Llyn Peninsula Escape to the Country

According to local legend, this stone monument

is the final resting place of an iconic beast called Gelert.

But who was he and in which county is he buried?

In today's show, I'll be helping a couple find a country home

with enough land to house a host of animals

and we serve up some eye-catching properties.

It's cute. It's really cute. Beautiful.

Then there's the challenge of our mystery house

which shouldn't be judged at face value.

You're probably thinking, "Why have they brought us to see this house?"

Today I'm in Gwynedd in North Wales and this is Beddgelert.

The stone here marks the grave of a wolfhound called Gelert,

who was once the faithful servant of Prince Llywelyn the Great.

Legend has it that Gelert was mistakenly slaughtered by his master

after being suspected of trying to kill his son and heir,

where, in fact, the dog had saved his son's life from a vicious wolf.

So, filled with remorse, the Prince decided to erect

a memorial in honour of his dog by the river.

And the name of the village was born...

Beddgelert - grave of Gelert.

Sounds too good to be true?

Well, in actual fact, it was a 19th-century PR exercise

to attract tourists to this area, and they're still coming today.

Spanning the island of Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula,

the county of Gwynedd

also encompasses two-thirds of the Snowdonia National Park

which boasts a mountainous landscape full of stunning glacial valleys.

Moving coastwards, the sea near Llyn Peninsula

features sandy beaches and towering headlands crowned with castle ruins,

such as that at Criccieth, and quiet fishing villages.

Although the county covers around 1,000 square miles,

it's home to just 117,000 people,

making it one of the most sparsely populated counties in Great Britain.

And this perceived remoteness makes it attractive

to both tourists and home buyers.

But there is an ingredient missing - today's buyers. Let's meet them.

Early retirees James and Ingrid have lived together

in this three-bedroom town house in Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire,

for the last six years, yet this buzzing market town,

where James has lived all his life, no longer holds the same appeal

and for the past five years the remoteness and seclusion

of North Wales has been pulling at their heart strings.

We're looking to move to the Llyn Peninsula,

because I've been going up here since I was a child

on various golfing holidays and Scout camps.

And I've always loved the area.

When we got married

and we got Billy, we decided we wouldn't holiday abroad,

we would take the dogs up there.

Ingrid had never been up there before

and absolutely fell in love with it.

We'd love to have lots of space, with a view to some sort of business

to do with animals, perhaps a kennel or something like that.

And just peace and quiet. Some lovely views would be wonderful.

And Ingrid, in particular, wants to rekindle one of her passions.

I would love another horse.

I had my own horse for 18 years and it was a big part of my life

and I'd like to have another horse to play with when I get up there!

Erm, if possible, I'd like to have some goats and maybe a pig!

James used to work as a surveyor,

an experience that has helped them create a clear vision of what

they do and don't want.

What we're looking for, as a minimum, is at least two bedrooms,

two reception rooms, a large kitchen and, most importantly,

a minimum of three acres of land in a rural location.

Ideally, we are looking for a traditional-build cottage.

We would be willing to extend or renovate.

The sort of property that we really would not consider

is something modern.

And we don't really want any neighbours.

Having recently sold their current property for ?295,000,

they find themselves as cash buyers

and mortgage free and the budget is set for their next move.

If the property ticks all our boxes, then we would pay up to ?325,000.

James and Ingrid's preferred location

is the Llyn Peninsula, with access to Caernarfon and Porthmadog.

However, we may have to edge further down the peninsula

to get them the land they want for their budget.

I'll be showing them three wonderful Welsh properties,

but won't be giving away the price until they've had a guess first.

The last property is, of course, our mystery house, which hides

an intriguing proposition behind its facade.

James and Ingrid, great to meet you both.

Are you looking forward to this search?

We certainly are. Very excited.

You've both been coming here for quite a while on holiday,

but it's one thing to go on holiday,

it's another thing actually to change your whole life

and move here, isn't it? Totally different.

So, from a business side, what plans do you have

when you make this huge move?

Well, we're looking to try a few new ventures.

One idea we've got is to do dog boarding for people on holidays

that want to visit the local tourist attractions.

And you've asked for a traditional Welsh cottage. Ideally, yes.

Are you both realistic?

I'd like to think we are, yes.

Shall we start exploring? Absolutely. Come on. OK, lovely.

With their ?325,000 budget, James and Ingrid would like a Welsh

cottage-style property that provides them with two reception rooms,

a large kitchen/diner and at least two bedrooms.

Crucially, they are looking for three acres of land

to keep animals and the opportunity to start up a small kennel business.

With land and location at the top of the agenda,

we're beginning our house hunt within the borders

of the Snowdonia National Park, a few miles outside Tremadog.

It was founded in the early 1900s by landowner William Maddox,

whose town planning made the most of the sheer cliffs,

as a backdrop for his civic buildings.

Around ten minutes' drive away,

and surrounded by open countryside, is our first offering -

a traditional, yet extended, detached cottage.

And its oldest parts date back over 200 years.

So, here is your very first property. Oh! What do you think?

It's cute.

It's really cute. Beautiful. Really pretty. James, first impressions?

It is a lot more attractive than I thought it was going to be.

This is actually the back of the cottage.

You said you didn't mind whether you had sea views

or mountain views. Well, this cottage has both.

So keen to get inside? I'm very keen.

Come on. OK, thank you.

'We'll head to the front of the cottage and explore inside, which,

'as they'll see, has been renovated to a really high standard.'

So, step inside your cottage. Thank you.

Nice.

Yes, it's...

it's larger than it looks from the outside.

Yes, good. Shall we start with the kitchen? Yes, please.

I think this is a proper farmhouse kitchen. Yeah. Full of character.

I love the floor. It's fab. These are the original slate tiles.

Very impressive. Hmm.

So, you've got a view out into the garden

and there's your back door.

Right, OK. Perfect.

Now heating for the property comes from the heater down there.

That provides all the hot water for the cottage.

Let's go through to the oldest part of the cottage, through this door.

So, your sitting room, your very old sitting room. Yeah.

Yes, this one's got a lot of character.

It's what you would expect from an old traditional Welsh cottage.

Yeah, so this was THE cottage.

They also discovered this amazing fireplace.

It was hidden?

It was plastered over, so they've exposed it.

That is really, really nice.

Right, time for the bedrooms. OK.

'On this floor, there is also a spacious family bathroom,

'along with two bedrooms -

'one a single and the other is where they would sleep.'

So, here's the master bedroom. A large double.

Well, large in my book, anyway. Yeah, it is big. It's a good size.

And you've got the double aspect windows, as well, which is good.

Overlooking your formal garden... Yeah, yeah.

This is a good size, yes. Yeah. Yes.

If we had two rooms like this, it would be perfect. Yeah.

'Well, James, the loft has been converted, to offer a third

'potential sleeping option, but if he's feeling the pinch, in terms

'of bedroom sizes, maybe what's on offer outside will compensate.

'The large outbuilding, currently used as a workshop, could,

'with the right planning permission, house their small kennel business.

'Including the lovely gardens immediately around the cottage,

'the land comes in at four acres, comprising a two-acre parcel

'on the other side of this wall, which has a protected status

'as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

So, crunch time, now.

How much do you think this cottage is on the market for?

Ladies first. ?300,000? OK. James?

Because you can't use two acres, you're limited as to what

you can do here, so I'd probably say 295.

James, you're disappointingly good at this, because the price

has recently come down to ?295,000.

You're on the money.

Comfortably under budget, at ?295,000,

our traditional Welsh cottage is worth serious thought,

as it gives them a large sitting room,

with that impressive original fireplace,

a farmhouse-style kitchen and three potential bedrooms.

The land outside amounts to four acres

and the property is situated within their ideal search area.

One house down. More to see. Yes, food for thought.

'Exploring Gwynedd's dramatic landscape

'is a rewarding pastime for any visitor here.

'And what better way to do it than on horseback?

'I've come to a stud and riding centre on the Llyn Peninsular

'to meet owner, Janine Pendlebury, and one of her trusty steeds.'

Hi, Janine. Hi. Great to meet you and who do we have here?

This is Rescatado, a Lusitano stallion from Portugal.

They are such beautiful creatures aren't they, Lusitanos?

The way they hold their head. What's the history with the breed?

They're bullfighting horses, originally,

and fantastic bullfighting horses, very, very agile,

very quick to respond to the rider.

Then they were used for battle.

They are the oldest saddle horses in the world.

Janine, I am a little bit rusty, it's been a few years.

You've kindly offered to take me down to the sands

for a gallop along the beach. Yes.

But I wouldn't mind just a little go in here first of all...

Absolutely. We'll have a little go.

Res, I'm your capable hands.

'While I get comfortable in the saddle,

'Janine assesses my riding ability.'

How does he feel? He feels great, I feel rusty.

'And it gives this beautiful horse a chance to strut his stuff.'

Get a nice rhythm.

Good boy.

A little bit higher. Good boy.

Very good.

Do they enjoy it? Yes.

Did you hear him give a little neigh.

They look like they really enjoy it.

They love it. They really like to perform, as well.

'Now we're both warmed up,

'it's time to head down to the beach

'which has a five-mile stretch of sands

'that boast beautiful views over Cardigan Bay.

Janine, this is quite amazing on the beach.

You get a different perspective up here. You do, you can see a lot.

'If you do want to pick up the pace, with over 120 miles of coastline,

'there's usually a deserted beach on which to do so.

'But for now, it's back to the house hunt.

'In a bid to get them everything they have asked for,

'our house search edges out of their ideal area,

'taking us to the south coast of the Llyn Peninsula,

close to the quiet village of Aberdaron.

'Aberdaron has a stunning beach which could provide the perfect

'stretch for walking their dogs.

'And, besides a handful of useful amenities,

'the lime-washed fishermen's cottages

'are a distinctive feature of the village.

'A short drive away is our second property, which offers up

'lots of scope for them to keep animals and run a kennel business.'

So, time to reveal our second property to you.

Take a look.

Good first impression, I think.

Yes, it's better whitewashed than the grey render. Yes.

I totally agree. Shall we take a step inside?

Yes, please. Thank you.

'We've got quiet but positive first reactions to our cottage.

'But I think it will grow on them

'as they get a full grasp of its potential.'

Come straight in to the sitting room.

There's quite a lot of furniture in here, isn't there?

They've even managed to get a piano in this room.

Yep. That's a pretty mean feat for this room. Yep.

The fireplace is just lovely. Very pretty, very simple.

Yes, you got your wood burner.

Yeah, yeah, I like it. Nice and snug. Yeah.

Hm. Yeah. Does it work for you, James?

Yes, for a sitting room, it's, er, it's adequate. Hm.

It depends how much else there is in the house.

I like the open-mindedness! Let's discover. OK.

Squeeze past you, thank you.

So here's your kitchen.

It's a lot bigger than I thought it was going to be,

I have to be honest.

Very modern as well, isn't it? Yep. I like the units.

Really pleased to see a nice big table in here.

Sitting in here is just like a second reception room, if you like. Yes.

'The kitchen also has a back porch,

'useful for the dogs and general storage.

'But now it's time to explore the bedrooms upstairs

'where access to the master is through the family bathroom.'

Here is the master bedroom. Right.

So the way the house works at the moment

is the master bedroom has an en suite.

But it is also the family bathroom when you've got guests. Ah.

So there's a door the other side of this wall.

So you can actually lock that door off,

so that your guests can use that bathroom,

and then you exit that door. Good. Good thinking.

Because you got a single across the hallway, and a double bedroom.

So you have three in total, two of them being doubles. OK.

Right, again, nice light room. I like the three windows. Yes. Yeah.

Needs a little bit of updating.

It's ready for its next owners. Yeah, definitely.

Let's head outside, because there is plenty to show you there.

'Well, they've said they're happy to do some refurbishment,

'and outside gives them a stone barn

'which could be a great spot for their business idea.'

So, with this cottage, you do get some outbuildings.

Excellent, This is good.

And here's the barn. Mm.

This is a kennels. Thank you! Yes.

I was hoping you were going to say that.

'Ingrid also gets a home for a horse

'with this timber block made up of two stables.'

'Land-wise, the four paddocks that surround the cottage add up

'to around four and a half acres,

'But at what price?'

How much do you think all of this is currently on the market for?

I think it's probably on the market for about ?325,000-?330,000?

I would say...

?330,000, ?335,000?

HE LAUGHS

The asking price is...

?349,000.

Right.

'Granted, this Welsh cottage is over their budget.

'But it serves as a reality check if they are holding out

'to get everything on their wish list.

'However, they could make a sensible offer, given they are cash buyers

'and are in a strong position to move fast.

'On the market at ?349,000,

'it provides them with a large kitchen/diner.

'Three bedrooms. An outbuilding with potential for the kennels.

'Along with 4.5 acres of land

'and stables for Ingrid to keep her menagerie of animals.'

Well, I can see you two have made friends.

We have, look at this beauty.

We're meant to be looking at houses today, not horses.

Say goodbye to your mate. Bye-bye!

'As evening falls over the Welsh skyline,

'it marks the end of the first day of our house hunt.'

James and Ingrid asked for a traditional Welsh cottage.

And that's exactly what we showed them with the first two properties.

With hindsight, I think they're beginning to realise

that a cottage won't necessarily provide them

with the right accommodation

for the two of them, their dogs, and visiting friends and family.

Time now, though, for our mystery house.

Will it provide them with more living space? Who knows?

Well, I do, actually.

You'll just have to wait and see, and so will James and Ingrid.

Our mystery house is located close to the village of Llandwrog.

With a population of around 2,500 residents,

it lies right on the edge of Caernarfon Bay.

Sitting high on the hill with spectacular panoramic views,

this property challenges them to ditch their mortgage-free dream

for a long-term business investment.

But it's important they don't make a judgment on first impressions.

So, time for our final house, the mystery property,

and there she is. Oh!

You're probably standing here thinking,

"Why have they brought us to see this house?"

The location is fantastic. It is the mystery house

because you asked for a traditional, Welsh cottage.

Mmm. This is a house but behind it is a traditional Welsh cottage. Right.

Ready to take a step inside the house? Yes, absolutely.

'There is much more to our mystery house than meets the eye

'including the land, which we will explore later.

'Hopefully, the original cottage, tucked away behind the main house,

'will whet their appetite.'

Here it is, this is your traditional, Welsh cottage. Pretty.

Very pretty. Very pretty. Couldn't quite live in it at the moment.

I'm going to take you to the main house. OK.

We will come back to how it could be developed later.

Let's see what they make of where they would live.

I want to start off with the kitchen.

It doesn't have that traditional Welsh feel. No, OK.

But it is a fair size, isn't it? Yes.

Tucked away is a utility room, handy for the dogs and white goods.

Flowing straight on from the kitchen is a good-sized dining room.

But let's take a look at the main sitting room.

Here is the second reception room. This is a nice room. Nice room.

It's big.

Well proportioned. Yeah.

It's actually got quite a bit of character in here, I think.

I think the beams help, as well. They do.

Those doors open up to a conservatory

that have THE most spectacular views.

'Besides giving them the extra reception space they wanted,

'upstairs delivers on the number of bedrooms

'and includes one large enough to be a double

'and a single room, both served by the family bathroom.

'But we'll get their view on the main bedroom.'

So, in total, three bedrooms.

You've got this as the master. A big room.

Yes. Lovely views.

I can't get any character from this room.

That's a shame because the sizing and everything...

It's great. It's a brilliant size but it's soulless.

I will now try and tempt you with the land. Good. OK.

And perhaps the possibility of a traditional Welsh cottage

right next door which you could own.

We could move in there!

SHE LAUGHS

'What our mystery house currently lacks in character,

'it certainly makes up for in space.

'Upstairs again, there's the added extra of a converted attic room.

'The property could be transformed with some decorative vision,

'which they might be tempted to consider

'when they see what's on offer outside.

'The original cottage has bags of potential,

'either as their kennel or, with the right planning permission,

'they could develop it into a holiday let, which would be a useful stream of income

'to supplement their early retirement.

'Now it's time to survey the generous amount

'of land they would get.'

In total there are five acres with this property,

currently let to the local farmer.

But you've got a paddock here, you've got two behind me

and then you've got the one behind the cottages.

They bought that recently. OK.

So, we're thinking horses, chickens, the pig...

Plenty of space for those. Plenty of space. Good land.

And spectacular views... Yes. ..of mountains and sea.

Who wants to go first on guess the price?

Well, I think it's going to be above budget.

I think it's probably 360-370. OK.

I'm going to say 349,950.

The current asking price

is ?325,000.

OK. Off you go, have a look, it's a good price. OK.

'On budget at ?325,000, our mystery proposition

'throws down the gauntlet in terms of a development opportunity.

'Giving them a spacious detached home with three reception rooms

'and three bedrooms.

'The traditional stone outbuilding is perfect to house

'one of their business ventures,

'along with five acres of land for their animals.

'And its hillside location has fabulous views.'

Have you both seen enough? I think so, thank you. Thank you very much.

All three properties now done.

I think I need to take you somewhere quiet so you can have a think.

I think we need to think.

So that's it for our house search here in Gwynedd.

Have we found James and Ingrid the perfect property?

I seriously have my doubts. Let's hear what they've got to say.

James and Ingrid, we've had fun, haven't we,

searching for this property in Gwynedd?

Have we got close, that's the question?

Let's start off with the first property that we showed you.

The location of the property was fantastic.

The land it had with it wasn't quite right -

half of it was unusable as far as we were concerned.

It was so charming. It had so much going for it,

But the second bedroom was so small.

We just couldn't live with that.

The second property that we showed you, the Welsh cottage,

did have quite a lot of land

and it had a sea view. I liked that property.

The land was excellent.

But it just didn't have

quite enough room downstairs and the bedrooms were quite small.

We thought we'd show you something a little bit different.

But it didn't quite hit the mark, did it, from the word go?

No. When we got there, it was disappointing

because it wasn't our Welsh cottage.

Accommodation wise, we could have moved in tomorrow.

It offered the accommodation that we're looking for.

Location, questionable

and style of property, questionable.

The view was spectacular.

But it just didn't really push all the buttons for us.

Your house is about to go through. What's your next move?

It's looking more and more likely

that we're going to be moving into rented accommodation

until we can find more of what we're looking for.

Have we helped you? Have we helped narrow it down a little bit?

Absolutely. It's been invaluable and it's helped us enormously

because it really does focus your mind

on what it is you do and don't want

and where you want and need to be.

Normally at this point I say, "We wish you well with your move

"whenever that is," but we know with you it's going to be pretty soon.

We hope the business works out as well

when you finally find your perfect house.

Thank you so much. Thanks very much.

I must admit I am disappointed.

James and Ingrid are desperate to move

and, for that matter, they're in a perfect position to do so.

Even though we didn't manage to find them the ideal Welsh retreat,

let's look on the bright side.

They now know the area they need to live in for their proposed business

and they've decided, quite rightly I think,

to rent in that area until their dream home

comes along here in Gwynedd.

We wish them all the very best.

Until next time, bye-bye.

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