0:00:01 > 0:00:06Behind me is the spot where, 800 years ago, 13 monks came in search
0:00:06 > 0:00:11of a little bit of peace and quiet, and so successful was their escape
0:00:11 > 0:00:16to the country, that this became one of the most prosperous monasteries in England. So where am I?
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Join me in a moment to find out.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Today, we're helping a couple retire from the suburbs to
0:00:33 > 0:00:37a quiet village life, but there are some shocks in store.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41- Oh, my word! Whoa! - We've got rooms with a view...
0:00:41 > 0:00:44You can sit there and look outside which would be good.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49And today's mystery house will get the creative juices flowing.
0:00:49 > 0:00:54- Makes me go all...ooh! - Oh, I like that! We can go now. Ooh!
0:00:57 > 0:01:02Well, today I'm in North Yorkshire, and this amazing ruin is that of Fountains Abbey,
0:01:02 > 0:01:06a 12th-century site set on the southern edge of Yorkshire's dales.
0:01:06 > 0:01:12Together with spectacular Georgian gardens, it's also Yorkshire's first world heritage site.
0:01:12 > 0:01:17Now, in its heyday, this was one of the richest monasteries in England,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19but that all came to a very abrupt end in 1539
0:01:19 > 0:01:24when Henry VIII dissolved hundreds of monastic sites across the country.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Well, the monks may be long gone, but the peace and the serenity that
0:01:28 > 0:01:34they sought is still here, not just in this vale, but throughout this beautiful county.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37At 3,000 square miles,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40North Yorkshire is England's biggest county,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43but apart from the cosmopolitan city of York itself,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47it's also one of the most unspoilt rural landscapes in the UK.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53In fact, over 40 per cent of the county is designated national park.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57In the west are the sprawling dales and, to the east, the wild
0:01:57 > 0:02:03heath-covered moors which, in turn, give way to the dramatic cliff-lined heritage coast.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07And as if that wasn't enough, sandwiched between these two
0:02:07 > 0:02:09areas of outstanding natural beauty
0:02:09 > 0:02:13is the Vale of York, a patchwork quilt of fields and farm land,
0:02:13 > 0:02:21dotted with villages and market towns that have wholeheartedly resisted the march of modernisation.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Although farming is the mainstay of life, quarrying is big business too,
0:02:25 > 0:02:31so no surprises that this county boast some of England's best examples of stone properties.
0:02:31 > 0:02:36It may not be gold, but this robust York stone is definitely hard-wearing.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41It's the legendary stuff London streets are paved with.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46And it's not just the local stone that's building solid foundations around here.
0:02:46 > 0:02:53Over the last five years, over £41 million has been invested across the county in redeveloping town centres,
0:02:53 > 0:02:56improving the infrastructure and building businesses,
0:02:56 > 0:03:01so if North Yorkshire looks like the place to thrive and you're ready to explore up hill and down dale,
0:03:01 > 0:03:06then take a look at these properties that are available for a range of budgets right now.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11If golf is your game, then how about this five-bedroom
0:03:11 > 0:03:14converted coach-house, set in the middle of Malton Golf Course?
0:03:14 > 0:03:19On the market for a cool £1.1 million, the accommodation is
0:03:19 > 0:03:24pure luxury and, with three acres of land, you won't need to worry about stray balls.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30For nearly half the price, £595,000 will buy you this
0:03:30 > 0:03:35traditional stone-built four-bedroom Georgian hall near Skipton.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39It's been beautifully restored so you won't have to lift a finger,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42giving you plenty of time to enjoy the pretty garden.
0:03:45 > 0:03:51For the more modest sum of £395,000, how about this stately semi-detached
0:03:51 > 0:03:54four-bedroom Edwardian house in Pateley Bridge?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57For the price, you'll get an authentic period property
0:03:57 > 0:04:01with cosy interiors and a rural outlook fit for a king.
0:04:01 > 0:04:07So there's lots on offer out there, especially if you like a bit of stone and, thankfully,
0:04:07 > 0:04:11that's exactly what today's buyers are after, so let's meet them.
0:04:11 > 0:04:17Retired company director John quite literally swept university lecturer Josephine
0:04:17 > 0:04:22off her feet three years ago when they met at ceroc dancing lessons.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25They now live together in John's three-bedroom detached
0:04:25 > 0:04:27house in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31but they're desperate to hot-foot it from their suburban cul de sac.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34Every opportunity we get, we go to the country,
0:04:34 > 0:04:39so we might as well live there, cut down on the travelling expenses.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45Having set their sights on rural North Yorkshire, six months ago they made an offer on a house,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48but the sale fell through at the last minute and Josephine,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52having already sold her property, had to move into John's home,
0:04:52 > 0:04:54which wasn't part of the game plan.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Now that I've moved in with John, and I've brought some of my things with me,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01there's a need to clear out what John calls "treasure"
0:05:01 > 0:05:03that he's collected for 30 years and I call "junk".
0:05:03 > 0:05:07We really need a place where we can merge these two homes together
0:05:07 > 0:05:10and make it a really nice, happy place to live.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13So creating their first "together" home is a top priority,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16but what does their perfect house actually look like?
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Preferably a detached house
0:05:19 > 0:05:26overlooking open ground or fields, perhaps rolling hills.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Something with a little bit of character,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31which we could look at and say, "This is ours."
0:05:31 > 0:05:34With Josephine joining John in retirement in a few months,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37they'll be spending a lot more time together,
0:05:37 > 0:05:42so what will they need from their new home to guarantee domestic harmony?
0:05:42 > 0:05:48What we need is a space big enough for both of us to share as an office or two separate rooms.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Good-sized kitchen, preferably.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52- Not a galley. - Oh, yeah, not a galley kitchen.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54If we can avoid a galley kitchen, that would be good.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58- Two reception rooms. - Two reception rooms. A garage?
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Oh, a double garage, please.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05In the next property, I would like a garden which is a little bit smaller.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08We'd like to take the greenhouse with us,
0:06:08 > 0:06:10and Josephine would like a raised bed
0:06:10 > 0:06:13so she can grow a few vegetables.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16They obviously have very clear ideas about their new home,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18but what about the location?
0:06:18 > 0:06:22- We'd like to live in a village. - With a nice village atmosphere, perhaps a church...- A pub.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24And a little village pub, yes.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- Maybe a shop.- Perhaps a shop.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31But for John, it's not just a few amenities that will win the day.
0:06:31 > 0:06:38I would also like to be near somewhere where I can fly my aeroplane which I built
0:06:38 > 0:06:4212 months ago, and also I would like to be able to
0:06:42 > 0:06:46have somewhere where I can build another aeroplane, a second one.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51John and Josephine are financing their flight to the country with a combination of savings,
0:06:51 > 0:06:56the proceeds from Josephine's house sale, and rental income they hope to get from John's house.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58So what kind of money are they looking at spending?
0:06:58 > 0:07:04For the right property, our maximum budget would be £300,000.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12So John and Josephine are about to buy their very first home together,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16but I am slightly concerned that their modest budget isn't going to get them very far.
0:07:16 > 0:07:22On the face of it, a three-bedroom character cottage with two reception rooms shouldn't be that difficult,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25but when you throw in that double garage and the fact that
0:07:25 > 0:07:30they will only consider a detached property - well, that could be the straw that breaks the camel's back.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37As Josephine is keen to have easy access to the A19 so she can visit
0:07:37 > 0:07:42her family in West Yorkshire, and John would like to be near Husthwaite where he keeps his plane,
0:07:42 > 0:07:46we'll be focusing our property search in the villages to the east of this border.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52In today's show, we'll be viewing three fantastic homes with great potential but, as always,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56I won't be revealing their price tags until the end of the tours.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00The last of the three will be the mystery house, which today will
0:08:00 > 0:08:04be a challenge in more ways than one IF they're willing to take the risk.
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Hello, John and Josephine.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11Thank you very much for bringing me to North Yorkshire. Gorgeous day.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Wonderful county, but it's not one you're unfamiliar with, is it?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16That's true. I've been coming here for many, many years.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20I used to do my flying training a bit further on the road.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21So you've introduced the area to Josephine?
0:08:21 > 0:08:25He did. It's such a beautiful area, you can't really fail to fall in love with it.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29You've both fallen in love with it, and each other, and this is your first home together.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32- Now, what are the key criteria? - We'd like it to be detached.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36That's an absolute must. And how much money do we have to play with?
0:08:36 > 0:08:40£300,000 and we can be a little bit flexible.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- That's good, so we could go a little bit higher if we get the perfect property.- Yes.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48But North Yorkshire is beautiful, it's gorgeous and it's popular and, in that bracket,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51things could be a bit tricky but we're going to do our best,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53so let's get going and get house hunting.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54Brilliant.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03Flexibility on that £300,000 budget will come in handy.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09Finding a detached character cottage with two reception rooms, three bedrooms, a big kitchen,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12at least one office and a double garage is a big ask.
0:09:12 > 0:09:18The average price for a detached house here is £16,000 above John and Josephine's spend,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21so they will need to compromise, but luckily they're not averse
0:09:21 > 0:09:24to doing some work to create their dream home.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29What a life shift for the two of you - a new home together.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34- What do you plan to do with your days?- Oh, enjoy them.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37We've recently bought a couple of bikes,
0:09:37 > 0:09:42so hopefully we're going off cycling
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- a little bit.- And we'll walk.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48And we'll walk, possibly go out for the odd lunch, and...
0:09:48 > 0:09:53I intend to start building another aeroplane, so I think we'll be fully occupied.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55Well, for our first house, we're heading
0:09:55 > 0:10:00just three miles south of Helmsley to the pretty village of Harome.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04With its quiet country lanes, traditional stone and thatched cottages,
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Victorian church, local pub, shop and a pretty duck pond,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11I think this village comes very close to meeting everything
0:10:11 > 0:10:15John and Josephine are looking for in their countryside escape.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20Our first property is situated on the outskirts of the village,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23and if it's views of open land they're looking for,
0:10:23 > 0:10:25this house will take some beating.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27A nice Yorkshire-stone property.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- That looks nice.- It does.- Solid.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Couple of hundred years old, and you haven't mentioned it,
0:10:33 > 0:10:34but it is a bit curious.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37It's a nice aspect here, but actually this is the back of the house.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41We're on the back lane, but it means you've got these wonderful views here.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47I know our buyers are keen to put their own stamp on
0:10:47 > 0:10:51a property, and I think this is the perfect house to do just that.
0:10:51 > 0:10:58In we come, away from the wind, and remember I did say we're coming into the back entrance of the house.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03We've got a bit of a long, narrow hallway here, and the room I want to show you first is this way.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05- I think we need to get this out of the way.- OK.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08It is...a galley kitchen.
0:11:08 > 0:11:15- A galley!- But...a very long and light galley kitchen, I think.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- It's actually triple aspect. - It's light, isn't it?
0:11:19 > 0:11:25It's light, it's reasonably airy, it looks to be reasonably well laid out.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28What is it about galley kitchens that you really don't like?
0:11:28 > 0:11:30I feel confined in a galley kitchen,
0:11:30 > 0:11:33even though it's long, but I'm keeping an open mind.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Keep an open mind. That's the spirit.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37I wanted to show you this first, get it out the way.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39You know it's here, but there's a lot more to offer
0:11:39 > 0:11:43with this property, so let's keep looking and see what you think at the end.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- OK.- Out this way.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Good for Josephine.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50She's not writing off the rest of the house because of one room.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54I think the reality of what they'll get for their money is beginning to sink in.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- So, on this side, we have one of your reception rooms.- Oh.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01OK.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Snug. It is quite snug.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06It's double aspect. You're getting the light on both sides again.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12And also, if you have a look at these windows, you can really start to see the depth of these walls.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15So here you've got little windows seats. Nice features.
0:12:15 > 0:12:21To me, it lends itself to wooden floors, chimneys,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24maybe a bookcase or two and make it snuggy.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29And there's a little bit more space, actually, which is just through here.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- This is, in fact, where the old kitchen was.- Oh, right.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Now an office.- Nice office space.
0:12:35 > 0:12:36Very light, isn't it?
0:12:36 > 0:12:41Lots of these rooms are double, triple aspect so you're getting quite a bit of light in.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- I definitely think there's enough space for a couple of desks.- Yes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47- You know what I'm thinking? - Yes, yes.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51But I'm also thinking, depending on what the rest of the house holds, it could be his on his own.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Oh, aye.
0:12:53 > 0:13:00Well, John and Josephine won't have to get under each other's feet in this house as there's more to come.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04And here is your second reception room.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05Nice, snug little room, I think.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09Yes, a cosy room and, again, one that you'd need to make your own.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14I think, if we had this house, I'd definitely want to put it into what
0:13:14 > 0:13:17lends itself naturally to this period of house.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Let's go check out upstairs.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21OK.
0:13:21 > 0:13:27Josephine's already thinking how she'd refurbish which, in my book, is usually a good sign.
0:13:27 > 0:13:28Let's see what plans she'll have for upstairs.
0:13:28 > 0:13:36Arranged around a landing is a small single bedroom, a double, and the family bathroom is right next door.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38You've got a nice view from here.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44- Mm-hm.- And the raised bath may well mean that you can sit there and look outside which would be good.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47There you go. Lots of lovely views around
0:13:47 > 0:13:52- this house, but interestingly, in the bathroom, you've got one of the best ones, haven't you?- Yeah!
0:13:52 > 0:13:58So let's have a look at your master bedroom, and we can put the final seal on the interior of this house.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02Well, this is your master. Final room for you to have a look at.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Mm-hm. - Oh, wow, what a size this is!
0:14:05 > 0:14:07It is. Double aspect.
0:14:07 > 0:14:13And again, potential to be in bed and looking out at the beautiful blossoms.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16Exactly. What's your overall impression?
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- I'm sorry, at the moment I'm redesigning it! - That's what I thought.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Redesigning, and I'm thinking there's a tiny room over there.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Originally thought it might be office.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29Second thought, might be where I put the wardrobes instead of having them in here.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- A dressing-room type of thing. - I like your thought.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34That's the beauty of coming round a house like this.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36You can really start to see how you would make it your own.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Time to see the outside, then.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41I'm so pleased they both seem to be buying into the possibilities
0:14:41 > 0:14:44with this house and, outside, there's plenty of scope too.
0:14:44 > 0:14:50Back into the Yorkshire fresh air, although it is a little bit blowy now, isn't it?
0:14:50 > 0:14:52But more importantly, this is your garden.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55It's a good old size, isn't it?
0:14:55 > 0:14:58It is, and it does extend over to that side as well.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00- Right.- So it's all this space that you can see.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03I'd re-landscape it, actually.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08- Ah.- Yes, I'd put my nine-sided greenhouse somewhere down there and
0:15:08 > 0:15:13I'd make it a feature so you could see the greenhouse from the windows.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18I think the outside is a bit like the interior of the property, isn't it? You've got the potential here...
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Yes, lots of potential. - Lots that you can do with it.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Shall we look down the back at those outbuildings?
0:15:24 > 0:15:28This property may not come with an aircraft hangar for John's plane,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31but it does have five outbuildings, including a workshop and a garage.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34So it is a very large garden, really.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39And, as you walk down here, you can see what was the front of the house.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- Ah.- Ah, yes.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44But we're round the back because we want to look at the outbuildings.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48We've got a big garage here, another building here, a stone building
0:15:48 > 0:15:51which is actually a workshop. Plenty of space in there.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53I was planning to build a second aircraft, and if I can
0:15:53 > 0:15:56partially build it in there and then it goes down
0:15:56 > 0:15:58to the hangar for final construction.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03So much potential, but the question of course is what's the price?
0:16:03 > 0:16:05I want you to take another look at this property.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08How much do you think you'd have to pay for it?
0:16:08 > 0:16:11Well, the house has actually got a lot of potential.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13It stills needs a lot of work,
0:16:13 > 0:16:19so I'm kind of probably going to go somewhere under budget...260?
0:16:19 > 0:16:21260. Over to you, John.
0:16:21 > 0:16:30I think it's going for possibly 310, because of the outbuildings etc, and the land.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Well, the winner, on this occasion spot on - well done, John - is you.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38It's on the market at £310,000, which is a nudge over your budget.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Plenty for you to think about.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45I know you're dying to have a closer look at the outbuildings, so off you go.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- Go and have a wander and I'll see you later.- Thank you.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53This is quite a high price for this property, but John's right -
0:16:53 > 0:16:56it does come with all of these outbuildings, all of this space.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00There is so much potential here, and if they got it for a good price,
0:17:00 > 0:17:01they could do a good job with this one.
0:17:02 > 0:17:08OK, so this house is over budget with an asking price of £310,000,
0:17:08 > 0:17:13but it's been on the market for a year, and the vendors are definitely open to negotiation.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19It comes with the space they've asked for
0:17:19 > 0:17:21and, with a few cosmetic changes,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25there's a real opportunity to create a beautiful character home.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Oh, a workshop!
0:17:30 > 0:17:31It's a good space is that.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Do you think this would be a place for you to do your aircraft?
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- I think it would.- As it currently sits, it's not me, it's not my taste.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44I would actually like to take everything right back to the walls and start afresh.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49I think the house does need quite a bit of money spending on it.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52I'm not too happy about the two reception rooms.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56I think they're a little bit on the small side.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- Got lots of ideas now? - Yeah, one or two coming along.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03Completely refurbished the place!
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- Yes!- Well, we've got a lot more to do so let's keep moving.- OK.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19A property that's always taken my interest is Fountains Abbey,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23so I've decided to take the opportunity to delve a little deeper into the history,
0:18:23 > 0:18:27and I have to say, even in the rain, it's an awe-inspiring place.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31The abbey covers an area of over 500 acres and is the largest and
0:18:31 > 0:18:34best-preserved monastic ruins in England.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It's a masterpiece of 12th-century architecture
0:18:38 > 0:18:40which took around 40 years to build,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43so I'm meeting up with Kate Mainprize, a National Trust
0:18:43 > 0:18:47volunteer, to learn a little bit more about these beautiful ruins.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49An amazing space.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51We're in the solarium.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56That end was used as a store area for the abbey, so all the provisions for
0:18:56 > 0:18:58the abbey were stored there,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01as well as the wool, the grain that they were exporting.
0:19:01 > 0:19:07And then this end of solarium was used as the lay brothers' refectory,
0:19:07 > 0:19:09their dining room.
0:19:09 > 0:19:16And the entire stretch of the solarium above was the lay brothers' dormitory.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20At its peak in the 14th century, the order consisted of around 60 choir
0:19:20 > 0:19:23monks, those concerned with purely spiritual matters,
0:19:23 > 0:19:30while the 300 lay monks did all the hard graft, running the monastery and its various business ventures.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Their dealings in wool, stone and ore were so successful
0:19:33 > 0:19:38that Fountains Abbey became one of the wealthiest religious houses
0:19:38 > 0:19:42in the country, until it was seized by Henry VIII in the 1500s.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46But if you're more into horticulture than history, Fountains Abbey is
0:19:46 > 0:19:50well worth checking out for the stunning water gardens...
0:19:50 > 0:19:54created not by monks but by the Aislabie family
0:19:54 > 0:19:57in the 1700s when they purchased the entire abbey estate
0:19:57 > 0:20:00and combined it with their nearby family home.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02The gardens take in over 300 acres
0:20:02 > 0:20:06and are one of the best examples of Georgian landscaping in Britain,
0:20:06 > 0:20:10with geometric designs, extraordinary vistas
0:20:10 > 0:20:12and a number of follies -
0:20:12 > 0:20:19buildings which have no purpose whatsoever other than to charm, trick and delight.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Ah-ha! Look at this.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27- Wow. That is a view! - That is your surprise view.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30It's a wonderful surprise, and William was smart enough to have
0:20:30 > 0:20:33a lovely little shelter here where, despite the weather...
0:20:33 > 0:20:36He didn't actually put up this shelter. This shelter was put up later.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39He created this area and this viewpoint,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43but it was in fact later on that this was put up.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45And from this vantage point...
0:20:45 > 0:20:49You really can take in the magic and the mystery of the abbey.
0:20:49 > 0:20:55And I have to say, despite the rain, all is forgiven because it does look pretty wonderful, doesn't it?
0:20:55 > 0:20:58It really does. Very mysterious.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08With the rain stopped and the sun setting over the North Yorkshire
0:21:08 > 0:21:14countryside, our first day of property-hunting is over.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19John and Josephine are looking to buy their first home in a quiet North Yorkshire village.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22For a modest budget of £300,000,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25they want a spacious detached character cottage,
0:21:25 > 0:21:29and so far what we've shown them hasn't quite measured up to size.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33I feel confined in a galley kitchen.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36But we have plenty more to get them excited.
0:21:36 > 0:21:37- Ohh!- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Or will they be "converted" by today's mystery house?
0:21:44 > 0:21:49Yesterday, I don't think we really fulfilled John and Josephine's expectations,
0:21:49 > 0:21:54so today I think we need to make a compromise and character is the word we're going to drop.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59We're heading further east for our next property, to the village of Yedingham.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Just south of the moors, it's a 45-minute drive from the A19, but
0:22:03 > 0:22:08it's just 20 minutes to the coast, which isn't a bad consolation prize.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Situated on the banks of the River Derwent, Yedingham
0:22:11 > 0:22:16is a small rural community, with a population of just 160 people
0:22:16 > 0:22:18and only a couple of pubs.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20For more community spirit and amenities,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24John and Josephine can jump on their new bikes and cycle the three miles
0:22:24 > 0:22:28through the countryside to the pretty village of Snainton.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- Look across the road there. A pub! - THEY LAUGH
0:22:32 > 0:22:34- Up here, a church.- A pretty church.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Two of your requests.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39And over here...
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- the property. - That looks rather nice.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Ah, that's a surprise.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47I think it's very different from the others we've actually seen,
0:22:47 > 0:22:52and it gives you the impression of space, which is nice.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56I also need to point out that this is actually a fairly new build, built in 1990.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58I know character is something you were looking for,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01but I think it still gives the impression of a lot of character.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- It's the stone.- It's been well done. The stone does the trick.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08And it's a bungalow. How do you feel about that?
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- No objections to that, no. - Good. What about you, Josephine?
0:23:10 > 0:23:12No, I'm open-minded, actually.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14A cottage is what we were talking about but I'm open-minded.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17It's got a cottagey look about it, hasn't it?
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Has a cottagey look, yet with space, so I think we should have a look inside.
0:23:21 > 0:23:27Let's go. I'm really glad to see that they're open to alternatives because, as we've discovered,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32finding cottages for their budget means less space, but that's not a compromise we'll have to make here.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37In we come. It has a nice entrance porch there.
0:23:37 > 0:23:42- It is indeed.- And into the first of two reception rooms. Come through.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45So...a good-sized reception room, I think, as you can see,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47currently being used as a dining space.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Yes. You're right. It has that cottagey feel. It actually works.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53This is a fantastic start to this property.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Let's have a look at the next reception room. Through here.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- This is very nice.- It is, it's lovely. A good, good size.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07Again, you've got nice light coming in from two areas, open fire.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Not my style, but...
0:24:09 > 0:24:11The chimney's open, it's a working fireplace
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and you could certainly put a wood-burning stove or something,
0:24:14 > 0:24:17make it a bit more of a focal point for the room.
0:24:17 > 0:24:21'Josephine has exactly the right attitude to viewing houses.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24'She sees past the cosmetics and looks at the space.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27'Take heed all you house-buyers out there.'
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Now, along here, you have a cloakroom...
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- Nice.- Utility space.- Brilliant.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Brilliant. And...!
0:24:36 > 0:24:38..a nice big kitchen.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- Oh, yes, you have... Oh. - Oh, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Whoa, whoa, whoa! I like that!
0:24:44 > 0:24:49That's... Yeah, a nice kitchen cos you could even, as they have here
0:24:49 > 0:24:51got a table in the kitchen.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- Plenty of work space. - Range-style cooker.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Yeah, I know, I know. That was the "oh, oh, oh, oh"!
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- And again you've got...- Quarry-tiled floor.- Quarry-tiled floor.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03I quite like the quarry-tiled floors too.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06Mm-hm, it's liveable, isn't it? Without any problems.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Yeah, I'd just put a few more character features into it.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13I'd probably want to change that strip light there.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Ah, I didn't go quite as far up as that.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Even though there's a man-hole there.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- Yeah, the obligatory man-hole.- I was waiting for you to notice that.
0:25:20 > 0:25:26Although this is a bungalow, you do have one little bit of space up there which,
0:25:26 > 0:25:29if you could work it or you didn't mind going up and down a ladder,
0:25:29 > 0:25:31- it could be your office space. - I love the space.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34'Ditching character for space seems to be paying off.'
0:25:34 > 0:25:39Into the bedroom wing. You have one good-sized double here.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- OK.- I thought I'd show you this one first of all.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It's good, a good size.
0:25:45 > 0:25:49- There is no scrimping on space here in this bungalow.- No, there isn't.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54- A good amount of light, and fitted storage. Yeah.- Mm-hm.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56So let's keep exploring, then. Follow me.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Through here, another generous room, and this is your bathroom.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- It's a good-sized bathroom. - It's a good size.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09It is a good size. Not my taste, but...
0:26:09 > 0:26:12I think possibly a white suite would go in there, wouldn't it?
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- So this is one of the changes you'd be willing to make.- Yes.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21And it is right next door to the master suite, so let's have a look. Out that way to the left.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Well, this is another nice-sized room.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- It is. It's a good size.- Do you think you'd have to do much to it?
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Put coving up all the way round.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37- Another job for you.- Plaster coving.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40- And I'd probably do that myself. - Ah, very good.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43And of course, now, what's important is the exterior.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- Yes.- Let's head out and have a look.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48This property comes with a reasonable-sized garden
0:26:48 > 0:26:53and, at under a quarter of an acre, I think John can manage it.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58Outside...into your plentiful garden.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Some very well laid out areas here.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05This lawn here, just behind the kitchen.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07There is some secluded garden area here,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10which is looking out from the bedrooms.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Then you've got a ready vegetable patch already set out.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15That's for you. And there's more at the back.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17And there looks like there's even an orchard there.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Looking good. Yes, looks good.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22It's tidy and it's not going to kill me...
0:27:22 > 0:27:23sort of...
0:27:23 > 0:27:25putting it right.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27So, maintenance-wise, this is something you could deal with.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30Maintenance-wise, I'd soon get on top of this, yes.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34But there's more to see in this garden.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Wonderful arable land to look out on there. Great landscape.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44The river is running behind you just here,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47and...this...
0:27:47 > 0:27:48could be your property.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Looks lovely, doesn't it?
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Nice big, spacious property, decent-sized garden.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56How much are you willing to pay for it? That's the question.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01I think this is going to be well over budget, and I would go for...
0:28:01 > 0:28:07the location, the river, 355.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09OK.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12I'll take it down to just 350.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15350. If it was on at that price, would you be able
0:28:15 > 0:28:18to stretch yourselves to buy it?
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Er, we'd have to have a word with the bank manager, I think,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24and pull a few strings.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26- But you'd think about it? - We'd certainly think about it.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28We'd certainly think about it.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Well, maybe you don't have to because this
0:28:30 > 0:28:33is on the market for 315 -
0:28:33 > 0:28:36that's one five, thousand pounds.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38Oh, my word!
0:28:38 > 0:28:40- Whoa!- Are you all right?- Yes.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42You're not going to fall over?
0:28:42 > 0:28:45It's just the ground went whoo!
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- Unbelievable. - That is such a surprise.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52I think you should go indulge, run around your potential property,
0:28:52 > 0:28:54and I will catch up with you later on.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56- Thank you.- All right?
0:28:56 > 0:29:01Slightly over budget at £315,000, this is a lot of property for the price,
0:29:01 > 0:29:04but it's been on the market for seven months,
0:29:04 > 0:29:08so a bit of negotiation should bring it on budget.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18And there's loft space which could be converted into an office.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20A bungalow isn't what they had in mind
0:29:20 > 0:29:22but can they see themselves living here?
0:29:22 > 0:29:25I've never lived in a bungalow before but it works.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28It feels spacious, there's lots of light
0:29:28 > 0:29:32and I think, with a bit of tinkering here and a bit of tinkering there,
0:29:32 > 0:29:34this house could be made more cosy.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37You can look at this bungalow, and it looks cottagey.
0:29:37 > 0:29:38It isn't a carbuncle.
0:29:38 > 0:29:43You've got a workshop in the garden, a greenhouse,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46there's ample car parking space.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48- It just fits the bill.- Seen the lot?
0:29:48 > 0:29:52- We have.- Lots to think about, but we're not finished yet!
0:29:52 > 0:29:54- No.- No.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- You guys know what's coming next, don't you?- Yes.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03It's time for the mystery property.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05What would you really like it to be?
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Maybe a converted barn.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09Maybe a converted pig sty, stables.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15- I don't know.- What about something that would introduce you to a whole new way of living?
0:30:15 > 0:30:17A new occupation? Oh, right.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19That's got you thinking, hasn't it?
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- I say no more.- Yeah.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25All will be revealed soon
0:30:25 > 0:30:27as we don't have far to travel.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30We're heading a few miles west to the hamlet Aislaby
0:30:30 > 0:30:31on the southern edge of the moors,
0:30:31 > 0:30:35just one and a half miles from the market town of Pickering.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37Aislaby started life for the estate workers of Helmsley Hall,
0:30:37 > 0:30:41and today remains just a smattering of properties.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43But just a five-minute walk away is the neighbouring village
0:30:43 > 0:30:45of Middleton where John and Josephine
0:30:45 > 0:30:49will find their longed-for pub, post office, shop and church.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53The mystery house is situated on the outskirts of the hamlet and could
0:30:53 > 0:30:58keep John and Josephine very busy in more ways than one.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02In fact, we're giving them the opportunity to consider
0:31:02 > 0:31:04an alternative to total retirement.
0:31:04 > 0:31:09The big question is - will they be up for the challenge?
0:31:09 > 0:31:10It's mystery house time,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- and this is it.- All of it?
0:31:13 > 0:31:15All of this.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- Right.- It's a big one. - It is a big one, isn't it?- Yes.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21All in all, this would all need some work, which you'll see
0:31:21 > 0:31:23when we go inside. And it's not just this property here.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27If you look to the left, that extra structure there...
0:31:27 > 0:31:30that would come with it as well.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Blimey!
0:31:32 > 0:31:34That's an empty property that would need to be renovated,
0:31:34 > 0:31:38but there is planning permission to turn it into a holiday let.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- Yeah.- Right. - Let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:31:41 > 0:31:42Lead the way.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45'The farmhouse has been empty for some time,
0:31:45 > 0:31:47and it will be a major undertaking,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49but if they're prepared to put the work in,
0:31:49 > 0:31:51what a home they could end up with.'
0:31:51 > 0:31:53In we come.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Nice generous hallway, but straight into the kitchen.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- Ooh, a good size again. - Isn't it a good size?
0:31:59 > 0:32:02- It's a good size.- It's a good space.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05It's a good kitchen space, but it clearly needs to be updated a little.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08So it's a house for you to get your imagination going.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11I know that yours is very strong, gets regular exercise.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14It does, it does. So, yeah, it would be a good make-over.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19'Well, if anyone has the imagination to transform this house, it's Josephine.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23'It's a blank canvas on which she could create a masterpiece.'
0:32:23 > 0:32:28- This way, we have, behind this doors, stairs which lead up to the master bedroom.- OK.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31But we'll come back to that. First of all, we're heading this way...
0:32:31 > 0:32:35to the first of two big reception rooms.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Uh-huh, that's nice and light.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41Good size. I would actually get rid of that fireplace there
0:32:41 > 0:32:45and return it to something much more in keeping with the farmhouse.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Again, beams would have to be lightened up.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Anything that's dark would have to go lighter
0:32:50 > 0:32:52cos it just brings everything down.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Now, something quite quirky in this room is behind us here.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57- I could see that.- Look at that.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Isn't it weird? Apparently, it used to be in a ship.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05Not quite sure how old it is, when it dates back to, but behind it...
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- is just a cupboard under the stairs. - Oh, my word!
0:33:09 > 0:33:11But an interesting quirk.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I know quirkiness is something you wanted.
0:33:14 > 0:33:15It is definitely a quirk.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- So we delivered.- Thank you.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21- Let's keep moving.- OK.- OK.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27- And this is the second reception room. Another big room.- A good size.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29- I think you're going to say that same sorts of things.- Definitely.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- Change the fireplace.- Change the fireplace, beams sorting out.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36It's a pity they've been varnished, these beams, because if was
0:33:36 > 0:33:40brought down to its natural wood, it would look absolutely beautiful.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42But there's a little bonus here, just this way.
0:33:44 > 0:33:45Take a look through here.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49- Oh, that's panoramic, isn't it? - Isn't it?
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- The best room in the house.- I agree.
0:33:53 > 0:33:54It's so warm in here, isn't it?
0:33:54 > 0:33:56It's a sun trap,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59and you get the benefit of the views of the open fields there.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01This is definitely one that you can go, "Ooh!"
0:34:01 > 0:34:06- Oh, I like that. We can go now. Ooh! - THEY GIGGLE
0:34:06 > 0:34:08You can feel the heat, you know.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12There's been so much wind and it's been cold in places, but this...
0:34:12 > 0:34:17- Yeah, this is cosy.- Warm and cosy, and this is one room you really wouldn't have to do anything with.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19You'd just have to create a lovely garden to look out onto.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21- Yes.- Let's head upstairs.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Out of all of the houses we've seen, I think this is the one that really
0:34:26 > 0:34:30delivers the kind of space Josephine and John are after,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32and upstairs is just as roomy.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Well, this house comes with four bedrooms.
0:34:37 > 0:34:42- I want to show you this one, which I think would be a lovely guest bedroom.- OK.
0:34:42 > 0:34:47Basically a nice bedroom, good size, in need of TLC.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51What you can see in this room is some of the older parts of this building.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54You've got a lovely A-frame here which is just showing through.
0:34:54 > 0:34:59And again, taken back to its naturalness instead of all the stuff that's been put on it.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02Could be quite delightful if you're up for it.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Let's keep looking round.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10Well, they're not short on ideas how to redecorate which is great,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12but this house needs a complete overhaul,
0:35:12 > 0:35:16which could be more than cosmetic. It's not lacking in size, though.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20There are two further bedrooms, a double and a single,
0:35:20 > 0:35:24and a relatively new family bathroom.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28So this, I can imagine, would be your master bedroom.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Blank space at the moment.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Another room - yes, it's a good size but you can see the work you'd need to do.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35You can see it's got different styles.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37If you look at the door here,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41then you look at the banister and the dado down the stairs there,
0:35:41 > 0:35:42they're all different styles
0:35:42 > 0:35:45and all different shapes or different colours.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47- A lot of work.- A lot of work.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52For some people, this would be a dream purchase, though, because there's so much work.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55So you get the chance to rip it out, start again,
0:35:55 > 0:35:57turn it into quite a lovely home.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00- So keep thinking about it. - Oh, I'm thinking.
0:36:00 > 0:36:06This is a treat for you. You wanted to see behind the door downstairs. Well, let's go out through it.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09- OK.- The stairs are from the master back outside.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14The farmhouse has got tons of potential, but just wait till they see the barn.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19- Right, let's go and have a look at what could be your holiday let.- OK.
0:36:19 > 0:36:20It may not be a pig sty,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23but it was originally the milking parlour,
0:36:23 > 0:36:27and when it comes to putting her own stamp on something,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Josephine could run riot in here.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32But the important point is, it's got the planning permission already
0:36:32 > 0:36:34to be a two or three-bedroom holiday cottage.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- It's good news.- It's good news.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Fair bit of work that would need to be done but it's a solid structure.
0:36:40 > 0:36:44- Yeah, a solid structure.- You've got the cash to buy a house.- Yeah.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48What you'd obviously need is more money here to do a project like this.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53- At the moment, you're currently planning to keep your house to rent out.- To rent out.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57This can be here for as long as you need it, but when you're ready, you might choose to sell
0:36:57 > 0:37:02and re-invest in something, and run a business right next door to your own home.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05- It's worth a thought.- Good!
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Worth a thought. Shall we have a look at the land?
0:37:08 > 0:37:10- Yes.- OK, follow me.
0:37:10 > 0:37:16'This is a lot to take on, but with its great location near the moors and the market town of Pickering,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18'it could prove to be a real money-spinner
0:37:18 > 0:37:21'and give them financial security for years to come.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24'And if running a holiday let seems like hard work,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27'they can always hand it over to a management company to look after.
0:37:27 > 0:37:33'They might consider getting a gardener too, as this property comes with an acre of land.'
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Obviously, nothing's been done with it at the moment.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40- There's scope for you to create a garden out here.- Right.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42- It's the views.- It is the views.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- The good views.- How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:37:45 > 0:37:51I think, given that we've got the views and there's an investment potential there,
0:37:51 > 0:37:54although it does need a lot of work,
0:37:54 > 0:38:00I'm going to go well over budget and say somewhere around...370.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- OK. John?- 225.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Wildly different - 225, 370.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Somewhere in the middle is the answer.
0:38:09 > 0:38:15- It's on the market for offers in excess of £300,000.- Ooh.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Surprised you both, for different reasons.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21I have to tell you that there's a lot of interest in this property.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24There's a lot of potential there. It could be a great development
0:38:24 > 0:38:27and, in the last three or four days, they've had three offers,
0:38:27 > 0:38:30one of which is around about the £300,000 mark.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32So if it was something you wanted to do,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34you'd have to be serious and quick.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Certainly a lot to think about, isn't there?
0:38:36 > 0:38:41And you've got lots of ideas, I know, of what you could do with it.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44And it's cold, so why don't you go back inside?
0:38:44 > 0:38:46- Thank you.- Look, they've gone. I'll see you later.
0:38:46 > 0:38:51That really shocked them. Wildly different. They really didn't know what to make of this property.
0:38:51 > 0:38:56The point is, it's a very attractive one, and it could open up a whole new life for them.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00At offers of over £300,000, this is at the top of their budget,
0:39:00 > 0:39:05and will need a lot more spent on it, but once the barn is finished,
0:39:05 > 0:39:09it has potential earnings of around £13,000 per annum or more.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12The farmhouse itself has great potential
0:39:12 > 0:39:15with a lot of space, including four bedrooms,
0:39:15 > 0:39:19two reception rooms, a conservatory and a large kitchen.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21Is this a project too far, though?
0:39:21 > 0:39:23The house has great potential.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27I can visualise all sorts of things for these rooms and how I would do it and how I would strip it out,
0:39:27 > 0:39:34but it does require a massive amount of work and a lot of money.
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- That's seen better days, hasn't it? - Indeed.- Mm.- Bit of a roofing job there, I think.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41It's different. It's quite a surprise.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Perhaps 20 years ago, I might have been interested.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49You've seen all of the properties now and you've got lots to think
0:39:49 > 0:39:52about, so let's find somewhere for you to sit down and mull it over.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Thank you.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05That's it for our property search in North Yorkshire.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09Our buyers have now viewed all the houses and have to decide which one,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12if any, will work best for them.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18John and Josephine have a limited budget but some pretty
0:40:18 > 0:40:22big and fixed ideas about exactly what they're looking for.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25We've shown them a range of properties, but I really think,
0:40:25 > 0:40:29to get the right property in this area, they're going to have to compromise.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32And now it's time to see if they've made any decisions.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39We've had an exciting couple of days.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Starting out your journey to find your very first home together.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46Now, we started with the back-to-front house in Harome. That was interesting.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48It was.
0:40:48 > 0:40:54Initially, as I approached the house, I found it difficult to get excited about it cos there was nothing there
0:40:54 > 0:40:58to inspire you, but I did get a surprise when I went inside, although I still think it's small.
0:40:58 > 0:41:03But I felt the whole of the house and the garden needed
0:41:03 > 0:41:06really bringing up to date.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10It did need a lot of work to do to bring it up to spec,
0:41:10 > 0:41:14and were we prepared to do it? No.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Let's talk about the bungalow, though.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Right. Well, that, we think, had everything we needed,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23- all we wanted.- While the...
0:41:23 > 0:41:26I'd want to put my own stamp in it and change things, I think,
0:41:26 > 0:41:31in terms of space and airiness, that one definitely ticked the boxes,
0:41:31 > 0:41:35and then you have a beautiful space outside with the churchyard,
0:41:35 > 0:41:36the river at the bottom.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39It was built of stone, it looked cottagey,
0:41:39 > 0:41:42and perhaps, in a couple of years' time
0:41:42 > 0:41:46with perhaps roses and wisteria growing up the walls,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49it would really blend in as...
0:41:49 > 0:41:51You could perhaps think it had been there 100 years.
0:41:51 > 0:41:53But the journey was not over yet
0:41:53 > 0:41:56because, of course, there's the mystery house.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00I really was taken aback cos of the size of it,
0:42:00 > 0:42:02and when you were telling us about the potential there,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05I have to admit, my business head kicked in
0:42:05 > 0:42:07and I thought..."Hm." All those thoughts.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12But I found, as I went round each room, room after room after room,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14the amount of work that needed doing on it.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Some of the, erm...polish
0:42:17 > 0:42:21of actually doing the conversion into holiday lets
0:42:21 > 0:42:26paled a bit, and it just became, really, too much of a big project.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29It would've been a full-time job for a couple of years,
0:42:29 > 0:42:34project managing it, and I want to do other things.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36You really are thinking the same thing.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38What I want to know is whether you both had the same idea
0:42:38 > 0:42:41about which property, if any, you would want to go for.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43Obviously the bungalow, we'd like to go back...
0:42:43 > 0:42:45And we're going to pursue it a bit further.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49I'm really pleased that we've helped you hopefully find the house of your dreams.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- Just let us know how you get on. - We will.- With any luck, it won't
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- be too long till you've moved in to a new place.- Thank you.
0:42:58 > 0:43:01There's so much land and space in North Yorkshire
0:43:01 > 0:43:04that it's not hard to find some peace and serenity.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07And, for John and Josephine, we may have found them the perfect spot to
0:43:07 > 0:43:10find just that so that they can set up their very first home together.
0:43:10 > 0:43:15I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18If you'd like to escape to the country and need our help,
0:43:18 > 0:43:20please apply online at...
0:43:38 > 0:43:41Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:41 > 0:43:44E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk