0:00:02 > 0:00:05The Royal Oak is the third most popular name for pubs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:10All 500-plus of them owe their names to the father of this tree.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Find out where I am and what I'm talking about in Escape To The Country.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31'In today's show, I'll be helping a couple ditch urban apartment living
0:00:31 > 0:00:34'and pack their bags for pastures new in the country.'
0:00:34 > 0:00:38My emotions are just all over the place.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41'It seems like we're on the happy bus for this house hunt.'
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- # It's in your budget # - It is. I know!
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Welcome to Shropshire.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52It was at this very spot in 1651 that Charles II
0:00:52 > 0:00:55escaped capture by Parliamentarian soldiers
0:00:55 > 0:00:58by hiding in the branches of an oak tree.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01The original oak in a thick forest
0:01:01 > 0:01:06was destroyed by 17th and 18th century souvenir hunters.
0:01:06 > 0:01:11The one behind me is a direct descendant, 300 years old, of that very tree.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It's been given the nickname Son of Royal Oak.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19'In the west Midlands, Shropshire is England's largest landlocked county,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21'and one of its most rural.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'Despite a lack of coastline, water plays its part,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28'with Britain's longest river, the Severn, running through it.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31'Shropshire is seen as a county of two halves.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33'In the south, the Shropshire Hills
0:01:33 > 0:01:37'are a protected area of outstanding natural beauty.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40'In the north, the Shropshire Plain is home to many large towns,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44'including Shrewsbury, birthplace of Charles Darwin,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46'father of evolution.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51'Some wonderfully preserved examples of architecture still survive,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55'from mediaeval castles to Victorian civic buildings.
0:01:55 > 0:01:57'There's a range of house styles
0:01:57 > 0:02:02'which is sure to tempt today's house buyers.'
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Shropshire's had the reputation of being rather a remote county.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11You're only an hour or so away from Birmingham and Manchester airports,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15and there's a direct train link from Shrewsbury to London.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18People move here because of the lovely countryside.
0:02:18 > 0:02:24Shropshire County Council are the first in the country to develop a biodiversity strategy,
0:02:24 > 0:02:28designed to protect the native habitats and species.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32On top of that, there's some beautiful properties to be had.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38'For £995,000, this six-bedroom country house in Wollerton
0:02:38 > 0:02:43'has spacious reception rooms, and bathing in the free-standing bath
0:02:43 > 0:02:49'or the pool with French doors leading out to stunning gardens.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53'At £550,000, this five-bedroom barn conversion in Coton
0:02:53 > 0:02:56'makes the most of light and natural materials,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00'with limestone floors and granite worktops in the kitchen.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05'The beams and inglenook fireplace make the lounge warm and inviting.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09'For £350,000, this four-bedroom converted barn in Welshampton
0:03:09 > 0:03:12'is awash with character features,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16'from exposed brickwork and beams to the multi-fuel burner.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21'And the back garden provides a secluded spot for entertaining.'
0:03:21 > 0:03:28Some of Shropshire's finest, and we've still got some beauties up our sleeve for today's buyers.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Let's meet them.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34'Jackie, a hairdresser, and Steve, a management consultant,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38'have lived in their apartment overlooking the marina in Eastbourne
0:03:38 > 0:03:40'for three years.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44'As Steve will soon be starting a new job in Shropshire,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48'they've decided to make a move to that part of the country.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51'There are also other factors luring them there.'
0:03:51 > 0:03:54We love the countryside.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58We also will be closer to our daughters and granddaughter.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02That's an opportunity not to miss.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Yeah. I'm really looking forward to the change,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and to be nearer to my family as well.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11'Jackie and Steve have made the most of their apartment.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14'What's on the wish list for their next property?'
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I'd like a detached house, "olde worlde",
0:04:17 > 0:04:22traditional features, three beds... And what would you like?
0:04:22 > 0:04:27- I'd like a garage. I'd like a fair sized garden. - Oh, yeah. Lovely garden.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31A master bedroom with an en suite is an absolute necessity.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34We'd like it to be contemporary.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37'Anything else they can't do without?'
0:04:37 > 0:04:40As you can see, my kitchen is very small here.
0:04:40 > 0:04:45I've got no outdoor views at all. I can't entertain in this kitchen.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49My dream kitchen would be somewhere that I can entertain,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52have the family round with a big table in the middle
0:04:52 > 0:04:55and to see my garden, see the outdoor space again.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00This is my favourite room in the apartment. It's big. It's airy.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02It's got windows with views.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08I'd like to take this, replicate it into a house in a rural village,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11with a view of gardens and hills instead of water.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13This is our communal garden. We hardly use it.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17- It would be nice to have a garden. - Having a barbecue in this garden,
0:05:17 > 0:05:22would not be the same as sitting in our own garden with friends,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24enjoying the privacy.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28'And how do they intend to spend their free time in the country?'
0:05:28 > 0:05:33My lifestyle would be just go for long walks, you know, cycling,
0:05:33 > 0:05:38and just getting involved with the community, really.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43- I think, having people round, ad hoc, to entertain.- Yeah.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46That's what we love. That's what we like to do.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48'And what about the location?'
0:05:48 > 0:05:52I would like to go back into a rural village.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Traditional houses, a local pub, village shop.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59A traditional type established village, really.
0:05:59 > 0:06:04'Jackie and Steve need to know how much their property is worth.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06'We asked an estate agent to value it.'
0:06:06 > 0:06:12An excellent two-bedroom apartment in one of the preferred complexes.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Fantastic harbour views, close to local amenities.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18We'd comfortably market it at £240,000.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23'With that in mind, what's the budget for their move?'
0:06:23 > 0:06:27Our budget for the new property will be up to £400,000.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Jackie and Steve are moving from a two-bedroom seaside apartment
0:06:33 > 0:06:38to a detached house in a historical, beautiful country village.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42Anywhere else in the country, I'd panic that their £400,000
0:06:42 > 0:06:46wouldn't get the mature gardens, the contemporary feel
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and the period features they want.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52But here in wonderful Shropshire, I think we might just make it.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56'As Steve and Jackie want to be a reasonable distance
0:06:56 > 0:07:00'from Steve's new job in Whitchurch, we'll base our search in that area,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03'venturing only as far as Shrewsbury, 20 miles away.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08'We found some fantastic houses for them to look at in Shropshire,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11'but before I reveal the price tags,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14'I'll ask them to guess their market value.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19'And there's the mystery property, something they wouldn't normally have considered.'
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- Morning, you two.- Hello. - Welcome to Shropshire.
0:07:22 > 0:07:29- Jackie, this is the first time you've been here.- It is.- Wow. What are your first impressions?- Lovely.
0:07:29 > 0:07:34- Steve, you're moving because of your job, but you're also winding things down?- Yes.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39I'm looking to do this contract in Shropshire for the next five years.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- Jackie, are you going to be working up here or...?- I will.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47I'd like to work in a little village, just part time.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51You're moving from Eastbourne, a glamorous marina apartment
0:07:51 > 0:07:54to a landlocked county, how's that going to be?
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Well, I think we'll miss the sea,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01but we're ready for a change and to move to the country.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05There's some great properties. I know you're keen to have a garden.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09I do miss my garden. We've lived in an apartment for three years.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- I'm ready to move to a house with a garden.- Are you a good gardener?
0:08:14 > 0:08:20- Not really, but we like a garden. - You want one that's already done?
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- Yes, we do.- And that's done every time you come out!
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Your budget's £400,000. Any movement there?
0:08:28 > 0:08:32I'd like to stick with that. It depends what properties you find.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Probably a little bit more. - A kick... "We can go a bit higher!"
0:08:35 > 0:08:40I'm going to stick with you, Jackie. Let's go and look at the properties.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47'Steve and Jackie have £400,000 to find a detached house with...
0:09:01 > 0:09:06'..Let's see if their budget finds them what they're looking for.'
0:09:06 > 0:09:11Are you worried about new friends? You've made friends in Eastbourne.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13No, we... That's our priority.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16Get a few nice friends and you're well away then.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Whenever we've moved in the past,
0:09:18 > 0:09:23we've put a lot of effort into creating a new circle of friends,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and find it rewarding doing it.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31'Our first property's close to Baschurch,
0:09:31 > 0:09:34'20 miles from Whitchurch, where Steve will be based.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38'Baschurch has all the features of the rural village Jackie's after,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41'including a post office and shop, a pub and a church
0:09:41 > 0:09:44'built from the locally hewn red sandstone.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48'The village is peppered with cottages, as we find down the road,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51'with this much extended property.'
0:09:51 > 0:09:53- Here we are.- Right.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- This is the cottage I wanted to show you.- It's very quaint.- Quaint?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00- Quaint. Yeah.- Good?- Yeah.
0:10:00 > 0:10:06- I like it because it's an old building.- You are on a road.- Yes.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10It's a very quiet road. A bit of traffic, morning and evening.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13I do like the gravel drive. We've never had one before!
0:10:13 > 0:10:17No, I always wanted to drive across and crunch the tyres.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- It's also the countryside alarm system.- Yeah.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- Shall we look inside?- Yes.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27'We're off the starting block and they seem intrigued.'
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Here we come.- Right.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33So this is, actually, the original part of the cottage.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37That's the extension they put on about 20 years ago.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39- I like the beams.- You like beams?
0:10:39 > 0:10:44- Yeah. We've never had beams before. - Yeah. Very cottagey, very nice.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- You like cottagey? - Yeah.- Lots of features.
0:10:47 > 0:10:53- Bigger than what I thought it would be.- I was surprised.- Very cosy.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57Are you looking for big rooms or are you happy to have a cottagey feel?
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Well, I like cottages. - I like big rooms.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- So that's our compromise.- A cottage with big rooms would be great.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- You're not going to find that. - We'll see the sitting room,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- how that scores on the bigger room. - Same again, beams.
0:11:11 > 0:11:17- Very nice. I like the fireplace. - So, Steve, is this bigger or small?
0:11:17 > 0:11:21It's a nice size. Smaller than the one at the moment.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25But then, the one we're in at the moment is very large.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Yeah, it's a nice size room.- Cosy.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32As long as the furniture's not on top of each other.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37- What sort of fire?- It's multi-fuel, so you can do coal or wood.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41- It really gives off a lot of heat. - That'd be nice in the winter.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44The kitchen's obviously a very crucial room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Let's take a look at that.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51'They have very different opinions on the layout of their dream home.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53'Will the kitchen unite them?'
0:11:53 > 0:11:55All right.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00Yeah. This suits the property. It's a nice farmhouse kitchen.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Probably, if I'm honest,
0:12:02 > 0:12:04a little bit small.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07I would like, you know, a larger kitchen.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11But on the whole, it does suit the property.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14We do like to entertain and cook, so...yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:20- It flows nicely into the dining room.- Yes.- And you do have these lovely bespoke oak units.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- They are very nice. - It's got a big study.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28And a utility room, so there's a possibility for knocking through.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31But that would also be a bit of a job.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34The great thing about this property is this room here.
0:12:34 > 0:12:40- This is a really beautiful addition. It's only just been finished.- Yes.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45- It's excellent.- I like how you've got a lot of space up there.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- A lot of light. This wood's lovely. - It's an oak-framed extension.
0:12:50 > 0:12:56- It cost a lot of money, £22,000. - Yeah.- Underfloor heating.- All right. We've never had that.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59This is a great room.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04- It's been tastefully done. - I'd spend time in this room.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Let's take a look upstairs.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10'Also, just off the kitchen, there's a useful WC.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13'The extension is a very impressive living space.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18'Upstairs, they won't be disappointed, as there are four bedrooms.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22'I'm taking them to see their bedroom first.'
0:13:22 > 0:13:25This is the master bedroom.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- Not huge, but high ceilings. - I like the high ceiling.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- Seems a little small. - The en suite is a bonus.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35You've got a very big walk-in wardrobe.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38That was another bedroom.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- They split it, half en suite, half storage.- That's nice.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- To have an en suite is nice. - It is small for a main bedroom.
0:13:46 > 0:13:51- Yeah.- And it is on the road. TRAFFIC PASSES
0:13:51 > 0:13:54But I do like the height of the... Yeah.
0:13:54 > 0:13:59'The remaining three bedrooms include a light single room
0:13:59 > 0:14:02'and a double, so enough accommodation for their daughters.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07'And there's the wood-panelled family bathroom with WC.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11'But I wonder what they'll make of the fourth bedroom.'
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- This is the other bigger bedroom. - Right. Yeah.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21This is the new extension over what, downstairs, is the study.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- Oh, right. Yeah.- Again, you're looking over the front of the house.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31But this is interesting. Take a look in here.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Oh, right. CHUCKLES
0:14:33 > 0:14:35That IS a surprise!
0:14:35 > 0:14:39You could make this an en suite. The utility room is underneath.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- So the plumbing's there.- OK.- Yeah.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44At the moment, it's a bit of a...
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- Yeah.- It would have to be an en suite.- You don't want to keep it as a DJ mixing booth?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- No.- My mixing days are gone!
0:14:51 > 0:14:53I like this room.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57'It's great that Jackie and Steve are thinking through
0:14:57 > 0:15:01'how they could modify this house to make it perfect for them.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05'Outside, there's even more accommodation - of a sort -
0:15:05 > 0:15:08'in the half acre of land.'
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- This is a surprise! - How do you feel about horses?
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Um... I like horses. Our daughters, they've got a horse.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Really? Don't tell them about this, then!
0:15:18 > 0:15:21You've got two beautiful stables, a tack room and a barn.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25It was on my daughters' wish list, but I took it off!
0:15:25 > 0:15:27JACKIE LAUGHS
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's wonderful potential.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- What you would do with it is kind of interesting to me.- Yeah.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36I would certainly have horses.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40You've got this paddock up to that fence.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- Although you don't get the horse and the pony.- Right!- Obviously!
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Your eyes are twinkling. I can see a horsey future.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Horses, potentially over budget.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- I'm starting to worry. - We haven't talked about the budget.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58But let's go into the formal garden and have that discussion.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02You're looking for a mature garden. Does this fit the bill?
0:16:02 > 0:16:04HESITANT: Yeah. It's, er...
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Lots of trees about. Lots of little bits and bobs.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- How much do you think that costs? - I think we'd be close to 380, 385.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- I think a little bit less.- Yeah?
0:16:15 > 0:16:18I think 365.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21365. Well, I'm sad to say that you're closer.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- This is on at 380, a shade under 380.- Right.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Armed with that fact, why don't you have a wander round?
0:16:29 > 0:16:32There's lots to think about, lots you could change and move around.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36Whether you'd have enough money in your budget to do those things.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- Then we can press on.- OK.- OK. - On you go.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44A very good start, I think.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48It's a house that offers quite a lot of what they're looking for.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Well within their budget.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54We'll see whether they really like it or they're just being polite.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57'At just shy of £380,000,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01'this extended cottage has some great selling points, including...'
0:17:18 > 0:17:22At the moment, they're using this as a study.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- Would you use it as a study? - No. I think there's more potential.
0:17:26 > 0:17:32To get my dream kitchen, I would like to knock through and make it one big kitchen.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34I could see ourselves living in this
0:17:34 > 0:17:38but it would require some modifications
0:17:38 > 0:17:40to get to where you'd be happy.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43I wouldn't want it as a master bedroom.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47The girls come down two, three days at a time, it's ideal.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51I've never lived on a main road before and I could hear the traffic.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55People do get used to the noise. I don't know if I could.
0:17:55 > 0:18:00- All done?- Yes.- Lots of thoughts? - Lots of thoughts. Very interesting.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Let's go and have some more thoughts.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11'As Jackie and Steve want to move to a more "olde worlde" location,
0:18:11 > 0:18:15'they might like experience of what Shropshire's towns have to offer.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19'Market Drayton is a pretty town with historic buildings
0:18:19 > 0:18:23'and a claim to fame as the birthplace of gingerbread.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25'As the market in its name suggests,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28'it's easy to guess where most of the action has taken place.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31'Steve and Jackie are meeting local guide Carol Chapman,
0:18:31 > 0:18:36'who's going to show them the highlights of the old town.'
0:18:36 > 0:18:39This is the Buttercross, the symbol of the town.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44The farmers' wives used to come here and bring dairy produce to sell.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49This is one of the many timber-framed buildings in Drayton.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52It was built after the fire in 1651.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57It's the site of the cafe where people dunked gingerbread in port.
0:18:57 > 0:19:03Clive of India, Robert Clive, was born just outside Drayton and went to school here.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07'Robert Clive was a key figure in establishing British rule and trade
0:19:07 > 0:19:11'in India in the 18th century, with the onset of the British Empire.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14'Famous for his conquests in the subcontinent,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18'in his youth, he and his gang plundered from the townsfolk.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20'The local church
0:19:20 > 0:19:24'was, allegedly, one of his regular haunts.'
0:19:24 > 0:19:28This is the church, the reason why Market Drayton is here.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31It's Norman, has its original Norman doors.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35The outside is Victorian, and up there are the gargoyles.
0:19:35 > 0:19:41Robert Clive, as a lad, climbed up and shouted abuse at the villagers.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46'Jackie and Steve will have many historic towns to while away the hours in
0:19:46 > 0:19:50'with their new-found friends when they move to Shropshire.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54'Our next property takes us to the village of Tilstock,
0:19:54 > 0:19:58'a very brisk commute for Steve to work.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01'This village could be right up their street,
0:20:01 > 0:20:06'with a range of independent shops and that traditional pub.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08'Our couple can also get close to the water,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11'with walks along the Llangollen Canal towpath.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16'Our next property is this modern bespoke Swedish style house.'
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Now, what do you think of this?
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- This is a change of gear.- Yes. I like the long drive, hidden away.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26I like the double garage.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29First impression of the house, very nice.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- A big house.- Yeah. It is big.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I'm probably a little bit quieter this time.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37- You don't like it as much? - N-no. Not quite as much.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40- What is it you don't like?- Um...
0:20:41 > 0:20:44I think it's, er...
0:20:44 > 0:20:47It's got character and...the big roof.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50From this side, it does look imposing,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52this big mass of slate,
0:20:52 > 0:20:56but because the sun is coming from the other side, that is south,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- all the action is on the other side. - Right. OK.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04'The large slate roof is fitted with solar panels,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07'which help make this house energy efficient,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09'cutting the bills by around half.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12'But on the other side, things get interesting.'
0:21:12 > 0:21:14In we come.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- Wow.- Into this striking central atrium.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Wow. That's a...
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- nice hallway, isn't it?- That's nice.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- Excellent.- I like the stairs. - They're made of ash.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- It's not your pine everywhere. It's ash.- Yeah.
0:21:33 > 0:21:41- Laminate floor, but throughout the whole house is underfloor heating. - Oh, right.- No radiators.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44You've got this lovely wood burner from Denmark.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49It's a sort of Swedish idea. You have a central space,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52the heart of the home, and everything flows off it.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56'Just off the dining room is a cloakroom with WC,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00'a study so Steve can work from home and, next door,
0:22:00 > 0:22:02'the all-important kitchen.'
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- Lovely glazed door, keeps the smells out but lets the light in.- Yeah.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12- It's very light, good size.- Yeah. I like the shape, nice square shape.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16It all flows out into the garden, which we'll explore later.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Yeah. It's nice to see the garden from the kitchen.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- I like to have the table in the kitchen.- Yeah.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27You know, when the family come and you can entertain in the kitchen.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31You've got a very big utility room in there.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35- Let's flow on through, back to the other side of the house.- OK.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37'They're being very nice.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41'I think they'll have different opinions on the next room.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- This is what they call the sitting room.- Oh, right.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51You could set your stall out in here in a number of options.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54It's not limited to how you could lay it out and live.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59I get the impression you're not so keen on the open planness of it.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- Um... No.- That's fine.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- Yeah. No.- It's not a crime!
0:23:03 > 0:23:08- I think it's a little bit too open for me.- I quite like the open plan.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- You prefer separate rooms? - I think so.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16That's interesting. A lot of people, nowadays, prefer the open plan.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21- You're more old school! - Yes, I think so!
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- It's a very restful house. It makes you want to sit down.- Very peaceful.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29But I can't. I've got the rest of it to show you.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31'Right by the stairs,
0:23:31 > 0:23:35'there's the first of six bedrooms, a large double room
0:23:35 > 0:23:39'with an enormous en suite with bath and walk-in shower.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42'And there's more space than they could hope for upstairs.'
0:23:42 > 0:23:45This is a lovely feature.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Again, this central atrium. - This is nice.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50They've used the space very well.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55Instead of a landing that doesn't know what it is, it's a work room.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Being used. It's nice.
0:23:57 > 0:24:03'Leading off the landing are three more bedrooms large enough for two single beds or doubles
0:24:03 > 0:24:05'and with those sunny skylights.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09'There's also a family bathroom with an enclosed bath.'
0:24:09 > 0:24:13I'm not sure whether you would use this as the master.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Actually, the one downstairs is bigger.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19It's a little bit smaller than the one downstairs.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Good size. - You've got a shower room as well.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Yeah, which again... - This is a good size room.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27- Yeah.- I like this size room.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30I wanted to show you another possibility.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32If you go back onto the landing...
0:24:32 > 0:24:38'The rooms here just keep on coming, with an interesting project for them
0:24:38 > 0:24:42'on the other side of the galleried landing.'
0:24:44 > 0:24:48This room hasn't been finished. It's a sort of work room, project room.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- Yes.- But I was thinking this might make a nicer master suite.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58- It would, actually.- En suite in there.- You've got all the plumbing.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03- It's a very generous property. It's got lots of everything.- Yeah.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Very large. Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- Including lots of garden. - Oh, right. Well, that's...
0:25:08 > 0:25:10I thought of you!
0:25:12 > 0:25:14'The interior is homely,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17'but has an amazing amount of flexible living space,
0:25:17 > 0:25:21'which Steve and Jackie could make their own.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23'For a couple who have no garden,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25'what about two-thirds of an acre?
0:25:25 > 0:25:29'As well as a decked area for entertaining,
0:25:29 > 0:25:34'there's a vegetable garden and mature fruit trees.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38'At the side of the garden, Steve gets his beloved garage,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41'with the chance to convert the loft room.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45'With the house and the garden covered, it's time to talk money.'
0:25:45 > 0:25:50Here you get a better view of this side of the house being opened up.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55- It looks lovely from this side. - So much different from the front.
0:25:55 > 0:26:00- I do like this side. It's beautiful. - So what do you think it costs?
0:26:00 > 0:26:03I think it'll be...400.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I think more like 430, 435.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09- You're quite good at this.- Oh!
0:26:09 > 0:26:12- It's on the market at 440. - Right.- Right.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It's been on for a while. I think they'd take sensible offers.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20- It seems YOU, not keen on open plan. - And I quite like the open plan.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24- Open plan doesn't worry me.- Good. Well, go and slug it out inside.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27All right.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32Well, it's great because it brings all these things into the open.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37To be honest, I love this property. It's very sun and nature orientated.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41But it seems like there are other issues playing in our buyers' minds.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44We need to find out what they are.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48'This property's a real one-off and although it's over budget,
0:26:48 > 0:26:53'Steve and Jackie could see where a sensible offer would lead them.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55'It offers...'
0:27:10 > 0:27:15- A lot of bedrooms. We'd be running a bed and breakfast before we knew it!- Yeah! OK.
0:27:15 > 0:27:20When we walked in, it was overwhelming, the size of property.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25I've never really lived in a house that is so open.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29And I don't know if I could get used to that.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33I didn't realise she didn't like big open spaces inside houses!
0:27:33 > 0:27:37I think I could find myself enjoying living in a place like this.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41It's made me realise how much I've missed a garden.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43It's absolutely beautiful.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48- You look very comfortable there. - It's so peaceful.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52It's hard to tear yourself away, but tear ourselves away we must.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54On we go.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00'Shropshire formed the backdrop
0:28:00 > 0:28:04'to a scene that could have marked the end of the monarchy.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07'I'm visiting the property that was centre stage.'
0:28:07 > 0:28:11I've come to Boscobel House on the edge of Shropshire,
0:28:11 > 0:28:16home to the famous Royal Oak and some ingenious royal hidey holes.
0:28:16 > 0:28:21I'm going to track down head custodian Ella Harrison to find out more.
0:28:21 > 0:28:26'It was built in 1632 by local landowner John Giffard,
0:28:26 > 0:28:31'ostensibly as a hunting lodge but also as a Catholic safe house,
0:28:31 > 0:28:34'one of a network across the country.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39'As Catholicism was punishable by death, these places were vital,
0:28:39 > 0:28:43'and never more so than in 1651, when the future King Charles II,
0:28:43 > 0:28:49'defeated by Cromwell in the final battle of the Civil War at Worcester
0:28:49 > 0:28:53'hid here on his escape route to France.'
0:28:53 > 0:28:57We're interested in the night when Charles II came here.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01He came out of the battle field, was met by an escort party.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03The idea was to get as far away as possible.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05In this party was the Earl of Derby.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09He knew about Boscobel, that it was a Catholic safe house
0:29:09 > 0:29:13and if they brought Charles he would be looked after.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15- Shall we go into the parlour?- Yes.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18'To hide the King would have been dangerous,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21'so although he was received in the parlour
0:29:21 > 0:29:25'he was soon ushered to a less comfortable hiding place.'
0:29:25 > 0:29:28This is where Charles will have been brought into,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31sat by the fireplace, had some food,
0:29:31 > 0:29:33and met Colonel Careless,
0:29:33 > 0:29:37who suggested hiding him in the oak tree.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- He was in the tree for how long? - He was up there for 14 hours.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43- So quite a while.- All day!
0:29:43 > 0:29:47It's the closest he got to being caught on his escape route.
0:29:47 > 0:29:54- Soldiers walked underneath the tree, describing what they were going to do to him.- How dramatic!- Very.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58'Charles was then escorted to the priest hole in the attic
0:29:58 > 0:30:00'which, under normal circumstances,
0:30:00 > 0:30:04'would not have been fit for a king.'
0:30:04 > 0:30:07How did they hide him? Did they have a trap door?
0:30:07 > 0:30:09It would have been solid floorboards.
0:30:09 > 0:30:15- They would have lifted up the floorboards, dropped him inside and nailed the floor back down.- Wow!
0:30:15 > 0:30:21- So he spent the night in here? - He did.- It's pretty small.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26Presumably, people back then were small anyway. How tall was he?
0:30:26 > 0:30:31- Charles was six foot two, very tall for his time.- Six foot two?- Yes.
0:30:31 > 0:30:36It's a period in English history, you have to be on one side or the other.
0:30:36 > 0:30:41- Charles or Cromwell.- Yes. - Which do you side with? - Charles. I couldn't say otherwise.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45'It's amazing to think that a few nights in this house
0:30:45 > 0:30:49'made such an impact on English history and the monarchy.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55'As we reach the halfway point in our property search,
0:30:55 > 0:31:01'Jackie and Steve look back at the day's events and the houses they've seen so far.'
0:31:01 > 0:31:05What did you think to the cottage with the stables?
0:31:05 > 0:31:08The stables were a nice surprise.
0:31:08 > 0:31:14- The paddock, great.- When I first saw it, I thought, "Very quaint."
0:31:14 > 0:31:18I like the size of the cottage, the little rooms.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21The kitchen was a bit small, although it was lovely.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24The Swedish style house. What did you think of that?
0:31:24 > 0:31:29From the front, I was a little bit disappointed.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33Inside it was like Aladdin's cave. It was a really big house.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36When you came out of the back of the house,
0:31:36 > 0:31:41that really did sell the house, the garden was absolutely amazing.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- The garden was immaculate. - You really liked that one.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48I liked the open plan. It was space, light.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53It was a unique house that I don't think you'd find in many places.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57- The location, down the drive. - Oh, that was perfect!
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Lots of character to the house as well, so a lot to think about.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05I'm just hoping tomorrow that they can take all the positives
0:32:05 > 0:32:09- from both those properties... - And bring them to one.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17'After three happy years in their marina apartment in Eastbourne,
0:32:17 > 0:32:20'Jackie and Steve want a new life in rural Shropshire.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23'With a £400,000 budget,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26'they are looking for a house with a large kitchen and garden
0:32:26 > 0:32:31'in a village close to Whitchurch, where Steve's job will be based.
0:32:31 > 0:32:37'We've seen two properties, but on the second day of our house hunt, everything gets exciting.'
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- She's bursting with joy.- Yeah.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42- Thumbs up.- Yeah.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46'And there's the piece de resistance in our mystery property.'
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Yesterday proved illuminating.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56We learnt a lot about Steve and Jackie's property preferences.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59Jackie, it turns out, isn't keen on open plan
0:32:59 > 0:33:01and Steve likes big rooms.
0:33:01 > 0:33:07Today, I'm going to try to keep them both happy by showing them big rooms with doors!
0:33:07 > 0:33:11'We're going 13 miles from Whitchurch for our next house tour,
0:33:11 > 0:33:15'to the village of Stoke On Tern, right in the midst of farmland.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18'Although there are no amenities in the village,
0:33:18 > 0:33:23'they could pick up provisions in Hodnet, down the road.
0:33:23 > 0:33:30'It's a pretty place with timber framed buildings and a red sandstone church typical in this area.
0:33:30 > 0:33:35'In the heart of Stoke On Tern is an impressive 19th-century property.'
0:33:35 > 0:33:38JACKIE LAUGHS
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- You're chuckling!- I like this a lot.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Ah! Look! The difference is amazing!
0:33:44 > 0:33:46It's beautiful.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- This is beautiful. - This ticks all the boxes.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53- You haven't seen inside. - I know. It's gorgeous.- Yeah.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58This is the coach house and stables of the rectory, the building behind.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01They were probably built around 1815.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04It was converted into a dwelling about 30 years ago.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08See that arch, that window at the end?
0:34:08 > 0:34:11That would have been where coaches went in.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14A hay loft up there. Very nice double garage here.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18- I love the setting.- Fantastic location.- Location is gorgeous.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- Shall we go inside? - Definitely.- Big smiles!
0:34:21 > 0:34:25'The outside has got a rapturous response from Jackie and Steve.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28'Let's see if the inside measures up.'
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Let's go straight into here.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36Wow! JACKIE GIGGLES
0:34:36 > 0:34:39- We like all these giggles.- We do!
0:34:39 > 0:34:41I'm just...
0:34:41 > 0:34:46- Wow! I don't know what to say, I'm so overwhelmed.- Fits my list.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50- Definitely fits my list. - We are smiling a lot.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54- My emotions are all over the place at the moment.- Yeah.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58- I feel very excited about this property.- It's got the "wow".
0:34:58 > 0:35:02It's an L-shaped room, where the carriages went in and out.
0:35:02 > 0:35:07And they've joined them up so that it's a nice, sort of, space.
0:35:07 > 0:35:12This used to have a fireplace. You like a fireplace.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14You could reinstate it.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18Our furniture would look... We could just move in here.
0:35:18 > 0:35:23- The room's made for the furniture. - It is definitely our style.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26Let's look round here.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28- It's quite a big spacious room. - It is.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31It's an unusual shape, which I like.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35It's got character to it.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39- Thumbs up.- Yes, we like this a lot.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42It's charming, isn't it? A lovely space.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46This is the biggest reception room. The kitchen's through here.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49'I'm sure the kitchen will make Jackie ecstatic.'
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Here it is!
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Ah! Oh, a range!
0:35:54 > 0:35:58- Yes. Proper range. - That's a good size kitchen.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- You'll like that, Jackie.- Yeah.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05The largest kitchen we've had. We could dine in here.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07- Breakfast and stuff.- Yeah.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10- It's a lovely kitchen. - Nice and sunny.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Yes. Lots of windows.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16You can see the garden. Yes, it's a nice family...
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- ..farmhouse kitchen!- She's bursting!
0:36:20 > 0:36:23- Yes.- She's bursting with joy!
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- Anything you don't like? - Nothing. No.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30- Are you happy as well?- It's always nice to see my wife excited.
0:36:30 > 0:36:36- Then I'm in the good books. - I hope the excitement continues into the sitting room.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41- Oh!- This is the sitting room.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46- Right.- Where you can watch the television.- I've got my fireplace.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49It's a working flue.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51You can put in logs there.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53- Yes.- Nice size room.- It is.
0:36:53 > 0:36:59- It's so cosy. It's...homely.- But big enough to spread out and relax.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Yes. Spot-on, size wise.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08- Spot on.- And I like that we've got two windows.- Onto the garden.- Yeah.
0:37:08 > 0:37:14The sun sets over there. You get the evening sun down here.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16The house is mostly on one level.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20Most of your sleeping is downstairs. How do you feel about that?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23I don't mind that. I've lived in a bungalow before.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27- So...- Let's explore.- OK.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33'We'll press on down the hallway, passing one of the four bedrooms,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36'a double with fitted wardrobes.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40'They'd certainly be able to spread out in the next room!'
0:37:40 > 0:37:42This...
0:37:42 > 0:37:46is possibly the biggest bathroom I've shown anyone in a long time.
0:37:46 > 0:37:52JACKIE LAUGHS This is a big bathroom, isn't it?
0:37:52 > 0:37:57'Opposite the bathroom is a bedroom big enough to be a double,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00'and another bedroom, which we'll look at.'
0:38:00 > 0:38:04- At the moment, it's got twin beds and a cot in.- Right.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07I like this room because it's got the double aspect.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10The setting sun comes down there.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14- You've got light coming in here as well.- The view of the garden.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17You could perhaps use this as a study.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- It would be quite a nice place to work.- That's a good idea.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- Steve, when you're working from home.- Yeah.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27'Steve will be happy with the large double garage
0:38:27 > 0:38:33'accessed via the ground floor, with stairs leading to a huge loft space.
0:38:33 > 0:38:38'But we'll head upstairs to admire the master bedroom.'
0:38:38 > 0:38:41So what used to be the former hay loft...
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Ah!
0:38:43 > 0:38:46- ..is now your master bedroom. - The sitting area!
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- Loads of room to get ready in.- Yes.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Big, big room.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57The ceilings are high. All these little windows in one room!
0:38:57 > 0:38:59As well...
0:38:59 > 0:39:03- Ah!- ..there's a very nice en suite. - Oh!
0:39:03 > 0:39:07- This is a big en suite, isn't it? - Charming with the beams.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12The beams, yeah. That's a real bonus, that.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15- So, you like the inside? - Love it.- We do.- Yeah.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Really good feel.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21The outside is a wrecker's yard. There's no garden.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25- Joking!- All right. SHE GIGGLES
0:39:25 > 0:39:30'Steve and Jackie didn't find fault with anything in this house
0:39:30 > 0:39:34'and, dare I say, seemed to be picturing themselves living here.
0:39:34 > 0:39:39'The garden is perfectly tended, with an established vegetable patch,
0:39:39 > 0:39:42'fruit trees and a big lawn for grandchildren.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45'As they're used to being close to water,
0:39:45 > 0:39:49'they'll be pleased by the stream which runs alongside the property,
0:39:49 > 0:39:52'open fields stretching beyond.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54'Now, it's the moment of reckoning.'
0:39:54 > 0:39:57The question is, can you afford it?
0:39:57 > 0:40:00I don't know. I think it's going to be over our budget.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04- I think it's over budget. - I'll let you go first.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06- I think 420,000.- 420.- Yeah.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10I think it's going to be more than that. 440.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12- 440.- Mm.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16Well, this property is on the market for...
0:40:16 > 0:40:18£50 under...
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- £400,000!- You're joking? - JACKIE LAUGHS
0:40:21 > 0:40:23In your budget.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- Gosh!- That surprises me.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30For the location, the style of property, the mature garden,
0:40:30 > 0:40:34I would have said over, but that is a nice surprise.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36# It's in your budget! #
0:40:36 > 0:40:38- It is. I know.- Great.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43- Well, I'm sure you'd like to have another look around.- Yes, we would.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- I'll see you out the front. - OK. Thank you.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51That's what you call a humdinger of a house tour.
0:40:51 > 0:40:57I don't think there was anything that they didn't like in the whole house. That's probably a first!
0:40:58 > 0:41:02'It's a great house at a great price.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06'For their budget of £400,000, it would give them...
0:41:19 > 0:41:24'..The big question is, could this be their dream home?'
0:41:24 > 0:41:30- You like this garage? - It's my domain. You have the house. I'll sleep in the corner.
0:41:30 > 0:41:3320 out of ten.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Really superb. I cannot find a fault with this property.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41- This is a nice size bedroom. - Good size, square.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46Lots of storage room. I'd only get the end one, but there you go!
0:41:46 > 0:41:49I really do like this house a lot.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53Absolutely beautiful. Fell in love with it straight away.
0:41:53 > 0:41:59- I'm going to drag you kicking and screaming from this house. There's more to see.- OK.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09'Although Jackie and Steve will be stepping away from the water's edge,
0:42:09 > 0:42:16'there are plenty of rivers and lakes which provide opportunities for pursuits such as fly fishing.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19'As Jackie and Steve have never cast off before,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22'we've arranged for them to hook up with Louis Noble
0:42:22 > 0:42:27'at the Hillview trout fishery, to show them how it's done.'
0:42:27 > 0:42:29Here is a couple of typical fly rods
0:42:29 > 0:42:33that are very useable for this kind of water.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37There's different lengths cos I chose them to suit your build.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40Jackie, I've got a nine foot rod for you.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Steve, I'd like you to use the nine foot six rod.
0:42:43 > 0:42:46They're made of carbon fibre. You'll find them very comfortable.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50It's very windy today and hooks are very sharp.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53Steve, I'd like you to wear that, and Jackie.
0:42:53 > 0:42:58Very importantly, if you wouldn't mind wearing these safety glasses.
0:42:58 > 0:43:04'With over 40 years' fishing experience, Louis is the man to help them keep their heads above water.
0:43:04 > 0:43:08'First, they need to learn the basic roll cast,
0:43:08 > 0:43:11'lifting the rod, making a D-loop with the line,
0:43:11 > 0:43:14'flicking the rod forwards 45 degrees
0:43:14 > 0:43:17'to get the line into the water.
0:43:17 > 0:43:21'Then it's time to get to grips with the overhead cast.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23'The rod is brought back,
0:43:23 > 0:43:26'then forward and lowered towards the water.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29'This allows the line to travel out further.'
0:43:29 > 0:43:32- Would you like a try, Jackie? - I would. Yeah.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38- Thanks, Steve. That's smashing. - Good luck.- Yes. I'll need it.
0:43:38 > 0:43:40- And off you go.- OK.
0:43:42 > 0:43:44One...two... Fabulous.
0:43:44 > 0:43:49We'll get Steve fixed up next door. Just keep your eyes on it!
0:43:49 > 0:43:51All right, Steve.
0:43:51 > 0:43:54'So, it's eyes down for Steve and Jackie
0:43:54 > 0:43:57'as they try to catch a fish.
0:43:57 > 0:44:02'Trout feed more on an overcast day with a light breeze,
0:44:02 > 0:44:04'when the water is more oxygenated.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07'It's not long before Jackie gets a bite.'
0:44:08 > 0:44:12Don't pull too hard. Just let it come to the surface.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14Oh!
0:44:16 > 0:44:18Well done, Jackie.
0:44:18 > 0:44:22- You could take it, but shall we put him back?- Yeah.
0:44:24 > 0:44:27'This lucky trout lives to fight another day.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30'And our couple have caught the fishing bug.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34'Maybe next time, they'll enjoy a take-home supper.'
0:44:38 > 0:44:43It's going to be very tricky to top that last property, particularly in Jackie's books.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46But the mystery house is interesting.
0:44:46 > 0:44:51Instead of showing them something different, we're showing them something the same.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56- Any idea what we might be showing you?- Well...
0:44:56 > 0:45:00It might be something that we haven't wished for,
0:45:00 > 0:45:02like a barn or something.
0:45:02 > 0:45:04- Barn?- Barn conversion.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07We can be more exciting than a barn!
0:45:07 > 0:45:12- Oh, right. OK!- We're going to show you a nuclear bunker.
0:45:12 > 0:45:16'Our mystery property is 25 miles from Whitchurch,
0:45:16 > 0:45:19'on the edge of the Preston upon the Weald Moors.
0:45:19 > 0:45:23'Surrounded by countryside, our historical mystery house
0:45:23 > 0:45:28'is an unmissable architectural landmark set in its own estate.'
0:45:28 > 0:45:31- Now, this is a mystery house, huh? - Yeah. Some mystery house.
0:45:31 > 0:45:35- All of this is not yours. - JACKIE LAUGHS
0:45:35 > 0:45:39You have to guess which part of it could be yours.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41- Right.- Yes, OK.- Left, right, centre.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45- I know.- We could be here for quite some time.
0:45:45 > 0:45:50You could be the owner of the top half of this wing.
0:45:50 > 0:45:52BOTH: Right.
0:45:52 > 0:45:58- These two windows at the end and eight windows along. - Eight! Oh, right!
0:45:58 > 0:46:02So it's apartment living. That's the mystery.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05- Right.- Didn't expect that.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09- Um, yeah. - We live in an apartment now.
0:46:09 > 0:46:11- That's the twist.- Y-yeah.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15So we do know all the advantages of an apartment.
0:46:15 > 0:46:19The Wrekin over there, famous Shropshire hill.
0:46:19 > 0:46:21All of these grounds are communal.
0:46:21 > 0:46:24- Uh-huh.- Let's go inside.- OK.
0:46:25 > 0:46:30'Built in 1725, this magnificent almshouse, now Grade I listed,
0:46:30 > 0:46:34'was designed by a student of Sir Christopher Wren
0:46:34 > 0:46:39'and was converted into apartments in 2004.'
0:46:39 > 0:46:41- In you come.- All right.
0:46:41 > 0:46:44# Ta-da! #
0:46:44 > 0:46:49- Wow!- Crikey! - So, all seven windows.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52Eight including that one, all in one big space.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56- It's, er...- Grand.
0:46:56 > 0:47:00- It is grand.- It IS grand, isn't it? - Very grand.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03Here, what they did is they took out a room,
0:47:03 > 0:47:08it was going to be walled off, so you can enjoy the space.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10- Yes.- Which makes sense to me.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13- You don't have just this big long corridor.- Yeah.
0:47:13 > 0:47:16They have it as their sitting room.
0:47:16 > 0:47:22- Is this making you anxious cos it's too open plan?- It's very open plan.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24Well, this part is.
0:47:24 > 0:47:29I think I'm just overwhelmed by the whole height of it,
0:47:29 > 0:47:34all the windows and the size of it.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37- This is not an apartment. It is "un appartement".- Yes!
0:47:37 > 0:47:42- That makes all the difference. - Grandeur!- It's very grand.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45- Anyway, let's have a look at the rooms.- OK.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49Obviously, it's all off this main corridor.
0:47:51 > 0:47:55This is the kitchen-diner, kitchen-sitting room, really.
0:47:55 > 0:47:58The units are lovely.
0:47:58 > 0:48:01Unusual, sitting room and fireplace in the kitchen.
0:48:01 > 0:48:06It's got that quirkiness of the sitting room in the hallway.
0:48:06 > 0:48:11I think, to be honest, the owners have made the rooms what they want.
0:48:11 > 0:48:17- They live and eat and spend a lot of time here in this same space.- Yes.
0:48:17 > 0:48:22- Which is what most of us do. - Yes. Uh-huh.- That's true.
0:48:22 > 0:48:25It's nice to have the kitchen table in the kitchen.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28- Nice size kitchen in itself.- Yeah.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31'This is an extraordinary apartment.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34'I'm glad that Steve and Jackie appreciate its individuality.
0:48:34 > 0:48:39'Tucked behind the sitting room is currently a formal dining room,
0:48:39 > 0:48:43'which they could convert into a double, giving them three bedrooms.
0:48:43 > 0:48:47'We'll carry on down the hallway and look at the guest room.'
0:48:47 > 0:48:49- This really is a bedroom.- Right.
0:48:49 > 0:48:54Yeah. Well, it's got the high ceilings, what we like.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57It's got a double bed in it, so it's a decent size.
0:48:57 > 0:49:02They have got a lot of furniture in it so, you know, um...
0:49:02 > 0:49:06- Looks small at the moment. - Yeah, and I think it's because
0:49:06 > 0:49:09they have got a lot of personal things.
0:49:09 > 0:49:14It's crowded with a lot of items, so it's difficult to see the space.
0:49:14 > 0:49:18'Next door, there's the family bathroom with overhead shower.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21'We'll check out what would be their master.'
0:49:21 > 0:49:24- Oh, yeah.- Biggest room.- Yeah.
0:49:24 > 0:49:29- This is lovely.- Good size room. Nice double bay with two windows.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31Yeah, the high ceilings,
0:49:31 > 0:49:33which is great in these buildings.
0:49:33 > 0:49:36- Yeah, nice room. - A little shower room.
0:49:36 > 0:49:42Yeah, it's a nice size. Ceilings are nice and high, which we like.
0:49:42 > 0:49:46Well, the mystery house is always a curve ball to stir things up.
0:49:46 > 0:49:51- Let's take in the period grandeur and see if things sift through.- OK.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53'Our mystery property offers
0:49:53 > 0:49:57'apartment living in some splendid historic architecture.
0:49:57 > 0:50:02'But will Jackie and Steve be sold on its unique wow factor?'
0:50:02 > 0:50:05We've got a good view of it.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10I'm still slightly confused.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14Do I like it? Don't I like it? I can't make my mind up.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17- It's a very different proposition. - It is. Yeah.
0:50:17 > 0:50:22- You don't really have a garden. This is the communal grounds.- Yeah.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24Look at all these lovely trees in the park.
0:50:24 > 0:50:29- When you look at the whole building, it is...- Spectacular.- Yeah.
0:50:29 > 0:50:32- It's very, very grand. - How much do you think it costs?
0:50:32 > 0:50:36Well, again, I'm not very good at this, but...
0:50:36 > 0:50:38- You go first.- Oh!
0:50:38 > 0:50:41I think it'll be under our budget
0:50:41 > 0:50:45at 375.
0:50:45 > 0:50:50- I think it's more likely...350? - OK. You're both a bit pessimistic.
0:50:50 > 0:50:54- This is on the market at 325. - Oh, right!
0:50:54 > 0:50:58It is an apartment and you don't have a garden.
0:50:58 > 0:51:03- Why don't you mull over whether you like it or don't like it?- OK!
0:51:03 > 0:51:06Then we'll regroup and think about everything.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08All right.
0:51:10 > 0:51:14It IS a big curve ball to move from a marina apartment
0:51:14 > 0:51:17to an 18th-century apartment.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19But that's what this show's about.
0:51:19 > 0:51:23Sometimes, it's really useful to shake things up
0:51:23 > 0:51:27and see whether what you thought you want is really what you want.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33'This mystery apartment is certainly an enticing proposition.
0:51:33 > 0:51:39'Well within budget, it's a chance to own part of a remarkable building
0:51:39 > 0:51:41'and would give them...'
0:51:55 > 0:51:59- They're lovely grounds. Very mature, very well kept.- Yeah.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02They're lovely, but they're not ours, are they?
0:52:02 > 0:52:06Although the grounds are absolutely beautiful,
0:52:06 > 0:52:09the apartment's beautiful, you know,
0:52:09 > 0:52:12I think it's time for a change.
0:52:12 > 0:52:16- It's definitely a grand apartment. - It's a fabulous apartment.
0:52:16 > 0:52:22- But do you think we need a change from our current apartment? - I think so.
0:52:22 > 0:52:27Having seen the apartment, it's very spectacular, open spaces,
0:52:27 > 0:52:29very well done.
0:52:29 > 0:52:32But having been in an apartment,
0:52:32 > 0:52:34I don't think myself or Jackie
0:52:34 > 0:52:38would want to move into another apartment at this time.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42These 18th-century architects knew how to build a sun trap!
0:52:42 > 0:52:47OK, let's find somewhere to think about everything.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49Yeah. OK.
0:52:54 > 0:52:58'We've shown Jackie and Steve an assortment of properties.
0:52:58 > 0:53:02'Now they need to decide where they go from here.'
0:53:06 > 0:53:12You have to say, we did lay on nice weather for your first exposure to Shropshire.
0:53:12 > 0:53:15- Yes.- Did it leave a good impression? - It did. Yeah.
0:53:15 > 0:53:20We liked it. To say I've never been before, it was beautiful.
0:53:20 > 0:53:22- Yes.- We've seen a few properties.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26Let's spin back the clock and look at them one by one.
0:53:26 > 0:53:30That's a good way of focusing on what you like and don't like.
0:53:30 > 0:53:35We can look at the first one, which was the cottage with the stables.
0:53:35 > 0:53:39I liked the cottage. I thought it was very quaint, very cosy.
0:53:39 > 0:53:42When I went inside it was very homely.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45The summer room on the back was superb.
0:53:45 > 0:53:47Done to the highest spec.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50The kitchen was done to a high spec as well.
0:53:50 > 0:53:55- We did like the stables.- The stables and the paddock at the back.
0:53:55 > 0:53:58Then we went to the Swedish style house.
0:53:58 > 0:54:03A contemporary property, which is not what you'd asked for.
0:54:03 > 0:54:06What are your thoughts about that now?
0:54:06 > 0:54:12I love the openness, the underfloor heating, the solar panels, that aspect of the building.
0:54:12 > 0:54:16I really enjoyed, when you walked through the front door,
0:54:16 > 0:54:19it was natural open space, I love that.
0:54:19 > 0:54:24- I like the back of the house. - The one facing the garden?- Yeah.
0:54:24 > 0:54:28The garden was just immaculate.
0:54:28 > 0:54:33Beautiful, the sort of garden I would want. It was lovely.
0:54:33 > 0:54:39- It was the open space...? - Yes. It was probably a little bit too modern for me inside.
0:54:39 > 0:54:43But on the whole, it was a lovely property.
0:54:43 > 0:54:48The coach house, that seemed to reduce you almost to tears, Jackie.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51Yes. I thought that was amazing.
0:54:51 > 0:54:55It was idyllic. It was just a beautiful building.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58- Ticked all the boxes.- Yeah.
0:54:58 > 0:55:04An old cottage but contemporary internals. That coach house had it.
0:55:04 > 0:55:11The garden wasn't as big as we're looking for but that's the compromise we're prepared to make
0:55:11 > 0:55:13because of the coach house.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15The mystery house was completely different.
0:55:15 > 0:55:19It was slightly radical showing you an apartment.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23- What are your thoughts now? - It was a grand apartment.- Yeah.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25I think what it's done for us,
0:55:25 > 0:55:29is cemented our minds that, yeah, we live in an apartment now...
0:55:29 > 0:55:33If we were looking for an apartment, that would be ideal.
0:55:33 > 0:55:38It's cemented our minds that, yes, we definitely want a house
0:55:38 > 0:55:41with our own garden where we can live alone.
0:55:41 > 0:55:45- Can I ask what's going to happen next?- Well...- Yeah.
0:55:45 > 0:55:50What I'd like to do is to explore Shropshire a little bit more.
0:55:50 > 0:55:55- And, hopefully, sell our apartment quite quickly.- Yeah.
0:55:55 > 0:56:01- Then...- If we sell the apartment, we'll definitely go back and look at the coach house.
0:56:01 > 0:56:03I hope you sell it instantly
0:56:03 > 0:56:10and that you don't linger too long before you put an offer in because it seemed to ring all your bells.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12- Yeah, it did.- Absolutely.
0:56:12 > 0:56:19- It would be a very proud moment if we were the reason you move up here. - We'll let you know if we move in.
0:56:19 > 0:56:25- Well, all the best.- OK. - And I'm glad that we've moved you up to Shropshire, at least in spirit.
0:56:28 > 0:56:32What a feather in our cap that would be if Jackie and Steve
0:56:32 > 0:56:36sell their apartment and buy that beautiful coach house.
0:56:36 > 0:56:40If you'd like an entree into rural living, tune in for another edition
0:56:40 > 0:56:42of Escape To The Country.
0:56:43 > 0:56:46If you want to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:56:46 > 0:56:49Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:56:49 > 0:56:55please contact us through our website:
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