0:00:02 > 0:00:04This masterpiece of engineering behind me is 1,000 feet long
0:00:04 > 0:00:06and 126 feet high, and it is
0:00:06 > 0:00:08the highest and longest aqueduct,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11made of cast iron, in the world.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Find out what it's called and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34On today's show, I'm setting out to find a working property
0:00:34 > 0:00:38for a couple who run their own business and, at first,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40the enthusiasm takes a bit of time to get going.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44It's...well, yes, interesting!
0:00:44 > 0:00:47But then, their reactions are almost off the scale.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48I'm going to shock you here now...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50a nine-and-a-half.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51THEY GASP AND LAUGH
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Zowie, wowee!
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Today, we're in North East Wales,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00and this is the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04which, amazingly, was designed back in 1795
0:01:04 > 0:01:05by Thomas Telford.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08It's part of the very ambitious scheme to join
0:01:08 > 0:01:10the Rivers Dee and the Mersey.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Now, the whole project took about ten years
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and £47,000, in their money,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19which is about £50 million in today's money,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and they never quite finished the whole complex,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25but they did finish this very impressive stretch,
0:01:25 > 0:01:30and over 5,000 canal boats still cross it to this day,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33and it's going to be a very vertiginous journey.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38North East Wales is a region that encompasses
0:01:38 > 0:01:41the counties of Wrexham, Flintshire and Denbighshire
0:01:41 > 0:01:45and shares its coastline with the Irish Sea.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48It's a largely rural area, and the main industry
0:01:48 > 0:01:50is in sheep and cattle farming,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54although crops, such as wheat and barley, are grown here too.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Tourism is a big part of the economy, bringing in £1.8 billion
0:01:58 > 0:02:01across the whole of North Wales each year,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04as well as over 37,000 jobs.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07When you look at the stunning scenery this part of Wales
0:02:07 > 0:02:11has to offer, from the picturesque Horseshoe Pass in the Dee Valley,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15to the historical and charming towns of Llangollen and Denbigh,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18it's no wonder these counties are so popular
0:02:18 > 0:02:20with tourists and house-buyers alike.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24But let's meet today's house-hunting couple
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and find out what's on their wish list.
0:02:27 > 0:02:30John and Sally run a forestry business
0:02:30 > 0:02:33and have been married for almost 40 years.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36They've been in their four-bedroom home in Shrewsbury, Shropshire,
0:02:36 > 0:02:37for six years,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40but it's the business that's providing the main impetus
0:02:40 > 0:02:42for their tenth house purchase.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Since we've moved here...
0:02:44 > 0:02:47our family business has changed direction,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and, so, we're in commercial forestry
0:02:50 > 0:02:52and we need to have land,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55we need to have two or three acres round our home.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59We need space round the property to store rather large machinery
0:02:59 > 0:03:02and, um, if we go to a place in the country,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06we will immediately turn to renewables and, obviously,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09wood is our business and we would heat it with wood,
0:03:09 > 0:03:11it's quite simple.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14So, a renewable forever-home set in a couple of acres
0:03:14 > 0:03:17is what this couple are after and, naturally,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19they'd like to be near some woodland too.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23Well, we do a lot of work in North Wales's forests, so...
0:03:23 > 0:03:25On the outskirts of Chester,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29on the Welsh side of Chester, in Denbighshire and Flintshire,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32that's really where we want to move to.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35But if they have a chance to relax, there are pursuits
0:03:35 > 0:03:38old and new they'd like to spend time on.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41We already like walking with the dog.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43One thing I would like to do in the country,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47I quite like doing craftwork and I do craftwork with the local school
0:03:47 > 0:03:50where my grandchildren go, and I would...
0:03:50 > 0:03:54I'd like to throw pottery, make pottery.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58One of the interesting aspects of the move is to gear up
0:03:58 > 0:04:01a little bit more for my hobby, which is sailing
0:04:01 > 0:04:03and the latest acquisition, sailing-wise,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06is an Australian design trimaran
0:04:06 > 0:04:09which, um...is quite portable
0:04:09 > 0:04:13and I can bring it home and work on it in the winter.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16They've got a pretty substantial list of preferences
0:04:16 > 0:04:19for the new property, inside and out.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23I don't think we'd consider living in a house with low beams
0:04:23 > 0:04:27so that you've got to bend your head, or houses which are...
0:04:27 > 0:04:29um...
0:04:30 > 0:04:31..very old.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34What we need in our next home
0:04:34 > 0:04:36would be three bedrooms, two bathrooms,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38a large study for John,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41a good, spacious entrance hall,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45a large kitchen-dining room big enough to put a range in,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49and somewhere that we can put in a wood burner,
0:04:49 > 0:04:50so we need a chimney.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52The land really needs to have a couple of buildings on it,
0:04:52 > 0:04:57like a Dutch barn or workshop, so that we can service our
0:04:57 > 0:05:00harvesting equipment as and when,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03and store our boat in the winter.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Just one last thing to check out,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08and that's how much money they'd like to spend.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Our maximum budget is £550,000.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21John and Sally would like us to concentrate our house search
0:05:21 > 0:05:23to the west of Chester
0:05:23 > 0:05:27in the Welsh counties of Flintshire and Denbighshire.
0:05:27 > 0:05:31We've got some fantastic houses in store for our buyers
0:05:31 > 0:05:34and, as usual, they'll need to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:05:34 > 0:05:38Our final option is, of course, our Mystery House, which aims to
0:05:38 > 0:05:41challenge their preconceptions about their perfect home.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- Morning, guys. - BOTH:- Morning, Alistair.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- A beautiful morning here in North East Wales.- It certainly is.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51- Do you know this area very well?- We were married in this area.- Really?
0:05:51 > 0:05:55- Yeah.- Well, it's like a coming home. - It is.- It is a little, yes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57And what are the qualities that you're looking for?
0:05:57 > 0:05:59We'd like a little bit of land, Alistair,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01up to about three acres, not too much more.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Um... A nice building.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05A Dutch barn would be great.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Right.- Um...
0:06:07 > 0:06:09But, as far as the house is concerned, I think
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Sally will have the say on that.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14I want a cosy home, I want a home with soul,
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- and I want to know that it's going to be ours forever.- Sure.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20I shall know quite quickly, Alistair.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Right. Well, they say that you can tell in the first few seconds.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27- Yes.- Well, it's a beautiful day for property shopping, so let's go.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29- Let's go.- Follow me.- Can't wait!
0:06:29 > 0:06:33For a maximum budget of £550,000,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36John and Sally are looking for a house with...
0:06:47 > 0:06:51..with outbuildings for machinery maintenance and boat storage.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58We've travelled 70 miles from Chester, close to Ruthin,
0:06:58 > 0:07:02the county town of Denbighshire, located in the Vale of Clwyd.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06The church here dates back to 1310, and there are amenities
0:07:06 > 0:07:08such as a regular market for local produce
0:07:08 > 0:07:13as well as a post office and a friendly, traditional inn.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Our first property is three miles outside Ruthin
0:07:16 > 0:07:19and is set in over two-and-a-half acres of land
0:07:19 > 0:07:21with splendid views along the western slopes
0:07:21 > 0:07:24of the Clwydian hills.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25Here we are - house number one.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- Wow!- Right.- It's a beautiful spot, isn't it?
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- It certainly is, Alistair, it's fantastic.- Yeah, amazing.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- And this is the house I want to show you.- Hmm.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- As you can see, it's a barn conversion.- Yeah.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39It's rather attractive, it's lovely stone.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41It's very interesting.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45It's...well, yes, interesting, but on the small side.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- A bit small?- Yes.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50'Well, this property may not look spacious from the outside,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53'but appearances can be deceiving, as they'll find
0:07:53 > 0:07:55'when they step through the front door.'
0:07:56 > 0:07:59So, we come into this really nice...
0:07:59 > 0:08:01hallway. If you can shut the door.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05- We go straight through into... - Very spacious!- ..the kitchen.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Oh, yes. That's rather nice.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- It doesn't really feel like a barn conversion at all.- No, it doesn't.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14No, it just feels like a modern kitchen
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- and I can see a space to put a range cooker in.- There is a range, yes.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Which is quite essential for me, yes. I like it. I like it.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Nice, big travertine floors.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26I love the floor and I like the view of the cows through the window.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Yeah. So, you know, we were talking about getting the first feel
0:08:29 > 0:08:32in the first ten seconds. Has it, er...?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34I don't know yet. It's a nice, cosy feel.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38- We haven't ruled it out in the first ten seconds.- No, no, no, no!
0:08:38 > 0:08:42With space for the range cooker a big tick for Sally,
0:08:42 > 0:08:44and those stunning views a plus for both of them,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47we're bypassing the dining room to have a look
0:08:47 > 0:08:49at the equally cosy sitting room.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51Wow.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- Again, a lovely view.- Yeah. - And French windows.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59I mean, this is half the size of our present sitting room.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- Right.- Um...
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- And we do like a bit of space round us, don't we?- Yeah.- But it's...
0:09:05 > 0:09:08- It's not vast, it's not roomy and cavernous.- No.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- It could be cosy.- It's definitely going to be cosy in here.- Yes.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15That's another word that we keep using, but it's cosy.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Well, it is a word that certainly fits this house.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Also on the ground floor is a study,
0:09:20 > 0:09:25and the hallway definitely has the spaciousness that Sally likes.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Upstairs, there are three bedrooms.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30A bright double room for guests,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33along with a good-sized single room.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35And there's a large bathroom too,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39but we're heading for where they could be sleeping.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42This is the master bedroom.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44This is a nice bedroom.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- It's got three aspects.- Yep.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Four, five!- Five aspects! Quintuple aspects!
0:09:50 > 0:09:54Yes, yes, yes, yes! It's really, really nice.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58It's a really lovely bedroom, actually. Yeah.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Outside continues to deliver,
0:10:00 > 0:10:05with plenty of land on offer for all their forestry business needs.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09In total, there's half an acre of gardens and two acres of paddock
0:10:09 > 0:10:11with space for a large outbuilding,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15although this may require permission from the local county council.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19There's also a large garage where they could store their boat.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21But what I wanted to surprise them with
0:10:21 > 0:10:24is the area that sits above the garage.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Come on in, cos then there's this.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Wow!- Gosh.- That's a surprise.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Fully kitted out above the garage...- Yes?
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- So, you've got a little bathroom in there.- Right.- Storage here.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- And I thought this would make a lovely office.- It certainly would!
0:10:41 > 0:10:43- Yeah.- I think there's something nice about going to work,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45even though you're working at home.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47John's worked at home all our married life.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49I'm quite...
0:10:49 > 0:10:51quite taken with this.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Well, I'm glad they're pleased with this part of the property,
0:10:54 > 0:10:57but the outside is the all-important factor.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59So, I think we should discuss the land.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01So, you would use this field to store your bits.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Yeah, I would, and I'd see
0:11:03 > 0:11:07whether we could put a building up just behind me on the boundary.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- Great, so that would be enough space for you, do you think?- Definitely.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15- Yes, yes.- So, how much do you think this package is on the market for?
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- I would say 480.- 480? OK.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I would say 500.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22OK, so, it's a little bit between.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25It's actually on the market for 495.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Oh.- Right.- So, you were closer.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32At £495,000, this property is well within their budget,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35offering a large kitchen,
0:11:35 > 0:11:36with room for a range cooker,
0:11:36 > 0:11:38three bedrooms,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40self-contained office space for John,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42a garage for storing their boat,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46and over two-and-a-half acres of land for business use.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I'm a convert to the Vale here. It's a beautiful spot.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- Glad to hear it.- Good. Let's go and see house number two.- Right.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01The Church of St Matthew is the oldest parish church
0:12:01 > 0:12:03in the Flintshire town of Buckley.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08Built in 1822, it was updated in the early 1900s
0:12:08 > 0:12:10around the same time as
0:12:10 > 0:12:12the North Wales Association of Church Bell Ringers
0:12:12 > 0:12:16was founded in Bangor, Gwynedd.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19I've come to meet expert campanologist Geoff Parting,
0:12:19 > 0:12:23who's been bell-ringing since he was 13 years old,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27and he's going to teach me more about this rather unique art.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29The church has a dozen bell-ringers,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32but only six to eight are needed at any one time.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- Good morning.- This is Bernard, he's the master of the tower.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37- Master of the tower! - Nice to meet you, yes.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40You're the captain of the tower, you're the master of the tower.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- Well, if I just explain to you how it works...- You've got eight bells.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Eight bells up there, yes. And, when you pull the bell,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- it turns through 360 degrees. - Mm-hmm.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52The stay hits what we call a slider over there
0:12:52 > 0:12:55and that stops it going any further.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- So, when we pull the bell down again like this...- Mh-hm.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00..it comes all the way that way... BELL RINGS
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Ah, so each ring is a ring on both ways.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07- A ring going up and a ring going down.- Hand-stroke and back-stroke we call it.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10When ringing, the best method is to allow the weight of the bell
0:13:10 > 0:13:12to do most of the work.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15You give the rope a sharp pull to start it on its journey down
0:13:15 > 0:13:17and keep it as straight as possible.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19BELL RINGS That's the pace
0:13:19 > 0:13:23that we would be ringing at, if we got all eight going.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26So, it's time for me to try my hand
0:13:26 > 0:13:28at the campanologists' art.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Right, pull. Go on.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34BELL RINGS Down and catch.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35Whoa!
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- Don't look up.- Don't look up? Don't look up.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- Right down.- It's going a bit faster than it was before. Wahey!
0:13:42 > 0:13:44BELL RINGS
0:13:44 > 0:13:46I rather enjoyed that.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50But, for now, it's time to return to our house-hunt.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56We've travelled 16 miles from Chester
0:13:56 > 0:13:59to the Flintshire market town of Caerwys.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02It has a church with a late-13th century tower and nave
0:14:02 > 0:14:05as well as day-to-day essentials such as a pharmacy,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08a post office and a traditional pub
0:14:08 > 0:14:12set in a grade-two listed 16th century building.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Just down the round in the old mining village of Lixwm
0:14:15 > 0:14:16is property number two,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20a 1990s build that's been recently remodelled.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26So, here we are - house number two.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Well, that's rather nice, Alistair.
0:14:28 > 0:14:29- Yeah?- Very nice.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Yes.- Oh, big smiles on your faces. That's good.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- Quite a different offering. This is a much more modern property.- Right.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40- It's actually just 20 years old. - Very nice. Very good.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Seven out of ten so far, and we're only outside,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47so you're in the right direction there, Alistair.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49Ah, well, that's high praise coming from you.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- I know these things don't come easily.- No, they don't.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Let's get inside while the compliments are flowing from Sally,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57and I've got a feeling she's going to love what she sees.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59So...
0:14:59 > 0:15:00In you come.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06So, let's go straight here into the sitting room.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08What a fantastic room.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's light...
0:15:10 > 0:15:14A nice pair of French doors there and...
0:15:14 > 0:15:16three aspects of light coming in.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18It's what I would call a bonny room.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- A bonny room?- Yes. - Oh, excellent.- Yes.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22And a proper fire here, so that's...
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Could we put a wood burner in there, do you think, Alistair? - Yeah, of course.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27So, you're getting a good vibe?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- Yes.- Yeah.- Really?- Yes.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- Oh, cautious, I can see you're like...- Careful, yes.- Careful.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35A little panting there.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36Could this be the one?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Could be. Could be, yes.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41Well, I think I know how to change "could be" into "will be."
0:15:41 > 0:15:43I want to go straight in here.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46- Spacious.- This is your kitchen.
0:15:46 > 0:15:47- Oh!- Oh, ho-ho!
0:15:47 > 0:15:49THEY LAUGH
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- A bit bigger than the last one, isn't it?- It certainly is.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53It certainly is. Yes.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- I could do things in here, Alistair. - Yeah?
0:15:56 > 0:15:58I can see a nice range cooker over there,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- and eating here.- Yeah.- Cooking...
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Yes. What do you think, John?
0:16:04 > 0:16:06I think it's excellent. Excellent.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Well, the really great thing about this kitchen is,
0:16:08 > 0:16:12if you look behind you, there's a snug which gets lots of
0:16:12 > 0:16:14lovely afternoon light, so you can have your tea.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16You've also got this outside room,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19so you can bring the dogs in there, the boots and everything,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23and, in here, are all of your white goods -
0:16:23 > 0:16:24- a utility room.- Wonderful!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27- That is good.- So, sealed off.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29So, points?
0:16:30 > 0:16:31I'm going to shock you here now.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33A nine-and-a-half.
0:16:33 > 0:16:34THEY GASP AND LAUGH
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Zowie, wowee!
0:16:36 > 0:16:38- Very excited!- Yeah.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41While the going's good, we're heading upstairs to see
0:16:41 > 0:16:43if this house can keep scoring highly,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46and there's four very good-sized bedrooms up here -
0:16:46 > 0:16:49two bright double rooms for guests
0:16:49 > 0:16:52and a neat twin room with wooden flooring,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55all of which share a family bathroom with a shower cubicle.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Then we come to a very impressive main bedroom,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01which is complete with an en-suite shower room.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04If you come through over here, you get a view of the...
0:17:04 > 0:17:06full extent of your master suite.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Goodness me!
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- I can see an- en-suite. Yeah, you've got an en-suite.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- Thank you. And all this lovely storage for shoes.- Yeah, yeah.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16We're coming up to a ten again.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- Oh!- Towards it, not quite, but we're nearly there, Alistair.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- Push the ten boundary.- Nearly.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25I'm really delighted that Sally is so enthused about this property,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29but I know exactly what could push her rating up even higher,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31and it's on the way outside to the garden.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Wow.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- Oh, a nice...- Nice dining room. - Nice separate dining room.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39And then, this! Step in.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- Alistair, it's just getting better and better, isn't it?- Cool.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47This is a lovely big dining room, big size,
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- and it sweeps into this beautiful... - Yeah.- ..conservatory.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54And it's a nice-shaped conservatory, isn't it? Yes.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Well, this is what runs all the way down cos it's separated
0:17:56 > 0:17:58by those doors, but that on the other side
0:17:58 > 0:18:02is a continuation of the conservatory and that's the doggy utility room.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04That's an excellent idea, isn't it?
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Well, this is another bonny room, that's all I can say.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10I'm coming to appreciate that bonny in your lexicon
0:18:10 > 0:18:13is like AMAZING in everyone else's!
0:18:13 > 0:18:14Yes.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16I think we've almost got a sale here,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and the outside could seal the deal.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22A short walk from the house is the self-contained annexe,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25which has plenty of space for that office,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27and it has a wood burner too.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28Very bonny!
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Along with a well-equipped kitchen, it also provides extra accommodation
0:18:32 > 0:18:36in the form of a double bedroom with a handy bathroom.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Behind it, there are some outbuildings
0:18:38 > 0:18:41which might work as storage for wood or the boat.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45And, in the paddock, there's enough space to carry out maintenance work.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50Away from the business, there's also a patio area for leisure.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53OK, well, I suppose the crunch is how much does it cost?
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Well, I'm going to go in somewhere round about, say, 530.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59What about you, Sally?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02I'm going to go for exactly the same as the first one -
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- 500.- 500?- Yes.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Well, in this instance...
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Sally, you are...
0:19:09 > 0:19:12- exactly right.- Wow.- It's on at
0:19:12 > 0:19:15just a pound or two under...
0:19:15 > 0:19:17£500,000 - 499,950.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20And it seems that it gets a lot higher rating.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Oh, yes, yes!
0:19:22 > 0:19:23THEY LAUGH
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Well, if I might say it, this one has gobsmacked me.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29- Oh!- Oh!- Wow!
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Well within budget at a shade under £500,000,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34this bonny property
0:19:34 > 0:19:37gives them absolutely everything they've dreamed of.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41A lovely social reception space with log-burner potential,
0:19:41 > 0:19:43and a kitchen with range cooker.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Four bedrooms and two bathrooms,
0:19:46 > 0:19:50along with a separate annexe that could serve as business premises.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Outside, there's also two-and-a-half acres of land, with outbuildings.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- Good vibes?- Yes.- Excellent.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- That's a good note to finish the day on!- It is.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12A perfect end to our first day of house-hunting as the sun sets
0:20:12 > 0:20:16over the spectacular scenery of the Welsh countryside.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I've noticed on this series that the Mystery House has often
0:20:24 > 0:20:26helped us out of a sticky situation,
0:20:26 > 0:20:28sort of saved the day at the last minute,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31but, on this show, I think we've already given John and Sally
0:20:31 > 0:20:34exactly what they want, so they don't need saving.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37So, the Mystery House for us is a bit more of a punt.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40I mean, it still has all the beautiful Welsh landscape,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42but it has one thing...
0:20:42 > 0:20:44they're not so keen on.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52A mere six miles from Chester is the Flintshire town of Mold,
0:20:52 > 0:20:55a busy community that grew up around its Norman castle.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Its attractions include a 15th century church
0:20:58 > 0:21:01as well as the usual high street amenities,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04such as pubs and shops aplenty.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06A couple of miles south-west of Mold,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09close to the village of Llanberis, is our Mystery House,
0:21:09 > 0:21:14an 18th century cottage lying at the end of its own private track
0:21:14 > 0:21:17and surrounded by open countryside.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19So, this is the Mystery House.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25The kern of the house is from 1799.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27What are your first impressions?
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Quite small. Pretty.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- Quaint.- Quaint?- Quaint.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35What does that decode as?
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- Interesting. - Well, that's even worse!
0:21:37 > 0:21:38THEY LAUGH
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Quaint and interesting, they strike fear into an estate agent's heart.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- No.- Um...
0:21:43 > 0:21:47It is though, quaint, yeah. And the view is splendid.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48I don't know. It's one of those...
0:21:48 > 0:21:50You don't know till you get inside, do you, really?
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Well, I hope Sally is right
0:21:52 > 0:21:55and the enthusiasm of yesterday returns
0:21:55 > 0:21:57once they get inside this quirky property,
0:21:57 > 0:22:01which is a mix of old alongside the modern they prefer.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05We go through into here. Straight into...
0:22:05 > 0:22:08the most modern part of the house. This is from 2002,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10and this extension actually even more recently.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Very individual, isn't it?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16- Mm-hmm.- It's very, very... - How about you, John?
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Yeah, I see it as a Sally house,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20there's little nooks and crannies
0:22:20 > 0:22:23everywhere and it's... Yes, it's very homely.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Do you see it as a John house?
0:22:25 > 0:22:26Um...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I do actually, yeah.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31I mean, the fantastic view out of the window here.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34And there are more spectacular views of the Clwyd Valley
0:22:34 > 0:22:38from the beautiful conservatory area, which should appeal to Sally.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40But we're here to challenge their preconceptions
0:22:40 > 0:22:42about period properties,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45so let's move onto the older part of the house.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49This was actually the original cottage, it was just this width.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Very small.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55And the present owner dug out the original hearth,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59and they've turned this into the snug, so the snug heart of the home.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- I'd find it TOO snug.- Too snug!
0:23:02 > 0:23:04THEY LAUGH
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- And John?- No, I quite like the room, actually, because, in the winter,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09I could imagine the heat coming out of that
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- and everything would be locked down. - It would be a winter room,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16you're right, John. It would be cosy and comfortable and very warm.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20John's trying his best, but maybe the open-plan family room
0:23:20 > 0:23:25with dining area and kitchen will get a stronger reaction from Sally?
0:23:25 > 0:23:28Yes, now, this is... This is an improvement.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Oh, your face has lit up!- Yes. Yes, this is lovely.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32You'd have to put your range in it.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Well, I was just looking over there to see if there was a...
0:23:35 > 0:23:37- It's an outside wall, isn't it? - Mmm. Yeah.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40And I could put a range on there.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42What do you think about this room, John?
0:23:42 > 0:23:43I think it's wonderfully light
0:23:43 > 0:23:46and it's a homely room, definitely.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- Yeah.- And considering that it was really just that room next door,
0:23:50 > 0:23:52initially, and all of these extensions,
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- I think they've been tremendously well done.- Clever. Clever.- Yeah.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59With Sally considering where to put her range cooker,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02things are definitely looking up for this lovely property
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and I think upstairs won't disappoint.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Here, there are three very good-sized double bedrooms
0:24:07 > 0:24:11all dual aspect, with amazing unspoilt views,
0:24:11 > 0:24:15some of which can be seen through the unique round feature windows.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17There's also the family bathroom.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19But we're heading to the room
0:24:19 > 0:24:21that John and Sally could be calling their own.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25This has its own en-suite and, of course,
0:24:25 > 0:24:28upstairs, everything revolves around these amazing views.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- Hmm.- They certainly do.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32No, it's a nice little room and though it looks old,
0:24:32 > 0:24:34nothing seems to be falling to bits.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35It looks very good.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Obviously, yesterday was such a big hit.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- It's quite a hard act to follow. - It is, really, I'm afraid to say. It is!
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Just one part of this property left,
0:24:44 > 0:24:48and that's the one-and-a-half acres of land that surround it.
0:24:48 > 0:24:49As well as a garden,
0:24:49 > 0:24:51there's a huge amount of yard and parking space
0:24:51 > 0:24:53for machinery maintenance.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55There's also a whole host of outbuildings,
0:24:55 > 0:24:59including a double garage for the boat, open-front units
0:24:59 > 0:25:01for wood storage, a summer house
0:25:01 > 0:25:04and a small timber-built office.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06OK, so the big question - how much does it cost?
0:25:08 > 0:25:11I would put a price on...
0:25:11 > 0:25:12400.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15I'm going to go for rather low, and say 399.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18It's actually on the market for...
0:25:18 > 0:25:21- 454,000.- Oh!- Good Lord!
0:25:21 > 0:25:22Yeah, yeah.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25So, quite a bit higher than your guess.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30For £454,000, this house, in its idyllic setting,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32is well within their budget.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34It offers a wood burner in the cosy lounge,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37potential for a range in the kitchen,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39three bedrooms, two bathrooms,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42and almost two acres of land with outbuildings
0:25:42 > 0:25:44for storage and office use.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Let's regroup, think about all the houses we've seen
0:25:48 > 0:25:49and have a cup of tea.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- Lovely!- Grand.- This way.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Hello, guys. Ah, you've found the nice warm fire.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04- It's been a bit nippy here in Wales, hasn't it?- It has.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Let's review, shall we? What did you think of the first one?
0:26:07 > 0:26:11I think the house as such wouldn't have appealed to Sally,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13but, obviously, the location was fantastic,
0:26:13 > 0:26:17but the biggest killer of that was the distance from Chester.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20I would like to live much nearer to Chester
0:26:20 > 0:26:23so we could have a house that I really like.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26And the second house... Now, this was a bit more impressive.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Purpose-built house,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31access for awkward vehicles, big vehicles -
0:26:31 > 0:26:34perfect in many, many ways.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36I still think it's fantastic.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39It's a lovely house, there's not much maintenance to do
0:26:39 > 0:26:41in the future, it's got all we need,
0:26:41 > 0:26:43it's got everything for John, hasn't it?
0:26:43 > 0:26:45- Yeah.- And...
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- ..it's not too far from Chester. - What about the Mystery House?
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Cos that was a bit of a curveball in the sense that it was a period property.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55When I arrived I thought, "Good grief!"
0:26:55 > 0:26:57But it got better
0:26:57 > 0:27:00and, had we been a lot younger,
0:27:00 > 0:27:03it would have been very much a John and Sally house, wouldn't it?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Yes, absolutely.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06But the access killed it.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09We wouldn't get lorries up there,
0:27:09 > 0:27:13but the view was outstanding of the back of the Byrwynds and Morfemer.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Excellent.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17You talked a lot about the "Sally and John" house.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Do you have an idea what that might be?
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Probably, quite near to the house we... The number two house...
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- yesterday...that was quite near, wasn't it?- IS the number two house?
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Could well be. There's a really good chance, Alistair.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31Well, fingers crossed.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I really hope that you like the second house on
0:27:34 > 0:27:36the second viewing and that you move in.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Thank you, Alistair, we've enjoyed it.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40- We've had a lovely, lovely time. - Great fun.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I'm truly hoping that we have found
0:27:47 > 0:27:50a "Sally and John" house, cos they're a lovely couple
0:27:50 > 0:27:54and they have picked a stunning part of the country to live in.
0:27:54 > 0:27:58And if you've enjoyed our property-hunting exploits in the UK,
0:27:58 > 0:28:02then make sure you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08Although John and Sally loved our second property,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11they eventually decided it was a journey too far from Chester,
0:28:11 > 0:28:15and so their house-hunt continues.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18And if you want to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Scotland, Wales or England, and you need our help,
0:28:21 > 0:28:25why not apply online at...