0:00:02 > 0:00:05Welcome to the start of what promises to be a very wet Escape to the Country.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Today we're in a county that's famous for its dramatic and diverse landscape,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12but I have to say I've never quite seen anything like that.
0:00:12 > 0:00:17Back in 1797 this extraordinary rock formation encouraged the likes of
0:00:17 > 0:00:21Wordsworth and Coleridge to write The Wanderings of Cain.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24So where have I come to to find such a biblical landscape?
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Well, join me in a couple of minutes and I'll tell you.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Today, we're helping a married couple and a special member of the family
0:00:44 > 0:00:47relocate to a place that holds many holiday memories.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51And they discover they can afford more than they ever imagined.
0:00:51 > 0:00:56- No...- What?!- It can't be. What's wrong with it?
0:00:56 > 0:00:59But, will they be too spoilt for choice?
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Maybe I don't want to see any more cos it's all too confusing!
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- Well, you haven't seen all of THIS yet...- I know.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Well, today I'm in Devon - on Exmoor to be precise,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13right on the northern coast of the county,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17and this extraordinary formation behind me is known locally
0:01:17 > 0:01:18as the Valley of the Rocks,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21carved probably millions of years ago by the elements.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25In this strange half light and, as you can probably tell, appalling weather,
0:01:25 > 0:01:29it does take on something of a prehistoric feel.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Not surprisingly, the whole area has slipped into local folklore -
0:01:32 > 0:01:37some of these rocks have very evocative names like The Cheesering, and Ragged Jack -
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and I'm assured that hidden amongst this bracken is a herd
0:01:40 > 0:01:44of wild goats, who it's thought have made this place home for centuries.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Devon lies in the southwest of England,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51bordered by Cornwall to the west and Somerset to the northeast.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52Its magnificent coastline
0:01:52 > 0:01:56is dotted with pretty fishing villages and seaside resorts,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00a draw for over five million visitors who also come to enjoy
0:02:00 > 0:02:02its two national parks -
0:02:02 > 0:02:06Dartmoor, renowned for its stunning tors,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and Exmoor, with its wild and rugged landscape.
0:02:09 > 0:02:14Here, secret hideaway homes, from quaint little gems to grand getaways,
0:02:14 > 0:02:16are what Devon dreams are made of.
0:02:19 > 0:02:24Of course, Devon has long been popular with anybody wanting to escape to the country, whether you're
0:02:24 > 0:02:30retiring or simply seeking a slice of the good life. After all, look at it. Why wouldn't you want to live here?
0:02:30 > 0:02:33But, of course, all that has had an effect on population levels,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36a net increase every year of up to 6,000 people.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39And that of course has had a knock-on effect on house prices,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43they are 14% higher here than the national average -
0:02:43 > 0:02:45and within the county it does vary quite a lot as well.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49The north, in general, is much cheaper than the south.
0:02:49 > 0:02:54So, a county of great contrasts, great beauty, with plenty on offer to suit everybody.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Like this imaginative four bedroom barn conversion
0:02:57 > 0:03:02sitting on four acres of glorious rural land near Goodleigh.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07For £1.25 million, it also comes with an annexe and its own pool.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09For those who love the Exmoor coast, this four-bedroom
0:03:09 > 0:03:13stone and slate cottage for £525,000
0:03:13 > 0:03:15is tucked away in Heddon Valley,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19and sits on two acres of luscious gardens and woodlands.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24There are four cosy reception rooms, and a kitchen/diner opening out to a conservatory.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29And for just under £300,000, this Grade II-listed two-bedroom cottage in Bideford
0:03:29 > 0:03:33is within walking distance of the beach and coastline.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Well, as you can see, some wonderful examples of property on offer here -
0:03:39 > 0:03:42just one of the reasons why I love house hunting here in Devon,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and of course why today's buyers want to move here.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Today's house hunters are Jill and Robert who live in the commuter village of Chipstead in Surrey.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55For over a decade, they've been dreaming of giving up the suburbs
0:03:55 > 0:03:58and retreating to a Devonshire dream home,
0:03:58 > 0:04:02but it's never been the right time to leave until now.
0:04:02 > 0:04:08I think we've lived in Surrey for the last 20 years, and been in this house for 13 years.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Everything we wanted, we got from this house at the time.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17But we could move now - we're in our 60s, and don't want to leave it another ten years.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22At this stage of life, they're looking to become part of a village community.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25I think, erm...60's the new 40.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30I think we want to do it now because it takes time to make friends, real friends.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33We want to support our local community.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I'll spend most of my time supporting our local pub...
0:04:36 > 0:04:42Jill has family roots and happy childhood memories in Devon, that keep drawing her back to the county.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46My mother was Devonshire, my grandmother Cornish.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I've got cousins, relations in the West Country.
0:04:48 > 0:04:55I spent most of my formative years down there, and I feel, you know, it's going home really.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57And the family ties don't stop there.
0:04:57 > 0:05:05An important member of the family will also be relocating - Jill's very active 95-year-old father, Percy.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08He's looking forward to it as much as we are.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10I think it's a big excitement in his life.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13He's very independent, very full of life...
0:05:13 > 0:05:18and I think this would be a fantastic end to his life, really.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Because he's 95, he's not going to go on for ever.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23I'm not so sure about that(!)
0:05:23 > 0:05:28The choice of property needs to be got right in terms of Percy's needs.
0:05:28 > 0:05:33The important part of the move really is to take my father with us,
0:05:33 > 0:05:39and he will require a separate annexe with a ground-floor bathroom,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41probably like a studio apartment.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45With retirement, and more time on their hands for reviving old hobbies,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Jill and Robert have a few requirements of their own.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Well, I'd like to do more painting.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Having more space to do my painting would be nice -
0:05:52 > 0:05:55instead of having to put it all out on the dining table
0:05:55 > 0:06:00I'd like to have a studio, or a room where I could call it my own.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02As you can see this is my lovely cluttered garage,
0:06:02 > 0:06:06full of bits and pieces that my wife's collected and stored in here.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10I haven't been able to get a car in there for over 13 years.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13When we move to the country I'd love a barn
0:06:13 > 0:06:18or a large double garage, so I can start working on old cars again.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23They're looking forward to leaving busy roads behind and enjoying the countryside.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I love the sea and the moors. Love Exmoor - it's so wild and free,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31and even on cold days it's brilliant up there to go walking.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33So, what's their choice of location?
0:06:33 > 0:06:35'I'm thinking maybe towards Exmoor.'
0:06:35 > 0:06:39I think Exmoor is my favourite, over Dartmoor.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43I think it's wilder, less people...
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Sort of around that area, somewhere near the sea, would be nice.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50But what would their dream house look like?
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Nice square family home, with period features.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58- Three, four bedrooms?- Three or four bedrooms, en suite bathroom.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00A large kitchen, kitchen/diner...
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Must have an annexe - must, must have an annexe.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Hopefully with nice views on a hillside somewhere, or up fairly high.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- I'd also like an easily maintained garden.- Yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Something big enough so I can buy one of those ride-on lawnmowers.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17I've always fancied one of those!
0:07:17 > 0:07:23Before we start looking for their new home, we need to find out how much their house is worth.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27So, we invited an estate agent round to value their property.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31This is a four-bedroom detached family house situated in Surrey with great commuter links
0:07:31 > 0:07:33into London via the M25,
0:07:33 > 0:07:39and in my opinion I would value this property in the region of £615,000.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43- I think that's fantastic.- Yes.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I didn't expect it to be that much.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- No, it's more than I thought it would be. - With the housing market as it is.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51So, what's their budget?
0:07:51 > 0:07:55Our budget for the new property is going to be £700,000.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00We can be slightly flexible on that figure.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02And if it was absolutely dream house...
0:08:02 > 0:08:05If it was the absolute perfect house, we could go slightly higher.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12Well, all in all I think it's a pretty manageable list of expectations.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17A nice traditional farmhouse, Jill wants plenty of space for her art studio, a nice big kitchen
0:08:17 > 0:08:21and of course Robert is after some outbuildings to incorporate his workshop -
0:08:21 > 0:08:26but perhaps one of the most crucial things is this all-important annexe for Jill's father.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31Now, unusually for this show they haven't asked for acreage, but with their budget
0:08:31 > 0:08:35and with the sort of properties that are on offer here, land often does come hand in hand
0:08:35 > 0:08:38with the sort of things we're going to be able to show them
0:08:38 > 0:08:42so you never know, they might just get a little bit more than they bargained for.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Jill and Robert want to be close to the sea and the wilds of North Devon,
0:08:48 > 0:08:52so have asked us to focus the search on the northwest coast, across to
0:08:52 > 0:08:53Exmoor National Park on the east
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and travelling no further inland than South Molton.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00We've lined up some of the area's finest properties to view,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03but I won't reveal the price tags until they've taken everything in.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09And finally, there's the mystery house - which will open up an even larger window on their world.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14Well, Jill, there's something kind of very romantic about
0:09:14 > 0:09:19- this story because here you are kind of coming home, aren't you? - I know. It's lovely.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Wonderful, wonderful childhood memories, and great picnic spots,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26rolling in the gorse and the ferns and everything. It's beautiful here, I love it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30I don't know, Robert - stories of rolling in the ferns and the gorse(?)
0:09:30 > 0:09:32This is all going slightly off the beaten track!
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- I've never heard this story before. - JULES LAUGHS
0:09:36 > 0:09:39But you're loving it down here, aren't you? This is a huge lifestyle change for you.
0:09:39 > 0:09:45Absolutely. And of course it won't just be for us, it'll be bringing Jill's father down as well.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48He's a key component of this move - he's 95, bless him...
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- And we can't go without him. - You can't go without him!
0:09:51 > 0:09:53We have got some fantastic properties
0:09:53 > 0:09:57- for you to look at, so let's see if we can persuade you to buy one. - OK, that would be great.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04With a flexible budget of £700,000, our buyers are looking for a detached
0:10:04 > 0:10:09period home with three to four bedrooms, a large kitchen/diner,
0:10:09 > 0:10:10a master with an en suite,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14an artist's studio for Jill and workshop space for Rob.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Countryside and coastal views from on high,
0:10:17 > 0:10:18and a ground floor annexe
0:10:18 > 0:10:20for Jill's elderly dad,
0:10:20 > 0:10:22with not too much land to look after.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28- Now, Jill, your father is a key component of this move...- Yes, he is.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31..both practically and financially in some respects.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- He's been in his house for 60-odd years.- I know!
0:10:34 > 0:10:38I don't know how anybody makes that kind of transition.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- He knows Devon like the back of his hand.- Oh, really?
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Well, he courted my mother down here.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47Interesting. So, I guess you're picking up where they left off.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Sort of.- Sort of, yeah!
0:10:51 > 0:10:52First up, we're heading to
0:10:52 > 0:10:55the seaside town of Croyde on the northwest coast of Devon.
0:10:55 > 0:11:01Croyde is known for its nearby sandy beaches, and a village offering loads of olde-worlde charm.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05There's also a couple of pubs in town sure to please Rob.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Set in a picture postcard hamlet called Nethercott, just three miles
0:11:08 > 0:11:11away from Croyde, our first property
0:11:11 > 0:11:14is a sweet farmhouse that serves up a Devonshire dream on a plate.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16What a stunning looking house.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It's a perfect size. Not too big...
0:11:19 > 0:11:23I really like it. I like the colour,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I like the slate roof, I like the door... It's lovely.
0:11:26 > 0:11:31- Good. Let's see what you think of the inside, come on.- Can't wait.
0:11:31 > 0:11:36'So if first impressions are anything to go by, we're off to a good start,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40'as they both seem taken by this 18th-century Grade II-listed property.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44'Let's hope the recently renovated interior continues to impress.'
0:11:44 > 0:11:48Right. Come on in... Look at this!
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Fantastic.- Yeah? - You can just leave me here.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- I don't want to see any more. - It's gorgeous, isn't it? - Lovely!- The floor is fantastic.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01Let's start in here. This is one of two reception rooms that you've got.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03There we are...
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- What do you think? - It's cosy. It's very, very cosy.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11You can see yourself sitting here watching the television, having a glass of wine...
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Enormous wood-burning stove. - Lovely window seat.- Yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- So, first reception room... - Yeah.- Great start.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Come across the hallway to the kitchen.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Again the slate floor comes off the hallway down into here...
0:12:23 > 0:12:26- Ohhh!- Yeah?- Yes.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31It's square, isn't it, which is great - and plenty of room to eat...
0:12:31 > 0:12:36It's a real farmhouse kitchen. It's the real thing, a proper job.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37JULES LAUGHS
0:12:37 > 0:12:41It's a good size kitchen. I like it.
0:12:41 > 0:12:47Well, I did say that next door was one of two reception rooms - the other one is over here.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50And the nice thing is that the kitchen...
0:12:50 > 0:12:51is in the middle of both of them.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56So you've got something of a sort of a...a snug, day room...
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- This is lovely. - So you could have a his and hers.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- Yeah, we could!- Now you're talking.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04JULES LAUGHS That's lit him up, hasn't it?!
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Well, I mean, you've got lots of options -
0:13:06 > 0:13:10perhaps the next thing is to go upstairs, which is this way.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Tucked away. Which is quite nice, so it doesn't take the room over.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16I didn't even notice there was a staircase here...
0:13:16 > 0:13:20'The cosy feel and versatility of this property seem to go down well.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25'Up on the first floor, there are three good size rooms all with pine floorboards,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29'and a family bathroom with a classic roll top bath to unwind in.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32'But let's head to what could be THEIR room.'
0:13:32 > 0:13:34Now, we're calling this the master -
0:13:34 > 0:13:38it's the widest, and I suppose the biggest room that's up here.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- The obvious thing I suppose is it doesn't have an en suite.- Mm-hm.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45- I don't know if that's a deal breaker.- Ohhh...
0:13:45 > 0:13:48In an ideal property, we would want an en suite.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51Well, there is a bit of a solution to this problem.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54The family bathroom is at the very end of the hallway,
0:13:54 > 0:13:56so you don't want to be trotting down there -
0:13:56 > 0:14:00but if you put a door there, just beyond that light fitting,
0:14:00 > 0:14:05you'd effectively create a sort of master suite. So that bedroom there -
0:14:05 > 0:14:08if that were your en suite
0:14:08 > 0:14:11I think that would give you a huge amount of space and your own end of the property.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13That would be fabulous.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15'Once an en suite is built we should be in business,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18'because what's coming up next fits the bill perfectly
0:14:18 > 0:14:21'for their top priority - Jill's dad.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26'A freshly restored barn conversion, designed for holiday lets.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31'As well as offering two good sized purpose-built bedrooms on the first floor,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33'there's more than enough room on the ground to suit his needs
0:14:33 > 0:14:36'including the bathroom.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38'Now let's look at a potential bedroom.'
0:14:38 > 0:14:41He would have enough room in here to have somewhere to put
0:14:41 > 0:14:44his clothes, like a dressing table, and maybe a little couch.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48The kitchen is through here, it's something of a kitchen/diner...
0:14:49 > 0:14:53The kitchen here is great, because he's still going to make tea and have his breakfast on his own.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55He's very independent,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- incredibly independent. - Well, maintaining that is crucial.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Yeah. And that's why the annexe has got to be right.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07'Now, some extra space for Jill's studio - or maybe even a hideaway for Rob.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09'Let's see who jumps at it first.'
0:15:10 > 0:15:13- Oh...!- Come on in here, guys.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Look at this! Come on, Robert.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- This looks interesting... - Come on in.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23Well, it would give me immense pleasure to hand this over to you.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- It's yours.- Thank you. - Oh, that was easy,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- I thought that was going to be a bit of a tough sell! - No.- Good.- I'd be very happy here.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31'Well, that lit up Robert's face -
0:15:31 > 0:15:34'and there's plenty of room outside to please him as well.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38'An array of stone outbuildings, ideal as workshops,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41'to reignite his passion for doing up old cars -
0:15:41 > 0:15:43'and what better spot to tinker about in
0:15:43 > 0:15:46'than your very own rustic country cottage backyard?'
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- That could really work. - I think it would work.- Yeah.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52The other thing that would help, are the extra four acres it comes with.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- No...- Four acres?- Four acres?!
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- He's laughing. - The turkey's laughing, isn't he?
0:15:59 > 0:16:01You get four acres, which is all sort of that way.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04It's one of the things that you're going to sort of scoop up whether
0:16:04 > 0:16:07- you want them or not, because of where we are.- Can you let them?
0:16:07 > 0:16:10You can let them. You can also sell them.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13There is some local interest in buying those four acres,
0:16:13 > 0:16:17and currently here you're talking about five grand an acre
0:16:17 > 0:16:21so there's potentially £20,000 to be made there if you don't want them.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Let's have a think about the price. You can go first, this is your patch.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28You've got £700,000 or so, maybe more, to play with.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31OK... 695.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34I'm going to come in slightly lower, at 690.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39- This WAS on the market for £750,000. - OK.- Wow...
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It is now on the market for 700.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43- A-ha!- Good start.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45- It's a very good start. - Excellent start.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Maybe I don't want to see any more cos it's all too confusing!
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Well, you haven't seen all of THIS yet...
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- I know.- Go and have a look at those four acres, they're up there.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55I'll catch up with you later.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- Thank you.- Off you go. - After you, Jill.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59Thank you! ..Hello, friend.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Priced at £700,000, this Grade II-listed farmhouse
0:17:04 > 0:17:07offers Jill and Robert the country charm they're after.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10It has four bedrooms, and the potential of an en suite.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14There's a two-bedroom annexe for Jill's dad, plenty of studio and workshop space
0:17:14 > 0:17:16for their creative pursuits,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19and a sprawling four acres of gardens and paddocks,
0:17:19 > 0:17:21which they could rent or sell
0:17:21 > 0:17:22for a tidy sum.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27It's a typical Devon house, and I like it very much indeed.
0:17:27 > 0:17:33Obviously I think we would need to definitely put a bathroom in that upstairs main bedroom.
0:17:33 > 0:17:39- We'd just have to make some enquiries, and if this wall CAN come down...- It'd make a fabulous...
0:17:39 > 0:17:40It would. But if we can't...
0:17:40 > 0:17:42We're stuck.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47I think... Regarding the annexe, I think that works perfectly.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49That ticks all the boxes.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51All in all a nice house.
0:17:51 > 0:17:57Now, it's always nice to start your house tours on a high, and this house has certainly done that.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59I wonder if Jill's moved in yet?
0:17:59 > 0:18:01- Moved in yet, Jill(?)- Almost.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Almost! HE LAUGHS
0:18:03 > 0:18:04Out you come. Come on, Robert.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- Too much to think about. - Ahhh!- Too much to think about.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12- And two more to come of course. - My brain's hurting.- Come on!
0:18:23 > 0:18:28Exmoor National Park provides one of the most spectacular landscapes
0:18:28 > 0:18:32in the UK, and its northern coastline is littered with beautiful villages.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37Lynton and its twin Lynmouth on the harbour below are amongst its prettiest.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Bird's-eye views and walking trails are high on Jill and Robert's
0:18:41 > 0:18:45wish list, so earlier in the week they went exploring.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Lynmouth was a small but lucrative trading port in the 17th century.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Fishing was the main industry, and the big catch back in the day was herring.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57In the 19th century the local economy struggled, due to
0:18:57 > 0:19:01the high cliffs separating Lynton from Lynmouth, and the Exmoor terrain
0:19:01 > 0:19:03was tricky for transporting goods -
0:19:03 > 0:19:09so an ingenious mode of transport was created to connect the twin towns.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Local tour guide Tom Evans kindly showed our couple the ropes.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Transport was very difficult in Victorian times.
0:19:15 > 0:19:21Horse-drawn wagons labouring up the hill, horses under terrible conditions...
0:19:21 > 0:19:25So there was a need for a funicular railway between the two villages,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and this was built in 1890 at a cost of £8,000.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33They could take up to 40 people in each of the cabins, and if they removed the cabins they could
0:19:33 > 0:19:39actually put larger vehicles on it - even cars at one point were taken up it.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42The cliff railway is the only one of its kind in the world.
0:19:42 > 0:19:46Powered by a supply of river water, it's totally emission free.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50It works by filling up and releasing water into tanks underneath the cars.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54The weight counterbalances the cars, like an old-fashioned weighting scale.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Whoo...!
0:19:56 > 0:19:59One goes up, and the other one goes down.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05Oh, there it goes...
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Jill wanted high-rise views - but maybe this is one level too high.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Whoa...!
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- And we have arrived.- So high up...
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Fantastic. Well done.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Well, let me off!
0:20:21 > 0:20:22But the ride is worth it.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26From Lynton, the breathtaking views can be fully appreciated.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29It's easy to feel on top of the world up here, and an array
0:20:29 > 0:20:34of arty shops and tea rooms create an altogether enchanting ambience.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37The area owes a great deal to its historic benefactor,
0:20:37 > 0:20:39Sir George Newnes.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Newnes created a community of artists and writers, craftsmen...
0:20:43 > 0:20:45and it is to this day a place for people
0:20:45 > 0:20:50who enjoy the countryside walks, wildlife, and peace and quiet.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54- It's got a lovely feel.- It has.- A really nice feel to it. It's great.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56It sounds a place for us.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Clearly, this is a picture postcard location for Jill and Rob's
0:21:00 > 0:21:01new life in the country.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Next we travel east, inland to the rural village of Goodleigh,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17a sleepy little village enveloped by undulating hills
0:21:17 > 0:21:20and plenty of scenic walks for Jill and Rob to explore.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Our second offering is part of a Grade II-listed Georgian manor house
0:21:24 > 0:21:26on the outskirts of the village.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Let's see if they can imagine living the good life here.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32What do you reckon?
0:21:32 > 0:21:37What a property! It's huge. I like the proportions. Big square windows.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Lovely looking house.- Yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Looking good. It's looking good.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- Let's get inside, shall we? - Come on, then.- I can't wait.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49'Although semi-detached, one thing this house doesn't lack is space.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53'Jill's in for a real treat with this big country kitchen.'
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Ahhh! Mmm...
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Yeah?
0:21:58 > 0:21:59- I'm liking this.- This could work.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00This could work.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05High ceilings got some storage facilities, cupboards.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- It's a nice size this. - I love this room.
0:22:08 > 0:22:09Well, if you like this one
0:22:09 > 0:22:14wait until you see the living room, come and look at this, or I should say drawing room.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Oh, drawing room, thank you.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20OK, Jill, would this work?
0:22:20 > 0:22:23Oh, it's lovely. I love the mouldings around this room.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- And that window is extraordinary. - Isn't it just.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- Incredible.- See yourself in here with a glass of wine, Robert? - I certainly do.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33I see there's a nice log burner.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Exactly. - Absolutely perfect. Gorgeous.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Fabulous room.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43It seems the regal feel to this property has Jill and Rob absolutely beaming.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45And a grand property
0:22:45 > 0:22:47needs somewhere grand to eat
0:22:47 > 0:22:50like this elegant 16-foot dining room.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Just for you, mate.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Erm, studio?
0:23:00 > 0:23:06Well, now, this is where we need to get a bit technical with this property
0:23:06 > 0:23:10because what we don't have for you is a separate annexe for Dad.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14OK, this would be it.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17The options are, this room in particular is of a great size,
0:23:17 > 0:23:21it's all on the ground floor and it also has its own en suite shower.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22That would work.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24It's something to think about.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29Ideally we were looking for a separate annexe.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32You've got the dining room between you and dad.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- And of course you've got the other living room through there.- Sure.
0:23:36 > 0:23:37And doors, big doors.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Nice big doors, yeah.- Solid doors.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Something to think about.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45It's encouraging that the lack of an annexe isn't proving a hurdle.
0:23:45 > 0:23:46So, onwards and upwards
0:23:46 > 0:23:50to some glorious hill-top views of Devon.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53That is gorgeous, isn't it?
0:23:53 > 0:23:56It's a good size room, lovely proportions again.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Now, currently this is described as the master.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01It's got some lovely details.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04it's got this lovely fireplace in it and so forth.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07The other reason is it's got loads of light coming into it,
0:24:07 > 0:24:10through that window and the view beyond, step over and have a look
0:24:10 > 0:24:13because that's what you're going to wake up to.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Look at that! Imagine waking up and looking out there every morning.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22If it's a gorgeous outlook Jill wants there are two further spacious bedrooms
0:24:22 > 0:24:25both delivering those tantalising views.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26Also on this floor
0:24:26 > 0:24:29is a family bathroom and shower room.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Now, I personally would be quite happy with this as a master.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34There's your en suite through there.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38I agree with you, I think I would prefer this as a master bedroom.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39I don't know why,
0:24:39 > 0:24:41just feels right.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45The en suite has certainly raised Jill and Rob's spirits
0:24:45 > 0:24:49and up in the attic there's space for an art studio.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52There's plenty to play with here but that's just on the inside.
0:24:52 > 0:24:57They've yet to discover the grounds that are absolutely jaw dropping.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00This is what I really want you to see,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02because tucked away up here
0:25:02 > 0:25:05is this glorious garden.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Amazing.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Come on,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11don't be shy, there's plenty of it to explore.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Oh, isn't it fabulous.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18There are one and a half acres for Jill and Rob to enjoy here.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22The secret garden opens out beyond the main lawn area
0:25:22 > 0:25:26to a mature orchard making the most of the sunny elevated position,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28and down below is a rambling woodland
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and a serene pond that's just pure magic.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34But, how much is it going to set them back?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37So, let's have a think about the money then.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41This is over budget. I'm going to go for £735,000.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44OK, I'm going to go for £753,000.
0:25:44 > 0:25:49If it were £700,000 would that be more interesting?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52I can't believe it would be £700,000.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57Then you won't believe that its £525,000.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- What?- No, it can't be, why is it then, what's wrong with it?
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Nothing's wrong with it at all,
0:26:03 > 0:26:04but it is a semi.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06I think it represents
0:26:06 > 0:26:09great value for money, I think it's one you should really consider.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12- Definitely.- Absolutely. - Lots to think about.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15There are still a couple of bits I want you to have a look at.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- I'll catch up with you later. - Fantastic.- OK.- Off you go.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21For £525,000
0:26:21 > 0:26:25this Grade II-listed secret hideaway comes in well under budget.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29There are three bright and elegant reception rooms,
0:26:29 > 0:26:30one with annexe potential.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Four sunny bedrooms and a charming attic room
0:26:33 > 0:26:36all set in one and a half acres.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39It sort of elegant but it's very homely.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42There's lots and lots to think about with this property.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44It wouldn't worry me not having an annexe
0:26:44 > 0:26:47particularly in this case because this room is so large.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48Yes.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53And near enough for us to be on hand.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56And we have got a door we can shut for our own privacy.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01If this house had the annexe of the first house
0:27:01 > 0:27:03I'd be writing a cheque now, I think.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Out you come Jill, Robert.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09I think this is well worth you thinking about.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13It is, although I am muddled, confused.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Confusion, being muddled, it means you've got choice.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- Yes, we have.- And the mystery house is still to come.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20- Great.- Fantastic.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37As the sun starts to go down over Devon Jill and Rob have a chance
0:27:37 > 0:27:40to reflect on the dream homes they've seen so far.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Jill and Robert are looking to spend £700,000 or a little more
0:27:50 > 0:27:54if they spot their absolute dream home in Devon.
0:27:54 > 0:28:00So far one property delivered on the perfect annexe for Jill's dad and the second was the ideal house.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03So, can the mystery property strike a balance between the two?
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- I've never seen anything this size in my life.- That's great.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15For the mystery house we're broadening Jill and Robert's horizons
0:28:15 > 0:28:18travelling away from the coast and beyond South Molton
0:28:18 > 0:28:19to the village of the Stoodleigh.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Armed with a great community spirit its local church,
0:28:22 > 0:28:25believed to have Norman origins,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28was extensively restored during the Victorian era.
0:28:28 > 0:28:33The mystery house has everything the first two houses offered plus a lot more.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Although it's not the coastal location they wanted
0:28:35 > 0:28:42it could just paint an even bigger picture of life in Devon and with a potential money spinner on the side.
0:28:42 > 0:28:44Come on in.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46- Oh, it's huge, isn't it?- Wow.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50What you've got on the right surrounded by the cream render
0:28:50 > 0:28:53are what would have been three great big openings
0:28:53 > 0:28:56with coach doors on them for coaches and carriages and so forth.
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- Oh, right.- The stable block is over towards the left,
0:28:59 > 0:29:04hidden under that growth, so horses over there
0:29:04 > 0:29:07and then above in this enormous range you would have had quarters
0:29:07 > 0:29:09for staff, stable hands
0:29:09 > 0:29:12overlooking this wonderful courtyard.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15- It's quite romantic, isn't it? - It's a terrific place.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Sort of a romantic feel about it.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21The grand exterior has captured Jill's romantic spirit.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Let's hope the romance continues inside
0:29:23 > 0:29:25when she sees the enormous kitchen.
0:29:25 > 0:29:33Now, I think this is more what you were thinking about.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37That is a kitchen diner par excellence, isn't it?
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Isn't it just.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- That is lovely. - They're great windows, aren't they?
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- Terrific. - Look at the thickness of the wall.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48- Oh, well built this. - It's not going to blow over, is it?
0:29:48 > 0:29:52Built by an aristocrat for his horses, he wasn't going to skimp on it. And it goes on.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54It certainly does.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57I mean, you've got all that area over there which is currently
0:29:57 > 0:29:59the dining end of it.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02I can't take it all in, it's so massive.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04- Space wise... - You can't fault it, can you?
0:30:04 > 0:30:07You can't fault it and there is plenty more where this came from.
0:30:07 > 0:30:12Come and have a look back again, through the hallway, at this reception room.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19This is where the coaches would go.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20What you do in here,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22is entirely up to you.
0:30:22 > 0:30:23Have a ball.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25Have a ball, have a party.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27Wow.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Come on, Robert, what would you do in here?
0:30:29 > 0:30:34I'd probably bring my car in here and rebuild it.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38Get lost down that end of the room, I've never seen anything this size in my life.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39That's great.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43And the impressive rooms don't stop there.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46As well as a library there's also a games room
0:30:46 > 0:30:48ideal for entertaining.
0:30:48 > 0:30:49Up to the first floor,
0:30:49 > 0:30:51let's take a look
0:30:51 > 0:30:53at the romantic master bedroom.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55There's just one potential sticking point,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57that all important en suite.
0:30:57 > 0:30:58Now,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00- not en suite.- No.- OK.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04But, it gives you an idea of the sort of size.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06It's a good size bedroom, isn't it?
0:31:06 > 0:31:09A lovely size. I love the window.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11- Nice room.- Yeah, it is.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15They could of course choose an alternative bedroom from
0:31:15 > 0:31:18the five here, two of which come with original fireplaces,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20reminders of the stables' old living quarters.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23Or they could create a master
0:31:23 > 0:31:26that's next to one of the two bathrooms located
0:31:26 > 0:31:28at either end of the landing.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30There now.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32Oh, this is wonderful.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35Many a stable hand would not have enjoyed this, clearly.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Fabulous size bathroom, isn't it?
0:31:38 > 0:31:40And this would be for your guests.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Too good for guests.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44So, as you can see there's a huge amount on offer
0:31:44 > 0:31:46and that's just in the coach house,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49- we haven't touched the annexe yet. - Oh, Lord.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53The sheer scope of this property has bowled them over so far
0:31:53 > 0:31:57but wait till we head outside across the courtyard
0:31:57 > 0:31:59to reveal the potential home for Jill's dad.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03I want to really start in here with you two because I think this would make
0:32:03 > 0:32:05a fantastic living room for Dad.
0:32:05 > 0:32:06It would.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09It's cosy, it's panelled and importantly
0:32:09 > 0:32:12it's got those double doors there out to the garden.
0:32:12 > 0:32:13Which he loves.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15No, this is a lovely room, isn't it?
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- Great.- It is a very nice room, he'd be very happy here.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Of course the room itself is on the level.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23There is one step here which would go down to his bedroom.
0:32:23 > 0:32:24Oh, right.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26But again I think he'd quite enjoy this.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Oh, my goodness.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Good size room for him.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Through there a separate loo and shower room, all on the level too.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37OK. It doesn't feel as if it's an annexe at all.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41I think he would feel as if he'd moved into his own property in some way.
0:32:41 > 0:32:42Exactly.
0:32:42 > 0:32:43Really, really good.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45Excellent, well done.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48Well, we aim deliver and Jill's dad couldn't ask for more.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53Along this sprawling annexe is another large bedroom with its own en suite,
0:32:53 > 0:32:56another smaller bedroom and a shower room
0:32:56 > 0:32:59plus a kitchen for Jill's dad to make himself a cuppa
0:32:59 > 0:33:03and a 17-foot long dining room so plenty of additional guest space.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Or it could serve as a separate holiday letting business.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09And the pretty grounds won't disappoint either.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14There's a south facing courtyard and a short meander through an arch
0:33:14 > 0:33:17leads to a private lawned garden with mature shrubs.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19Nothing too complicated here, just cutting back.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22Just cutting back,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25well, are we going to have to cut back on the price, I wonder.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27What do you reckon?
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Right, I'm going to go for £720,000.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32£710,000.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33- You're wrong.- Oh, no.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36It's not £720,000 and it's not £710,000, I'm afraid.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38What is it?
0:33:38 > 0:33:39- £650,000.- No.
0:33:39 > 0:33:40Yes.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42All this for £650,000?
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- £650,000.- Wow.
0:33:44 > 0:33:45Wow.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48It's an awful lot of house for £650,000.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50You haven't seen all of it yet.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52Go and explore the rest of that annexe
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- and I'll catch up with you a little bit later.- OK.- Thanks.
0:33:57 > 0:34:03At £650,000 this grand home offers a light and spacious drawing room,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07a games room and Jill gets her deluxe country kitchen.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09There are also five double bedrooms
0:34:09 > 0:34:11and top of the wish list
0:34:11 > 0:34:15an attached annexe with French doors out to the garden for Jill's dad.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17There are also an extra two double bedrooms
0:34:17 > 0:34:20which could be let and a manageable garden.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23This house is huge, huge, huge.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26The annexe is spectacular.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Enough room for my dad to have a whole,
0:34:29 > 0:34:32like a separate house there for himself
0:34:32 > 0:34:34and still enough room to have a holiday let.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37I think I could see us see us living here quite comfortably.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40In fact I could probably see us,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42our friends, our next door neighbours
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and a few other people living here quite comfortably.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51You wouldn't believe the trouble I've had finding these two and getting you out of here.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54Really interesting mystery house, I think you'll agree.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56Incredible.
0:34:56 > 0:34:57Really interesting.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00I just feel as if I haven't seen it all.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03I've just found another room downstairs with a loo in it.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05I just opened a door and there it was.
0:35:05 > 0:35:10Well, we've had the chance to show you three very viable properties.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14I suppose the key question is which one, if any, may be your new home?
0:35:14 > 0:35:17I think you need to go and have a think about.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19- I think we do. - Yeah, a long think.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38Devon has preserved a unique survivor from our industrial past,
0:35:38 > 0:35:41the small village of Sticklepath is home to the last operational
0:35:41 > 0:35:45water powered forge in the whole of England, Finch Foundry.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47I'm here to find out more about it all works
0:35:47 > 0:35:50from custodian Roger Boney.
0:35:50 > 0:35:55The foundry, which was powered by the nearby River Taw, was established by William Finch in 1814
0:35:55 > 0:35:59and all the original machinery is still going strong.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03The family firm was in operation until 1960.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06In 1994 the National Trust stepped in
0:36:06 > 0:36:09giving visitors a rare insight into this bygone era.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Roger, this is a fantastic survivor, isn't it?
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Tremendous. It's, in fact, the very last of its kind.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Now, this is the sort of thing though that most villages,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22with a water source, would have had at some point.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Water was the electricity of its day, really.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Certainly in this part of the world.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31There were eight water wheels working in this village,
0:36:31 > 0:36:34all using and reusing the same water
0:36:34 > 0:36:36before eventually it goes back into the river again.
0:36:36 > 0:36:37Really clever stuff.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Finch Foundry used to be a woollen mill
0:36:40 > 0:36:45but then produced cutting tools for use in agriculture and mining.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48- Ahh, a lovely scythe. - One I made earlier.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52To power up a lever is pulled to release the water onto the wheels
0:36:52 > 0:36:56setting all the cogs and belts in motion
0:36:56 > 0:37:00enabling a giant set of shears to cut the hot metal.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Cast your mind to the 1840s and imagine
0:37:03 > 0:37:06mass producing 400 tools a day in here
0:37:06 > 0:37:09when the forge was in full swing.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11You can almost smell the Industrial Revolution.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14You've got 25 men in here.
0:37:16 > 0:37:17All right?
0:37:17 > 0:37:19And then you've got this.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33The tricks of the trade were cutting edge for the time.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35That's the off switch.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37All right, what do you do, just shove it in?
0:37:41 > 0:37:44- I thought you might like that. - I love it.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48We talk about the genius of the Industrial Revolution and it's a bit of wood.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50So that's the tools being cut to shape in the forge.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55Next though we need to get a handle on how they're sharpened
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and to understand the original meaning behind the phrase
0:37:58 > 0:38:00keeping your nose to the grindstone.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02So, this is it, this is your grinding shop.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04This is the grinding shop.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06So, the big idea with this
0:38:06 > 0:38:08is what you do,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11you've got to climb up on the top of here.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- This is a kind of a bed. - This is a kind of a bed.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18You get up on the top of here like this, and you've got to lie down.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21- Rather you than me, Roger. - And you do all of this.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24That's phenomenal, brilliant.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28And this is where keeping your nose to the grindstone comes from.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33That's remarkable. It would have been a lethal place.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Absolutely. Being a grinder
0:38:36 > 0:38:40was one of the most hazardous occupations there was.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42These things were prone to bursting.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46That's one of the stories of the Industrial Revolution, in some respects.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50It was a risky business but it's brought us to where we are now.
0:38:50 > 0:38:51And without these kind of tools,
0:38:51 > 0:38:57these things that were made in small enterprises like this,
0:38:57 > 0:39:01none of the big houses, for instance, would have been made.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04The fact that the mill is still running 200 years on
0:39:04 > 0:39:06is a tribute to its builders
0:39:06 > 0:39:09and despite the passage of time it's a rare opportunity
0:39:09 > 0:39:14to get a very real sense of what the Industrial Revolution was all about.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22Well, it's my favourite part of the show now, decision time.
0:39:22 > 0:39:27When we left our second property yesterday afternoon Jill said she was pretty confused.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Well, since then we've shown them the mystery house
0:39:29 > 0:39:33and my sense is that that confusion just got a little bit worse.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36So, have they been able to untangle their thoughts, I wonder?
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Well, let's go and ask them.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52Well, you two, here we are, it's the end of the road, we've shown you all that we can.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53Have you enjoyed it?
0:39:53 > 0:39:54Fabulous.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56Yeah, we've had a great week.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00We kicked off with that lovely old 16th century farmhouse.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02I loved that. I felt it was cosy inside.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05I loved the sort of simpleness of it
0:40:05 > 0:40:08and the annexe there was absolutely perfect.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14I think we had an issue with the en suite bathroom upstairs, didn't we?
0:40:14 > 0:40:17Yeah, I think we could have resolved that issue.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22I thought it would appeal to you because it was very much going back to your rural roots.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Yeah, I did like where it was positioned
0:40:24 > 0:40:28with those other little houses around there in that little sort of hamlet,
0:40:28 > 0:40:33but, you know, we were looking forward to the next one, always.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34Well, the next one
0:40:34 > 0:40:35was very different.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40A slice of Georgian grandeur, half of that enormous house.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42It really was a regal semi, wasn't it?
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Period semi.- What a place.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Which you absolutely fell in love with Robert.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Loved it, absolutely loved it, I could see myself moving in.
0:40:52 > 0:40:57And what about Dad, the idea of converting that fantastic snooker room?
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Yeah, we thought about it and I think it probably would have worked.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Yes, I think we could easily have done that there.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- And the garden.- The garden. Let's get into the garden.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10Here we are sitting in the grounds of another glorious manor house.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13- Let's think about the garden, that was fantastic.- Stunning.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16It was unbelievable that garden.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17What a fantastic price. 525.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19Oh, my God yes,
0:41:19 > 0:41:20the price was amazing.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24We had, of course, one more to come, our final property, the mystery house.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28An extraordinary conversion of the old stable block.
0:41:28 > 0:41:32Your thoughts, Robert?
0:41:32 > 0:41:37I need a map! It was just a sprawling mass of rooms.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40- Yes, it was great. - Have you figured it out yet?- No.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42As far as the annexe went
0:41:42 > 0:41:44it was a separate home.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46That wing down the side
0:41:46 > 0:41:49was split into two really, wasn't it?
0:41:49 > 0:41:50Because the bit we would put him in
0:41:50 > 0:41:53was like a house on its own
0:41:53 > 0:41:56and also it had an extra bit which you could let as a holiday let?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Huge property.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01I mean, I suppose it leads me on neatly to my final question,
0:42:01 > 0:42:02what happens next?
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Well, we've decided to stay down here for a few more days
0:42:05 > 0:42:06to look around the area
0:42:06 > 0:42:09and we're going to make some more enquiries
0:42:09 > 0:42:11about that last property.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Good, guys I'm really delighted
0:42:13 > 0:42:16because this was always going to be a bit of a challenge
0:42:16 > 0:42:19because incorporating your father is a key component.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21This isn't some wayward whim.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24No, it's got to be spot on.
0:42:24 > 0:42:29So, if that's the case I look forward to hearing his reaction when you finally get him there.
0:42:29 > 0:42:30Come to his 100th birthday party.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Fabulous, I would look forward to that.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Here's to you, and here's to him. Cheers, guys.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Best of luck.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43Now, of course we'd all love to escape to the country
0:42:43 > 0:42:45in a building like the one behind me
0:42:45 > 0:42:47but for most of us it is of course an impossible dream.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49But, for Jill and Robert, well,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52if they do go for that coach house and old stable block
0:42:52 > 0:42:54I think they'll get pretty close to it,
0:42:54 > 0:42:59and as for her father, well I'd love to be a fly on the wall when he walks through the door.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01See you next time.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Well, Jill and Robert thoroughly considered
0:43:04 > 0:43:07the mystery property but decided it was just too big to handle.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11However, they were sold on the area and are now looking in mid Devon.
0:43:11 > 0:43:14If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:14 > 0:43:17Northern Ireland or England and would like our help,
0:43:17 > 0:43:19please apply online at...
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:29 > 0:43:32Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk