0:00:02 > 0:00:04Regarded as one of the most elaborate timber halls,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07this iconic Tudor oak building holds a secret.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09It actually shouldn't be black and white.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12So join me in a moment, when I will reveal all
0:00:12 > 0:00:15as we make another Escape To The Country.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30On today's show, I'll be helping an energetic couple
0:00:30 > 0:00:32on a marathon of a house search.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36But I'm worried when we get off to a rocky start.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37- I don't like it.- You don't like it? - No.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40You're allergic to animals, aren't you?
0:00:40 > 0:00:41We won't get too close.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44But finally we are on the home straight.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47This space we've got here is excellent.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49There's so many things that you could do.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Today I'm in Cheshire
0:00:54 > 0:00:57and this is the 16th century Little Moreton Hall
0:00:57 > 0:00:59near Congleton.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Normally, timber frame buildings like this
0:01:01 > 0:01:04would have been left to age naturally.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06The timbers would be a light grey colour
0:01:06 > 0:01:09and the plasterwork pale golden.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13But it was those romantic Victorians who, in the mid 19th century,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16brought about the trend for these Tudor buildings
0:01:16 > 0:01:19to be black and white, as we now know them today.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21They were worried that rural Britain
0:01:21 > 0:01:25was losing its identity to the industrialisation of the country.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28They wanted to celebrate Merrie England's heritage
0:01:28 > 0:01:31so they breathed new life into these properties
0:01:31 > 0:01:33by painting them black and white,
0:01:33 > 0:01:36thus preserving them for generations to come.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Stretching over 900 square miles,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Cheshire sits on the Welsh border, with Lancashire to the north.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46The moors of the Peak District merge into the county,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48which then give way to the Cheshire plains,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52whose canals, built during the Industrial Revolution,
0:01:52 > 0:01:53are now a draw for narrowboaters.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58Bringing in some of the county's £608 million per year in tourism.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Cheshire holds on to a rich architectural heritage,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03with Chester laying claim to over a third
0:02:03 > 0:02:06of the county's 5,500 listed buildings,
0:02:06 > 0:02:10spanning the medieval and Victorian periods.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13And there's a wealth of historic properties tucked away
0:02:13 > 0:02:17in its more rural villages, making this a very sought after area.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20But Cheshire is by no means cheap.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23The average property price around here is around £50,000 above
0:02:23 > 0:02:26the rest of the north west of England.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29And there's one sport that's helped prices rise so dramatically.
0:02:29 > 0:02:31Yep, football.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Premiership players from Liverpool and Manchester
0:02:34 > 0:02:36have all been donning their wellies,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39albeit designer ones, and relocating here.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, and the village of Prestbury
0:02:42 > 0:02:44all make up the Golden Triangle,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47and residents there, well, around 20% of them,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50have salaries in excess of seven figures.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53But don't worry, you don't have to dribble or shoot a ball
0:02:53 > 0:02:54to score a property goal.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57There are still some fantastic opportunities
0:02:57 > 0:02:59around the whole of Cheshire.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03If you've got a big budget then this huge five bedroomed house in Mere
0:03:03 > 0:03:06can be yours for £1.35 million.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11The period features and large reception rooms give it a welcoming, cottagey feel.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14Complemented by a bright, modern kitchen which leads out
0:03:14 > 0:03:16to a generous conservatory,
0:03:16 > 0:03:18with great views of the three-quarters of an acre
0:03:18 > 0:03:20of landscaped gardens.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24For £695,000, this four bedroomed chapel conversion in Oscroft
0:03:24 > 0:03:26offers up a wonderfully light
0:03:26 > 0:03:28and airy modern interior
0:03:28 > 0:03:31whilst retaining some of its original features.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35The house is cleverly linked by a walkway to the double garage
0:03:35 > 0:03:37with open countryside all around.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41And you can enjoy stunning views for £365,000
0:03:41 > 0:03:44for this three bedroomed semi detached cottage in Cranwich.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49It has a stylish, open plan layout and upstairs, the master leads out
0:03:49 > 0:03:50to the balcony,
0:03:50 > 0:03:52a perfect spot to soak up the surroundings
0:03:52 > 0:03:54over a morning cup of coffee.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58As you can see you can catch an awful lot
0:03:58 > 0:04:00if you cast your net wide enough.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04But today's buyers have been searching for a very large fish
0:04:04 > 0:04:07in a very small pond, for quite some time.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09So, let's meet them.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Property developer James and his wife, Pam,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14have lived in their four bedroomed detached house
0:04:14 > 0:04:17on the outskirts of Southport, for the past three years.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20Although they've renovated it from top to toe,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22they've decided life in the suburbs is a bit of a squeeze
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and it's now time to branch out into the countryside.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29We feel we just want space, quiet and space.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32What we are looking for is some outbuildings
0:04:32 > 0:04:35so I can follow my passion, which is classic cars,
0:04:35 > 0:04:36renovating classic cars.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39The type of lifestyle that I'd like
0:04:39 > 0:04:43is firstly to go a little bit greener, and ideally I'd love
0:04:43 > 0:04:47to be able to have some chickens and collect the eggs every day,
0:04:47 > 0:04:52a veggie patch would be lovely, because I'm very much
0:04:52 > 0:04:53into health, fitness,
0:04:53 > 0:04:57and eating healthily is very, very important to me.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01I think me and Pam both have this idea of living off the grid.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06My side of it is, I like solar panels, wind turbines,
0:05:06 > 0:05:10I'd like to be collecting rainwater and using that for flushing
0:05:10 > 0:05:15the toilet and things, and just to try and reduce everything down.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Up until now, they've only been looking
0:05:18 > 0:05:20in a very small six mile radius, as Pam has wanted
0:05:20 > 0:05:24to be within a half-hour drive of her gym in Southport.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Of all the properties we've looked at, and there's been quite a few,
0:05:27 > 0:05:32we found most of them didn't sort of flow properly for us.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36I like things being spacious, new, with clean lines.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Something with low ceilings, beams, I don't like.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47They seem pretty clear on what they don't want so what exactly do they need in their house in the country?
0:05:47 > 0:05:51We'd like two reception rooms, a dining room for when the kids
0:05:51 > 0:05:55come round, because, with having two grown-up children each,
0:05:55 > 0:05:57we do need the space.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59A breakfast kitchen would be ideal
0:05:59 > 0:06:02because we do tend to spend a lot of time in there.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05When I'm cooking, James will sit and chat to me.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09And a minimum of three bedrooms for when everyone does come to stay.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11I'm craving space.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14I built this machine for making part of a wind turbine.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I've had to make this smaller than I wanted to, really.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19As far as getting a classic car in here, forget it.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21I've got all these machines and nowhere to work.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23We're in the en suite at the moment,
0:06:23 > 0:06:28which is very important to me, so I would like an en suite in the new property.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Ideally, the icing on the cake would be to have a bathtub in there,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35with a window, so I could look out on to some fantastic views.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39The key to the move is space. Where we live now, it's quite built up.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41We're looking for one, maybe two acres,
0:06:41 > 0:06:46somewhere I can have my outbuildings and where Pam can keep our chickens.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51Fortunately James and Pam are cash buyers and won't be looking to sell their current house immediately.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55So, how much do they have to spend on their next move?
0:06:55 > 0:06:57We can spend up to £700,000 on the right property.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00After a year of searching in Lancashire,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02they've decided to change tack.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05We've been searching in Lancashire for a year now
0:07:05 > 0:07:06and found absolutely nothing.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09We've hit a dead end, so we decided
0:07:09 > 0:07:13we are going to have to move out a little bit and search other areas.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15Big decision and quite reluctant.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I would like to get back to Southport,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21I would like to go to my gym, but I have to be realistic.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23James needs access to his business
0:07:23 > 0:07:26so we think Cheshire may be the place.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32So, today, we have a very healthy budget of £700,000.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35But Pam and James want an awful lot for their money.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39They want a big house, lots of land, lots of outbuildings
0:07:39 > 0:07:43and Cheshire isn't exactly a cheap part of the world either.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45he could find Pam a great house
0:07:45 > 0:07:48but at the expense of James' outbuildings and land,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51or if we find James his ideal rural plot,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Pam may have to compromise on the house.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56They want to explore the countryside around Chester,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58to the north of Cheshire,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01so they are confining their house search to being a half-hour drive
0:08:01 > 0:08:05away from the city, with a trip back to Southport taking around one hour.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08I'll be showing them a whole range of properties
0:08:08 > 0:08:09currently on the market.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13But as ever, I won't be revealing the price tags until they've had a guess first,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15and, as always, there's a mystery house
0:08:15 > 0:08:19that will definitely stretch them to think outside the box.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Good morning, Pam and James.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- How are you feeling?- Very well.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Now, first of all, you've changed your search area.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31Very brave move.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Is this bringing new challenges to you both? Why have you changed?
0:08:35 > 0:08:38We couldn't find what we want in the area where we are,
0:08:38 > 0:08:39there were too few properties.
0:08:39 > 0:08:44This isn't too far away and there's a lot more properties here.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46The area's nice as well, so...
0:08:46 > 0:08:49OK, Pam, let's talk a little bit more about this gym
0:08:49 > 0:08:50of yours that you go to.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53It's not just a treadmill that you're going on, is it?
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- No, I do all the presses, and I go in the studios every day.- Every day?
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Wow! So how long are you there?
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Anything between 1½ to 3 hours.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06Crikey, that's a lot out of your day.
0:09:06 > 0:09:11What's the maximum commute to this gym?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I'd sort of travel an hour for the right property.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Right, so it's all about the property.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19It's mostly about the property, yes.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22You have your own property business. Buy to let property.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26So you know lot about what it takes to do a property up.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29And keep it done up, if you like.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32How much work are you prepared to do to a property, if you like it,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34if we find the right location?
0:09:34 > 0:09:38I think we're willing to work really hard on it, to completely change it.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40A new build? I'll do a new build.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42But I don't think you're going to find that
0:09:42 > 0:09:43cos there's no lots of land.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Never say never,
0:09:45 > 0:09:46he said, hopefully!
0:09:46 > 0:09:49The budget, has it changed, or is it the same?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52No, it's the same. Up to 700 for something that's finished.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57It would be nice getting something for 500 that needed renovating and then spending money on the property.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59OK, we have some fantastic properties lined up
0:09:59 > 0:10:02for you today, and of course, there's the mystery house.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04So shall we start?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06- Yes.- Well, come this way.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09With a budget of £700,000,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13James and Pam are looking for a detached house,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15in a quiet location, which gives them
0:10:15 > 0:10:18two reception rooms - not olde worlde, thank you -
0:10:18 > 0:10:21a large kitchen diner, at least three bedrooms,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23with a master en suite,
0:10:23 > 0:10:29one to two acres of land for James' classic cars and workshop,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32and with a gym close by for Pam.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38We kick off our house search in the hamlet of Poole,
0:10:38 > 0:10:3920 miles from Chester.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43It's a quiet, rural location peppered with the clues of its Victorian past.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47From its humble chapel and cottages, to the Shropshire Union Canal,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49now popular with narrowboats
0:10:49 > 0:10:53and practically on the doorstep of our first much extended property.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56The house! Honestly, what comes to your mind?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59It just looks like a neat little cottage.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01It looks finished
0:11:01 > 0:11:04for the purpose of the people that live in it now.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09But I think it could still suit you two, bearing in mind what else we've got here, all right?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Let's have a look.- Yes.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13This house is made up of three parts.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17The original cottage was built around 110 years ago,
0:11:17 > 0:11:20with a further gable extension added just over 10 years ago
0:11:20 > 0:11:21and a modern extension at the back.
0:11:21 > 0:11:26What's more, there's a real treat in store outside for James.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30I wonder what they'll make of how it all comes together inside.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Here we come. Just wipe your feet.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36- Now, Pam...- Beams!
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Beams.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Now, these, you can either get them boxed in,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43get them painted, or get rid.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Some of the woodwork you see around this property
0:11:47 > 0:11:49is to support floors, some isn't.
0:11:49 > 0:11:54- If you got rid of these could you live with this room? - This is a nice room.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58I think this would make an ideal room which is your second lounge,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- for sitting and reading in. - Like a snug?- Yeah.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03I'll go with that. Next one.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07I was thinking this could be a good little ante room
0:12:07 > 0:12:10or work area, hobby room.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11But this...
0:12:11 > 0:12:14I was hoping was more your cup of tea.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16Now, this is bigger than I expected it to be.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19This is a nice sized lounge.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21This is a modern extension.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24It's got clean lines, wood burner.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27That's lovely, that little wood burner.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29So how does this feel as a living room?
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- It's good.- It's just fine, yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34You would be happy with the other rooms off this living room now?
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Yes, so the second living room is...yeah.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40OK, let's see what you make of the kitchen
0:12:40 > 0:12:43because that's the heart of the house, isn't it?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49OK, headache pills are needed maybe for you, James.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52A bit too close. But stay with me on this one.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I'm thinking this is just going to be a sitting down room,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57your dining room, or dining area.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00But how about this for a kitchen?
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Nice.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05It is a nice kitchen.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07Pam, inside you said is your domain, really.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10You're going to love the house. Do you like what you've seen so far?
0:13:10 > 0:13:12I love this. That is just great.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14That would suit me down to the ground.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Who does all the cooking, by the way? I haven't asked that.- Me!
0:13:17 > 0:13:20Right. And you like the kitchen?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22- The kitchen's lovely, yes. - I'm happy with that.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Shall we look upstairs then?
0:13:24 > 0:13:29In spite of the beams, I think I'm winning Pam over, so far.
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Patience, James, your turn will come outside.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34But before that let's head upstairs and check out
0:13:34 > 0:13:36the first two of the four bedrooms.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38Just mind your head here, James.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40You could do away with this.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42And get these doorways raised.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Now, I'm not sure what you're going to use this room for,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47because it leads into another bedroom.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51Maybe a walk-in wardrobe or dressing room. Keep thinking.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54This could be a master bedroom.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- We'll wait and see what you think of the other rooms.- Hmm.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00- That was a daunting sound.- I don't like it.- You don't like it?- No.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02The shape of it, the sides going down like that.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05It just doesn't do it for me, I'm afraid.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08OK, that still leaves one room open to us, doesn't it?
0:14:08 > 0:14:11If you don't like this roof shape,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14I am a little worried. Follow me.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Mind your head!
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Down the landing there's a modern family bathroom
0:14:21 > 0:14:22with bath and overhead shower,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25and a light, bright bedroom currently set up as a twin.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Let's see what they make of where they will sleep.
0:14:28 > 0:14:34OK, now this bedroom is made to be the master bedroom at the moment.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37It's at the back of the property so it's very peaceful.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40Imagine waking up here, opening the window and all you hear is birds.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Nice views. Really bright room, isn't it?
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Yeah, there's a lot of light coming in here.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48We've all gone quiet, haven't we?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Again, sloping ceilings.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53It is small, this bedroom.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55We've got an en suite round the corner.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56Shower and a loo.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01Well, they may not be bowled over by the interior but this property
0:15:01 > 0:15:02is all about the outside.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05First up we're heading to the main stable block
0:15:05 > 0:15:08to look at a home for James' classic cars.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12So as you can see, you could have your boxes here
0:15:12 > 0:15:14for stabling horses.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15And you can hear one.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- You're allergic to animals, aren't you?- Yes.
0:15:18 > 0:15:19We won't go too close.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23But what you should be able to see is a really usable A-frame building.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- It's excellent, excellent.- I mean, you could get all your cars in here.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29How would you have it yourself?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Well, you'd take these out, obviously.
0:15:31 > 0:15:36I'd probably put a suspended ceiling in just for heating it.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37Put the workshop at one end,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41put the cars at this end, with a bit of space that side, excellent.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43I should have shown him this first, shouldn't I?
0:15:43 > 0:15:46He's just come alive, now he's outside.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Great smiles from James at last.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53As if that wasn't enough there's also a double garage that would make a great workshop for him
0:15:53 > 0:15:55and on the first floor,
0:15:55 > 0:15:59there's enough space for Pam to have her own exercise room.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04There's also a timbered stable block - horse not included.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Land wise, all told, it adds up to a grand three acres.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11So plenty of space for Pam to grow her own vegetables
0:16:11 > 0:16:13and keep chickens,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15and for James to try out his wind turbine.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17Seeing what you've seen,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20I want you to try to guess the asking price of this.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23OK, I think it's about...
0:16:24 > 0:16:27I'll go for...over 725.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29725. OK, Pam. James?
0:16:29 > 0:16:32That's what I was going to say, actually.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36I'll go for 700. I think I'm being cheeky.
0:16:36 > 0:16:41It's on the market for £699,950.
0:16:41 > 0:16:4450 quid short of your guess, James. So, good guess.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47I want you to go back inside the property on your own
0:16:47 > 0:16:49and see if you can maybe make it work for you.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- Good. I'll catch you in a bit.- OK.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55Sneaking in under budget at just shy of £700,000,
0:16:55 > 0:16:59this property gives James everything he's looking for outside
0:16:59 > 0:17:02and answers many of their demands for the house,
0:17:02 > 0:17:04including two reception rooms,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07one with those clean lines they like so much,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11a large, light kitchen diner, four potential bedrooms
0:17:11 > 0:17:12with a master en suite,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15outbuildings for James's classic cars,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18a workshop, and even space for Pam to have her own exercise room.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20All of this set in three acres,
0:17:20 > 0:17:24so lots of scope for them to become self sufficient.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27The space we've got here is excellent.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30There are so many things that you could do.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32It's picturesque. Really, really nice.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34It's perfect out here.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36We couldn't have wanted anything better.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40And I know, looking at James's face, he was over the moon with it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42The outbuildings are fantastic.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Everything you want.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Perfect. Unfortunately - and it is an unfortunately -
0:17:47 > 0:17:49the head height in the house.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It's something that I can't change.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- The house just hasn't got it for us. - It's all my fault for being tall!
0:17:56 > 0:17:57It's your fault, yeah!
0:17:57 > 0:17:59OK, all done?
0:17:59 > 0:18:01Don't tell me what you decided.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Let's get going and tell me later.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10The Cheshire countryside may serve up
0:18:10 > 0:18:12some prestigious property hotspots
0:18:12 > 0:18:17but for a glut of architectural treats look no further than Chester.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Home to well over 1,600 listed buildings, its historic centre
0:18:21 > 0:18:25is encircled by its impressive city walls dating back to medieval times.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28We've arranged for James and Pam to meet local guide, Liz Roberts,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30to take a walk through its history.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35OK, so now we find ourselves standing outside the ancient city walls of Chester.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39The walls stretch for a two mile circuit all the way round the entire city centre.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42We've got the most complete circuit of city walls in the country.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44What we're seeing today largely dates
0:18:44 > 0:18:49from the 18th century, when a huge amount of repair work took place.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52And they didn't need the walls for defensive purposes
0:18:52 > 0:18:53any more at that time,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55so they made them into the rather nice walkway
0:18:55 > 0:18:56that we can enjoy today.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59These sturdy sandstone walls lead round to the Eastgate,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03historically the main thoroughfare in and out of the city,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05topped by the Eastgate Clock,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10commemorating Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13And Chester's streets are lined with some unique architecture.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18So, what I'd like to do now, guys, is to point out the famous
0:19:18 > 0:19:23Rows of Chester, that refers to the galleries of shops on two levels.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26We've got two high streets for the price of one, in effect.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Today the Rows are a mixture of Tudor and Victorian arcades.
0:19:30 > 0:19:34It's said that because the hard, red sandstone bedrock under the city
0:19:34 > 0:19:38made it impossible for shopkeepers to dig down to make their cellars,
0:19:38 > 0:19:39they built upwards,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42and by the mid-14th century, were joined by a walkway.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Pam may not be an avid fan of olde worlde beams but I'm sure that even
0:19:46 > 0:19:50she's won over by Chester's historic charm.
0:19:50 > 0:19:51May God bless you all!
0:19:51 > 0:19:54God Save the Queen!
0:20:02 > 0:20:07As the day draws to a close, it marks end of the first day of our property search.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14James and Pam want to cross the border from Lancashire to Cheshire.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18And with their £700,000 budget comes very high expectations.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- It's all my fault for being tall! - It's your fault, yeah!
0:20:21 > 0:20:25But coming up, our house search reaches new heights.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28The owner that lives here is 6'6''.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30And he had no scars on his forehead when I met him.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34And they will need some blue sky thinking with our mystery house.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41Our property search takes us just outside the market town of Nantwich.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Pam will be pleased to know that the gym she's currently a member of
0:20:44 > 0:20:46has a branch just a 20 minute drive away.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51Along with St Mary's Church, Nantwich has over 100 listed buildings to its name,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53dating back to medieval times.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56And the timber is a running theme, albeit with a 21st century twist
0:20:56 > 0:21:01with this wooden-clad bungalow, formerly a pottery.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Oh, wow! I never expected that at all.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08I'm glad you said you never expected it because I'm not sure
0:21:08 > 0:21:11you would have picked it off an estate agent's particulars.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- What do you think?- Huge!
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It is, as you say, a very unusual looking building.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20It hasn't always looked like this. It used to be a pottery.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Now, I think some of it was built around 1982.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25What the owners haven't had to do,
0:21:25 > 0:21:29they haven't been hamstrung by the original design of the house.
0:21:29 > 0:21:34They've had a pretty free rein and I think the current owners' style,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38I hope, matches your aspirations for your new home.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40To some extent at least.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43I'm interested to see what the layout's like inside.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- Looking forward to it?- Definitely. - Let's have a look.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51Well, I'm getting really positive vibes from their first impressions.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55I know that James already has a whiff of what's on offer outside,
0:21:55 > 0:21:57what with the triple garage - so, space for some of his cars.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01But upstairs above the garage is a real surprise.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05It's a self-contained annexe with open-plan living area,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07a double bedroom and bathroom.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10But let's hope the bungalow puts them in high spirits.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Come right in.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Ooh!
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Ooh, that's a big lounge, isn't it?
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Lovely!- And I don't mind those beams.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21The owner that lives here is 6'6''.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24And he had no scars on his forehead when I met him.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Now, this room,
0:22:29 > 0:22:33which is about the same sort of size as the flat that I live in,
0:22:33 > 0:22:35is 800 square feet.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- Do you like the style? - Yeah, definitely.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- The window and the doors is gorgeous.- Look at that view.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43It is, it's incredible.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Have you seen the wood burner?
0:22:45 > 0:22:46Oh, that's nice as well.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49Is this something that you would really like to live in?
0:22:49 > 0:22:51This is lovely, yes, really like this.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54All right, let's have a look in the kitchen.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Things are really looking up.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00They both seemed in awe of the space and style of this living room.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03And even the beams are getting top marks.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10- Big enough? - Yes, very nice, very nice.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13It almost feels small after the living room but it is a big kitchen.
0:23:13 > 0:23:18- Yes, plenty of work space. - The reason why I think it looks so clean and tidy,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21the kitchen, is because a lot of the white goods are out of the way.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22Let me squeeze past you.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24With the pantry.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- Good?- Oh, yeah.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Next door is an enormous games room,
0:23:28 > 0:23:33which would make a great everyday snug with the views of open fields.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37But stepping out of the kitchen we are really bringing the outside in.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Oh!
0:23:39 > 0:23:41That's a surprise.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45This is a really useful outside area, that you can use.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46A bit strange, really, isn't it?
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Are we outside or are we inside?
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- That's it.- Half in-between? - Do I grow tomatoes?
0:23:51 > 0:23:53It is greenhousey, isn't it?
0:23:53 > 0:23:56I'll give you an idea of what else we've got here.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59We got almost this size space again the other side of the wall.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- It's usable.- Winter barbecues.- Yeah.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- Haven't seen anything like this before, at all.- No.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Good! OK, let's get out of the heat - blistering in here!
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Take a look at the bedrooms.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Well, they could grow enough tomatoes
0:24:13 > 0:24:15to supply the whole of Nantwich.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18All the four bedrooms lead off the hallway.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21One is large enough to be a double and there are two further
0:24:21 > 0:24:25light double rooms with those clean, regular lines they like.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28Along with a spacious study for James,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30there's also a bright, modern family bathroom.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33But will the main bedroom measure up?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Here's the master bedroom.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- Feel free to have a poke around. You've got a dressing room.- Yeah.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39- That's nice.- OK.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41The en suite's pretty impressive.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- Oh yeah, it's huge.- Room for a bath in there if you so desire.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Ground floor bedrooms. What do you think?
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- Not a problem I don't think. - Yeah, no.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- It's impressive. - It's very impressive.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00- Beautiful house.- Nice house. - Let's have a look at the gardens.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05Start to think about how much this might all cost. All right?
0:25:05 > 0:25:07Brilliant. The style and layout of this bungalow
0:25:07 > 0:25:10seems to be really striking a chord with them.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14Outside, land surrounding the property amounts to around one acre,
0:25:14 > 0:25:18with a play area that would make a fantastic spot to keep chickens.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21And good news, James, on the alternative energy front.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Looking at the house as well,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26those are the solar panels to heat the hot water.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30The owners have also done some investigating into getting
0:25:30 > 0:25:35a wind turbine, and apparently this site is very suitable for that.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36You can feel a bit of a breeze
0:25:36 > 0:25:39coming up through these fields at the moment.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42- Lovely, isn't it?- Spectacular.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44How much would you pay for it, I suppose?
0:25:44 > 0:25:46This is the next big question.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- How much? - How much do you think this is worth?
0:25:48 > 0:25:51This has got to be over budget. It has to be over budget.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53795.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55795, OK.
0:25:55 > 0:26:02I was thinking more about 750.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05It's on the market for £725,000.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Wow!
0:26:07 > 0:26:09That's interesting, yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Why don't you go and have a good look around the house on your own?
0:26:13 > 0:26:14There's plenty to see.
0:26:14 > 0:26:15Get a feel for the place.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- I'll catch you in a bit.- OK.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24Phew! At the start of today I was concerned.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I know what they're after, they're after the big bit of land,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29the big house, the huge rooms,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and changing tack just a little bit,
0:26:32 > 0:26:38looking at what is essentially a bungalow, we may just have done it.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Let's see.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Although at £725,000 our former pottery is over budget,
0:26:45 > 0:26:50it delivers in so many ways, giving them light, airy living areas,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53four bedrooms with a master en suite,
0:26:53 > 0:26:56energy saving features with its solar panels,
0:26:56 > 0:27:00wood burner, and real potential for James's wind turbine,
0:27:00 > 0:27:04outbuildings for those classic cars and a workshop, one acre of land,
0:27:04 > 0:27:09and it's only a 20 minute drive to a members' gym for Pam.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- This is a great area. - This is really good, isn't it?
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- This is absolutely fantastic for the kids.- It is.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19The very moment I saw it, I thought, wow!
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It's just so different.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22I hadn't considered
0:27:22 > 0:27:24not having a first floor,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28so it's quite confusing - it's hard to take it all in.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30But it's definitely a beautiful house.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33The size of this room and the outlook is really nice.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35It makes the house, doesn't it?
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- You could sit in here for many an hour and not get bored.- We could.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41This is a very nice house.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43This room's great, bedroom's great,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46outside area's great, there's enough space for a workshop
0:27:46 > 0:27:50and storing the cars, we've got somewhere for chickens,
0:27:50 > 0:27:54we've got the green aspect going on, everything. Excellent.
0:27:54 > 0:27:59You're smiling. This looks like good news.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Seen enough?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02- Yeah. - Let's get going then.- OK.
0:28:08 > 0:28:13With such a wealth of historic buildings spanning the county,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15I really am spoilt for choice.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17But I couldn't resist visiting
0:28:17 > 0:28:19the utterly gravity-defying Little Moreton Hall.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23As a former surveyor, it's the sort of building that sends shivers up my spine.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26So to get a closer look at this marvel of Tudor workmanship,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28I'm meeting Rebecca Douglas,
0:28:28 > 0:28:31who works at the house, now maintained by the National Trust.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33So, Rebecca,
0:28:33 > 0:28:37you're the lucky lady that lives in this house.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Do you sleep in here?
0:28:39 > 0:28:42I do. There's two flats.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45I don't think there's anything flat that I can see in my eyes!
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Looking at the building from the outside, I would get sleepless nights.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50It looks like it's almost ready to fall down. Is it?
0:28:50 > 0:28:52It's not. Fortunately.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54There has been a lot of work done over the years
0:28:54 > 0:28:58to make sure the property's stable, but it does look very wonky.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03I'm dying to see the history of this place. Can we take a look?
0:29:03 > 0:29:05We can, yes, I can take you through into the courtyard
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and I can show you what was built and when.
0:29:08 > 0:29:09Fantastic. Lead the way, please.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16The house's architecture charts the Moreton family's fortunes over 100 years.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19As they prospered, additional wings were added.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22But it all started on the north side of the courtyard.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24Goodness me, look at this!
0:29:24 > 0:29:26This is amazing.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28The first stage of the building
0:29:28 > 0:29:32is what you see directly in front of you. That was started off in 1504.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36The windows were added in 1559 by a carpenter called Richarde Dale.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38So there were no windows at first.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42There would have been very few windows. Glass was really expensive.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46It was only when they became more wealthy and they wanted to express
0:29:46 > 0:29:50that wealth, that they decided that windows was the way to go.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53The Tudors didn't dig down deep for their foundations
0:29:53 > 0:29:55but the Moreton family
0:29:55 > 0:29:57certainly raised the roof in the Great Hall,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59dating back to the early 1500s.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03Some 70 years later they were still building upwards, with the addition of the Long Gallery,
0:30:03 > 0:30:06which teeters above the south range
0:30:06 > 0:30:10and was used by the Elizabethans for playing games and promenading.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12This is the most wonky,
0:30:12 > 0:30:16higgledy-piggledy building I've ever been in!
0:30:16 > 0:30:18It's almost got its own terrain, hasn't it?
0:30:18 > 0:30:22- It has.- This was built on top of an existing building.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- Some 50, 60 years later.- Yes.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27And as we head to the upper porch room
0:30:27 > 0:30:30I feel my surveyor's instincts kicking in to straighten things out.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34As you can probably feel, again, it's fairly uneven.
0:30:34 > 0:30:35I almost want to hold on!
0:30:35 > 0:30:38This is one of our fireplaces.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Looks like it's leaning that way, doesn't it?
0:30:40 > 0:30:43It does, but actually it's fairly straight.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45That's straight?
0:30:45 > 0:30:48OK, well, I'll be the measure of that.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Let's have a look. I normally carry something like this with me.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53It's pretty plumb, actually.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58Which means that must be...
0:31:01 > 0:31:04The bubble! Ha-ha! That's amazing!
0:31:04 > 0:31:07This is the most wonky place I've ever been in my life
0:31:07 > 0:31:10but it's probably one of the most interesting buildings
0:31:10 > 0:31:12I've ever been in, as well.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Groaning under the weight of its 600 years of architectural history,
0:31:15 > 0:31:19this building stands today as one of the best preserved
0:31:19 > 0:31:22timber-framed manor houses in the country.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27So, it's mystery property time. Pam and James did said they're prepared
0:31:27 > 0:31:31to look at a renovation project, and this place could be just that.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35But having had a look at things it might even be a little bit more.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39Our mystery property takes us to the small village of Little Budworth,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41just under 15 miles from Chester.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46But nearby Tarporley picks up the prize for wearing its village pride on its sleeve.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49As well as a post office and welcome pint on tap,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52it's full of well-preserved buildings and traditions,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55with the country's very first voluntary fire brigade
0:31:55 > 0:31:57founded here 140 years ago.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00James and Pam seem happy with the idea of a bungalow.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03But how far can we push it with our mystery proposition?
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- Welcome.- Ooh!
0:32:06 > 0:32:08It's a bungalow.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- Small bungalow.- Small bungalow.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14Or is it a small bungalow? When is a small bungalow not a small bungalow?
0:32:14 > 0:32:17We can knock it down and build something else.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Correct. Let's have a closer look.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Now then, positioning.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Do you like it?
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Location's good, yeah.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Quiet, isn't it?
0:32:32 > 0:32:35This bungalow, believe it or not, has already been extended.
0:32:35 > 0:32:40But we've spoken to the planners who say in principle, provisionally,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44they've got no problems with it being extended by another 50%.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- Oh. Could you go up? - Only by another metre.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50But you do have a slope of land there.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53You've got a good foundation there.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- Is that something you'd be keen on exploring?- That's not a problem.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It's a challenge. And you know we like challenges.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03You both like challenges, don't you? By the sounds of it, that's a challenge that may be
0:33:03 > 0:33:07for the future, but as it stands I want you to give this home
0:33:07 > 0:33:09- a fair crack of the whip. OK?- OK.
0:33:09 > 0:33:10Let's have a look.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15I'm pleased they're happy to sign up to a challenge
0:33:15 > 0:33:18as this could be a developer's dream.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21Let's start off in the kitchen.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25I say the kitchen, the kitchen area.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Come through. Keep those in mind.
0:33:27 > 0:33:32Kitchen into a dining area, into a dining room.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Oh, right, yeah.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36What's going through your mind, Pam?
0:33:36 > 0:33:39Well, I suppose, get rid of this, one big kitchen.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41I'd have thought you'd have said that, yeah.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Every room I'm going to show you,
0:33:43 > 0:33:46I'm going to encourage you to knock on walls,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48to look at what's load bearing and what's not,
0:33:48 > 0:33:52because every room that you see doesn't have to be as it's used now.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54This doesn't have to be a kitchen.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58It's just potentially a quite big space.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01So now they're starting to fire up their imagination,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03let's check out the rest of the property.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06At the end of the hallway is one of the three bedrooms
0:34:06 > 0:34:08a light single room which could be transformed,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11if they want to get creative, in the bathroom.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16OK, so, I was quite surprised by this room.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20- They've done this nicely, haven't they?- That's a nice bath.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- That's quite cool, isn't it? - Is that a tap?
0:34:26 > 0:34:29I was wondering why there was a toilet roll holder in the bath!
0:34:29 > 0:34:32Initially I thought it was for the newspaper!
0:34:32 > 0:34:34Now, look, there's no natural light in this room.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37There's a single room next door, a single bedroom,
0:34:37 > 0:34:39which I think is only used for ornaments.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40And bearing in mind...
0:34:40 > 0:34:42- Stud wall.- That could go.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45It would be a beautiful bathroom, wouldn't it?
0:34:45 > 0:34:48- Yes it would, yeah.- Living room, next. See what you think of that.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51We'll see if we can build on that creativity in here.
0:34:51 > 0:34:52Sliding door.
0:34:53 > 0:34:54Now, then...
0:34:56 > 0:34:58I heard you like modern.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- Yeah...- Uh...
0:35:01 > 0:35:02'Ey up, he's off!
0:35:04 > 0:35:06What's James looking at?
0:35:06 > 0:35:07Is that the neighbours?
0:35:07 > 0:35:09That's the neighbours.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Ah. Oh.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13You shouldn't be worrying about that there.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18This whole house, in your words, should be facing that way, OK?
0:35:18 > 0:35:22At the moment this is a living room,
0:35:22 > 0:35:25but what would you like it to be?
0:35:25 > 0:35:28You could possibly divide the front off and make that a hallway,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31because it does go through to the other rooms opposite
0:35:31 > 0:35:34and then this space you could use as a bedroom or something.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Already, you're managing to turn these things around
0:35:36 > 0:35:38and reconfigure this house.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42But at the moment, it seems I'm adding this up as we go along
0:35:42 > 0:35:44kitchen area could work,
0:35:44 > 0:35:47big bathroom, spare bedroom, entrance hall.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- Let's see what we've got in the back, shall we?- Yep.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52At the opposite end of the property
0:35:52 > 0:35:55there's another sitting area with great views over open fields.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57But next door, Pam's got the sledgehammer out.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01- I'd knock in the wall. Can it be knocked through? - I think so.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04- There's nothing that guy can't knock through.- Yes, you could.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08- You're mentioning knocking that wall down because...? - To make this a bigger bedroom.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10That's a lovely bedroom. Look at the view.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15And, you may scoff, Pam, that's an en suite through there.
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Ooh!
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Our mystery bungalow gives James a great chance
0:36:21 > 0:36:23to engage his property developing skills.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Perhaps the outside space will tempt him to give it serious thought.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Although there's currently an outbuilding with storeroom and workshop,
0:36:30 > 0:36:31and a double stable block,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33I imagine James, with planning consent,
0:36:33 > 0:36:36might want to rebuild them from scratch.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39But here's my big proposition for them.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43So, then,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47how much of this land would you like to be yours?
0:36:47 > 0:36:50Well, all of it, really.
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Well, you've got all of it.
0:36:52 > 0:36:53You've got three acres.
0:36:53 > 0:36:54Really?
0:36:54 > 0:36:57As far as your eye actually sees, you've got.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58Wow, that's a lot of land.
0:36:58 > 0:36:59And then look back.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01At the little bungalow.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04At the little bungalow that is at the moment.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09And may be the opportunity to build a house.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11With that in mind,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14how much do you think this place is on the market for?
0:37:14 > 0:37:16That is a difficult one, isn't it?
0:37:16 > 0:37:17Now, then...
0:37:17 > 0:37:19I'd go 250, 300.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22Oh, right, I was going to say more than that.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25But then again I haven't got the faintest idea.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Well, ignore what he said and have a guess.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31I was just going to go for a stab in the dark and say 450.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Well, you're closer.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36It's on the market for around £400,000.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39OK?
0:37:39 > 0:37:43To give you an idea of how desirable this sort of property is, the same agent
0:37:43 > 0:37:49sold a similar house to this with a much smaller plot of land
0:37:49 > 0:37:52for a similar price
0:37:52 > 0:37:55just a short while ago within four hours.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58This may be the only opportunity
0:37:58 > 0:38:03you get of building your own home in this part of the world with land.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07So take as much time as you want to have a look around here.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11If, for nothing else, to write that idea off.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Yep. OK.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16This is a rare opportunity to buy a wonderful slice of land which,
0:38:16 > 0:38:18with appropriate planning consent,
0:38:18 > 0:38:23could be their passport to a new, bespoke country home.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25At just under £400,000,
0:38:25 > 0:38:27our mystery bungalow as it stands
0:38:27 > 0:38:30offers them two reception rooms, a large kitchen diner,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33three bedrooms with master en suite
0:38:33 > 0:38:38and three acres of land in a great, rural setting.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41As a mystery property it was a good idea.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44The thought of building our own house
0:38:44 > 0:38:48or extending a bungalow, it's something we have talked about
0:38:48 > 0:38:49and it would be marvellous,
0:38:49 > 0:38:51but I think with this one
0:38:51 > 0:38:55it's just a little too close to the neighbouring property
0:38:55 > 0:38:58and the amount you'd be able to extend isn't enough for us.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01The mystery property is in a really nice location.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05It's got three acres of land, exactly what we're looking for.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07The house itself, unfortunately,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I don't think that's going to work for us. I'd like it to,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13because it's a project I would thoroughly enjoy doing.
0:39:13 > 0:39:17It would be nice to build exactly the house that you wanted.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19How did you both get on? Have you redesigned it?
0:39:19 > 0:39:21In our heads.
0:39:21 > 0:39:22In your heads, good.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Listen. You've seen everything now.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26All we've got to offer.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- Why don't we find somewhere quiet, and get together and chat?- OK.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38James and Pam's property search is now at an end
0:39:38 > 0:39:42and I think we've given them a lot of options to mull over.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46I don't know about you,
0:39:46 > 0:39:48but I've got a fair idea
0:39:48 > 0:39:51that the converted pottery is James and Pam's favourite.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54They've always been very vocal when they don't like something.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57In the pottery they said some very, very nice things
0:39:57 > 0:40:00but I'm not sure how much they love it.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03I'm not sure whether they are prepared to commit to this house.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04I'm looking forward to finding out.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Here we are. Relaxing, are we?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- We are, yes. - Discussing, have we been?
0:40:13 > 0:40:14We have been, yes.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Is Cheshire somewhere you'd want to move to?
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- It's beautiful. - Yeah, we like it. Definitely.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22I think it's got a very good chance.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26Let's talk about the cottage by the canal.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29The location of it was fantastic. Near the canal.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33And it looked lovely, and especially from the back of the property
0:40:33 > 0:40:35when you look at it, it looked idyllic.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37I like the outbuildings.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41They could be very easily adapted to exactly what I wanted.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Excellent. Unfortunately the stumbling block was the head height.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Not so much of a stumbling block,
0:40:46 > 0:40:50more a banging block! All right.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53I think this was maybe going to be your favourite.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56The white building. We got on pretty well there, didn't we?
0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Quite special, that one. - That was, yeah.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00From the start, absolutely loved it.
0:41:00 > 0:41:01- Yeah.- Great.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04That lounge, it was just fantastic.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07In fact, the beams made that one.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09It was a massive house.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11But it still had the outbuildings.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13Could you make the outbuildings work for you?
0:41:13 > 0:41:14You could, yeah.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18There's plenty of space at the back to build a really good workshop.
0:41:18 > 0:41:19Plenty of space.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21There was room for your henhouses.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24There was a huge greenhouse. You'd be busy there.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25That's the idea.
0:41:25 > 0:41:26Yeah?
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Yeah. That's fantastic.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32OK, well, I say this with a wry smile on my face.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34The mystery house.
0:41:34 > 0:41:35SHE LAUGHS
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- Oh, now you're laughing. - That was a lot of fun.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41I had a lot of fun in it, yeah. What did you think?
0:41:41 > 0:41:44The gardens were fantastic.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46For us, for what we want,
0:41:46 > 0:41:48we'd have to knock it down and start again.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50It would be cheaper to do that.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53With all the properties in mind, I've got a fair idea
0:41:53 > 0:41:56what you're going to say here, your favourite property is...?
0:41:56 > 0:41:57The converted pottery.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- Definitely.- OK.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03- But what's next for you? - I think we need to look into it.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05The issue with that is the soft wood cladding.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07We need to find out why that's been done
0:42:07 > 0:42:11as a planning issue and what can be done to resolve that.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- Is it a potential goer?- Yes.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15A lot of potential there.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18If it was brick-built, there would be an offer on it now.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21With a brick skin on it now there'd be an offer.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23But if there's a solution in the covering?
0:42:23 > 0:42:27Well, there's a very good chance we are putting an offer in.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29That's fantastic news.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31I wish you the very best of luck.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33Hopefully, all the right answers are there.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34It's been a lot of fun.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36- It has.- It has.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Well, at the end of the day, that's promising news.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45If you'd asked me this question at the beginning
0:42:45 > 0:42:48I'd have been surprised to have even got this far,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51but fingers crossed James will get all his questions answered
0:42:51 > 0:42:54and it can go on to the next stage.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58If not, one thing is for sure. Pam and James are certain
0:42:58 > 0:43:02that they want to escape here to the beautiful Cheshire countryside.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04Join me next time.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13please apply online.
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