0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07Today we are in a part of the UK that has been a popular retreat for centuries,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11not least with the Romans who really have left their mark here.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Let's face it, if it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me.
0:00:27 > 0:00:32Today we're helping a young family escape to one of the UK's priciest counties.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- But will they be living in the pink? - I'll paint it before I let my son come in here.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41We'll be checking out some amazing country homes.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44That is beautiful. You've thrown my beams in as well.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48And unexpectedly, today's mystery house becomes a battle of wills.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- Does she ever say she's wrong? - She's pretty stubborn.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I'm never wrong.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00Today I'm in Hampshire, slap bang in the middle of the once great Roman
0:01:00 > 0:01:03amphitheatre just outside the old Roman town of Silchester.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07On a quiet day like this it is hard to imagine this place roaring
0:01:07 > 0:01:11to the sound of 7,000 spectators cheering on their favourite gladiator,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13but today, of course, it is a lot more tranquil,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16the ideal place to start any escape to the country.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Let the games begin.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26Hampshire was in fact one of the first UK regions to fall to the invading Roman forces in 43 AD.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30Take one look at the stunning countryside and it is not hard
0:01:30 > 0:01:32to figure out why they chose to set up home here.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34This quintessential English county
0:01:34 > 0:01:38on the south coast is bordered by Dorset, Wiltshire, Berkshire,
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Surrey and West Sussex and its proximity to London
0:01:42 > 0:01:45makes is a prime destination for City commuters.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Large swathes of this rural landscape remain untouched,
0:01:51 > 0:01:58thanks in part to the New Forest and England's newest national park, the South Downs,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02making this county's unspoilt charm a permanent fixture.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07The 34 mile coastline is home to plenty of
0:02:07 > 0:02:12pretty harbour towns and villages making it a mecca for yachties too.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17Is Hampshire a nice place to live?
0:02:17 > 0:02:22According to a recent study taking into account such important criteria as light pollution,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26access to local services, good pubs and general quality of life,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29it came a very respectable second just behind Devon
0:02:29 > 0:02:31but all that doesn't come cheap.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Properties here can set you back as much as 33%
0:02:34 > 0:02:36above the national average but
0:02:36 > 0:02:40if you want picture perfect postcard landscape, just a hop from London,
0:02:40 > 0:02:42Hampshire is a pretty good bet.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47Don't take my word for it, here's a selection of what's on the market so you can judge for yourself.
0:02:47 > 0:02:54For £1.15 million you could snap up this five-bedroomed barn conversion
0:02:54 > 0:02:55in Ovington.
0:02:55 > 0:03:01Beneath the vaulted beamed ceilings you will find both character and ample living space and there is no
0:03:01 > 0:03:06scrimping on an alfresco lifestyle either with nearly an acre of land.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Or for nearly half the price,
0:03:11 > 0:03:16£625,000 will buy this large 1850s period home in Bartley Heath.
0:03:16 > 0:03:22It comes with four bedrooms, two reception rooms and an oak kitchen.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27With an acre of land, all in all you might be spending more time outside.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30However if it is a cottage you are after, this charming four bedroomed
0:03:30 > 0:03:34semi-detached in the village of Binstead could be just the ticket.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37It offers up cosy country living
0:03:37 > 0:03:41and the £395,000 price tag shouldn't put you in the red.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47As you can see, there is plenty in the Hampshire property market that
0:03:47 > 0:03:51may tempt you which is exactly why today's buyers want to move here.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56Gus, a business manager and Tash, a marketing manager share their four
0:03:56 > 0:04:00bedroom modern house in Caversham near Reading with their son George.
0:04:00 > 0:04:05It is his arrival 18 months ago that has prompted their escape from the suburbs.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09We'd love to move to the country because we've been living in town now
0:04:09 > 0:04:15for six years or so and the opportunity to live somewhere a little bit more rural and let
0:04:15 > 0:04:21George grow up in that rural location would definitely be something we see as the next step forward for us.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26This house has been really lovely but the garden is totally impractical now for a toddler.
0:04:26 > 0:04:31It is nice but it is slopey and not ideal for him to be running around on.
0:04:31 > 0:04:37As far as location is, it is quite a long commute into work and takes us approximately an hour to get work.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40With both their offices near Farnborough in North Hampshire,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42they have already spent six months
0:04:42 > 0:04:46house hunting but to date have come up empty handed.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50We have found nice houses but perhaps on a busy road, they are not in the right location.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55We have found nice locations but not the right houses and it hasn't come together for us yet.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58What does their perfect home look like?
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Ideally we love character properties, we love cottages but we
0:05:02 > 0:05:06wouldn't rule out new houses as well if we found a really nice one.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08- And it was individual. - And individual.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Character cottages to modern homes is a very broad spectrum
0:05:12 > 0:05:16so what kind of detail will help us narrow the search?
0:05:16 > 0:05:20We would like our next house to have four bedrooms, an en suite,
0:05:20 > 0:05:22family bathroom, nice big kitchen/diner,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24nice living space downstairs
0:05:24 > 0:05:30and a nice big flat garden, ideally overlooking fields so George can enjoy that.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35Angus and I often work from home and before George was born we used his room as our study
0:05:35 > 0:05:40and now that he has got that as his bedroom, we use this area in the back room which isn't ideal.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43We would like a dedicated room that we could use as a study when we move house.
0:05:43 > 0:05:49This is my boys' room which is my opportunity to escape and watch big games of sport.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52It would be great if I could have something like this as
0:05:52 > 0:05:55a separate room rather than sharing it with the office in the new house.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Though not essential, it would be great to have.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Ellie is my horse who I have known for years and years.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04My dream is to have her at the bottom of the garden at some point.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08I would love a place with paddocks and stables.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12I'm more realistic and I don't know if that is achievable with our budget at the moment.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16To work out exactly how much they will have to spend on their new home,
0:06:16 > 0:06:21we've invited a local agent round to value their current house.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25It is a modern four-bedroomed detached family house, nice quiet cul de sac, close
0:06:25 > 0:06:30to schools and shops and I would value this property at £395,000.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Well that won't get us far in Hampshire so what
0:06:35 > 0:06:38kind of figure do they have in mind for their new home?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Our budget for this move is going to be £600,000.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48Now, clearly one of the key drivers for this move is young George.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51They want to give him a nice country start to his young life
0:06:51 > 0:06:55but they are going to have to find him a nice country house in which to do it.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Specifically we are after four bedrooms, a nice big kitchen
0:06:58 > 0:07:03and a flat garden so George has plenty of room to play in and of course to grow up in.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Their budget, on the face of it, is pretty good, £600,000.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12But I have to say Hampshire is one of the most expensive counties in southern England.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Getting all they want for the money is going to be tricky.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19As you can see the wheat in Hampshire is about to ripen.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Will we have found them their dream house by the time it is harvested? I wonder.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28As Gus and Tash work in the Farnborough area,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30and both their families are near Woking,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32they are keen to have easy access to the M3
0:07:32 > 0:07:35so we'll be focusing the property search in North Hampshire
0:07:35 > 0:07:39in the villages and hamlets surrounding Basingstoke.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43In today's show we'll be viewing three of the best family homes on the market
0:07:43 > 0:07:47but as always, we won't reveal the price tags until the end of the tours.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50The last of the three, the mystery house,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53won't be what they are expecting but will it make the grade?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Well, chaps, how are you? Nice to see you Natasha.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02And you, Gus. Now then, your budget,
0:08:02 > 0:08:08- £600,000 in a very expensive part of the world.- Challenging.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13It is quite challenging. You have been looking for some time so you kind of know what we are up against.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- Who is really behind this move? - Definitely me.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21- The problem is she has tastes beyond our budget.- Is that true?
0:08:21 > 0:08:25- I'm a bit of a dreamer, I know that. - I think a bit of a dream is OK.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28It is just how you manage the business of waking up, really.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30LAUGHTER
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- He's already awake.- I am awake.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- He tells me it isn't realistic. - You're my realist?
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- Yes. On this mission and the dreamer's here.- I like dreamers.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Let's see what we can and find you and of course we've got the mystery house to come, so who knows?
0:08:48 > 0:08:50So for £600,000,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54Gus and Tash are after a sizable detached family home.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58A character cottage is the ideal, but they will consider modern too.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Their must-haves include four bedrooms,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03a separate study, a big kitchen diner
0:09:03 > 0:09:06and for George, a playroom and a nice flat garden are vital.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Finding all this in a popular village location
0:09:10 > 0:09:12will be a big challenge in Hampshire
0:09:12 > 0:09:17and when you throw in Tash's dream of paddocks, our job just got even tougher.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Luckily, in Gus, we have a realist.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Let's have a think about your budget.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28We've said £600,000, but how far can you push above that?
0:09:28 > 0:09:32I think we could push up by ten
0:09:32 > 0:09:35and at a real push, maybe 20,000.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Maybe look at houses up to 650?
0:09:38 > 0:09:42On the market at 650 that might take an offer.
0:09:42 > 0:09:49OK, so you are optimistic about the effects of the current economic situation to try and bag a bargain?
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- Absolutely.- I'd say that.
0:09:51 > 0:09:57A bargain at £650,000, I'd like to go shopping with you two.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03To kick off our property retail therapy,
0:10:03 > 0:10:07we are heading to the lovely little village of Bentworth.
0:10:07 > 0:10:1021 miles from Farnborough it is a reasonable 40-minute drive
0:10:10 > 0:10:17to work for Tash and Gus and the grandparents in Woking are still within striking distance.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20If I was a betting man, I'd wager that villages don't
0:10:20 > 0:10:24come much prettier than this with its 12th century church,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26thatched cottages and typical village green.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31There is also the all important pub and a primary school for George.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34I know Tash and Gus's ideal is a country cottage,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37but they're equally open to modern properties
0:10:37 > 0:10:42so we are taking them on their word and showing them something strictly 20th century.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- What do you think of that then? - I really like that side of it,
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- it's really nice, I like the shape of that.- The big gable?
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Is that what it is, gable?
0:10:51 > 0:10:53It is pretty. Definitely modern.
0:10:53 > 0:10:59Probably less character but I like this driveway and the entrance.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02There is a little road there but it is not a main road.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- That's fine.- Because we're set back.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07It's raining, shall we get inside?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Built in the mid 1960s this house definitely doesn't come
0:11:12 > 0:11:18with character features but what it does deliver is masses of space and a beautifully finished decor.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22We are starting off in the kitchen diner because I think it is a bit of a stunner.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25As you can see, a little utility.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Wow, that is a gorgeous kitchen.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30- Huge, isn't it?- That is lovely.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- Enormous.- That is what we want in a kitchen. That is lovely.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37It is not a farmhouse but it has a farmhouse feel to it.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Really nice, I love the units.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Three areas - kitchen, dining and living all in one room.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44It's nice, very nice.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49You don't actually have a dedicated separate dining room.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52That is why this space is so important.
0:11:52 > 0:11:58- Size wise...- It is great.- We'll spend more time as a family
0:11:58 > 0:12:01so when you are cooking, you are still around with George and the rest of us.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07If it is just you with the grown-ups having a glass of wine, making dinner, it is a nice place.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10It is nice for entertaining. I like this a lot.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Right, let's continue through here.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20On our way through, look at this, this is the dedicated study area.
0:12:20 > 0:12:25- Purpose-built for the job but I think that would make a really good playroom.- That is a nice size.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27George could enjoy that.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Right next door to the kitchen so you can keep an eye on him and hear him.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Do you remember when we were outside there was the car port
0:12:34 > 0:12:40and a separate garage, the separate garage could be, with a bit of work, a separate office.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- Or a boys' play room. - Or a boys' play room.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47That would work. George is playing in here, you are playing out there.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49Perfect.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Come on in here. - That's lovely isn't it?
0:12:53 > 0:12:55It's really bright.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59That is nice, very nice. I like the staircase as well.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02That is the main route up.
0:13:02 > 0:13:07The front door is there so you can see how the whole thing is normally configured.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09The fireplace is working.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11It is lovely, isn't it?
0:13:11 > 0:13:15It is really nice and spacious, it has a good feel to it.
0:13:15 > 0:13:16Windows coming from both sides.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- So far so good?- Yes, very good.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Let's go upstairs, come and look at this.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25'Great stuff. I can safely say downstairs has got the thumbs up.'
0:13:25 > 0:13:28'Let's see if we can keep up the good work upstairs.'
0:13:30 > 0:13:34What about this for young George?
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Pink for George, he'd love it!
0:13:36 > 0:13:39I will definitely paint it before I let my son in here!
0:13:39 > 0:13:41He can have his girlfriends to stay here.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43He is not even two yet.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Give him a chance.- It is perfect.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50I like the sound of that and there's plenty more space up here
0:13:50 > 0:13:54with an en suite double bedroom, ideal for visiting grandparents.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57A single bedroom and the family bathroom.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Come in here. You do get quite a big room.
0:14:04 > 0:14:05It is a good size.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08I am admiring the view somewhat.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11You are not overlooked, which is great.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12It's really, really nice.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14How are we doing out of ten, then?
0:14:14 > 0:14:16It is pretty good actually.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20I think I am seven ish.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22- Seven or eight.- Seven or eight?
0:14:22 > 0:14:26- Eight?- Possibly an eight. I haven't seen outside yet though.
0:14:26 > 0:14:30Let's go out there and finish off and then we'll discuss how much it is going to cost.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39There is no denying this house has masses of interior space
0:14:39 > 0:14:42but the outside could be a bit of a compromise.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45There's plenty of it at a third of an acre,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48but it surrounds the house with a small entertaining patio
0:14:48 > 0:14:51at the back. Most of the lawn is at the front and side.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53So, can they make it work for them?
0:14:56 > 0:15:00What there is does sort of wrap itself around the building.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02Those are the double doors from the kitchen.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04So there's a little kitchen area.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08- If George is out playing and you just want to keep an eye on him... - You can just open the doors.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Exactly.
0:15:09 > 0:15:15That's the versatility of it. You've got access on three sides to the outside space.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- Not huge.- Not huge but...
0:15:19 > 0:15:20- Yeah.- Yeah? OK.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26The garden isn't such a big hit.
0:15:26 > 0:15:32I wonder if the price will be? So what's it worth? Angus?
0:15:32 > 0:15:36I'm going to go for 560.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40I would say about 565. I don't know what they cost around here.
0:15:40 > 0:15:46Well, you are looking at a pretty meaty figure of 635.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50- Oh, wow!- We're quite a long way off. - Expensive around here, then!
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Well, this is what we're up against in the search.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56The house is nice. It's just the garden.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Go on. I'll catch up with you later. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:15:59 > 0:16:05So this is over budget at £635,000 but it's a lot of house.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10It's been on the market for a few months, so there should be a little room for negotiation.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14It's a beautifully finished family home with a huge kitchen diner,
0:16:14 > 0:16:18large living room, four bedrooms and space for a study.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21At one third of an acre, the garden is sizeable.
0:16:21 > 0:16:27But will Gus and Tash be able to compromise on the garden layout for a very spacious house?
0:16:27 > 0:16:29You could easily make this into something.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32I think because it's got the window in the door here,
0:16:32 > 0:16:34you could make this into a room, couldn't you?
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Yeah, I think you could make it into an office or a boys' playroom.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42We like the house. This room especially is absolutely brilliant.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44A really big, spacious family room.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48Upstairs is good as well with four decent-sized bedrooms.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50The real problem is outside.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54This is such a nice space for entertaining for us in the evening,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57but if it was in addition to a nice flat garden for George.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59It really is a small, small back garden.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03I thought I'd just check this out for George. It's quite nice really.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- He'd like this! - He'd love it, wouldn't he? OK.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08So, seen enough then?
0:17:08 > 0:17:10- Yeah.- Lots to think about. - Yes, I think so.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14- A little disappointed with the garden, but I like the house.- Good.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Well, keep thinking that thought.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Just one of the many fascinating places Gus and Tash will have on their doorstep
0:17:28 > 0:17:34when they move to North Hampshire, is Silchester, the UK's largest and longest-running archaeological dig.
0:17:35 > 0:17:41As an archaeologist myself, I couldn't miss out on the opportunity to explore this ancient Roman town.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45So I'm meeting up with the project director, Professor Mike Fulford.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49Now, the most obvious thing about Silchester are the great walls that define it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52How big an area do they enclose?
0:17:52 > 0:17:56When you look around, those walls enclose more than 100 acres.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58The amphitheatre is outside the walls.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03So, I don't know, 200 more acres of settlement here in the first, second century.
0:18:03 > 0:18:10The town was built on a grid system and divided into blocks known as insulae.
0:18:10 > 0:18:16Each insula consisted of a wide variety of domestic dwellings, from a couple of large two-storey
0:18:16 > 0:18:21stone town houses, to a dozen or so more modest timber homes.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26And with shops, blacksmiths and cesspits, they weren't short on local amenities either.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Although the site was discovered and part excavated in the 19th century,
0:18:30 > 0:18:35this particular dig, run by the University of Reading, started in 1997.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40It's a training ground for would-be Indiana Joneses.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Now I have found my old trowel - you're going to laugh at this. Look - there you are.
0:18:44 > 0:18:50Rubbish! But it was once upon a time a very proud new implement.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Michael said I could have a go.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54So, where do you want me to help?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Well, if you're coming in next to us...
0:18:57 > 0:18:58Brilliant.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02'Well, it looks like all I'm uncovering today is gravel.
0:19:02 > 0:19:07'Although luckily, 13 years of digging has unearthed some fascinating artefacts.'
0:19:07 > 0:19:11This is a very special find. You can see
0:19:11 > 0:19:13two dogs here.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16But in fact it's a folding knife or a razor.
0:19:16 > 0:19:22So there's the blade, and it's folded in to look like a penknife.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24And that's Roman?
0:19:24 > 0:19:28That's Roman. Probably carved in the second century AD.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Have you got any more everyday things that you found here?
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Here we've got a brooch.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37A classic Roman find, really.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39In beautiful condition.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43- Made of bronze?- Yeah, bronze, but with this tanning which gives a sort of silvery appearance.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47That's deliberately added to the copper alloy.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51At the height of its popularity, Silchester was a city with upwards
0:19:51 > 0:19:56of 7,000 inhabitants, and it thrived until the sixth century AD.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59So why did it disappear? Where did all the people go?
0:19:59 > 0:20:04Well, here's a thought - maybe they decided to escape to the country too!
0:20:13 > 0:20:17As the sun sets over Hampshire, the first day of our property tour is over.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27We have a big challenge on our hands in pricey Hampshire.
0:20:27 > 0:20:33For £600,000, Gus and Tash want a large detached family home.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- It's enormous. - That's what we want in the kitchen.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37With an equally large garden.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- Not huge.- Not huge.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42So will we ever find the perfect combination?
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- It's a nice house. - There's loads of space downstairs.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49It's huge downstairs, which is brilliant. I like it.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53And the mystery house is something they would never consider.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55- But could it be their dream home? - It's a beautiful kitchen.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57That is stunning.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Oh, you're in pain to say this, aren't you?- Yeah!
0:21:03 > 0:21:06It's the start of our final day's house hunt here in Hampshire.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11And I think that reality is finally beginning to dawn on Natasha.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13We know she's something of a dreamer.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15But, of course, for her, the dream goes on - finding
0:21:15 > 0:21:19that gorgeous country property complete with land and stables.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23But as we are learning, that is going to be a very difficult thing to find.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26However, there may be a solution. Two more houses to come today, including,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30of course, the mystery house So who knows, you might be in luck.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31Mmm, lovely.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42We kick off today's property search in Baughurst. It's a tad further
0:21:42 > 0:21:47away from Farnborough at 26 miles, but still a commutable distance.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50This village offers up the quiet Hampshire life.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54There are two churches and two pubs, but the nearest primary school
0:21:54 > 0:21:59is a five-minute drive away in Burnham Copse.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02There's a real mix of period and modern properties here.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05And with our next viewing, we're trying to combine the two.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- Wow! Like the drive! - Yeah, really good.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Yeah?- That's nice. - What do you think?- Yeah, very nice.
0:22:13 > 0:22:19I mean, it's not olde worlde. It's probably '60s or so at its core.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21But it's been much extended since then.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23So you do get a lot of house.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25It's very nice. Lovely setting.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- You like the fields beyond, don't you?- Yeah.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29It's lovely. I love the front garden.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- It's beautiful. Really nice.- Good.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34All right. Let's see what you think.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35On the inside...
0:22:35 > 0:22:37well, it's kind of not what you think really.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39- Oh, really?- Interesting.
0:22:39 > 0:22:45Great reactions. And I'm confident the interiors won't disappoint, but it will be quite a surprise.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54- Right...- Wow, that's nice, isn't it? - Grab the door, Gus.- That's lovely. - Yeah?
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- Big spacious hallway.- It's not what you expect from outside, because it's a modern build.
0:22:58 > 0:23:05But what the owners have, I think, very successfully done, is fill it with loads of character and texture.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09This floor, reclaimed, I think from an old school.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- It's a lovely entrance hall. - Beautiful.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Right, let's start with the dining room.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- There we are.- Oh, it's lovely.
0:23:18 > 0:23:19Yeah?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- That's a really good-sized dining room.- And they've got a really big table in here.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Right then. Come with me...
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Now then, principal reception room, I suppose, one would say.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32What do you think?
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Love the fireplace. That's gorgeous.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- That's all working.- Is it? - It's quite unusual, the surround.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Well, it's one of the features of this house.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40It's a modern build effectively.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43What they've done, and it's quite difficult to get right, is inject
0:23:43 > 0:23:50lots of texture - I was going to say character, but it's texture really - to give it a nice warm feel.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54So it doesn't have that clinical, new look. I think they've got the balance spot on.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58And that surround is just one of those kind of details that
0:23:58 > 0:23:59makes every room unique.
0:23:59 > 0:24:04'Next door is a small but perfectly formed study.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08'But let's see what they make of the kitchen.'
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- Right, then... - I like the range, that's nice.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13Country kitchen!
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Country kitchen in a nice country setting, but in a modern house.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22It's nice. It's quite narrow and long but it works well.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Yeah, it still feels quite spacious.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Let's continue through here.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27That's your breakfast area.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- That's nice.- Perfect.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32And again, that little sub-division works quite nicely.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Nice to have family meals in there.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35But this space is really useful too.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39It's really lovely. So bright.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41That's a silly thing to say when it's glass, but it is so bright.
0:24:41 > 0:24:46And it really does extend the footprint of the building quite considerably if you think about it.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50So, the ground floor is obviously a big hit.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53But can we get top marks upstairs too, I wonder.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Right, let's start in here, then.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00- Tha's nice.- Guest room.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02I like the beams.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- I thought you would.- It's a really good size for a guest room, yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Along the hallway, is the family bathroom.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Two single rooms and a very sizable master bedroom.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16- That's a nice room.- Yeah? - Yeah, that's good.- So, this is you.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17- Yeah, more beams again.- More beams.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21Very similar to the guest room, but defines the shape of the...
0:25:21 > 0:25:24of the roof itself. But have a look there.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26That's your en suite shower.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28That's nice. That's good.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- It's lovely. - Drawers built into the wall.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32- Yeah?- Yeah, that's good.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Good. So, how are we doing on this one?
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- Really good.- Good views, again. - Overall, how are we feeling?
0:25:40 > 0:25:45- It's a nice house.- There's loads of space downstairs, it's huge downstairs which is brilliant.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I like it. I love the look of the garden.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51We haven't been out there, but as we arrived, it looks really good.
0:25:51 > 0:25:52Right, let's go and see it. Come on.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Well, if anything can persuade them this house is a contender, it's the garden.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01At three-quarters of an acre, it's the biggest we're viewing,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04and even better, there could be an option for Tash's horse.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07So, there we are.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- That's it.- That's huge.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12It's really nice. Lovely.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- I love the setting.- In terms of ...
0:26:15 > 0:26:17the horse.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19- Yes. - What you see is what you get, right?
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Yep.
0:26:21 > 0:26:22But there may be possibilities.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- This is rentable.- Is it?
0:26:25 > 0:26:29- Really?- Yes. This is a conversation you will have to have with the landowner.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33- But, you know...- That's amazing.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35I can't give you a price on this, but...
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- It's lovely to have that option. - Things to think about.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- That would be quite special. - But the main thing is the property.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46- Yeah.- Let's have a think about the difficult bit, shall we? You go first. The money.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49I think it's probably about 635.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51635?
0:26:51 > 0:26:56I think it is a little bit over budget but I don't think it's that quite far over budget.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I'm going to say 615.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00615?
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Well, what can I say?
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It does begin with a 6.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08It's £650,000.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- It has been reduced to that.- Really?
0:27:11 > 0:27:15- Yep, so...- It's good, though. There's a lot to like.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18- A lot to like, brilliant.- There's loads of space in there as well.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21OK. Well, go and see if you can find any more to like.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- I'll catch up with you later. - Thank you.- Brilliant.
0:27:24 > 0:27:31There we are. Yes, indeed, it does rather push of the top end of our budget, it has to be said.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32But that is what we are up against.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Time and again, Hampshire is a very popular place to be.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39No surprise, then, that things aren't cheap.
0:27:42 > 0:27:50The £650,000 price tag should be negotiable as this property has been on the market for over six months.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53It's a really spacious home with lots of character.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56It comes with two reception rooms, a country kitchen,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00a spacious conservatory, a study and four bedrooms.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03The real bonus, though, is the three-quarters of an acre garden
0:28:03 > 0:28:06with potential to rent the paddock next door.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09The question is, will they think it's worth the stretch in budget.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14These rooms are nice, but they are quite small.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17But you do lose loads of the room just in those wall spaces.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19There's so much space here that's lost
0:28:19 > 0:28:24and if you lost some of that, they'd be good-sized bedrooms. I think it's a great house.
0:28:24 > 0:28:29There's so much space downstairs and loads of space outside, which is absolutely brilliant.
0:28:29 > 0:28:34The only downside is the two smaller bedrooms are quite small.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38It would be interesting to see whether we could make them a bit bigger by losing that chimney.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42I love the fact there's a chance to rent the field out the back. That's really nice to have.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47Just to be able to look up and see the horses through there is absolutely gorgeous.
0:28:47 > 0:28:48That's a really nice bonus.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50It's just a beautiful thing to look over.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52- Still plotting?- Yeah.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Good. I'm glad this place is of interest because it should be.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00It's in the right spot. It's a nice house.
0:29:00 > 0:29:02Perfect location. Lovely setting.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04- Very nice. - OK, I'm going to drag you away.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16As Tash is a passionate horse rider and Gus, as a golfer,
0:29:16 > 0:29:23has an impeccable swing, we thought we'd put their separate skills to the test with a polo lesson.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27Instructor of eight years, Aurora Eastwood, is showing them the ropes.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32You need to adopt a wide-legged, bent-knees stance and just position yourself.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Position the ball about eight inches to the side.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39And hit the ball forwards. Easy as that.
0:29:39 > 0:29:45- It might be a piece of cake for the professionals, but how will our novices fair?- And just gently swing.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48Don't force it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Excellent. Straight out of the arena.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54Hold up, Gus! You're one not on the 18th hole now.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Head over the ball. That's it. Head down. There we go. Perfect.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Perfect.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Well, it looks like Gus has got the upper hand for now.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07But it's time to saddle up and adding a horse into the mix can make all the difference.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09You have to learn to steer, for a start.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13Make a gentle fist and then it's just like a joystick.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17Go, stop, left, right. Manoeuvre.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22Although a sport linked to royalty and the upper classes, in recent years it's become more accessible
0:30:22 > 0:30:26to the masses thanks in part to the price of lessons dropping by as much as 80%.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28So, how many lessons do think you'd need?
0:30:28 > 0:30:33- I think you could take part in instructional chukkas after three or four hours.- Really?- Yes.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Then, as long as you kept it up and kept having lessons, you could
0:30:36 > 0:30:40take part in club chukkas depending on how much time you put in, really.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43It's better to do it on polo ponies rather than trying to retrain...?
0:30:43 > 0:30:48Trying to teach your own horse and learn to play polo at the same time makes it very difficult.
0:30:48 > 0:30:49These horses are amazing.
0:30:49 > 0:30:54Yeah, they're really experienced and they know the game better than we do. Good!
0:30:54 > 0:30:58At most clubs, tutorials start from around £30 an hour.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03And the good news? There's been a threefold increase in polo clubs opening across the country.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07Showing off now, Angus.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11He is going to be unbearable now that he was good at it so this could have been a mistake, but...
0:31:11 > 0:31:14I'll be back with mine next time!
0:31:14 > 0:31:19- I think you should both come back and foster the competitive spirit. - Maybe.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26When it comes to the mystery house, I would absolutely love
0:31:26 > 0:31:32to give Natasha the acres she wants with the stables and a pretty country house to match.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36But, sadly, that isn't going to happen.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39What we will be viewing is a semi-detached and it's on the road.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43To see how that goes down, we need to head to Oakhanger.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45It's a short commute to work in Farnborough
0:31:45 > 0:31:50which lies just 16 miles away and it's as rural as villages come.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53Gus and Tash can immerse themselves in the community either at the pub
0:31:53 > 0:31:57or village hall and I'm sure George will enjoy the animal life,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00from horses to alpacas.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04When it comes to having countryside on your doorstep, the mystery house
0:32:04 > 0:32:08has it all, as it's right on the edge of Shortheath Common.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13But, it is semi-detached and, as such, they would never normally have considered it.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23OK, this is it. That...
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- This is the mystery house? - ..is a mystery house.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28- That's different.- That is different.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I like the house. Not sure about the road.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34We're in the middle of Oakhanger. So, village green just there.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38So, quite nice village location, but what separates this
0:32:38 > 0:32:42from the other properties we've seen is that it isn't separated.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44It's a semi-detached.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49Which I know you were saying, "We don't want semi-detached", but...
0:32:49 > 0:32:53What you see on the outside is not what you get on the inside.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55- OK.- Trust me?- OK, yeah.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57Let's go and see.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02This Victorian semi is deceptive to say the least.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08It's been renovated and extended in the last few years to offer really spacious accommodation.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13I'm hoping when they see the interior, all thoughts of that road will be forgotten.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21- Right.- OK. - Enter the mystery house.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Nice hallway.- It's got a very fresh, modern feel to it.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28- Yeah.- I like the hallway. - You need convincing. - I can just hear that road.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32You need convincing. Come into the kitchen.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37- That is a lovely kitchen. - Yeah, you see?
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- That is a lovely kitchen. - I knew you'd like this. Look at it. It's gorgeous.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- It's a beautiful kitchen. - That is stunning.- Your pained to say this, aren't you?
0:33:45 > 0:33:49- Yeah.- On the way in, did you say, "I'm not going to like this because of the road"?
0:33:49 > 0:33:50Yes, I did.
0:33:50 > 0:33:53And are you getting a bit grumpy because you might like it?
0:33:53 > 0:33:56No.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58It's a nice kitchen.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00It's a gorgeous kitchen. Go through there.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02It goes on. Go check it out.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04- It is lovely, isn't it? - It's really nice.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07It's a lovely space.
0:34:07 > 0:34:12- Really bright and airy.- It's been done really, really well. You see.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16- It's really well done, isn't it? - Can you hear the road?
0:34:16 > 0:34:18Not really.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- It is a lovely kitchen. - He's smiling, I love it.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30I hope this house can win them over and I really want Tash to banish that road from her mind
0:34:30 > 0:34:35because this house offers them so much more space than any of the properties we've viewed.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38Across the hall is a 20 ft formal sitting room
0:34:38 > 0:34:44but there are plenty of options here for grown-ups and toddlers too.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45This is the new extension.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- Wow, OK.- Part of it.
0:34:48 > 0:34:49- It keeps going.- Doesn't it?
0:34:49 > 0:34:51Look at this place.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54This is something of a snug, they've got it as an office,
0:34:54 > 0:34:56double doors out, it would make a great playroom.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59I didn't expect this. I didn't expect this at all.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Aah! You won't expect this either. Come through here. This, I love.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- This is the family room now. - It's beautiful.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07- It's lovely, isn't it?- Yeah?
0:35:07 > 0:35:09It's a beautiful room.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12It's nice. It is great.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16How are we doing? Are you warming up?
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Is it a battle of wills here?
0:35:18 > 0:35:22- Does she ever say she's wrong? - She's pretty stubborn. - I'm never wrong.- Right. OK.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25How are you feeling about it, Gus?
0:35:25 > 0:35:31I really like the way the house works, the way is laid out and all the spaces.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Can we put up with the road?
0:35:33 > 0:35:35- I don't know.- OK.
0:35:35 > 0:35:41I'm beginning to get the feeling our dreamer is never going to wake up to the idea of compromise.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50- Now, bedrooms-wise, you've got five to choose from.- Five!
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Yeah, five.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56This is guest room, I would suggest to you.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59It's a pretty room. A really good size.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02- Loads of storage. - I do like the windows.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05- They're actually really nice windows. - Right.- Softening?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Softening. Good, warming up.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10Excellent! Out you go! Softening!
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Softening! What does that mean?
0:36:14 > 0:36:17I don't think the rest of this floor will fail to impress either.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22Just next door is the family bathroom and there are three good-sized singles.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26This is the master.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27- Wow! That is beautiful.- Wow!
0:36:27 > 0:36:31- It's quite...- He's thrown my beams in as well.- Yeah, how about that?
0:36:31 > 0:36:34- Gorgeous! It's lovely. A lovely room.- A real feature room.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Yeah, have a look in there.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39Go and check that out. That's your en suite.
0:36:39 > 0:36:40It's lovely.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45- They've done a brilliant job of this master suite, haven't they? - Yeah. Out you come.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47So...
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- Yeah, that's lovely.- Coming around, softening, warming up.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54All of those phrases, I think, are probably appropriate.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56Yes. It's beautifully done.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- They've done an amazing job.- Yeah.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Well, the inside of our mystery house seems to be working its charm.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06Let's see if we can seal a deal outside.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09All in all, there's just under a quarter of an acre, including
0:37:09 > 0:37:14a veggie patch and an outside office or boy's room for Gus.
0:37:14 > 0:37:19Sadly, no space for Tash's horse, Ellie, so will it come close to the dream?
0:37:19 > 0:37:22So, what do we think of the garden?
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Yes, it's a nice garden. Really nice.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27A lot bigger when you get out here than from the front of the house.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29How much do you think it's worth?
0:37:29 > 0:37:33I think the house itself would be worth a lot more if not for the road
0:37:33 > 0:37:38and the fact it's a semi, so I would go in at about 595, bearing those in mind.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40595...
0:37:40 > 0:37:43I think 630.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47630... Well, you said at the beginning of this little search that
0:37:47 > 0:37:50you were the realist and once again you've proved yourself right, Gus.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55Offers in the region of £650,000.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Go on, go and check it out.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01Listen to the road, explore all the rooms on their own
0:38:01 > 0:38:05and get a real sense of this place because it really is quite special.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- OK.- I'll catch you later.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Well, that was the mystery house.
0:38:09 > 0:38:13No house is ever perfect because they always have something you have to compromise on.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16In this case, of course, it's the road but you do get
0:38:16 > 0:38:19a gorgeous village location and a gorgeous house.
0:38:19 > 0:38:24For a guide price of £650,000, this is a lot of property to the pound.
0:38:26 > 0:38:32It has been on the market for six months, so a little negotiation should be possible.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35It's a beautifully-finished, semi-detached family home
0:38:35 > 0:38:42with five bedrooms, two reception rooms plus a conservatory, a study and a good-sized garden.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47But will they be able to compromise on its proximity to the road?
0:38:47 > 0:38:53- You certainly get a lot of space for your money for a semi-detached, don't you?- Yeah, that's very true.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Well, it's a huge property.
0:38:56 > 0:39:01Probably half as much again as big as the other houses we've seen and that is amazing.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Five bedrooms and all the others have been four.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08All the others have had small bedrooms as well and all five of these are really big.
0:39:08 > 0:39:13Again, I could picture myself having loads of fun with George kicking a ball around, using the garden room.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17The house itself is brilliant, so...
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Not disappointed in the house, just the location.
0:39:21 > 0:39:26When I turned up at the mystery property, I had to admit I was disappointed because of the road.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30I thought the house was beautiful, a really pretty house, but I couldn't ignore the road.
0:39:30 > 0:39:37When we came in, I thought, it's beautifully done, huge rooms and couldn't fault the inside.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39I could live here. It's beautiful, beautiful.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44We always said we would never look at a semi-detached
0:39:44 > 0:39:48and I was surprised how it didn't bother me, that wasn't the issue.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50The issue was the road.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52But... The road!
0:39:52 > 0:39:54But the house itself is beautiful.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58It's a really nice summer house, isn't it? A perfect boys' room.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01You could, or I could use it as a perfect little getaway.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04- Is there a debate?- Yeah.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08I always like it when there is a bit of an argument, not a full-blown argument.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Now then, that's it, guys.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14House tours are now over. You have seen all that we
0:40:14 > 0:40:15had to offer you.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- So, plenty to think about. - Definitely.
0:40:18 > 0:40:25Shall we get you away, sat down and give you space to mull it over and we'll have a chat about it.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27- Yeah.- Come on!
0:40:32 > 0:40:35Our property tour of Hampshire is nearly at an end.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39We've seen some wonderful houses and some wonderful gardens, but have we
0:40:39 > 0:40:44managed to combine the two and come up with Gus and Tash's dream home?
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Time to find out.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49- Hello, you two.- Hi.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- How are we doing?- Not too bad.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- Very good.- Journey's end, I suppose. Look what I found you.- I know!
0:40:55 > 0:40:57It's lovely.
0:40:57 > 0:41:06If only! If only! It all began with something altogether quite different with a little front garden.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09That house was lovely, beautiful inside. Quite surprised me how much we like that inside.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14- Would you have looked at that on paper?- No, in all honesty, I don't think we would have done.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18The more we went round it, the more it grew on us, I think.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23Then we gave you the chance to sleep on what you've seen thus far and we began our final day's
0:41:23 > 0:41:28house hunt with what I thought was a very interesting property, lovely garden, very quiet spot.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31- What happened there? - I think that property was beautiful.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35The plot was amazing, exactly what I wanted.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38The views over the meadows, the big gardens, absolutely gorgeous.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42The only question we've probably got is about the two bedrooms upstairs
0:41:42 > 0:41:46were a bit small and whether there's something we could do to make them any bigger?
0:41:46 > 0:41:52Finally, it was time to reveal the mystery house which was absolutely not on your list.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57- By a road, semi-detached...but what a house!- You threw it in there!
0:41:57 > 0:41:59That took me by surprise.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03My initial reaction was disappointment but the house itself was absolutely beautiful.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06You couldn't fault the inside of the house at all.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09It was just whether we could live with that road.
0:42:09 > 0:42:14We would never have looked at a semi-detached and we didn't even notice it when we were there.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17What happens next, I wonder?
0:42:17 > 0:42:20My sense with all of this is that we have shown you some lovely
0:42:20 > 0:42:24properties but they are still not the dream.
0:42:24 > 0:42:29- No.- But it has been great for me to realise that perhaps the dream is not realistic just yet.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32- Huh?!- I know, I can't believe I'm saying this!
0:42:32 > 0:42:36- If nothing else, we've pleased you! - It's been a good thing to do.
0:42:36 > 0:42:37She is now more realistic.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40OK, so it has been a learning curve of realism.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42- Yeah, I think so.- I'm delighted you've come on the show.
0:42:42 > 0:42:49- I'm delighted we've given you some focus on what it is you're going to look for. Best of luck.- Cheers.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52I do hope you find it eventually.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56- Cheers.- When you do, let us know. - Will do.- Here's to you!
0:42:59 > 0:43:04Hampshire is a pretty tough place to operate in. It's very expensive because it's very popular
0:43:04 > 0:43:08and also very beautiful. By their own admission, we started out with
0:43:08 > 0:43:14a realist on one hand and a dreamer on the other but, of course, the dream has yet to become a reality.
0:43:14 > 0:43:18But the good news is, they are going to keep looking - just as I knew they would to.
0:43:18 > 0:43:23So, fingers crossed in the future they will find their ideal escape to the country.
0:43:23 > 0:43:24I'll see you next time.
0:43:26 > 0:43:27If you want to escape to the country,
0:43:27 > 0:43:29in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
0:43:29 > 0:43:31or England and would like our help,
0:43:31 > 0:43:33please apply online:
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