0:00:02 > 0:00:05In this part of the country, property is so sought after
0:00:05 > 0:00:08that one American wanted to buy this row of cottages,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11dismantle them brick by brick and take them back to the States.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15I'm just hoping that today's buyers aren't quite so ambitious
0:00:15 > 0:00:18with their dreams of an Escape To The Country.
0:00:31 > 0:00:36On today's show, we're helping a pair of long-distance love birds
0:00:36 > 0:00:37buy their very first home together.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40There'll be plenty of passion.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43- It's the best kitchen I've ever stood in.- Really?- Yes.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Unless it was in a previous life but I can't remember.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49And it might get sentimental.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53I reminds me of my Gran. It throws back all these great memories.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56But which of our houses will they have the hots for?
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Gorgeous, gorgeous place. I am completely sold.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Today, I'm in the Cotswolds
0:01:07 > 0:01:10and it was Henry Ford, the father of the motor car,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13who wanted to take these cottages back to Michigan in the 1930s
0:01:13 > 0:01:17to rebuild them brick by brick in his very own theme park.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Well, the local residents weren't happy and put up such a protest
0:01:21 > 0:01:23that he was forced to abandon his plans
0:01:23 > 0:01:24and fortunately for us,
0:01:24 > 0:01:28that means that these cottages are still here today.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Undeniably scenic and quintessentially English,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35the gentle hills and picture postcard villages make
0:01:35 > 0:01:38the Cotswolds one of the country's most popular spots.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43Taking in seven county districts and stretching for 790 square miles,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47it's the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and you don't get much more rural than this.
0:01:50 > 0:01:5380% of it is farmland.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Farming has always been big business here.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59Most of the golden, honey-hued limestone towns and villages,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01so beloved by locals and tourists,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03were built on the proceeds of fleeces
0:02:03 > 0:02:05during the booming medieval wool trade.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09With over 3,000 miles of footpaths to explore,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11including the 100-mile Cotswold Way,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15which stretches from Chipping Camden in the north to Bath in the south,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18it's easy to escape out into the country.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21And you'd be following in some pretty famous footsteps,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24as A-list celebs can't get enough of the place.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32William Morris, the leader of the Arts and Crafts movement, was a fan of the Cotswolds
0:02:32 > 0:02:34and it's not hard to see why.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37But as you can imagine, in a region renowned for its aesthetics,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39property doesn't come cheap.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43The average detached house here comes in at about 40% more
0:02:43 > 0:02:44than the national average.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46But if you can afford it,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49there are some luxurious properties on offer in the Cotswolds.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Big spenders should check out this stunning barn conversion
0:02:54 > 0:02:56in the hamlet of West End, south Gloucestershire.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00A mix of authentic rustic features and modern living spaces,
0:03:00 > 0:03:04it comes with five bedrooms and a self-contained three-bedroom cottage.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08You get a lot of bricks for your buck at £1.375 million.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12If you want a barn for nearly half that price,
0:03:12 > 0:03:17£750,000 will buy this lovely conversion near Naunton.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20You won't be scrimping on space, with three reception rooms
0:03:20 > 0:03:21and three bedrooms
0:03:21 > 0:03:24and you really can't put a price on those views.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28If it's a typical Cotswolds cottage you're after,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31how about this cosy little number next to the duck pond
0:03:31 > 0:03:33in sought-after Chippenham?
0:03:33 > 0:03:36It's crammed with character and comes with two bedrooms.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41On the market at £425,000, you won't need to be quackers to buy it.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46When a house is built from beautiful Cotswold stone,
0:03:46 > 0:03:47it's hard not to be seduced by it.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52So who are today's couple who are looking for their very own slice of chocolate-box heaven?
0:03:52 > 0:03:54Let's meet them.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58They say absence makes the heart grow fonder
0:03:58 > 0:04:02but for our buyers, 500 miles is becoming too much to bear.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06Scottish entrepreneur Neil is based just outside Aberdeen,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09whilst telecom manager Rachel is all the way down south
0:04:09 > 0:04:11in Didcot, Oxfordshire.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13One year into their relationship,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15they've decided it's time to bridge the gap.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18We discussed it at length
0:04:18 > 0:04:21and we decided the only way forward for us to be together
0:04:21 > 0:04:24was to find somewhere we mutually agreed would be right
0:04:24 > 0:04:28and in area that we both feel that we would enjoy.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30This house here is not for me any more
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and it's time move on.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34I want to be with Rachel and enjoy our lives together
0:04:34 > 0:04:38and, yeah, Cotswolds, hopefully, here we come.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41Neil's lived in this large five-bedroom house for six years
0:04:41 > 0:04:44and he shares it with two glamorous females,
0:04:44 > 0:04:46Brooke and Lily, his bloodhounds.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50Rachel bought her three-bed semi in Didcot in 1996,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52and she lives with her cat.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55They'll all be making the big move but why the Cotswolds?
0:04:55 > 0:04:59When Neil came down to see in Oxford, I took him to the Cotswolds
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and he fell in love with the place, he thought it was beautiful.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07I was very surprised but he's happy to move all this way down to the Cotswolds
0:05:07 > 0:05:09rather than stay up here.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11But that's why we want to move, to be together.
0:05:11 > 0:05:16What a romantic! Sacrificing his Scottish roots for love.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18However, as his own boss,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21it is easier for Neil to relocate than Rachel,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24who will still need to commute to her job in Swindon.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28So what exactly are they looking for in their very first house together?
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Our must-haves in our new property would be a large dining kitchen
0:05:32 > 0:05:34with a range.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Three bedrooms minimum.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39A good-sized garden.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Erm, obviously character features, beams, etc.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Inglenook fireplace, of course.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47- Large garage.- Yeah, yeah.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Utility area, somewhere for the dogs to come in and out of the garden.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56A village location or about a mile away from a village,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00so it's walking distance to a pub and a shop.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04But mostly, the character of the property, really.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Good-sized garden, minimum half acre to an acre.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13- I think...- If we get those things, we'll be happy.- More than delighted.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Well, that's a sizeable list, so I'm almost scared to ask
0:06:17 > 0:06:21is there anything from their current homes they'd like to copy in the country?
0:06:21 > 0:06:24This is my garage, which is important to me
0:06:24 > 0:06:27because I've a few cars and one or two bikes.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29So something this size would be ideal.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32Larger, yes, that would be even better
0:06:32 > 0:06:34but smaller, no way.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37This is Neil's kitchen and I really do love this kitchen
0:06:37 > 0:06:40but in the new house, I'd like it to be a bit bigger
0:06:40 > 0:06:44but keeping the features like the range and the Belfast sink.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48I do love this kitchen but more space and character, that's what I'd like.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52That's the dream house but what do they want from their new locale?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It would be good to get involved in local activities.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58We'd keep the local pub going, wouldn't we?
0:06:58 > 0:07:02'Hopefully feel like we're part of the community, really.'
0:07:02 > 0:07:05The whole idea of moving to these communities is to be involved
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and help, support and work with, you know?
0:07:08 > 0:07:12It puts value in your life, it puts value in your property.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17You know, great to get involved. You have to get involved. You don't have a choice.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Both Neil and Rachel will be selling up,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24so to give them an idea of how much they'll have to spend,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26a local agent valued Neil's house.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30'This is a four to five-bedroomed detached property in Stonehaven.'
0:07:30 > 0:07:33It's in a good area, it's a good size, finished to a high standard.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Current value, £450,000.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42On top of that, they'll have the proceeds from the sale of Rachel's house,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44so what's the final figure for the Cotswolds?
0:07:44 > 0:07:50Our budget for the new property would be between 650,000
0:07:50 > 0:07:52to a maximum of 700,000.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Absolute maximum!
0:07:58 > 0:08:02So today, we're looking for a detached property
0:08:02 > 0:08:04that's a commutable distance from Swindon.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08We need a garage to keep Neil happy with his cars
0:08:08 > 0:08:10and a splendid kitchen for Rachel
0:08:10 > 0:08:13and all of that has to be wrapped up in some Cotswold charm.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20To stick to Rachel's ideal 40-minute drive to work,
0:08:20 > 0:08:23we'll be focusing the search in the south of the region, around Cirencester.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27We've lined up some gorgeous Cotswolds properties to view
0:08:27 > 0:08:30but, as always, I'll be staying tight-lipped on their prices
0:08:30 > 0:08:32until the end of the tours.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36And then, just to mix things up, we'll take them to a mystery house
0:08:36 > 0:08:39but will it be the room with a view for them?
0:08:44 > 0:08:47Welcome to the very charming Cotswolds. Great choice.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Round the corner for you but 500 miles!
0:08:50 > 0:08:52It's a fair distance but, yeah, it's worth it.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54It's a stunning area.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58And it's not just this beautiful area that's brought you down here.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02We're engaged now and the sooner we find something, the quicker we can get married.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- We'd like to do that this year. - With a bit of luck.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07It all seems to be going well so far
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- but have you ever bought a house together before?- No, we haven't.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15We've lived separately, 500 miles apart, since we've known each other.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19This is the first time we've tried to find a house together.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21It's not a bad budget. How much have we got?
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- 650, 700,000.- 700 maximum, yeah.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27And that's a decent amount of money.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30I don't think your expectations are too wild.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34We want to get you something beautiful, the weather's picking up
0:09:34 > 0:09:38and I think that means it's time to start looking for your dream house.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40With a wedding now on the agenda,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43we need to find that dream home and fast.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46£700,000 should be enough for what they're after,
0:09:46 > 0:09:48a detached character property
0:09:48 > 0:09:52with a minimum of three bedrooms, a country kitchen for Rachel
0:09:52 > 0:09:55and a massive garage for Neil's cars.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57They'd love to be in a typical Cotswold village
0:09:57 > 0:09:59with a pub and local store
0:09:59 > 0:10:01but don't mind being up to a mile away.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Finding half an acre on that budget could be tricky,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07so let's hope the dogs are open to compromise.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11The dogs are going to keep you busy. What else is going to keep you busy?
0:10:11 > 0:10:13I'd like to set up a tea rooms or something.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16I've always dreamed of doing that in the countryside
0:10:16 > 0:10:18or in a nice little village
0:10:18 > 0:10:22where people can stop and have a nice cake and a cup of tea
0:10:22 > 0:10:23and have a chat.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26If I could do that in the Cotswolds, that would be gorgeous.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30Well, maybe our first property will be just their cup of tea.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34We're heading into Gloucestershire, to the village of King's Stanley,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38which is 30 miles from Rachel's job in Swindon, about a 45-minute drive.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41It's pushing her commute time just a tad
0:10:41 > 0:10:44but I do think the location will more than make up for it.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48A stone's throw from the Cotswold Way, great dog-walking territory,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50old barns and golden stone houses abound.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56For its small size, King's Stanley also has a long list of amenities.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58There's the all-important pub and village shop
0:10:58 > 0:11:00and there's even a sports club.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Now, for this location we've brought you up near the Cotswold Way,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10so we're into the quintessential Cotswolds,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13although this isn't your typical cottage, is it?
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- No, it's a very nice-looking house. - That is a nice-looking property.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- There's no doubt about that. - Beautiful.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- It looks great from the outside, let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Believed to date back to the late 16th century,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31this grade II listed property was formerly the borough court house.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34It's definitely guilty of character charm
0:11:34 > 0:11:37but knowing the kitchen is all-important to Rachel,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41that's where I'm going to start this cross-examination.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- In we come. You're going to love this.- Oh, my word. I do.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- Definitely. Immediately.- Wow.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51This is so lovely.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- It's absolutely beautiful. - It's been done fantastically well.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- It's the best kitchen I've ever stood in.- Really?- Yes.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01Unless in a previous life I've done it but I can't remember.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05You're definitely having a reaction to this room. How is it making you feel?
0:12:05 > 0:12:09It's making me feel like I want to live in this house.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Not that I need to sell it any more to you
0:12:11 > 0:12:14but there's a utility room behind there as well
0:12:14 > 0:12:16and a downstairs cloakroom.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Phew! And that's just the kitchen.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- I'll calm myself down. - OK. Breathe...
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- OK, let's check out the next room. - Thank you.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27I think it's a unanimous verdict but before signing on the dotted line,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30we'd better check out the rest of the house.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36- Ah! The aroma as you walk in this room.- Yeah, it's beautiful.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- It's wonderful, isn't it? - I'm not disappointed at all.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I'm kind of gobsmacked. I don't know what to say.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45We've come from a beautiful kitchen and we've come into this.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46This is like wow, again.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Gorgeous, gorgeous place. I am completely sold.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55'It looks like we've got a case of cheque books at the ready.'
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- I think it's going to continue to charm you, this property.- I'm sure.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Round here is the front door.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04Through here, you get another living space.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Beautiful!
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Look at that fireplace. Oh, my word.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13It is absolutely gorgeous.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Well, I can really picture this room as your tea shop.
0:13:17 > 0:13:23I can imagine you greeting lots of guests coming in off the Cotswold Way through the courtyard.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25You're conjuring up things in my head now.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29'So this could serve up a long-held dream.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'Let's hope the rest doesn't disappoint.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34'It shouldn't, as there are six bedrooms in all,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'so plenty of scope for offices or snugs.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40'On the first floor are two doubles, a family bathroom
0:13:40 > 0:13:43'and what's listed as the master en suite,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46'although it is currently used as a family room.'
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- And there is plenty of space. - Gosh, yeah.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51It's huge.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- This is absolutely lovely. - Another great room.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Yeah, another great room and look at the view out of the window.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59It's absolutely beautiful.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01'But we haven't finished yet,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04'as on the next floor are three more bedrooms,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06'so plenty of space for visitors.'
0:14:09 > 0:14:10Up on the final level.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16This could equally be your master bedroom.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19This is a lovely room as well. I love the high ceilings.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20Absolutely gorgeous.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23So high up you can see the views out of the village.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Even better views, the higher up you are, yeah.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31It's a good-sized room. I love a vaulted ceiling. It adds so much character.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- A good, solid-feeling room. - Absolutely.- With a lot of charm.
0:14:35 > 0:14:36Yeah, loads of it, yeah.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Again, another impressive room in a very impressive house.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43'Well, clearly the interior has passed judgement.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45'Now to the outside space.
0:14:45 > 0:14:50'There's by no means half an acre. However, it's a decent plot.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53'But will it be enough for those big bloodhounds?'
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Now, out here for you, Neil, there's a little vegetable patch
0:14:57 > 0:14:59and a double garage,
0:14:59 > 0:15:03and, of course, down here, your garden.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05What do you think about this size garden?
0:15:05 > 0:15:08It's manageable. It's nice, you know?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- So, Rachel...- Come on. - ..give me a number.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15Oh, I just think it's so gorgeous and so lovely
0:15:15 > 0:15:16that it can't be cheap.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20It's got to be at the top of the budget, if not over budget,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- so I would say 710.- OK.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28I'll go slightly under. I'll go 670.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31You made the better guess, Rachel. You're spot on.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34This is on the market at £710,000,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- so a little bit over your budget. - Yeah.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41- A seriously nice property that deserves some serious consideration.- I would say so.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44- So go and have a think about it.- OK. - I'll catch you later on.- Thank you.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52With a price tag of £710,000, this 10,000 over budget
0:15:52 > 0:15:54but it's been on the market for a few months,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57so there should be a little room for negotiation.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59And it's a massive amount of property,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02with two reception rooms and a high-spec kitchen,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05there's plenty of space to realise the tea shop dream.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Plus there are six bedrooms
0:16:07 > 0:16:10and Neil gets his must-have double garage.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Well, that's the evidence - how will they pass sentence?
0:16:14 > 0:16:18It's just a beautiful room. We'd dream of these things when we were kids.
0:16:18 > 0:16:19It's stunning.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Do you think this house could be too big for us?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24I've got my drum kit, I've got the kids coming to stay,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26that takes up another two rooms.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29So, you know, we've got things to think about.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33It is such a stunning property, we would be daft not to consider this,
0:16:33 > 0:16:34- really stupid.- Definitely.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37I absolutely love this house.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39It's everything I think I could possibly want.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44If we didn't see any more, I'd be happy after seeing this one.
0:16:44 > 0:16:45It's just so lovely.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48We'd have to think about how we'd use these rooms,
0:16:48 > 0:16:49if we can use them.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52That's the only downside to this property.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56But it's something we should discuss because it is a beautiful house.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59I wonder what the judgement is?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02Made your minds up? The jury's probably still out, I reckon.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- Well, we've got plenty more to see, so don't make your minds up yet.- OK.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16When it comes to chocolate-box villages,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20the Cotswolds is unarguably the UK's reigning champ.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22From Stow-on-the-Wold to Bourton-on-the-Water,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25there's one around every corner.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Earlier in the week, Neil and Rachel stopped off
0:17:27 > 0:17:30at the absurdly pretty medieval village of Broadway,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33where they met up with local resident Dottie Friedli
0:17:33 > 0:17:35for a whistle-stop tour.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- Neil, Rachel, welcome to Broadway. - Thank you.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44'Once a busy stagecoach stop on the road from London to Worcester,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48'for centuries, Broadway was a wealthy commercial centre.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51'However, the advent of rail in the late 1800s
0:17:51 > 0:17:54'meant the village fell back into quiet rural obscurity.
0:17:54 > 0:18:00'But left in its wake was an abundance of fine Tudor and Georgian buildings.'
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Now, this is the Lygon Arms,
0:18:02 > 0:18:08very, very famous as an inn since 1532.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12During the civil war, Charles I stayed here
0:18:12 > 0:18:16and funnily enough, Oliver Cromwell as well -
0:18:16 > 0:18:18I hasten to add, not at the same time!
0:18:18 > 0:18:20LAUGHTER
0:18:20 > 0:18:23'And they were not the only visitors.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26'From Elgar to JM Barrie, Rossetti to William Morris,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29'many creatives have been inspired by Broadway.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32'In the 1880s, Farnham House on the village green
0:18:32 > 0:18:34'and later Russell House
0:18:34 > 0:18:37'became the hub for a bohemian group of American artists,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40'including Frank Millet and John Singer Sarjent,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43'who very much needed his own escape to the country.'
0:18:43 > 0:18:45The reason he came to Broadway
0:18:45 > 0:18:50is because he was in a bit of a scandal.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52He was embarrassed.
0:18:52 > 0:18:58He painted a rather sensuous lady, Madam X, I can't remember what her real name was,
0:18:58 > 0:19:00but she was known as Madam X,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03- and it was a bit over the top for that period.- For its time.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04So he was disgraced
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and he left Paris and he lived here in this house
0:19:07 > 0:19:10and in fact Broadway this year has an arts festival
0:19:10 > 0:19:13commemorating John Singer Sarjent's work.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17We have got permission from the Tate Gallery
0:19:17 > 0:19:23to have his picture, his famous picture, and it will be here, in an exhibition in the village.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26- OK.- So that's really quite exciting.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30'A frequent house guest was US author Henry James,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34'who was inspired to write, "Broadway and much of the land about it
0:19:34 > 0:19:38'"are, in short, the perfection of the old English rural tradition."
0:19:38 > 0:19:42'100 years on and that still rings true today,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45'which makes it a firm favourite on the Cotswold tourist trail.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48'However, it's not all tea shops and antiques.'
0:19:49 > 0:19:52I mean, one of the nicest things about the village
0:19:52 > 0:19:56is although it's steeped in history, it's not preserved in aspic
0:19:56 > 0:19:59like a lot of villages of this ilk are.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- It's living, it's thriving. - There's so much going on.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07There's clubs. It's got everything here that you could possibly want.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12Doctors, dentists, banks, post office, butcher.
0:20:12 > 0:20:16It has an enormous lot of things going on.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20You name it. You want amateur dramatics or to sing in a choir,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23if you have an interest in wine, there's a wine club.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Wine would be good, yeah.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33As the sun sets over the beautiful Cotswolds,
0:20:33 > 0:20:35I think our first day of property hunting
0:20:35 > 0:20:37has been a success.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43Coming up, love is in the air.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- This is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.- Very nice.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51And will the mystery house be an affair to remember
0:20:51 > 0:20:52or a brief encounter?
0:20:52 > 0:20:55I like it but I'm not leaping up and down.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59Not that I've done that already but I was inside.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Well, the sun's come out, so things are looking brighter.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11I think we got off to a pretty good start yesterday.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12They liked what we showed them
0:21:12 > 0:21:17but today, we're getting back to something a little bit more classic Cotswolds.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21We're starting today's property search
0:21:21 > 0:21:25near the Gloucestershire-Oxfordshire border, in the village of Kencot.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28The 16 miles to Swindon is a shorter commute for Rachel
0:21:28 > 0:21:33and although it doesn't fall into the official Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36it's still a picture-perfect country escape.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40With just 100 people living here, it's peace and quiet personified
0:21:40 > 0:21:44and it's a regular winner of Oxfordshire's best-kept village.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47For amenities, they can walk the dogs to neighbouring Filkins,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49'just one mile away,
0:21:49 > 0:21:52'which is stocked with must-have pub, post office, church
0:21:52 > 0:21:54'and a thriving community-run shop.
0:21:54 > 0:21:59'Our first house was supersized, so we're downsizing with this viewing,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02'as we're looking at this 19th century cottage.'
0:22:03 > 0:22:05This is what we bring you today.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- This is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.- Very nice.
0:22:09 > 0:22:10Yeah, stunning.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12You had your dream. Was this it?
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- Yeah.- I think so, yes. - I think it's just about there.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18All right, it looks great from the outside.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20Let me set the scene a little bit for you.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24This is the original building that dates back to the 1800s.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28It was extended in the '70s and that's given it a lot more space.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32But it's got the cottage dimensions. Is that something you can live with?
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- Definitely.- We can go with that. - That's what we want.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Only one way to find out. Let's have a look inside.- Great.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41Hopefully, the inside will live up to the dream.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Decoratively, it might not be to their style
0:22:43 > 0:22:47but that just means they can really put their own stamp on the place.
0:22:47 > 0:22:48Right, in we come.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Into your entrance hallway. We've stepped into the extension.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57- It's very nice.- It's a typical cottage. It's brilliant.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Let's see what you think when you look at the old part of the property.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02You do step down.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06There's a sunken floor, so you've got some extra height.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Very nice. Comfy cosy, as we'd say. Yeah, lovely.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Very pretty. Very pretty.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16I like the low ceiling and the nice window out onto the very beautiful garden.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21And, of course, a lovely fireplace is always a nice thing to have.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23- It's a nice feature to have. - Beautiful.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26What are you feeling about this overall cottage feel?
0:23:26 > 0:23:28It's very different to the other property.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33It reminds me of my gran so much, which was a brilliant place to go and visit,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35which I just adored to do.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39There's a wee lump in your throat because of all the great memories.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Yeah, it's beautiful.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- And something you could see yourself living in?- I could.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49'It's a thumbs-up so far and next door is an equally cosy dining room.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53'However, the kitchen might not be quite what they had in mind.'
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Now, Rachel, I want your thoughts on this kitchen.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Well, it's got everything in it.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06It's a good size.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11I'd probably want to change it, yeah, to something that's more my taste
0:24:11 > 0:24:13but it's certainly a nice room
0:24:13 > 0:24:15and it's a beautiful view out onto the garden
0:24:15 > 0:24:17and there's lots of light.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20You've also got a utility space through there,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22so it is that little bit bigger
0:24:22 > 0:24:25and you're in the extension here, so this is newer part,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28so you've scope even to extend, I guess, if you wanted to.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31The size is perfect. It's great to work with.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33We could do so much with this.
0:24:33 > 0:24:37- OK, well, the downstairs is a winner. Let's have a look upstairs.- OK.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40'Too many bedrooms won't be a problem with this house,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42'as it has just three in all.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45'On the first floor is the family bathroom,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47'a guest room and the master.'
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- Great size.- It's a good size. - It's a nice room.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53I like all the three windows. Lots of light again,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55looking out to beautiful gardens again.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59You're going to get sun first thing in the morning, afternoon,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- last thing at night.- Yeah. - There you go.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05You've got lumps and bumps in the ceiling and the walls are uneven,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09- which is typical of this type of property.- Adds to the character.
0:25:09 > 0:25:11That's great, yeah. Potential's here.
0:25:11 > 0:25:17'Good. And the final bedroom is upstairs in the attic.'
0:25:17 > 0:25:20So up here you've got the third bedroom.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24I really like this room because there's some beams!
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- Yes, yes, I like a beam.- Oh, yes.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30It's a nice shape. It's a quirky shape, isn't it?
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- Brilliant.- If other rooms had this sort of thing in it...
0:25:33 > 0:25:37It just changes the whole appearance of a room, I think,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39to have a bit of wood and beams.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42- It just makes a room look more country style.- Yeah.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45I can see you've been taken by this room.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47You're a bit more animated about it.
0:25:47 > 0:25:52I'm just picturing this elsewhere in the house. It would change it.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56'Well, I think our little cottage is a big hit
0:25:56 > 0:25:59'and there's a lot more to see outside.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02'In fact, it's almost two properties for the price of one,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05'as above the all-important garage is a self-contained guest suite,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08'so plenty of space when Neil's children visit.'
0:26:10 > 0:26:13So this wall goes down to the workshop
0:26:13 > 0:26:16but here we've got a good-sized bathroom.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Cute little kitchen. - Yeah, a dinky kitchen.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24- And then a double bedroom.- Oh, right, yes. It is a big bedroom.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26- I'm amazed.- I'm surprised.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29It's a bit like a Tardis, isn't it? A definite bonus.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32'Last but not least, let's check out the garden.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36'Sadly, I haven't managed to conjure up half an acre
0:26:36 > 0:26:39'but it is very pretty and surrounds the house,
0:26:39 > 0:26:40'so will it suffice?'
0:26:40 > 0:26:42I love this back garden as well.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46- You've got a good space at the front and at the back.- It's beautiful.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- Enough space for the dogs? - I think so.- I think it's enough for them to ruin.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- I mean, run about in. - LAUGHTER
0:26:52 > 0:26:54How much do you think it will cost
0:26:54 > 0:26:57to live in one of the best-kept villages in the Cotswolds?
0:26:57 > 0:27:00Well, when you put it like that, I think it's not going to be cheap.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05I think it's probably about 699,000.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- Ish.- Right at the top of your budget.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Erm, I'm going to say less because the house needs a bit of work.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13I think 675.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17675, a little bit lower but still near the top of your budget.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- Are you ready for this? - Yeah.- Hold onto each other.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26This house is on the market, only two weeks, at 595,000.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Bargain.- Blimey. Shock horror.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31- That's cheap. - That's a lot less than I thought.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35There's a lot to take in but you'd have a lot of money to play with,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39so head back in and start measuring up and working out what you'd do.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40Thank you.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44At just a snip under £600,000,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47this cottage is a whopping £100,000 under budget,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50so more than enough spare change to tackle any work.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54The kitchen is a good size and could easily be changed
0:27:54 > 0:27:55to suit Rachel's style.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59There are two cosy reception rooms and three bedrooms
0:27:59 > 0:28:02and there's the added bonus of the guest suite above the garage.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Neil's obviously taken with the place but is Rachel quite so enamoured?
0:28:06 > 0:28:09I think this house is a lovely, lovely, house,
0:28:09 > 0:28:11a very typically Cotswold property.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15It's what we were looking for, if we tried to conjure up a picture in our heads.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19The village is so beautiful and the gardens are so beautiful.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22The one thing with this house is that it needs a lot doing to it,
0:28:22 > 0:28:26so we need to make our mark on it, which would be the biggest issue.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29But then with the price of it, I think it's possible.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33Just looking around this place, around the village itself,
0:28:33 > 0:28:36it's immaculate, it's stunning.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38It would be a privilege to live here.
0:28:38 > 0:28:42This really is a picture postcard village. Absolutely gorgeous.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46- Nice place for you to live.- It is. - If it's the one for you.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50- But we've still got the mystery house to see. Let's keep moving.- Let's go.
0:28:59 > 0:29:03Whichever Cotswold village Rachel and Neil end up relocating to,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06they're super keen to get involved with the local community
0:29:06 > 0:29:09and get to grips with some traditional rural activities.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Often one of the best places to start is the village pub,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15so during the week, we headed to Cherington,
0:29:15 > 0:29:19not for a pint, however, but to partake in a traditional game
0:29:19 > 0:29:20that originated in the Cotswolds
0:29:20 > 0:29:24and has been played here for centuries - Aunt Sally.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Landlord John Hitchman has been playing for 12 years
0:29:27 > 0:29:30and he's going to show us how it's done.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31CHEERING
0:29:33 > 0:29:35What is the aim of this game?
0:29:35 > 0:29:37The aim is to, with this, to knock the doll off the stay.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41The players aim with six sticks and you have to knock six dolls off.
0:29:41 > 0:29:45- As simple as that! - Yes, yeah, as easy as that.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47How far away do you have to be to do that?
0:29:47 > 0:29:51- About 12 or 13 yards down there. - OK. So it does require some skill?
0:29:51 > 0:29:53Yes, lots of years of practice.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57I've been playing for years and I can't seem to get it right.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58LAUGHTER
0:29:58 > 0:30:01In the civil war, the Royalists used to play the game to pass the time.
0:30:01 > 0:30:06- It went on to fairgrounds and pubs and here we are today. - And it's thriving, isn't it?
0:30:06 > 0:30:11Oh, yeah. We've got three divisions in our league, a couple of teams in the pub. We enjoy it.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13But why is it called Aunty Sally?
0:30:13 > 0:30:17Well, originally, the doll was of a little old lady
0:30:17 > 0:30:19and the old lady had a pipe in her mouth
0:30:19 > 0:30:21and the aim was not to knock the doll off
0:30:21 > 0:30:23but to knock the pipe out of her mouth.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26Well, it sounds simple enough.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29I mean, how hard can it be to throw a stick?
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Right, just hold the stick at the end there.
0:30:32 > 0:30:33OK?
0:30:33 > 0:30:38And in one easy motion, just back and throw.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41You make that look simple
0:30:41 > 0:30:45but I warn you, I have no hand-eye coordination.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47So watch out, everyone.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Oh!
0:30:49 > 0:30:52I nearly knocked out the umpire! Sorry.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55'Well, I did warn them. 'Maybe Rachel will have better luck.'
0:30:56 > 0:30:58Come on. This one.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Oh, sorry!
0:31:01 > 0:31:04'Mm, perhaps not. Let's see how the Scotsman does.'
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Right, let's give it a go.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10CHEERING
0:31:10 > 0:31:12- Right on target.- Thank you.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15'I think we have a sporting hero in our midst,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17'a new Aunt Sally team member in the making.'
0:31:17 > 0:31:20If they move to the Cotswolds, would you let him on the team?
0:31:20 > 0:31:23On that evidence, I would say definitely.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25- Yeah.- Thanks very much.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29There you go. Something to get you involved in the community from the get go.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32All we've got to do now is find you the right house.
0:31:32 > 0:31:33- See you.- Cheerio. Thanks a lot.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42A location like this is what the Cotswolds is all about
0:31:42 > 0:31:46and our mystery house is situated right here.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48"What makes it such a mystery?" I hear you ask?
0:31:48 > 0:31:53Well, it's going to require Neil and Rachel to squeeze their dreams a little.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Let's see if they're up for it.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Anything you're particularly expecting or dreading?
0:32:01 > 0:32:05I really, really have no idea what the mystery house could be.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09You've shown us such a variety so far. I'm not dreading anything.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13I'm looking forward to seeing it. I really don't know what we might see,
0:32:13 > 0:32:14so it's exciting.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Yeah, I'm up for it, as well. Let's get there as soon as you can.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Patience is a virtue, Neil, and we don't have too far to go.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24We're heading back into the heart of the Gloucestershire wolds,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28to the hamlet of Eastington, a 40-minute drive from Swindon.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Whilst Eastington is a beautiful snapshot of rolling wolds,
0:32:31 > 0:32:33country lanes and cottages,
0:32:33 > 0:32:37just one mile southeast is the popular medieval market town
0:32:37 > 0:32:39of Northleach.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41It's home to the full run of traditional local stores
0:32:41 > 0:32:43and a few unusual ones, too,
0:32:43 > 0:32:44the all-important pub
0:32:44 > 0:32:48and a medieval church, nicknamed the Cathedral of the Cotswolds
0:32:48 > 0:32:51due to its impressive stature.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Time for the mystery house.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56- Intrigued?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00We've brought you to a lovely field full of lots of Cotswold sheep
0:33:00 > 0:33:02and just here is the house.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- Lovely house. - It's a house-looking house.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- It is a house-looking house. - What do you mean by that?
0:33:08 > 0:33:13It looks like a proper house. It looks solid and nicely done.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15The property dates back to the 1840s
0:33:15 > 0:33:18and the story goes that it used to be part of the Sherborne estate
0:33:18 > 0:33:23but the Wills estate won this property and lots of the Sherborne land in a card game,
0:33:23 > 0:33:25so it's got a bit of a story to it.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27But that is not what makes this a mystery house.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Any ideas what does?
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- No. I dread to think. - I have no idea.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Dread? No need to dread. It'll be fine.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- Let me show you inside and it will all become clear.- Thanks.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42'This detached Cotswold stone period home
0:33:42 > 0:33:44'certainly looks vast from the outside
0:33:44 > 0:33:47'and inside, it's been beautifully renovated
0:33:47 > 0:33:49'but here's the twist.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51'It's actually the smallest house we're viewing,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54'so how will our downsize go down?'
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Here we go.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02In you come, into the hallway.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Any ideas why it's the mystery house yet?
0:34:04 > 0:34:08That it's narrower than the other properties?
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- Which means it's smaller. - Smaller. That's the word. Smaller.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15I think that you in particular, Rachel, are going to like the decor
0:34:15 > 0:34:17- but let's find out.- OK.- OK.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21So through here, we have the living room.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24This is very nice. Nicely decorated, yes.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27- My kind of style.- I thought you'd like all of the wood.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- You've got these lovely doors.- Yes. - Stripped wood flooring.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- It's a great stone fireplace. - That's beautiful.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- It's not an inglenook. - It's a fireplace, nevertheless.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38That's a tick in the box.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41- And the stone windows. - Which you like.- They're beautiful.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43The depth of that and then the views.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46The view is unbelievable, yeah. Really, really pretty.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50'Across the hallway is the second reception room.'
0:34:52 > 0:34:56- Oh, it's nice. Quite nice, with the colours.- This is a nice room.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00And a good-sized dining room and it leads on into the kitchen.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04- Could it do for you? - I like it, definitely, but I'm not leaping up and down,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07not that I've done that already but I was inside.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09LAUGHTER
0:35:09 > 0:35:13Well, let's tackle that, then. Let's go and see the kitchen and get your thoughts on it.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17It is, I think, a beautiful kitchen.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20It is a lovely kitchen. Very lovely.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23- I like the work surface.- Mm. - I like the colour scheme.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25It's lovely with the range, as well.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29It is a very nice kitchen. It suits the house, it really does.
0:35:29 > 0:35:35I would've liked it bigger but it's beautiful and it's got everything that I like in it,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- just on a bit of a smaller scale. - Yeah.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41- Smaller scale in an ideal location. - Yeah, a beautiful location.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Every window has got a beautiful view from it,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45so that's a big plus, yes.
0:35:45 > 0:35:50'Positive reactions all round. Let's hope that continues upstairs.'
0:35:53 > 0:35:55There's still a lot of light up here.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58There's only two bedrooms but it isn't particularly small.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- I think this is a good size. - Yeah, this is a nice room.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I keep saying it's two bedrooms
0:36:03 > 0:36:06but the fact is with this property, there were three bedrooms
0:36:06 > 0:36:11and the current owners took the decision, brave, I think, as it is,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14to get rid of one of those to create an en suite round there.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- Right, I see, yeah.- So now you've got two bathrooms, two bedrooms.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20This is a lovely room. Again, this is my style.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22- This room is very nice.- Yeah.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24I can't promise they'll keep the curtains
0:36:24 > 0:36:28- but you can't get rid of the view, can you?- That's a gorgeous view.
0:36:28 > 0:36:29Really is.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32A Cotswold landscape, there. Waking up every morning to that.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34- It would be lovely.- Beautiful.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37I think you're falling in love. Come and look at the en suite.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39It's very stylish.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Oh, that's beautiful, yeah. Lovely.
0:36:44 > 0:36:50I love all this, yeah. I love these tiles, that colour and type.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54No, this is a cute, sweet, lovely en suite, this is.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- I like the bath. You're not a fan of roll-top baths.- No.
0:36:57 > 0:36:58I think that's lovely.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02- What have you got against roll-top baths?- I just don't like a bath.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04Can't you smell?
0:37:04 > 0:37:06'Well, Neil needn't worry.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09'Along the hallway is the family shower room
0:37:09 > 0:37:11'and the second bedroom, which is also a good size,
0:37:11 > 0:37:15'but I think it's time to take a closer look at those amazing views
0:37:15 > 0:37:16'from the garden.'
0:37:16 > 0:37:19- It's such a gorgeous afternoon. - It is beautiful.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Perfect for house viewing and perfect for enjoying the view
0:37:23 > 0:37:25that you get from this property,
0:37:25 > 0:37:27I mean, down here onto this open field.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- It is beautiful.- It is. - So, so beautiful.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33And of course it all comes if you buy this property
0:37:33 > 0:37:36and just look at it from this point of view.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39But how much will it cost to live somewhere like this?
0:37:39 > 0:37:43I think because of the views, they put a lot of value on this house,
0:37:43 > 0:37:47so I think you'd be looking at maybe 625, I think.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I would say, although the views are absolutely gorgeous,
0:37:50 > 0:37:55I'd say, because it's smaller, I would probably say 565.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- Oh, quite a lot lower.- Oh, yes.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Ah! OK.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Well, actually, you're closer.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06- This is on the market at £615,000. - Right.- OK.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08And you can do something with this property.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11It has got planning permission for an extension,
0:38:11 > 0:38:15so you could extend out the back here from that second window
0:38:15 > 0:38:19and come out and have a bigger kitchen and a couple of bedrooms upstairs
0:38:19 > 0:38:23- and with 85,000 left over, so to speak...- You could do it.- Yeah.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26- You've certainly got a lot to think about now.- Yeah.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31- Yes!- Thanks very much. - Enjoy the sunshine, have a wander round and start thinking
0:38:31 > 0:38:36- and we'll talk later on. - Thank you.- Thanks a lot.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39On the market at £615,000,
0:38:39 > 0:38:43this beautiful Cotswold stone period home is 85,000 under budget.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47It's been recently renovated to a high spec
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and includes two reception rooms, two bedrooms,
0:38:50 > 0:38:51two bathrooms
0:38:51 > 0:38:54and a bespoke country kitchen, albeit not a huge one.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57However, there is planning consent in place
0:38:57 > 0:38:59to build a two-storey extension,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01which would increase the floor print considerably
0:39:01 > 0:39:03but that would obviously come at a cost.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07The question is, is this idyllic location worth the work?
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Well, I think the mystery house is lovely.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13It's not ticking all the boxes for me
0:39:13 > 0:39:16but I can't fault how beautiful the location is.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20I think the location to me is ten out of ten
0:39:20 > 0:39:22and the house is eight and a half out of ten.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24Do you think that's big enough for us?
0:39:24 > 0:39:29There's planning permission for a big extension, so you'd have to look at that.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32As it is now it would be quite tight. We'd be struggling a bit.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34The surroundings are fantastic
0:39:34 > 0:39:38but I think the work we would need to do
0:39:38 > 0:39:40to get this house up to the way we would want it,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43in comparison to some of the properties we've seen,
0:39:43 > 0:39:48because they've set the benchmark, you'd need to spend a few quid here.
0:39:49 > 0:39:50This is why I love this show.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Getting to hang out at locations like this
0:39:53 > 0:39:55and this could be where you live if you pick this house.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- Let's go sit down and talk about it. - OK.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13It's decision time and for the first time in ages,
0:40:13 > 0:40:15I'm finding it quite difficult to work out
0:40:15 > 0:40:17which of the properties our couple like the most.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21The thing is with Rachel and Neil, they seem to like everything
0:40:21 > 0:40:25but do they love any of our houses as much as they love each other?
0:40:29 > 0:40:31It's an exciting time for the two of you, isn't it?
0:40:31 > 0:40:33You've got the impending marriage
0:40:33 > 0:40:36and the big move from Scotland down to the Cotswolds.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40- Thank you for letting us come on the journey.- Thank you.- No, thank you.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Now we started with the old court house.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- What did you think of that? - It was stunning.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48It had so many great features. Yeah, it was lovely.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50I thought it was gorgeous.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54I was completely taken with it, especially with the kitchen.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I think that was the loveliest kitchen I've ever been in.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01It's a shame that it's just too big, that's the long and the short of it.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03- Yeah.- It's too big.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Having taken you to a fairly large house,
0:41:05 > 0:41:10we took you to something much more traditional Cotswolds.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13We wanted to set you in the heart of a village
0:41:13 > 0:41:14and take you to a little cottage.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18- I really liked it.- It brought back memories for you, didn't it?
0:41:18 > 0:41:23When we were kids, we went down to the Lake District to stay at Gran's. It had that feel about it.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27It was needing updating but it was nothing structural.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30I think that property had lots of potential
0:41:30 > 0:41:33and could be updated and could be beautiful in that village.
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Well, finally, the mystery house.
0:41:35 > 0:41:41And with this one, it's probably one of the most perfect settings I've ever seen.
0:41:41 > 0:41:47- Wonderful views and a great property, if not a little wee.- Yeah.
0:41:47 > 0:41:48So what did you think?
0:41:48 > 0:41:50I did think it was absolutely beautiful
0:41:50 > 0:41:53and the setting couldn't be matched, definitely.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56And the house was lovely, too. They'd done a good job.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00But it was just a bit too small and a bit too much work.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02We did show you a wide variety of houses
0:42:02 > 0:42:04but have you made a decision?
0:42:04 > 0:42:08Well, we've decided we'd like to go back to the cottage
0:42:08 > 0:42:11and have a look around the location a bit more
0:42:11 > 0:42:13and see how far the amenities are away.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17Yeah. If things sort of stack up in its favour,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19- we'll certainly take it further, we think.- Yeah.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21So we may have found you a house.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- Now all we have to do is get you married.- Oh, dear.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29I don't mean that. I'm looking forward to that, obviously.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33I've really enjoyed showing you around the Cotswolds.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36I can't wait to hear that you've got the keys and are moving in
0:42:36 > 0:42:38and to get my invitation to the wedding.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42The best of luck. Let us know how you get on
0:42:42 > 0:42:45- and send us some photos of the wedding.- Thank you for your help.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Yes, thank you.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55What a brilliant result, although I didn't see that one coming.
0:42:55 > 0:42:58I thought they couldn't make their minds up.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Turns out, they just needed some time to mull it over,
0:43:00 > 0:43:03to realise that they were always going to fall in love
0:43:03 > 0:43:06with the quintessential Cotswold cottage.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12'If you'd like to escape to the country
0:43:12 > 0:43:15'in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:43:15 > 0:43:20'please apply online at:'
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk