0:00:02 > 0:00:04In the 1970s,
0:00:04 > 0:00:09this hill was probably one of the most instantly recognisable views in England.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12And just like the rest of today's county,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15it oozes with old-world charm.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17So, does it look familiar?
0:00:17 > 0:00:23I'm sure if you use your LOAF, you'll figure out where you've seen this beautiful vista before.
0:00:41 > 0:00:47On today's show, we meet a Canadian with her heart set on a home in the English countryside.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50It's beautiful. The landscape just rolls forever, doesn't it?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53And although she seems taken with our offerings,
0:00:53 > 0:00:56her English husband isn't so sure.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00John, give me something back. I reserve judgment.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04But will our mystery house unite her yin with his yang?
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Wow. Wow!
0:01:06 > 0:01:08Wow. Nice. Yeah.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Today I'm in Dorset, and this is Gold Hill in Shaftesbury.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21In 1973, it became the backdrop for a well-known bread advert
0:01:21 > 0:01:25directed by the now world-famous film maker Ridley Scott.
0:01:25 > 0:01:31At the time, many of us believed this scene was set hundreds of miles away in Yorkshire.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36But with its thatched cottages, medieval walls and cobbled stone,
0:01:36 > 0:01:38it really couldn't be anywhere else
0:01:38 > 0:01:41than the unspoilt countryside of Dorset.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Bordered by four other counties in the south of England,
0:01:46 > 0:01:48Dorset is largely rural,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51dotted with farms, peaceful villages
0:01:51 > 0:01:54and thriving market towns.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57Covering an area of 1,024 square miles,
0:01:57 > 0:02:02Dorset is a winning combination of stunning coastline and classic countryside,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07boasting the highest proportion of conservation areas for its size in England.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Over 40% of the county is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16with 139 Sites of Special Scientific Interest
0:02:16 > 0:02:20and a World Heritage Site in the form of the Jurassic Coast.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Frequented by King George III,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27the county has been a popular tourist destination since the 1800s,
0:02:27 > 0:02:32which has helped create a prosperity evident in the region's housing stock,
0:02:32 > 0:02:35from the grand country homes made of local limestone
0:02:35 > 0:02:38to the picturesque thatched cottages.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45But is today's house hunters' dream home out there too?
0:02:45 > 0:02:46Let's meet them.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Let me introduce you to John,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51a self-employed management consultant
0:02:51 > 0:02:54and his Canadian partner Christina.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56After meeting via the Internet three years ago,
0:02:56 > 0:03:02John travelled to Canada to meet Christina in person and the rest is history.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Now sharing John's one-bedroom flat in central London,
0:03:05 > 0:03:07with their dog Willow and Jack the cat,
0:03:07 > 0:03:11they're hoping to ditch the Big Smoke for country air.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15We'd like to move to the country for space,
0:03:15 > 0:03:22to be able to be outdoors more, with trees surrounding me.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25I'm either in a city or I'm in the country.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29I'm not in a halfway. I don't want to live in the suburbs.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32They're both drawn to the rural beauty of Dorset.
0:03:32 > 0:03:37So let's find out what they want from their dream property.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41One, possibly two big reception rooms,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44big bathroom, a nice big kitchen
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and minimum three bedrooms, I think.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49We want nice, large open-plan spaces,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52whether it's the kitchen or the main living area.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55We want a nice big garden.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00That's the bigger picture covered. But what about the details?
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Wood-burning stoves. Love that smell.
0:04:03 > 0:04:09John's just accepted an offer on his flat for nearly ?900,000.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12So how much will they have for their home in the country?
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Our budget for the property is around ?750,000.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20We may go to ?800,000 for something absolutely exceptional.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30After 25 years of city living, John can't wait to make a break for the country.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34And Christina, used to the wide-open landscapes of Canada,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38obviously can't wait to embrace country living too.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Now they've got a rather hefty budget of up to ?800,000,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46so finding them space to manoeuvre both inside and out
0:04:46 > 0:04:49shouldn't be too much of a problem.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52The big question is, can we find them a property
0:04:52 > 0:04:56with as much character and quirkiness as they have?
0:04:56 > 0:04:58John and Christina are flexible
0:04:58 > 0:05:01when it comes to a specific location within Dorset,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04so we'll be scouring the entire county,
0:05:04 > 0:05:06keeping in mind they want something rural.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10We'll be showing our house hunters three Dorset delights,
0:05:10 > 0:05:15but I'll be keeping schtum about the price tags until the end of the tour.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Lastly there's our mystery house,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21which will challenge their idea of country living.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25John and Christina, hello and welcome to Dorset.
0:05:25 > 0:05:30Thank you. Are you looking forward to the next few days? We are.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34We've driven around a lot in Dorset, the gorgeous villages, the Jurassic Coast,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38from one end to another, but we've not seen anything yet.
0:05:38 > 0:05:44So what about work? John, will you need to commute? I'll work wherever I need to.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46If I need to work away from home, that's fine.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49And time is of the essence
0:05:49 > 0:05:53because you're about to complete on your property. Yes.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58We sold it within three weeks of putting it on the market, with two competing bidders.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00They want to complete within six weeks.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05So we really have to find you your dream house. Yes. And budget-wise?
0:06:05 > 0:06:11Still looking around ?750,000? 750, could go to 800 if we see the exceptional one.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Right, so that's our top limit. Yeah. Yes.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Well, we have got some fantastic properties lined up.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Shall we get started? Let's go. Come on, then.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27For a top budget of ?800,000,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30John and Christina are after a spacious country home,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32consisting of a minimum of...
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Our first property is just outside the village of Cranborne,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50on the Dorset-Hampshire border.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Used as a setting for Thomas Hardy's Tess Of The d'Urbervilles
0:06:54 > 0:06:56under the pseudonym Chaseborough,
0:06:56 > 0:07:01this 800-strong village boasts an imposing 15th-century church tower,
0:07:01 > 0:07:07a pub, convenience store and plenty of appealing period buildings.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Here is house number one. What d'you think?
0:07:10 > 0:07:13The size overwhelms me. I'm used to compact,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16but the house looks really nice from the outside.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Now, we are on a road. Yes.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21It's a B-road connecting the two villages,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24as we're right on the edge of a village. John?
0:07:24 > 0:07:26I like the look of the house, nice shape.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31OK. It is a bit nippy, shall we start the tour? Please. Come on.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Come on through. Got the late-Victorian tiles here.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44It opens up straightaway into the first reception room. It does.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Hm.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Smaller than I expected, this room.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Did you expect huge, high ceilings? Yes.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56What do you think of the entrance? I love it. I love the tiles.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58It just makes such a big statement.
0:07:58 > 0:08:04Let me take you across to the other room, then you'll see there's a bit more space.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06So here's your second reception room.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09It's actually been divided up.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14You've got this space and a bit more, big enough for a baby-grand piano.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17You can see where it opens up a bit more
0:08:17 > 0:08:20on this side of the house.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22It's got more character as well. Definitely.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Let's look at the kitchen next. Great.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Generous room dimensions are key to their move,
0:08:30 > 0:08:32so we head to the rear of the property
0:08:32 > 0:08:34where the space really starts to open up.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41And here you have a very handsome country kitchen.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Love the beams.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49It's deceiving, isn't it? It is. It's almost like a different house.
0:08:49 > 0:08:50I like the light.
0:08:50 > 0:08:56You get so much natural light from each area of the house.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00So quite a lot of space downstairs, lots of reception rooms.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03But I haven't shown you everything.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Come on.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Next door to the kitchen is a utility room and a cloakroom,
0:09:08 > 0:09:13and across the other side of the house is yet another living space,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16a perfect spot to relax on a sunny summer's afternoon.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19So this home also has a conservatory.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23What a nice surprise. I didn't expect this.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24Yeah. Not at all.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Bit of an added bonus? Yeah. Yeah, added bonus.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Not necessarily something we'd need, but it's nice.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Could be something we want.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35I'm getting a different warmth here.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39OK, well, John's not so sure, but you and I are excited
0:09:39 > 0:09:42about a conservatory. We'll head upstairs.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50And here's your master bedroom.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Smaller than what we're used to.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56Is this smaller than you have at home at the moment?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58Yes. Yeah, it is, definitely.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02The one thing you're both used to is having one bedroom.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Mm. You've got four.
0:10:04 > 0:10:09So if you wanted a dressing room, you've got plenty of space.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13The other three bedrooms include one dual-aspect double,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17next to which is a similar-sized room that shares a common wall.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21Knocking through to create a larger master bedroom is an option.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25There's also a single bedroom and a large family bathroom,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28so there are plenty of options upstairs.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Now let's see what they make of the garden.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34So here's your garden.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Quite a mature garden.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41The total acreage including the footprint of the house is about half an acre.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44You've got the garage there, a little greenhouse,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46a sunken garden
0:10:46 > 0:10:51and plenty of lawn to mow, because you like mowing your lawn, don't you? I do.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56Well, it is price time. Let's see if that puts you in a better mood.
0:10:56 > 0:10:57Who wants to go first?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00Go ahead. Apparently me.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04I think it's around 650,000. OK.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07I was going to go lower, about 570.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Interesting from both of you.
0:11:11 > 0:11:17Current asking price - ?675,000.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21So ?125,000 under your top budget,
0:11:21 > 0:11:27so lots of flexibility there, but a lot of house for that price.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31Because Dorset, Hampshire, all these counties are expensive.
0:11:33 > 0:11:38A rather muted response, considering there's so much house for the price.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59All right, let's keep going, more to show you.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15It's hard to believe that thousands of years ago, Dorset was almost entirely forest,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19when today less than 10% of the county is woodland.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23One local resident, who has a vested interest in the regeneration
0:12:23 > 0:12:25and preservation of the county's woodland
0:12:25 > 0:12:30is eminent British furniture designer John Makepeace.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32John, great to meet you. Hello, Nicki.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36As a furniture designer, your passion is wood, isn't it?
0:12:36 > 0:12:38It is. I can't really explain it.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41It's just a material with which I have an empathy.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44It's responsive,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48it's something which I can work without very expensive equipment,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51I can produce individual things in it.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54It's a material right for furniture.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01Considered the father of modern British furniture,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05John favours indigenous and sustainable wood in his designs.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08John doesn't make the furniture himself,
0:13:08 > 0:13:13but employs local craftsmen to translate his drawings into physical forms.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17Organic shapes and curves are a signature of his designs,
0:13:17 > 0:13:22and inside his 16th-century house, the wood that is so carefully seasoned and crafted
0:13:22 > 0:13:26sits in pride of place with a natural elegance.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29And is this your dining table? It is.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33And do you use this as a family? Surely, surely, yes.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36What it is, is one tree of ash. Yes.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40And it's got this wonderful marking in here, the ripple,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44which is a feature of trees that grow in wavy grain
0:13:44 > 0:13:46and it produces this light and shade.
0:13:46 > 0:13:53John's strong belief in the importance of native trees led him to purchase Hooke Forest,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56a 350-acre of sustainable woodland,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59now used for research and development,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02ensuring the forests of Dorset remain useful
0:14:02 > 0:14:06and stay intact for future generations.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08But for now, it's back to the house hunt.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:14:13 > 0:14:16our second property lies in the outskirts
0:14:16 > 0:14:18of the village of Thorncombe.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21With an active community, an impressive 19th-century church
0:14:21 > 0:14:24and an agricultural heritage, Thorncombe
0:14:24 > 0:14:27offers a typical slice of Dorset rural living.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Property number two sits far enough outside the village
0:14:31 > 0:14:33to deliver that rural setting for John.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Surrounded by a generous plot of land,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39the house dates back to the 19th century,
0:14:39 > 0:14:44and was originally thought to be a flax worker's cottage, typical of the area.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47So we've travelled from east to west Dorset.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49We're on the Somerset border now,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52and here is your second property.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54What do you think?
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Impressed. Yes? It's like something out of a storybook.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03It's very attractive, isn't it? Mm. John? Very solid, yeah.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Nice shape, interesting.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09Shall we step inside? Perfect. Come on.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13As usual, John's keeping his cards close to his chest.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21So, step inside, up the stairs.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Because this part, this is the old worker's cottage.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28Mm. The oldest part of the property.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Greeted by a huge inglenook.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Yes, I love that.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37It's interesting, it's possibly smaller than the other place,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40and yet it feels better.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44You get that instant feeling as you come through the door? Yeah.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47So this room flows into the study next door.
0:15:47 > 0:15:53It's quite a large area and I know that's important for both of you for the business.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55OK, let's keep going.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Well, John seems to be coming round.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Let's see what they think of the kitchen.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05So, I know we're after a large kitchen.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Yes. How's this for size? This is spectacular.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13We could cook in here and be in the same room, not yelling through a wall.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16It's social, isn't it, the way it's set out?
0:16:16 > 0:16:20So you wouldn't change a lot in this room?
0:16:20 > 0:16:25No, maybe just the furniture. Yes, and how we use it. Yeah.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Put your own mark on it. Mm.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35Like the first property, the kitchen has a utility room, adjacent to which is a cloakroom.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38And upstairs there are three bedrooms to choose from.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46I think this could make a fantastic master bedroom.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50The exposed beams just add so much to the room.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Even the wall, it's not a straight wall.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57The chimney's underneath us, the inglenook.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00So you can see that's the flue going up.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05What do you think, John? Nice shape. Window onto the road. Not sure about that.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10The only good thing is, there's hardly any traffic. That's the good news.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15This room may overlook the country lane, but it has a spacious en-suite,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18and there's another option for a master bedroom.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Or you could use this bedroom as your master,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26as it has a bathroom next door.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30Wonderful. This is a really big room as well, and almost
0:17:30 > 0:17:31brighter.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Yes, well, it's triple aspect,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38and you've got similar views.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Next door, the second bathroom also has generous proportions,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44as does the third bedroom.
0:17:44 > 0:17:50Outside, there's a garage with space for a workshop, which is important to John.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55In the last property, Christina said she'd like lots of nooks and crannies to explore.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59This property offers that and a whole lot more.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08I wanted to bring you up here so that you could really appreciate the property.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13It's beautiful. The landscape just rolls forever, doesn't it?
0:18:13 > 0:18:15This is all yours.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18There's a vegetable patch which comes with the property,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21and you've got three outbuildings as well.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24One's just been made into a stable block, you've got the barn,
0:18:24 > 0:18:26and there's planning permission
0:18:26 > 0:18:32to take that down and build, on the same footprint, another stable block, should you want to.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34So, time to guess the price.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38Oh, I'd say higher end of our budget.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41Eight. OK, 800,000 for you.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43John?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Hm, interesting.
0:18:46 > 0:18:47815.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51815? So you're both quite close, really, aren't you?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56?750,000. HE LAUGHS
0:18:56 > 0:18:5950,000 under your budget, and
0:18:59 > 0:19:02it only has just gone on the market. Right.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Wow!
0:19:21 > 0:19:23John, any feedback?
0:19:23 > 0:19:26I reserve judgment. I reserve the right to not commit.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Lots to think about.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38As the sun sets over the Dorset fields,
0:19:38 > 0:19:43John and Christina have plenty to consider after their first day of house hunting.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Well, it's day two.
0:19:51 > 0:19:55Yesterday didn't go quite as well as I hoped it would.
0:19:55 > 0:20:01Now, I seem to have a supporter in Christina, but John wasn't bowled over at all.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06So today we're going to show them our third property, the mystery house.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Like John, I'm not going to give too much away,
0:20:09 > 0:20:10but I will say this -
0:20:10 > 0:20:13character and quirkiness they've asked for,
0:20:13 > 0:20:17and that's exactly what we're going to show them.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Our mystery property lies in the village of Axmouth,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24over the border in east Devon.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Taking its name from its position at the mouth of the River Axe,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31the 500 residents enjoy views stretching out over the estuary,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35past an impressive 15th-century church tower.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38The village is laden with charming thatched cottages,
0:20:38 > 0:20:42but our very attached mystery property has a more regal air.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48So, third and final property. It is our mystery house.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Extremely different from the others that we've shown you.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55What do you think? Beautiful, classic.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57Surprised? Yeah, very surprised, yeah.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02Built in 1878, it was one family's home, can you believe?
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Later on it became a school,
0:21:03 > 0:21:08and then it's been renovated into five amazing homes.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Wow. Nice. Yeah.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11Fantastic. Well, let's start the tour,
0:21:11 > 0:21:16because this is a house like I've never seen before. Come on.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Architecturally, the property is fascinating.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23The exterior is a mishmash of architectural styles,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25from Tudor to Jacobean.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Once inside, the living areas can be found on the first floor.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32And here is your kitchen.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Magnificent. It is.
0:21:35 > 0:21:36JOHN LAUGHS
0:21:36 > 0:21:41The windows, the big working area.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Originally, it was the butler's bedroom.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Wow. Big bedroom. So it didn't look like this.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Beautiful.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53It's the first one that's made me think I could move in.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Oh, yeah. Good, well, let's continue.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Mm. Great.
0:22:00 > 0:22:06John's positivity is a refreshing surprise, and I'm sure the next room won't disappoint.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11And this is your drawing room.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13Wow!
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Gosh. Oh! Oh!
0:22:17 > 0:22:18JOHN LAUGHS
0:22:18 > 0:22:22A little bit of a gem, isn't it? It is, isn't it? The size of it.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26So the panelling around, that is the original Victorian panelling.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31The most amazing fireplace is actually Georgian.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35It's Italian marble, so it's a lot older than this property.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Oh, it's just spectacular.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40I know I keep using that word, but...
0:22:41 > 0:22:46And you know what? There's even more to discover with this home. Let's proceed.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53I think the level of finish and the room dimensions are really hitting the mark so far.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56Laid out over the second and third floors,
0:22:56 > 0:22:59the four bedrooms don't disappoint either.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05And here you have a rather palatial master bedroom.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Wow. Wow.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Oh, look at the ceiling and the windows!
0:23:12 > 0:23:14It's pretty ornate, isn't it? Oh!
0:23:14 > 0:23:19It continues the theme, doesn't it? It does. The level of decor and the quality.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22And the doors are all original, the panelling.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27This is how it would have looked. Downstairs it's been painted on.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30And the windows, it's fantastic, isn't it?
0:23:30 > 0:23:33That leaded glass is just beautiful.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Wow.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36Follow me.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43The other bedroom is equally regal and comes with an en-suite.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47There's also a large family bathroom on this floor.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50On the top floor, there's still more to come,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54with yet another bathroom, bedroom number three
0:23:54 > 0:23:58and the final room, which could be the perfect work hideaway.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03This is the fourth bedroom. I think it makes a fantastic study/office.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05It's beautiful. Look at the view.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06Mm. Lovely.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09And I can see two desks, plenty of space.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11You could work side by side.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Or I could just go to the beach while he's working. Yeah.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20Why don't we head back downstairs and you can look at the outside again? Perfect.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22And think how much it's all worth. Mm.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24John, do you want to lead the way?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Outside, the communal grounds are made up of woodland and pasture,
0:24:31 > 0:24:34so the only thing left to discuss is the price.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42So, that's the grand tour over, So, guess the price.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I think it's around ?850,000.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47OK. Christina?
0:24:47 > 0:24:51I'm close to that. I'd say 875.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57You're ?100,000 over.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01The asking price is ?775,000,
0:25:01 > 0:25:07and that includes all the furniture and fittings, should you want them.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Wow!
0:25:09 > 0:25:11Wow. Yeah.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15That makes quite a difference, doesn't it? Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Well, it looks like the mystery house has done it again.
0:25:34 > 0:25:39And for the first time on this tour I really think we've shown John
0:25:39 > 0:25:41something he would consider buying.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45I think you need to discuss and collect your thoughts. Come on.
0:25:55 > 0:26:01Our house hunters have seen everything we had to show them in this beautiful part of Britain.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05But were any of the properties right for them? Let's find out.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Well, Christina and John, from the bustle of London to the tranquillity of Dorset,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21we've certainly seen this county. Have you enjoyed it?
0:26:21 > 0:26:26Now the first property we saw, we went to the Hampshire border
0:26:26 > 0:26:31and that four-bedroom house, very attractive from the outside.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36It just didn't have that warm feel, like it could be home
0:26:36 > 0:26:39We moved on to the second property in the west of Dorset,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43just on the Somerset border this time. Beautiful.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47First impressions for both of you I thought were quite good.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52John, you're quite difficult to read, but I think you warmed up as we went round.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54It just seemed to flow better.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58So it gave me a better impression of the house, even though it was narrow and thin.
0:26:58 > 0:27:03I think we did better with our mystery house.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06It was absolutely perfect.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09There isn't anything that I could fault.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13The inside of the property, it was just spectacular.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17I could picture both of us there.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19It was literally like picking up our existing place
0:27:19 > 0:27:22and moving it to the sea.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25I think we need more space, away from people.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28You want that isolation. I think we do.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31So what is the next step for you both?
0:27:31 > 0:27:32Is Dorset the county?
0:27:32 > 0:27:37We like Dorset and we haven't really explored this area a lot.
0:27:37 > 0:27:42Well, hopefully we've helped you narrow the search to Dorset
0:27:42 > 0:27:46and showed you some houses you might not have considered. You definitely did.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50We wish you all the best and I hope you make the move soon.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Thanks very much.
0:27:59 > 0:28:06It seems John and Christina really crave the rural lifestyle without any close neighbours.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Now although we didn't manage to find them their perfect property,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12I hope we've helped on their journey
0:28:12 > 0:28:14to find their dream home.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Join us again next time. Bye-bye.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20If you'd like to escape to the country
0:28:20 > 0:28:26in Wales, Scotland, N Ireland or England and need our help,
0:28:26 > 0:28:28please apply online at -
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd