0:00:03 > 0:00:05Today, I'm in the grounds of a home
0:00:05 > 0:00:07that's the only non-Royal country house in England
0:00:07 > 0:00:09to hold the title "Palace".
0:00:09 > 0:00:12It's been in the same family throughout its 300-year history
0:00:12 > 0:00:15and it's the birthplace to one of England's most famous leaders.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19Where am I? Find out in just a moment as we Escape To The Country.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39In today's show, I'll be helping a couple swap the busy streets
0:00:39 > 0:00:44of London for a more sedate pace of life in the country.
0:00:44 > 0:00:49And just as we hit the road, I get some very unexpected news.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52We looked, I think, at about 50 houses in Ealing.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54We're fussy.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Before we reach the finish line, my hopes are raised.
0:00:57 > 0:01:02I'm going to perhaps put in a bid at 615. He's putting a bid in.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Do you hear that?
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Today, I'm in Oxfordshire and this is Blenheim Palace.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Winston Churchill was born here and this magnificent home is still
0:01:15 > 0:01:19in the family, currently lived in by his godson and third cousin,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21the 11th Duke of Marlborough.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Originally designed to be viewed from a distance,
0:01:23 > 0:01:28this 2,000-acre estate is home to gardens, lakes, woodland
0:01:28 > 0:01:31and rolling hills that give way to spectacular vistas.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35The breathtaking Oxfordshire views are equalled by those
0:01:35 > 0:01:38of its neighbouring counties, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41which we'll also be visiting on our journey.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Oxfordshire is most famous for its university, but beyond its spires,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49you'll discover a sparsely populated countryside.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52If you head south-west across the border, you'll arrive
0:01:52 > 0:01:57at Wiltshire, home to Salisbury Plain and, of course, Stonehenge.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Head north and you'll reach Gloucestershire,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02characterised by a stunning landscape of farmland.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04These counties boast rural vistas
0:02:04 > 0:02:08that once experienced are rarely forgotten.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Time to meet today's buyers, who are looking to get their very own
0:02:13 > 0:02:16piece of countryside right on their doorstep.
0:02:17 > 0:02:22Meet Andrew, a music producer, and Tina, a chartered accountant.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23For the last 29 years,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26this four-bedroom house in west London has been their family home.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29Now their two children have flown the nest,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31they're ready to follow suit.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35Their idea to escape the city is nothing new.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38When we first got married, we sort of agreed that within ten years,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42we'd move out of London and establish our country seat somewhere.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46We're 23 years overdue, so high time.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Andrew is freelance and can work from home most of the time,
0:02:51 > 0:02:54but it's all change for accountant Tina.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57I'm hoping to find a change of career.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01I will have finished my diploma in sustainable agriculture.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Once we've moved to the country,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06I shall look for some work experience and from then,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08move on and look for a new job.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12Like lots of potential escapees, our buyers have dreamt of owning
0:03:12 > 0:03:15a home from home in the country for years.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17We've loved this house.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20We've been here 29 years.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24If it was in a different location, if we could just take this house
0:03:24 > 0:03:29and move it to the middle of the countryside, that would be perfect.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Using their current home as a template,
0:03:32 > 0:03:36they're clear about what they want inside too.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38The house we move to,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42the key thing will be to be able to fit the table in.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45This is a bench that we saved from our church
0:03:45 > 0:03:47when it was being restored.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50I think these just sum up who Andrew and I are.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Family, food, entertaining -
0:03:52 > 0:03:55it's just the essence of what we love.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Potentially in the future, both Andrew and Tina
0:03:58 > 0:04:01could be working from home. That needs careful consideration.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05When we move, I'm going to need space to house this stuff
0:04:05 > 0:04:07and probably as much again.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11With their son and daughter making frequent visits, as well as potential other guests,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13they want at least four bedrooms,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17and one downstairs with en suite would be perfect
0:04:17 > 0:04:20for when their parents come to stay. As well as the basics,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24there are a few extra features which could help seal the deal.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Both of us are quite keen cooks.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30I've never actually used a range cooker to cook on and I gather that
0:04:30 > 0:04:34they have their little ways but it's such a sort of iconic bit
0:04:34 > 0:04:41of country kit that I think we would be fools to say we don't want one.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46Andrew and Tina need easy access to Tina's mum in Oxford
0:04:46 > 0:04:49but still need to be within striking distance of London as Andrew
0:04:49 > 0:04:53has to commute to his radio studios a few days each month.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56This means their dream destination is one of the most desirable
0:04:56 > 0:05:00and expensive locations in the country.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01The budget is key.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04The absolute maximum that we could go to
0:05:04 > 0:05:09is what we hope to get for this house here, which is ?650,000.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19Today, we're focusing our search across the counties
0:05:19 > 0:05:22of Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Each one has beautiful countryside
0:05:24 > 0:05:26to please the most demanding escapees,
0:05:26 > 0:05:28but being on the M4 corridor
0:05:28 > 0:05:31means they're also within striking distance of London.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34We've got some fantastic houses lined up for Andrew and Tina.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Before I tell them how much each property costs,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39they need to guess the price.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Not an easy task when they've been out of the property market
0:05:42 > 0:05:44for the last 30 years.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47Then, of course, there's our mystery house,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50which sets out to challenge what they think they really want
0:05:50 > 0:05:52from their dream property.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Welcome, both of you, to a beautiful Oxfordshire morning.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00You want a completely different environment to live in. A village environment, I understand.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04What is your perfect village? Can you go first?
0:06:04 > 0:06:05I suppose medium size,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08because it would be nice if it had something that held
0:06:08 > 0:06:15a community together, so church, church hall, pub, shop, something.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19Dare I say it, the Q word - the quintessentially English village.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22Yeah, it's the dream. Or as close to it as possible.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Countryside living - you live in Ealing at the moment.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29You will have more of a commute - how often do you have to go into London?
0:06:29 > 0:06:33I have to be in London four days a month. That's not rocket science.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35OK. Let's go. Thank you very much.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40To finance their new home, Andrew and Tina
0:06:40 > 0:06:45have a healthy budget of ?650,000 and I think they'll need every penny
0:06:45 > 0:06:49because they want a property with a splendid view,
0:06:49 > 0:06:54at least four bedrooms, two offices, space for a good-sized dining table
0:06:54 > 0:06:56and it all needs to be within
0:06:56 > 0:06:59one of the most sought-after commuter areas in the UK.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02It's a good job we like a challenge.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I understand you guys have lived in the same house for a long time.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Did it take a bit of finding, your house?
0:07:12 > 0:07:15We looked, I think, at about 50 houses in Ealing.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18We were moving from a little two-up two-down to the place
0:07:18 > 0:07:20we've been in for the last 28 years.
0:07:20 > 0:07:2650 houses! What was extraordinary... Was that!
0:07:26 > 0:07:30That was what was extraordinary - you looked at 50 houses. Yeah, um...
0:07:30 > 0:07:33We're fussy.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37As prices are high in Oxfordshire,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39first we're hopping over the border into Wiltshire
0:07:39 > 0:07:42where things are a little more affordable.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45We're heading to the village of Stanton Fitzwarren.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47This leafy area is, surprisingly,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50just over an hour away from London by train,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53but its quiet country lanes and sedate community atmosphere
0:07:53 > 0:07:56make it feel like a world away.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Our first house was built in the 1990s
0:07:58 > 0:08:01but the honey-coloured limestone is very much in keeping
0:08:01 > 0:08:04with the older properties you'll find in the area.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08This is my first offering.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Very good.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Very good? Yeah, lovely.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Let's see what you think of inside. Thank you.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19Right, then, what do you think of the size, first of all?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21I like it. We've got a big hall at home
0:08:21 > 0:08:25and I like the feeling of space as you walk in.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29What this room does is set a feel for the scale of the rest of the house.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33'If they like this, just wait till they see the next room.'
0:08:35 > 0:08:39As space is what you were after, I think this delivers.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40It's pretty massive.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44Absolutely, and I like to separate dining from cooking
0:08:44 > 0:08:47but I think this seems to actually draw the two together
0:08:47 > 0:08:51because there's certainly room for our big dining table out there.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Initial impressions - terrific. What's the cooker like?
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Have a quick look there.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Hey. It's a range-style cooker.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08This is one of the biggest conservatories I think I've seen.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Good gracious. It goes on forever! It's like a bowling alley.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14It is, isn't it? It's absolutely immense.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17It goes the full length of the back of the house.
0:09:17 > 0:09:22I can immediately see our big dining table going in this part here.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Then, gosh, there's the remains of the bowling alley down to the right.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30'From one blank canvas to another.'
0:09:33 > 0:09:36We've got lots of books, that's the other thing.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39And... An empty wall. An empty wall there, that's fine.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I'm glad you can see how you can have this room configured
0:09:43 > 0:09:46because it's not always easy when a room is empty. Sure.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48And, actually, a second dining table.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52On this floor, there's also utility and store rooms,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55which with a little work, could make an ideal downstairs guest room
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and en suite for Andrew and Tina's parents.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02There are plenty more wide-open areas for them to furnish upstairs.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05There are two good-sized double bedrooms
0:10:05 > 0:10:08and a generous family bathroom.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13Plus a main bedroom that I think is pretty special.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Now, again, pretty big room. Sure.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20But you've got a really good-sized en suite there,
0:10:20 > 0:10:23as well as the family bathroom you've already got, obviously.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25You tell me - space-wise, what are you thinking?
0:10:25 > 0:10:28There's all the space we could possibly want here, actually.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31I think plenty big enough. Thank goodness for that.
0:10:31 > 0:10:36I'm still looking for rural aspects, to be honest.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Walk through the French doors
0:10:38 > 0:10:42and you'll find a breakfast balcony with a pleasant view of the garden.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Go up one more floor into the converted roof space
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and you'll discover vistas of the surrounding area
0:10:48 > 0:10:51to enjoy in all of their glory.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52Up here, there's also a fourth
0:10:52 > 0:10:56and fifth room, plus another useful bathroom.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00So, house tour over, it just leaves me to show them
0:11:00 > 0:11:02what lies outside the house.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05All in all, it's just under a half-acre plot.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07That sounds very manageable.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10The lawn isn't huge, but it goes to the far end of those trees there,
0:11:10 > 0:11:11right into the corner.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15You've got your little bit of wild woodland, a copse. Love it.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17You've got a pond there. Very nice.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Let's have a go at guessing the price, shall we?
0:11:20 > 0:11:24I will plump for something like 625? 625, OK.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28I'm going to be a little bit optimistic, so I'm going to say 595.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34That is optimistic. I'll give you that, certainly.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39This place started off life at ?690,000.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43It's since been reduced to ?629,950.
0:11:48 > 0:11:53The asking price for this property is just under ?630,000,
0:11:53 > 0:11:55so it's well within their budget.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58There's plenty of space to cater for their requirement
0:11:58 > 0:12:01of four bedrooms and two offices, plus of course,
0:12:01 > 0:12:05for that all-important 14-seater dining table.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07There's also the opportunity
0:12:07 > 0:12:10to create a downstairs guest bedroom with en suite
0:12:10 > 0:12:12for when their parents come to stay.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17And location-wise, both London and Oxford are within easy reach.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Seen enough? I think so for now. Let's go. Cheers.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Set in over 2,000 acres of beautiful parkland
0:12:33 > 0:12:37is one of Oxfordshire's undisputed jewels, Blenheim Palace.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42The imposing Baroque architecture sits serenely in its sedate grounds
0:12:42 > 0:12:46but the origins of the building's construction were far from peaceful.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51I'm meeting John Forster, Blenheim's archivist, to find out more about this unique ancestral home.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57John, hello. Thanks so much for seeing me today.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00A beautiful day but an even more impressive setting.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03I know this was built as a family home,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06but it's almost a daunting structure, isn't it?
0:13:06 > 0:13:08That's the whole point, really,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10because it's a symbol of a huge military victory.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13When the first Duke of Marlborough beat the French
0:13:13 > 0:13:15at the Battle Of Blenheim in 1704,
0:13:15 > 0:13:17Winston Churchill later described it
0:13:17 > 0:13:20as changing the political axis of the world.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23This building was built at the behest of the Queen
0:13:23 > 0:13:26to be a symbol through all time for that,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28and as such, you see,
0:13:28 > 0:13:30the United Nations identified it as a World Heritage Site,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33symbolising a great moment in the history of the world. Really?
0:13:33 > 0:13:37The building itself, its whole mass symbolises victory,
0:13:37 > 0:13:40but there are all kinds of hidden messages too.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42For example, if you look above the archway over there,
0:13:42 > 0:13:46go up a little, and you'll see the lions on either side.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Lions are of course the symbol of England, of Britain,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53but can you see in its forepaws the lion is holding a cockerel,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56the cockerel of France, which it's tearing to pieces.
0:13:56 > 0:14:02Twice up there, there's the symbol of victorious England and defeated France.
0:14:02 > 0:14:07The exterior is a wealth of coded messages, and inside is no different.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12So this is the saloon, John.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16It doesn't look like any saloon I've ever been in. Quite impressive, isn't it?
0:14:16 > 0:14:22Really, what it shows is a consequence of the great victory at Blenheim that this palace represents,
0:14:22 > 0:14:25was to bring a period of peace and prosperity.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30And so, in this room, the Duke indicates the ideal of peace.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35For example, in the panel there you can see Africa,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38and then the panel there you can see the Orient,
0:14:38 > 0:14:42and then coming round again you can see Asia.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46If you come round here, you can see them from Britain and Europe.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Blenheim is one of the most impressive family homes in the country,
0:14:49 > 0:14:54but let's hope one of our three properties has hit the mark with Andrew and Tina.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03For our second property, we're staying in Oxfordshire.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05Just a short drive from the Cotswolds,
0:15:05 > 0:15:07is the village of Littleworth,
0:15:07 > 0:15:12which not only has appealing views but also more affordable properties.
0:15:12 > 0:15:13Good news for Andrew and Tina.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15London is within a reasonable commute and,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19as we're in Oxfordshire, Tina's mum is close by too.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23This barn conversion is in the Littleworth conservation area,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26but that's not the only thing that makes it special.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28What do you think? It's a bit different.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31You like the quirky, Tina? I like the quirky very much.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Good, excellent news.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38It's so different that I'm rendered slightly speechless for the moment,
0:15:38 > 0:15:43but what I do like about it is the nice variety of texture and colour.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46Hey, let's explore. Let's go in.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58OK. Typical farmhouse layout.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01You've got a bootroom as soon as you walk through the door.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02Quite practical.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Straight into a kitchen. Farmhouse kitchen, isn't it? I love it.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Do you? That's terrific. Really nice.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Range cooker, which is a big plus.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Space for a table.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20We may have to think whether that's big enough for our table, but hey! A view through the back windows.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22You've got utility just around the corner.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26It's fitted out like another kitchen, really. It feels very welcoming, and warm.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31Well, the statement room, surprise, surprise, is behind this door.
0:16:31 > 0:16:37Hold your breath. Another bright room. Come right in. Thank you.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Yes, golly.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46I just like... I love the shapes it makes.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50This, certainly, says something very unusual, and very unique,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54and actually, very attractive. So, gosh.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58We've got our furniture here already! Oh, really?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02I would have made a couple of phone calls, sorted that out for you.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Now, there is a room at the end, there,
0:17:05 > 0:17:10now that has been converted into a ground-floor double bedroom.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14A-ha, excellent. With an en suite. Even more perfect.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18The boxes are getting ticked. They really are, aren't they?
0:17:18 > 0:17:22'Just what they had in mind when their parents come to stay.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25'But this house has a slightly unconventional layout,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29'so hopefully they'll like the next room just as much.'
0:17:29 > 0:17:32Now, at present, the current owners use this as their master bedroom.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35If you have a look you have a pretty good size en suite.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Look at that. Oh, yeah, gosh, a bath and a shower. Excellent.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43You may want to change things around completely, wait and see. Let's go and look. Thank you.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48Upstairs there are two more bedrooms that come with their own en suite bathroom,
0:17:48 > 0:17:53and views of surrounding farmland, which I think Andrew and Tina will love.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Now, this is where I was thinking you might have the conundrum of,
0:17:57 > 0:18:01"Do we have a bedroom up here or do we have an office up here?"
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Bearing in mind you have got that view.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Right, well, I think I know what Tina's answer will be.
0:18:06 > 0:18:11Well, I don't know what my answer would be. Why are we moving to the country? For the view.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Correct. So where would you like your office?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18Where I can see the view. So where's the office? OK, the office is here.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22Sorry about that. What an amazing team.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27With all this in mind, let's head downstairs, and take a closer look.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Look at that. Lovely.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Now, where we're standing is actually agricultural land,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37because we are in a conservation village. Right.
0:18:37 > 0:18:38Which also means that, hopefully,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42these views that you are enjoying now will remain unspoiled.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Sure, sure. I'm going to ask you to price it.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49I'm going to go 610. OK. I'll go above Andrew, and go 620.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54It's on the market for offers of around 639,950. Right.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59So, just shy of ?640,000,
0:18:59 > 0:19:04this barn conversion is at the top end of Andrew and Tina's budget.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05It has a kitchen
0:19:05 > 0:19:08that can easily accommodate their massive dining table,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11a reception room with that impressive vaulted ceiling,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14four bedrooms, one on the ground floor
0:19:14 > 0:19:18that could be perfect for when their parents come to visit.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20Plus, there are spectacular country views,
0:19:20 > 0:19:24and both London and Oxford are within a reasonable commute.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37After a tiring, but exhilarating day in Wiltshire and Oxfordshire,
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Andrew and Tina have a chance to consider
0:19:39 > 0:19:42the houses they have been shown so far.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53The second day of our house search is underway.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Our mystery property has brought us
0:19:55 > 0:19:58just over the Gloucestershire border.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01The village of Cerney Wick is in the parish of Cerney South,
0:20:01 > 0:20:04situated within the Cotswold waterpark, where you can sail,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07jet ski and fish in the lakes. This location throws
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Andrew's 60-minute commuting dream out of the window.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14It takes over an hour-and-a-half to reach London from here,
0:20:14 > 0:20:18but as he only needs to make the journey a few days each month,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20I'm hoping it's worth pushing the boundaries.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22The house I'm showing Andrew and Tina
0:20:22 > 0:20:24is located in the heart of the village,
0:20:24 > 0:20:29and is typical of the area, with its honey yellow limestone exterior.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34Hey. Yes.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37I love the front door. Yes.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41You're looking at this in, I don't know,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43wonderment, or disappointment.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47What's going on through your mind? I think it's a combination of both.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49I adore this honey coloured stone.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54Yeah, I will keep an open mind about what goes on inside.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56'That's good, because given a chance,
0:20:56 > 0:21:00'I think this could be a winning property.'
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Come right in. Thank you.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09Come right round, because it does go right round the corner, as well.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Oh, right, it does. Excellent.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Fabulous fireplace, isn't it? Love it.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19The layout here, for two people to live, it's just really cosy,
0:21:19 > 0:21:24but you've got space for when there's lots of people as well.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26And what draws you out to the garden
0:21:26 > 0:21:29is the sort of light and space and air.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Yeah, I think this could work, actually.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36'Through the corridor, there's the perfect spot for a piano
0:21:36 > 0:21:39'that should make Andrew feel at home,
0:21:39 > 0:21:43'but just wait until they see what is tucked away in the next room.'
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Now, then, a pretty modest-sized kitchen. But look at that.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49We have a range!
0:21:49 > 0:21:53That gets double ticks, I think. Good.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Well done, well done, Jonnie!
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Well, it's the smallest of the kitchens we've seen,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01but you've got a separate dining area next door,
0:22:01 > 0:22:04and you've still got a good-sized utility round to the side as well,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08so it's just for cooking and maybe having breakfast in.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10Hey, this is feeling very welcoming.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13It almost sounds like you're getting on board here. Yeah.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17There's just time to mention the downstairs cloakroom
0:22:17 > 0:22:19on the other side of the hall
0:22:19 > 0:22:22before heading upstairs to check out the bedrooms.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Up on the first floor, we've got a double set up as a twin there,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29a good-sized family bathroom with three-piece suite,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32another double room there.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35This one is being used as the master.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39It's smaller than ours at home, but masses of storage space.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41You've got an en suite through there,
0:22:41 > 0:22:45so twin that with the really good-sized bathroom there,
0:22:45 > 0:22:46and you're more than catered for.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50One of the reasons why I think this room is so lovely,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54and why they use it as their room, is because when they lie in bed,
0:22:54 > 0:22:57they've got a wonderful view of the church next door.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59A short hop across the hall
0:22:59 > 0:23:02and there's even more hidden secrets tucked away.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Currently, this room gives you the opportunity to have an office.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Ooh. Wow. OK? Yes.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Come with me.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12There's some further office space at the top here.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15The owner used to run a business from the house
0:23:15 > 0:23:17and saw clients in here.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21Oh, sweet. For me, this is all I would need.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23I don't take up much space.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26There's one more room to show you. Follow me. All right.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30A pleasant little space. I know you've got lots of books.
0:23:30 > 0:23:37There's lots of little corners and crannies to store stuff. Yeah.
0:23:40 > 0:23:41Right.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Oh, what fun. Hey, isn't that terrific?
0:23:45 > 0:23:46Is it an office?
0:23:46 > 0:23:50It's a terrific space. They've been very imaginative and surprising
0:23:50 > 0:23:56about how they've used this rather awkward-shaped space.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00This house is full of delightful gifts,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03but none are better than the grounds to the rear of the property.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06With its southerly aspect, this is a gardener's paradise.
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Isn't it absolutely beautiful? It's very pretty.
0:24:09 > 0:24:14It's been really well cared for. I could look after these with love.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18So, how much do you think this mystery house is on the market for?
0:24:18 > 0:24:22?635,000.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25OK. Andrew?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28I'm going to put in a bid at 615.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32He's put in a bid. Did you hear that? Yeah.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35OK, well...
0:24:35 > 0:24:40it's on the market for ?635,000.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42And it's...
0:24:42 > 0:24:43all the decor is in our taste.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47We could actually walk in, put our furniture in and feel at home.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55The price of this house is ?635,000.
0:24:55 > 0:24:56It has five bedrooms,
0:24:56 > 0:25:00three bathrooms and lots of office space for Andrew and Tina.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04It's also got the rural aspect that they've been hankering after.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Location-wise, it falls well outside
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Andrew's requested one-hour commute to London.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12But with the mystery house, we thought we'd shake things up a bit
0:25:12 > 0:25:17and if they want their dream home in budget, something's got to give.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Let's find you somewhere to have a bit of a chat,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24and we'll discuss it all later on. OK? Time to go.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34So how have you found this process of house-hunting?
0:25:34 > 0:25:38The process of, you know, ticking them off against a checklist
0:25:38 > 0:25:41has actually really focused our minds
0:25:41 > 0:25:44on what the really important bits of the checklist are.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45The first place we went to,
0:25:45 > 0:25:48we started in Oxfordshire where our base was,
0:25:48 > 0:25:50but we nipped over the border to Wiltshire.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55Certainly was the one that had the space box ticked. Space, yes.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58But it wasn't really our style of house.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01One of the reasons we're moving is to enjoy the country,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03but also to be able to see it.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06I don't think we could see enough of it from that house
0:26:06 > 0:26:08to make it a goer, so to speak.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11OK, so then I took you over another border back to Oxfordshire
0:26:11 > 0:26:15and showed you a conversion, a barn conversion, if you like.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20The barn conversion we saw had the sort of style that I was looking for.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22That stunning room in the middle
0:26:22 > 0:26:25with the high vaulted wooden ceiling was an absolute knockout.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29There was so much again about that house that was right.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31We had to slightly readjust our thinking
0:26:31 > 0:26:34about whether we slept downstairs or upstairs,
0:26:34 > 0:26:35which was again good for us
0:26:35 > 0:26:39to think outside our, perhaps, rather conventional sort of box.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43And then, today, we started afresh with the mystery property.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47It was so cleverly reconfigured and thought through,
0:26:47 > 0:26:48in terms of the way
0:26:48 > 0:26:51they'd used quite a conventional internal space...
0:26:51 > 0:26:55Yes. ..in a very unconventional sort of way.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58So out of all three properties, do you have a favourite?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I suppose the third one. Yes. The mystery house? The mystery house.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04It was so nearly absolutely right,
0:27:04 > 0:27:08and I can't put my finger on what it was that wasn't quite there.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12For me, we have to go through the process of continuing to look. Right.
0:27:12 > 0:27:19I have to try to find what it is that we're looking for.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I wish you the very best of luck.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23My advice for you to take away, then, is,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26as you're looking for such a flexible property,
0:27:26 > 0:27:30try and be flexible yourselves in what you want it to be. Sure, sure.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Yes. I consider this last couple of days a victory
0:27:34 > 0:27:37if after this, you only look at less than 47 houses!
0:27:37 > 0:27:41We'll let you know! Please do. All the best. Thank you so much.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48As you might expect, I'm disappointed.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51But when you consider that Andrew and Tina looked at 50 properties
0:27:51 > 0:27:52before deciding on their last home,
0:27:52 > 0:27:57and that was some 30 years ago, we did come pretty close, didn't we?
0:27:57 > 0:27:59I do hope they take on board my advice
0:27:59 > 0:28:02and remain flexible when looking at their next house.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06I'm sure, just like me, you wish them both the very best of luck.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07See you next time.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Andrew and Tina did continue their search, and I'm pleased to say
0:28:13 > 0:28:17they've made an offer on a house they'd now like to call home.
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