Devon Escape to the Country


Devon

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Welcome to Escape To The Country.

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Behind me is the entrance to a quarry cave

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and if its walls could speak,

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it would tell fantastic tales of Roman soldiers, Saxon miners and medieval masons,

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plus one or two tall tales of smugglers and pirates stashing their booty. Where am I?

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Well, join me on Escape To The Country and I'll show you.

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In today's show I'll be helping a couple leave life

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in the busy Buckinghamshire commuter belt behind

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to find their perfect home in the country, and it's not without its challenges.

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We don't want to make it too easy for you.

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Yes, you like a challenge.

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Yes, that's what they keep telling me.

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I'll show them some enticing properties in the hope that they take the bait.

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Do you like fish?

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-No.

-No?

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No, we've just filled in our fish pond.

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Right.

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Then there's the mystery house which is sure to add some 21st century cool.

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Today I'm in Devon, or should I say underneath it really, because I've decided to start my visit here

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at the caves at Beer on the south coast.

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If you want to get an idea of why the architecture

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of this county is so special, this is a great place to start.

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In fact, the county's stone also underpins its rich geological history.

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At the south western arm of England

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Devon sits between the counties of Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.

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It is the only county in the UK to have two separate coastlines,

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and breathtaking they are too.

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With World Heritage status,

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the East Devon coast forms part of the stunning Jurassic coastline,

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95 miles of fossilised rock face recording 185 million years of the Earth's history.

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Dramatic landscapes continue inland with the green patchwork fields

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serving Devon's active farming industry.

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Traditional stone cottages are a strong feature of the local architecture,

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although we won't be seeing many of those on today's house search.

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So whether it's coast or countryside, Devon offers up

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plenty of options for those seeking a change of scenery

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and a slower pace of life.

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If you were lucky enough to have bought your home

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here in Devon five years ago you were very, very fortunate indeed

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because the odds are that was the last time you could have come here and snapped up a real bargain.

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Since then house prices have risen

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a whopping 20% above the national average which means that your normal

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four-bedroomed detached will now set you back around £280,000.

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If you want something a little more secluded

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or on the coast you can add a cool 15% to 20% on top of that.

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Even beach huts here are hugely expensive,

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so clearly Devon isn't cheap but it does remain popular.

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The question is why.

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Well, when you get an idea of what is on the market right now, you'll know.

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For top dollar rural splendour you could splash out on this

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five-bedroom Grade II listed farmhouse at £1.1 million.

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Along with the elegant reception rooms and attractive family kitchen

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the property also includes two holiday cottages

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and top notch stabling,

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all set in 32 acres.

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For just shy of 600 grand this striking four bedroom eco home

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overlooking Totnes is certainly a one-off.

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Its locally sourced oak and Douglas fir timber frame

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and contemporary open plan layout make it a stylish low-energy house.

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On the terrace there are panoramic views and a wildlife pond.

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And what about this converted three bedroom chapel in Bere Alston for £360,000?

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You could take a pew in the kitchen diner

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or in the double height living room.

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And the landscape garden leaves you in no doubt as to the building's origins.

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You know I have to confess I love coming to Devon,

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particularly to go house hunting.

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Not just because it's got some fantastic properties in abundance,

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as you can see, but also because of this,

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wonderful coastline wrapped around a stunning landscape inside.

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It's the perfect place I think to escape to the country,

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so no surprise that today's buyers want to come here too.

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Today it's the turn of Jill, a holistic therapist, and Jazz,

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an accountant, who live in a four bedroom detached house in Denham, Buckinghamshire.

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They feel they've outgrown their current home and are looking

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for a completely fresh start with their dog Arthur in the country.

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Jill's been in this property for about 15 years now

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and I've been here about eight.

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We got married about a year and a half ago

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and just feel it's time to buy something together now.

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Only their youngest daughter Eleanor will be moving with them

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but they want to accommodate all eight children from their previous

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marriages in their new home so there are some important considerations.

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I really love this kitchen, I love the layout of it,

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but we've got a large family

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and we need to sit eight to ten people round the table with ease.

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This is our garden.

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It's quite a large garden as it is but what we're looking for is

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about an acre where Arthur can run around

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and hopefully we've got some room for a vegetable plot

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where we can grow our own vegetables.

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We really like this room because it's got such large open windows

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and it's very light and airy.

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We're quite sort of modern, minimalistic people,

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we definitely don't like sort of dark pokey windows at all.

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They've certainly got definite ideas on what they don't want.

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We don't want beams. We don't want open brickwork.

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Thatched roof, we don't want that either.

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-No.

-And not on a main road.

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Hm, this could be an interesting house hunt.

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So what's the draw to Devon?

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Jill comes from Devon. Her parents are still there.

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We go to Devon a lot and we just love the countryside out there.

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We want to be closer to Jill's parents as well.

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Especially as they're getting older.

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But we don't want to be too far away so the children can come and visit as well.

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So with this being the first property they're buying together

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do they think they'll agree?

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I think it should be quite easy for us to agree on a property

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because our tastes are quite similar.

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-Yeah.

-Aren't they?

-Yeah.

-And I...

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Jill chooses it and I agree.

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Yes, you've learned those two important little words,

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"Yes, dear," haven't you?

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Yes, dear.

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With the move on the horizon

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we've arranged for a local estate agent to value their property.

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This is an extremely well presented four bedroom detached house

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with a lovely garden in a very popular location.

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I would suggest a valuation of around £465,000.

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With that in mind, how much do they have in their budget?

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If the property ticks all our boxes, we're looking to spend £550,000.

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Now the good news is that Jazz and Jill don't want to be near the coast

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so their already fairly sizeable budget of over half a million pounds

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should go that little bit further.

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Who knows, they might even get a few neighbours like these thrown in to boot.

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The other nice thing

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is that this is the first home they'll have bought together,

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will they agree on their ideal home? I wonder.

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With family in Sidmouth and Lyme Regis, Jill and Jazz are looking

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to focus their search in east Devon around the town of Honiton.

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I'll be taking them on a tour of some great properties

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but, as ever, I won't be revealing the prices right away.

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And then there's the mystery house,

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which could always throw our house hunters off course.

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-Well, hello there.

-Hi.

-Hi, Jill.

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-Hello.

-Nice to see you. Hi, Jazz, how are you?

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Well, here we are then in Devon,

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back where it all began for you, Jill.

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-Mm, how lovely.

-How lovely.

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Did you ever think you'd come back to Sidmouth?

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No, I didn't, no. But we're at the sort of stage now where we're just

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looking for something a bit quieter and we like this part of the world.

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-Well, let's have a think about your budget. It's, what, 550...?

-Yes.

-Maximum.

-Yes.

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-Yeah.

-And for that you want three bedrooms,

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a couple of reception rooms but a big kitchen.

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It's the kitchen really that's going to sell us any property.

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OK. Now, although we are technically on Escape To The Country,

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and we are in a beautiful part of the country Devon has some fantastic local architecture,

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you don't really want a traditional country house, do you?

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Not really, no, because we do like sort of, we like modern.

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-Modern, minimalistic really.

-Yeah, we don't want beams.

-Woodwork.

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No.

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No. Dark wood. No. So have you found something for us?

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Well, we have got some very interesting properties

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for you to look at.

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Go at all of them with an open mind.

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-Don't get too hung up on the odd detail...

-No.

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Because often knowing what you do like is harder to put your finger on.

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Let's see if we can inspire you with the properties we've got. Come on.

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With a budget of £550,000 Jill and Jazz want a three to four bedroom

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detached house with a large kitchen diner and plenty of outside space.

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They don't want to be staring at beams all day.

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Modern interiors are a must.

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I have a feeling this wish list might make our house search tricky.

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Let's see if I'm right as we get on the road.

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You bring a collection of eight children to your

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current partnership, what do they think about you moving to Devon?

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They think it's great.

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They're looking forward to somewhere to go at weekends.

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The initial reaction was, "You're not moving that far away, are you?"

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When we explained that it's only going to be two hours away

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and that they could come down for weekends

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they were quite up for it.

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We've just got to the stage in our lives where we want

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sort of a quieter life, I suppose, and sort of work in the garden

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and get our vegetable plot.

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I know it sounds old, it makes us sound really old, doesn't it?

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On the contrary, it's an aspiration held by many of our escapees,

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so hopefully our house search will come up roses.

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For our first property takes us 14 miles from Honiton

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to the quiet village of Chardstock, nestled in the Blackdown Hills.

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Chardstock and the surrounding countryside is prime walking territory,

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perfect for Jill, Jazz and dog, Arthur.

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The village atmosphere is well preserved

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with pretty thatched cottages and, at its heart,

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and 15th century county pub where you can enjoy the local ales.

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Come through here.

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Now, originally this was a sort of 1930s bungalow.

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All right? And, as you can see, it's been much modernised

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and, well, totally rebuilt,

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in fairness, to provide a modern family home.

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-Right.

-It's very open plan.

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Yes.

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That's good.

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It's just from the outside it's not particularly pretty.

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Right.

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Pretty we can do by the bucketload.

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-Right.

-But because you don't want old and you don't want beams...

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-Mmm.

-..etc, etc, it's quite a trick to fit your bill.

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It will be interesting to see.

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You might be surprised. They've done it quite cleverly. Come and look inside.

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Right, come on in, guys.

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-Grab the door, Jazz, if you would.

-Sure.

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There's a little study in there which is quite nice, which overlooks the drive.

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-You've got a downstairs bedroom with an en-suite.

-Mm-hm.

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Let's go in here to the main event.

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-Big open-plan space.

-Yeah, that's lovely.

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-It's a nice space actually.

-Yes.

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Yeah? The whole thing is dominated by this central fireplace

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-which goes both ways, as it were, through the room.

-Yeah. I'm not very keen on brickwork.

-Uh-huh.

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-From a dust point of view.

-Yeah.

-I don't mind it so much.

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I could certainly live with it.

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Come here and have a look because it's in-the-round, this space, really.

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I'm just thinking about all of you here for Christmas and birthdays and that sort of stuff.

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It's a blank canvas, which is fine for us. I think, in a way, this space is almost too big.

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I think we'd need smaller areas to make it cosier and more homely.

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Three of us in here, we're going to rattle around, but when there's eight or ten, it'll be great.

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-We're looking for a house that's going to have a dual purpose, in a way.

-Mm-hm.

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-Cosier, but still minimalistic. It's quite a hard seesaw to balance, that one.

-Yes.

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-We don't want to make it too easy for you.

-Yeah!

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-No...

-You like a challenge.

-Yes, that's what they keep telling me. Yes.

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Let's look at the kitchen and see what you think of this.

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Right, Jill.

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Come on in.

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Tell me some good news.

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-It's not a bad-sized kitchen.

-Mm-hm.

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I know this idea of a huge farmhouse kitchen, in which you can all sit...

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-Mmm.

-This place sort of does that out there.

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We'd prefer, I think, to have a kitchen where we can actually all be.

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-But coming back to this idea that most of the time there'll just be the three of you...

-Mmm.

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-..as an occasional thing, you've got space here for a dining table.

-Yeah.

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-It would work for three of us, yeah.

-OK.

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-Through here you've got your utility room as well, which is...

-That's nice.

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-So mall your bits and pieces are in here, out the way.

-That's great.

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-This is the...

-Yeah, have a look, yeah, yeah. Little loo there.

-Very nice.

-Yeah?

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-In terms of the finish, I think this is something we should explore a little further.

-Right.

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I think we know wherever we go, kitchen-wise, we'd rip out anyway.

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-Regardless?

-Pretty much.

-Because our standards are very sort of...

-Fussy.

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Yeah. We've got granite at home and I would stay with granite.

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OK, but that's just the tops, that's an easy fix.

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'Fussy by their own admission - what are they going to make of the upstairs?'

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That's the gallery that overlooks the dining area - all the bedrooms lead off from that.

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Let's start in this one. This is currently set up as the master.

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-It's quite small.

-It is not huge. The one downstairs might be more...

-Yeah.

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..appropriate. It also has something of an en suite, essentially just a toilet and so forth,

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but I know you asked for three bedrooms, this house technically has four,

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which, you know, is not un-useful.

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-If you wanted one for a therapy room or whatever...

-Yes.

-..then that might work.

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-Yeah.

-OK.

-All right, let's have a wander through here.

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-This is the main family bathroom. Go in there and have a look.

-OK.

-Yeah?

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-Is that shower big enough for you, love?

-Oh, I expect I'll squeeze in!

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-No, it's fine. It's fine.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-You're very fussy about your showers, aren't you?

-Yeah.

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It's only three years old. It's all new. It's quite neutral but very functional.

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-It's a good standard finish, yeah.

-Lie in the bath and look at the stars, Jill?

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-I do like a bath, so yes, that would be quite nice, wouldn't it?

-THEY LAUGH

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'Next to the bathroom are the two other good-sized bedrooms -

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'one of which would be ideal for their daughter, but now it's time to explore the garden.'

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Right. Out you come. The garden is divided into two zones -

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-you've got this as a more formal area, I suppose.

-Mm-hm.

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-Got the garage arrangement there.

-Yeah.

-Great big fish pond here. Do you like fish?

-No.

-No?

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No, we've just filled in our fish pond!

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-Right. So the fish may move with the current owners, then.

-I think so, yes.

-Right, OK, poor old fish.

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Er...all right, well, let's go on to the rest of it and have a look.

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'Well, after that curved ball, let's see if the rest of this garden is more to their liking.'

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-So this is the other zone of the garden. You've got this small area of paddock.

-Yeah.

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-The vegetable thing is good because we'd quite like to grow our own.

-Yep.

-So, er...

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-it's quite a lot of space out there to do that.

-Well, yeah, absolutely.

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'So the potential of the vegetable plot seems to appeal, but, well, it's time to sit and talk numbers.'

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-Right, so we have seen it all, pretty much.

-Mm-hm.

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How much do we think it's worth, though, I wonder.

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-Oh.

-I reckon it's probably in the region of about £485,000.

-£485,000, says the accountant.

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Yes. THEY LAUGH

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-What does holistic therapist think?

-I'd have said around £495,000.

-£495,000.

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Well, it's on the market for £499,950.

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You weren't wildly out. It is technically four bedrooms, with a huge reception room.

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It's a pretty house, I think, but whether it's for you or not, I wonder.

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Well, go and have a look around, take a few ideas away with you

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-and I'll catch up with you a little bit later.

-OK.

-Off you go.

-Thanks.

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-And I'll keep the fish company.

-Oh, lovely.

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Well, there we are. It was our first property. I have to say, I have known them go better than that.

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This house does, however, have a lot of things to recommend it.

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I love the quality of the finish, I love the open-plan space, but do they? Sadly, I don't think they do.

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At just under half a million, this house does cover many of the points on their wish list, including...

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Nice and bright and light. This area would be nice if it had doors that could open out.

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-You could almost have an inside/outside dining area, then, couldn't you?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

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The property just lacked a bit of individuality, really,

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especially from the outside.

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I really like the front garden, nice, mature trees, nicely laid out.

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I could see myself spending a lot of time out there.

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The location is not bad because it is quite rural, and it's quite nice being part of a village.

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We want the kitchen/diner to be in one room, really. The kitchen's too small to do that here.

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It's fine for the three of us, but when the tribe arrives, they're big lads, yeah, so...

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There's a lot of fish in there, aren't there?

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-Yeah.

-Look at that big one over there.

-The cats would love to eat those.

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-Fish supper?

-Yes.

-We were just saying, for the cats.

0:18:350:18:38

-So have you seen enough?

-Yeah.

-OK, well, let's press on, then.

0:18:380:18:43

With Jill having grown up just down the road in Sidmouth,

0:18:500:18:54

our house-hunters have called in on the neighbouring town of Seaton for an trip down memory lane.

0:18:540:18:59

In the past, Seaton flourished as a Victorian seaside resort,

0:18:590:19:04

which was celebrated in local landmarks, such as the clock tower, built in 1887

0:19:040:19:08

to mark Queen Victoria's jubilee.

0:19:080:19:10

Seaton today has a quiet pedestrianised town centre, with some good independent shops.

0:19:100:19:16

Just across the road, Seaton's mile-long beach reveals its greatest asset,

0:19:160:19:21

marking the gateway to the Jurassic Coast, with its mix of red sandstone and white chalk cliffs.

0:19:210:19:26

Further along the coast, the beauty spot of Branscombe Mouth reveals an historic gem.

0:19:310:19:37

Dating back over 100 years, this landmark building sits on the site of the old coal yard,

0:19:370:19:43

which would have supplied coal to local industries.

0:19:430:19:46

Now a beach-side restaurant, it's the perfect place to stop for lunch and take in the sea views.

0:19:460:19:51

-This looks nice, isn't it?

-It's wonderful.

-I think I could get used to this.

-Yeah.

0:19:510:19:56

'Well, the lifestyle seems to suit them - it's just the small matter now of finding them a house.'

0:19:560:20:03

For our next property, we're heading ten miles from Honiton

0:20:050:20:08

to the small village of Clyst Hydon.

0:20:080:20:11

Although there's quick access to the motorway, you'd never think it from the quiet country lanes,

0:20:110:20:16

hedgerows and open fields.

0:20:160:20:18

Besides the welcoming residents there's a real villagey feel, with a local pub and cricket club.

0:20:180:20:23

Our next offering lies on the edge of the village.

0:20:230:20:27

Right, come on through the archway.

0:20:280:20:30

That one over there.

0:20:300:20:32

Oh, OK.

0:20:320:20:34

-All right.

-That's nice.

-It is a converted barn...

0:20:340:20:38

-Is it?

-But it is not what I would describe as a barn conversion in the classic sense.

-No, it's not.

0:20:380:20:43

-No.

-It makes use of an old bit of barn but essentially what you've got

0:20:430:20:47

is a largely new build, but I think with a bit more character in it.

0:20:470:20:51

-Yeah, OK.

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

0:20:510:20:53

-Mm-hm.

-The obvious thing to point out is you do have an immediate neighbour.

0:20:530:20:57

-Yes.

-They're in there, but the rest of the property overlooks nothing but farmland the other side.

0:20:570:21:02

-All right?

-Mm-hm.

-Very good.

-Let's have a look inside.

0:21:020:21:06

'I think I can win them over with this house

0:21:060:21:08

'as there's more to it than first meets the eye.'

0:21:080:21:10

Right, you are greeted by this,

0:21:130:21:15

one of the reception rooms in this property.

0:21:150:21:18

-Right.

-All right?

-Nice open space.

0:21:180:21:21

-Cosy.

-Cosy. Good.

0:21:210:21:24

-Yes.

-Yes, it's nice and cosy.

0:21:240:21:26

I presume the beams are just cosmetic.

0:21:260:21:29

-They are.

-They can just come down.

-Yeah.

0:21:290:21:31

-That's an afternoon's work, mate.

-Thanks.

0:21:310:21:34

Give you something to do.

0:21:340:21:36

Yeah. All right, let's have a look at the kitchen. It's that way.

0:21:360:21:39

-Off you go.

-Thank you.

0:21:390:21:40

-Yeah?

-That's quite nice, yeah.

0:21:430:21:46

-Quite nice. I think it's quite nice too.

-No, it's lovely. Yes.

0:21:460:21:49

In terms of space I think this works quite well in terms of...

0:21:490:21:53

-It does.

-Giving you a really genuine working kitchen/diner.

0:21:530:21:57

-Definitely.

-This kitchen would certainly work for us, yeah.

-Mm-hm.

0:21:570:22:01

No, the space is right, yeah.

0:22:010:22:03

The space is...actually. Yeah.

0:22:030:22:06

'And the kitchen also has a useful utility room and larder.

0:22:070:22:10

'Also on this floor are all four bedrooms.'

0:22:100:22:15

This is the accommodation wing, if you like.

0:22:150:22:18

Four nice big bedrooms. There's one of them.

0:22:200:22:23

Oh, it's a nice size, isn't it?

0:22:230:22:25

Yeah. They all benefit from views to the garden.

0:22:250:22:28

Something of a sort of family bathroom.

0:22:280:22:31

-Oh, OK.

-Another nice big double in here, loads of built-in storage.

-Yeah. Oh, that is good.

0:22:310:22:37

Yeah? OK.

0:22:370:22:39

And, through here, three of four.

0:22:390:22:43

-This one does have a little en suite.

-OK.

-All right?

0:22:430:22:46

But this is the master bedroom and again...

0:22:460:22:50

-I'm thinking about size and space now for you two.

-Oh, that's nice.

0:22:500:22:55

-Oh, what's that, then?

-You've got a little sunroom all of your own.

0:22:550:22:58

Oh, that is nice.

0:22:580:23:00

Coffee in the morning, enjoy the garden,

0:23:000:23:01

and you're not overlooked there at all.

0:23:010:23:03

-No.

-Oh, that is nice.

0:23:030:23:05

-Yeah?

-Mm-hm.

-How does this sort of work for you?

0:23:050:23:08

-I'm thinking Eleanor's down there permanently with you at the moment.

-It works perfectly.

0:23:080:23:12

-It works perfectly?

-Mm.

0:23:120:23:14

-It's very nice.

-Really?

-Yes. Are you surprised?

0:23:140:23:17

-Yes, I am.

-Oh, good.

0:23:170:23:19

Hooray, you've made my day!

0:23:190:23:21

Now you've also got an en suite of course, as you would expect in a room this big and that is in there.

0:23:210:23:26

-OK.

-Shower and toilet and all that sort of stuff.

0:23:260:23:29

-OK.

-All right. Lovely.

0:23:290:23:31

Now I'm glad you like it. It's nicely laid out.

0:23:310:23:33

-And nice clean lines as well, which I like.

-Yeah.

0:23:330:23:37

'With all the bedrooms tucked away on the ground floor

0:23:370:23:40

'it's time to head upstairs to check out this rather unusual space.'

0:23:400:23:44

-It's actually quite nice.

-Come on up. Don't be shy.

0:23:440:23:47

Now in terms of you and the family having somewhere to all assemble,

0:23:470:23:52

they've got this as a sort of games room but, you know, make it what you like.

0:23:520:23:57

Probably keep it as a games room, the boys would love that, yeah,

0:23:570:24:00

sit here playing pool all night, drinking beers.

0:24:000:24:02

Hey, there's a picture emerging.

0:24:020:24:05

'Back downstairs and we cross the courtyard to a self-contained

0:24:050:24:09

'building with a garage and another nice surprise.'

0:24:090:24:13

Right, in you come.

0:24:130:24:16

This little surprise bit to this building.

0:24:160:24:19

-Ah.

-To this property I should say.

0:24:190:24:21

-Oh.

-So you can fight over this space between you.

0:24:210:24:24

Whether it's something for your therapy

0:24:240:24:26

or your accountancy work or just a home office,

0:24:260:24:28

whatever you want it to be.

0:24:280:24:30

-Yeah.

-Oh, it's nice.

0:24:300:24:31

Very useful, isn't it?

0:24:310:24:33

-A surprise, yeah.

-Excellent.

0:24:330:24:35

There's an en suite down here but upstairs it gets exciting as well.

0:24:350:24:38

-Come and have a look at this.

-Oh, there's an upstairs.

0:24:380:24:41

So up here it all gets a lot bigger

0:24:410:24:44

because the space goes over the garage.

0:24:440:24:48

-OK.

-All right?

-Fantastic.

0:24:480:24:50

-Yeah.

-That's really good.

0:24:500:24:52

You've got this sort of built-in kitchenette area

0:24:520:24:55

and the other side of that is another en suite

0:24:550:24:57

so it really is a self-contained little world, this.

0:24:570:25:01

Very nice indeed.

0:25:010:25:03

-Yeah?

-Very pleasing.

0:25:030:25:05

Yes. And no beams.

0:25:050:25:06

No beams up here.

0:25:060:25:08

-I'm going to live here.

-Wooden floorboards, though.

0:25:080:25:11

Oh, we can carpet that.

0:25:110:25:12

'Well, we're going from strength to strength with this house tour.

0:25:140:25:17

'Time now to go back through the house into the rear garden where we'll take a punt on the price.'

0:25:170:25:23

-It's lovely.

-It's gorgeous.

0:25:230:25:25

Oh, this is nice.

0:25:250:25:26

-Yeah?

-It's a lovely garden.

-Just survey your potential domain.

0:25:260:25:31

Very easy to maintain.

0:25:310:25:33

-It's lovely, isn't it?

-No, it's very nice.

-It's ideal.

0:25:330:25:36

-Well, that's it, then, for the tour of this property.

-Yes.

0:25:360:25:39

-You've seen all that it has to offer, nice big garden.

-It's lovely.

0:25:390:25:43

-And, of course, you get the annexe thrown in as well.

-Mm.

0:25:430:25:46

It's fantastic, the annexe.

0:25:460:25:48

-Yeah, you've done well to find that.

-Very nice.

0:25:480:25:51

Right, well, let's have a think about the cash.

0:25:510:25:54

How much is it on the market for, Jill?

0:25:540:25:57

I'm going to say, erm...

0:25:570:25:59

545.

0:25:590:26:01

-545.

-That's what I was going to say.

0:26:010:26:04

You can agree, you know, it's not against the rules.

0:26:040:26:07

Oh, right, OK.

0:26:070:26:09

-It is going to be at the top end and I think it's probably about 545.

-545.

0:26:090:26:15

-550.

-550. Yeah.

0:26:150:26:17

It is on the market for £550,000.

0:26:170:26:20

-Oh, is it?

-Oh. OK.

-Yeah. So you weren't far off.

0:26:200:26:22

-You were pretty much spot on to be fair.

-I was spot on.

0:26:220:26:25

I think the point about this place is it's the right sort of space.

0:26:250:26:28

-It's the right layout more than anything.

-Yeah.

0:26:280:26:31

-Or a layout that we can work with.

-Yeah.

-And this certainly is.

0:26:310:26:35

Jill and Jazz really seem to have taken to this house

0:26:350:26:38

and can clearly see its considerable potential.

0:26:380:26:40

It's at the top of their budget at £550,000 and certainly has a lot

0:26:400:26:45

going for it including a spacious kitchen diner for family gatherings,

0:26:450:26:50

four bedrooms with two en suites,

0:26:500:26:52

a huge family room and a very useful self-contained annexe.

0:26:520:26:58

This is the garage so...

0:26:580:27:00

It's only a stud wall there, so we could sort of knock that down

0:27:000:27:03

and make that into a really large room downstairs.

0:27:030:27:06

-That would be a good idea. Yes.

-Yeah.

0:27:060:27:08

The overall sort of feeling of the house is nice,

0:27:080:27:11

the space works particularly well. The layout's excellent.

0:27:110:27:16

The garden's great, fairly low maintenance,

0:27:160:27:18

so we would probably do a lot more with it but the potential's there.

0:27:180:27:22

The size of the kitchen's very workable

0:27:220:27:24

and it's just what we're looking for.

0:27:240:27:26

I think the annexe is fantastic.

0:27:260:27:28

It's almost like I'm reserving it for myself as my little bolt hole

0:27:280:27:33

and I can go and lock myself away.

0:27:330:27:35

My main concern is how close some of the other properties are.

0:27:350:27:40

More pluses than minuses on this one, definitely.

0:27:400:27:43

OK, Jazz and Jill went up the hill.

0:27:450:27:49

No, you've probably heard that before. Yes.

0:27:490:27:51

-I think that was well worth you looking at, though.

-Yeah.

0:27:510:27:55

-Definitely.

-No, it's a lovely property and, er...

0:27:550:27:58

-Is it a contender?

-Definitely.

-Yeah.

-Good.

-Absolutely.

0:27:580:28:01

Let's see if we can find any more to put on the list.

0:28:010:28:03

Don't forget your jacket.

0:28:030:28:05

When Jill and Jazz move to Devon they'll be able to enjoy

0:28:110:28:15

over 80 miles of beautiful beaches

0:28:150:28:17

with more Blue Flag awards than any other county in England.

0:28:170:28:21

But keeping them that way is no mean feat.

0:28:210:28:24

I'm here to meet council officer Tim Harris and his team

0:28:240:28:27

who clean up after the holidaymakers have left.

0:28:270:28:29

Hi, guys, Tim.

0:28:290:28:31

-Hi, Jules.

-Nice to see you. Nick.

0:28:310:28:32

-Nice to meet you.

-Karl.

-Jules.

0:28:320:28:34

Nice to see you. You're clearly hard at it.

0:28:340:28:36

Absolutely. There's always something to pick up on the beaches.

0:28:360:28:39

Now, you guys work for the district council.

0:28:390:28:42

-Yeah.

-Nick, you're a volunteer.

-Yeah.

0:28:420:28:44

Why do you volunteer for this job? It's not an easy one.

0:28:440:28:47

It's about living in Seaton and taking a little bit of responsibility for the area you live in.

0:28:470:28:51

It's a lovely place to live and it doesn't take a lot to keep it clean.

0:28:510:28:54

Well, it's an awful lot for you guys to cover.

0:28:540:28:57

Give me some idea of the sort of things you have to tackle year in year out.

0:28:570:29:01

The last couple of years we've had to deal with the Napoli.

0:29:010:29:04

-Yeah.

-All the rubbish from there.

0:29:040:29:06

The coast hit the national headlines when the container ship MSC Napoli

0:29:060:29:09

grounded just off these beaches in January 2007.

0:29:090:29:14

Looters plundered the washed up containers for booty,

0:29:140:29:17

from car parts and nappies to wine barrels and dog food.

0:29:170:29:19

Hundreds of tonnes of oil spilled into the sea

0:29:190:29:23

endangering hundreds of sea birds

0:29:230:29:25

and now, over two years later, is it job done?

0:29:250:29:27

It's never finished.

0:29:300:29:31

There's always stuff out there still being washed in

0:29:310:29:34

-and this morning we've picked up BMW parts.

-Amazing.

0:29:340:29:37

-So really it's a case of looking after your own backyard.

-Absolutely.

0:29:370:29:41

I love Devon and I love coming here, the beaches are a great attraction.

0:29:410:29:44

I'm not doing anything at the moment, shall I give you a hand?

0:29:440:29:48

-Let's go!

-A hand or a nipper. Brilliant.

0:29:490:29:51

Luckily these east Devon beaches are well maintained,

0:29:520:29:55

with council litter picks every day during the summer and 60 volunteers

0:29:550:29:59

combing 35 miles of beaches every couple of months.

0:29:590:30:02

-There we go, some more car parts for you.

-Look at that.

0:30:020:30:05

-That's just not going to degrade at all, is it?

-No, since the Napoli.

0:30:050:30:08

It'll be coming up for years. There were containers full of it.

0:30:080:30:11

But the story is not the same across the country.

0:30:110:30:15

It's estimated that beach litter

0:30:150:30:17

in the UK has increased by 80% over the past ten years

0:30:170:30:20

and costs millions of pounds a year to clean up.

0:30:200:30:22

But now let's see what we've picked up.

0:30:220:30:25

Wow, look at the professionals.

0:30:250:30:26

You've definitely got a lot more than I have.

0:30:260:30:29

Bits of car, an old leather sole. But what have you got in there?

0:30:290:30:32

Nylon, ropes.

0:30:320:30:34

That's pretty unpleasant.

0:30:340:30:36

-Can be quite harmful to the sea birds as well.

-There's loads of fishing hooks in there.

0:30:360:30:40

-That's what you don't want to be walking on.

-No.

0:30:400:30:43

On the beach, is it?

0:30:430:30:45

Well, guys, you're clearly doing a sterling job.

0:30:450:30:49

-My contribution...to the day.

-Thank you.

0:30:490:30:53

Not much but I guess every little helps.

0:30:530:30:55

-Absolutely.

-Fantastic.

-Guys, thanks very much indeed.

0:30:550:30:57

Best of luck with the other 35 miles of beach.

0:30:570:31:00

So, as the sun sets over the Devon countryside,

0:31:060:31:09

Jill and Jazz take time to reflect on their house search so far.

0:31:090:31:13

-So what did you think of the chalet-bungalow at Chardstock?

-It was quite a nice house,

0:31:130:31:19

-but it wouldn't work for us.

-No.

-The biggest reservation I had was the separate kitchen/diner

0:31:190:31:25

and a kitchen/diner is really important to us, but the property in itself had been done out well.

0:31:250:31:32

-There's a lot of wood there, which, again, is not to our taste.

-It's not us, is it?

-Yeah.

0:31:320:31:36

So what about the barn conversion at Clyst Hydon?

0:31:360:31:40

-That was a real surprise, considering we've never entertained a barn conversion.

-No.

0:31:400:31:45

Pleasantly surprised. It was a lovely property. The space worked really well.

0:31:450:31:49

-The kitchen/diner leading on to the lounge was exactly what we want.

-The layout was great.

-Yeah.

0:31:490:31:56

Obviously the annexe was a real plus and a real surprise.

0:31:560:32:00

-The only reservation was how close the other properties were.

-Yeah, yeah. That was the only thing.

0:32:000:32:07

It was an exciting day, so we'll see what they've got in store for us tomorrow.

0:32:070:32:11

Jill and Jazz are upping sticks from Denham in Buckinghamshire

0:32:180:32:22

and are looking to buy their first home together in rural Devon.

0:32:220:32:26

They've set us the tricky task of finding their dream home,

0:32:260:32:29

one with character on the outside but a modern interior which they can make their own.

0:32:290:32:33

It also has to accommodate their eight children at once, all for 550 grand.

0:32:330:32:38

So far, they've seen two properties but, coming up, Jill gets ruthless with period features.

0:32:380:32:43

-The shape and everything's fine.

-Change the fireplace.

0:32:430:32:46

-You'd change that? Because that's original to the house.

-Yeah.

0:32:460:32:49

Interesting.

0:32:490:32:50

And I lose my cool in the mystery house.

0:32:500:32:53

LAUGHTER

0:32:530:32:56

-Jules! Pull yourself together.

-Yes. You are absolutely right.

0:32:560:32:59

There's nothing like starting your final day's house hunt

0:33:010:33:05

with a little bit of putting on the hotel lawn.

0:33:050:33:08

If only all of my putts were that good.

0:33:080:33:11

Now today is going to be something of a challenge.

0:33:110:33:13

Finding a house that Jill and Jazz like aesthetically, to be honest,

0:33:130:33:17

I don't think we're going to do that.

0:33:170:33:19

The key is going to be finding them a house that works in terms of space.

0:33:190:33:22

We've got two more to play for including, of course,

0:33:220:33:26

the mystery house, so who knows? We might get there.

0:33:260:33:29

With our next house, we're going back to base camp, to Honiton,

0:33:290:33:32

one of the traditional gateways into Devon.

0:33:320:33:34

This busy market town with a history of pottery and lace making today enjoys

0:33:340:33:38

a thriving trade in antiques and bric-a-brac.

0:33:380:33:41

The High Street has an eclectic mix of other independent shops too,

0:33:410:33:44

from millinery to music.

0:33:440:33:45

Only a mile or so from the town centre and you're in glorious countryside

0:33:450:33:50

which is where we find our next property.

0:33:500:33:53

-So, what do you think?

-It's lovely.

0:33:540:33:57

Nice, yeah.

0:33:570:33:58

-That's good.

-Well, let's see what you really make of it.

0:33:590:34:04

There we are.

0:34:050:34:07

-It's not listed.

-No. Good.

0:34:080:34:11

-It's not old, there's no wooden beams in it.

-Good.

0:34:110:34:14

-Yes.

-Good.

0:34:140:34:15

-No, lots of potential.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

0:34:150:34:18

-The point about it is its proportion and the space it offers you.

-Uh-huh.

0:34:180:34:22

-Yeah.

-And, of course, a view which, believe it or not,

0:34:220:34:27

is out there behind the mist.

0:34:270:34:29

-Yeah, that's a fantastic view.

-Very nice.

0:34:290:34:31

All right. Well, let's go inside and have a look around.

0:34:310:34:34

Right, Jazz, what do you think?

0:34:410:34:43

-It's a proper hallway.

-I like. I love hallways.

0:34:430:34:45

-Yeah?

-This is a proper hallway.

0:34:450:34:47

-Yeah.

-OK.

0:34:470:34:49

No, this is great.

0:34:490:34:50

All right, good. Well, let's have a look at the kitchen.

0:34:500:34:53

OK, Jill.

0:34:540:34:56

-There you go.

-Oh, nice size.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

0:34:560:35:01

-And double aspect windows as well.

-Double aspect windows.

0:35:010:35:04

It's very light and airy which is exactly what we wanted, so...

0:35:040:35:07

-Yeah.

-No, this is great.

-And also in here you've got a kind of walk-in larder arrangement.

0:35:070:35:12

Oh, that's good.

0:35:130:35:14

So lots of options.

0:35:140:35:16

-I think that's the important thing.

-Definitely.

0:35:160:35:19

-Let's have a look through here.

-Right.

0:35:190:35:21

-So right next door to the kitchen, Jill, utility room.

-Nice size.

0:35:210:35:25

-Good size, isn't it?

-Great size.

-Lovely size.

-Door out to the garden.

0:35:250:35:29

That's great and loads of storage this side as well.

0:35:290:35:31

-Excellent.

-It really does lend itself quite nicely.

0:35:310:35:34

All right, come through here.

0:35:340:35:37

OK.

0:35:370:35:39

-Oh, fantastic.

-How about that?

0:35:420:35:45

It's definitely a boys' room, this one, isn't it?

0:35:450:35:47

This was a garage that was added on to this property.

0:35:470:35:50

-Yeah.

-As you can see, it's all roughcast breeze blocks, etcetera.

0:35:500:35:54

All right, and there's a little conservatory added,

0:35:540:35:57

quite a big conservatory added on on the other side.

0:35:570:36:00

Yeah, we'll keep the snooker table. Definitely.

0:36:000:36:03

'Well, Jazz seems sold on the games room,

0:36:040:36:07

'now it's back through the hall to the more formal reception rooms.'

0:36:070:36:11

-Oh, nice room.

-Yes?

0:36:110:36:13

-Yeah.

-I like all the windows.

0:36:130:36:15

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-That's the door out to the terrace that we saw outside.

0:36:150:36:19

Working fire place. You know, good size.

0:36:190:36:22

I mean, could you all fit in here? Would you be cosy in here?

0:36:220:36:26

-Yes.

-Nice. Nice.

-No, this is...

0:36:260:36:28

-Lovely size room.

-Yeah. Exactly.

0:36:280:36:31

There's nothing wrong with it at all.

0:36:310:36:33

-No.

-The shape and everything's fine.

-Change the fireplace.

0:36:330:36:37

You'd change that? Because that's original to the house probably.

0:36:370:36:40

-Yeah.

-What would that become?

0:36:400:36:43

-I'd probably just change the hearth, actually.

-Interesting.

0:36:460:36:51

-Well, let's think about dining rooms because there's one in here.

-Mm-hm.

0:36:510:36:54

Have a look at that.

0:36:540:36:55

-Very nice. Lovely room.

-Yeah?

0:36:550:36:58

-Lovely size.

-Oh, this is great.

0:36:580:37:00

-You could get the whole tribe round this one.

-Definitely.

0:37:000:37:03

'And good news for Jazz, he's got his own private study just next door.

0:37:030:37:08

'Now we're going upstairs where there are four bedrooms in total,

0:37:080:37:11

'two of which are nice-size doubles with their own washbasins.

0:37:110:37:14

'Next we'll take a look at what could be their bedroom.'

0:37:140:37:17

And this is what is currently the master.

0:37:170:37:20

-OK.

-It's a nice spot for it, on the corner, loads of light coming in.

0:37:200:37:24

-No, that's great. I mean the double aspect windows are...

-Good size.

0:37:240:37:28

-..just fantastic, and the views from the windows are great.

-Yeah.

0:37:280:37:31

-Let's have a look at the views.

-It's beginning to clear a bit.

0:37:310:37:34

Oh, yes, it's lovely, isn't it?

0:37:340:37:36

Honiton nestling down there in the mist.

0:37:360:37:39

Now the family bathroom, as I say, is currently next door.

0:37:390:37:42

You could add an en suite there.

0:37:420:37:45

-Yeah.

-And give over one of the other bedrooms - you've got four to play with.

0:37:450:37:49

Or you could swap the master from this end of the house to the other end.

0:37:490:37:53

Come and have a look at this.

0:37:530:37:54

Now at this end of the house, toilet, OK?

0:37:560:38:00

Immersion tank in there, shower room in there.

0:38:000:38:04

-Right.

-Now, this is sort of a guest wing, if you like, at the moment,

0:38:040:38:08

but given that you've got all the plumbing available,

0:38:080:38:12

this would make a great master suite.

0:38:120:38:13

If you knocked all that out, put in a new purpose-built en suite

0:38:130:38:16

-this could be a master bedroom with a view out there.

-Mm-hm.

-Yeah.

0:38:160:38:20

A lot of potential.

0:38:200:38:22

'Granted, there's work to be done in the house but they do seem to like the layout and spacious rooms.

0:38:220:38:27

'So let's take a trip outside and inspect the garden.'

0:38:270:38:30

In terms of outside space, we've already seen the front,

0:38:300:38:33

or what was the front of the property,

0:38:330:38:35

and what you see is what you get.

0:38:350:38:36

A bit of a sort of veg area

0:38:360:38:38

and a sort of more formal bit over there, just mown lawn and some shrubs.

0:38:380:38:42

-It's a nice size garden actually.

-It's a lovely plot.

0:38:420:38:46

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

0:38:460:38:48

All right. So it's of interest?

0:38:480:38:50

-Mm, definitely.

-OK.

0:38:500:38:52

Let's see how much interest it holds for you.

0:38:520:38:55

You've got £550,000 to spend. Jill?

0:38:550:38:58

I think it's about 535.

0:38:580:39:01

535. What does the accountant say?

0:39:010:39:04

I think it's probably more than that.

0:39:040:39:07

I think it's probably 555.

0:39:070:39:10

555. Interesting.

0:39:100:39:12

-Lots of fives going on.

-Yeah.

0:39:120:39:14

Well, OK, to put you out of your misery, £550,000.

0:39:140:39:21

-Oh, OK.

-So actually very much the top end of your budget.

0:39:210:39:24

-Yeah.

-How do you feel about that?

0:39:240:39:26

Do you think you could scrape together a bit more to do the work?

0:39:260:39:28

Yeah. We have allowed for that anyway because we knew wherever we went we were going to do some work.

0:39:280:39:33

-Yeah.

-So we've got money to do some renovation anyway so we'd allowed for that.

0:39:330:39:38

Good. Well, go and have a good look around.

0:39:380:39:41

There's obviously a lot for you to think about in terms of planning

0:39:410:39:44

and where you may start your renovations

0:39:440:39:47

and I'll catch up with you later.

0:39:470:39:49

-OK.

-Off you go.

-I might even have a game of snooker.

0:39:490:39:52

With some modernisation, this house has all the hallmarks of being their perfect family home.

0:39:520:39:58

At the top end of their budget at 550,000, the property offers

0:39:580:40:02

a large kitchen/breakfast room, four large reception rooms

0:40:020:40:06

in which their family can spread out,

0:40:060:40:08

four double bedrooms and a large garden

0:40:080:40:11

with countryside views.

0:40:110:40:12

I like the size of the kitchen, I do like the double aspect windows.

0:40:120:40:16

Yeah, nice space.

0:40:160:40:18

-No, it's a very, very usable space.

-Yeah.

0:40:180:40:21

It's a really nice feel about it.

0:40:210:40:23

-Just really felt quite at ease and comfortable and soon as you walked in.

-I really like the house.

0:40:230:40:28

It's got a really nice sort of homely feel to it.

0:40:280:40:30

Yeah, I could see...

0:40:300:40:33

a lot we could do with this to make it a really lovely family home.

0:40:330:40:37

The kitchen's a good size.

0:40:370:40:40

We wanted a kitchen/diner and we've got a good-sized kitchen/diner where we can spend most of our time

0:40:400:40:45

but we've got the formal dining room as well.

0:40:450:40:49

The rooms are good sizes, there's a lot of light coming in, which is what we wanted.

0:40:490:40:54

No dark wood.

0:40:540:40:57

It's just a question of putting your own stamp on it which everybody does when they go into a new place,

0:40:570:41:02

and, er...it's just decoration, really, more than anything else.

0:41:020:41:07

This property would be definitely on a short list for us, yes.

0:41:070:41:11

Yes! You missed the shot, chaps.

0:41:140:41:17

-Did you pot it?

-I got it in, yeah.

0:41:170:41:19

Hooray. Probably the only one of the day. So you've seen enough?

0:41:190:41:22

-Yeah.

-All right.

-We've had a good look round.

0:41:220:41:25

-Good. Lots of food for thought?

-Definitely.

0:41:250:41:27

A very expensive list of renovations that you're making, I'm sure.

0:41:270:41:31

Well, let's continue our little search through Devon

0:41:310:41:34

-and see what else we can find you.

-OK.

0:41:340:41:36

Even though Jill and Jazz are looking for a modern take on a country home,

0:41:410:41:46

you can't ignore the traditional buildings which define Devon's architectural heritage

0:41:460:41:51

so they've come to meet John Scott, owner of Beer Quarry,

0:41:510:41:54

who knows what makes these traditional cottages so distinctive.

0:41:540:41:58

The stone itself is unique.

0:41:580:41:59

It's a type of limestone you can't find anywhere else. It was discovered by the Romans.

0:41:590:42:03

It came from the underground workings just up the road and they're known as Beer Quarry caves.

0:42:030:42:08

But it's ideal for very fine detail carvings.

0:42:080:42:10

Let's go and have a look at Beer Quarry caves and workings, where it all came from.

0:42:100:42:15

The caves are a two-minute stroll away and, extending over a 75-acre site, date back 2,000 years.

0:42:150:42:22

The quarry closed 25 years ago but still offers tours and an exhibition.

0:42:220:42:26

Craftsmen up and down the ages have been carving this versatile stone with stunning results,

0:42:260:42:31

as John shows us.

0:42:310:42:32

You can get some idea

0:42:320:42:35

of how beautiful it is for fine detail carving.

0:42:350:42:38

-You can get details like that when it's freshly quarried.

-Yeah.

0:42:380:42:41

When it goes in the outside world it dries, turns a creamy white colour, then becomes five times harder.

0:42:410:42:45

So have you got any artefacts that you can show us?

0:42:450:42:48

Well, yes. We've got all the tools we found here.

0:42:480:42:50

We found Roman coins and pottery quite recently after all this time,

0:42:500:42:53

other things throughout the ages.

0:42:530:42:55

But one beautiful example of the masons' work, I can show you, just over here, if you'd like to look.

0:42:550:43:01

-Oh, love to.

-Love to.

0:43:010:43:03

Some of the most intricate examples of Beer stonework feature in 24 of the UK's 44 cathedrals,

0:43:030:43:10

including Exeter, St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.

0:43:100:43:14

So could you tell me a bit more about this church window, John?

0:43:160:43:20

Well, yes. It actually came from St Andrew's church, Colyton,

0:43:200:43:23

about five miles away.

0:43:230:43:24

It spent centuries in perfect condition but then it was ripped out

0:43:240:43:28

in a so-called Victorian restoration and just lay abandoned in the churchyard.

0:43:280:43:31

So, in an effort to preserve it, we had it rebuilt here by the master mason of Exeter Cathedral

0:43:310:43:36

using exactly the same methods

0:43:360:43:38

that the masons would have used centuries ago.

0:43:380:43:41

It's certainly a fantastic example of craftsmanship from days gone by.

0:43:410:43:45

But now it's time to return above ground

0:43:450:43:47

and step back into the present.

0:43:470:43:49

Well, perhaps it's no surprise

0:43:490:43:51

that in picking a suitable mystery property for Jazz and for Jill

0:43:510:43:54

we really have been pushed to the absolute limits.

0:43:540:43:57

Traditionally at this point and in this part of the world, Devon, I'd be looking for something historic,

0:43:570:44:02

maybe even characterful - dare I say it? - something that might reflect the style of the local architecture,

0:44:020:44:07

like that thatch behind me,

0:44:070:44:08

but in their case it just isn't going to wash.

0:44:080:44:11

Jill, who would you say was the really fussy one in the relationship?

0:44:140:44:19

Well, I think you think I am.

0:44:190:44:22

I didn't say that. I asked you the question.

0:44:220:44:25

But, believe it or not, we both are really.

0:44:250:44:29

Yeah, we're both pretty fussy really, but I guess Jill is a bit more vocal about it than me.

0:44:290:44:34

Now what kind of a mystery house do you think we've got lined up for you?

0:44:350:44:39

-I don't know.

-Something with beams, something old.

0:44:390:44:42

-Something with lots of dark wood.

-If only!

-Oh-h!

-If only!

0:44:420:44:48

It'll be so fantastic that she'll fall in love with it. THEY LAUGH

0:44:480:44:52

Our mystery house takes us to the village of Withleigh,

0:44:530:44:56

a small, pretty place set in the heart of the Devon countryside.

0:44:560:45:00

Just down the road, Tiverton, with its scenic riverbank

0:45:000:45:02

and some impressive architecture, offers a good range of local shops.

0:45:020:45:07

Our mystery house brings us right back to 21st-century modern living.

0:45:070:45:11

-Ah.

-What do you think?

-Not bad.

-I like the glass balcony.

-Brand new.

0:45:110:45:16

-Brand new.

-Brand new. We've never looked at a new build.

-Ah. Why not?

0:45:160:45:21

We tend to like the character of an older property but...

0:45:210:45:25

-Outside.

-Yeah.

0:45:250:45:26

But bringing it into the 21st century...

0:45:260:45:31

-Inside.

-Inside.

0:45:310:45:32

-You see one of the issues has been trying to get an idea of what is your style.

-Yeah.

0:45:320:45:37

-Uh-huh.

-And I'm hoping that this might be it.

0:45:370:45:41

-You're hoping.

-I'm hoping. Come on, let's have a look.

0:45:410:45:46

-Wow.

-Was that a wow?

-That was a wow.

0:45:540:45:57

Wahey, at last.

0:45:570:46:00

I like the glass and the chrome.

0:46:000:46:01

I thought you would like this, Jazz.

0:46:010:46:03

-Yeah. I do like this.

-It's...yeah.

0:46:030:46:05

It's clean lines.

0:46:050:46:07

-That's the main sort of dining area, as it were.

-Mm-hm.

0:46:070:46:11

-OK.

-But what I want you to look at now is the kitchen.

0:46:110:46:15

-So come on, Jill, is this the sort of thing that you had in mind?

-I like the kitchen.

0:46:170:46:22

-I think it's great.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

0:46:220:46:25

-I mean, it's brand new.

-Yeah.

0:46:250:46:26

-This is the sort of cooker you were after, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

0:46:260:46:29

-These kind of tops.

-Yeah.

0:46:290:46:31

-I'm trying to get a picture...

-Yeah.

0:46:310:46:33

..of what you would do, even in our previous property.

0:46:330:46:36

I think what I'm trying to think here is how do we actually personalise a house like this.

0:46:360:46:41

That's what I'm sort of feeling at the moment.

0:46:410:46:43

Because everything's done...

0:46:430:46:45

-Yeah.

-And I know you're thinking, "God, we can't please this woman."

0:46:450:46:49

Whatever gave you that idea? No.

0:46:490:46:51

There is a question of how do we personalise it.

0:46:510:46:54

-Yeah. No, I think that's fair enough.

-Which is with any new build.

0:46:540:46:57

Absolutely. We actually quite like doing it, you know what I mean.

0:46:570:47:02

-Jules, pull yourself together.

-Yes. No, you are absolutely right.

0:47:060:47:10

As I go slowly crazy on this house tour,

0:47:100:47:12

it's worth mentioning the state-of-the-art utility room

0:47:120:47:15

and pristine garage,

0:47:150:47:16

but now let's cross the hallway and through the double doors.

0:47:160:47:20

Right, living room.

0:47:200:47:22

Good size.

0:47:240:47:26

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

-Lovely size.

0:47:260:47:27

-That's a working fireplace.

-OK. That's nice, I must admit.

0:47:270:47:31

-Mm.

-Very simple, very contemporary feel to it.

0:47:310:47:35

It's nice and light and airy with all the windows.

0:47:350:47:37

-It's a nice shape, isn't it?

-Yes.

-Very well designed.

0:47:370:47:40

And I'm just trying to picture all of you as a family in here.

0:47:400:47:44

-We wouldn't let them come down here.

-No. This would be our place.

-They'd just mess it up.

0:47:440:47:49

'It's a tricky one to gauge, this,

0:47:510:47:53

'but they do seem taken with the lounge.

0:47:530:47:56

'Time to go upstairs across the galleried landing

0:47:560:47:59

'to see if the master bedroom tips the balance in my favour.'

0:47:590:48:01

-Oh, that's nice, yeah.

0:48:010:48:04

-Very nice.

-Carpet upstairs.

0:48:040:48:06

Yes, carpet upstairs, excellent.

0:48:060:48:07

Some of it goes in, you see.

0:48:070:48:10

-Little sort of Juliet balcony over there.

-Mm-hm.

0:48:100:48:13

Now, thus far the en suites you've seen have not been that exciting.

0:48:130:48:17

-No.

-This one's quite nice, though. In you go.

0:48:170:48:21

Oh, that's more like it. Excellent.

0:48:210:48:24

-Oh, yeah, this is really good.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

-Yeah.

0:48:240:48:28

-Big shower for you, Jazz.

-Yeah, this is what we...

0:48:280:48:30

Even I could fit in that one.

0:48:300:48:33

Me as well?

0:48:330:48:34

-Well, you've got a bath.

-Yes, you've got your bath.

0:48:340:48:38

-Very good.

-Right, let's carry on.

0:48:380:48:41

So this, you know, two of the four.

0:48:460:48:49

-Oh, OK.

-Another en suite there.

0:48:490:48:51

No bath in there, just a shower room etcetera.

0:48:510:48:54

This also has a balcony but one that's a bit more useful,

0:48:540:48:57

you can venture out onto that one.

0:48:570:48:59

Go and have an explore, see what you think.

0:48:590:49:02

Views of the garden.

0:49:020:49:05

Even the balcony's tiled.

0:49:050:49:07

-Yeah. Although not underfloor heating, I don't think.

-Is it not?

0:49:070:49:10

-Oh, no.

-That does surprise me.

-Well, there you go.

0:49:100:49:13

It's not the biggest balcony in the world,

0:49:130:49:15

but at least it gives you a nice place to enjoy the views from.

0:49:150:49:18

The views are fantastic. Lovely.

0:49:180:49:20

Lovely spot.

0:49:200:49:22

There are two further good-size light bedrooms, one with en suite.

0:49:220:49:27

An extra plus is a super-slick guest bathroom with bath and shower,

0:49:270:49:31

useful for when the family descend.

0:49:310:49:34

Time, now, though, to go outside and scope the garden.

0:49:340:49:37

So obvious things, I suppose, patio, little seating area.

0:49:370:49:41

You can make the best of the kind of al fresco design of this house,

0:49:410:49:46

-because all of these doors open out onto this area...

-Yeah.

0:49:460:49:49

-Yeah.

-Allowing you to enjoy that lot, really.

0:49:490:49:51

And garden - well, this is pretty much it, Jazz.

0:49:510:49:54

-Yeah.

-All you've got to do is mow it.

0:49:540:49:58

-Jill does the mowing.

-That's my job.

0:49:580:50:00

And you get a nice perspective of the property from here.

0:50:000:50:03

-It's a very nice design for a new build, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:50:030:50:07

I'm very impressed with this one.

0:50:070:50:09

Well, let's have a think about the money, then.

0:50:090:50:11

-Oh.

-I would say it's probably on the sort of 550,

0:50:110:50:15

at the top of our budget.

0:50:150:50:17

Mm-hm.

0:50:170:50:20

-Jill?

-Yeah.

0:50:200:50:22

Because the spec is quite high on it and it is a new build, yeah...

0:50:220:50:26

5...4...9.

0:50:260:50:30

549.

0:50:300:50:32

-Yeah.

-Give or take...

-..950.

0:50:320:50:34

-OK so you're both saying about £550,000, the top end of your budget.

-Yeah.

0:50:340:50:40

-OK, this will set you back today £585,000.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:50:400:50:47

-Really?

-You can see...

-So you've shown us over budget.

0:50:470:50:51

Mm. It's the mystery house, I'm allowed to.

0:50:510:50:54

But I think the important thing about this property is that maybe

0:50:540:50:58

it gets us some way to understanding what it is you are actually trying to achieve with your new property.

0:50:580:51:03

'With the mystery house I've tried to give Jill and Jazz

0:51:030:51:06

'a taste of what modern living in the country might feel like.'

0:51:060:51:10

Over budget, but ready to go at 585, it does offer

0:51:100:51:14

large reception areas loaded with modern features,

0:51:140:51:18

a spacious kitchen with all mod cons,

0:51:180:51:20

four bedrooms, three en suite,

0:51:200:51:22

and great countryside views from its south-facing garden.

0:51:220:51:25

For a new build, it's an excellent design, isn't it?

0:51:250:51:28

-The back actually looks better than the front.

-Yeah, I see what you mean.

0:51:280:51:33

It's got a bit more character where the front's very flat.

0:51:330:51:35

As a mystery property it was very good.

0:51:350:51:37

It didn't give me the wow factor from outside,

0:51:370:51:40

but once you walk in the front door

0:51:400:51:42

then you certainly do get the wow factor.

0:51:420:51:44

The quality of the workmanship, the quality of the materials they've used is very good.

0:51:440:51:48

The kitchen is great, the space in the lounge is superb.

0:51:480:51:54

I quite like the tiled floors everywhere. We've got a dog, so cleaning them, keeping them clean

0:51:540:52:00

and dust-free, they're very good.

0:52:000:52:02

The internal space isn't working for me.

0:52:020:52:05

Definite rooms rather than open spaces is what we're looking for.

0:52:050:52:12

The main thing that's put me off is the kitchen/diner.

0:52:120:52:14

I feel you're actually dining in the sort of entrance hall,

0:52:140:52:18

and it hasn't got that connection with the kitchen.

0:52:180:52:21

This mystery property has been a really good experience because,

0:52:210:52:25

you know, it showed us what can be done inside the house.

0:52:250:52:28

Well, how was that?

0:52:280:52:31

-Great.

-Good.

-Good, thank you.

-OK.

0:52:310:52:33

-Very interesting.

-Well, that's it now. House tours are over.

0:52:330:52:36

-Time for you guys to have a good old think about everything we've shown you.

-Yeah.

0:52:360:52:41

And see if you've made a decision about any one of them. I wonder.

0:52:410:52:45

Who knows? Get your thinking caps on.

0:52:450:52:47

After you. Lead on through the door.

0:52:470:52:49

Right.

0:52:490:52:51

Ah, yes, decision time.

0:52:510:52:53

Jazz and Jill's house tour of Devon is now over,

0:52:580:53:02

leaving them with lots to think about.

0:53:020:53:05

Well, at long last, it's decision time for Jazz and for Jill

0:53:090:53:12

and, in many ways, this is quite a momentous moment for them.

0:53:120:53:15

It is, after all, the very first time they've bought a house together

0:53:150:53:19

and in some ways, that's kind of sweet.

0:53:190:53:21

In fairness, it hasn't been the easiest of house searches.

0:53:210:53:24

Will the decision-making process itself have proved any easier, I wonder?

0:53:240:53:29

As ever there's only one way to find out

0:53:290:53:31

and that's to go and ask them.

0:53:310:53:32

Well, here we are, guys, where it all started, in Sidmouth,

0:53:340:53:38

overlooking the bay and the sea, where you grew up.

0:53:380:53:40

Yes. It's nice to be back, isn't it?

0:53:400:53:42

Well, it all started with that converted chalet/bungalow - a very contemporary twist to it.

0:53:420:53:48

That was interesting, wasn't it? It had a very large, open-plan area.

0:53:480:53:53

In our minds, when we came here, we thought we'd want that,

0:53:530:53:57

but we realised that possibly we didn't want that large an area but wanted a smaller, cosier feel.

0:53:570:54:04

Well, it was an interesting one to try and figure out with you, I think, what it was you were after.

0:54:040:54:10

-Our needs are quite diverse, you know, from coping with three of us to ten of us.

-Yeah.

0:54:100:54:15

-It also needs to be a family home.

-Yeah.

0:54:150:54:18

Let's think about how it moved on. We then took you to a converted barn.

0:54:180:54:22

I thought that was a great house, I really liked it. Seclusion as well.

0:54:220:54:26

I mean, I know we had very close neighbours. Other than that, there were no buildings in the area at all.

0:54:260:54:32

The kitchen was great, it was a superb size, the annexe was great.

0:54:320:54:36

-Well, the annexe was an extraordinary bonus.

-That was, yeah.

0:54:360:54:40

We had a sleep on everything and then we began our search again

0:54:400:54:43

where we took you to a very handsome house on a hill

0:54:430:54:48

with a fantastic view of Honiton and all the surrounding landscape.

0:54:480:54:51

-Yeah.

-The whole layout...

0:54:510:54:53

It was a lovely walk up the drive looking at the house and the house looked nice.

0:54:530:54:58

It's a handsome property, especially the original front door and the little terrace.

0:54:580:55:03

-We loved that.

-Yeah.

0:55:030:55:04

It's just got so much potential, that house.

0:55:040:55:07

-Interesting.

-Certainly from a feng-shui point of view.

-Yes.

0:55:070:55:10

OK. Finally we then got to the mystery property -

0:55:100:55:15

uber-slick, very, very modern, brand new.

0:55:150:55:19

One of the most important things for us was this kitchen/diner area.

0:55:190:55:23

It wasn't there in the mystery house.

0:55:230:55:25

I felt, you know, you were almost dining in the entrance hall.

0:55:250:55:30

-In terms of the finish, the kitchen...

-It was great.

-You couldn't fault it.

0:55:300:55:34

Worktops, the whole thing.

0:55:340:55:35

No. We would actually put very similar things into our home.

0:55:350:55:40

All right, so what happens next with you two?

0:55:400:55:43

Are you going to go for it with the house on the hill?

0:55:430:55:47

-We need to think seriously and carefully about the budget...

-Yeah.

0:55:470:55:52

About how much it's actually going to cost to get that house to the standard that we want.

0:55:520:55:57

Well, thank you, it's been great having you on the show.

0:55:570:56:00

I do hope we've got you that little bit closer

0:56:000:56:02

to finding your ideal escape to the country.

0:56:020:56:05

-Well done.

-Thank you.

0:56:050:56:07

There's nothing like a trip to the coast to gather your thoughts

0:56:090:56:13

and having had the time to reflect on this house tour,

0:56:130:56:16

I have to confess it hasn't been one of the easiest I've ever done,

0:56:160:56:19

but in some ways it has been one of the more insightful.

0:56:190:56:22

It's very often the case that buyers know what they DON'T want,

0:56:220:56:25

but trying to identify what they DO want

0:56:250:56:27

can be a bit of a struggle.

0:56:270:56:28

That's certainly been the case with this one but, ultimately

0:56:280:56:31

Jazz and Jill have found their house on a hill.

0:56:310:56:34

It does sound like a nursery rhyme.

0:56:340:56:36

Who knows? With the right amount of time and money

0:56:360:56:38

they could find their happy-ever-after.

0:56:380:56:41

I'll see you next time.

0:56:410:56:42

If you fancy escaping to the country and would like our help,

0:56:420:56:46

then please apply online at...

0:56:460:56:51

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:57:110:57:14

E-mail [email protected]

0:57:140:57:16

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