Worcestershire Escape to the Country


Worcestershire

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Today I'm in a county that's famous for this stuff - gorgeous, natural spring water,

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ready to drink, filtered by the granite in the hills that surround me. On a hot day like this...

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..Mmm! It's absolutely fantastic.

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It's so good, they say the Queen never travels without a bottle of it by her side.

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Frankly, if it's good enough for Her Majesty,

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it's certainly good enough for me. Stick around for a very refreshing Escape To The Country.

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In today's show, I'll be helping a couple escape suburbia for pastures new in the countryside.

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-This is lovely.

-Isn't it?

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-Oh!

-Look.

-Oh, well done.

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I'll be guiding them around a selection of rural homes

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and we almost get full marks.

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-I'll give you a nine-and-a-half out of ten.

-Hurray! Great!

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And of course there's the mystery house, but will any of our offerings have them heading for the country?

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Today I'm in Worcestershire, standing on top of its famous landmark, the Malvern Hills -

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famous of course for all of that wonderful water.

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They've been drinking it around here for centuries,

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but by the 19th century, Malvern itself had become something of a spa town.

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The great luminaries of the day would come here to take the waters for its restorative powers.

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Among them, the poet Tennyson, and the father of evolution himself, Charles Darwin.

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As you can see from the glorious landscape, there's a lot more to this place than just a drink.

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Worcestershire lies in the West Midlands,

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bordered by five counties.

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One of its most striking land forms are the Malvern Hills,

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which rise dramatically from the plain below.

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At their foot sits Great Malvern. Internationally renowned for its spring water,

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it was also home to one of Britain's most treasured composers - Edward Elgar.

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Delving deeper into the history books,

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the county town of Worcester is dominated by the 12th-century cathedral.

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Today the canals that were the motorways of yesteryear offer attractive places to live.

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If you don't fancy life on the water, then there's a rich variety of housing stock to choose from.

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It has been argued over the years that Worcestershire

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has been the poorer cousin of its glamorous neighbour, Gloucestershire,

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but I think all that is changing.

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In large part, that's due to better transport links,

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not least the new M6 toll road, which really is opening up the entire region.

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But here are a few facts and figures for you.

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In the '90s, people moving into Worcestershire accounted for around 20% of all house sales.

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These days, you can double that. And there's more good news.

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Over in Gloucestershire,

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your average four-bed will set you back a whopping £22,000 more

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than it will here. So as you can see,

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plenty of good reasons to move to this county and as ever,

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there are some fantastic properties on offer.

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If you're looking for a large slice of Worcestershire and have a budget to match,

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then how about this five-bedroom property in Malvern Wells at just under £1.9 million?

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The farmhouse and barn were redeveloped eight years ago

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and are now an impressive family home.

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You'll need to sit on a mower for the ten-acre plot.

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Alternatively, £525,000 would buy

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this four-bedroom cottage just outside Franche.

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Dating back to the 1800s,

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it's the beams and brickwork that help to give this property its cosy feel.

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The veranda is perfectly positioned for soaking up the wonderful view.

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And finally, if you're looking for a stylish home on a more modest £325,000 budget,

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then look no further than this 17th-century, two-bedroom cottage in Broadway.

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The interiors are the epitome of modernity and it's topped off with a pretty courtyard garden.

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So if that sneaky peek at the Worcestershire property market has whetted your appetite

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and you fancy moving here, you're in good company, cos that's exactly what today's buyers want to do.

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Financial director Martin and wife Kim share their modern Wolverhampton home with their two daughters,

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19-year-old Kimberley and 22-year-old Sarah-May,

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plus a menagerie of animals that includes dogs, cats, chickens,

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and goats. In addition, there are four equine friends based two miles away,

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who are the driving force behind this move. Until now,

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it's been the girls who've made the journey to look after them, but that's about to change.

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It takes us ten minutes to get here and it'll be more convenient in the next house

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if Mum can step out of the back door and help us out more if we're jetting off with our careers.

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So it looks like the job has fallen to Mum. Meanwhile,

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Martin works from home, but needs to travel regularly for his job

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so good access to the road networks is important.

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After a 2.5-year search,

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finding a property that suits in the right location is proving tricky.

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-We've looked at quite a few properties.

-We have looked at a lot.

-A lot of properties.

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We've found that either the house is perfect and the land isn't, or the land is perfect and the house isn't.

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And when husband and wife are looking for different styles,

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that doesn't help either.

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I really like period properties,

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I love fireplaces, room for a range, beams,

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any old-fashioned features.

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I like period properties, but I'm also open to more modern properties.

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They have the advantage of being more energy efficient, quite often more spacious,

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-and therefore they can be more light and airy.

-Whatever. Dream on!

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I sense a storm brewing. So what will make them happy?

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The perfect house for me would be three double bedrooms,

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um, en suite would be fabulous.

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Downstairs, I'd like a large kitchen, separate dining room,

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possibly a study and a large lounge.

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I would like the house to be period as well.

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Outside, we would need a minimum of five acres of grazing,

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stable block and preferably, though not essential, a manege,

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but as long as there's room to put one in, that would be fine.

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Before we can start our search,

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Martin and Kim are getting an up-to-date valuation for their house.

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This is a fine, detached family house

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ideally located for schools and amenities.

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I value this property at £399,950.

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With that in mind, what's the budget for this next move?

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Our budget for the move is between £600-650,000.

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So the budget is sorted, but is the road to the dream property paved with harmony?

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To try and find the property that we both 100% agree on, I think is probably impossible.

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As long as he agrees with me, it's not a problem at all.

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Point taken! It'll have to be a compromise. How big I HAVE to compromise is the question.

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Now you might be forgiven for thinking that we're looking for more of an ark than a house,

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for this lot, after all, their £650,000 is going to have to go some way

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to finding the right sort of land to accommodate their four horses and a growing menagerie of animals.

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That will affect the sort of property we can offer them.

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Within that, they want three bedrooms and a nice big kitchen-diner,

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and a study, but here's the rub - Kim wants something old and characterful,

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whereas Martin is quite happy for something quite modern.

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Add to that they both think that they're the boss in this relationship...

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I think this could all get quite interesting, really!

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With Martin's commute in mind, we're concentrating our search

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in hamlets and villages within easy reach of the motorway network.

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Over two days, I'll be showing them around some superb equestrian properties

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but I'll be asking my buyers to guess the price, once they've had a good look around.

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And last is the mystery house -

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a property chosen to challenge their idea of the country dream.

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Well, chaps, here we are on the banks of the Severn, how about that?

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BOTH: Beautiful.

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This house search is slightly different to many because

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-this is driven by your passion for horses, isn't it?

-Yes, definitely.

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-You really do want them out the back door, which they're not at the moment.

-No, they're not.

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So, are we looking for a house with stables or stables with a house?

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It depends who you ask. Ask the horses!

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But, of course, you've also got two lovely daughters as well, and a growing flock of other animals.

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Lots of them. Yes, like a mini zoo.

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You've been looking for some time...

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We have, about two-and-a-half to three years now.

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-That's what worries me.

-It worries us as well!

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You've given us some good numbers to work with, £650,000 or thereabouts

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which is a healthy budget, but we have to accommodate an awful lot

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for that. Are you both going to agree, do you think?

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Yes, definitely.

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Possibly!

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I love it, "Possibly". Let's leave it at possibly and see how we get on. Come on.

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So, for their budget of £650,000, Martin and Kim are looking for an equestrian property.

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Kim is eager to find a large kitchen and Martin needs a study, as he works from home.

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As the girls will move with them, they need three bedrooms

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and above all, there has to be a stable block

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with at least five acres of land.

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It's a tall order,

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but let's hope we can find something that fits the bill.

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Well, having thought about this move for so long,

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how do you feel now that we're at the threshold of a new era for you?

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Excited, I think.

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Looking forward to seeing these houses. It'll be very exciting, yes.

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But you are, by your own admission, Kim, very picky.

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-I'm very picky, yes.

-Am I right to be nervous?

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-Very right.

-Just be afraid.

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Be afraid? I've never heard that before!

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You've never met ME before!

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It sounds like we could be in for a rough ride, although I hope not!

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The first house we've arranged to see is in Hurtle Hill, just north

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of the Malvern Hills and 15 miles from the county town of Worcester.

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It's an incredibly rural area and there's the bonus of being on the doorstep of the Wyre Forest,

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one of the largest remaining ancient woodlands in Britain.

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Stourport-on-Severn would be Martin and Kim's local town.

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Situated on the banks of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal,

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by the late 1700s, it had become the busiest inland port in the Midlands.

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Back in Hurtle Hill, our first house comes with a splendid bonus.

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OK, here we are, our first offering of the day.

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Wow, that is a view to die for, isn't it?

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-Isn't it just?

-Absolutely.

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-You wanted Worcestershire, there it is.

-Beautiful.

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The house itself is there. That is an old grain store.

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-OK.

-1850, built to go with this farmhouse behind us.

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-Yes.

-So they are your neighbours in the farmhouse but you get that.

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-Right.

-You like old and characterful.

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-I do, yes.

-You want something more contemporary.

-Yes.

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I think this could offer you the best of both worlds because you've got a nice period building

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but it lends itself to having quite a contemporary feel for you to kind of put your own mark on it.

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I'm interested in this little tussle between you, old and new.

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I'm being very quiet at the moment, have you noticed?

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-Well...

-I have to wait for the first reaction from Kim.

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It is more you from the outside, isn't it?

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-Yes.

-So I'm very interested to get on the inside. That is just wow.

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-But your outside impressions are?

-Favourable.

-Favourable.

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I'll take favourable as a start. Right, come on.

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Right, in you come.

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Now, what do you reckon?

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-Lovely.

-Surprised.

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-Are you?

-Yes.

-Why surprised?

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Because the outside, I think, had the modern feel.

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-Yeah.

-You have got the beams and the oldie feel that I know Kim likes.

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-A big smile, look.

-Hurrah.

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Just up here, we have got your downstairs cloakroom as well,

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which is always useful, but let's start with the kitchen.

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Come and have a look at this.

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-Range, well done, and a hob.

-And a hob.

-Very clever.

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In terms of space, kitchen/diner.

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It's a great space.

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I don't feel claustrophobic, which sometimes with the cottage-type property...

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You've got the beamed ceilings, but I can still stand up tall.

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Good. Well, it does go on in terms of space.

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Through that door, we've got you a nice little utility room as well,

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and next door to that, a really big and useful walk-in pantry.

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Brilliant. Fabulous. So far, so good.

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Let's go and find you a reception room, somewhere to relax. You're going to need that.

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-OK, so this is your principle reception room.

-OK.

-OK.

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-Nice.

-Great fireplace.

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But in terms of you and the girls, you know, relaxing, Sunday evening...

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No, this is a good space. The big German shepherd in front of the fire.

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-The Jack Russell up the corner, no problem.

-Great!

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-Horses in that corner?

-Yeah, yeah.

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-Probably with head through windows being fed by the girls. They'd like that.

-Anything is possible.

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Well, let's have a look upstairs before we head outside and see what we can find up there for you.

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'Fantastic. The mix of old and new seems to be appealing to both of them.

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'Maybe this house search won't be as tricky as I thought.'

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Upstairs, there are four bedrooms, one more than they actually asked for.

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The first three are roughly the same size, so Sarah-May and Kimberley

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can take their pick, leaving one spare for Dad to use as an office.

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The family bathroom is small, but the girls will have it

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to themselves as Mum and Dad get an en suite with their room.

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So, finally...

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Ah, lovely. Dual aspect. Brilliant. Brings the light in.

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She has got all the lingo, look.

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Dual aspect. The other thing it has, though, is a really lovely en suite.

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Go and have a look through there, Martin. Tell me what you think.

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-Good size.

-Yeah.

-Not bad, is it?

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Really good size and, like the family bathroom, it has just been redone.

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Very tasteful.

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-We like the house so far?

-We do.

-Great.

-Surprisingly.

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Good. Well, I'm not surprised, I think it's a great house. But I'm glad you do.

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-Not the house, just us agreeing!

-You can agree sometimes.

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-All right, let's go outside and see if we agree on the land because that's...

-The key issue.

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That's the money, isn't it?

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'Well, who would have thought, having been given the heads up that

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'they were going to be difficult, this seems like a walk in the park.'

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-Pretty.

-It is very, yes.

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From the back of the property there are staggering uninterrupted views of the Malvern Hills.

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They also have plenty of land as the house comes with

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a two-acre garden with a mixed orchard and a five-acre paddock.

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Closer to the house, there is also a double garage.

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Now, there are no purpose-built stables at the moment.

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They are something you would have to look into doing.

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As much as I like the house, that's got to be the big question mark.

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If I can't put the stable block, then...

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-It's not going to work.

-And we both like the house, how amazing is that?

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I think that's a first.

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Well, OK, I'm happy to take that.

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So let's have a think about the money, shall we?

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You've got £650,000 to play with.

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Let's ask the accountant.

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I would say 600.

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600.

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I think it's a bit more. I think probably about 620-ish.

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OK, not bad, actually.

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Well, it does begin with a six, but it continues with a 630.

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-£630,000.

-Quite close.

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I don't think it is an unreasonable figure for, you know, where it is, its situation and what's on offer.

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Yes. No, I don't think it is an unreasonable...

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But it is something for you to think about.

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Yes, we like it very much, so it is food for thought.

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Go and explore and I'll catch up with you later.

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-Thanks.

-Off you go.

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Brilliant, well, what an interesting start to our house search, and the key thing is that for two people

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who were sure they wouldn't actually agree on a property, they have agreed on this one.

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Will they agree on whether it's actually the one to go for? I wonder.

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At £630,000, this barn conversion would offer Martin and Kim the space they need.

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It has a large kitchen/diner with the range Kim is looking for.

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Four bedrooms, one of which Martin could use as a study,

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a double garage,

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and seven acres of land including an orchard and paddock.

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Beautiful house. Absolutely stunning. Why it's still on the market, I do not know.

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I'm actually quite gutted that we have come out here

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and seen this cliff drop here, you know, it's a shame.

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It's suitable for sheep and goats, but not for horses.

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-No.

-No.

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I love the house. The gardens are beautiful,

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but unfortunately, it's just a little too steep in places for our horses.

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In all, it was a very good first impression and the views are superb.

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It's the equestrian side that really is the big issue that I'm struggling to get my mind round to see,

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can it be overcome?

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-Enjoy your walk?

-Yes, thank you.

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-Did you see enough?

-Just about, yes.

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Just about, right, come on, then.

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Let's go.

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For Martin and Kim, a move to this area will bring them close

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to the ancient city of Worcester.

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To give them an insider's guide, they're meeting local expert Georgia Smith.

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This street was really important in the English Civil War.

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It was the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

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This street that we're standing in now, peaceful and calm as it is today,

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saw lots of hand-to-hand fighting

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as the Royalist troops tried to give Charles I time to escape from the city.

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History goes back even further just around the corner at the cathedral.

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The core of it dates back to 1084 and it's home to the largest Norman crypt in England.

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It contains the remains of King John,

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famous for betraying his brother Richard the Lionheart.

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King John was also forced to sign the Magna Carta in 1215 following a dispute with the barons.

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We're right by the tomb of King John.

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Quite a tyrant in his day.

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But I think he realised that he wasn't a fantastic person so he asked to be buried between

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these two saints,

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Oswald and Wulfstan.

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Wulfstan was the founder of Worcester Cathedral and King John thought that,

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by being buried between them,

0:18:490:18:51

he might get to heaven off their coat tails.

0:18:510:18:54

Just opposite the cathedral stands a statue of another famous name associated with Worcester,

0:18:560:19:02

Edward Elgar, the renowned English composer

0:19:020:19:05

whose great works include Land Of Hope And Glory.

0:19:050:19:08

Following his death in 1934,

0:19:080:19:09

his daughter established a museum in the cottage in which he was born three miles from the city centre.

0:19:090:19:15

We can see here a real slice of Elgar's life.

0:19:150:19:18

Things that meant a lot to him.

0:19:180:19:21

I think one of the really interesting things in this room is the gramophone.

0:19:210:19:24

Elgar live at just the right time to be able to benefit from technological changes

0:19:240:19:29

so he was one of the first composers who was able to hear his own music recorded

0:19:290:19:33

and to direct how it sounded.

0:19:330:19:35

What other interests did Elgar have?

0:19:350:19:36

He was a very keen cyclist

0:19:360:19:39

so he would cycle all over the countryside here in Worcestershire

0:19:390:19:42

and of course, some of that countryside was a real inspiration for his music.

0:19:420:19:46

It is undoubtedly a beautiful part of the country.

0:19:460:19:49

Let's hope the landscape inspires Martin and Kim enough to find their dream property.

0:19:490:19:55

The next house we've lined up is in Castle Morton.

0:19:570:20:00

Sitting in the Malvern Hills and eight miles from the town of Great Malvern,

0:20:000:20:03

this attractive small village could be the perfect for a horse-loving family to settle.

0:20:030:20:08

The quiet roads would offer them plenty of opportunities for leisurely rides,

0:20:080:20:12

taking in the views over the surrounding countryside.

0:20:120:20:16

Welland is just a couple of miles away, and like most rural villages,

0:20:160:20:18

the pub and local shop are the focal point of the community.

0:20:180:20:22

Our next house should be right up Kim's street.

0:20:220:20:25

-Lots and lots and lots of period charm in here...

-Excellent.

0:20:250:20:29

-..which I know you're going to love.

-Yes.

0:20:290:20:31

-Love it.

-I think you'll like it.

0:20:310:20:33

It's really interesting, this.

0:20:330:20:35

Plenty of land which we'll explore a bit later.

0:20:350:20:38

Is this what you had in mind in terms of period and character?

0:20:380:20:41

Not from the outside, but I don't dislike it at all.

0:20:410:20:43

-I think you're going to love it.

-Let's hope so.

-Let's hope so.

0:20:430:20:46

Look at that face! I hope so, too.

0:20:460:20:48

I feel a little under pressure now, but again I think this house has

0:20:480:20:52

the mix they're looking for, but I'm sure they'll let me know if it doesn't.

0:20:520:20:56

There is so much to show you here, but let's start with the kitchen.

0:20:560:21:00

Now this, I think, is what you were thinking about.

0:21:000:21:02

-This is lovely.

-Isn't it?

-Ah!

0:21:020:21:05

-Look.

-Oh, well done.

0:21:050:21:07

Nice, new range.

0:21:070:21:09

-That is fabulous.

-In terms of size...

0:21:090:21:12

It's spacious, it's not too cluttered.

0:21:120:21:14

-No.

-But it has got everything in here.

0:21:140:21:16

-Brilliant. So we like the kitchen?

-We do very much.

-I thought you might.

0:21:160:21:20

Top marks here then, and the bonus is that the noisy washing machine could be tucked away in the utility

0:21:200:21:25

room just at the end of the kitchen, where there is also a cloakroom and access to a snug, which the

0:21:250:21:30

girls might like to snap up as a bit of space for themselves.

0:21:300:21:33

Back off the hall is a more formal room.

0:21:330:21:36

Now, this is currently set up as the dining room.

0:21:370:21:40

-Lovely.

-It is a nice sized room.

0:21:400:21:42

Now, it has been beautifully dressed, you're going to have

0:21:420:21:46

to go and raid all the local antique shops in Malvern to fill this up with lots of lovely furniture.

0:21:460:21:51

-Well, the wallet is.

-The wallet?

0:21:510:21:53

Yes, the wallet. That's what we call him at home.

0:21:530:21:56

The girls, "Go and find the wallet."

0:21:560:21:58

Oh, my goodness me. You're not going to have much money left after this little expedition.

0:21:580:22:02

That is what is worrying me!

0:22:020:22:04

OK. But back to you, what the wallet might have to afford, it is really, really pretty, so you've

0:22:040:22:10

got this as a dining/reception room, but next door, bearing in mind this was two old cottages,

0:22:100:22:16

you've got a similar sized room, which is probably going to be your main living room.

0:22:160:22:21

Come and have a look at this.

0:22:210:22:22

So, very similar to the room next door, pretty much a mirror image,

0:22:240:22:28

OK, but this dedicated really now as the main living room.

0:22:280:22:33

-It's lovely.

-It's a nice size.

0:22:330:22:35

-Very airy, very light.

-That's nice too, a lovely wood burner there.

0:22:350:22:39

So how are we doing so far? I know you love it.

0:22:390:22:42

I'm getting a little bit nervous, not for the house, I like the house, what I have seen so far.

0:22:420:22:49

I'm just worried whether the land outside will match

0:22:490:22:52

so we get the whole package because that's always been the key problem.

0:22:520:22:56

We can't seem it marry the two so hopefully...

0:22:560:23:00

Until now.

0:23:000:23:01

Until now, I wonder. Let's see what we can find you upstairs.

0:23:010:23:05

This is great. No major fallouts yet.

0:23:080:23:10

Upstairs, Martin will have to grab one of the four bedrooms as a study

0:23:100:23:14

and then, of course, there is one each for the girls.

0:23:140:23:18

The well-appointed family bathroom is at the end of the landing,

0:23:180:23:22

but let's see what the master has to offer.

0:23:220:23:25

So this is what we have in store for you two.

0:23:260:23:28

Lovely. Yes. Lots of light.

0:23:310:23:33

-Yeah. Loads of light.

-Yes.

0:23:330:23:35

-Loads of storage too behind those doors.

-Enough room for my suits.

0:23:350:23:39

Come and have a look at this.

0:23:390:23:41

Oh, great. I'm very excited now.

0:23:410:23:44

-Yeah?

-Lovely.

0:23:440:23:46

-En suite.

-Yeah? OK.

-Yeah.

0:23:460:23:49

Good. I thought you would like that.

0:23:490:23:51

So I think...

0:23:530:23:55

this house is doing quite well for you.

0:23:550:23:57

-It's doing very well.

-Well, let's go outside because that, I think, is what is going to swing it.

0:23:570:24:03

-Really?

-If it needs swinging.

0:24:030:24:04

This is too good to be true and I don't think they will be disappointed with the outside.

0:24:070:24:12

OK. Let's have a look at the back of this very pretty little place.

0:24:130:24:18

How about that?

0:24:200:24:22

-That's lovely.

-Yeah?

0:24:220:24:23

-Isn't it sweet?

-Yes.

0:24:230:24:26

The gravelled area offers the opportunity for some alfresco dining,

0:24:260:24:29

great in the summer and it overlooks the terrific garden

0:24:290:24:33

packed with mature shrubs which offers a boundary between here and where the horses would live.

0:24:330:24:38

-OK, let's see if this promise of land is all that it has been cracked up to be, shall we?

-Yeah.

0:24:380:24:44

That lot...

0:24:450:24:47

is yours.

0:24:470:24:49

-Nine acres of really, really good pasture.

-That is excellent.

0:24:490:24:54

-Level.

-Yes, it is level as well, but you can see the quality of the grass is there, that's very good.

0:24:540:25:00

-That's got the potential.

-Definitely.

0:25:000:25:02

Now, there are no stables as such at present, but you also get that great big barn,

0:25:020:25:07

so I'm thinking go down the internal stable route, free standing, loose boxes.

0:25:070:25:12

Yes, definitely because that's certainly big enough.

0:25:120:25:15

-So have we completed the package?

-I don't know yet. How much?

0:25:150:25:19

Ah, right, OK.

0:25:190:25:21

The accountant comes back, you see.

0:25:210:25:23

Good point, all right. So how much do you think it is?

0:25:230:25:28

Let's hope 630, but I think it might be more.

0:25:290:25:32

-£630, nine acres?

-I know. I know.

0:25:320:25:34

I'm very nervous that you've actually gone over budget.

0:25:340:25:37

We're not prepared to go over budget so I'm going to have to say 650.

0:25:370:25:41

-650?

-Yeah.

-And you really don't want to go over budget?

0:25:410:25:44

No.

0:25:440:25:46

Well, the good news is that it's not over budget.

0:25:460:25:50

This could be yours if you want it for £645,000.

0:25:500:25:56

-OK, yeah.

-But it's all here.

0:25:560:25:58

Yes, it's worth it, definitely.

0:25:580:26:02

-I'll give you a 9.5 out of ten.

-Great.

0:26:020:26:06

Your pockets feeling a bit lighter?

0:26:060:26:08

-Yes, I'm feeling nervous now.

-Feeling sick now.

0:26:080:26:13

-Well, go and explore the barn. Check out this gorgeous property as well while you're at it.

-Well done.

0:26:130:26:18

Go and enjoy.

0:26:180:26:20

At £645,000, this could be the ideal property for Martin and Kim.

0:26:210:26:27

It has a family style kitchen/diner with a range,

0:26:270:26:30

four bedrooms, one of which Martin could claim as a study,

0:26:300:26:33

a barn that could be used for stables and it all sits on a nine-acre plot.

0:26:330:26:38

OK, this is a great space. We could do something with this.

0:26:400:26:44

Yes. Integral stables.

0:26:440:26:46

Yes, and the great thing about it because all the horses

0:26:460:26:49

are different sizes, we could get different sized stables in.

0:26:490:26:52

-This is nice and light. The girls would love it in here.

-Yes, but I think it'd be more practical...

0:26:530:26:59

-..as a boot room with the tacks secured.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

0:27:000:27:03

-You'd have to try and persuade those two otherwise.

-True.

0:27:040:27:07

In the last three years, we have seen a lot of houses and this is very close to ticking all the boxes.

0:27:070:27:12

So therefore, yes, it's very much a property that I'm interested in.

0:27:120:27:19

If I'm being highly critical, upstairs was a little small,

0:27:190:27:23

but I think in every property you have to compromise and that would be it, but it's still very do-able.

0:27:230:27:28

It's still a lovely property.

0:27:280:27:30

I wasn't sure you were ever going to come out of there.

0:27:300:27:35

-Lots to look at?

-Yes.

0:27:350:27:36

-Definitely worth bringing you here to see it.

-Absolutely.

0:27:360:27:40

-A lot to think about.

-Yes.

-And a lot to take in.

0:27:400:27:44

A lot to spend as well. Come on.

0:27:440:27:47

Like Martin and Kim, I am a passionate gardener,

0:27:480:27:51

creating something out of nothing is a challenge I'm used to,

0:27:510:27:54

but how do you go about it when your garden is a simple one-acre plot, it's a whole landscape?

0:27:540:27:59

I've come to this glorious estate near Bestford to find out.

0:27:590:28:03

Now, as Britons our love of gardening is well-known, but here at Croome Park in 1751,

0:28:030:28:08

one man took that passion to a whole new level.

0:28:080:28:11

He has rightly been described as England's greater ever gardener

0:28:110:28:15

and his name was Lancelot "Capability" Brown.

0:28:150:28:19

To discover more about the link between the estate and Capability Brown,

0:28:190:28:23

I'm meeting the National Trust co-ordinator, Michael Smith.

0:28:230:28:26

Good to see you. What a gorgeous view. Look at this place.

0:28:260:28:30

Why is Croome Park so significant in the story of Capability Brown?

0:28:300:28:33

This was the place where Brown defined his philosophy of landscape design.

0:28:330:28:37

He worked as the head gardener at Stow for ten years, all the time learning about how great design

0:28:370:28:42

could be put in place at a landscape and this is the chance, this very first chance to develop one himself.

0:28:420:28:48

He was handed 14,000 acres to play with by the sixth Earl of Coventry in 1751

0:28:480:28:53

and he created one of his grandest pieces of work.

0:28:530:28:56

Attention to detail was paramount and Brown even went to the extent

0:28:560:29:01

of moving the church to improve the landscape's horizon.

0:29:010:29:04

He then set about creating a parkland design for the enjoyment of his patron.

0:29:040:29:09

Oh, this is lovely, isn't it?

0:29:120:29:13

And all of a sudden this watery landscape opens up and Brown's kept this hidden until this very point.

0:29:130:29:18

No Capability Brown landscape is complete without water, is it?

0:29:180:29:22

And there are various ways of doing it. In some estates Brown had to dam an existing water course,

0:29:220:29:27

but here at Croome, he hasn't got any water to play with and what he does is set out a series

0:29:270:29:31

of immense brick line culvert drains to draw in water for the whole of the 14,000 acres of the estate.

0:29:310:29:36

It is very pleasing to the eye, and yet it is a complete piece of illusion.

0:29:360:29:41

It is like an 18th century theme park, isn't it?

0:29:410:29:43

You turn a corner and there's another attraction, another folly,

0:29:430:29:46

a grotto, maybe a statue of a water nymph.

0:29:460:29:48

Michael's passion for this garden is infectious and it is easy to see why.

0:29:480:29:53

-What have we got here?

-Just around the corner from the grotto,

0:29:540:29:58

we have the lasting testament to Capability Brown.

0:29:580:30:01

Capability Brown was very much his nickname. What Brown found here was something

0:30:010:30:05

called Seggymere Common, a great boggy, soggy piece of land.

0:30:050:30:09

Brown got that nickname from looking out at places like Seggymere, spotting their potential

0:30:090:30:14

and saying to his patrons, "Yes, this place has got Capability".

0:30:140:30:17

What do you think is his enduring legacy?

0:30:170:30:19

Well, it is not just the physical creation of landscape.

0:30:190:30:23

What Brown left as an imprint on our minds, the way we appreciate English landscape today

0:30:230:30:27

is very much defined by how Brown saw landscape back in the 18th century.

0:30:270:30:32

It is rather fitting that this memorial should be here where his career really took off.

0:30:320:30:36

This grand landscape may be a little over elaborate for Martin and Kim, but it's certainly worth a visit.

0:30:360:30:42

As the afternoon sun dies away, it's a chance to take a break

0:30:440:30:48

-and reflect on the search so far.

-So what do you think of the day?

0:30:480:30:53

-It was very interesting. The converted grain store, what did you think?

-I was pleasantly surprised.

0:30:530:30:58

It was very airy.

0:30:590:31:01

The high ceilings, both downstairs and up,

0:31:010:31:03

we could move in there, not have to spend any money on it at all.

0:31:030:31:07

-Fabulous kitchen.

-Yeah, nice kitchen.

0:31:070:31:09

-The garden was brilliant.

-The views were beautiful.

0:31:090:31:12

And the orchard for the chickens and all the animals, except for the horses. It wouldn't work.

0:31:120:31:17

-It just doesn't work as an equestrian property.

-No.

0:31:170:31:19

-What about the Victorian farmhouse?

-Now that is really gorgeous.

0:31:190:31:24

Each room was sizeable and airy.

0:31:240:31:27

-Hmm. Downstairs was stunning.

-I like downstairs.

0:31:270:31:31

Overall, I mean,

0:31:310:31:32

-that has ticked a lot of the boxes.

-It has.

0:31:320:31:35

It's got very close. I'm really looking forward to tomorrow

0:31:350:31:38

to see if they can find something that ticks all the boxes.

0:31:380:31:42

I don't think they'll do it.

0:31:420:31:44

-Well, let's see.

-I don't.

0:31:440:31:46

We'll have to have a bet on it!

0:31:460:31:48

Martin and Kim from Wolverhampton have £650,000 to spend

0:31:580:32:01

to find themselves an equestrian property in Worcestershire.

0:32:010:32:05

Two and a half years after starting their own search, they don't seem

0:32:050:32:09

to be able to find a house that suits their different tastes.

0:32:090:32:12

So far, we have shown them two properties, but coming up Kim decides it's time to cave in.

0:32:120:32:16

If that's the only compromise, I might be prepared to go with it.

0:32:160:32:20

Get that on tape!

0:32:200:32:22

Our final day of house-hunting is upon us and as you can probably tell, it's going to be a scorcher,

0:32:250:32:31

I hope in more ways than one. At this stage, I think it's a story of so far so good,

0:32:310:32:36

and that's because both Martin and Kim have remained very focused on what it is exactly they're after.

0:32:360:32:41

Today, two more properties, both very different,

0:32:410:32:43

but they do have one thing in common - no surprise, it's all about horses.

0:32:430:32:48

I can't wait to get cracking this morning as we've arranged a viewing

0:32:490:32:53

on a fabulous property in a rural location

0:32:530:32:55

two miles south of Stourport-on-Severn.

0:32:550:32:58

Hartlebury would be one of Martin and Kim's local villages.

0:32:580:33:01

As you might expect, it has a church and pub, but there are not many

0:33:010:33:05

villages that can boast their own castle.

0:33:050:33:07

Hartlebury Castle was built in the mid-13th century

0:33:070:33:10

as a fortified manor house and was home to the bishops of Worcester until 2007.

0:33:100:33:14

The servants' wing now houses the Worcester County Museum.

0:33:150:33:19

This next property, with its superb facilities, could be the winning ticket,

0:33:190:33:22

but Martin and Kim will have to be the judge of that.

0:33:220:33:26

-Well, I thought we'd start today here.

-Wow.

0:33:260:33:29

-What do you think of this?

-It's a nice yard.

-Very nice yard.

0:33:290:33:33

-It's the first property we've been able to show you that has stabling all ready to go.

-Yeah.

0:33:330:33:37

That brings us back to this tussle between whether we're finding a house with stables

0:33:370:33:42

or stables with a house. My sense with this place

0:33:420:33:45

is that it is about stables with a house.

0:33:450:33:48

-But the big compromise here is that.

-Yes.

0:33:480:33:51

-I'm not sure...

-It's a very large compromise.

0:33:510:33:54

It is a big compromise, but when you see what you get up there

0:33:540:33:58

in terms of the horses,

0:33:580:34:00

-I think you'll feel it was a worth coming.

-OK.

0:34:000:34:03

-All right.

-We'll be open-minded.

-You're going to be have to be, because the house itself

0:34:030:34:07

is very extensive. There's a lot of it. We'll whizz through there fairly briefly

0:34:070:34:11

-and then we'll go outside and see what the horses get.

-Great.

0:34:110:34:14

Come and have a look.

0:34:140:34:16

OK, let's start in here.

0:34:180:34:21

-Oh, it's quite impressive.

-It's a good size.

-It's not bad.

0:34:210:34:25

But have a look in the living room. A number of reception rooms here, but we'll start with this one.

0:34:250:34:29

-It's a good size.

-Yeah.

-Nice fireplace. Lovely.

0:34:290:34:33

That's currently got a gas fire in it,

0:34:330:34:35

but again, that can be reconstituted

0:34:350:34:38

to be the real thing. Again, the sandstone, which is lovely.

0:34:380:34:41

-And views out to the garden.

-Yeah.

0:34:410:34:44

-Follow me through here.

-OK.

0:34:450:34:47

Now this...

0:34:480:34:50

-..is a whopper of a fireplace.

-Wow.

-That is nice.

-Very nice.

0:34:510:34:54

-Very impressive.

-Yeah.

-Again, it has a gas fire in it for ease, really, but the flues are all there.

0:34:540:34:58

Let's have a look at the kitchen. It's right through here.

0:34:580:35:01

-After you, sir.

-Thank you.

0:35:010:35:03

-Ooh, lovely.

-Belfast sink, I've always wanted one of those.

0:35:030:35:06

It doesn't have... Well, it's an electric gas range,

0:35:060:35:10

-but again, size-wise, space-wise...

-It works.

-Yeah. OK.

0:35:100:35:13

Well, I'm being given the nod so I guess they're happy so far.

0:35:150:35:18

Off the kitchen is a rear lobby which is currently used as a tack room and from there

0:35:180:35:22

is access to a cloakroom which could be very useful.

0:35:220:35:26

There's also a snug study, which is small, but apart from a computer

0:35:260:35:29

and a printer, what more will Martin need?

0:35:290:35:31

And the study doesn't mean we're a bedroom down upstairs.

0:35:310:35:35

This house has four so there's plenty of space.

0:35:350:35:37

The first two rooms are a good size

0:35:370:35:40

and I'm sure Sarah-May and Kimberley will be happy with them.

0:35:400:35:43

Then there's a small guestroom or an alternative option for study for Martin.

0:35:430:35:47

Across the landing is the family bathroom,

0:35:470:35:49

which might not be grand in size, but certainly is in style.

0:35:490:35:53

And again, the lucky girls can make this their domain as Mum and Dad have a master suite.

0:35:530:35:57

-It's a decent size.

-Yeah.

-Wow!

-Yeah!

0:35:580:36:01

This is great. This is en suite and dressing area. Have a look.

0:36:020:36:06

-How about that?

-Oh, that's lovely.

0:36:060:36:08

-Oh, look at that bath.

-It is nice.

-Very nice.

0:36:090:36:12

They squeezed in a roll top there.

0:36:120:36:14

-So this is a nice bonus. Somewhere for all your stuff.

-Plenty of room for my suits.

0:36:160:36:20

-My little bit, his huge bit.

-Yeah, I love it.

0:36:210:36:24

It's a nice house. Yes, it needs a bit of updating and TLC...

0:36:240:36:28

Well, the outside is really what this place is all about. That's why we've brought you here

0:36:280:36:33

and that's why this house tour has been brief, because the tour outside will have to be quite extensive.

0:36:330:36:38

Come and have a look.

0:36:380:36:39

There is certainly plenty of space here for the family

0:36:410:36:43

and I can guarantee that the horses won't be shortchanged either.

0:36:430:36:46

At the back of the house, the yard is surrounded by a range of buildings,

0:36:460:36:50

including two foaling boxes, and then a structure containing two full-sized stables and pony box.

0:36:500:36:56

Then of course there is the huge barn, which gives direct access to the road for hay deliveries.

0:36:560:37:02

In terms of what's immediately outside the door,

0:37:020:37:05

your horses are very secure, very accessible.

0:37:050:37:08

-Hmm.

-But grazing-wise, let's have a look over here.

0:37:080:37:11

I think any horse would be proud to call this home.

0:37:130:37:16

Out there are ten acres of land providing three paddocks divided by sturdy fencing.

0:37:160:37:21

And I've left the icing on the cake for last.

0:37:210:37:24

Now then, Kim...

0:37:260:37:27

-..what about one of these?

-This is the business!

-Now you're talking.

-This is a beautiful outdoor school.

0:37:290:37:33

-It is.

-Competition spec, really.

-Oh, yes.

-You can see that.

0:37:330:37:37

We're a bit quiet at the moment.

0:37:370:37:40

I'm getting the feeling that...

0:37:400:37:42

-you're a bit disappointed.

-I'm gutted, I'm not disappointed.

0:37:420:37:46

I'm gutted, really, because it is absolutely fabulous

0:37:470:37:51

and there's nothing wrong with the house at all,

0:37:510:37:53

-but that road is a big compromise. It's one I don't think that I can take.

-Let's continue

0:37:530:37:58

with the rest of the acreage here.

0:37:580:38:00

-I think it's still worth you seeing this place.

-Yes.

0:38:000:38:04

That's the important thing.

0:38:040:38:06

I knew there had to be a reason for the quietness, but I still think they should give this property

0:38:060:38:10

serious consideration.

0:38:100:38:12

-Long walk on a hot day!

-It certainly is.

0:38:120:38:14

We've brought you up here because to get a sense of what this place offers you -

0:38:140:38:18

I know the road is an issue -

0:38:180:38:19

but all in all, you do get an awful lot of land.

0:38:190:38:23

-It's about 10.5 acres.

-Right.

0:38:230:38:25

But you've also got access

0:38:250:38:28

to Lincomb Equestrian Centre through that gate.

0:38:280:38:31

-OK.

-It's a 50-acre site.

0:38:310:38:33

It's got a 100-jump cross-country course in it.

0:38:330:38:36

200 quid a year is all it costs you

0:38:360:38:39

-to have all-year access...

-Crikey.

-..to a fantastic course.

0:38:390:38:42

-The girls would love that, wouldn't they?

-That's the thing, OK?

0:38:420:38:46

With so much on offer here for the horses and for the girls,

0:38:460:38:49

-it would be crazy not to show it to you.

-Absolutely.

0:38:490:38:52

The equestrian side

0:38:520:38:54

-is perfect.

-Yeah.

0:38:540:38:57

OK, let's think about the money, shall we?

0:38:570:39:00

I'm going to let you go first on this one.

0:39:000:39:02

-Oh, great, thanks very much(!)

-Go on, Kim.

0:39:020:39:04

Sorry, guys, but I think it's going to be about 595.

0:39:040:39:07

595. OK.

0:39:070:39:09

The road, I think, is a factor

0:39:090:39:12

and that does affect its value.

0:39:120:39:14

So I'm going to say 620,000.

0:39:140:39:18

That's why you're a very good financial director, Martin.

0:39:180:39:21

This is on the market at £630,000.

0:39:210:39:24

You were only out by ten grand.

0:39:240:39:26

You're absolutely right - if it wasn't for the road,

0:39:260:39:29

-you would add on another £50,000-100,000.

-Easily.

0:39:290:39:33

-Go and wander back down the hill.

-Thanks very much.

-See you later.

0:39:330:39:37

At £630,000,

0:39:380:39:40

this property does have a lot to offer anyone serious about an equestrian lifestyle.

0:39:400:39:45

The house is spacious with three reception rooms.

0:39:450:39:48

It has four bedrooms, and outside there are 10.5 acres of land,

0:39:480:39:52

including fives tables, three paddocks and a manege.

0:39:520:39:56

-Absolutely fantastic out there.

-Yeah.

-Absolutely brilliant.

0:39:570:40:00

-But it's just the noise of that traffic.

-Yeah.

0:40:000:40:03

-It is a fast road.

-It is very fast.

-That's what worries me.

0:40:030:40:06

Yeah, it's constant.

0:40:060:40:08

I thought the house was nice. The access to the riding school

0:40:080:40:13

and beyond, obviously a massive plus point again.

0:40:130:40:16

I know my daughters would love a cross-country course.

0:40:160:40:20

But I still have to keep coming back to my concern about that road.

0:40:200:40:25

This property is very difficult

0:40:250:40:28

because normally we find excellent equestrian facilities

0:40:280:40:33

and a horrible house or the other way round.

0:40:330:40:36

I have to say that this time,

0:40:360:40:38

even though the house needs a little bit of work, I'd be quite happy with both.

0:40:380:40:42

Well, chaps, bearing up in the heat?

0:40:450:40:47

-Only just!

-Jules, you've shown us such a lot

0:40:470:40:50

-and given us such a lot to think about as well.

-It's not over yet!

0:40:500:40:54

Kim is really keen to keep honeybees when they move and by doing so, she will not only be able to

0:41:000:41:05

harvest delicious honey, but would be performing the vital role of helping to preserve the species

0:41:050:41:10

which is in danger of becoming extinct by 2018.

0:41:100:41:14

This would have a devastating effect on food stocks and would cost the economy millions of pounds.

0:41:140:41:19

With that in mind, we have arranged for her and Martin to

0:41:190:41:22

visit a local organic vegetable farm to meet David Mills whose own bees

0:41:220:41:26

are giving the diminish number of wild bees a helping hand by pollinating the crops here.

0:41:260:41:32

So why aren't there enough wild bees to pollinate the crops?

0:41:320:41:35

Well, unfortunately about 20 years ago a disease was brought into this

0:41:350:41:39

country which has decimated the bee population.

0:41:390:41:42

What we're trying to do now is to redevelop the number of bees so there will be enough bees

0:41:420:41:47

for pollinating the beans and the wild flowers.

0:41:470:41:52

Without the essential role played by the honeybees, a massive 70% of our food crops would be

0:41:530:41:58

in danger of not being pollinated, putting our food security at risk.

0:41:580:42:02

It is important that the bees stay healthy so David checks his hives

0:42:020:42:06

regularly which also gives him the opportunity to extract the honey that has been produced.

0:42:060:42:12

Before opening the hive, David puffs smoke into it which has the effect of calming the colony down.

0:42:120:42:18

When you're handling bees, you want to handle them as gently as possible and then they don't get excited.

0:42:180:42:23

If you're rough with them, they'll be rough with you.

0:42:230:42:27

It looks as if there could be quite a lot of honey in here

0:42:270:42:31

so before we go down further into the hive,

0:42:310:42:34

we'll give them another puff of smoke

0:42:340:42:37

and then we'll take a comb out

0:42:370:42:39

and we'll see what we've got.

0:42:390:42:41

Now that is sealed honey, ready for extraction.

0:42:450:42:50

Now, if I just take some of the capping, the wax capping off,

0:42:500:42:53

-you will see the honey underneath.

-Look at that.

0:42:530:42:57

Although there are 40,000 bees in a hive, each one will only produce one teaspoon of honey in its lifetime.

0:42:580:43:04

Nevertheless, on a good year, David's eight hives produce

0:43:040:43:08

about 450 jars and this one is looking very promising.

0:43:080:43:12

It's beautiful.

0:43:120:43:13

I'm thrilled to bits.

0:43:130:43:16

David's hives are obviously in top condition and if Kim can follow his standard, she too will be extracting

0:43:170:43:23

honey and helping to restore the bee population, ensuring their vital role in our ecosystem.

0:43:230:43:28

Now for today's mystery house, there's clearly no point in showing Martin and Kim

0:43:320:43:36

a property that doesn't revolve around horses. But when it comes to the mystery house itself,

0:43:360:43:41

I always like to challenge my buyers, give them something to think about,

0:43:410:43:45

and on this occasion, I suspect to argue about.

0:43:450:43:48

It's time to lift the lid on our mystery house and reveal that it is just outside the hamlet of Lobans,

0:43:490:43:54

a stone's throw over the border into Gloucestershire

0:43:540:43:57

and our closest house yet to a motorway junction for Martin.

0:43:570:43:59

Martin and Kim would be surrounded by open countryside with plenty

0:43:590:44:03

of opportunities for cross-country rides through a network of bridal paths and if they need to pop

0:44:030:44:09

to the shops, their local village store is just a mile away in Pendock.

0:44:090:44:13

Now our mystery house itself is not what they asked for, but when it comes to equestrian facilities

0:44:130:44:19

and acreage, I can guarantee they're going to be spoilt.

0:44:190:44:22

OK.

0:44:220:44:24

-The mystery house.

-It's not a house!

0:44:240:44:26

It is a house. Just because it is a bungalow doesn't mean that it's not a house, Martin.

0:44:260:44:32

Bear with me on this one. It is a really, really pretty house and for

0:44:320:44:36

you, Martin, it is a bit more modern than some of the ones we have seen.

0:44:360:44:39

It is very comfortable and very charming.

0:44:390:44:41

-I don't want him to win though.

-You don't want him to win?

0:44:410:44:45

There is plenty for you out there.

0:44:450:44:47

So I think as it is the mystery house we should start back to front.

0:44:470:44:50

We will start with the land. Let's cut to the chase with the horses.

0:44:500:44:54

Satisfy you and then you can help me persuade her that this is the house you need.

0:44:540:44:59

-You can try, yes.

-Come on.

0:44:590:45:02

I do like a challenge, you know.

0:45:020:45:03

The competition between Martin and Kim is really hotting up

0:45:030:45:08

so it will be interesting to see how the mystery house pans out.

0:45:080:45:11

Hopefully taking a look at the equestrian facilities first will keep Kim on side.

0:45:110:45:16

The stable block can accommodate seven horses and is more like a five-star deluxe equestrian hotel.

0:45:160:45:21

You can't fail to be impressed with this and just wait until Kim sees what's around the corner.

0:45:210:45:26

Come and look at this.

0:45:260:45:28

There we go.

0:45:300:45:32

-Ah.

-A nice, all weather manege.

0:45:320:45:35

-How about that?

-Beautiful.

0:45:350:45:37

-Another big tick in the box.

-Good.

0:45:370:45:41

-Floodlights.

-Yes.

0:45:410:45:43

You know, again competition spec.

0:45:430:45:45

-The girls...

-Well, they would love it.

0:45:450:45:47

-Well, let's think about land, shall we?

-Go on.

0:45:470:45:51

-You wanted five acres, didn't you?

-Yes.

0:45:510:45:54

How about 20-ish?

0:45:540:45:56

20-ish, it could be 21.

0:45:560:46:00

Good grief.

0:46:000:46:01

This immense amount of land extends well beyond what the eye can see and

0:46:030:46:07

would give Kim's four horses more space than they could ever dream of.

0:46:070:46:11

Into the bargain, planning permission has been granted

0:46:110:46:14

for a further stable block should they wish to make use of it.

0:46:140:46:17

-I'm getting really, really scared. We've gone quiet because we're very nervous.

-Are you, why?

0:46:170:46:22

Either the house is terrible inside which I just don't think it will be.

0:46:220:46:26

There is planning permission, there is extra land.

0:46:260:46:29

You are just teasing now.

0:46:310:46:33

Let's go and check the house out.

0:46:330:46:35

This is for you. We've sorted the horses.

0:46:350:46:37

Horses done.

0:46:370:46:39

Marvellous. So all it is, is for you to fall in love with the house and we've done it.

0:46:390:46:45

-Yes.

-Well, yeah and the price.

0:46:450:46:49

Don't worry about the money. Come on. What's a few quid?!

0:46:490:46:52

Well, we started this tour back to front so we might as well come into

0:47:000:47:03

the house through the back door, let's start in here.

0:47:030:47:06

-Quite a utility room, this.

-It's huge.

0:47:060:47:08

Downstairs toilet in there and so on. But it's a great boot room...

0:47:080:47:12

-Yes, it is.

-..cum-everything.

0:47:120:47:14

-Yes, it is.

-Cats, dogs.

0:47:140:47:16

-Animal bliss.

-Still a bungalow.

0:47:160:47:19

It is still a bungalow. I can't change that.

0:47:190:47:24

-There is no pleasing some people.

-I am trying to be open-minded.

0:47:240:47:28

You have to be because it really is pretty. Come and look at the kitchen.

0:47:280:47:32

Let's talk about where the humans go for once!

0:47:320:47:35

-OK.

-I like the beams and...

0:47:350:47:38

Yeah, I think it works really well.

0:47:380:47:40

-It does work well.

-Plenty of work surface as well which is always good.

0:47:400:47:44

And of course, you have got lovely views out there to your ponies in the paddock.

0:47:440:47:48

That is nice.

0:47:480:47:50

-Yes, that would be nice.

-You see.

0:47:500:47:52

We talked at the very beginning, didn't we, about the idea of having the horses outside the back door.

0:47:520:47:57

-Yeah.

-Outside the kitchen window.

0:47:570:47:58

Come on, there it is, it is the dream package, guys.

0:47:580:48:02

-You're winning me, I think.

-Twist her arm. I think you're winning.

0:48:020:48:06

-He is really trying.

-Really?

0:48:060:48:08

Adjacent is the dining room, ideal for more formal occasions.

0:48:080:48:12

The French doors frame the garden beautifully.

0:48:120:48:14

Following on, at this end of the bungalow is the family bathroom

0:48:150:48:19

which has been recently refurbished with the ever popular white suite.

0:48:190:48:23

Next to it is the first of the three bedrooms offering one of the girls plenty of storage.

0:48:230:48:27

There is also a slightly smaller room which has

0:48:270:48:30

a massive built-in wardrobe and a lovely view over the garden.

0:48:300:48:34

OK, so this is three of three.

0:48:360:48:38

This is the biggest bedroom here, therefore it is the master.

0:48:380:48:41

-It doesn't have an en-suite.

-No.

0:48:410:48:44

You've just got the family bathroom through there, but it is all quite close and convenient.

0:48:440:48:49

Well, that doesn't seem to have put Kim off.

0:48:490:48:51

Back down the hall and right the other end of the bungalow is the lounge.

0:48:510:48:56

OK.

0:48:570:48:58

-This is impressive.

-Isn't it nice?

-It is, it's lovely.

0:48:580:49:02

-This is a good sized room, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-I like this.

0:49:020:49:05

Nice wood burner down the end there.

0:49:050:49:07

Very cosy and you've got these lovely double doors overlooking

0:49:070:49:11

your yard and your ponies again.

0:49:110:49:14

-I thought, Martin, you would like this.

-Yes, this is... yeah.

0:49:140:49:18

Martin loves this.

0:49:180:49:20

He is being very reserved. He loves this.

0:49:200:49:23

-Do you?

-Yes. It feels... me.

0:49:230:49:26

It is an impressive room.

0:49:260:49:28

-You see that, "It feels me," he said.

-No, he didn't.

0:49:280:49:32

-No, he didn't.

-He's fighting back.

0:49:320:49:34

-Cut. No, he didn't.

-OK.

0:49:340:49:38

Let's go and take a step out on to the veranda.

0:49:380:49:42

Well, here we are at the end of the tour of the mystery house.

0:49:450:49:48

This one is difficult.

0:49:480:49:50

Well, seeing as you have fallen love with it, I will ask you to go first.

0:49:500:49:54

It's going to be over budget. The first thought is 675,

0:49:550:49:59

I hope it is a little bit less,

0:49:590:50:02

but 66... no, 675. I will stick with my first.

0:50:020:50:05

675. OK. Kim.

0:50:050:50:08

It's a bungalow so 450.

0:50:080:50:12

You wish! They would be queuing up for that.

0:50:120:50:14

I've just bought it.

0:50:140:50:16

I think it's going to be over budget, but as I said before,

0:50:180:50:21

I'm not prepared to go over budget so I'm sticking with 650.

0:50:210:50:25

Well, the good news is it is not 675.

0:50:250:50:28

It is, however, over budget at 665.

0:50:280:50:31

-For 650 I think you would have a pretty good chance of getting it, if it's of interest.

-I like it.

0:50:310:50:37

And even though it's a bungalow, if that's the only compromise, I might be prepared to go with it.

0:50:370:50:43

-You have got that on tape, haven't you?

-At last. Brilliant.

0:50:430:50:47

Well, hold that thought, don't let it go away, keep working on it and I'll catch up with you later.

0:50:470:50:52

-OK.

-Off you go. Brilliant.

0:50:520:50:54

Well, there we are, finally we might have just about won Kim over to this and so we should have done.

0:50:540:50:59

It's a great property and it has got all the facilities they are after.

0:50:590:51:03

It maybe at the top of the budget, but it is all here.

0:51:030:51:07

At £665,000, this equestrian property could still be within

0:51:080:51:13

their reach, although Martin would have to make alternative arrangements for his office.

0:51:130:51:18

It does however, have a large living room with a wood burning stove, three bedrooms, seven top-of-

0:51:180:51:24

the-range stables and just over 20 acres of land with a manege.

0:51:240:51:28

The equestrian part will probably swing it for me,

0:51:280:51:31

but I have to say I am struggling, as nice as it is, it is not what I would really, really want.

0:51:310:51:37

-These stables are absolutely fabulous.

-They are.

0:51:390:51:42

These internal stalls would cost a lot of money to put in.

0:51:420:51:47

The equestrian facilities are absolutely fantastic.

0:51:470:51:51

It is obviously a really, really competitive, working, professional yard.

0:51:510:51:56

You can tell that by the quality of the build, all the equipment is just to die for. Very, very good.

0:51:560:52:02

There isn't a garage.

0:52:020:52:04

There isn't a study

0:52:040:52:07

so I've got to just look and not let the heart rule the head.

0:52:070:52:13

Look at you sunbathing!

0:52:160:52:18

Why not? I thought I would let you take your time in there.

0:52:180:52:22

-Good. All done then?

-Yes.

0:52:220:52:24

We have given you plenty to think about over the last few days.

0:52:240:52:27

-Mind-boggling.

-Well, that's a good sign.

0:52:270:52:30

Don't worry about it. Let's get you somewhere where you can cool down a bit and get out of the heat

0:52:300:52:35

and carefully consider all that you've seen and then I'll see if the pair of you have made your minds up.

0:52:350:52:40

-Or could agree.

-Or can agree.

0:52:400:52:42

There has been a competitive streak running throughout this house search, but now it is time for Kim

0:52:470:52:53

and Martin to consider if one of our houses could work as their new home.

0:52:530:52:57

Well, at long last, it is decision time.

0:53:020:53:04

As we know Martin and Kim have been looking for their ideal country home for at least two,

0:53:040:53:09

maybe three years, but as yet they haven't found it because they failed to agree on the ideal property.

0:53:090:53:14

So have we managed to change that? Well, let's go and ask them.

0:53:140:53:18

Well, you two,

0:53:210:53:23

how are we feeling?

0:53:230:53:25

Shattered.

0:53:250:53:27

Confused.

0:53:270:53:29

OK. Anything else?

0:53:290:53:30

-Shell-shocked.

-My goodness me, it's getting worse!

-I know.

0:53:300:53:33

Let's think about where it started, the old grain store.

0:53:330:53:37

Yes, very surprising property.

0:53:370:53:39

I thought it was newer than it actually was

0:53:390:53:42

so I was pleasantly surprised when you said it was Victorian.

0:53:420:53:45

-The view, spectacular, that view.

-It was a money shot when you looked from the house.

-Yeah.

0:53:450:53:50

-Spectacular, that view.

-Yeah.

0:53:500:53:52

-Size-wise, how did you find it?

-I liked it.

0:53:520:53:55

The high ceilings throughout gave it an airy feel.

0:53:550:53:58

A fabulous sized kitchen, so yes, a lovely property.

0:53:580:54:03

Now, the land was not flat.

0:54:030:54:05

-There was a sheer drop half-way through the grazing area and it was just too steep.

-OK.

0:54:050:54:13

We then went to, I thought, a very charming little cottage, nine acres.

0:54:130:54:18

You even got very close to a perfect score.

0:54:180:54:21

That would be my dream house definitely.

0:54:210:54:24

And the land was great.

0:54:240:54:25

The land was great. I think the only down side is you've got to put the stabling etcetera in.

0:54:250:54:33

Then we slept on it and we took you to a purpose-built equestrian property.

0:54:330:54:39

-What did you make of that one overall?

-Equestrian facilities, brilliant, couldn't fault them.

0:54:390:54:44

The house needed some work doing to it, but even so, it was OK.

0:54:440:54:48

But I'm afraid that road... Oh, no.

0:54:480:54:51

It's a real shame, isn't it, because actually, it did have it all.

0:54:510:54:55

Our final offering, the mystery house,

0:54:550:54:57

did therefore have an awful lot to make up for.

0:54:570:55:00

-Bungalow!

-It was a bungalow,

0:55:000:55:03

but it was full of peace and quiet.

0:55:030:55:05

-Yes, it was. I'll give you that.

-That stable block...

0:55:050:55:09

..was in my view one of the best...

0:55:100:55:13

appointed private yards I've seen in a long time.

0:55:130:55:18

-And we more than doubled the acreage.

-Yes.

0:55:180:55:22

-Which wasn't bad, and good acres too.

-On the equestrian side, you've delivered the full package.

0:55:220:55:28

But let's cut to the quick now. What do you do next?

0:55:280:55:32

Well, from my side, I think the mystery house has the edge.

0:55:320:55:36

I think Kim is still probably more inclined to the Victorian.

0:55:370:55:42

Ah, with the nine acres or so?

0:55:420:55:44

Now, you see, this is the problem we have had since the day we were married -

0:55:440:55:49

he shouldn't think for me because I'm going with the bungalow.

0:55:490:55:52

-You're going to go for the mystery house?

-I'm going to go for the mystery house.

0:55:520:55:56

-So we've achieved agreement?

-Yes.

-You kept that one quiet.

0:55:560:55:59

I'm flabbergasted.

0:55:590:56:01

Well, we heard it here first, Martin.

0:56:010:56:04

Kim and you have agreed on a property.

0:56:040:56:07

Well done, to you and the team. Thank you very much.

0:56:070:56:10

Well, I am delighted, it is a really interesting place.

0:56:100:56:13

I think you and the girls will be really, really happy there.

0:56:130:56:16

-Congratulations. Let us know how you get on.

-Will do.

0:56:160:56:19

-Here's to you. Cheers.

-Cheers.

0:56:190:56:21

Well, what a rollercoaster of a house search that has been.

0:56:270:56:31

Even Martin was caught completely by surprise, as indeed was I.

0:56:310:56:35

They're both enjoying a well earned glass of champagne as well they might.

0:56:350:56:39

But I have to confess when we started this search, I really didn't think we would be that successful.

0:56:390:56:43

After all they had been looking for quite a long time and as yet hadn't

0:56:430:56:47

found the house of their dreams, but in the end I think the solution has been quite a simple one.

0:56:470:56:52

We have actually found them a property that they can agree on and you can't argue with that.

0:56:520:56:57

I'll see you next time.

0:56:570:56:58

If you want to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland

0:56:580:57:02

or England and would like our help,

0:57:020:57:04

please apply online at:

0:57:040:57:06

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