0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to today's Escape To The Country.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Have you any idea what these are, growing in these pots?
0:00:06 > 0:00:09They're pineapples and this is the only pinery-vinery
0:00:09 > 0:00:13that survives in the UK in its authentic state.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16But where have we come to for such an exotic start to today's show?
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Today I'm looking for somewhere
0:00:46 > 0:00:49for an ex-sea captain and his wife to drop anchor.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Our properties certainly have the wow factor.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- Wow! Oh, wow!- Wow.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Another wow, I think.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02But the mystery house turns out to be the most intriguing of the lot.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04I think this has captured your imagination.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Well, it's certainly different.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12Today we're in Cheshire and I'm on the glorious Tatton Park estate
0:01:12 > 0:01:14right in the heart of the county.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17The Pineapple House was built in 1750, and in those days,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21the fruits were so prized and revered, they could change hands
0:01:21 > 0:01:24from anything up to £5,000 in today's money.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Think about that the next time you pop into your local supermarket.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30With the Dee Estuary to the east
0:01:30 > 0:01:33and the moors of the Peak District to the west,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37the county of Cheshire covers over 900 square miles,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and has a population of just over a million.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44The county town of Chester was first founded by the Romans in 79AD,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48and it's one of the best preserved walled cities in the British Isles.
0:01:49 > 0:01:54In the Cheshire countryside, agriculture is still a thriving industry.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58More than two thirds of the land is farmed today, mainly for dairy,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02producing that famous crumbly white Cheshire cheese.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06It's this largely rural feel that makes the county a popular choice
0:02:06 > 0:02:11with commuters escaping the industrial centres of Manchester and Liverpool.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15It's also home to a whole host of Premiership footballers
0:02:15 > 0:02:19and celebrities, all living the affluent Cheshire lifestyle.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Ex-sea captain Graham is soon to retire from his job
0:02:26 > 0:02:30as a marine coordinator and spend more time with Diane,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32his wife of 42 years.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Born and bred in the Wirral, they've always lived on the coast
0:02:35 > 0:02:39and are now planning to swap the sea breeze for fresh country air.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I've been working abroad since 1964.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46I was in the Merchant Navy until 1990.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Since then, I've continued working abroad.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51So we've not spent enough time together.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55We haven't been together much in the time we've been married.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58It'll be nice, like starting again. That's a bit of an adventure.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02They've lived at their five-bedroom house on the Wirral coast for ten years.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Keen gardener Diane will be making sure there's room
0:03:05 > 0:03:08for her beloved plants and more when she moves.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Basically, I'd like to move to the country,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I'm not sure about you, but I'd like to move to the country
0:03:14 > 0:03:16for more land, an acre or so of formal gardens.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19I seem to have run out of space here.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22And you still want a stream, really, don't you?
0:03:22 > 0:03:25A river in the garden would be very nice.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29- You'd like to tie a little boat up in the bottom.- No, thanks. I don't want any more boats, thanks.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33With a life on the ocean wave firmly in Graham's past,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36he's plotting his course for a move to east Cheshire.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Despite having spent a lot of time apart, the couple have the same aspirations
0:03:40 > 0:03:42when it comes to choosing a new house.
0:03:44 > 0:03:45We'd like a detached house
0:03:45 > 0:03:51with four bedrooms, couple of en-suites, a small office for you.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55It would be nice to have some office space.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57I'm not entirely retired just yet.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00A large kitchen we can eat in, perhaps sit in as well,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02maybe get a sofa in it.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04That would be my shopping list.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09It's a big list, but luckily there's an equally big budget to spend.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11The budget is around £1 million.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14There's a little bit of flexibility in that.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16I think the most important thing is
0:04:16 > 0:04:20we've got to feel it's been a bargain, if you like!
0:04:28 > 0:04:31We're concentrating our search on the east Cheshire area,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34which boasts numerous stately homes and historic market towns
0:04:34 > 0:04:38such as Knutsford, Middlewich and Sandbach.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41We've got three great properties for them to explore.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43But before I reveal the price,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47I'll be asking them to guess how much they're on the market for.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51I'm hoping our mystery house could make our ex-mariner and his maiden
0:04:51 > 0:04:55cast aside any doubts of leaving the water behind.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Graham, Diane, lovely to see you here in Cheshire,
0:04:58 > 0:05:02your neck of the woods, very much so.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06But you're unusual. Most people coming on Escape To The Country
0:05:06 > 0:05:09want to move to the sea, but you're going the other way.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- We've had enough of it! - Ten years of it's been enough.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17In terms of what you're after, we've got a fantastic budget, £1.1 million.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20- Yeah, yeah.- Or so.- Or so, yes.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- The or so is interesting because you haven't got to sell to do this.- No.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28So, if it were a bit higher and it were the right thing, presumably...
0:05:28 > 0:05:31- We might be tempted.- A little bit higher, not hugely higher.- OK.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35We've got three very viable properties for you to look at.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Let's see what we can offer you.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- That sounds good.- Follow me.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Thank you.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45With a very substantial top end budget of £1.1 million or so,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Graham and Diane are seeking a property with four bedrooms,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51two with an en-suite,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53a garden room or conservatory for Diane's plants,
0:05:53 > 0:05:58a big kitchen-diner for socialising, an office for Graham
0:05:58 > 0:06:01and an acre of garden, preferably with a stream.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14We're beginning our search in the village of Mere,
0:06:14 > 0:06:18a few minutes' drive from the pretty market town of Knutsford,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22which was the blueprint for Elizabeth Gaskell's novel, Cranford.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28Our first property is a detached brick farmhouse which, in parts, dates back to the 17th century.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Property number one.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- Very nice.- Very, very nice indeed.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- Cheshire brick, I think, or similar. - A stream in the front garden.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- A little stream. - A trip truppy bridge. Rhododendrons.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- Lovely front door.- Yeah. There are numerous doors.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46HE LAUGHS
0:06:46 > 0:06:50We're not going to use that one but one on the side to get us in.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53- We'll see what you make of it. - Excellent.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00- You can see it goes on a bit. - Wow, bigger than you first think.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03Right, let's start in here.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- It's very light. - Probably not what you'd expect.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09No, from the outside I didn't think it would be this size.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13The whole thing has relatively recently been pushed out that way
0:07:13 > 0:07:17to give you this huge kitchen area here.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19- These are nice, though, I must say. - Lovely units.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22- And you've got that lovely... - The range.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24It's quite light with the skylight there as well.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- It's got a nice lived-in feel, homely.- Yeah, yeah.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32I'm thinking of log burners and things like that. Cosy winters.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Cosy winters in night time. I can feel it coming on.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39It's great to see they've both taken to this house so quickly.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Let's see if they're as enraptured by the rest of it.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Here we are into the oldest bit of the house...to your dining room.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Very nice. Lovely.- Old beams.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Yeah, lovely.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Can you make out the carpenters' marks on the timber?
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- Again, really giving a sense of its age.- Yes.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04Through the door you've got your little snug, which is quite sweet, with a multifuel burner in it.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08To my left here, an office with a nice door out to the garden
0:08:08 > 0:08:12and then a separate staircase here which goes upstairs, obviously,
0:08:12 > 0:08:15- and another one there. We've got two staircases.- Right.
0:08:15 > 0:08:20Follow me through here. Let's have a look at another living room.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- There we are. - Oh, cosy. Very nice.- Yes?
0:08:28 > 0:08:33- Oh, a conservatory. - Yes! The conservatory, well spotted. We'll go in there in a moment.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36This would be your principal living room, I would suggest.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Nice open fire in there.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- Smaller than we're used to, but that's not a bad thing.- It's OK.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47It's quite light with windows both ends.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Given the other little snug through off the dining room as well,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54it gives you options if you want to do your own thing
0:08:54 > 0:08:55or if you've got friends round
0:08:55 > 0:08:58and you keep this as an entertaining space.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Drift through after dinner into here or...
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- Or through... Come on! - ..into the conservatory.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Yes, there's no holding Diane back from the conservatory.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12A room featuring very high on her list of demands.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- Lovely! Oh! Look at the fireplace. - Very nice.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- It's more than a conservatory. - It's quite warm as well.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22That is an electric fire. It would not be a work of great genius
0:09:22 > 0:09:25to put a flue in and create a wood burner.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28- I think this is the one we'd be in all the time.- It's nice, isn't it?
0:09:28 > 0:09:31The conservatory and its wow factor
0:09:31 > 0:09:36has really won Diane over, and maybe even Graham too.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Upstairs, there's more charming character in the family bathroom.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44It adjoins the smallest of the five bedrooms, which could be used as a dressing room.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47But we're taking a look at the master bedroom.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- This kind of sets the scene, really. - Oh, very grand.- Yeah?
0:09:52 > 0:09:57- En-suite in there. Shower room.- Right.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- This is currently the master. - Right.- They're all pretty generous.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03Wardrobes? But we'd use the other one as a dressing room.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06You've got the box room as a dressing room.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- It's not short of space. - It's not, no.
0:10:09 > 0:10:14- Now this one, I think, is a little bit bigger in a sense.- Yes.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17Through there we've got you a nicely appointed
0:10:17 > 0:10:22Jack and Jill bathroom, which goes on to the final and fourth double,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25which is accessed through the other small staircase.
0:10:25 > 0:10:31- The second staircase, right. - Over towards the study.- Perfect.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- Now, last bit, the garden.- Oh, good. - It is of crucial importance.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Right, follow me. Let's see what we've got for you out here.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40The grounds are more generous than they asked for
0:10:40 > 0:10:42with a stable block and a paddock.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46I'm hoping the lovely expanse of lawns might bring them round.
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Out of your possibly new conservatory,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54into the garden, or a bit of it.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57I mean, all in, there's about three and a half acres or so.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- That wasn't on the shopping list. - It's a bit more.- A little.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02We knew you'd go off piste slightly.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04One of the things with your budget
0:11:04 > 0:11:07is you often get more than you bargained for,
0:11:07 > 0:11:12and land is one of those things that arrives whether you like it or not.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15So, how much do you think it's on the market for?
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- I would think about £950,000.- 950.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- I'd say 925.- 925? Crikey.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- A pair of optimists.- Right.- Yes!
0:11:25 > 0:11:27You are under, I'm afraid.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Um, this is on the market for 998. - Right.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33We're just under the million,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36so we've given you a taste of what the market has to offer.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41- OK.- Go and explore that paddock area, which is just over there,
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- explore that and I'll catch up with you later.- Great.- Off you go.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50For a shade under £1 million,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54this property more than meets all the demands of their wish list.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57It has five bedrooms, two with an en-suite,
0:11:57 > 0:12:02a spacious kitchen-diner, a huge conservatory for Diane's plants,
0:12:02 > 0:12:05space for Graham to work from home,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07and a stream in the grounds, just as he requested.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13I thought the front of the house was nice, very attractive.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17I think the location is perfect.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21And a decent-sized front garden, which is what we wanted.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24I thought the kitchen was lovely, really cosy, lovely and warm.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Super conservatory, as requested.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29I like the cosiness and the homeliness,
0:12:29 > 0:12:34because I'm quite a homely... a homely person, really, I suppose.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47We continue our search close to the village of Whitegate, five miles
0:12:47 > 0:12:51south west of Northwich, the nearest town for shopping and restaurants.
0:12:51 > 0:12:57Situated in a charming hamlet and surrounded by beautiful open countryside,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00our second house is a rather unique thatched property.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- There it is. - Wow, that's different.
0:13:03 > 0:13:04It's very different.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08I have seen an awful lot of thatched buildings in my time.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13This has to be the most extraordinary one I've ever seen.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15It's got almost a slightly...
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- Spanish?- A Spanish feel, exactly.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20There's a sense of the Costa about it,
0:13:20 > 0:13:24with all these arches and these cream coloured walls.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- Yes, we've travelled, so we're used to...- You may have travelled, Diane,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- but you won't have seen anything quite like this.- OK.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Come and have a look.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37The outside of this very individual house might want you to believe it's old,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40but inside, it's a very different matter.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45Now, this isn't what you'd think a thatched house
0:13:45 > 0:13:48was going to have as its principal living room.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52- No, you wouldn't. - A Spanish villa, maybe.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55It certainly has that Spanish feel that we noticed on the outside.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- Lovely fireplace, though. - This floor is rather lovely,
0:13:59 > 0:14:01this is actually reclaimed from a church in Liverpool.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05- Think about the space, that's the key thing.- The space is perfect.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10I don't think they were expecting a distinctive living room like this under the thatch.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14So, let's see how they react to the kitchen.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Little snug, in there. But this...
0:14:18 > 0:14:20There.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25- Oh, wow. That is lovely.- Fantastic.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Lovely. Light. Oh, perfect.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29And look, a range as well.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33- A range cooker. And a fridge to match the range cooker.- Indeed.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36The attention to detail...
0:14:36 > 0:14:38Lovely, really lovely.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41It's not the biggest in the world. Through there is the dining room.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44It's not the biggest, but it's very well-used space.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Very, very well-used space. I could be very happy in here.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51That's good news.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Off the kitchen is another room which should keep Diane happy -
0:14:55 > 0:14:58a very grand utility room, the size of some galley kitchens.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03That leads to an area they're definitely not expecting to find.
0:15:03 > 0:15:08I know that you're retiring, but how about a gym to keep fit in?
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Yeah... Another wow, I think.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- How well done is this? - Very well done.- It's amazing.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15It's not something you asked for,
0:15:15 > 0:15:18but are you ready for what's through here?
0:15:18 > 0:15:22- No, we're not. Definitely not. - Check that out.- Wow.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- In you go. After you, Graham.- Wow! - Good Lord!
0:15:25 > 0:15:28We can't afford this, it's incredible.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Oh, lovely, I think the children will be back.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34It is a nice pool.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38The children will definitely be back when they see the games room -
0:15:38 > 0:15:41an immense space for lounging and entertaining
0:15:41 > 0:15:43that overlooks the swimming pool.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46On the same level there's a family bathroom,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49a box room, currently used as a study,
0:15:49 > 0:15:53and four generously sized bedrooms, two of which have an en suite.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56But how about this one as a master?
0:15:56 > 0:16:01Now, the current owners use this as a guest room.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05I think it should be the master because of what's through there.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- Right.- Lead on. After you, Diane.
0:16:12 > 0:16:17Fantastic en suite, it's lovely, isn't it? Very well done.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- Look at the size.- God, just amazing.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25Outside, just under an acre of superbly landscaped gardens
0:16:25 > 0:16:28surround the property on three sides.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30In addition to a secluded paved patio,
0:16:30 > 0:16:36there are separate areas of lawn, wooden arbours and flower beds.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39So, will it meet with our garden-loving couples' approval,
0:16:39 > 0:16:41and will it affect their valuation?
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- So, madam, your go.- I'm going first, am I?- You are going first.
0:16:46 > 0:16:51I think it's topped our budget and then some,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53so I think 1.2.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55- £1.2 million?- I do.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59£1.1 million.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03£1.1 million, well, I'm afraid you're both wrong.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07£1,150,OOO will get you this.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13Hm, there's a ponderer.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17You've bowled us a curved one, or whatever the expression is.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19A curve ball? Well, go and retrieve it.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22It's over there in the bushes somewhere. I'll catch you later.
0:17:24 > 0:17:30At £1,150,000, this property is over budget,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33but it isn't really such a curve ball
0:17:33 > 0:17:35as it's got everything they asked for and more.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39It has a spacious kitchen, four bedrooms,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42a large conservatory for Diane's plants,
0:17:42 > 0:17:43almost an acre of garden
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and an indoor swimming pool.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Where to begin? It's amazing.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51It's amazing in places,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54and well above what we thought you'd find for us.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57Magnificent.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00The price is perhaps a little on the high side.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04It's a unique house,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08it's the only modern thatched house I've seen.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13It's got the right amount of ground for us as well.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15So, I'm pretty impressed with it.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27As the sun sets over Cheshire's rolling countryside,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30the first day of our property hunt comes to a close.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Let's have a think about the budget you've got to spend.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39It's very, very generous as we know,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41but if you set a budget like that
0:18:41 > 0:18:44you do often end up with things that you don't need,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47like a pool, or more acres and so forth.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50I mean, if we were starting this process again,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54would you rethink how much you wanted to spend?
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- We might, slightly.- Yes.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Bring it down a peg, or...?
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Maybe, maybe even alter the area slightly.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06How much would you alter the area by?
0:19:06 > 0:19:09A county.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11Well, I don't think we'll be going quite that far.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14But I'm pretty confident that our mystery property
0:19:14 > 0:19:17will really take Graham and Diane's breath away.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19We're still in Cheshire,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and we're heading just ten miles south of Chester
0:19:22 > 0:19:25to the small, rural hamlet of Coddington.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27The nearest village for amenities,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30such as shops and a post office, is Farndom,
0:19:30 > 0:19:35whose church, Saint Chad's, is Grade II listed and still bears the scars
0:19:35 > 0:19:37of musket damage from the 17th-century Civil War.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Our mystery house is also Grade II listed,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and comes in the shape of a converted mill.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Here we are, our mystery house.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50I know water is a thing you're trying to get away from,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52but we couldn't resist this one, Graham. It's an old mill.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57It was a working mill up until about 1970, when it was converted.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00But now, of course, it's this gorgeous family home.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03The good news is, the mill itself no longer works,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06but a lot of the workings are still in there,
0:20:06 > 0:20:10which really relay its heritage.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12There are numerous ways in to this place,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15but I thought we'd start here, to get in at the bottom.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Lovely sandstone. - Amazing, isn't it?
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Here we go. Could this be your new home, I wonder?
0:20:24 > 0:20:29Let's start down on the ground floor, in the kitchen.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32Wow, right. It looked like a tiny cottage from outside.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- It's quite a big room, isn't it? - It's huge.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37You have to appreciate that, with most mills,
0:20:37 > 0:20:41they had to contain quite a lot of machinery.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- This one has actually got... - I've just spotted it.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47The machinery is still in it, but you've got these great big spaces
0:20:47 > 0:20:48which let you create huge rooms.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- Great big beams supporting everything.- Right.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54I think this has captured your imagination.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Well, it's certainly different.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58On the ground floor close to the kitchen,
0:20:58 > 0:21:01there's a laundry room, and, off the hall,
0:21:01 > 0:21:03you'll find a good sized reception room
0:21:03 > 0:21:06that's currently being used as a fifth bedroom.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10We're heading upstairs to see how the rest of this unique building is laid out.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15Now, up on this middle floor is where it all starts to happen,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19in terms of regular domestic space. We'll start with the dining room.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22Very pretty, this has got cosy.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24It certainly does have cosy,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27but an interesting mixture of cosy in rooms like this,
0:21:27 > 0:21:32but open plan in some of the others, like the kitchen, for example.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Lovely fireplace.- Yes.- Lovely.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39They seem to be really intrigued by this property,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43so I'm looking forward to their reaction in the next room.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Now then, this is quite exciting.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Open plan... Oh, the mill comes up... Oh, right.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53- It's certainly not the poky cottage...- We thought from the outside, no.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57..you might have expected, no, it's enormous.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59This is rather nice - wood burner here.
0:21:59 > 0:22:02This is the chimney breast that comes up from below.
0:22:02 > 0:22:03It's not original but fits in.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Beautifully.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08There's all sorts of quirky features.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11You noticed this earlier, Diane, again,
0:22:11 > 0:22:14a bit more engineering rising up from the workings below.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16The space is great,
0:22:16 > 0:22:19because up here reveals the galleried landing,
0:22:19 > 0:22:21which takes us up to four bedrooms.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Let's go and check them out, they're here.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28There's also a further small bedroom on the first floor just off the drawing room,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32which could be used as a study for Graham to work from home until he retires.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36Up on the second floor, off the characterful landing area,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39there are three generously sized bedrooms,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42ideal for when the children come to stay.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45There's also a family bathroom with stripped wooden floors.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48But we're heading for the master bedroom.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53Quite a sweet little en suite, there. And then you've got this.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57Oh, that's very nice, very pretty. Lovely windows, low down.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02In terms of property, it's a very different thing to what we've shown you before.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05What are your thoughts now you've had a chance to get inside it?
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I think it's got even more potential than has been realised so far.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13Let's get back outside, then, have a closer look at the engineering of it
0:23:13 > 0:23:14and how it all works.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19- And we'll talk about the bit of land for you, as well.- Right. Good.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Outside and looking on to the mill pool is a pool house with a hot tub.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27By the ornamental lake with landscaped banks,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32there's a garden room in the style of a Japanese teahouse.
0:23:32 > 0:23:37This is set up as a guest suite, with a kitchen area and shower room.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40There's also a garage block with an office suite on the first floor.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44This stunning property also includes two fields,
0:23:44 > 0:23:47giving a total of over eight acres of land.
0:23:47 > 0:23:53But has this remarkable mill made them want to set sail again or set up home here?
0:23:53 > 0:23:55So, how much is this worth?
0:23:55 > 0:23:59I think there is more potential that can be realised in there,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03which is going to cost a little bit of money.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06With that in mind, I would guess
0:24:06 > 0:24:09they're probably asking around the 850 mark.
0:24:09 > 0:24:128,995.
0:24:12 > 0:24:158,995? I wish it were.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- Right.- I wish it were. Way off, guys, way off.
0:24:17 > 0:24:25I mean, this is on the market for offers in excess of 1.2 million.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29- Oh. Wow.- Right.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- Right, go and have an explore and I'll catch up with you later.- Right.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37So, not the bargain they were searching for,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40as it's over budget at £1.2 million,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43but this fascinating property
0:24:43 > 0:24:45really goes above and beyond their requirements.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47It has a huge kitchen diner,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49lots of space for entertaining,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53five bedrooms, so there's room for all the children to stay,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56and, finally, there is a stream and a lake
0:24:56 > 0:24:58in eight acres of grounds.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00When I came through the gates I was thrilled,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04I thought, we've found... The mystery house has turned out to be
0:25:04 > 0:25:06the one we're looking for, lovely.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09We were both elated, without saying anything, we were both elated.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12The house is attractive, on the outside in particular,
0:25:12 > 0:25:19so I'm fascinated by it, and we really need to think about it.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23We've given you an awful lot this week. I think we've spoilt you.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- Oh, yes.- In some ways.- Yes.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Shall we go and have a cup of tea and have a chat?
0:25:28 > 0:25:30- Best idea yet.- Come on, then.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Well, chaps, here we are at the end of quite a revealing week.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51But let's just remind ourselves of where we took you.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53We started with quite an interesting property.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57Nice house, a mixture of old and new,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00and the new part of it was done very well.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01I think you were quite taken with it?
0:26:01 > 0:26:06I was very taken with the kitchen and the garden room, it was lovely.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09I just thought that the extra acreage was too much.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11The second house was altogether different.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13It was lovely, that was just what we wanted.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17It was definitely a property with its own identity, Graham.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21Yes, it was a very large modern thatched property,
0:26:21 > 0:26:23so quite unusual in that respect.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26In terms of a place to have fun in, I mean, you've got a pool,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29you've got a games room, a galleried games room at that.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33Then we took you to our final property, our mystery house.
0:26:33 > 0:26:38- Paradise.- It was ten out of ten on the outside, in particular.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41You seemed to really engage with the heritage
0:26:41 > 0:26:44and the engineering of the building?
0:26:44 > 0:26:46Yes, they had preserved the mill wheel
0:26:46 > 0:26:50and everything else connected with that very well.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55It was a feature inside the house, and I liked that as well.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Now, I'm going to move this on, somewhat,
0:26:57 > 0:27:02in a way that we don't often do at this point in Escape To The Country,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06but I think that the area that you thought you wanted to live in,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09isn't the place you're going to end up.
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- I think you're right.- I think that's right.- That's spot on.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15I think Shropshire has to be looked at as a county
0:27:15 > 0:27:17that we haven't explored deeply yet,
0:27:17 > 0:27:21but I think we really need to. I think that's what we've decided.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23So, I guess it's see you here, same time next week, in Shropshire!
0:27:23 > 0:27:25THEY ALL LAUGH
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Well, as you probably gathered, this has been a pretty surprising,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38if not enjoyable, week. But I think there is a lesson to be learned.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42Buying a house is a bit like buying a new jacket, for example -
0:27:42 > 0:27:44you think it's going to fit you,
0:27:44 > 0:27:47but when you try it on, it doesn't quite have the right feel.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51And that is what Diane and Graham have found here in Cheshire.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53After all, this is a county they know extremely well.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55They were both born here.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59But is it the place where they unfold the next chapter of their lives? Well, I suspect it isn't.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03But the good news is that when they do start their house search again, tomorrow morning,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07they'll know exactly what they're after and where it's going to be.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09I'll see you next time.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Northern Ireland or England
0:28:15 > 0:28:18and would like our help, then please apply online.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd