0:00:01 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Behind me is the entrance to a quarry cave
0:00:05 > 0:00:07and if its walls could speak,
0:00:07 > 0:00:12it would tell fantastic tales of Roman soldiers, Saxon miners and medieval masons,
0:00:12 > 0:00:18plus one or two tall tales of smugglers and pirates stashing their booty. Where am I?
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Well, join me on Escape To The Country and I'll show you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37In today's show I'll be helping a couple leave life
0:00:37 > 0:00:40in the busy Buckinghamshire commuter belt behind
0:00:40 > 0:00:43to find their perfect home in the country, and I get a bit of a shock.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- It works perfectly. - It's very nice. Very nice.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Oh, yes. Are you surprised?
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Yes, I am.- Oh, good.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54I'll be showing them some great properties and it's not long before they start to feel right at home.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Sit here playing pool all night drinking beers.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Hey, there's a picture emerging.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04Then there's the mystery house which is sure to add some 21st century cool.
0:01:05 > 0:01:11Today I'm in Devon, or should I say underneath it really, because I've decided to start my visit here
0:01:11 > 0:01:14at the caves at Beer on the south coast.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17If you want to get an idea of why the architecture
0:01:17 > 0:01:20of this county is so special, this is a great place to start.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27In fact, the county's stone also underpins its rich geological history.
0:01:27 > 0:01:28At the south western arm of England
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Devon sits between the counties of Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36It is the only county in the UK to have two separate coastlines,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38and breathtaking they are too.
0:01:38 > 0:01:40With World Heritage status,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44the East Devon coast forms part of the stunning Jurassic coastline,
0:01:44 > 0:01:5095 miles of fossilised rock face recording 185 million years of the Earth's history.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Dramatic landscapes continue inland with the green patchwork fields
0:01:54 > 0:01:57serving Devon's active farming industry.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01Traditional stone cottages are a strong feature of the local architecture,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05although we won't be seeing many of those on today's house search.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07So whether it's coast or countryside, Devon offers up
0:02:07 > 0:02:10plenty of options for those seeking a change of scenery
0:02:10 > 0:02:12and a slower pace of life.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16You know if you were lucky enough to have bought your home
0:02:16 > 0:02:20here in Devon five years ago you were very, very fortunate indeed
0:02:20 > 0:02:25because the odds are that was the last time you could have come here and snapped up a real bargain.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Since then house prices have risen
0:02:27 > 0:02:31a whopping 20% above the national average which means that your normal
0:02:31 > 0:02:37four-bedroomed detached will now set you back around £280,000,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39and if you want something a little more secluded or
0:02:39 > 0:02:44on the coast you can add a cool 15% to 20% on top of that.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Even beach huts here are hugely expensive,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50so clearly Devon isn't cheap but it does remain popular.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52The question is why.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Well, when you get an idea of what is on the market right now, you'll know.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59For top dollar rural splendour you could splash out on this
0:02:59 > 0:03:03five-bedroom Grade II listed farmhouse at £1.1 million.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Along with the elegant reception rooms and attractive family kitchen
0:03:07 > 0:03:10the property also includes two holiday cottages
0:03:10 > 0:03:11and top notch stabling,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14all set in 32 acres.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17For just shy of 600 grand this striking four bedroom eco home
0:03:17 > 0:03:20overlooking Totnes is certainly a one-off.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Its locally sourced oak and Douglas fir timber frame
0:03:23 > 0:03:27and contemporary open plan layout make it a stylish low-energy house.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32On the terrace there are panoramic views and a wildlife pond.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38And what about this converted three bedroom chapel in Bere Alston for £360,000?
0:03:38 > 0:03:40You could take a pew in the kitchen diner
0:03:40 > 0:03:41or in the double height living room.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46And the landscape garden leaves you in no doubt as to the building's origins.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49You know I have to confess I love coming to Devon,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51particularly to go house hunting.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Not just because it's got some fantastic properties in abundance,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57as you can see, but also because of this,
0:03:57 > 0:04:02wonderful coastline wrapped around a stunning landscape inside.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05It's the perfect place I think to escape to the country,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08so no surprise that today's buyers want to come here too.
0:04:08 > 0:04:13Today it's the turn of Jill, a holistic therapist, and Jazz,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17an accountant, who live in a four bedroom detached house in Denham, Buckinghamshire.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21They feel they've outgrown their current home and are looking
0:04:21 > 0:04:24for a completely fresh start with their dog Arthur in the country.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Jill's been in this property for about 15 years now
0:04:27 > 0:04:28and I've been here about eight.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31We got married about a year and a half ago
0:04:31 > 0:04:35and just feel it's time to buy something together now.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Only their youngest daughter Eleanor will be moving with them
0:04:38 > 0:04:41but they want to accommodate all eight children from their previous
0:04:41 > 0:04:45marriages in their new home so there are some important considerations.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I really love this kitchen, I love the layout of it,
0:04:49 > 0:04:50but we've got a large family
0:04:50 > 0:04:55and we need to sit eight to ten people round the table with ease.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57This is our garden.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01It's quite a large garden as it is but what we're looking for is
0:05:01 > 0:05:03about an acre where Arthur can run around
0:05:03 > 0:05:06and hopefully we've got some room for a vegetable plot
0:05:06 > 0:05:08where we can grow our own vegetables.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11We really like this room because it's got such large open windows
0:05:11 > 0:05:13and it's very light and airy.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16We're quite sort of modern, minimalistic people,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20we definitely don't like sort of dark pokey windows at all.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24They've certainly got definite ideas on what they don't want.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28We don't want beams. We don't want open brickwork.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30Thatched roof, we don't want that either.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33- No.- And not on a main road.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Hm, this could be an interesting house hunt.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37So what's the draw to Devon?
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Jill comes from Devon. Her parents are still there.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44We go to Devon a lot and we just love the countryside out there.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47We want to be closer to Jill's parents as well.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Especially as they're getting older.
0:05:49 > 0:05:55But we don't want to be too far away so the children can come and visit as well.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59So with this being the first property they're buying together
0:05:59 > 0:06:00do they think they'll agree?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03I think it should be quite easy for us to agree on a property
0:06:03 > 0:06:05because our tastes are quite similar.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Yeah.- Aren't they?- Yeah.- And I...
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Jill chooses it and I agree.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Yes, you've learned those two important little words,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14"Yes, dear," haven't you?
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Yes, dear.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19With the move on the horizon
0:06:19 > 0:06:23we've arranged for a local estate agent to value their property.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26This is an extremely well presented four bedroom detached house
0:06:26 > 0:06:29with a lovely garden in a very popular location.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34I would suggest a valuation of around £465,000.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39With that in mind, how much do they have in their budget?
0:06:39 > 0:06:45If the property ticks all our boxes, we're looking to spend £550,000.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Now the good news is that Jazz and Jill don't want to be near the coast
0:06:52 > 0:06:55so their already fairly sizeable budget of over half a million pounds
0:06:55 > 0:06:57should go that little bit further.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Who knows, they might even get a few neighbours like these thrown in to boot.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02The other nice thing
0:07:02 > 0:07:05is that this is the first home they'll have bought together,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08will they agree on their ideal home? I wonder.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12With family in Sidmouth and Lyme Regis, Jill and Jazz are looking
0:07:12 > 0:07:16to focus their search in east Devon around the town of Honiton.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19I'll be taking them on a tour of three great properties
0:07:19 > 0:07:22but, as ever, I won't be revealing the prices right away.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24The last of the three is the mystery house,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27which could always throw our house hunters off course.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- Well, hello there.- Hi.- Hi, Jill.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- Hello.- Nice to see you. Hi, Jazz, how are you?
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Well, here we are then in Devon,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36back where it all began for you, Jill.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- Mm, how lovely.- How lovely.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Did you ever think you'd come back to Sidmouth?
0:07:41 > 0:07:45No, I didn't, no. But we're at the sort of stage now where we're just
0:07:45 > 0:07:49looking for something a bit quieter and we like this part of the world.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55- Well, let's have a think about your budget. It's, what, 550...?- Yes. - Maximum.- Yes.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Yeah.- And for that you want three bedrooms,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00a couple of reception rooms but a big kitchen.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04It's the kitchen really that's going to sell us any property.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07OK. Now, although we are technically on Escape To The Country,
0:08:07 > 0:08:11and we are in a beautiful part of the country Devon has some fantastic local architecture,
0:08:11 > 0:08:15you don't really want a traditional country house, do you?
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Not really, no, because we do like sort of, we like modern.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- Modern, minimalistic really.- Yeah, we don't want beams.- Woodwork.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24No.
0:08:24 > 0:08:30No. Dark wood. No. So have you found something for us?
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Well, we have got some very interesting properties
0:08:33 > 0:08:35for you to look at.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37Go at all of them with an open mind.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- Don't get too hung up on the odd detail...- No.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44Because often knowing what you do like is harder to put your finger on.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Let's see if we can inspire you with the properties we've got. Come on.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54With a budget of £550,000 Jill and Jazz want a three to four bedroom
0:08:54 > 0:08:59detached house with a large kitchen diner and plenty of outside space.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01They don't want to be staring at beams all day.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Modern interiors are a must.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06I have a feeling this wish list might make our house search tricky.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Let's see if I'm right as we get on the road.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12You bring a collection of eight children to your
0:09:12 > 0:09:17current partnership, what do they think about you moving to Devon?
0:09:17 > 0:09:18They think it's great.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21They're looking forward to somewhere to go at weekends.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25We've just got to the stage in our lives where we want
0:09:25 > 0:09:29sort of a quieter life, I suppose, and sort of work in the garden.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33I know it sounds old, it makes us sound really old, doesn't it?
0:09:33 > 0:09:37On the contrary, it's an aspiration held by many of our escapees,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40so hopefully our house search will come up roses.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43For our first property, we're heading ten miles from Honiton
0:09:43 > 0:09:45to the small village of Clyst Hydon.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Although there's quick access to the motorway,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50you would never think it from the quiet country lanes,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52surrounding hedgerows and open fields.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Besides the welcoming residents there's a real villagey feel,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59with a local pub and cricket club.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Right, come on through the archway.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07That one over there.
0:10:07 > 0:10:08Oh, OK.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- All right.- That's nice. - It is a converted barn...
0:10:12 > 0:10:17- Is it?- But it is not what I would describe as a barn conversion in the classic sense.- No, it's not.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- No.- It makes use of an old bit of barn but essentially what you've got
0:10:21 > 0:10:26is a largely new build, but I think with a bit more character in it.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28- Yeah, OK.- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Mm-hm.- The obvious thing to point out is you do have an immediate neighbour.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36- Yes.- They're in there, but the rest of the property overlooks nothing but farmland the other side.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- All right?- Mm-hm. - Very good.- Let's have a look inside.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42'I think I can win them over with this house
0:10:42 > 0:10:45'as there's more to it than first meets the eye.'
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Right, you are greeted by this,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53one of the reception rooms of this property.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- Right.- All right?- Nice open space.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- Cosy.- Cosy. Good.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- Yes.- Yes, it's nice and cosy.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I presume the beams are just cosmetic.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05- They are. - They can just come down.- Yeah.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- That's an afternoon's work, mate. - Thanks.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Give you something to do.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Yeah. All right, let's have a look at the kitchen. It's that way.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- Off you go.- Thank you.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Yeah?- That's quite nice, yeah.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- Quite nice. I think it's quite nice too.- No, it's lovely. Yes.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27In terms of space I think this works quite well in terms of...
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- It does.- Giving you a really genuine working kitchen diner.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- Definitely.- This kitchen would certainly work for us, yeah.- Mm-hm.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38No, the space is right, yeah.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40The space is...actually. Yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45'And the kitchen also has a useful utility room and larder.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49'Also on this floor are all four bedrooms.'
0:11:49 > 0:11:53This is the accommodation wing, if you like.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Four nice big bedrooms. There's one of them.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Oh, it's a nice size, isn't it?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Yeah. They all benefit from views to the garden.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06Something of a sort of family bathroom.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11- Oh, OK.- Another nice big double in here, loads of built-in storage. - Yeah. Oh, that is good.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Yeah? OK.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17And through here three of four.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- This one does have a little en suite.- OK.- All right?
0:12:20 > 0:12:24But this is the master bedroom and again...
0:12:24 > 0:12:29- I'm thinking about size and space now for you two.- Oh, that's nice.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Oh, what's that, then?- You've got a little sunroom all of your own.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Oh, that is nice.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36Coffee in the morning, enjoy the garden,
0:12:36 > 0:12:37and you're not overlooked there at all.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39- No.- Oh, that is nice.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- Yeah?- Mm-hm. - How does this sort of work for you?
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- I'm thinking Eleanor's down there permanently with you at the moment.- It works perfectly.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- It works perfectly?- Mm.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- It's very nice.- Really? - Yes. Are you surprised?
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Yes, I am.- Oh, good.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Hooray, you've made my day!
0:12:55 > 0:13:00Now you've also got an en suite of course, as you would expect in a room this big and that is in there.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- OK.- Shower and toilet and all that sort of stuff.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- OK.- All right. Lovely.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Now I'm glad you like it. It's nicely laid out.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- And nice clean lines as well, which I like.- Yeah.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15'With all the bedrooms tucked away on the ground floor
0:13:15 > 0:13:18'it's time to head upstairs to check out this rather unusual space.'
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- It's actually quite nice. - Come on up. Don't be shy.
0:13:22 > 0:13:27Now in terms of you and the family having somewhere to all assemble,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31they've got this as a sort of games room but you know, make it what you like.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Probably keep it as a games room, the boys would love that, yeah,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37sit here playing pool all night, drinking beers.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Hey, there's a picture emerging.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43'Back downstairs and we cross the courtyard to a self-contained
0:13:43 > 0:13:48'building with a garage and another nice surprise.'
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Right, in you come.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53This little surprise bit to this building.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- Ah.- To this property I should say.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- Oh.- So you can fight over this space between you.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Whether it's something for your therapy
0:14:00 > 0:14:02or your accountancy work or just a home office,
0:14:02 > 0:14:04whatever you want it to be.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- Yeah.- Oh, it's nice.
0:14:06 > 0:14:07Very useful, isn't it?
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- A surprise, yeah.- Excellent.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13There's an en suite down here but upstairs it gets exciting as well.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- Come and have a look at this. - Oh, there's an upstairs.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19So up here it all gets a lot bigger
0:14:19 > 0:14:23because the space goes over the garage.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- OK.- All right?- Fantastic.
0:14:25 > 0:14:26- Yeah.- That's really good.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29You've got this sort of built-in kitchenette area
0:14:29 > 0:14:31and the other side of that is another en suite
0:14:31 > 0:14:35so it really is a self-contained little world, this.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Very nice indeed.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Yeah?- Very pleasing.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Yes. And no beams.
0:14:41 > 0:14:42No beams up here.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- I'm going to live here. - Wooden floorboards though.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Oh, we can carpet that.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52'Well, we're going from strength to strength with this house tour.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57'Time now to go back through the house into the rear garden where we'll take a punt on the price.'
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- It's lovely.- It's gorgeous.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Oh, this is nice.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- Yeah?- It's a lovely garden. - Just survey your potential domain.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Very easy to maintain.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- It's lovely, isn't it? - No, it's very nice.- It's ideal.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- Well, that's it then for the tour of this property.- Yes.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- You've seen all that it has to offer, nice big garden.- It's lovely.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- And of course you get the annexe thrown in as well.- Mm.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22It's fantastic, the annexe.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Yeah, you've done well to find that. - Very nice.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Right, well, let's have a think about the cash.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31How much is it on the market for, Jill?
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I'm going to say, erm...
0:15:34 > 0:15:35545.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- 545. - That's what I was going to say.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41You can agree, you know, it's not against the rules.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Oh, right, OK.
0:15:43 > 0:15:50- It is gonna be at the top end and I think it's probably about 545.- 545.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51- 550.- 550. Yeah.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54It is on the market for £550,000.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- Oh, is it?- Oh. OK. - Yeah. So you weren't far off.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- You were pretty much spot on to be fair.- I was spot on.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02I think the point about this place is it's the right sort of space.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05- It's the right layout more than anything.- Yeah.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09- Or a layout that we can work with. - Yeah.- And this certainly is.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Jill and Jazz really seem to have taken to this house
0:16:12 > 0:16:14and can clearly see its considerable potential.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20It's at the top of their budget at £550,000 and certainly has a lot
0:16:20 > 0:16:24going for it including a spacious kitchen diner for family gatherings,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26four bedrooms with two en suites,
0:16:26 > 0:16:32a huge family room and a very useful self-contained annexe.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34This is the garage so...
0:16:34 > 0:16:38It's only a stud wall there, so we could sort of knock that down
0:16:38 > 0:16:41and make that into a really large room downstairs.
0:16:41 > 0:16:42- That would be a good idea. Yes. - Yeah.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46The overall sort of feeling of the house is nice,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48the space works particularly well.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51The garden's great, fairly low maintenance,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55so we would probably do a lot more with it but the potential's there.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57The size of the kitchen's very workable
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and it's just what we're looking for.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01I think the annexe is fantastic.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05It's almost like I'm reserving it for myself as my little bolt hole
0:17:05 > 0:17:07and I can go and lock myself away.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11My main concern is how close some of the other properties are.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13More pluses than minuses.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19OK, Jazz and Jill, went up the hill.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22No, you've probably heard that before. Yes.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25- I think that was well worth you looking at, though.- Yeah.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- Definitely. - No, it's a lovely property and er...
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- Is it a contender?- Definitely. - Yeah.- Good.- Absolutely.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Let's see if we can find any more to put on the list.
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Don't forget your jacket.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45When Jill and Jazz move to Devon they'll be able to enjoy
0:17:45 > 0:17:48over 80 miles of beautiful beaches
0:17:48 > 0:17:51with more Blue Flag awards than any other county in England.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54But keeping them that way is no mean feat.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57I'm here to meet council officer Tim Harris and his team
0:17:57 > 0:17:59who clean up after the holidaymakers have left.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Hi, guys, Tim.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- Hi, Jules.- Nice to see you. Nick.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04- Nice to meet you.- Karl.- Jules.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Nice to see you. You're clearly hard at it.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Absolutely. There's always something to pick up on the beaches.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Now, you guys work for the district council.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14- Yeah.- Nick, you're a volunteer. - Yeah.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Why do you volunteer for this job? It's not an easy one.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22It's about living in Seaton and taking a little bit of responsibility for the area you live in.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25It's a lovely place to live and it doesn't take a lot to keep it clean.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Well, it's an awful lot for you guys to cover.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Give me some idea of the sort of things you have to tackle year in year out.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34The last couple of years we've had to deal with the Napoli.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- Yeah.- All the rubbish from there.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40The coast hit the national headlines when the container ship MSC Napoli
0:18:40 > 0:18:44grounded just off these beaches in January 2007.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47Looters plundered the washed up containers for booty,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50from car parts and nappies to wine barrels and dog food.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53Hundreds of tonnes of oil spilled into the sea
0:18:53 > 0:18:55endangering hundreds of sea birds
0:18:55 > 0:18:58and now, over two years later, is it job done?
0:19:00 > 0:19:01It's never finished.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04There's always stuff out there still being washed in
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- and this morning we've picked up BMW parts.- Amazing.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11- So really it's a case of looking after your own backyard.- Absolutely.
0:19:11 > 0:19:15I love Devon and I love coming here, the beaches are a great attraction.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18I'm not doing anything at the moment, shall I give you a hand?
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- Let's go! - A hand or a nipper. Brilliant.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Luckily these east Devon beaches are well maintained,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29with council litter picks every day during the summer and 60 volunteers
0:19:29 > 0:19:32combing 35 miles of beaches every couple of months.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- There we go, some more car parts for you.- Look at that.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- That's just not gonna degrade at all, is it?- No, since the Napoli.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41It'll be coming up for years. There were containers full of it.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45But the story is not the same across the country.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47It's estimated that beach litter
0:19:47 > 0:19:50in the UK has increased by 80% over the past ten years
0:19:50 > 0:19:52and costs millions of pounds a year to clean up.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55But now let's see what we've picked up.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57Wow, look at the professionals.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59You've definitely got a lot more than I have.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Bits of car, an old leather sole. But what have you got in there?
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Nylon, ropes.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06That's pretty unpleasant.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- Can be quite harmful to the sea birds as well.- There's loads of fishing hooks in there.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- That's what you don't want to be walking on.- No.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15On the beach, is it?
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Well, guys, you're clearly doing a sterling job.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- My contribution...to the day. - Thank you.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Not much but I guess every little helps.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27- Absolutely.- Fantastic. - Guys, thanks very much indeed.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Best of luck with the other 35 miles of beach.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38As the sun sets over the Devon countryside,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41our first day of property hunting is at an end.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Jill and Jazz are upping sticks from Denham in Buckinghamshire
0:20:52 > 0:20:56and are looking to buy their first home together in rural Devon.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59They've set us the tricky task of finding their dream home,
0:20:59 > 0:21:00one with character on the outside
0:21:00 > 0:21:03but a modern interior which they can make their own.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06It also has to accommodate their eight children at once,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09all for 550 grand.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10They've seen one property,
0:21:10 > 0:21:14but coming up, Jill gets ruthless with period features.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- The shape and everything's fine. - Change the fireplace.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- You'd change that? Because that's original to the house.- Yeah.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Interesting.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23And I lose my cool in the mystery house.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26LAUGHTER
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- Jules! Pull yourself together. - Yes. You are absolutely right.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35There's nothing like starting your final day's house hunt
0:21:35 > 0:21:39with a little bit of putting on the hotel lawn.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41If only all of my putts were that good.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Now today is going to be something of a challenge.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Finding a house that Jill and Jazz like aesthetically, to be honest,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49I don't think we're gonna do that.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53The key is gonna be finding them a house that works in terms of space.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56We've got two more to play for including, of course,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59the mystery house, so who knows? We might get there.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02With our next house, we're going back to base camp, to Honiton,
0:22:02 > 0:22:04one of the traditional gateways into Devon.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08This busy market town with a history of pottery and lace making today enjoys
0:22:08 > 0:22:11a thriving trade in antiques and bric a brac.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14The high street has an eclectic mix of other independent shops too,
0:22:14 > 0:22:15from millinery to music.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19Only a mile or so from the town centre and you're in glorious
0:22:19 > 0:22:23countryside which is where we find our next property.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- So, what do you think?- It's lovely.
0:22:27 > 0:22:28Nice, yeah.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34- That's good.- Well, let's see what you really make of it.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37There we are.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- It's not listed.- No. Good.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- It's not old, there's no wooden beams in it.- Good.
0:22:44 > 0:22:45- Yes.- Good.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49- No, lots of potential.- Yeah?- Yes.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- The point about it is its proportion and the space it offers you.- Uh huh.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Yeah.- And, of course, a view which, believe it or not,
0:22:57 > 0:22:59is out there behind the mist.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- Yeah, that's a fantastic view. - Very nice.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04All right. Well, let's go inside and have a look around.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Right, Jazz, what do you think?
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- It's a proper hallway. - I like. I love hallways.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17- Yeah?- This is a proper hallway.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- Yeah.- OK.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20No, this is great.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23All right, good. Well, let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26OK, Jill.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31- There you go. - Oh, nice size.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- And double aspect windows as well. - Double aspect windows.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37It's very light and airy which is exactly what we wanted, so...
0:23:37 > 0:23:42- Yeah.- No, this is great. - And also in here you've got a kind of walk-in larder arrangement.
0:23:43 > 0:23:44Oh, that's good.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46So lots of options.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- I think that's the important thing. - Definitely.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51- Let's have a look through here. - Right.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- So right next door to the kitchen, Jill, utility room.- Nice size.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59- Good size, isn't it?- Great size. - Lovely size.- Door out to the garden.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02That's great and loads of storage this side as well.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- Excellent.- It really does lend itself quite nicely.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07All right, come through here.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09OK.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- Oh, fantastic.- How about that?
0:24:15 > 0:24:17It's definitely a boys' room, this one, isn't it?
0:24:17 > 0:24:20This was a garage that was added on to this property.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- Yeah.- As you can see, it's all roughcast breeze blocks, etcetera.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27All right, and there's a little conservatory added,
0:24:27 > 0:24:30quite a big conservatory added on on the other side.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Yeah we'll keep the snooker table. Definitely.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37'Well, Jazz seems sold on the games room,
0:24:37 > 0:24:41'now it's back through the hall to the more formal reception rooms.'
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- Oh, nice room.- Yes?
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- Yeah.- I like all the windows.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- Yeah?- Yeah.- That's the door out to the terrace that we saw outside.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Working fire place. You know, good size.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56I mean, could you all fit in here? Would you be cosy in here?
0:24:56 > 0:24:59- Yes.- Nice. Nice.- No, this is...
0:24:59 > 0:25:01- Lovely size room.- Yeah. Exactly.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03There's nothing wrong with it at all.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- No.- The shape and everything's fine. - Change the fire place.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10You'd change that? Because that's original to the house probably.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Yeah.- What would that become?
0:25:16 > 0:25:21- I'd probably just change the hearth, actually.- Interesting.
0:25:21 > 0:25:25- Well, let's think about dining rooms because there's one in here.- Mm-hm.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26Have a look at that.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- Very nice. Lovely room.- Yeah?
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- Lovely size.- Oh, this is great.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- You could get the whole tribe round this one.- Definitely.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38'And good news for Jazz, he's got his own private study just next door.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'Now we're going upstairs where there are four bedrooms in total,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45'two of which are nice-size doubles with their own wash basins.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48'Next we'll take a look at what could be their bedroom.'
0:25:48 > 0:25:51And this is what is currently the master.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55- OK.- It's a nice spot for it, on the corner, loads of light coming in.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58- No, that's great. I mean the double aspect windows are...- Good size.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- ..Just fantastic. And the views from the windows are great.- Yeah.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05- Let's have a look at the views. - It's beginning to clear a bit.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06Oh, yes, it's lovely isn't it?
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Honiton nestling down there in the mist.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Now the family bathroom, as I say, is currently next door.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15You could add an en suite there.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19- Yeah.- And give over one of the other bedrooms - you've got four to play with.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23Or you could swap the master from this end of the house to the other end.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Come and have a look at this.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Now at this end of the house, toilet, OK?
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Immersion tank in there, shower room in there.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- Right.- Now, this is sort of a guest wing, if you like, at the moment,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42but given that you've got all the plumbing available,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44this would make a great master suite.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46If you knocked all that out, put in a new purpose-built en suite
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- this could be a master bedroom with a view out there.- Mm-hm.- Yeah.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52A lot of potential.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57'Granted, there's work to be done in the house but they do seem to like the layout and spacious rooms.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00'So let's take a trip outside and inspect the garden.'
0:27:00 > 0:27:03In terms of outside space, we've already seen the front,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05or what was the front of the property,
0:27:05 > 0:27:07and what you see is what you get.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12A bit of a sort of veg area and a sort of more formal bit over there, just mown lawn and some shrubs.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17- It's a nice size garden actually. - It's a lovely plot.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21All right. So it's of interest?
0:27:21 > 0:27:23- Mm, definitely.- OK.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Let's see how much interest it holds for you.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28You've got £550,000 to spend. Jill?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31I think it's about 535.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34535. What does the accountant say?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I think it's probably more than that.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40I think it's probably 555.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42555. Interesting.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44- Lots of fives going on.- Yeah.
0:27:44 > 0:27:51Well, OK, to put you out of your misery, £550,000.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Oh, OK.- So actually very much the top end of your budget.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56- Yeah.- How do you feel about that?
0:27:56 > 0:27:59Do you think you could scrape together a bit more to do the work?
0:27:59 > 0:28:03Yeah. We have allowed for that anyway because we knew wherever we went we were going to do some work.
0:28:03 > 0:28:09- Yeah.- So we've got money to do some renovation anyway so we'd allowed for that.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11OK good. Well, go and have a good look around.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14There's obviously a lot for you to think about in terms of planning
0:28:14 > 0:28:17and where you may start your renovations
0:28:17 > 0:28:19and I'll catch up with you later.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- OK.- Off you go. - I might even have a game of snooker.
0:28:22 > 0:28:28With some modernisation this house has all the hallmarks of being their perfect family home.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33At the top end of their budget at 550,000 the property offers
0:28:33 > 0:28:36a large kitchen breakfast room, four large reception rooms
0:28:36 > 0:28:38in which their family can spread out,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41four double bedrooms and a large garden
0:28:41 > 0:28:42with countryside views.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47I like the size of the kitchen, I do like the double aspect windows.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48Yeah, nice space.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- No, it's a very, very usable space.- Yeah.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53It's a really nice feel about it.
0:28:53 > 0:28:58- Just really felt quite at ease and comfortable and soon as you walked in.- I really like the house.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01It's got a really nice sort of homely feel to it.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Yeah, I could see...
0:29:03 > 0:29:07a lot we could do with this to make it a really lovely family home.
0:29:07 > 0:29:13The rooms are good sizes, there's a lot of light coming in,
0:29:13 > 0:29:14which is what we wanted.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16No dark wood.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Yes! You missed the shot, chaps.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24- Did you pot it?- I got it in, yeah.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Hooray. Probably the only one of the day. So you've seen enough?
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- Yeah.- All right. - We've had a good look round.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32- Good. Lots of food for thought? - Definitely.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36A very expensive list of renovations that you're making, I'm sure.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Well, let's continue our little search through Devon
0:29:39 > 0:29:41- and see what else we can find you.- OK.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52Even though Jill and Jazz are looking for a modern take on a country home you can't ignore
0:29:52 > 0:29:56the traditional buildings which define Devon's architectural heritage
0:29:56 > 0:29:59so they've come to meet John Scott, owner of Beer Quarry,
0:29:59 > 0:30:03who knows what makes these traditional cottages so distinctive.
0:30:03 > 0:30:04The stone itself is unique.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08It's a type of limestone you can't find anywhere else. It was discovered by the Romans.
0:30:08 > 0:30:13It came from the underground workings just up the road and they're known as Beer Quarry caves.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15But it's ideal for very fine detail carvings.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20Let's go and have a look at Beer Quarry caves and workings, where it all came from.
0:30:20 > 0:30:27The caves are a two minute stroll away and, extending over a 75-acre site, date back 2,000 years.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31The quarry closed 25 years ago but still offers tours and an exhibition.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36Craftsmen up and down the ages have been carving this versatile stone with stunning results,
0:30:36 > 0:30:37as John shows us.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40You can get some idea
0:30:40 > 0:30:43of how beautiful it is for fine detail carving.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- You can get details like that when it's freshly quarried.- Yeah.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51When it goes in the outside world it dries, turns a creamy white colour, then becomes five times harder.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53So have you got any artefacts that you can show us?
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Well, yes. We've got all the tools we found here.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59We found Roman coins and pottery quite recently after all this time,
0:30:59 > 0:31:00other things throughout the ages.
0:31:00 > 0:31:06But one beautiful example of the masons' work, I can show you, just over here, if you'd like to look.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08- Oh, love to.- Love to.
0:31:08 > 0:31:15Some of the most intricate examples of Beer stonework feature in 24 of the UK's 44 cathedrals,
0:31:15 > 0:31:20including Exeter, St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25So could you tell me a bit more about this church window, John?
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Well, yes. It actually came from St Andrew's church, Colyton,
0:31:28 > 0:31:29about five miles away.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33It spent centuries in perfect condition but then it was ripped out
0:31:33 > 0:31:36in a so-called Victorian restoration and just lay abandoned in the churchyard.
0:31:36 > 0:31:41So, in an effort to preserve it, we had it rebuilt here by the master mason of Exeter cathedral
0:31:41 > 0:31:43using exactly the same methods
0:31:43 > 0:31:46that the masons would have used centuries ago.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50It's certainly a fantastic example of craftsmanship from days gone by.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52But now it's time to return above ground
0:31:52 > 0:31:54and step back into the present.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Well, perhaps it's no surprise
0:31:56 > 0:31:59that in picking a suitable mystery property for Jazz and for Jill
0:31:59 > 0:32:02we really have been pushed to the absolute limits.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07Traditionally at this point and in this part of the world, Devon, I'd be looking for something historic,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12maybe even characterful, dare I say it, something that might reflect the style of the local architecture,
0:32:12 > 0:32:13like that thatch behind me,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16but in their case it just isn't going to wash.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24Jill, who would you say was the really fussy one in the relationship?
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Well, I think you think I am.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30I didn't say that. I asked you the question.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34But believe it or not we both are really.
0:32:34 > 0:32:40Yeah, we're both pretty fussy really, but I guess Jill is a bit more vocal about it than me.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43Our mystery house takes us to the village of Withleigh,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46a small, pretty place set in the heart of the Devon countryside.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Just down the road, Tiverton, with its scenic riverbank
0:32:49 > 0:32:53and some impressive architecture, offers a good range of local shops.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58Our mystery house brings us right back to 21st-century modern living.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02- Ah.- What do you think?- Not bad. - I like the glass balcony.- Brand new.
0:33:02 > 0:33:07- Brand new.- Brand new. We've never looked at a new build.- Ah. Why not?
0:33:07 > 0:33:12We tend to like the character of an older property but...
0:33:12 > 0:33:13- Outside.- Yeah.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17But bringing it into the 21st century...
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Inside.- Inside.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- You see one of the issues has been trying to get an idea of what is your style.- Yeah.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28- Uh-huh.- And I'm hoping that this might be it.
0:33:28 > 0:33:33- You're hoping.- I'm hoping. Come on, let's have a look.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44- Wow.- Was that a wow?- That was a wow.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Wahey, at last.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48I like the glass and the chrome.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50I thought you would like this, Jazz.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- Yeah. I do like this.- It's...yeah.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54It's clean lines.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- That's the main sort of dining area, as it were.- Mm-hm.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- OK.- But what I want you to look at now is the kitchen.
0:34:03 > 0:34:09- So come on, Jill, is this the sort of thing that you had in mind? - I like the kitchen.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- I think it's great.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13- I mean, it's brand new.- Yeah.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15- This is the sort of cooker you were after, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- These kind of tops.- Yeah.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- I'm trying to get a picture...- Yeah.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22..Of what you would do, even in our previous property.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27I think what I'm trying to think here is how do we actually personalise a house like this.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30That's what I'm sort of feeling at the moment.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Because everything's done...
0:34:32 > 0:34:36- Yeah.- And I know you're thinking, "God, we can't please this woman."
0:34:36 > 0:34:38Whatever gave you that idea? No.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40There is a question of how do we personalise it.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44- Yeah. No, I think that's fair enough.- Which is with any new build.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49Absolutely. We actually quite like doing it, you know what I mean.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- Jules, pull yourself together. - Yes. No, you are absolutely right.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59As I go slowly crazy on this house tour,
0:34:59 > 0:35:02it's worth mentioning the state of the art utility room
0:35:02 > 0:35:03and pristine garage,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07but now let's cross the hallway and through the double doors.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Right, living room.
0:35:11 > 0:35:12Good size.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Yeah.- Yeah?- Lovely size.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18- That's a working fireplace. - OK. That's nice, I must admit.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21- Mm.- Very simple, very contemporary feel to it.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24It's nice and light and airy with all the windows.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- It's a nice shape, isn't it?- Yes. - Very well designed.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30And I'm just trying to picture all of you as a family in here.
0:35:30 > 0:35:35- We wouldn't let them come down here. - No. This would be our place. - They'd just mess it up.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40'It's a tricky one to gauge, this,
0:35:40 > 0:35:42'but they do seem taken with the lounge.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45'Time to go upstairs across the galleried landing
0:35:45 > 0:35:48'to see if the master bedroom tips the balance in my favour.'
0:35:48 > 0:35:50- Oh, that's nice, yeah.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52- Very nice.- Carpet upstairs.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Yes, carpet upstairs, excellent.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Some of it goes in, you see.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00- Little sort of Juliet balcony over there.- Mm-hm.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Now, thus far the en-suites you've seen have not been that exciting.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08- No.- This one's quite nice though. In you go.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Oh, that's more like it. Excellent.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14- Oh, yeah, this is really good. - Yeah?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- Big shower for you Jazz. - Yeah this is what we...
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Even I could fit in that one.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Me as well?
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- Well, you've got a bath. - Yes, you've got your bath.
0:36:24 > 0:36:28- Very good.- Right, let's carry on.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35So this, you know, two of the four.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38- Oh, OK.- Another en-suite there.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41No bath in there, just a shower room etcetera.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43This also has a balcony but one that's a bit more useful,
0:36:43 > 0:36:45you can venture out onto that one.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Go and have an explore, see what you think.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51Views of the garden.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Even the balcony's tiled.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- Yeah. Although not underfloor heating, I don't think.- Is it not?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- Oh, no.- That does surprise me. - Well, there you go.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02It's not the biggest balcony in the world,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05but at least it gives you a nice place to enjoy the views from.
0:37:05 > 0:37:07The views are fantastic. Lovely.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09Lovely spot.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14There are two further good-size light bedrooms, one with en-suite.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18An extra plus is a super-slick guest bathroom with bath and shower,
0:37:18 > 0:37:20useful for when the family descend.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24Time, now, though, to go outside and scope the garden.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28So obvious things I suppose, patio, little seating area.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32You can make the best of the kind of al fresco design of this house,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35- because all of these doors open out onto this area...- Yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38- Yeah.- Allowing you to enjoy that lot, really.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41And garden, well this is pretty much it, Jazz.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- Yeah.- All you've got to do is mow it.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47- Jill does the mowing.- That's my job.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49And you get a nice perspective of the property from here.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53- It's a very nice design for a new build isn't it?- Yeah.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55I'm very impressed with this one.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58Well, let's have a think about the money then.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- Oh.- I would say it's probably on the sort of 550,
0:38:02 > 0:38:04at the top of our budget.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06Mm-hm.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- Jill?- Yeah.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13Because the spec is quite high on it and it is a new build, yeah...
0:38:13 > 0:38:175...4...9.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19549.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21- Yeah.- Give or take...- 950.
0:38:21 > 0:38:27- OK so you're both saying about £550,000, the top end of your budget.- Yeah.
0:38:27 > 0:38:34- OK this will set you back today £585,000.- Yeah, yeah.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38- Really?- You can see... - So you've shown us over budget.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40Mm. It's the mystery house, I'm allowed to.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44But I think the important thing about this property is that maybe
0:38:44 > 0:38:50it gets us some way to understanding what it is you are actually trying to achieve with your new property.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52With the mystery house I've tried to give Jill and Jazz
0:38:52 > 0:38:56a taste of what modern living in the country might feel like.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01Over budget, but ready to go at 585, it does offer
0:39:01 > 0:39:04large reception areas loaded with modern features,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07a spacious kitchen with all mod cons,
0:39:07 > 0:39:09four bedrooms, three en-suites
0:39:09 > 0:39:12and great countryside views from its south facing garden.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14For a new build it's an excellent design, isn't it?
0:39:14 > 0:39:19- The back actually looks better than the front.- Yeah, I see what you mean.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22It's got a bit more character where the front's very flat.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24As a mystery property it was very good.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26It didn't give me the wow factor from outside,
0:39:26 > 0:39:28but once you walk in the front door
0:39:28 > 0:39:30then you certainly do get the wow factor.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35The quality of the workmanship, the quality of the materials they've used is very, very good.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38The internal space isn't working for me.
0:39:38 > 0:39:45Definite rooms rather than open spaces is what we're looking for.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48The main thing that's put me off is the kitchen diner.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51I feel you're actually dining in the sort of entrance hall,
0:39:51 > 0:39:54and it hasn't got that connection with the kitchen.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58This mystery property has been a really good experience because,
0:39:58 > 0:40:01you know, it showed us what can be done inside the house.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Well, how was that?
0:40:04 > 0:40:06- Great.- Good. - Good, thank you.- OK.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10- Very interesting.- Well, that's it now. House tours are over.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14- Time for you guys to have a good old think about everything we've shown you.- Yeah.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18And see if you've made a decision about any one of them, I wonder.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Who knows. Get your thinking caps on.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22After you. Lead on through the door.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Ah, yes.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Ah, yes, decision time.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35Jazz and Jill's house tour of Devon is now over,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38leaving them with lots to think about.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Well, at long last it's decision time for Jazz and for Jill
0:40:45 > 0:40:48and, in many ways, this is quite a momentous moment for them.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52It is, after all, the very first time they've bought a house together
0:40:52 > 0:40:54and in some ways, that's kind of sweet.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58In fairness, it hasn't been the easiest of house searches.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Will the decision-making process itself have proved any easier, I wonder?
0:41:02 > 0:41:04As ever there's only one way to find out
0:41:04 > 0:41:05and that's to go and ask them.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Well, here we are, guys, where it all started, in Sidmouth,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13overlooking the bay and the sea, where you grew up.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Yes. It's nice to be back, isn't it?
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Well, it all started with, I should say, a converted barn.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22I thought that was a great house, I really liked it. Seclusion as well.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27I mean, I know we had very close neighbours, but other than that there were no buildings in the area at all.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32The kitchen was great, it was a superb size, the annexe was great.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36- Well, the annexe was an extraordinary bonus.- That was, yeah.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39We had a sleep on everything and then we began our search again
0:41:39 > 0:41:44where we took you to a very handsome house on a hill
0:41:44 > 0:41:47with a fantastic view of Honiton and all the surrounding landscape.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49- Yeah.- The whole layout...
0:41:49 > 0:41:55- It was a lovely walk up the drive looking at the house and the house looked nice.- We loved that.- Yeah.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58It's just got so much potential, that house.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Interesting. Finally we then got to the mystery property.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07One of the most important things for us was the kitchen diner area.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08It wasn't there in the mystery house.
0:42:08 > 0:42:14I felt, you know, you were almost dining in the entrance hall.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- In terms of the finish, the kitchen...- It was great. - You couldn't fault it.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18Worktops, the whole thing.
0:42:18 > 0:42:23No. We would actually put very similar things into our home.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27All right, so what happens next with you two?
0:42:27 > 0:42:30Are you going to go for it with the house on the hill?
0:42:30 > 0:42:35- We need to think seriously and carefully about the budget...- Yeah.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40About how much it's actually going to cost to get that house to the standard that we want.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Well, thank you, it's been great having you on the show.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46I do hope we've got you that little bit closer
0:42:46 > 0:42:48to finding your ideal escape to the country.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51- Well done.- Thank you.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56There's nothing like a trip to the coast to gather your thoughts
0:42:56 > 0:42:59and, having had the time to reflect on this house tour,
0:42:59 > 0:43:02I have to confess it hasn't been one of the easiest I've ever done,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05but in some ways it has been one of the more insightful.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08It's very often the case that buyers know what they DON'T want,
0:43:08 > 0:43:10but trying to identify what they DO want
0:43:10 > 0:43:11can be a bit of a struggle.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14That's certainly been the case with this one but, ultimately
0:43:14 > 0:43:17Jazz and Jill have found their house on a hill.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19It does sound like a nursery rhyme.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21Who knows, with the right amount of time and money
0:43:21 > 0:43:24they could find their happy-ever-after.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26I'll see you next time.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29If you fancy escaping to the country and would like our help,
0:43:29 > 0:43:34then please apply online at...
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:57 > 0:43:59E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk