0:00:02 > 0:00:05The striking castle behind me was home to one of this country's
0:00:05 > 0:00:08most creative but least well-known inventors.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13Not only did he design this - the world's first permanent structure built on sand,
0:00:13 > 0:00:17he also invented the first steam-powered motor vehicle
0:00:17 > 0:00:18used for passengers.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Intrigued? Well, join me in a moment
0:00:21 > 0:00:23for another innovative Escape To The Country.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43In today's show, I'll be helping a get-up-and-go couple
0:00:43 > 0:00:46uproot from a town in the north and head 300 miles south
0:00:46 > 0:00:48to a new life in the country.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51It looks like they're going to settle right in!
0:00:51 > 0:00:54That's my type of house. That's lovely, that's gorgeous.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Home, sweet home!
0:00:56 > 0:00:59But then our mystery house sends them into a spin.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04I'm sorry. I'm totally fazed by it!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Today I'm on the north coast of Cornwall
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and this is Castle Bude,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13former home of forgotten genius
0:01:13 > 0:01:17the Victorian inventor Sir Goldsworthy Gurney.
0:01:17 > 0:01:22Locals scoffed when he decided to build his home right here, between the sand dunes.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26But undeterred, Gurney devised a pioneering concrete platform
0:01:26 > 0:01:28that sat above the sand,
0:01:28 > 0:01:33providing a stable foundation for this magnificent home.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Perched on England's south-western peninsula,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Cornwall's landscape spans the remote moorland villages
0:01:39 > 0:01:44of Bodmin Moor and nearly 300 miles of dramatic coastline.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47The county has a rich folkloric history
0:01:47 > 0:01:51and stretches back to the times of Arthurian legend,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54inspired by its deep-rooted Celtic heritage.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Indeed, St Michael's Mount started life as a Celtic monastery
0:01:57 > 0:02:00long before it was granted to the Benedictine monks
0:02:00 > 0:02:02after the Norman Conquest.
0:02:02 > 0:02:07Much of Cornish folklore is also bound up in tales of smugglers
0:02:07 > 0:02:09who, up until the 19th century,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12ransacked the shipwrecks on these rocky shores,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16hiding their contraband goods in the sheltered coves.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20Today, it's the tourist industry that's rife,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22with around 4.5 million people
0:02:22 > 0:02:26coming to enjoy its natural spoils every year.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Let's find out what's drawn today's buyers to this county.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36Husband and wife duo Andy and Marie
0:02:36 > 0:02:40have lived in their four-bedroom detached home in Chorley, Lancashire
0:02:40 > 0:02:44for four years. They run an internet business selling guitar accessories
0:02:44 > 0:02:47but they've become victims of their own success.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51This is the garage we work from. It's far too small, as you can see.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55There's stock on every inch of wall space here.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59We have two other units we have stock in, which are half a mile away
0:02:59 > 0:03:03so we need a place with an outbuilding or large double garage
0:03:03 > 0:03:05or a plot of land we can build something on,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08more purpose-built, to house the stock.
0:03:08 > 0:03:13Business needs aside, there are other factors drawing them to the south coast.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16I do want two big dogs
0:03:16 > 0:03:20that I can run along the beach or along the cliff tops.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22I want to do it before I get too old
0:03:22 > 0:03:26because it is going to be, hopefully, our final destination
0:03:26 > 0:03:28so we've got to get it right.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32So, what kind of property is going to strike the right chord?
0:03:32 > 0:03:37Our ideal house, as I see it, would be cosy,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39elegant,
0:03:39 > 0:03:43and, forgive me for saying, a little bit showy!
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Yes, I'd say that's right for yourself.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51For me, probably a beautiful natural setting, with a real chill factor.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54That would do for me. I like something quite traditional.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57I'm a joiner by trade, maybe that's what it is,
0:03:57 > 0:04:03but I love timber and I prefer stone rather than brick-built properties.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06I wouldn't want to live in a terraced property.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10It really wants to be a detached property in its own little plot.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12What are their top priorities for the house?
0:04:12 > 0:04:15We need ideally two reception rooms,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18three bedrooms - one for ourselves,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21one for guests and one as a music room.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25One of the two reception rooms could also become the office.
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Probably the most important thing for me
0:04:27 > 0:04:31is to have a kitchen large enough for a big family table,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34so we can all sit round it together.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38And also outside, maybe even up to half an acre.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42They're looking for a village location within easy reach of Bude.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46But there's one amenity they can't live without.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49The post office is pivotal to the business.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52We ship in the region of 1,000 items a week at the moment.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58With their property now on the market, how much do they have to spend on their move?
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Our budget for this move would be ?450,000.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11So today our top priority is to find a large open work space
0:05:11 > 0:05:14so that Andy and Marie can run their business from there.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18They're also after a three-bedroomed period cottage/house.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21That shouldn't be too hard to find on their budget.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25But the one area I'm slightly concerned about
0:05:25 > 0:05:28is finding a home with a big enough personality
0:05:28 > 0:05:32that will match this colourful couple!
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Andy and Marie want their house search to take in
0:05:36 > 0:05:39the coastal villages and countryside around Bude.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43We'll be showing them three creme de la creme Cornish properties
0:05:43 > 0:05:47but I won't reveal the price of each until they've had a guess first.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Finally, there's our mystery house,
0:05:49 > 0:05:52which comes with a compromise attached.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Andy and Marie, welcome to Cornwall.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Hello. This is where you want to finish,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02this is your final house? This is our forever house. Forever home.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Well, not only a home for the two of you,
0:06:04 > 0:06:07we also have to remember your business
0:06:07 > 0:06:09and find you suitable premises for that.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Definitely. There's three of us with the business! Budget-wise,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16still looking around the ?450,000 mark?
0:06:16 > 0:06:20I think so - given that we might have to do some renovation,
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I think that's a realistic figure for us.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I think so. Do you? Yeah.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Shall we get started? Absolutely. Can't wait!
0:06:30 > 0:06:32For their ?450,000,
0:06:32 > 0:06:36Marie and Andy are looking for a Cornish home with character.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Plus a nearby village post office
0:06:51 > 0:06:54to take care of their deliveries.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Let's hope they're as flexible when it comes to our property search,
0:06:58 > 0:07:03which starts in the village of Altarnun on the edge of Bodmin Moor.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Set among the attractive cottages, its impressive 15th-century church
0:07:07 > 0:07:09is dubbed the cathedral of the moors.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14Along with the local pub, there's that must-have post office,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17and the good news is, it's within a stone's throw of our first house.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19And here it is.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Wow! That's long.
0:07:21 > 0:07:27Um... I'm not sure about the side building.
0:07:27 > 0:07:32This house dates back to the early 1900s and the building on the side
0:07:32 > 0:07:34was the original post office.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39Wow. Which I know is close to your hearts cos you need that for your business. Spooky!
0:07:39 > 0:07:43That could make the perfect solution to your office and storage problems.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Yeah. You could be right there.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52They seem intrigued by this detached property, which combines character with a spacious interior.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53Mmm!
0:07:55 > 0:07:57It is actually a very nice kitchen.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Yeah, it's just nice and straight and square.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Being at the front of the property, not only do you get loads of light,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08you can keep an eye on your postman going past with your deliveries.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Let's keep going!
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Fingers crossed, they'll warm to the next room.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19Here's your reception room. OK. OK. Woodburner.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24Fantastic. Multi-fuel. Look at the granite lintel over the fireplace.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26Andy loves his stone! I like my stone.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Ah, so that really is a feature for you. It's great.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33What about the size of the room? It's pretty big. A good square room.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36You could do a lot to it. For sure.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40On the other side of the sitting room is a self-contained guest wing
0:08:40 > 0:08:44made up of a double bedroom served by its own bathroom.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47It's a perfect retreat for family and friends when they come to stay,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49with its own separate entrance.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Downstairs seems to hit the mark in terms of layout.
0:08:52 > 0:08:58Let's head upstairs and see if the remaining three of the four bedrooms this house offers measure up.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01There's a light, spacious double and a single room.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04The family bathroom has a great walk-in shower.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07But what would they make of the master bedroom?
0:09:09 > 0:09:13Nice, square room. Good size, yeah. So far, for me, it's definitely a house
0:09:13 > 0:09:16that you could put your own mark on it.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20It's not structural. It's cosmetic and a little bit of joinery.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25And because you're a joiner, or were a joiner, it's something you could do. It doesn't faze me.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30Very achievable. Anything cosmetic I get quite excited about. Yeah.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Get to the shops. I love it.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37I'm loving their upbeat reaction to this property.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40But I think we can build on that with what's behind this door.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47Not only do we need to find a decent property for the two of you,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50we have to find a property for your business.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51Yes. It's a maze!
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It is a maze, this property. Yeah.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00This would be fantastic for us because it's important that although we work from home,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02we want to feel as though we're going to work.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05It's a physical thing, closing that door.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09Even though the kitchen's next door, that's home, this is business.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14Exactly. The most important part for your business is the storage. Yeah.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18The good news is, you haven't got far to go. It's just next door.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27So, how many guitar parts for your business could you keep in here?
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Quite a few! I have to say,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34I'm starting to see real potential here.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38It looks like we're right on track with this property.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Outside offers up yet more scope if they need to develop further.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46We've got a massive double garage - which could be storage.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51And also this outbuilding, this lean-to, with additional storage.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56And then the garden, a pretty country courtyard garden.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Again, I just see potential here.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02I really can see that it could be a grand residence, yes.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Fantastic. Yeah. So, you've seen everything now.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09Time to guess how much it's on the market for.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13My gut reaction would be 379.
0:11:13 > 0:11:19Marie? I'll go a bit higher and say 395.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Marie, you're on the money.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27It's just come on the market, it's been on about four weeks.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30?395,000.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32I'm right for once! Perfect!
0:11:32 > 0:11:35At that price, this house does have fantastic potential.
0:11:38 > 0:11:45Under budget at ?395,000, our first property is a great opening gambit.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58All set in a beautiful village
0:11:58 > 0:12:00with a strong community
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and that all-important post office.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06All right? Seen enough? Yeah. Yeah. A lot to see.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Yeah. You've come out smiling, so that's a good sign.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11More to show you. Let's keep going.
0:12:21 > 0:12:27Cornwall's mild, wet climate provides the perfect conditions for grass-rich pastureland,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30making it ideal terrain for dairy farmers.
0:12:30 > 0:12:35Since 1985, Helsett Farm near Boscastle has been making its own ice cream.
0:12:35 > 0:12:41I've come to meet mother and daughter team Sarah Talbot-Ponselby and Isla Allen,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44who, thanks to their laser-guided milking robot,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47don't have to spend hours in the milking parlour.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53It's fascinating to stand here and see them
0:12:53 > 0:12:56patiently waiting to be milked and fed.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57They really are quite happy with it.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01How many can this computer, this robot, do in one day?
0:13:01 > 0:13:04You can have about 65 cows,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06so they can come three or four times,
0:13:06 > 0:13:07depending on how much they have.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10What happens to the milk they produce?
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Quite a lot of it we turn into delicious organic dairy ice cream.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Over the past ten years,
0:13:16 > 0:13:18the farm has honed an organic ice cream recipe,
0:13:18 > 0:13:22using that local delicacy, Cornish clotted cream,
0:13:22 > 0:13:27one of the UK's 42 products with EU-protected food name status.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Ooh! I just want to eat this!
0:13:33 > 0:13:36The same home-made principles apply over in the dairy,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39where they produce the ice cream commercially.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42This is where it happens? Here we make it for real.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45There's a vat, where we put all the ingredients in,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48and it gets heated and mixed and cooked and pasteurised
0:13:48 > 0:13:52and then it's transferred into this machine, where it's aged
0:13:52 > 0:13:53and drawn off after three hours.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Next, the vanilla extract is added and stirred in.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02My goodness! It smells absolutely divine!
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Then, this heavenly mixture is poured into the giant freezer,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10giving us the finished product in ten to 12 minutes.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Mmm! That is delicious!
0:14:13 > 0:14:18Against the backdrop of the fiercely competitive ice cream market,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21it's heartening to see that local food champions here in Cornwall
0:14:21 > 0:14:27can build a viable and, in this case, sustainable farming business.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34We continue our property search on the outskirts of Morwenstow,
0:14:34 > 0:14:36within easy reach of Bude's beaches.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39Less than a ten-minute drive away,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42the village of Kilkhampton serves up useful amenities,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44including a post office.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Set in a delightful semi-rural location,
0:14:46 > 0:14:51this detached Edwardian house really makes a statement.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Here is... Wow! Wow! ..your second property.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Now, that's a house. Take a step up.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01That is what I call a house. That's a my type of house.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03That's lovely. That's gorgeous. Yeah.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I was going to ask what your first impressions were,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08but I think you've answered it!
0:15:08 > 0:15:12It's a big wow factor for us. It is a very imposing house. Edwardian.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Yes. But I hope you've both got imagination.
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Because this is a blank canvas, and as we step inside,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24you'll see what I mean. Great.
0:15:24 > 0:15:30The property is currently empty, and ready for Marie to add her own interior design flair.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Home, sweet home!
0:15:33 > 0:15:36It is like coming home, isn't it? Home, sweet home, yeah.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40Good enough. I love it. Yeah. It's taken my breath away.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43I can see myself in here.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45What a fabulous start! Yeah.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Let's start with the first reception room. Lead on!
0:15:48 > 0:15:51We're still at the front of the property. Lovely.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56Nice-sized room. Looking at the chimney breast, is that active?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Not at the moment. You'd have to re-open it.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01The flues have been closed off.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04That goes throughout the whole of the house. I see.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08But it cries out for a real fire, doesn't it? Yeah. Yes, it has to have that.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11You may notice, all the windows have been replaced
0:16:11 > 0:16:13with sash-style windows.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15I love the windows. It's sympathetic.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20They look just like the original sash windows. Mmm. That's great.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22A fire.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26No problem with the room. A sofa, a coffee table.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Couple of lamps, we'll be well away. Cosy.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32'The second reception room next door is just as generous.'
0:16:32 > 0:16:35So another good-sized sitting room.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38I think I'd sit in this room. Yeah?
0:16:38 > 0:16:40It's beautiful. It's at the back of the house.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43You've got these beautiful windows.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46You could even have a window seat in that alcove.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49I love the light in here. It's very bright.
0:16:49 > 0:16:53Fantastic. Let's keep exploring the downstairs... Superb.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57This property gives them a third reception room,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00which they could use as a large family dining room,
0:17:00 > 0:17:03although there's plenty of space for a table in here.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07I know you both wanted a large kitchen/dining area.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Here it is! Yeah. A good size.
0:17:11 > 0:17:12It's a really social area here.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15And it leads beautifully into the kitchen. Great.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I always said I'd love a fireplace in a kitchen.
0:17:18 > 0:17:24Through the doors, you've got a utility room and a boiler room at the back with storage space.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25Fantastic.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31'There's no doubt they're liking the amount of space on offer downstairs.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35'Let's head upstairs and see if they get the same inspiration from the bedrooms.'
0:17:37 > 0:17:41This house is as generous upstairs as it is downstairs.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Yeah. And it has five bedrooms.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Fantastic. I think the choice is endless.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49The combinations that we can do with this.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53Having the luxury of thinking, "What do I use all these rooms for?"
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Instead of, "What can I shove in here to make do?"
0:17:56 > 0:18:01'There's another room, perfect for guests, as it has a lovely modern en-suite.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04'The two remaining bedrooms are both large enough to be doubles
0:18:04 > 0:18:07'and benefit from those sash windows.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10'Also on this floor is another stylish room.'
0:18:10 > 0:18:14And at the end of the corridor, the family bathroom.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Lovely. A roll-top bath. Look at the feet on it!
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Look at the feet on that!
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Wow! And check out that view from the window!
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Fabulous. Fabulous. I'm in love!
0:18:27 > 0:18:31There's a fifth bedroom upstairs, but I'm going to take them outside,
0:18:31 > 0:18:37where the wrap-around garden offsets the property with mature trees providing privacy.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42So the house has delivered, the garden has delivered,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46but we can't forget the business, because that's the whole point of moving.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50You bring the business with you. Sure. You have a triple car-port here.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55Fantastic. That's a good size. It's workable again.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58The room within there is probably... Perfect. ..fine.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04So, property - tick. Garden - tick. Outside space - tick. Yep.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Business - tick. All looking very good. You've got it together.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10Ah. Crunch time now, though.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13How much does it cost? There's a price to all of this.
0:19:13 > 0:19:19Of course. I think it's, to me, ?450,000.
0:19:19 > 0:19:25Um... I'm going to say ?430,000.
0:19:25 > 0:19:31It's just gone on the market - ?450,000. Right. Cool. Wow.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Bang on budget at ?450,000,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40our renovated Edwardian property is ready for their personal touch.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57OK, you two? Yeah, absolutely fine.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59Good. Look at those grinning smiles!
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Let's hit the road. Come on.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13As the sun sets over the Cornish coast,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30We're back where we started for our mystery house
0:20:30 > 0:20:35in the traditional Cornish village of Altarnun, which was inspiration
0:20:35 > 0:20:37for Du Maurier's novel, Jamaica Inn.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40And our historic mystery farmhouse is totally in keeping.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44But can they get over it being attached?
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Here is your third and final property, the mystery house.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52OK. Facing us is quite a lot of buildings,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55but this is the one we're looking at, the old farmhouse.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57300 years old.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00We picked this mystery house because this is a farmhouse
0:21:00 > 0:21:03you probably wouldn't have looked at because it is attached. Ah.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06What are your thoughts before we step inside?
0:21:06 > 0:21:11We would never have asked for a brochure with a house attached to another house.
0:21:11 > 0:21:16But that might have stopped us from seeing something that we think, "Wow!"
0:21:16 > 0:21:20You know? So I'm very interested, actually.
0:21:20 > 0:21:26I'm pleased they're being open-minded about the fact that our mystery farmhouse is attached.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31But let's see if they can meet the additional challenge of putting their own mark on the interior.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Here's your sitting room, with the imposing fire. Oh, wow.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Looking around from a building background, there's not a lot to be done.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42I get a nice feeling here, a warm feel.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46And the work doesn't faze me, personally. Marie? However...!
0:21:46 > 0:21:50I'm sorry - I'm totally fazed by it! Are you? Yeah.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55Walking in here, what first springs to mind for you?
0:21:55 > 0:21:58It's too masculine for me.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Not elegant enough. That's how I would describe it, yeah.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04Well, this is only the first room. OK.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07So keep an open mind. Definitely, yeah.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09And I'll keep a closed mouth! Yeah.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11We've got you covered!
0:22:15 > 0:22:18You have a huge dining room here,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21with this original slate floor.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Ideal floor. That's a priceless floor. That is so nice.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's got a lot of light in the room.
0:22:27 > 0:22:32The inglenook is lovely. I love the oak beam and the granite lintels at either side.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35Are you getting a better feeling in here? Yeah,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38it's still a bit too masculine for me,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42but perhaps I need to use my imagination - or Andy's! I think so.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47So this leads through into your kitchen.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51This really is a farmhouse country kitchen. The original.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54It certainly is. I love the original features
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Look at the age of that range. I love it.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59I'm afraid I'm probably going to let you all down
0:22:59 > 0:23:03by saying I do like the farmhouse kitchen with all the new equipment!
0:23:03 > 0:23:05That's fair enough.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08But this kitchen is large enough to do what you want,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11but there's also a 300-year-old dairy,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15which they've kept. You can see the old floor with the slate coming through.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17I like it for its pure charm.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21I don't know about the practicalities and what it could be used for,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23but it's absolutely charming.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28The traditional layout of our mystery farmhouse continues upstairs,
0:23:28 > 0:23:30where there are five bedrooms.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33One is a very spacious double.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Another has a more cosy feel.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39The third is currently used as a single
0:23:39 > 0:23:42with the fourth decked out with bunk beds.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45What's more, there's a shower room and a separate bathroom.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50But we'll check out the fifth bedroom and see if Marie has had a change of heart.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53I actually like the feel up here.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57And there's not as much to do up here as there is downstairs.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I do love that window. Yeah.
0:24:00 > 0:24:01Yep.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03We shall see!
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Although I'm not convinced that Marie is warming to our mystery farmhouse,
0:24:09 > 0:24:13maybe the potential outside for their business might sway her.
0:24:13 > 0:24:18Just across from the farmhouse, they get a first-floor room in this barn conversion.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21This bit belongs to your farmhouse.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24OK. Right. I'm thinking business.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26It could make a huge office.
0:24:26 > 0:24:31As an office, yeah. I'm thinking of stock now. Yep.
0:24:31 > 0:24:37Have no fear, Andy. To the side of the barn are two large storage rooms
0:24:37 > 0:24:39with heaps of space for their deliveries.
0:24:39 > 0:24:46Next door to the house is a separate garage block where the first floor has been converted into an office.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50The outside space gives them a secluded lawned garden close to the house
0:24:50 > 0:24:52which leads to a surprise one acre of land.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56All in all, our mystery property is a substantial offering.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58But at what cost?
0:24:58 > 0:25:03So you've seen the land. How much do you think this farmhouse is on the market for?
0:25:03 > 0:25:07Well, I'm going to put a value of 300,000 on it.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09I'm going to say 400,000.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14Andy, you're the closest, but you're still slightly out.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18The current asking price for the farmhouse is ?425,000.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Right.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22So, Marie, 125 out!
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Under budget at ?425,000
0:25:29 > 0:25:32our mystery farmhouse may be attached,
0:25:32 > 0:25:34which was one of their definite no-no's.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39But it oozes historic charm and gives them two reception rooms
0:25:39 > 0:25:41with original stone fireplaces,
0:25:41 > 0:25:43five bedrooms and outbuildings
0:25:43 > 0:25:48giving them an office and storage space for deliveries.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59Given they want to get the business off the ground straightaway,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02is the work they'd want to do on the house a project too far?
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Time for you to collect your thoughts. Yeah.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07See what the next step's going to be. Come on. OK.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20I think we may have got close with two out of the three properties we showed them.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24But do Andy and Marie feel the same? Let's find out.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32So, guys, let's start off with the very first house we saw.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36I was very unsure when I first saw the outside of the property.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40I didn't like the idea that it had a shop front attached to the house.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Because it's going to be a home and a business,
0:26:43 > 0:26:47we have to have those two defined areas. It kind of all mushed together for me.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51As far as a home, I wouldn't have felt comfortable there, no.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55We travelled north of the county, and saw our second property,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58that very imposing Edwardian home.
0:26:58 > 0:27:04It looked grand and showy, which was what I'd asked for!
0:27:04 > 0:27:07The Marie appeal! Yes! And that was it, I think.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09I cut everything else off after that.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13As soon as we looked at that, I thought this was the house
0:27:13 > 0:27:16that we'd feel comfortable with owning,
0:27:16 > 0:27:18and it had a lot of potential for the business.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Last but not least, we saw the mystery house.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24It just wasn't doing it for me at all.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27A reason we picked it was because it was attached.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Often that puts people off. I was close-minded at first,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34but I realised, having seen the way it was arranged,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37I could live with that. So what is the next step?
0:27:37 > 0:27:41We're going to look at property two again tomorrow.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43Well, that really is the best news.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47I really hope you get the Edwardian property.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50I hope it goes right for you. Fingers crossed. All the best.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54It's been such fun. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03Well, that magnificent Edwardian property delivered on all fronts.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Let's hope the second viewing seals the deal.
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