0:00:02 > 0:00:06I'm close to a world-famous centre of academia. You're thinking
0:00:06 > 0:00:11I can only be in one of two places. Yes, but which one?
0:00:27 > 0:00:32'In today's show I'll be helping a couple downsize to find a retirement home in the country,
0:00:32 > 0:00:37'although I'm not sure who wears the trousers in this house hunt.'
0:00:37 > 0:00:43- Let's look at the master bedroom because...- Because he thinks he's the master.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44Ooh, after you.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49'But I think we might just achieve house harmony.'
0:00:49 > 0:00:54- We like.- We like.- We like. - Very matter of fact.- We both like.
0:00:57 > 0:01:04So which one did you punt for? Sorry. Today I'm in Oxfordshire, and this is the River Cherwell.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08People have been punting here since Victorian times,
0:01:08 > 0:01:16but it became most popular in the Edwardian era, where I'd wear a straw boater and stripy jacket.
0:01:16 > 0:01:22Clearly I'm not observing that tradition today, but I am adhering to a strict local rule.
0:01:22 > 0:01:28When in Oxford, unlike Cambridge, where they punt from the box end,
0:01:28 > 0:01:33here one stands inside the boat. It gives you a much lower centre of gravity.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And it's a delightful way of discovering the countryside.
0:01:38 > 0:01:45Oxfordshire is the most rural and least populated of the south-east counties
0:01:45 > 0:01:51with over three-quarters of the land devoted to agriculture. The Chiltern Hills run right through it,
0:01:51 > 0:01:56stretching all the way from Hertfordshire to Oxfordshire.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01The county is home to spectacular sights like the ancient sculpture at Uffington,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04which overlooks the Vale of the White Horse.
0:02:04 > 0:02:10Oxfordshire has lots of pretty villages. Those in the south-east
0:02:10 > 0:02:14have houses built from the flint cut straight from the Chilterns,
0:02:14 > 0:02:21whilst in the north many traditional buildings feature the distinctive yellow limestone of the Cotswolds.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Time to meet today's buyers
0:02:27 > 0:02:29and find out why they're ready to escape to the country.
0:02:29 > 0:02:36Stuart and Sharon retired from running their own dry cleaning business six and a half years ago.
0:02:36 > 0:02:42Their children have flown the nest, so now they want to downsize from four bedrooms in Buckinghamshire
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and head for more peaceful surroundings.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50The current home has just got too big. We don't ever sit in here.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54We have four bedrooms and we only sleep in one.
0:02:54 > 0:03:00- We've got three bedrooms... - To store my clothes. - ..to store clothes.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06Since their retirement, they've been keen to see more of the world.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10We'd like to downsize to really give us the opportunity to travel more.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15- We'd just like to go off and do a bit more.- And have a smaller place
0:03:15 > 0:03:20that it's easier to lock up and travel from.
0:03:20 > 0:03:27- We really like walking, don't we? You like the golf.- As long as it's near a golf club, fine!
0:03:27 > 0:03:34So the world is their oyster, but family ties are shaping where they want to move.
0:03:34 > 0:03:41We'd like an Oxfordshire village, preferably so we're within distance of all the grandkids, the children,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- so we can visit everyone. - Neighbours are important to me.
0:03:44 > 0:03:50- I'd like to live close to some people. Stuart would live on his own in the middle of a field!- I'm easy.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Such a happy soul!
0:03:52 > 0:03:56These two are not always of the same thinking,
0:03:56 > 0:04:03- especially when they describe what they want from their new home. - We both have different ideas.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07I'd like two bedrooms, two bathrooms, open plan, folding doors.
0:04:07 > 0:04:13I think you might need three bedrooms or a study, with how much clothes you've got.
0:04:13 > 0:04:20- I hate gardening. - So we'd like a smaller garden. - And preferably a garage.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25It can be a modern property or a character property, but modern inside.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28At least they're sure on their finances.
0:04:28 > 0:04:35Ideally, our budget for the next property will be... £450,000 to £490,000.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Any move to the countryside doesn't have to be about the quiet life.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47They both want to remain sociable, so I don't want anything isolated.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53But as long as I find Stuart something close to his golf club, he'll be fairly happy,
0:04:53 > 0:05:00but I get the inkling that Sharon wears the trousers, so she's the one I need to please. Wish me luck.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Stuart and Sharon have asked us to look in Oxfordshire,
0:05:08 > 0:05:14where there are plenty of pretty rural villages and heaps of culture.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19We've found three fantastic houses to whet our buyers' appetite,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23but I won't tell them the price until they've had a guess first.
0:05:23 > 0:05:30As ever, our last property is our mystery house and we've got something special up our sleeves.
0:05:34 > 0:05:40- So why do you want to move? - Em, basically, my parents are getting very old now
0:05:40 > 0:05:46and seeing what they haven't done, they haven't moved, and are now too old to move,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48it's made us think about doing it while we can.
0:05:48 > 0:05:53And we can still see the grandchildren without our suitcases.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58House-wise, this is why we're here. What do you want from the house?
0:05:58 > 0:06:05- What does your ideal house look like?- Just something we could lock up easily so we could travel more.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08That's interesting. So this is a low-maintenance house.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Something with a smaller garden, something to lock up.
0:06:12 > 0:06:18- We're surrounded by period cottages. Are we looking for old or new? - Something newer, really.
0:06:18 > 0:06:25- OK, why is that?- Just easier to maintain and it's a bit lighter. They're not so dark, are they?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- Older properties have smaller windows.- OK.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Let's talk about the budget. How much are you looking to spend?
0:06:30 > 0:06:35- Sharon said we'll go to £490,000. - £490,000.
0:06:35 > 0:06:41OK, good. Hopefully, the first house is fantastic, but, if not, shout out why it's not.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- OK?- That sounds good.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Stuart and Sharon have a budget of £490,000.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55They are open to either a new build or a character property if it has a contemporary interior.
0:06:55 > 0:07:01They want two bedrooms, but I think they'll need more for all those clothes and shoes.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06They'd also like a place they could easily lock up and leave
0:07:06 > 0:07:09so a manageable garden is a must.
0:07:16 > 0:07:23For our first house, we're taking them to the village of Bletchingdon, 8.5 miles north of Oxford.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Many of its houses are built of the yellow-hued Cotswold stone.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31This is a classic rural village with a green and attractive pub.
0:07:33 > 0:07:39The house is a delightful period cottage that started life as three small farmworkers' houses
0:07:39 > 0:07:42which have been knocked into one.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52Now then. Property number one... is this one right here.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55You can't see a great deal of it from here.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- You access it really round the back. - I see.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- I want to get a first impression. - Not bad at all.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09- It's a nice village as well. Nice area.- Excellent.- It's lovely. Really nice.- Any questions?
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- No.- No. Excited. Let's go and have a look.- Follow me.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21'Well, I'd call that a thumbs up. Let's hope the inside will keep the positives coming.'
0:08:23 > 0:08:29- Just a slight step down there. - Thank you.- Straight into the kitchen first.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33- Oh, that's nice. - Is it?- I quite like the kitchen.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- And it's got a range. - Yeah. Do you like a range?
0:08:36 > 0:08:42- Um...- It's interesting that you focus on an old piece of machinery rather than the house...
0:08:42 > 0:08:48- I've got an old piece of machinery! - Goodness me!- Cheeky!
0:08:48 > 0:08:54- I'm glad you like it. - I like the kitchen. Seriously, I really like it.- Not bad.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00- Not bad? Faint praise from Stuart. - I think it needs a new range. - OK, all right.- But I like it.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04- I like the oak doors. - But she'd change it completely.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Would she?- She would. - Go on, Sharon. Talk me through it.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- Em...- It's a good space for a cottage.- It is a good space.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17- Once she's ripped it all out, yeah. - What would you rip out?- The lot.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- No, I wouldn't change...- She would!
0:09:20 > 0:09:25No, I wouldn't change the cupboards. And I quite like the centre island.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29- And this is big enough for you? - Has it got a dining room?
0:09:29 > 0:09:33It could have. There's two reception rooms. One could be a dining room.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Cos it's a nice space as a kitchen, but not big enough to entertain.
0:09:37 > 0:09:42- A dining room, possibly, at the far end. Let's see the living room.- OK.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44OK?
0:09:45 > 0:09:51So then, the living room. Tell me what you think, cos I know you will.
0:09:51 > 0:09:56- Dark.- Now, now.- Dark?- It's just a bit dark for my tastes, I think.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58I like things a bit lighter.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02Could you make this better for yourselves? Liveable for yourselves?
0:10:02 > 0:10:09You certainly could make it a lot lighter. I'd lighten the fireplace and lighten up the curtains.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12I'd like to see the rest of the house and how we go from there.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15OK, well, let's do just that.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20'A cool response, but I still think the upstairs might win them over.
0:10:22 > 0:10:28'On the first floor there are two modestly-sized double bedrooms and a sweet little single room
0:10:28 > 0:10:35'that could work as a wardrobe. There's also a fair-sized family bathroom by the master bedroom.'
0:10:37 > 0:10:41Come right in. I rather like this bedroom. See what you think.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44This is a nice size.
0:10:44 > 0:10:50- Isn't it brighter up here? - Much lighter. Shows the difference paint can make.- That's all it is.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- You've got lighter floor coverings. - This is lovely.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- We're still not blown away.- No.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02- Would you like a bigger bedroom? - No, the bedroom size is nice.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07- Wasn't the bathroom next to this? - Yes.- So you could open a door there for an en-suite.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10- That's a really good idea.- See?
0:11:10 > 0:11:17So that becomes an en-suite and maybe you could make a separate bathroom down here?
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- She used to be a designer. - Oh, right.
0:11:21 > 0:11:27'Things are looking up now Sharon can see the possibilities of this house.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31'I'm going to show them another room which could be the second bathroom.'
0:11:31 > 0:11:36In total, there's four bedrooms in this house.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41- Now you only need two double rooms. - We do, yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44So, as it stands, this bathroom,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48whilst it faces the road, it might be easier to put it here.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52- It's a possibility.- We wouldn't mind if we were in love with the house.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55The big question is whether or not you are in love with it.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59'I'm getting the feeling they're still a bit lukewarm about it.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02'Let's see if the price sways them.'
0:12:04 > 0:12:09- The sun's come back out.- It's nice and bright.- It's south-facing.
0:12:10 > 0:12:17- You said you didn't want a massive one.- It's a lovely size. Just right for going away, leaving.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20So look, how would you place this, price-wise?
0:12:20 > 0:12:24I'd probably think in today's market it's about £450,000.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- Stuart?- Em, I think about 435.
0:12:28 > 0:12:34Not bad guesses. This is on the market for offers around £449,950.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- Oh.- So good guess!
0:12:39 > 0:12:45So for just under £450,000, this characterful 18th-century cottage
0:12:45 > 0:12:51has a beautifully modernised kitchen and breakfast room with beams and a range.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55There are two reception rooms, one with an open fire,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58three double bedrooms and a single.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02There's also an enclosed south-facing rear garden.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- All done?- All done.- Good.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- Well, onward and upward. Follow me.- OK.
0:13:13 > 0:13:20Oxford and Cambridge have been competing against each other in an annual boat race since 1829.
0:13:20 > 0:13:27The event has become an international sporting occasion, watched by millions round the world.
0:13:27 > 0:13:33I'm here to meet Karl Hudspith, president of the Oxford University Boat Club,
0:13:33 > 0:13:38who's going to teach me some much-needed rowing skills.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Karl, thanks very much for seeing me today. What would I need to do, you know,
0:13:42 > 0:13:47if I was to try and go out on a boat from this club? What would the process be?
0:13:47 > 0:13:52The main thing to think about today is keeping your hands level.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57- If you keep your hands apart, the boat will tip over.- What now?
0:13:57 > 0:14:01- We'll get in a double and go down on the river.- Or down in the river!
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- OK, let's go.- Cool.
0:14:04 > 0:14:10'For 182 years, the boat racing crews of Oxford and Cambridge have battled it out on the water.
0:14:10 > 0:14:16'The famous annual boat race takes place on the Thames between the bridges of Putney and Chiswick.
0:14:16 > 0:14:22'Traditionally, both crews are known as the Blues, with Cambridge favouring light blue shirts,
0:14:22 > 0:14:30'while Oxford has the dark blue. Sean Bowden, head coach, is going to put me through my paces.'
0:14:30 > 0:14:36Jonnie, when you start to slide forward, keep your knees reasonably close together
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- and let your arms come either side to let your knees bend.- OK.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43All right.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- When you're ready.- That's it. - Like that?- Yeah.
0:14:49 > 0:14:55'So with my first run out drawing to a close, there's only one thing left to ask.'
0:14:55 > 0:15:00- It'll be a while before I'm selected?- Yeah.
0:15:05 > 0:15:12We continue our property search in the village of Fringford, just over 18 miles north of Oxford.
0:15:12 > 0:15:19There are pretty thatched cottages, but no shop. The nearest one is just up the road in Hardwick,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21which also has this charming pub.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26The house I'm showing them is an impressive detached property,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30which I think might appeal to our buyers' modern tastes.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34So...the second property is this one.
0:15:34 > 0:15:39Straightaway you can see it's obviously a lot younger.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- It looks nice.- Quite nice, that. - Yeah?- Yeah.- It's nice.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49What you see is off-street parking, your own garage. What do you think?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- It's really nice.- Good. All right.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54- Let's get inside and see what you think.- OK.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- What do you think of this?- This is lovely.- Nice, bright, airy. Lovely.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- Wow! Straight out. - Really lovely. Very nice.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- Show us more. - I'm glad you said that!
0:16:09 > 0:16:15- This is a very different reaction. - It's a different house.- Completely.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Totally.- The owners have done a very clever extension over here.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22They've extended it out and put a pitch roof on,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25- to give you this amazing room. - Really nice.- Lovely.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30Really nice. Airy, spacious. Everything we asked for.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36- Everything you asked for.- So far. So far.- Trust me! Go with me.- I am.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39Now, listen, you liked the kitchen in the first house.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42This is a different style of kitchen,
0:16:42 > 0:16:47but it has features I think you'll like. So, follow me.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49'So far, so good.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52'I think the open-plan layout is working for them.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55'Let's hope the kitchen keeps that momentum going.'
0:16:55 > 0:16:57OK, then. So...
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- ..very modern kitchen. - Yeah, I really like it.- Do you?
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- Very nice.- Why? Why do you like it?
0:17:07 > 0:17:10It's nice, clean lines. Big enough to eat in.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Everything you could ask for.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17- Madam would like this.- I would. - "Madam", did you say?!
0:17:17 > 0:17:22But so far, this feels like it's working for you. Am I right?
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- It does work. Yeah. We like. - "We like."- We like.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30- Very matter of fact.- We both like. See? Both.- That's good.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- All right, let's go and discover the upstairs.- Let's go.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37You're going to hit me soon.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42'Well, they both like this property.'
0:17:43 > 0:17:47Up here on the first floor, this is the master bedroom.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54- You look scared!- I am scared! In case I like it too much.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- Just checking the size. - Is it big enough?- It's plenty.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- What do you think? - Plenty of storage space.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07You said you were worried that you might like it too much.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Yeah. I really do like it.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- It's getting better by the minute. - Really?- It's going all right.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- And you look quietly impressed by this place.- You got it right.
0:18:19 > 0:18:24- We are. I am. You are. - I am quietly impressed.- Good. OK.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Let's see if we can take a peek at the garden
0:18:27 > 0:18:30and then we'll start talking about price
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- and whether or not you can afford it.- Ohh!- Ohh!
0:18:37 > 0:18:39'This house just keeps getting better.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42'On this floor, there's a family bathroom,
0:18:42 > 0:18:46'two single bedrooms and another double bedroom.'
0:18:50 > 0:18:55So, low-maintenance garden was a task you charged me with.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59This is just right. Just the right size.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01OK, how impressed are you?
0:19:01 > 0:19:05You guessed pretty much on the money at the first house.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11- How much do you think this house is on the market for?- A bit more.
0:19:11 > 0:19:16- I think it's probably at the top end of the budget - about £500,000.- OK.
0:19:16 > 0:19:21- Stuart?- I was going to go 499, but...- You still can, if you like.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25- There's a pound separating you.- I'll go 499.- We'll toss for the pound!
0:19:25 > 0:19:28OK. This house is on the market for...
0:19:28 > 0:19:34- offers around £475,000. - God, I'm surprised.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- So, what do you think?- I think it's a good price, good house.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41So for around £475,000,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45this modern build has a stylish kitchen/diner,
0:19:45 > 0:19:49a huge open plan living room with floor-to-ceiling French doors,
0:19:49 > 0:19:54four bedrooms and a low-maintenance garden they said they were after.
0:19:54 > 0:19:59- How did you get on?- Really well. - Really well?- Yeah, pretty good.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03Pretty good. Well, hopefully this has been a good end to the day.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- A brilliant end to the day. - This is promising.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21As the sun sets over the rolling hills of Oxfordshire,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24the first day of our property search is over.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Today, we're off to see the mystery house.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40As ever, it's here to challenge the expectations of our buyers,
0:20:40 > 0:20:45but I don't know what a great reaction to a house looks like.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Hopefully, I'll find out today.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56For the mystery house, we're taking them to Kingston Bagpuize,
0:20:56 > 0:20:59ten miles south of Oxford.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02The village has a beautiful 17th-century manor house,
0:21:02 > 0:21:06and also a Post Office, a pub and a tennis court.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Stuart and Sharon don't mind a character home,
0:21:09 > 0:21:13but the absolute essential is a contemporary interior.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Our mystery house has an interesting mix of old and new.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19I just hope it's not too quirky for them,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22as it's the perfect "lock up and leave" property.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27So welcome to Kingston Bagpuize.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32The house that will help you decide whether to live here or not
0:21:32 > 0:21:37- is this one here. - That looks nice.- Looks very nice.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43Now, it's a converted barn. It was converted in around the 1960s,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46but it's thought the property dates back to the 1700s.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- What do you think?- Can't wait to look inside.- Good.- OK, off we go.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51OK, let's go.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57'Let's hope Jenny's not too quiet when she sees the inside.'
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- In we come. - Oh! It's not what I expected.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Really? What were you expecting?
0:22:06 > 0:22:09I expected it to be a lot darker than it actually is.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14- That bodes well.- Mmm.- I expected it to be a lot, lot darker.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18- What do you think, Stuart?- It's different. Yeah.- It is different.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21You've got a downstairs loo, but I'll take you to the kitchen.
0:22:21 > 0:22:22- OK.- All right.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30Hopefully, this light feeling continues in the kitchen.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34Everything is really surprising, from inside to outside.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37It's really surprising.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- You were expecting a very dark... - Very dark.- ..living space.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Dark oak beams, no lights. This is a nice surprise.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- Good.- And the kitchen's much more modern than I thought.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- It doesn't, sort of, inspire me so far.- Right. Why is that?
0:22:54 > 0:22:58I don't think it's us, but we'll go on a bit more.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02I probably like it a bit more than you do. It's a bit quirky.
0:23:02 > 0:23:08- Let's see the living room. It has got a flow, which you liked.- I did.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13Let's take a wander through here. The living room's a good size,
0:23:13 > 0:23:19- but it's what you think. - It is a nice size, yeah.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23- I like how it opens up into the garden.- That's one thing you wanted.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27- What do you think of this? - I don't think a Zimmer frame
0:23:27 > 0:23:33- will go up there!- No! This is...an occasional room.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35The grandchildren would like climbing up there.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39It doesn't do much for me at all. None of it.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43Let's look at the master bedroom, because, well...
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- Cos he thinks he's the master. - Oooh! After you.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52'So, opinion seems to be divided, but let's see if I can win them
0:23:52 > 0:23:54'both over with the master bedroom.'
0:23:57 > 0:24:00Now, the master bedroom is on the ground floor.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- Now...- It's quite dark.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07- Yes.- I don't mind the bedroom being on the ground floor.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11- I just think this is a bit dark for a bedroom.- Essentially,
0:24:11 > 0:24:13this is the biggest room, as well.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17So I think this is actually your master, so it's en suite.
0:24:18 > 0:24:24- Which you clearly love, Stuart(!) - I love it. Yeah. I don't think.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28Isn't it amazing? You liked it up until this point.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30I did, until this bedroom.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- But for you...- I can't get enthused about anything so far.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37Have a think about the price when we go outside.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- We'll go back through the living room.- OK.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Upstairs, there's ample room for two further bedrooms,
0:24:48 > 0:24:51but I feel the tide has turned against it.
0:24:51 > 0:24:57So this could be your garden. There's another to the back.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01- Fabulous views.- It is fabulous. - Best part of the house!
0:25:01 > 0:25:03So, with that in mind,
0:25:03 > 0:25:08- how much do you think this house is on the market for?- Ooh.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12- It's quite an expensive village around here.- I'll go first.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16- Go on, then.- 520. - So you think it's over budget?- I do.
0:25:16 > 0:25:22- I don't.- No?- No. I think it's less.- How much less?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- I think it's about 465.- Do you?
0:25:25 > 0:25:31Good guess from you. It's on the market for offers around £475,000.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37This unusual and attractive take on a barn conversion
0:25:37 > 0:25:41is priced at around £475,000.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43It has a modern kitchen/diner,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47a reception room, with a vaulted ceiling and period beams,
0:25:47 > 0:25:51three bedrooms and a south-facing garden
0:25:51 > 0:25:53with stunning views over parkland.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59- All done?- All done.- Good. We need to find somewhere
0:25:59 > 0:26:04- for you guys to have a chat and then we'll discuss it all.- OK.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16So how have you enjoyed your time looking in Oxfordshire?
0:26:16 > 0:26:22- You've shown us some nice houses. - Is it the place for you to relocate?
0:26:22 > 0:26:26- It is. We like the area.- Cast your minds back to yesterday morning.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30- The first property.- From outside, I thought it looked really nice.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34It just didn't flow nicely for us once we were inside.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36I think we can write off house number one.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41- It just wasn't for you. House number two went down very well.- Oh, yeah.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44We were really pleased when we saw it.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47We're just trying to think, "Can we live here?"
0:26:47 > 0:26:51- We really liked it.- Good. Now the mystery house is always
0:26:51 > 0:26:54- something to challenge you. - I didn't like it at all.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58- Nothing at all appealed.- OK. Well, it's always a gamble.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02So, as I suspected, it's down to the second house, is it?
0:27:02 > 0:27:06- It is. - We'd like to go back to look at it.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09- You do want to go back? - Yeah.- We will have a look.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13I wish you the best of luck. Let us know how you get on.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16- We will, indeed. - Enjoyed it.- Pleasure.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25I think, now, for them a second viewing is essential.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27If it is their favourite, they need to go back to that house,
0:27:27 > 0:27:32not only to look around it, but also to investigate the area.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Have a chat with friends who live locally
0:27:35 > 0:27:37and see what it's like to live there full-time.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41They need to be happy there for the rest of their retirement.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45I'm sure, like me, you'll wish them the best of luck.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46And I'll see you next time.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51If you'd like to escape to the country
0:27:51 > 0:27:52in Scotland, Wales,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Northern Ireland or England, or maybe even further afield,
0:27:55 > 0:28:02to the Continent and need our help, please apply online at...