0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Today I'm in a part of Britain that's famous for its mountains,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08its valleys, its own language
0:00:08 > 0:00:11and for possessing some of the most striking examples
0:00:11 > 0:00:15of the architecture of the Industrial Revolution anywhere in the United Kingdom.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Where am I? Well, stick around and I'll show you.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34In today's show I'll be helping a retired couple say goodbye to their family home
0:00:34 > 0:00:37and search for a new lifestyle in the country.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40I'm visualising my furniture in here already.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44I've got my unit on that wall and our settees'll fit in perfectly.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46- Good.- When can I move in?
0:00:46 > 0:00:51We'll be seeing some fantastic houses, but it does, at times, cause a marital divide.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55But the colour hits you as soon as you walk in, but that's cosmetic.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- But I like the colour. - OK, right. Well, forget about that.
0:00:58 > 0:01:03And there's a mystery house, but will it make them pause for thought?
0:01:06 > 0:01:11Well, today I'm in North Wales and, as you can see, I'm being dwarfed by the wonder that is
0:01:11 > 0:01:16the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, one of the great wonders, to my mind, of the Industrial Revolution.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19It was built between 1795 and 1805
0:01:19 > 0:01:24and designed by the great engineering minds of Telford and Jessop.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Recently it's undergone a £2 million regeneration project,
0:01:27 > 0:01:32meaning that, every day, 50 million litres of water flow across it into southern Cheshire.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36In neighbouring Denbighshire, they spent 30 million on their built heritage
0:01:36 > 0:01:39and, with other numerous regeneration projects popping up all over the region,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43this could be a very good place to move to.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45North Wales sweeps from English border country
0:01:45 > 0:01:47over to the West Coast
0:01:47 > 0:01:49and takes in the Isle of Anglesey.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51The region, with its gift
0:01:51 > 0:01:52of spectacular landscape,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56including stunning coastline and the mountains of the Snowdonia National Park,
0:01:56 > 0:02:01has ensured tourism is a major player in the economy of this beautiful corner of Wales.
0:02:01 > 0:02:08Farming is, however, still a vital industry, with sheep and dairy farms dotted over the hills and valleys.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10Great news for today's buyers.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14And they are retired sales director Bernard and his wife, Carol,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17who can't wait to move for one very good reason.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19This is our allotment. As you can see,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23it's a decent-sized plot where we can grow lots of fruit and veg.
0:02:23 > 0:02:29But when we move we want all of this, but without the noise from the roadside.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33This green-fingered couple's home, for the last 28 years,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36has been a modern four-bedroomed detached house in Leyland, Lancashire,
0:02:36 > 0:02:38but now the children have flown the nest
0:02:38 > 0:02:44they're putting their priorities first and an allotment 10 minutes away just isn't good enough.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47We want a bigger plot of land, so a huge garden, hopefully.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Yeah, and I want to be able to just step outside the back door
0:02:51 > 0:02:53and pick my veg and take it straight into the kitchen.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55And if that isn't enough to contend with,
0:02:55 > 0:03:01they also fancy the idea of an orchard and keeping a few chickens and pigs.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03We want to be very, very rural.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Certainly not next to a main road and not really in a village.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08We want to be... Have some seclusion.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Land and seclusion, however, are not the only things they're looking for.
0:03:12 > 0:03:18In my new house I would like a nice art studio that I can divide up into different sections -
0:03:18 > 0:03:21one for painting, one for sewing, one for card making.
0:03:21 > 0:03:22And there's more.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27I want a big kitchen. It doesn't have to be as modern as this, but well equipped.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30And I would like a pantry, a walk-in pantry.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I've always wanted one of those.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37I'd love a huge inglenook fireplace with a wood-burning stove.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41We had the house valued about three months ago at around 225,
0:03:41 > 0:03:49so the budget for this move, when you take into consideration the sale of this house and our mutual savings,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52would be £450,000, tops.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Bernard and Carol are relatively flexible
0:03:56 > 0:03:57as to their location,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00so we're targeting the area around Ruthin
0:04:00 > 0:04:03which should throw up some tantalising properties.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09In today's show I'll be taking them on a tour of three beautiful rural gems but, as standard of course,
0:04:09 > 0:04:13I won't be revealing the prices until they've given the properties the once over.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18The last of the three will be the mystery house which will throw up an interesting proposition.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Well, good morning, guys.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Welcome to northeast Wales.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28- So, £450,000 to spend.- Yeah.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32- Now, you have been looking for some time.- Probably about six months off and on.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36And how many properties do you think you've looked at?
0:04:36 > 0:04:38About 20, maybe more. I've lost count.
0:04:38 > 0:04:44The problem we've had is that if we like a house the garden or the land isn't there, and vice versa.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47So we've got to find something that's really going to grab you
0:04:47 > 0:04:49and give you the land and the property that you want.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I think we've got to be a bit more compromising
0:04:52 > 0:04:55and perhaps even look at things in a different perspective.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58- Well, fingers crossed. The sun's out!- Yeah.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00- Beautiful.- Let's go and have a look. - Grand, yeah.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04So, Carol and Bernard have a budget of...
0:05:24 > 0:05:27The first stop on our tour is in Cerrigydrudion,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29a half-hour's drive southwest of Ruthin.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34Cerrigydrudion is the focal point for the surrounding smaller villages
0:05:34 > 0:05:39and St Mary Magdalene's Church is the oldest feature, believed to date back to 440 AD.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44The house we've lined up is a former farmstead and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Right, then.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Shall we start with this one? What do you think?
0:05:51 > 0:05:54- Yeah.- I'm amazed.- It's very nice. - I'm amazed.- I like that. Yeah.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58Now, what sets this apart from everything you've seen before?
0:05:58 > 0:06:00- Well, the location, particularly. - Yes.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02We've never looked at anything which has been...
0:06:02 > 0:06:04That's had the scenery like this round it.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- It looks really...- It looks perfect actually, from the outside, anyway.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11- Is it perfect on the inside? - Well, let's see.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Come on, let's have a look.- OK.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Now, Carol,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21- what do you think? - Yeah, it's nice.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Crikey! That's a canny little stove there.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- Yeah. A lot of the stone is exposed in here. - Yes, we like that, don't we?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- Yes, definitely. - We like exposed stone, yeah.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31Yeah? Good! Well, you've come to the right place, then!
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Come and have a look in here.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36What about it?
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Yes, I like this as well.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41The colour hits you as soon as you walk in, but that's cosmetic.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43But I like the colour!
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- OK, right. Well, forget that. - I do! I do like it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Look at that, Carol.- What? Oh, yeah.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51Through fireplace.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- It'll be interesting to see what's back there.- Let's have a look.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Now, Bernard, what about this, then?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- Crumbs!- Yeah?
0:06:59 > 0:07:06I mean, from back there you just think it's going to be a small room here, but it opens out fantastically.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Dominated by the reverse of the fireplace there.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12And you've got this feature which I think is really rather nice.
0:07:12 > 0:07:18Yeah, a window seat. I could lie there all day just watching the birds and the animals out there.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- Really?- Yeah.- Good. All right, a positive start, then.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Definitely.- OK, let's continue through here.- Thank you.
0:07:24 > 0:07:29'Carol has found herself a special place already, but how will the kitchen measure up?'
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- Carol.- Mm.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34What do you think?
0:07:34 > 0:07:35It is a bit small, actually.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39I mean, I've got a lot of kitchen equipment and a lot of crockery and
0:07:39 > 0:07:43there's definitely nowhere to keep half of it, I would say, in here.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45But there is more space through here.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- This is your utility room, which you could do a bit more with. - What's behind there?
0:07:49 > 0:07:54- Now this, Carol, this is a walk-in pantry. - I know what this is!- Oh, yeah!
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Oh, that's perfect. I've always wanted a pantry like that.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- There you go.- It puts everything in perspective. I could cope with less cupboards.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05'So, the pantry has won Carol over.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08'Heading upstairs, they won't be short on bedrooms as this house has four.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12'The first two are reasonable doubles which would be handy for family visits,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15'and then there's a single, which is being used as a study.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18'The family bathroom is just next door
0:08:18 > 0:08:22'and has the benefit of a separate shower and, finally, a room with their name on it.'
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Right, then, what do you think size wise?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Oh, the size is fine.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Yeah, I like it. I mean the beams are nice and everything.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33It's nice. It is a nice room. Nice shaped ceiling, as well.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Nice views out the window, as well.
0:08:35 > 0:08:40- It certainly makes the very best of the way the landscape drops away. - Too true. Yes, yeah.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- You would be disappointed if this room didn't have an en suite. - I would.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's got an en suite. Come with me, it's through here.
0:08:47 > 0:08:53Now, it's not just an en suite. Come through into this extraordinary space.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Is that a sauna?- That's a sauna. - Oh, for heaven's sake!
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- So, if you want a sauna this is one place to put it.- Can I open?
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- There you are. I mean, clearly if you really gutted this area...- Yeah.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07You would end up with a fabulous en suite.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10There's a lot of scope for this particular room here.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13Having seen upstairs I think I'm going off it a bit.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17- What's worrying you?- I haven't seen anywhere to do my arts and crafts.
0:09:17 > 0:09:23'There's a bit of a mixed reaction to this house, but the outbuilding has the potential to seal the deal.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27'It's been renovated to provide a double bedroom with a reasonable sized en suite,
0:09:27 > 0:09:29'and then there's a fully fitted kitchen, too.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33'But the lounge area could be perfect for Carol.'
0:09:33 > 0:09:36- Now then, Carol, would this work? - Yes, definitely. It's lovely.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- Big, plenty of light.- Yeah.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Yeah, I could be quite happy in here, I think.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44You could hide yourself away for hours on end.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I might just lock the door and forget to come out!
0:09:47 > 0:09:49So, that's Carol sorted.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54Next door is another outbuilding that's being used as a workshop with extra storage above,
0:09:54 > 0:09:59and then there's a stable and garage which could provide housing for the animals they're looking to rear.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03I'm keen, however, to take a look at the land.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05Right, Bernard, come and have a look.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10- Well, all and all, you've got an acre and a half.- Yeah.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- I mean, you get the paddock you can see here.- Yeah.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17You've also got everything up to that wire fence. Is it big enough?
0:10:17 > 0:10:20This is probably on a par with our allotment at the moment.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22So, yeah, it's perfectly sufficient.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- All right, well, let's have a think about the money...- Yeah.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26What's it going to cost you?
0:10:26 > 0:10:30I would like to think that it was on the market for around...
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Well, just over 400.- OK, Carol?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35No, I think it's more than that.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37I think 445.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42OK. It's on the market for £450,000.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- OK.- I wonder.- Right... - I do like it, I must admit.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- Good. Well, you should, it's a very nice property.- It is, yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- And it offers you everything you want.- Yeah.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53This beautiful cottage,
0:10:53 > 0:10:57in its idyllic rural setting, is bang on budget at...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16When we pulled up at the property I was pleasantly surprised, actually.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19I loved the outside of the house and the location's fantastic.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24Inside, the little hallway is cute and the dining room... I loved the red walls.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28The living room is lovely and they've a wood burning stove.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32The bedrooms are a good size, but the bathrooms would need some attention.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36The land itself was sufficient for our requirements. We'll be growing vegetables.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39There's potential, maybe, for some animals.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43The outside building, for Carol, was perfect for arts and crafts.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44Beautiful big room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Nice and airy. Yeah, it was perfect.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I couldn't have asked for anything better.
0:11:52 > 0:11:59So as the sun melts over the North Wales landscape, the first day of our property hunt is at an end.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10We're kicking off our search in Bryneglwys, eight miles south of Ruthin.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13The small market town of Corwen is just five miles away.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Sitting at the foot of the Berwyn Mountains,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21it's best known for its association with Owain Glyndwr, who burnt Ruthin to the ground.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26It was from this nearby stronghold that he led the revolt against the English.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31Back in Bryneglwys, the house we're about to see dates back to the early 1900s
0:12:31 > 0:12:33and offers views that are second to none.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35OK.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Right, then, what do you think of that?
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- Good.- Yes. I like it as well. Is it a modern house?
0:12:43 > 0:12:47It's got the feel of a modern house, certainly, because what you're looking at
0:12:47 > 0:12:50is the product of three years' hard renovation by the current owners,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54but it's got lots of little tweaks and characteristics in it
0:12:54 > 0:12:56which have been salvaged from the old building.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00I mean, the location looks superb. The views over there are wonderful.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02- Yeah.- Yeah, yeah.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- You couldn't ask for better views than that, could you?- Good!
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Hurrah! That's the main thing. A positive start.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- Let's see what you think of the inside.- OK.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19There we are.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21A nice little entrance hall for you.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's been divided off with these huge great big oak beams.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- It's a nice little feature. - I like them, actually. I think they look really nice.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- They look good.- OK, let's have a look at the living room.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Here we are. Well, after you.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- Oh!- Do you like that? This is more like it. This is definitely more like it.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44I mean, as you can see, the whole thing has just been finished, pretty much.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- True.- The carpets are new, everything is done. You wouldn't need to do much.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- And look at that.- Yeah, have a look. I hadn't noticed that because I was looking over there. Yeah, multifuel.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- Oh, definitely. - When can I move in?
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I'm visualising my furniture in here already.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02I've got my unit on that wall and our settees'll fit in perfectly.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05And more here in the dining room going out, as you can see.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Oh, right, yes. - I love the colour of that beam.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09It looks really nice.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14This size for our kitchen table and chairs is perfect.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16- Hurrah! Right, then...- Very nice.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- Shall the get on with the difficult bit, the kitchen?- Yeah.- The kitchen. - Let's get it over and done with.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24OK, Carol.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- In you come. I don't want any... - Success!
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Now, this is definitely what I had in mind, definitely.
0:14:31 > 0:14:36OK. You see, much more modern though than I had really been led to expect in some ways.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40I think that's the trouble. I've come in this house thinking...
0:14:40 > 0:14:44to see these houses and I think, oh, I want old fashioned and quirky,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47and now I'm suddenly thinking, no I don't!
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- I want quite modern.- And up there you've got this little sort of...
0:14:50 > 0:14:53garden room, effectively, which gives you another kitchen diner.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- So, we like?- Definitely. - Definitely.- OK.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01Terrific! It's top marks for the modern country-style kitchen
0:15:01 > 0:15:04and there's the bonus of a large utility room, too.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08But Carol still needs a craft room and I've got just the space.
0:15:09 > 0:15:10Right, Carol,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14I'm thinking this could be your work room.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16This is one of four bedrooms, all right?
0:15:16 > 0:15:18And this one is the lighter of the lot.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21Would you be happy working up here?
0:15:21 > 0:15:22Yeah, yeah.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24It's more of a square room.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29I mean, the room I've got at the moment it seems big, but it's a long narrow room,
0:15:29 > 0:15:34- so I think the furniture would fit round here perfectly all right. - Yeah.- Easily.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38Next door are two more good sized double rooms which are immaculately decorated.
0:15:38 > 0:15:43And the family bathroom, just like the rest of the house, is finished to a high standard.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Their room is last on our tour.
0:15:45 > 0:15:51Now, the master suite is through here, Carol. Have a look in here.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- This is the en suite.- Ah!
0:15:53 > 0:15:58It's a great big shower room, effectively, as opposed to a bathroom.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- Yes, very nice.- Perfectly adequate. - Yeah.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04And that big waterfall thing up there, what more do you want?
0:16:04 > 0:16:07What more do you want, exactly. Oh, I love it!
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Come through here, then. This is your room.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Here we are.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16- What a size this is! - Come on in, don't be shy.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- There we are. How about that?- Yeah.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20I've had nothing to moan about, have I, yet?
0:16:20 > 0:16:23It's great. I'm enjoying the silence!
0:16:23 > 0:16:26And, of course, you can wake up to that view again.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- Yes.- Wonderful. Wonderful. You're satisfied, what about me?
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- Vegetables. - He's been wandering around going, "Where's my vegetable plot?"
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- Let's go outside and see if we can find one, shall we?- OK.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42'I'm delighted to see the look on their faces with this house.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46'Outside, planning permission and footings are already in place for a garage
0:16:46 > 0:16:52'which could double as a craft room, but I want to show Bernard the land he's craving.'
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Right, Bernard, you thought you'd been forgotten about.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58I knew you wouldn't forget about me, Jules.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01Now then, what about that little paddock, there?
0:17:01 > 0:17:03It looks spot-on.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Now, all in all,
0:17:05 > 0:17:06it's only about an acre.
0:17:06 > 0:17:13- A few little more segments with some fences, you could have paddocks for some pigs, some chickens.- Yeah.
0:17:13 > 0:17:18And a sizeable area for my veg, or our veg.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- Ah, but it comes at a price, that's...- Yes.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25There's no problem up to now, but I can see a potential problem looming.
0:17:25 > 0:17:31OK. Let's have a think about it. Your £450,000, how far do you think it's got to go, I wonder?
0:17:31 > 0:17:36- I would say 470, which puts it well out of our price.- 470. Bernard?
0:17:36 > 0:17:41On principle I can't go over 450,
0:17:41 > 0:17:48so I'll stretch it to the limit of 449,99 recurring!
0:17:48 > 0:17:52All right, so a penny shy of £450,000.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54It's on the market for 435.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Yeah? Ooh!
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- How about that? - Go and phone the removal men.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- I can't believe it. - No. Oh, that's fantastic.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Very pleased. Thanks, mate.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07- Pretty good, eh?- Yeah.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09£435,000.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12- Bernard, I think you're a little bit choked.- I am.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14THEY LAUGH
0:18:14 > 0:18:18- Is this going to be your new dream home?- I think it is.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Oh, mate! Aw, brilliant!
0:18:23 > 0:18:27At 435 this house is 15,000 under budget
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and has blown them away. It has...
0:18:38 > 0:18:40..and, of course, it comes with first-class views.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44As soon as I walked in it, the first room I thought was fantastic.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48I finally got my great big kitchen, which is absolutely marvellous. I love it.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52I couldn't find a single fault with it, you know, which was amazing.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Room by room we saw everything that we wanted.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00We've got land, we've got a beautiful home and a beautiful location.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02I was stunned, I was gobsmacked.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05And taken over by emotion.
0:19:08 > 0:19:14In trying to find a mystery house that will capture the imagination of both Bernard and Carol
0:19:14 > 0:19:18I have to confess that at this point I am feeling slightly daunted.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22It's perfectly clear they have fallen head over heels in love with our previous property,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27so they are going to have to approach the mystery house with very much an open mind.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31By way of a clue, it is already a fine family home,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35but it also comes with one or two other, and very unusual, furry residents.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Our mystery house is in Rhosesmor, 14 miles north of Ruthin.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Mold, just a few miles away, is a lively small market town
0:19:46 > 0:19:51that would offer Bernard and Carol the day-to-day amenities that they are likely to need.
0:19:51 > 0:19:57Back in Rhosesmor, I'm delighted to say their immediate neighbours are very friendly.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Well, how about this, then?
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Oh! This is a turn up for the books, isn't it?
0:20:01 > 0:20:03The mystery house complete with alpacas!
0:20:03 > 0:20:04It's a little menagerie.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Goats, chickens, ducks. You name it, they're all here.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Come on then, let's have a look.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Oh, look, I've got some feed here.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13They're going to love this.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15Hey, you lot, how about this?
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Look. Come and meet the gang.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Tremendous.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21There we are.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25Let's leave them to a spot of lunch because I haven't come here to sell you alpacas.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26Let's have a look at that one.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30Stone cottage sitting at the end of this paddock.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34Let's go take a closer look beyond the farmyard and see what you think.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38OK. There we are.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- Yes, it's nice.- It is, isn't it?
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Quaint, I think is the word I would use, yeah.- Well, I'll take quaint.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51It's a mixture of old and... Well, old and newer. So far, so good.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Who knows, maybe they alpacas will come with it. I'm sure you could make them an offer.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Well, if not we'll buy some new ones.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59Wherever you end up living!
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Right.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- It's warm in here.- Oh, right.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09A great example of a wood burner.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- It fits in well with this little room, yes.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:21:12 > 0:21:17You can imagine here in the winter, it would be really cosy. Yeah.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20We've also got you a little study area running off through there.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22Let's get down to the business of kitchens.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Yes, always...
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Always an important issue, aren't they? Come through here.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- There we are.- Oh, it's nice, yeah.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- Yeah?- Yeah, yeah. - What do you think, Bernard?
0:21:34 > 0:21:38This is more like what I expected, a traditional farmhouse kitchen.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43I mean, through here we've got a little sort of outdoor lobby, you know, coats, boots etcetera.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45There's a utility area through there.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- OK, right.- It probably does want a breath of fresh air
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- just to tart it up a bit. - But the basics are OK.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- I think I could actually cope with it, yeah.- All right.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59Well, let's see if you can cope with the rest of it. After you.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03'At least Carol is being open minded about this one.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06'Back off the central hall is a second reception room
0:22:06 > 0:22:09'that could make a good dining room, and off here is another room.'
0:22:09 > 0:22:14- OK. This is currently being used as something of a guestroom.- Yeah.
0:22:14 > 0:22:20- It has a store area in there and a dressing room which could be store for your arts and craft stuff.- Yeah.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23There's also a downstairs shower room and toilet there,
0:22:23 > 0:22:27so your kind of workroom's en suite, almost.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30It could work, actually. Especially with that store room in there.
0:22:30 > 0:22:35I think that's a good little room to keep all my bits and pieces in.
0:22:35 > 0:22:41'Great! I think this space is a real bonus, but time now to take a peek upstairs.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45'The first of the three bedrooms currently has bunk beds, but could take a double bed,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48'and then there's another double with a vaulted ceiling.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51'The cottage-style family bathroom is a good size, too.'
0:22:51 > 0:22:57- So, no surprise this being the biggest bedroom in the house - it's the master.- It is big.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02- Yeah.- Certainly for a house like this, quite a surprising height of headroom, which is quite good.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- Yeah, yeah.- I think it's fine.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09I think when you get your own things in it will be fine. It's all right.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- It's certainly big enough.- And I love the floorboards, as well.- Good.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Well, there is an en suite. Oh, yes.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17Have a look in there.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Enormous, really. It is. For this size of house.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- Definitely.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- Mm, fine.- Right, fine, he says!
0:23:27 > 0:23:31'I'm not sure what "fine" means, it's such a difficult word to judge,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34'but, heading outside, our last stop is the garden.'
0:23:34 > 0:23:42OK, we've seen the land, we've seen the alpaca home and you can see it is a working premises,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46and in that respect, it's worth knowing that this also is a registered smallholding.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49- OK.- Which means you're registered for things like chickens and other bits of livestock.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53The other reason it's the mystery house is that there is of course method in the madness.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58I know the property itself does need quite a lot of work to bring it up to the spec that you would want.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01But the price is going to be all important, all right?
0:24:01 > 0:24:03And we know you've got 450 or so.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05What do you think it's worth at the moment, Carol?
0:24:05 > 0:24:10Well, because of all the work that needs doing on it I think I would go 375.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13I'm looking at it from a point of view of location,
0:24:13 > 0:24:17it's quite close to Chester and based on that I would say about 425.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20Well, you're certainly right to consider that its proximity to
0:24:20 > 0:24:24Chester is going to weight it upwards,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28but this is the mystery of house. Of course, there's always a little twist to it.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31You said 375. You said 425.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- 50 grand between you.- Yeah.
0:24:33 > 0:24:39I'm going to better that by another £25,000, because this is on the market for 350,000.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45- This is 100,000 quid under your budget which is why we wanted you to see it.- Food for thought.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- Right then, off you go. I'll catch up with you later.- Right, thanks.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52At £350,000 this property is a massive
0:24:52 > 0:24:56100,000 under budget.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59It may need some updating but it does have...
0:25:07 > 0:25:12..that could accommodate animals and a vegetable patch.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15From the outside I quite liked it. I thought, "Oh, it's quaint."
0:25:15 > 0:25:20But when I got inside, the rooms were too small and dark, personally, for me.
0:25:20 > 0:25:26That price of £350,000 does need serious consideration.
0:25:29 > 0:25:34Carol and Bernard's search has thrown up some interesting options,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36so there's plenty to mull over.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- Well, then, it's done and dusted. - Yeah.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45All right. Well, let's have a review, then, of where we took you and what you made of it all.
0:25:45 > 0:25:50- It all started with the grey stone farmhouse.- Yes, great view.- Yeah. What happened there, Carol?
0:25:50 > 0:25:57- I loved the outhouse place for my studio, but when I walked in the kitchen I knew it was too small.- OK.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01From my point of view the initial impression was really good, with the views,
0:26:01 > 0:26:05the look of the house from the outside. Even when I went inside
0:26:05 > 0:26:10the dining room, lounge with that wood burner in-between I thought was great.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13But, as Carol said, as soon as we hit that kitchen...
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Oh, dear. OK, kitchen.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Well, we let you have a sleep on everything
0:26:19 > 0:26:23and then we took you to the new build. Something happened there,
0:26:23 > 0:26:24- didn't it?- Yeah, definitely.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26The views were lovely.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29I always said I wanted an older cottage, but as soon as I walked
0:26:29 > 0:26:35in that house, I just changed my mind completely and decided I wanted more modern.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Modern, with still some traditional features in it.
0:26:37 > 0:26:43I think that's what made it - the oak beams and the lovely fireplace and the fantastic kitchen.
0:26:43 > 0:26:44Hurray!
0:26:44 > 0:26:49The land, you know, at the end of the day, with a bit of sweat and tears,
0:26:49 > 0:26:54- tears being the operative word... - Well, more tears because we saw some on the day, didn't we?
0:26:54 > 0:26:58- That will come good for us. - Yeah. All right.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Well, there was, of course, one final property to show you.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03- The mystery house.- I mean, it was a lovely house.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08But doing renovation work isn't for us I'm afraid, so...
0:27:08 > 0:27:11We've seen them all, we've talked about them all.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14I'm going to take a stab in the dark, a wild guess,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17and suggest that the new renovation project
0:27:17 > 0:27:21- is the one that's really captured your hearts.- Correct. Yeah.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25- What are you going to do next? - No doubt about it, we'll arrange a second viewing for that house
0:27:25 > 0:27:30with a view of putting in an offer, assuming everything is favourable.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- Let us know how you get on and I'll look forward to hearing that you've moved in.- OK.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41You have to say one thing about Wales,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45the locals and the animals are incredibly friendly.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50You may think that trying to find a house for people is pretty straightforward, but put yourself
0:27:50 > 0:27:54in the situation of having to really get into the minds of your buyers.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58It isn't that straightforward, I can tell you, and this is a case in point.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02Bernard and Carol came out here looking for a nice old characterful property.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06As it is, they're going home with pretty much a new build.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09It just goes to show you that you can never judge a book by its cover
0:28:09 > 0:28:14and if you think a property might be for you even just a little bit, always go and look at it.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16I'll see you next time.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Bernard and Carol did revisit the house in Bryneglwys
0:28:19 > 0:28:22and have had their offer accepted.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25So, if you'd like to Escape To The Country and would like our help,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28please contact us through our website at...
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