0:00:02 > 0:00:08Buried deep beneath my feet is a material that's become popular with house owners the world over.
0:00:08 > 0:00:14It was discovered here nearly two centuries ago and is still being mined today with high demand.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18So where am I? Find out in a moment.
0:00:46 > 0:00:51'In today's show, I help a retired couple escape to North Wales.
0:00:51 > 0:00:57'I'm brimming with confidence about our first two properties.'
0:00:57 > 0:01:03- You like it?- Stunning.- A good start! I haven't even got to it yet! - A good early start, believe me.
0:01:03 > 0:01:08'But will our mystery house push our buyers over the edge?'
0:01:08 > 0:01:13I don't know if I can put any estate agent gloss over that!
0:01:16 > 0:01:20I'm in the county of Gwynedd in North Wales,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23an area famous for its slate.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Below me is the old Meirionydd vein.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30When it was discovered in 1836, it transformed this region
0:01:30 > 0:01:35into an important natural resource in the Victorian industrial age.
0:01:35 > 0:01:42At its peak, North Wales produced four-fifths of all slate quarried in Britain.
0:01:42 > 0:01:49But there's no doubt that today this part of the country has a lot more to offer than its geology.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56With the Snowdonia National Park to the east and the Llyn Peninsula to the west,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Gwynedd is home to some of the most stunning landscapes in Britain.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05The coastline offers up mud flats, secluded coves and rocky cliffs
0:02:05 > 0:02:08reaching over 1,100 feet at points.
0:02:08 > 0:02:14Head inland and this scenery gives way to the rugged peaks and valleys of its mountain ranges,
0:02:14 > 0:02:19separating it from the rest of the UK. Traditional cottages and smallholdings,
0:02:19 > 0:02:24built using local limestone and slate, dot the hillside.
0:02:24 > 0:02:30With so much on offer, it's clear why this area is such an attractive proposition.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37An average house in Gwynedd would set you back £140,000.
0:02:37 > 0:02:42That's £23,000 less than the national average.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44And there's even better news.
0:02:44 > 0:02:50You can buy in the heart of the National Park without paying a premium for the privilege.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53So let's look at what's currently on the market.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59£275,000 will get you this newly-converted barn.
0:02:59 > 0:03:05Each of its three bedrooms boasts vaulted ceilings and the sitting room gives the best of both worlds
0:03:05 > 0:03:12as you take in the expansive rural setting from its modern and stylish interior.
0:03:12 > 0:03:17Or there's this five-bedroom stone farmhouse situated in Rhyd-y-clafdy.
0:03:17 > 0:03:24For £599,000 you could sit back in the huge living room and enjoy the breathtaking views.
0:03:24 > 0:03:31And when the sun goes down, you can snuggle up in the beamed drawing room with its wood burner.
0:03:32 > 0:03:39If budget's not an issue, then take a look at this elegant Grade 1-listed Georgian townhouse.
0:03:39 > 0:03:46£785,000 will buy you six bedrooms, this majestic sitting room and a lavish dining room.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Some great properties there and three more coming up.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58But will any of them tempt today's couple? Let's find out.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Meet our buyers, Jamal and Dee. For the last 15 years,
0:04:03 > 0:04:09they've called this chalet bungalow in North London home. Keen artists and travellers,
0:04:09 > 0:04:14both took early retirement from their careers in accountancy and psychology.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20They're ready to leave the bright lights of London behind them in favour of more sedate surroundings
0:04:20 > 0:04:25and it's not exotic climates that have stolen their hearts.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30We've travelled the whole world over, but we like to see weather,
0:04:30 > 0:04:37we like to see spring and autumn and having a tropical setting is not exactly what we have in mind.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43We'd like to move to North Wales, preferably around Snowdonia National Park area
0:04:43 > 0:04:47or the Llyn Peninsula, an area we know quite well.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53After researching the move on the internet, their yearning to escape is stronger than ever.
0:04:53 > 0:05:00I love photography. I'm just looking for some wider spaces and the open countryside.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03But it's not just countryside that they're after.
0:05:03 > 0:05:09I like old, ancient properties with interesting features, nooks and crannies,
0:05:09 > 0:05:13old floors, panels. That kind of thing is what I like.
0:05:13 > 0:05:19The wish list doesn't end there. There's plenty of other essentials they want to add.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23I'd like to have at least three bedrooms.
0:05:23 > 0:05:30We need two bathrooms because Jamal hates sharing a bathroom either with guests or me.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35So a big reception room, preferably, because we love entertaining.
0:05:35 > 0:05:43- And...- Must have outbuildings so we can have our studios for our darkrooms and paint mixing
0:05:43 > 0:05:50- and our sculpting. All of those things.- 'Two bathrooms and two studios is a tall order,
0:05:50 > 0:05:55'plus Dee loves horse-riding, so ideally they'd like a stable or paddock as well.
0:05:55 > 0:06:01'All of that won't be easy to find, so I'm wondering if they're against getting their hands dirty
0:06:01 > 0:06:07- 'to help make their dream come true.'- The property we'd really like
0:06:07 > 0:06:13should be one that doesn't need a lot of work. We've taken early retirement not to become builders
0:06:13 > 0:06:17- but actually...- And we're useless at DIY, frankly.- Yes.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23Well, you are. I don't do any, so we'll never find out how good or bad I am.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27'OK, then. That means the financing for the move is all-important.'
0:06:27 > 0:06:32I think our budget for this move will be £450,000.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41'We're focusing today's house search in the county of Gwynedd,
0:06:41 > 0:06:47'home to the picturesque Llyn Peninsula and the wilderness of the Snowdonia National Park.
0:06:47 > 0:06:53'We've got some fantastic houses to show them, but as ever they'll have to guess the price of each property
0:06:53 > 0:06:56'before I reveal it to them.
0:06:56 > 0:07:02'Then, of course, there's our mystery house, which will provide our buyers with new possibilities.'
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- Jamal and Diane, lovely to meet you both.- Good to meet you, too.
0:07:07 > 0:07:12Now you've both decided you want to make Wales your home. North Wales.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- Yeah.- Wales is known for its beauty, but why this part so much?
0:07:16 > 0:07:21It's just so beautiful. They've got fantastic wild coastlines
0:07:21 > 0:07:27and mountains and although you get to see that around the world, it just draws me back all the time.
0:07:27 > 0:07:34So this is your escape. Are you united in your vision of what you're looking for in a house?
0:07:34 > 0:07:41I think for our dream home, we'll know exactly what it is as soon as we see it. We have no idea
0:07:41 > 0:07:47- what it is going to be. But as soon as we see it, we'll know it. - I'm loving the challenge!
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- Shall we hit the road?- Yes.- Great.
0:07:50 > 0:07:57'To finance their new home, Jamal and Dee have a healthy budget of £450,000.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03'They're quite open-minded, but do know they want a property with plenty of character,
0:08:03 > 0:08:08'two bathrooms, two art studios and room for a pony.
0:08:14 > 0:08:19'We're taking Jamal and Dee directly to their dream destination.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25'The Llyn Peninsula has it all - dramatic coastlines, tons of local farmland
0:08:25 > 0:08:31'and views of the Snowdonia mountain range. It's hard to find a more striking landscape.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36'Our first property is just under two miles away from the village of Llithfaen.
0:08:36 > 0:08:44'With a tight-knit community, it has a small shop for essentials and at its heart a local pub.
0:08:44 > 0:08:49'I hope this white-stone farmhouse with a barn and extra outbuildings sets us off
0:08:49 > 0:08:51'on the right foot.'
0:08:51 > 0:08:55And this is the set-up. We've got a barn here.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00- OK.- Behind us, we've got the pigsties and storage space,
0:09:00 > 0:09:06- which we thought could make fantastic studio space for not one, but two.- Yeah.
0:09:06 > 0:09:12- Definite potential. The setting is just stunning. - You like it?- Stunning.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- What a good early start! - It's a good early start!
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- Believe me.- This is the main farm. - OK.- A traditional Welsh farmstead.
0:09:21 > 0:09:27- Yeah.- Dates back to the 1730s, although it is a lot older than that.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- Ready to step inside?- Definitely. - Yes. Looking forward to it.
0:09:36 > 0:09:41- Welcome to the farmstead.- Wow. It's really amazing.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Isn't that gorgeous?
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- Oooh!- I like this.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50This is really, really interesting.
0:09:50 > 0:09:57- And that beautiful fireplace. - I can see Jamal is taking it all in! - Yes, I'm...- Absorbing.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02- Slowly absorbing.- Keep absorbing. We'll take you to the kitchen now.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06You really do have a proper country kitchen here.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- Yeah, definitely. - A real country kitchen.- It is.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15- With the range.- Yeah, it's a great kitchen. The windows...
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Look how small that one is.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- They're so pretty. So cute. - 'So far, so good,
0:10:21 > 0:10:26'but there's still plenty more to see.' Step through here...
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- into, I think, a very cute sitting room.- It is.
0:10:30 > 0:10:37It's very sweet. You've got a wood fire burner there, very nice character windows.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41- It's got a nice feel to it. - It's characterful.- Very.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44You feel fascinated by it. You want to walk through it.
0:10:44 > 0:10:50'On this level of the house there's also a family bathroom and a double bedroom.
0:10:50 > 0:10:56'The stepladder in the library area leads to another good-size room currently used for guests.
0:10:56 > 0:11:02'By the main entrance a second set of stairs takes you to the master bedroom with walk-in wardrobe.
0:11:04 > 0:11:08'Back outside, I've got another surprise in store.'
0:11:11 > 0:11:12Now...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Step inside the barn.- Oh, wow!
0:11:16 > 0:11:17OK.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20This is really nice. Really nice.
0:11:20 > 0:11:26- And what a surprise.- Yes, this could be the big dining area. - Absolutely.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- It depends on what else there is. - If you've got guests.
0:11:29 > 0:11:35We were just thinking it's fine for us, but when we've got friends and family coming,
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- where do we sit down and eat? - A really good point.
0:11:39 > 0:11:45- Which could be here.- Through there you've got the family bathroom. It's actually a shower room.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- OK.- So a shower room for the barn. A double bedroom through there.
0:11:50 > 0:11:56- Right.- And on the other side of the kitchen, in this direction, well, let me show you.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07- Now this sitting room is the opposite of the other house. - Yeah, it's surprising.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- And it's got a lot of character as well.- It's a nice, big room.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- It's got a lot of space. - And its own wood burner. - Yeah. Very interesting.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21- And the mystery staircase. - It takes you to one other bedroom.
0:12:21 > 0:12:26- Ah, I see. - It's a twin at the moment, but could easily take a double bed.
0:12:26 > 0:12:32Through there is another bedroom, so you've got three in total, two here and one at the very end.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36And that's a surprise. The property just goes on.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- It just keeps giving and giving. - It does!
0:12:39 > 0:12:43'Jamal and Dee's responses are all very positive.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48'Surrounding the house is 1.5 acres of land, which includes a paddock,
0:12:48 > 0:12:54'perfect for Dee's aspirations to own a horse. Topping it all off, these glorious views.'
0:12:54 > 0:12:57Is this what you both had in mind?
0:12:57 > 0:13:04- Yes, it's glorious. The setting is really nice.- It really is, actually, more than I was imagining.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08It's just so beautiful. It's a little homestead.
0:13:08 > 0:13:14Now you've showed us the extra accommodation, it's just fallen into place, really.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18This is all going swimmingly! It's the big question mark now.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Guess the price.
0:13:21 > 0:13:27- How much is this property currently on the market for? - I'm going to say 450,000
0:13:27 > 0:13:32- because I can't imagine it being really any less than that.- OK.
0:13:32 > 0:13:37- 4...30. - The current asking price
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- is £435,000. - For me, that's a good price.
0:13:42 > 0:13:48- £15,000 is quite a few pennies in your pocket.- Yeah. - Go and have another wander.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- Take your time. I'll catch up with you later.- Brilliant. Thanks.
0:13:53 > 0:14:01On the market for £435,000, this 16th-century property certainly has much to offer.
0:14:01 > 0:14:07The homestead is bursting at the seams with character features Jamal and Dee both love.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11The converted barn boasts a magnificent double height ceiling.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15There's plenty of room for guests with six bedrooms in all.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19And there's two required bathrooms, which should keep Jamal happy.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22There's also outbuildings and land.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27Potentially, this property could be my dream home. It's in a lovely rural setting,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30you've got fantastic scenery.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35It's got a lovely feel to it. I could probably be quite happy here.
0:14:35 > 0:14:42Generally, the feel of the property has bee very encouraging. I'm looking forward to the second!
0:14:43 > 0:14:48I don't actually want to leave. I'm quite happy sitting there.
0:14:48 > 0:14:55- Have you seen enough?- Yep. Very enthusiastic about this.- He's fighting the smile! Great start.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00We do have another property today, so we have to hit the road.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15It's easy to see why Jamal and Dee have fallen in love with this area.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21The Llyn Peninsula boasts some of the most incredible natural heritage coastlines in Wales.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25Pwllheli is the unofficial capital of the peninsula
0:15:25 > 0:15:30and gets its name from the Welsh phrase "salt water basin".
0:15:30 > 0:15:36The Llyn coastal path runs for 84 miles so there's enough to keep Jamal busy beachcombing
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- for years to come.- Look!
0:15:39 > 0:15:44That can be my next canvas. It can be all landscape-y.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46- Yeah.- That's really good.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49That's really good.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52Perfect, perfect.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Much of Pwllheli town was developed by Solomon Andrews,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59a businessman from Cardiff, in the 1890s.
0:15:59 > 0:16:06His vision of coastal living made this a must-see destination for Victorian holidaymakers,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10a trend which has carried through to the present day.
0:16:10 > 0:16:17A few minutes away is Llanbedrog. This area has always been popular with art lovers,
0:16:17 > 0:16:23so earlier in the week we arranged for Jamal and Dee to visit Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw,
0:16:23 > 0:16:28the oldest art gallery in Wales. Resident expert Dilwyn Williams showed them around.
0:16:28 > 0:16:35Oriel Plas Glyn-y-Weddw. Here we are at Plas Glyn-y-Weddw Art Gallery.
0:16:35 > 0:16:42Originally, this Gothic-style house was built for Lady Love Jones Parry to exhibit her art collection.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Names like Love Jones Parry are unique to this area of Wales,
0:16:46 > 0:16:52following the 16th century fashion of adding the word Love to surnames to illustrate Christian faith.
0:16:52 > 0:16:58Glyn-y-Weddw, of course, literally translates as valley of the widow.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Built in 1857, so let's go and have a look inside.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Excellent.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08The architect Henry Kennedy specialised in building churches
0:17:08 > 0:17:13and it's easy to see the ecclesiastical influences here.
0:17:13 > 0:17:21Well, here we are inside the main hall. I'm sure you agree it lends itself well to being a gallery,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23which is its present use.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Originally a private home, it's now open to the public.
0:17:27 > 0:17:34There are 10 exhibiting rooms and one of the most popular shows works by Gareth Parry.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40His wild Welsh landscapes are very much in keeping with Jamal and Dee's own style.
0:17:40 > 0:17:47- I can see all that rain coming down. It's always raining in Wales!- Not like today. We do get sunny weather!
0:17:47 > 0:17:54- One day, Jamal, you might be exhibiting in this gallery.- Yes. That's one of our ambitions,
0:17:54 > 0:17:59to be able to live in Wales and exhibit in this gallery.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02You'd be hard pushed to find anywhere better to exhibit.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07No question, this is the perfect location for our artists,
0:18:07 > 0:18:13but for now let's get back to finding them the perfect home to be creative in.
0:18:17 > 0:18:23Our property search has brought us a little further south from the Llyn Peninsula,
0:18:23 > 0:18:25just a short drive from Llanbedr.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30It boasts a friendly family butcher and other independently-run shops,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33plus there's a church and local pub.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37There are plenty of opportunities lining the streets here.
0:18:37 > 0:18:44With property number one, it was love at first sight for Dee. Jamal played it closer to his chest.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Time to see how our next offering goes down.
0:18:48 > 0:18:54- Before I explain our second property, what do you think?- It sits very cosily on top of this hill.
0:18:54 > 0:19:00- I love the setting and the fact that it's sitting in a little hollow. - It nestles.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Nestles is the word. I wish I had said that.
0:19:04 > 0:19:10Because at the very beginning you both said to me that you knew straight away if you'd like a house.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15There's always a little trepidation as we walk to a property.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19- This is a traditional Grade 2 Snowdonian house.- Right.
0:19:19 > 0:19:25- Built in 1585.- Wow. - But it was extended around 1650 by Colonel John Jones.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27- Quite recently, then(!)- Yes!
0:19:27 > 0:19:33- Now he went on to marry Catherine, who was Oliver Cromwell's sister. - Oh, gosh.
0:19:33 > 0:19:39So this property has a pedigree. It was built really as a gentleman's house.
0:19:39 > 0:19:44- Looks good from the outside.- We have to see if we deserve to live in it! - Let's start the tour.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- So quite a narrow corridor.- Right.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- But it does lead...- Oh, lovely. - ..into this spectacular room.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- Isn't it marvellous? It's really lovely.- Very nice.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04It's amazing, isn't it? It's a really ancient room.
0:20:04 > 0:20:12- You've got the exposed beams.- Yep. - Huge inglenook fireplace.- Yes. - If you look to the left,
0:20:12 > 0:20:17- that ornate bread oven.- Wonderful. - So for your needs, would this work?
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- Yes. For a living area it's enough for us.- Yeah.- It's what we need.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24It's very charming. Definitely.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29'Let's hope they're equally charmed by the other rooms I show them.'
0:20:29 > 0:20:31So up these steps...
0:20:31 > 0:20:33leads through
0:20:33 > 0:20:38- to a very spacious kitchen.- Right. Well, I wasn't expecting this.
0:20:38 > 0:20:44- This is rather lovely. - How does this work for you for entertaining space?
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- It works perfectly.- Yeah, it does.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50It's beautifully put together. It's a really good space.
0:20:50 > 0:20:57There are two doors in the corner. The one on the right leads to the dairy. They've kept it basic.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02It works beautifully as a utility room, a cold store.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- Then further down they use it as a tack room.- A-ha? - So loads of space.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12But we're going to go through the other door. Upstairs.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16So up these stairs - fabulous slate flagstones, centuries old -
0:21:16 > 0:21:22- it's actually a study through there. - OK.- But we're going to continue up here.
0:21:23 > 0:21:28- So up this staircase is the master bedroom.- Lovely.- Wow.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Yep, this is very nice. Very nice.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34I always like it when you walk into a room and you go, "Wow!"
0:21:34 > 0:21:41- It's got a good space, it's very light.- Look at those wonderful views - It's got fantastic views.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43There's nothing around but beauty.
0:21:43 > 0:21:50- Yes.- It's beginning to feel like a gentleman's home and I'm beginning to feel I deserve living here.
0:21:50 > 0:21:55'As befitting any gentleman, this room also has an en-suite bathroom.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59'Next door, there's another spacious double
0:21:59 > 0:22:05'and a short hop across the hall finds a third and fourth bedroom with more of those fabulous beams,
0:22:05 > 0:22:08'but if that's not enough to win their hearts,
0:22:08 > 0:22:12'I've got something special that might just steal the show.'
0:22:12 > 0:22:18There is one further room I want to show you two because this could be the most fantastic studio.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Now, it's not very lady-like. The things I do to sell a house!
0:22:22 > 0:22:28- Jamal, you might get a good view from where you are, but Diane, follow me through.- I'm through.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- So what do you think? - Wow, my own train set!
0:22:32 > 0:22:40It would be a travesty to take this out. However, if you did, this could make the most amazing space.
0:22:40 > 0:22:45- It certainly could.- This'll do me as a studio. What about Dee?
0:22:45 > 0:22:50- Ah!- We'll find something for Dee. I haven't worked it out yet, but we'll find something.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54We'll head back downstairs. Jamal, you lead the way. After you, Diane.
0:22:54 > 0:23:00I think this is where we don't film any longer. You can't film our bottoms. Time to say, "Cut!"
0:23:01 > 0:23:05'So Jamal's pinched the attic for his art studio,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09'but this outbuilding could be a great space for Dee.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12'Round the back of the house are stables
0:23:12 > 0:23:17'and next door there's a paddock which the current owners rent from a local farmer,
0:23:17 > 0:23:20'perfect for Dee's dream of owning a horse.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23'Plus, there's a well-tended garden.'
0:23:23 > 0:23:29- So, hopefully, we've covered everything for you with that wish list.- Yeah, you have.- Yes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Now the question is - how much is it all worth?
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I think we're getting there,
0:23:35 > 0:23:40so I think it's going to be £449,999.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44I'm going to go a little bit higher than our budget. I'll say 460,000.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Jamal is close once again.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52- Oh, dear(!) - The asking price is £445,000.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56I would say for this property it's a very good price.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59A very good price. It's a beautiful location.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01And this property has presence.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Have another look around on your own. There's plenty to explore.
0:24:06 > 0:24:10- I'll catch up with you in a little while.- Fantastic.- Thank you.
0:24:10 > 0:24:16At £445,000, this property is towards the top end of Jamal and Dee's budget.
0:24:16 > 0:24:22The reception hall and drawing room both have open beam ceilings, as do the four bedrooms.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26The master bedroom has an en-suite, giving us the two bathrooms,
0:24:26 > 0:24:29which is high on Jamal's wish list.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34There's also potential for art studios and the opportunity to rent the paddock next door.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37We've had a good look at the property.
0:24:37 > 0:24:42There were lots of surprises in the property, as well as in the grounds.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45So all in all, I really do like this property.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49It's a property I could grow into. It's a very charming property.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53There are a few little issues regarding space,
0:24:53 > 0:24:59but generally, um...I think it is a lovely, lovely house.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- Hello.- That's got you both thinking, hasn't it?
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- Absolutely.- It certainly has.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10- Two very impressive properties. - Very impressive. Beautiful.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- Have you enjoyed today?- Loved it. - Good.- Very good.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19- You can relax now and think about what you've seen. Time to head home.- Excellent.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33'As the sun begins to cast its shadow on the Llyn Peninsula,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37'the end of our first day's property search draws to a close.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45'Keen artists Jamal and Dee are desperate to find their dream country home,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48'so they can retire to Gwynedd in North Wales,
0:25:48 > 0:25:54'but have vowed their £450,000 must buy them the perfect property that doesn't need any DIY.
0:25:54 > 0:26:00'Coming up, it looks like our mystery house might have pushed them too far.'
0:26:00 > 0:26:02- And a capital W for "work".- Yes.
0:26:02 > 0:26:07- 'And Dee gets more than she bargained for.'- I've put my foot in it now, haven't I?
0:26:09 > 0:26:13Yesterday was certainly an interesting day -
0:26:13 > 0:26:17two properties and two very positive reactions,
0:26:17 > 0:26:21but I don't think we found something to suit them both.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26Now, Diane, she lost her heart to the first house. With Jamal, it was the second.
0:26:26 > 0:26:32So will our mystery house today be the house that they both fall in love with?
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Now, if it's a slice of the Welsh countryside they're after,
0:26:36 > 0:26:39then the mystery property is my trump card,
0:26:39 > 0:26:43but as ever, things are never quite that straightforward.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47'Dee was very taken with property number one
0:26:47 > 0:26:52'and Jamal felt he'd fit nicely into number two - a gentleman's house.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55'But our mystery property could change all that.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00'Situated just inside the boundaries of the Snowdonia National Park
0:27:00 > 0:27:05'is the popular town of Tremadog with a thriving community full of history and heritage.
0:27:05 > 0:27:11'However, it's also the surrounding countryside that makes our next property extra-special.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14'Secluded in the Cwm Pennant Valley,
0:27:14 > 0:27:19'the dramatic views should get Jamal and Dee's paintbrushes twitching.'
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Well, normally, we would start off with a house tour,
0:27:23 > 0:27:28but how often do you stand in the middle of the Snowdonia National Park with this view?
0:27:28 > 0:27:34It is amazing. We've got the only house in the valley. You could sit here for ever and just look.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39- Yes, you've got the river there. - You're quite taken with this location?- I love it.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45- We haven't seen the inside of the house yet, but... - That'll come. In good time.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50- I don't think you could do too much better than the outside of the house.- Yes.- Yes.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Fabulous, fabulous.
0:27:52 > 0:27:57We can see the house from here. To the left of it you'll notice the barn.
0:27:57 > 0:28:02- It would make the most fantastic artist's studio. - It would make a brilliant studio.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07I've seen the plans and it's got huge skylights, so plenty of natural light.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12- It's got a lot of potential.- I could see those as studios quite easily.
0:28:12 > 0:28:17'Before we look at the house, I want to show them the glorious back garden.'
0:28:17 > 0:28:22- Would you like to know how much land comes with this property? - Comes WITH it?- Yeah.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- Yes.- OK. So you've got Gyfyng Rock that we saw when we first arrived.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- OK.- The whole of the rock to the other side...
0:28:29 > 0:28:34Keep following it down, so it goes back down into the valley.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38- Yeah.- There's about three acres of woodland down the bottom.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40That's all yours, so we're still going.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45Keep travelling around, follow the stream and then all the way back.
0:28:45 > 0:28:51- The border is the stream, is it? - The border is the stream. - That all belongs to the house?
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- All 28 acres.- Wow!
0:28:54 > 0:28:58Oh, my goodness! That is unbelievable.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00We'll have to buy a lot of sheep.
0:29:00 > 0:29:05- At the moment...- That is crazy. - ..the land is tenanted by the local farmer.- Yeah.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- If you continued that - revenue to be had.- Right.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13I don't think it could fail to appeal to anybody. It's just absolutely glorious.
0:29:13 > 0:29:19There'll be somewhere for your horse in the 28 acres. We'll find a paddock somewhere.
0:29:19 > 0:29:25- I think there would be.- Jamal, I haven't shown you the house yet, but what do you think so far?
0:29:25 > 0:29:30- There's a lot to take in. - I think you're going to let me down somewhere.
0:29:30 > 0:29:36- That's why you've kept the house till the end.- Would I ever let you down?- You haven't so far.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38But I'm expecting you to.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41'We'll have to wait and see.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46'I just hope this anti-DIY couple can see past all the renovating
0:29:46 > 0:29:49'and recognise the immense potential this house has.'
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- Come into the mystery house.- OK.
0:29:53 > 0:29:59This is a house with fantastic potential, but it's also a project with a capital P.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Yes, and a capital W for "work".
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Yes, definitely. How would you both feel about that?
0:30:05 > 0:30:08You would have to do it. What do you think?
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- When you say, "YOU have to do it..." - Personally, you wouldn't...
0:30:12 > 0:30:16- I want to make it clear... - You can't even change a light bulb.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19So ONE would need to get something done.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22'And this is just the start.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27'Either side of the hallway there are two reception rooms
0:30:27 > 0:30:29'and ahead lies the kitchen.'
0:30:29 > 0:30:35- So this is the oldest part of the house.- OK, there is a little bit of potential here.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- A bit of an overhaul.- A bit of an overhaul and quite a lot of work.
0:30:39 > 0:30:45- Next door, there's the bathroom. Just have a little peek. - All right, let's have a look.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49OK, it's spacious.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52- It's functional.- It's spacious. - It's big.- Functional.
0:30:52 > 0:30:58- I don't know about functional. - I don't think I can put any "estate agent" gloss on that, even me!
0:30:58 > 0:31:02- It gives you an idea of what would need to be done.- Sure, sure.
0:31:02 > 0:31:06- However, just standing here, you know what's through that door.- Yeah.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10- That spectacular view. - If you set the house straight,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15you wouldn't want to live anywhere else, basically. It's got fantastic potential.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- Hmm.- Jamal's very quiet.
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- He's always very quiet. It's all this...- Pondering.- Pondering.
0:31:21 > 0:31:26- I can practically hear the cogs going round. - It's the worry, I think.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32Yes, I'm getting into the project, but I don't think I'm being pulled in very hard right now.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38'But as soon as I'm out of earshot, Dee and Jamal start hatching plans.'
0:31:39 > 0:31:45You see, I was thinking that this could be something like...
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- Having the second bathroom in here? - Yeah, exactly, having a bathroom.
0:31:49 > 0:31:55It's big enough for a bathroom, it's light, you could walk from that main bedroom into here.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Again you're talking a lot of money, aren't you?
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- And you're giving up a very nice room for a bathroom.- Yeah, yeah.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06'They don't have to sacrifice this room
0:32:06 > 0:32:12'because down the hall there's a toilet that could be transformed into an en-suite for Jamal,
0:32:12 > 0:32:17'plus there are three more light and airy double bedrooms for when guests come to stay,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19'making four bedrooms in total.'
0:32:19 > 0:32:22Ah, happy, smiling faces! Is this a good sign?
0:32:22 > 0:32:27You've seen everything there is to see, so I think time for "guess the price".
0:32:27 > 0:32:31- How much do you think all this is worth?- I think 420.
0:32:31 > 0:32:37I think it's more, but I'm going to say 400,000 because I'm almost hopin it's going to be something like that
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Would you be happy
0:32:39 > 0:32:43if I told you the asking price...
0:32:44 > 0:32:47..is £395,000?
0:32:47 > 0:32:49THEY CHUCKLE
0:32:49 > 0:32:52There, I've put my foot in it now, haven't I?
0:32:52 > 0:32:58You were so close because you were HOPING it was going to be about that.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Because there's a lot of work to be doing to the house
0:33:01 > 0:33:06- and that's something to think about very seriously indeed.- Mm-hm.
0:33:06 > 0:33:11- Before I leave you with that thought, there's a second option with this property.- Is there?
0:33:11 > 0:33:17- You could buy the house...- Yes. - ..two and a half acres of land... - Yes.
0:33:17 > 0:33:21- ..plus the barn for a different price.- Ah!
0:33:21 > 0:33:24You'd still have the stream running through.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28They are looking at £250,000 for that.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31Oh, crikey! Are they?
0:33:31 > 0:33:37- Well, I mean, you know, that's... - Is that good news? That's all I need to know now.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39- It's extraordinary news.- Yes.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44- It's made your mystery house into our mystery house.- Yes. - Well done.- Thank you.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50Let's go somewhere quiet where you can gather your thoughts. It's a lot to go through.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55At £395,000, the mystery house fits easily in budget.
0:33:55 > 0:34:00The main house needs work, but there are some lovely original features.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Upstairs, there's room for guests with four bedrooms, plus a toilet,
0:34:04 > 0:34:07providing opportunity for an en-suite,
0:34:07 > 0:34:11meeting that all-important two bathroom requirement.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13Finally, there's a massive 28 acres
0:34:13 > 0:34:16of awe-inspiring Welsh countryside,
0:34:16 > 0:34:21but if all that land has them running for the hills, there is a second option.
0:34:21 > 0:34:28£250,000 will buy the house, barn and a more manageable 2.5 acres.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32It needs a lot of work, a lot of work,
0:34:32 > 0:34:35but every time I look out of one of the windows,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39I see the view and I see the river and I can hear the river sometimes
0:34:39 > 0:34:44and I think, "No, there must be a reason why they've brought us here.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48"There must be something that makes this within our reach."
0:34:48 > 0:34:54So I haven't completely lost faith, although I'm not going to tell Nicki that.
0:34:54 > 0:35:01This is an amazing location, but when we walked into the house, I was initially really disappointed
0:35:01 > 0:35:07because we've never done a project before and I wouldn't know where to start, frankly,
0:35:07 > 0:35:11but now knowing the price, we are in such a dilemma
0:35:11 > 0:35:16because it's a fantastic price and we know that we could do the renovation work.
0:35:16 > 0:35:21It's just a question of putting our heads together and doing it.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29'I'm taking the opportunity
0:35:29 > 0:35:35'to discover more about the rich history of Gwynedd and one of the biggest Welsh exports,
0:35:35 > 0:35:41'so I've come to Llechwedd Slate Caverns to meet historical guide Michael Hughes.'
0:35:41 > 0:35:44- What exactly is slate? - Its main ingredients
0:35:44 > 0:35:50are mud and clay that's been compressed for 500 million years and the mud and clay turns to slate.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54How long has the mine actually been here?
0:35:54 > 0:35:56The actual mine started in 1846.
0:35:56 > 0:36:02- So when it was discovered here, it must have transformed this part of Wales?- It did.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06It's thanks to the actual slate mine that we've got Blaenau today.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11Without a doubt, it's because of the slate we've got the town here.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16'The surrounding slate is hundreds of years' worth of waste, dating back to the 18th century.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21'These days, we're more eco-minded, so now it's used for making house foundations.'
0:36:21 > 0:36:28- So underneath my feet is the mine? - Yes.- Are we able to go down there? - We're going down there now, yes.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30- Well, I will follow you.- OK then.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36- Right, off we go.- Off we go.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Oh, Mick, this is quite a drop!
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- It is. We're going down about 400 feet.- What's the gradient?
0:36:50 > 0:36:55- It's on an angle of about one in nine. - I'm holding you!- That's all right.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59It's the steepest passenger narrow-gauge railway in Britain.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03'Years ago, the journey into the mine would have been a long, hard walk,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06'but today, it takes just a few minutes.'
0:37:06 > 0:37:10- Are we here now?- Yeah. - You can hear the water.- Yeah.
0:37:10 > 0:37:16'There's around 25 miles of underground passageways and chambers down here.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20'And this main chamber is about 50 feet high.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24'Every inch has been chiselled out by hand.'
0:37:24 > 0:37:26- This is amazing.- Yeah.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29We always hear about how hard life was,
0:37:29 > 0:37:35- but I presume these men were under severe pressure. - It was a hard life, yes.
0:37:35 > 0:37:41- Your average age to start down here is 12 years old.- That young? When would they finish?
0:37:41 > 0:37:47Depending how lucky they were or how unlucky they were, they carried on till about 34, 35.
0:37:47 > 0:37:53Then these men would start getting that horrible disease, silicosis, which is dust going on the lungs.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58They didn't last long once they had the silicosis, so that was quite grim.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01- Yeah.- What a hard, hard life!
0:38:01 > 0:38:05'Thankfully, working conditions have improved,
0:38:05 > 0:38:10'but it still takes a lot of hard graft to bring this precious slate to the surface.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13'The story doesn't end here.
0:38:13 > 0:38:19'The slate still needs to be trimmed and shaped - something tile splitter Glyn Daniels knows all about.
0:38:21 > 0:38:26'Glyn makes on average 1,000 tiles a day, all by hand.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31'I'm not about to compete with that, but I am itching to test my skills.'
0:38:31 > 0:38:33- About there?- In the middle.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38That's it... And again. That's it.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40OK...
0:38:40 > 0:38:44You know when you take a cake out of a tin
0:38:44 > 0:38:50and you're waiting in anticipation to see what it looks like? It feels like that for me.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Gosh, you're strong!
0:38:53 > 0:38:55That's not too bad.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59'All that's left now are the finishing touches.'
0:38:59 > 0:39:01LOUD CRACK
0:39:07 > 0:39:11And that gives it the most amazing edge.
0:39:11 > 0:39:16Gosh, just think, in a few months' time, that could be someone's roof tile.
0:39:18 > 0:39:23'It's great to know I've played a small part in creating someone's perfect home.
0:39:23 > 0:39:29'Let's hope I've helped Jamal and Dee too. I can't wait to find out what they really thought
0:39:29 > 0:39:33'about the three properties I've shown them on this journey.'
0:39:35 > 0:39:40Well, Jamal and Diane, what have you thought of the last couple of days?
0:39:40 > 0:39:45Just fantastic. You've given us more than we actually were expecting, to be honest.
0:39:45 > 0:39:51So the first property that we saw was the cottage with the converted barn right next door.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Diane, you were taken with it straight away.
0:39:54 > 0:40:00I was. It had a lovely feel to it, just the way the buildings were sort of situated.
0:40:00 > 0:40:07I think when you first took us into the stone cottage, it was really interesting and very pretty.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09What a lovely conversion!
0:40:09 > 0:40:13The second property we showed you was very different from the first.
0:40:13 > 0:40:19We started off with the cottage, then we moved slightly up-scale to the gentleman's house.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24I think Jamal was more struck with i in terms of it being a little bit more imposing.
0:40:24 > 0:40:31On the whole, the garden, the stream, the hollow in which that property was situated,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34I fell in love with, I really liked that place.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37- It was a lovely house. - It was very attractive.
0:40:37 > 0:40:41Grade 2 listed and in the centre of the Snowdonia National Park,
0:40:41 > 0:40:44which brings us on to our mystery house.
0:40:44 > 0:40:50- You did want a little bit of land, you said, when we started this house hunt.- Yes.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54We managed to find you a property with 28 acres.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58- But it didn't seem to faze you too much.- Well, it did, I suppose.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02It was quite overwhelming, but it's irresistible in its location.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06But then it's a renovation job.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10The bonus for us was the price you gave us, the two options,
0:41:10 > 0:41:16and the lower price option is a very good option because if the sums add up,
0:41:16 > 0:41:20then there is a possibility that we may go for it. I don't know.
0:41:20 > 0:41:27You see, we had promised ourselves when we started on this tour that you've kindly led us on
0:41:27 > 0:41:32- that we would never get involved with a building project. - That's true.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Here we are...- Discussing it. - ..doing the sums.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38So what is the next step going to be for the two of you?
0:41:38 > 0:41:43I think there's sort of a tension between properties one and three.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47That's something we...certainly I would like to take forward.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50I think it's only property three.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- Have you bought this house already? - In my mind, I have.
0:41:53 > 0:41:59I feel we're getting close. There's plenty of opportunities with this mystery house.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03There are lots of opportunities, but it has given us a dilemma.
0:42:03 > 0:42:08We'll take it forward and see what we can come up with and how it works out.
0:42:08 > 0:42:13Whatever happens, because I know you'll be moving very soon, please keep in touch.
0:42:13 > 0:42:19- I'm glad we've helped get you closer to your dream.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24That's it, the end of our search here in North Wales.
0:42:24 > 0:42:29Now, we've certainly given Jamal and Diane plenty to mull over.
0:42:29 > 0:42:36And I've got a feeling it won't be too long before Diane comes round to Jamal's way of thinking
0:42:36 > 0:42:40and the mystery house is turned into the perfect artists' retreat.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I certainly hope so.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45See you next time.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49After revisiting the mystery house,
0:42:49 > 0:42:54Jamal and Dee decided that it was too much of a project for them after all,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57but they have found a perfect home in North Wales
0:42:57 > 0:43:02and plan to be living their country dream very soon.
0:43:02 > 0:43:06If you'd like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11please apply online at:
0:43:32 > 0:43:36Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
0:43:36 > 0:43:39Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk