West Country Escape to the Country


West Country

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If I were to ask you, "What did the Romans ever do for us?"

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You may say, "Well, Jules, they gave us roads, amongst other things."

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But the inhabitants of this county would probably disagree,

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because hidden beneath my feet here in this glorious park

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are the remains of the world's oldest man-made causeway.

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So stick around as we take a very well-trodden path for today's

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Escape To The Country.

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On today's show, I'll be helping a couple with big natural ambitions

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find their very own land of plenty in the country.

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Must-haves in terms of land are 10-30 acres.

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And they've high hopes of making big bucks.

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We want to create a business that can turn over £100,000 plus.

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But can they see the wood for the trees with our mystery house?

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Today we're in Somerset and these extensive reed beds behind me

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are part of the Shapwick Heath Nature Reserve, and this causeway that I'm trying to negotiate

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is known as the Sweet Track.

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This is a reconstruction of many that have been found here,

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dating back to 3800 BC.

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But the good news is that for today's trawl through the West Country,

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we've got some bigger roads than that.

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Commanding an enviable position on the south-western arm of England,

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Somerset's ancient landscape varies hugely across the county.

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From Cheddar Gorge,

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with its spectacular limestone cliffs and caves,

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to the grass wetlands of the Somerset Levels,

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crowned by Glastonbury Tor,

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which as the reputed Avalon of Arthurian legend

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is an ever-popular place of pilgrimage.

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Despite over 16 million visits

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made by tourists to the county every year, Somerset's towns and villages

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keep their integrity intact,

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thanks to their distinctive local architecture,

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from the blue lias stone buildings of Somerton

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to Martock, built from ham stone.

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As a result, there are rich pickings when it comes to seeking out

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a perfect property in these rural pastures.

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Here in the West Country,

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property prices run around about 8% above the national average,

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which means your average detached will set you back a cool £177,000.

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Land? Well, that literally is like gold dust.

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Nationally, land is outperforming gold in both real and current terms,

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which means your average acre will set you back

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anything between £5,000 to £10,000.

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Add into the mix a gorgeous country house and you can see that you are

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going to have to come down here with some pretty deep pockets.

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But as ever, well, there's plenty on offer.

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Spend top whack and £1.5 million and you'll get this five-bedroom,

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Grade 2 listed manor house in Burrowbridge,

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which exudes Georgian grandeur

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and impeccable style throughout its interior.

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And it's two for one here, with an additional two-bedroom barn

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offering up a cool, contemporary space to chill out in.

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All this set in 15 acres of impressive grounds.

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On the market at just under £700,000 is this four-bedroom

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barn conversion in Wedmore.

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The high ceilings in the living room complement the exposed beams.

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The open-plan kitchen and breakfast room leads up to a mezzanine snug.

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Outside, the 1.5 acres of land look out on to open countryside.

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£425,000 will buy you this renovated two-bedroom roundhouse

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in Withiel Florey, originally built in the 1860s as two cottages.

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Its curved walls are a running theme throughout its light,

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bright bedrooms and living room,

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with a colourful kitchen adding to its individual charm.

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So if that lot has inspired you, well, you're in pretty good company,

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because that is exactly why today's buyers want to make the West Country

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their new home.

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Ben, a head-hunter with a degree in conservation,

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and Natasha, a company PA, along with six-month-old Troy,

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are ready to ditch city living

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and their flat in London and start a campsite business in Somerset.

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We'd like to establish a campsite in the country.

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I think a mixture of pre-erected tents, things like tepees,

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shepherd's huts.

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I quite like the idea of wood-burning hot tubs,

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ideally fed from spring water or something along those lines.

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So that's the tubs, but what about the house?

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Two reception rooms would be good,

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one for us and one for Troy and all of his toys.

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Large kitchen is quite important for me, because I like baking.

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You love cooking, too, don't you?

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Must-haves in terms of land are 10-30 acres.

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And the location has to be right.

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We're looking at two hours, maybe two and a half hours from London.

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Ideally on a holiday sort of route.

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Naturally, we have been looking towards Wiltshire, Somerset,

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that sort of area.

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So views and space are the driving factors with this one.

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The setting's really important for us.

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As idyllic as possible, ideally a mixture of woodland and water,

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maybe a stream or some lakes.

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And well-screened from the neighbours, something we don't get round here.

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Yeah, it's important that we're a walk away from a village.

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-Yeah, and a good pub.

-And a decent pub.

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Now we've got Troy, at Christmas it would be great to have everyone over

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and if we had an annexe or something.

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But just having everyone under one roof,

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where we can all spend Christmas together, would be great.

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We are definitely hoping for a bit of a good life, try and grow

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as much fruit and veg as we can, maybe have a few chickens and some eggs.

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I'm actually a big fan of chillies, we've got about 12 different varieties now.

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Tash bought me some different seeds for Christmas last year.

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I'm not having a chance to grow them in our current garden,

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but with any luck we can do that out in the country.

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It seems that they have got it all planned out,

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along with the finances.

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The money from the sale of Natasha's flat will go towards the deposit

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and they'll be letting out their flat.

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So what's the budget for the move?

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The budget for our new property is £800,000.

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On the face of it, the kind of property that Ben and Natasha

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are looking for sounds fairly straightforward -

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three bedrooms, three reception rooms,

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and all for a pretty healthy budget.

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But throw into the mix this whole campsite idea,

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this whole lifestyle change they're trying to take on,

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and all of that within two and a half hours of London, that's going to be tricky.

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This campsite's going to take a lot of planning and preparation and money.

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I wonder... It's a tall order, this.

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As Ben and Natasha have such a demanding brief, we are casting

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our net wide to ensure we show them the best options on the market.

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So with North Somerset at the heart of our search, we'll not be deterred

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from looking across the borders to Wiltshire and East Devon.

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I'll be showing them some enticing properties,

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but as ever, I won't be revealing the price tag straight away.

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And finally, there's the mystery house,

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which will really test their passion for a project to the limit.

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-Hi, guys, nice to see you.

-Hi, Jules.

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Welcome to sunny Somerset, albeit a bit chilly first thing in the morning, but it should get warmer.

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It's a great day to start looking at some houses.

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-Whose idea was it, camping?

-It is something we've been looking at for some time.

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It's something we enjoy doing ourselves

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and I think the time's right for us as a family to make that change,

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step out of London.

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Well, let's have a think about the budget,

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because you are trying to bite off quite a big chunk

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of the West Country.

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What's the maximum, absolute maximum?

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Well, if there was an existing business in place,

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which I think in an ideal world that would be what we're looking for,

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we could probably stretch it to £950,000.

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If we are talking just land and house,

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then around up to £750 - £800,000.

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Above that would be a bit much.

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How practical are you?

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How much effort are you prepared to put in to actually create something

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and get your hands dirty?

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I think, ideally, that's what we'd like to do.

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For us, it's the setting that's important.

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So finding the right spot and then building on it from there.

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I do hope we can get you what you're looking for.

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It will be tough, we'll have to cover a fair few miles,

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-but we're used to that sort of thing so let's see what we can find you.

-Excellent.

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Ben and Natasha's base budget comes at £800,000

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for just the house and land, topping out at £950,000 for a property

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with an established business.

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Essentially, they're after:

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on which to grow their campsite

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and in a setting to die for,

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The picture of this happy campsite with you two working from home

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and Troy growing up, running around and enjoying the constant change of people coming and going

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and the seasons, I mean, it's a very romantic idea.

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It is, I think it could be very idyllic.

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If we can make it work.

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It will be hard work, let's not forget that.

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It's going to be all hands on deck and a lot of work

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to get where we want it to be.

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Our first house is in a great location in the village

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of West Lydford, around two and a half hours' drive from London.

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Set in beautiful countryside and with the likes of Wells

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and Glastonbury close by, it's well located for their camping business,

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with practical amenities and local charm.

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Its church is surrounded by a cluster of attractive properties

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and the local stone is a feature of this one.

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What do you reckon?

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It's quite pretty, from the outside.

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The core of it, that's about 1725, and this is a feature of Somerset,

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blue lias, this stone that you've got.

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On the right there, those four windows are a new extension.

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In the last ten years, it's been doubled in size basically.

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Blends in quite nicely, doesn't it?

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The setting's not quite perhaps as I'd pictured it,

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proximity to the road and neighbours.

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One of the things you're interested in is a certain sense of isolation,

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but you also want a sense of community and a pub

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and you really want to get involved in the local community.

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So to a certain extent,

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neighbours and so forth are sort of part of the territory,

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certainly with this property anyway. Come on, let's have a look.

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Let's see if they like the feel of the interior

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as we go straight into the old part of the house.

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In you come, grab the door, Ben.

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There, what do you think on the inside?

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-It's quite cosy.

-It is.

-It's really cosy.

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What about you, Natasha?

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It's a bit small and it's a bit dark,

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but it's the first room we've seen.

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-Let's see how it goes.

-The fireplace is nice.

-Yeah.

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But if you want light and space, the dining room's through there.

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Off you go, after you.

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We're still in the old part of the property.

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Do you get the sense, Natasha, that it gets a bit lighter as we go through?

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Yeah, definitely.

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Let's continue through here.

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Downstairs is deceptively large

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and, as we'll see, is a perfect blank canvas.

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I think in this third reception room,

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things get a lot more contemporary.

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And this is the new extension.

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Not only a whole new reception room here, but above us,

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a purpose-built study for two.

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-OK.

-Yeah?

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Which I'm going to let you two explore on your own, later on.

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Is this the sort of layout that would appeal?

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A think so.

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Obviously, it's not necessarily all to our taste.

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It'll only take a lick of paint. It's in good condition, really well made.

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Who's the real interior designer here?

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Yeah, let's not talk about that.

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-OK!

-It's a team effort.

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OK, one team, one dream, brilliant.

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I'm glad they're starting to appreciate the space on offer

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in the three reception rooms.

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And the kitchen definitely builds on that.

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OK, Natasha, come on in.

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How about this?

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It's nice, it's very new.

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It's another addition to this property.

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We've got one over there and this one as well.

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It gives you loads of light and space.

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I think as kitchen-diners go,

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it's one of the lightest that one would see.

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-I like this a lot.

-It is lovely.

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Very generous utility room through that door as well, with a downstairs loo in it.

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It's a nice space, isn't it?

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I mean it's all finished to a really high spec.

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Time to head upstairs and check out the four potential bedrooms,

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which include a large, light double

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with a bright, modern family bathroom next door.

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There's also a quiet space to retreat to in the attic

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with views over the garden.

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But will they like the master bedroom?

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Wow, look at all this.

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There's all this. Oh, look, you see, Natasha's come to life.

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Loads of storage. And then this is your master.

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Very nice, it's a perfect size.

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And a really cool en suite. Have a look in there, Ben, open that door.

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His and hers, there you go.

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Have a look.

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Yeah, that is really nice, nice having an en suite.

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-Yeah.

-Pretty cool, huh?

-Lovely big shower.

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And there's even more cupboard space in the room next door.

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Now then, it's not often you get a master bedroom with its own

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very generous dressing room. How much clobber have you got?

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-Don't ask.

-Enough to fill a dressing room.

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Enough to fill a dressing room!

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-Whatever you want it to be, but it's here.

-This could be Troy's room.

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-Could be, actually, great nursery, attached to you.

-It would be a nice dressing room!

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Finally, this house is winning them over,

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with plenty of space to accommodate their family

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and fulfil Natasha's dream of Christmases spent together.

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With the house covered, let's step outside

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to take a closer look at the land.

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"At last," you're thinking, the great outdoors.

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The more formal gardens and lawn wrap around the house

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so Troy can run around to his heart's content

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while they take five on the patio.

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Set away from the house is a double garage and a large hay shed,

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definitely useful storage space

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for tents and other components for their business.

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Down to the field now

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to check out the land and meet some new furry friends.

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Look at these fellows.

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-They're great, aren't they?

-They're so curious. I love alpacas.

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Beautiful.

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Amazing, aren't they?

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All in all, it's about four acres.

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-Right.

-So it's not the 10 or the 30 that I know you have thought about.

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But it gives you a sense to get an idea of what four acres looks like.

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What are your thoughts on setting, as such?

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My gut feel is that this is not going to work, I don't think.

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There's not enough features. It would take too long to put in lakes.

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And by the time they mature...

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I mean, how much do you think you need to turn over to make this work?

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Ultimately, we want to create a business

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that could turn over £100,000 plus.

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And it'll take a little bit more than four acres.

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Let's have a think about what we are up against in terms of the market.

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Because the price of this I think will be quite an interesting factor

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in determining how you progress through what else we can show you.

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Make me an offer, Natasha.

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695?

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Oh, crikey. Yep, it's a very cheeky guess. Go on.

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Yeah, I think that is a little on the cheeky side.

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But I would say it's probably closer to 765.

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765. OK, it's actually on the market for 835.

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It probably says a lot about the area as well, I would imagine.

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This part of Somerset is much sought-after. There is a nice geography to it.

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Go and have a good look around, go and get sense of what we're against financially, I'll see you later.

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-OK.

-Off you got.

-Great, thanks.

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I'm going to go and talk to these alpacas in a minute(!)

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Brilliant. Well, there we are,

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it is all about location, as we like to say in the game,

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but this one is really tricky because their requirements are so specific.

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Finding this other world,

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this other life within a beautiful corner of Somerset

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is going to be pretty tricky, despite a pretty healthy budget.

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This house is all about location and on the market at £835,000,

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would give them quality over quantity.

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And, as they've never run a business like this, it's a manageable size

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offering them:

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It's also got four acres of land for a potential campsite,

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subject to planning permission,

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which depends on the neighbours,

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the landscape and highway safety.

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So will the quality of the setting outweigh the quantity of the land?

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I was a bit surprised by the price. It was a bit of a shock to me.

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But, it's a lovely area as well so you have to take that into consideration.

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It's nice and light up here, lots of storage space.

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A smart desk. It's nice view out.

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The window's lovely.

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Yeah, I can see us using this.

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I think it's a beautiful house, very well presented.

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It clearly has been done up to a very high spec but without the land,

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without the correct size of acreage, we're not going to be able

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to develop a business big enough to be able to pay for it.

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Beautiful.

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-While I've been thinking about this house, you two are sat here enjoying yourselves.

-It is a nice day.

0:17:270:17:32

Isn't it a nice day? Plenty more to do, mate.

0:17:320:17:34

Let's go and see some more.

0:17:340:17:36

As Ben has a degree in conservation

0:17:450:17:48

and both are passionate about nature, they could not have picked

0:17:480:17:51

a better area for their campsite

0:17:510:17:53

but the Somerset Levels are not just a nature reserve.

0:17:530:17:57

It was through their rivers that the county's wealth grew.

0:17:570:18:00

They're meeting council officer Alex Sherman in Langport

0:18:000:18:03

to find out more about the symbiotic relationship between this town

0:18:030:18:07

and the River Parrett.

0:18:070:18:09

This river really is central to the success of Langport growing as a town.

0:18:090:18:14

Originally it was known as a cloth producing town in medieval times

0:18:140:18:17

but more recently it was successful in its trade for corn, salt and timber.

0:18:170:18:22

"Langport" means "long market place"

0:18:220:18:25

and by the 18th century, the town was indeed a thriving commercial hub.

0:18:250:18:29

So much so that the local Stuckey family founded Stuckey's Bank

0:18:290:18:33

in 1770, becoming the country's second largest

0:18:330:18:37

after the Bank of England.

0:18:370:18:39

Somerset people had a saying that they'd trust the Somerset bank

0:18:390:18:43

as much as they'd trust storing money in their old sock

0:18:430:18:45

and maybe that is something we could teach bankers today.

0:18:450:18:48

Another historic sign wealth lies a couple of miles outside the town

0:18:480:18:53

at the medieval remains of Muchelney Abbey.

0:18:530:18:56

Along with educating the locals on farming practices,

0:18:560:18:59

Benedictine monks were very commercially savvy

0:18:590:19:02

with location being key when it came to building their monasteries.

0:19:020:19:06

Some intriguing features remain, despite its unfortunate demise.

0:19:060:19:09

Well, the abbey was destroyed in the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 that was led by Henry VIII.

0:19:090:19:14

But you can see the care and attention that has been spent

0:19:140:19:17

on the site, with the richly decorated cloister walk

0:19:170:19:20

and the thatched lavatories for the monks are the only example

0:19:200:19:25

of its kind in England.

0:19:250:19:27

So just as in medieval times, it's all about location

0:19:270:19:30

and as far as Ben and Natasha go,

0:19:300:19:32

they couldn't have picked a better area to start their business.

0:19:320:19:36

Our search for the perfect place continues

0:19:440:19:47

just over the Wiltshire border in the hamlet of Brokerswood,

0:19:470:19:50

a 2½ drive from London, so still within limits.

0:19:500:19:54

As well as a welcoming pub close by,

0:19:540:19:57

their happy campers could feel at one with nature in the 120 acres

0:19:570:20:00

of woodland within its country park

0:20:000:20:03

and I've got high hopes that the acreage

0:20:030:20:05

on offer with our next property could give them the business turnover they're looking for.

0:20:050:20:10

OK, our second port of call.

0:20:100:20:14

Come on in, guys, here we are.

0:20:140:20:18

-Very nice.

-What do you think?

-It's pretty.

0:20:180:20:21

The only issue from your point of view probably

0:20:210:20:23

is the neighbours right there.

0:20:230:20:26

In terms of what we're trying to find you,

0:20:260:20:28

the market is really tough at the moment

0:20:280:20:31

but I think the land this offers is quite interesting

0:20:310:20:34

which is why we're starting this house tour differently.

0:20:340:20:37

We'll start outside.

0:20:370:20:38

Let's walk the turf, passing through a wonderful orchard with apple trees,

0:20:380:20:43

which could act as a natural screen from the neighbours.

0:20:430:20:46

But the land earmarked for the campsite lies beyond.

0:20:460:20:50

There.

0:20:500:20:51

This is a really, really useful paddock.

0:20:510:20:55

In terms of your casual campers, you know.

0:20:550:20:58

It is fairly flat. It's good.

0:20:580:21:02

There is access from the lane up there, too.

0:21:020:21:04

Right, let's go and have a look at that house.

0:21:040:21:08

Let's go and get creative

0:21:080:21:10

and see what kind of project you want to take on.

0:21:100:21:13

Come and have a look at this.

0:21:130:21:14

Now there is even more land to tempt them with later

0:21:140:21:17

but now I've whet their appetite with what's on offer,

0:21:170:21:20

let's head back to the house and see

0:21:200:21:21

whether they feel they could put their mark on the interior.

0:21:210:21:24

All right, come on in, we'll start in here.

0:21:240:21:27

The main living room, I suppose, one would say.

0:21:270:21:31

-1970s.

-Lots of this pine cladding everywhere.

0:21:310:21:35

I think really what we're looking at is updating more than anything

0:21:350:21:39

but the key thing to think about is the space.

0:21:390:21:42

Yeah, the size.

0:21:420:21:43

Time to cross the hallway and see if the kitchen measures up.

0:21:430:21:47

-There, what do you reckon?

-Well, it's nice and big.

0:21:490:21:52

Yes, I think this is one of the rooms that really sells this house,

0:21:520:21:56

actually, to be fair.

0:21:560:21:58

That through their is the extension, about 40 years old or so.

0:21:580:22:02

-But in terms of the size and space?

-Yeah, it's a lovely size, isn't it?

0:22:020:22:05

-It's not bad, actually.

-I am waiting to see what other land there is but so far, so good.

0:22:050:22:11

Yeah, OK, good.

0:22:110:22:12

Well, there is the upstairs to come and a bit more land.

0:22:120:22:15

They do seem eager to press on so let's head upstairs to check out

0:22:150:22:19

the four bedrooms, one large enough to be a double for guests,

0:22:190:22:24

a single room, possibly for Troy and a small room

0:22:240:22:26

currently set up as a study.

0:22:260:22:29

There is also a bright family bathroom with another

0:22:290:22:32

a bit more public in our next room.

0:22:320:22:35

And then, this is the master.

0:22:350:22:37

It's a nice size.

0:22:370:22:40

It's a good size.

0:22:400:22:41

This is interesting, though, this is the en suite.

0:22:410:22:47

The only thing is, of course,

0:22:470:22:49

it's something to share, this one, clearly!

0:22:490:22:53

I'm not sure how you feel about the open-plan en suite?

0:22:530:22:57

I suspect Natasha would rip it out and make it into a clothes room.

0:22:570:23:02

-A dressing room.

-A dressing room!

0:23:020:23:05

Last but not least, a bit more land.

0:23:050:23:07

We've already seen, what? Six acres or so.

0:23:070:23:10

How much more have we got, I wonder.

0:23:100:23:13

Come with me, plenty more.

0:23:130:23:15

They do seem geared up to the idea of putting their own mark

0:23:170:23:20

on this place but it's clear that what they really want is land.

0:23:200:23:24

A short stroll up the lane, there's another plot

0:23:240:23:27

that could be used for camping

0:23:270:23:28

or to put up some more permanent structures in the future.

0:23:280:23:31

So last, but not least, is this bit.

0:23:310:23:34

Well, I say bit, there, let's go in. Come and have a look.

0:23:380:23:43

This is about 13 acres. So all in, it's 19 acres.

0:23:450:23:50

With a bit of planting, a bit of management, etc, etc,

0:23:500:23:55

in terms of the long-term plan in developing something from nothing,

0:23:550:24:00

this is quite a nice piece of land, actually.

0:24:000:24:04

It could be good. It could be quite interesting.

0:24:040:24:07

So, let's have a think about the money.

0:24:070:24:09

Are you going to go first this time?

0:24:090:24:12

It's a lot of land but the house needs a bit of work.

0:24:120:24:15

I would guess somewhere in the region of £760,000.

0:24:150:24:19

Interesting, yeah.

0:24:190:24:22

-725.

-725... Well, it does begin with a 7, it does begin with a 7, OK.

0:24:220:24:28

£785,000.

0:24:280:24:33

So actually, you weren't far off.

0:24:350:24:37

Off you go, go and explore. I will catch up with you later.

0:24:370:24:40

Well, it has to be said, as house searches go,

0:24:400:24:43

this one is proving particularly difficult and here's the reason.

0:24:430:24:47

We're not actually looking for a house, we're looking for a landscape,

0:24:470:24:50

and that is the real trick here.

0:24:500:24:52

Finding this ideal enchanted campsite with a house thrown in

0:24:520:24:56

is a real mission.

0:24:560:24:58

Under budget at £785,000,

0:24:580:25:01

this property, in their words,

0:25:010:25:04

certainly has potential,

0:25:040:25:06

offering them -

0:25:060:25:09

and 19 acres providing a diverse setting for their camping business

0:25:130:25:17

subject to planning permission.

0:25:170:25:19

But could the proximity of the neighbours be a stumbling block?

0:25:190:25:24

The house is nice, the gardens are lovely and I really like the orchard

0:25:240:25:28

but it's just the plot of land I don't think is quite right for us.

0:25:280:25:32

What do you think? I'm sure we could do something with it.

0:25:320:25:35

I was kind of expecting a lake, not a pond!

0:25:350:25:38

That's true, but we could perhaps extend it,

0:25:380:25:40

we'd certainly need to dig it out.

0:25:400:25:42

The house itself, once you come inside,

0:25:420:25:44

there's a lot of potential here.

0:25:440:25:47

I think if the land had a mixture of woodland and a bit more water,

0:25:470:25:50

then it would be pretty much on the money.

0:25:500:25:52

Well, that's it. The second property done and dusted.

0:25:520:25:55

Tired?

0:25:550:25:57

A little bit weary.

0:25:570:25:59

Time for a glass of wine and some supper, I think.

0:25:590:26:02

Make a wish!

0:26:020:26:03

As the sun sets over the South West,

0:26:110:26:14

the first day of our house search draws to a close.

0:26:140:26:18

With a top budget of £950,000, we're on a quest to find Ben,

0:26:210:26:25

Natasha and baby Troy enough land in Somerset to fulfil

0:26:250:26:29

their ambitious campsite dream.

0:26:290:26:32

They've seen two properties but coming up, our mystery house

0:26:320:26:35

-could bring on cabin fever.

-Can we stay there?

0:26:350:26:37

Well, as you can see, the sun is still with us

0:26:410:26:44

on this, the final day of our house hunt here with Ben and Natasha.

0:26:440:26:48

Now to be honest, I think yesterday was a little bit frustrating.

0:26:480:26:51

We talked a lot about trying to find a lifestyle but in truth,

0:26:510:26:54

we are really trying to find something of a dream.

0:26:540:26:57

The idea of this magical and enchanted campsite

0:26:570:26:59

within two and a half hours of London.

0:26:590:27:02

Well, our final property is upon us, it is of course the mystery house.

0:27:020:27:05

As ever, it's designed to challenge our buyers.

0:27:050:27:07

And this one goes to the very heart of what I think this search is all about.

0:27:070:27:11

Just how far are they prepared to go to make their dream a reality?

0:27:110:27:15

So Jules, where are we off to today?

0:27:190:27:22

Well, today, it's mystery house time.

0:27:220:27:24

We are going a little way out of the window

0:27:240:27:26

that you were perhaps thinking of to try and get you something

0:27:260:27:31

which, I hope, will fit the bill a little more.

0:27:310:27:36

In order to show them something different,

0:27:360:27:38

we're crossing over the Somerset border for our mystery house

0:27:380:27:41

to the village of Bampton in Devon,

0:27:410:27:43

somewhere they would never have considered.

0:27:430:27:45

Although it's a three and a half hour drive from London,

0:27:450:27:48

it still has holiday appeal, set on the edge of Exmoor National Park

0:27:480:27:54

with the independent shops in Dulverton making it a great place to stock up on supplies.

0:27:540:27:58

Our mystery house is a one-off opportunity

0:27:580:28:01

which comes with its very own spectacular landscape

0:28:010:28:04

set in a conservation area.

0:28:040:28:07

OK, the mystery house, Natasha, what do you think?

0:28:070:28:11

Not bad, not bad so far. Nice size.

0:28:110:28:13

It's brand new, pretty much.

0:28:130:28:15

It is, to some extent, work in progress.

0:28:150:28:18

As you can probably tell from the outside,

0:28:180:28:21

it really is a blank canvas in the true sense of the word.

0:28:210:28:24

Let's have a think about context,

0:28:240:28:25

this dreamy, Narnian world of camping that you're planning on.

0:28:250:28:30

One thing we haven't seen in any of the other properties

0:28:300:28:33

is a sense of geography, OK.

0:28:330:28:36

What we've got here is a house slap-bang in the middle

0:28:360:28:40

of a 50-acre quarry.

0:28:400:28:41

Fantastic.

0:28:410:28:42

So if you were thinking of clients, and holidaymakers and so forth,

0:28:420:28:46

you can squirrel them away without them being on top of you.

0:28:460:28:52

Yeah.

0:28:520:28:53

So let's dive inside and see if they can use their imagination

0:28:530:28:57

to put the finishing touches to the interior.

0:28:570:28:59

Right, in you come.

0:28:590:29:04

-Hallway, yeah?

-Very nice.

0:29:040:29:06

I say it is a work in progress, some bits are completely finished.

0:29:060:29:09

The staircase, as you can see.

0:29:090:29:11

It's a timber-framed building just clad on the outside.

0:29:110:29:15

And then this, as you can see,

0:29:150:29:17

the bare bones of a great big kitchen/diner.

0:29:170:29:20

-Perfect and by the looks of things, rather attractive views.

-Can I check out the view?

0:29:200:29:24

-We'll get to the view in a minute.

-You're holding us back!

0:29:240:29:28

Don't you worry, there are plenty of views to be had!

0:29:280:29:30

But, come on, Natasha, are you excited?

0:29:300:29:34

I'm very excited, yes.

0:29:340:29:36

-Can you see this working?

-Yeah, completely.

0:29:360:29:38

Come on, let's continue.

0:29:380:29:40

Leading off the kitchen is a separate dining room

0:29:400:29:43

which flows through to another reception room.

0:29:430:29:46

So off of the dining room from the kitchen, we have got

0:29:470:29:50

this huge living room which I think is really, really useful as a space.

0:29:500:29:56

It is a very nice size. It continues the views.

0:29:560:29:59

Well, it is gorgeous, isn't it?

0:29:590:30:02

And through here, purpose-built conservatory etc,

0:30:020:30:06

so you can make the best of it whatever the weather.

0:30:060:30:08

A smiley face, Natasha?

0:30:080:30:09

Yes.

0:30:090:30:11

What wheels are turning?

0:30:120:30:13

I just want to see more, I can't wait to see the rest of it, so come on!

0:30:130:30:19

They are champing at the bit, these two,

0:30:190:30:21

so let's put them out of their misery and explore

0:30:210:30:24

the three bedrooms upstairs.

0:30:240:30:26

Now, upstairs is a little more finished than downstairs,

0:30:260:30:29

I guess you want it a bit more comfortable.

0:30:290:30:32

So there's carpet and so on and so forth.

0:30:320:30:34

This is the master.

0:30:340:30:36

Wow. Look at the view.

0:30:360:30:40

Yeah? Little junior balcony there,

0:30:400:30:42

offering you views right across east Devon.

0:30:420:30:45

In has got the alpine chalet feel about it, hasn't it, really?

0:30:450:30:49

Could you imagine waking up to that?

0:30:490:30:51

Not sure I'd want to get out of bed.

0:30:510:30:53

Well, you could lie in bed and just enjoy the view.

0:30:530:30:56

And it's also got a very generous en suite. Just poke your heads in there, have a quick look.

0:30:560:31:01

That is a good size.

0:31:010:31:02

That's really nice.

0:31:020:31:03

And another view.

0:31:030:31:04

Another amazing view.

0:31:040:31:07

Also off the landing is a similar bright, modern family bathroom,

0:31:070:31:11

along with a second large bedroom for Troy.

0:31:110:31:13

And there's a surprise in store next door.

0:31:130:31:17

So, this is bedroom three. Although it's got all this.

0:31:170:31:22

Something of a sort of holiday let, if you like.

0:31:220:31:25

In the short term, it could be useful for additional income whilst we get up and running.

0:31:250:31:30

You could use it while you're tricking up the kitchen.

0:31:300:31:33

That looks like a nice little spot out there.

0:31:330:31:35

It might be a travesty to give it away to somebody else.

0:31:350:31:38

Well, that's a great spot, you know, it really gives this house another layer outside.

0:31:380:31:43

But it's something for you to ponder, this particular room,

0:31:430:31:47

but it is technically a bedroom, but it leads onto this.

0:31:470:31:50

I think this is really interesting.

0:31:500:31:52

There, what a day as well. Great day to enjoy this place.

0:31:520:31:57

As you say, that alpine feel comes through here, doesn't it?

0:31:570:32:00

-That's a stunning view.

-Isn't it? It is great.

0:32:000:32:03

And it's a great spot actually to get some sense of this 50-odd acres.

0:32:030:32:08

You can see the top of the quarry, there's a track above that.

0:32:080:32:11

And it goes off to, you see that deciduous woodland up there?

0:32:110:32:14

That's all yours.

0:32:140:32:15

It comes right down, can you see that green clump of woodland?

0:32:150:32:19

That's your boundary that way.

0:32:190:32:21

And then the bulk of everything is over there,

0:32:210:32:23

the best part of 30-odd acres that way.

0:32:230:32:26

Managing this stuff is an important part of taking on this property.

0:32:260:32:29

The other thing to point out at this stage is the level of conservation

0:32:290:32:33

that the current owner has been able to instil here.

0:32:330:32:37

The trees are growing up, the plant life's coming,

0:32:370:32:39

we've got badgers in here, foxes, deer. It is a really important site.

0:32:390:32:44

I mean frankly, that's something we would be very keen to continue.

0:32:440:32:47

I mean, I've got a conservation background.

0:32:470:32:49

Not that I've had a chance to practise it in Central London.

0:32:490:32:52

-Now is your chance!

-Now's your chance, yeah.

0:32:520:32:55

It's great that they are up for a grand conservation project,

0:32:550:32:58

but if they are feeling lost in the wilderness

0:32:580:33:00

when it comes to getting their business going, they needn't fear.

0:33:000:33:04

This, I think you're going to find really interesting.

0:33:040:33:07

Check this out.

0:33:070:33:09

Look at that!

0:33:090:33:11

A little log cabin.

0:33:110:33:13

Very nice log cabin, actually.

0:33:130:33:16

It is currently generating quite a decent income.

0:33:160:33:20

OK, so they've got an existing holiday-let business?

0:33:200:33:23

Yeah, in fact, there are two of these.

0:33:230:33:26

One's down here, one is up there. You can explore that one on your own later.

0:33:260:33:30

Currently, the two are operating about 60% of the year.

0:33:300:33:34

They're not really pushing it,

0:33:340:33:37

about 20 grand a year is coming in from these.

0:33:370:33:40

-So the weekly cost is anything between £400 to £700.

-Good base.

0:33:400:33:45

-It's a great base, it's a really good base.

-Come and have a look at it.

0:33:450:33:49

It looks like a sturdy cabin.

0:33:510:33:53

It's great, yeah, really is sturdy. Nicely appointed, as you will see.

0:33:530:33:57

Look at this, imagine coming here on holiday.

0:33:570:34:00

-That's great, isn't it?

-Really nice.

-That is really good. He has done a good job on this.

0:34:000:34:04

Great quality, really nice.

0:34:040:34:06

Kitchenette there, bathroom there, bedroom etc.

0:34:060:34:09

You know, so, it is all here.

0:34:090:34:12

-Can we have a look?

-Yeah, go on, off you go.

0:34:120:34:14

I'll leave you to it, I'll meet you outside.

0:34:140:34:17

Well, I am absolutely delighted.

0:34:210:34:23

I've left them in there enjoying this wonderful lodge.

0:34:230:34:26

If nothing else, this entire 50-acre site,

0:34:260:34:28

I hope, will have given Ben and Natasha the right sort of idea

0:34:280:34:32

as to how their life down here may take shape if they're able to pull it off.

0:34:320:34:36

But this is a really, really interesting spot.

0:34:360:34:38

-A second bedroom, it's a really nice size.

-It's good, isn't it?

0:34:380:34:42

-It was a complete surprise, I wasn't expecting this at all.

-No.

0:34:420:34:46

-Out you come, did you enjoy that?

-That's great. Can we stay there?!

0:34:460:34:49

Take your pick! You've got this one and of course the other one at the top of the hill

0:34:490:34:53

-which I'll get you to look at.

-That was a real surprise.

-That's fantastic.

0:34:530:34:57

It's building a picture as to what life may entail.

0:34:570:34:59

Yeah, and it's a stunning spot, it really is.

0:34:590:35:02

Well, we have really only touched the surface.

0:35:020:35:05

But notwithstanding that, I will get you to guess the price. It's going to be quite a challenge,

0:35:050:35:10

because you have only seen a bit of it, but take it from me,

0:35:100:35:13

there's a lot more to this place than meets the eye.

0:35:130:35:15

How much do you want it?

0:35:150:35:17

It's got to be at the top of our budget.

0:35:170:35:19

I'm going to stick my neck out and say around 950...965.

0:35:190:35:25

-965?

-I'll put it out there.

-965, top end. Natasha?

0:35:250:35:30

Well, I was going to go a lot lower, 875?

0:35:300:35:33

875. If it was 875, that would be brilliant, wouldn't it?

0:35:330:35:37

-That would be amazing.

-That would be good.

-If it were 775, it would be perfect.

0:35:370:35:42

-That would be very interesting.

-775?

-775.

0:35:420:35:45

-Wow!

-Wow!

0:35:450:35:48

The only obvious issue for you is how you take this forward

0:35:480:35:52

with the local authorities and the planners.

0:35:520:35:54

Where do we sign?!

0:35:540:35:56

Well, listen, you have got a lot of research to do on this one.

0:35:560:35:59

We have to speak to the authorities.

0:35:590:36:01

Yeah, but I think it's one that should definitely be

0:36:010:36:04

at the top of your list.

0:36:040:36:05

And there's promising news,

0:36:050:36:08

as the current owner has already cleared a one-acre site

0:36:080:36:11

and is seeking planning approval to put up yurts in the future.

0:36:110:36:16

So have we hit the jackpot?

0:36:160:36:18

Under budget at 775, our mystery property would give them

0:36:180:36:22

views in every direction and an incredible 50 acres of woodland

0:36:290:36:34

set in a conservation area

0:36:340:36:35

with existing holiday lets,

0:36:350:36:37

giving them a stable income of around £20,000 a year.

0:36:370:36:42

I like the house a lot. The situation is fantastic. It is a very fair price.

0:36:420:36:46

There are a few issues that I need to overcome or address with the planners.

0:36:460:36:50

This I can really see potentially as the property for us.

0:36:500:36:53

The location is great and it's beautiful. The views are amazing.

0:36:530:36:56

It's three and a half hours out of London, so it's further than we've been looking.

0:36:560:37:00

But when you get here, it's well worth the extra journey.

0:37:000:37:04

I mean it's beautiful.

0:37:040:37:05

Eleven out of ten, I think.

0:37:050:37:06

-Can you imagine bringing Troy up here?

-Yeah, definitely.

0:37:060:37:09

We'd need to Troy-proof it, but as he gets older he's going to love it.

0:37:090:37:13

Troy-proof it did I hear?! What a place, though, he's going to love growing up here.

0:37:130:37:17

Imagine him wheeling around on his quad bike.

0:37:170:37:20

Indeed, if this is the place, I wonder, we've shown you a lot,

0:37:200:37:24

we've travelled a lot.

0:37:240:37:25

Let's go and sit down and have a chat about the rest of your lives.

0:37:250:37:29

I'm passionate about preserving our architectural landscape,

0:37:390:37:43

and the West Country serves up some distinctive gems in its churches,

0:37:430:37:46

many of which are in danger of perishing.

0:37:460:37:49

These unusual squatting creatures are known locally as hunky punks.

0:37:490:37:53

And during the week, the historian Peter Poyntz Wright took me

0:37:530:37:57

to the church in the village of Isle Abbots to find out the story

0:37:570:38:01

behind some of these decorative figures.

0:38:010:38:03

-What are we looking at? That one on the left looks extraordinary.

-That is a Nanking dragon.

0:38:030:38:07

-What sort of date are we talking about?

-1520 or thereabouts.

0:38:070:38:10

The Chinese silk route had been set up for 200 years by then

0:38:100:38:15

and silks and porcelain were coming in with those designs on them.

0:38:150:38:19

They do look very fragile, Peter.

0:38:190:38:21

-They are. There's a limited time left for them, 20/30 years.

-Really? That quickly.

0:38:210:38:27

But if we can find the money, help could be at hand,

0:38:270:38:30

and hunky punks may have a future.

0:38:300:38:32

Because the restoration skills are alive and well

0:38:320:38:35

at places like the Wells Cathedral Stonemasons works in Cheddar.

0:38:350:38:39

Ryan Brunt is one of its directors, and he's showing me around.

0:38:390:38:44

This is terrific, Ryan, this is exactly what I expected a busy stonemason's yard to look like.

0:38:440:38:48

You've got all kinds of stuff in here!

0:38:480:38:50

Quite familiar from many a church.

0:38:500:38:53

Are you restoring that or copying it?

0:38:530:38:55

This one's being restored, but we're also making another four.

0:38:550:38:58

So you really are investing

0:38:580:39:00

in techniques that haven't changed much in hundreds of years.

0:39:000:39:03

And the good news is that young people are taking up masonry apprenticeships,

0:39:030:39:07

among whom is artist and apprentice of the year, Samantha Peacock.

0:39:070:39:11

So what attracted her to stone in the first place?

0:39:110:39:14

It's a dextrous material, it's dynamic, you can do a lot with it.

0:39:140:39:17

You can carve, you can restore, you can do the banker masonry.

0:39:170:39:21

It is a very creative trade, it's brilliant.

0:39:210:39:24

And the finished article is living proof of the immense skill

0:39:240:39:28

and artistry needed.

0:39:280:39:31

This is gorgeous. This is presumably a new version of what we saw outside.

0:39:310:39:34

It's what we saw outside, yeah.

0:39:340:39:36

What do you call it?

0:39:360:39:38

This is a pinnacle.

0:39:380:39:40

Right, OK. This is a straight copy, but when you are restoring things,

0:39:400:39:43

do you come across ancient marks, ancient masons' marks?

0:39:430:39:47

Yeah, traditionally, a mason would put his mark

0:39:470:39:49

after he had finished a stone.

0:39:490:39:51

It's hidden, but when you come to replace it,

0:39:510:39:54

you'll take the stone off of it and there your mark will be.

0:39:540:39:57

So what's yours? You're a master mason, have you got a mark?

0:39:570:39:59

-I got mine tattooed on my arm!

-Where?!

0:39:590:40:02

-An R.

-Brilliant, R for Ryan, of course.

0:40:020:40:05

-Yeah.

-Well, it's been a really interesting insight, Ryan.

0:40:050:40:08

Thanks very much for showing me round.

0:40:080:40:11

Clearly, restoration is in good hands if we can find the money.

0:40:110:40:14

Exactly, yeah.

0:40:140:40:15

Ben and Natasha's epic property search is at an end.

0:40:190:40:23

And I think we've given them a lot of different options to mull over.

0:40:230:40:28

The show is very nearly over,

0:40:300:40:32

but we have, of course, got decision time to come.

0:40:320:40:35

Now, has this been agonising for Ben and Natasha?

0:40:350:40:38

I don't think so.

0:40:380:40:39

-How are we doing, guys? Relaxing?

-Yep.

0:40:430:40:47

I think a really interesting little trip, this one.

0:40:470:40:50

Let's think about where it started.

0:40:500:40:52

That much-extended farmhouse with the four acres and the alpacas, what did you make of that one, Ben?

0:40:520:40:58

It was a beautiful house but we couldn't afford it.

0:40:580:41:01

It didn't offer us the potential to grow a business on the property.

0:41:010:41:04

Well, then we took you off to another converted farmhouse,

0:41:040:41:08

but with a gorgeous orchard and a bit more land.

0:41:080:41:10

I liked the house, I thought it was quite pretty. The orchard was very nice.

0:41:100:41:15

I think what killed it for me was the fact that it was overlooked by the neighbours.

0:41:150:41:19

I am not sure what they'd have thought about people camping on their doorstep.

0:41:190:41:23

So then we took you to the mystery house, an old quarry.

0:41:230:41:27

Many would say, "It's a bit industrial, I don't want that."

0:41:270:41:30

But for you guys, a very interesting proposition.

0:41:300:41:33

Well, I was amazed, really, I think it was a slice of heaven.

0:41:330:41:36

Yeah, I think it could well be.

0:41:360:41:38

-A slice of heaven?

-Yes.

0:41:380:41:40

Does it go to the heart of what you're looking for?

0:41:400:41:43

Exactly along the sort of lines we were looking at.

0:41:430:41:46

Every house has its buyer. Has that one found its buyer?

0:41:460:41:49

We'll have to speak to the planners and find out a bit more,

0:41:490:41:52

but it's got those holiday lets, so it's got some income coming in.

0:41:520:41:56

So it's really going to take the pressure off, isn't it?

0:41:560:41:59

That's right. There's a lot of work that needs to be to be done,

0:41:590:42:03

but it can be done stage by stage over the coming years.

0:42:030:42:07

Well, very best of luck. It's a really interesting proposition.

0:42:070:42:10

Clearly, you've got more homework to do, some detailed discussions need to be had with the planners

0:42:100:42:16

and the local authorities but touch wood, all things being equal,

0:42:160:42:19

-I hope it's the one, let us know how you get on.

-Thanks for the help.

0:42:190:42:23

Here's to you, cheers!

0:42:230:42:25

Well, what a house search this one has been.

0:42:300:42:32

I have to confess, I wasn't entirely sure if we'd get there in the end.

0:42:320:42:36

I'm pretty sure both Ben and Natasha felt the same way too.

0:42:360:42:39

But we have had some really interesting surprises along the way

0:42:390:42:42

and some real whoppers.

0:42:420:42:43

They set out looking for a home in Somerset, it looks like they've ended up in Devon.

0:42:430:42:47

They wanted a campsite, they've got a quarry,

0:42:470:42:50

surrounded by 50 acres of glorious woodland.

0:42:500:42:53

There are, of course, some very difficult and complicated negotiations still to come,

0:42:530:42:58

but if they get it right and they move in,

0:42:580:43:00

next time I'm in Devon, I know where I'll be staying!

0:43:000:43:02

I'll see you next time.

0:43:020:43:04

Ben and Natasha made an offer on the mystery house, which was accepted.

0:43:070:43:11

And they're in the process of seeking planning permission.

0:43:110:43:14

Hopefully they'll be moving to Devon soon to start their new adventure.

0:43:140:43:19

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0:43:190:43:21

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0:43:210:43:25

then please apply online.

0:43:250:43:26

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