0:00:01 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Behind me is the entrance to a quarry cave
0:00:05 > 0:00:07and if its walls could speak,
0:00:07 > 0:00:12it would tell fantastic tales of Roman soldiers, Saxon miners and medieval masons,
0:00:12 > 0:00:18plus one or two tall tales of smugglers and pirates stashing their booty. Where am I?
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Well, join me on Escape To The Country and I'll show you.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37In today's show I'll be helping a couple leave life
0:00:37 > 0:00:40in the busy Buckinghamshire commuter belt behind
0:00:40 > 0:00:43to find their perfect home in the country, and it's not without its challenges.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46We don't want to make it too easy for you.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Yes, you like a challenge.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Yes, that's what they keep telling me.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53I'll show them some enticing properties in the hope that they take the bait.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Do you like fish?
0:00:55 > 0:00:56- No.- No?
0:00:56 > 0:01:00No, we've just filled in our fish pond.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01Right.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06Then there's the mystery house which is sure to add some 21st century cool.
0:01:07 > 0:01:13Today I'm in Devon, or should I say underneath it really, because I've decided to start my visit here
0:01:13 > 0:01:15at the caves at Beer on the south coast.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18If you want to get an idea of why the architecture
0:01:18 > 0:01:22of this county is so special, this is a great place to start.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28In fact, the county's stone also underpins its rich geological history.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30At the south western arm of England
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Devon sits between the counties of Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38It is the only county in the UK to have two separate coastlines,
0:01:38 > 0:01:40and breathtaking they are too.
0:01:40 > 0:01:42With World Heritage status,
0:01:42 > 0:01:46the East Devon coast forms part of the stunning Jurassic coastline,
0:01:46 > 0:01:5295 miles of fossilised rock face recording 185 million years of the Earth's history.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Dramatic landscapes continue inland with the green patchwork fields
0:01:55 > 0:01:59serving Devon's active farming industry.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Traditional stone cottages are a strong feature of the local architecture,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06although we won't be seeing many of those on today's house search.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09So whether it's coast or countryside, Devon offers up
0:02:09 > 0:02:12plenty of options for those seeking a change of scenery
0:02:12 > 0:02:14and a slower pace of life.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18If you were lucky enough to have bought your home
0:02:18 > 0:02:22here in Devon five years ago you were very, very fortunate indeed
0:02:22 > 0:02:27because the odds are that was the last time you could have come here and snapped up a real bargain.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Since then house prices have risen
0:02:29 > 0:02:33a whopping 20% above the national average which means that your normal
0:02:33 > 0:02:39four-bedroomed detached will now set you back around £280,000.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41If you want something a little more secluded
0:02:41 > 0:02:46or on the coast you can add a cool 15% to 20% on top of that.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Even beach huts here are hugely expensive,
0:02:48 > 0:02:52so clearly Devon isn't cheap but it does remain popular.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54The question is why.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Well, when you get an idea of what is on the market right now, you'll know.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01For top dollar rural splendour you could splash out on this
0:03:01 > 0:03:05five-bedroom Grade II listed farmhouse at £1.1 million.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Along with the elegant reception rooms and attractive family kitchen
0:03:09 > 0:03:11the property also includes two holiday cottages
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and top notch stabling,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15all set in 32 acres.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19For just shy of 600 grand this striking four bedroom eco home
0:03:19 > 0:03:22overlooking Totnes is certainly a one-off.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Its locally sourced oak and Douglas fir timber frame
0:03:25 > 0:03:29and contemporary open plan layout make it a stylish low-energy house.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34On the terrace there are panoramic views and a wildlife pond.
0:03:34 > 0:03:40And what about this converted three bedroom chapel in Bere Alston for £360,000?
0:03:40 > 0:03:41You could take a pew in the kitchen diner
0:03:41 > 0:03:43or in the double height living room.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48And the landscape garden leaves you in no doubt as to the building's origins.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51You know I have to confess I love coming to Devon,
0:03:51 > 0:03:53particularly to go house hunting.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Not just because it's got some fantastic properties in abundance,
0:03:56 > 0:03:59as you can see, but also because of this,
0:03:59 > 0:04:04wonderful coastline wrapped around a stunning landscape inside.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06It's the perfect place I think to escape to the country,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10so no surprise that today's buyers want to come here too.
0:04:10 > 0:04:15Today it's the turn of Jill, a holistic therapist, and Jazz,
0:04:15 > 0:04:19an accountant, who live in a four bedroom detached house in Denham, Buckinghamshire.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22They feel they've outgrown their current home and are looking
0:04:22 > 0:04:26for a completely fresh start with their dog Arthur in the country.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28Jill's been in this property for about 15 years now
0:04:28 > 0:04:30and I've been here about eight.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33We got married about a year and a half ago
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and just feel it's time to buy something together now.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Only their youngest daughter Eleanor will be moving with them
0:04:40 > 0:04:43but they want to accommodate all eight children from their previous
0:04:43 > 0:04:47marriages in their new home so there are some important considerations.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50I really love this kitchen, I love the layout of it,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52but we've got a large family
0:04:52 > 0:04:57and we need to sit eight to ten people round the table with ease.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58This is our garden.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02It's quite a large garden as it is but what we're looking for is
0:05:02 > 0:05:05about an acre where Arthur can run around
0:05:05 > 0:05:08and hopefully we've got some room for a vegetable plot
0:05:08 > 0:05:09where we can grow our own vegetables.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13We really like this room because it's got such large open windows
0:05:13 > 0:05:15and it's very light and airy.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18We're quite sort of modern, minimalistic people,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22we definitely don't like sort of dark pokey windows at all.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26They've certainly got definite ideas on what they don't want.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30We don't want beams. We don't want open brickwork.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Thatched roof, we don't want that either.
0:05:32 > 0:05:34- No.- And not on a main road.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Hm, this could be an interesting house hunt.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39So what's the draw to Devon?
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Jill comes from Devon. Her parents are still there.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46We go to Devon a lot and we just love the countryside out there.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49We want to be closer to Jill's parents as well.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Especially as they're getting older.
0:05:51 > 0:05:57But we don't want to be too far away so the children can come and visit as well.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00So with this being the first property they're buying together
0:06:00 > 0:06:02do they think they'll agree?
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I think it should be quite easy for us to agree on a property
0:06:05 > 0:06:07because our tastes are quite similar.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- Yeah.- Aren't they?- Yeah.- And I...
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Jill chooses it and I agree.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Yes, you've learned those two important little words,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16"Yes, dear," haven't you?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Yes, dear.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21With the move on the horizon
0:06:21 > 0:06:25we've arranged for a local estate agent to value their property.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28This is an extremely well presented four bedroom detached house
0:06:28 > 0:06:31with a lovely garden in a very popular location.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36I would suggest a valuation of around £465,000.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41With that in mind, how much do they have in their budget?
0:06:41 > 0:06:47If the property ticks all our boxes, we're looking to spend £550,000.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Now the good news is that Jazz and Jill don't want to be near the coast
0:06:54 > 0:06:57so their already fairly sizeable budget of over half a million pounds
0:06:57 > 0:06:59should go that little bit further.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03Who knows, they might even get a few neighbours like these thrown in to boot.
0:07:03 > 0:07:04The other nice thing
0:07:04 > 0:07:07is that this is the first home they'll have bought together,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10will they agree on their ideal home? I wonder.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14With family in Sidmouth and Lyme Regis, Jill and Jazz are looking
0:07:14 > 0:07:18to focus their search in east Devon around the town of Honiton.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21I'll be taking them on a tour of some great properties
0:07:21 > 0:07:23but, as ever, I won't be revealing the prices right away.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26And then there's the mystery house,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29which could always throw our house hunters off course.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- Well, hello there.- Hi.- Hi, Jill.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Hello.- Nice to see you. Hi, Jazz, how are you?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36Well, here we are then in Devon,
0:07:36 > 0:07:38back where it all began for you, Jill.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Mm, how lovely.- How lovely.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Did you ever think you'd come back to Sidmouth?
0:07:43 > 0:07:47No, I didn't, no. But we're at the sort of stage now where we're just
0:07:47 > 0:07:51looking for something a bit quieter and we like this part of the world.
0:07:51 > 0:07:57- Well, let's have a think about your budget. It's, what, 550...?- Yes. - Maximum.- Yes.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Yeah.- And for that you want three bedrooms,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02a couple of reception rooms but a big kitchen.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06It's the kitchen really that's going to sell us any property.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09OK. Now, although we are technically on Escape To The Country,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13and we are in a beautiful part of the country Devon has some fantastic local architecture,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17you don't really want a traditional country house, do you?
0:08:17 > 0:08:21Not really, no, because we do like sort of, we like modern.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24- Modern, minimalistic really.- Yeah, we don't want beams.- Woodwork.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26No.
0:08:26 > 0:08:32No. Dark wood. No. So have you found something for us?
0:08:32 > 0:08:35Well, we have got some very interesting properties
0:08:35 > 0:08:37for you to look at.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38Go at all of them with an open mind.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Don't get too hung up on the odd detail...- No.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46Because often knowing what you do like is harder to put your finger on.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50Let's see if we can inspire you with the properties we've got. Come on.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56With a budget of £550,000 Jill and Jazz want a three to four bedroom
0:08:56 > 0:09:01detached house with a large kitchen diner and plenty of outside space.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03They don't want to be staring at beams all day.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Modern interiors are a must.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08I have a feeling this wish list might make our house search tricky.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Let's see if I'm right as we get on the road.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14You bring a collection of eight children to your
0:09:14 > 0:09:19current partnership, what do they think about you moving to Devon?
0:09:19 > 0:09:20They think it's great.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23They're looking forward to somewhere to go at weekends.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27The initial reaction was, "You're not moving that far away, are you?"
0:09:27 > 0:09:31When we explained that it's only going to be two hours away
0:09:31 > 0:09:34and that they could come down for weekends
0:09:34 > 0:09:36they were quite up for it.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41We've just got to the stage in our lives where we want
0:09:41 > 0:09:47sort of a quieter life, I suppose, and sort of work in the garden
0:09:47 > 0:09:49and get our vegetable plot.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53I know it sounds old, it makes us sound really old, doesn't it?
0:09:53 > 0:09:58On the contrary, it's an aspiration held by many of our escapees,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00so hopefully our house search will come up roses.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04For our first property takes us 14 miles from Honiton
0:10:04 > 0:10:08to the quiet village of Chardstock, nestled in the Blackdown Hills.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Chardstock and the surrounding countryside is prime walking territory,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14perfect for Jill, Jazz and dog, Arthur.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16The village atmosphere is well preserved
0:10:16 > 0:10:19with pretty thatched cottages and, at its heart,
0:10:19 > 0:10:22and 15th century county pub where you can enjoy the local ales.
0:10:25 > 0:10:26Come through here.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34Now, originally this was a sort of 1930s bungalow.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37All right? And, as you can see, it's been much modernised
0:10:37 > 0:10:39and, well, totally rebuilt,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43in fairness, to provide a modern family home.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- Right.- It's very open plan.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46Yes.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48That's good.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52It's just from the outside it's not particularly pretty.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53Right.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Pretty we can do by the bucketload.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00- Right.- But because you don't want old and you don't want beams...
0:11:00 > 0:11:05- Mmm.- ..etc, etc, it's quite a trick to fit your bill.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07It will be interesting to see.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11You might be surprised. They've done it quite cleverly. Come and look inside.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14Right, come on in, guys.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18- Grab the door, Jazz, if you would. - Sure.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21There's a little study in there which is quite nice, which overlooks the drive.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- You've got a downstairs bedroom with an en-suite.- Mm-hm.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Let's go in here to the main event.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- Big open-plan space. - Yeah, that's lovely.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- It's a nice space actually.- Yes.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Yeah? The whole thing is dominated by this central fireplace
0:11:38 > 0:11:43- which goes both ways, as it were, through the room.- Yeah. I'm not very keen on brickwork.- Uh-huh.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- From a dust point of view.- Yeah. - I don't mind it so much.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49I could certainly live with it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53Come here and have a look because it's in-the-round, this space, really.
0:11:53 > 0:12:00I'm just thinking about all of you here for Christmas and birthdays and that sort of stuff.
0:12:00 > 0:12:06It's a blank canvas, which is fine for us. I think, in a way, this space is almost too big.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12I think we'd need smaller areas to make it cosier and more homely.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17Three of us in here, we're going to rattle around, but when there's eight or ten, it'll be great.
0:12:17 > 0:12:22- We're looking for a house that's going to have a dual purpose, in a way.- Mm-hm.
0:12:22 > 0:12:29- Cosier, but still minimalistic. It's quite a hard seesaw to balance, that one.- Yes.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- We don't want to make it too easy for you.- Yeah!
0:12:32 > 0:12:37- No...- You like a challenge. - Yes, that's what they keep telling me. Yes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40Let's look at the kitchen and see what you think of this.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Right, Jill.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Come on in.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51Tell me some good news.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55- It's not a bad-sized kitchen.- Mm-hm.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00I know this idea of a huge farmhouse kitchen, in which you can all sit...
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- Mmm.- This place sort of does that out there.
0:13:03 > 0:13:09We'd prefer, I think, to have a kitchen where we can actually all be.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14- But coming back to this idea that most of the time there'll just be the three of you...- Mmm.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- ..as an occasional thing, you've got space here for a dining table.- Yeah.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21- It would work for three of us, yeah. - OK.
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- Through here you've got your utility room as well, which is...- That's nice.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- So mall your bits and pieces are in here, out the way.- That's great.
0:13:31 > 0:13:37- This is the...- Yeah, have a look, yeah, yeah. Little loo there. - Very nice.- Yeah?
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- In terms of the finish, I think this is something we should explore a little further.- Right.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46I think we know wherever we go, kitchen-wise, we'd rip out anyway.
0:13:46 > 0:13:53- Regardless?- Pretty much.- Because our standards are very sort of...- Fussy.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Yeah. We've got granite at home and I would stay with granite.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59OK, but that's just the tops, that's an easy fix.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04'Fussy by their own admission - what are they going to make of the upstairs?'
0:14:04 > 0:14:11That's the gallery that overlooks the dining area - all the bedrooms lead off from that.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Let's start in this one. This is currently set up as the master.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20- It's quite small.- It is not huge. The one downstairs might be more... - Yeah.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25..appropriate. It also has something of an en suite, essentially just a toilet and so forth,
0:14:25 > 0:14:29but I know you asked for three bedrooms, this house technically has four,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31which, you know, is not un-useful.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- If you wanted one for a therapy room or whatever...- Yes.- ..then that might work.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- Yeah.- OK.- All right, let's have a wander through here.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46- This is the main family bathroom. Go in there and have a look.- OK. - Yeah?
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- Is that shower big enough for you, love?- Oh, I expect I'll squeeze in!
0:14:50 > 0:14:56- No, it's fine. It's fine.- Yeah? - Yeah.- You're very fussy about your showers, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01It's only three years old. It's all new. It's quite neutral but very functional.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06- It's a good standard finish, yeah. - Lie in the bath and look at the stars, Jill?
0:15:06 > 0:15:11- I do like a bath, so yes, that would be quite nice, wouldn't it? - THEY LAUGH
0:15:11 > 0:15:15'Next to the bathroom are the two other good-sized bedrooms -
0:15:15 > 0:15:19'one of which would be ideal for their daughter, but now it's time to explore the garden.'
0:15:19 > 0:15:27Right. Out you come. The garden is divided into two zones -
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- you've got this as a more formal area, I suppose.- Mm-hm.
0:15:30 > 0:15:37- Got the garage arrangement there. - Yeah.- Great big fish pond here. Do you like fish?- No.- No?
0:15:37 > 0:15:39No, we've just filled in our fish pond!
0:15:40 > 0:15:48- Right. So the fish may move with the current owners, then.- I think so, yes.- Right, OK, poor old fish.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Er...all right, well, let's go on to the rest of it and have a look.
0:15:52 > 0:15:57'Well, after that curved ball, let's see if the rest of this garden is more to their liking.'
0:15:57 > 0:16:04- So this is the other zone of the garden. You've got this small area of paddock.- Yeah.
0:16:04 > 0:16:10- The vegetable thing is good because we'd quite like to grow our own.- Yep. - So, er...
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- it's quite a lot of space out there to do that.- Well, yeah, absolutely.
0:16:13 > 0:16:19'So the potential of the vegetable plot seems to appeal, but, well, it's time to sit and talk numbers.'
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- Right, so we have seen it all, pretty much.- Mm-hm.
0:16:23 > 0:16:28How much do we think it's worth, though, I wonder.
0:16:28 > 0:16:36- Oh.- I reckon it's probably in the region of about £485,000.- £485,000, says the accountant.
0:16:36 > 0:16:37Yes. THEY LAUGH
0:16:37 > 0:16:44- What does holistic therapist think? - I'd have said around £495,000. - £495,000.
0:16:44 > 0:16:50Well, it's on the market for £499,950.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54You weren't wildly out. It is technically four bedrooms, with a huge reception room.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59It's a pretty house, I think, but whether it's for you or not, I wonder.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03Well, go and have a look around, take a few ideas away with you
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- and I'll catch up with you a little bit later.- OK.- Off you go.- Thanks.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11- And I'll keep the fish company. - Oh, lovely.
0:17:11 > 0:17:19Well, there we are. It was our first property. I have to say, I have known them go better than that.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22This house does, however, have a lot of things to recommend it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:29I love the quality of the finish, I love the open-plan space, but do they? Sadly, I don't think they do.
0:17:29 > 0:17:35At just under half a million, this house does cover many of the points on their wish list, including...
0:17:46 > 0:17:52Nice and bright and light. This area would be nice if it had doors that could open out.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- You could almost have an inside/outside dining area, then, couldn't you?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:17:56 > 0:18:02The property just lacked a bit of individuality, really,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04especially from the outside.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I really like the front garden, nice, mature trees, nicely laid out.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10I could see myself spending a lot of time out there.
0:18:10 > 0:18:16The location is not bad because it is quite rural, and it's quite nice being part of a village.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21We want the kitchen/diner to be in one room, really. The kitchen's too small to do that here.
0:18:21 > 0:18:28It's fine for the three of us, but when the tribe arrives, they're big lads, yeah, so...
0:18:28 > 0:18:31There's a lot of fish in there, aren't there?
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- Yeah.- Look at that big one over there.- The cats would love to eat those.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- Fish supper?- Yes.- We were just saying, for the cats.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43- So have you seen enough?- Yeah.- OK, well, let's press on, then.
0:18:50 > 0:18:54With Jill having grown up just down the road in Sidmouth,
0:18:54 > 0:18:59our house-hunters have called in on the neighbouring town of Seaton for an trip down memory lane.
0:18:59 > 0:19:04In the past, Seaton flourished as a Victorian seaside resort,
0:19:04 > 0:19:08which was celebrated in local landmarks, such as the clock tower, built in 1887
0:19:08 > 0:19:10to mark Queen Victoria's jubilee.
0:19:10 > 0:19:16Seaton today has a quiet pedestrianised town centre, with some good independent shops.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21Just across the road, Seaton's mile-long beach reveals its greatest asset,
0:19:21 > 0:19:26marking the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, with its mix of red sandstone and white chalk cliffs.
0:19:31 > 0:19:37Further along the coast, the beauty spot of Branscombe Mouth reveals an historic gem.
0:19:37 > 0:19:43Dating back over 100 years, this landmark building sits on the site of the old coal yard,
0:19:43 > 0:19:46which would have supplied coal to local industries.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51Now a beach-side restaurant, it's the perfect place to stop for lunch and take in the sea views.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- This looks nice, isn't it?- It's wonderful.- I think I could get used to this.- Yeah.
0:19:56 > 0:20:03'Well, the lifestyle seems to suit them - it's just the small matter now of finding them a house.'
0:20:05 > 0:20:08For our next property, we're heading ten miles from Honiton
0:20:08 > 0:20:11to the small village of Clyst Hydon.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16Although there's quick access to the motorway, you'd never think it from the quiet country lanes,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18hedgerows and open fields.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23Besides the welcoming residents there's a real villagey feel, with a local pub and cricket club.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Our next offering lies on the edge of the village.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30Right, come on through the archway.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32That one over there.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Oh, OK.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- All right.- That's nice. - It is a converted barn...
0:20:38 > 0:20:43- Is it?- But it is not what I would describe as a barn conversion in the classic sense.- No, it's not.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- No.- It makes use of an old bit of barn but essentially what you've got
0:20:47 > 0:20:51is a largely new build, but I think with a bit more character in it.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- Yeah, OK.- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- Mm-hm.- The obvious thing to point out is you do have an immediate neighbour.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02- Yes.- They're in there, but the rest of the property overlooks nothing but farmland the other side.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06- All right?- Mm-hm. - Very good.- Let's have a look inside.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08'I think I can win them over with this house
0:21:08 > 0:21:10'as there's more to it than first meets the eye.'
0:21:13 > 0:21:15Right, you are greeted by this,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18one of the reception rooms in this property.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- Right.- All right?- Nice open space.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Cosy.- Cosy. Good.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Yes.- Yes, it's nice and cosy.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29I presume the beams are just cosmetic.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- They are. - They can just come down.- Yeah.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- That's an afternoon's work, mate. - Thanks.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Give you something to do.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Yeah. All right, let's have a look at the kitchen. It's that way.
0:21:39 > 0:21:40- Off you go.- Thank you.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- Yeah?- That's quite nice, yeah.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- Quite nice. I think it's quite nice too.- No, it's lovely. Yes.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53In terms of space I think this works quite well in terms of...
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- It does.- Giving you a really genuine working kitchen/diner.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- Definitely.- This kitchen would certainly work for us, yeah.- Mm-hm.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03No, the space is right, yeah.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06The space is...actually. Yeah.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10'And the kitchen also has a useful utility room and larder.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15'Also on this floor are all four bedrooms.'
0:22:15 > 0:22:18This is the accommodation wing, if you like.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Four nice big bedrooms. There's one of them.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Oh, it's a nice size, isn't it?
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Yeah. They all benefit from views to the garden.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31Something of a sort of family bathroom.
0:22:31 > 0:22:37- Oh, OK.- Another nice big double in here, loads of built-in storage. - Yeah. Oh, that is good.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Yeah? OK.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43And, through here, three of four.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- This one does have a little en suite.- OK.- All right?
0:22:46 > 0:22:50But this is the master bedroom and again...
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- I'm thinking about size and space now for you two.- Oh, that's nice.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- Oh, what's that, then?- You've got a little sunroom all of your own.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Oh, that is nice.
0:23:00 > 0:23:01Coffee in the morning, enjoy the garden,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03and you're not overlooked there at all.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05- No.- Oh, that is nice.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Yeah?- Mm-hm. - How does this sort of work for you?
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- I'm thinking Eleanor's down there permanently with you at the moment.- It works perfectly.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- It works perfectly?- Mm.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- It's very nice.- Really? - Yes. Are you surprised?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- Yes, I am.- Oh, good.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Hooray, you've made my day!
0:23:21 > 0:23:26Now you've also got an en suite of course, as you would expect in a room this big and that is in there.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- OK.- Shower and toilet and all that sort of stuff.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- OK.- All right. Lovely.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Now I'm glad you like it. It's nicely laid out.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37- And nice clean lines as well, which I like.- Yeah.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'With all the bedrooms tucked away on the ground floor
0:23:40 > 0:23:44'it's time to head upstairs to check out this rather unusual space.'
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- It's actually quite nice. - Come on up. Don't be shy.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52Now in terms of you and the family having somewhere to all assemble,
0:23:52 > 0:23:57they've got this as a sort of games room but, you know, make it what you like.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Probably keep it as a games room, the boys would love that, yeah,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02sit here playing pool all night, drinking beers.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Hey, there's a picture emerging.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09'Back downstairs and we cross the courtyard to a self-contained
0:24:09 > 0:24:13'building with a garage and another nice surprise.'
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Right, in you come.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19This little surprise bit to this building.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21- Ah.- To this property I should say.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- Oh.- So you can fight over this space between you.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Whether it's something for your therapy
0:24:26 > 0:24:28or your accountancy work or just a home office,
0:24:28 > 0:24:30whatever you want it to be.
0:24:30 > 0:24:31- Yeah.- Oh, it's nice.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Very useful, isn't it?
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- A surprise, yeah.- Excellent.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38There's an en suite down here but upstairs it gets exciting as well.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- Come and have a look at this. - Oh, there's an upstairs.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44So up here it all gets a lot bigger
0:24:44 > 0:24:48because the space goes over the garage.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- OK.- All right?- Fantastic.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52- Yeah.- That's really good.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55You've got this sort of built-in kitchenette area
0:24:55 > 0:24:57and the other side of that is another en suite
0:24:57 > 0:25:01so it really is a self-contained little world, this.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03Very nice indeed.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Yeah?- Very pleasing.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Yes. And no beams.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08No beams up here.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- I'm going to live here. - Wooden floorboards, though.
0:25:11 > 0:25:12Oh, we can carpet that.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17'Well, we're going from strength to strength with this house tour.
0:25:17 > 0:25:23'Time now to go back through the house into the rear garden where we'll take a punt on the price.'
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- It's lovely.- It's gorgeous.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26Oh, this is nice.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31- Yeah?- It's a lovely garden. - Just survey your potential domain.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Very easy to maintain.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36- It's lovely, isn't it? - No, it's very nice.- It's ideal.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- Well, that's it, then, for the tour of this property.- Yes.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43- You've seen all that it has to offer, nice big garden.- It's lovely.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- And, of course, you get the annexe thrown in as well.- Mm.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48It's fantastic, the annexe.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- Yeah, you've done well to find that. - Very nice.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Right, well, let's have a think about the cash.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57How much is it on the market for, Jill?
0:25:57 > 0:25:59I'm going to say, erm...
0:25:59 > 0:26:01545.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- 545. - That's what I was going to say.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07You can agree, you know, it's not against the rules.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Oh, right, OK.
0:26:09 > 0:26:15- It is going to be at the top end and I think it's probably about 545.- 545.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- 550.- 550. Yeah.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20It is on the market for £550,000.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- Oh, is it?- Oh. OK. - Yeah. So you weren't far off.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- You were pretty much spot on to be fair.- I was spot on.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28I think the point about this place is it's the right sort of space.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31- It's the right layout more than anything.- Yeah.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35- Or a layout that we can work with. - Yeah.- And this certainly is.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Jill and Jazz really seem to have taken to this house
0:26:38 > 0:26:40and can clearly see its considerable potential.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45It's at the top of their budget at £550,000 and certainly has a lot
0:26:45 > 0:26:50going for it including a spacious kitchen diner for family gatherings,
0:26:50 > 0:26:52four bedrooms with two en suites,
0:26:52 > 0:26:58a huge family room and a very useful self-contained annexe.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00This is the garage so...
0:27:00 > 0:27:03It's only a stud wall there, so we could sort of knock that down
0:27:03 > 0:27:06and make that into a really large room downstairs.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08- That would be a good idea. Yes. - Yeah.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11The overall sort of feeling of the house is nice,
0:27:11 > 0:27:16the space works particularly well. The layout's excellent.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18The garden's great, fairly low maintenance,
0:27:18 > 0:27:22so we would probably do a lot more with it but the potential's there.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24The size of the kitchen's very workable
0:27:24 > 0:27:26and it's just what we're looking for.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28I think the annexe is fantastic.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33It's almost like I'm reserving it for myself as my little bolt hole
0:27:33 > 0:27:35and I can go and lock myself away.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40My main concern is how close some of the other properties are.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43More pluses than minuses on this one, definitely.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49OK, Jazz and Jill went up the hill.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51No, you've probably heard that before. Yes.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55- I think that was well worth you looking at, though.- Yeah.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- Definitely. - No, it's a lovely property and, er...
0:27:58 > 0:28:01- Is it a contender?- Definitely. - Yeah.- Good.- Absolutely.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Let's see if we can find any more to put on the list.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Don't forget your jacket.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15When Jill and Jazz move to Devon they'll be able to enjoy
0:28:15 > 0:28:17over 80 miles of beautiful beaches
0:28:17 > 0:28:21with more Blue Flag awards than any other county in England.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24But keeping them that way is no mean feat.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27I'm here to meet council officer Tim Harris and his team
0:28:27 > 0:28:29who clean up after the holidaymakers have left.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Hi, guys, Tim.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32- Hi, Jules.- Nice to see you. Nick.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34- Nice to meet you.- Karl.- Jules.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Nice to see you. You're clearly hard at it.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Absolutely. There's always something to pick up on the beaches.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Now, you guys work for the district council.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44- Yeah.- Nick, you're a volunteer. - Yeah.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Why do you volunteer for this job? It's not an easy one.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51It's about living in Seaton and taking a little bit of responsibility for the area you live in.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54It's a lovely place to live and it doesn't take a lot to keep it clean.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Well, it's an awful lot for you guys to cover.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01Give me some idea of the sort of things you have to tackle year in year out.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04The last couple of years we've had to deal with the Napoli.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06- Yeah.- All the rubbish from there.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09The coast hit the national headlines when the container ship MSC Napoli
0:29:09 > 0:29:14grounded just off these beaches in January 2007.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17Looters plundered the washed up containers for booty,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19from car parts and nappies to wine barrels and dog food.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23Hundreds of tonnes of oil spilled into the sea
0:29:23 > 0:29:25endangering hundreds of sea birds
0:29:25 > 0:29:27and now, over two years later, is it job done?
0:29:30 > 0:29:31It's never finished.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34There's always stuff out there still being washed in
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- and this morning we've picked up BMW parts.- Amazing.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41- So really it's a case of looking after your own backyard.- Absolutely.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44I love Devon and I love coming here, the beaches are a great attraction.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48I'm not doing anything at the moment, shall I give you a hand?
0:29:49 > 0:29:51- Let's go! - A hand or a nipper. Brilliant.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Luckily these east Devon beaches are well maintained,
0:29:55 > 0:29:59with council litter picks every day during the summer and 60 volunteers
0:29:59 > 0:30:02combing 35 miles of beaches every couple of months.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- There we go, some more car parts for you.- Look at that.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- That's just not going to degrade at all, is it?- No, since the Napoli.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It'll be coming up for years. There were containers full of it.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15But the story is not the same across the country.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17It's estimated that beach litter
0:30:17 > 0:30:20in the UK has increased by 80% over the past ten years
0:30:20 > 0:30:22and costs millions of pounds a year to clean up.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25But now let's see what we've picked up.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Wow, look at the professionals.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29You've definitely got a lot more than I have.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Bits of car, an old leather sole. But what have you got in there?
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Nylon, ropes.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36That's pretty unpleasant.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Can be quite harmful to the sea birds as well.- There's loads of fishing hooks in there.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43- That's what you don't want to be walking on.- No.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45On the beach, is it?
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Well, guys, you're clearly doing a sterling job.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- My contribution...to the day. - Thank you.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Not much but I guess every little helps.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- Absolutely.- Fantastic. - Guys, thanks very much indeed.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Best of luck with the other 35 miles of beach.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09So, as the sun sets over the Devon countryside,
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Jill and Jazz take time to reflect on their house search so far.
0:31:13 > 0:31:19- So what did you think of the chalet-bungalow at Chardstock? - It was quite a nice house,
0:31:19 > 0:31:25- but it wouldn't work for us.- No. - The biggest reservation I had was the separate kitchen/diner
0:31:25 > 0:31:32and a kitchen/diner is really important to us, but the property in itself had been done out well.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36- There's a lot of wood there, which, again, is not to our taste. - It's not us, is it?- Yeah.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40So what about the barn conversion at Clyst Hydon?
0:31:40 > 0:31:45- That was a real surprise, considering we've never entertained a barn conversion.- No.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49Pleasantly surprised. It was a lovely property. The space worked really well.
0:31:49 > 0:31:56- The kitchen/diner leading on to the lounge was exactly what we want. - The layout was great.- Yeah.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00Obviously the annexe was a real plus and a real surprise.
0:32:00 > 0:32:07- The only reservation was how close the other properties were.- Yeah, yeah. That was the only thing.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11It was an exciting day, so we'll see what they've got in store for us tomorrow.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Jill and Jazz are upping sticks from Denham in Buckinghamshire
0:32:22 > 0:32:26and are looking to buy their first home together in rural Devon.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29They've set us the tricky task of finding their dream home,
0:32:29 > 0:32:33one with character on the outside but a modern interior which they can make their own.
0:32:33 > 0:32:38It also has to accommodate their eight children at once, all for 550 grand.
0:32:38 > 0:32:43So far, they've seen two properties but, coming up, Jill gets ruthless with period features.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- The shape and everything's fine. - Change the fireplace.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- You'd change that? Because that's original to the house.- Yeah.
0:32:49 > 0:32:50Interesting.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53And I lose my cool in the mystery house.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56LAUGHTER
0:32:56 > 0:32:59- Jules! Pull yourself together. - Yes. You are absolutely right.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05There's nothing like starting your final day's house hunt
0:33:05 > 0:33:08with a little bit of putting on the hotel lawn.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11If only all of my putts were that good.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Now today is going to be something of a challenge.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Finding a house that Jill and Jazz like aesthetically, to be honest,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19I don't think we're going to do that.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22The key is going to be finding them a house that works in terms of space.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26We've got two more to play for including, of course,
0:33:26 > 0:33:29the mystery house, so who knows? We might get there.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32With our next house, we're going back to base camp, to Honiton,
0:33:32 > 0:33:34one of the traditional gateways into Devon.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38This busy market town with a history of pottery and lace making today enjoys
0:33:38 > 0:33:41a thriving trade in antiques and bric-a-brac.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44The High Street has an eclectic mix of other independent shops too,
0:33:44 > 0:33:45from millinery to music.
0:33:45 > 0:33:50Only a mile or so from the town centre and you're in glorious countryside
0:33:50 > 0:33:53which is where we find our next property.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- So, what do you think?- It's lovely.
0:33:57 > 0:33:58Nice, yeah.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04- That's good.- Well, let's see what you really make of it.
0:34:05 > 0:34:07There we are.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- It's not listed.- No. Good.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14- It's not old, there's no wooden beams in it.- Good.
0:34:14 > 0:34:15- Yes.- Good.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- No, lots of potential.- Yeah?- Yes.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- The point about it is its proportion and the space it offers you.- Uh-huh.
0:34:22 > 0:34:27- Yeah.- And, of course, a view which, believe it or not,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29is out there behind the mist.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31- Yeah, that's a fantastic view. - Very nice.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34All right. Well, let's go inside and have a look around.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Right, Jazz, what do you think?
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- It's a proper hallway. - I like. I love hallways.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47- Yeah?- This is a proper hallway.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- Yeah.- OK.
0:34:49 > 0:34:50No, this is great.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53All right, good. Well, let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56OK, Jill.
0:34:56 > 0:35:01- There you go. - Oh, nice size.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- And double aspect windows as well. - Double aspect windows.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07It's very light and airy which is exactly what we wanted, so...
0:35:07 > 0:35:12- Yeah.- No, this is great. - And also in here you've got a kind of walk-in larder arrangement.
0:35:13 > 0:35:14Oh, that's good.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16So lots of options.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19- I think that's the important thing. - Definitely.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21- Let's have a look through here. - Right.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25- So right next door to the kitchen, Jill, utility room.- Nice size.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- Good size, isn't it?- Great size. - Lovely size.- Door out to the garden.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31That's great and loads of storage this side as well.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- Excellent.- It really does lend itself quite nicely.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37All right, come through here.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39OK.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- Oh, fantastic.- How about that?
0:35:45 > 0:35:47It's definitely a boys' room, this one, isn't it?
0:35:47 > 0:35:50This was a garage that was added on to this property.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54- Yeah.- As you can see, it's all roughcast breeze blocks, etcetera.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57All right, and there's a little conservatory added,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00quite a big conservatory added on on the other side.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03Yeah, we'll keep the snooker table. Definitely.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07'Well, Jazz seems sold on the games room,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11'now it's back through the hall to the more formal reception rooms.'
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Oh, nice room.- Yes?
0:36:13 > 0:36:15- Yeah.- I like all the windows.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19- Yeah?- Yeah.- That's the door out to the terrace that we saw outside.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Working fire place. You know, good size.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26I mean, could you all fit in here? Would you be cosy in here?
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- Yes.- Nice. Nice.- No, this is...
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- Lovely size room.- Yeah. Exactly.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33There's nothing wrong with it at all.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37- No.- The shape and everything's fine. - Change the fireplace.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40You'd change that? Because that's original to the house probably.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- Yeah.- What would that become?
0:36:46 > 0:36:51- I'd probably just change the hearth, actually.- Interesting.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54- Well, let's think about dining rooms because there's one in here.- Mm-hm.
0:36:54 > 0:36:55Have a look at that.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58- Very nice. Lovely room.- Yeah?
0:36:58 > 0:37:00- Lovely size.- Oh, this is great.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- You could get the whole tribe round this one.- Definitely.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08'And good news for Jazz, he's got his own private study just next door.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11'Now we're going upstairs where there are four bedrooms in total,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14'two of which are nice-size doubles with their own washbasins.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17'Next we'll take a look at what could be their bedroom.'
0:37:17 > 0:37:20And this is what is currently the master.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24- OK.- It's a nice spot for it, on the corner, loads of light coming in.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28- No, that's great. I mean the double aspect windows are...- Good size.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31- ..just fantastic, and the views from the windows are great.- Yeah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34- Let's have a look at the views. - It's beginning to clear a bit.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Oh, yes, it's lovely, isn't it?
0:37:36 > 0:37:39Honiton nestling down there in the mist.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Now the family bathroom, as I say, is currently next door.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45You could add an en suite there.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Yeah.- And give over one of the other bedrooms - you've got four to play with.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Or you could swap the master from this end of the house to the other end.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54Come and have a look at this.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00Now at this end of the house, toilet, OK?
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Immersion tank in there, shower room in there.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08- Right.- Now, this is sort of a guest wing, if you like, at the moment,
0:38:08 > 0:38:12but given that you've got all the plumbing available,
0:38:12 > 0:38:13this would make a great master suite.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16If you knocked all that out, put in a new purpose-built en suite
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- this could be a master bedroom with a view out there.- Mm-hm.- Yeah.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22A lot of potential.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27'Granted, there's work to be done in the house but they do seem to like the layout and spacious rooms.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30'So let's take a trip outside and inspect the garden.'
0:38:30 > 0:38:33In terms of outside space, we've already seen the front,
0:38:33 > 0:38:35or what was the front of the property,
0:38:35 > 0:38:36and what you see is what you get.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38A bit of a sort of veg area
0:38:38 > 0:38:42and a sort of more formal bit over there, just mown lawn and some shrubs.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- It's a nice size garden actually. - It's a lovely plot.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50All right. So it's of interest?
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- Mm, definitely.- OK.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Let's see how much interest it holds for you.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58You've got £550,000 to spend. Jill?
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I think it's about 535.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04535. What does the accountant say?
0:39:04 > 0:39:07I think it's probably more than that.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10I think it's probably 555.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12555. Interesting.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14- Lots of fives going on.- Yeah.
0:39:14 > 0:39:21Well, OK, to put you out of your misery, £550,000.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- Oh, OK.- So actually very much the top end of your budget.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- Yeah.- How do you feel about that?
0:39:26 > 0:39:28Do you think you could scrape together a bit more to do the work?
0:39:28 > 0:39:33Yeah. We have allowed for that anyway because we knew wherever we went we were going to do some work.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38- Yeah.- So we've got money to do some renovation anyway so we'd allowed for that.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41Good. Well, go and have a good look around.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44There's obviously a lot for you to think about in terms of planning
0:39:44 > 0:39:47and where you may start your renovations
0:39:47 > 0:39:49and I'll catch up with you later.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52- OK.- Off you go. - I might even have a game of snooker.
0:39:52 > 0:39:58With some modernisation, this house has all the hallmarks of being their perfect family home.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02At the top end of their budget at 550,000, the property offers
0:40:02 > 0:40:06a large kitchen/breakfast room, four large reception rooms
0:40:06 > 0:40:08in which their family can spread out,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11four double bedrooms and a large garden
0:40:11 > 0:40:12with countryside views.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16I like the size of the kitchen, I do like the double aspect windows.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Yeah, nice space.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- No, it's a very, very usable space.- Yeah.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23It's a really nice feel about it.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28- Just really felt quite at ease and comfortable and soon as you walked in.- I really like the house.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30It's got a really nice sort of homely feel to it.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Yeah, I could see...
0:40:33 > 0:40:37a lot we could do with this to make it a really lovely family home.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40The kitchen's a good size.
0:40:40 > 0:40:45We wanted a kitchen/diner and we've got a good-sized kitchen/diner where we can spend most of our time
0:40:45 > 0:40:49but we've got the formal dining room as well.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54The rooms are good sizes, there's a lot of light coming in, which is what we wanted.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57No dark wood.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02It's just a question of putting your own stamp on it which everybody does when they go into a new place,
0:41:02 > 0:41:07and, er...it's just decoration, really, more than anything else.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11This property would be definitely on a short list for us, yes.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Yes! You missed the shot, chaps.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- Did you pot it?- I got it in, yeah.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Hooray. Probably the only one of the day. So you've seen enough?
0:41:22 > 0:41:25- Yeah.- All right. - We've had a good look round.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27- Good. Lots of food for thought? - Definitely.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31A very expensive list of renovations that you're making, I'm sure.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Well, let's continue our little search through Devon
0:41:34 > 0:41:36- and see what else we can find you.- OK.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46Even though Jill and Jazz are looking for a modern take on a country home,
0:41:46 > 0:41:51you can't ignore the traditional buildings which define Devon's architectural heritage
0:41:51 > 0:41:54so they've come to meet John Scott, owner of Beer Quarry,
0:41:54 > 0:41:58who knows what makes these traditional cottages so distinctive.
0:41:58 > 0:41:59The stone itself is unique.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03It's a type of limestone you can't find anywhere else. It was discovered by the Romans.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08It came from the underground workings just up the road and they're known as Beer Quarry caves.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10But it's ideal for very fine detail carvings.
0:42:10 > 0:42:15Let's go and have a look at Beer Quarry caves and workings, where it all came from.
0:42:15 > 0:42:22The caves are a two-minute stroll away and, extending over a 75-acre site, date back 2,000 years.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26The quarry closed 25 years ago but still offers tours and an exhibition.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31Craftsmen up and down the ages have been carving this versatile stone with stunning results,
0:42:31 > 0:42:32as John shows us.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35You can get some idea
0:42:35 > 0:42:38of how beautiful it is for fine detail carving.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41- You can get details like that when it's freshly quarried.- Yeah.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45When it goes in the outside world it dries, turns a creamy white colour, then becomes five times harder.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48So have you got any artefacts that you can show us?
0:42:48 > 0:42:50Well, yes. We've got all the tools we found here.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53We found Roman coins and pottery quite recently after all this time,
0:42:53 > 0:42:55other things throughout the ages.
0:42:55 > 0:43:01But one beautiful example of the masons' work, I can show you, just over here, if you'd like to look.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03- Oh, love to.- Love to.
0:43:03 > 0:43:10Some of the most intricate examples of Beer stonework feature in 24 of the UK's 44 cathedrals,
0:43:10 > 0:43:14including Exeter, St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20So could you tell me a bit more about this church window, John?
0:43:20 > 0:43:23Well, yes. It actually came from St Andrew's church, Colyton,
0:43:23 > 0:43:24about five miles away.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28It spent centuries in perfect condition but then it was ripped out
0:43:28 > 0:43:31in a so-called Victorian restoration and just lay abandoned in the churchyard.
0:43:31 > 0:43:36So, in an effort to preserve it, we had it rebuilt here by the master mason of Exeter Cathedral
0:43:36 > 0:43:38using exactly the same methods
0:43:38 > 0:43:41that the masons would have used centuries ago.
0:43:41 > 0:43:45It's certainly a fantastic example of craftsmanship from days gone by.
0:43:45 > 0:43:47But now it's time to return above ground
0:43:47 > 0:43:49and step back into the present.
0:43:49 > 0:43:51Well, perhaps it's no surprise
0:43:51 > 0:43:54that in picking a suitable mystery property for Jazz and for Jill
0:43:54 > 0:43:57we really have been pushed to the absolute limits.
0:43:57 > 0:44:02Traditionally at this point and in this part of the world, Devon, I'd be looking for something historic,
0:44:02 > 0:44:07maybe even characterful - dare I say it? - something that might reflect the style of the local architecture,
0:44:07 > 0:44:08like that thatch behind me,
0:44:08 > 0:44:11but in their case it just isn't going to wash.
0:44:14 > 0:44:19Jill, who would you say was the really fussy one in the relationship?
0:44:19 > 0:44:22Well, I think you think I am.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25I didn't say that. I asked you the question.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29But, believe it or not, we both are really.
0:44:29 > 0:44:34Yeah, we're both pretty fussy really, but I guess Jill is a bit more vocal about it than me.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39Now what kind of a mystery house do you think we've got lined up for you?
0:44:39 > 0:44:42- I don't know.- Something with beams, something old.
0:44:42 > 0:44:48- Something with lots of dark wood. - If only!- Oh-h!- If only!
0:44:48 > 0:44:52It'll be so fantastic that she'll fall in love with it. THEY LAUGH
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Our mystery house takes us to the village of Withleigh,
0:44:56 > 0:45:00a small, pretty place set in the heart of the Devon countryside.
0:45:00 > 0:45:02Just down the road, Tiverton, with its scenic riverbank
0:45:02 > 0:45:07and some impressive architecture, offers a good range of local shops.
0:45:07 > 0:45:11Our mystery house brings us right back to 21st-century modern living.
0:45:11 > 0:45:16- Ah.- What do you think?- Not bad. - I like the glass balcony.- Brand new.
0:45:16 > 0:45:21- Brand new.- Brand new. We've never looked at a new build.- Ah. Why not?
0:45:21 > 0:45:25We tend to like the character of an older property but...
0:45:25 > 0:45:26- Outside.- Yeah.
0:45:26 > 0:45:31But bringing it into the 21st century...
0:45:31 > 0:45:32- Inside.- Inside.
0:45:32 > 0:45:37- You see one of the issues has been trying to get an idea of what is your style.- Yeah.
0:45:37 > 0:45:41- Uh-huh.- And I'm hoping that this might be it.
0:45:41 > 0:45:46- You're hoping.- I'm hoping. Come on, let's have a look.
0:45:54 > 0:45:57- Wow.- Was that a wow?- That was a wow.
0:45:57 > 0:46:00Wahey, at last.
0:46:00 > 0:46:01I like the glass and the chrome.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03I thought you would like this, Jazz.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05- Yeah. I do like this.- It's...yeah.
0:46:05 > 0:46:07It's clean lines.
0:46:07 > 0:46:11- That's the main sort of dining area, as it were.- Mm-hm.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15- OK.- But what I want you to look at now is the kitchen.
0:46:17 > 0:46:22- So come on, Jill, is this the sort of thing that you had in mind? - I like the kitchen.
0:46:22 > 0:46:25- I think it's great.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:46:25 > 0:46:26- I mean, it's brand new.- Yeah.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29- This is the sort of cooker you were after, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31- These kind of tops.- Yeah.
0:46:31 > 0:46:33- I'm trying to get a picture...- Yeah.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36..of what you would do, even in our previous property.
0:46:36 > 0:46:41I think what I'm trying to think here is how do we actually personalise a house like this.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43That's what I'm sort of feeling at the moment.
0:46:43 > 0:46:45Because everything's done...
0:46:45 > 0:46:49- Yeah.- And I know you're thinking, "God, we can't please this woman."
0:46:49 > 0:46:51Whatever gave you that idea? No.
0:46:51 > 0:46:54There is a question of how do we personalise it.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57- Yeah. No, I think that's fair enough.- Which is with any new build.
0:46:57 > 0:47:02Absolutely. We actually quite like doing it, you know what I mean.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10- Jules, pull yourself together. - Yes. No, you are absolutely right.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12As I go slowly crazy on this house tour,
0:47:12 > 0:47:15it's worth mentioning the state-of-the-art utility room
0:47:15 > 0:47:16and pristine garage,
0:47:16 > 0:47:20but now let's cross the hallway and through the double doors.
0:47:20 > 0:47:22Right, living room.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26Good size.
0:47:26 > 0:47:27- Yeah.- Yeah?- Lovely size.
0:47:27 > 0:47:31- That's a working fireplace. - OK. That's nice, I must admit.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35- Mm.- Very simple, very contemporary feel to it.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37It's nice and light and airy with all the windows.
0:47:37 > 0:47:40- It's a nice shape, isn't it?- Yes. - Very well designed.
0:47:40 > 0:47:44And I'm just trying to picture all of you as a family in here.
0:47:44 > 0:47:49- We wouldn't let them come down here. - No. This would be our place. - They'd just mess it up.
0:47:51 > 0:47:53'It's a tricky one to gauge, this,
0:47:53 > 0:47:56'but they do seem taken with the lounge.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59'Time to go upstairs across the galleried landing
0:47:59 > 0:48:01'to see if the master bedroom tips the balance in my favour.'
0:48:01 > 0:48:04- Oh, that's nice, yeah.
0:48:04 > 0:48:06- Very nice.- Carpet upstairs.
0:48:06 > 0:48:07Yes, carpet upstairs, excellent.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10Some of it goes in, you see.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13- Little sort of Juliet balcony over there.- Mm-hm.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17Now, thus far the en suites you've seen have not been that exciting.
0:48:17 > 0:48:21- No.- This one's quite nice, though. In you go.
0:48:21 > 0:48:24Oh, that's more like it. Excellent.
0:48:24 > 0:48:28- Oh, yeah, this is really good. - Yeah?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30- Big shower for you, Jazz. - Yeah, this is what we...
0:48:30 > 0:48:33Even I could fit in that one.
0:48:33 > 0:48:34Me as well?
0:48:34 > 0:48:38- Well, you've got a bath. - Yes, you've got your bath.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41- Very good.- Right, let's carry on.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49So this, you know, two of the four.
0:48:49 > 0:48:51- Oh, OK.- Another en suite there.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54No bath in there, just a shower room etcetera.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57This also has a balcony but one that's a bit more useful,
0:48:57 > 0:48:59you can venture out onto that one.
0:48:59 > 0:49:02Go and have an explore, see what you think.
0:49:02 > 0:49:05Views of the garden.
0:49:05 > 0:49:07Even the balcony's tiled.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10- Yeah. Although not underfloor heating, I don't think.- Is it not?
0:49:10 > 0:49:13- Oh, no.- That does surprise me. - Well, there you go.
0:49:13 > 0:49:15It's not the biggest balcony in the world,
0:49:15 > 0:49:18but at least it gives you a nice place to enjoy the views from.
0:49:18 > 0:49:20The views are fantastic. Lovely.
0:49:20 > 0:49:22Lovely spot.
0:49:22 > 0:49:27There are two further good-size light bedrooms, one with en suite.
0:49:27 > 0:49:31An extra plus is a super-slick guest bathroom with bath and shower,
0:49:31 > 0:49:34useful for when the family descend.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37Time, now, though, to go outside and scope the garden.
0:49:37 > 0:49:41So obvious things, I suppose, patio, little seating area.
0:49:41 > 0:49:46You can make the best of the kind of al fresco design of this house,
0:49:46 > 0:49:49- because all of these doors open out onto this area...- Yeah.
0:49:49 > 0:49:51- Yeah.- Allowing you to enjoy that lot, really.
0:49:51 > 0:49:54And garden - well, this is pretty much it, Jazz.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58- Yeah.- All you've got to do is mow it.
0:49:58 > 0:50:00- Jill does the mowing.- That's my job.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03And you get a nice perspective of the property from here.
0:50:03 > 0:50:07- It's a very nice design for a new build, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09I'm very impressed with this one.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11Well, let's have a think about the money, then.
0:50:11 > 0:50:15- Oh.- I would say it's probably on the sort of 550,
0:50:15 > 0:50:17at the top of our budget.
0:50:17 > 0:50:20Mm-hm.
0:50:20 > 0:50:22- Jill?- Yeah.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26Because the spec is quite high on it and it is a new build, yeah...
0:50:26 > 0:50:305...4...9.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32549.
0:50:32 > 0:50:34- Yeah.- Give or take...- ..950.
0:50:34 > 0:50:40- OK so you're both saying about £550,000, the top end of your budget.- Yeah.
0:50:40 > 0:50:47- OK, this will set you back today £585,000.- Yeah, yeah.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51- Really?- You can see... - So you've shown us over budget.
0:50:51 > 0:50:54Mm. It's the mystery house, I'm allowed to.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58But I think the important thing about this property is that maybe
0:50:58 > 0:51:03it gets us some way to understanding what it is you are actually trying to achieve with your new property.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06'With the mystery house I've tried to give Jill and Jazz
0:51:06 > 0:51:10'a taste of what modern living in the country might feel like.'
0:51:10 > 0:51:14Over budget, but ready to go at 585, it does offer
0:51:14 > 0:51:18large reception areas loaded with modern features,
0:51:18 > 0:51:20a spacious kitchen with all mod cons,
0:51:20 > 0:51:22four bedrooms, three en suite,
0:51:22 > 0:51:25and great countryside views from its south-facing garden.
0:51:25 > 0:51:28For a new build, it's an excellent design, isn't it?
0:51:28 > 0:51:33- The back actually looks better than the front.- Yeah, I see what you mean.
0:51:33 > 0:51:35It's got a bit more character where the front's very flat.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37As a mystery property it was very good.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40It didn't give me the wow factor from outside,
0:51:40 > 0:51:42but once you walk in the front door
0:51:42 > 0:51:44then you certainly do get the wow factor.
0:51:44 > 0:51:48The quality of the workmanship, the quality of the materials they've used is very good.
0:51:48 > 0:51:54The kitchen is great, the space in the lounge is superb.
0:51:54 > 0:52:00I quite like the tiled floors everywhere. We've got a dog, so cleaning them, keeping them clean
0:52:00 > 0:52:02and dust-free, they're very good.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05The internal space isn't working for me.
0:52:05 > 0:52:12Definite rooms rather than open spaces is what we're looking for.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14The main thing that's put me off is the kitchen/diner.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18I feel you're actually dining in the sort of entrance hall,
0:52:18 > 0:52:21and it hasn't got that connection with the kitchen.
0:52:21 > 0:52:25This mystery property has been a really good experience because,
0:52:25 > 0:52:28you know, it showed us what can be done inside the house.
0:52:28 > 0:52:31Well, how was that?
0:52:31 > 0:52:33- Great.- Good. - Good, thank you.- OK.
0:52:33 > 0:52:36- Very interesting.- Well, that's it now. House tours are over.
0:52:36 > 0:52:41- Time for you guys to have a good old think about everything we've shown you.- Yeah.
0:52:41 > 0:52:45And see if you've made a decision about any one of them. I wonder.
0:52:45 > 0:52:47Who knows? Get your thinking caps on.
0:52:47 > 0:52:49After you. Lead on through the door.
0:52:49 > 0:52:51Right.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53Ah, yes, decision time.
0:52:58 > 0:53:02Jazz and Jill's house tour of Devon is now over,
0:53:02 > 0:53:05leaving them with lots to think about.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12Well, at long last, it's decision time for Jazz and for Jill
0:53:12 > 0:53:15and, in many ways, this is quite a momentous moment for them.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19It is, after all, the very first time they've bought a house together
0:53:19 > 0:53:21and in some ways, that's kind of sweet.
0:53:21 > 0:53:24In fairness, it hasn't been the easiest of house searches.
0:53:24 > 0:53:29Will the decision-making process itself have proved any easier, I wonder?
0:53:29 > 0:53:31As ever there's only one way to find out
0:53:31 > 0:53:32and that's to go and ask them.
0:53:34 > 0:53:38Well, here we are, guys, where it all started, in Sidmouth,
0:53:38 > 0:53:40overlooking the bay and the sea, where you grew up.
0:53:40 > 0:53:42Yes. It's nice to be back, isn't it?
0:53:42 > 0:53:48Well, it all started with that converted chalet/bungalow - a very contemporary twist to it.
0:53:48 > 0:53:53That was interesting, wasn't it? It had a very large, open-plan area.
0:53:53 > 0:53:57In our minds, when we came here, we thought we'd want that,
0:53:57 > 0:54:04but we realised that possibly we didn't want that large an area but wanted a smaller, cosier feel.
0:54:04 > 0:54:10Well, it was an interesting one to try and figure out with you, I think, what it was you were after.
0:54:10 > 0:54:15- Our needs are quite diverse, you know, from coping with three of us to ten of us.- Yeah.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18- It also needs to be a family home. - Yeah.
0:54:18 > 0:54:22Let's think about how it moved on. We then took you to a converted barn.
0:54:22 > 0:54:26I thought that was a great house, I really liked it. Seclusion as well.
0:54:26 > 0:54:32I mean, I know we had very close neighbours. Other than that, there were no buildings in the area at all.
0:54:32 > 0:54:36The kitchen was great, it was a superb size, the annexe was great.
0:54:36 > 0:54:40- Well, the annexe was an extraordinary bonus.- That was, yeah.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43We had a sleep on everything and then we began our search again
0:54:43 > 0:54:48where we took you to a very handsome house on a hill
0:54:48 > 0:54:51with a fantastic view of Honiton and all the surrounding landscape.
0:54:51 > 0:54:53- Yeah.- The whole layout...
0:54:53 > 0:54:58It was a lovely walk up the drive looking at the house and the house looked nice.
0:54:58 > 0:55:03It's a handsome property, especially the original front door and the little terrace.
0:55:03 > 0:55:04- We loved that.- Yeah.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07It's just got so much potential, that house.
0:55:07 > 0:55:10- Interesting.- Certainly from a feng-shui point of view.- Yes.
0:55:10 > 0:55:15OK. Finally we then got to the mystery property -
0:55:15 > 0:55:19uber-slick, very, very modern, brand new.
0:55:19 > 0:55:23One of the most important things for us was this kitchen/diner area.
0:55:23 > 0:55:25It wasn't there in the mystery house.
0:55:25 > 0:55:30I felt, you know, you were almost dining in the entrance hall.
0:55:30 > 0:55:34- In terms of the finish, the kitchen...- It was great. - You couldn't fault it.
0:55:34 > 0:55:35Worktops, the whole thing.
0:55:35 > 0:55:40No. We would actually put very similar things into our home.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43All right, so what happens next with you two?
0:55:43 > 0:55:47Are you going to go for it with the house on the hill?
0:55:47 > 0:55:52- We need to think seriously and carefully about the budget...- Yeah.
0:55:52 > 0:55:57About how much it's actually going to cost to get that house to the standard that we want.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00Well, thank you, it's been great having you on the show.
0:56:00 > 0:56:02I do hope we've got you that little bit closer
0:56:02 > 0:56:05to finding your ideal escape to the country.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07- Well done.- Thank you.
0:56:09 > 0:56:13There's nothing like a trip to the coast to gather your thoughts
0:56:13 > 0:56:16and having had the time to reflect on this house tour,
0:56:16 > 0:56:19I have to confess it hasn't been one of the easiest I've ever done,
0:56:19 > 0:56:22but in some ways it has been one of the more insightful.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25It's very often the case that buyers know what they DON'T want,
0:56:25 > 0:56:27but trying to identify what they DO want
0:56:27 > 0:56:28can be a bit of a struggle.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31That's certainly been the case with this one but, ultimately
0:56:31 > 0:56:34Jazz and Jill have found their house on a hill.
0:56:34 > 0:56:36It does sound like a nursery rhyme.
0:56:36 > 0:56:38Who knows? With the right amount of time and money
0:56:38 > 0:56:41they could find their happy-ever-after.
0:56:41 > 0:56:42I'll see you next time.
0:56:42 > 0:56:46If you fancy escaping to the country and would like our help,
0:56:46 > 0:56:51then please apply online at...
0:57:11 > 0:57:14Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:57:14 > 0:57:16E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk