Somerset Escape to the Country


Somerset

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Today, I'm treading the ancient cobbles of England's smallest city,

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along a road which claims to be

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one of the oldest complete residential streets in the world.

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Why am I here? I'm on a mission to find the perfect Escape To The Country.

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On today's show, I'll be helping a couple relocate their family

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from urban sprawl to rural beauty.

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Lovely view out of the window, bright. It's a lovely big tick!

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My aspiring country-dwellers will be viewing a selection of fine country homes.

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It's somewhere to be very proud of.

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Yes, and I can see being very pleased.

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And there's a mystery house. But will any of the properties match their expectations

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of grand country living?

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Today, I'm in Somerset and this is Vicar's Close

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in the small but perfectly formed city of Wells.

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Vicar's Close was finished back in 1363

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and was made up of 42 small one-up, one-downs

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to house the 42 members of the cathedral choir.

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It was thought that by keeping all the young men close to the cathedral

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they wouldn't be tempted by the sins of the outside world.

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Today it's still home to the cathedral's choristers.

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Not such a bad deal, is it?

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But don't worry. If you're not a bassy baritone or dulcet tenor

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Somerset could still provide a harmonious escape to the country.

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Tucked away in the left-hand corner of Britain,

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Somerset is bordered by Devon and Dorset in the south

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and is the northern gateway to the West Country.

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Tourism is an important 966-million-pound industry,

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with the spectacular land formation of Cheddar Gorge,

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the largest gorge in Britain,

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bringing in 500,000 people a year,

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all helping to top up the tourist till.

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Sheep and dairy farming, however, are still integral to the economy

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in this mostly rural county which produces some fine and tasty cheeses.

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Herds are spread across the diverse landscape

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from the dramatic scenery of Exmoor National Park

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to the Somerset Levels, featuring Glastonbury Tor.

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And it's on these grazing pastures

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that one entrepreneurial farmer gave birth to the Glastonbury music festival,

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an annual pilgrimage for the 180,000 ticket holders.

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Over the past year, property prices in Somerset

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have fallen more steeply than in other counties

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which are closer to London.

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This, combined with the county's really good schools,

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which include a number of cheaper fee-paying schools,

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makes it an ideal location for families wanting to escape the urban sprawl.

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So if your family is thinking of relocating to Somerset,

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take a look at some of these properties which are on the market right now.

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If you have £1.5 million to blow,

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take a look at this six-bedroom family home in East Coker.

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Built of local stone and boasting beautiful timber beams,

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it's also a house that knows how to pamper,

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with an impressive indoor pool and a striking sauna.

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Alternatively, £550,000 would buy this three-bedroom modern house

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in West Bagborough.

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Despite the contemporary feel, it's peppered with period features

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and has 3.5 acres of gardens.

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If only period charm will do,

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and you're looking to spend £385,000,

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this three-bed home in Hurcot is up for grabs.

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Forming the wing of an old farmhouse,

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much of the character has been retained and there's one resident that finds it very cosy.

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We've seen what Somerset has to offer.

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But what will today's buyers bring to the table? Let's meet them.

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Our buyers today are solicitor Richard and wife Helen.

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They live in Watford with their three children,

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William, Freddy and Araminta.

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Their move to Somerset is driven by the new schools they've chosen

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in a bid for a good standard of education.

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All three of them are going to be changing schools.

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We want to help improve their education.

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The oldest one, William, is going into senior school

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and we want to be on hand to take part,

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to see everything that they get involved in.

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Having sold their family home of 15 years in Spring 2008,

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they're currently living in their own buy-to-let cottage

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in the thick of it all.

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We are a little apprehensive, going into the country.

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But I do think that the loss of the noise, traffic and pollution

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will be such a positive thing in our lives, it'll be well worth doing.

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In a slow market, there aren't a huge number of properties available.

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But after a two-year search and having viewed almost 40 properties,

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what is it that's causing so much difficulty?

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We're looking for five bedrooms, four to five bedrooms,

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two or three reception rooms,

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a nice big kitchen/breakfast room again.

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To be able to sit down together,

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to have the children doing things but not on top of each other.

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One little extra I would like, on a domestic front,

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would be a laundry room.

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By that, I mean a room that's actually upstairs

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so that you don't have to keep ferrying all the clothes from five of us

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down the stairs, through the main house and out to a utility room.

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On top of this, they're looking for an office for Richard as he works from home.

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And as Helen's mum will be coming to stay for extended periods,

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they require an annexe for her.

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Finally, as a competitive cyclist,

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there are six bikes of Richard's to take care of.

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It's very cramped in here.

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There's no space for servicing. It's open to the elements.

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It's damp, it's not terribly secure.

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So the new house that I'm looking for

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will have secure storage for the bikes.

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That is quite a list. On top of that, they're looking for a paddock

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where the children can kick a ball

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and they can keep a few chickens or even alpacas.

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The house we're looking for, I'd very much like a period property.

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I love the Georgian period with large sash windows,

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things are symmetrical, high ceilings,

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period features such as the cornicing and fireplaces.

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That would be my ideal.

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Having already sold up, they're in a strong buying position.

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How much money is there to play with for their move?

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If we found a house that ticked all our boxes,

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yours as well as mine,

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then the budget would be £750,000.

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Helen and Richard have been searching for their perfect home for almost two years.

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Now the pressure is really on.

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The children are starting school in September and they need to relocate in a few months.

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What do we have to find to make this dream come true?

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Well, behind me there is Wells Cathedral.

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A wonderful period property, just one of the long list of criteria we need to fulfil.

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They also want four to five bedrooms,

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about two acres of land for alpacas and chickens.

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We need an office for Richard, an annexe for Granny, a laundry room upstairs

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and all of that for £750,000.

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Hmm. I'm starting to realise why they haven't found their dream home just yet!

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Whilst William will be attending boarding school,

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the younger children will be in a day school just outside Shepton Mallet.

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Richard and Helen don't want to be more than a 20-minute drive away.

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We're focusing our search just to the south of Shepton Mallet.

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Today, I'll be taking them on a tour of three grand country homes.

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I'll be keeping quiet about the price tags until they've given the property the once-over.

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The last property is the mystery house, which I can guarantee will give them plenty to think about.

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Hello, Helen, Richard. Thank you for bringing me to wonderful Somerset.

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A great choice of county. You're from Watford. Why have you chosen here?

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Foremost education.

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We're bringing the children down, we've chosen schools, so we're following them down.

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But you have been looking here for quite a while.

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We have indeed. About 18 months, overall.

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Not found it yet. That's why we're here.

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We've got wonderful properties to show you.

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You are quite specific on your criteria, though!

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We've got a lot to cover, but a great budget as well.

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-Are you ready?

-Ready!

-We'll go look at some houses

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-and at the end there's the mystery house.

-Splendid!

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Let's go.

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Richard and Helen's budget of £750,000

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will have to stretch a long way to accommodate all their needs.

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Ideally they're looking for a period property with four or five bedrooms,

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an upstairs laundry room for Helen,

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an office for Richard, an annexe for Helen's mum,

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and a paddock for recreation and keeping chickens or llamas.

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What would you say is the main obstacle why you haven't found somewhere already?

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-I think because we're making this a move for life.

-Yes.

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And so we are being quite particular and quite fussy

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but it's because we don't want to make a mistake

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and find that in five years' time,

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actually we should have been six miles further north or west or whatever.

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'So location is crucial, in which case we'd better get it right.

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'Our first house is in Barton Saint David,

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'12 miles south-west of Shepton Mallet

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'and a 25-minute drive from the children's school.

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'The neighbouring village of Keinton Mandeville has a few shops

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'and a pub, but above all it's a rural community

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'offering peaceful village life.

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'The house we're viewing is Grade II listed

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'and it may just have the feel they're looking for.'

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-Well, lovely village.

-Yes.

-Fantastic Georgian property, just for you!

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Yes, it looks good.

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-Very promising.

-Very sizeable.

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It's certainly sizeable and there's a lot to this property.

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This section we're looking at is the main house

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and this is where I see you spending most of your time.

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But there's more to this property.

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-This section is actually the old mill.

-Right.

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The mill stream runs down there and the two were joined together at some point.

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-So you've got extra living accommodation. Sound good?

-Sounds good so far!

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-Let's go in and have a look. There's a lot to take in. It'll take us a while.

-OK.

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Come on through.

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-As you'd expect, a big generous hallway.

-Huge!

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But come straight into this room.

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-Helen, is this what you've been dreaming of?

-I'm smiling!

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-Yes. Very big.

-What is it about this style of property,

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this room, that's got such a big smile on your face?

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It's what I've always hankered after

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-and this has got incredible style.

-It has.

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Incredible features, too. We've got the sash windows. Kept all that.

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-The shutters are working.

-Working shutters, yes.

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A working fireplace as well.

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It's got that Georgian feel, the high ceilings, big windows,

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-the symmetry of it all, the squareness.

-Yep.

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All things to make you nod and smile!

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It gives you a lift, doesn't it, when you walk in.

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You feel like you're walking taller.

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-Yes.

-And broader.

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It's somewhere, obviously, to be very proud of.

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Yes, I can see being very pleased.

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I can see where you two are going!

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-It feels like a grand home.

-It is a grand house.

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Fitting for your family.

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What we wanted was presence.

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That's one of the things we've said.

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This has obviously got presence by the bucket-load.

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By the bucket-load, indeed.

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Let's look at the other side. Being Georgian, it's equally big on the other side.

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Just across here. They've got lovely parquet floors, although underneath, it could be flagstone.

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That could be an adventure for you to discover.

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-As I promised, an equal size room the other side.

-I love it.

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So we just have to make sure Richard's happy!

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-We can make it work, can't we?

-What's this? Is this original?

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-No, they put this in, the bookshelf. It's a lovely touch as well.

-Yes.

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Or a potential alcove through to a room behind.

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The lady's thinking along my lines!

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Let's check out the room behind!

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Ooh, she's fast!

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-So behind that bookcase, you have your kitchen.

-Yes.

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-Terrific, yes.

-Terrific, that's good. Positive.

-It is very good.

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If we could knock through, make that the dining room,

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that'll make very nice living accommodation.

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There are lovely features. The range cooker is built into what was an inglenook.

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Nice place to cook whilst still part of the family. You're not cut off here.

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Not to disappoint Helen, the kitchen leads onto a handy utility room.

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But if she's insistent on an upstairs option,

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I do have a trick up my sleeve.

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Lovely, light, airy and spacious up here.

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But this room I have to show you

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because it's one of the biggest bathrooms I've ever shown someone around!

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-Indeed!

-Look at the size of that!

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-Yes.

-You could get a shower in here easily, couldn't you?

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-You could. Or...

-A double shower or whatever.

-Or it could be your laundry room.

-Yes.

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-Upstairs laundry room.

-Is this enough space?

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-What you asked for.

-Certainly enough space.

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It is. Yes, there's flexibility here.

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-Yes.

-Flexibility and convenience

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because it connects through to a lovely bedroom.

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-It's a Jack and Jill bathroom. Entrance from two ways.

-Yes.

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-Lovely. Very sizeable.

-Lovely view out of the window.

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Bright. It's a lovely big tick!

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You're just uber-happy about everything.

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-This is what I was hoping for.

-Yes.

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Let's keep looking.

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'The main part of the house has four double bedrooms.

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'Next door is the smallest, but has a large window.

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'Next to that is a larger double with en-suite.

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'The final bedroom

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'is no disappointment. Light floods in and it has a surprise, too.'

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This is a lovely example of another of the bedrooms.

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Three of the rooms come with their own bathrooms, one of which is down here.

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When I say they come with their own bathrooms,

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they don't skimp on the space!

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A huge bathroom!

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Yes. Yes. I can see Minty, longer term,

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not at the moment at seven, but it won't be long

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before she'll want her own bathroom.

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She'd be spoilt for choice, wouldn't she?

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You've almost forgotten all your other requirements!

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"Yeah, we're really happy."

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What about grandmother?

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Well, we know, you said already there's part two.

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We should investigate.

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I think you should be the one to do it. Open that door there.

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Ooh, close by.

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Oh, wow!

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Amazing!

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Oh, yes!

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Yes!

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Bit of a surprise, hey?

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This annexe housed in the old mill

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could work brilliantly for when Helen's mum comes to stay.

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She won't be cramped, either. There's a good-sized lounge,

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a modern fitted kitchen,

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a clean and tidy bathroom

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and the bonus of two bedrooms.

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And that's just the upstairs.

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Heading downstairs is what I think could be Richard's domain.

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There's a small room that's used as an office

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and next door is a room which might suit Richard even better.

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Much more your emporium!

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Yes, definitely the kind of size I had in mind, yes.

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In fact, you could take that wall down cos it's again plasterboard.

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-Yes.

-And open up this whole section.

-Yes.

-OK.

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-Really have your kingdom!

-Yes! Very much so.

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Next door is another large room which connects with the utility room and kitchen in the family house.

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I reckon it would make a good play area for the children.

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And I haven't forgotten Richard's other need.

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Ah, somewhere for my bikes!

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Absolutely. We're now into your back yard. Somewhere for your bikes,

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-double garage over there.

-Yes.

-And two potting sheds here.

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So you've got choices.

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The possibilities with this house are endless.

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There's the opportunity to reinstate a mill-wheel to generate power to sell to the National Grid.

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Now, it's all been so positive, hasn't it?

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But there's always a drawback. And this is your garden.

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-It's about half an acre.

-Right. Which is fine for us

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but I'm thinking about the children and football and it's not a garden that suits that activity.

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-Talking about this manor, let's have another look at it.

-Yes!

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Just remind ourselves what's at stake here.

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-Yes.

-The land, but the house.

-Yes.

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You're inside for an awful lot of time, aren't you?

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So how much would you pay for it?

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It's extremely attractive.

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So I'm going to plump for quite over budget - 800.

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800? I think 775.

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775.

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It could help, though, if I tell you

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it's on the market at £750,000.

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-Right.

-It certainly puts it on serious consideration.

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You had such positive feelings about the interior and there's so much to consider.

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Off you go. Wander round at leisure and I'll catch up with you later.

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At £750,000, this handsome property is on the money.

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It has the Georgian-style architecture that appeals to them,

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four double bedrooms, an annexe for Helen's mother,

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and the all-important study for Richard.

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But will it be their "forever" home?

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It has everything that we want.

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It's got a separate flat for Helen's mother,

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the office would be ideal for me.

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Snug area for the children, outbuildings for the bikes.

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No, I think it's not beyond the realms of possibilities.

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I love the house. The house, the number of rooms, sizes of the rooms

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and the grandeur of them were superb.

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It was very impressive

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at 750.

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Hi! Coming in for coffee?

0:19:040:19:06

You've moved in already? No, no. Coming out?

0:19:060:19:10

I know you've got a lot to think about after that house

0:19:100:19:13

but we're not done yet.

0:19:130:19:15

-There's more to see.

-Splendid.

0:19:150:19:16

It's in everyone's interest to preserve and look after our countryside.

0:19:230:19:28

When it comes to the environment, Somerset has an impeccable record.

0:19:280:19:32

This is the county that recycles the most in Britain. Not only that,

0:19:320:19:35

it's also found a way of turning a landfill site

0:19:350:19:38

into an environmental haven for wildlife,

0:19:380:19:41

as we're about to discover.

0:19:410:19:43

-Hello, Francis. This is Helen and Richard.

-Hello.

-Hi.

-Hi.

0:19:430:19:47

She's the chief executive of the Carymoor Environmental Trust.

0:19:470:19:51

-So all this is your domain?

-This is the edge of an active landfill site here.

0:19:510:19:55

But we manage the site over there where they've capped off the landfill.

0:19:550:19:59

We've got 100 acres of landfill where we created a nature reserve.

0:19:590:20:03

'This 13-year-old project is unique

0:20:030:20:06

and was born out of an idea by a group of environmentalists

0:20:060:20:09

who were keen to put the land to a secondary use.

0:20:090:20:12

The site has been divided up into different zones

0:20:120:20:15

to create experiments to attract wildlife.

0:20:150:20:19

-What would you attract here?

-You're on the edge of a butterfly site.

0:20:190:20:23

We brought in chalk to create these banks

0:20:230:20:25

to attract the wild flowers that attract different butterflies.

0:20:250:20:29

We've actually recorded 28 of the 57 species of butterfly

0:20:290:20:33

that are found in Britain.

0:20:330:20:36

The site also has another purpose.

0:20:360:20:38

We are an educational centre.

0:20:380:20:39

With the children visiting we show them how people in other parts of the world live.

0:20:390:20:44

This is a replica of part of a shanty town in Cruz Bay, Sierra Leone.

0:20:440:20:50

It was built on site using materials that had come in to be land-filled.

0:20:500:20:54

It allows us to show children that what we throw away

0:20:540:20:58

would be a resource for somebody somewhere else.

0:20:580:21:01

The full size shanty town

0:21:010:21:03

would have about 6,000 people living in it.

0:21:030:21:05

They would have two toilets between them.

0:21:050:21:08

It's a real eye-opener for the children to see this.

0:21:080:21:11

Hopefully with centres like this and everybody doing their bit,

0:21:110:21:15

we can start to use our resources much more wisely.

0:21:150:21:18

It's a very important message.

0:21:180:21:20

'It's been a thought-provoking trip for us all.

0:21:200:21:23

'I'm sure Richard and Helen will bring back their children

0:21:230:21:26

'to appreciate the need to care for our environment.'

0:21:260:21:29

As the last of the sun melts into the sky,

0:21:320:21:35

the first day of our property tour of Somerset is at an end.

0:21:350:21:38

Richard and Helen from Watford are looking to relocate to Somerset

0:21:440:21:48

for their chosen new schools for their children.

0:21:480:21:51

They have a budget of £750,000

0:21:510:21:53

but have an exhaustive list of requirements,

0:21:530:21:56

not least an annexe for Helen's mum.

0:21:560:21:58

So far, they've viewed one house, and coming up, the mystery house

0:21:580:22:02

has a door with double benefits.

0:22:020:22:05

It's an original prison door.

0:22:050:22:07

-Really?

-Yes!

-They're keeping us in rather than out!

0:22:070:22:10

It could keep out mother-in-law, actually! She won't get through there!

0:22:100:22:14

It's the start of another day's property hunting with Richard and Helen.

0:22:170:22:21

With their long list of criteria,

0:22:210:22:23

it was always going to be tricky finding the right property for their budget.

0:22:230:22:28

But after yesterday, it's clear that even with the right house,

0:22:280:22:31

land is still at the forefront of their minds.

0:22:310:22:34

So today, I think we need to tackle that head on.

0:22:340:22:37

We're heading a little further east this morning,

0:22:370:22:40

to the village of North Cheriton, 15 miles south of Shepton Mallet.

0:22:400:22:44

At 45 minutes, it's the longest commute to the children's school

0:22:440:22:47

but the property has the potential to be worth the compromise.

0:22:470:22:51

Nearby Wincanton sits close to the Dorset border

0:22:510:22:54

and is considered the gateway to Somerset.

0:22:540:22:56

Back in North Cheriton, we've answered their calls for more land.

0:22:560:23:00

So it makes sense that this is where we start.

0:23:000:23:02

After yesterday,

0:23:020:23:03

it's very clear that although the house is important, the land is too.

0:23:030:23:07

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Take a look around.

0:23:070:23:09

How does that suit?

0:23:090:23:12

-Much better.

-Space to kick a ball.

0:23:120:23:14

Space to ride bikes. Just what we want, really.

0:23:140:23:17

-The plot's much better.

-The plot is good.

0:23:170:23:19

We can fulfil your wishes there. Let's take a look at the house.

0:23:190:23:23

-There's a lot of it.

-Good.

0:23:260:23:28

We'll go and explore.

0:23:280:23:30

-It also comes with that annexe there!

-Detached cottage!

0:23:300:23:34

I think we've got a lot that will fulfil your criteria.

0:23:340:23:37

It hasn't got the grandeur. But it's all about compromise.

0:23:370:23:42

And you picked up on the plot and the land!

0:23:420:23:45

That's the spirit, Helen!

0:23:450:23:46

It's all about compromise!

0:23:460:23:49

-But for now, let's get inside.

-OK.

0:23:490:23:51

So the land scores highly, but will they really be prepared to compromise?

0:23:510:23:56

This is the official entrance to the house.

0:23:580:24:01

The owners come in another door, more like a boot room.

0:24:010:24:03

You have a downstairs cloakroom.

0:24:030:24:06

-And it does lead straight in to a lovely little snug.

-It is.

-Yes.

0:24:060:24:10

-Very homely.

-Yes.

-It is.

0:24:100:24:13

It hasn't quite got that high ceilings feel to it,

0:24:130:24:17

but yeah, it's attractive.

0:24:170:24:20

-Certainly attractive.

-Attractive is good. Let's keep exploring.

0:24:200:24:24

Through here a lovely little but cosy sunroom

0:24:250:24:29

again giving views of the garden.

0:24:290:24:31

-Right.

-And the land beyond.

0:24:310:24:33

-I find this house continues to open up.

-Aha!

0:24:330:24:36

Yes. That's much more the idea. Kitchen.

0:24:360:24:40

Decent eating area,

0:24:400:24:42

but more casual. You can see the children there having high tea.

0:24:420:24:47

Just through that door is the utility space.

0:24:470:24:49

You could have a downstairs laundry.

0:24:490:24:52

-Right.

-See what other opportunities there are. So all you need now is somewhere to relax.

0:24:520:24:57

-Indeed.

-You've got the snug or you can come this way.

-OK.

0:24:570:25:01

So through here you've got plenty more living space.

0:25:010:25:05

-I love these French doors.

-Yes.

0:25:050:25:08

They go straight out onto a little patio area in your garden.

0:25:080:25:11

-Right.

-Through here is enough space for a big dining table.

0:25:110:25:16

-OK.

-That is nice, isn't it? It doesn't have the space, does it?

0:25:160:25:20

It doesn't have the elbow room.

0:25:200:25:23

It's just the three of us here and we're looking round

0:25:230:25:27

and yet we're still all not quite on top of each other

0:25:270:25:31

but taking care of where we're going.

0:25:310:25:34

-But we're at that issue of compromise, aren't we?

-Indeed.

0:25:340:25:37

Let's have a look and reserve judgement.

0:25:370:25:41

Open-minded.

0:25:410:25:42

Open-minded. Right, we're heading this way.

0:25:420:25:46

'I don't think this house is grabbing their attention

0:25:460:25:49

'but it has lots to offer. There are five bedrooms over the next two floors.

0:25:490:25:53

First stop is the family bathroom on the first floor.

0:25:530:25:57

-Here we have a very generous family bathroom.

-That's nice.

0:25:580:26:02

-Yes.

-Not bad?

-Yes, much more generous.

-It's very practical.

0:26:020:26:07

And roomy enough, I was thinking, to be used as a laundry room.

0:26:070:26:11

-Because behind you here is all this cupboard space.

-Right.

0:26:110:26:16

If it's really important to you to have an upstairs laundry.

0:26:160:26:19

I think it's a lovely bathroom as it stands, to be frank.

0:26:190:26:22

-I don't think I would interfere.

-Good! Compromise. Do the laundry downstairs!

0:26:220:26:27

It's fine!

0:26:270:26:28

Let's have a look at the master.

0:26:280:26:31

And the master bedroom.

0:26:330:26:35

-Very bright.

-Yes.

-Yeah.

0:26:360:26:38

Bright, roomy, built-in cupboards all the way round. Would this do for you?

0:26:380:26:44

-Yeah, I think so.

-I think you're right - it will do.

0:26:440:26:47

-It's not really blowing us away.

-Not grand enough?

0:26:490:26:52

It does come with an en-suite, if that helps. I don't know.

0:26:530:26:57

Let's have a look.

0:26:570:26:58

-This is nice.

-The en-suite is nice.

0:26:580:27:01

They're not skimping on the en-suite.

0:27:010:27:03

Cast-iron bath, separate shower.

0:27:030:27:05

That's more fitting.

0:27:050:27:07

There's elbow room.

0:27:070:27:10

Space, elbow room, land, space for mum, office...

0:27:110:27:14

I can see why it's taken so long!

0:27:160:27:19

But I'm determined to get you to focus and work out where the compromise is

0:27:200:27:24

by the end of this journey.

0:27:240:27:26

Next to the master bedroom, two further double bedrooms

0:27:270:27:30

and on the next floor, two more bedrooms that are connected.

0:27:300:27:34

One is used as a study, but I have a better idea for Richard's needs outside.

0:27:340:27:39

The fabulous cottage we caught a glimpse of earlier would be ideal for Helen's mum.

0:27:400:27:45

There's a lounge, kitchen, cloakroom and two upstairs bedrooms.

0:27:450:27:50

Next door is a garage, which I'm thinking Richard could convert into an office.

0:27:510:27:56

The bikes haven't been forgotten, either.

0:27:560:27:59

There's another outhouse ready to go.

0:27:590:28:01

All in all, this property sits in about an acre of land.

0:28:030:28:06

You've got the half-acre paddock,

0:28:060:28:09

this lovely sloped garden here

0:28:090:28:11

and this could be yours.

0:28:110:28:14

-So, the land, the house, space for the in-laws.

-Yes.

0:28:140:28:19

-Potential for an office.

-Potential.

0:28:190:28:21

What's the price?

0:28:210:28:23

Um...

0:28:240:28:25

I would say 675.

0:28:260:28:28

Um, I would say...

0:28:290:28:32

not a lot more. 685.

0:28:320:28:34

685. So a lot lower.

0:28:340:28:36

Actually, it's on the market at 749,950.

0:28:360:28:40

-OK.

-So right at the top end of your budget.

0:28:400:28:43

-Yes.

-You've guessed a lot lower. What do you feel?

0:28:430:28:45

Maybe we haven't given due credence to the paddock actually thrown in.

0:28:450:28:51

-Yes.

-As such. But...

-It's a central village location.

0:28:510:28:55

Have another wander round the house and see would you make that compromise on the house

0:28:550:29:00

-for the land. It's a great village. Or does it need to be the other way round?

-OK.

0:29:000:29:04

Now they're thinking, yes, the land is important,

0:29:050:29:09

but it comes at a price, particularly in such a popular county as Somerset.

0:29:090:29:13

The £749,950 price tag came as a bit of a shock for Richard and Helen.

0:29:140:29:20

But it's a fantastic family home that caters to their needs.

0:29:200:29:24

A large family-style kitchen,

0:29:240:29:26

four double bedrooms with master en-suite,

0:29:260:29:28

a two-bedroom cottage for Helen's mum,

0:29:280:29:31

a garage that could be converted into an office for Richard,

0:29:310:29:34

and it sits on a one-acre plot

0:29:340:29:36

including a paddock providing plenty of space for all they have in mind.

0:29:360:29:40

I do like this open-plan bit, this open area we've talked about,

0:29:400:29:44

-being visible to each other and yet having space.

-Yes.

0:29:440:29:48

-I can see that working.

-What about the land? Do we need it?

0:29:480:29:52

We're starting to think, aren't we? Um...

0:29:520:29:56

I don't know.

0:29:560:29:58

It's starting to put a big question mark over it.

0:29:580:30:01

It's a lovely house, but Helen did feel the ceilings were a bit low,

0:30:010:30:06

that some of the rooms were a bit dark,

0:30:060:30:09

with the cottage-type windows.

0:30:090:30:12

It has raised a very big question mark

0:30:120:30:14

over how important the land element is for us.

0:30:140:30:18

And I have to say that at the moment we're both veering towards

0:30:180:30:22

losing the land actually within the plot

0:30:220:30:26

and concentrating more on the house.

0:30:260:30:30

-Hello!

-Hi!

-It's a lovely garden. Absolutely gorgeous.

0:30:310:30:35

I know you've enjoyed looking around this home but it's not over yet.

0:30:350:30:39

-One more property to see.

-Ah, the mystery house.

0:30:390:30:41

Yes!

0:30:410:30:43

Sometimes on this show

0:30:490:30:51

you get the opportunity to walk around some truly exceptional properties.

0:30:510:30:55

The mystery house today is fun, quirky, unusual,

0:30:550:30:59

and it's certainly no exception.

0:30:590:31:01

I can reveal that the mystery house is in Bowlish,

0:31:020:31:05

a hamlet just outside Shepton Mallet

0:31:050:31:08

and only a ten-minute drive to the children's school.

0:31:080:31:11

The small market town made its money during the Middle Ages when it had a significant woollen industry.

0:31:110:31:17

In the 19th century brewing was important

0:31:170:31:19

with this brewery being the first in England to brew lager.

0:31:190:31:22

Having the amenities of a town on their doorstep

0:31:220:31:26

would surely be a bonus for Richard, Helen and family.

0:31:260:31:29

Back in Bowlish, our mystery house is a fine Grade II listed home.

0:31:290:31:33

But will it have that all-important feeling they're desperate for?

0:31:330:31:38

Now, this is all about your dream.

0:31:380:31:40

-Yes.

-A long-held dream!

0:31:400:31:43

How your family are going to live and how you want to move to the country.

0:31:430:31:47

For the mystery house, I wanted to show you a property where another family in your position came

0:31:470:31:53

-a long, long time ago and set up their very own dream.

-Gosh.

-And this is where they did it.

0:31:530:31:58

-OK.

-Certainly very impressive.

-Isn't it just?

0:31:580:32:01

-Has it got the presence you're looking for?

-Yes, it's got presence.

0:32:010:32:05

This area, Bowlish, was where the Huguenots settled,

0:32:050:32:08

the silk artisans, the French artisans. You can see the French influence.

0:32:080:32:12

-You can, yes.

-In this property.

-Definitely.

-Yes.

-For now,

0:32:120:32:16

-it's raining!

-Let's go!

-We have a house to look at. Let's go inside.

0:32:160:32:20

-Come on in. It's very warm and rustic.

-That's better!

0:32:240:32:30

-Comfy kitchen.

-Lovely, isn't it?

0:32:310:32:33

-It's quirky.

-Quirky, yeah.

0:32:330:32:37

-Definitely.

-Good?

-Very good.

0:32:370:32:39

-Positive vibes.

-Is it fitting in with your dream?

0:32:390:32:42

-Yes, I think so.

-So far. There's a bit more for you to show us.

-Yes, very much more.

0:32:430:32:50

Let's explore further. There's a lot to see.

0:32:500:32:52

One of the great things is the wonderful period features here.

0:32:520:32:56

-Into this room. Look at the Georgian windows, working shutters.

-Yes.

0:32:560:33:01

-Fantastic.

-Lots of character.

0:33:010:33:03

I love the big furniture they can fit in here. This room can take it.

0:33:030:33:07

-Yes.

-Very sturdy furniture.

0:33:070:33:09

-That's reassuring.

-What about the layout, how it flows from the kitchen

0:33:090:33:13

but it is a separate space.

0:33:130:33:15

-Yeah, the flow is good.

-You've still got a table in there.

0:33:150:33:19

Yes, which is fine for suppers and breakfasts if there's only a few of you around.

0:33:190:33:26

So although it's not open plan,

0:33:260:33:28

you've got eating on both sides.

0:33:280:33:31

It's a working family home, isn't it?

0:33:310:33:33

You can feel a family living here.

0:33:330:33:36

The children are about the same age as yours. They've grown up here.

0:33:360:33:39

Come down a bit further cos I want to show you another impressive feature.

0:33:390:33:44

The back of that door that we could see from the outside. Look at that!

0:33:440:33:49

-It's huge!

-Expecting invaders!

0:33:490:33:51

It's funny you should say that

0:33:510:33:53

-cos that is an original prison door.

-Really?

0:33:530:33:56

-Yes.

-Keeping us in rather than out!

0:33:560:33:59

I'm thinking of keeping out mother-in-law!

0:33:590:34:01

She'll never get through there!

0:34:010:34:03

Richard, I feel you're going to be in trouble with someone!

0:34:050:34:09

But you're right, it'll keep a lot out!

0:34:090:34:12

It keeps the warmth in as well. Come on through.

0:34:120:34:16

Through here more living space.

0:34:170:34:20

I know some of the things you wanted. Flowing through,

0:34:200:34:23

-space for the family to spread out yet be connected.

-Yes.

0:34:230:34:27

-What about this?

-This is working. Working very well.

-Very nice.

0:34:270:34:31

You've got space, without being on top of each other, for everybody to do their own thing.

0:34:310:34:37

Yes. It's very, very nice.

0:34:370:34:40

This house certainly has the grandeur they're seeking.

0:34:400:34:44

And it has five bedrooms over the next two floors.

0:34:440:34:48

The first floor has a family bathroom which isn't massive

0:34:480:34:51

but the double bedroom next door has its own en-suite,

0:34:510:34:54

which I'm sure Araminta would love.

0:34:540:34:57

And here's the master.

0:34:570:34:59

-Oh, yes.

-Gosh.

-Is this more befitting of the lady of the manor?

0:34:590:35:03

-Huge, isn't it?

-I think so, yes. I could live in this.

0:35:030:35:07

-Very good.

-Although there isn't an en-suite, you're next door to the family bathroom.

0:35:070:35:12

-Right.

-Very good.

0:35:120:35:13

'Upstairs again is a whole floor that could be dedicated to the children.

0:35:130:35:18

'They have the luxury of their own shower room

0:35:180:35:21

'then there are three good-sized rooms they can fight over.

0:35:210:35:24

'But panic not, I haven't forgotten Richard's study or Helen's mum,

0:35:240:35:29

'which is next on our tour.'

0:35:290:35:31

Of course, there had to be more to this property.

0:35:330:35:36

Through here's the kitchen, but I want you to head that way.

0:35:360:35:40

OK.

0:35:400:35:41

-It's a discovery.

-Whoa!

0:35:410:35:44

-Yes, yes.

-It's fantastic!

-Grandma's potting shed!

0:35:440:35:48

-Yes!

-Grandma's emporium, I think!

-Emporium is a better description!

0:35:480:35:55

She has her own bathroom out there, all this accommodation, kitchen,

0:35:550:35:59

-living room and a sun room.

-Sun room.

-And a patio.

0:35:590:36:03

-There's a garden out there.

-Excellent.

0:36:030:36:06

This is a real palace for Grandma.

0:36:070:36:10

Upstairs is a beautiful bedroom for her too.

0:36:100:36:12

The other two bedrooms up here could be set aside for Richard's needs.

0:36:120:36:16

-It's certainly plenty big enough.

-Good.

-Yeah.

0:36:160:36:20

Very light, spacious.

0:36:200:36:23

Have a knock at that wall. I think that could be taken down fairly easily,

0:36:230:36:27

opening up this space, provided you get the consent as it is Grade II listed.

0:36:270:36:33

You could open up this space. What a place to work!

0:36:330:36:35

It would be terrific. Very inspirational.

0:36:350:36:38

Fantastic. That's Grandma and Richard well sorted.

0:36:380:36:43

All that remains now is the outdoor space.

0:36:430:36:47

Round here, just for you, Helen...

0:36:470:36:49

..a chicken coop already!

0:36:510:36:53

-It isn't bad!

-It's a nice sizeable garden

0:36:530:36:55

considering we are on the edge of a town.

0:36:550:36:58

With all that in mind, it's time to have another look at our property.

0:36:580:37:02

Aha!

0:37:020:37:03

It's very grand, isn't it?

0:37:030:37:05

-It's quite large.

-It's large, it's grand, it's got presence!

0:37:050:37:09

Can you afford it, that's the question. How much do you think it is?

0:37:090:37:12

I think it's going to be rather pricey.

0:37:120:37:15

I would go for 775.

0:37:150:37:17

I think it's more than that.

0:37:170:37:19

I think it will be 799,950.

0:37:190:37:22

Da-da-da! She is spot on! The prize to the lady!

0:37:230:37:27

-You're joking!

-I'm not joking!

0:37:270:37:29

-799,950.

-Really?

0:37:300:37:33

I don't believe that!

0:37:340:37:36

-You get a lot of house for your money.

-Yes.

0:37:360:37:39

-Two houses for your money.

-Delivers everything you're looking for.

0:37:390:37:42

It has been on the market for a while and the price has dropped from 850.

0:37:420:37:47

-Right.

-Just dropped a little.

0:37:470:37:48

Right. Maybe a little bit more?

0:37:480:37:51

-You're a hard person!

-I am. I drive a hard bargain.

0:37:530:37:57

You do, but it's making you think that's the way to go.

0:37:570:38:00

Which is great. Go and have a wander around.

0:38:000:38:03

See how you'd fit your furniture in there if this was yours.

0:38:030:38:06

Work out how you'd find the extra money!

0:38:060:38:09

-I'll see you later.

-Thank you.

0:38:090:38:11

Result! They love the mystery house. It's a fantastic house.

0:38:120:38:17

The point is, it's a family home, created from a dream.

0:38:170:38:21

And this could fit their very own dream.

0:38:210:38:23

There's no doubt this mystery house, just shy of £800,000

0:38:230:38:28

has all the presence and grandeur they hanker for.

0:38:280:38:31

There's a family-style kitchen/diner,

0:38:310:38:33

five bedrooms, and an annexe for Helen's mum

0:38:330:38:36

which includes a large study area for Richard.

0:38:360:38:39

I can see this room being used for a lot more than just the dining room.

0:38:390:38:44

You've got the kitchen at one end

0:38:440:38:46

and the sitting room at the other end with the snug.

0:38:460:38:49

You'll have people passing through all the time.

0:38:490:38:51

I can see using the laptop, reading the newspaper,

0:38:510:38:55

at the dining room table which we couldn't do before.

0:38:550:38:58

It's got everything that we asked for, except for the land.

0:38:580:39:02

Um, it's grand, it's got the high ceilings,

0:39:020:39:06

but there isn't the land.

0:39:060:39:09

I think maybe that we'd stressed the land as an aspiration.

0:39:090:39:14

I think you were testing us to see how key a requirement that was.

0:39:140:39:19

It's different. It has got an awful lot of character.

0:39:190:39:23

It is making us think very, very hard.

0:39:230:39:27

Definitely major food for thought.

0:39:270:39:30

DOOR CREAKS AND GROANS

0:39:310:39:33

-That's a solid door, isn't it!

-A door-and-a-half!

0:39:330:39:36

So homely looking from out here.

0:39:360:39:38

We've seen all the properties now.

0:39:380:39:40

The weather's cleared up. I hope your minds have cleared up!

0:39:400:39:44

-Time to make some decisions.

-Indeed.

-OK.

0:39:440:39:46

We've managed to fulfil the vast majority of Richard and Helen's requirements for their budget.

0:39:490:39:55

But will their search for perfection exist for £750,000?

0:39:550:39:59

Making their escape to the country has been a long journey for Helen and Richard.

0:40:000:40:05

It's time to see if they've made a decision.

0:40:050:40:07

Helen and Richard, it's been a two-year search for your dream home.

0:40:120:40:16

In the last two days we've seen quite a lot of property.

0:40:160:40:19

-We started with the Georgian house.

-Oh, well, yes,

0:40:190:40:23

I'm sitting tall, I was happy.

0:40:230:40:26

I was very much at home in that house. I loved it.

0:40:260:40:29

It was a large, very imposing building. It had presence.

0:40:290:40:34

It was a house you could be justifiably proud of.

0:40:340:40:37

How did you feel about the outside space with that property?

0:40:370:40:41

The outside, unfortunately, was where it did fall apart for us.

0:40:410:40:46

It didn't really have open lawns

0:40:460:40:49

or open paddocks that the children could go out and play and cycle.

0:40:490:40:53

By the end of the first day, it became very apparent

0:40:530:40:56

-that the outside space and land was more of an issue for you.

-Yes.

0:40:560:41:00

So, what did you think about the house with the land?

0:41:000:41:04

The house itself was a little disappointing.

0:41:040:41:07

We felt a bit claustrophobic.

0:41:070:41:09

It's probably a bit mean to say, but we're spending a lot of money.

0:41:090:41:13

To make that what we're looking for, we'd have to do a lot to it.

0:41:130:41:17

Well, there are a lot of separate elements to your requirements.

0:41:170:41:22

Finding a property that would give you all that was going to be difficult.

0:41:220:41:26

But let's talk about the mystery house.

0:41:260:41:28

It was a good surprise, definitely.

0:41:280:41:30

I think what started to happen

0:41:300:41:32

is that the land has become...

0:41:320:41:36

something that we can think about over time.

0:41:360:41:41

It's become apparent to me, I think,

0:41:410:41:43

that the accommodation, where we're going to be, as a family with extended family is important.

0:41:430:41:49

-That's what we want to continue, this happy home.

-Yes.

0:41:490:41:53

Grandma would be very well accommodated!

0:41:530:41:56

We'll never get rid of her!

0:41:560:41:58

LAUGHTER

0:41:580:42:01

Well, lots of opportunities, lots of properties.

0:42:010:42:04

Lots of options, which is what you want. But have you made any decisions?

0:42:040:42:08

The favourite house out of the properties you showed us was the mystery house.

0:42:080:42:12

So the decision is that we're gonna go and have a look at that again.

0:42:120:42:17

Good. I'm glad we helped you along the journey a little.

0:42:170:42:20

That's what we love to do.

0:42:200:42:22

We're pleased we've helped you along your way.

0:42:220:42:25

It's been two years in the making!

0:42:250:42:27

Time is of the essence. With any luck, it won't be long before you make your move to Somerset.

0:42:270:42:32

-Hope so.

-Thank you so much for everything that everyone has done.

0:42:320:42:36

It's been brilliant. It's helped us to focus at a time when we need to.

0:42:360:42:41

-We really appreciate it. Thank you.

-Pleasure. Thank you.

0:42:410:42:44

Somerset is a wonderful county

0:42:490:42:51

of mystery, myths and legends.

0:42:510:42:53

Hopefully we've helped Helen and Richard to find their happy ending.

0:42:530:42:58

I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.

0:42:580:43:01

The latest from Richard and Helen is that they did return to the mystery house

0:43:020:43:06

but they've had an offer accepted on a Victorian property near the small town of Frome.

0:43:060:43:11

If you would like to escape to the country

0:43:110:43:14

and need our help, please contact us through our website:

0:43:140:43:18

Subtitles by Moira Diamond Red Bee Media - 2009

0:43:440:43:47

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