0:00:02 > 0:00:09These great walls are the remains of one of the most historic and forgotten gardens in Britain.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Where are we? Stick around and I'll show you.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28'On today's show, we'll be helping a very athletic couple
0:00:28 > 0:00:31'in their bid for the country dream.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36'On your marks and get set for some gold medal properties.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39'But who will be the ultimate champion?'
0:00:39 > 0:00:41I win!
0:00:43 > 0:00:48Today, we're in a damp Carmarthenshire in southwest Wales.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51These are the glorious gardens of Aberglasney.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57The house is shrouded in mystery, but we know there's been a garden since the 15th century.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02This is in the process of being restored - and it is unique.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08Southwest Wales is dominated by the counties of Carmarthenshire
0:01:08 > 0:01:10and Pembrokeshire.
0:01:10 > 0:01:15With stunning scenery that covers 240 square miles,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19Pembrokeshire has the only national park in the UK
0:01:19 > 0:01:21that is virtually all coastal.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24Carmarthenshire is known as the "garden of Wales".
0:01:24 > 0:01:31It's said that Dylan Thomas found inspiration in the rural splendour,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35which he referred to as "the fields of praise".
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Here in southwest Wales, house prices can vary dramatically.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45For value for money, try Carmarthenshire.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49Prices are 15% lower than neighbouring counties.
0:01:49 > 0:01:51If you want gorgeous coastlines
0:01:51 > 0:01:56and stunning countryside, check out Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01The average detached will set you back a cool £206,000.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04As you can see, there is plenty on offer.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06'If money is no object,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09'the former lighthouse at St Anne's Head
0:02:09 > 0:02:13'could be yours for £1,250,000.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18'It's awash with all the maritime quirks you'd expect,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20'with six bedrooms, an indoor pool
0:02:20 > 0:02:26'and spectacular views of the Pembrokeshire coastline and beyond.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29'Tucked behind these double gates in Cosheston
0:02:29 > 0:02:34'is this detached four-bed property with three reception rooms
0:02:34 > 0:02:40'and a handcrafted kitchen centred around a grand atrium hallway.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42'All this for £720,000.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45'Finally, pop in to Carmarthenshire
0:02:45 > 0:02:48'and this villa is on the market
0:02:48 > 0:02:51'for just shy of £350,000.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55'It has open-plan kitchen and living areas,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58'enough space for a game of snooker,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01'and a sun terrace to take in the views.'
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Some fantastic properties on offer.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06Are you tempted, I wonder?
0:03:06 > 0:03:10Today's buyers are, so let's meet them.
0:03:10 > 0:03:17'Conrad and Sueanne tied the knot last year and are looking for their first home in southwest Wales.
0:03:17 > 0:03:23'They're renting a six-bedroom house 15 minutes' drive from Swansea.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26'They yearn to return to their rural roots.'
0:03:26 > 0:03:31We want to set down our roots and start our own family.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37We want to give them the best start and the same upbringing that we had.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42'As a true daughter of the land, Sueanne was brought up on a farm
0:03:42 > 0:03:44'and has hopes of raising chickens.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49'There also has to be space for three dogs and perhaps a donkey.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53'Aside from room for the animals, Conrad has particular ideas
0:03:53 > 0:03:56'about what he wants from the property.'
0:03:56 > 0:03:59It's important to have room to build a gym.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02I'm trying to get into the British team.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06If I had a gym I could train harder and get to the Olympics.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12'Conrad is an athlete and competes in discus and shotput to a professional level.
0:04:12 > 0:04:21'Building the gym of his dreams should help medal chances, but what type of house would get the gold?'
0:04:21 > 0:04:26I would never consider a little cottage because I'm 6 foot five,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30and I'd be whacking my head all the time and I don't fancy that.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Somewhere where we can put our own stamp on it.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38We've both got quite big personalities.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Our home needs to reflect that.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44'So it's big ambition and a big house to match.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46'But what are the specifics?'
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Five or six bedrooms, a nice big kitchen.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54- Tall ceilings.- Yeah. - Wide doors.- Yeah.
0:04:54 > 0:04:59Plenty of land for the dogs. A downstairs toilet would be a bonus.
0:04:59 > 0:05:04- I'd like a den somewhere in the house.- A boy's play pen, yeah!
0:05:04 > 0:05:08'With Conrad's hideaway sorted, what about Sueanne?'
0:05:08 > 0:05:11The kitchen's really important.
0:05:11 > 0:05:17My day starts and ends there. I make eight meals a day for Conrad as part of his training.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22'They don't have a property to sell so how much money do they have
0:05:22 > 0:05:26'for their perfect family home in the Welsh countryside?'
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Our budget is a maximum of £500,000.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34So with the exception of a cosy cottage,
0:05:34 > 0:05:40Sueanne and Conrad are pretty open to the kinds of property they're prepared to view.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43They do have some specific needs -
0:05:43 > 0:05:49outside space for the dogs, inside space for themselves and lots of room for Conrad's gym.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53He's training for the Games in London in 2010.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58He's not training for the Olympics. He's training for the Paralympics.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Seven years ago, an accident on a training exercise
0:06:02 > 0:06:07ended his promising career in the army and left him virtually blind.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12Those pleas for wide doorways and high ceilings really mean something
0:06:12 > 0:06:15in this house search with a difference.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19'The extra dimension is that Conrad's vision impairment
0:06:19 > 0:06:23'makes the internal layout much more significant than usual.
0:06:23 > 0:06:29'Location is also key, as Sueanne wants to be near her father.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33'So our search will take us through Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire
0:06:33 > 0:06:35'and Ceredigion.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38'We've got a variety of spacious family homes.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42'I won't be revealing the prices straight away.
0:06:42 > 0:06:47'And there's the mystery house, but which will finish in first place?'
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Good morning, guys. How's things?- Bore da.
0:06:50 > 0:06:56Indeed. Normally, I say, "Welcome to Wales," but I can't do that.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- This is your patch.- Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:03- Let's remind ourselves of your budget.- 500,000.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Any movement in that?
0:07:05 > 0:07:10If you find me a big enough kitchen, maybe, or a big enough garden!
0:07:10 > 0:07:13A little bit over five, if need be!
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Give me a sense, Conrad, of what you can see.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21Your face, the only bit that's clear is around your right eyeball.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- This bit?- Yeah. Everything else is gone.
0:07:25 > 0:07:31- Like looking through a pinhole? - Yeah. Just got to scan all over the place.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37- Conrad, you're training for 2010. - Yeah. It's really important.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42Let's just talk about the whole gym issue.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45It's what gets us out of bed in the morning.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50- How big a space are we after? - Minimum is about triple garage size.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54- At least. - A triple garage size?- Yeah.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57It's quite big bulky equipment, you see.
0:07:57 > 0:08:04Half a million pounds goes quite a long way. Let's see what we can find you - and keep dry!
0:08:04 > 0:08:09'For £500,000, give or take, Conrad and Sueanne have set their target
0:08:09 > 0:08:13'on a large house in southwest Wales
0:08:13 > 0:08:16'with high ceilings, a few reception rooms
0:08:16 > 0:08:19'and not far from Sueanne's father.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24'The kitchen needs to be big enough for Sueanne to spend time
0:08:24 > 0:08:27'preparing Conrad's eight meal daily menu...
0:08:38 > 0:08:43'Let's start, and hope the weather doesn't dampen their spirits.'
0:08:43 > 0:08:48- If you love Wales today you will love it any time. - Who can't love Wales?
0:08:48 > 0:08:53There is this sort of sense within the Welsh speaking community
0:08:53 > 0:08:56of "hiraeth", this sense of home.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- Longing, yeah. - Do you feel that very acutely?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Oh, yeah. Massively, yeah.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06I think it was the way we were brought up as a family.
0:09:06 > 0:09:08The first language - Welsh.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- Yeah.- So, bless Conrad when he comes home to my dad's!
0:09:12 > 0:09:17'Well, let's see if we're all talking the same language.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21'Starting in Pembrokeshire, we're heading to the centre,
0:09:21 > 0:09:26'eight miles north of Haverfordwest, to the village of Ambleston.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31'A small community of less than 500, Ambleston is surrounded by farmland,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33'farm buildings and stone walling.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37'In the heart of the village is St Mary's church.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40'Our first house is right opposite.'
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- What do you think of that, Sueanne? - Fantastic.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48- Lovely.- What do you like about it? - It looks like a stately home!
0:09:48 > 0:09:52What we've got is a great big Edwardian...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Well, this is the old vicarage.
0:09:55 > 0:10:00- It's got really generous rooms. - High ceilings.- Shall we go look?
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- Yeah.- Definitely.- Come on.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06'Dating from 1907, this is a handsome property,
0:10:06 > 0:10:12'stuffed with period charm and approached by a long gravel drive.'
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Right, in you come. Go on, Sueanne.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- Come in, Conrad. Little step there. - Wow!
0:10:19 > 0:10:22What do you think?
0:10:22 > 0:10:26Stunning! The staircase is fantastic.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30This lovely oak staircase dominates the hallway.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35Just off to our right, we've got what I'm going to call a snug/study,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37which may be for you, mate.
0:10:37 > 0:10:42I'll let you explore later, but I want to start with your kitchen.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46You wanted a big kitchen? Look at this!
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Right. Sueanne, come on.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58- What do you think of this, then? - Oh, this is a kitchen! Wow!
0:10:58 > 0:11:00It's a fantastic kitchen-diner.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- I like them.- Like the sink?- Yeah. - Very classic, very farmhousy.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10This has the proportions of a classic farmhouse kitchen.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Quite a big dining table, actually.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- I didn't see that.- Massive.
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- Yeah?- Yeah.- Are you able to build a picture of this?
0:11:19 > 0:11:23That's what I'm doing, trying to put it all together.
0:11:23 > 0:11:27- And what do you think? - Yeah. It's nice.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Look, kitchen-diner. Plenty of room for you in here.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36- If this were the only dining area, it wouldn't be a major problem?- No.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41But we have got you a separate dining room. Follow me through.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- There we go. In you come, Conrad. - Oh, my God!
0:11:46 > 0:11:49SUEANNE LAUGHS
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- This is a dining room. This is us.- Oh, my God!
0:11:53 > 0:11:58- It would also make a very generous living room.- Yeah.
0:11:58 > 0:12:04We have got other reception rooms. Let's go somewhere cosier next door.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07After you, sir. I'll follow you out.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Now, what we've got here for you, Conrad,
0:12:13 > 0:12:18this is the main living room, as it's currently designated.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- I like it.- It's lovely. - Looking at the garden is nice.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- You can make out the big bay window. - Is that the church?- Yeah.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30The church served by the vicarage.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- So, points out of ten? - I'd say a nine.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- Nine?- Real?- Yeah. Eight and a half, nine.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I like the feel of it.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44- It's got a family feel. - You could grow into this place.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Won't outgrow it, either.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50I don't know. You're talking about siring a rugby team!
0:12:50 > 0:12:52If she lets me!
0:12:52 > 0:12:57- It depends if you buy me the right house!- Right, OK!
0:12:57 > 0:13:01- We've got nine out of ten. - Come on, Jules.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04'As a family home, this place fits the bill.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07'Let's see if we can hit top marks upstairs.'
0:13:07 > 0:13:13- How about that?- Wow. Lovely. Keeps it light.- Really light.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16'Off the landing, there are five bedrooms.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20'Two are bright single rooms, tastefully furnished for children.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24'One of the three double bedrooms is a playroom.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29'Another has been elegantly decorated with dual aspect windows.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33'We're going to look at the bedroom they could call their own.'
0:13:33 > 0:13:40- OK, Sueanne. This is currently the master bedroom.- Lovely.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43You can take your pick. They're all generously sized.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- None of them are en suite, though. - OK.
0:13:47 > 0:13:53Next door is the family bathroom. You could, in theory, go that way.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Right. OK.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Plumbing does exist in another room
0:13:57 > 0:14:02to turn that into a big family bathroom.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06You've got the choice but you'd lose a bedroom.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08How's our nine out of ten?
0:14:08 > 0:14:12- So far, so good. - Still nine out of ten?- Yeah. So far.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- Look! A brief bit of sunlight! - I know.- Make the most of that!
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- LAUGHING:- Let's get outside!
0:14:20 > 0:14:22'With some tweaks to the layout upstairs,
0:14:22 > 0:14:26'I think they can imagine this house as their home.
0:14:26 > 0:14:32'Will the garden provide space for their pets and for a gym?'
0:14:32 > 0:14:37Let's just stop here and take in the rest of the grounds.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41We've got another bit of garden in front of me here.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45Probably about a quarter of an acre, perhaps a bit less.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47This wraps around the back.
0:14:47 > 0:14:53- So, all in all, just under an acre. - No donkeys.
0:14:53 > 0:14:58No, but plenty of room for the dogs. What are your thoughts?
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- Where's the gym going to go? - That's the rub.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06There are no outbuildings or garages which we can offer to convert.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10You'd have to go for something purpose-built.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13I'm thinking a timber-framed structure here.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17- Would that be something you'd consider?- Yeah. It would.
0:15:17 > 0:15:23Let's consider the whole thing out of this gale, in the kitchen.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28'They're keeping an open mind as to how to tailor the outside space
0:15:28 > 0:15:30'to suit their needs.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34'Now that the tour is complete, time to talk cash.'
0:15:34 > 0:15:38You've got 500 grand, plus, to spend.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42It's going to be close to the budget. I'm going 485.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45485. OK, yeah.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48I'm going a bit less. I think 475.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51475. Ten grand between you.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56It is pretty much on the budget. 50 quid short of budget. 499,950.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00- I win!- That's all right. There's more to see.
0:16:00 > 0:16:06- How do you feel about that? - It shows you what we can get.
0:16:06 > 0:16:11But it's so close to the budget, I'd have to spend more to do the gym.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15- But you did say you had a bit of leeway.- A BIT of leeway, yeah.
0:16:15 > 0:16:21Have a good look at what this house has to offer. I'll catch you later.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- I love it. - GIGGLES
0:16:23 > 0:16:27'A fraction under budget...
0:16:41 > 0:16:43'..Without an outhouse for a gym,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47'will they be up for the challenge of building one?'
0:16:47 > 0:16:53The house is a definite possibility for Conrad and myself.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55It's a real family home.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57This is my room, then?
0:16:57 > 0:17:03- I think we'd have to fight over it! - I might win that one.- I doubt it.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06There's a few things to work out.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11If I could build the gym outside, that's important for me.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13Out you go, Sueanne.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- After you, sir.- Cheers.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18- Watch the step.- Thank you.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- I think that was a pretty good start.- It is.
0:17:22 > 0:17:28- Have we relieved you of half a million pounds?- Wait and see!
0:17:32 > 0:17:35'With Sueanne's passion for her Welsh heritage,
0:17:35 > 0:17:41'a visit to Aberaeron should be of particular interest.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43'One of Wales' first planned towns,
0:17:43 > 0:17:48'it was built to establish a shipbuilding centre.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53'They've come to meet Mya Harrison to get an insight into the history.'
0:17:53 > 0:17:58You see those three houses? It's known as Vulcan Place.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03The people who lived there forged the fittings for the ships.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08'Reverend Alban Jones Gwynne developed the harbour in 1807.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13'The layout of the town was planned by his son, Colonel Gwynne,
0:18:13 > 0:18:15'with the architect Edward Haycock.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19'Gradually, Aberaeron turned from a fishing village
0:18:19 > 0:18:21'into a successful port.'
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- What importance is the harbour to the town?- Enormous.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Without the harbour, there would be no town.
0:18:28 > 0:18:33The town was planned and built because of the harbour.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38'The introduction of the railway in 1911 brought a decline in seafaring.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41'Today, the main industry is tourism.
0:18:41 > 0:18:48'Visitors come to browse the boutiques and to enjoy the elegant Georgian architecture.
0:18:48 > 0:18:54'The kaleidoscope of buildings is delightful, even on a wet day.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01'Sueanne will be relieved to know that the next stop takes us east,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05'closer to her father, and into Carmarthenshire,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08'two miles north of Saint Clears,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12'dating back to the 12th century, a small town on the river Taff.
0:19:12 > 0:19:18'Famous for the Rebecca riots, the town features a wooden sculpture
0:19:18 > 0:19:24'in memory of the 1842 uprising against high tolls set by landowners.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28'Our second property presents a slice of rural Wales
0:19:28 > 0:19:31'at the end of a daffodil-lined track,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35'which may make our farmer's daughter feel at home.'
0:19:35 > 0:19:37What do you think of that?
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Quaint. It's a nice, typical farmhouse.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44It is. The whole lot comes with some land.
0:19:44 > 0:19:49It also has this range of stables behind me, too.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52I'm thinking donkeys. And that barn there.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57- In fact, you get three barns. - Donkeys AND a gym.- Plenty of space!
0:19:57 > 0:20:01Plenty of space for all the things you want to entertain.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Come on.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06'This is a cracking start.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09'We've got quite a few things ticked
0:20:09 > 0:20:12'and we haven't crossed the threshold.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15'How will the house fare inside, I wonder?'
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- LAUGHS - Is it windy, or what?
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- Come in, Conrad. - It's got more windy!
0:20:21 > 0:20:26- There we are, the hallway. - Doesn't look like a farmhouse.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29It's been made over in the last three years,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32renovated from top to bottom.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Conrad, what kind of sense are you getting?
0:20:35 > 0:20:38I get a sense of space and light.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43Quite airy. Nice clean lines, which is good.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- I promised you a kitchen.- Yeah. - Come and look at this.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50JULES CHUCKLES
0:20:51 > 0:20:52There.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- SUEANNE LAUGHS - Yeah?- Yeah.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Conrad, we've got a brand new kitchen,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04underfloor heating under these very light tiles.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10And a great big sun room, really, added on.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- SUEANNE LAUGHS - Your wife is smiling a lot!
0:21:13 > 0:21:15I think she likes it!
0:21:15 > 0:21:20- Is this the point where you just give up?- I know when I'm beaten!
0:21:21 > 0:21:26'The huge grin on Sueanne's face means the kitchen works for her.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29'The large dimensions clearly suit Conrad.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32'Let's see what else downstairs has to offer.'
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Now, come on in here.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Oh, that's nice.- Yeah?
0:21:38 > 0:21:41This is one of two reception rooms we've got.
0:21:41 > 0:21:47- There's a door there out to the garden.- The dogs. I like this room.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Nice and straight and square for me. Nice simple layout.
0:21:51 > 0:21:58That's obviously important to you now, so you can, I suppose, create your own map in your mind.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Yeah. You can still get around.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06'Rooms with clean lines are vital to help navigate when you can't see.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10'Not only is the layout simple, but the rooms, ceilings and doorways
0:22:10 > 0:22:12'are generously sized.'
0:22:12 > 0:22:16This is where you can choose who gets what.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- He can have that room.- I prefer the other room.- Do you?- I do. Yeah.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- Marks out of ten?- Eight.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Eight. Hm. Conrad?
0:22:26 > 0:22:31- Ten for being closer to my dad. - LAUGHING:- I'll take that ten!
0:22:31 > 0:22:37'With full marks for the ground floor, let's head upstairs.'
0:22:37 > 0:22:40The family bathroom in there.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45We're going to wind our way up to the landing.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49'The farmhouse has five bedrooms.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54'There are four good sized doubles, one with a large en suite
0:22:54 > 0:22:58'and another that's perfect for curling up and getting away from it.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02'I want to show Sueanne and Conrad the biggest bedroom.'
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07This is your master.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Very nice.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- Plenty of space for you.- Brilliant.
0:23:11 > 0:23:17- We also have a well appointed en suite.- As well as the...?- Yeah.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19There. Have a look at that.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21A bath!
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- How is this place grabbing you? - It's lovely. It's really light.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Really light.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- It doesn't feel like a farmhouse. - Yeah. Like it.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37'We're onto a winner with this place.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'Time to check out the grounds outside.
0:23:40 > 0:23:48'They both wanted a lot of outdoor space but let's see just how much land they can handle.'
0:23:48 > 0:23:52Land. You have said an acre.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- That paddock there is about an acre. - OK.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- Which would do you a treat.- Yeah.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03But if it came with a bit more land, that would be a bonus.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07Can you make out, Conrad, there's another field beyond?
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Up to those trees.- Yeah.
0:24:10 > 0:24:15There's another field beyond that. All that comes with it, too.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- The field behind?- Yeah. - SUEANNE LAUGHS
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- All in all, eight acres. - Eight acres?
0:24:21 > 0:24:25There's another paddock included in the eight acres.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29That wraps itself around all those outbuildings.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- Fab.- Sounding good. - I think it's really good.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38Being a farmer's daughter, he'd be proud of you with this lot!
0:24:38 > 0:24:44- Let's finish off with a barn. - Sounds good.- Find you a gym.- Yes.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49'The eight acres is a surprise and is fuelling their imagination.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53'It's divided into four fields, giving plenty of space
0:24:53 > 0:24:58'for Conrad to practise his shotput and discus and why not the javelin?
0:24:58 > 0:25:02'But we've got more in store for our sportsman.'
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Now then, Conrad. Come on in.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10What can you make out?
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Now you're talking!
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- A gym.- A gym.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19- You said a three-bay garage. This is a four-bay.- It's good.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22It's not a garage, it's an old barn.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- Fantastic. - 60 feet long by 20 foot wide.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- This is superb. - This would do it?- Yeah.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34- Let's have a think about the price. - Hm!
0:25:34 > 0:25:39You'll need some money to turn this around for your gym.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41How much will you give me for this?
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Conrad.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48I think it's a bit more. Minimum 550. More, I think.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49Maybe 575.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- 550, 575.- I think 550.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55I'm going to take the pressure off.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59- It's on the market for 495. - No way?- I win again!
0:25:59 > 0:26:01Not that close!
0:26:01 > 0:26:04You nicked my first choice.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09- You said 575. - This is 495, guys.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13- This is £50,000 to £75,000 under your estimates.- Wow.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- Go and explore some more. - Can't wait.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21'On the market for £495,000,
0:26:21 > 0:26:25'this smallholding is £5,000 under budget...
0:26:43 > 0:26:48'The property seems to meet all of Conrad and Sueanne's requirements,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51'and more.'
0:26:51 > 0:26:56The house would suit the way that Conrad and I live.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00The living space downstairs might be a little small.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02We can look at maybe extending.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07Other than it's a bit small, I love it. I really do like it.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Right, out you go.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14- LAUGHS - Look at this crazy weather!
0:27:14 > 0:27:18The good news it's sunny, but no less windy.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- I think that was well worth seeing. - Yeah.- Hm.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- You think so?- Yeah. - Look at your face!
0:27:25 > 0:27:30'As the sun sets on a very wet and windy time in southwest Wales,
0:27:30 > 0:27:34'the first day of our house hunting comes to an end.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42'With a budget of half a million pounds, Conrad and Sueanne
0:27:42 > 0:27:46'are looking for Paralympic glory and a family home
0:27:46 > 0:27:48'in the southwest Wales countryside.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50'We've shown them two great properties
0:27:50 > 0:27:54'with more land than they bargained for.'
0:27:54 > 0:27:56- Eight acres.- Eight acres?
0:27:56 > 0:27:59'Coming up, there's the mystery house.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02'Will Sueanne be willing to share?'
0:28:02 > 0:28:03It's mine!
0:28:06 > 0:28:13Finally, the sun has come out and, at last, it's mystery house time for Conrad and Sueanne.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17To describe these two as a bit sporty is a massive understatement.
0:28:17 > 0:28:24We've learned a lot about what Conrad likes, but I also know that Sueanne is a really keen swimmer.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28If she doesn't want to use west Wales' gorgeous beaches,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31the mystery house might offer the perfect solution.
0:28:34 > 0:28:39'We're venturing up north, into the county of Ceredigion.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43'We're headed for Ferwig, three miles from Cardigan.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48'It's a small village in the beautiful Welsh countryside.
0:28:48 > 0:28:53'The mystery house was designed to create a splash.'
0:28:55 > 0:28:58There you go. There's the mystery house.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- SUEANNE LAUGHS - What can you see?
0:29:01 > 0:29:04- A pool.- A pool! Yeah!
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Half the house is a pool!
0:29:06 > 0:29:12Can you see that, Conrad? There are blue glazed window frames.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Behind them is a pool.
0:29:15 > 0:29:19To my right here, Conrad, there's a great big double garage.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23- We're thinking gym in there.- Yeah.
0:29:23 > 0:29:24I want to go inside!
0:29:24 > 0:29:28'That's the enthusiasm we're after.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32'The pool is a real pull but it's not the only mystery.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35'That will be revealed later.
0:29:35 > 0:29:39'Built 15 years ago, this is the newest house we're showing them.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43'I'm sure the high ceilings inside won't disappoint.'
0:29:43 > 0:29:46- JULES LAUGHS - Squeeze in, Conrad.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48I didn't think that.
0:29:48 > 0:29:53Can you get a sense of the height of it?
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- I think so.- You're smiling.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Yeah. I love it.- Really? Good.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00You should. It's the mystery house.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04'After the pleasing reaction to the bright galleried hallway,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'we're heading to the lounge.'
0:30:09 > 0:30:12- JULES LAUGHS - Come on in, mate.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Plenty of room.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18Quite a big room this, and it's pretty square, too.
0:30:18 > 0:30:24Big arched windows look out across quite a small front garden.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- Two of them?- Yeah. Two big windows like that.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31Silence! I'm not sure whether it's good or bad.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34- This is great.- This is good silence.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38'While they're quietly confident about the potential in the lounge,
0:30:38 > 0:30:42'let's see if they say something about the master bedroom,
0:30:42 > 0:30:46'rather unusually, on the ground floor.'
0:30:46 > 0:30:48The master.
0:30:48 > 0:30:54- Come on in. Silence again! I'm still hoping it's good silence.- Yeah.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59- Fitted wardrobes. - It also comes with an en suite.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03After you, Conrad. Corner tub with shower.
0:31:05 > 0:31:10- All the other bits and pieces you would need.- A bidet.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13- All mod cons! - LAUGHTER
0:31:13 > 0:31:17'The different layout is the final piece in the mystery puzzle.
0:31:17 > 0:31:22'The majority of living spaces - another bedroom and a shower room,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26'are downstairs, which should help Conrad negotiate the property.
0:31:26 > 0:31:31'On the first floor, there's a family bathroom
0:31:31 > 0:31:34'which serves the three remaining bedrooms.
0:31:34 > 0:31:40'We continue downstairs, where Sueanne may have compromises to make.'
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Sueanne, come in.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- Come here. - SUEANNE CHUCKLES
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- I think I know what you're going to say.- It's small.
0:31:49 > 0:31:55Yeah. It is. Not tiny, but perhaps we have spoilt you a little.
0:31:55 > 0:32:01You are going to make your own mark on whichever property you move into.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05- You may want to do that here.- Yeah. - Going that way a bit.
0:32:05 > 0:32:10- It's the only bit you've really got to compromise on.- OK.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Yeah? Ooh, dear. Looking very stern there.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- JULES LAUGHS - We might not be friends any more.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Oh, my God!
0:32:19 > 0:32:23We've been through so much together. Now you're telling me.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Right. Come here. Follow me through here.
0:32:27 > 0:32:29Back off the kitchen,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32we've got this enormous dining room.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Which, of course, leads on to the pool.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39- Shall we?- Yeah.- You can go first.
0:32:39 > 0:32:40Go on.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42Show us the pool.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- Watch your step.- Yeah.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- What do you think?- Impressive.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54How long's this, about?
0:32:54 > 0:32:58About 40 foot. And about 15 foot wide.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03- We've also got a changing room and a shower room.- That's good.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- It's like being in your own gym. - Yeah.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09In terms of making it manageable,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12it doesn't have any handrails.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17- That can soon be fixed, though. - Exactly.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19You'd want to use this route.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24In an ideal world, through that door would be your gym.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- Follow me - very carefully.- I will.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- Are you OK there?- Yeah.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38There's quite a step down here.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40Over and down.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44This is inside the double garage we saw from the outside.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50It's not the biggest space we've seen for a gym, but what you do think?
0:33:50 > 0:33:52It could just about work.
0:33:52 > 0:33:59- It's the easiest fix of all the potential gym areas.- Yeah.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Course it is.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04It could just about work, I think.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08'The garage may not be the triple length Conrad hoped for,
0:34:08 > 0:34:12'but it seems it's a sacrifice he's willing to make.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14'There's one more outside.'
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Last, we've got the garden.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21In fairness, it doesn't have acres and acres.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25The whole lot sits within an acre. You did say at the outset an acre.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29I get the feeling that, as we've gone through,
0:34:29 > 0:34:36because we've tempted you with more, it's opened your eyes to the idea of more land.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38But, you know, up to you.
0:34:38 > 0:34:43- The key thing is going to be the price.- Yeah.- Over budget, I think.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48- 550.- You're saying 50,000 over budget?- Yeah.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- I'm going to say 525.- 525.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- Be better if it was that.- It would be fantastic, wouldn't it?- Yeah.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59You'd buy it tomorrow.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04- Well, you could buy it today for 465,000.- No way?- No way?
0:35:04 > 0:35:07How about that?
0:35:07 > 0:35:09It's mine!
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- Yeah. 465.- I'm amazed.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- Handsomely under budget.- I'm amazed.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17That's it. Removal van.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- Enough to sort the gym out.- Sort out your extension on the kitchen.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24Go and explore your new home.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29Brilliant. The mystery house seems to have done it once again.
0:35:29 > 0:35:35I'm absolutely delighted. We picked it for a bit of fun with the pool for Sueanne.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39Also for practical reasons, and that's why it's stolen their hearts.
0:35:39 > 0:35:45'At £465,000, our mystery house comes at a very attractive price,
0:35:45 > 0:35:51'which is yet again under budget, this time by a huge £35,000.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55'That's plenty of spare cash left to really kit out Conrad's gym...
0:36:19 > 0:36:24'With a taste of eight acres, have we raised the bar too high?'
0:36:24 > 0:36:27When Jules told us the price of the house
0:36:27 > 0:36:30and the fact that I was so way off,
0:36:30 > 0:36:32I was so stunned.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34And so happy.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37It was fantastic. Can't believe it.
0:36:37 > 0:36:44- This is the only downfall.- Cos of the size?- Yeah. You can't be with me when I'm cooking.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49Final time we're leaving a property on this series of house tours.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53- How does it feel? - Quite sad.- It is quite sad.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- You want to go look at more? - Yeah. No.
0:36:56 > 0:37:01- I think we've confused you. - Yeah. Big time.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06Let's get you somewhere to sit down, take it all in, talk it over.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11- Make a few calls, I suspect.- Yeah. To my dad.- Come on, then.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25'During our house hunting week, I couldn't pass up the chance
0:37:25 > 0:37:29'to visit Aberglasney estate in Towy Valley.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32'Aberglasney was once the garden that time forgot.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36'15 years ago, a restoration project began
0:37:36 > 0:37:39'to bring the 11-acre estate back to life.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42'It's unearthed some unique finds.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47'I'm meeting director of operations Graham Rankin, to find out more.'
0:37:47 > 0:37:53This is the perfect place to get out of the rain on a filthy day.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57This is the cryptoporticus, which was built for days like today.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00You can wander up and down and, on fine days,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02you can walk up onto the parapet.
0:38:02 > 0:38:08'This is the only UK garden with a limestone structure of this type.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10'It dates back to 1600.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12'With no records to speak of,
0:38:12 > 0:38:18'it's taken extensive research to recreate the style of garden.'
0:38:18 > 0:38:20When were these gardens built?
0:38:20 > 0:38:27The first evidence we have of these was around the 15th century. We don't know what they looked like.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31It does look a little bit "plain", you might say,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34compared to gardens today.
0:38:34 > 0:38:39A gentleman called Hans Vredeman de Vries, a Dutchman, around 1600
0:38:39 > 0:38:42produced drawings of gardens in the 1600s.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45His was the ultimate fashion.
0:38:45 > 0:38:49This is a pastiche of the style that would have been typical.
0:38:49 > 0:38:54'Another arboreal feature is the ancient interwoven branches
0:38:54 > 0:38:57'of this 300-year-old yew tunnel.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01'It was created by just one row of yew trees
0:39:01 > 0:39:07'intentionally bent over so that the branches met the ground.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11'The gardens are mirrored by the novel greenery inside the house.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14'The courtyard and some of the central rooms
0:39:14 > 0:39:18'were deemed beyond restoration and were filled with exotic plants
0:39:18 > 0:39:22'such as gingers, magnolias and orchids,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25'making an unconventional indoor garden.'
0:39:25 > 0:39:30What did people say when you suggested putting a garden in the building?
0:39:30 > 0:39:32They took a bit of persuading.
0:39:32 > 0:39:38I had a botanical artist do pictures of how it would look and it did the trick.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43- Now you get to enjoy it all year round.- 364 days a year!
0:39:46 > 0:39:53In just a few minutes' time, we're going to find out what the future holds for Conrad and Sueanne.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55They say they're confused.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59I'm delighted we gave them such fantastic properties.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Which one, if any of them, is going to be for them?
0:40:02 > 0:40:06They're on the beach. Let's ask them.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14Right, guys. This is it. Our final conversation of the week.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19It started with the old vicarage, which you thought was stately home.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- It's fantastic. It had a family feel.- You felt at home there.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28I did. I thought it was somewhere we could grow into.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30I did like it a lot.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34Let's think about the farmhouse with eight acres!
0:40:34 > 0:40:37Three barns. Stables.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41The farmer's daughter is smiling. Go on, Sueanne.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45It's somewhere for me to set up my donkey sanctuary.
0:40:45 > 0:40:51- Sanctuary? We started with one or two donkeys.- That's your fault!
0:40:51 > 0:40:55OK, and what about the idea of the gym.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- We had a barn you could convert. - That was brilliant.
0:40:59 > 0:41:02That was perfect.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05I thought it was a promising start.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08We headed out for our final day's house hunting.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11- The mystery house. - That blew me away.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14There's no doubt about it.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The newest property we were able to show you.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Very clean lines plus, of course, the heated pool.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24And space to give you your gym.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29- I spoke to my coach, told him the dimensions...- Already?- Yeah.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34- I can see where this is going. - He said that's just about do-able.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38Well, we've seen them all. We've talked about them endlessly.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Question is, what happens next?
0:41:41 > 0:41:48We need to find out whether we can get planning to extend one of the properties we've seen.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53- Mystery house, maybe?- That's a possibility. That's a fall-back.
0:41:53 > 0:41:58- The fall-back option? What's the first option?- The old farmhouse.
0:41:58 > 0:42:03- I thought that would be the one. - It's all down to the planners.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08If you don't get that one, the mystery house is on the back burner.
0:42:08 > 0:42:13- We're torn between the two.- I'm delighted we've given you a choice.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Let's see you on your way and wish you well.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20- Thank you very much indeed. Been a real pleasure.- Cheers.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- Best of luck, Sueanne.- Thank you.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29We take looking at properties very much for granted.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33For Conrad, this has been an extraordinary challenge.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37He has to look at the world effectively through a keyhole.
0:42:37 > 0:42:42As you would expect from a man who has overcome unimaginable adversity
0:42:42 > 0:42:46and is now heading for the Paralympic Games in 2012,
0:42:46 > 0:42:51he's overcome it and has been an inspiration to me and all the crew.
0:42:51 > 0:42:57As for Sueanne, they came out as a genuine double act, looking for their dream home in the country.
0:42:57 > 0:43:03I am delighted to say I'm pretty sure we found it. See you next time.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:06 > 0:43:11Northern Ireland or England and would like our help, apply online.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd