0:00:02 > 0:00:05Legend has it these stones are all that remains of a witches' coven.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09They also form the second-largest stone circle in Britain.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Find out where I am in just a moment.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45In today's show, I'll be helping a couple desperate for the outdoors life
0:00:45 > 0:00:48find their first home together in the country.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52However, they're keeping their cards close to their chest.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53I don't what know what to say.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56You're quite hard to read. You have this poker face!
0:00:56 > 0:01:00But maybe our mystery house will force them to open up a bit.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03It's quite romantic.
0:01:07 > 0:01:12Welcome to Cumbria, a county filled with mountains, poets,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15and this stone circle, known as Long Meg.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Meg, which is this one, was claimed to be a witch
0:01:17 > 0:01:21and she and her many daughters were turned into rocks.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25This stone circle, it's said, is protected by magic.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27It's impossible to go around it
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and count the same number of stones twice.
0:01:30 > 0:01:34So while I test that theory, you take a look at the rest of the county.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38One, two, three, four, five...
0:01:38 > 0:01:41As the most north-westerly of England's counties,
0:01:41 > 0:01:44Cumbria's charms are countless,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48many of them lying within the Lake District National Park.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53Among the 16 lakes scattered across the county's dramatic and mountainous terrain
0:01:53 > 0:01:57is Windermere, which, at ten and a half miles long and a mile wide,
0:01:57 > 0:02:01claims the title of England's largest natural lake.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Its scenic splendour is a draw for over 8 million visitors a year,
0:02:05 > 0:02:10many who come to enjoy the raft of outdoor pursuits this area lends itself to.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14The outlying fells and villages beyond the National Park
0:02:14 > 0:02:19are also a compelling option for many people seeking a home here.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Our house-buyers are desperate to leave their town life behind
0:02:28 > 0:02:31and move into the glories of the countryside,
0:02:31 > 0:02:35so let's find out why they want to make their escape to Cumbria.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Lesley, a retail manager, and Carl, a school teacher,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42have lived together in their three-bedroom home
0:02:42 > 0:02:45in the suburbs of northern Blackpool for two years.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49But since becoming a couple, they both want to head out of town
0:02:49 > 0:02:53and pursue a more active lifestyle in the Cumbrian countryside.
0:02:53 > 0:02:59We both want to move to the country. I think we like the outdoor lifestyle
0:02:59 > 0:03:04and the accessibility to the countryside, basically.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08This'll be our first property that we'll have bought together.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Becoming a fully fledged gardener
0:03:11 > 0:03:13is part of Lesley's outdoor ambition.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18As you can see, this is my little vegetable patch and it is very small.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22At the moment, all we can really grow are strawberries and raspberries,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and when we move to the country, what we'd really like to do
0:03:24 > 0:03:27is grow a greater variety of fruit and vegetables.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33Whilst striving to fulfil their rural dream, they also realise
0:03:33 > 0:03:36that initially they'll have to commute back to Blackpool for work.
0:03:36 > 0:03:37Because of this,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41they want to settle in the Kendal area with easy access to the M6,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45and besides being insistent that their next home should be detached,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48there are other priorities to factor in.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51For me, I'd like the new house to be pretty much
0:03:51 > 0:03:54everything that this place isn't, to be honest.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58The main thing for me is location.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03It would be wonderful to see some scenery, wildlife et cetera.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05The property itself,
0:04:05 > 0:04:07I don't mind whether it's an older property
0:04:07 > 0:04:10or whether it's a newer build,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13but I would prefer it to have some character features.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16So I would like a nice, unusual fireplace
0:04:16 > 0:04:21or it to have character inside. Ideally, I'd love a big kitchen.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Two bedrooms would be fine.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Ideally, we need somewhere that could be a studio,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30so that might be some outbuildings that come along with the property.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Lesley sold her property two years ago,
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and with Carl's on the market for £145,000,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40they've agreed their top limit.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42The maximum budget we're looking to spend
0:04:42 > 0:04:45would be around the £300,000 mark.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54I know we always say that it's going to be challenge to find
0:04:54 > 0:04:57what our homebuyers want, but in Carl and Lesley's case,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00there are some specific factors that could trip us up.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Firstly, their budget's not the biggest.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Secondly, everybody wants to move to this beautiful corner of the countryside,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11and thirdly, local occupancy restrictions really do limit
0:05:11 > 0:05:16the number of properties that "incomers" like Carl and Lesley can buy.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19The good news is, here on Escape, we love a challenge.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26At their request, we'll be focusing Carl and Lesley's property search
0:05:26 > 0:05:28in the Kendal area, although their budget may mean
0:05:28 > 0:05:33we have to push the boundaries to get them what they want.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36We've selected three handsome Cumbrian homes to tempt them with,
0:05:36 > 0:05:40but I won't be revealing the price of each until they've had a guess.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43The last property is our mystery house
0:05:43 > 0:05:45which we hope will push them beyond their comfort zone.
0:05:50 > 0:05:51Welcome to Cumbria.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56Has it always been your destination of choice? Why here?
0:05:56 > 0:06:00We had a conversation a while back and we decided
0:06:00 > 0:06:03we only ever wanted to move one more time, so we actually made a list.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06We did it separately to make sure it wasn't one person's choice
0:06:06 > 0:06:09over the other, of places where we really want to live,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11and top of our lists was the Lake District.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15- That's nice. - So it made sense, basically.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17It sounds like you have perfect unison
0:06:17 > 0:06:19when it comes to where you want to live.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22What about the kind of property? Do you have the same taste there?
0:06:22 > 0:06:29I think Carl is definitely more to do with the location of the property.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33These views are amazing and that's what we're moving here for.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36I'm probably more to do with the interior of the house,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38whereas Carl is more to do with the exterior.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43- Your budget is 300.- Correct, yes.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47We have found some lovely properties to show you, so let's start looking.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53Happily, with their budget of £300,000,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Lesley and Carl have realistic expectations,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59but ideally they are after a detached property that provides them
0:06:59 > 0:07:04with a living room, preferably with a lovely period fireplace,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08a large kitchen/diner, a minimum of two bedrooms,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11space for Carl's studio
0:07:11 > 0:07:14along with a good-sized garden for Lesley to grow vegetables
0:07:14 > 0:07:18and countryside views are a must.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24We're getting our property search under way with location
0:07:24 > 0:07:28at the top of the agenda as we head to the village of Brigsteer.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32With all the amenities of Kendal just three miles away,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36this is a superbly rural spot with a well-regarded pub,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39a small parish church and a scattering of properties
0:07:39 > 0:07:41which enjoy views over the Lyth Valley,
0:07:41 > 0:07:44and our first house is no exception.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49So this is the spot I wanted to bring you to.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55- And this is the property I want to show you.- Excellent.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58A gorgeous setting, absolutely gorgeous.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Couldn't have asked for a nicer setting.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Really like it from the outside.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- Really intrigued to see what's inside.- It's attached.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08How do you feel about that?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11That's the first thing I noticed,
0:08:11 > 0:08:16but obviously, in this location, something's got to give.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18The dog will decide, I think.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Hopefully, the dog will give the heads-up to the large double garage
0:08:23 > 0:08:25which has studio potential for Carl.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28But it's the windows in the main house
0:08:28 > 0:08:30that I think will hold his attention.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35Come in to the sun room. What are your thoughts?
0:08:37 > 0:08:41It's the view that I'm looking at. It captures the view perfectly.
0:08:41 > 0:08:47It's very modern, which obviously, ideally, I wanted some period features,
0:08:47 > 0:08:51but I do like the general feel and the presentation of the room.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53OK, well, let's move on.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59This was the original front door before they put it on the sun room,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02but now it's become the back door.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03This is the sitting room.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07Size-wise, it's cosy.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12I'm just wondering if it's a little bit too small. Ceilings are OK.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15But then it could be positioning of furniture.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18'Let's see if Lesley warms to the kitchen.'
0:09:22 > 0:09:26Right, now. You've seen everything on the ground floor.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- What do you think? - I think it's lovely.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Everything you could need in the kitchen. Quite modern.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36I can't fault the kitchen at all.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37That's good.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39You're quite hard to read.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43You've got this poker face when you come into a room. So you like it?
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- I take everything in first. - It's hard, isn't it?
0:09:46 > 0:09:50'We have a quiet but positive reaction to the downstairs,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53'and upstairs the space has also been well configured
0:09:53 > 0:09:55'to offer three bedrooms spread over two floors.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58'There's a single room with a small but sleek
0:09:58 > 0:10:03'refitted modern bathroom, and next door is a possible master.'
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- This is one of the two bedrooms on this floor.- Excellent view.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- Beautiful view. Imagine waking up to that.- Is this the main bedroom?
0:10:16 > 0:10:19They use this as their master bedroom, yeah.
0:10:19 > 0:10:26- But all the bedrooms are pretty much the same size.- Size is fine for me.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29'We'll head upstairs again and see
0:10:29 > 0:10:32'if they have any creative thoughts for the third bedroom.'
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Up in the eaves, they've added an extra room.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39The reason they didn't use this as the master is
0:10:39 > 0:10:42because you're a bit leany-over.
0:10:42 > 0:10:43But it's got great views
0:10:43 > 0:10:47and it might be a good work space or an office.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Be ideal for you if you wanted it.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51Yeah, I've already got my mark on it, to be honest.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52The view is stunning.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58'This cottage has all the requisite rooms they were after
0:10:58 > 0:11:01'and would be an extremely comfortable first home for them.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04'Outside, the location gives them glorious countryside
0:11:04 > 0:11:09'on their doorstep, but at the expense of the size of the garden.'
0:11:11 > 0:11:13We have to compromise.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16I was waiting for that word.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Because this is your back garden,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21essentially just a little patio garden.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24Space enough to have a barbecue and a big kennel,
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- but not really room for a veggie patch.- No.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32What do you think this property is on the market for?
0:11:32 > 0:11:36I think because it's a semi-detached property,
0:11:36 > 0:11:40I'm thinking it might be around 270.
0:11:40 > 0:11:41Knowing you're a man of your word
0:11:41 > 0:11:43and you wouldn't go above our budget,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- I'm going to go, actually, 290.- 290.
0:11:46 > 0:11:51Clearly you overestimate my word, because sadly, this is over budget.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54This is actually on the market for 315,
0:11:54 > 0:11:58but have a look around again, explore at your leisure,
0:11:58 > 0:12:00and I'll meet you out in the front in the sun room
0:12:00 > 0:12:02and then we can take it from there.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04- OK. Thank you.- In you go.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09'The fact that this semi-detached cottage is over-budget
0:12:09 > 0:12:12'at 315,000 only highlights the premium'
0:12:12 > 0:12:15they have to pay for location.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18However, it's also in excellent decorative order
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and provides them with two living rooms, one with great views
0:12:21 > 0:12:24and the other with a stone fireplace,
0:12:24 > 0:12:27a beautiful kitchen/diner and three bedrooms,
0:12:27 > 0:12:31one of which Carl has already earmarked as his studio.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34The main drawback for them was the courtyard garden,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38but it's offset by being in their ideal location with great access
0:12:38 > 0:12:41to Kendal, the Lakes and the M6 for driving to work.
0:12:41 > 0:12:48Internally, I think it offers us all the space and the rooms that we need.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52We've got two potential living rooms.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57I think the kitchen/dining room is absolutely amazing.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02Location-wise, this is probably as good as it gets, so the question
0:13:02 > 0:13:07is are we prepared to lose the back garden for being in this space?
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Being able to enjoy the magnificent countryside of the Lakes
0:13:18 > 0:13:20is key to their move,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23although our second property also factors in their request for land,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26as we edge over to the western side of the Lakes,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30close to Broughton-In-Furness, just over 30 miles from Kendal.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32In the past, this small market town prospered
0:13:32 > 0:13:35from the trading of wool and cattle.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Many of its historic buildings surround its Georgian market square
0:13:39 > 0:13:44with its central obelisk marking the Jubilee of King George III in 1810.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47On the outskirts of the town, and with stunning views
0:13:47 > 0:13:50of the Duddon Valley, we find our second property,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53whose remote setting should appeal to Carl,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56whilst giving Leslie the original character she wants.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59We thought we'd bring you somewhere
0:13:59 > 0:14:01that was just a little bit more remote.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Yes. This is just what I was after,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08but I don't know about Lesley. Location-wise, this is perfection.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12It's a great location and this is the property I want to show you.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16- It again is attached.- OK.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18What do you think of this architectural style?
0:14:18 > 0:14:20This is probably more in your...
0:14:20 > 0:14:24From what I can see, I like the outside of the building.
0:14:24 > 0:14:30I like the fact that it's built in stone so that's very appealing.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32Let's see if she's sold on the internal quirks
0:14:32 > 0:14:35that inevitably crop up in such a historic conversion.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Come into the pigsty, aka the dining hall.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44I like the features.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48I like the fact that it's uneven walls
0:14:48 > 0:14:51and not finished to a smooth finish.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54This is billed as the dining room because it's next to the kitchen.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Why don't you have a peek in the kitchen?
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Mind the step.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08It's not huge.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11No, I think if you look in the English dictionary, the term little
0:15:11 > 0:15:13is a picture of this kitchen.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Maybe the features of the living room can work their charm.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24This is the other room on the downstairs.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27This would be the sitting room, lounge.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29So, it's a bit more period-y.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32It is much more period-y.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36It's certainly cosy. It's got the features.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37The features are lovely,
0:15:37 > 0:15:39the little features they've done and the fireplace.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41I'm just trying to think
0:15:41 > 0:15:43if it's a workable space.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47The views are a big theme upstairs, where there are
0:15:47 > 0:15:51three bedrooms which like the last property are spread over two floors.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55The first consists of two cosy, little singles
0:15:55 > 0:15:57and a well-furnished family bathroom.
0:15:57 > 0:16:02But we'll see if the master on the second floor measures up.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07So the present owners have just put this on.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10This is a top-floor extension
0:16:10 > 0:16:13to give themselves this master bedroom.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15This is fine for me.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20It's got a nice feeling, with the light coming in through there.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22And from there as well, behind the door.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Although they feel that the room sizes overall have come up short,
0:16:26 > 0:16:28there is the possibility to extend downstairs
0:16:28 > 0:16:32as the current owners have drawn up plans to build a glass sun room
0:16:32 > 0:16:34out from the current porch.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Subject to planning permission, of course.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40There are also other opportunities outside
0:16:40 > 0:16:43that will exceed their expectations.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47You may have fallen in love with the house in the last property but you didn't like the land.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52- There was no land to like. Fair enough?- Fair enough.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55So this property has a bit more land.
0:16:55 > 0:17:01All of this is yours, the mown, green grass bit,
0:17:01 > 0:17:06but there is also the possibility for a small purchase price
0:17:06 > 0:17:11of buying all the two acres right up to the top of the hill.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13So without that big parcel of land,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17how much do you think this property costs?
0:17:17 > 0:17:18250?
0:17:20 > 0:17:24I might say it's slightly more than that.
0:17:24 > 0:17:25270.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30270. Well, this property is on the market for 250
0:17:30 > 0:17:36and that parcel of land could be yours for £10,000.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39So that makes 260 altogether. Why don't you go have a look?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41You can have a wander up there as well.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Take a look in, see what you think about the house again,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48what you think you can do with the land and then we'll meet at the end.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- OK.- OK.- Off you trot.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Priced at just a shade under £250,000,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59this stone cottage is well under their budget threshold
0:17:59 > 0:18:02and offers them a wealth of period features,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06including exposed beams and a stone fireplace,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08three bedrooms
0:18:08 > 0:18:12and a sizeable garden which they could extend to two acres
0:18:12 > 0:18:15if they spent £10,000 on the adjoining woodland,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18all wrapped up in a spectacular setting
0:18:18 > 0:18:21with far-reaching Lakeland views.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24I love all the period features that we have in this property.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Obviously, the little window seat and the beams.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30But for me, I think the living area downstairs
0:18:30 > 0:18:32is just a little bit on the small side.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I can see why you brought us here.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Again, you do need to look at the potential
0:18:38 > 0:18:40as opposed to what's actually here.
0:18:40 > 0:18:46This does offer the potential to become THE house for ever.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55As evening falls over the Cumbrian hills,
0:18:55 > 0:18:59it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:19:05 > 0:19:10I've already clocked that Carl has a strong, but probably slightly frustrated, creative streak,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14but I realised yesterday that Lesley has it too. They're both dreamers.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18They're both always looking forward to the next room, the next project, the next house, the next field.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23We need to force their hand, and the mystery house certainly does that.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30For our mystery property, we're staying on Cumbrian soil
0:19:30 > 0:19:32with the Lakes 25 miles away,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36and heading to Alston in the North Pennines.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39Reputedly the highest market town in England, at over 1,000 feet
0:19:39 > 0:19:43above sea level, it provides them with great walking terrain
0:19:43 > 0:19:45for their new outdoors lifestyle.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50Five miles from Alston, our mystery barn conversion challenges them
0:19:50 > 0:19:53to think about turning their back on the commute to Blackpool,
0:19:53 > 0:19:58and gives them a taste of how they could earn an income from running a holiday let.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01So, I appreciate I've taken you on quite a hike
0:20:01 > 0:20:04but luckily I've brought some Kendal mint cake to keep you fired up.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07And it's this property here.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12The whole stone-built, from the 1700s,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16old miners' cottage in a beautiful location.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- Detached!- Detached.- Excellent.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23From the outside, I love the stone-built property.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28And the location is absolutely mind-blowing.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32'Now they've taken the bait, we'll explore the larger cottage,
0:20:32 > 0:20:36'whose two bedrooms and living areas are set out over three storeys.'
0:20:39 > 0:20:40Come on in.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Bearing in mind it is a sort of upside-down house -
0:20:46 > 0:20:48to take advantage of all the views,
0:20:48 > 0:20:51the bedrooms in both cottages are downstairs.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Yes, I completely agree, I would have all the bedrooms downstairs.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57You need to appreciate the view,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00so there's no point having your living room downstairs.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Tacked onto the side of the property is a laundry room used by holiday guests,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08and downstairs there is a good-sized bathroom
0:21:08 > 0:21:10along with a separate sauna.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15But I think Lesley is going to be convinced about the upstairs kitchen
0:21:15 > 0:21:17when she sees its main focal point.
0:21:17 > 0:21:18Ta-da!
0:21:21 > 0:21:24That's what you call a fireplace!
0:21:24 > 0:21:27This is what you call a period detail.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- It is a period detail. - It is a period detail.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33What do you think of the bones of the kitchen?
0:21:33 > 0:21:37It's bigger than the last one.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40It's really good. I could imagine, you know, modernising this,
0:21:40 > 0:21:42and look at the view.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Is that a positive poker face? - THEY LAUGH
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Let's have a look upstairs.
0:21:46 > 0:21:50'We've notched up Brownie points from Lesley for the kitchen,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53'so time to admire the views from the upstairs living room.'
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Up the stairs to the view!
0:22:00 > 0:22:05- Wow.- Makes sense to have the sitting room upstairs.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07I do really like it.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11I can see if our furniture was in here, facing out to that view,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14it would just be wonderful.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21They do have one room upstairs, which is the master bedroom.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26- It's quite romantic. - It is, actually.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31And then, in the morning, ta-da!
0:22:32 > 0:22:34It's the view.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37'Now we've seen the house they could call home,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40'we'll go and explore the second part of our mystery proposition.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43'These two holiday lets combined are currently bringing in
0:22:43 > 0:22:50'an annual income of around £20,000 based on just a 20-week occupancy.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54'The second cottage also has a double bedroom downstairs,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57'and benefits from a Victorian fireplace and flagstone floors
0:22:57 > 0:23:00'with a spacious modern bathroom opposite.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03'But it's time for a game of compare and contrast
0:23:03 > 0:23:06'as we take a look at the main living area upstairs.'
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Coming through to the sitting room again with a beautiful view.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21And with the kitchen all part of it.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27That definitely passes!
0:23:27 > 0:23:29'While they mull over which side of our mystery house
0:23:29 > 0:23:32'to take as their own, we'll head outside,
0:23:32 > 0:23:36'where they get more than they could have ever expected.'
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Ah, it's the big moment.
0:23:41 > 0:23:46These two cottages together come with a parcel of seven acres of land.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Oh, my God.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54- I don't know what to say. - OK, well, let's talk money.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58I'm going to say 340.
0:24:00 > 0:24:06I'd certainly say it's worth that, but I'm going to hope it's 320.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09This is on the market for...
0:24:09 > 0:24:12£300,000.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15THEY CHUCKLE
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Well, why don't you have a wander around,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19while you think about it,
0:24:19 > 0:24:23- and when you've found some words, we can talk afterwards.- OK.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Bang on budget at £300,000,
0:24:27 > 0:24:31our mystery house is the ultimate test for them to sever work ties to Blackpool.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34But if they are brave enough to go the distance,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38they will get two houses in one, providing a two-bedroom
0:24:38 > 0:24:42and one-bedroom cottage, with upper-storey living rooms
0:24:42 > 0:24:45from which to soak up those incredible views.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48And along with the ready-made holiday let business,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50there are over seven acres of land
0:24:50 > 0:24:53to fulfil Lesley's dream of self-sufficiency.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I think this property is absolutely amazing.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01It's got a fabulous location, it's detached,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05the decisions are which part of the property do we potentially live in?
0:25:05 > 0:25:09This property is too good to be true, to be honest.
0:25:09 > 0:25:10There are no negatives.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15The only problem as I see it is which side of the house
0:25:15 > 0:25:18do we want to live on?
0:25:18 > 0:25:22As the teachers would say, it's an A+, top of the class.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24There's your little gold star.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38Even by Escape standards, that was an epic mystery house.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40Not only did they totally love it against all the odds,
0:25:40 > 0:25:44it seems to have blown the other two houses out of the water.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Let's find out what they really think.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56I'm quite excited to hear what you have to say,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58because you've been playing poker face,
0:25:58 > 0:26:02and you've had all sorts of crazy ideas left, right and centre.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04So, it's time to gather the threads together.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07So, spinning back the clock to the first house.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08I still really like that property.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The downside of that is obviously
0:26:11 > 0:26:15the back garden wasn't as big as we would have liked
0:26:15 > 0:26:19for potentially growing vegetables et cetera.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21But the actual property was beautiful.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Now, the second house was pretty remote.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27What you think about that one in retrospect?
0:26:27 > 0:26:28The location was good again.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32I was relatively happy, I think it was the house that probably
0:26:32 > 0:26:34didn't fulfil the ticked boxes.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37I think the layout didn't work properly for me downstairs.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39I didn't get a nice feeling downstairs.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Having said that, upstairs the bedrooms and the bathroom
0:26:42 > 0:26:46were more than adequate for me.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50Now, the mystery house certainly gave you space to be adventurous.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55The house itself is just too good to be true, to be honest with you.
0:26:55 > 0:27:01The river at the bottom, the view, you know, the B&B.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05I think we're both in agreement for the mystery property.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10Like you said, there's a lot of opportunity to decide in which
0:27:10 > 0:27:12property we actually want to live.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16It all boils down to the interview I've got next week, as it happens,
0:27:16 > 0:27:20for a position just outside Carlisle.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25- Oh, right! That's handy.- So, I mean, again, fate has intervened here.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27It's all falling into place.
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Ker-ching! So it looks like the mystery house came up trumps.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Well, I really hope things work out.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36You've been great to show around because you're so creative and thinking ahead.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40It's a real joy to see that you found somewhere that you can keep on doing that.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44- I hope it goes ahead. Good luck with your interview.- Thank you.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54I am so pleased about the way this show panned out,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56because we often start off saying, "This is a challenge
0:27:56 > 0:27:58"and there's going to be a compromise
0:27:58 > 0:28:00"and no-one will really be pleased,"
0:28:00 > 0:28:03but, actually, the mystery house pleased everyone.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06It pleased Carl, it pleased Lesley, it certainly pleased me,
0:28:06 > 0:28:11because in one swoop, Carl's news about getting a job 25 miles away
0:28:11 > 0:28:14made all the pieces fit together. Property perfection.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17If you want to see more of that,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21make sure you tune in next time for Escape To The Country.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Northern Ireland or England and would like our help,
0:28:27 > 0:28:32please apply online.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd