0:00:02 > 0:00:04This beautiful part of the countryside
0:00:04 > 0:00:07was the inspiration for one of the great books of the 19th century.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09It's a fictional tale of romance and dastardly deeds,
0:00:09 > 0:00:12and its heroine's name became synonymous
0:00:12 > 0:00:14with this lovely landscape. Find out who she was,
0:00:14 > 0:00:16and where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Today, I'll be helping a dynamic pair of young retirees
0:00:36 > 0:00:39find a remote country retreat -
0:00:39 > 0:00:42ad we're off to a cracking start with our first house.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47If you were to design a perfect country house,
0:00:47 > 0:00:48it would be like this.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53And our mystery property steals the show before they even step inside.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55This house is absolutely awesome.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57I don't really care what it looks like inside.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59It's good enough for me.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Today we're in north Devon.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05And this is Lorna Doone Country,
0:01:05 > 0:01:11named after the famous novel by RD Blackmore, published in 1869.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Lorna, of course, is the central character.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15She is kidnapped at the beginning of the book
0:01:15 > 0:01:17by the wicked Doone clan.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Then, through the twists and turns of the plot,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22over years, she falls in love with a local farmer,
0:01:22 > 0:01:25before the dramatic climax where her true identity is revealed.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29The book was such a hit that it's transcended its fictional roots,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and become synonymous with this beautiful landscape.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35In fact, it's even called Lorna Doone Country
0:01:35 > 0:01:37on most modern maps.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41But north Devon is more than just Lorna.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45The county of Devon is England's third largest,
0:01:45 > 0:01:47but one of its least populated,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49with about half a million people sharing
0:01:49 > 0:01:522,500 square miles of land.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54It's a county of great variety,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56from the craggy headlands on the north coast,
0:01:56 > 0:02:01to the deep water and natural harbours of the south coast.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Agriculture dominates in Devon,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06with a workforce of approximately 25,000,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and about 11,000 farm holdings.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12A majority of the county's farming production centres on livestock,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16with a focus on dairy, cattle, and sheep.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20In the early 19th century, the wild expanse of Dartmoor,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23which covers some 368 square miles,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26was home to the tin and granite quarrying trades,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28which used ponies as working animals.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30But now, just the ponies remain,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33roaming wild and free on the moorland.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Who are the lucky couple planning to move here?
0:02:43 > 0:02:44Let's meet them.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Former business consultant Dominic
0:02:47 > 0:02:49and Spanish-born translator Placi,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53moved into their four bedroomed house in York in 1997.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57And a year later, they tied the knot at Gretna Green.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Having achieved their ambitions with successful international careers,
0:03:01 > 0:03:02they've now given up work,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06and are ready to start the next chapter of their lives.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09This house means a lot to me, because I have decorated it all.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14I've learned how to DIY through all the little projects in this house,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18so I am going to be very sad to leave it, but it's time to move on.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Their pastimes are many and varied.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24They'll need a lot of space for each one.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28As you can see, I'm into a lot of different crafts,
0:03:28 > 0:03:30like mosaic making and sewing.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33Everything takes up so much space
0:03:33 > 0:03:36that I would love a room just for my things,
0:03:36 > 0:03:39so I don't have to tidy up every single time.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40I do a lot of kick boxing,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44and I train in here pretty much every day, so wherever we go,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48I definitely want to have a place like this. It's a lot of fun.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50The countryside is a particular draw for Placi.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54It reminds her of her childhood in Spain.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55We'd like to move to the country
0:03:55 > 0:03:59because I grew up in a farm in Spain.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02And I love working the garden,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05and possibly creating a meadow,
0:04:05 > 0:04:06rescuing animals and all that.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08I've done animal rescuing in the past,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10so I'd like to carry on doing that.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14But I can't do it here, because I haven't got enough space.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17After viewing over 100 properties online,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20they've narrowed their search area to north Devon,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23and have a good idea what they'd like us to find them.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26The ideal home would have a minimum of two bedrooms,
0:04:26 > 0:04:28ideally three or four.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32It would be in a private valley, with a bit of land around it,
0:04:32 > 0:04:36and quite a peaceful place, where there was no possibility
0:04:36 > 0:04:38of any developments around it.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41It would ideally be maybe five to ten miles
0:04:41 > 0:04:43from the nearest town or village.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45We'll consider anything that's detached,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47whether it's a character property...
0:04:47 > 0:04:49A church?
0:04:49 > 0:04:51Yeah, we do like churches, yeah.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- People are often... - A cemetery.- Yeah,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58people are often put off by churches with cemeteries...
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- I look after the ghosts. - What quieter place could you get?
0:05:02 > 0:05:03Well, that's plenty to go on.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07As cash buyers who can move quickly, there's no time to waste.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Luckily, the finances are all set.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13The budget for the property is £500,000.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16If the property was £500,000, and there was renovation work
0:05:16 > 0:05:20to be done to it, we would probably fund that separately.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27'Dominic and Placi have decided they'd like a house in north Devon,
0:05:27 > 0:05:29'so we're focusing our search in the countryside
0:05:29 > 0:05:32'around Barnstaple and Tiverton.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35'We've got some very impressive properties to show them.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38'And I'll be asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41'Our last property is, as ever, the mystery house,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45'which I think will really push their imaginations to the limit.'
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Welcome to north Devon. Here we are.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50I've spared you the rain by keeping you inside.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- Neither of you have actually been to north Devon.- We've been through it,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57but we've never been to spend any time in it.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01But we do have a lot of friends who have lived and worked,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03or holidayed here.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07When we were looking at the whole of the UK,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09we simply asked for advice,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and the constant theme was, for what we want to do,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14you want to go to north Devon.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18The place we're living now is our 25th home,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20so I think it's time we settled down.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24Not much pressure on us, then, just to find the forever home(!)
0:06:24 > 0:06:26The dream home! It IS a dream home.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29There are lots of beautiful properties here with lots of land.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33But we need to look at the houses, so let's get going.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37With a budget of half a million pounds,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39and some additional funds for renovation work,
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Dominic and Placi are seeking a secluded property
0:06:42 > 0:06:44with three or four bedrooms,
0:06:44 > 0:06:46a craft room for Placi,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48space for a kick boxing gym for Dominic,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and plenty land for growing plants
0:06:50 > 0:06:52and keeping animals.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01'We're heading towards the village of Cheriton Fitzpaine,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05'which is just ten miles south of Tiverton.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07'The village has many 15th century houses,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10'including the longest thatched house in England.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13'Amenities include a pub that's been serving the residents
0:07:13 > 0:07:15'for the past 150 years.
0:07:15 > 0:07:20'Our first property is a traditional farmhouse dating back to the 1850s.'
0:07:20 > 0:07:25- Here we are. House number one. - This is fabulous.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Looks like a jigsaw puzzle house.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- It's awesome. - I think it looks beautiful,
0:07:32 > 0:07:33it's got character and personality.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37How do you feel about thatch? That wasn't on your wish list.
0:07:37 > 0:07:41I think it gives character to the house and it's a plus, if anything.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44'The inside of this property very much continues
0:07:44 > 0:07:46'on the old world theme.'
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Come into the main sitting room.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Oh, it's a real country feel in here, isn't it?
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It's lovely. You've got the stone fireplace.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- You've got the log-burning fire. - Are you keen on the beams?
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I'm not a fan of beams, certainly dark beams,
0:08:02 > 0:08:06because they tend to make a house look more claustrophobic.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I love the thick walls, and the colour of the walls.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13'Also on the ground floor is a cosy snug area,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15'perfect for those winter nights,
0:08:15 > 0:08:19'and a definite contrast to the bright feel of the garden room.'
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Oh, wow!- Oh, that's nice!
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I do like that.
0:08:23 > 0:08:27This is an older extension, but it's in keeping with the beams,
0:08:27 > 0:08:30but much higher, much lighter.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32This sort of beams, we love.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34And you can look out onto the garden and see the trees.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- This could be your craft room. - Absolutely, yes.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- You've got lots of light, so you don't have to squint.- Yes.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42'With Placi's craft room sorted,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45'we're heading past the dining area, and on to the kitchen.'
0:08:45 > 0:08:47The kitchen is the heart of the home.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51- Oh!- Oh, very cute!
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- It's baby blue. - Eggshell blue throughout.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57One of my favourite colours, as you can see.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58It's a very modern-looking kitchen.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02We're not massive cooks, so we don't need a huge kitchen.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04So, for me, this is ideal.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06If we were to live in a place like this,
0:09:06 > 0:09:09we would almost certainly have breakfast, have meals here.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Quaint little space.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13And you've also got a shower room at the end,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17and a utility cupboard with your washing machines and stuff.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- It's got bags of character. - It's picturesque.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22It's ticking all the boxes.
0:09:22 > 0:09:28'With the downstairs rating so highly, can the upstairs match up?
0:09:28 > 0:09:32'Off the landing, there's a family bathroom with freestanding bath,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35'along with three very characterful bedrooms,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37'all in keeping with the pastoral charm of this house.'
0:09:37 > 0:09:40Mind your head, this is a low door sill.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- Perfect for me. - I had to duck for that one.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47This is the master bedroom. What d'you think?
0:09:47 > 0:09:50It's not huge, but it's enough for us.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52We don't have a lot of things, so...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55I think it's lovely. I like the wood cupboards.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59It's quirky. I think it's exactly what we're looking for.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- And amazing views. Look. You can wake up and look at the horses.- Oh!
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- Look at that!- Beautiful. - Oh, my word. Look at the horses!
0:10:06 > 0:10:11- That's beautiful, isn't it? - Absolutely. Wow!
0:10:11 > 0:10:15'For our buyers, the outside is as important as the interior,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17'due to Placi's dreams of creating a meadow,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20'and keeping rescued animals.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22'I think she'll find there's more than enough space
0:10:22 > 0:10:24'for all of that out here.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27'We might be able to discover somewhere for Dominic
0:10:27 > 0:10:30'to indulge in his sporting pastimes, too.'
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Here's your kingdom of the rescued animals.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36Three quarters of an acre. Is it big enough?
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- It's big enough, isn't it? - It is.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42And, behind you, you may have noticed this discreet building,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45which is a brand-new wooden timber structure.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50- But this is specially designed as a...- Kick boxing. Excellent.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52How much d'you think it all costs?
0:10:52 > 0:10:55Well, I'm going to opt for 499.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57I'm going to say 450.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- 450?- Yes.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- To be honest, this property's a little over your budget.- OK.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07- It's on at 525.- OK.- Right. - But they're very keen to move,
0:11:07 > 0:11:10so why not offer 500?
0:11:11 > 0:11:14'So, at £525,000,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17'but with offers potentially considered
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'around their maximum budget of 500,
0:11:20 > 0:11:22'this property meets many of the demands
0:11:22 > 0:11:23'on their wish list.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25'It has three bedrooms,
0:11:25 > 0:11:28'a bright room that's ideal for Placi's craft work,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31'gym space for Dominic's kick boxing,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34'plenty of land for rescuing animals,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36'and gardening adventures.'
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- I'm going to have to tear you away, I'm afraid.- OK.- We've got another
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- property to look at. - Brilliant! Let's go.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52With its source on Exmoor,
0:11:52 > 0:11:55the River Exe flows south through Devon before eventually
0:11:55 > 0:12:00reaching the Exe Estuary on the county's southern coast.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04The estuary here is a Site of Special Scientific Interest,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08but it's also a busy fishing harbour, with mackerel and bass
0:12:08 > 0:12:12being the main catch for anglers off Exmouth Beach.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Setting a course through the carefully protected environment
0:12:15 > 0:12:21is Miles Blood Smyth, who's been a mussel farmer since 1996.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Is there something particularly good about the Exe in terms of mussels?
0:12:25 > 0:12:29I think...the biggest thing with mussels is protection.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32They're physically protected because it's enclosed. So although it gets
0:12:32 > 0:12:35a bit wild in here it's nothing like out to sea.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39'The boat used by Miles and his team is a French oyster barge,
0:12:39 > 0:12:42'which hovers over the seabed and uses water pressure
0:12:42 > 0:12:46'to knock the mussels off the mud and up onto their elevator.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49'It's the antithesis of the invasive process of dredging
0:12:49 > 0:12:54'and helps to protect the sensitive environment of the Exe Estuary.
0:12:54 > 0:12:59'Over a year, Miles handles around 400 tonnes of mussels,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02So what we want to do now is, before we put it in the cleaner
0:13:02 > 0:13:05to clean all the barnacles and everything off,
0:13:05 > 0:13:08we pick out anything that's still alive, any of the cockles or crabs
0:13:08 > 0:13:10or anything, and they go back in.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13It's a completely natural process. Then it goes through the grader.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16So we want a 60mm mussel, nicely clean, shiny and black,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19no barnacles on it, that'll be absolutely perfect and ready for
0:13:19 > 0:13:21the chef, so with confidence,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23you can just stick it in the pan and eat it.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28So, with a successful catch, we head to the floating cafe for lunch.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- There we go, gents. - Ah!- Get stuck in.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34The great thing with mussels is they provide their own cutlery.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Have you eaten better or fatter mussels than that before?
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Of course not, Miles.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- They're really good. - That's the Exe for you. Fantastic.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Now it's time to return to our house hunt.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58We've travelled three miles southeast of Barnstaple
0:13:58 > 0:13:59to the village of Landkey,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02home to around 2,300 residents.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04It has a 15th-Century church,
0:14:04 > 0:14:08along with the usual amenities of pubs, school, and a post office.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Set in an idyllic edge of village location,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16our second property is a former barn, converted in the 1990s.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22- So, house number two.- Right. - This is a very different offering.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24This is the house,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26but, most excitingly,
0:14:26 > 0:14:28this is your land.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Oh, my goodness!
0:14:30 > 0:14:34The paddock right down to the trees where the river is.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36- Wow! - That's a fantastic view, isn't it?
0:14:36 > 0:14:38A river runs through it, along the edge of it.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- How much land is there for this? - Five acres.- Five acres? Wow!
0:14:42 > 0:14:44What are you first impressions?
0:14:44 > 0:14:47I like it! I like the remoteness of it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50I like all the woodlands coming up.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Very magical. And I like the paddock right in front.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57- There's a lot of positives there. - When can we move in?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00Maybe you should look at the house first!
0:15:00 > 0:15:04'The huge amount of land certainly fits the bill for Placi
0:15:04 > 0:15:08'and Dominic, but can the inside of this conversion do the same?'
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Ooh, very big room! - Great big room.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13It's a much more modern house,
0:15:13 > 0:15:15but it still has a lot of character.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19I like it. Yeah, I like the open space and the fact that
0:15:19 > 0:15:21it opens up to the garden.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23If we step down here,
0:15:23 > 0:15:25you can see how everything is built around your view.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29- Yes, fabulous. - Now, that's exceptional, isn't it?
0:15:29 > 0:15:32You can see the whole valley from here. I can see why they built this.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35I can even see myself sitting here, even in the rain!
0:15:35 > 0:15:38There's not a lot of space downstairs. There's this big space,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40then there's the kitchen space the other side.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44'The kitchen isn't the most important room for these two,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47'but I think they'll appreciate the social aspect of this one.'
0:15:48 > 0:15:52Here we have the kitchen - much more open plan.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54This is a big kitchen. It's certainly bigger than ours.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57- Yes, it is.- Again, it's more modern than the last one.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Breakfast bar here. I like the fact there is a lot of light coming in.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02And then you've got French doors
0:16:02 > 0:16:05that go out to a nice courtyard terrace at the back.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10'Upstairs, off the landing, are four rather generously-sized bedrooms,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13'one of which is currently being used as a study,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15'not just for the cat.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19'There's a bright family bathroom, but we're heading
0:16:19 > 0:16:22'for the biggest room, which has an en-suite shower room attached.'
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Again, the whole width of the building.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28It's a nice surprise, with the sloping roof.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30It's quite unusual, isn't it?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32It's also unusual to have the windows so low down.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35I do think this would be perfect for Placi's crafts
0:16:35 > 0:16:36and things that she does like that.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40- There's so much light. - Yeah, the light.- And the view!
0:16:40 > 0:16:42To inspire you.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46'With the bedroom confirmed as Placi's craft area,
0:16:46 > 0:16:49'we need to find a space for Dominic's kick boxing gym.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52'So we're heading outside to show him what's on offer.'
0:16:55 > 0:17:01- Ta-da!- My goodness!- Now... - This is big!- This is big.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04It's a huge iron-framed garage.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08It's perfect size. It might need a little bit of work,
0:17:08 > 0:17:13but it certainly could make a really nice place to train, yeah.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14A hidden gem!
0:17:14 > 0:17:18'A hidden gem indeed, but what does it all cost?'
0:17:20 > 0:17:24- Let's get a little view of the house, and let's talk money.- Yes.
0:17:24 > 0:17:29How much does five acres of prime north Devon countryside,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and a house, obviously, and a big garage, cost?
0:17:32 > 0:17:36Well, it is very impressive, especially the land and the view.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40The property itself I was less attracted to,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43so I'm actually going to say less than last time.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44I'm going to say 450.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47And I'm going to say 410,000.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52This is on at £50 under £550,000.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- OK. Right.- I wasn't expecting it to be over 500,000.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03It might be way over their budget, at a fraction under £550,000,
0:18:03 > 0:18:06but this property does have plenty to offer...
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- Well, that's our lot for the day. - OK.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- Shall we go and digest all that we've seen?- Yes.- OK.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39As dusk falls over the north Devon countryside,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51We've travelled nine miles south of Barnstaple,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54close to the village of High Bickington.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57The village is situated at the top of the River Taw valley,
0:18:57 > 0:19:01and has a pub, post office and a local shop.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03Set within extensive grounds,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07our mystery property is an 18th-Century coach house conversion
0:19:07 > 0:19:10that has lots of potential,
0:19:10 > 0:19:11but could test our buyers' desire
0:19:11 > 0:19:15to carry out renovations to the absolute limit.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- Whoa! Look at the view! - That's a nice view.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- Oh, my word!- Oh, yes.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26- Now...- That's the best view we've seen so far.- Now we're talking!
0:19:26 > 0:19:30I'm glad, because this house has it.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- It's a project.- Uh-huh.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34But I'm glad you love the view
0:19:34 > 0:19:37cos, really, it's all about the view
0:19:37 > 0:19:40and what you two are going to do with it.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- My word! - It needs your special touch,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- particularly yours, Placi... - OK, I'm happy to go with that.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50..to create something wonderful with it.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55- But there are a few complications about this property.- Oh!- Always!
0:19:55 > 0:19:58One is that it's going to need a lot of your imagination
0:19:58 > 0:20:00to really bring it to life, I think.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03And two is that this part, the stables,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05which is the most substantial part,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08is, at the moment, two self-contained flats.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- We could work with that. - Great. The house is impressive.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14It looks like it needs a little bit of work,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17and that's really what I'd be interested to have a look at,
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- but it's got character, it's got style.- I like it.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23This house is absolutely awesome and I don't really care
0:20:23 > 0:20:26what it looks like inside. It's good enough for me.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29'While Placi is very positive before she's even seen it,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33'I'm wondering whether Dominic will have the same feeling once he views
0:20:33 > 0:20:36'the inside of this property.'
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Oh, my word! Look at the floor!
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- Yes.- That's a grand entrance. - It's a grand entrance.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46- Ooh!- And these are the original Victorian stable tiles.- Great.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- It is an unusual space because it's not obviously a home.- Yes.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Could you imagine making it homely?
0:20:52 > 0:20:55You could turn it into a marvellous family home,
0:20:55 > 0:20:56And you've only seen the first room.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00I can't wait to see what you think about the rest of the rooms.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Oh, the floor continues.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07The floor does continue.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09And here's your bigger room.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- This would have been where the carriages came.- OK.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15It's a really big room, so that's nice.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17It does feel quite dark in here,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20even though there's a lot of windows, so it's something
0:21:20 > 0:21:23we'd have to lighten up a little bit more.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Sorry, I just spotted the old sewing machine.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28My great grandmother had one of those and I still have it.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30It's a sign. You have to buy the house!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Yes, that's actually the third sign I've seen.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- What were the other two?- The first one is I have a Castilian sign
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- that says "The Old Coach House". - So it's literally a sign?- Yes.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43I've got exactly the same table that we've seen in the other room.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44Oh, it's spooky now.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- And then my great grandmother's sewing machine.- Wow!
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- Is it haunted, as well? - Of course(!)
0:21:51 > 0:21:53'Well, actually, I can't promise them a ghost.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57'But there is a good-sized kitchen which could lift their spirits.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59'However, I'm showing them the upstairs,
0:21:59 > 0:22:01'which has a small boxroom,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04'and three other bedrooms of varying sizes,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06'some lighter than others.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09'They all flow off a landing with a long corridor
0:22:09 > 0:22:13'which leads to the family bathroom, ripe for renovation.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16'But we're heading for the fourth bedroom.'
0:22:16 > 0:22:22This room used to be one huge room that's been divided into two.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25It's a bit dark and spooky.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27It's like walking back in time.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30So you've got four rooms here, but remember, you've also got all the
0:22:30 > 0:22:33rooms in the front of the house and the stable, as well,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36so there's probably seven or eight bedrooms, all told.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41You have to classify this as the mystery house of all mystery houses!
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Aw, thank you! I was a bit worried that it might be a bit overwhelming
0:22:45 > 0:22:47for you, cos there's a lot to do.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49No, it's not overwhelming. I love it.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53There is, but there's an awful lot of history here,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- a lot of nostalgia.- The bones of the property are amazing.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- It's really exciting. - # She's excited! #
0:22:59 > 0:23:00I'm so excited.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04'And if Placi's singing the praises of the interior, I think both
0:23:04 > 0:23:07'of them will be thrilled by the potential of what's outside.'
0:23:07 > 0:23:09- Wow!- Here you can see,
0:23:09 > 0:23:12this is all extra agricultural buildings tacked on the back,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- but with amazing stone and brickwork.- Yeah.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19Here we have another very charming outhouse and, behind it,
0:23:19 > 0:23:22another vast set of agricultural buildings.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Yeah.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26So what are your thoughts about this?
0:23:26 > 0:23:28That's the rescue centre, isn't it?
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I love you! You get it all so quickly.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33Horses, cows, kittens.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38- Does this inspire you to have visions beyond?- Yes, absolutely.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42'With Placi still enthused by this project of a house,
0:23:42 > 0:23:46'Dominic might still need a bit of convincing. I'm hoping that
0:23:46 > 0:23:47'the breathtaking views
0:23:47 > 0:23:51'around the back of this property will be just the thing to do it.'
0:23:51 > 0:23:54That's the best part of the whole trip, that view.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57- Yep.- You've got the river down here. - The River Taw, yes,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00that flows through. That's, sadly, not quite your land,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04but this property comes with 11 acres of land.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- No?!- Wow, that's good!
0:24:07 > 0:24:11It's a LOT of work on the outbuildings.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15How much do you think it's going to cost to start it off?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Well, this couldn't be within budget,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22- so I'm going to say £600,000.- I see the state that the property's in,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25so I think it's going to be well below budget.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But I'm then thinking about the cost of renovation.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31I'm going to say something like £350,000.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34- Oh, that's quite a spread. - Oh, a big difference. Yes.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Well, split the difference.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41It is exactly on-budget. It's £500,000.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45So, right at the top end of their budget of £500,000,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48this project offers a real challenge.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50They have said they could come up with extra funds
0:24:50 > 0:24:54for renovation work if needed and, with that in mind,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57this property is an excellent proposition.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59It has four bedrooms,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02plenty of space inside for Placi's crafts,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05extensive outbuildings, one of which could be
0:25:05 > 0:25:07renovated and turned into a gym,
0:25:07 > 0:25:09and 11 acres of land,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13so easily enough space for all those rescued animals.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Ah. How are the views from up there?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- Oh, they're absolutely gorgeous. - Good, good. I'm going to take you
0:25:18 > 0:25:22away from the mystery house for some decision making. Come with me.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25'It's time to find out if Dominic and Placi have come to a decision
0:25:25 > 0:25:29'about treating themselves to a north Devon hideaway.'
0:25:30 > 0:25:33It's been lovely showing you around north Devon.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35The sun's come out, which is very nice.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Can you remember back to the very first one?
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- Yes.- It was perfect, wasn't it, in so many ways?
0:25:41 > 0:25:45- That sounds pretty positive. - Ready to move in, nothing to do.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Fantastic.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50That was, as you say, one that you could move straight into.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Obviously there wasn't much space for you to put your mark on it.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- Mm, yeah.- The second house,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58much more potential for putting your mark on it.
0:25:58 > 0:25:59What were your thoughts about that?
0:25:59 > 0:26:02I liked that one because of the five acres.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06It gives you more flexibility to have larger animals, maybe.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Er, and you could put your mark on the house.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14The second one was a little bit overshadowed by the first.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16The first had a lot more character.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18The second, we loved the land and the view,
0:26:18 > 0:26:23but obviously it had a lot of work to do to beat the first property,
0:26:23 > 0:26:27in terms of style and character, which we both liked.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31- And it was expensive.- And it was over budget, as was the first one!
0:26:31 > 0:26:35The mystery house was right on budget, although it was complicated
0:26:35 > 0:26:36in all sorts of other ways.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- What are your thoughts about that? - What a cracker!
0:26:39 > 0:26:42That's all I'm going to say! It's absolutely fantastic,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46but, obviously, the renovation costs may be too high.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50It's just a question of, do we have enough money to renovate it?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53It was an amazing house.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55It really was a head-and-the-heart type of property.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Did the heart or the head win out?
0:26:58 > 0:27:00What are your thoughts about what happens next?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Yeah, we need to talk about it, seriously.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05We're very good at stepping back and saying, "OK, right,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09"let's discuss the emotions, let's discuss the practicalities."
0:27:09 > 0:27:11You know, can we afford it?
0:27:11 > 0:27:14So do you think that the mystery house is something that
0:27:14 > 0:27:17- you could seriously proceed on? - Yeah, I think so. Yeah.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18More than the first house?
0:27:18 > 0:27:21I think they're both worth investigating further.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Excellent. Well, I do hope that your cool, analytical stepping back
0:27:24 > 0:27:28doesn't dampen the enthusiasm that you've both shown and that we see
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- you very soon here in north Devon. - Oh, thank you very much!
0:27:37 > 0:27:38Considering that Placi and Dominic
0:27:38 > 0:27:41had never actually been to north Devon,
0:27:41 > 0:27:43I think we can claim this as a great triumph.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46They may well have turned down 100 properties on the internet
0:27:46 > 0:27:48but here, in situ,
0:27:48 > 0:27:51I think they may have slightly fallen in love with the place,
0:27:51 > 0:27:53and I'm crossing my fingers for the mystery house.
0:27:53 > 0:27:58I really want to see what Dominic's business brain does with that place.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01If you've been intrigued by our adventures in rural Britain
0:28:01 > 0:28:05then make sure you tune in next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Well, with the mystery property,
0:28:07 > 0:28:10Dominic's head won out over Placi's heart,
0:28:10 > 0:28:15and so their north Devon house hunt continues.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17And if you would like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Scotland, Wales or England, and you need your help,
0:28:20 > 0:28:26why not apply online at...