0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:08This beautiful corner of England was in many ways the birthplace of one of our greatest hymn tunes.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12See if you can guess what it is from my rendition.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17# Doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo doo... #
0:00:33 > 0:00:39And, if my singing wasn't enough to rouse your spirits, today we'll be meeting a spiritual couple who want
0:00:39 > 0:00:45to exchange their hectic city lives for a holistic retreat in the country. There could be dancing...
0:00:45 > 0:00:48- I don't generally pirouette in the kitchen but...- You'd like to.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I wouldn't mind!
0:00:51 > 0:00:53And there could be diving...
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Wow!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58That's amazing! Can we have a swim?
0:00:58 > 0:01:01And then there's the mystery house where they could both jump in together.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04You don't really know the way around to lie.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06- You could both lie in there.- Yes.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Today, I'm in Gloucestershire, and that wonderful tune I was
0:01:13 > 0:01:17serenading you with is Jupiter from Holst's The Planets Suite.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19He wrote that when he was a successful composer living in
0:01:19 > 0:01:24London, but he was a Gloucestershire boy born in Cheltenham in 1874.
0:01:24 > 0:01:30When he was 17, he came to this church in Wick Rissington to become the organist and choirmaster.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34That big tune represents the majesty of the planet Jupiter, but when I
0:01:34 > 0:01:39hear it I can't help but think of the beautiful English countryside round here.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42Sitting against the Welsh border,
0:01:42 > 0:01:47Gloucestershire lies on the northern edge of England's south-west.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51This gently rolling arable land has been known since Roman times for its forestry and farming.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56Over half of it's designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00and it's dominated by a band of limestone hills known as the Cotswolds to the east,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04and the ancient royal Forest of Dean to the West.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09Countryside accounts for 90 % of the county and the rest is made up of villages, towns and cities
0:02:09 > 0:02:14that are internationally renowned for their architecture.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16The use of gold and limestone defines the buildings -
0:02:16 > 0:02:20the picture perfect cottages, the mansions, and churches alike.
0:02:20 > 0:02:26This county is filled with stunning picturesque views, and the beautiful landscape attracts millions of
0:02:26 > 0:02:33tourists each year, who come to Gloucestershire for an experience that's undeniably English.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39With all this beauty, it's not surprising
0:02:39 > 0:02:42that Gloucestershire costs a pretty penny to live in.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47But, across the board, the county's average house price is pretty much near the national average.
0:02:47 > 0:02:53However, as soon as you step foot inside the Cotswolds, prices shoot up 40%.
0:02:53 > 0:02:58There, a detached house costs £440,000 on average.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03It's no wonder that budgets can be stretched, but take a look at what you can buy.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08If your budget does stretch to the tune of 1.4 million,
0:03:08 > 0:03:13this stunning Grade 2 listed former woollen mill has everything to satisfy your country dream.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17It's a fine detached property in Pitchcombe near Stroud and
0:03:17 > 0:03:25it's arranged over three floors, and set in beautiful landscape gardens including that charming millpond.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Situated in the heart of Gloucestershire, how about
0:03:27 > 0:03:30this traditional timber-framed house in Upton St Leonards?
0:03:30 > 0:03:34For a price of £625,000, this historic property
0:03:34 > 0:03:40comes with a bespoke oak kitchen and four reception rooms.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44Finally, if you dream of living in a quaint Cotswolds cottage, this
0:03:44 > 0:03:49detached house in Moreton-in-Marsh is on the market for £375,000.
0:03:49 > 0:03:57Built in distinctive honey-coloured stone, it has four bedrooms with open-plan living and dining areas.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Dr Foster came to Gloucester in a shower of rain, but he
0:04:00 > 0:04:05doesn't need to worry, because he can shelter in any number of those exquisite properties.
0:04:05 > 0:04:10But will they be enough to tempt today's buyers? Let's meet them.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12When they aren't jetting around the world,
0:04:12 > 0:04:18globe trotters Antony and Niedy base themselves in this two-bedroom flat in Enfield, north London.
0:04:18 > 0:04:24Anthony runs an advertising company in Qatar and spends most of his time in Saudi Arabia,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26whilst his wife Niedy, a painter,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30divides her time between London and her native Germany.
0:04:30 > 0:04:35I've worked very hard for many years and I'm ready to make a shift.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36And we're ready to make a shift.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38We're ready to make a change.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42So the time is right to leave their somewhat nomadic lives behind.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45The new business plan takes on a more spiritual focus
0:04:45 > 0:04:48as they want to open a holistic guest house in the countryside.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51We realise that the more we give the more we get.
0:04:51 > 0:04:57Doing something like this, a holistic healing guest house, will be very fulfilling for us.
0:04:57 > 0:05:03I want to reach people who are stressed out and need some kind of retrieve.
0:05:03 > 0:05:09They come to me and get so much more than just a room and a walk in the forest.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12With wholesome business plans in mind, they want a lot of
0:05:12 > 0:05:16space and have very specific ideas about the style of the house, too.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20The type of property we find interesting is something aesthetically pleasing,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23artistically interesting, architecturally interesting.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28Possibly an old vicarage, a church house, an old mill, something that has got character and space.
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- Inside and outside space. - We need at least six to 10 bedrooms.
0:05:32 > 0:05:39I'd like to have a house which represents us as unique artistic people.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44As you see, I'm an artist but I'd like to have a bigger studio
0:05:44 > 0:05:48where I can paint and do my art and meditation groups there.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I want to have my own organic veggie garden and I want
0:05:50 > 0:05:54to move away from a cerebral
0:05:54 > 0:05:59to a much more practical day-by-day chop wood, carry water existence.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04They've chosen Gloucestershire for its beautiful countryside and good
0:06:04 > 0:06:05transport links to London, but what kind of location are they after?
0:06:05 > 0:06:11I personally would like to go more closer to a village or small town.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16I'm a much more remote kind of person, but somewhere in the middle I think.
0:06:16 > 0:06:21Clearly, they need to find a happy medium when it comes to location, but are they in agreement about how
0:06:21 > 0:06:23they'll be spending their spare time?
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I'm looking forward to walks along country lanes with a dog or two.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31I'm looking forward to cold nights in front of a fireplace.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35I'm looking for exactly the opposite.
0:06:35 > 0:06:41I want to be very involved in my painting and meditation groups, and I also want to be
0:06:41 > 0:06:48with people who come and visit me, meditate with them and be involved, be in the guesthouse.
0:06:48 > 0:06:54Before we can start looking for their new home, we need to find out what their flat is worth.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58This is an excellent ground- floor Edwardian converted flat.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02It's got extremely spacious rooms and lots of original features.
0:07:02 > 0:07:09I'd recommend putting it on the market at a figure of £425,000.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13So what's their final budget for this new back-to-nature business venture?
0:07:13 > 0:07:19Our budget for this property would be up to £750,000.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26Niedy and Anthony have come to Gloucestershire to relax, but to be honest I think their
0:07:26 > 0:07:31stress levels will go sky high when they find out how much things cost here in the Cotswolds.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37To get what they want - the six bedrooms and the space to expand their business - all for £750,000,
0:07:37 > 0:07:41it's going to be a struggle so I think I need to talk to them about their budget.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47We'll be starting our search in the villages surrounding Stroud, which has direct train links to London,
0:07:47 > 0:07:53as Niedy and Anthony want to be within the three-hour commute to the city for prospective guests.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58In today's show, we'll be viewing three incredible properties, each offering great opportunities.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01As ever, I won't be revealing the price straightaway.
0:08:01 > 0:08:07The last is the mystery house, which will present a more refined business plan at home and away.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Morning, guys.- Hello.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Welcome to Gloucestershire. - Thank you.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15Anthony, you were born in England and Niedy, you're from Germany,
0:08:15 > 0:08:16but neither know the English countryside well.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20No, we actually hope you find us the right location here.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23- So you're international travellers coming home. - That's exactly right.- Yes, yes.
0:08:23 > 0:08:29Gloucestershire is quintessentially England but it's also in the Cotswolds, which is quite expensive.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33For the bedrooms and the land and the meditation hall and the studio,
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- looking around on the market, all of that classically comes into about 1.5 million.- Right.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- I know we've talked about upping the budget a little.- We did.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46We're prepared to go to 850 and also we're prepared to make compromises.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49Compromise is very good, we love to hear that.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52For 850 right at the top of your budget, what are you looking for?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54We're looking for four to six bedrooms,
0:08:54 > 0:09:01a bit of land to add on later outbuildings, meditation hall...
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- But you want to be able to move in for the top budget?- Yes.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08There are some beautiful properties we have sniffed out for you.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Lots of unusual things, so get your compromise hats on, but I'm excited to show you.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14We are, too.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18I'm really glad Anthony and Niedy upped their spend
0:09:18 > 0:09:22as I'm sure we can find a property that will fit the bill.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26With a revised budget of £850,000, they're looking for an
0:09:26 > 0:09:30architecturally unique property with character, four to six bedrooms,
0:09:30 > 0:09:36outbuildings with potential to convert into guest accommodation, and studio space for Niedy.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41Plenty of land for guests to roam, and that rather more elusive
0:09:41 > 0:09:46healthy dose of good energy to suit this meditational move.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50With all that in mind, we're kicking off our property search in the pretty village of Chalford,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52four miles east of Stroud in a particularly pleasant
0:09:52 > 0:09:56part of the Cotswolds known as the Golden Valley.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Chalford is home to a growing community of artists
0:09:59 > 0:10:02so Niedy should feel right at home.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07The area was one of the centres for clock manufacturing in the 17th century, and our
0:10:07 > 0:10:13first property started off life as a humble weaver's cottage.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Here we go. Right.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- Isn't that lovely?- Isn't this beautiful? The Golden Valley.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22- Wow, it's beautiful.- I love the hilly and daleyness of it all.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Yes, it's quite steep, isn't it?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- Yes. I like that.- The property I want to show you is this one.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31- Right, OK.- Wow! Wow!
0:10:31 > 0:10:34You said you wanted quirky and historical.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39It feels already a really sweet energy, really welcoming how it's laid out here.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42I really like it, I want to go in.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- It's certainly a kind of period experience.- Great.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Let's go straight in here.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- Wow.- Wow.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01This is the oldest part of the house, this was the stables
0:11:01 > 0:11:03and they have turned it into a sort of dining room.
0:11:03 > 0:11:10As you can see, they've put this slightly modern staircase up to a snug, would have been a hayloft.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12I like the skylight and the height of it.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19I was surprised when I came in, I thought it was kind of a low cottage and now we have all that space.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Can you think what you might use it for?
0:11:21 > 0:11:23It could be a working room for me.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Let's see what else we have here.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28Let's do that.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Let's go into the main body of the house.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- Right.- Wow.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39So this is the main part of the old house.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41You can see this central beam would have actually been two.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45Two families would have lived here so it would have been split in two.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- They lived small back then! - Yes, they did.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Now it's a nice big kitchen, really nice.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I like it a lot, with the sitting area there.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- Yes, and also eat in kitchen. - And then the stove.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- Yes. A range cooker.- A lovely inset.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03Let's take a look in the scullery, there's not masses of space.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Just poke your head in here.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- This would be the food preparation area.- Functional, I suppose.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11- It's not massive.- No, it's not.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15I don't generally pirouette in the kitchen but...
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- You'd like to.- I wouldn't mind!
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Let's continue our tour. Mind, there's a slope here.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Welcome to the 18th century.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26Wow!
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- Moving through history, yeah. - That's really nice.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Amazing. The drawing room.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35It's a pot-pourri of a house, there's a bit of this and a bit of that.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37We like that.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42Bit by bit, they're starting to appreciate the way the character of this house unfolds.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Next door, there's another sitting room. That's four reception rooms in total.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51On the first floor there are three bedrooms, one with double aspect windows
0:12:51 > 0:12:55making the most of the views, and another with a cosy window seat.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58There's also a family bathroom, where we're headed next.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Lovely.- That's really nice. I love this bath.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Free-standing, great. Cork floor.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Yes, a distinctly English thing.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12And it flows on almost as an en suite
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- into the master bedroom. - That's really nice.- Yes, lovely.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19It's nice and big,
0:13:19 > 0:13:22and high enough.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Really nice, and leaded windows.- The whole house has beautiful windows.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27This is a very sizable room.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32For an old property to have this big a master is wonderful.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34And the tour doesn't end there.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Further up and there's yet another floor with lots more interesting
0:13:36 > 0:13:42space that could meet their artistic and spiritual needs perfectly.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46Please do mind your head up here because there are some pretty lethal beams.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49It's beautiful.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53There's space up here, you've got a bedroom there and a bathroom.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- That's so cute.- It's so unusual.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01I think this would be a lovely place to do art, to meditate maybe even?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03More meditation than art.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09It's a bit kind of too low, but meditation is very good.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13I can almost hear the cogs turning as Anthony and Niedy figure out
0:14:13 > 0:14:16how to make this property work as their guest house.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19There's much more to take in outside, too.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23We're going to look at the two-storey outhouse, the ground floor of which is currently used
0:14:23 > 0:14:28as storage but I think it's the upstairs that has loads of potential for their many interests.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Well, a big room.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Amazing.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35I think it's a sort of
0:14:35 > 0:14:38games room/meditation workshop. I can see that happening.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41- It's good to see you thinking so hard about the space.- Yeah. - We're hard thinkers.
0:14:41 > 0:14:48Let's take a look at the garden because that's very big and extraordinary.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51The grounds here are set in well over an acre.
0:14:51 > 0:14:58They're really rather special as they've been zoned into formal, natural and even secret areas.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01It's the most fantastical garden.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Not least because it's got all these levels and vignettes like the grotto here.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Yes.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09It's beautiful.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12And then this amazing view down the Golden Valley.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15You have the sun coming here in the afternoon.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21This is south west so the sun sets down the valley and all afternoon this is bathed in golden light.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23I like the different layers.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Terraces, and you can sit in different areas.
0:15:27 > 0:15:33People can wander around and find their own peace and solitude, which is very nice.
0:15:33 > 0:15:34Now, the price.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Yes, the price. I'm going to pitch it low, I don't know why.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40I'm going to pitch it at 795.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- Right.- Oh, wow.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I would say actually much lower.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47I'd go between 500 and 550.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52OK. That's a good spread. It's actually on the market for 775.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55Wow!
0:15:55 > 0:15:59Why don't you wander round. I know there's a lot that may or may not work with your project,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- and I'll see you at the front. - OK, see you later.
0:16:02 > 0:16:08It turns out that character in the Cotswolds comes at a price much higher than Niedy anticipated.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12Still, it's under budget at £775,000.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16I described this Grade 2 listed house as a historic pot-pourri
0:16:16 > 0:16:22because the versatile living spaces over the three floors are a real journey through time.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24It has:
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Our first house certainly delivers on period features,
0:16:35 > 0:16:38but can they see it working as their holistic guest house?
0:16:38 > 0:16:42When I saw the house, I really thought it was a nice property.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45It really has a lovely feel.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48It's a super family home. It's steeped in character and tradition,
0:16:48 > 0:16:53and it has wonderful nooks and crannies, and a beautiful garden.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58For us, in terms of a holistic healing guest house, it doesn't really tick all the boxes.
0:16:58 > 0:17:03My feeling is, for the money, I'd rather have more inside space than outside space, you know?
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Yeah.- I knew that the Cotswolds is an expensive area
0:17:06 > 0:17:11and we'll be hard-pressed to find the right place for our budget
0:17:11 > 0:17:15without making maybe more compromises than we're willing to make, I don't know.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Let's see what the future brings.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28Antony and Neidy's dream of creating a holistic sanctuary in rural Gloucestershire
0:17:28 > 0:17:31means they'll also want to be in reach of a few amenities
0:17:31 > 0:17:34and attractions to keep their guests occupied.
0:17:34 > 0:17:41And with their keen interest in architecture, Tewksbury in the north of the county's well worth a visit.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43They'll be spoilt for choice as it's steeped in history
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and showcases one of the best medieval townscapes in England.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- Welcome to Tewksbury. - Their meeting up with town guide
0:17:49 > 0:17:53Patricia Shakesby for a private tour.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58So most of these buildings are medieval, particularly this one.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00As you can see there's a jetty here.
0:18:00 > 0:18:07This is called a half-timbered jetted house and this jetty means that the floor above is bigger.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11That was because you were taxed on the land you stood on.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14- More space, less tax. - More space, less tax.
0:18:14 > 0:18:15Very clever!
0:18:15 > 0:18:19The surrounding rivers and flood planes prevent development
0:18:19 > 0:18:22and so for the most part the town has hardly changed since the 14th century.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25Now this is a little medieval cottage
0:18:25 > 0:18:28actually as it would have been and of course no windows.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31There would just put shutters up, they didn't have glass then,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34certainly not the size to fit the window.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35- Right.- That's interesting.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41There are 200 listed buildings but the main attraction
0:18:41 > 0:18:43has to be the abbey which dominates the town.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Wow! This is huge!
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Yes, the largest Norman tower in Europe, which I suppose must mean the world.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54At the beginning of the 13th century, this was the only abbey
0:18:54 > 0:18:57not to be ransacked for its wealth by King John.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02- because he was a great friend of the then abbot and he stopped him doing it.- Really?
0:19:02 > 0:19:04But every other abbey in this country,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07King John had a little thieving done - put it that way!
0:19:07 > 0:19:12And entering the abbey under the huge Norman arch,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15the Romanesque architecture inside is equally impressive.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21With the original 8 stout columns supporting the ornate vaulting in the roof.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24We're approaching the counsel and you would be able to have
0:19:24 > 0:19:27a very good view of the magnificent medieval stained glass.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32The rarest glasses are not the stained glass at the end,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34but the two at the side. They've got the most amusing faces.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43The abbey has been a sacred haven to many for centuries.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Our challenge is to find Antony and Niedy a spiritual haven of their own.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52So we've had a morning driving round Gloucestershire, what are your first impressions?
0:19:52 > 0:19:56I think it's really nice, really lovely landscape.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Yes, it's quintessential England really,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03exactly the kind of England that we're looking for. Just perfect.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06And you don't get countryside like this in Germany, do you?
0:20:08 > 0:20:14You would find that if you go to south Germany, definitely, you know.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17I'm not asking you leading questions, I'm not!
0:20:17 > 0:20:20Let's not compare.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Our next house is in the small village of Nympsfield
0:20:24 > 0:20:26which is six miles southwest of Stroud
0:20:26 > 0:20:29and within an area of outstanding natural beauty.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32The village is situated on a former Roman road and has a selection of
0:20:32 > 0:20:35amenities including a pub and two churches.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Antony and Niedy are looking for a house with bags of room and this one is a labyrinth.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46We've upped the space stakes by nearly 2,000 square feet.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Here we are.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Right, lovely.- Nice.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Lovely - we like all those words!
0:20:54 > 0:20:57What are your first impressions of the energy?
0:20:57 > 0:21:00It feels very welcoming, how it's set out.
0:21:00 > 0:21:05Definitely more space at least in first impression, wouldn't you say?
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Yeah, it looks big.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It's definitely a much bigger property.
0:21:09 > 0:21:14This part is about 300 years old, it used to be part of a convent.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- Really?- Yeah, this was the orphanage.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- Shall we take a look inside?- Yes. - Let's go.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22This property has been designed like a horseshoe
0:21:22 > 0:21:27and has been extended and thoroughly modernised inside
0:21:27 > 0:21:28but will it be to their taste?
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Nice big hall, straight into a nice big dining room.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- It's lovely.- Lovely and light.- Yeah.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- Feels good.- Do I feel a little hesitation, what's going on?
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- It's the carpet! - You don't like carpet's do you?
0:21:44 > 0:21:48Yes. You can always take the carpets up.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53Sure, sure you can. And you can have guests here, loads of guests
0:21:53 > 0:21:56at the big table like they have.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00I think the thing that's striking about it is that it has been
0:22:00 > 0:22:03modernised to bring it up to pretty much a contemporary new build.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08Bear it in mind, we're going to look at the Kitchen next.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11The Kitchen... Much bigger.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Oh, nice, really nice. I like the size.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- I think I get it now, it's sort of old on the outside and modern inside.- Yeah.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23No carpet in here. You've got a very big utility room and a big larder
0:22:23 > 0:22:27so there's space if you're going to be cooking for lots of people.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31It's very clean, very neutral energy,
0:22:31 > 0:22:36so we have to kind of come in with our new energy.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Probably make some changes.
0:22:39 > 0:22:44Back through the dining room and off the hallway, there's a cosy family room and a cloakroom.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48I think that Antony's feeling the business potential of this house,
0:22:48 > 0:22:53but I'm not convinced it's delivering the right energy that Niedy's after just yet.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Perhaps the sitting room will hit the spot.
0:22:55 > 0:22:56Right,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- this is your sitting room.- Right.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Lovely open fireplace.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- Really nice.- And the stonework...
0:23:05 > 0:23:11- And it's really nice and bright here, I really think it's nice, yeah.- French doors...
0:23:11 > 0:23:16This is much more like it somehow, it has character, it has feeling and it's a fair size.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Probably the room where we also
0:23:19 > 0:23:24have to put the guests in and sit in. A meeting point.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27At last Niedy is warming up to this property, so next we're heading
0:23:27 > 0:23:31to the modern extended wing which should really get their fires burning.
0:23:31 > 0:23:38- Here, up the steps, we come into the big...- Wow!
0:23:38 > 0:23:39..Wing!
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Wow, and that's a really big wing.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Isn't it magnificent?
0:23:44 > 0:23:50- Yeah that's a really good room.- So obviously the snooker table doesn't come with the property, sadly,
0:23:50 > 0:23:55but you wouldn't want it, cos this I think would be a perfect room for your classes, for meditation.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Absolutely, this is what I thought, you know?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01It's really big, like a hall.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Off the wing is a large,
0:24:03 > 0:24:08bright conservatory, through which is yet another surprise.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13BOTH: Wow!
0:24:13 > 0:24:14- Amazing!- Amazing.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17A pool!
0:24:17 > 0:24:18That is just such a surprise.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23That's really amazing. I always wanted a pool
0:24:23 > 0:24:28and I didn't put it out as a wish cos I thought we can't
0:24:28 > 0:24:29- but here it is.- Amazing.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33That's just gobsmacking, really!
0:24:33 > 0:24:37It makes me want to go for a swim as well! It's great isn't it?
0:24:37 > 0:24:41A real, real value added plus. Well done.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- That was a plus?- Yeah. - Very good, very good.
0:24:45 > 0:24:46We like that.
0:24:46 > 0:24:52An indoor swimming pool wasn't on their wish list but it really seems to have whetted their appetites.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Weaving our way through this labyrinth we're going to check out
0:24:55 > 0:24:59the living areas upstairs in the newer part of this house.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01There are two bright double bedrooms, one with an en suite,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04a single bedroom currently used as a study,
0:25:04 > 0:25:09and a large family bathroom, but I'm taking them straight to the master bedroom.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Wow!- That was a big wow!
0:25:12 > 0:25:15That's a really wow room, yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18I love the seating area there as well.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22And lots and lots and lots of storage.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26A wonderful en suite with a Jacuzzi bathtub,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- but carpet in the bathroom.- Again!
0:25:30 > 0:25:35They like carpet! By the end of this house you'll love carpet - you'll want it everywhere!
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Possibly, yeah!
0:25:37 > 0:25:39This side of the house is served
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- by that staircase and then, through this door...- Ah-ha!
0:25:43 > 0:25:45There's another staircase?
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Wow!
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- Wow!- So this is the other staircase.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55That's nice, they've got big windows.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00OK, we may need a map here! Across the hallway is the second landing,
0:26:00 > 0:26:06off which is another bathroom and a bedroom, again being used as a study.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11- Then you've got this room at the end.- Right.- That's nice too.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14There really is a lot of space in this house.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19- How many bedrooms again?- Four on the other side and two on this side.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23So alternatively you could, if you were feeling very generous,
0:26:23 > 0:26:29sacrifice that big master bedroom, have this as your bedroom and have those four rooms as your guest room.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- Yeah, that probably makes sense. - And also with the layout
0:26:32 > 0:26:33and the different landings,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36that would lend itself to sort of our space and their space.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41Let's go outside in the garden cos the garden's beautiful. Not huge, but beautiful.
0:26:41 > 0:26:47I'm glad that Antony and Niedy are imagining how to use all this space,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50cos I really think the large and versatile layout could work for them.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52So let's see whether they can picture their guests
0:26:52 > 0:26:55enjoying the outside space as well.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59This is quite an interesting garden cos it's all in different rooms.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02I really like the garden it's laid out in a really nice way.
0:27:02 > 0:27:09- The landscape... Yeah. - You've also got this quite interesting outhouse over there,
0:27:09 > 0:27:14with a greenhouse attached which I think you could also do something with.
0:27:14 > 0:27:20- At the moment it's just full of storage.- I definitely need a tour and a plan!
0:27:20 > 0:27:25- There's so many rooms and so much space.- You can see here, how big it is -
0:27:25 > 0:27:30it stretches all the way across and the pool room as well.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32How much do you think this is worth.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37Right, that's really difficult to say actually. 825?
0:27:37 > 0:27:42Again, I would have gone a bit cheaper, 750.
0:27:42 > 0:27:43- 750?- Yeah.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Well between you you're pretty much on, it's on at 795.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51The interesting thing about it is that there's a lot of space,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- but perhaps not quite the character. - Yes.- Yeah.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- Well you said you wanted another tour round. Be my guests.- OK.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00- Take a stroll and I'll see you at the front.- OK, thank you.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07At £795,000, this extensive property is still well under budget.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11You get a lot of house for your money and there's more than enough
0:28:11 > 0:28:14left over to remodel it in their own style.
0:28:14 > 0:28:15It has:
0:28:26 > 0:28:27But does it feel right?
0:28:29 > 0:28:31I really like this house actually.
0:28:31 > 0:28:38It sort of grew on me, room after room after room, I think I was seduced by the size of it.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43- And also, what I really liked was the pool, I must say.- The pool, what a surprise that was.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Just totally unexpected.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48It's a classic case of space versus character, isn't it?
0:28:48 > 0:28:52I'm really looking for space and you're really looking for character.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55I miss the character.
0:28:55 > 0:29:01You see other properties where you have nice lead windows and here you have the PVC
0:29:01 > 0:29:05and if we are able to change it in our way then I can really see
0:29:05 > 0:29:09that this is a house where we could start our plan.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Ah-ha! Come, come, don't be sheepish!
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Time to leave.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18- Did you have fun? - OK. Yeah, we had fun.
0:29:18 > 0:29:19Bye, bye, Fido.
0:29:20 > 0:29:26For many people, the start of autumn signifies the descent towards cold and grey winter months,
0:29:26 > 0:29:31but for one place in Gloucestershire it's time to celebrate nature at its best and most colourful.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37This is the National Arboretum in Westonbirt where 600 acres
0:29:37 > 0:29:42is home to one of our most precious resources - trees.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45Trees were a particular passion of my gran
0:29:45 > 0:29:47and her enthusiasm rubbed off on me
0:29:47 > 0:29:52so I'm excited to be visiting one of the finest collections of temperate trees and shrubs in the world,
0:29:52 > 0:29:54which includes no less than 16,000 specimens.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57I've come to meet Mark Ballard,
0:29:57 > 0:30:01who heads the tree team here, and has offered to guide me round the park.
0:30:01 > 0:30:07The arboretum was first established in the 1850s by wealthy landowner Robert Holford,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09and later developed by his son George.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15It was George's fascination with Japanese maples that led him to collect so many different types.
0:30:15 > 0:30:16Wow, these are beautiful!
0:30:16 > 0:30:23The scene-stealing reds and golds of the maple glade in autumn remains one of the park's biggest draws.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26I think these were probably planted around the 1850s.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- So this is Sir George's work.- It is.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31It's amazing, the thing about these arboretum owners,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34they planted these trees and didn't get to see them grown.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39No, they had tremendous foresight and we're kind of reaping the dividends of their hard work today.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42We have that responsibility to make sure we keep
0:30:42 > 0:30:46planting trees so that future generations will have something to enjoy.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50For the long-term survival of this grade-one registered landscape, it's vital to plan ahead,
0:30:50 > 0:30:56as many of the trees take at least 50 years to reach maturity.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59It's a nice place to walk around but is there a serious aim to it?
0:30:59 > 0:31:02Botanically, the collection is really important.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05The collection offers different things to different people.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09It's a pretty place, the picturesque landscape is important,
0:31:09 > 0:31:11but we do get a lot of tree geeks come as well.
0:31:11 > 0:31:17There's an onus of responsibility on us so we collect seed in the wild so we know exactly what it is,
0:31:17 > 0:31:20take advice from locals and so on as to how it grows,
0:31:20 > 0:31:23and bring that back to the collection to add to what we've got.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25So you say there are 600 acres.
0:31:25 > 0:31:26- Is it full?- Yes.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30So what happens to the new seeds? Do you have to chop stuff down?
0:31:30 > 0:31:33Removal of a tree isn't always a bad thing. Obviously it can be
0:31:33 > 0:31:37dead, dying or diseased, but, more importantly,
0:31:37 > 0:31:39it's making sure we've got room to put new plants,
0:31:39 > 0:31:43so when they reach the end of their shelf life, sometimes a tree has to go.
0:31:43 > 0:31:49Now it's time for me to try out my tree-spotting knowledge on a variety I recognise from the city.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54This is similar to the one we get in London, the London Plane.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59It's a relative and they're really good street trees because you can see the bark,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02as it peels away... Obviously the trees absorb pollution
0:32:02 > 0:32:06and it's a good way of it shedding its polluted skin.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10Look at the canopy, it's amazing.
0:32:10 > 0:32:11What a great job you have.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13I'm jealous.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22As the sun sets across the Gloucestershire countryside,
0:32:22 > 0:32:27Niedy and Anthony take time out and reflect on their property search so far.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33OK, Niedy, what did you think of the weaver's house?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I really loved it, I must say.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39It was a really nice period-featured house
0:32:39 > 0:32:43with loads of different rooms out of different centuries.
0:32:43 > 0:32:49Also, I liked the outside building where I saw myself having a studio.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53I really liked the house, it was oozing with character and history,
0:32:53 > 0:32:57it really was. I just thought, "If only we could have a bit more inside space
0:32:57 > 0:33:03"and a bit less outside space, then it would be, you know, more commercially viable somehow."
0:33:03 > 0:33:06So what do you think about the pool house?
0:33:06 > 0:33:09The pool house really grew on me, actually.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12I loved it from the outside, the three gables.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17I really liked the combination of lots of rooms, lots of space, lots of en-suite bedrooms,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20but I know that from your perspective
0:33:20 > 0:33:23it was kind of lacking in character, wasn't it?
0:33:23 > 0:33:28Yeah, it was lacking in character and I was a bit kind of disappointed on that side,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30but we had the space, like you say.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34So after all, I'm very kind of looking forward to tomorrow
0:33:34 > 0:33:37to see what the next two houses... how they will look
0:33:37 > 0:33:41and there's a mystery house, I heard, so let's see.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44I'm very excited as well. Oh, great! THEY LAUGH
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Jet-setters Anthony and Niedy want to cash in their air miles
0:33:53 > 0:33:59and set up a holistic guest house in the Gloucestershire countryside with a budget of £850,000.
0:33:59 > 0:34:05We've shown them two properties so far, and coming up, the vital energy hits the right note.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07- Good feng shui? - Very good feng shui actually.
0:34:07 > 0:34:11And then there's the mystery house, where they could really cash in.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- You could charge a lot of people lots of money to stay here. - Brilliant, sounds ideal!
0:34:19 > 0:34:23Yesterday went quite well. They're such a magical couple with a magical project,
0:34:23 > 0:34:28but I don't think the property quite hit the mark so today I'll give them exactly what they want,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31and then, with the mystery house, something they probably don't want,
0:34:31 > 0:34:37but will make them think long and hard about their project here in Gloucestershire. Here goes.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Another lovely day in Gloucestershire.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47How are you feeling about the house this morning?
0:34:47 > 0:34:49What do you feel that you should be seeing?
0:34:49 > 0:34:53I think we've seen character and I think we've seen the space.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- You want them both, don't you? - We want both together, if possible.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00She's character, I'm space, she's town, I'm remote.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03- Squaring the circle. - Squaring the circle, exactly.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Let's see how we get on today.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Our first property of the day sits in the far west of the county,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11two miles from the village of Woolaston
0:35:11 > 0:35:13on the Gloucestershire Welsh border.
0:35:13 > 0:35:15Set in beautiful countryside,
0:35:15 > 0:35:18dotted here and there with small farms and cottages,
0:35:18 > 0:35:23it's a small hamlet largely surrounded by woodland.
0:35:23 > 0:35:27The village has a post office, as well as a small shop selling locally-sourced fresh food.
0:35:27 > 0:35:32The pleasant location makes it an ideal haven for walkers.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Down a private and very rural country lane, we find our next property.
0:35:36 > 0:35:43It's a real slice of old England, and, on the face of it, a perfect match for their grand plan.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46- Here we are.- That's amazing.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- I'm very excited about this property.- Wow!
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Yes, this is really something.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- That's really amazing. - It's really, really something.
0:35:55 > 0:36:01This property comes with a lot of very interesting features, not least the fact that you own this valley.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- Really?- Wow!
0:36:04 > 0:36:09You'll notice that we drove up here and this is the end of it. That's because you own it.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Wow, that is amazing.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- You own this... - Valley owners, Niedy!
0:36:14 > 0:36:17..And you own another 10 acres of land behind it.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21- Really? Phenomenal. - So this would be your retreat.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24- You've got 10 bedrooms in this property.- Really?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26Wow. It looks really big.
0:36:26 > 0:36:32- It's already being used as a residential retreat centre.- Really? - Yes, so there's lots of scope,
0:36:32 > 0:36:36but what's most important is how do you feel about the energy of this place?
0:36:36 > 0:36:40- Good feng shui?- Yes, very good feng shui, actually, as it happens.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- Do you want to look inside? - A very good find.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47As rural retreats go, they rarely come more remote than this.
0:36:47 > 0:36:52The former corn mill and attached cottage sits in nearly 14 acres of land.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57First impressions outside are great, but how will the vibe fare inside?
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Straight into the kitchen, very countrified.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02It's really nice.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04It's a two-level affair.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Because the land is on a slope, what happens is
0:37:07 > 0:37:12- you go straight out into the garden from the upper level.- Amazing.
0:37:12 > 0:37:18Then here is this gigantic larder underneath, some storage for your food.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23- What do think of the layout? Slightly unusual.- It's very unusual.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28I like to have the space up there and cooking here. I think I can go out there,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31that really makes it for me, going through there.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Shall we look upstairs?
0:37:33 > 0:37:36So this is all beech wood.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40Everything here is made from beech, probably from the local woodland.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42It's very nice, I love it.
0:37:42 > 0:37:48- Coming here and having the open fireplace, that's very nice. - Really special.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53I want to show you one of the main rooms, it's quite impressive.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57- Ta-da!- Wow.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03It's a good room, huh? Massive high ceilings, massive high window.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07This is what we're looking for in a house!
0:38:07 > 0:38:11I think you could have very good sharings in here and a lot of good times, I think.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- Very exquisite.- I love it.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15OK, sold!
0:38:16 > 0:38:18Let's go upstairs.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20It's a fabulous start so far.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24They're both loving the style, space and the rustic features.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Lots more lovely beech wood everywhere.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32On the first floor there are two double bedrooms, both of a good size,
0:38:32 > 0:38:36pus a single bedroom and the family bathroom.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40There's also the master bedroom, featuring French doors out to the garden.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44So they're quite simple rooms but, I think,
0:38:44 > 0:38:49particularly thinking about what you're going to do, they're sweet and charming.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Yeah, you can always put a nice bed and something special in there,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55and make it a more special room.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59- Artwork and something different. - Theme the rooms,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- like we wanted to do. - Yes, theme the rooms.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Oh right, that's wonderful.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05There's more to theme up in the attic,
0:39:05 > 0:39:10with another two double bedrooms featuring attractive exposed roof timbers.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14There's yet more space in the cottage, which is adjacent to the mill.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19Laid out over three floors, it has great potential to develop as guest quarters.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22On the ground floor of the cottage, there are two sitting rooms,
0:39:22 > 0:39:26kitchen and dining room with original flagstone steps.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30Up on the first floor, there are three bedrooms and a family bathroom.
0:39:30 > 0:39:35Right up in the attic, there are another two double bedrooms with exposed ridge beams.
0:39:35 > 0:39:40That's a great number of rooms to theme, if they're up for the challenge.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43We're going to take a look at the large stone-built studio as well -
0:39:43 > 0:39:48a perfect space for meditation, yoga, painting, you name it.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- It's really a good room. - Yes, wonderful, isn't it?
0:39:56 > 0:39:59All these doors open up, concertina style...
0:39:59 > 0:40:04- Oh brilliant!- ..so that you can have it all open in the summer. - Excellent.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07This is a good meditation space, isn't it?
0:40:07 > 0:40:08Yes, or artist space.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13This is exactly the place we were looking for, to have an outside building like this.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- The height, the size, it's perfect. - Perfect.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- Well done!- We like to hear that.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Let's go outside.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29There's a lot to take in and it doesn't end with the mill house, the cottage and the studio.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32There are also outbuildings aplenty, including barns and stables.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36Although the tour of the buildings may be complete,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39there's still some 14 acres to explore,
0:40:39 > 0:40:40including woodland and pasture.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43This is so exciting.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47- Beautiful countryside, and it's yours.- Yes, lovely.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- Pretty much everything you can see. - So the river is on the property then?
0:40:51 > 0:40:53Yes, absolutely.
0:40:53 > 0:40:59This is actually perfect to have little celebrations there and people sit and hang out in the nature.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04- Yes. For solstice, you mean? Summer solstice, that kind of thing.- Yes.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07- Yeah, wonderful.- So, how much do you think all that costs?
0:41:07 > 0:41:13OK, well I'm going to go to the limit and say 850.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Yes, I also think it's quite high in our budget.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I'd say maybe 800, hopefully?
0:41:19 > 0:41:22You're always kind of wishful thinking!
0:41:22 > 0:41:24"400? 300?!"
0:41:24 > 0:41:28You're right, it's 850. Right at the top of your budget.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33Take a stroll through your estate and I'll see you at the front and have a think.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36We'll go and ruminate, then. Thank you.
0:41:36 > 0:41:42So bang on their budget of £850,000, for this plot you get two for the price of one.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45The substantial 17th-century property has...
0:42:01 > 0:42:03But is that too much land to handle?
0:42:06 > 0:42:08This property is magic, really.
0:42:08 > 0:42:13I think I'm so grateful to have seen it and I'm so pleased with it.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15It's got a very protective feel around it.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19I love the fact that it's got a river running through it.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23It's beautiful. It has the charm we're looking for,
0:42:23 > 0:42:25it has the space we're looking for,
0:42:25 > 0:42:29it has loads of land, which is a bit frightening!
0:42:29 > 0:42:34I just love that feeling of stepping out and the dawning of...
0:42:34 > 0:42:40- it's our land! It's unreal, isn't it? - Yes, it's a beautiful feel here.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43What would we do with 14 acres?
0:42:43 > 0:42:48Good question. We never really thought we'd have that much land before, did we?
0:42:48 > 0:42:52No, but when you talked about bees...
0:42:52 > 0:42:58Yes, I'd like to do bees, actually, and I think with all of the wild flowers they have here,
0:42:58 > 0:43:00that would be conducive to that.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03The feeling I get with it is actually not to do very much.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09The negative is probably that we have to put money in to renovate the cottage.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12I'd buy it tomorrow, but you do have to talk to my wife.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- I expect you've got lots to think about after that.- Absolutely.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18But we're not over yet.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26The mystery house is a complete about-face,
0:43:26 > 0:43:31because instead of taking Anthony and Niedy into the rural quiet for their retreat,
0:43:31 > 0:43:35I've brought them into the middle of a very bustling market town,
0:43:35 > 0:43:40because I think this might shake them up and provide some new fresh ideas for their property search.
0:43:42 > 0:43:45For our mystery house, we've come to the market town of Tetbury
0:43:45 > 0:43:49in south Gloucestershire, which is surrounded by splendid countryside.
0:43:49 > 0:43:50The town lies on top of a hill,
0:43:50 > 0:43:54full of interesting architecture and has largely remained unchanged
0:43:54 > 0:44:01since the 16th and 17th centuries, when it was at the height of prosperity as a major wool centre.
0:44:01 > 0:44:06Today, tourists flock to Tetbury to sample its specialist shops, cafes and boutiques.
0:44:06 > 0:44:12And with Prince Charles' country estate just a short drive away, it's a very desirable location.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16With plenty of visitors, an affluent community and even royalty on the doorstep,
0:44:16 > 0:44:18there's lots of business opportunities.
0:44:18 > 0:44:22Before we go to the mystery house, I'm taking a slightly different tack.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25So far, it's been about Anthony. Now I want to show at Niedy
0:44:25 > 0:44:28somewhere to showcase her art.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31- Come on in.- Ah!- Oh, right.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35- Wow, that's my gallery! - It's your gallery, yes.
0:44:35 > 0:44:40What we thought we'd do is, rather than show you another massive property out in the countryside,
0:44:40 > 0:44:44is think a little bit about what you mentioned in terms of not wanting to be so remote.
0:44:44 > 0:44:47What I want to show you is a property in Tetbury
0:44:47 > 0:44:51with this as the possible space for running your courses.
0:44:51 > 0:44:58I'm glad you picked that up, because when we arrived, I finally had that feeling of community
0:44:58 > 0:45:01and I immediately saw it as my gallery or, you know,
0:45:01 > 0:45:05a really good outlet for art and meditation, maybe, as well.
0:45:05 > 0:45:10You'd have to negotiate, but the space you could rent out right at the beginning is £40 an hour.
0:45:10 > 0:45:15If you wanted to build up your business bit by bit, rather than laying out all the money,
0:45:15 > 0:45:19you could do that and then you could rent this by the month, £500 a month,
0:45:19 > 0:45:22use this as your gallery space and then, gradually,
0:45:22 > 0:45:27- when you've established yourself, you know, maybe buy something.- Yeah.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31I want to see this one and I want to see what is possible here for me.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34- Great.- I'm excited. - Well, I'm going to bookmark this.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38There are other options in Tetbury, but I wanted to show there are possibilities,
0:45:38 > 0:45:43- because the house I want to show you is around the corner. - OK.- Oh, right, OK.
0:45:43 > 0:45:48'We've seen where they could work, let's see what they'd call home.'
0:45:49 > 0:45:53- This is the slice of Tetbury I want you to see.- Right.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56We're in the middle of the town, obviously, it's on a road,
0:45:56 > 0:45:59and it is market day, but I think you'll love it. Let's take a look.
0:46:07 > 0:46:10- Ah.- Wow. Wow.
0:46:11 > 0:46:13- Wows. - SHE LAUGHS
0:46:13 > 0:46:16Oh, wow, an amazing fireplace.
0:46:16 > 0:46:21This is a very stylish property, actually, it's the oldest property that I've shown you.
0:46:21 > 0:46:24- It dates back to Elizabethan times. - Really?- But as you can see,
0:46:24 > 0:46:30- it's been renovated to a very contemporary style in the last two years.- Yes, yes.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34- Incredible polished oak floors, no carpets anywhere. - Yes, lovely.- It's amazing.
0:46:34 > 0:46:40- It feels like a town house. - Yeah.- You come into a little bit of modern,
0:46:40 > 0:46:42but still, you have the old. I love that combination.
0:46:42 > 0:46:47- This is what, in England, we would call the boutique hotel style. - Yeah.- Right, right.
0:46:47 > 0:46:52So you wouldn't have to do a single thing before you could charge people lots of money to stay here.
0:46:52 > 0:46:56Brilliant. Sounds ideal. You've hit the nail on the head here.
0:46:56 > 0:46:58Let's continue the tour.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02Here's your kitchen.
0:47:02 > 0:47:05- Galley style. - I like the timber tops.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08- It's all bespoke, all made to fit this kitchen.- Really?
0:47:08 > 0:47:10So, it's a very simple space, but it's perfect,
0:47:10 > 0:47:16- because your guests can dine there, and they've got their own little sitting room.- Good.- Lovely.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18But it flows beautifully into this space.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23This, I think, is the centrepiece of the property.
0:47:23 > 0:47:26- Oh, great!- Wow. It's really high.
0:47:26 > 0:47:30- Really!- The light.- The skylight's beautiful.- Yeah.- Different shapes.
0:47:30 > 0:47:33This is not even the brightest day. It's completely flooded with light.
0:47:33 > 0:47:38- And you've got the deeds from the original house, both from the 1600s. - Really?- It fits very well.
0:47:38 > 0:47:40- It does, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:47:40 > 0:47:45With our kind of tastes, putting things in we like,
0:47:45 > 0:47:49it would be a really nice place to start.
0:47:49 > 0:47:52- And high enough walls for your art, because you've got quite big art.- Yes.
0:47:52 > 0:47:58'There's plenty of space for artwork and plenty of space for guests with four double bedrooms.
0:47:58 > 0:48:02'Two bedrooms are on the first floor, one is offered as a twin room
0:48:02 > 0:48:05'and next to that is the master suite.'
0:48:07 > 0:48:11This is one of the bedrooms on the first floor.
0:48:11 > 0:48:12- They're all good sizes.- Yes.
0:48:12 > 0:48:16I think they are using this as their master bedroom, actually.
0:48:16 > 0:48:19Lots of nice light. But also, through here...
0:48:21 > 0:48:27..you've got a lovely dressing room area into a very stylish bathroom.
0:48:27 > 0:48:32- Oh, gosh!- Wow! That's very stylish. - Very, very amazing.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35- This is what they call a bateau bath.- Uh-huh?- Right?
0:48:35 > 0:48:38Cos it's scooped at both ends like a ship.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41So you don't really know the way around to lie.
0:48:41 > 0:48:45- Exactly. Or you could both lie in there.- Yes.
0:48:45 > 0:48:50- But it's a beautifully contemporary space.- It is.- A pitched roof, yes.
0:48:50 > 0:48:53- There are more glamorous sleeping options upstairs. After you.- OK.
0:48:53 > 0:48:57'The staircase continues to the second floor with another twin room
0:48:57 > 0:49:01'and an elegant family bathroom with roll-top bath.
0:49:01 > 0:49:05'But we're going further up the winding stairs to the top.'
0:49:05 > 0:49:08Now, this is a great room. Right at the top of the house.
0:49:08 > 0:49:12- Mind your head, Anthony, on the big white beam.- I'll try very hard.
0:49:12 > 0:49:16- And look, open baths. I love that.- Yes!
0:49:16 > 0:49:19That would be my room.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21- I thought as much. - SHE LAUGHS
0:49:21 > 0:49:24See how old and wonky the floor is, they've propped the...
0:49:24 > 0:49:26They're up on books.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29- It's an art statement, really. - It's stylishly done, isn't it?- Yes.
0:49:29 > 0:49:33- Sleeping on books.- Very nice. Very nicely done.- Yeah.
0:49:33 > 0:49:37To the point where, really, you don't have to very much more, just put in your furniture
0:49:37 > 0:49:41and your art and move in, which is probably reflected in the price.
0:49:41 > 0:49:46Well, this is why we wanted to show it to you, because it's a whole different spin on it.
0:49:46 > 0:49:49- It's not a big retreat out in the country.- Yes.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51It's a beautiful town house in a great town
0:49:51 > 0:49:56where you could look into expanding and building up your business
0:49:56 > 0:50:00- with the clientele that's already here.- A very good idea.- Yes, it is.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02But you could also sleep three couples.
0:50:02 > 0:50:08- Yes, you could have a boutique guesthouse...- B&B.- ..B&B.- Mm-hm.
0:50:08 > 0:50:15- I like the idea to have the guest house here and then the art gallery around the corner...- Yes.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18- ..and have two businesses going at the same time.- Yes.
0:50:18 > 0:50:20Let's go to the garden to talk about price.
0:50:23 > 0:50:28- Lovely. A very small, but beautiful courtyard garden.- Yes.
0:50:28 > 0:50:32- Ringed around with Cotswold stone. - Mm-hm. Very nice.- Yes.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37I don't know if I would miss a bit more garden for vegetables. I don't know.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41It's something I have to think about - if this is enough for me.
0:50:41 > 0:50:45- This is the whole mystery house, it turns things on its head.- Yeah.
0:50:45 > 0:50:49What do you think the price of this property is?
0:50:49 > 0:50:52I would say 795.
0:50:52 > 0:50:55Yeah. I was thinking 750.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57- I'm always going a bit lower.- Yes!
0:50:57 > 0:51:01- THEY LAUGH In hope!- Hopeful.- Good hope, yeah.
0:51:01 > 0:51:04Well, the interesting thing is that buying this property
0:51:04 > 0:51:08would be also with the idea you'd have some money left over,
0:51:08 > 0:51:11so actually, this property is on the market for 595.
0:51:11 > 0:51:16- Wow.- Oh, that's good. It's not as expensive as I thought it was.- Yeah.
0:51:16 > 0:51:22- It's not the brief you gave us, but I think it's quite an interesting prospect.- Very much.- It is.
0:51:22 > 0:51:24- Why don't you have a wander round? - Thank you.- We will.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29That was a good cat among the pigeons.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33That cat seems to have been the best thing we've shown them, in many ways.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35It's really interesting to see how excited Niedy is.
0:51:35 > 0:51:39I wonder whether she can persuade Anthony to agree.
0:51:42 > 0:51:48At £595,000, the mystery house is a massive £255,000 under budget,
0:51:48 > 0:51:52leaving plenty of money to invest into a business away from home.
0:51:52 > 0:51:58This fine Elizabethan house is situated in a highly sought-after town with four large bedrooms,
0:51:58 > 0:52:01two of which are en suite, three reception rooms
0:52:01 > 0:52:03and a walled courtyard garden.
0:52:03 > 0:52:05Niedy is mentally packing her bags to move in,
0:52:05 > 0:52:10but will Anthony sacrifice his rural dreams to satisfy his wife?
0:52:12 > 0:52:16This is Niedy's house. Pure and simple.
0:52:16 > 0:52:20It's minimalist, it has that character which is exactly what Niedy wants,
0:52:20 > 0:52:24it's right in the centre of town. In terms of negative, possibly no parking
0:52:24 > 0:52:29and the garden's not really a garden, it's a little courtyard.
0:52:29 > 0:52:34I actually thought the mystery house would be really the house I liked.
0:52:34 > 0:52:38I knew that, because the house this morning was so much what I liked
0:52:38 > 0:52:44that they had to sort of come up with something for you. I can see why you like this, totally.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48- I'm not saying I don't like it. - I like the village and we can do it straightaway.
0:52:48 > 0:52:53- Yeah, I like it. - Food for thought. I know you do. - I really do like it.- I know.
0:52:53 > 0:53:00Anthony, I think he would agree if I say, "Yes, we will buy this."
0:53:00 > 0:53:02I'm really considering making an offer.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14So it's the mystery house that generated the most energy for Niedy.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18She's fired up and ready to put an offer in, but first, she's got to win over Anthony.
0:53:18 > 0:53:22I think there's some serious negotiations to be done.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25It was strange, as we were thinking about all the houses on the show,
0:53:25 > 0:53:30the mill house seemed to be a clear winner. It offered everything that Anthony and Niedy wanted.
0:53:30 > 0:53:35But it seems that the mystery house has brought Niedy back to a whole new set of needs and wants.
0:53:35 > 0:53:42It will be very interesting to see whether the two of them can square their conflicting interests.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49- Hi, guys. What a beautiful spot. - Yes.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52So has the magic of Gloucestershire lasted?
0:53:52 > 0:53:55Are you still in love with the county?
0:53:55 > 0:53:59- I loved Gloucestershire, actually. - Loved it both a lot. - It is a beautiful county.
0:53:59 > 0:54:03We're really glad we came here and saw everything what we saw.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07Can we look at the houses one by one? You had so much to say about them.
0:54:07 > 0:54:12It would be quite nice to look back over them all. The weaver's house in the valley.
0:54:12 > 0:54:14The weaver's house was really beautiful.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17The character is everything I wanted.
0:54:17 > 0:54:21The garden was a bit too difficult, in the end.
0:54:21 > 0:54:25And also, the house was actually a bit too small.
0:54:25 > 0:54:31It's a wonderful house to live in, but for what it is that we wanted to do, it didn't really do it.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33What did you think about the bigger house -
0:54:33 > 0:54:35a convent, an orphanage, and it had a swimming pool?
0:54:35 > 0:54:38- It did, that was a surprise! - Mmm, you liked it.
0:54:38 > 0:54:39- I did, yes. - You liked the house.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42It had so much space, but it was somehow lacking in character,
0:54:42 > 0:54:45especially internally, I must say,
0:54:45 > 0:54:49and that's when we realised that somehow we wanted to find a balance between the two.
0:54:49 > 0:54:55Now, the mill house was, in many ways, everything you were looking for.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59- What are your thoughts about it now? - It was a good balance of character and space.
0:54:59 > 0:55:05And it also allowed us to have the guest house and the meditation and the art gallery facility.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07The downside was 14 acres.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10We just don't need 14 acres.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13- And we pay for the 14 acres. - And you pay for that.
0:55:13 > 0:55:18So, that brings the house very high up in our price range.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21And the mystery house? This was not what you asked for,
0:55:21 > 0:55:26- but it seemed to raise lots of interesting questions. - Niedy loved it.- I love it.
0:55:26 > 0:55:31I think what was very intelligent and incisive of you was to, if you like,
0:55:31 > 0:55:35push the envelope a little bit out of our comfort zone.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38And it has given us food for thought in terms of the minimalism
0:55:38 > 0:55:43- and the character and artiness of it, it was perfect, wasn't it?- Yes.
0:55:43 > 0:55:48It's definitely a house where we could start straightaway a business
0:55:48 > 0:55:52and I really liked Tetbury as a village.
0:55:52 > 0:55:54I can see myself having a gallery there straightaway.
0:55:54 > 0:55:57It seems like it's been quite a journey for you.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00How has it all panned out? What's going to happen next?
0:56:00 > 0:56:05I think I would like to go back to the last property again
0:56:05 > 0:56:10and a have a deeper look into Tetbury and the village and see if this would work for me there.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13- To the mystery house for you?- Yeah.
0:56:13 > 0:56:18I like the mill house. It somehow pushed all my buttons and I just saw everything
0:56:18 > 0:56:21in one place and I thought that was really beautiful.
0:56:21 > 0:56:28I think what you've helped us to do is to refine our thinking down to, if you like, the endgame.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32It really was a journey for us and we believe that we're getting there.
0:56:32 > 0:56:37- Good. Make it happen. The countryside needs you. - Thank you. Thank you very much.
0:56:40 > 0:56:45As you'd expect, the beauty of Gloucestershire seems to have worked its magic on Niedy and Anthony,
0:56:45 > 0:56:49even if they can't quite decide which property to settle on.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52And if you've enjoyed all this rural property shopping,
0:56:52 > 0:56:55then make sure you tune in next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59'If you want to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:56:59 > 0:57:04'Northern Ireland or England, and need our help, please apply online.'
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:18 > 0:57:21E-mail: subtitling@bbc.co.uk