0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today, we are talking quite literally of the Devil,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09as he's said to hold court up there on the longest day of the year.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14But where am I? Join me to find out on Escape To The Country.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34On today's show,
0:00:34 > 0:00:37I'll be helping a history-loving couple set up home in the country.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40We have plenty of period properties for them to fall in love with.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45My goodness, gracious me. Wow. Look at those smiles.
0:00:45 > 0:00:51But will they still be beaming when they see the mystery house?
0:00:51 > 0:00:55Today I'm in Shropshire and this is the Devil's Chair,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58in the Stiperstones National Nature Reserve.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00According to the local legend,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04these rocks were brought here by the Devil himself.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09And it's even said you can smell the brimstone on them in very hot weather.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12Shropshire is England's largest landlocked county
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and has a wealth of natural wonders.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Earmarked as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22the Shropshire hills cover a quarter of its landmass,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26with the Wrekin being one of the county's most famous landmarks.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Alongside its breathtaking rural landscape,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31the industrial age was forged here,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34with Thomas Telford's cast-iron bridge
0:01:34 > 0:01:38a crowning achievement of 18th-century engineering,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41and its historic timber-frame buildings a recurring theme
0:01:41 > 0:01:43throughout its towns and villages.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47But what are today's buyers after?
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Well, I think it would be fair to say they're looking to bring
0:01:50 > 0:01:54even more history to this most historic of counties.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Ben and Gloria have lived in their three-bedroom end of terrace house
0:01:58 > 0:02:02in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, for the last 25 years.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04But they're not alone.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06They've been sharing it
0:02:06 > 0:02:09with Ben's much-loved collection of military memorabilia,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12which is now making life a bit of a squeeze.
0:02:12 > 0:02:13The house is full.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16The garden sheds are full, my basement, my cellar is full.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19The attic is full. Really, I have no space left.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22So I really need to find somewhere with a little bit more room.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25I'm really looking forward to moving because we're a bit squashed at the moment.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28But with more space come great aspirations.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30I would like to be able to open up the museum
0:02:30 > 0:02:36as a private museum, not as a business venture. I'm not looking to make money.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38We're simply looking to have a decent display area,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42where people who are interested in such could come and have a look,
0:02:42 > 0:02:44can experience and, in some cases,
0:02:44 > 0:02:46actually play with the equipment that we've got.
0:02:46 > 0:02:52Basically, just to share what's been my passion over a number of years
0:02:52 > 0:02:55with as many like-minded people as possible.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57And how will Gloria spend her time?
0:02:57 > 0:03:01In the countryside, I'm looking forward to doing my archery.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06Because I will have the space. And I've recently taken up painting.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10And I'm not really inspired here, so I'm looking forward to that.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14But, so far, location has been a sticking point with their search.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17We've been looking for the past ten months or so in this area
0:03:17 > 0:03:21and we've concluded that we've got to go out into a more rural area.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25It won't be far from my family, who live here in Kidderminster.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29The location we're looking for would be on the edge of a village.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32It can't be too isolated, because, if we're looking to form a museum,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35there has to be access for the visitors.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38So what kind of property are they after?
0:03:38 > 0:03:43We would like a character house with a minimum of two bedrooms
0:03:43 > 0:03:46and a nice country kitchen.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52My main consideration will be to find a property with either outbuildings already in existence,
0:03:52 > 0:03:57a barn or large workshop, something like that.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59As far as I'm concerned,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03the size needs to be at least an acre or more.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07So are there any styles of property to steer clear of?
0:04:07 > 0:04:08New builds.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10We don't really want to live in a new build.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Also any property that's maybe listed.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17If the house was listed, but anything like outbuildings,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21if they were able to be modified, then that might be worth considering.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24We are willing to renovate to a small extent.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30Ben and Gloria plan to plough their savings into this move and rent out their current property.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34With that in mind, how much do they have to spend?
0:04:34 > 0:04:39The total budget for this property will be ?400,000.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46So this move is a little out of the ordinary.
0:04:46 > 0:04:52I don't recall ever having a couple on the programme who wanted to open their own private museum.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58But hats off to Ben for wanting to make his memorabilia collection available for everyone to enjoy.
0:04:58 > 0:05:04Don't forget, along with these outbuildings to house this fantastic collection,
0:05:04 > 0:05:09we've also got to find a character home with a good-sized garden.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12?400,000 is a healthy budget in this part of the world,
0:05:12 > 0:05:19so with a little luck, we should be able to make their dream a reality.
0:05:19 > 0:05:25Ben and Gloria don't want to stray too far from Kidderminster, where they have friends and family,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29so they've asked us to focus their search in the south of the county.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33We've cherry-picked three character properties to show them,
0:05:33 > 0:05:37but I won't be revealing the price of each until they've guessed first.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39The last house is our mystery house,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42which could be too much of a good thing.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Ben and Gloria, welcome to sunny Shropshire. Thank you.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51Tell me about this military collection you've got.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Huge array of things. How many?
0:05:54 > 0:05:59700-odd. A small van for the move and... Large van for the collection.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05Yes! I'm a little worried about you two. We've got to find you the perfect property too.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Yes. If it's got character it would be lovely.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Budget-wise, top of your budget, ?400,000?
0:06:11 > 0:06:16That includes money to do the renovations to the outbuilding?
0:06:16 > 0:06:18A little renovation if needed, yes.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I'm willing to take some work to a small extent.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25I know, because you're so passionate about your hobby. I know you are.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29We've got some fantastic properties lined up for you both to see.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Shall we get started? Yeah, thank you!
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Ben and Gloria have ?400,000 for this move, and for that
0:06:38 > 0:06:44they're after a detached character cottage with at least two bedrooms.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47Gloria wants a large kitchen and utility room,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50while Ben needs an outbuilding for his private museum.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54And they would love a one-acre garden,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56all set in a village location.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06We're starting our property search a short drive from Much Wenlock,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08a pretty town with only 3,000 residents,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11but whose streets are packed with local shops
0:07:11 > 0:07:15and historic buildings, some dating back to the 15th century.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18And, tucked away in the outlying hamlet of Bourton,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21our first property comes with some historic character of its own.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25What do you think? It looks lovely. Very quaint. Very quaint.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27The double-storey part of the house
0:07:27 > 0:07:30dates back to the 17th century. OK.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33To the right of it, that was built in the 1800s,
0:07:33 > 0:07:37and it used to be the village shop. Oh, so there is history.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39So it's used to having the public come and attend it.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41I don't know if that's a good omen. Well, maybe.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45You might have noticed there's a little bit of an eyesore,
0:07:45 > 0:07:47a corrugated barn.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49The good news is that's coming down.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Planning permission has been given for houses to be built.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It will change your view of the property,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57in about a year's time, when it's done.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Lovely. So, intrigued? Are you ready to get started?
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Really excited, yeah. Follow me. Thank you.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06This cottage has been sympathetically refurbished
0:08:06 > 0:08:10and hopefully will offer up the period features they're looking for.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15So, you lead straight into the sitting room. Oh, wow!
0:08:15 > 0:08:20Oh! Oh, that's lovely. Wood! I like wood.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Fire, stone, wood, yes, we're working.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27All OK so far. Very nice first impressions.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30To the side of us, you've got a downstairs toilet,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33which is separate from a downstairs bathroom.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36The rooms are larger than you might expect in a cottage,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38as we'll see in the dining room.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43So what do you think? It's bigger than I thought it was going to be.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Can you see the curtain? Yes. That was the entrance for the shop,
0:08:47 > 0:08:49and then this was the storeroom. This would have been the storeroom.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53And if you look up, you can see...
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Can you see the hooks? That's where meat used to hang.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Where the meat would have hung, yes. Very nice. It's definitely got character.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04It's lovely. Excellent! Right, follow me.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06If they like the style so far,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08I'm sure they'll warm to the kitchen.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Wow, lovely! Kitchen!
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Do you like what you see? Yes, very nice, very nice. Beams.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20Nice stone floor. Yeah, that's the original quarry tiles.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22Lovely. Very nice.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25And they've kept it. There's a bread oven through the arch,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27and they've made it into a larder.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31And then just round the corner, through the other arch, is a study.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Very nice. And you've got a sort of little boot room behind us
0:09:34 > 0:09:37with access back out. Yeah. Very nice. Lovely.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41So this is all working for you? Yeah, it's the style that I wanted.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45We! We want! We! He meant "we". He definitely meant "we".
0:09:45 > 0:09:47I did mean "we". Yes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Let's see if we can build on that positive reaction upstairs,
0:09:51 > 0:09:55where, along with the separate WC, there are two double bedrooms.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58So what will they make of the one that could be theirs?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Oh, that's lovely, a good size. Very nice.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03You said you wanted a minimum of two bedrooms. Yes.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07This house obviously does have two. Right. So, workable for you both?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11Yeah, I can't see us wishing to entertain
0:10:11 > 0:10:13any more than a pair of guests.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17You're getting a real feel for this house. It's very nice so far.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20The cottage seems to fit the bill,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23but to score top marks, we need that outbuilding for Ben.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25First, let's tackle the garden.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28So here is your garden,
0:10:28 > 0:10:32and you have to imagine this garden without that huge carbuncle barn,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34because it is going to go. Right.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36So it's not quite the acre you asked for. No. No.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40But manageable? Possibly, possibly. It depends on other factors.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43What this property lacks in garden,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46it makes up for with its two-storey outhouse.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49At ground level, it houses a double garage,
0:10:49 > 0:10:54but I want Ben to scope the upstairs floor for museum potential.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59So up here...you have a whole separate annexe.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Wow! Wow... Yeah.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04As you can see, it goes all the way down to the end. Yeah.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07So could this work for you? Is it big enough? He's got a lot of stuff.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11It's...debatable. There was me thinking it would be...
0:11:11 > 0:11:14It would, to normal people. This would be a wonderful space to normal people.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19Unfortunately... Ben is not normal! Not normal, no, but it's very good.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22It's a good space. It's certainly worth thinking about, yes.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26While you're mulling that over, I'm going to ask you much you think
0:11:26 > 0:11:30this property is on the market for. Righto. Erm...380.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33Er...375.
0:11:33 > 0:11:40Oh, interesting! Your budget, the top of your budget was ?400,000.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44You'd get ?50 change. Right, a bit more than we thought.
0:11:44 > 0:11:50It is ?399,950. So just under 400. Just under.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Certainly worth thinking about.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56On budget at just shy of ?400,000,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00this character cottage offers up generous accommodation
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and addresses many of the demands on their wish-list,
0:12:03 > 0:12:06giving them two reception rooms, a country kitchen,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08two double bedrooms
0:12:08 > 0:12:13and, outside, a separate annexe to house Ben's military museum,
0:12:13 > 0:12:17all wrapped up in a quiet rural location with amenities close by.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Right, you two, happy? Yes, very nice. Are you ready to hit the road?
0:12:21 > 0:12:23We are. We are, thank you.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39Agriculture remains a strong part of Shropshire's identity
0:12:39 > 0:12:43with over 80% of the land still used for farming.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48The 18th and 19th centuries brought about huge changes in farming practices -
0:12:48 > 0:12:53faithfully recreated here at Acton Scott historic working farm.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56I've come to meet owner Rupert Acton to find out more.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59Your family run a Victorian farm for us all to appreciate.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Why did you pick that era?
0:13:01 > 0:13:05My father wanted to preserve those memories
0:13:05 > 0:13:07and to keep them alive,
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and of course a lot of the tools
0:13:10 > 0:13:12and machinery were still kicking around at that date,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15so you could go into a corner of a field and you could still find
0:13:15 > 0:13:18a piece of 19th-century farming equipment.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Horse power transformed the job of ploughing,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23which was formerly done by hand with hoes.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27I'm heading out into the field to learn more from ploughman Simon.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31Good to meet you. Who is this? This is Tori.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33She is one of our shires.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36What are you doing with her on the farm?
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Is that a small plough I can see?
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Well, we are working with a cultivator.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43We're going to work over this patch here,
0:13:43 > 0:13:45the brown patch you can see,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Would you like to have a go? I would love to.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51'Ploughing by horse power is a very skilled procedure,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54'with the horses controlled by voice commands.' Walk on!
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Ooh, we're off!
0:13:59 > 0:14:00'And steered with long reins
0:14:00 > 0:14:03'while maintaining a constant downward pressure
0:14:03 > 0:14:06'to keep the plough at the right depth in the soil.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10'In fact, farmers used to compete to see who could plough a field
0:14:10 > 0:14:14'not only in the quickest time but with the straightest furrows.'
0:14:14 > 0:14:15Not very straight, am I?
0:14:15 > 0:14:19'By 1920, tractors were the norm and reduced
0:14:19 > 0:14:25'the time to plough a one-acre field like this from one day to one hour.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28'The early 20th century may have marked the dawn of modernisation
0:14:28 > 0:14:32'but this Victorian farm serves as a living reminder
0:14:32 > 0:14:36'of the importance of our rural heritage.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38'But for now, it's back to the house hunt.'
0:14:40 > 0:14:43We continue our house search in Clee St Margaret,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47with all the spoils of Ludlow only seven miles away.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50Our second property sits in a small hamlet,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52made up of a collection of stone cottages,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56all set in a conservation area in the heart of the Shropshire hills.
0:14:56 > 0:15:02This house comes with outbuildings and land, it could be a strong contender.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07This is your second property. Oh, right.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09It was built in the 1800s.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13To the right, that first section, that was originally a barn. Right.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16The middle section was a blacksmith's and these were workers' cottages.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19And now it's all one? It's all one, yes.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22There's a bit of history there, isn't there? There certainly is.
0:15:22 > 0:15:28I'm going to shake things up a bit and show Ben the outbuilding across the road first,
0:15:28 > 0:15:34which comes in the form of a barn and will hopefully give him the space he's looking for.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37So, here we've got a big barn.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41We're in one section, you've got the same again at the other side.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44And, you've got a double carport to the right of it. OK.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Which could be blocked in to increase the floor space.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52Space-wise, how does this work for you? It's certainly a good start.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56It's certainly a good start and there is room for expansion.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00If you want to extend, you've got to get the right permission, but you also need land.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Yes, you've got to have the space to do it.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07The outbuilding sits in just over an acre, complete with a chicken run and duck pond,
0:16:07 > 0:16:12so let's cross the quiet lane and see what they make of this substantial cottage,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15which has been completely renovated by the current owner.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19So we've walked through the old part, that was the barn originally.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21There's the study right in front of you,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24but I wanted to bring you straight into this room.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29It's a nice big room, isn't it? Lovely kitchen. And beams.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Looking at those beams, can you see where the horse's hoof print was?
0:16:33 > 0:16:35This is where the blacksmith was.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38You can see the imprint and some graffiti up there
0:16:38 > 0:16:42with a date on, 1877 and 1898, I think.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45There's a lot of character in this property.
0:16:45 > 0:16:46Well, well, well.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50But it's also extended through the archway, and there's more storage.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54That's good, having it separated. Yes. Good.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56Getting a good feel for this house, then? Yeah.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59We know the barn worked, it's magic, this has got to do it, now!
0:16:59 > 0:17:05The open plan kitchen/dining area is complemented by the homely feel in the sitting room.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Nice living room. Yes. Yes, it's really cosy.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15You love that character, that olde worldeness? We do. This has got it.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18Yes? Yes. It seems to have it at the moment.
0:17:18 > 0:17:23Well, the utility room has more character features than they could have imagined.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Oh, that's lovely! This is vintage utility.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Good gracious me. It's big.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Unbelievable, isn't it?
0:17:30 > 0:17:32At the far end is a nicely furnished bathroom
0:17:32 > 0:17:35and the impeccable interior continues upstairs,
0:17:35 > 0:17:40there are three bedrooms, one double with yet another brick fireplace
0:17:40 > 0:17:44and a cute single, opposite which is a separate WC.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48There's a surprise in store in the master bedroom.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49It's lovely.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53It's nice. The roof space area yes, nice. Big room!
0:17:53 > 0:17:58But there is a little bit more. There's something else I need to show you in this bedroom.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Step through, ladies and gentlemen. SHE LAUGHS
0:18:04 > 0:18:06This was unexpected.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Gosh, that's a size and a half, isn't it?
0:18:08 > 0:18:13Very, very nice indeed. A nice little twist for you both? It is, yes.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15A big twist. Yes.
0:18:15 > 0:18:20I think we've got all the bases covered with this property and outside there's a lawned garden
0:18:20 > 0:18:25with a particularly secluded area around the side, but now it's crunch time.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29So here is the garden.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31You've seen everything, how much is it worth?
0:18:31 > 0:18:34OK. 385. 385, OK?
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Towards the top end of the budget, 395?
0:18:39 > 0:18:42We're actually going to go over your budget. THEY GROAN
0:18:42 > 0:18:46The asking price is ?415,000.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49It's only just clipping the top, yes.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52However, we have spoken to the people that are selling
0:18:52 > 0:18:56and they will consider a sensible offer.
0:18:56 > 0:19:01Lovely. Very interesting. Yes? That's good. Lovely, thank you. Look at those smiles.
0:19:02 > 0:19:07Priced at ?415,000, but open to reasonable offers,
0:19:07 > 0:19:11this beautiful cottage is bursting at the seams with character and charm
0:19:11 > 0:19:17and gives them original features including that bread oven and the old copper.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20An open-plan kitchen/dining room, three bedrooms,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24and a large barn for Ben's military collection.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29All sitting in an acre of land in a desirable rural location.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Happy with everything you've seen? Wonderful. Thank you very much.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Still loving Shropshire? Indeed. Very much.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36That's music to my ears.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54As the sun sets over the Shropshire hills,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Our mystery property lies in the village of Diddlebury,
0:20:11 > 0:20:16situated in the Corvedale, a protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20Our historic mystery house dates back to 1660,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24and is listed, which Ben and Gloria didn't want.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27This is our third and final property.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It's amazing!
0:20:29 > 0:20:30SHE LAUGHS
0:20:30 > 0:20:36Because it has so much character and charm, it is listed. Ah, right.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41However, the current owners have done a lot of work on it already,
0:20:41 > 0:20:44replacing the windows, rewiring, replumbing...
0:20:44 > 0:20:47The fact that it's had quite a lot of work already done to it,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and it's Grade-II listed, isn't too much of an obstacle?
0:20:50 > 0:20:54It wouldn't seem to be at the moment, no. Shall we start off the tour? Yes.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00Let's see if the interior of our mystery house can wield its magic.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Oh, that's lovely.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08Wow! My, goodness, gracious. Beams and a beautiful fireplace.
0:21:09 > 0:21:13That is a huge inglenook, isn't it? It is, isn't it? Very spacious.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16You've got the beams, but they're not low, you're not having to duck.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21Who could not wish to live in something this age as opposed to a modern house?
0:21:21 > 0:21:24It's very nice. Through the door at the end there's a study.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28I'm going to take us past the staircase and continue the tour.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36This flows through into the dining room and the kitchen.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Yes, it's big, isn't it? This has been opened up by the owners.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42It was probably two rooms.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44It's open but it's still well-defined.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46That's like the kitchen area and the dining area. Yes.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Anything you'd change in here?
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Good gracious, no. That was definite.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I'm going to leave on a high, I'm going to continue.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Leading off the dining area is yet another reception room.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01This is cosy. Very nice, indeed.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03This actually used to be the cow shed. Right.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06It's been converted.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Lovely history. It certainly has. Ideal.
0:22:09 > 0:22:15The downstairs space and character of our mystery house really seems to be hitting the mark.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18We'll head upstairs by the back staircase to the landing,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21off which lead all three bedrooms,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24two of which make for generous singles.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27There's also a sweet family bathroom.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29The main bedroom really raises the roof.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Surely, this isn't your average master bedroom. Well.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37That's got a nice ceiling. Isn't that beautiful?
0:22:37 > 0:22:40A nice shape for a little window. This is a lovely room.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Do you really like it? Yes. Yeah, it's smashing, that is.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Now poke your head through there. After you.
0:22:47 > 0:22:52This is massive! That's a surprise. An en-suite with a shower.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Very nice. This is lovely.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58We seem to be on song with our mystery property
0:22:58 > 0:23:01but it all hinges on what lies outside for Ben.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07Ben, this is for you. Wow!
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Well, well, well. That is a nice size. That is a good-sized space.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16It's the smallest we've seen so far. With the headroom,
0:23:16 > 0:23:19it looks like we could get another floor at least.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21It has had a new roof put on.
0:23:21 > 0:23:28Is it listed? It is not. That would allow us to make slight alterations to it.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Ben has not dismissed developing the barn
0:23:32 > 0:23:35but the last part of the equation is the land.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37There is good news.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43This property comes with an acre, mainly lawn, surrounded by mature planting.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46But can our mystery house deliver all this on budget?
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Who wants to guess the price?
0:23:49 > 0:23:57Based on what you have shown us before it has to be at the top of our budget, if not over, knowing you!
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I like to spend your money, but I want you to be happy.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05Of course. Hopefully it's just been reduced in price, so I'm going to say 420. OK.
0:24:05 > 0:24:10I think it's a bit over the 400, so I'll say 415. All right.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Say it starts with a three. Three.
0:24:14 > 0:24:19Next guess? Nine. No. Eight. Seven. No.
0:24:19 > 0:24:26?345,000. That is a shock. Good gracious me.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30It has come down in price. It was a lot more than that to start with.
0:24:30 > 0:24:37A little more. Three... ?345,000 ` ?55,000 left in your budget
0:24:37 > 0:24:39to do an amazing job on the barn.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44Wow. I would not have thought that at all.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46That is an amazing price.
0:24:46 > 0:24:52Dramatically under budget at ?345,000,
0:24:52 > 0:24:57our listed mystery house gives them ?55,000 to play with
0:24:57 > 0:25:00and it delivers in so many ways.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04It gives them three reception areas, awash with features,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06three bedrooms,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09a stone barn which Ben could convert to house his collection -
0:25:09 > 0:25:12all wrapped up in an acre of grounds.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16And set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22All right? Yes, thank you. Look at those happy faces.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Very good reaction. You have got some decisions to make.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27We have indeed. Big decisions.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Shall we will find you somewhere quiet so you can gather your thoughts?
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Yes. That would be lovely.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44The house hunt is over.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47We've shown them three properties and have got three, well,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49fantastic reactions.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54But has any one house stolen Ben and Gloria's hearts? Let's find out.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Well, Ben and Gloria, what a few days we've had. We have!
0:26:03 > 0:26:06Fantastic reactions from you but let's hear what you really think.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11Let's start off with the very first one we saw. I loved the cottage.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15I absolutely adored it. When we stepped inside, it was adorable.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19But I knew the garden wasn't going to be big enough for him.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24It was just the lack of ground space which really rules that one out.
0:26:24 > 0:26:29The second property we saw was the long cottage built in the 1800s.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32That was unusual. We started off with the outbuilding first.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37What did you think of that? The outbuilding itself was ideal.
0:26:37 > 0:26:43It could quite easily accommodate and there was space around it to extend, so that was excellent.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45We can't forget the cottage itself, can we?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47It was lovely. Very different. It was.
0:26:47 > 0:26:52I just thought of a holiday home instead of a real home.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57I liked the house and the garden surrounding the house was nice
0:26:57 > 0:27:02but if Gloria has reservations about the house, obviously, we have to talk about that.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Which leads us to the mystery house.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11It was very unexpected when we went in. Yes, yes.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15The house itself was beautiful. The period, the character, the style.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Everything about it was lovely.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22So, which house out of the three might you put an offer on?
0:27:22 > 0:27:26It would have to be the mystery. It would have to be the mystery house.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Out of the three, that is the nicest property so that is going to take some real hard thinking.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Especially with the price. Exactly.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38It leaves a lot of money left over in the budget to do all the things you want to do.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39That was a real shock, the price.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43I really do hope you put an offer in and, if you do, will you let us know? Of course.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46And thank you for your help. It's been lovely. Thank you so much.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53So, three great properties for our super couple
0:27:53 > 0:27:58and it looks like, once again, the mystery house just had the edge.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01We wish Ben and Gloria all the best with their plans
0:28:01 > 0:28:04of moving their private museum to Shropshire.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Until the next time, bye-bye.
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0:28:12 > 0:28:15Scotland, or even further afield to the Continent,
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