0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to a truly international episode
0:00:04 > 0:00:08of Escape To The Country, because today we're in Japan.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Now, this might look like a cute little English pub.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13It is, but it was taken down brick by brick
0:00:13 > 0:00:17and then transported thousands of miles across the ocean
0:00:17 > 0:00:19so that local samurai warlord Yoshi Hirohito
0:00:19 > 0:00:23could enjoy a good old-fashioned pint of English beer.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Now, if you believe all that, you'll think I was well placed
0:00:26 > 0:00:29to enter a very famous local competition in these parts.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33So am I in Japan or aren't I? Join me in a few moments
0:00:33 > 0:00:35and I'll tell you.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51Today's house-hunters are looking for a country retreat
0:00:51 > 0:00:54to create a classy bed-and-breakfast,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58so a period property with character is definitely on the menu.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- I love it.- You're smiling!
0:01:00 > 0:01:02THEY LAUGH
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- I'm so impressed.- Ah, good!
0:01:04 > 0:01:07The right location is key to the move.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10It's just the view, isn't it? It's just amazing.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14But will we find the perfect balance between business and pleasure?
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Three businesses in one. It's a good option.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Well, today we're not, of course, in Japan.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28We're actually in the Lake District in the heart of Cumbria,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31and this pub is the setting for the World's Biggest Liar Competition.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34Every year hundreds gather here from all over the world
0:01:34 > 0:01:37to regale each other with their porkies,
0:01:37 > 0:01:39and, of course, they've all caught fish this big.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42It all started around about 100 years ago,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45when local landlord Will Ritson would tell stories around the bar.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48One of his best was that local turnips here grew so big,
0:01:48 > 0:01:52you could hollow them out and use them as cowsheds.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54It's just another example of the local colour
0:01:54 > 0:01:57that makes this part of the world so appealing.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Looking out over the Irish Sea in the northwest of the country,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Cumbria is the third-largest English county.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Mostly rural, the landscape is dominated
0:02:10 > 0:02:12by the magnificent Lake District National Park,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16and its beauty has inspired some of Britain's most famous poets.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21Wordsworth and Coleridge waxed lyrical about these crystal-clear lakes,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25far-reaching mountains and panoramic vistas.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27As one of Britain's least inhabited areas,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31it's certainly a place where you can wander lonely as a cloud,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33with only 47 residents per square mile,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37making it the perfect retreat for those wanting peace and quiet.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42But it's not just natural wonders that attract sightseers.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44It's also the picture-postcard villages
0:02:44 > 0:02:47with packhorse bridges, attractive cottages
0:02:47 > 0:02:49and Lakeland-stone farmhouses
0:02:49 > 0:02:53which make the Lake District somewhere to write home about.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57To be honest, I think house prices here in Cumbria are pretty fair.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Your average detached will set you back
0:03:00 > 0:03:03somewhere in the region of £253,000.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05That's 2.5 percent below the national average.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07But if you move into the National Park,
0:03:07 > 0:03:09want something with a view or lakeside,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12you really are going to pile on the pounds.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16But don't be put off. As you can see, there is something for everyone.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22For £250,000, you could own a piece of history.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25This cottage forms part of a Grade II listed folly near Greystoke.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29The open-plan ground floor uses the space efficiently.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32The two bedrooms boast exposed beams,
0:03:32 > 0:03:34and the views are everything you'd expect
0:03:34 > 0:03:36from the glorious Cumbrian countryside.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Further up the property ladder,
0:03:38 > 0:03:43this period cottage in Askham is on the market for £375,000.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Located in the higher reaches of the village,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50the property takes in views of the Pennines and Askham Fell.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Inside, there's a contemporary kitchen, a spacious living area,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56and three good-size bedrooms.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00And last but not least, this 18th-century farmhouse
0:04:00 > 0:04:04near Endmoor is on the market for £675,000.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07The living area boasts a delightful feature fireplace.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11The kitchen is stunning, and there are five spacious bedrooms,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13all set within an attractive garden.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16So if that tasty selection has whetted your appetite
0:04:16 > 0:04:20and you fancy swapping your brogues for your walking boots,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24you're in good company, because that's exactly what today's buyers want to do, too.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Ex-military man Moe and wife Julia, a literacy teacher,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33are ready to relocate from their Darlington semi-detached
0:04:33 > 0:04:34in County Durham.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37Over the nine years they've been a couple,
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Moe's been away serving in Iraq and Afghanistan,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42so this move is all about quality time.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46We want to move to the country because, um,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48we've come to a point in our lives
0:04:48 > 0:04:52where we want to move on together and do something together.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56They're heading to the Lake District to pursue an outdoor lifestyle,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58and the plan is to combine business with pleasure.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02I think our preference would be for a B&B/guesthouse,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07something that's of good quality that would appeal to us to go to,
0:05:07 > 0:05:09and something that, when people come there,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12will feel that it's more than what they have at home.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15They're keen for something off the beaten track,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18with access to walking trails in the National Park.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20But how do they visualise their new home?
0:05:20 > 0:05:25My ideal country property would be something that was detached,
0:05:25 > 0:05:27had a little bit of land round it,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30and gave us scope
0:05:30 > 0:05:34to either go in and develop,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38or to move in and set about our business straight away.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Although their six children are nearly all grown up,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45Moe and Julia still want space for visiting family and holidaymakers.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48So let's get into the details.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51We need a minimum of three private bedrooms,
0:05:51 > 0:05:56and ideally one with en suite, and a family bathroom.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59We would want minimum of three letting rooms,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01reasonable size,
0:06:01 > 0:06:05also with bathrooms already established.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08If there is something outside in terms of barns or outhouses
0:06:08 > 0:06:11that can be developed, we would definitely consider those.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13They'd like a property with character,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17and, if Moe finds a project, he's not afraid of grabbing some tools
0:06:17 > 0:06:19and donning the developer's hard hat.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I've got reasonably good skills at doing DIY,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26particularly from my father, who's passed on some of those skills.
0:06:26 > 0:06:31Moe and Julia own two houses, collectively worth £500,000.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Both will be sold to fund the move, so how much have we got to play with?
0:06:35 > 0:06:40I think the upper limit for our budget is about a million pounds.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43If we really wanted to stretch ourselves,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45perhaps 1.1 million.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51There's no doubt that Moe and Julia are taking on quite a lot
0:06:51 > 0:06:56in this move to the Lakes. They've got to combine a home with a successful business.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58They do want somewhere that's tranquil and quiet,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02with stunning views. As you can see, there's no shortage of those,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05but, in looking for a B&B, there is something of a dilemma.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Many of them are near to busy settlements and main tourist routes.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12It's obviously very good for trade, but, at a stroke,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15that does cross off several potential properties from our list.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19They also want to be within the National Park. That will be good for business,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22but is going to come at a premium. So, on the face of it,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25it sounds straightforward, but it is going to be a bit tricky.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30But, with their fantastic budget, it's by no means going to be impossible.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Moe and Julia are flexible on location,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38although they would like something in the National Park,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41so we've concentrated the search just north of Keswick.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45We'll view three prime properties, but we won't tell them the price
0:07:45 > 0:07:47until the end of each tour.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49And then, of course, there's the mystery house,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53a building that may need reinventing to match their country dream.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- Hi, guys! Nice to see you. - Hi, Jules.- Hi, Jules.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Welcome back to the Lakes. This is an old haunt for you.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08- Yes.- I don't blame you. On a day like this,
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- where else would you want to live? - It's fantastic.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Absolutely stunning. You know, it's one thing coming on holiday here,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18but being committed to a B&B, the building and your guests,
0:08:18 > 0:08:20is very different.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Yeah, I think we've given it a lot of thought,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25and lots of research...
0:08:25 > 0:08:28I get the sense that nothing has been left to chance.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32With true military planning, you've gone through this with a fine-tooth comb.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35If we're going to do it, we should do it seriously,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39so we've looked at a number of properties already. We know it's going to be hard work.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42The important thing is that we provide a service
0:08:42 > 0:08:45that people would expect. We've been to a lot of places,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48both here in the Lakes and also elsewhere and abroad,
0:08:48 > 0:08:51so we want to provide a service that we would like.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53So this is going to be high-end B&B.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56It'll be open to everybody price-wise,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59but in terms of quality, it will be top of the range.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03We're going to need something big, but we have got a big budget.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Just remind us of the figures. - Well, the budget -
0:09:06 > 0:09:11we can stretch to, probably, £1,150,000.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- 1.15 million?- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Well, we've got a great budget, obviously,
0:09:16 > 0:09:20and a beautiful day, as you can see, so let's see what we can find you.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Follow me.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27So, with a top budget of £1.15 million,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Moe and Julia want a bespoke B&B inside the National Park.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34They'd like a period property with a minimum of six bedrooms,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37and some outbuildings.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41This is the first time, I suppose,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44you're going to be able to live together properly.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47In essence, yeah. This will be the best opportunity we've had
0:09:47 > 0:09:49for some time, if we can get the business sorted.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52I think, once you get me up here, that's it!
0:09:52 > 0:09:55THEY LAUGH You won't get me away.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58I look forward to coming back in a year and having a cup of tea.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01- We'd love to have you. - THEY LAUGH
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Just a mile from the picturesque village of Bassenthwaite,
0:10:05 > 0:10:09our first property is a short stroll from the lake of the same name -
0:10:09 > 0:10:12a perfect place to enjoy that cuppa.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14And Moe and Julia can wander the nearby fells,
0:10:14 > 0:10:19and the local sailing club offers access onto the lake if they ever tire of walking.
0:10:19 > 0:10:23After a day's activities, there are many local pubs on tap.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26It's an idyllic location for our keen ramblers,
0:10:26 > 0:10:28and anyone that comes to stay.
0:10:29 > 0:10:31Right! Come on in.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33What do you reckon?
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- Yeah. Interesting. - Different from the front.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39I can't figure it out at all.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43It's what is your classic Lakeland B&B, in some respects.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45You can see the sign there, B&B and caravans,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48so they're also scoring on that market, as well.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- Interesting, yes. - The building itself is about 1880.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Classic local barn. As you can see, great big barn doors there.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Converted about six years ago.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- Right.- And, believe you me, they have packed an awful lot in.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Oh, great.- Yeah? Come on, then. Let's have a look.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10'Moe and Julia wanted character,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13'and this barn conversion certainly has it in spades.'
0:11:16 > 0:11:19Great. You can grab the door, Moe.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Now,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23come on in.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- Interesting!- Yeah?
0:11:25 > 0:11:29Yeah! I like the stone wall and I love the old beams.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- Looks like there's great views... - Looks exceptional, yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- ..which are what it's all about. - Exactly!
0:11:35 > 0:11:38That's what it's all about. It's an interesting one.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41There is always more than one way to convert a barn,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44because, if anything, you've got a great big box.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47They've done it in such a way that you've got this central living area,
0:11:47 > 0:11:51and then, as you can see, we've got some galleries round about,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54along with the grandfather clock to keep the guests happy.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58Keep them on time for breakfast! That's the most important thing.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- Let's continue.- Yeah, great!
0:12:02 > 0:12:05OK. Now, off of the main living area,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09we've got what they're using as their guests' dining room,
0:12:09 > 0:12:11and also would double up as a family dining area.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Yeah. It feels cosy.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- Yeah. The obvious point here is that you are sharing your space.- Yes.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20How does that feel?
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- Ideally we'd probably want it separate.- Yes.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26But depends what else it brings with it.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- As we go round, start thinking about how you'd reapportion space.- Yes.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- This wall, I think... - Could come down.- ..would go.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- It's not listed.- Right. - That's an advantage, isn't it?
0:12:37 > 0:12:39Gives you options, doesn't it?
0:12:39 > 0:12:43It does, because you'd end up with the great big kitchen you're after.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44That wall, if it could go,
0:12:44 > 0:12:48would be instrumental in transforming this half of the house.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- It'll open it up quite well, then. - Yeah.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56This is the business end of any B&B, in some respects,
0:12:56 > 0:12:58so you are going to want plenty of space.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01'Adjacent to the kitchen is the utility room.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04'On the other side of the living area, the B&B accommodation
0:13:04 > 0:13:07'consists of three double bedrooms, all with en suite.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11'But we're going to explore the rather quirky configuration upstairs.'
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- You see what I mean?- Fantastic!
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- Yeah.- It's, er...
0:13:17 > 0:13:20It's dominated by this sort of bridge,
0:13:20 > 0:13:24which overlooks the main living area where we started.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26We've got these two little galleried areas
0:13:26 > 0:13:28which cut across that,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31and then effectively two rooms which mirror each other
0:13:31 > 0:13:35on either side, and a little study area down there.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- I like that.- Yeah? - Yeah. It's different, isn't it?
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- It's very different! - It's a character.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Oh, it's got lots of character. Come and have a look through here.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47It reminds me of a ski chalet.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51So, what's on offer is a dressing area down there,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54- three staircases...- Yeah.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56One leads to the seating area there,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59and then this one down into, obviously,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- an area for the bed.- I like it.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- The whole thing is dominated by that beam...- Yeah.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08..which is the quirky bit. I don't know what you make of it.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Oh, it's a nice feature, I think.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Most people living in a town or city would never see anything like this.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17You can make a feature of it, as you say.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20But we haven't even got to the holiday lets yet.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- Oh, I was forgetting about those. - We've got three of those on offer.
0:14:23 > 0:14:28It may be that you think, "Actually, all we need are three holiday lets,"
0:14:28 > 0:14:30and then the whole barn becomes home.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Yeah. - Keep it as private accommodation.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37'With visiting family more of a definite than a possibility,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40'I think Moe and Julia should consider using the house
0:14:40 > 0:14:43'as private accommodation, because the three holiday lets
0:14:43 > 0:14:46'can provide the income they require,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50'and two of them are positioned right below the main residence.'
0:14:52 > 0:14:56- These are huge.- Gosh, it's much bigger than I expected!
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- Come in, Moe. What do you reckon? - Yeah. Excellent space.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03And you've also got this area here, which is quite nice -
0:15:03 > 0:15:05very simple little kitchenette.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Nicely appointed. It's all pretty new.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12So these are going out for anything up to 500 a week
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- in the peak of the season. - Right!- That's very good.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Yeah, it's really good. - And you've got three of them.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20And if you do get really busy,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- you can always spill over into the B&B if you really want to.- Yes.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- You've got the scope to do that. - Exactly.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31This let has two good-size double bedrooms
0:15:31 > 0:15:33and a family bathroom to the rear.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Next door there's a self-contained three-bed let,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40and across the courtyard, a converted stable offers another two-bed holiday annexe.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44Outside, there's an outbuilding and an area for caravans.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Come on through. I'll shut the gate because of the chickens.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51THEY LAUGH
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- But you also get these two barns. - Yeah.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Useful bit of storage again.- Yeah.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59That's very useful.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03And this is the extent of the landholding that you get,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- defined by the mown area and the wire fence.- Yeah.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11This is an area for five caravan pitches.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16The nice thing with the caravans, they are pretty much self-contained,
0:16:16 > 0:16:20so whilst some sites have shower blocks, there isn't one here, and it's not necessary.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23It's just the view, isn't it? It's just amazing.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- And then Skiddaw over here. - Yeah. That is stunning.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- It's fabulous.- Let's have a think about how this stacks up
0:16:29 > 0:16:33against your £1.15 million, though.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38I think 750, 850 mark, something like that.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40- Optimistic!- Yeah.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- Possibly. Julia? - I think he's optimistic.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Three businesses? No, it's got to be nearer the million mark,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49definitely, I think.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- Well, you are not far off, madam. - Oh, wasn't I?
0:16:52 > 0:16:55This could be yours for £950,000.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00- Oh, interesting!- So it's 200 grand under your maximum spend.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Obviously you could use that to reconfigure things
0:17:03 > 0:17:07- and spec it up as you would want. - Yeah.- OK.- Lots to think about!
0:17:07 > 0:17:11And lots more to see. Go and have a good old nose around.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15Figure out the geography, because it's quite a plan to figure out,
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- and I'll catch up with you later. - OK.- Off you go.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- OK. Thank you!- I'll have a chat with the chickens. Why not?
0:17:21 > 0:17:23THEY LAUGH
0:17:23 > 0:17:26A pretty good reaction to our first offering,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and well under budget at £950,000.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32With a total of five bedrooms in the main house
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and three holiday lets, there's no shortage of space.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Outside there are two acres, and room for caravans,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41offering another revenue stream.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44The location is simply spectacular,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46but what do our aspiring B&B owners think?
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Three businesses in one... It's a good option.
0:17:49 > 0:17:54- A very good option. The versatility of it is really appealing.- It is.
0:17:54 > 0:17:59I think it's workable. I think we could use both the space here,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02the upstairs bedrooms and the bedrooms currently being used
0:18:02 > 0:18:05as B&B. I think that's all workable.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07It's quite a lot of money,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10but I do feel we could run with it the way it is.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- Right, then! Come on! Out you come. - OK.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17There's lots more to show you, but this was a good one to start with.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- It's great. - Very good. Lots of potential,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- lots of things to think about. - And you hadn't thought of it before?
0:18:23 > 0:18:26No. Actually, I can't believe we hadn't!
0:18:26 > 0:18:27Yeah.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33The Lake District's first official foray into tourism
0:18:33 > 0:18:38dates back to the 18th century, when sightseeing was a completely different affair than it is today.
0:18:38 > 0:18:44The Georgian approach was a highly structured scene-setting extravaganza.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46A specific walking route had to be taken
0:18:46 > 0:18:51to conceal any sight of the subject until reaching the lookout.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55These locations became so popular that shelters were built,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58and Claife viewing station on the west side of Lake Windermere
0:18:58 > 0:19:00is the most complete example remaining today.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Victorian landscape artists were regular visitors
0:19:03 > 0:19:07to these viewing stations, so we sent Moe and Julia
0:19:07 > 0:19:10to meet up with National Trust expert Paul Farrington
0:19:10 > 0:19:12to find out more.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14They would come to these viewing stations,
0:19:14 > 0:19:17they would observe these stunning views,
0:19:17 > 0:19:22and they would often use a thing called a Claude glass or mirror,
0:19:22 > 0:19:26and they'd stand with their back to the classic view, like this,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30to sort of frame the view and miniaturise it,
0:19:30 > 0:19:34and then they would use that image to sketch.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36If you weren't an artist, you would just come there,
0:19:36 > 0:19:41and it would just be a way of locking that classic view
0:19:41 > 0:19:43in your memory, which sounds a little bit odd,
0:19:43 > 0:19:47but it's only the same as photography
0:19:47 > 0:19:51that we do today, really, capturing that memory and that image.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55But it was during the 19th century that an artist,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59social reformer and prominent Victorian by the name of John Ruskin
0:19:59 > 0:20:02fell in love with the area, moving to Brantwood in 1872,
0:20:02 > 0:20:06to live in an elegant home overlooking Coniston Water.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09General manager of the Brantwood Trust, Rachel Litten,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12is giving Moe and Julia an insight into the man
0:20:12 > 0:20:15and the property that he purchased sight unseen.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18He was interested in social issues, wasn't he?
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Yes, he was, and many of his ideas we see evidence of today.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26He was very concerned about the conditions people were working in
0:20:26 > 0:20:30in Victorian industrial towns and cities,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33and he actually formed the Guild of St George,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36because he wanted to be sure that people could get education,
0:20:36 > 0:20:40have access to public libraries, have access to books,
0:20:40 > 0:20:41have access to art.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45Being a man for all seasons, he also designed everything,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47from wallpaper to musical instruments,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50many of which are on show inside Brantwood.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52There's quite interesting pieces in here,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55especially the musical instrument.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59This is a ziffern that Ruskin designed and had made,
0:20:59 > 0:21:04but there's other evidence of Ruskin's interest in music.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06This was his upright piano here.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- And did he collect paintings... - Yes.- ..on his travels?
0:21:10 > 0:21:13Yes. He had the paintings of his favourite artists
0:21:13 > 0:21:15on the walls here at Brantwood,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18so although he designed the wallpaper,
0:21:18 > 0:21:20he probably wouldn't have seen a lot of it,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24because it would have been crammed with paintings in his collection.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Ruskin was enchanted by life, and famously said,
0:21:27 > 0:21:32"It is not how much one makes but to what purpose one spends."
0:21:32 > 0:21:34With so many contributions to modern society,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Ruskin clearly lived by this motto.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41But he wasn't the only Lake District local to make contributions to the arts.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Celebrated poet William Wordsworth
0:21:46 > 0:21:48was born just two miles from our second property
0:21:48 > 0:21:52in the market town of Cockermouth. Historically significant buildings
0:21:52 > 0:21:56such as the old brewery, the Old Court House and Wordsworth House
0:21:56 > 0:21:59have been beautifully maintained, and the charming terraced homes
0:21:59 > 0:22:04of the workers, built during the Industrial Revolution, are still in good order today.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06The town is situated on the River Cocker,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09and in the past it has suffered flooding,
0:22:09 > 0:22:13but this hasn't stopped the preservation of Cockermouth's unique character.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Just inside the National Park, our second property has plenty to offer Moe and Julia.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21Come down here. This is where the whole thing comes together.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- Oh, wow!- Yeah?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26Definitely.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29It's amazing. So pretty.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33The good news is that you don't have to live in that building, either.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- What?- Very good.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- You've got your own accommodation. - What, a tent?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40It's better than a tent. Come and look at this.
0:22:43 > 0:22:48OK. So, this is the back of what we've just looked at.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50This is the back of the old farmhouse,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and we're going to explore everything that this has to offer
0:22:53 > 0:22:57in all of its glory later, but this is for you.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Oh, my goodness!
0:23:01 > 0:23:04'One of the considerations with our first property
0:23:04 > 0:23:07'was how to separate the bedrooms into private and business.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09'But with this one, the options are obvious.'
0:23:09 > 0:23:12OK. Come on in.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14Oh, my goodness! JULES LAUGHS
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- Come on in, Moe.- Now I'm impressed.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Oh, you're not going to get me away from here.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Moe's just said, "Now I'm impressed."
0:23:23 > 0:23:26Well, that's good going, because he's not always impressed.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- The colonel's happy. That's good. - That's very good.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33The nice thing about this is that this is just for you.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36You don't have to cook your B&B breakfasts in here
0:23:36 > 0:23:39because you've got another kitchen next door.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Through there you've got a generous boot room, utility, downstairs loo,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and so forth, and just over my shoulder, through that door,
0:23:46 > 0:23:48a nicely appointed study,
0:23:48 > 0:23:51or could be a snug, if you want a second reception room.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- I'm so impressed!- Ah, good!
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Let's have a think about where you might relax after a hard day
0:23:57 > 0:24:01looking after your guests. Just through here.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06'An excellent response so far, and it just gets better from here.'
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Now, could you switch off in here?
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Oh!
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- Beautiful! - This is, again, very good.- Amazing.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- Yeah. Excellent. - Well, this is all new.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Obviously the shell was here, but this whole arrangement
0:24:19 > 0:24:22of the chimney breast, the wood burner,
0:24:22 > 0:24:27the whole thing has been redesigned to provide a fantastic family space.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Upstairs we've got you three bedrooms
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- for you and your guests.- Yes.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35And, as you would expect, they're quite nice, really.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37I bet they are! THEY LAUGH
0:24:38 > 0:24:41'The downstairs has clearly impressed,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45'and upstairs there's plenty of space for the children when they come to stay,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49'and an impressive master suite for Moe and Julia.'
0:24:51 > 0:24:54OK, so this would be for you two.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Oh, wow!
0:24:56 > 0:24:57- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00- Very good. - And the finish, as you can see,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03is just as good as downstairs, very, very cosy.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07That's a little en suite in here. Well, I say "little" -
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- it's quite nice. - Yeah. Very nice.- Very good standard.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13And in here, this is every girl's dream.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15You'd better have a look, then.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Oh, yeah. All mine?
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Well, you can argue over who gets how much of that.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25You have got plenty of room to play with. You'll be all right.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29- Yeah.- But I think the main event for you two
0:25:29 > 0:25:32is across the courtyard. Ten more bedrooms to look at.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36I can't imagine what it's like! This is the way it is.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- The business end. - Come and have a look.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42The other two double bedrooms are both finished to a high standard,
0:25:42 > 0:25:45and share a large family bathroom. But we're testing
0:25:45 > 0:25:49Moe and Julia's daily commute - not bad, at about ten seconds.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Right.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53This is where the hard work is...
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Yeah. THEY LAUGH
0:25:55 > 0:25:58..for you two, although great fun for your guests.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02You're greeted with this extraordinary old bread oven. Again, lovely feature to have,
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- and something your guests are going to remember.- Yeah.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08Yeah, great.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16Oh, my goodness! This is great space!
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Oh, the beams!
0:26:20 > 0:26:22It feels cosy.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25'So that's where the guests relax.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27'But now for Moe's mess hall.'
0:26:31 > 0:26:34How about this kind of refectory look?
0:26:34 > 0:26:36- Yes, it is, isn't it?- Yeah?- Mm-hm!
0:26:36 > 0:26:39You can separate people, if they want to sit on their own,
0:26:39 > 0:26:44but it's quite a busy focus for everything,
0:26:44 > 0:26:48and even though all the bedrooms are beautifully appointed,
0:26:48 > 0:26:50next door you've got somewhere to drift into.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54If you've made friends over dinner or met them on the mountain,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57- you can carry it on through there. - Socialise if you want to.- Precisely.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02'Next to the dining area, the kitchen is modern and practical.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03'In terms of sleeping quarters,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06'there are five en-suite double bedrooms,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09'including two with disability access on the ground floor,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12'and a further five en-suite doubles upstairs.'
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- This brick is lovely!- Isn't it?
0:27:15 > 0:27:17And the wear on the steps is lovely, too.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Come in here. Let's start with this one,
0:27:20 > 0:27:22the Master's Room.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- There we go.- Oh, wow!
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Mmm! HE LAUGHS
0:27:28 > 0:27:34Yeah? Four-poster, something for the guests to relax in.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35- Good size.- Yeah?
0:27:35 > 0:27:38And, of course, as you'd expect, you know,
0:27:38 > 0:27:42- nice little en suite in there. - Oh, I love the shelves.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46- Yeah.- It's deceiving. It's much bigger than you would expect.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Well, the whole thing, the scale of what's on offer
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- is just extraordinary. - It's brilliant.
0:27:51 > 0:27:52THEY LAUGH
0:27:52 > 0:27:57And outside, there are one and a half acres for the guests to enjoy.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59But all this does come at a cost.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02So, here we are, then, pretty much where we started.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05There it is. Now you know what's inside...
0:28:05 > 0:28:06Yes!
0:28:06 > 0:28:08THEY LAUGH
0:28:08 > 0:28:11I know. This is the bit I don't want to hear.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13- The money.- The money.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15- Madam? - I'll probably be left with a penny,
0:28:15 > 0:28:18but I shall say 1.1.
0:28:18 > 0:28:201.1. Yeah?
0:28:20 > 0:28:23- Moe?- I'm a bit more reserved.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I think probably one million.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28OK. Yeah, not bad.
0:28:28 > 0:28:30This is going to set you back
0:28:30 > 0:28:331.15.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Crikey!
0:28:35 > 0:28:38- This is your budget. - Yeah. Absolutely top.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- But you don't need to do anything to it.- No, you don't.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44Go and mull it over. Go and explore more bedrooms.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47There's plenty more to see. I'll catch up with you later.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50- All right. Come on. - OK. Thank you.- Bye!
0:28:50 > 0:28:53THEY LAUGH
0:28:55 > 0:28:58For £1.15 million,
0:28:58 > 0:29:01this stunning property offers a detached private home
0:29:01 > 0:29:04for Moe and Julia, ten large bedrooms for the B&B,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07and outside it has 1.5 acres of land
0:29:07 > 0:29:10in an idyllic National Park location.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14You can see why people would want to come back again and again.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18People will think it's really special. It is! It's so special.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21The price tag is on the limit for us,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24and that is a consideration, but yeah, I like it a lot.
0:29:33 > 0:29:37So, as the sun settles behind the lakes and fells of north Cumbria,
0:29:37 > 0:29:39Moe and Julia have plenty to discuss
0:29:39 > 0:29:42after their first day of house-hunting.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49Today's buyers are looking for a B&B with character and style
0:29:49 > 0:29:52inside the Lake District National Park.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Moe's just said, "Now I'm impressed."
0:29:55 > 0:29:58But what will they make of the mystery house,
0:29:58 > 0:30:01a property that's never been used as a B&B,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04situated outside the National Park?
0:30:04 > 0:30:07Oh, my goodness!
0:30:12 > 0:30:15If you're familiar with the Lake District,
0:30:15 > 0:30:19you'll also know the local adage that you can have four seasons in one day here.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21But we're blessed with another glorious start
0:30:21 > 0:30:25to our final day's house-hunting. Yesterday was particularly exciting,
0:30:25 > 0:30:27but we've got one more property to come.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31It is mystery-house time. That has an awful lot to beat,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34but, do you know what? We might be all right.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38Today's mystery house is just outside the National Park border
0:30:38 > 0:30:41in the conservation village of Greystoke.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44Situated on the Coast to Coast cycle route,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46and having access to plenty of rural activities,
0:30:46 > 0:30:50this village has much to offer the budding B&B hunter.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Just ten minutes from the M6,
0:30:52 > 0:30:56holidaymakers would have no trouble getting to and from the property.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01But Moe and Julia have their hearts set on a National Park location,
0:31:01 > 0:31:04so it will be interesting to see if the pros outweigh the cons.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09There you go. This is our mystery house for you.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12Unlike all the other properties we've shown you,
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- this is not currently a B&B.- OK.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18It is still a private house,
0:31:18 > 0:31:22but it's got a lot of room, a lot of rooms,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- and would very easily become a B&B. - Yeah.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29It's early Georgian, so it's been here a long time.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Is this the sort of thing that you've looked at before?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- Um, not on this scale. - Not on this scale!
0:31:35 > 0:31:38This is the sort of property that would be,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41yeah, as a business would be definitely attractive.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44OK, right. Let's see what you make of the inside.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49'This is undoubtedly the grandest of the three houses we've seen.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52'So, if Moe and Julia want to be lord and lady of the manor,
0:31:52 > 0:31:54'this is the property for them.'
0:31:54 > 0:31:57So, this is the, um, the front door.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59- Pretty impressive!- Nice, isn't it?
0:31:59 > 0:32:02I think your guests would be quite moved by this.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Come on in.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11- Great first impression, yeah. - It's what you'd expect, isn't it,
0:32:11 > 0:32:15in a grand country house. And then through here, something of a study
0:32:15 > 0:32:18or smaller reception room, but come through here.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26Oh, yes! I like it. Love the high ceilings.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30This has a greater instant impact on me
0:32:30 > 0:32:33- than the other two. - I can tell! You're smiling!
0:32:33 > 0:32:34THEY LAUGH
0:32:34 > 0:32:37It's the history. It's the solidness of the building.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40It's the quality of the work, despite some tarnishing
0:32:40 > 0:32:44- that's perhaps gone on.- But...
0:32:44 > 0:32:46you know, you could use this room now,
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- and just gradually do what you needed to do.- Yeah.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54OK. Well, let's keep exploring. There's so much of it.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Let's go next door and have a look in here.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01Now, I think in this room you get a better sense of...
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- Yes.- ..bygone times.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06The fireplace is still there, which is rather nice.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09A few other details, not least the floorboards...
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- Brilliant. They're lovely. - Very good condition.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14It's so light. Great aspect.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16- Yeah.- It's great. I love it.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- Yeah?- Yeah.- Good. Right. OK.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21Let's have a look through here.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25'The property is split into three parts.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27'On the other side of the drawing room,
0:33:27 > 0:33:30'there's a self-contained apartment boasting five bedrooms
0:33:30 > 0:33:34'over two levels. But we're going to explore the kitchen for the main residence.'
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Oh, this is great!
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- Yeah?- Yeah. Love it.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42This is the older bit of the property,
0:33:42 > 0:33:46- now currently the family kitchen. - But this is what we want.- Good!
0:33:46 > 0:33:50OK. We're going to continue our whistle-stop tour of this one,
0:33:50 > 0:33:54because it is so big. Let's go upstairs into the main part of the house,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56and see what you think of that.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00'This wing of the house has another self-contained three-bed flat,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04'accessed from the courtyard, but Moe and Julia can explore that later.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08'For now, I want them to experience where they could be sleeping.'
0:34:08 > 0:34:10Now, we're calling this the master.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13To be honest, they're all pretty interchangeable.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17We often talk about things being a labyrinth. This place really is.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Because it's been chopped about over the years,
0:34:19 > 0:34:22it's all in different chunks. There's a lot to take in
0:34:22 > 0:34:26and make sense of. Let's go downstairs now,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29and look at another chunk.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31THEY LAUGH
0:34:31 > 0:34:35'The other three spacious bedrooms are of a similar size
0:34:35 > 0:34:37'to the master, and there's a family bathroom.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40'But Moe does fancy an outbuilding to develop,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42'and I'm not the sort to let him down.'
0:34:42 > 0:34:44Oh, my goodness!
0:34:44 > 0:34:47I mean, we could sell this on its own.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50It's a very pretty option, this.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- Yes, it is.- Good space in front of it, isn't there?
0:34:53 > 0:34:55You could have it completely separate.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59It needs to be totally transformed. On the left we've got stables.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02We've got the old coach house to the right, with the door.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05And above it, the old groom's quarters.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09- Great potential. Yeah. - It could turn over some money.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13- Yeah.- So...what do you think it's all worth?
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- Oh, again, I think it's top end. - Mm-hm?- Yeah.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- One million, 25 thousand. - One million 25. Yeah.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25I think it's going to be...
0:35:25 > 0:35:29just slightly under the million.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32- Hm. I wish it were. I really wish it were.- Oh, no!
0:35:32 > 0:35:35All in all, your five acres, the coach house,
0:35:35 > 0:35:38- an extraordinary building... - Yeah.- We agree with that.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42- Yeah. It is amazing. - All of that will set you back
0:35:42 > 0:35:45- 1.1 million.- 1.1. Yeah.- OK?
0:35:45 > 0:35:48Look, there's a lot of it. Here is the ground plan.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52- Oh, right!- Pages of it. It's very, very complicated.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- Go and study that. Have a look around.- We will.
0:35:55 > 0:36:00- I'll catch up with you later. - Thank you so much.- Enjoy.- Thank you.
0:36:00 > 0:36:05There is plenty to consider for £1.1 million.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09This period property offers a total of 12 bedrooms.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11It's got nearly five acres of land,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14and there's a coach house that's ripe for development.
0:36:14 > 0:36:19Based on their reactions, I think Moe and Julia can really visualise themselves in this building.
0:36:19 > 0:36:24First impact was amazing. It is such a fabulous building.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26I love it.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29On the whole, I think it offers so much,
0:36:29 > 0:36:34both to us in terms of a project, but also to potential customers
0:36:34 > 0:36:36if we were to go ahead and develop it.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- This makes sense of it now. - It does. Better layout.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- Yeah, and potential over here. - Especially with these buildings.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- Have you figured it out yet? - We've sorted out the first floor,
0:36:46 > 0:36:49- and that's about it. - You've got several pages to go!
0:36:49 > 0:36:53This is an amazing building. There is so much to it.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55It's going to take a while for it all to sink in.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57The key thing is to get you away from here,
0:36:57 > 0:37:01somewhere quiet where you can think about everything we've shown you,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- and then I shall quiz you about what happens next.- Oh, no!
0:37:04 > 0:37:06- Come on.- Thank you.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14From the fell-wandering guides of Alfred Wainwright
0:37:14 > 0:37:17to the poetry of Wordsworth, the Lake District has inspired writers
0:37:17 > 0:37:22for centuries, and in these parts, storytelling is considered no less of an art.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26One of the local pubs in the Wasdale Valley has long been the stage
0:37:26 > 0:37:28for many a tall tale.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Home to the World's Biggest Liar Competition,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33I've come to the Santon Bridge inn to meet Howard Christie,
0:37:33 > 0:37:36previous winner of this prestigious title.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Oh, very good. Hi, Howard. How are you?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41- Good.- Nice to see you.- And you.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Cheers. Now, then, you are a past master at this lying game.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47When did you first enter it?
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I think 1997.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Certainly last century.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- And how many times have you won it? - I've won it twice and come third once.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00'The competition is held in memory of Will Ritson,
0:38:00 > 0:38:04'a 19th-century publican that insisted he'd mated his foxhound
0:38:04 > 0:38:09'with an eagle, so the pups could jump over the Lake District's drystone walls.'
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Give us a sense of the rules, as a past winner.
0:38:12 > 0:38:16You get up, you stand up, and you speak your lie,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19and the idea being that should be the start of a story
0:38:19 > 0:38:22which has got maybe a little bit of truth in it,
0:38:22 > 0:38:26and then it leads on into something that's a little bit more surreal
0:38:26 > 0:38:29and a bit more fun.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31'Under the tongue-in-cheek rules,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35'politicians and lawyers are banned from taking part,
0:38:35 > 0:38:37'as they are considered too practised in the art.'
0:38:37 > 0:38:41What do you win? Is there a trophy, a ribbon, or...
0:38:41 > 0:38:43There's a very large trophy.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46It takes about three people to lift it.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49There is a very large monetary prize,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52and, of course, best of all, there is a tie.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55The only thing I believe there is the tie.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58- No, no. All three are true. - So, how much money's involved?
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Well, for these parts, it's huge. It's £25.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Oh, right. So it is a big prize. And how big is the cup?
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- Is it like the fish? Does it get bigger every year?- It's huge.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12It is big. It does require two or three sturdy lads to carry it.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13HE LAUGHS
0:39:13 > 0:39:18- At no point am I going to get any truth out of you, am I?- Not really.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Well, Howard, I wish you all the very best of luck, mate,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- in November. Here's to a third victory. Cheers.- Cheers.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29Legend has it that a visiting bishop who stumbled across the contest
0:39:29 > 0:39:32declared, "I've never told a lie in my life."
0:39:32 > 0:39:35The judges promptly declared him that year's winner,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38and if you believe that, I know of a bridge that's for sale.
0:39:40 > 0:39:45Well, it is, of course, now decision time for Moe and for Julia.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47When we first set out on this house search,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50they said they wanted us to give them new perspectives,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53different options on finding their ideal country retreat.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57My concern is that we've left them a little bit spoilt for choice.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Well, let's go and ask them.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07- Well, guys, how are we?- Hi.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- Very good, thank you. - A little bit confused, possibly?
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Just a bit. THEY LAUGH
0:40:13 > 0:40:18When we met originally, you said you wanted a different perspective
0:40:18 > 0:40:20on your search. Have we given you that?
0:40:20 > 0:40:23- Certainly.- Yeah, I think so. In all three properties,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- there's been something different to take in.- Good.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28- So, yeah.- OK.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Let's think about the first one - an up-and-running B&B
0:40:32 > 0:40:35with three holiday lets underneath it,
0:40:35 > 0:40:37with the caravan site, as well.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40What do you think about that one?
0:40:40 > 0:40:43I liked the fact it was very homely.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- It was a fabulous location.- Yeah?
0:40:45 > 0:40:50I liked the barn, the ability to do the three different things there,
0:40:50 > 0:40:53the B&B, the lets and the caravan. It's a good thing.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57I wouldn't want to dismiss it without thinking about it again.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59Then we took you to our second property,
0:40:59 > 0:41:02which, I have to say, I thought was extraordinary.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06Yeah. It was beautiful. I love the location,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09love the building. Everything was just beautiful.
0:41:09 > 0:41:13It really was. I loved it, really, really loved it.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17In particular, what was impressive was the private accommodation,
0:41:17 > 0:41:19because all the things we've looked at so far,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22it's been an issue with the private accommodation -
0:41:22 > 0:41:25either you're in the basement, or there isn't enough space.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29That gave us everything, and the standard, as well. Very impressive.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31By the time we'd finished our second day,
0:41:31 > 0:41:35and that wonderful building, I was thinking we'd done it all.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38But we had one more to come, of course - the mystery house.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Come on, Moe. I thought you rather fell in love with that one.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44I think it's a fantastic building.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46Location-wise it gives us what we were after,
0:41:46 > 0:41:49despite the fact that it's outside the National Park.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51I think what it gave us was the country feel.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55It's got plenty of space around it. But the building itself,
0:41:55 > 0:41:57both the exterior and the interior, fantastic.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00That's the sort of impression you want to create
0:42:00 > 0:42:04- when you have paying guests. - Yeah. Julia?
0:42:04 > 0:42:07For me, being outside the National Park,
0:42:07 > 0:42:09it's going to have to take a little bit of adjustment,
0:42:09 > 0:42:15but I think it has so many pluses for it.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19So we have given you a really interesting range of possibilities.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22What would be your choice, left to your own devices?
0:42:22 > 0:42:25It would be between the second house and the mystery for me, definitely.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27And Moe?
0:42:27 > 0:42:30I would go for the mystery house straight away.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Brilliant. It's been a real treat showing you round.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36You've been fantastic sports. Let us know how you get on,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39- and, as ever, best of luck. - Thank you so much.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41It's been brilliant.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48When the weather is like this, I defy anybody
0:42:48 > 0:42:50not to fall in love with Cumbria,
0:42:50 > 0:42:53which is exactly what Moe and Julia have done.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56And the property market hasn't disappointed us either.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58We've given them some fantastic options.
0:42:58 > 0:43:02But I suspect the planning and the thinking will go on for some time.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06When eventually they do create their gorgeous bespoke boutique B&B,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09next time I come up here, I know where I'll be staying.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11I'll see you next time.
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0:43:14 > 0:43:16in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or England,
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