0:00:02 > 0:00:06Today I'm in a county that is home to the world's largest wooden catapult
0:00:06 > 0:00:08or trebuchet
0:00:08 > 0:00:09and I'm going to fire it
0:00:09 > 0:00:14and this is the traditional medieval phrase you do as it happens.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Have a care!
0:00:19 > 0:00:20Whoo-hoo!
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Heavens to Betsy, that goes, doesn't it?
0:00:36 > 0:00:39On today's show, we're helping a young family say g'day
0:00:39 > 0:00:41to a big country pile.
0:00:41 > 0:00:42It's huge.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Beware, though. Some traditional features may cause confusion.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49The story of the three little pigs has put me off.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52The house is not built of straw, just the roof.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56And be prepared for some controversial DIY.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58How do you feel about the beams in here?
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- I'd probably put some plasterboard over the main ones.- Oh, God!
0:01:06 > 0:01:10Today we're in Warwickshire and this is Warwick Castle,
0:01:10 > 0:01:13one of the finest medieval castles left in the UK,
0:01:13 > 0:01:16an inspiration to Warwickshire's favourite son, William Shakespeare.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21So it's once more into the breach, dear friends, as we rescue not damsels in distress
0:01:21 > 0:01:25but property buyers in distress in this most historic of counties.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31'Landlocked in the West Midlands by seven English counties,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34'Warwickshire is considered to be the very heart of England.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38'As you'd expect from the birthplace of our most renowned playwright,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41'it has a rich, dramatic and historic pedigree.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44'Once the western border of the Roman Empire,
0:01:44 > 0:01:49'the Fosse Way is one of the only Roman roads in Britain to retain its Latin name,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51'although don't expect anything exotic.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53'It simply means ditch.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56'Warwickshire played main stage in the Civil War, too,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00'Edgehill being the backdrop for the very first battle to be fought,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02'in 1642.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05'No prices for guessing Warwick is the county town,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07'which isn't just home to the castle
0:02:07 > 0:02:11'but boasts some prime Regency and Georgian architecture.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15'A fire in 1694 destroyed the town centre
0:02:15 > 0:02:17'and it was completely rebuilt.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21'Whilst the north developed industrially in the 1800s,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24'the south kept to its rural ways
0:02:24 > 0:02:27'and is still an agricultural stronghold today.'
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Warwickshire's a tale of two counties.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35You've got the northern part, centred around Coventry,
0:02:35 > 0:02:39that's on the commuter line towards Birmingham and is more populous.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42The southern part around Stratford-upon-Avon
0:02:42 > 0:02:44is less populous but more expensive
0:02:44 > 0:02:47because it's shading into the Cotswolds.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Across the county, the average price for a detached house
0:02:50 > 0:02:52is only 3% above the national average,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55so that means that wherever you're buying, north or south,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58there's some property bargains to be had.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01If its original features you worship,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05look no further than this converted chapel in Ilmington.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08The open-plan layout downstairs is an inspired use of space
0:03:08 > 0:03:10and upstairs are four bedrooms.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14With a price tag of just under £400,000,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16it won't take a wing and a prayer to buy it.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22For a bigger budget, how about this old wheelwright's cottage in Grandborough near Rugby?
0:03:22 > 0:03:24A sizeable bespoke oak kitchen,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26four reception rooms, five bedrooms
0:03:26 > 0:03:28and a quarter of an acre plot
0:03:28 > 0:03:30make this cottage anything but cosy.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33It's on the market at £675,000.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36For really big thinkers with a big budget to match,
0:03:36 > 0:03:401.25 million will buy this late Victorian family home
0:03:40 > 0:03:42in Moreton Morrell.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45A mix of period charm and mod cons, it's a great entertainer,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48with two reception rooms, four bedrooms
0:03:48 > 0:03:49and a large annexe.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Surely with your own lake and 2.75 acres of land,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55a garden party must be on the agenda?
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Lots of beautiful property to be had
0:03:59 > 0:04:01but we have to fit it to our buyers' needs
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and that could be a comedy of errors or all's well that ends well
0:04:04 > 0:04:06here in Shakespeare's county.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10And our buyers today have come from far, far away.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Olivia and her husband Neil, an offshore engineer,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18together with Alistair their son,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22have already made a bigger move than most, 9,000 miles, in fact,
0:04:22 > 0:04:23all the way from Oz.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27So what's made them swap Perth's beaches for the Bard's county?
0:04:29 > 0:04:34My mum recently, in May, had open cardiac surgery
0:04:34 > 0:04:36and it really just put things in perspective.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I'd been away for ten years in Australia
0:04:39 > 0:04:43and it was time to come back and spend some time in England
0:04:43 > 0:04:44and be round my family.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49However, it's not just family ties that have motivated Olivia's return to her Warwickshire roots.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54I've been missing the English country tremendously.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57In Australia, it's all about outdoor living,
0:04:57 > 0:05:01barbecues, the pool and that type of lifestyle.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04England really has a very different quality of life
0:05:04 > 0:05:07and that's all about wrapping up warm, going for a long walks.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11- There's more history in England. - Yes.- Far more.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Culture, as well.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I think so.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18A different type of culture.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23- There's a lot more history and it would something I would be keen to look at...- Yeah.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25..and for Alistair to appreciate as well.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Having sold up down under,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30they're renting a two-bed bungalow in Kenilworth.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35I'm getting cabin fever, really. I'm not used to such a small environment.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Our house in Australia was quite big,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41with a pool, a big garden, five bedrooms.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45So I think it's time to move into a bigger environment.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Matching that is going to take some doing,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50so what will come close to the dream?
0:05:50 > 0:05:53We want a house with a bit of style,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56maybe even a Georgian manor or a house.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58I really do like that type of style.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02I'd focus on the external side of it, the countryside
0:06:02 > 0:06:06and lovely gardens, some woods nearby, maybe a stream.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Outside space is obviously key for Neil
0:06:10 > 0:06:12but how much has he got in mind?
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- Maybe one to five acres. Get some land around us.- Yeah.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19Grand property ambitions indeed.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23They're also used to large living spaces in Oz,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26so what are they expecting from their new home here?
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- Internally, we'd like... - More than three bedrooms.
0:06:30 > 0:06:36Three to four, onwards. We can go up to seven or eight bedrooms, it doesn't really bother us.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39We need a good kitchen, a good size.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41And we need a big sized lounge.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43And the bedroom has to be fairly large.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Sounds like we're supersizing.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Hopefully that covers the do's - what about the don'ts?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52We don't want anything poky or small, low ceilings.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54We don't necessarily like beams, do we?
0:06:54 > 0:06:58We're not keen on the thatched cottage,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00wooden beams every two feet look.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Nothing too rustic, then. But what about the location?
0:07:03 > 0:07:06With Neil spending months away at sea with his job,
0:07:06 > 0:07:08just how rural do they want to be?
0:07:08 > 0:07:14'Probably a small village. Some kind of shop, a primary school,
0:07:14 > 0:07:15'a pub, that kind of thing.'
0:07:15 > 0:07:19The community is very important for us, especially with having a child.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23Being cash buyers means our Aussie deserters can move fast
0:07:23 > 0:07:25but how much do they have to spend?
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Our budget is £600,000.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34It seems like an Australian's home is also their castle
0:07:34 > 0:07:39because Olivia and Neil have got used to castle-like proportions in Western Australia.
0:07:39 > 0:07:44They've got a budget of £600,000 but they want a large Georgian property
0:07:44 > 0:07:47with at least three bedrooms and up to five acres of land.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51So it could be that they have to go for something a little more modest.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Olivia wants to be close to her mum in Coventry,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58no more than an hour's drive.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02But since they're hankering after some ever-so-English countryside,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05we're going to start the property search in the very rural south,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07gateway to the Cotswolds.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10I'll be showing them around some gorgeous period piles
0:08:10 > 0:08:14but I won't be revealing the price until they've had a chance to take everything in.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17And finally, there's a mystery house,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19which has the power to get them in a spin.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- Welcome to Warwickshire, guys. - Thank you.
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- I bet you don't get gardens like that in Western Australia. - No, definitely not.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Now, how does it feel, Neil, to be in England?
0:08:32 > 0:08:37- I know you've been here since Christmas.- I'm excited for a new chapter in my life
0:08:37 > 0:08:39and looking forward to settling down here.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- Not missing the sun? - A little bit.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45Well, spring's on its way, so good weather for property hunting.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47You've been doing a bit already.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Yeah, I've been looking, mostly on the internet when I was in Western Australia.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Since coming back, for two months now I've been looking at houses,
0:08:55 > 0:08:57quite extensively, in Warwickshire.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59And what sort of price range?
0:08:59 > 0:09:02We've kind of got a strange range or a big range.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03- Big is good.- Yeah!
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Between about 600 to 900.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09OK, so originally we were saying 600.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Now it's gone up a bit. Where's the extra leeway come from?
0:09:12 > 0:09:16We sold our house in Australia, which put us into the 600 range
0:09:16 > 0:09:19but Olivia has some land in Western Australia
0:09:19 > 0:09:21that we've got on sale at the moment.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23If that sells, that'll put us through to 900.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25- So that adds to the pot.- Yes.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28So what is our budget? What are we working with?
0:09:28 > 0:09:30We roughly looking at round about 700.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34Good. Another £100,000 in the pot. That's excellent.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38Warwickshire is a really wonderful, mixed county.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40There's lots of historical styles
0:09:40 > 0:09:44and also, the market's picking up, so we've found some nice things.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46- Sounds good.- Let's go and look.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Increasing the budget up to a flexible 700,000
0:09:51 > 0:09:53can only be a good thing,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56as finding a Georgian house with at least three bedrooms,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59a big kitchen, a big lounge, not to mention plenty of acreage,
0:09:59 > 0:10:00is a big ask.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03They also want that property package to be situated
0:10:03 > 0:10:08in a thriving community village in prime Warwickshire countryside.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Only time will tell if it's to be or not to be.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16We're off to our first property. What are you hoping to see?
0:10:16 > 0:10:19I like the idea of being in the country
0:10:19 > 0:10:23and having spectacular views from the house would be nice.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27I'm hoping for something where there's a wood or something,
0:10:27 > 0:10:31not too far from the community, so we can go to the shops.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36It might be difficult to find a property with a wood attached in the middle of the community.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- We'll try. Of course, you don't have to own the wood.- That's right.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42You could borrow somebody else's wood.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45I think Neil might have to forget the forest.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48What I can deliver is a very pretty English village
0:10:48 > 0:10:50on the Oxfordshire border - Hornton
0:10:50 > 0:10:54At a 50-minute drive from Coventry, Olivia's mum is easily accessible.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Hornton is famed for its colourful limestone.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Quarried locally for generations,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03it makes up almost every building in the village
0:11:03 > 0:11:06and it's a picture that's unlikely to change,
0:11:06 > 0:11:08as the entire place is a conservation area.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13It's 12th-century church has medieval wall paintings
0:11:13 > 0:11:16and plays a vital role in the community's social events,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19along with the pub, primary school and sports pavilion.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Our first property is on the very rural outskirts of the village.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Fingers crossed it won't be too isolated.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30So we're walking along the Oxfordshire-Warwickshire border.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34That's Oxfordshire, this is Warwickshire
0:11:34 > 0:11:38and inside Warwickshire is, da-dah! The first house I want to show you.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- What do you think?- Wow! That's fabulous.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46I like where it's set. This is just such a quiet, idyllic place.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50The thing about this property is that it's a bit of a project.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54It's a grade II listed building but it has plans
0:11:54 > 0:11:56to almost double the volume of the house.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- At the back?- At the back and to the side.- Right.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- But that's obviously a lot of work. - I'd like to look at the plans.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08That would give us a perspective on how big a project we're prepared to do.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- OK. Shall we look inside?- Yes.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Well, they haven't run a country mile at the word "project".
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Tudor revivalist in style, this started life as an ale house
0:12:19 > 0:12:21in the 1800s.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24But for the majority of the 20th century, it was a working farm.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Having been modernised, it's entirely liveable,
0:12:27 > 0:12:32but the extension will make it into the large family home these two want.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Straight into the hall. Nice big hall.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40They put down these tiles. They're not original
0:12:40 > 0:12:42but they're in the spirit of that period.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43Yeah.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47It's a nice hall. I like the ambience. It's a nice big space.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Let's take a look at the drawing room.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52Originally it had earth floors
0:12:52 > 0:12:56and then as the farmhouse, it was brought up to scratch.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00I like the exposed stone. It gives a bit of character to the room.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03The view is just magnificent out there. I really do like that.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07I think the windows frame the countryside quite well.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11So this is very different from the architecture in Australia.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It is a bit unusual to have a beam running through your house.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18But it's a smaller room than I'd envisaged
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- but it's cosy and it's good light. - Yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24I don't think we're going to get, in your budget,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27those massive rooms that you're used to.
0:13:27 > 0:13:32Well, they may not be gargantuan but we do have a few more.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35At the end of the hallway, is a snug come study,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38the only bathroom in the house
0:13:38 > 0:13:43and back across the hallway is the third reception room and kitchen.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46But this layout will be transformed beyond recognition
0:13:46 > 0:13:48with the agreed plans.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53Here's the plot. This and this is the extension.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56So you can see, it almost doubles the size of the house.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Yes. That's good.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00You'll go through there
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- and there'll be a huge kitchen-diner here.- That will be good.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Again, there's a lobby and a play room for Alistair.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- That's good.- That's great.- That goes up into a loft space here.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I like the idea of a play room for Alistair.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20It's quite Australian. We have play rooms stroke theatre rooms
0:14:20 > 0:14:23in a lot of new houses.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- Theatre rooms?- They call it theatre. - Oh, I say.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- For your home theatre.- Yeah.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32There's a sitting room. You could make this into a theatre room.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36'So the plans allow for four reception rooms on the ground floor
0:14:36 > 0:14:38'but let's now head upstairs.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42'There are currently just two decent-sized bedrooms
0:14:42 > 0:14:45'but planning consent allows for a master en-suite
0:14:45 > 0:14:48'plus three bedrooms and a family bathroom.'
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- This will be one of the big bedrooms. - OK.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56This is a big room, really, for an English house.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00So what do you feel about the actual rebuilding?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02You've had a quick look at the plans.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05I think the plans look very well thought out
0:15:05 > 0:15:08and they're quite appealing.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's really going to come down to the cost,
0:15:10 > 0:15:15how much it's going to cost to build the house to the standard that's been planned for.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Well, we'll get to that shortly
0:15:17 > 0:15:20but not until we've checked out the outside space
0:15:20 > 0:15:23and this is where the property really comes into its own.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26We have not one, not two, not even three
0:15:26 > 0:15:28but nearly five acres.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32So here we get the full extent of the property.
0:15:32 > 0:15:38Because the five acres basically follows the hedgerow all the way to the fence where the cows are,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41across and then all the way along here,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44back down, all the way to that side and back down to the road.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47What are you going to do on your five acres of land?
0:15:47 > 0:15:50Well, what we'd like to do is maybe put a wood on it.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53So on the far side, we would like to plant lots of trees
0:15:53 > 0:15:58and then we would like to also have more of a formal garden,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00so Alistair can play in that area.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02OK, so you want land, I've given you land, that's fine,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05but land costs money, so let's talk money.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09What do you think this land and property is worth,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12not including the cost of the extension?
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Well, I think maybe high fours, early fives.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19What about you, Neil?
0:16:19 > 0:16:22I would have thought about 550 or thereabouts.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26OK, so this plot of land, five acres plus the farmhouse,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29is on the market at 595.
0:16:29 > 0:16:30Right.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Two years ago when it went on, top of the market,
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- it was on at 850.- Wow.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- You've got to remember, you've got five acres of land in the Cotswolds.- Yep.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44- That costs money. - Yeah, a big difference, hearing what you said,
0:16:44 > 0:16:48and it would be quite an expensive wood that we'd be planting.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53It would be a wood that you'd have to plant and wait 50, 60 years to grow,
0:16:53 > 0:16:56when there's lots of woods around that you could just drive to
0:16:56 > 0:16:58and let Alistair play in.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Anyway, those are some thoughts.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04Have a look around inside. Go back and look at the plans again
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- and see what you think now you know the price.- OK.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15At just a snip under £600,000, this grade 11 listed Georgian farmhouse
0:17:15 > 0:17:17has stacks of potential.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Currently it has two bedrooms, a small kitchen and three reception rooms.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24However, for an estimated cost of 250,000,
0:17:24 > 0:17:29the approved plans would transform it into a four-bedroom family home,
0:17:29 > 0:17:33with a big, open plan kitchen-diner and four reception rooms.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38The icing on the cake has to be the five acres of land it comes with.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40This will be a stretch in budget.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43The question is do they like it enough to push it that far?
0:17:43 > 0:17:48The five acres of land is certainly fairly attractive.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It's not quite the ideal for me.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53I'd envisaged maybe a little bit of a wood and an orchard
0:17:53 > 0:17:55and obviously to establish that
0:17:55 > 0:17:59I would need to probably wait a good 40 years.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04What excites me about this is that it's a grade II listed building
0:18:04 > 0:18:07but it's been pre-approved, these plans have.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08And that's what I like about it.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11They've done the hard work on that.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13It looks very nice. It would be very liveable.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Externally, it's very, very pretty.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19It's a very handsome building. It's lovely to look at.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21Inside, obviously, it's quite small
0:18:21 > 0:18:24but I have to use my creativity
0:18:24 > 0:18:27and think, "OK, what would it be like with an extension?"
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So it's something to think about and to reflect upon.
0:18:30 > 0:18:35The big question for me would be whether we can live with it long enough
0:18:35 > 0:18:39to be able to do it up to the standard that we'd like it to be done to.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- Hey!- Hi, how are you doing? - All done?- Yes.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Very good. If you can give that door a good tug
0:18:45 > 0:18:47and let's press on.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01As one of the finest medieval fortifications in the UK,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Warwick Castle is the perfect place
0:19:04 > 0:19:07to enjoy one of the most popular sports of the last millennium -
0:19:07 > 0:19:09and I'm not talking football.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20In the middle ages there was only one way to spend your Saturday afternoon,
0:19:20 > 0:19:22cheering on your local knight at the joust.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27In 1194, Warwickshire became one of just five counties
0:19:27 > 0:19:29to receive a jousting licence from Richard I.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33Re-enactments are held regularly at the castle,
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and Richard Timson, manager of some modern-day knights,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38has agreed to put me through my paces.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- Ah! My liege! - Good day to you, sir. Are you well?
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Richard, your highness, your kingship, whatever.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- Yes, indeed. You can call me "Your Majesty".- Your Majesty.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Now tell me about jousting. I'm quite excited.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Jousting was a training for war, basically.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56It was usually in peacetimes
0:19:56 > 0:20:00and there would be competitions between countries to see who had the best knights.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Tell me about the tournaments.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06A tournaments could be a l'outrance, which means to the death.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08They would have a spike on the end of their lance.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Or a tournament a la plaisance,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14which was with a coloured lance with a ball on the end,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17so that nobody would get speared or skewered.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- We'll be doing the a la plaisance, will we?- I'm sure.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Well, that's a relief.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27But I can't put my knightly prowess to the test without the right outfit.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29Now, where's my steed?
0:20:29 > 0:20:33So this is Daffodil, not a terribly knightly name, I have to say.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37We're going to do the quintain, a training for the joust.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38You run down and hit the shield
0:20:38 > 0:20:42and if you're not quick enough the bag on the other end will spin round
0:20:42 > 0:20:44and clout the back of your head.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I can just about see out of it.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49If you could pass Sir Alistair the lance.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- Sir Alistair Lance-a-little. - I think you're ready, sir.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Let's do this.- Are you ready?
0:20:57 > 0:20:58On you go.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Get your lance set underneath your arm, Alistair.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04Underneath your arm. That's it. Go on.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Keep going, keep going. Set, set! Excellent.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- Excellent!- Hey, hey!
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Well done, Sir Alistair.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Ah! King Richard!
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Well done, sir. From now on, sir, you shall be known as Sir Alistair the Brave.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Oh! My God.
0:21:21 > 0:21:26It's like racing a horse with a can of baked beans on your head
0:21:26 > 0:21:29with a giant wand in your hand.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Well done, Daffodil.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34I feel like a complete cretin but I hit it.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37Hats off to you knights.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39It's no easy business, jousting, is it?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Well, this knight's tale is at an end
0:21:43 > 0:21:47and so is our first day of house-hunting here in Warwickshire.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Coming up, can Neil downsize on his five acres
0:21:52 > 0:21:54for Olivia's dream Georgian pad?
0:21:54 > 0:21:59The size of the room and the windows really excites me.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02This is something that I was looking for.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Or will they splash out on today's mystery house?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11This is the bustling little suburb of Lillington,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15just outside Leamington Spa, home to the Midland Oak,
0:22:15 > 0:22:19which traditionally used to mark the very centre or belly button of England.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22For us it has a slightly different significance today
0:22:22 > 0:22:26because yesterday we were looking at property south of the oak,
0:22:26 > 0:22:30towards the Cotswolds and the more expensive part of Warwickshire.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Today, we're looking north towards Coventry
0:22:33 > 0:22:34and closer to Olivia's mum,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37where we can get a little bit more for our money
0:22:37 > 0:22:40and hopefully find something that pleases the both of them.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Our first destination is Kilsby on the Northants border.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47It's 20 miles from Olivia's mum in Coventry
0:22:47 > 0:22:48and five miles from Rugby,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Warwickshire's second-largest town.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54That makes Kilsby a popular commuter village
0:22:54 > 0:22:57and despite its proximity to some big towns,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00which can often mean the demise for village amenities,
0:23:00 > 0:23:01this one has bucked the trend,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04with a choice of two pubs, primary school
0:23:04 > 0:23:07and a busy local store and post office.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Legend also has it that the very first shots of the Civil War were fired here,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14which is somewhat pertinent,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17as I could be entering into a battle of wills with Neil,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19as our first house has a prominent feature
0:23:19 > 0:23:21I know he's not keen on.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24- First off...- It's thatched.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28- It's thatched and you didn't want to have thatched.- No.
0:23:28 > 0:23:29What's your problem with thatch?
0:23:29 > 0:23:32There's the fire danger, the maintenance.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34It just looks a bit on the messy side.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38For me, probably the story of the three little pigs has put me off as well.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Right. The house is not built of straw, just the roof.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47But actually, thatch is a very sustainable, green and good form of roofing insulation.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50This one does need to be replaced.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54In about five years' time, you'll need to put a new, fresh, tidy one on
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- and that will set you back about 25 grand.- OK.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00And it is actually both these properties.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- It's all one property.- Oh, really? - It's a big detached property.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05- Fabulous.- That's very nice.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Now, I think, despite the thatch, that you're going to love this,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11though often I've been proved wrong on that front. Let's go.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13'Let's hope Neil keeps an open mind
0:24:13 > 0:24:18'because although this isn't the Georgian manor house Olivia has her heart set on,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21'built in 1758, it is, indeed, Georgian.'
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Come in. Lovely flagstone hallway.
0:24:26 > 0:24:27Very nice.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32These are the sitting rooms. We've got double aspect.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35Mm. That's good, the light coming through on both sides.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39- We do have an evil beam, I'm afraid. - Yes, I just noticed that.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- But it's high.- It is high. I'll fit underneath it.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46I'm getting all the bad stuff out the way. Thatch and the beam.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49It's a little bit small but it's good light
0:24:49 > 0:24:53and there's a feeling of space in here, even though it's a small room.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55I've been trying to break it to you gently
0:24:55 > 0:24:58but we're not going to get those Western Australian proportions
0:24:58 > 0:25:00in a Georgian house in your budget.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03- Within our budget, yes. - That's fair enough.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07So why don't you go in there and see what strikes you about that?
0:25:09 > 0:25:12OK, it's much bigger, this one.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Oh, it's lovely.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16- It's a bit grander, isn't it? - It is.- It's nice.
0:25:16 > 0:25:21The size of the room and the windows, that really excites me.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23This is something that I was looking for.
0:25:23 > 0:25:28'Great reactions and there's still more living space to check out
0:25:28 > 0:25:29'along the hallway.'
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- And here's the dining room. - Oh, very nice.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Dining room. What would we do with it?
0:25:36 > 0:25:39We don't really utilise the dining room, do we?
0:25:39 > 0:25:41I can see the kitchen's just through here,
0:25:41 > 0:25:44so we could knock this wall out and open the space up.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- We'd have to look at that. - Anything is possible.- Yeah.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49It does flow through into the kitchen.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52It would make a nice dining, kitchen space.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54This is fairly contemporary.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Right now it is too small but it's workable and it's liveable.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- The idea of opening this up... - It would make the bottom part of this house very nice.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04I like it so far.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07'A definite thumbs-up to the ground floor
0:26:07 > 0:26:10'but knowing how much they like their huge spaces,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12'upstairs might need some rejigging.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15'There's ample scope, with a whopping six bedrooms in all.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19'On the first floor are four similar sized bedrooms and two bathrooms
0:26:19 > 0:26:24'which they could divide up to make two en-suite bedroom wings,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26'each with its own stair access.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29'The final rooms are up in the attic.'
0:26:30 > 0:26:32- Ta-da! After you.- Thank you.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36OK.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Nice oak stairwell. That's nice.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- Wow.- This is really interesting.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Three rooms. It's very versatile, this area.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48- This room's actually quite light. - Lovely wooden b... floors.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51You were about to say beams. Lovely beams. It's working.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54- A Freudian slip, there. - My beam therapy.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57I'm going to lock you in there overnight until you love the beams.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- That would be a treat.- Room 101.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03You know, I'm just not convinced Neil wants a period home at all.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06I think he'd be happier with something sparkly and new.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10However, there is something out in the garden that might persuade him
0:27:10 > 0:27:12that this could be the house for them.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- This, I think, is a real selling point.- It's lovely.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22This is your very own indoor barbecue party space.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24LAUGHTER
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- Oh, wow.- It's huge.- Isn't it great? - It's massive.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30- Really fun. - You've got a loft area here.
0:27:30 > 0:27:35Because obviously the weather's not always like Western Australia.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37So you can have your barbies indoors.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- You can have your friends round the bar.- That's so funny.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43It's a nice outdoor entertainment area for rainy days.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47I thought that blokes' shed would impress an Aussie.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50To the all-important garden.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55We're downsizing from five acres to approximately one quarter
0:27:55 > 0:27:56but it's still a good size,
0:27:56 > 0:28:01so can they make the compromise for Olivia's near-perfect Georgian house?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04So this is a handsomely sized garden.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09- You've got a barn and a car port and a walled garden.- That's right.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12I like the little sections of everything.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16It gives a very different feel, it depends where you are outside.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- How much do you think it all costs? - Erm, I'd say about 680.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- OK. What do you think, Neil? - I agree with Olivia.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26It would be on the upper end of our budget. I'd say 695.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29You are exactly on the money. 695 is what it's on the market for.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31- Hey, do I win a prize?- Well done.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33You get the house for free.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35No, you don't.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38There are things that you'd want to change, so have a walk around,
0:28:38 > 0:28:42think about whether they're things that you could afford to do.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- We'll meet afterwards and then press on.- OK, thank you.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50I saw that Olivia was getting more and more enthusiastic as we went round
0:28:50 > 0:28:52and Neil was looking more and more panicked
0:28:52 > 0:28:54by Olivia's enthusiasm.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57So it'll be interesting to see how they work that one out.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03At £695,000, this grade II listed thatched cottage
0:29:03 > 0:29:05is just under the £700,000 budget
0:29:05 > 0:29:08but that figure is flexible if the house is right.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11And I'd say for Olivia, it definitely is.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16It has three versatile reception rooms with spacious dimensions.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19If they're happy to lose one, there's potential to create
0:29:19 > 0:29:20a huge kitchen diner.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23With six bedrooms, there's scope to rejig upstairs
0:29:23 > 0:29:26and for Neil, set in the quarter acre garden,
0:29:26 > 0:29:29is a superb blokes' shed.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Yes, this is my favourite room. This is what I really like.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36It just feels good. It feels open, fresh...
0:29:36 > 0:29:39There's lovely character to this room.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42I really liked the gardens, the barns.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45The property itself, I really liked the ground floor
0:29:45 > 0:29:46but as I went up the stairs,
0:29:46 > 0:29:50I was a bit put off by the size of the rooms.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53I don't think he was as excited as I was
0:29:53 > 0:29:56but he has to methodically think about things,
0:29:56 > 0:29:59where I really put my heart on my sleeve
0:29:59 > 0:30:02and it's either a yes or no and get quite excited quickly.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06So this time, we are on slightly different pages
0:30:06 > 0:30:08in some aspects.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11And I suppose at the end of the day, if she really does love it,
0:30:11 > 0:30:12I can learn to live with it.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Ah! Well, well.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19It works.
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- Look, you've got your own spring. - Oh, fantastic.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- Fresh water from the well. - That's a really nice feature.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30- That's the first well that I've seen.- That's the first working pump I've seen on this show.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Hats off to that. Let's press on.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45When it comes to historical hotspots,
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Warwickshire has more than its fair share.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Stratford, Warwick, Kenilworth and Leamington Spa
0:30:50 > 0:30:52are all popular tourist honey traps.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55But with eleven ancient market towns in all,
0:30:55 > 0:30:58it's possible to get your history without the hordes.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01Oyez! Oyez!
0:31:01 > 0:31:03Oyez!
0:31:03 > 0:31:08We welcome you to the historic market town
0:31:08 > 0:31:11of Henley-in-Arden.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15Just seven miles north of Stratford, Henley-in-Arden is a real gem.
0:31:15 > 0:31:20Its first of many market charters was awarded to the lord of the manor,
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Thurstan de Montfort, in 1141
0:31:22 > 0:31:25and today, it's one-mile-long high street
0:31:25 > 0:31:27is a conservation area.
0:31:27 > 0:31:28Earlier in the week,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Olivia and Neil met up with local historian George Atkinson
0:31:31 > 0:31:33to find out more.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38Where we are now is the site of the original market cross.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40We had to renovate it
0:31:40 > 0:31:44because it is one of the listed ancient monuments in Henley
0:31:44 > 0:31:47and it had deteriorated a lot.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49What we've got left is the remains of it.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53It's 22 feet, which would have been an enormous landmark
0:31:53 > 0:31:55in the particular time.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58With an incredible 174 listed buildings,
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Henley's high street is an architectural time warp.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04The Elizabethan guildhall
0:32:04 > 0:32:07and 15th-century church of St John's are both notable.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11But the oldest building in the town, dating in part from 1395,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13is now a heritage centre
0:32:13 > 0:32:16and it's home to some fascinating artefacts.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22What we have here is a very distinctive relic for the town.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26It is the original charter, granted by Henry VI
0:32:26 > 0:32:31on 13th May 1449 to the then lord of manor.
0:32:31 > 0:32:36It gave him jurisdiction over the application of law,
0:32:36 > 0:32:39the raising of taxation and general governance.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41Normally you'd see it, say, in a bigger museum.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45It's nice to know that the community has ownership of this.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48It is, apparently, the only one still in existence.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57The mystery house is going to be a challenge
0:32:57 > 0:32:59as the mystery house often is
0:32:59 > 0:33:03but it is going to play to one of Neil's main requests,
0:33:03 > 0:33:05that he wanted to have some running water by his house.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07We've definitely got running water.
0:33:11 > 0:33:15So we're off to see the mystery house. Any ideas what the mystery might hold?
0:33:15 > 0:33:20I have no idea now. I'm just as confused, more than ever,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23than even in the first house.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27All the houses we've looked at have elements of what we really like
0:33:27 > 0:33:32and perhaps this will combine all of them.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36The mystery house isn't typically everything you want - that would just be the right house.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39The mystery house always has a bit of a challenge in it,
0:33:39 > 0:33:44maybe something that may make you think in a slightly different direction.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46All will be revealed soon.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49This time we're heading 20 miles north of Coventry
0:33:49 > 0:33:53to the hamlet of Bilstone, just over the Leicestershire border.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56The little hamlet is popular with young families
0:33:56 > 0:34:00because neighbouring Congerstone has a high-performing primary school.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03For supplies, though, you need to travel five miles
0:34:03 > 0:34:07to the attractive, and aptly named, market town of Market Bosworth.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09But back to the mystery house.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12We thought Neil, as an offshore engineer,
0:34:12 > 0:34:14might enjoy a bit of onshore engineering
0:34:14 > 0:34:20because this property is a prime example of both Victorian and 21st century technology,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23which could be a bit of a money-spinner.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28- Oh my God!- It has a river running through it.- Fantastic.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Running through it.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33It's literally running through because this is the mill house.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- Very interesting. - That's the mystery.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41- Running water is a massive source of...?- Power and energy.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Hydroelectric electricity,
0:34:43 > 0:34:47which is why this house is self-sufficient in electricity.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49- That's fantastic.- Brilliant.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Look at that magnificent bit of industrial engineering.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53That's phenomenal.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56So it can supply all the electricity for the house
0:34:56 > 0:35:02and you can sell back to the grid at least £2,500 every year.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- So you're making money. - So you're making money.- Fabulous.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07It makes more than enough to keep you going.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09'Well, it will do once the mill is sold
0:35:09 > 0:35:11'and the turbine switched on.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14'It's an attractive feature but will the house be as appealing?
0:35:14 > 0:35:17'It's semi-detached, beautifully presented
0:35:17 > 0:35:19'and retains real rustic charm.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21'Yes, I do mean beams.'
0:35:22 > 0:35:26- Come in. Ooh, it's lovely and warm. - It's nice and roasty.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28So we're straight into the kitchen.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Oh, it's lovely laid out.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34Well, what's nice about this property
0:35:34 > 0:35:37is that it has traditional elements, obviously,
0:35:37 > 0:35:38and a lot of modern elements.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40So what are your thoughts?
0:35:40 > 0:35:44I like the way it's planned out. I like the colours.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46How do you feel about the beams in here?
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- I'd probably put some plasterboard over.- Oh, God.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54- Just have the larger beams exposed. - No, I wouldn't.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58This actually frames the whole of the kitchen. This is lovely.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01I like these. Well, that's going to be a bone of contention, isn't it?
0:36:01 > 0:36:05So it's very simple downstairs. Two big areas. Next is the living room.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Lovely oak doors and frames throughout, actually.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14- And then, here we are. - OK. Nice views of the outside.
0:36:14 > 0:36:20- It would be a nice room to relax in.- It's got a nice feeling to it.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23You've got views everywhere you look, too.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26- Let's go upstairs.- Yes.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Lovely oak stairwell. Very solid and modern.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33Drum kit. More beams.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36- More beams.- Oh, right.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39So this is the master bedroom. A good size.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Yeah. Reasonable size.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46You've got a dressing area, you've got his and hers cupboards.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- All the loft space there is turned into storage.- That's nice.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- Every bedroom has its own en suite. This is yours. Have a look.- OK.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58It's quite compact but I suppose it does the job.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01Also on this floor is a double en suite,
0:37:01 > 0:37:03a study
0:37:03 > 0:37:06and the last two en-suite bedrooms are upstairs.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Here we go. And as we go higher, the ceilings get higher
0:37:10 > 0:37:12and this is the old mill workings.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16- That's a really nice feature. - So we've got two bedrooms up here.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18But what's interesting about mill houses
0:37:18 > 0:37:22is that this is where the mill workings used to be
0:37:22 > 0:37:25and it was all open plan, there were no dividing walls.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28These are just plasterboards, throughout.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32You could take all of these walls out and have this as a master suite.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Yes. Now I know that this exists and the possibility of opening it up,
0:37:36 > 0:37:39- it's a very positive thing. - It makes it more attractive.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41It makes it much more attractive.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45On that positive note, we should take a closer look at the river
0:37:45 > 0:37:46and the land.
0:37:50 > 0:37:55So, back outside and this, I have to say, IS the outside.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- Oh, OK. Just this part of the land? - Yeah.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- But this is all public footpath. - That's nice.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04You can walk all the way across to the church and the village.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08It's like having a huge garden that you don't have to look after.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12So how much do you think it's worth, this unusual building?
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Well, it's beautiful, it's been renovated extremely well
0:38:15 > 0:38:18and I think maybe,
0:38:18 > 0:38:22looking at, also, the land, about 610.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26I'd be guessing around 650 to 700.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30And again. He's good. It's actually on the market at 695.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Right.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35So have a wander around and then I'll be here by the generator
0:38:35 > 0:38:38- and we can motor on.- All right. - Thank you.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42A fraction under budget at 695,000,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45this semi-detached water mill is quite a rare opportunity.
0:38:45 > 0:38:51It combines Neil's beloved mod cons with rustic authenticity.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53It has a big country kitchen diner,
0:38:53 > 0:38:55one reception room,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58five bedrooms, four of which are en suites,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00and it's very, very green.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03In fact, when it comes to being eco-friendly,
0:39:03 > 0:39:04this house will make money,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07a return of about £2,500 a year.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09It doesn't have acres of land
0:39:09 > 0:39:12but it does back on to open, public countryside.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Can you imagine us being in here?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Yeah, I think it would be a nice working environment.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20You've got that beautiful view.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24I don't think I could work in here. I'd be distracted by the scenery.
0:39:24 > 0:39:30- It's lovely.- I'm really attracted to this idea of the hydro power
0:39:30 > 0:39:31and being self-sufficient.
0:39:31 > 0:39:36To come here and have that presented was a pleasant surprise.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40Yeah, the actual environmental aspect of this house
0:39:40 > 0:39:42excited Neil more than myself
0:39:42 > 0:39:45because he thinks about it in a very mechanical way
0:39:45 > 0:39:47and a way of saving money, as well.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51- So we'll drag you away from this one.- OK.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53Let's go and think things over.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55Great.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00So with the sun going down, it's time to find out
0:40:00 > 0:40:03if any of our properties have made the grade.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07- There you go, you guys. - Wonderful, thanks.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10I do feel the pressure's been on us, slightly,
0:40:10 > 0:40:13because it's such a big move for you, coming from Western Australia,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16so I hope we've been able to help you in some way
0:40:16 > 0:40:18by showing you some properties.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22So can we go through them and talk about them in turn?
0:40:22 > 0:40:25So the first one was quite a big renovation project.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29That was the Georgian house, right in the middle of nowhere.
0:40:29 > 0:40:31What are your thoughts about that?
0:40:31 > 0:40:34It was really impressive and a very nice facade.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39When you showed us the plans, it was evident it would be a nice place to live
0:40:39 > 0:40:40once it was finished.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44Did it raise a question about how much renovation you're willing to do?
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Yeah, that was a concern of mine.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48We never thought of going into this
0:40:48 > 0:40:51looking for houses to do a big project.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55I have to consider, "Well, what would it be like without Neil being here?"
0:40:55 > 0:40:59and me actually coordinating doing this.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01So it brought up a lot of questions for me.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05Yeah. Now the thatched farmhouse in the beautiful little village.
0:41:05 > 0:41:10- That seemed to get you very excited. - Yes, it did, especially downstairs.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14I really liked that. I loved the windows and the character
0:41:14 > 0:41:17and just how it felt, generally speaking.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19I really was thinking, "This could be it."
0:41:19 > 0:41:24I really loved the back yard, the barn.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27But the house itself seemed fairly small
0:41:27 > 0:41:30and I couldn't see a lot of potential to improve it,
0:41:30 > 0:41:32given it's grade listing.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35So the mystery house was a mystery to you
0:41:35 > 0:41:38and it's a mystery to me how you responded to it.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41What are your thoughts on the mystery house?
0:41:41 > 0:41:44I was initially very positive to the kitchen.
0:41:44 > 0:41:48I was thinking, "OK, we can work with these beams if it's just within the kitchen area."
0:41:48 > 0:41:52But I didn't realise that throughout the whole house
0:41:52 > 0:41:55this was the main feature of the house.
0:41:55 > 0:41:59When I saw the turbine, that really got my imagination going
0:41:59 > 0:42:01and I thought, "This is great, fantastic."
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- As we moved up through the house... - Relentless beams.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06It was relentless beams and small rooms,
0:42:06 > 0:42:09so I was sort of put off by it.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12So it seems that none of the properties really grabbed you
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- to the point that you're going to put an offer in.- That's right.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17So looking at all the properties,
0:42:17 > 0:42:21can you sum what you've, I don't want to say learnt,
0:42:21 > 0:42:23but perhaps what conclusions you've drawn.
0:42:23 > 0:42:28Well, we definitely need to be a bit more focused on what we want
0:42:28 > 0:42:32and maybe increase our budget slightly up to the 900.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Or if we do stay within this budget, to try to compromise a wee bit
0:42:35 > 0:42:38on our dream home.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40I genuinely hope you find something and soon
0:42:40 > 0:42:45- because it's been lovely showing you round.- It's been great. Thank you.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52Well, we didn't quite manage to create the Shakespearean happy ending
0:42:52 > 0:42:55for our house-hunting couple from Australia,
0:42:55 > 0:42:56but it wasn't a tragedy
0:42:56 > 0:42:58and I hope they picked up some tips
0:42:58 > 0:43:01and they'll be moving into somewhere soon.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05Meanwhile, you can join us again on another Escape To The Country even sooner.
0:43:06 > 0:43:10If you'd like to Escape To The Country in Northern Ireland, Wales,
0:43:10 > 0:43:17Scotland or England and need our help, apply online at:
0:43:37 > 0:43:39Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:43:40 > 0:43:41Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk