0:00:02 > 0:00:04This magnificent structure behind me
0:00:04 > 0:00:06is known as the last castle to be built in England.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10Created to evoke a real sense of medieval pedigree,
0:00:10 > 0:00:14it took 20 years of agony and effort to realise.
0:00:14 > 0:00:16It was the culmination of one man's dream,
0:00:16 > 0:00:19to create a beautiful home in a beautiful location.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23Something, of course, we know all about on Escape To The Country.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43On today's show, I'll be helping a couple downsize with a move to the country.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47However, they love the fact that it gives them more than they bargained for.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Wow! Wow! Cor blimey!
0:00:50 > 0:00:51Lovely!
0:00:51 > 0:00:52Wow! Fabulous!
0:00:52 > 0:00:54How fantastic!
0:00:54 > 0:00:57But can they cope with the challenge of our mystery house?
0:00:57 > 0:01:03Is it pick-axe work, or...? It needs a lot of... You never use a pick-axe in the house, dear!
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Today I'm in Devon and this is Castle Drogo,
0:01:10 > 0:01:15the vision of early-20th-century entrepreneur Julius Drewe.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17The building was designed by Lutyens
0:01:17 > 0:01:22but is thought to be the last private residence in the UK to be built entirely of granite.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25A spectacular structure in a spectacular setting
0:01:25 > 0:01:28here on Dartmoor overlooking the Teign Valley.
0:01:28 > 0:01:34It's also a lasting testament to Drewe's ambitions to create a real family home full of pedigree.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37It's been a very welcome addition to the landscape ever since.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Situated in the south-west of England,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Devon is home to both magnificent countryside and coast,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46attracting over five million visitors a year.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50It's the only county in England with two distinctly separate coastlines
0:01:50 > 0:01:55totalling over 250 miles of stunning cliffs and beaches
0:01:55 > 0:01:59which grace the English Riviera resorts of Torquay and Paignton.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02Inland, Devon is renowned for its gentle pastures
0:02:02 > 0:02:06and two national parks, which include the wild landscape of Dartmoor
0:02:06 > 0:02:08and sweeping vistas of Exmoor.
0:02:08 > 0:02:13Regularly voted as one of the most tranquil places to live in the UK,
0:02:13 > 0:02:18it's no surprise that a survey singled out Devon as the county of choice to retire to.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24No surprise that Devon remains as popular as ever.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Which is exactly why today's buyers want to move here.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Alan, a retired IT analyst, and Pat, a counsellor,
0:02:31 > 0:02:36have lived in their four-bed house in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39for eight years. But now Pat is winding down her work,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41they've decided to move to the countryside.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44We'd like to move somewhere quieter,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47somewhere to get more involved in the community.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51We've always liked to be somewhere nearer the sea.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53I'd like to be able to go out walking.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Alan and I have nothing else to do except enjoy the countryside
0:02:57 > 0:03:02and so I'm hoping to retire and just take it easy.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06But they want the location to give them the best of both worlds.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09We'd quite like to be somewhere near a large village,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13to pick up the shopping and go out for a meal, et cetera.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Yes, and doing some nice nature walks as well.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24We'd like three bedrooms. We'd prefer a detached,
0:03:24 > 0:03:30but we'd be happy to look at a semidetached if it was full of character. And a decent size.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35My ideal house, I think, would be in a nice setting
0:03:35 > 0:03:40so that it looks pretty, looks nice, when you drive up to it.
0:03:40 > 0:03:45A nice garden at the back with an area where I could do my vegetables.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50Walk into a beautiful kitchen with clean lines, nice tiles on the floor,
0:03:50 > 0:03:57a big area so that there's room to dine. A good-sized lounge,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59with maybe a lovely marble fireplace.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02There are beautiful marble fireplaces, and a woodburning stove.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08Even though Pat's planning to retire, she wants to do some occasional counselling work.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11So she'll want an extra reception room, but is happy to share it
0:04:11 > 0:04:13when Alan wants to strum a few chords.
0:04:13 > 0:04:19On top of that, they'd be delighted if their new property gave them the scope to earn an income.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22We're quite interested in maybe a place with an annexe
0:04:22 > 0:04:24that we could rent out in summer.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27And maybe have the family over the other times.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32With that in mind, what budget do they have for the move?
0:04:32 > 0:04:35With an annexe it would be ?450,000.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Without an annexe it would be ?350,000.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46In some ways, we've got two house searches going on this week.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52If we blow all the budget of ?450,000, we need a house and an annexe with income potential.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58Or if we spend less, we just need a pretty house. So in some ways, the choices are endless.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06Alan and Pat want to base themselves in the south-east of Devon within reach of the coast,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08so we'll concentrate the search round Exeter.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12I'll show them three "creme de la creme" Devon properties
0:05:12 > 0:05:15but as ever I won't reveal the price tag straightaway.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Lastly, our mystery house, which gives generously on the one hand
0:05:19 > 0:05:22but could take a lot of their time up on the other.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Hi, Pat. Hi, Alan. How are you? Good, thank you. Good, thanks.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Welcome to Devon. We're looking forward to it.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34In terms of what you're after, talk me through your requirements.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38If it's old, that would be super because it's full of character.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43But I don't want to have to re-roof it or be worried that the pipes will fail.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48So maintenance free. Something that's old and maybe been renovated.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54That would be fantastic. So you don't want a major project, but what about a new kitchen or bathroom?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57No problem. Absolutely no problem. But we're not big DIY-ers.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59Well, no.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Poor old Alan! He's thinking, "I don't want a lot of work, Jules!"
0:06:05 > 0:06:10We've got some great properties for you to look at. I'm looking forward to it. Yeah.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12Let's get started.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16For a maximum budget of ?450,000, Pat and Alan would like...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32They want to be within easy reach of village amenities
0:06:32 > 0:06:34and a community.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40We're starting our search close to the village of Kingskerswell,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43on the outskirts of the Dartmoor National Park,
0:06:43 > 0:06:46four miles from the south coast.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49The village serves up all the amenities they could ask for
0:06:49 > 0:06:53and has a parish church whose tower dates back to the 14th century.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Among the grand Victorian properties occupying a prime spot
0:06:56 > 0:06:59on the outlying edges is our first property
0:06:59 > 0:07:02which comes with fabulous views.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Right, in you come.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06What do you think of this, then? Wow! Wow!
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Cor blimey! Blimey, that's exciting!
0:07:09 > 0:07:14It's amazing! I'm impressed. At the moment, it looks stunning.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16I'm knocked out. You get the idea.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20It's a big, substantial family home. It looks fantastic. Brilliant.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Let's see if you think it's brilliant inside.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Wow!
0:07:29 > 0:07:33It's terrific. The staircase is original.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35You have some lovely features. Yes.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39They get better as we go through. Can't wait. Follow me. Look at this.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Wow! Yeah? Look at the view!
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Amazing.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51You wanted light. Yeah, this is lovely. Can't get much more light.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53It's sweet, isn't it? This is a lovely room.
0:07:53 > 0:07:59Fireplace is original. Yeah. It's unusual because you've got the window above the fireplace. Unusual.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Absolutely. It's beautiful. Beautiful.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07We've only just scratched the surface as next door there's a generous study
0:08:07 > 0:08:10which one of them could claim as theirs.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Let's see the splendour in the dining room.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17There we are. A bit of opulence for you. They've set the table. Yes.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21That's lovely. Another nice fireplace.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24A big room. The nice thing about these houses
0:08:24 > 0:08:28is that they were designed with dining and entertainment in mind.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32That was the Victorian thing. See the little door in the corner?
0:08:32 > 0:08:38There used to be a dumb waiter that would operate downstairs.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Wow. It's not there any more, but that's the old vestige of it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Very nice, yes.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Is this a surprise, Alan? A big surprise, actually.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51After the grandeur we've seen so far, the more functional areas include a handy utility room
0:08:51 > 0:08:53and a downstairs shower room.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56But they may find that the kitchen brings them back down to earth.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Now, for such a big house... A small kitchen.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03It is quite a small kitchen. The reason being,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07that most of the cooking would have happened underneath us.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10So in more recent years, it's been brought up
0:09:10 > 0:09:14in the way that we would all have now, without servants.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18But in terms of kitchen, would this work? Yeah,
0:09:18 > 0:09:23but it's not really the kitchen/dining room I was hoping for. That's the compromise.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25It is a bit of a compromise.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29Hopefully, it'll be a compromise that Pat's happy to consider
0:09:29 > 0:09:32after she's seen what's on offer upstairs.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36Along with a lavish family bathroom are four bedrooms including a bright, spacious double
0:09:36 > 0:09:39and another double with a feature fireplace.
0:09:39 > 0:09:45The third has light streaming in but let's see if the main bedroom makes a grand impression.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Mmm! Nice! Wow! Nice. It's a nice room, isn't it?
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Good size. What we haven't got is an en-suite.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55I know it's something you'd like. It would be nice.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58But I guess most of the time it's just you two. Yeah.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It would be nice, but it's not a deal-breaker.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04As a room, I think it's lovely. It's a lovely big room.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10It's an amazing home, it just feels very large to me, compared to what we've been living in.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13We're trying to downsize a bit, and it's huge!
0:10:13 > 0:10:15But it certainly is a lovely house.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Come and take a look. It's huge. Come and check this out.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21We're testing the water with this house,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25but if they want an annexe, there will always need to be a bit of give and take.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31Served by its own entrance, the annexe is on the lower level and built into the hillside,
0:10:31 > 0:10:35benefiting from a fine bay window which makes the most of that view.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Leading off the hallway is a lovely large sitting room
0:10:38 > 0:10:40with a working fireplace.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45Along with a guest bedroom, there's a dressing room and serviceable bathroom.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48So now we've got to grips with the property,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50let's explore outside.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55You get quite an imposing view of the house.
0:10:55 > 0:11:00This is the annexe floor. Good grief. Huge, isn't it? Yes.
0:11:00 > 0:11:05It is huge. Then the whole thing wiggles through this terraced pathway.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08It's your own woodland walk!
0:11:11 > 0:11:14The terraced garden comes in at around quarter of an acre.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18The pathway snakes down the hillside and is flanked on either side
0:11:18 > 0:11:20by a variety of mature trees and shrubs.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24But what's the price to be paid for all of this?
0:11:24 > 0:11:29OK. Here we are at the bottom of your winding terraced garden.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33It's quite a journey, once you get here. Yes. Very extensive. Yeah.
0:11:33 > 0:11:39There we are. Property number one. Let's put you out of your misery and talk about what it's worth.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Boy, that is a difficult one. Hmm.
0:11:41 > 0:11:48I reckon this must be 460. I'll be optimistic and say 450.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53450. As well you should be. Cos it's ?450,000.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Well done. Yeah.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58It was on the market for more than that. Brilliant value.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02It's been reduced so you're getting a lot for your money.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Bang on budget at ?450,000, this fabulous Victorian villa
0:12:09 > 0:12:13certainly gives them enough space and a wealth of period features.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23A charming terraced garden with views
0:12:23 > 0:12:25and country walks on the doorstep.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27All within easy reach of a popular village.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's getting quite exciting, isn't it? Yes.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Wonder what else we can find you.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Castle Drogo's magnificent standing
0:12:46 > 0:12:50makes it the only Grade I listed 20th-century building in Devon.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55Its founder, Julius Drewe, wanted to display not only his wealth,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58but his aristocratic aspirations for the family name.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03The result was a 20th-century palace that combines the grandeur of a medieval castle
0:13:03 > 0:13:08with designs for the modern era, pioneered by the great British architect, Edwin Lutyens.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12I'm meeting Bryon Mason who, as house and collections manager,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14knows all about Drewe's vision.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Tell me a bit more about Julius Drewe. He sounds fascinating.
0:13:17 > 0:13:23Yes, a really interesting man. He started out working as a tea buyer in China.
0:13:23 > 0:13:30But in 1878, he and his business partner set up what became known as the Home and Colonial Stores.
0:13:30 > 0:13:31Immensely successful,
0:13:31 > 0:13:36and he sold the shares for ?1 million
0:13:36 > 0:13:40and decided to retire at the grand old age of 33!
0:13:40 > 0:13:45The 100 rooms inside continue Lutyens' modern take on the medieval theme
0:13:45 > 0:13:48but he did have fun with his architectural styles,
0:13:48 > 0:13:52employing them to great effect in the library.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57The intention was to make it feel like the Norman keep of this castle.
0:13:57 > 0:14:02So there's a huge fireplace. The bookcases are intentionally made
0:14:02 > 0:14:06to look like they've been inserted into this arch at a later date.
0:14:06 > 0:14:12Lutyens' trick of suggesting that different parts of the castle were built at different periods
0:14:12 > 0:14:15led him to create a drawing room in the Georgian style.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20Looking after this must be quite extraordinary. Is it in good shape?
0:14:20 > 0:14:24In some ways. It's a very robust building, built of granite.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29However, it is a building that comes with its own particular set of problems.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Julius Drewe insisted that because he was having a real castle,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37it had to have a flat roof which basically doesn't work.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Technology has finally caught up with the great Lutyens
0:14:43 > 0:14:47and an ?11 million restoration project is due to start in 2012,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50which will hopefully preserve this unique building
0:14:50 > 0:14:53so it may age gracefully for generations to come.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Our house search continues half an hour's drive inland
0:14:59 > 0:15:02close to the village of Sampford Courtenay.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07With a population of 500, this idyllic village is teeming with thatched buildings
0:15:07 > 0:15:11including the local pub, and a variety of other period properties.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14Just outside the village is our second offering.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Crunch, crunch, crunch!
0:15:18 > 0:15:21What do you think? This looks lovely. Lovely.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Doesn't it? That looks really nice. Very different to our first property. Yes.
0:15:25 > 0:15:32Victorian grandeur, if you like. This is classic Devon cottage,
0:15:32 > 0:15:36albeit in a barn conversion. It looks really nice, much more me.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Really? How about Alan? Much more me, as well.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Really? Great.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Let's go in! Let's have a look.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48There's no doubt the style of this barn conversion really appeals to them.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52I have high hopes that our first room will set Pat's hopes soaring.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54Come on in, Pat.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Lovely! Wow! Oh, fabulous. How fantastic!
0:15:58 > 0:16:02This is lovely. Really is lovely.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07Just what you always wanted. Super, isn't it? Yeah, really nice.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11It's taken your breath away a bit. Yeah, you've done well here, Jules.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13This is lovely.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16You know, it is gorgeous. But what do you particularly love?
0:16:16 > 0:16:19It's just a really nice feel to it.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21A really good feel to it.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26And it's big and spacious. It just feels really nice.
0:16:26 > 0:16:27It's a brilliant kitchen/diner.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29It's a great space. Lovely space.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34The good news is there is a bit more to it. Have a look at this through here.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Next door has a similarly light, airy feel, but with the warm touch they're after.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Oh, yes. Very nice. We could spend a few cosy evenings here!
0:16:42 > 0:16:46And that will belt out the heat. Oh, yeah. I'd imagine so.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51You've got this nice vaulting which continues from the kitchen. Lovely.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55So far, so good on the second property. Come on, follow me.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56Yeah.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59The manageable size and clean lines of this barn conversion
0:16:59 > 0:17:01have won them over so far.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06At the other end of the property is a downstairs bathroom and two of the four bedrooms,
0:17:06 > 0:17:09one of which could serve as Pat's counselling room,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12another could be Alan's music room.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15But we'll head upstairs and see what they make of the master.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Gosh!
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Yeah. Now we're talking!
0:17:22 > 0:17:25En-suite. En-suite as well. Very nice.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28What about the shape? Very strange. It's lovely!
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Very nice. Absolutely lovely.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33That is really, really nice. Yeah?
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Yeah, very quirky. Just right.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40At the other end of the landing, the fourth bedroom would make a good guest room.
0:17:40 > 0:17:45Looks like our barn conversion has served up the perfect mix of character and space,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48providing a great low-maintenance option.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53Outside is a useful double garage, next to which is a large lawned area
0:17:53 > 0:17:56which gives Pat ample scope to create her vegetable patch.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03Just a few steps along the country lane, this cottage garden complete with summer house
0:18:03 > 0:18:06is a real oasis of calm and runs down to the River Tor.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10But before we get carried away, it's time for some straight talking.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Beautiful, isn't it? Beautiful. So.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Very nice. How much do you want it?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Yes, you know what's coming next. How much is it worth?
0:18:18 > 0:18:23This is a seriously interesting property. I think it's up for 375.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27I'm going to be dead cheeky and say about 340.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Bit of a difference, there. Yes.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30There is a difference. Yeah.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34375 would be fair enough. It's your lucky day, madam.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38This is ?340,000. No! You're joking. You've done it again! Done it again.
0:18:38 > 0:18:44That's amazing. That's good. Have you been looking at my notes? No, I haven't!
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Good. It's a nice one, isn't it? It's lovely. Lovely. Lovely.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Good way to end the day. Yeah. Yes.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52On a high. Yes. Certainly.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04On the market at ?340,000, our barn conversion is so generously under budget
0:19:04 > 0:19:07they could forget the holiday annexe as a source of extra income.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29So as the sun sets over the Devon countryside,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32it marks the end of our first day's property search.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43Well, as you can probably tell, it's a very misty and chilly start
0:19:43 > 0:19:46to our final day's house-hunting here in Devon.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Our first property yesterday may have been too big
0:19:50 > 0:19:53and our second one may have been too rural for Alan.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58So for our mystery house, our final property, we need to strike a happy balance between the two.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00I think it does.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05For our mystery house, we're staying in Sampford Courtenay
0:20:05 > 0:20:08but we're going right to the heart of the village.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12It's all beautifully preserved with a strong sense of community
0:20:12 > 0:20:14which our mystery property is at the heart of.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17This cottage gives them a great option to downsize
0:20:17 > 0:20:19but there's definitely work to be done.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22However, it does give generously in other ways
0:20:22 > 0:20:25which can be best appreciated from round the back.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Turn round
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and survey the scene.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31Wow. Wow.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34I thought we'd start up here on this one.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38We usually start at the front of our properties, but the key to this one
0:20:38 > 0:20:40is what it's got.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I think it's important we set that out to start with.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46What you get is that building down there. Yeah.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51It's semi-detached, so your bit is effectively the rendered area to the left
0:20:51 > 0:20:54and what's above it, and the garage, the yard,
0:20:54 > 0:20:56and that annexe there. Oh, that comes with it?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59That comes with it. It looks lovely.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Yeah. It looks lovely. Very exciting.
0:21:01 > 0:21:07Now, in fairness, whilst the annexe is all done, the house does need... Some work. ..some work. OK.
0:21:07 > 0:21:14All right? Is it pick-axe work? It needs... You never use a pick-axe in the house, dear.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16It needs a lot of updating.
0:21:16 > 0:21:23You may have to bend your minds to more of a project than we'd considered. OK.
0:21:23 > 0:21:29We'll explore the project that comes with the house later. First, I'll whet their appetite with the annexe.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Let's start in here.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36This is the living/dining area of your annexe.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Nice. Yeah? Very nice.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40Nice kitchen.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45Oak floors. Doors out to what could be a nice patio.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49I can imagine with a bit of dressing you could put your mark on this
0:21:49 > 0:21:52and make it a very warm place for clients to come to.
0:21:52 > 0:21:59It's lovely. I'd be thrilled if I came here as a holiday let. I'd be really pleased.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Down the hallway is a well furnished shower room and double guest bedroom.
0:22:03 > 0:22:09So now we'll cross the yard and get to grips with the project the mystery house has in store.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Grab the door, Alan. Sure.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Follow me across here.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20It's very cosy, isn't it? Very cosy, isn't it?
0:22:20 > 0:22:24It's not the huge kitchen/diner that you wanted.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29Certainly it's functional enough that you could basically move in
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and then start thinking about how to go about it.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37There's this area through here. The dining bit of what's on offer.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40With that range in the fireplace.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44A nice little bread oven tucked away in the corner. Oh, wow.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Some nice features in there. Absolutely.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50The living room is less of a challenge. Have a look.
0:22:50 > 0:22:56An office arrangement there, another door out. That's nice. Handy.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59This is the bit that really works for me,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02down here. Nice big room. Good size. Nice and square.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03Hmm.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08It has a potential, without a doubt. It's just seeing that potential at the moment.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12Yeah. Ideal location. Yeah. Lovely annexe. Yeah.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15It's what it's about. It's this section we have to think about.
0:23:15 > 0:23:21I imagine they would also want to put their decorative mark on the three bedrooms upstairs.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24One a cosy double, along with a good-sized single
0:23:24 > 0:23:28with storage cupboards, and the third just big enough for a bed.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33Although turning this house into something that will suit them may seem a daunting task,
0:23:33 > 0:23:35the outside space is impressively large
0:23:35 > 0:23:41with an array of lawned areas and a substantial vegetable plot for Pat to cultivate.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47At the top of the hill, the land flattens out to give them a huge two-acre field.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Our mystery house throws a host of unexpected elements into the mix.
0:23:51 > 0:23:52But at what price?
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Question is, how much do you want it?
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Yes, how much. Or how much would it have to be to persuade you to buy it?
0:24:00 > 0:24:02That's the other way of putting it.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06I think I would say it may be on the market for...
0:24:06 > 0:24:09..375.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12It's exactly what I was going to say. But I can't say the same,
0:24:12 > 0:24:15so I'll go lower than you and say 365.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17365. 375.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20You have done it again! She hasn't! I've not!
0:24:20 > 0:24:23This is embarrassing. It's on the market for ?375,000.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28I've watched too many of your programmes! We've never had anybody get it right three times in a row!
0:24:28 > 0:24:34Amazing. Yes, ?375,000. Yes. That does leave a lot in the budget. Doesn't it?
0:24:38 > 0:24:44Priced at ?375,000, our mystery cottage not only offers them an option to downsize,
0:24:44 > 0:24:47but leaves plenty in the pot for the project.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50There are also the appealing pluses:
0:25:00 > 0:25:04All wrapped up in a very desirable village location.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Let's get you somewhere where you can mull it all over.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09We'll have a chat. Come on. Lovely.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Well, there's no doubt we've given Pat and Alan a fantastic range of options
0:25:24 > 0:25:27to meet their property requirements.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31But have we got them any closer to finding their dream home in the country?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Let's go and ask them.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40The question is, have we managed to find you your new dream house?
0:25:40 > 0:25:44We started with that lovely Victorian villa set high on the hill
0:25:44 > 0:25:47with its holiday annexe set underneath it.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50That was fantastic, wasn't it?
0:25:50 > 0:25:54It was beautiful. It was really elegant. The rooms were tall with high ceilings.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Victorian features.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00But I also felt that we'd be rattling around in it. Too large for us.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06OK. Then we took you from Victorian grandeur
0:26:06 > 0:26:07to cosy barn conversion.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11You said, if I remember rightly, "This is more me." Yes.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Absolutely. It was much more me.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16You felt that, too. It was more me, as well. Yeah.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19That was really nice. It was lovely and light.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22The property was fine.
0:26:22 > 0:26:28But the location we thought was just a bit too rural for us.
0:26:28 > 0:26:34That led us nicely on to our final day and to our mystery house
0:26:34 > 0:26:37which certainly had lots of neighbours on offer. Absolutely.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40A beautiful village. Now, then.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43We started with the holiday annexe that came with it,
0:26:43 > 0:26:46which you seemed to like. It was very well done.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48I thought it was very lettable.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51But I did warn you that the house did need a bit of imagination.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Yes. You weren't exaggerating there!
0:26:54 > 0:26:58I wasn't exaggerating in some respects.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Now, when I revealed the price to you, 375,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04you certainly did have the money to do it.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06So would you do it?
0:27:06 > 0:27:09I'm doubtful. I don't know.
0:27:09 > 0:27:16I don't think we want to compromise the house for the sake of an annexe.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22So we're going to stay with the 350 and start really looking for the right property for us.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25I think we have shown you the range of options. Yes.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29It's redefined your focus. I'm delighted that's the case.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32I'm very glad we've seen those properties. Yes.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36They were all very interesting. It was good to see the ones with the annexe
0:27:36 > 0:27:40and for us to understand that actually the property is a priority.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Maybe we're clouding the issue by looking at both.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Guys, very best of luck with your house search.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Enjoy your retirement. Thank you.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53And let us know how you get on. Thank you so much. Thank you. It was brilliant.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02Trying to find a house with an annexe in the right location
0:28:02 > 0:28:08for their maximum budget of ?450,000 has proved to be something of a tall order.
0:28:08 > 0:28:10So their house search goes on.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14But it'll be much simpler. They'll be looking for a home first and a business second.
0:28:14 > 0:28:15See you next time!
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