.- I'm Lesley.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14- I'm Ashley.- Pleased to meet you. - Nice to meet you.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18Colin and his team scour houses and auction rooms for interesting
0:41:18 > 0:41:25artefacts and Colin is keen to show Lesley and Ashley an item of great age that has led a mysterious life.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28- OK, so here we have a sea-going chest...- Oh, wow.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31From, we think, about 1640.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- Fantastic.- That's so lovely.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37It's a seagoing chest and it's got the drama pictures on it.
0:41:37 > 0:41:42- Do you think, you know, it could have had some actors taking it on ship somewhere?- It certainly could have.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45Actors were still moving around in those days, so it could have.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47And the key. Look at the size of that key!
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- If you can pick it up, you can have it!- Shall we try.- Give it a try.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53Oh! No, I think you're keeping it.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- You're not going to move it. - Is there something else you can show us?
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Yeah, I can show you something quite different to this.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02This place embraces the idea of recycling and not throwing anything away.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Our next stop is the door emporium.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09These reclaimed doors are hugely popular with those restoring homes to their former glory.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14OK, here's a door we only got in recently, actually.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16Oh, it looks lovely. How old is it?
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- Well, it's not as old as it looks. - Really?
0:42:18 > 0:42:23This has been made in the last century, because some of these parts are machined
0:42:23 > 0:42:27so it's been made to look older, but it certainly comes from a very grand house.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- I can imagine. What kind of wood is that?- That's oak.- Lovely.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32Do you think it would fit into one of our houses?
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Let's hope they find us a house that it fits. We'll model the house around the door.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38That would be a very grand house if you do.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41I'm not sure their budget will stretch to that,
0:42:41 > 0:42:44but they will need a bed and Colin has one he's proud of.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46- Oh, it's marvellous!- A fantastic bed.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50It's very ornate. It's very big and very grand, isn't it?
0:42:50 > 0:42:53This is something we've created ourselves from original materials.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56The columns and cornices were not in those original positions
0:42:56 > 0:42:59- and we created it into a bed.- Wonderful.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01I love the colonnades. It's gorgeous.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03- This is something you could do yourself.- Yeah, a quick weekend.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- Keep you busy for a weekend, wouldn't it?- It really would.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08That's certainly something to ponder,
0:43:08 > 0:43:12but it's our task to find Lesley and Ashley an idyllic country abode.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18In many ways, this whole show has been about finding the limit
0:43:18 > 0:43:22of acceptable compromise, because Lesley and Ashley really wanted a lot land-wise,
0:43:22 > 0:43:26but they really didn't have enough money to get it here in Derbyshire.
0:43:26 > 0:43:33However, the mystery house, it has land, but will it have enough of the other things?
0:43:38 > 0:43:40What do you think the mystery house might involve?
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Absolutely no idea. It could be anything ranging from a fire tower
0:43:44 > 0:43:47to a church. I am really looking forward to seeing it.
0:43:47 > 0:43:49We can safely say it's not going to be a windmill.
0:43:49 > 0:43:52- Not in Norfolk now. - No. I have no idea.
0:43:52 > 0:43:59I hope it is not something that I absolutely fall in love with and is £200,000 out of our price range.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01We'll see. I'm looking forward to it.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04We wouldn't be that cruel.
0:44:04 > 0:44:09The mystery house is just outside desirable Matlock Bath.
0:44:09 > 0:44:13It was the thermal springs that were discovered here in 1698
0:44:13 > 0:44:17that brought in high society and gave it an air of elegance.
0:44:17 > 0:44:22Today the area, sitting in a deep gorge, still attracts the tourists who marvel at the stunning scenery.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25The location of our mystery house should suit Ashley.
0:44:25 > 0:44:31It's tucked away in the hillside with staggering views and has recently been renovated.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34It also has an asset which will be a surprise.
0:44:34 > 0:44:37- This is the mystery. - This is a kingdom!
0:44:37 > 0:44:40- It's an amazing view. - It's the kingdom, isn't it?
0:44:40 > 0:44:44- It certainly is.- You know this area. This is Matlock Bath.- Yes.- Yeah. - This is the Derwent Gorge.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47This is the great Masson Cliff that goes along the side
0:44:47 > 0:44:50and we found you a property that is right on the edge of it.
0:44:50 > 0:44:54- I can't believe you've done that! - It is amazing.- It's wonderful.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57- I'm stuck for words.- Which is rare.
0:44:57 > 0:44:59- It's rare, yeah.- It's rare.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02What are your impressions of the road, for example.
0:45:02 > 0:45:08- The road is pretty, the way it winds through. I've no problem with the road.- It's a bit noisy,
0:45:08 > 0:45:10- but for a kingdom like this...- Yeah.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14- You have to pay something.- You do. - You do.- Mind the steps.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20Gosh, these steps are quite steep.
0:45:20 > 0:45:22- You want to death slide, don't you, really?- Yeah.
0:45:22 > 0:45:26- Absolutely.- Come straight down. - Can we get a lift in?- Yeah.
0:45:26 > 0:45:28- A chairlift.- Imagine when it's icy.
0:45:28 > 0:45:30We'll be staying indoors.
0:45:33 > 0:45:35It's a small house.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38It's quite small.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40But it's all about the views.
0:45:40 > 0:45:46Yes, it's... It's small, but it is perfectly done.
0:45:46 > 0:45:48I mean, it's very, very stylish.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50In terms of the kitchen,
0:45:50 > 0:45:54friends sitting around tables, you won't get that necessarily.
0:45:54 > 0:46:00- Well, two friends.- Two friends.- Yeah. - Exactly. It's all about the views, this property.
0:46:00 > 0:46:02- Yes.- Yes.- It's wonderful.
0:46:02 > 0:46:07- And it's a kingdom out there. - Kingdoms are important.- They are.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09And this is the rest of the downstairs.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11- Wow!- It's a lovely room, though.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14- I have to say they haven't spared a penny in doing this up.- No.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Everything is done to the highest standard.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20Solid oak floorboards an inch thick.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- My goodness.- This whole fireplace was put in by them.
0:46:23 > 0:46:29They found these half stones in a smithy, there are still bits of lead you can see in it.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32I feel like I'm in a little Hansel and Gretel place. It's lovely.
0:46:32 > 0:46:34It is lovely, but it is little.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36It is very little.
0:46:36 > 0:46:40- But it's very pleasing to the eye, I have to say. Yeah, I do like it. - And this is it?
0:46:40 > 0:46:43- This is the extent... - This is the end of your kingdom.
0:46:43 > 0:46:47- Of the house? This is the end of the kingdom inside. My goodness!- Downstairs.
0:46:47 > 0:46:49I'm just wondering whether it is too small.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52But, apart from that, I think I like it.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55I really like it.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58- I would like it more if there was another room that way...- Yeah.
0:46:58 > 0:47:05Because I like my space, I like to be able to zone out and I can't imagine us getting away into our own...
0:47:05 > 0:47:08- Zones.- Zones.
0:47:08 > 0:47:14- That's the closest we're going to get you to saying that you don't like something, isn't it?- Yes.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17OK, that's good enough for me. Let's take a look upstairs.
0:47:17 > 0:47:21It's not the end of my bag of tricks here. I'm not giving up.
0:47:21 > 0:47:26Oh, dear, I think the initial excitement has worn off, but there is more.
0:47:26 > 0:47:30Up here there's a small but beautifully finished bathroom,
0:47:30 > 0:47:33and down the landing is the master bedroom which takes in the stunning scenery.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36You can't deny those views.
0:47:36 > 0:47:40- I mean, they are worth a king's ransom, really.- In both directions.
0:47:40 > 0:47:44- The windows in this room are fantastic, the amount of light. - Yes, yes.
0:47:44 > 0:47:50You do have a bit of storage here. I don't know quite how much you need. A chest of drawers.
0:47:50 > 0:47:53- Well, Ashley needs a whole wall. - Really? Are you the hoarder? - He is.
0:47:53 > 0:47:57I am the hoarder, I'm afraid. Not necessarily clothes, but I hoard a variety of things.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59- Ah, that's a turn-up for the books. - Yeah.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01There's two more bedrooms.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04I wanted to show you the views from the top one.
0:48:04 > 0:48:11The first of those two bedrooms is a single with built-in storage and the other room is just next door.
0:48:11 > 0:48:15Then there's this little beautiful room. But look at the views!
0:48:15 > 0:48:18Oh, the views are wonderful.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20- I thought this could be your study. - It could be.
0:48:20 > 0:48:24- They've squeezed quite a lot into a small footprint.- They have. - They have.
0:48:24 > 0:48:30But beautifully formed as this house is, it's not the inside of the house I want to show you, but outside.
0:48:30 > 0:48:34- Ooh!- There's more.- OK. - Right.- Let's go.- Let's go on, then.
0:48:34 > 0:48:40The views from this house really are amazing, but will they be enough to win them over?
0:48:40 > 0:48:46- Oh, my goodness! You did promise us a view.- Wow, what a view.- Lovely terraced gardens.- Yeah.
0:48:46 > 0:48:50And you've got these outhouses here which you could possibly develop.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54So, how much land do you think this is, all told? Is this enough to...?
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Well, I think vegetables
0:48:57 > 0:49:00could go on the slope, because it...
0:49:00 > 0:49:02You know, you could work with that.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06And the chickens, I don't know.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08- We'd have to think about.- Yeah.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12This is the first one that I've actually felt quite flummoxed about.
0:49:12 > 0:49:16Yes, I can see your enthusiasm is down from its usual stellar heights.
0:49:16 > 0:49:18Absolutely. Yes.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20So, you think this is maybe about half an acre?
0:49:20 > 0:49:23It's got to be at least half an acre, I think, it sits in.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25- Yeah.- If not more. - Probably the footprint about...
0:49:25 > 0:49:27Yeah. Up to half an acre.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31- Actually, the plot of land is eight acres. - Oh, really?- Eight acres!
0:49:31 > 0:49:35It encompasses eight acres of this ancient woodland which is yours.
0:49:35 > 0:49:39- Oh, my goodness!- Let's have a look. - All the way to the top?- Yeah.- Wow!
0:49:40 > 0:49:43I did say I had more in my bag of tricks.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46I think the wood is wonderful and it does come with its benefits.
0:49:46 > 0:49:50All the fallen trees are for their use, providing free fuel.
0:49:50 > 0:49:53- This is wonderful. - This is an amazing piece of woodland.- Your own woodland!
0:49:53 > 0:49:57But I'm very glad I've got Ashley in front of me to break my slip.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59Aw! Yes, I didn't brief you on...
0:49:59 > 0:50:01- He's very romantic. - ..woodland walking, did I?
0:50:01 > 0:50:04- It is beautiful woodland, though. - All of this is yours.
0:50:04 > 0:50:08- It's amazingly picturesque. And the wildlife.- Woodland is woody,
0:50:08 > 0:50:12and there's not an awful lot you can do with it, in all honesty.
0:50:12 > 0:50:14It's lovely to own one,
0:50:14 > 0:50:19to say that you own one, but it's not really very practical for us.
0:50:19 > 0:50:23- Apart from the free fuel, but that's the only benefit.- Yeah.
0:50:23 > 0:50:28So, the free fuel doesn't interest you, but the oil guzzling range does.
0:50:28 > 0:50:30Well, what can I say?
0:50:30 > 0:50:32A total princess.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34How much do you think it would cost?
0:50:34 > 0:50:37That's a tricky one. Because it's in Matlock Bath and the location,
0:50:37 > 0:50:41I think it's quite expensive, so I'd go for about 420, something like that.
0:50:41 > 0:50:44I would go for about just over 550.
0:50:44 > 0:50:49- You're going high.- Do you think I'd show you a property that was so much out of your budget?
0:50:49 > 0:50:51- You've shown me one with a kingdom. - Oh, I did, I did.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Well, the kingdom comes relatively cheap.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58It's on the market for just a shade under 400. 395.
0:50:58 > 0:51:01- Whoa!- That's a very... That's a very competitive price for its location.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03It would be affordable,
0:51:03 > 0:51:05but not interested in this one.
0:51:05 > 0:51:09- Shall I get a toboggan so I can drag you back up?- Yes, why not?
0:51:09 > 0:51:11That would be great, a ski lift would be fantastic!
0:51:13 > 0:51:18The market price was certainly a surprise at £395,000.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22It has an immaculate interior, with three bedrooms,
0:51:22 > 0:51:26sits on a plot, including eight acres of ancient woodland,
0:51:26 > 0:51:29and not forgetting those superb views.
0:51:29 > 0:51:32I do love this room.
0:51:32 > 0:51:34The beams are absolutely amazing.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38I can see why you love it, but it's really, really small.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41- But you look round and it's just so well finished.- It is.
0:51:41 > 0:51:46It is too small for us, I agree, but I'm just amazed at the quality of it.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48- The quality... It's perfect.- Yeah.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50And I have a problem with perfect.
0:51:50 > 0:51:54- Yes, true. But you married me, though.- True.
0:51:54 > 0:51:57For a mystery house, it's a really impressive location again.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01The views are stunning and I think they've done the house amazingly well.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03They have done up here really well.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05They've put in everything that they need.
0:52:05 > 0:52:09- But it's not us.- For a small house, they have shaped it very well.
0:52:09 > 0:52:14- You are right, it's not us. - For me, this is a high-end luxury holiday let.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18The garden is so picturesque, along with the woodland, but to be fair,
0:52:18 > 0:52:21as Lesley and I get older, it's going to be impractical.
0:52:21 > 0:52:27The reality of being a 70-year-old in the future and going out to get your own logs isn't a reality.
0:52:27 > 0:52:29And if you can hear it,
0:52:29 > 0:52:32the road is very loud.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36Come on, this is the last time you'll have to climb these steps, by all accounts.
0:52:36 > 0:52:38My goodness!
0:52:38 > 0:52:40Wow! That's a workout.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42- It's a workout. Think of it as a workout.- Yes.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44- Let's go back.- OK.
0:52:49 > 0:52:54Lesley and Ashley have now seen all the properties and it's time to hear their final thoughts.
0:52:54 > 0:52:57Now is the time for you to really spill the beans,
0:52:57 > 0:53:02because you can't have liked them all as much as each other, there must have been differences.
0:53:02 > 0:53:04What about the first property? It seemed to go down very well.
0:53:04 > 0:53:06It was a beautiful house, that one.
0:53:06 > 0:53:10It ticked every single box imaginable for me.
0:53:10 > 0:53:12I felt I'd lived there before.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15It just felt so right.
0:53:15 > 0:53:18The road was a problem, though, the amount of traffic that went by,
0:53:18 > 0:53:22so for an unsecured garden that would have been a real problem and unfortunately,
0:53:22 > 0:53:25if you'd secured it you'd have lost that wonderful view.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28- Roads played an issue in the second house as well.- Yes.
0:53:28 > 0:53:34A lot of renovation work to do in there in terms of modernising it, which wasn't too much of a problem.
0:53:34 > 0:53:36It was, again, an interesting house.
0:53:36 > 0:53:40If we'd been able to acquire the extra land you alluded to,
0:53:40 > 0:53:44that's something we might have considered, but the road again was a major problem.
0:53:44 > 0:53:49After spending 10 minutes in the house, it's not something I'd have considered at all.
0:53:49 > 0:53:50It didn't feel right.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53- So you were being polite because you were smiling.- I know.
0:53:53 > 0:53:55"I love it, it's so beautiful!"
0:53:55 > 0:53:58But it did. It was like looking at a pretty painting.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01The views seemed to outweigh the road noise.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04But the reality of staying there, um,
0:54:04 > 0:54:09you know, and it's hopefully going to be the last move we make together.
0:54:09 > 0:54:14- Yes, probably will be.- So, you know, the reality came crashing in.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17The barn conversion in the farmyard didn't have any road noise.
0:54:17 > 0:54:20- No.- What did that have going for it? - We loved it.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24- Out of all of the properties, that was certainly my favourite.- Yeah.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26We just felt really at home there.
0:54:26 > 0:54:31- I was a bit worried that it was attached to other properties.- Yeah.
0:54:31 > 0:54:35And it would be something that we would need to look into,
0:54:35 > 0:54:39but that was a wonderful property and it's left us with a very good feeling
0:54:39 > 0:54:41- and that's a big possibility for us.- Yes.
0:54:41 > 0:54:45The mystery house flagged up lots of things you didn't like,
0:54:45 > 0:54:48but have they been useful in focusing your mind on what you do love?
0:54:48 > 0:54:52The location and beauty of Matlock Bath was breathtaking,
0:54:52 > 0:54:54but the practicalities of getting older
0:54:54 > 0:54:58- and steps and stairs and woodland, we'd have to consider in reality.- Yeah.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02I can't imagine us logging at the age of 70.
0:55:02 > 0:55:07I can't imagine me getting up and down those stairs possibly in the next five years!
0:55:07 > 0:55:09So, um...
0:55:09 > 0:55:14I have to say, the free logs did appeal to me, but you're right in terms of the workload.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17And, overall, what have you taken away?
0:55:17 > 0:55:21You seemed to like the barn conversion most. Would you make a move on that?
0:55:21 > 0:55:25I'd like to see again the barn conversion and then talk to some of the neighbours,
0:55:25 > 0:55:31- talk more to the farmer, because I think that one out of all of them had the most potential for us.- Yes.
0:55:31 > 0:55:35So, within the confines of the fact that there are lots of factors
0:55:35 > 0:55:39that make it difficult to find your dream house, can you let that go?
0:55:39 > 0:55:45Less of a priority for me now would be the actual kind of prettiness of the house,
0:55:45 > 0:55:52but the green sustainability, really, and when I think about it is the way that we should go
0:55:52 > 0:55:55and I think both of us want to hold on to that.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58It was lovely looking at the range.
0:55:58 > 0:56:02You can be green, just possibly not 100%.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04I really hope you make it, because, you know, it sounds like
0:56:04 > 0:56:07- the move will be the perfect thing for you in your life.- Yes.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11For once, you're a couple that have taken downsizing seriously.
0:56:11 > 0:56:14They're not downsizing into a house twice as big.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16We did discuss that at one point, didn't we?
0:56:16 > 0:56:20So, best of luck. I hope it goes well and see you in Derbyshire soon.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23OK. Thank you so much. It's been a pleasure.
0:56:23 > 0:56:26- It has been a pleasure, it really has. I've really enjoyed it.- Great.
0:56:29 > 0:56:34Green or not green, landed or not landed, I do think that we'll be seeing Lesley and Ashley
0:56:34 > 0:56:39making tracks to live in Derbyshire, and who wouldn't? It's a beautiful place.
0:56:39 > 0:56:44And if you've been inspired, then do tune in next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:56:44 > 0:56:49Lesley and Ashley did return to the barn conversion for a second and third viewing,
0:56:49 > 0:56:52but their hearts are set on a detached house.
0:56:52 > 0:56:57They're now considering buying a plot of land and building an energy-efficient property.
0:56:57 > 0:57:00If you'd like to escape to the country and would like our help,
0:57:00 > 0:57:03please contact us through our website...
0:57:25 > 0:57:27Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:27 > 0:57:29E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk