0:00:00 > 0:00:05These 29 locks were on what was essentially the M4 of the 19th century,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08the canal that linked the West Country to London.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12This wasn't the fastest bit of it cos it takes 4.5 hours
0:00:12 > 0:00:14to bring your boat up 237 metres.
0:00:14 > 0:00:19Where am I? Find out as we Escape to the Country!
0:00:31 > 0:00:35Today, we're helping a young family return from "down under"
0:00:35 > 0:00:37to find their dream country pile.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40We have some first-rate contenders.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42- That's fantastic.- Oh, wow!
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Good, isn't it?
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- Yes! Very good! - That's an understatement!
0:00:46 > 0:00:50But will British property prices be a bit of a shocker?
0:00:50 > 0:00:51450.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I think 500,000.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57OK. You have been away for quite a while!
0:01:03 > 0:01:07Today I'm in Wiltshire, and this amazing looking thing
0:01:07 > 0:01:09is the Caen Hill flight of locks
0:01:09 > 0:01:11which was created 200 years ago.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15It really is a miracle of engineering because, amongst other things,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19it pumps 32 million litres of water from the bottom of the hill to the top
0:01:19 > 0:01:22in order to make sure all the locks flow properly.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24It's not just water that flows down here,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27but also thousands of happy holidaymakers
0:01:27 > 0:01:33and barge enthusiasts exploring the backwaters of this very beautiful county.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35Gateway to the West Country,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Wiltshire is bordered by six counties
0:01:37 > 0:01:42including Berkshire to the east, and Somerset, Dorset and Gloucestershire to the west.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44It's undeniably pretty.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49In fact, 44% of this traditionally rural landscape
0:01:49 > 0:01:52comes under the "Outstanding Natural Beauty" umbrella.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56The phrase "rolling green hills" could have been coined for this county.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58With the arable farmland of the Marlborough Downs
0:01:58 > 0:02:04and taking in parts of the Cotswolds, it's quintessentially English countryside at its best.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10Believed to be the home of Britain's first settlers, the Beaker Folk, Wiltshire is surrounded by myth.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Enduring mysteries shroud its Neolithic stone circles,
0:02:13 > 0:02:17from World Heritage Site Stonehenge to Avebury.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19With two-thirds of Wiltshire lying on chalk,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23its residents over the centuries have been given a very wide canvas
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and white horses dot the chalky hills.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29They have become the county's unofficial emblem.
0:02:30 > 0:02:36It's home to a wealth of character housing stock from medieval thatches to Chilmark stone cottages.
0:02:36 > 0:02:41But depending on where you're looking to buy in the county, you may need deep pockets!
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Property prices in Wiltshire vary very wildly
0:02:46 > 0:02:50with the north-east generally outperforming the south-west.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53But with the best and most prestigious schools in the county,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57Marlborough takes the biscuit for being the most expensive place to buy.
0:02:57 > 0:03:03Local estate agents say if you're willing to move ten miles north or west or south from Marlborough
0:03:03 > 0:03:07then you can knock 25% off the price of a house.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11So what else does this mystical county have to offer in terms of property?
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Let's find out, shall we?
0:03:13 > 0:03:15If you're thinking big,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19check out this beautiful four-bed 14th-century thatch in Wanborough.
0:03:19 > 0:03:26You get a 31-foot bespoke country kitchen. Two reception rooms serve up character features galore
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and it's all set in an impressive 5.5 acres.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Its price tag is also substantial.
0:03:32 > 0:03:341.3 million.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37However, if you like character with modern convenience,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41this four-bedroom thatch in Barford St Martin could be for you.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47On the market at £525,000, you get three reception rooms, a country kitchen,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and a terraced garden perfect for al fresco dining.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Finally, this converted three-bed chapel in Great Cheverell
0:03:55 > 0:03:57is certainly worth praise.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00If you worship both character and open-plan living,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02it could be just the ticket.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05It's on the market at £395,000.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11There are some beautiful properties here in Wiltshire.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Our couple today have come a long way to find them
0:04:14 > 0:04:18because they're swapping a life down under, with Bondai and barbies
0:04:18 > 0:04:21for one that involves British bangers and brollies!
0:04:21 > 0:04:22Let's meet them.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27Today's house-hunters are Steve, an online manager for a mobile phone company,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31his wife, Carolyn, and their children - Ella, Scarlet and Cameron.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35They've just spent three years working and living down under in Oz.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40But that stint was long enough for them to realise that there's no place like home.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44We had a fantastic time there. It was a great experience for us and all the family.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49But it became obvious for what I call the three "F"s,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51family, friends and football!
0:04:51 > 0:04:54They can't be replicated over in Australia.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57So it was time to come back.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Since arriving home a few months ago,
0:04:59 > 0:05:04they've been living with Carolyn's mum in a three-bed house in Berkshire.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08It's living in someone else's house. No matter how great they are.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Every now and again she walks in on me in the bathroom
0:05:11 > 0:05:15which, when it's your mother-in-law, is not great, really!
0:05:15 > 0:05:18With space and dignity in short supply,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21finding somewhere of their own, fast, is obviously a priority.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26What part of our green and pleasant land have they set their sights on?
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Cameron is at a school in Newbury.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35So we're kind of looking from west Berkshire out to as far as Marlborough in Wiltshire.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Cameron's education is catered for. But what about the girls?
0:05:39 > 0:05:46Ideally we'd like to have a primary school, pre-school, in the village that's walkable.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50So that's the location. Now let's turn our attention to bricks and mortar.
0:05:50 > 0:05:55Our dream list, I guess, would be the large kitchen/diner.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00The lounge with the open fire.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02The study, the four bedrooms.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06A couple of bathrooms, maybe one of those being en-suite.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09And how much outside space are they hankering after?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13We'd love to have an acre, half an acre, of garden.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16That would be the ideal.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19But I think that's probably one of the areas
0:06:19 > 0:06:22that we find we could compromise on.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Open to compromise. That's a phrase I like!
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Do they have a style of property in mind?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31We're fairly flexible.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34I think the only thing that's a real no-no
0:06:34 > 0:06:37is probably a new, brand-new, kind of property.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40We're looking for something more with character or age.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44In terms of creating spaces, knocking the odd wall down,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46we're quite up for that.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Both are selling the UK houses they had before they met,
0:06:49 > 0:06:53which, on completion, will effectively make them cash buyers.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55So how much are they planning to spend?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Our budget for our property is up to £600,000.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05We'd better get this house hunt on the road
0:07:05 > 0:07:09or they'll be living with their in-laws for Christmas, and we don't want that.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14Ironically, the real problem is not the four bedrooms or the three reception rooms
0:07:14 > 0:07:16or even the acre of land.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19The real problem is the school catchment area.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Living near a good school in Wiltshire is like gold dust.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26It puts a lot of pressure on an already pressurised house search.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29So I hope they're ready to make some compromises.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33Carolyn and Steve want to focus their search in north-east Wiltshire,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36in the villages and hamlets around Marlborough
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and no more than 45 minutes from Newbury, where Cameron is at school.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44We have some great properties to view, but I won't reveal the price tags
0:07:44 > 0:07:46until they've taken everything in.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51Finally, there's a mystery house, which will turn the tables on their wish list.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Hi, guys.- Hi.- How are you? - Welcome to Wiltshire.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- Thank you.- I've brought you onto the Ridgeway so you get a big view
0:08:00 > 0:08:02over the gorgeous countryside.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Fantastic.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Our task is to get you out of your mum's house. You love her dearly
0:08:07 > 0:08:10but I imagine you're tearing each other's hair out.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Yes.- We want to get you a beautiful family home.- Yes.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17We want something close to Cameron, who's at school near Newbury.
0:08:17 > 0:08:19- Newbury.- That's an important factor.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23And also the good news is that you've sold your houses.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- Yes.- Just last week. - What does that mean for us?
0:08:25 > 0:08:28That means we're now cash buyers, ready to go.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32- So bring it on.- Your budget? - £600,000.
0:08:32 > 0:08:37That's a good, healthy budget, but it's a pressurised market around Marlborough and Newbury.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- So we'll have to keep alert. - Yes.- Yep.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44But they're out there and waiting for us.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45- Let's go.- Excellent.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51So, for a maximum budget of £600,000,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Carolyn and Steve have a considerable wish list.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10They want this package to be set in a village with a good pre-school and primary school.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15It all needs to be within commutable distance of Cameron's boarding school in Newbury.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Luckily, they don't mind knocking down a few walls
0:09:18 > 0:09:20to create their dream pad.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26What won't you compromise on?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30There are three things we'd like to avoid compromising on.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34The kitchen/diner, or the ability to create one, at least.
0:09:34 > 0:09:39A study because I do sometimes work from home. I need space away from the children.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44- And the garden. We're not expecting rolling acres...- Good!
0:09:44 > 0:09:48- It needs to be big enough for a game of football.- Game of football?!
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- Football.- 11-a-side or five-a-side? - Two-a-side!
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Time to kick off our house-hunt.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59We're starting at Ogbourne St Andrew, 40 minutes from Newbury,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01and two miles from Marlborough,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04placing it in the catchment for a highly-sought-after state school
0:10:04 > 0:10:07and it's one of Steve and Carolyn's preferred areas.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11The village itself is absurdly pretty.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16Quiet lanes are lined with cosy thatches and grand Georgian manors.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Serving the community is one church and one gastro-pub.
0:10:21 > 0:10:27The all-important pre-school and primary are five minutes away in Ogbourne St George.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30So, this is the property I want to show you.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32What do you think?
0:10:33 > 0:10:36It looks like it's the right sort of size.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38I quite like the look of it.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43It's maybe not the old country house I was looking for, but it looks very nice.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47I'm glad Carolyn is keeping an open mind
0:10:47 > 0:10:51because getting a period home of the size they want on their budget
0:10:51 > 0:10:54in this neck of the woods is mission impossible.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57However, this 17-year-old property has been extended
0:10:57 > 0:11:01and offers an extensive family home they could re-jig to suit them.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08We go straight into the big sitting room
0:11:08 > 0:11:11which spans the whole depth of the house.
0:11:11 > 0:11:17- It's a good-sized room. I like the size.- It's got a family feel about it.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22Even though the set-up is quite formal, it's got a family feel.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Does it bother you that it's modern?
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Not so far.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30We can go through these double doors, which are arched.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34They're using this as the dining room but it could be a study or anything.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- It leads into the garden. - Nice double doors to the garden. - The doors are nice.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Well, you might want to combine it with this room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46This is your kitchen.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47OK.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51Right. It's quite long and thin.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54The obvious solution that leaps to my mind
0:11:54 > 0:12:00is to have all that light from there and make this one big kitchen/diner.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04You do have a utility room off here. You could also knock through that way.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06And a family room.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- This is the extension, so it's the part they added on.- OK.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- Nice and bright. Doors out into the garden.- It says study to me.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- Immediately.- It says study?
0:12:18 > 0:12:20- I might put my towel down in this room!- Very good.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24- Where would the kids go?- Yeah. - Somewhere else.- Somewhere else, yes!
0:12:24 > 0:12:28You do have the garage through there, so you could put them in there!
0:12:30 > 0:12:34I jest! There's plenty of room in this house for children and visitors,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37with five bedrooms in all upstairs.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- This is your bedroom.- Wow!
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- It's a nice size, isn't it? - Lovely fitted wardrobes.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Sounds good!- It's very light.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54This is the Ridgeway, so beautiful views over the fields.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58And a very nice en-suite. Poke your head round the corner.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Wow. This is really nice. Nicely done.- Hmm.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- They've done this well. - Really nice room.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Next door to the master is a large single bedroom.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16Off the hallway are two cosy doubles, one of which is currently used as a study.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18But there's still more.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22This is the extension. A family bathroom there.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- And a very sweet little kind of library.- Aw!
0:13:26 > 0:13:29It's not classed as a bedroom, so you're not losing one there!
0:13:29 > 0:13:31- Good!- It's a nice little nook.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- Homework room.- Ah, yes. - That's a good idea.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39So who's crying out for a bedroom? Who hasn't had a bedroom for ages?
0:13:39 > 0:13:45- Cameron.- Ella's been sharing with her three-year-old sister. - So she's desperate!- Absolutely.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48Well, they're all going to fight over this.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- This, I think, is a lovely bedroom. - Oh, it is.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- Very nice.- There'd be some arguments over this, I reckon.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02- You could have it as another study! - Another study.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Solve it.- Studies you need. - Daddy wins!
0:14:05 > 0:14:06"It's my study!"
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- It's a lovely room, though.- It is. - And nothing needs doing up here.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13So it's great.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17After a hesitant start, they may have warmed up to this modern house.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20However, the garden isn't football pitch size.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23So will we have scored an own goal?
0:14:23 > 0:14:25So, come into your garden.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28It's not very big.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Is there a bit hiding round... - Certainly not!
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- OK.- There is nothing hiding.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40- It's all on display.- It is private, that's for sure, which is what we'd look for.- Not overlooked.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42What do you think it's on the market for?
0:14:42 > 0:14:44I'm going to be really optimistic...
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Don't laugh! - Be optimistic. I like that.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50450.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54I think 500,000.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58OK. You have been away for quite a while!
0:14:59 > 0:15:02This property is on the market for 550.
0:15:02 > 0:15:03OK.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06450?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08I told you I'm optimistic!
0:15:08 > 0:15:12I love that about you. You keep on being optimistic.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15- But you pay the bills!- That's right!
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Why don't you have a look around inside
0:15:17 > 0:15:21to see whether there's stuff you could think about inside.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- I'll see you afterwards. - OK. Thanks.- Thank you.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26At £550,000,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30this substantial modern family home is £50,000 under budget.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It could be reworked to suit them.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Upstairs is spot-on with five bedrooms,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42so plenty of space inside.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45But although this garden is very pretty and secluded,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47it isn't massive.
0:15:47 > 0:15:52The village is hugely sought-after, and with a nearby pre-school and primary,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54I'm hoping the location will compensate.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57From a location perspective, this is fantastic.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59It has great transport links,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02it's got the catchment areas for the schools we want.
0:16:03 > 0:16:08The peace and quiet of this location is exactly what we'd hoped for in coming back here.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10We wouldn't need to do anything up here.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15- No, it's pretty sorted. They've done it very nicely.- Yes, they have. - I like how it is.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18There'd be plenty of room for everybody.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- Yeah.- No, it's good.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Plenty of options for studies!- Yeah!
0:16:26 > 0:16:27It is so quiet!
0:16:27 > 0:16:31I've been listening and there's just birds and birds and birds!
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- Very peaceful.- So whatever you think about the house,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- you've got to love the location. - Absolutely.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50The poet Lord Alfred Tennyson once wrote,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53"As from the Dorset shore I travelled home
0:16:53 > 0:16:55"I saw the charger of the Wiltshire wold
0:16:55 > 0:16:58"A far seen figure, stately to behold."
0:16:58 > 0:17:04He was, of course, referring to the chalk horses, synonymous with this rural landscape.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08Although the origins of the carvings are shrouded in mystery,
0:17:08 > 0:17:12we do know that at one point, 13 white steeds galloped across the county.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Today, there are just eight.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18But you'd be very much mistaken in thinking they're prehistoric.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Wiltshire's first white horse at Westbury
0:17:21 > 0:17:23is believed to have been carved in 878
0:17:23 > 0:17:26to celebrate King Alfred's victory over the Danes.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30But most of today's horses have 18th-century origins
0:17:30 > 0:17:33and have undergone a fair few facelifts over the years.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Earlier in the week, Carolyn and Steve headed to the chalk hills above Pewsey
0:17:37 > 0:17:40to meet up with local historian Phil Stevens
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and find out about the white horse there.
0:17:43 > 0:17:50The actual horse was put here to mark the coronation of King George VI in 1937.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55It was cut by our local fire brigade. It's maintained by Pewsey parish council
0:17:55 > 0:17:58and in the last few weeks, we've rechalked it.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03If it's not rechalked, it will turn green and disappear into the rolling hills again.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08White isn't the only colour gracing Wiltshire's lovely landscape, though.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11We sent Carolyn and Steve to glorious Westwood
0:18:11 > 0:18:13to meet up with Dominic Price
0:18:13 > 0:18:17and experience one of the British countryside's spring phenomena.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22We've got over 800 acres of almost pure stands of bluebell here.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26At this time of year, it's the greatest show on earth.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32The bluebell is protected under law. The Wildlife and Countryside Act of 1981
0:18:32 > 0:18:37prohibits anyone from selling any part of the flower or the bulb or the seed.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41You can't even barter them in exchange for another flower.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45They're also massively threatened from a thing called the Spanish bluebell.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49The Spanish bluebell freely breeds with the English bluebell
0:18:49 > 0:18:51and forms things called hybrid swans.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56What you won't get is this sea of blue because the colour is mixed down.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00The Spanish bluebell is now pretty much across the whole UK
0:19:00 > 0:19:02and there's nothing we can do about it.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06In more and more woodlands there'll be the odd pocket of Spanish bluebells.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09To our knowledge, there's none here at all
0:19:09 > 0:19:13and so hopefully this woodland is safe for future generations.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18It's not everywhere. You have to come to places like Westwood to see it on this scale.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23It is a big part of the British countryside and what makes Britain so very special.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Back to the present and on with the search.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38We're heading to the attractive village of Wanborough.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41It's a slightly further drive to Newbury at one hour,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45but it's a thriving village which should suit our buyers' needs.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48As well as the all-important primary school,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52it's stocked with a village store and a church which boasts both a tower and a spire.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57Steve and Carolyn shouldn't go thirsty with no less than six pubs to choose from!
0:19:57 > 0:20:02Let's hope we'll be toasting our next house which is on the outskirts of the village
0:20:02 > 0:20:06and comes with something our first property didn't - masses of outside space.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09We're talking premier league space!
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Down the lane.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14And this is the house I want to show you.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- OK.- OK.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20So once again, we haven't got the period nailed on the head.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- This is 23 years old.- OK.
0:20:22 > 0:20:27The interesting thing about this property is that it is upside-down.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- Oh. OK.- Wow.- What are your thoughts from the outside?
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Not visually stunning. But might have space.
0:20:35 > 0:20:36I'm intrigued.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Intrigued isn't a bad place to start.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45There's so much opportunity for Steve and Carolyn to put their own stamp on this place.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49As it's built into the hill, the living space is on the top, where we'll start.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52It's accessed via the back of the house.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56So we come in through these huge glass doors
0:20:56 > 0:20:58into what is, of course, the hall,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01but also landing.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Yeah.
0:21:03 > 0:21:08But you'll see that the whole point of this house is that it's pretty much all views.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13It's all about great big panes of glass looking out over fields.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16We come into here. This is the main space.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19In many ways, it's quite a simple house.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24You've got this big room with incredible views over the White Horse Vale.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Right to the horizon. There's nothing interrupting them.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32And this great big double-glazed double window out to the garden.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Light is important to us because we've been spoilt by very bright light.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Never apologise for being spoilt. Very important.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43It's something we're very accustomed to, so this is lovely and light.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Through here.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50This is the other wing of the house
0:21:50 > 0:21:52which flows into the kitchen.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- That's a pleasant surprise. - Pleasant surprise?- Yes.- That's nice.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00Then the archway through to the dining room.
0:22:00 > 0:22:07It's not the country kitchen that I had as a dream, if you like.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08But it's nice.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13The clean lines and clinicalness of it appeal to me, actually.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14- Right.- Yes.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17It feels like a family house, actually.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Good stuff. Let's hope the underbelly of this house
0:22:20 > 0:22:22will get the thumbs up, too.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24It should. It has the required four bedrooms.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27This is the master.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29It's a good-sized room.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33Yeah. Too many fitted cupboards, I think.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Too many?- Well, you can always take them out.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I've got enough stuff to fill them, but...
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- it confines the room a bit. - It has a good-sized en-suite.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Have a peek in there.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Yeah. It's been really nicely done. - Yeah, it's been done well.
0:22:55 > 0:23:01A thumbs up to the master suite and off the hallway is a good sized family bathroom
0:23:01 > 0:23:03and three other double bedrooms
0:23:03 > 0:23:06so the children won't be arguing who gets the biggest.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10Outside there's more than enough space to mess around in. An acre in all.
0:23:12 > 0:23:18It's a good-sized garden. It slopes down here to take in the design.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I wanted to show you this.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25You've got a huge sun trap. This is where the setting sun hits the side of the house.
0:23:25 > 0:23:30It's a great paved area, or it could be a conservatory or extension.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32You could make it a study, maybe.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37There's definitely options. It's not listed, so you can go any which way.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39Is this enough of a garden, though?
0:23:40 > 0:23:42It's got potential for all the things we want
0:23:42 > 0:23:45without being overly big so that we need a tractor!
0:23:45 > 0:23:48How would you like a little bit more?
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Down here. What have we got here?
0:23:58 > 0:23:59- Oh, wow!- Oh, dear!
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It's your very own paddock.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Wow!
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- With a little summer house. - That's fantastic.- Oh, wow!
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Good, isn't it?
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- Hmm.- Yes, very good.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20That's an understatement!
0:24:22 > 0:24:24- My mind's going... - Your eyes are lighting up!
0:24:24 > 0:24:28It's the first time I've seen both your faces light up.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30The mind is going...
0:24:30 > 0:24:32"Oh, my God! What? What?"
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Amazing. That's a real surprise.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39This is the thing. To get the land, the garden and the house
0:24:39 > 0:24:43and the location, it's a struggle.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45But I think this is a really wonderful buy.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- Mmm. - But how much does it cost?
0:24:50 > 0:24:52I'll say £600,000.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54I'm going to say 550.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57Actually, this house is on the market for...
0:24:57 > 0:25:00£535,000.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02- Oh, right.- Wow.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04- That's a nice surprise. - You've impressed us.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08Go and have a look at the summer house. Wander round.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Then when you're all finished, we'll meet again.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15How nice to be the harbinger of good news.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21At £535,000, this is £65,000 under budget.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24So plenty of spare change to extend to their hearts' desire.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35The piece de resistance here is the one-acre plot,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39taking in a formal garden and a paddock to run wild in.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44My only concern is probably the lack of reception space upstairs.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48But then - I love this area here, so you wouldn't want to build here -
0:25:48 > 0:25:51but you could put a double-ender on that end.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54And then put build out... Put an annexe in the garage.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56- Give us more space.- Yeah.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01There's definitely potential to do... A couple of options, even better.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05The price is a pleasant surprise
0:26:05 > 0:26:10because we would be able to do the work that we feel the house needs
0:26:10 > 0:26:12within the budget.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16I think this land kind of changes my view a bit, actually.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17Definitely.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19It's kind of life-changing
0:26:19 > 0:26:21for us, isn't it?
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- Yeah.- The kids would go nuts if they saw this.- Definitely.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30I know where they are! Hello? Yes!
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Come out of that field. You can't live in there!
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Oh, really?- No.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39- A good day's property shopping, right?- Yes, so far, so good.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Let's go and mull it over.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53That's it for our first day of house-hunting.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55With the sun setting over the downs,
0:26:55 > 0:26:59I hope we've given Carolyn and Steve plenty to think about.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09Coming up, it's mystery house time, which will push Carolyn and Steve to the edge of their comfort zone.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11But could it come up trumps?
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Do you love, love, love, love it?
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- Yes.- Do you want to buy, buy, buy, buy, buy?
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Yes!
0:27:20 > 0:27:25It was a bit dispiriting yesterday because Carolyn really wants a period property
0:27:25 > 0:27:29and although this part of Wiltshire is jammed with historical properties,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32they're simply not in their price range.
0:27:32 > 0:27:38So compromise is necessary. The first house, wonderful location, the second house, great land.
0:27:38 > 0:27:44The mystery house is not a historical property, but it's absolutely beautiful inside.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47It's just miles away from where they wanted to live.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Indeed, we do have some distance to travel
0:27:53 > 0:27:57as the mystery house is in the very rural hamlet of Chedglow
0:27:57 > 0:28:01on the Wiltshire/Gloucestershire border, 53 miles from Newbury.
0:28:01 > 0:28:05Sitting in prime countryside, it's a peaceful location,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09but for more hustle and bustle, just four miles away
0:28:09 > 0:28:12is the stunning market town of Tetbury.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Designated an Outstanding Conservation Area,
0:28:15 > 0:28:19the town is chocker-block with listed architecture
0:28:19 > 0:28:21from its 17th-century market hall
0:28:21 > 0:28:27to its medieval cobbled steps and its Georgian church with one of the tallest spires in the UK.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30With Prince Charles' country home just outside the town,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34it's no wonder Tetbury has become something of a showstopper.
0:28:37 > 0:28:41OK, the mystery is we've travelled across time zones to get here!
0:28:41 > 0:28:44But this is the property I want to show you.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49It is attached. It's not a period property, I'm afraid.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53- But I think it is a beautiful property.- I love the style.
0:28:53 > 0:28:58- Very pretty colour, isn't it? - It's very sympathetic, the way it's been done.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03Yes. And the village is lovely. It's so peaceful! Relaxing.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06The thing you'll really like are the interiors. Let's have a look.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11We're doing things by half with today's semi-detached mystery house.
0:29:11 > 0:29:17But I'm hoping the open plan interior layout will be just what Steve and Carolyn are looking for.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Here we are.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- Wow!- Yeah, that's a straight wow!
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- It's a double wow, right?- Yeah.- Yes.
0:29:27 > 0:29:32- This is one of the nicest kitchens I've seen in a while.- Beautiful. - Semi? What semi?
0:29:34 > 0:29:35I love everything about it.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37We aim to please!
0:29:37 > 0:29:41There's also a utility room for all the white goods.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45So when they bought it, they immediately extended it.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50This would have been the back wall and they pushed out into what was patio, on that side too
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- and put in this lovely lantern roof. - Yes, it's lovely.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Really nice.- Very light.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00Great area for dining, with all that light.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03Connected with the kitchen. That's great.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06It's like you've been struck dumb!
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- It is a bit like that.- It's lovely.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11It is a wonderful space.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13Can you imagine the children here?
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- Definitely.- When they've gone to bed, we can entertain here.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21What's lovely is that the concertina doors open up completely.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25So you've got nothing there, it's an open wall.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27You can go out into more patio space, more garden.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32- Almost Australian living. - Yeah.- That's what we thought.
0:30:32 > 0:30:38Also, they put in for planning permission to extend that way, which you could take up if you want.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42On both floors. That planning permission is in perpetuity.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44It's beautiful.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- Beautiful.- Do you love, love, love, love it?
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- Yes.- So far.- Do you want to buy, buy, buy, buy, buy it?
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- Yes!- So far!
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Well, there's more.
0:31:03 > 0:31:04This is the sitting room.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09It's lovely. Really cosy, isn't it?
0:31:09 > 0:31:13It's in marked contrast to the big sunny kitchen. This is more snugly.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18- I love the floor.- Oak floors with this cool open fireplace
0:31:18 > 0:31:19with a chain-mail fireguard.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Wow. It's just lovely.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25It moves on through.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28Then it goes through into here
0:31:28 > 0:31:31which is her study.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35- It could be your study. - It's a nice light room, isn't it?
0:31:35 > 0:31:37Another little lantern.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39And double doors that open into the garden.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- The windows are great. - As a house, it's very exciting.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Excitement is what we like!
0:31:47 > 0:31:51I think we're onto a winner. Let's keep up the good work with the rest of the house.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54There are four bedrooms in all.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59Two double bedrooms, perfect for growing girls, and a family bathroom.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- This is the master suite. - Right. Wow.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10It's a little bit smaller than I'd hoped for.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13The built-in wardrobes are very nice, though.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15The en-suite is in here.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18That's a good size. I like the tiles.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- Then you've got another floor.- Ooh.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- Ooh.- Ooh.- What's up there?
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Want to have a look?
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Let's go.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36This is quite interesting. They used this space for blanket drawers.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40This is your upstairs room.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44- This could be quite nice for Cameron, maybe.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- He would love this.- Teenage boys. - Teenage retreat. Yeah.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51I think we'd struggle to get Cameron out of here!
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Give him a pole to come down to the kitchen!
0:32:53 > 0:32:56It seems to answer a lot of your needs.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- Absolutely.- But there's always outside. I know that's important to you.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02So let's peek!
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Because it's an attached property,
0:33:06 > 0:33:08it doesn't come with paddocks.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12But it's a really ample plot, at over a quarter of an acre.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17It's a very simple garden. It is just what you can see.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19No hidden extras, this time.
0:33:19 > 0:33:24- It's funnel-shaped, so you can keep your eye on where the children are.- Yes.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26- A play area there. - Scarlet would love that.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Monkey puzzle tree that'll be gorgeous in 100 years!
0:33:31 > 0:33:36What's also nice is that this land here belongs to the farmer at the back.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39So it's agricultural land. But he's very amenable.
0:33:39 > 0:33:45- You could probably buy something off him or rent if you wanted a pony for Scarlet.- That's positive.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48- Veggie patch already dug at the bottom.- Saves a bit of work!
0:33:48 > 0:33:52- This is a good space. We could do something with this.- Mmm.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54So the package is pleasing?
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- Yeah.- The package is good. - Is it affordable? What do you think it's on for?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01I'm going to go for 500.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Keeping with the optimism, 525?
0:34:04 > 0:34:08Gloriously optimistic! Both totally wrong, I'm afraid.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Because even though it's not the area you were thinking of,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- it's on the market at 595.- Wow. - Right at the top of your budget.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19So if you wanted to do the extension, you'd have to do it later on.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22- Well, it's certainly liveable! - Exactly.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- In the meantime.- Have a look round and I'll see you up front.- Thanks.
0:34:28 > 0:34:29Well, that shocked them!
0:34:29 > 0:34:33But at £595,000, our semi-detached mystery house
0:34:33 > 0:34:35does deliver on space inside and out.
0:34:44 > 0:34:45Two bedrooms are en-suite.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55It's not as near to Newbury or Marlborough as they'd like,
0:34:55 > 0:34:59but can they swap location for their dream interior?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02The quality and finish of the interior is absolutely stunning.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06It's almost impossible to see through it because it's so fantastic.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11It's just made that whole decision much harder.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15It's finished to a level of perfection that really suits our style.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18The wow was the kitchen for me.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20The kitchen/diner is my dream.
0:35:20 > 0:35:25The fact that it's semi-detached is, for me, quite a big issue, I have to say.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28We'll see what Carolyn thinks.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33- You're done. I was just catching some rays.- Wakey-wakey!
0:35:33 > 0:35:36I wasn't sleeping, I was gathering my thoughts,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39which is what I'm going to ask you to do next. Follow me.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54Once, Britain's canals were the life-blood of our country,
0:35:54 > 0:35:58with over 5,000 miles of waterways criss-crossing the landscape,
0:35:58 > 0:36:02transporting goods during the Industrial Revolution,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05at its height ferrying over 30 million tonnes per year.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09But with the arrival of the railways and later motorways,
0:36:09 > 0:36:13by the late 1960s, many of these peaceful pathways were in major decline.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18This year, however, sees the 200th anniversary of the Kennet and Avon canal,
0:36:18 > 0:36:22running through Wiltshire on its way from Bristol to Reading.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27Rather than being consigned to history, this waterway is experiencing a boom.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31To find out more, I headed to the Caen Hill locks at Devizes
0:36:31 > 0:36:35to meet with lock-keeper of 30 years Bob Preston,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38who has seen the canal brought back from the very brink.
0:36:38 > 0:36:45Devizes Locks was closed in 1951 and didn't reopen until 1990.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49- So there were 40 years when the locks were empty.- It was in a state of dereliction.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52A navigable canal was in decline.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54With the help of the Canal Trust,
0:36:54 > 0:36:58it took 20 years to bring the Kennet and Avon back to life.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02Run me through the wonders of this flight of locks.
0:37:02 > 0:37:08On Caen Hill itself, we've got 16 locks. Boats can raise 137 feet
0:37:08 > 0:37:13and that takes about two hours to do that small three quarters of a mile section.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16- So essentially you've got barges going uphill.- That's right.
0:37:16 > 0:37:23That's a pretty steady stream of dedicated bargees cos that's a lot of opening and closing locks.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26Everybody wants to have done Devizes locks at least once.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30- It's their Everest, if you like! - Standing on the Canal Everest!
0:37:30 > 0:37:31Fantastic.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36Today there are ten times the number of boats on the Kennet and Avon canal
0:37:36 > 0:37:38than there were back in 1810.
0:37:38 > 0:37:43But they're not all day-trippers. Some people make these waterways their permanent homes.
0:37:43 > 0:37:49Like Lionel and Lynne who've lived on their barge moored just outside Devizes for a year.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Morning!
0:37:51 > 0:37:55They're going to show me how exactly to conquer the Everest of the lock world.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02First, the sluice needs to be opened so the water level can equalise.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06That takes around five minutes. Then the gates can be opened.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10So you have to be pretty Zen to be a bargee. No rushing here.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Once your barge is in place,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16then you have to do it all again, in reverse.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18It's quite heavy!
0:38:19 > 0:38:24And then shut the locks and open the sluice gates so the water can drop.
0:38:24 > 0:38:25Come on, Lynne!
0:38:25 > 0:38:27This one's a struggle.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Such a slow coach. Should have stayed on my team!
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Once the water level is the same on each side of the gates,
0:38:37 > 0:38:38the next set can be opened.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41But by George, you need some patience!
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Another lock opened.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53Mind my back!
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Watch, it's like pooh sticks, but barge sticks!
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Which one will come out first?
0:38:59 > 0:39:00Hmm!
0:39:03 > 0:39:04I think it's going to be Lionel's.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06Yay! I win!
0:39:08 > 0:39:12No doubt with people like Lynne and Lionel making these byways their home,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15the heritage of the canals will stay alive
0:39:15 > 0:39:20and hopefully the Kennet and Avon will still be around to celebrate its 400th birthday.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31For once on this show, I'm completely in the dark as to which of these houses
0:39:31 > 0:39:33Carolyn and Steve may go for.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37I did see Carolyn go misty-eyed at the kitchen/diner in the mystery house,
0:39:37 > 0:39:41but Steve was distinctly more level-headed about it.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43Let's find out which one they like.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50This is the sort of house you really want!
0:39:50 > 0:39:52- It's the mystery, isn't it? - Sadly not.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54It's 12 times your budget!
0:39:55 > 0:39:59It's been slightly challenging for you in terms of compromise.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02We haven't been able to find exactly what you want.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05But it's a good idea to go through them one by one
0:40:05 > 0:40:08and talk about the different things with each property.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Spin back your minds to yesterday morning and the first property.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16Beautiful location, surrounded by countryside. Great.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22The front entrance was nice. There was some work to be done for our taste downstairs.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25Upstairs, ready to rumble.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Downstairs I would need to change the kitchen/diner,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32but there was scope to do that and also room in the budget for that.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34I was a little disappointed with the garden.
0:40:34 > 0:40:39That's a major compromise we'd have to consider with that property.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42Although in most other ways it ticked the boxes.
0:40:42 > 0:40:47Let's move on to the second house. It offered things the first one didn't.
0:40:47 > 0:40:52Didn't it just! The land was fantastic. The paddock was a real surprise.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55I think there's a different wish list for the paddock.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00- Have you both nabbed it? - There are two towels down!- Yeah.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02- Even the garden was nice, too, wasn't it?- Yeah,
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- a beautiful garden.- But I found the house a bit disappointing.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- In what way? - Not enough reception space.
0:41:10 > 0:41:15The challenge with that property is the changes would be wholesale ones to make it how we wanted.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19So the location for the first house, the space outside for the second house.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21And the third house? The mystery house?
0:41:21 > 0:41:25The location was a surprise when we travelled so far to get there,
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- but I had a good vibe about the area.- A really nice feeling.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31It was semi-detached. I can't get beyond that.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35It's sticking in my head. Inside, it was absolutely stunning.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38But the space upstairs was quite small for what we would want.
0:41:38 > 0:41:43It was hard for me to see the bad points because I loved every room,
0:41:43 > 0:41:45the way that they'd done it, and their touches.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50There was no expense spared with any of it. It was beautiful.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54Would you progress on any of them? Would you take a next step?
0:41:54 > 0:41:58- I think we'd like to go and view the first one again.- Have another look.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01And the local primary school, yes. Definitely.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- That's almost a success. - Yes.- Absolutely.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10I think the reality check you've given us, with what you've done,
0:42:10 > 0:42:14has shown that perhaps we need a five-year house, not a forever house
0:42:14 > 0:42:19in this move, and then we can live here and build from within the area.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23Well, I really hope you do. You've picked a beautiful bit of the country.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26So that's not a bad strategy to come and move down here
0:42:26 > 0:42:31and get yourselves onto those secret estate agents' lists. Good luck!
0:42:31 > 0:42:33- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:42:36 > 0:42:41I was a bit perplexed by Carolyn and Steve's insistence on one corner of Wiltshire,
0:42:41 > 0:42:45because it's a beautiful county and full of stunning villages.
0:42:45 > 0:42:49So I personally probably would have compromised on location
0:42:49 > 0:42:53and gone for a bigger more beautiful house. But what I want doesn't matter!
0:42:53 > 0:42:56On this show, the home-buyer is king.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00I hope you've enjoyed our adventures in this beautiful county
0:43:00 > 0:43:03and you'll join us for more next time on Escape to the Country.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08If you'd like to escape to the country
0:43:08 > 0:43:11in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:11 > 0:43:14and need our help, please apply online at:
0:43:40 > 0:43:43Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd