0:00:02 > 0:00:04This old schoolhouse behind me dates back to 1617,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07and the village it sits in once inspired Thomas Hughes
0:00:07 > 0:00:10to write one of Britain's best-loved children's novels.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Any idea where I am and what the book was called?
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Get it right, or there could be some punishment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34On today's show, we help a young family swap the hectic metropolis
0:00:34 > 0:00:37for rural harmony, and we've got wonderful properties to show them.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Yeah, this is a perfect kitchen, I think.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42You look like you've just come home!
0:00:42 > 0:00:46- While some rooms fit the mould... - It suits our lifestyle, I think.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49..others don't shape up quite so well.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51Maybe a little bit too rectangular.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Stop slouching, will you? If you said Tom Brown's Schooldays
0:00:57 > 0:01:01and Uffington in the Vale of White Horse, well done, top of the class!
0:01:01 > 0:01:04If not, it's detention one more time.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Someone has to take this cane away - I'm getting into the character.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11This is where Thomas Hughes was born and spent his long summer days
0:01:11 > 0:01:14rambling on the Downs and stickleback fishing,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18getting up to all the activities his protagonist used to enjoy so much.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Stretching from the edge of Oxford to the south-west corner,
0:01:25 > 0:01:27the Vale of White Horse is a separate district,
0:01:27 > 0:01:32but historically the area took in the Berkshire Downs and beyond.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35The name comes from the oldest chalk figure in Britain,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38an ancient pagan symbol carved into these chalky soils
0:01:38 > 0:01:40over 3,000 years ago.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43The historic town of Abingdon forms the heart of the vale,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47surrounded by pretty villages with Cotswold stone architecture
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and picture-postcard thatches.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52But it's the proximity to London
0:01:52 > 0:01:56that's made it a desirable retreat for commuters,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00who flock here to take in excellent country pubs, beautiful river walks
0:02:00 > 0:02:04and idyllic village life.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11So, as you can see, the Vale has plenty to offer.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15It's actually the sixth best rural place to live in the south-east,
0:02:15 > 0:02:1712th overall in Britain.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22Now, an average detached property here will set you back £427,000.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24That's 24% above national average.
0:02:24 > 0:02:29Pricey, yes, but not when you take into account South Oxfordshire.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32There you will pay an extra whopping £130,000.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36That's 62% above national average.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40It makes the Vale a bargain. Here's what's currently on the market.
0:02:42 > 0:02:43And for starters,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46how about this four-bedroom thatched property in Uffington,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49thought to date back to 1635?
0:02:49 > 0:02:53Priced at just under £600,000,
0:02:53 > 0:02:55the elegant interior oozes charm and character,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59and the delightful gardens outside have the benefit of facing south.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04Or if you're property shopping with £375,000,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08this three-bed brick and stone house in Buckland is over three floors
0:03:08 > 0:03:12and features a Shaker-style kitchen
0:03:12 > 0:03:15that flows through into a large conservatory.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Lastly, a £250,000 budget would bag you
0:03:17 > 0:03:22this recently improved two-bed Victorian cottage in Fringford
0:03:22 > 0:03:27that comes with two reception rooms and a smart kitchen-diner
0:03:27 > 0:03:29with double doors opening onto a pretty terrace.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Having seen what's on offer, I can't wait to see these great properties,
0:03:33 > 0:03:35but first let's meet the buyers.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Optometrist Tim and his journalist wife Maggie
0:03:38 > 0:03:40are in their second year of marriage,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44and the family home is an Islington flat in London
0:03:44 > 0:03:47that Tim bought some 20 years ago.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Since the arrival of baby Evie, they want a bigger, rural retreat
0:03:50 > 0:03:53surrounded by fields and fresh air.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57We want to move to the country because Evie is now one.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01She's growing up rapidly, she's about to start running around,
0:04:01 > 0:04:05and we'd love to have a garden, we'd love to have some outdoor space.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08And the pace of London living is also taking its toll.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12I guess the lifestyle change we're looking for
0:04:12 > 0:04:15is just improved quality of life, isn't it?
0:04:15 > 0:04:18To get away from the sort of pollution and the noise.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Yeah, slightly more laid-back,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24not having to rush to the Tube every day to get to work.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27They want some peace and quiet away from the city,
0:04:27 > 0:04:28but nothing too isolated.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33- So good transport links.- Yeah. - Also good schools, we'll need that.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Definitely.- In the next few years. - We've got to think about schools.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I think, you know, a village
0:04:40 > 0:04:43with a bit of history and culture and a few amenities,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46definitely a few shops and a pub would be lovely,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48and parks and things like that.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52And they have very definite ideas about the location of this village.
0:04:52 > 0:04:57We know we want to move to somewhere quite green and pretty,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00about an hour or not too much over an hour outside London, erm...
0:05:00 > 0:05:03We've got parents in Bath and Buckinghamshire,
0:05:03 > 0:05:07so we want to be within easy access to both of those places.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11So what about the actual house itself?
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Our ideal property would be a beautiful period family home
0:05:14 > 0:05:16with four bedrooms and a lovely garden
0:05:16 > 0:05:20and a really light kitchen and ideally two bathrooms
0:05:20 > 0:05:23in a lovely secluded village.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27We prefer period properties, but we're not keen on poky cottages.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32- Victorian and Georgian.- We like high ceilings and big windows so...
0:05:32 > 0:05:36This is Evie's bedroom, and it doubles as her playroom,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and we're in the bedroom next door, so two double rooms.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43It would be really nice to have three or four bedrooms, ideally,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47because we'd like to have one as a spare room for family and friends.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51- Grandparents.- Yeah, exactly, and then potentially one more
0:05:51 > 0:05:55if and when we have another child, so that would be our ideal.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Tim and Maggie's flat isn't yet on the market,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02so we've invited around a local estate agent to value the property.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Properties like this in Islington are extremely desirable,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08especially with private entrances.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11There's a lot of demand in the marketplace at the moment,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14and I would recommend an asking price of £450,000.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18With that in mind, what's the budget for this country move?
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We're looking for around about the 550 mark.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24If we had to, we could probably stretch to 600.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28If we found our absolute dream home, we could stretch a little bit more.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37Maggie and Tim have a great budget and they're open, amenable people.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Their wish list isn't impossible.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42They want a detached property in a village location,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45they want big rooms and the all-important kitchen diner.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47Of course, who doesn't?
0:06:47 > 0:06:51And outside space, a bit like this, for daughter Evie to run around in.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55But what will impact on the budget is that one-hour commute to London.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59They'll be joining three-quarters of a million other people
0:06:59 > 0:07:02who regularly come into central London from outside the M25.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05I wonder if that will impact upon their life.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07A recent survey found out
0:07:07 > 0:07:10that for every 60 seconds closer to central London you are,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14you can add £2,250 to the value of your property.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Tim and Maggie need good commuter links back to London
0:07:19 > 0:07:21for both work and socialising.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25They also want a location with easy access to both sets of parents,
0:07:25 > 0:07:27so we'll be concentrating our search
0:07:27 > 0:07:30in the rural villages between Oxford and Swindon.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34I'll be taking them on a tour of some great country houses,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36but I won't be revealing their prices straight away.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39And, of course, there's the mystery property,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43which promises to be a real journey of discovery.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- Maggie, Tim.- Hello. - How are you?- Nice to meet you.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Welcome to the Vale of White Horse.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- What do you think? - Oh, it's lovely.- Very picturesque.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54You asked us to find an area for you to live in,
0:07:54 > 0:07:56this is what we came up with, but I must warn you,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59an hour from London comes at a price.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- I know, it's tricky, a tall order. - Yeah.- We realise that.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- Detached, semi-detached, flexible? - I'm flexible, you'd prefer detached.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Yeah, but it's not a priority, it's lower down the list.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14We're sort of open-minded about that.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17I'm loving the open-mindedness, I really am, long may it continue.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- What about renovation? - We're up for a bit of renovation,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23but not completely gutting a house and redoing it.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Painting a couple of walls, that's probably about it.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30Or putting a kitchen or bathroom in, we did talk about that.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35This is a result for you - she said, "WE are willing to do renovation."
0:08:35 > 0:08:38It's usually, "I think he's willing to do a little bit."
0:08:38 > 0:08:42As you know, the market's not teeming with properties,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45but we have three lovely properties, including the mystery one.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- I think we should get on with it. - Definitely.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50- Come on, let's go.- Cool.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57With a maximum budget of £600,000, Tim and Maggie have set their sights
0:08:57 > 0:09:00on a three to four-bedroom period property.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02It must have spacious proportions
0:09:02 > 0:09:05with a kitchen-diner that opens onto a manageable garden.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08The perfect property should be located in a village
0:09:08 > 0:09:10and ideally within an hour commute of London.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15What about the commute?
0:09:15 > 0:09:19How flexible are you? You don't have to go to London every day.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22No, we don't have to go to London every day.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I work a three-day week in London, so, you know,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28a commute of a reasonable distance is bearable.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31We'd like to be close to London in case we miss it,
0:09:31 > 0:09:32to pop back occasionally.
0:09:32 > 0:09:37Well, we've got some great locations to quash their city cravings,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39starting with our first stop.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42We're destined for the western edge of the Vale
0:09:42 > 0:09:45in the village of Watchfield, a 15-minute drive from Swindon,
0:09:45 > 0:09:50which has a train service that reaches London in just over an hour.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53The quiet windy lanes of Watchfield are lined with properties
0:09:53 > 0:09:56featuring thatch and Cotswold stone.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59The village has a post office, good primary school
0:09:59 > 0:10:01and a pub.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Dating back to the 18th century, our first property
0:10:04 > 0:10:08was an old farm cottage and has been substantially extended over time.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12Ooh... It looks more modern to begin with,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16but as you look closer, you can see older bits of stonework.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20One thing you're not going to get in that property is a box room, OK?
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- OK.- Lots of interesting shapes and sizes in there.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- I think we should get in. - I can't wait.- Come on, let's go.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Despite its conventional appearance, you could describe this
0:10:32 > 0:10:34as somewhat of a labyrinth,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38as old and new parts come together to create a sprawling ground floor.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40The bright, modern hallway
0:10:40 > 0:10:43leads through to the more historic half of the house,
0:10:43 > 0:10:48which features a large kitchen-diner divided by two deep archways.
0:10:48 > 0:10:53- Oh, wow!- You wanted an open-plan kitchen diner.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- This is impressive.- Tick!- Yeah.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Just behind the door there, you've got a utility room as well.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02I love it, it's really bright, about the size I had in my head.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04This is great, really good.
0:11:04 > 0:11:09- It is quite quirky but I like it. - Is it big enough?- Yeah, definitely.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12'Off the kitchen-diner is a good-sized office,
0:11:12 > 0:11:16'which could be used as a dining room or a great snug,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20'and it houses the original access up to the first floor.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24'Right next door is the living room, and although a comfortable lounge,
0:11:24 > 0:11:26'they've asked for large rooms,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28'so I've got a more spacious option
0:11:28 > 0:11:31'in the extended wing right at the back of the house.'
0:11:31 > 0:11:35- Ah.- And this could be your alternative living room.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- This is interesting.- It's currently a workshop, as you can see,
0:11:38 > 0:11:42but it has potential, because there's actually a working...
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- or potentially working fireplace. - Oh, right.- A chimney breast.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Yeah, this could make a lovely lounge,
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- overlooking the garden again.- Yeah. - And it's very bright,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54and I love these exposed beams here.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Because it's not at the front, it feels more secluded.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58- Absolutely.- So more private.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01But I could see that other room being something else,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03maybe a playroom, another kind of room.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- Yeah, lovely. - But this feels...is the place
0:12:06 > 0:12:09I'd like to sort of sit down and relax at the end of the day.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12All good on the ground floor so far,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15so it's back to the hallway at the front,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19and up the grand stairwell to the first floor, where there are six bedrooms.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22To one side, in the original part of the house,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25there's a large en-suite bedroom,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28and the family bathroom serves a further three rooms,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31two double rooms and a single being used as a study.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36The extended half of the property has a somewhat unconventional layout
0:12:36 > 0:12:40as it was once let as a separate annexe.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43There are two bedrooms, one turned into a kitchenette,
0:12:43 > 0:12:47and the other is a large L-shaped en-suite room,
0:12:47 > 0:12:49which could be the one for them.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- So this could well be your master bedroom.- Ah...
0:12:53 > 0:12:56- Come on in.- Oh, wow! - Yes.- There's another bit here.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Did you not think there would be? - And a bathroom.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02There's a very Art Deco 1920s bath there.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Again, a very unusual space, very unexpected.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- There's a lot of stuff in here, so imagine all of that out.- Yeah.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11It's going to give you a pretty big bedroom.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- Yeah, definitely. - Lots of light coming in as well.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16A little balcony to walk out on.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19Let's go out onto the veranda, have a look at the garden
0:13:19 > 0:13:21and in the 20 steps or so that you make,
0:13:21 > 0:13:26keep thinking about how much money it's going to cost if you go for it.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31The veranda runs the length of the two en-suite bedrooms
0:13:31 > 0:13:34and overlooks the large garden to the rear
0:13:34 > 0:13:36with lawned areas, mature trees
0:13:36 > 0:13:39and a variety of shrubs and borders.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- Lovely.- 70 foot by 70 foot, something like that.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- It's just about the right size, actually, for us.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- A little bit of road noise, I noticed.- Well spotted.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51- For the first time. - That's the A420.- Yeah.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53We didn't notice that at the front,
0:13:53 > 0:13:57- but on the roof, you can hear it. - You can hear it a bit more.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Let's talk money. What do you reckon it's on the market for?
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- You go first, Tim.- Nicely deflected. - I reckon... I reckon 550.
0:14:04 > 0:14:08- £550,000, OK.- I think...
0:14:08 > 0:14:10I think it might be slightly less than that,
0:14:10 > 0:14:16- because it does need a bit of work. I'd say...- It does need, yeah.- ..535.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19- Yeah, but it's a big.... - It is big, it's true.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22It's a bit of a gamble, but I'm going to stick with that.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- You should have listened to your partner.- Oh, OK.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27It's currently on the market for £595,000.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Oh, OK, OK. So we were both out, but I was way out.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- But still just within budget. - Yeah.- Yeah, just within.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- Leaves you five grand to spend. - On renovations.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- It's a lot of house to take in. - Yes, yeah.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43So go and explore some of those nooks and crannies,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46and if I don't find you, I'll be by the front door, OK?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Yeah, we may get lost. - See you in a couple of weeks!
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- OK.- See you later.- Bye.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Just £5,000 short of their top budget
0:14:54 > 0:14:56at £595,000,
0:14:56 > 0:15:00our first option is a character property with generous proportions.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03The house comes with six bedrooms,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06two en-suites and three reception areas.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Not to mention the huge kitchen/diner.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13The garden has bags of space for Evie to run around in.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15I think the kitchen is a really great space.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17I love the way it leads on to this dining area.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19This is my favourite bit.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22I think this house is really charming.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26It's very unusual, it's got a creative feeling which I love.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It's all higgledy-piggledy.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32It's kind of like lots of different houses mashed together.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36I didn't get that, "Wow, it's amazing," when I walked in feeling.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38I think that's quite important.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40I think it's a good gut feeling.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43If you don't have that, maybe it's not good sign.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45The quirkiness is...
0:15:45 > 0:15:49a little bit strange. I haven't quite got my head around that.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52So, guys.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55You look perfect walking through that arch together.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- Seen enough quirkiness for now? - I think so, yeah.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- Lovely garden as well. - Garden's great.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04- We've definitely seen lots of quirkiness today.- Come on, let's go.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Tim and Maggie want to move somewhere
0:16:13 > 0:16:15that's full of character and history.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18They'll be spoilt for choice in the Vale
0:16:18 > 0:16:20as it has so much ancient folklore.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22So, starting with the elegant white horse
0:16:22 > 0:16:26which has graced the landscape for thousands of years.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Local museum curator Sharon Smith was on hand to tell them more.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33It's believed to be 3,000 years old.
0:16:33 > 0:16:39It was just dated recently by archaeological investigation.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42How it was made was a deep trench was dug
0:16:42 > 0:16:47about a metre deep and then packed with fresh chalk.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49The way that they were able to date it
0:16:49 > 0:16:53was by seeing when the bottom of the trench underneath all the chalk
0:16:53 > 0:16:55was last exposed to sunlight.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- What exactly does it symbolise, do you know?- We're not quite sure.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03We can't know, really, but it's thought to be a tribal symbol
0:17:03 > 0:17:05and it can be seen for miles around.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10Seen specially from the sky so made for the gods, it is said.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14More evidence of the Vale's historic ancestors can be found nearby
0:17:14 > 0:17:19in a Neolithic chambered long barrow called Wayland's Smithy,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22a 5,000-year-old burial chamber
0:17:22 > 0:17:25named after the Saxon god of metalworking.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29It's called Wayland's Smithy because there's a legend here
0:17:29 > 0:17:33that, if you leave your horse overnight with a coin,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36when you come back in the morning, you'll find it shod.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Wayland the smith was supposed to inhabit...
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- this burial mound. - It's quite atmospheric, isn't it?
0:17:43 > 0:17:47It's a lovely spot here with all the beech trees enclosing the mound.
0:17:47 > 0:17:53It's quite unique in that it's got this entrance of sarsen stones.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56From the foundations of these ancient settlements,
0:17:56 > 0:18:00the Vale developed and is now home to small, attractive market towns,
0:18:00 > 0:18:02such as Wantage,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06believed to be the birthplace of King Alfred the Great in 849AD.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09His statue stands proud in the town centre.
0:18:09 > 0:18:14A less obvious monument associated with this Anglo-Saxon king
0:18:14 > 0:18:16lies in a cottage garden in a nearby village.
0:18:16 > 0:18:21This is another sarsen stone, a very curiously shaped one.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22It has lots of holes in it.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25King Alfred was said to have summons his Saxon troops
0:18:25 > 0:18:28by blowing into the holes
0:18:28 > 0:18:32- and making a sound.- It's not very portable, though, is it?- No.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36- It's an ancient mobile phone device. - If you make a good sound out of it,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- apparently you are the next king of England.- Great.
0:18:40 > 0:18:41Would you like to have a go?
0:18:41 > 0:18:45Yeah, why not? I'll give it a go. I'm not sure which hole to use.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Maybe this one, it's worn away.
0:18:50 > 0:18:51FAINT TRUMPETING
0:18:57 > 0:18:58Not a bad effort,
0:18:58 > 0:19:01but I don't think Tim's about to be awarded royal residence just yet.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05It's time to get back to the house hunt to see
0:19:05 > 0:19:07if we strike the right notes with our second property.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Our next stop takes us to Drayton on the eastern side of the Vale,
0:19:17 > 0:19:18just five miles from Didcot,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21which has a 45 minute fast-train line into the city.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Drayton is a leafy residential village
0:19:24 > 0:19:26full of historic properties,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30with a church built in a Norman style during the early 13th century.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35The village also has two convenience stores as well as a couple of pubs
0:19:35 > 0:19:38serving a population of around 2,500 residents.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41And in a secluded position just off the high street
0:19:41 > 0:19:42and down a long gravelled drive
0:19:42 > 0:19:45is our second house,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49which should really test their commitment to period properties.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- You've probably gathered that this is it.- Right.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57I mean, the first thing that strikes me is it looks quite new.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It's actually four-and-a-half years old.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- Oh, my God!- And that next door.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04The current owner is an architect.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08He designed this house and next door and he currently lives in it.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11He's moving away to tackle another project.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14He also designed the garage behind you which is oak-framed.
0:20:14 > 0:20:20That porch is an oak porch as well. The bricks are hand-made,
0:20:20 > 0:20:23the tiles are hand-made, the windows are oak -
0:20:23 > 0:20:27he's gone to a lot of bother to make this look like an old property
0:20:27 > 0:20:30to fit in with this old village location.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It looks really well done.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35- It's amazing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- I think we should get in there. - Absolutely.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Are you sure you want to, you keep staring as if you're not sure.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43I'm really intrigued by this one.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45Be intrigued. Come on.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Take your coat off.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- What strikes you first is this great oak door.- Yeah, lovely.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56And limestone flooring.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Fantastic. It's a beautiful floor, really beautiful.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Let me bring you into the kitchen.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02Wow.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05This is lovely, isn't it?
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- It's amazing. - This is a perfect kitchen, I think.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11Look at you two! You look like you've just come home.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- Double doors opening out into the garden.- French doors as well.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Your kitchen units are made by the same people that made your windows.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21The other great thing about this property is
0:21:21 > 0:21:25this limestone flooring's underfloor heated, in the whole ground floor.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28That is such a luxury.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30- So it's a tick?- Absolutely.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Across the hallway is the utility room, next to a compact study,
0:21:34 > 0:21:37but we're heading for the main reception room.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- I like these doors as well.- Wow.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- This is fantastic.- This is good.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- This is a really great room. - It's big.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Serious fireplace.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Again, you've got the hand-made bricks and it's a working fireplace.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57He basically says you don't really need the heat coming from it
0:21:57 > 0:22:01but imagine this room at Christmas. A roaring fire.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04I can just really imagine it throughout the year actually.
0:22:04 > 0:22:05And you've got that view.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Looking out on a summer's evening. - It's pretty stunning.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11This feels good, this house.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13It really does.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15It's got a very special feeling.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20- I can just see us in this property more, can you?- Definitely.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It suits our lifestyle, I think.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25That finishes the ground floor, so let's go upstairs
0:22:25 > 0:22:28to see if the first floor will be a perfect match too.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33The four bedrooms up here include a single room and two doubles.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Nice room for Evie?
0:22:35 > 0:22:37- She'd love it. - I can imagine her in this room.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41And because it's a new-build, four-and-a-half years old,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44and he's built it to his specification,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47there's loads of storage space. Every room has this.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50That's so handy because that's something we've got a lot of now.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- We've got a lot of junk.- We have.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55It's just always handy to have, isn't it? That's great.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Right across the hallway is the family bathroom
0:22:58 > 0:23:02and our last stop is the largest bedroom up here.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04This is your master bedroom with en-suite.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Good size en-suite.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- It's a good size room. - It is, isn't it?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- It's really nice. Again, loads of storage.- Yeah.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- And looking on to your garden. - Lots of light.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23I can imagine waking up in this bed and looking out at the view.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27I really like this property so far, I really do.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30I'm surprised. I didn't think I'd like any modern properties.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33I thought it would be hard to find a modern property that I'd like.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35Now the house tour is complete
0:23:35 > 0:23:38and it's been a real eye-opener for our buyers.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Time to get outside into the garden and think cash.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Come on out.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47This would be a lovely suntrap.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- South facing.- Brilliant. Then there's a great view of this field,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- which I'm assuming is farmland? - It is.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55The front garden is bigger than the back.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59- The only thing that strikes me is a bit of road noise.- A little bit.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02The wind is blowing this way, apparently, says the owner.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04The A34 is quite a distance away.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- But it's there in the background, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Let's talk money. You have to go first this time.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- OK, I'm going to go first. - Go for it.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15I think this is right at the top of our budget.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18I think it might even be a bit over because of the quality
0:24:18 > 0:24:23of all the materials of making it. The finish, the attention to detail,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26so I would say...620?
0:24:26 > 0:24:28£620,000.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30That's what I reckon.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32I'm going to undercut you.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I think it's going to be less than 600.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I'm going to go for 580 on this one.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40OK.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- It's in the middle.- OK.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46It's currently on the market for £595,000.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49Again, you've got that £5,000 to play around with.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53I'm sure he'll throw the swing in for good measure at that price.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55What do you think?
0:24:55 > 0:24:58I think that's very reasonably priced.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01It doesn't need anything doing to it.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03It doesn't need anything, you could just move in
0:25:03 > 0:25:06and then just relax and enjoy the house.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08Go and have a look at the front garden,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11maybe take in the garage as well. It's pretty large.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13I'll come find you, OK? Keep smiling!
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Once again, just under budget at £595,000,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22the second property is an attractive modern cottage
0:25:22 > 0:25:27built in a traditional style with an emphasis on quality.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30There are four bedrooms, a large sitting room,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32a superb kitchen/breakfast room
0:25:32 > 0:25:36and a manageable garden surrounded by open countryside.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40I love this front garden. It's an added bonus, really, isn't it?
0:25:40 > 0:25:43I can imagine Evie running around here, can you?
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Plus it's all contained, she can't escape.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50I'm very impressed with it. It doesn't need anything doing to it.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53It really doesn't need anything done at all.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56I think this would be a good home for us.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58This kitchen is fantastic, isn't it?
0:25:58 > 0:26:01- It's just what we really like. - I think it's the best kitchen
0:26:01 > 0:26:05- I've seen for a long time, actually. - It's got a big table in the middle.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09I can really imagine us enjoying cooking in this room, can't you?
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Having friends round the table.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14I really like it. I'm quite surprised
0:26:14 > 0:26:17because we don't generally love modern properties.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19We really prefer period properties.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21This one is done so well.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24The architect who designed it has really paid attention to detail.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26It ticks all the boxes for me.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31And you are still smiling. One coat, sir.
0:26:31 > 0:26:33Two very different properties you've seen today.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36I think you need time to digest it all, don't you?
0:26:36 > 0:26:40- Definitely.- Absolutely.- Let's go and we'll reconvene later.- OK.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51As daylight fades over the Oxfordshire countryside,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54the first day of our property quest comes to a close.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02With a budget of £600,000, Tim and Maggie are looking to exchange
0:27:02 > 0:27:06their London flat for a family home in the Oxfordshire countryside.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10We've shown them two fantastic properties so far.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Coming up, the mystery house presents a few surprises.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- Hmm.- Unusual.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24And I'll be out on the lawn testing my aim.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Yesterday went rather well on the whole.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29We found out quite a bit about our lovely couple.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31For instance, the way to Maggie's heart
0:27:31 > 0:27:33is definitely through a kitchen.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36For Tim, it's all about peace and quiet.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38That fellow can hear an A road a mile off.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Today, we hope to satisfy both their needs.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Let me tell you, it does come at a cost, and I'm not talking money.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48I'm talking time, for the location of our mystery house
0:27:48 > 0:27:51will stretch Maggie and Tim's preferred one-hour commute.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53It's in the village of Leafield,
0:27:53 > 0:27:5510 minutes from a mainline train station,
0:27:55 > 0:27:59offering a 1 hour 15 minutes service to London.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Lying on the edge of the Cotswolds,
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Leafield has a mid-19th century church, a pub
0:28:04 > 0:28:08and a community shop with a post office that's run by the locals.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11The village is centred on the green
0:28:11 > 0:28:14with a picturesque primary school founded back in 1839.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Behind the school sits the mystery property
0:28:18 > 0:28:22which combines three Victorian cottages and a 300-year-old barn.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24This is the best bit, OK?
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Is that an A road I can hear? No.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31Yeah, this is much more secluded, isn't it?
0:28:31 > 0:28:33I'm liking it so far.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35What about the house?
0:28:35 > 0:28:38It's very impressive looking from the outside.
0:28:38 > 0:28:43What strikes me, for a cottage-type property, it does seem quite large.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45It's a property of history.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47It's intriguing again.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49I want to go and explore.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51Let's go, follow me.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56The location is hitting the spot. How will it fare inside?
0:28:57 > 0:29:03Mind your step. Come on in to one of your two lounge receptions.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Yeah, it's a good size.
0:29:05 > 0:29:09That's pretty good. It's very light, it's got big windows.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12- What about all this exposed brickwork?- I love this.
0:29:12 > 0:29:16Maybe a bit too rectangular for me. That's not a big problem.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19You prefer square?
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- Square is better, I think. - Not a fan of rectangular?
0:29:22 > 0:29:24No, but it's all right.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26I'm not complaining.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- Follow me to the kitchen.- OK.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35What's that, you're a big fan of rectangular?
0:29:38 > 0:29:40- Hmm.- Unusual.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44It's a bit of a galley kitchen, isn't it?
0:29:44 > 0:29:48It's quite unusual having the table at the end there.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52I like that idea, to be honest, because it's going to be bright.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Yeah, it is quite sweet. It's not my perfect kitchen, though.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- As you know, the kitchen's really important to me.- I do know.
0:29:59 > 0:30:03I don't get that sort of excitement I got with the kitchen yesterday.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07- I get more of a deflated feeling when I walk into this one.- Oh, no!
0:30:07 > 0:30:09The oldest part of the property
0:30:09 > 0:30:12is at the back of the house where the barn once stood.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15It now houses the dining room with doors onto the garden
0:30:15 > 0:30:19and yet more reception space used as a music room
0:30:19 > 0:30:23and featuring a spiral staircase to a private study with exposed beams.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27I think this area seems
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- a more natural kitchen area, funnily enough.- I agree with you.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34I think you could have a lovely kitchen there, couldn't you, Tim?
0:30:34 > 0:30:36What would you do with this?
0:30:36 > 0:30:41- You could probably make that into a huge square living room...- Square!
0:30:41 > 0:30:43That makes much more sense to me -
0:30:43 > 0:30:47to have that as a really big front room, a lovely big lounge area.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51And if they do go with that plan, they could create a utility room
0:30:51 > 0:30:54out of the office that sits right next door.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58The office also has the only access to a first-floor guest room.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01But we're heading back to the front of the property
0:31:01 > 0:31:05to the main entrance hall, off which is the cosy TV room
0:31:05 > 0:31:07and, up the main flight of stairs,
0:31:07 > 0:31:10we find three of the five bedrooms.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Let me take you into this bedroom.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15At a push, I would say a girl's room.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18- Definitely. - Judging by the amount of pink.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20- What do you think? - It's great, isn't it?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24It's a good children's bedroom, very bright.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26You do get a sense that this is a family home.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Yeah, it's definitely got that feeling.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32It's got a very warm family feel to it.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Back off the landing is the family bathroom,
0:31:36 > 0:31:38as well as a single bedroom.
0:31:38 > 0:31:42And there's yet another staircase leading up to the master bedroom.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45If it's a bright bedroom you want, look no further.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47This is great, I like this. We're on the third floor now?
0:31:47 > 0:31:50This is the Victorian part of the house -
0:31:50 > 0:31:53third floor, Victorian part of the house!
0:31:53 > 0:31:55- This is great. - Look at the views, Tim.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Oh, wow. That is stunning.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00Look at all that traffic(!)
0:32:00 > 0:32:02The views here, you really can't beat them.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05So what do you think, big enough for you?
0:32:05 > 0:32:09Definitely. I love these attic rooms.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11I like that it's a wooden floor.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15I think it's really practical in a bedroom to have a wooden floor.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17I just love the fact it's got windows on both sides.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21And the sunny aspect has certainly brightened
0:32:21 > 0:32:24the attitude towards this house as the tour has unfolded.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Time to weave our way back downstairs
0:32:27 > 0:32:30and out into the secluded back garden,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34where a long rectangular patio leads through to a sheltered lawn.
0:32:34 > 0:32:35This is great.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Look at you two lovebirds hand in hand, good to see.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40It's a nice garden, isn't it?
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Yeah. It's a really great space. Very lovely and light.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47It's a good garden for a party, I would say.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51- A lovely little Wendy house there for Evie to play in.- I love that.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Come on then, Tim, what do you think?
0:32:53 > 0:32:57It's hard but I think it's going to be another 595.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59£595,000.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Because it's that much further away from London,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04it is a bit further away,
0:33:04 > 0:33:09I would say that should bring the price down a bit. I think 580.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12£580,000.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14You're in for a big old shock then, aren't you?
0:33:14 > 0:33:18It's actually on the market for £800... No, I'm only joking.
0:33:18 > 0:33:22It's on the market for £499,950.
0:33:22 > 0:33:23- Wow.- Really?
0:33:23 > 0:33:25That is a pleasant surprise.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- I'm very surprised. - That would actually give us, um,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31more money left over to make some changes -
0:33:31 > 0:33:34if we moved into a property like this - we'd like to make.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37It also means our mortgage wouldn't be as big as we thought.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- I'll see you by the front door. - OK.- See you later.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45Massively under budget at £50 shy of £500,000,
0:33:45 > 0:33:48the mystery lot is a substantial period property
0:33:48 > 0:33:51in a delightful country village.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54The flexible accommodation lends itself to five double bedrooms
0:33:54 > 0:33:59and five reception rooms with lots of scope to adapt the layout.
0:33:59 > 0:34:04They'll be making a huge saving of over £100,000 with this property,
0:34:04 > 0:34:08but will the extra 15 minute commute to London be too much to bear?
0:34:08 > 0:34:10This is quite a cute little room, isn't it?
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- I love this room. - It's really great.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17This is really cute. What an inspiring study.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- I can imagine sitting up here working.- This is great.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24It just ticks more of the boxes for me than the other two.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Do you think you could live with this kitchen?
0:34:26 > 0:34:30Do you know what, looking at it again, I think I could live with it.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34It's something that I'd like to change at some point.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38But we could totally move in and be comfortable in this house.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41The commute - it's hard to say because we don't know
0:34:41 > 0:34:45how much commuting we're going to need to be doing in the future,
0:34:45 > 0:34:47but I don't think that's a big problem.
0:34:47 > 0:34:51The more you look at this property, the more it grows on you.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54I think it's a really, really strong contender, actually.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58I'm glad it's not raining. I was about to say you're taking ages.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- Got a bit lost. - You can get lost in that property!
0:35:01 > 0:35:05All three properties have been quite different, haven't they?
0:35:05 > 0:35:08There's a lot to take in. Shall we go and find somewhere
0:35:08 > 0:35:11- where we can chew the cud and relax a bit?- That would be a good idea.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Oxfordshire has an abundance of country houses
0:35:20 > 0:35:23complete with beautifully manicured gardens
0:35:23 > 0:35:26and synonymous with such perfect lawns
0:35:26 > 0:35:29must be the summer sport of croquet.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33It was in the grounds of this 17th-century Jacobean mansion,
0:35:33 > 0:35:34Chastleton House,
0:35:34 > 0:35:39that the rules of lawn croquet were first codified back in 1865.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42I must admit that I've never really played the game before,
0:35:42 > 0:35:45so I've come to the mansion grounds for a lesson with Norma Rayne,
0:35:45 > 0:35:48chairman of the Thames Valley croquet team.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52Norma, you didn't tell me I had to dress in white.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56No, that's a shame, isn't it? But it is only during the summer,
0:35:56 > 0:35:58otherwise you can be in mufti for the winter play.
0:35:58 > 0:36:02We play all the year round at the Thames Valley Croquet Club.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Now, a mallet is the sort of thing you need for action.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08Square or round, depending on which you like.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10I prefer the round so I'm giving you the square.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Great, thanks. Yes, boss.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16- Are you are right handed?- I am. - Right, you grab it with your left.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18That's absolutely right.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22You put your right hand down the back of the actual mallet
0:36:22 > 0:36:26and you put the mallet between your legs on the ground.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30You have a ball at the end of your mallet on the ground.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33That's right. It's a swinging pendulum action
0:36:33 > 0:36:36so you take the mallet back between your legs
0:36:36 > 0:36:39and you kiss the ground and follow through.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43The game of croquet is thought
0:36:43 > 0:36:46to have come to England from Ireland in the 1830s.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50It became very popular during the mid-to-late 19th century
0:36:50 > 0:36:54as a pastime that could be enjoyed by both men and women side by side.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56But the sport was eclipsed a decade later
0:36:56 > 0:36:58by the more action-based lawn tennis.
0:36:58 > 0:37:01In Britain, association and golf
0:37:01 > 0:37:04are the two main variations of croquet played.
0:37:04 > 0:37:09Golf croquet has much simpler rules and a faster pace.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12The opposing sides can be one or two players,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15making single or doubles teams,
0:37:15 > 0:37:18hitting balls consecutively through the hoops.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21- I imagined this to be a lot heavier. - No, it weighs a pound,
0:37:21 > 0:37:23they're all a pound in weight.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- What's it made out of?- Composite.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28It's changed over time. It used to be wooden ones.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32- Some of your colleagues are playing with black, red...- Yes.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35They're primary colours and you play as a partnership.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40- Black and blue go together, red and yellow go together.- I've got you.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Opposing sides each have two balls and the course consists
0:37:43 > 0:37:46of six hoops with a winning peg. Players contest each hoop
0:37:46 > 0:37:49and the winner is the first side to win the most hoops
0:37:49 > 0:37:52with a deciding hoop played if the scores are equal.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56- So I've got to stop it just in front of that hoop?- That's all.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01Quite hard. Brilliant, that sounds fantastic.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04- Look at that, a beginner! - Wow, look at that!
0:38:04 > 0:38:08That's one hoop down with possibly another 12 to go -
0:38:08 > 0:38:10I'm going to enjoy this challenge.
0:38:10 > 0:38:11Not bad, not bad.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Croquet involves a combination of mental and physical skills
0:38:15 > 0:38:18and every stroke presents a tactical challenge.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21That's it.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Oh!
0:38:23 > 0:38:26- So close!- That was very close.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29If that had gone through, I'd have retired.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I would have allowed you to.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35It's suitable for all ages, making it a very inclusive sport
0:38:35 > 0:38:38that's a pleasure to play, even on a wet summer's day.
0:38:40 > 0:38:42Fantastic.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47Three very different properties, all with positive points, mind you.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49The question is will Tim and Maggie go for one of them?
0:38:49 > 0:38:51It's time to find out.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59- Guys, you found a fantastic spot. - I know.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02- Lovely location, isn't it? - It's fantastic.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Sorry I can't offer you any of THESE houses.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Let's talk about the ones that we have seen.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11- We'll start with the quirkiest of houses ever!- You can say that again.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14I loved the creative feel and that, every time you opened a door,
0:39:14 > 0:39:16you didn't know what you were going to get.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20There was lots of light. There were lots of positive things about it.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- The garden was good.- The garden was good, it was in a very sweet village.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25- It was also massive.- It was huge
0:39:25 > 0:39:30and it had this quite incredible roof terrace overlooking the garden.
0:39:30 > 0:39:31In actual fact,
0:39:31 > 0:39:35we thought ultimately the size was maybe a negative thing
0:39:35 > 0:39:40- because it was just too big. - I think it's just a bit too much.
0:39:40 > 0:39:45It needed quite a bit of work and it was right on the top of our budget.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Let's move on to the property that looked old
0:39:47 > 0:39:51- but was only four-and-a-half years old.- It completely fooled us both.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55It was done beautifully and I think the architect owner
0:39:55 > 0:39:59had obviously put a lot of his heart and soul into it.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Maggie, did you like the kitchen in the second property?
0:40:02 > 0:40:04- Yeah, it was all right.- It'll do.
0:40:04 > 0:40:08- You loved it, didn't you? - I did, I did.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11- I loved it as well. - That kitchen was a dream kitchen.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13It was just faultless, really.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17And the fact that everything was new and well-finished
0:40:17 > 0:40:18and of really high quality.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Was it big enough for you? - I think maybe not quite.
0:40:21 > 0:40:26Yeah, we differ on this one. I think you can have a house that's too big
0:40:26 > 0:40:29and I think that one was just the right size.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32It filled a lot of the criteria that we need, really.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I think I was just a bit put off by the fact that it was modern
0:40:35 > 0:40:38even though I didn't realise it was modern.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I think maybe the small windows and the low ceilings,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43which kind of had to be like that, didn't it?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46It was very in keeping with the surrounding area.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49- That's exactly why he's done it. - It was so well done.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52But I think, ultimately, we did differ on it.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54I liked it more than you liked it.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- I think it was as simple as that. - I liked the third house more.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59OK, let's move on to the third house then.
0:40:59 > 0:41:03The third house, it's fair to say,
0:41:03 > 0:41:06- didn't have your dream kitchen. - It didn't have the dream kitchen.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10In fact, I didn't like the kitchen when I first saw it at all.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13But the house grew on me the more I walked around it.
0:41:13 > 0:41:17And the price just blew me away, I couldn't believe it.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20Was it the price that did it for you? You say there's not much to do,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23but you were talking about moving the kitchen
0:41:23 > 0:41:26and knocking down a wall to make the reception double the size.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30- That's a lot of work.- It is because, when we were looking round,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33I thought it'd be at the upper end of our budget and it would impossible.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37When we found out the price, I thought, actually, it's achievable.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41I think the thing we learned with the third property was that
0:41:41 > 0:41:45if you're willing to do just that 10-20 minutes extra over an hour,
0:41:45 > 0:41:51you get so much more for your money. You get more property for your money.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54- We didn't realise how much of a difference it would make.- Yeah.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57Are you going to go and see any of the three properties again?
0:41:57 > 0:42:00I wouldn't mind seeing the third one again.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02That's, in my mind, the only real possibility.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06The third one just feels the most viable actually.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09It felt ultimately, when we look back on all three,
0:42:09 > 0:42:14it felt like the most family-home property.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17What if you go back to the second property
0:42:17 > 0:42:21and there's no wind at all and you don't hear any traffic?
0:42:21 > 0:42:25I would be intrigued to go back to the second property too.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28Listen, I hope that you two are going to be extremely happy here.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I think that Evie, when she gets here, is going to be happy as well.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34It's been fantastic meeting you.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37You've been so positive and fun to be with, so cheers!
0:42:37 > 0:42:38Thank you very much.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40Thanks, Aled. It's been great.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46And as they gather in the harvest here,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49isn't it good to know we may have found Maggie and Tim a new home?
0:42:49 > 0:42:52But even if they don't go for one of our options,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55at least we've opened their eyes to the possibility of what's achievable
0:42:55 > 0:42:59if they look further afield than that magic one hour from London.
0:42:59 > 0:43:01If they do that, who knows -
0:43:01 > 0:43:04they could be escaping to the country before we know it.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06Until next time, goodbye.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10And if you would like to escape to the country
0:43:10 > 0:43:14in Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland or England, and need our help,
0:43:14 > 0:43:15please apply online.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:29 > 0:43:32E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk