0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today I'm in a county that's often referred to as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08and no surprise because it's also home to this -
0:00:08 > 0:00:12Britain's only inland electrically powered funicular railway,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15which dates to the end of the 19th century.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18So I've got my ticket, let's escape to the country!
0:00:31 > 0:00:35In today's show, I'll be helping one family escape the confines of city living
0:00:35 > 0:00:38for a grand country lifestyle.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- Is that part of this?- It isn't!
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Oh!
0:00:42 > 0:00:45But will they be able to contain their excitement?
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Oh, my word!
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- Oh!- Look at this!
0:00:49 > 0:00:52Oh, how fantastic!
0:00:52 > 0:00:57And today's mystery house is a real first and it comes as quite a surprise.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00- Oh, it is this? - It is the mystery house!
0:01:00 > 0:01:02- It is!- You're kidding?
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Now, if like me, you're a fan of the Industrial Revolution,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11then Shropshire is a great county in which to start your search.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It's home, of course, to the lovely Ironbridge Gorge,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17but also this, the funicular railway here at Bridgnorth.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20Now, back in its day when it was built in 1892,
0:01:20 > 0:01:25it was powered by an ingenious system utilising over 30,000 gallons of water.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28These days, it's electric, it's still working
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and it's a wonderful way to get a good taste of what Shropshire has to offer.
0:01:33 > 0:01:38On the border of Wales, Shropshire is England's largest landlocked county.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41Within its 1,346 square miles
0:01:41 > 0:01:45are some of the UK's most beautiful rural landscapes.
0:01:46 > 0:01:52The fertile expanses of the North Shropshire plains are largely given over to agriculture,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56whilst, in contrast, the South is made up of lush hills and valleys,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00and a quarter of the county is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Just as appealing is the medieval county town of Shrewsbury.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13It's a haven for historians and architects alike with a whopping 600 listed buildings.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19With so much history right on the doorstep, it shouldn't come as any surprise
0:02:19 > 0:02:24that Shropshire has a plethora of character properties on offer.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27And there's plenty of space once you get here.
0:02:29 > 0:02:35Now, it's a little-known fact that Shropshire, as it happens, is one of the most sparsely populated counties
0:02:35 > 0:02:42in the UK. To put that in real terms, per square mile, there are 65% less people living here
0:02:42 > 0:02:47than anywhere else in England. But property prices are pretty much the national norm.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52Your average four-bed detached will set you back around about £250,000.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56So if all that has whetted your appetite for a slice of rural Shropshire,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59well, here's a taste of some properties that are on the market right now.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06For the regal price of £1.35 million you could be the proud owner of this nine-bedroom,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Grade-2 listed Elizabethan mansion just outside Bridgnorth.
0:03:09 > 0:03:15The two reception rooms are fit for a queen. You could throw a banquet in this bang-up-to-date kitchen,
0:03:15 > 0:03:20and, with 17 acres of land, there's plenty of space for a garden party!
0:03:22 > 0:03:29For a slightly more modest sum of £650,000, how about a slice of Shropshire's industrial heritage
0:03:29 > 0:03:32with this 18th-century four-bedroomed watermill near Ludlow?
0:03:32 > 0:03:36The mill machinery has been sympathetically restored
0:03:36 > 0:03:40so you can put your friends to work in the spacious living room and cosy dining room...
0:03:40 > 0:03:44or just sit back in the sunny conservatory and gardens.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47If you want to downsize your budget, but not your living space,
0:03:47 > 0:03:54at £400,000, this 17th-century four-bedroomed cottage in Cheswardine could be ideal.
0:03:54 > 0:03:59The large farmhouse-style kitchen and spacious dining room ooze character,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02and the cosy living room is a real winter warmer.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07So, as you can see, Shropshire really does offer some fantastic properties,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12which is exactly why today's buyers have decided to make it their home.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15David and Sarah live in Dudley in the West Midlands.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19They share their four-bedroomed house with Sarah's daughters from her previous marriage,
0:04:19 > 0:04:2315-year-old Emily and the twins Charlotte and Alice.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26But a rural lifestyle has been on the cards for some time.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Dave was brought up in the country, he's come from Norfolk.
0:04:32 > 0:04:38I'm a city girl, but I always dreamed of living in the country ever since I was a little girl.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43With the girls' education to consider, they currently attend a good school in Wolverhampton
0:04:43 > 0:04:47and would ideally like to stay there, the location will be key.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49The type of area we'd love to move to
0:04:49 > 0:04:52would be between Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth, the Shropshire side.
0:04:52 > 0:04:59The location we are looking for is on the outskirts of a village, not something too remote.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03Sarah and the girls only moved in with David two years ago,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07so this move will be their very first property bought together.
0:05:07 > 0:05:13- It's time to move on, really, and get...- A fresh, new start. - ..Our house together.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16So what do they have in mind for their new home?
0:05:16 > 0:05:23There's five of us that live in this house, so this kitchen really isn't big enough for what I need.
0:05:23 > 0:05:30In our new property, I would like a breakfast area, somewhere where we can put a table and chairs.
0:05:30 > 0:05:36One of my biggest issues, sharing a house with four women, is obviously in the mornings...
0:05:36 > 0:05:39getting the shower time is a nightmare.
0:05:39 > 0:05:44In our new property, I would love the opportunity to have an en-suite or possibly building on one.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48I currently have my utility area in the garage
0:05:48 > 0:05:52and, as you can see, it's not really working out for me.
0:05:52 > 0:05:59So I would really like to have a utility room or somewhere to put all my laundry in the new property.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02And, once they make the move to the country,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05David and Sarah know exactly how they'll be spending their time.
0:06:05 > 0:06:13- Golf, fishing...- And I'd like to go on long walks and family picnics in the country.
0:06:13 > 0:06:20But before we start homing in on new properties, we've invited a local agent to value their current home.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22This is a really nice four-bedroomed detached house
0:06:22 > 0:06:25in a nice quiet cul-de-sac location in a popular area,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27so I'd value this house at £270,000.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35And on top of that, David and Sarah want to put a bit extra towards their new home.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39Our budget for the new property will be £380,000.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Now, perhaps it's no surprise that when we meet our buyers for the first time on Escape To The Country,
0:06:47 > 0:06:49we make huge numbers of notes.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55These are just some of those relating to the wants, the likes and the dislikes of David and Sarah.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Distilling these down into an easy package can be tricky,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02but in this case I don't think it's going to be that difficult.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04What they require is fairly straightforward.
0:07:04 > 0:07:10At least three bedrooms, ideally four, Sarah wants a nice big country kitchen, somewhere for the laundry,
0:07:10 > 0:07:15David would like a bit of a workshop and, poor chap, his own en-suite bathroom.
0:07:15 > 0:07:21The question is can we get that for £380,000? Let's see.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Easy access to Wolverhampton is high on David and Sarah's wish list,
0:07:27 > 0:07:33but by extending the property search a little further afield to include the countryside around Ludlow,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36I think we stand a good chance of finding just what they're looking for.
0:07:37 > 0:07:44We'll be viewing some fantastic family homes, but, as usual, I won't be revealing how much they cost
0:07:44 > 0:07:49until after they've had a good look around. And there's a real twist with today's mystery house.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53It might just make their dreams come true.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00Well, Sarah, David, here we are... in Shropshire.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04Now, normally, I would say to you welcome to this lovely part of the world,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- but this is your neck of the woods, isn't it?- That's right.- It is, yeah.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Now, whose fault is it that you're on Escape To The Country?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Mine, I'm afraid.- Dave's! - It was a good idea at the time!
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Well, let's hope it stays a good idea!
0:08:14 > 0:08:16We've got some very interesting properties for you to look at,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18but let's have a think about your budget.
0:08:18 > 0:08:23- Technically, 380.- Yeah.- Mm-hm. - But you've been looking a little bit over that.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28420...420... that's with a house that's done.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32But 380, not a bad figure for what you're trying to achieve,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35which, it has to be said, in some ways is fairly straightforward...
0:08:35 > 0:08:40nice house, in a village, fairly close to where you live at the moment,
0:08:40 > 0:08:45but obviously you want country not town, but, my goodness me, have we got a lot to fit in!
0:08:45 > 0:08:50- Not only you two, but your three lovely daughters as well.- Oh, yes.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Well, we could leave them there, I suppose...!
0:08:53 > 0:08:55I don't think they'd like that.
0:08:55 > 0:08:56You've come to the right place.
0:08:56 > 0:09:01We've some wonderful properties for you to look at in an area you know well, that you know is beautiful,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- so...shall we?- Yes, please.- Yeah. - Jump in.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09So David and Sarah have a maximum budget of...
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Their must-haves include...
0:09:18 > 0:09:21..so Dave can jump the shower queue!
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Now, the two twins are... Alice and Charlotte?
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- That's right.- And Emily is 15. - That's right.
0:09:29 > 0:09:35- Schooling for them is obviously all-important for the next sort of five years or so...- Yes.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37How would you feel if they moved school?
0:09:37 > 0:09:43I would... Well, I would be quite disappointed, really,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47but if we don't move now I don't think we ever will move,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and the country is the place we want to go to.
0:09:50 > 0:09:56And I'm sure they will settle in in their new school, so I don't think it'd be too much of a problem.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02I'm glad to hear Sarah is open-minded as the first property we're heading to is in Diddlebury.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07Situated between Bridgnorth and Ludlow, it's an hour's drive from Wolverhampton
0:10:07 > 0:10:09and the girls' current school.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13But I'm hoping this pretty village location will make up for the compromise.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Situated in the heart of the Corve Dale,
0:10:15 > 0:10:20the River Corve runs right through this typical Shropshire village.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23There are a few pubs and shops, but if that's all a bit too quiet,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26then historic Ludlow is just a 20-minute drive away,
0:10:26 > 0:10:32with its boutique shops and some of the best restaurants in Britain.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Right, then, well, let's begin, shall we?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Property number one.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- Oh, I...- It's cosy, isn't it?
0:10:38 > 0:10:42I love it. I like where it is. I like the location.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- It just doesn't look massive... - That's right.- It looks quite small.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Ah, well, just you wait and see!
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Because in there is a little world all of its own.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- Shall we go and see what we can find?- Yes.- Carry on.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59This 18th-century stone-and-brick barn was converted 12 years ago.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03Although attached on both sides, it's deceptively roomy.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Let's look at the kitchen, I know that's important to you, Sarah.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- You want something nice and big and light...- Yeah.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- Oh!- Not unlike this one, probably.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Very...- Nice space.
0:11:13 > 0:11:19- It's lovely. I like the sink where it is...looking down the garden? - Yeah, yeah.- Yeah.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21We'll explore that a bit later.
0:11:21 > 0:11:28- Certainly big enough for a very handsome table in here...- Yeah. - ..To get all five of you around it.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31It's kind of crying out for a nice big range cooker.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- Definitely.- Take two of those units out, redo the worktops...- Yeah.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38Nice, big double-range gas in there.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Absolutely. That's what I'd like to do.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- But, you know, so far so good. - Good space. - Absolutely. Perfect for me, this is.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Good. Well, let's see what you think of the rest of it, cos the space goes on through here.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Next door is a separate dining room.
0:11:52 > 0:11:53Although the barn is unfurnished,
0:11:53 > 0:11:59I'm hoping David and Sarah will be able to see how it can work for them.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- This is the living room.- Oh!
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- Very nice. Very good size. - It's fanta... Lovely shape.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09- Love that shape.- I see the fire.- Oh! - Yeah?
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Fantastic!- Yeah.- Wood burner there for you.- Beautiful.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18- The beams.- And the ceilings are high as well...- Yes. - ..Even though you've got the beams.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21That's what I'm after.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Beams, but head height.
0:12:23 > 0:12:28And if that wasn't enough, there's also a conservatory and a study just next door.
0:12:28 > 0:12:34I think the space and character of this barn might be winning them over.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Now, I think it's kind of up here, Dave,
0:12:37 > 0:12:43that the whole barn style, the architecture of this building really comes to the fore.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48These banisters effectively are what used to be in the old barn.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Oh, right.- Probably old hay racks or something.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- Can you see them?- Right.- It's different, isn't it?- All cut in.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00- There's that huge great big stone lintel there.- Oh, yeah. - And can you see that door there?
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Oh, yeah!
0:13:02 > 0:13:08On this floor, there's a family bathroom and three of four bedrooms, so plenty of space for everyone.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- Well, now... Do you want this as a study?- I think...
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- Yeah.- I think this is you. I tell you what, you'd work really quickly in here...
0:13:16 > 0:13:19you'd want to get out!
0:13:19 > 0:13:24- It's a nice size, though.- I like the views, though, I like the views.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- Well, there are plenty more views in your room, in the master.- Oh! - Come and look at this.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32Back across the landing... Now, then, this is you...
0:13:32 > 0:13:34I think.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- Oh, yeah!- OK, good size.- Huge! - Good size, yeah.- Absolutely.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- Much bigger than what we've got at home.- Three windows. - Yeah.- Wake up in the morning,
0:13:45 > 0:13:46I could deal with that.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- That's good.- Now, there was something that really struck me about your plight, as it were...
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- I'm looking over there, to be truthful.- Yeah, because in there...
0:13:53 > 0:13:58that's you! Go on, check it out. This is your little spot.
0:14:00 > 0:14:01Oh, my word!
0:14:01 > 0:14:06Oh, that's beautiful, isn't it? Corner bath!
0:14:06 > 0:14:09It's without the shower, I think I'd keep that.
0:14:09 > 0:14:14- I mean, I think the point is, Dave, you could very easily put in a nice big wetroom.- Oh, yeah.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- So we could have "gents" written on the door.- Exactly.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19And a big padlock!
0:14:20 > 0:14:26If they're this excited by the interior, then, I think the garden is going to make a real splash!
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Right, then, out here, what have we got for you?
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Oh, this is lovely!
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- Yeah?- Just the right size. - This is ideal. Yeah, yeah.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- All you've got to do is mow it, prune a few bushes...- Yeah.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Not quite big enough to have the sit-on mower I want, but apart from that...
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- It's ideal, no, seriously.- You can't have a small garden and a ride-on... - That's right.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- You keep hitting the walls.- Exactly.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53But there is one other little bonus to this place and it's that thing.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Oh!- Is that part of this?- It isn't!
0:14:56 > 0:15:01- Oh!- Oh, dear!- Oh, now, the girls would just...- See?
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- I must admit when I walked out here, I thought that was next door. - I thought that was next door.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07I know, that's why I kept it quiet.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- Oh, that's fantastic! - That's a bonus! That's a bonus! That's an extra bonus, yeah.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16All right, then. We've got a nice bonus in the pool, we've got a garden that's manageable,
0:15:16 > 0:15:21we've got some big reception rooms, we've got bedrooms aplenty and a huge kitchen.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23How much is it worth?
0:15:23 > 0:15:28- I'm going to say...400. - I'll stretch it to 420.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- 395.- Oh!- That's better!
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- Oh!- That's not bad, that's not bad!
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Go and have a look inside, check it out, see if you can all fit in.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- I'll catch up with you later. - Thank you.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- Thank you.- Brilliant.
0:15:41 > 0:15:48Well, there we are, £395,000. Certainly well within the range of possibilities, financially speaking,
0:15:48 > 0:15:53and, in terms of size, it really does tick all of their boxes.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00This barn conversion is £25,000 under their top budget...
0:16:07 > 0:16:11There's all the space they've asked for and then some.
0:16:11 > 0:16:17This house is perfect. The rooms were perfect for me, personally.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19The kitchen was fantastic.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- The lounge was fantastic. - TV over there...
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- Got one of the sofas here...- And one there.- One of the sofas round there.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Walking up the drive, I thought it's not really what I'm looking for,
0:16:28 > 0:16:31because it's obviously joined both sides.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34But once you get in the house, it surprised me the space we've got.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39The dining room and the hall, I'd have to do something there. I'm not sure what.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Dave would have something in mind, though.
0:16:41 > 0:16:47Have that out, come back to here, put a porch in there, so you walk into the porch, in here,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49that gives you all this...
0:16:49 > 0:16:55Coming here, now you've shown us this house, it's... My eyes are opened.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Ah, now, then!- There you are! - Anybody reaching for the chequebook yet?
0:17:01 > 0:17:03I want that carpet!
0:17:04 > 0:17:07You get the lot, mate, if you want to spend that kind of money, but...
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- Very nice.- We did like it, we did. - Yeah.- Good. All right.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Well, there's plenty more to show you if we can beat the rain. Come on!- OK.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Now, no trip to Shropshire would be complete
0:17:22 > 0:17:24without a visit to Ironbridge.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27What was once a powerhouse of the Industrial Revolution
0:17:27 > 0:17:31is now one of the most scenic villages in the county,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35and in 1986 was awarded UNESCO's World Heritage Status.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38So David and Sarah have come along to take in the tranquillity.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- Can you imagine having a house over there?- Oh!
0:17:43 > 0:17:46You could come down, go fishing... I could go fishing from the lawn over there!
0:17:46 > 0:17:51The village's crowning glory is, of course, the Iron Bridge itself.
0:17:51 > 0:17:56Built in 1779, it was the first of its kind and took 378 tons of iron
0:17:56 > 0:18:00to span the 30-metre gorge of the River Severn.
0:18:00 > 0:18:05It's a lasting testament to the important role Shropshire played in the Industrial Revolution.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09But it all began at the Coalbrookdale Foundry.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Now a museum, many of the original structures have been preserved,
0:18:12 > 0:18:17so Sarah and David have dropped in to meet curator Paul Belford
0:18:17 > 0:18:21and find out more about how one man's discovery changed the world.
0:18:21 > 0:18:27Well, this furnace was where Abraham Darby first smelted iron with coke, with coal, with mineral fuel.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Before that, all iron had been smelted using charcoal
0:18:30 > 0:18:35and so it was dependent on having a wide area of woodland that supplied the fuel.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40Here, by using mineral fuel, they were able to dig as much fuel as they needed out of the ground,
0:18:40 > 0:18:44and make as much iron as they needed, and also the iron had particular properties
0:18:44 > 0:18:48which enabled it to be used for things like steam engines and so on,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51and again all of that really kicked off in the 18th century.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Much of what we see here now belongs to the rebuild in 1709,
0:18:55 > 0:19:01when Abraham Darby rebuilt it to use coke. It was then rebuilt again in 1777,
0:19:01 > 0:19:06when they were casting the metal for the Iron Bridge, most of which was cast here,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09and then it finally went out of use in the 1820s.
0:19:09 > 0:19:15By 1780, the foundry was so busy that it was necessary to build 20 miles of iron railway track
0:19:15 > 0:19:19to link it to the mines and the River Severn. And that didn't come cheap!
0:19:19 > 0:19:25£800 a mile then, or the equivalent of nearly £80,000 a mile now.
0:19:25 > 0:19:30Today, the use of iron may have lost its allure, but Ironbridge certainly hasn't.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36For our next house, we're just over the border into Worcestershire,
0:19:36 > 0:19:37near to the village
0:19:37 > 0:19:38of Cleobury Mortimer.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41Known as the gateway to Shropshire,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44it's also just a 30-minute drive into Wolverhampton,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46so the good news is that the girls won't have to change school.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49Despite being a town of 2,000 people,
0:19:49 > 0:19:53Cleobury Mortimer has a distinctly village feel.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Most famous for its church's crooked spire,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00it's also home to a great mix of Tudor, Georgian and Victorian buildings.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03And with all its quaint shops and eateries,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06this won't be too much of a culture shock for our Dudley dwellers!
0:20:08 > 0:20:12Situated in rolling countryside just on the edge of the Wyre Forest,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16this four-bed detached character cottage dates back to the 1800s,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20but in recent years has undergone a facelift.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21Well, you wanted a view...
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- That's what I call a view!- Lovely!
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- Oh, look!- Absolutely beautiful!
0:20:27 > 0:20:32- Yeah?- Oh, it's gorgeous. - This is your little garden down here or part of it.- That'll do!
0:20:32 > 0:20:36We'll explore that a little more later, but it gives you an idea.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40The approach is quite nice. You've got this long gravel drive, so it's quite secluded.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44And the property, as you can see, is kind of nestled in this little sort of...
0:20:44 > 0:20:51- Yeah.- ..Dell, as it were.- Beautiful! - It looks the part so far! Yeah, you got some Brownie points there!
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- So far?- So far so good!
0:20:53 > 0:20:55That's what I like to hear.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59But will the smaller dimensions inside this typical cottage be quite so impressive?
0:21:02 > 0:21:08Right...now. This is going to be one of the things, the height, David, for you.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Well, we'll see how we go because it's... I don't know.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- You're not... - I'm not touching it yet.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19The current owners are really making the most of the space here by using the hallway as a dining area.
0:21:19 > 0:21:26A little bit unusual, but with the knock-through alcove to the kitchen, it almost has an open-plan feel.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31But it's the living room at the end of the hall that I think will make a big impression.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37- Oh!- It's all ready. - Oh, this is beautiful!- That's it. Look at that.- Lovely fireplace.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Really nice.- And we've got a raised roof, look.- Actually, yeah!
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- It's gone uphill!- Yeah.
0:21:42 > 0:21:47- Yeah?- This is a nice room. - I mean this is the core of the old original cottage.
0:21:47 > 0:21:53- Hence you've got the beams, you've got the fireplace, and, again, more views.- I was going to say.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Plenty of space for the family to lounge around in here,
0:21:58 > 0:22:03but, of course, high on Sarah's criteria is a bigger kitchen. Will this one make the grade?
0:22:03 > 0:22:10- So this is it. Not as big a kitchen as we've had...- No, but there is still space for a table.
0:22:10 > 0:22:16- Yeah, yeah.- Big enough, yes? - Big enough view!- Look at that! Eating your breakfast...
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- Look!- Oh, that's beautiful.- Now, the other thing...open that door.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22- Oh?- "Oh?"
0:22:22 > 0:22:26- Look!- Oooh! - There's your utility room!
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- That's perfect, isn't it! - With a view.- Yes!
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- Good.- Great!- Yeah? Happy? - Yeah, yeah.
0:22:33 > 0:22:39Now, I mean...as I say, you've got, you know, that's it, all right, really in terms of the kitchen.
0:22:39 > 0:22:45We're after more space. What I'm trying to think is this actually giving us more space...
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- but it's cosier space, you know what I mean?- Mmm...
0:22:47 > 0:22:52- I think...I think something could be done with it.- It's confusing the hell out of me, to be truthful.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Well, let's see if we can resolve that confusion upstairs,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59because that will, I'm sure, have a bearing on everything. And it's this way. Come with me.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05On the first floor, there are two single bedrooms for the girls,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07but a much bigger master bedroom next door.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10In you go.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12Oh, that's... Oh, yes, yes!
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Oh, gosh!
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- That's lovely! - That's better, isn't it?- Huge!
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- Yeah?- I don't see something that I desperately need...
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- do I?- No.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30- But look at the window! - There is no en-suite, but again there is an en-suite view!
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- Exactly!- Yeah.- He says...desperately trying to find something to say!
0:23:35 > 0:23:40Yeah...no en-suite, but you do get that picture.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- The good news is that the family bathroom is next door... - Just next door, good.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46And there is a bit more space upstairs again.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- Possibility.- Have a look at that. - Good.- There's more.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55The entire attic has been converted into living space,
0:23:55 > 0:23:59and I think this could be the solution to the en-suite problem downstairs.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Now, do watch your head there, all right?
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Now, what about this?
0:24:07 > 0:24:12- Gosh!- Yeah?- This is a good bit of space, isn't it?
0:24:12 > 0:24:14You could consider this as...
0:24:15 > 0:24:18..a master floor...
0:24:18 > 0:24:22- and do something with an en-suite arrangement.- An en-suite...
0:24:22 > 0:24:26You might need to put the roof up a bit or something like that, but, I mean...
0:24:26 > 0:24:31not a cheap job, to be fair, but you could achieve a master en-suite up here.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- I can see something here, yeah. - Yeah?- Very intriguing.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- Well, you do want some space to have some fun in as well, don't you, mate?- Oh, yes.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43- Nice, little "boys-y" workshop. - Oh, yeah.- A man after my own heart.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48- Let's go outside and see what we can find you.- Oh, right.- OK.- And watch your head.- Watch your head.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55- Oh, look, the sun's come out!- Oh! - Hurrah!
0:24:56 > 0:25:01You've got loads of options here with seating and enjoying the view and so forth...
0:25:01 > 0:25:06- Yeah. - In terms of the garden, and I know you're not hugely keen gardeners,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09I think this is probably more of a just-keeping-on-top-of-it kind of garden,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13rather than you having to do anything major, but in terms of workshops...
0:25:14 > 0:25:15..we've got this. There we are!
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- Have a look at that. - Don't step backwards.- No, no.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Gives me somewhere to come out of the...way.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Yeah... I could do some things in here.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29We always joke about the man and his shed, but with you, surrounded by this lot...
0:25:29 > 0:25:32You've got to have it. It's called a retreat!
0:25:35 > 0:25:39So what will be the price of some peace and quiet for David?
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Let's have a think about what this is going to cost you.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46I'm going to go down to 350.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- 350.- I know.- I was going to say 350! - Oh?
0:25:49 > 0:25:53- 350 says you, 350 says you.- Yeah.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Says I...
0:25:54 > 0:25:57369,950.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- Mmm...- That's not a hundred... it's not miles out.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04And I think it's worth showing you this because it gives you an idea of what you're up against
0:26:04 > 0:26:08with the property market in this part of the world. Are you shocked by that?
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- I'm not, personally.- No.
0:26:10 > 0:26:18I think that the location is perfect, so...I think you have to pay a little bit more for that as well.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Well, go and have a good look around, see what you might do with it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:29I know it will require some element of redesign to make it work for you as a family...but who knows?
0:26:29 > 0:26:33- Go on.- OK.- OK, thank you. - See if you can fall in love with it a little bit more.
0:26:34 > 0:26:39Well, there we are, just under budget, ten grand under budget,
0:26:39 > 0:26:45but is that enough of a saving to turn this place into the country residence of their dreams?
0:26:47 > 0:26:50With an asking price of just under £370,000,
0:26:50 > 0:26:54Sarah and David would have the money spare to make any necessary changes.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59The cottage may only have three bedrooms, but the attic space is ripe for conversion.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04The kitchen is a tad small, but Sarah gets her utility room and David gets his workshop.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08I'm just not convinced they can see themselves living here.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13This particular house... I quite like as a country cottage.
0:27:13 > 0:27:19Er...general feeling...I think it may be a bit too small for us.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- I mean, it's cosy, that's what I'm getting in here... - It is cosy.- It's cosy.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26When I came inside, the downstairs is quite small.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30I don't know how that would work with the whole family.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33I would rather have some garden at the rear of the house
0:27:33 > 0:27:37or to the side, than two or three foot right round the house.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Perfect location. Lovely-looking cottage...views...
0:27:41 > 0:27:46I think that's what you're paying for more than the space in the house.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Right, where are they?
0:27:51 > 0:27:53- Ah!- Ah!- I thought you were in there.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57- No, I was just testing your theory about walking all the way round the house!- And it does work?
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- Yes, it does.- So it is definitively detached?- Exactly right.- Good stuff.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03- Seen enough?- Yeah.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07- I think so.- Yeah. We'd like to take the views with us as we go.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- Well, there's plenty more where those come from. Come on!- Good!
0:28:16 > 0:28:22Now, Shropshire is packed with period properties, and as David's a bit of a DIY buff,
0:28:22 > 0:28:27we thought it would be interesting to find out how do-it-yourself is done the traditional way.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Restoring old buildings can be a tricky business.
0:28:31 > 0:28:36To blend new and old seamlessly is quite an art, so we've come to Acton Scott Estate
0:28:36 > 0:28:39to meet Rupert Acton to learn the tricks of the trade.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Now, there are many houses on Rupert's estate,
0:28:42 > 0:28:45but one in particular you're doing something very interesting with, aren't you?
0:28:45 > 0:28:49- Tell us a bit more about that.- It hasn't been lived in for 50 years,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52and so it's never been wired or plumbed...
0:28:52 > 0:28:57none of the modern facilities that you have today were ever installed,
0:28:57 > 0:29:02and so I came up with the idea of perhaps welcoming visitors to it, holidaymakers,
0:29:02 > 0:29:06and seeing if they would like to holiday in the 19th century.
0:29:06 > 0:29:11- I'd like to try.- So would I, to be truthful, but I think I'd struggle!
0:29:11 > 0:29:15- If we may, let's go and have a look at it and see what you're doing. - Yes.- Brilliant.- This way.
0:29:15 > 0:29:21Before Henley Cottage can welcome guests, it needs to be completely renovated,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25and, whilst some rooms are finished, there's plenty more to be done.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29Rupert, one thing that Sarah has been banging on about is the need for a utility room.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33- Have you got such a thing here? - Well, we're just building one,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- so perhaps you can help us complete the building work!- Love to!
0:29:36 > 0:29:40A Victorian utility room, how about that? Let's have a look.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46One traditional method often used in restoration is the application of lime plaster.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50Modern plasterwork can often look horribly out of place in older properties.
0:29:50 > 0:29:54For authenticity, you really do need to use lime plaster,
0:29:54 > 0:30:01a traditional blend of quicklime, water, sand and horsehair which gives a more textured surface,
0:30:01 > 0:30:03but how easy is this stuff to apply?
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Master plasterer Paul Arrowsmith makes it look so simple.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14And you always put it on diagonally, up the lath like that, and you push it into the lath.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16But it's certainly harder than it looks!
0:30:16 > 0:30:20Oh, it's fallen off! So's Paul's half! Sorry!
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Just as well that David does the DIY in their household!
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- So who's going to have a go? Which one of you chaps?- He is!
0:30:34 > 0:30:36Piece of cake!
0:30:37 > 0:30:40- Ooh!- Yeah, he's done it before, done it before!
0:30:40 > 0:30:43Actually...I have. It's never stuck before, I tell you!
0:30:43 > 0:30:45Let's leave it to the professionals!
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- The man himself!- How have you got on?- Well, sir, what do you think?
0:30:49 > 0:30:54- Did you really do all that yourself? - Well...- We've only just finished that last little bit down there.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Did you?
0:30:56 > 0:30:58I think that's a pretty good job.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02As the day draws to a close in the Shropshire countryside,
0:31:02 > 0:31:07David and Sarah have a chance to reconsider today's properties.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09So what did you think of the barn?
0:31:09 > 0:31:12When we walked up the drive, I was a bit disappointed.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18I imagined it to be detached, but when we went inside,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20that was different altogether.
0:31:20 > 0:31:26- The kitchen was absolutely perfect for me.- Good size.- I could imagine me working in that kitchen.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- The girls have got a bedroom each. - I've got my en-suite!
0:31:29 > 0:31:34Yeah, and the master bedroom overlooking the back, the view at the back.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39Everything was perfect in that house, really.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42So what did you think about the cottage with the view?
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Perfect little cottage sat there.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49I think the problem for me was going inside.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- The kitchen, I think, needs to be bigger.- I know.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58- We wouldn't all get in.- And, plus, I hate to say it, I keep bringing this up, but there's no en-suite.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02The views, the cottage would have to win hands down...
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- Definitely. - ..But the space was the barn.
0:32:09 > 0:32:14So the search continues to find Sarah and David their dream family home
0:32:14 > 0:32:20in the Shropshire countryside. They have a maximum budget of £420,000,
0:32:20 > 0:32:24and want Sarah's three girls, Alice, Charlotte and Emily to grow up in the country,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28whilst attending their school in Wolverhampton.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32They've liked aspects of both the houses we've viewed so far.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35- Oh!- It's all ready. - Oh, this is beautiful!- That's it.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37But there's plenty more to come.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41- Oh!- Very nice!- Very nice!
0:32:41 > 0:32:44And the mystery house might just send them over the edge.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I feel a bit tearful now!
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Well, what an exciting day yesterday was!
0:32:55 > 0:32:58There's no doubt we have at least one property on the list as a real contender,
0:32:58 > 0:33:03but today is our final day of house-hunting with Dave and with Sarah.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Our next property is much closer to Wolverhampton. That should please Sarah,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09and as for the experience that is the mystery house,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12well, even by our standards this one really is like no other.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18We're heading to Claverley in East Shropshire for our next property.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22Halfway between Wolverhampton and Bridgnorth, the location should be spot on
0:33:22 > 0:33:25as this is their preferred area.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29Claverley comes with historic charm and tranquillity in equal measure.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30Dominated by the village church,
0:33:30 > 0:33:35there are also a few pubs and architecture from just about every era.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40Better news still, Wolverhampton is just nine miles away and can be reached by bus.
0:33:41 > 0:33:47Well, here we are. The beginning of a slightly rainy last day of house-hunting.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- And what about that?- Oh!- Let's get in there! That's impressive.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53- It looks really fantastic. - I like that.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- Before it tips it down, come on, let's get inside.- OK, thank you.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02This 18th-century cottage is full of character and surprises. It's been beautifully renovated
0:34:02 > 0:34:06and I have a feeling the interior will impress just as much as the outside.
0:34:08 > 0:34:13- Right, come on in.- Your coat hangers.- Oh!- In you come.- Oh!
0:34:13 > 0:34:15- Lovely!- Oh, fireplace!- Yeah.
0:34:15 > 0:34:21- I absolutely... - Wooden floor.- Oh, gosh! - This is your principal living room.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26It's really the old two rooms of the old two-up two-down knocked through to provide
0:34:26 > 0:34:32not just a fireplace at that end, but also one at that end. Because through those little doors there,
0:34:32 > 0:34:35is the fireplace which goes through to another room through here.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41The other side of that original fireplace is in the spacious dining room,
0:34:41 > 0:34:47but I know it's space in the kitchen that Sarah really wants. I hope 18 feet will be enough to satisfy her.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51Come and have a look in here. This is the kitchen.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- Oh, gosh, that's...- A pink fridge!
0:34:54 > 0:35:00- Love it!- It's fantastic! - It's pretty wild, isn't it? - Very nice.- Very nice.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04- It works.- I like this. It would do for...- And I like the sink.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- Yeah, you've got a nice big butler's sink there.- Yeah.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09- And it's very much a kind of kitchen-diner.- Yeah.- Yeah, yeah.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13- Perfect. - And there's enough space. Good. - It is, it's a nice-size kitchen,
0:35:13 > 0:35:18- and nice shape.- Yeah.- Mmm.- Space is the key thing with these...
0:35:18 > 0:35:24- these rampaging girls all over the place, mate!- Yeah. - I mean, I do feel for you!
0:35:24 > 0:35:26Where's the shed?
0:35:27 > 0:35:30Far enough away you'll be all right. Don't worry.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33Well, when we came into the kitchen, I said this place was full of surprises.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37There is one down here, Dave, that I think is all about you, mate.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40See that white door? Go and open that, go on.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Oh, my word!
0:35:44 > 0:35:46- Oh!- Look at this!
0:35:46 > 0:35:50- Oh, how fantastic!- What about it?
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- That's beautiful! - That is lovely, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- Yeah?- That's what I call a shower!
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- Yeah, it's a proper waterfall shower, isn't it? Wetroom...- Yeah.
0:36:01 > 0:36:07- Oh, my word!- Oh, it's fantastic! - And of course you've got a bath. - Look at the bath, look.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- Roll-top bath.- Well, the surprises continue. I've got one for you. Come through here.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16Back through what might be your kitchen, Sarah. Who knows?
0:36:16 > 0:36:19And there's another little door over here. Have a look at this.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24- Oh, another room down here! - How about that?
0:36:24 > 0:36:29- Oh, yes.- Gosh, it's huge! - I've found my study.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32- Big enough for a bedroom. - It is big enough for a bedroom.
0:36:32 > 0:36:38That is one of the things you may have to consider with these downstairs rooms,
0:36:38 > 0:36:43- because one of them will probably have to go...- OK.- ..To be a bedroom.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- But of course you've got the bathroom down here as well. - Yeah.- But it's nice, it's good.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49It's big enough for a bedroom, isn't it?
0:36:49 > 0:36:54- Yeah.- Yeah.- Wood floors. - Huge single bedroom.- Still make an ideal study, wouldn't it?
0:36:54 > 0:36:59I can see, mate, your fight is going to go on...
0:36:59 > 0:37:03- Do you often win the arguments?- No. I like to say it.- Yeah.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05I knew that!
0:37:07 > 0:37:11Well, look, we've had two surprises so far. They come in threes.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14There's one more, come and have a look at this.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Right, now, one of the things about old cottages, of course,
0:37:18 > 0:37:23is that they do have, occasionally, old storage space in them.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25This place is no exception. Come with me, have a look at this.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28It goes on and on.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29Try that, go on, open it.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33- Pull the latch up at the top. - I was wondering what this was. - Big, big cupboard!
0:37:33 > 0:37:36LAUGHTER
0:37:36 > 0:37:38- Cor!- Isn't it great?
0:37:38 > 0:37:40A conservatory.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44- That's clever.- That...that is...
0:37:44 > 0:37:47- That's weird!- It's good?- Yeah.
0:37:48 > 0:37:53The downstairs definitely delivers on size, and I'm glad they love it as much as they do,
0:37:53 > 0:37:59because, upstairs, compromises will have to be made. There are just two bedrooms for the girls.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04- And this is the master.- OK.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Oh!
0:38:08 > 0:38:09Oh...
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- Small, but...- It is quite small.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15It's quite cosy, though.
0:38:15 > 0:38:21- Yeah?- Yeah.- I think this is where the house, if it has any challenges, reveals them.- Mmm.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- But this is what a cottage is about, isn't it?- Well, that's the thing.
0:38:24 > 0:38:29Well said, Dave, because that is it. You kind of can't have one without the other.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31Good chandelier!
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Yeah, just don't get out of bed in a hurry...
0:38:34 > 0:38:37because you're bound to do some serious damage with that, I think!
0:38:37 > 0:38:41The lack of en-suite doesn't seem to be a deterrent
0:38:41 > 0:38:45and at least the family bathroom right next door is amply sized.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Just stopped raining.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- Hooray!- Lovely, yeah.
0:38:52 > 0:38:58- So you get the idea that this is really deceptive, don't you?- It is deceptive.- It goes on for ever.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02The garden is at the front of the house, but it's still secluded,
0:39:02 > 0:39:06and there's a double garage and workshop for David.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10So let's have a think about the money, shall we?
0:39:10 > 0:39:13Rough estimate...365.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15- Oh!- Oh!
0:39:15 > 0:39:17That's what I'd like.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- That's what you'd like?- Yeah.- What do you think it's worth, though?
0:39:22 > 0:39:26- Getting up towards 390.- 390.- Ooh!
0:39:26 > 0:39:30I would go for quite a bit more than that. I would say about 410.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33It's on the market, only recently on the market...
0:39:33 > 0:39:36..for 425.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41- Are you shocked by that, 425? - Disappointed more than shocked, I think.
0:39:43 > 0:39:49- Go in there and make your own mental map of how it works and see if it'll work for you as a family.- OK.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- OK.- Go on, then.- Thank you. - Don't get lost.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02This is £5,000 over their maximum spend.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17But I'm not sure they'll be willing to compromise
0:40:17 > 0:40:19on three small bedrooms upstairs.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23Oh, I thought this house was just me!
0:40:23 > 0:40:26I just love everything about it.
0:40:26 > 0:40:31Upstairs is all higgledy-piggledy, isn't it?
0:40:31 > 0:40:35I can see us all in here, the dining room's ideal, the kitchen is great...
0:40:35 > 0:40:41The only thing that I'm a bit unsure about is having the bathroom downstairs.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43I know there's one upstairs.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Well, I think we've got to compromise. I know we haven't got an en-suite,
0:40:47 > 0:40:50- but I think with two bathrooms we could make it work between us.- Mmm.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54It's got everything we want. I can see us in here. There's room enough for the five of us.
0:40:54 > 0:41:03I don't know how this house would work for us, but I would make sure it did work, because I love it so much!
0:41:05 > 0:41:10- Oh, look! I think it's getting brighter.- Lovely.- Enjoy that?
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- Yeah, I did.- Absolutely enjoyed it. - OK.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Well, it's not over just yet.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19One more property to go, of course. That is the mystery house.
0:41:19 > 0:41:24- Oh, right!- Oh, I'm really excited about that!- I'll bet you are!- I am!
0:41:24 > 0:41:25Just you wait. Come on!
0:41:32 > 0:41:36David and Sarah have already dipped into Shropshire's industrial heritage,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39but equally fascinating is the county's farming background,
0:41:39 > 0:41:41so they've come to meet some of Shropshire's finest.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48Jan Roberts is the proud owner of 16 Shropshire sheep and lambs.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53Bred since the 1800s, they're the oldest pedigree of sheep in the world
0:41:53 > 0:41:58and their balance of good meat and excellent wool has made them a popular export ever since.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Is there anything you notice about our paddock?
0:42:03 > 0:42:07- They're normally kept in fields, but this is amongst the Christmas trees. - It is.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11And that's what's very special about Shropshire sheep...
0:42:11 > 0:42:14they don't eat Christmas trees.
0:42:14 > 0:42:20Unlike other sheep, Shropshires eat only grass and so won't ruin Jan's crop of Christmas trees
0:42:20 > 0:42:23which she's been farming for 30 years.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27She invested in these loveable lawnmowers four years ago,
0:42:27 > 0:42:32because they require very little upkeep so long as you've got a garden big enough to keep them fed.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36- Come on, sheep!- Sheep!
0:42:36 > 0:42:39- Come on, sheep!- Come on, sheep! - Come on, sheep!- Come on, sheep!
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- They are as well!- Come on, sheep!
0:42:47 > 0:42:49Ooh!
0:42:51 > 0:42:53Here you are! Do you want to hold your first sheep?
0:42:56 > 0:42:58It's like a baby.
0:42:58 > 0:42:59Oh, my!
0:42:59 > 0:43:04Oh, you're lovely, aren't you?
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Oh...do you want a hold?
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- Have you...?- We have to swap over.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13- Like a baby. - If she struggles, just hold tight.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16- Have you got her?- Lovely, fluffy... - Beatrice...
0:43:16 > 0:43:18- Oh, she's lovely.- How old?
0:43:18 > 0:43:21A month, four weeks.
0:43:22 > 0:43:24Oh, she feels lovely!
0:43:24 > 0:43:27Oh, you're lovely!
0:43:27 > 0:43:32Judging by that reaction, I think we might have added another criterion for their new house,
0:43:32 > 0:43:34a garden big enough for some lambs.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Well, at long last, it's the moment we've all been waiting for.
0:43:43 > 0:43:47It is, of course, time to reveal the mystery house to David and to Sarah.
0:43:47 > 0:43:52But I have to confess I really do not think they are expecting what we are about to show them,
0:43:52 > 0:43:54and I can't wait to see their reactions.
0:43:55 > 0:43:59Now, Sarah and David aren't strangers to Shropshire,
0:43:59 > 0:44:04and on a previous visit quite recently, they fell in love with the outside of a cottage
0:44:04 > 0:44:09that they saw for sale, but never had the opportunity to look around inside.
0:44:09 > 0:44:14What was special about the house? What made it sort of capture your imagination?
0:44:14 > 0:44:19Through what we've been looking for, I think this... without being inside it, obviously,
0:44:19 > 0:44:21- ticked every box we had.- Mmm.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28What Sarah and David don't know is that we're heading to the tiny hamlet of Nash
0:44:28 > 0:44:31to take a look at that very same cottage.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34Situated in the southeast of the county,
0:44:34 > 0:44:36it's 36 miles from Wolverhampton,
0:44:36 > 0:44:38so not necessarily their ideal location.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41But will it turn out to be their ideal home?
0:44:43 > 0:44:49Nash itself is a very quiet rural hamlet surrounded by beautiful countryside.
0:44:49 > 0:44:53For a bit more action, David and Sarah can pop over the border to Tenbery Wells,
0:44:53 > 0:44:55where things could get romantic
0:44:55 > 0:44:58as it's the Mistletoe Capital of the UK.
0:44:58 > 0:45:02There are plenty of shops and restaurants and some very interesting architecture,
0:45:02 > 0:45:05like these Victorian Chinese Gothic pump rooms.
0:45:07 > 0:45:09But it's finally time to reveal the mystery house,
0:45:09 > 0:45:11what they think could be their dream home.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15- Is this it?- This is it.- This is it.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18This is what...
0:45:18 > 0:45:21- All the fuss has been about! - All the fuss has been about!- Yes.
0:45:21 > 0:45:26I mean, we can't go in, but we can have a proper look. Shall we get out?
0:45:26 > 0:45:28Come on, why not? We only live once, don't we?
0:45:28 > 0:45:31Come on! Let's see what we can see.
0:45:32 > 0:45:34Hope nobody's in!
0:45:35 > 0:45:39I'm enjoying this too much, but I'll string them along just a little more.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43- It's not really what I had in mind to show you...- Oh...
0:45:43 > 0:45:47To be perfectly honest, the mystery house is very different from that.
0:45:47 > 0:45:51- We did say we're open-minded, didn't we?- Yes, we're very open-minded.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54Well, how open-minded are you, I wonder?
0:45:56 > 0:45:59Because we've been having you along all the time! This is the mystery house!
0:45:59 > 0:46:00Ta-ra!
0:46:03 > 0:46:07- How about it?- Oh, it is this? - It is the mystery house!
0:46:07 > 0:46:09- It is!- You're kidding?
0:46:09 > 0:46:13- No!- I jest not!- No, it isn't?- No! - It is! This is the mystery house.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16- Come on!- It can't be! - Get out of here!
0:46:16 > 0:46:21On paper, this 17th-century cottage has nearly everything they've asked for.
0:46:21 > 0:46:25I just hope the reality will live up to their expectations.
0:46:27 > 0:46:29Right, then.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32- Now's your chance to have a good look around in here.- Oh!
0:46:32 > 0:46:34This is your dining area.
0:46:34 > 0:46:39- Ooh, that's quite quaint, isn't it? - Yeah, it's doing it for me.
0:46:39 > 0:46:42- Yes?- It's doing it for me.- I like that.- So we picked a good 'un?
0:46:42 > 0:46:44Yeah, thanks!
0:46:47 > 0:46:49Yeah, yeah. You should take over from me.
0:46:51 > 0:46:56Well, the dining room has got a hot reaction, but I know Sarah wants a bigger kitchen,
0:46:56 > 0:46:58and this one might not measure up.
0:46:59 > 0:47:01- Oh!- Oh, yes.
0:47:01 > 0:47:03- That's nice.- Yeah?
0:47:03 > 0:47:10- It's quite, quite small, but... - It is not the huge farmhouse kitchen that you may have dreamt of,
0:47:10 > 0:47:16however the possibility of extending this has been explored by the current owners,
0:47:16 > 0:47:21so the idea is that you would probably go that way and that way a bit, potentially.
0:47:21 > 0:47:26- And you would benefit from the views dropping away...- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:47:26 > 0:47:29..That you looked at when you came here months ago.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33- And you've got a little bit of diner.- Lovely.- It's working for me.
0:47:33 > 0:47:35Yes, we could have our breakfast there, couldn't we?
0:47:35 > 0:47:37"It's working for me." I love it when people say that!
0:47:37 > 0:47:39I do, I really like it!
0:47:39 > 0:47:46Having kept this a secret from you for so long, fingers crossed, fingers crossed. Lead on, Dave!
0:47:46 > 0:47:51Next door is the first of two sitting rooms and this is the smallest one.
0:47:52 > 0:47:55- So you've got a little bit of extra space in here...- Ooh!
0:47:55 > 0:47:59- Something of a sort of garden gallery, really. - Like a little sunroom.
0:47:59 > 0:48:03And then you've got this little tiny room in here, which, if the living room next door...
0:48:07 > 0:48:09That's fan...!
0:48:09 > 0:48:11Look at the size of this!
0:48:11 > 0:48:13Girls' room, your room.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16I feel a bit tearful now!
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- I just can't get over it. - I think we're working well.
0:48:20 > 0:48:22He isn't! We are!
0:48:23 > 0:48:27- Oh...!- Oh, yes. I might get you to pick all my houses in the future!
0:48:27 > 0:48:30- You know...- This is exceptional. - It is.
0:48:30 > 0:48:35Downstairs is a cellar which could make a great workshop or laundry room.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38And I'm sure upstairs won't be a letdown either.
0:48:38 > 0:48:43The three girls get a double bedroom each. They'll just have to fight it out as to which one they want...
0:48:43 > 0:48:46although I get the feeling it could be this one!
0:48:48 > 0:48:52So there's plenty of room for all the kids, but how about you?
0:48:52 > 0:48:55This would be your master.
0:48:55 > 0:48:57Oh, that's great!
0:48:57 > 0:49:01- Yeah?- That is gorgeous.- Yeah, yeah. - But...
0:49:01 > 0:49:04- Lovely.- Oh!- Oh, there's not...? - In there, go on!
0:49:08 > 0:49:10Oh, he's done it again.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12- Not the biggest in the world. - Very good. It'll do me!
0:49:12 > 0:49:14That's what I want!
0:49:16 > 0:49:19The girls will have the use of their own pretty bathroom next door,
0:49:19 > 0:49:23and outside there's a huge lawned garden, so Sarah could get a couple of sheep
0:49:23 > 0:49:26if she really wants to live the good life!
0:49:26 > 0:49:28Oh, this is lovely.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32Now, in terms of the garden, what you see is what you get.
0:49:32 > 0:49:37- Very easy to keep on top of. This is a good excuse for a ride-on.- This is a ride-on mower job, isn't it?
0:49:37 > 0:49:40- Yeah, boys' toys!- Yeah, I've been trying to get one of them for years!
0:49:41 > 0:49:45I mean, now that you've had a chance to explore it inside,
0:49:45 > 0:49:48how does it compare to what perhaps you had dreamt of?
0:49:48 > 0:49:53- I think it's better, personally. - Definitely. It's everything that I wanted...
0:49:53 > 0:49:55expected, I suppose!
0:49:55 > 0:49:57Do you remember how much this was?
0:49:57 > 0:49:59- Er...yes.- Go on.
0:49:59 > 0:50:04- 399,950.- Yes, 399,950 to be precise!
0:50:04 > 0:50:08But let's put it this way... if we had a bite on this, we'll find the money.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11And you can always lend us some, cos we found this!
0:50:12 > 0:50:14Oh, my God, he's right! OK...
0:50:14 > 0:50:17I'm going to get my chequebook out now! Good.
0:50:17 > 0:50:21All right. Well, look, we've got a bit of time left. Go and have a good old look around.
0:50:21 > 0:50:26- And I'll tear you away later.- OK. And thank you for giving us this opportunity to look round it.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29That's what we're here for. It's our pleasure. Off you go!
0:50:30 > 0:50:34Well, there we are! I have to say that in terms of Escape To The Country
0:50:34 > 0:50:37this really is quite a historic moment,
0:50:37 > 0:50:40and as house tours go, well, for my money, it's one of the best.
0:50:41 > 0:50:47With an asking price just short of £400,000, this is £20,000 under their top budget.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And it has loads of living and sleeping space.
0:50:56 > 0:51:01Well, the mystery house was my ideal dream house!
0:51:01 > 0:51:06This is how I imagined my house to be. It was perfect.
0:51:06 > 0:51:11- It's a very nice size, you know, isn't it?- Yeah. Lovely fire.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15The kitchen is quite small, but you have to compromise somewhere,
0:51:15 > 0:51:18and I don't mind compromising in the kitchen.
0:51:18 > 0:51:23To me, without trying to give too much away, it's about perfect, my ideal house.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25The house, the grounds, the views...
0:51:25 > 0:51:31- fishing...- Perfect for what we want, isn't it?- And you've even got a church in the back garden.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38- Gorgeous!- That must be where the lake is down the bottom there, look. - Yeah.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40- Hello!- Oh!
0:51:43 > 0:51:47- What about it, then? - I think it's beautiful. - You can see for miles, can't you?
0:51:47 > 0:51:49You sure can!
0:51:49 > 0:51:54Maybe you can see for miles for many years to come if you buy it! Who knows?
0:51:54 > 0:51:57- I'd like to think so.- Yeah? - Oh, yeah.- That would be nice.
0:51:57 > 0:52:01All right, come on. I'm going to drag you away because you've got a lot to think about.
0:52:01 > 0:52:03I know this is clearly a contender,
0:52:03 > 0:52:09but I suspect there are one or two others that you should really give some proper thought to as well
0:52:09 > 0:52:13- out of all the houses we've shown you. So let's go and think about it. - OK.- OK.
0:52:19 > 0:52:25Our journey is almost at an end. Sarah and David have now seen all of our properties
0:52:25 > 0:52:30and have liked aspects of each of them. So who knows which way their decision will go?
0:52:31 > 0:52:36Well, there's no doubt that David and Sarah absolutely fell in love with the mystery house,
0:52:36 > 0:52:42but now the excitement is over, the cold hard reality of thinking about all they have seen is upon them.
0:52:42 > 0:52:47Buying a house is not to be entered into lightly. It is, after all, a very expensive process.
0:52:47 > 0:52:50So let's catch up with them and see if they've made a decision.
0:52:53 > 0:52:55Well, I don't know about you two, but I'm absolutely worn out!
0:52:56 > 0:52:58- We are!- Oh, yeah.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00How have you found it?
0:53:00 > 0:53:03Very interesting.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06Very interesting. Eye-opening.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09It started with the barn conversion in the courtyard
0:53:09 > 0:53:13- that initially, I know, Dave, you weren't 100% taken with. - It didn't appeal to me
0:53:13 > 0:53:18because it's joined both sides, and as soon as you walk through the door, it changes.
0:53:18 > 0:53:23So, yes, it's learned me to have an open mind....very nice.
0:53:23 > 0:53:28The proportions of that barn suited me down to the ground.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31I certainly got the feeling that it was a contender.
0:53:31 > 0:53:32I think it was a very good contender.
0:53:32 > 0:53:37So then we went to that little white cottage on the hill.
0:53:37 > 0:53:41The approach to the property was absolutely gorgeous.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43It really was.
0:53:43 > 0:53:49And the views going up the drive, but it was...when we went in the front door, really...
0:53:49 > 0:53:53I could tell it wasn't going to be big enough for all of us.
0:53:53 > 0:53:58- Despite the fact the lovely living room... - That was probably the best feature,
0:53:58 > 0:54:02- I would say. - That was the end of day one.
0:54:02 > 0:54:08- Yes.- Then we slept on it and we woke up ready for our final day of house-hunting
0:54:08 > 0:54:13where we took you to somewhere a little closer to home,
0:54:13 > 0:54:16a bit more in your comfort zone, nearer to Wolverhampton...
0:54:16 > 0:54:21that little redbrick cottage with the blue front door and the garden and the drive
0:54:21 > 0:54:25and the workshop, and a whole host of surprises.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27Downstairs, fantastic.
0:54:27 > 0:54:32Really great. Upstairs was perhaps a little too small.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35Very higgledy-piggledy, wasn't it?
0:54:35 > 0:54:38The amount of stairs, it was great! I loved it.
0:54:38 > 0:54:42It's a cottage, isn't it? That was the thing about it.
0:54:42 > 0:54:47- Maybe the bedrooms were a little bit tight, but...- Could have done with an extra bedroom up there.
0:54:47 > 0:54:52The thing is you were so enthusiastic about all of the properties that we showed you,
0:54:52 > 0:54:56it was hard to know really which one you might land on, if any of them.
0:54:56 > 0:55:02But there was probably no doubt, I'm sure, for anybody watching this
0:55:02 > 0:55:07- as to what occurred when we pitched up at the mystery house... - Very clever, very clever!
0:55:07 > 0:55:12- Did you have no idea?- No. Seriously. - Absolutely none whatsoever.
0:55:12 > 0:55:16To me, there was nothing to do with the place, it was lovely, the floors were...
0:55:16 > 0:55:21I'm trying to find a fault here, but I can't, I mean, the bedrooms, go upstairs to the bedrooms
0:55:21 > 0:55:24all ideal size. And it's a house I feel the girls would love.
0:55:24 > 0:55:32I mean, we fell in love with it. The only thing we spoke about, you know, to extend the kitchen out a bit...
0:55:32 > 0:55:36even when you went out the garden, looked back, it wouldn't be a hard job.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41- So, you know, everything falls into place. - There is no surprise, clearly...
0:55:41 > 0:55:46as to which house you are clearly interested in.
0:55:46 > 0:55:52- Are you going to move fast?- We have to go back and talk about financing. I would love to make an offer.
0:55:52 > 0:55:56Thank you very much for coming on board with us
0:55:56 > 0:56:00and I'm delighted that we've been able to find you your dream home.
0:56:00 > 0:56:05- And thank you very much. - Thank you very much. We've enjoyed it.- We really have.
0:56:09 > 0:56:14You know, it's often tempting to think that Escape To The Country is all about changing people's lives,
0:56:14 > 0:56:17but, you know, I think it's much more subtle than that.
0:56:17 > 0:56:21To my mind, it's about enabling people to change their own lives
0:56:21 > 0:56:24whilst throwing in a few tasty options along the way,
0:56:24 > 0:56:28and just once, every so often, we get to make dreams come true.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32That's exactly what we've done for David and for Sarah,
0:56:32 > 0:56:37and I have to say I am absolutely chuffed to bits! Shropshire, don't you just love it?
0:56:38 > 0:56:43And great news! David and Sarah have had their offer accepted on the mystery house
0:56:43 > 0:56:45and are just waiting to move in.
0:56:45 > 0:56:49So if you'd like to escape to the country and would like our help,
0:56:49 > 0:56:55please apply online at...
0:56:59 > 0:57:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:03 > 0:57:07E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk