0:00:02 > 0:00:05I'm in a county that was once home to some of the most powerful ancient Britons,
0:00:05 > 0:00:10where, 2,000 years ago, they had a ritual that has recently been re-established.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12What am I doing inside this towering fellow?
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Find out in a moment on Escape to the Country.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Put those matches down!
0:00:28 > 0:00:33'Today I'll be helping a couple find their perfect home in the country.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37'We'll be opening the door into a whole new man's world.'
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Welcome to Tony's land.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42'Does it seal the deal?'
0:00:42 > 0:00:44- So when do we move? - THEY LAUGH
0:00:44 > 0:00:47And I'll be trying to enchant them with our mystery house.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Today we're in Hampshire which was once home to one of
0:00:53 > 0:00:57the most powerful and influential Celtic tribes, the Atrebates.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00But today is home to this fantastic wicker man who is
0:01:00 > 0:01:04going to be burned to celebrate the ancient pagan festival of Beltane.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Originally this was a fertility ritual to guarantee the new crops,
0:01:07 > 0:01:12but it's been recently revived by neopagans and archaeologists.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16But it's not the only thing about this amazing county to spark your interest.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Hampshire is a solid bet for seeking out unspoilt countryside,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24with the likes of Dorset and Wiltshire amongst its neighbours
0:01:24 > 0:01:28and around a third of the county encompassed by two of Britain's
0:01:28 > 0:01:32newest National Parks - the New Forest and the South Downs.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36With its border also spanning the Solent coastline, it harbours
0:01:36 > 0:01:41an historic link to the sea, stretching back before Nelson's Trafalgar victory.
0:01:43 > 0:01:48The walls of the Roman fort, Portchester Castle, are some of the best preserved in Europe.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53Hampshire also made up part of the Saxon kingdom of Wessex,
0:01:53 > 0:01:58with King Alfred making the county town of Winchester his royal seat.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Indeed, Hampshire is home to some majestic properties,
0:02:02 > 0:02:07from fine Georgian detached houses to beautiful thatched cottages,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10providing a rich mix of rural retreats to choose from.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Hampshire has the wilderness of the New Forest and a coastline studded
0:02:18 > 0:02:21with marinas, but it also has excellent links up to London
0:02:21 > 0:02:24which probably explains why a detached house here
0:02:24 > 0:02:26costs 20% more than the national average.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29However, there are little pockets of price difference.
0:02:29 > 0:02:33For example, the M3 corridor in the east of the county,
0:02:33 > 0:02:36a detached house there is about £79,000 more expensive
0:02:36 > 0:02:40than those on the west with the borders of Dorset.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45However, wherever you are and whatever price, the properties are beautiful.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48If you have £1.5 million at your disposal, you could
0:02:48 > 0:02:53splash out on this handsome four-bedroomed property in Ringwood,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55with spacious, comfortable reception rooms
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and a sleek kitchen/diner extension.
0:02:58 > 0:03:04The one-acre grounds house a pool and it's exclusively located within the New Forest National Park.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09If you fancy some colour in your life, how about this pretty pink
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Georgian house in the wonderfully named village of Over Wallop?
0:03:13 > 0:03:16For £650,000, you'll get three reception rooms,
0:03:16 > 0:03:22country kitchen, four bedrooms and a low maintenance garden to relax in.
0:03:24 > 0:03:30On the market at £350,000, this two-bedroomed lodge in North Wanborough takes on a surprising
0:03:30 > 0:03:34form for a new new-build, with its octagonal glass-roofed living room,
0:03:34 > 0:03:39and it has a light airy feel throughout the second reception room and contemporary kitchen.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Hampshire has enough properties to fire up the enthusiasm
0:03:45 > 0:03:49of any buyer, and our couple this week certainly know all about fires.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Recently retired fireman, Tony, and his wife Rosemary
0:03:54 > 0:03:57moved to their three-bedroomed house in Pinner, Middlesex
0:03:57 > 0:04:02from the country 14 years ago, which was all part of their long-term vision.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06The plan always was to move into London, let me finish
0:04:06 > 0:04:09my Fire Service career and then move out of London.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14Since I retired fully in June last year, that's really the catalyst for it.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19Our main reason for moving to the country is we both absolutely adore walking.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24Whenever we go anywhere, we always take our walking boots and our walking poles, and we just
0:04:24 > 0:04:31disappear somewhere, anywhere for the day with our backpacks on our back and just take in the environment,
0:04:31 > 0:04:35everything that's going on, the peace, the quiet.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40And to have a view, to have open skies, to be able to see the stars at night, and breathe fresh air...
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- It would be lovely.- Yeah.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47Now they're free from work ties, where do they see themselves living?
0:04:47 > 0:04:49The area we'd like to move to is Hampshire.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54It's a very beautiful county and to be able to live down there would be lovely.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Also to be close to our sons.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01- One son is in Dorset. - Also we'd be closer to my family in Devon and Cornwall
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and still fairly close to your family in Newbury, Berkshire area.
0:05:04 > 0:05:10And so we'll be able to visit them and hopefully they'll all be able to come and visit us.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13What kind of country property is going to light their fire?
0:05:13 > 0:05:16- We definitely want a warm, airy house.- A lovely kitchen.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21If I could have a double range, that would be my absolute dream.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25When people come to stay, it would be really useful to have more space.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27I definitely want three bedrooms.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30And they both need room for their own pursuits.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32This is the room that I do my sewing in.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35In our next property I would love a much bigger room.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38A purpose room for my sewing would be fantastic.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42This is my workshop at the moment. Not much space.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47I can do a little bit of sanding and drilling, but that's about it. I really need a bigger workshop.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51They currently have a generous garden, divided into two sections,
0:05:51 > 0:05:57- but it's not enough for Rosemary's ambition.- With our next property, I'd love a big productive garden.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00I'm desperate to grow far more vegetables than I do at the moment.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05It seems like an achievable wish list, but what will start the alarm bells ringing?
0:06:05 > 0:06:09The biggest no-no for me, although they're very pretty.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10is a thatched property.
0:06:10 > 0:06:17I'm not over-keen on beams or very low ceilings, and anything that you feel heavy and dark.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21They're thinking about putting their house on the market, so we've asked
0:06:21 > 0:06:25a local estate agent to come and value their property.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29This is an excellent residential location with good local schooling nearby.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31In my opinion this property is worth £500,000.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36So with that in mind, how much do they have to spend?
0:06:36 > 0:06:41Our budget for the next property is up to £550,000.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47So our couple are looking for a bright and airy property here in Hampshire.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51Rosemary wants a great big, challenging garden project
0:06:51 > 0:06:53and Tony would be happy with a great big workshop.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56They've got £550,000 to spend which is a healthy budget,
0:06:56 > 0:07:01even here in Hampshire, but what really excites me about this
0:07:01 > 0:07:07is helping this couple who have lived in suburbia for 14 years escape BACK to the country.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11As Tony and Rosemary have family in the south-west, it makes sense
0:07:11 > 0:07:15to base our property search in rural spots around West Hampshire.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18I'll be showing them a real assortment of houses
0:07:18 > 0:07:21and they will have to guess the price before I reveal it to them.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25And I'll be going on a charm offensive with our mystery property.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- Welcome to Hampshire.- Thank you.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- Thank you.- Welcome back to the countryside because it was 14 years ago you left the country?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Yes, it was, we moved into London for my career and left
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Berkshire. We were living on the outskirts of Reading.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42You've decided to sell your house, is that right?
0:07:42 > 0:07:47Yes, our house went on the market last week so we've started the ball rolling.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Does that mean we have a little bit more money to play with?
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Yes, we said originally 550.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56We'd now like to extend that to £600,000, but that's the top end.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- £600,000?- Yup. - And that's got to be perfect.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01- Perfect.- Perfect, yes.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- The pressure's on then.- I know!
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Now, in terms of the house, you're a massively keen gardener, I know.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- Very keen. - But land is expensive in Hampshire.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15You haven't chosen the cheapest county although it is very beautiful, as you can see.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17How big are we talking - acres?
0:08:17 > 0:08:20An acre would be manageable without being too much.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- And you want a workshop?- I do, yes.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26So somewhere either in the garden or the garage or something like that.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- That's important.- Well, the house is not going to find itself
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- so we should hit the Hampshire road. - Lovely. Look forward to it.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36With a top budget of £600,000,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40Tony and Rosemary want their dream house in the country to include...
0:08:59 > 0:09:02What do you remember most about when you lived in the countryside?
0:09:02 > 0:09:08- What is it that you've missed all these years in London? - Big skies.- Big skies.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10I've really missed my big garden.
0:09:10 > 0:09:16It was very quiet, very rural and you could hear the birds singing.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21So yeah, I think that's probably what I've missed more than anything.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27We're starting our house search in the village of North Boarhunt, a quiet rural location,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31but only a couple of miles away from the pretty market town of Wickham,
0:09:31 > 0:09:35with an array of independent shops and lovely Georgian buildings gracing its streets.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39And we're making a grand entrance with our first house.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- So step on into the drive.- Gosh.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45This is pretty.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46I think it looks lovely.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- I love the front door.- It is wide.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54It was originally two little cottages. This right-hand two-thirds is the original building
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and this is an 80s extension, although you would never guess.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- That's fitted in very well, hasn't it?- Shall we look inside?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- Love to.- Yes.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06From its humble late 19th century origins, this property has been
0:10:06 > 0:10:10transformed into a very large house, which I think will surprise them.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Come on in.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Let's go straight in here actually. This is the front sitting room.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- This is nice.- Oh, a real fire.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- That's lovely.- So this is actually in the newer part of the house.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25It's quite a nice size.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31Possibly a bit smaller than what we've got, but that doesn't mean to say that it's not big enough.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Is it your style? - No.- No. But you can see
0:10:34 > 0:10:37it's a very easy room to change the way you would want it.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40You might spend more of your time through here.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Down the hallway brings us to the L-shaped kitchen/diner.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48That's a nice room. It's nice and long, isn't it?
0:10:48 > 0:10:52What do you think? Can you imagine yourself using this space?
0:10:52 > 0:10:56- I can see...- It's a useful space. - Entertaining. Dining.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- But you want to see the kitchen, don't you?- Yes, please.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05That's a nice space. Nice and light.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08It really works, this L-shaped space.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- And is that a double range? - A double range.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15So it's oil central heating here, as it often is in the country.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18That's a gas bottle that fires the range.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22So this is the main room downstairs. What do you think?
0:11:22 > 0:11:25It's more open-plan than I think we're used to.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28But it looks lovely. It looks very nice.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33If it's separate rooms they're after, this house has them too.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36You've also got this.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- A big sizable room which is being used as a study at the moment. - Definitely.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- You would love this as a study. Look at all those book shelves. - I could fill those quite easily.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49- You'd be in your element, wouldn't you?- A sewing room?- Yes.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52- It is quite light for that. - It is a lovely, light room.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57You've got this space here which takes you outside, where we'll go in a minute, but you've got a big
0:11:57 > 0:12:03utility room and a downstairs loo in this extension, so that's where all your washing and everything is done.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- Fantastic. - It's actually quite a big property.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'So far, this house seems to be delivering.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'Let's see if the upstairs space measures up.'
0:12:11 > 0:12:16The Tardis-like qualities of this house continue upstairs because there are five bedrooms.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21Three of the rooms are doubles. Two large enough to have a desk in, so their two sons
0:12:21 > 0:12:24won't have to fight over where they're sleeping when they stay.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27There is also a single, currently used as a dressing room,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30and a separate family bathroom.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Not that Rosemary and Tony would use it,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36as they have a suite all to themselves.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37This is the master.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39That's a nice room, isn't it?
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- A nice size.- It is a nice size.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Lovely deep window sill that you can sit and look at the amazing view.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48It's certainly a lovely view out the front.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52And it's got a spectacular en-suite.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- A double shower.- All right.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56The shower's nice.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59It's a lovely bathroom. It's perfect to have next to the bedroom.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03I love the fact that there's the shower here.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- It's a very big en-suite.- Yes.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08'And the rooms keep on unfolding up in the attic space
0:13:08 > 0:13:12'which could be a perfect fit for Rosemary's sewing room.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15'The beauty of this house is its considerable size
0:13:15 > 0:13:20'and the fact they can tailor these flexible living spaces to suit their own requirements.
0:13:20 > 0:13:26'And there's yet another room to explore outside which I hope will thrill Tony.'
0:13:26 > 0:13:27Ta-da!
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- The workshop.- Ah!
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- The workshop.- Ready and waiting.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Is it big enough?- I have to try and visualise an empty room.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Compared to what we have at the moment, it is wider.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Compared to what I've got, it's lovely. 100% improvement.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45'Outside, the garden is a descent size with more than
0:13:45 > 0:13:49'enough room for veggies, but will it be enough for Rosemary?'
0:13:51 > 0:13:54At the moment, I can't see it,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58but maybe that's something you actually have to live with and grow,
0:13:58 > 0:14:01and grow...and grow your vegetables.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04The thing about this garden is that it's clearly not,
0:14:04 > 0:14:06you know, it's not a gardener's garden,
0:14:06 > 0:14:10but you've got a huge patio area here which you could landscape.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12You've got all this which is not touched at all.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15You've got very pretty views over a paddock.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17- The views are beautiful.- The horses.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- That's lovely.- Two potting sheds, one here and one here.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23This would be something that you could put your mark on.
0:14:23 > 0:14:27- The thing about Hampshire is there is a premium on land.- Right, yes.
0:14:27 > 0:14:34It will be a bit of an issue. When it comes down to finances, how much do you think this property costs?
0:14:34 > 0:14:37About £535,000.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39Said with great conviction.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42I tend to go a bit more than that. I reckon 550.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46So this might be a bit of a shock,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- but this is on the market for 595. - Right.- Crikey!
0:14:50 > 0:14:55It's been on the market for 12 days and it's already had eight viewings.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57It is a very desirable property.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Lots of people are interested so that's something to bear in mind.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Right.- You have a walk round and think about that.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07When you're done, we'll recollect ourselves out the front and then push on.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11- Lovely.- Thank you.
0:15:11 > 0:15:16It's always heartbreaking when you show them something that is much more expensive,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19but unfortunately Hampshire is an expensive county and if you want
0:15:19 > 0:15:23that huge vegetable garden then something's got to give.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27Maybe the house has to be a little bit smaller.
0:15:27 > 0:15:32The property is under budget at £595,000 and it offers them
0:15:47 > 0:15:50The rooms, I think, they've got potential.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53With regard to the workshop space, certainly compared to
0:15:53 > 0:15:56what I've got now, it's you know a considerable an improvement.
0:15:56 > 0:16:01The patio area's nice. I can see you doing some of your brickwork.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03- Yes.- Changing the walls there.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07And nice and sunny. It will obviously get a good lot of the sun throughout the day.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11The price of the property did hit me like a tonne of bricks.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14I was quite surprised. There was a lot of room.
0:16:14 > 0:16:21There was a lot of space and possibly I just hadn't appreciated how much the prices in Hampshire are.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Hello.- Hello. - You're smiling, that's good.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- Yes.- Not too disheartened.- No. - Definitely not.- Let's go.
0:16:39 > 0:16:43Along with stunning rural landscape, Hampshire's heritage also looks to the sea.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Its strong naval connections and fishing trade brought prosperity
0:16:47 > 0:16:51to many of its coastal towns, of which Emsworth is a prime example.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Earlier in the week, Tony and Rosemary met John Tweddell, vice-chairman
0:16:58 > 0:17:01of the Emsworth Maritime and Historical Trust, to find out more.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05So Emsworth was very much a town of two parts.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10You had the working town where the fishermen lived, and that's in South Street, and you had the posh part.
0:17:10 > 0:17:16Now the Royal Navy at Portsmouth is not far away, about seven miles, and so often admirals,
0:17:16 > 0:17:21when they retired, came out of Portsmouth and got to the first nice place and settled down.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25From the 18th century, Emsworth's economy flourished because of milling,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29providing the navy with flour and biscuits during the Napoleonic wars.
0:17:29 > 0:17:35And from this time another local delicacy was being harvested from its waters.
0:17:35 > 0:17:41So here we are in the heart of Emsworth, the town quay, and this is really where Emsworth grew up.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44The fishing and oyster dredging industries.
0:17:44 > 0:17:50In 1788 about £1,500 worth of oysters were brought ashore.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55In modern day money, about £150,000. But by the middle of the 19th Century,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59nine million oysters a year were coming out of Emsworth.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04By 1878, Emsworth's oyster fishing fleet was made up of some 50 vessels
0:18:04 > 0:18:07and this restored boat, named Terror,
0:18:07 > 0:18:12is a living reminder of how trade boomed under the Victorians.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16However, the industry sank suddenly at the turn of the century
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and Emsworth's oysters were struck off the menu.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24Alas, on a fateful day in 1902, at a mayoral banquet in Winchester,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27a number of people were taken ill with typhoid.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Three of them died, including the Dean of Winchester.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Straightaway, being an important man, there was an inquiry.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39The blame was put on Emsworth oysters and the industry was closed down.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44So overnight half of the population of Emsworth, that's the people in the boat building yards,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46the oyster fleet itself, lost their jobs
0:18:46 > 0:18:50and suddenly the whole oyster fleet was left to rot in the mud.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53The tide may have turned against the fortunes of Emsworth,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57but today it remains a wonderful example of a fishing port
0:18:57 > 0:19:02that cultivated a grand reputation far beyond its modest size.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14We continue our property search in the attractive village of Hawkley,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18with its own pub and a mock Norman church built in Victorian times.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21There is a range of period properties scattered about
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and on the outskirts of the village is where we find this house.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Originally a stone barn with definite green finger potential for Rosemary.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Wow.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- Come on in.- This looks pretty.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Oh, this looks interesting.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- Oh.- Rosemary?- Yes.- You see what the theme of this one might be.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- The garden looks beautiful.- I think this has got lots to offer you.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47What do you think from the outside?
0:19:47 > 0:19:50- I think it looks lovely.- I like the brick. I do like the brick.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- Shall we go in?- Oh, yes, definitely.
0:19:52 > 0:19:58'That sounds like a positive first impression for the garden and the house,
0:19:58 > 0:20:02'which was converted into a dwelling in the 1950s and extended in the 1980s,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05'with a light interior that I hope they'll warm to.'
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Let's go straight into the sitting room.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Oh, not too many beams. - This is lovely.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14This is the oldest part. This was the original stone barn and everything else
0:20:14 > 0:20:18is built around it so these are token nods towards the old barn.
0:20:18 > 0:20:26Everything else has been beautifully updated. This house is not as big as the last house.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- OK.- Let's have a look at the kitchen. - Lovely.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35This is your realm, Rosemary.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40This is a lovely kitchen. Beautiful, country style kitchen.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I'm just thinking dining table.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Well, as you can see it goes through there into the conservatory
0:20:46 > 0:20:50which we'll look in later, which would make a wonderful dining area.
0:20:50 > 0:20:56But there is planning permission at the moment, for the next three years, to extend out here,
0:20:56 > 0:21:01where that bit of the wall is, all the way back
0:21:01 > 0:21:07to here to take out into a garden room to the side.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13If you felt this was just too small, that, I think would make it a tremendous addition to the house.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15I don't think it's too small.
0:21:15 > 0:21:20It flows beautifully out into the conservatory.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Now, this, I think is a lovely
0:21:24 > 0:21:26space that's not really utilised.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31- The present owner has it as her sitting room. - I bet it's a lovely sun trap.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- Yes, absolutely.- This probably might be what we're looking for
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- to extend the kitchen a little bit.- Yes.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40To be able to dine out here as well.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45Ah-ha, Rosemary seems to be putting on her creative remodelling hat, which is a good sign.
0:21:45 > 0:21:51This converted barn is all on one level with all three bedrooms leading off the long hallway.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55One is currently set-up as a study with doors leading out to the garden.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00There's a light, bright, twin room, so enough space for their sons to stay over.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Next door, there is an impressive family bathroom.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- This is magnificent.- It is, isn't it?
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- Look at that shower.- I was just going to say what a fantastic shower. - It's a Showerama.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16Let's have a little peek in your master bedroom, which is right next door.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20And here is the master bedroom.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- That's a nice size. I like the built-in cupboards.- Lot of storage.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27A nice view when you're lying in bed.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- That leads us nicely out into the garden.- Oh!
0:22:31 > 0:22:32Let's go and have a look at garden.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- You lead.- Thank you.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38'Although this house isn't huge, there is certainly enough space
0:22:38 > 0:22:44'to accommodate the two of them and visiting guests very comfortably, with minimum upkeep.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47'But it is the garden that will be make or break for Rosemary.'
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Step out into the garden.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53This might take a bit of a while to get your eyes
0:22:53 > 0:22:57used to all this, because it is a quite complicated garden.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02It is not your usual flat, long, suburban garden.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07It certainly isn't. I'm just concerned about the steep drop there.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11It is a quarry. It's the quarry from which the building was built.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Oh, really.- So your house is built from your garden.
0:23:14 > 0:23:20Fascinating. I think I'm just thinking health and safety, being a bit paranoid, I suppose.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22It is fenced all the way around.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25It's quite... I imagine people have thought of that before.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Yes. But it is certainly a magnificent garden.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32'This three-quarters of an acre terraced garden is unusual,
0:23:32 > 0:23:37'but the quirky landscaped zones really enhance the setting of the house.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'But let's lift the lid on what could be Tony's secret world.'
0:23:40 > 0:23:44OK. So, Tony, this is your land.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46- Are you ready for this?- I am.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- Oh, wow. - You've got to buy the house now!
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Welcome to Tony's Land!
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- It gets better and better. - Oh, yes.- Oh, wow.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Oh, yes.- Oh, yes.- Yes!
0:24:05 > 0:24:08OK, so when do we move?
0:24:09 > 0:24:12You may not like the garden, Rosemary, but unfortunately...
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- The workshop is lovely. - Oh, it is, yeah.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21'The workshop is a dream come true for Tony, but can Rosemary see potential for the garden?
0:24:21 > 0:24:26'Let's go up on to higher ground to survey all that could be theirs.'
0:24:26 > 0:24:31So, up here, you get, you don't quite get a view of the whole garden from anywhere, because it
0:24:31 > 0:24:34is all wrapped around the house, but you get different aspects.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Beautiful. The view is gorgeous.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38What do you think this property is worth?
0:24:38 > 0:24:42I'm going to go for £525,000.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I'm going to stick with 550.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Again, you are both being optimistic. This is on for 589.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- Oh, right.- It is still quite high in your budget...- Yep.- It is.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58..because of the location and the nature of the property.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- It is expensive.- Yes!
0:25:02 > 0:25:03Here we go again!
0:25:03 > 0:25:10Have a wander around, because there is probably more to talk about and to explore the garden.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- You should head up there. Don't fall down into the quarry!- No.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Gosh, I think that 525 was definitely a vote of no confidence in the garden,
0:25:19 > 0:25:23because this is a beautiful property and this is a stunning garden,
0:25:23 > 0:25:27but it is really interesting, because Rosemary has it in her head what she wants.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31It doesn't matter how beautiful it looks, if it is not what she wants, she doesn't want it.
0:25:31 > 0:25:37That could be a real bone of contention when you're looking at the market, as it is today.
0:25:37 > 0:25:43'However, coming in £11,000 under budget, at £589,000,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46'this converted barn features a bright kitchen diner,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48'with planning consent to be extended,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52'three bedrooms, a superb workshop hideaway for Tony
0:25:52 > 0:25:57'and three-quarters of an acre of garden, in an idyllic rural setting.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01'The workshop scores highly, but is the garden a challenge too far?
0:26:01 > 0:26:03It has got a beautiful feel to it.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07Although it is remote, it doesn't have a remote feeling, somehow.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10The garden is gorgeous,
0:26:10 > 0:26:14- but I just have this concern of this drop here.- Yeah.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18- And the practicalities of looking after it.- That's right, yes.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22In respect of the workshop, I fell in love with that straightaway.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27I can see it being a fantastic workshop. Incredible, yeah, superb. I'm really pleased with that.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30- Are you all done? - Thank you, yes.
0:26:30 > 0:26:31Lots to think about, eh?
0:26:31 > 0:26:35- Oh, definitely. Definitely - Let's go and rest and recuperate.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49'As dusk draws in over the South Coast, it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57'Tony and Rosemary are poised to find a Hampshire country home
0:26:57 > 0:27:01'with his dream workshop and her Garden of Eden.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06'They have been very enthusiastic so far, but shocked by what
0:27:06 > 0:27:08'they can get for their £600,000 budget.'
0:27:08 > 0:27:12The price of the property did hit me like a tonne of bricks.
0:27:12 > 0:27:17'Coming up, Tony is building a nest with a difference, in our mystery house.'
0:27:17 > 0:27:19I can see boot room with a shower.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I can see all sorts of things happening.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24You're taking this to another level. Boot room? Shower?
0:27:24 > 0:27:28'I take a tour of a thatched cottage in the pre-historic style.'
0:27:32 > 0:27:38This house hunting in Hampshire is proving slightly tricky, not least because it is an expensive county
0:27:38 > 0:27:42and what Tony and Rosemary want is difficult to find.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46Particularly the garden. Rosemary's vision of her garden is so personal,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49that it doesn't really match up to anything that's on the market.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53For the mystery house, we're going to take a shot in the dark and show them something
0:27:53 > 0:27:58that's quintessentially Hampshire and hope that that gets their vote.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06Day two - the mystery house. Which, as you know, is always bit of a curve ball.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09What are you hoping it is not going to be?
0:28:09 > 0:28:16A thatched cottage by a stream, right on a main road, next to an airport, you know, that...
0:28:16 > 0:28:17Ah! There is a plane coming!
0:28:19 > 0:28:23'Well, Tony, we can't come to Hampshire and not see thatch,
0:28:23 > 0:28:25'so for our mystery house we're heading to Monkston,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27'an idyllic country village,
0:28:27 > 0:28:32'and if there's any place to convert them to thatch, it will be here.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34'What's more, there is a charming local pub.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38'In the heart of the village is our mystery property, but have no fear,
0:28:38 > 0:28:43'fireman Tony, this roof has been treated with a fire retardant, so it won't be going up in smoke.'
0:28:43 > 0:28:48So we don't have a stream, we don't have a main road but we do have a beautiful thatch.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50It does look very pretty.
0:28:50 > 0:28:52It does. Chocolate-box.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54It wasn't on our wish-list.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58I would be interested to know, have you ever put out a thatch, in your years as a fireman?
0:28:58 > 0:29:00Yes, yes. They are hard work.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03- Once they go up?- Once they go up.
0:29:03 > 0:29:09But it has a lot of historical and a lot of good press around it. It is extremely green.
0:29:09 > 0:29:15It is extremely good insulation, it is self-ventilating, you don't need to ventilate the loft.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18You have netting over the top, to stop birds getting in and weakening it.
0:29:18 > 0:29:24Insurance-wise, this house has negotiated with their insurers that it is the same as any other house.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29- Oh, right, that is interesting. - And they have just had a bit repaired, so it does work.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31That's my sermon about thatch over.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37'This 18th-Century Grade II listed cottage has huge kerb appeal,
0:29:37 > 0:29:41'but will Rosemary be impressed by what lies behind the garden gate?'
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Now, after the avant-garde garden I showed you yesterday,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47this is a much more conventional country cottage garden.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50My question is, is it big enough for you?
0:29:50 > 0:29:51It does look a bit small.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55Although, I see the fruit trees that I'm after.
0:29:55 > 0:30:01- There is, I can see, the potential for a lawn, veg plot.- Yes.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05I can see it would divide quite naturally into that sort of split.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07We will come back here, but let's look inside.
0:30:08 > 0:30:13'After a glimpse of the garden, let's hope the interior will charm the socks off them.'
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Come straight into the kitchen.
0:30:17 > 0:30:22- This is cute.- We are into country cottage dimensions here, so it is not massive.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25It is not your vision of a kitchen?
0:30:25 > 0:30:29No, it's not. I have quite a distinct vision.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34I do like a lot of work surfaces, although I like an island.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- But perhaps with a little more space around it?- Yes.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40I think that's probably what it is.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44'Rosemary may have concerns about the size of the kitchen,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47'but I think the room next door will really speak to them.'
0:30:48 > 0:30:53- This is the first property that we've shown you that has a properly separate dining room.- Oh, wow.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- This is a lovely room. - It is, isn't it?
0:30:56 > 0:31:02- I did say I didn't like beams, but that looks quite authentic.- You said "beams". There's just one!
0:31:02 > 0:31:08I can see this being used for a family or, you know,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11a get-together. And I can hear the room.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13- Chatter?- Yes, yes.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17'For a traditional cottage, it is unexpectedly light
0:31:17 > 0:31:20'and will they get a warm glow in here?'
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Mind the step. Come into the main room, the main sitting room.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27- This is a nice, big room. - A big room, yeah.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Again, I can feel, it is a warm room.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33I can feel it is a room that you would relax in.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37Even though this property is not big, it is much more traditional
0:31:37 > 0:31:42in its distribution of rooms - there is the kitchen and dining room and a relatively big sitting room.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47'And there is a useful room tucked away at the end of the hallway.'
0:31:47 > 0:31:51A nice downstairs cloakroom there. I wanted to show you this little room.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55It is not huge, but it has a separate entrance.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57It takes you out into the back garden.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01So I was thinking, if you had visitors this might be a nice
0:32:01 > 0:32:04room they could stay in, without disturbing you.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Lots of potential. I can see study.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10I can see boot room with a shower. I can see all sorts of things happening.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Wow, you are taking this to another level. Boot room? Shower?
0:32:13 > 0:32:15Forget the guests.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18- They can bunk down in the front room!- That's a much better idea.
0:32:18 > 0:32:25'Happily they don't have to, as there is space for guests upstairs.'
0:32:25 > 0:32:28The house has got three bedrooms.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30- Right.- This is one.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34It's, once again, a very sweet room.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- It's a bed and breakfast room. - It is like a bed and breakfast room.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42- It would work as a guest bedroom, wouldn't it?- Wait until you see the master bedroom.- Ah!
0:32:42 > 0:32:4318 times the size of that!
0:32:45 > 0:32:50'Opposite, there is also a useful smaller bedroom, with a family bathroom next door,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53'but let's explore where they would sleep.'
0:32:53 > 0:32:55This is the master bedroom.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58This is very sweet.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- I keep saying "sweet". Lots of beams. - Lots of beams.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05It does have these windows pierced through, so you get a lot of light.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- It is a charming room. - It is a charming room.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13What is interesting is that through here, they have knocked through into another bedroom,
0:33:13 > 0:33:18there was a fourth bedroom, they have turned it into a dressing area and a master en-suite.
0:33:18 > 0:33:19Let's go and have a look.
0:33:21 > 0:33:26- Look at this.- Ah. - I didn't expect this at all.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Well, that's a nice size.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30So, what's in there?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Have a look.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- Intriguing.- I'm all intrigued.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37Ah!
0:33:37 > 0:33:39Washing machine and tumble drier.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41- That's a very clever arrangement. - Yes. Yeah.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46'Our mystery cottage, on paper, is everything they didn't ask for,
0:33:46 > 0:33:49'but it seems to have wooed them with its charm and clever use of space.
0:33:49 > 0:33:55'Outside is the bare bones of a workshop, where Tony could make his mark.'
0:33:57 > 0:34:02The last house was a hard act to follow, in terms of the work space.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07- Yes. - So what you have is a single garage,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11with all this space at the back, and it hasn't been developed.
0:34:11 > 0:34:18I can see there would be space, if you took that bit down and did a bit to it.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21So again, compared to what I've got now -
0:34:21 > 0:34:23a much better improvement.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28'Time to soak up the natural serenity of the garden and ponder on the price.'
0:34:29 > 0:34:31It really is a charming garden.
0:34:31 > 0:34:36Actually when you come down here, you really get the full charm of it, I think.
0:34:36 > 0:34:38What do you think this property costs?
0:34:38 > 0:34:44Because it is a very attractive thatched cottage in a very popular village and a nice garden.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49I'm going to go for...580.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53I'm going to go slightly lower.
0:34:53 > 0:34:57- As always.- 575,000.
0:34:57 > 0:35:05- Right. Again, rather shockingly, this is on the market for £599,000. - Right, oh, crikey.
0:35:05 > 0:35:11Have a walk around and I think maybe think a little bit about Hampshire and Hampshire prices.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15Just draw some thoughts together and we'll meet out the front.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17OK, thank you.
0:35:17 > 0:35:23'Priced absolutely at the top of their budget, at £599,000,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26'our chocolate-box mystery cottage would offer them
0:35:26 > 0:35:28'a kitchen and separate dining room,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31'three bedrooms, with a master en-suite,
0:35:31 > 0:35:33'a workshop space, which Tony could develop,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36'a cottage garden, with established fruit trees -
0:35:36 > 0:35:40'all set in a desirable village location.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43'I love their positive approach to our mystery property,
0:35:43 > 0:35:46'but will the workshop and garden give them enough at that price?'
0:35:46 > 0:35:51We have normally associated thatched property with dark, dingy small rooms.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56I was very pleasantly surprised with this property, especially the dining room.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01I could see us enjoying that room. I'm really pleased that they have shown us a thatched cottage.
0:36:01 > 0:36:06Never viewed one before and I certainly wouldn't discount one in the future.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10The rooms were very sweet and quaint and there were lots of beams everywhere.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14- It may be small, but it is a very tranquil garden. Hello!- Hello.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17Are you all finished? The mystery house is over.
0:36:17 > 0:36:18It is time to reflect.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Lovely.
0:36:27 > 0:36:32'Hampshire's landscape still bears the hallmarks of its rich history, from William the Conqueror
0:36:32 > 0:36:38'founding the first royal forest in the 11th century, to Winchester being named England's first capital.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43'But on Hampshire's chalk slopes, this ambitious archaeological site
0:36:43 > 0:36:47'has recreated the pre-historic life of Iron Age Britain.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50'I'm meeting Maureen Page from Butser Ancient Farm
0:36:50 > 0:36:56'who can shed some light on how our ancestors lived 2,000 years ago.'
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Maureen, talk me through what exactly we are seeing here.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03It looks very impressive, but, you know, I don't know Iron Age from my elbow.
0:37:03 > 0:37:09This is an Iron Age reconstructed site and the site was set-up to test archaeological theories.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11They are all copies of houses that people lived in.
0:37:11 > 0:37:18Until you can practically try it out, then you have no real evidence that that was how they could have done it.
0:37:18 > 0:37:23What we have done here is choose houses where there has been a considerable amount of evidence
0:37:23 > 0:37:25from the archaeology. We used that to build the houses.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29'Among the Iron Age roundhouses here is the reconstruction of one
0:37:29 > 0:37:33'of the largest found in Britain, with a diameter of over 50 feet.'
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Wow, it is really a roundhouse.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39- It is definitely round. - How do we know this is accurate?
0:37:39 > 0:37:44From the archaeological evidence. So this house is a copy of a house that was excavated at
0:37:44 > 0:37:47a place called Little Woodbury, on the outskirts of Salisbury.
0:37:47 > 0:37:52That is interesting, because we have the fire going here and it is quite smoky. There is no chimney.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55There is no hole. I hope you can't see any holes up there!
0:37:55 > 0:37:58We don't believe there were any holes in the roof.
0:37:58 > 0:38:02The smoke will gradually trickle out through the thatch. So it is really important.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05Smoke is a preservative. It preserves the roof.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08It preserve the thatch, but it stops any insects living in it.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11If there aren't any insects living there, birds won't come
0:38:11 > 0:38:13pull the thatch apart to eat the insects.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15They know there won't be any insects.
0:38:15 > 0:38:21'Life in Iron Age Britain was first documented by the Romans, who not only recorded what
0:38:21 > 0:38:24'Britons' homes looked like and the farming communities they lived in,
0:38:24 > 0:38:29'but also their religious rituals, including the pagan summer festival of Belltaine,
0:38:29 > 0:38:34'with its notorious effigy, described by the most famous Roman of all.'
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Julius Caesar talks about it.
0:38:36 > 0:38:44Yes, in his writings he wrote that Iron Age Britons built big men like this out of sticks and filled them
0:38:44 > 0:38:49with people and animals and burned them alive as a sacrifice to their gods to ensure a good harvest.
0:38:49 > 0:38:53- Wow, so proper Wicker Man stuff. - Yes, we don't do the burning people alive.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55But it is built in the big hoolie.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58For us here, it is. Just because the weather is so lovely
0:38:58 > 0:39:03and this offers us an opportunity to attract lots of people to the site, so they can see what were doing.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- And burn a big man! - And burn a big man.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08'The site has fired my imagination of what it would have been like
0:39:08 > 0:39:12'to live in this very early era of British civilisation.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21'Now that Tony and Rosemary's property search is at an end,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24'they have a moment to reflect on what we've shown them.'
0:39:26 > 0:39:31It will be interesting to see whether our thatched mystery house experiment paid dividends.
0:39:31 > 0:39:32Let's go and find out.
0:39:39 > 0:39:44Now, so it has been a couple of powerful days in Hampshire, so if
0:39:44 > 0:39:47you can spin back your mind to the very first property we looked at.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51- What are your thoughts about that now?- Very, very pretty.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54- Inside there was a lot of space. - Quite versatile, as well.
0:39:54 > 0:39:55Very versatile.
0:39:55 > 0:40:00The garden for me was a little bit small and although you quite liked
0:40:00 > 0:40:04the workshop, it probably wasn't as big as you would have liked.
0:40:04 > 0:40:10- The second house had a much bigger garden and a lovely workshop.- Yes.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12Let's talk about that one.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17I was taken with the location. I thought it was absolutely beautiful.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19There probably wasn't enough room for us.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23I would have preferred a bigger kitchen.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26The garden, for me, I think would have challenged my muscles.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- It would have been fine for you, I think.- It was.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31It was a very interesting garden.
0:40:31 > 0:40:36I was surprised I liked it as much as I did and the workshop
0:40:36 > 0:40:40just sold it. I mean, you know, if that's what I was buying, then...
0:40:40 > 0:40:42You loved it, didn't you? He really loved it.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46It has really shown me what I know I want.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49I know now that I want something that sort of size.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54What about the mystery house, because this was, sort of, a curve ball?
0:40:54 > 0:40:56We have never visited a thatched property before.
0:40:56 > 0:41:01We have always discounted them. If it is thatch, we're not going to go and look at it.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05I think now having done that once, we won't discount a property just because it is thatch.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09The fact that you wanted a much bigger workshop
0:41:09 > 0:41:15and the garden, for me, it was just a little bit too small, although very pretty.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18It wasn't quite what I had in mind.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23One of the things I've noticed is you have had, all the way through, this incredibly specific idea
0:41:23 > 0:41:27of what you want your garden and, I have to say, your kitchen, to look like.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32Do you think that might get in the way of actually finding the property that you want?
0:41:32 > 0:41:35I think I'm going to have to be a little bit more open
0:41:35 > 0:41:39on the garden, but I still would prefer a level garden.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41I'm just thinking of the next ten years.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44The prices haven't driven you away from Hampshire?
0:41:44 > 0:41:51They haven't driven us away, but it has just highlighted that it is more expensive than we anticipated.
0:41:51 > 0:41:56And if this is where we want to move, we've just got to bite the bullet and go for it.
0:41:56 > 0:42:02Looking into all three properties, is there anyone that stands out as a favourite?
0:42:02 > 0:42:03For me, obviously, the quarry house.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06For me, also, the quarry house.
0:42:06 > 0:42:12- What happens next? It was your favourite, but will you put an offer on?- No.
0:42:12 > 0:42:18I don't think we will. I think the accommodation for us probably wasn't what we're looking for.
0:42:18 > 0:42:23No. I would see it very difficult to extend sufficiently
0:42:23 > 0:42:28the property to provide us with what we would need.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30So what does happen next?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Well, I think lots more trips away to look at properties.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37I hope we've given you not too bumpy a start in the Hampshire
0:42:37 > 0:42:41house market and wherever you end up buying, I wish you all the best and enjoy your garden.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43- Enjoy your workshop. - Thank you.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55It is not the first time that a couple have come a cropper on Hampshire property prices,
0:42:55 > 0:42:59but I am convinced that, with their clear vision of what exactly they want,
0:42:59 > 0:43:02they will find their dream property soon enough.
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