0:00:02 > 0:00:06That is the Tavistock viaduct, one of the last great railway viaducts built in Britain.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09It was finished in 1907 and it joins two counties
0:00:09 > 0:00:16and spans a river whose banks were once the greatest producer of tin, copper and arsenic in the world.
0:00:16 > 0:00:21Intrigued where we are? Find out in just a moment on Escape To The Country.
0:00:33 > 0:00:39Today, we'll be helping a couple of Londoners swap busy streets for a laidback rural lifestyle...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41I've got my chair and tree picked out!
0:00:41 > 0:00:45We'll be viewing some breathtaking West Country homes...
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Not many people leave me speechless, but that just left me speechless!
0:00:49 > 0:00:54Or will it be the Mystery House that converts today's buyers?
0:00:54 > 0:00:55I have a feeling you're home.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Yes.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05This is the River Tamar which, historically, has always
0:01:05 > 0:01:08separated Devon, over there, from Cornwall on this side.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Back in the day, it was mining where the money was - in mediaeval
0:01:11 > 0:01:16times, silver and tin, and in the 1800s, copper was the big thing.
0:01:16 > 0:01:23Of course, now, the mining days are long gone but, in 2006, the European Union pumped in £6m-worth
0:01:23 > 0:01:28of development money and that's been good news for the tourists and also for the housing market.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Sandwiched between Dartmoor National Park in Devon
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, the Tamar valley stretches from
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Plymouth in the south to Tavistock and near Launceston in the north.
0:01:41 > 0:01:47At just 75 miles square, the valley is by no means vast, but packed into this little slice of Cornwall and
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Devon is some of the most lush countryside to be found in the UK.
0:01:51 > 0:01:57And, in 1995, the entire region was designated "an area of outstanding natural beauty".
0:01:57 > 0:02:02At the heart of the valley is the River Tamar itself.
0:02:02 > 0:02:08Along this scenic stretch of water, you'll find ancient woodlands, pretty villages and, of course,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10the striking remains of the region's mining past.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14Today, it's farming that's the bread and butter of the Tamar,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17with 75% of the area given over to farmland.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24So, if it's a Victorian cottage or a rambling farmhouse you're after,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28you're more than likely to find it along the Tamar's shores.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33As well as separating the two counties geographically,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37the Tamar also separates Devon from Cornwall financially.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42Over there in Devon, an average detached property will set you back £278,000, whereas here on this
0:02:42 > 0:02:49side, on the Cornish side, it will cost you £265,000, which is still 13% above the national average.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54On both sides of the river, prices have been going down, but take a look at what you can buy.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01If you fancy living like a lord and lady of the manor, then this five-bedroom historic Tudor family
0:03:01 > 0:03:05house in the grounds of Buckland Abbey, near Tavistock, could be just the thing.
0:03:05 > 0:03:12For a rather stately £2m, you get spacious period accommodation, 16 acres of land
0:03:12 > 0:03:18and, just in case that's not enough, there are two separate three-bedroom cottages included in the price.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24For something more modern, check out this individually
0:03:24 > 0:03:28designed four-bedroom house in St Dominic, Cornwall.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32On the market for £595,000, the contemporary accommodation
0:03:32 > 0:03:35is built around a huge reception hall and galleried landing.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38But it's the setting that makes this a real stand-out,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42with nearly every room enjoying far-reaching views over the Tamar valley.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49If you're after a traditional cottage, then this 19th-Century
0:03:49 > 0:03:55four-bedroom stone farmhouse in Portgate, Devon, could be yours for just under £400,000.
0:03:55 > 0:04:01For that price, you get two good-sized reception rooms, complete with character features,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05a farmhouse kitchen-diner, plus a self-contained one-bedroom annexe.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09And you won't need a tractor to look after the pretty landscaped gardens.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Beautiful properties on both sides of the river here in Cornwall and
0:04:15 > 0:04:20Devon, but will it be enough to lure our buyers from their homes in the Big Smoke?
0:04:20 > 0:04:25For US-born Bob and Londoner James, retiring to the West Country would
0:04:25 > 0:04:29be a huge step, as these two have never lived together before.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Whilst James has a two-bed flat in Surbiton, Surrey,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36for the last 40 years, Bob's home has been this five-bedroom Edwardian
0:04:36 > 0:04:42terrace in West London, but they've been planning a rural escape together for the last nine months.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45The home I'm in now is past its sell-by date as far as I'm concerned.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48I've just run out of space.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50And there's too many stairs for me every day.
0:04:50 > 0:04:56I've been up these stairs, you know, five times today already and that's wearing me out.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Arthritis means stairs are no longer an option for Bob, so a versatile
0:04:59 > 0:05:03living space will be key, but what else are they looking for?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Something with a bit of character.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09I quite like conversions, either barns, chapels...
0:05:09 > 0:05:14What I'm looking for is a spacious home that would allow me
0:05:14 > 0:05:18to live mostly on the ground floor, with a bedroom and a bathroom.
0:05:18 > 0:05:25Whilst James lives in a very modern, almost minimalist, flat, Bob's home is crammed full of
0:05:25 > 0:05:31period features and furniture, so will these two be able to agree on what they really want?
0:05:31 > 0:05:34I'm more for the more modern interiors than Bob.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36I'd hate something old-fashioned.
0:05:36 > 0:05:42I don't mind modern if it's got some period features, but a completely modern house, I don't know...
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Well, I could adjust to it.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48'Style-wise, then, this could be quite a tricky balancing act,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50'but at least they're agreed on the space they want.'
0:05:50 > 0:05:56This is what passes for my kitchen, but originally it was a box room, so that's why it's so small.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01I love to cook and part of the joy of cooking for me is preparation,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05and there's just simply no space in here to do any of that.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08And, of course, you need somewhere for your wine.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10Well...keep that in the cellar.
0:06:10 > 0:06:11Oh, we're getting a cellar, are we?!
0:06:11 > 0:06:14And outside is equally important.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18This is Bob's garden, very easy to maintain. It's also secluded.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22This is the sort of garden we would like in our new place, but a bit bigger.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24A barbecue area would be really good.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28But, for opera fan Bob, it's the interior space he wants to up-scale.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33This is what somebody affectionately referred to as my "wall of sound".
0:06:33 > 0:06:36There are tapes all over the house, a DVD collection,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38and I, literally, have no place to put them anymore.
0:06:38 > 0:06:44I would like to have a room where I could separate where I live from the actual collection.
0:06:44 > 0:06:50Before they can home in on their new country pile, they need to know just what they can afford,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54so we've invited a local estate agent round to value Bob's home.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58This is a substantial Edwardian family home,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01on three floors, with five bedrooms. In my opinion,
0:07:01 > 0:07:03the value is £650,000.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11That's a good sum of money, but do they intend spending it all on their new pad?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14After pooling our finances, we will have money to live on.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Our budget should be round about the £550,000 mark.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25As I've understood our brief, what we're looking for is a four-bedroomed
0:07:25 > 0:07:29house with at least one of the bedrooms and a bathroom down on the ground floor.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Also space for Bob's amazingly huge operatic collection,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36though I haven't quite fathomed how big that actually is.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38I'm sure I'll find out.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42And then a manageable garden although, interestingly, at this budget in this area,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46most properties come with enormous gardens, so that might be a problem.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51To maximise our chances of finding Bob and James
0:07:51 > 0:07:55their very spacious dream house, we're starting today's property
0:07:55 > 0:07:57search on the Cornish side of the River Tamar,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59where they should get more for their money.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02To appeal to their very different tastes, we'll be viewing
0:08:02 > 0:08:05a real mix of contemporary and character country homes.
0:08:05 > 0:08:11As always, I'll be staying tight-lipped on the price tags until they've had a good look round.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Last of the three is the Mystery House, which should challenge them to think outside the box.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21- Hello, gents.- Hi.- Hi. You've made it to the amazing Tamar valley.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Isn't it gorgeous? - A change from smoky old London?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- It certainly does.- My God, yes.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31Now, why have you picked this bit of narrow little corridor of the West Country? Why here?
0:08:31 > 0:08:36Well, it's far enough away from London, but it's still accessible
0:08:36 > 0:08:39to the main roads if you want to get to the airport or anything.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Yeah. Exeter, as well. You can go to all those places.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Your budget is a bit more fluid than we originally thought?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Yes, we've extended it slightly.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- How slightly? - Well, about...50,000, maybe?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- So you could stretch up to 600? - 600, yes.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Very good. That's very good news.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- It is?- Excellent, yes. And this is the first time you guys have
0:09:00 > 0:09:04bought a property together, so are there going to be any style issues?
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Possibly, because I'm more minimalist and tidy and you're...
0:09:08 > 0:09:11- I'm more into clutter. - More into clutter.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Clutter makes a home, I always feel. - Let's call it maximalist.- All right.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17I'm not sure I can pronounce that!
0:09:17 > 0:09:22Well, hopefully we'll find you a property with plenty of space so you can spread out.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24That's really what we're looking for.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Well, we'd better get looking. Shall we get in the car? Let's go.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31So, for a top budget of £600,000,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Bob and James have a pretty long wish list.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37They want a four-bedroom character home with ground-floor sleeping
0:09:37 > 0:09:40accommodation for Bob and at least two separate reception rooms.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43A huge kitchen-diner is a must,
0:09:43 > 0:09:45whilst a big country garden is a must-not.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49But with their opposite tastes in decor, I have a feeling meeting both
0:09:49 > 0:09:54of their needs under just one roof is going to be quite a challenge.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58I know you've got this issue with your opera collection.
0:09:58 > 0:10:03- Yes.- I haven't quite got my head around how big that is. How many...?
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Do you need a whole extra room or two...?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Yes, or three.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13I probably have more CDs than most record shops have, so it's quite extensive.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16That's your primary concern. What about you, James?
0:10:16 > 0:10:21I'd just like some really nice room to show off my collection of paintings, modern paintings,
0:10:21 > 0:10:28and somewhere to chill out with a really large 50-inch TV screen.
0:10:28 > 0:10:29That would be really great.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34Well, our first property certainly has plenty of chilling-out space.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37It's situated on the outskirts of the Cornish village of Calstock,
0:10:37 > 0:10:41In the heart of the Tamar valley, 20 miles north of Plymouth.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44Its riverside setting takes some beating.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50Almost clinging to the banks of the Tamar, Calstock has been an important port since Saxon times,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54but its heyday came with the Victorian mining boom
0:10:54 > 0:10:56and the construction of the mighty viaduct.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01The miners are long-gone, but their stone cottages still line the narrow streets.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04The village is served by the Gunnislake to Plymouth line,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07if Bob and James feel like branching out,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09or for an entirely more sedate mode of travel,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12they can take the village ferry from shore to shore.
0:11:12 > 0:11:18We don't have to hire a boat, though, as our property is just on the edge of the village.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- What do you think of this? - Very nice.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Very nice indeed. I quite like it. Is that slate on the front?
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- That's Cornish slate. Not just any old slate.- Cornish slate.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31It was a tin miner's cottage. It's been extended.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36It's obviously quite a deal bigger than it was when it was first built. Let's have a look inside.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40This cottage delivers on versatile living space.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44In we come.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- Straight into the kitchen. - Now that I like.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Because you can just come right in and put your groceries down.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54- You don't have to climb 15 stairs. - This is your area, isn't it?- It is.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Is it going to be big enough?- No.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02It's really not much bigger than what I've got now, and I was hoping for one three times the size.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Three times the size. I shall make a mental note.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09I wanted a gigantic kitchen. Lots of workspace.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12For me, this is a nice size. It's workable.
0:12:12 > 0:12:16But then, you cook and leave everything out, whereas I put things away.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- You're the tidy one, aren't you? - Yes. I like the finish. Nice and modern.
0:12:20 > 0:12:26There's a little more space. Next door you've got a large dining room, but I know you've got special
0:12:26 > 0:12:30requirements in terms of wanting a downstairs bedroom. Let's talk about that.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35'Tricky. James likes it but Bob seems to have written this property off already.
0:12:35 > 0:12:41'Let's see if we can turn him around with his own annexe, complete with bedroom, study and bathroom.'
0:12:41 > 0:12:46- You don't look totally wowed. - Well, no. I'm not wowed, and I'll tell you why.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51I was hoping for a bedroom that had en suite,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55rather than having to walk from there down to here.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I can see there are several little steps.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Small steps, but steps, to get to the bathroom.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04That could be a problem at 3:00am.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Let's look at the rest of the house.
0:13:06 > 0:13:12'I know Bob doesn't want stairs, but I hadn't realised one step would be an issue.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16'Hopefully, the rest of his quarters will get a better reaction.'
0:13:16 > 0:13:20This is the downstairs bedroom. At the moment.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22But it could be any number of things.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I think it's nice. I like it.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27Bob would be the one living down here, so...
0:13:27 > 0:13:31There's the step issue but I think it's nicely set out.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- As a bedroom, it's not too small. - There's a bigger option downstairs.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Let's have a look at that.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42'Right next door is a living room, where Bob should feel right at home,
0:13:42 > 0:13:45as it's full of the owners' artwork.'
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- This is the most spacious room downstairs.- Very nice.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52This is the extension they put this way into the cottage.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56You can see how the rooms are much bigger and less cramped.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03- Also, there seems to be more light. - Much more. This is south-west facing. You get afternoon sunlight.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- They're very nice views.- My storage room and your sun room.
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- Well, no. If you use it for storage, where's my TV room?- Oh, right.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- It would go there.- Sorry, I forgot.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Such a waste to put an opera collection in here.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19'Oh dear, disagreeing already.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22But there's no need, as upstairs there are plenty of options.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25For a start, this guest room could be used for storage,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27and James has his own separatebathroom.'
0:14:30 > 0:14:33This, I guess, would be your bedroom, James.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35The view is superb.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Amazing view, yeah.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- What about the size, for you? - Perfect.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Don't be so brash, where are you going to put your clothes?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48You do have that little bedroom over there,
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and you've got a bit of storage, here.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54He's going to have all the room downstairs with his opera collection.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Out of bed in the morning, onto the balcony to do your morning exercises.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03- Breathe the fresh air.- I'm not sure there's room for aerobics out there.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06A beautiful balcony. It's quite slippy, mind yourself.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12And so unspoilt. You don't have anybody overlooking you.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- It's all your view. - Absolutely fabulous.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18But, that's not all the upstairs has to offer.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Back in.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31'I'm saving the best room for last, for James, anyway.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- That's a surprise. - It is, isn't it?- This is fabulous.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- Why couldn't this be downstairs?- He's getting envious of your space!
0:15:46 > 0:15:52- This is really good. - It would be a great space, I thought, for an upstairs lounge.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Very spacious. I was not expecting this at all.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- What would you do with it?- I'd have a nice, large television, there.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02It would be great. Let's have a peek outside.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05'I know Bob and James want a little garden,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09'however, small gardens and big, country houses don't usually go together.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13'But this one is relatively manageableat just under an acre.'
0:16:13 > 0:16:17The best thing about this property is the view from the land.
0:16:17 > 0:16:24The land itself is quite small, because it's just all this hedgerow, the ditch,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- over to there, beyond those trees. - Quite large.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32- It's enough. Larger than a London... - Larger than my current one.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34But it's not unmanageable.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Looking at the property from here, and considering the location,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40what do you think it's on the market at?
0:16:41 > 0:16:43I'd probably say 499.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46It's difficult because I don't know the area.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49I would say a bit lower.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53470.
0:16:53 > 0:16:54Right.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Well, it's on the market at your price.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- Offers around 500. - Oh, right.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05So that's the benchmark of prices in the area.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08Obviously, in the current climate,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- there's quite a bit of leeway. - Yes.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16Now you're armed with that bit of information, have a wander round, we'll meet at the front.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18'Well, we're off to an interesting start.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22'This house is a hit for James but a miss for Bob.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27'At half a million pounds, it's a massive £100,000 under budget,
0:17:27 > 0:17:30'and has nearly everything they've asked for.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34'Three reception rooms, three bedrooms and the downstairs annexe.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39'But neither the annexe nor the kitchen is quite right for Bob,
0:17:39 > 0:17:44'so we're going to have to look harder at finding something that suits both their tastes.'
0:17:44 > 0:17:48The major sticking point in this house would be the kitchen.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52Because, frankly, it is no larger than the kitchen I have already,
0:17:52 > 0:17:54and there's no workable space.
0:17:54 > 0:18:01The other problem would be that the ideal room for my purposes, in terms of my music collection,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05would be the upstairs artist room, but I don't want to have to climb those stairs.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07It's just not practical.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10Well, this is a fabulous room.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13It's a terrific size. It's great.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17But that wall cries out for a "wall of sound", to me.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22- But then you can't do the stairs. - I can't do the stairs.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26For me, it's great, but I have to think about Bob as well.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28I don't think that downstairs would work for him.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I could make it work but I don't think Bob can.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I've been exploring the bottom of your garden. It's very nice.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- The whole of Cornwall is at your foot slips.- I know. It's great.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48'Despite having visited both Devon and Cornwall before,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51'the Tamar valley is a relatively unknown area for Bob and James,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55'so before making the all-important decision to buy,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59'they are keen to soak up some of the region's many cultural and scenic highlights.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03'First stop is the thriving market town of Tavistock in Devon.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09'The birthplace of Sir Frances Drake, its rich historical past is in evidence just about everywhere,
0:19:09 > 0:19:14and the remains of Tavistock Abbey are a must-see for history buffs.'
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It would have been mammoth, I would have thought.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20And quite inspiring.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'The abbey was founded in 961, but was destroyed in the 1500s,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27'during the dissolution of the monasteries,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30'when the monks surrendered it for a paltry £100.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36'For some peace and quiet, the river Tavy, running through the centre of the town,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39'is the perfect setting for a gentle stroll.
0:19:39 > 0:19:45'But the Tavy isn't just pretty, it played a vital role in the 1800s' industrial boom
0:19:45 > 0:19:49'by feeding the Tavistock canal, which serviced the Cornish port
0:19:49 > 0:19:52'and mining town of Morwellham Quay, three miles away.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57'Once the busiest port in the UK - at its peak busier, even, than Liverpool,
0:19:57 > 0:19:59'the village is now a heritage site
0:19:59 > 0:20:02'and is preserved in all its Victorian glory.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06'Well worth a visit to appreciate the region's past, even in the rain.
0:20:08 > 0:20:14Imagine what it must have been like to live in a thriving village like this in Victorian times.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17'Dawn Todd, Morwellham Quay's education co-ordinator,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20'is more than happy to give Bob and James the answer.'
0:20:20 > 0:20:23You see behind you the river Tamar.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Boats would travel up the river to Plymouth in that direction, carrying ore.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Behind you, you can see the tracks for the wagons.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34These would carry the ore from the mine down to the dressing floor,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38where the girls, the bal maidens, would work with young children,
0:20:38 > 0:20:44breaking rocks all day long, so that they could reveal the copper at the centre of the rocks.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46'That sounds like hard work.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50'Let's hope finding Bob and James their dream country house won't be.'
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- Thank you very, very much. That was wonderful.- No problem.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- Thank you.- Bye-bye, now.
0:20:59 > 0:21:06'We're venturing north-west towards the wilds of Bodmin Moor
0:21:06 > 0:21:08'and the edges of the old mining village of Pensilva.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14'If it's peace and quiet Bob and James are after, this little village should be perfect.
0:21:14 > 0:21:21'It started life specifically to house miners during the expansion of the copper mines at nearby Caradon.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23'What's left of that industrial boom is a vast array
0:21:23 > 0:21:30'of quarry-stone cottages, but our property is on the outskirts of Pensilva, overlooking the valley.'
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Look where I've brought you.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Fabulous.- Isn't it good? - I can hear the river.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- Your own valley.- That's beautiful.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44And this is an ideal property, because you come in at the top.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49It's a sort of upside-down house, then there's another floor underneath, which will be yours.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- It look very small from this angle, but I'm sure it's not. - I'm sure it goes long ways.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56You're seeing the end of it, if you can imagine.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59'This house was originally two cottages built in 1850,
0:21:59 > 0:22:03'but converted into a single dwelling ten years ago.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06'There's one thing that it's not - and that's small.'
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Come into your, hopefully, dream kitchen.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- You like it?- Yes!- It's big, huh?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- I love it. Everywhere I look, there's counter space.- Exactly.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It's just fabulous.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26It's huge. Huge. It really is huge.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- Enough space for you... - I think so, yes.- ..to create!
0:22:31 > 0:22:32Success!
0:22:32 > 0:22:35'I think Bob's a bit overwhelmed.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38'I just hope the rest of this floor can live up to that kitchen.'
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Now, Bob, there are some steps but, at the moment, this is
0:22:42 > 0:22:46used as the bedroom, largely because of this exceptional view.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49It is exceptional, isn't it?
0:22:49 > 0:22:51I like it, yes, very much.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Would you have issues with the steps?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Well, I can do one or two steps.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- It's having to climb a flight of steps that I'm trying to avoid.- OK.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02I think this is just about right.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06Let's take a look at next door, and then you can make a decision about what goes where.
0:23:06 > 0:23:13'So far, so good. Even the steps and lack of en-suite don't seem to be dampening Bob's spirits.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- And more steps.- Right. - So, a nice log burner...
0:23:17 > 0:23:22No, actually, it's a fake gas fire, but it gives off a lot of heat.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27This would be your drawing-room/lounge/opera room.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Yes, I think it has potential for that.- 'I would say that's a result.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33'And next door is Bob's bathroom.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36'It may not be an en suite, but it's definitely roomy.'
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- I think I could fit in that.- Very good.- Put plants in the bath tub.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43It's a nice size.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46'That should be Bob's upstairs accommodation sorted,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48'but when they see downstairs, they might have other plans.'
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Now, downstairs, they've replaced the steps with ramps...
0:23:52 > 0:23:58- Right.- ..because there is the option of actually reversing the whole set-up and you could have this floor
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- and then French doors that open out into the garden. - Wake up to that in the morning.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05They've put this awning across the French windows.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09I don't quite know why, cos you could get rid of it and get a lot more light.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13You'll see there are...three, four, five rooms off this corridor
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- and they do get a lot of light, so let's have a look at those.- Right.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19'This ground floor just keeps on going.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22'There are two guest bedrooms - one is currently a study -
0:24:22 > 0:24:26'a small sitting room and a guest bathroom.'
0:24:26 > 0:24:27This, I guess, would be your TV room.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Oh, very nice.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31Is this kind of enough for what you need?
0:24:31 > 0:24:34For me, yes, perfect.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Well, now, if you didn't have this as a TV room...
0:24:36 > 0:24:41- Yeah?- ..I think I could get the entire collection into this room.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45I'm living upstairs, aren't I?
0:24:45 > 0:24:47You're being edged upstairs.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49But what about the stairs?
0:24:49 > 0:24:53You'd have to negotiate the stairs a fair bit to get to the kitchen.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Yes.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00Well, when I say I could fit the entire collection in here, I'm talking about storage,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04so I don't come down and take out
0:25:06 > 0:25:07the CDs that often.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10What I'm thinking of is some place to put them...
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Oh.- ..where I'm not having to live with them.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15But he is.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18But he'd have to find somewhere else to put his TV!
0:25:18 > 0:25:23That's all I'm saying, if he found somewhere else to put his TV,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25then this would be ideal for that.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29'James seems suitably unimpressed with that idea.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32'Maybe sharing a house will be more difficult than they anticipated.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36'Let's nip this debate in the bud and get them outside.
0:25:36 > 0:25:41If they thought the last garden was big, wait 'til they see this one. Over two acres.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43If you turn, you can get a better look at the house.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It's big, huh?
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- It is very large, yes.- So the big question is - can you afford it?
0:25:48 > 0:25:50How much do you think it is?
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I would say 575.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58I was thinking more in terms of 595.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Well, you're both wrong.
0:26:02 > 0:26:08It is actually a shade under £500,000.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14- Ah!- That was the sound of your jaw dropping.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19Not many people leave me speechless, but that line just left me speechless.
0:26:19 > 0:26:20Yes, it's a great bargain.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- Don't tell the owner!- No, no.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27If you want to start making your way upstairs - it might take some time...
0:26:27 > 0:26:29- I can afford the ski lift now. - Yeah, absolutely!
0:26:29 > 0:26:32Or a tunnel or a chute.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Yeah.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39That always makes me very happy, when people guesstimate the price
0:26:39 > 0:26:44of a house they really like about £75,000 over the real price.
0:26:44 > 0:26:51And I think they really like it and, bar the ski slope of a garden, it's got a lot going for it.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54'With a price tag of just under £500,000,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58'this house is massively under their £600,000 budget,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00'and what a lot of house there is for the money.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04'Bob gets his huge kitchen-diner, at least five times the size of
0:27:04 > 0:27:08'his one in London, there's ample upstairs/downstairs living space
0:27:08 > 0:27:15'for them both, if they can decide who gets which level. It has two reception rooms and four bedrooms.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19'The only thing I can see letting this house down is the two-acre garden.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22'It's not often I get to say that.'
0:27:22 > 0:27:25There's so much here. The downstairs bedroom,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28which I would have, is fabulous, and the price is incredible.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30I can't believe it.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Imagine getting up to that.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34It'd be well worth waking up, wouldn't it?
0:27:34 > 0:27:38I'm not sure how you'd manage the slopes on the different levels.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Well, I probably wouldn't.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- In terms of the garden, we'd have to get somebody in. - Oh, yes, it's too much.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47The rooms are quite nice, they look comfortable, they're useable.
0:27:47 > 0:27:52I want to separate out my living area from my music area and that is doable
0:27:52 > 0:27:58in this house, but the kitchen is ideal cos it had absolutely everything I was looking for.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01I can't think of one thing that's even missing.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05There's plenty of scope to do all kinds of things here.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Are you taking in your view?
0:28:07 > 0:28:12We are. We're just discussing who would do the gardening. Do you know a good gardener?
0:28:12 > 0:28:17Neither of you...? Well, I'd love you to just feast on all these lovely landscapes,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21but we've got much more of Cornwall and Devon to explore, so come on.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23That's true.
0:28:33 > 0:28:38'We may have found Bob his dream kitchen, so what better time for a spot of culinary inspiration?
0:28:38 > 0:28:43'To get the creative juices flowing, we've come to Buckland Abbey just outside of Tavistock
0:28:43 > 0:28:51- 'to meet Pat Coxson for a cookery masterclass of the historic kind.'- Welcome to Buckland Abbey.
0:28:51 > 0:28:56'Converted from the abbey into this grand Elizabethan manor in the late 1500s,
0:28:56 > 0:29:00'it was the family home of Tudor seafaring hero Sir Francis Drake,
0:29:00 > 0:29:07'and was owned by Drake's descendants until the 1940s when it was passed to the National Trust.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12'But it's the kitchens we're interested in, and the catering facilities here are far from modern.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17'Pat is more at home in traditional surroundings, knocking up traditional Tudor fare.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22'Whilst the normal Tudor diet was made up of bread, cheese and seasonal vegetables,
0:29:22 > 0:29:26'for important households like the Drakes, food was more elaborate
0:29:26 > 0:29:30'and, today, we're cooking a genuine 15th-century fish dish.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32I've cut a shape here.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35First we skin the piece of fish.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38I've learned something already.
0:29:38 > 0:29:44So, if you would like to use this bacon to wrap around the salmon.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47So if I move to your side...
0:29:47 > 0:29:50So salmon, presumably they would've just taken out of the river.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Would've taken them out of the river and they would also have fish ponds
0:29:53 > 0:29:56here, which would have meant they would be fully stocked.
0:29:56 > 0:29:57In fact, they were very self-sufficient.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01'This is a really simple recipe if you want to try it at home.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05'Use shortcrust pastry, cut into the fishy shape of your choosing,
0:30:05 > 0:30:09add a sprinkling of parsley, a splash of red wine,
0:30:09 > 0:30:12and the dish is almost complete.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15- Oh, I see. That's the Tudor way. - That's the Tudor way.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18'Seal with egg and crimp the pastry,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21'and our historic pasty is ready to be cooked.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25'In a modern oven, Tudor salmon en croute takes just 20 minutes.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32'And the proof, they say, is in the pudding and, for once, we're all speechless.'
0:30:37 > 0:30:39You approve?
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- I'm too busy.- You're too busy.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43I can't talk with my mouth full.
0:30:47 > 0:30:53'As the sun sets over the Tamar valley, Bob and James mull over the houses they have seen.'
0:30:54 > 0:30:56What did you think of the Calstock property?
0:30:56 > 0:31:00I liked it very much. It was great. The setting was fabulous.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04You couldn't fault the setting, but the thing that was out for me was the kitchen.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07That was way too small.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09I didn't think there was enough rooms.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Then there's the one in the valley, which was incredible.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I'm a bit speechless about that one.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18It had everything I wanted in a kitchen. It was fabulous.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Plus, it's got all those extra rooms.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24We'd probably be arguing over who had the downstairs bedroom.
0:31:24 > 0:31:30- There's enough rooms there, I'm sure we could sort it out. The views... - The views are wonderful.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I think it had everything that we needed in a home.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37I can't wait 'til tomorrow. See what Alistair's got for us.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48'Bob and James want to retire from London life and set up home
0:31:48 > 0:31:53'together in the Tamar Valley, on the border of Devon and Cornwall.
0:31:53 > 0:31:59'For their £600,000, they want a big character property with downstairs sleeping accommodation,
0:31:59 > 0:32:03space for their large opera and art collections, and a huge kitchen.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04It's just fabulous.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08But coming up, there's plenty more to whet their appetites.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09My Lord!
0:32:09 > 0:32:12And will today's Mystery House get the thumbs-up?
0:32:12 > 0:32:15Chef definitely says yes.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20Another beautiful Cornish morning.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23This is something I love about the countryside. The honesty box.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27You can get your blue hen's eggs, £1.20, and no food miles.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30But as regards to our house hunt for James and Bob,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33yesterday we showed them lovely countryside locations,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36but quite modern properties and interiors.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Today we're going to go along the rustic route.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45Since Bob and James seem to love the Cornish countryside so much,
0:32:45 > 0:32:48we're sticking to the western side of the Tamar
0:32:48 > 0:32:54and heading to the outskirts of the village of St Cleer, situated on the southern slopes of Bodmin Moor.
0:32:53 > 0:32:59This lofty moorland village started as - yes, you've guessed it - a mining town.
0:32:59 > 0:33:05Today, it offers residents a large slice of rural tranquillity, ideal for Bob and James.
0:33:05 > 0:33:11St Cleer has two pubs and a post office, but the real focal point is the medieval church of St Clarus
0:33:11 > 0:33:14whose well waters are said to have healing properties.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19Perhaps a quick splash could ease Bob's aching joints.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22And, as you'd expect, the majority of houses here are
0:33:22 > 0:33:26old mining properties, so character homes aren't in short supply.
0:33:26 > 0:33:31Well, if I speak personally, I don't think we've found a more beautiful
0:33:31 > 0:33:36- rural location in quite some time than this.- I have to say - wow!
0:33:36 > 0:33:39I wasn't going to say it, but wow!
0:33:39 > 0:33:42Cornwall has come up trumps here because this is the River Fowey,
0:33:42 > 0:33:44these banks are yours.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47Could be yours. You have fishing rights.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51There's brown trout, all sorts of trout, and also otters.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53Oh, wonderful.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56Can you imagine sitting here, watching the otters?
0:33:56 > 0:34:01I certainly can. I've got my chair and my tree picked out already.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05'And these two said outside space wasn't that important.'
0:34:05 > 0:34:10Not a massive amount of land - that's good for you - but you do get this!
0:34:10 > 0:34:12My goodness.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15- That's beautiful. - You're going to get a double wow!
0:34:15 > 0:34:16Double wow! Ah.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21- It's very old.- It looks old! - And yet it's clean in features.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25If the inside's anything like the outside, how soon can I move in?
0:34:25 > 0:34:28Is this your dream country cottage?
0:34:28 > 0:34:35I think it looks fabulous, but I'm a bit concerned whether it's going to be big enough inside.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38'Built in 1850, this traditional cottage
0:34:38 > 0:34:44'is the smallest house we're seeing, but what it lacks in stature, it makes up for in character.'
0:34:44 > 0:34:46It's very different from the other interiors.
0:34:46 > 0:34:51- It is, yes.- I find it a bit dark, and I'm a bit concerned
0:34:51 > 0:34:56as to where to put paintings, but it's got so much character.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58There'll have to be lots and lots of compromises.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Yes, I have to agree with that.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04So this was... They had it as a restaurant,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08as a restaurant for a long time, so this was the dining room where the guests came.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10- The fireplace is... - It's wonderful.
0:35:10 > 0:35:16It's got a bread oven where you can let your bread raise, and this hook where also you can put this...
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- Kettle on there.- You can cook steak and kidney pudding on there.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21Does it have a kitchen?
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- No, you remember I said this was a restaurant?- Yes.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- So what comes with a restaurant? - A massive kitchen.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Oh, yes, a massive kitchen.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32I forgot! It's what we came for.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Wow.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41- My God!- Yes!
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Oh, my Lord!
0:35:43 > 0:35:45- There's some serious cooking going on here.- There is.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47There certainly is.
0:35:47 > 0:35:51I've never seen a cooker like that.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53That's because it was a restaurant.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56From the restaurant trade. And you've got all this as well.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59So again, it's a different sort of tone from the one we saw.
0:35:59 > 0:36:00Very different, yes.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04It's certainly workable, that's for sure.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08And also, you've got a second exit, which is always good for French farce moments.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10THEY LAUGH
0:36:10 > 0:36:14'So plenty of space here for Bob to show off his culinary skills,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17'but will the rest of his quarters be roomy enough?'
0:36:17 > 0:36:20So another set of steps.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23These are quite easy to do.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26This wing - let's call it a wing, shall we?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- This wing is eight years old.- Right.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31It's more modern than the rest of the house.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34So this is... I was thinking of it as your bedroom.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38- Right, yes.- It's got a nice en-suite with a big double shower.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Oh, yes, that's enough room.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- It's not massive. And then you've got a built-in closet.- Right.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51I get the impression it's not big enough for you.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56Well, I have a walk-in closet where I live now, so I'm quite used
0:36:56 > 0:37:02to that, and I'm the sort of person that, if you give me space, I fill it up, so my closet is choc-a-block.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- If we give you a little space, do you thin it out?- No.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07I didn't think it would work.
0:37:07 > 0:37:08But you have got a walk-in next door.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10I move when you give me a little space!
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- How about this?- Oh, this is lovely.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19It's got a fireplace as well.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24This is a proper fireplace, wood-burner, and I was thinking this could be your opera room.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28It has potential. Lots of wall space for putting the shelving on.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31- I'm just thinking this would be a nice TV room!- Ah...
0:37:31 > 0:37:33- Here we go. - So where's the TV room gone?
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Well, shall we look upstairs cos that's your realm.
0:37:36 > 0:37:42OK. It would make a nice TV room, wouldn't it, cos you could put the TV over the fire.
0:37:42 > 0:37:46'Ah, the ongoing TV-versus-opera-room battle.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49'It's becoming quite a feature of our house tours.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51'Maybe upstairs has the solution.
0:37:51 > 0:37:55'There's a study area and guest room, neither of which are huge, but could
0:37:55 > 0:37:58'be rejigged to create more space for a flat screen.'
0:38:00 > 0:38:03And then we've got a nice family bathroom here.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10There's no shower. That's easily remedied.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Lots of wall space but you can't put many paintings.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17Not in the bathroom, no.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19And then your bedroom in here.
0:38:19 > 0:38:25This, I suppose, is what they'd call the master bedroom, although they're all the same sort of size.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27That's a good size.
0:38:27 > 0:38:32It's quite small but if the other room was a dressing room, it wouldn't make any difference.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35No, could use it as an en-suite.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37It's lovely but I don't think it's going to work.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41I mean, the setting and the aspect is absolutely wonderful,
0:38:41 > 0:38:45but the room sizes just don't seem to be quite big enough.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50Maybe I should get you back outside and get you all kind of enchanted by the setting again.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- And the otters.- Let's go and see if the otters will persuade you.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55OK!
0:38:55 > 0:39:01Oh, what a shame. Such a beautiful setting but they're right, it is a bit small.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09Of course, the garden isn't lacking in size at all, nearly two acres.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13On the plus side, there's a workshop which already has planning permission to be extended by 50%
0:39:13 > 0:39:18so potentially a good storage place for Bob's CDs.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21This is a...
0:39:21 > 0:39:23I mean, it is a stunning location.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25It is.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28How much do you think this is on the market for?
0:39:28 > 0:39:30580.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34I think this is more. I think the location is stunning, it's a fabulous house.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39I think it's above the budget. I would say 625.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Well, you're both very pessimistic on the prices.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45This is actually on the market for 575,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49- and it's been on the market for about nine months.- Really?
0:39:49 > 0:39:51So have a stroll around and we'll meet out front.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53- Right.- OK.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Yeah, I can't really see the inside space working so
0:39:57 > 0:40:04well, not with the massive opera collection, the massive TV, but it's such a shame because this...
0:40:04 > 0:40:06It's got to be priceless, surely?
0:40:10 > 0:40:16'At £575,000, this cottage is still £25,000 under budget.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20'It definitely delivers in terms of character and comes complete with
0:40:20 > 0:40:24'a professional kitchen, three bedrooms and two reception rooms.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27'But I don't think character or location
0:40:27 > 0:40:31'is going to make up for the cosy dimensions.'
0:40:31 > 0:40:37The setting is stunning, the house is beautiful, the rooms just don't work for us.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39My heart wants to buy, my head says no.
0:40:39 > 0:40:40This is a nice size.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Oh, yes, it is. This would
0:40:43 > 0:40:46make a great music room if it was attached to the house.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- You could still use it for storage.- That's true.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51It's a very useful space.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54It is. The only problem is that the rooms are too small.
0:40:54 > 0:41:00I don't think there's adequate space here to accommodate everything that I have and everything that James has,
0:41:00 > 0:41:03which is too bad, because I'm really in love with it.
0:41:03 > 0:41:07If I were to change my lifestyle and throw everything away, I'd buy it tomorrow.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- Bye-bye, pretty cottage. - Yes, goodbye.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17- Farewell.- Bye-bye, otters, if they actually exist. - Mustn't forget the otters!
0:41:23 > 0:41:29'As this is a retirement move, Bob and James will have plenty more time to indulge in their hobbies.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34'For Bob, that's cookery and opera, but it's art James is interested in,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37'and he couldn't have picked a better spot than Cornwall or Devon.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40'The region is home to hundreds of artists and galleries,
0:41:40 > 0:41:45'so they're dropping into the studios of local portrait sculptor, Luke Shepherd,
0:41:45 > 0:41:48'where James can try his hand at modern art of his own.'
0:41:48 > 0:41:50- I'm Luke.- Luke, I'm Bob.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53'Luke's sculptures range from traditional to modern.
0:41:53 > 0:41:58'And he's been commissioned by a host of celebrities and politicians.'
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- James, I hear you like abstract art. - I'm very much into modern art.
0:42:02 > 0:42:09Not that I don't appreciate the old stuff. I'd like something a bit quirky, a bit unusual.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11- Can Bob be a model? - Why not? Bob's a good model.
0:42:11 > 0:42:16- I'll sit over there, shall I? - That's a good modelling chair.
0:42:16 > 0:42:22'Traditionally, Luke uses clay as his base sculpting material, and copper casts the end product.
0:42:22 > 0:42:27'But for James' modern sculpture, he's made plaster blocks moulded in drainpipes,
0:42:27 > 0:42:31'which will make up the main body of abstract Bob.'
0:42:31 > 0:42:34This'll form the structure, the armature, of the piece.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36We're going to put the shoulders across here.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39From now on, you need to start making decisions.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41How wide do you want the shoulders to be?
0:42:41 > 0:42:46'This building block technique is really simple and ideal for beginners.'
0:42:46 > 0:42:48The plaster mixes into the water.
0:42:48 > 0:42:53Then a quick stir and you end up with a thick, gooey paste,
0:42:53 > 0:42:55which is going to act like a glue and cement.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00'The whole piece is then covered with the plaster mix.
0:43:00 > 0:43:06'It's at this point you can create the sculpture's shape and texture and add personal flourishes.'
0:43:09 > 0:43:10That's the way to do it.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13The only part of the sculpture I've seen is the back part.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15When do I get to see the front part?
0:43:15 > 0:43:19'The great thing about the plaster, for impatient models,
0:43:19 > 0:43:23'is that it dries quite rapidly, so artists need to act quickly.'
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- OK. You ready?- Ready. - How about that?
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Oh my God! That's amazing!
0:43:29 > 0:43:32That's fantastic. I really like that.
0:43:32 > 0:43:37'Let's hope one of the homes we show them will be the perfect setting for modern Bob.
0:43:41 > 0:43:48My carefully worked-out theory that James's desire for sleek-line minimalism was crushing Bob's more
0:43:48 > 0:43:52varied and colourful desire for rustic clutter has completely gone
0:43:52 > 0:43:58out of the window because neither of them really cared for the beautiful interiors of that rustic cottage.
0:43:58 > 0:44:04However, they do want big rooms with white walls so they can hang lots of art, and the Mystery House has both
0:44:04 > 0:44:10of those, including something that's going to please the sun-loving James and the sun-hating Bob.
0:44:14 > 0:44:17So what about the Mystery House? What will it be?
0:44:17 > 0:44:23Maybe a converted barn or something like that, or school or something similar.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25We'll see.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28'The big reveal isn't far away.
0:44:28 > 0:44:33'It is, however, the very first property we're viewing in Devon, as we're on our way
0:44:33 > 0:44:36'to the north-eastern outskirts of the Tamar valley,
0:44:36 > 0:44:38'and the countryside around the village of Lifton.
0:44:38 > 0:44:44'Situated in the valley of the River Lyd, Lifton is one of the earliest recorded villages in West Devon,
0:44:44 > 0:44:49'and is mentioned in King Alfred's will of 880AD.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54With its ancient brooks and streams criss-crossing the land, the village is tranquillity personified.
0:44:54 > 0:45:01Although Lifton prospered during the mining boom, leaving in its wake a wealth of fine Victorian homes,
0:45:01 > 0:45:05it's farming that has always been the mainstay of life here.
0:45:05 > 0:45:10The Mystery House is on the outskirts of the village and should be the perfect combination
0:45:10 > 0:45:13of character and contemporary living. Fingers crossed.
0:45:13 > 0:45:19- Your guess about the barns wasn't far wrong.- No, I can see that.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23But what a barn conversion it is.
0:45:23 > 0:45:26- It's very unusual. - That is different.
0:45:26 > 0:45:30- There are barn conversions and there are barn conversions. This is the gold standard.- Is it?
0:45:30 > 0:45:32Well, I must say I like it already.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35- Really?- Yes. - Should we go in?- We should.
0:45:35 > 0:45:37Please.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45'This old cider barn was converted in 2003.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49'It's beautifully finished and comes with lots of space.'
0:45:49 > 0:45:52This is the vestibule.
0:45:52 > 0:45:53- Vestibule.- Beautiful oak floors.
0:45:53 > 0:45:57- Isn't that beautiful? - Proper, proper oak.- Yes.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59Let's look at the winter room, shall we?
0:45:59 > 0:46:01Bob, I think this is yours.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05The winter room.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07Very nice.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09Now, how do you feel about the size of the rooms?
0:46:09 > 0:46:11- It's an excellent size.- Right.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14You've got lots of wall space.
0:46:14 > 0:46:17Some original touches. These are the original beams that they salvaged from the original barn.
0:46:17 > 0:46:20But it's a whole wing, actually.
0:46:20 > 0:46:25They use it for guests here, so the guests come and go without having to bother the owners.
0:46:25 > 0:46:29So let's take a look at the rest of the wing.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31- OK.- Then, here we have
0:46:31 > 0:46:34your bedroom, I guess, Bob.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36Oh, another good-sized room.
0:46:36 > 0:46:39Very good size. The wardrobe's very large.
0:46:39 > 0:46:42Space for storage.
0:46:42 > 0:46:46But there's more. This wing is completely self-contained
0:46:46 > 0:46:50with a tiny kitchen and bathroom, separated only by a partition wall.
0:46:50 > 0:46:54You could just knock this wall out and make it a huge wet room.
0:46:54 > 0:46:55- Yes.- Isn't that funny?
0:46:55 > 0:46:57I was thinking the same thing.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00Before we see your wing, let's take a look at the kitchen.
0:47:00 > 0:47:04Oh, that's right, I have to have a kitchen, don't I?
0:47:06 > 0:47:11For the main event, we need to go back through the annexe.
0:47:11 > 0:47:14Culinary heaven, or not?
0:47:14 > 0:47:16- What does the big chef think?- Yes.
0:47:16 > 0:47:21- Chef says yes.- Chef definitely says yes.- Do we like the granite tops?
0:47:21 > 0:47:26I love the granite tops, I love the fact that there's the island in the middle. I've never had one.
0:47:26 > 0:47:28This is really nicely done, isn't it?
0:47:28 > 0:47:30- It is.- It's very high-end finish.
0:47:30 > 0:47:35- Quality stuff.- Well, you could stay here if you like because it's his turn now, his wing.
0:47:35 > 0:47:40Oh, no, no, no. I want to find out what he's got that I don't have!
0:47:40 > 0:47:44And judging on past performances, Bob will probably want it too.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47Let's start with the living room.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51Welcome to the summer wing.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53Yes!
0:47:53 > 0:47:56Look at that. What a view!
0:47:56 > 0:47:58That is incredible.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01I have a feeling you're home.
0:48:01 > 0:48:02Yes.
0:48:02 > 0:48:07Now, if you can't get a 92" television on that wall, then there's something wrong!
0:48:07 > 0:48:09- It's great, isn't it? - This is unbelievable.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12It's a lovely, lovely reception room. Lots of light.
0:48:12 > 0:48:16And if there's not enough white walls to put your paintings...
0:48:16 > 0:48:18- It's practically a gallery.- It is.
0:48:18 > 0:48:22- This is not all. This is the beginning of the summer wing. - Oh, my goodness.
0:48:24 > 0:48:26And this is the summer lounge.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28Very nice.
0:48:28 > 0:48:33They're using it as the dining room, but you could use it for whatever you liked.
0:48:33 > 0:48:35It's fabulous, again.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37And again, the size.
0:48:37 > 0:48:40'There's no end to the space in this barn.
0:48:40 > 0:48:45'Right next door is a study which I'm sure, if Bob asks nicely, James will
0:48:45 > 0:48:50'give up for some CDs, because upstairs is just as spacious.'
0:48:50 > 0:48:52This is the upstairs bathroom. Very nice size.
0:48:52 > 0:48:54Very nice size.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56Oh, wow, that's a nice shower.
0:48:56 > 0:48:59- Nice shower. Yeah, that is nice. - Lots of space.
0:48:59 > 0:49:03There is a miraculously large amount of space. From the outside, it doesn't look as big.
0:49:03 > 0:49:08- No, I can't believe it.- Let's see the master bedroom.- OK.- All right.
0:49:08 > 0:49:13- After you.- On this landing, there's also a double bedroom and two single
0:49:13 > 0:49:16rooms, so more than enough space for storage and visitors.
0:49:16 > 0:49:20- Ta-da!- Wow. The master bedroom this is.
0:49:20 > 0:49:24The master bedroom. So while you can still get up the stairs,
0:49:24 > 0:49:27you'll have to fight over this one.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31- Right.- Cos you've got enormous closet space.- Yes.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34- That works.- And, if you take a look over there, your own en-suite.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44Wow, downstairs. Mind the step. This is a nice size.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47- This is different. - Nice shower, and the bath.
0:49:47 > 0:49:51'House tours don't really go much better than this
0:49:51 > 0:49:55'and I can't see the outside space putting them off either.'
0:49:55 > 0:49:59And the garden - like everything about this property, perfectly sized, I think.
0:49:59 > 0:50:04- It's perfect.- It is. Absolutely. - Even I could manage that.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07Yeah, that's just an afternoon's gentle mowing, isn't it?
0:50:07 > 0:50:09- Yeah.- Not gentle, but yes.
0:50:09 > 0:50:14If we step back onto the lawn, get the full glory of the property.
0:50:14 > 0:50:16- So are you both happy?- Very happy.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19- I think we are.- Overly happy.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21Until I tell you the price.
0:50:21 > 0:50:22Oh, no.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24How much do you think it costs?
0:50:24 > 0:50:29Would you be that mean? I'm hoping you wouldn't be mean and I'm hoping it'll be...
0:50:29 > 0:50:35I'm pushing it at 600. I think it's a lot more but I'm hoping it's 600.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39Well, I was hoping it was 579.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41- 579?- Yes.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43Well, for once, you're optimistic.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47You are, however, almost exactly right. It's just a shade under 600.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50- Yes.- And it has been on the market for a year.
0:50:50 > 0:50:54For a year? I think it's a fabulous building.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58Everything we want, all the rooms we want, space we need.
0:50:58 > 0:51:03Go inside and have a look around. See if there's anything you can find fault with.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06- I doubt it.- I'm seriously doubting that one as well.
0:51:06 > 0:51:10Remember that it's a buyer's market. You might be able to get more from your budget.
0:51:10 > 0:51:12- Try and find a fault. - Let's go and find a fault.
0:51:12 > 0:51:14I'll see you in the Italian courtyard.
0:51:14 > 0:51:18- OK. Sounds great.- Fantastic.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21Well, I have to say that is what you call an unqualified success.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24There was nothing they didn't like about it,
0:51:24 > 0:51:29which is rare on this show, but it's a beautiful property and within their budget, so I think that
0:51:29 > 0:51:33qualifies for a big, fat, golden tick.
0:51:34 > 0:51:41'On the market for £600,000, the Mystery House is bang on budget and there's still room for negotiation.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45'In terms of living space, it has the self-contained annexe for Bob,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48'a high-spec country kitchen, James gets his own ground-floor wing,
0:51:48 > 0:51:51'with three reception rooms,
0:51:51 > 0:51:53'and upstairs, four bedrooms.
0:51:53 > 0:51:57'The icing on the cake has to be the easy-to-manage garden.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00'The only question is - if they moved in here,
0:52:00 > 0:52:02'would they ever see each other?'
0:52:02 > 0:52:04It looked small.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07And then, when we got inside, I could not believe the amount of rooms.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11I could have one wing all to myself, Bob can have his wing to himself.
0:52:11 > 0:52:16There's bedrooms upstairs for guests, and the garden is a perfect size.
0:52:16 > 0:52:18Everything is right about this house.
0:52:18 > 0:52:20This I would like to keep
0:52:20 > 0:52:28sort of as a lounge/sitting room but, because of all the wall space,
0:52:28 > 0:52:32I would also want to put some of the opera collection in here.
0:52:32 > 0:52:36- I don't see any problem... - If you can't manage with this...
0:52:36 > 0:52:38Then there's something wrong with me.
0:52:38 > 0:52:44The rooms are very large here, and it's much more in keeping with what I was looking for.
0:52:44 > 0:52:49Something that has larger rooms, plus the ability to live on the ground floor, which it has,
0:52:49 > 0:52:57and the kitchen is big enough to do what I want to do as well, so I'd love to make an offer today.
0:52:57 > 0:53:01Ah, I was admiring the summer wing from the walls of the winter wing.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03It's absolutely fabulous.
0:53:03 > 0:53:08- Big smiles.- Yes, it's a wonderful, wonderful house.
0:53:08 > 0:53:11I said you were sneaky.
0:53:11 > 0:53:14- Let's press on. - Leaving the best for last.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22'Well, that's it. Bob and James have seen all of our houses.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25'Some have been definite noes and some have been definite maybes,
0:53:25 > 0:53:30'so now it's time to decide which, if any, will come out on top.'
0:53:34 > 0:53:36Time for some decision-making,
0:53:36 > 0:53:40you don't have to be a genius to work out which one was their favourite.
0:53:44 > 0:53:47I have an inkling which of the houses you like most,
0:53:47 > 0:53:49but let's go through them one by one.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53Let's spin back the clock to the first property I showed you,
0:53:53 > 0:53:56which was a nice property. What do you think about it now?
0:53:56 > 0:54:00That's the property in Calstock. It was a very nice property.
0:54:00 > 0:54:01I liked it. A good start.
0:54:01 > 0:54:05The area and surrounding countryside was stunning.
0:54:05 > 0:54:08The kitchen was a complete no.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11For me, that was definitely not the property.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14Cornwall has come up trumps in terms of the locations here.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18I think we've done you proud in terms of stunning spots.
0:54:18 > 0:54:20- Every one. - The house in the valley
0:54:21 > 0:54:23that you seemed to really like.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26It was a beautiful location. What do you think about that now?
0:54:26 > 0:54:30I still like that one. It's very nice. Lots of rooms.
0:54:30 > 0:54:36The property for me was the kitchen. I fell in love with that kitchen and I didn't want to leave it.
0:54:36 > 0:54:40But the drawback there would be with the garden,
0:54:40 > 0:54:41as far as I'm concerned,
0:54:41 > 0:54:45cos it sloped so that I'd never use it.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48It would just be complete wasted space.
0:54:48 > 0:54:53The garden in the little rustic cottage, however, I thought,
0:54:53 > 0:54:58was absolutely beautiful and I think you liked the location a lot.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02That was the best location - the whole setting was wonderful.
0:55:03 > 0:55:09It was very rustic, in terms of how we imagine rustic to be, with beams and wood.
0:55:09 > 0:55:13And I have one problem with rustic, the rooms tend to be terribly small,
0:55:13 > 0:55:17and I really don't want small rooms.
0:55:17 > 0:55:23I need big rooms cos I have my vast collection of opera and everything else that I have.
0:55:24 > 0:55:27- So, come on, let's talk about the Mystery House.- Yes, it's fabulous.
0:55:27 > 0:55:31The amount of rooms in there - I think we'd have space left over.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33And the lounge on MY wing -
0:55:34 > 0:55:39well, the ceiling, the lights. It was bright, looking onto the garden.
0:55:39 > 0:55:43- It was just perfect. - How did your wing shape up?
0:55:43 > 0:55:45Well, my wing was equally as perfect.
0:55:46 > 0:55:50I have a sitting room, plenty of space for storing the collection,
0:55:50 > 0:55:56and if I needed more room, my God, there's another five rooms upstairs that I could use for storage.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00And how might you proceed? Will you go ahead on that property?
0:56:00 > 0:56:03We're very interested and we're going to get
0:56:03 > 0:56:06a surveyor down to this property and see where we can go from there.
0:56:06 > 0:56:11- That sounds like traction, it sounds like you're going to move and take it.- Yes.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13I think so. I hope so.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16- I think the Tamar Valley deserves you both.- Thank you.
0:56:16 > 0:56:19It'll be a marriage made in heaven. The whole county will rejoice.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22- Thank you.- Good luck. - Let's hope so.
0:56:25 > 0:56:29I can hear it now, the Tamar Valley ringing with the sound of Italian bel canto opera.
0:56:29 > 0:56:33And the chip-chip of James with his new sculptural project,
0:56:34 > 0:56:37ready to be displayed in his own personal gallery.
0:56:37 > 0:56:41I think you'll agree that that was a successful Escape To The Country.
0:56:41 > 0:56:45If you want to join more country escapees, then do tune in next time.
0:56:46 > 0:56:50'And great news - Bob and James have made an offer on the Mystery House,
0:56:50 > 0:56:54subject to the sale of Bob's London home. We wish them a speedy sale.
0:56:54 > 0:56:58'If you'd like to escape to the country and would like our help, apply online at...'
0:57:03 > 0:57:06Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:06 > 0:57:08E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk