0:00:02 > 0:00:06I thought we'd start today's Escape To The Country in this gorgeous rural churchyard.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08But why, and where are we?
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:39 > 0:00:45Today I'm on the trail of a property for a sporty couple ready to make a new start,
0:00:45 > 0:00:49and it's an Escape To The Country first at one of our properties.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51A friend of ours has got a house here that's for sale.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- We've never had that before! - That's hysterical.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58In over 400 house tours that I've done, that's never ever happened.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01And there's fun and games at the mystery house.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Why are you laughing?
0:01:03 > 0:01:07- We've seen a tennis court. - Ah! You see!
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Today we're in Berkshire and this is the church at Lower Basildon,
0:01:15 > 0:01:20and it's thought that, hidden in the ground here somewhere, are the remains of Jethro Tull.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23Not the '70s rock star that most of you are probably thinking of,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27but rather a man who came to revolutionise farming in the early 18th century.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31He was the son of a farm worker, but he hated manual labour,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35so he set about designing a machine that could do the hard work for him.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40In 1701, he came up with the very first horse-drawn seed drill.
0:01:40 > 0:01:46Not only did it mean that crops could be planted with far more accuracy, but far faster as well.
0:01:46 > 0:01:48What followed were a string of inventions
0:01:48 > 0:01:52that went on to revolutionise the agricultural landscape.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Located in the south-east of England, Berkshire is bordered by five counties
0:01:58 > 0:02:01including Oxfordshire, Surrey, and Hampshire.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04The Thames, which is the UK's second longest river,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07runs along Berkshire's north-eastern county border.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Formerly a major trade route, nowadays you're more likely
0:02:10 > 0:02:15to find leisure boats making pleasure trips along this scenic waterway.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18As a county known for its sheep farming, it's not surprising
0:02:18 > 0:02:20that one of the largest sheep fairs in the country
0:02:20 > 0:02:26was regularly held here at East Ilsley during the reign of King Henry III and James I.
0:02:26 > 0:02:31And of course it's home to the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33the Queen's official residence, Windsor Castle,
0:02:33 > 0:02:38which explains why it's also known as the Royal County of Berkshire.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Berkshire's great road, rail and air links,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45and of course its proximity to London,
0:02:45 > 0:02:49have a dramatic effect on its house prices, as you might imagine.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51To be honest, they're eye watering.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Take, for example, the area around Windsor and Maidenhead.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59Your average detached will set you back £331,000 - wait for it -
0:02:59 > 0:03:02above the national average, so, as you can imagine,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05house-hunting here requires some pretty deep pockets,
0:03:05 > 0:03:11as you can see by this selection of what's on the market right now.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14This charming two-bedroom cottage in the village of Chaddleworth
0:03:14 > 0:03:17is on the market for £395,000.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21It has a wealth of original features, a kitchen with a range cooker,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24and is set in a mature garden adjoining open fields.
0:03:25 > 0:03:32£625,000 would buy you this three-bedroom thatched cottage in Three Mile Cross.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Grade 2 listed, its 17th-century history shines through
0:03:35 > 0:03:40in its exposed beams, latched wooden doors, and open fireplace.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43And if your wallet stretches to just under £900,000,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46you could be the owner of this five-bedroom house in Silchester.
0:03:46 > 0:03:52Dating back to the 19th century, it boasts a dining room with York stone floor
0:03:52 > 0:03:56and has been updated with a conservatory.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58As you can see, when it comes to value for money,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00Berkshire may not be ideal.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04It's certainly not a place to come house-hunting if you're remotely fainthearted,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07but I think today's buyers have got just what it takes.
0:04:07 > 0:04:14Company director Christopher and his wife Avril were work colleagues who fell in love.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Married for 23 years, they now have two teenage children
0:04:17 > 0:04:21and live in a six-bedroom house in Buckinghamshire, which they designed themselves,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24but a move to the country has always been on the cards.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28The long-term plan has been going for about 10 years,
0:04:28 > 0:04:33so we always knew that we were going to move once the children had both finished their schooling.
0:04:33 > 0:04:39We live in a busy town at the moment, and although it's a lovely town and it's beautiful,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I'd just like to live somewhere with a bit more peace and quiet,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44somewhere quieter with a rural outlook
0:04:44 > 0:04:47so you can look out and see birds and trees.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Last year however,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51there was a major hitch in their ten-year plan to escape.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54One of the reasons the move has been delayed slightly
0:04:54 > 0:04:57was Avril was diagnosed with breast cancer just before Christmas.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01We're looking forward to perhaps starting a fresh life,
0:05:01 > 0:05:03realising what we have, and moving ahead
0:05:03 > 0:05:06and a change of scenery I think will do us both good.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Yes. It's made us realise, hasn't it,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- we need to spend more time together and be together.- Mm-hmm.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Cherish the time we have together.
0:05:14 > 0:05:19And they're looking forward to spending that time together by indulging in their favourite sports.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22The hobbies I enjoy most I guess are playing tennis
0:05:22 > 0:05:26and croquet perhaps, it's always an interesting thing to do.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29I'd like to carry on playing tennis, I play a lot of tennis,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32and I'd like to get more involved with a tennis club that way.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Like Christopher, I'd like to play croquet.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38We used to have a croquet lawn and I loved it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42They've pinpointed the Berkshire countryside as their ideal location
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and have some definite requirements for their new house.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Ideally in our next property I'd like something similar
0:05:49 > 0:05:53to what we have now with large open reception rooms,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57large entertaining areas, light-filled rooms,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01but with a bigger garden and in a more rural area.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04If we could find a house with a cellar, that would be marvellous
0:06:04 > 0:06:07because I like keeping my wine in a cellar,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11and I think we'd be happy to take on a project or renovate somewhere
0:06:11 > 0:06:13if the opportunity arose.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18So their demands are nailed down and they've got their finances nailed down too.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Our budget for the next property will be in the region of £1 million,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24but, depending on how much we sell this property for,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28it's likely we could increase that to £1.2 million.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37There's no doubt that today's buyers have had a pretty challenging few months,
0:06:37 > 0:06:40but the good news is that they've come out of the end of it.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Avril has bettered her illness, they want to move,
0:06:42 > 0:06:47start a whole new chapter, and they've got £1.2 million with which to do it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:51My only concern is that, having designed and built their current property,
0:06:51 > 0:06:56will they be open-minded when it comes to viewing places that aren't exactly made-to-measure for them?
0:06:56 > 0:07:00As ever, we'll just have to wait and see.
0:07:03 > 0:07:08Christopher and Avril's house hunt sent us on rural areas within reach of Windsor and Ascot.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11We've got three fantastic houses to tempt them, and as usual
0:07:11 > 0:07:15I'll be asking them to guess the price of each before I reveal it.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Our final property is our mystery house,
0:07:18 > 0:07:20and I think it'll provide them with an advantage
0:07:20 > 0:07:23when it comes to one of their favourite pastimes.
0:07:24 > 0:07:28- Christopher, Avril, very nice to see you.- Thank you.- In Berkshire!
0:07:28 > 0:07:32We're living in Marlow at the moment and it's really busy in the town.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34We want to move out more into the countryside.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37Not necessarily too far away from our friends and family,
0:07:37 > 0:07:41but just something with more of a rural outlook, a quieter pace of life.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Marlow may be a busy town centre, but Berkshire is a seriously busy county.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49We've got flight paths all over it, we've got roads criss-crossing it.
0:07:49 > 0:07:55Finding anywhere that is absolutely needle-droppingly quiet is quite difficult.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58But we have got a pretty good budget of £1.2 million,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01three properties for you to look at.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- Shall we?- Looking forward to it. - Follow me.- Thank you.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10So, with their very generous maximum budget of £1.2 million,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Christopher and Avril are looking for a property with four bedrooms,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17lots of reception and entertaining space, a cellar,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20and a lawn large enough to play croquet on.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31We've travelled to the pretty Thameside village of Dorney Reach,
0:08:31 > 0:08:36close to Dorney Lake, home to Eton College's prestigious rowing centre.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39Our first property is an Edwardian detached house
0:08:39 > 0:08:45built in around 1908, whose main selling point is that it has direct garden access to the River Thames.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52This is what we're going to start our series of house tours with this week.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- What do you think of that one? - From the outside, it looks good.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00Proportions-wise, as you'd expect, everything is quite big,
0:09:00 > 0:09:01it's quite sumptuous.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- The only issue... - A bit of road noise.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09The road noise, but in terms of property, bricks and mortar and square feet...
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- It's a beautiful house, a very attractive house. - There's a lot of it.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17An attractive house indeed, and it's equally appealing on the inside in a very warming way,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20but will it be to their tastes?
0:09:23 > 0:09:24Right.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26In you come.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32We'll start in here because obviously it's the thing that's going to greet your guests.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35In terms of finish, it sort of tells some of the story.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Is this what you were expecting? - Erm, no! Not quite!
0:09:38 > 0:09:40THEY LAUGH
0:09:40 > 0:09:45- It's bright.- It is very bright! - Let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48Come through here. There you go.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54It's traditional on the outside, but contemporary on the inside.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59The kitchen is all new as of the last couple of years or so, the floor and all the rest of it.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03It's a nice size. I'm not sure about how contemporary I'd make it.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- A bit more traditional.- I think I'd go more traditional.- Yep.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10It does go on and it's quite a slick job.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- I know that, Christopher, you're into wine.- Yes.- They'll be useful.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- True, yes. I like it already! - There you go!
0:10:18 > 0:10:22And around the corner here, we've got a whole range of microwaves, steamers, etc.
0:10:22 > 0:10:23Right.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25And then down there,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27which leads on to a big downstairs office.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30You've got fridge freezers and everything built in again
0:10:30 > 0:10:34in something of a sort of utility area, if you will.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38While Avril's not convinced about the contemporary feel of the kitchen,
0:10:38 > 0:10:42I think she'll be impressed by the lounge and entertaining space this house offers.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44In terms of main living space, this is it.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48I think that it works with the kitchen next door and then going out onto the garden,
0:10:48 > 0:10:51so, from an entertaining point of view, it's good.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55- Good sizes.- Yes, it's a good-sized room.- I can see us having dinner parties and so on.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59And in terms of how you both relax after a hard day on the court
0:10:59 > 0:11:03and a hard day at work, Christopher, we've got the snug next door
0:11:03 > 0:11:08and of course the conservatory, you know, the other side of that,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11and again makes full use of what the garden has to offer.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14It's facing west so you get sun for most of the day,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16which is quite nice.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It's a nice aspect out of there, definitely.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22It's encouraging that they can picture themselves entertaining in here.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26Now let's see what they think of the layout upstairs.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30This is the master bedroom.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33It overlooks the back of the garden.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Quite small windows, it's more to do with the architectural design of it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:42We've got the first two bedrooms of the four here, off the other end of the stairs, which you saw.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46And then this one, a master suite but it does lead to the rest of it,
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- although we have got three staircases in all...- Right.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54..To get you up to various parts of the house. You can access all four independently.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58I mean what have you got at the moment? I imagine it's pretty extensive.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01We've got a suite, yep, so we have an en suite bathroom, shower room.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05So has this. Follow me through here. This is what we've got.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Your en suite there, you get a bit more storage and so forth,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and then follow me into here because what you've got here, Avril,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- which is quite handy, you've got a dressing room area.- Right.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19And again, views out there. And then this,
0:12:19 > 0:12:22the spiral staircase that comes up from the snug,
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- that arrives there.- Yes.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25Come and have a look.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30There's a very unique set-up on this floor,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34which I'm not convinced our buyers are quite ready for.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38The garden has socialising potential that they could enjoy straight away.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44OK. Come down here.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47As you see, you've got loads of entertaining space out here.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51The conservatory obviously that we talked about that we've just come through.
0:12:51 > 0:12:52And then the kind of formal garden.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58And another view of our lovely Arts and Crafts house.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Loads of patio area, as you can see.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07In terms of lawns and croquet, we've got four small lawns here.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Do you think that will work for you with the croquet?
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- I mean it's not a tennis court, to be fair.- No.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16It's probably a bit too small, but that's OK.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20In terms of it being manageable, you know, the planting is very mature.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23It's just a case of cutting that back and mowing these lawns.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25The big event is the river, down there,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28which I'm going to let you loose on in a little while.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31The other big issue, I guess, is what we can all hear.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- No getting away from it. - There's no getting away from it, which is a shame,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38because otherwise I think it's a very interesting property.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42The price is clearly going to have an influence on that.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Let's have I think about it, shall we?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- I think it's on just over 1 million. - Mm-hmm.- Maybe 1.1?
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- 1.1, yes.- I'd go a little bit lower than that, I think I'd go 995.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- 995?- Yep.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00- OK, well...- Not a good sign!
0:14:00 > 0:14:04This is on the market at 1.25 million.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- Wow.- It's that part of the country.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- OK.- The cost of property here is staggering.- And it's on the river.
0:14:11 > 0:14:17And of course the river is a huge, huge premium on any property like this in this area.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19So there it is, property number one.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21It's a lot of money but you get the river!
0:14:21 > 0:14:23The Thames is right down there, go and check it out.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- I'll find you later.- Thanks.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31At 1.25 million,
0:14:31 > 0:14:35this house is over their generous budget by £50,000.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39It is of course on the river, and does meet many of their demands.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43It has four bedrooms, a massive amount of space to entertain,
0:14:43 > 0:14:47room for storing wine, which would keep Christopher happy,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51and four lawns which could be re-landscaped for a game of croquet.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Yeah, very pleasant.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57I didn't know this was here actually.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02I think, if I'd known it was going to be here, I'd probably have suggested a bit more money.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05I really like the river. I thought it was beautiful.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08It was a lovely surprise, I wasn't expecting that.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I think you get a lot of value from there,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13you could eat out and enjoy that in the evenings.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17The road noise I didn't think was that bad but the upstairs, I can't see that working for us.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21I was expecting the rooms to be slightly smaller when I came in
0:15:21 > 0:15:22so I was pleasantly surprised.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I like the kitchen and the entertaining areas, that's good,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29and I like the aspect, going out into the garden as well.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33There we are, that's it. House number one is done. Happy?
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Yes, many positives, so nice to see for the first house.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40- A bit surprised on the price.- Yes, well, £1.25 million because...?
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- The river.- The river, there you go. - Wasn't expecting it.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48No, nice surprise, but that's why it's the money it is.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- But it's not the only one we're going to show you.- OK.
0:16:01 > 0:16:07Berkshire is blessed with a host of attractive and historic villages that should appeal to our buyers.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10To give them a flavour of what the county could offer them,
0:16:10 > 0:16:16we sent Christopher and Avril out to explore the beautiful village of Pangbourne.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21With a stunning position on the banks of the Thames, the village also has a popular tennis club.
0:16:21 > 0:16:25Just outside Pangbourne is the Royal Berkshire School of Shooting,
0:16:25 > 0:16:29and, as Christopher and Avril want to devote more time to their sporting passions when they move,
0:16:29 > 0:16:34we've arranged an introductory lesson for them in the country sport of clay pigeon shooting.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38Today they're in the safe hands of instructor Nigel Muir.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Welcome to the Royal Berks.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44In terms of the key component parts of a shotgun, they're very simple.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Inside there are two firing pins, one for each barrel, popping forward,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50striking the cartridge, which is what makes the gun go bang.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54So very simply, you brace the gun along your hip and forearm,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56give yourself some leverage.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01You close it nicely into the ground in front of you, into what we call the ready position.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04You find your cheek and shoulder, safety goes off,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- and the last thing to move, your finger down to the trigger.- OK.
0:17:07 > 0:17:12All I want you to do is start behind your target, tracking it,
0:17:12 > 0:17:17moving at the same speed as the bird, once you catch it up, a little bit of acceleration.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18Having done all that,
0:17:18 > 0:17:22you've just put a wonderful wall of lead just ahead of it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:28- How hard can that be? - Probably pretty hard! We'll see.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29Harder than you think!
0:17:29 > 0:17:33It's essential to wear ear and eye protection before you start.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Live pigeon shooting from traps was banned in 1921
0:17:36 > 0:17:40and, consequently, clay pigeon shooting grew in popularity.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41Here we go.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44It's a bit too far ahead of that.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48The clay pigeon, as we know it today, originated in 1880
0:17:48 > 0:17:53when the idea of the saucer-shaped target came to inventor George Ligowski
0:17:53 > 0:17:57after seeing boys skimming flat stones across a lake.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01Today the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association numbers more than 25,000 members
0:18:01 > 0:18:05and there are some 450 registered grounds in the country,
0:18:05 > 0:18:11which require a site of 35-40 acres, making it an obvious rural pursuit.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Good shot!
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Yes!
0:18:17 > 0:18:18Well done!
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Follow that!
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Fold your shoulder around, rest your cheek on the wood,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27shut your right eye nice and early. Track it in.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- Pass it there.- Oh no!- Nice shot!
0:18:32 > 0:18:35That's more out of surprise than anything else!
0:18:35 > 0:18:39So Christopher and Avril are right on target.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43Time to see if the next property I've lined up to show them will hit the mark too.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Now, house number two is down here. Do you know where we are?
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- We do know where we are, yes.- Indeed! - You do? You really do?
0:18:59 > 0:19:04- A friend of ours has got a house down here that's for sale.- Right.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- Yes.- What does it look like?
0:19:07 > 0:19:12- Mock Tudor style.- Mm-hmm. Half-timbered, black and white timbered.- Drive in, drive out.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16So it's a house that you're familiar with.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- We've been in it a few times, yes. - We've been in it a few times.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- Do you like it?- Yes. - Yes, it's a nice house.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Would you buy it?
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Erm... I don't know, it's a long time since I've seen it.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31I so hope this isn't the same house!
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- We've never had that on the show before.- That's hysterical.
0:19:36 > 0:19:41In over 400 house tours that I've done, that has never, ever happened.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48We've travelled just over five miles west of Windsor and close to Holyport,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51which is the nearest village for high-street amenities.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54Our second property lies in a semi-rural setting
0:19:54 > 0:19:59to the west of Windsor Forest and the Great Park, and dates back to the 1950s.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Out you come, Avril. Well, I don't quite know how to start this, erm...
0:20:06 > 0:20:08THEY LAUGH
0:20:08 > 0:20:13..To start this one because this has absolutely never happened to me before.
0:20:13 > 0:20:14- But you've been here before?- Yes.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- About seven or eight years ago, I think.- OK.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22Well, it's since changed hands so your old friends aren't here any more I'm afraid.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- No, they've moved on.- Do you know, I'm going to let you do the tour!
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- No, I don't think we know it that well!- Come on, let's have a look.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It's a truly novel experience for me,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36showing a couple around a house that they've visited before,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39but I'm wondering how much it's changed and if they still like it.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45There we go. All those memories come flooding back?
0:20:45 > 0:20:48Yep, it's just as I remember it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49Exactly as it was!
0:20:49 > 0:20:53As you can see, the hallway, you'll know this of course.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- The staircase, the beams. - Yes, yes.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02So, as we explore the house further, is this the kitchen they remember?
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- It's very nice, solid wood, oak tops.- That's it, that's the kitchen.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- This is the one?- Yes.- How funny.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12You could never have imagined in a million years!
0:21:12 > 0:21:14I couldn't have imagined that this would ever happen.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18- But it is a lovely kitchen nonetheless.- Good size.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- In terms of a working space for you...?- Yes, perfectly good.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23- Perfectly good?- Yes, definitely.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26I like the fact you can eat in the kitchen. That's nice.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28And straight out into the garden.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Stable door out to the garden, yes.
0:21:30 > 0:21:36Let's look at the dining room. Presumably you'll have enjoyed this at some point.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- So, has this changed at all? - Er, no, exactly as I remember it.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48It's a good-sized room and close to the kitchen, which makes for great entertaining.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53- Good, OK. Let's take another trip down memory lane.- OK.- Down to the living room, it's through here.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00A little playroom in there, off the kitchen.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04But this is the main living area, the main event, I suppose.
0:22:04 > 0:22:10- It's a nice size room, nice and bright, isn't it? Really light.- It really is.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15That stone fire surround looks to me quite a recent addition.
0:22:15 > 0:22:20- I don't think you'll have seen that. - No, I don't think that was here when we were here last.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23But again, it alludes back to this mediaeval architecture
0:22:23 > 0:22:25that the arts and crafts movement really sort of embraced.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28- The doors out into the garden. - Triple aspect.- Exactly.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32I mean, just trying to disentangle ourselves from the fact you've seen it before
0:22:32 > 0:22:36and your friends lived here, can you put yourself in a position
0:22:36 > 0:22:41where you're looking at it as a home that might work for you in terms of space?
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I didn't think I could, not when I got here.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48I didn't think I could because I knew the people who lived here, I knew the house,
0:22:48 > 0:22:49but it's growing on me.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53I'm really pleased to hear that Avril is managing to picture herself
0:22:53 > 0:22:56living in this very familiar property.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00And there's a huge amount of space upstairs which should keep her interested,
0:23:00 > 0:23:02with six bedrooms in all.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04The smallest is in the loft space above,
0:23:04 > 0:23:07while on this floor there are two good-sized single rooms
0:23:07 > 0:23:09along with two very generously-sized doubles.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11So plenty of choice for the children,
0:23:11 > 0:23:14but we're heading to where they might sleep.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18In here, the master bedroom, which, no surprise,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22is above the living room because we've got this lovely fire surround,
0:23:22 > 0:23:27which mirrors what's going on down below. Plus, also, en suite shower room
0:23:27 > 0:23:29and huge sort of walk-in wardrobe.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Just for you, darling!
0:23:31 > 0:23:32THEY LAUGH
0:23:32 > 0:23:33You might have to share!
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Although you've got six bedrooms, you can have one of those each!
0:23:37 > 0:23:39And this great big vaulted ceiling.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Nice ceiling.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43That makes the room a lot larger than I thought it would be.
0:23:43 > 0:23:49I wouldn't have expected a ceiling like this in a property of this nature.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- No, I wasn't expecting that at all. - Quite a feature.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57So, now you've had a chance to remind yourselves of what this house has to offer...
0:23:57 > 0:23:58I'm wavering a little bit.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03I was more interested downstairs, and upstairs I'm just wondering if we need all these rooms.
0:24:03 > 0:24:10The difficulty is of course that you do get a bit more for 1.2 million than you might need.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Even here, in uber-expensive Berkshire, where let's face it,
0:24:13 > 0:24:15it doesn't go that far.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- No, maybe we don't need such a big house.- Maybe you don't.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22- Maybe you don't need to spend so much money.- I like that thinking.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Ah! Well let's have a think about the money downstairs, come on.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Outside, there's a terrace that would work wonderfully for entertaining.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37A double Tudor-style garage and a lawn large enough for them to play their games of croquet on.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40So, if they can see themselves living here,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42how much would they pay for the privilege?
0:24:43 > 0:24:47- Let's have a think about the money. Who went first last time?- Avril did.
0:24:47 > 0:24:53- So, Christopher?- OK, I'm going to go for 1.2 million.- 1.2 million.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I think it's a bit more, I think it's 1.225.
0:24:57 > 0:25:021.225? Interesting.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04It's actually 1.25.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06THEY LAUGH
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- So, a lot of money.- Yep.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Go and have a look around, check out upstairs again, see what you might do.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- Right. And I'll catch up with you later.- OK, great. Thank you.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22At £50,000 over their already substantial budget,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25this property has almost everything they've asked for,
0:25:25 > 0:25:29with six bedrooms, providing plenty of space for family and guests,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32a number of spacious reception rooms for entertaining,
0:25:32 > 0:25:36and a lawn big enough for that all-important game of croquet.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39This has been interesting because I recognised the house immediately
0:25:39 > 0:25:42because I stayed here many years ago with friends.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45I love the kitchen, although it might need updating,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47and the entertaining rooms were terrific.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50I was worried about it, wasn't sure if it was the right house and everything,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52came in, I really liked it.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57I like the entrance hall, I like the size of the rooms, I liked a lot of things about it.
0:25:57 > 0:26:02You know, sometimes trying to find people at the end of a house tour is a bit like playing hide and seek.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- Ah! Talking of which, here we are. - Hi, Jules.- All done?- Yes, thank you.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10- Good, right then, let's get you away from here. Follow me.- Thank you.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14Out into the sunshine. The evening sun, how about that?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29So, as night falls over Berkshire,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32day one of our property search draws to a close.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Christopher and Avril have been planning their move to the country for 10 years
0:26:42 > 0:26:47to coincide with their children leaving school. They were delayed by Avril's treatment for cancer,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50but now she's got the all clear they're ready for a new start.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Our first two houses have certainly given them something to think about,
0:26:53 > 0:26:59but still to come, our mystery property has an added bonus which is hard to beat.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01I love it! I really like it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05And I'll be visiting a swan rescue centre before helping one resident return to the wild.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06There you go!
0:27:06 > 0:27:09- Nice feeling, isn't it?- Yes.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18Well, I'm hoping today is going to be more of a conventional day on Escape To The Country.
0:27:18 > 0:27:23I'm pretty sure that you don't know anything about our mystery house.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- Good.- OK.- That's the plan.- OK.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30And, even if you do know, you're not allowed to say anything!
0:27:33 > 0:27:37For our third house, we've travelled around 15 miles from Windsor,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41crossing the border into Surrey, close to the village of Ripley.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Our mystery property might not be in the location they specified,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49but it could well win them over with a surprise bonus that they might fall in love with.
0:27:50 > 0:27:56Now, come on into the mystery house. Why are you laughing?
0:27:56 > 0:28:01- I've seen a tennis court!- Ah! You see! Happy?- Very happy, yes.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06- Love it!- Gorgeous gardens. - That's fabulous.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- Fantastic all-weather floodlit tennis court.- Yes.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13And in this little hamlet here, there are, I think, another three tennis courts.
0:28:13 > 0:28:17- Oh right, OK. - They're all tennis nuts.- OK.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19So you'll be in good company here.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Let's go and look at the mystery house
0:28:21 > 0:28:24- and see what you make of the inside. - Fantastic.- Thank you.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27Well, that tennis court certainly made them smile,
0:28:27 > 0:28:31so let's see if the rest of the house can make them as happy.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Let's start in the kitchen. Well, kitchen diner, I should say.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- Wow, it's a big room.- It's huge. Absolutely enormous.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45There's a huge utility through there as well.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49A nice big range, oil fired there.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Granite tops, and you've got the electric tops here of course. And it goes on.
0:28:53 > 0:28:58I mean, you've got this area here, something of a sort of a snug, if you like,
0:28:58 > 0:29:03but you can see that life is going to happen in this room probably more than any other.
0:29:03 > 0:29:07So, Christopher, let's get imaginative and creative with this one. What would you do?
0:29:07 > 0:29:10I do like the space, it's not cramped, it feels open.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12- Yes, I like it. I like it, yes. - OK, follow me.
0:29:12 > 0:29:18I'm glad to see the spacious nature of this house is really working for Christopher,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22and I'm sure both of them will really appreciate the next room too.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24In here, this is the dining room, currently set up.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29- That door goes through to the kitchen as well as obviously coming through the hallway.- Mm-hmm.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32And of course doors out, straight out into the garden.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35I think there's been a lot of entertaining here over the years.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Right.- As you'll see when we go through to the next bit.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42So, in terms of a party house, it's probably quite a good one.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44A nice aspect out here into the garden.
0:29:44 > 0:29:48Gorgeous, it really is lovely. OK, follow me through here then.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55- Now, another sort of snug, more of a dedicated snug.- Right, yes.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- Almost a sort of club room, I suppose.- Yes.- In a way.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04And again, the whole thing has been extended in so many directions,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07it goes on through here.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11- Right.- There you go. Your own bar!
0:30:11 > 0:30:13THEY LAUGH
0:30:13 > 0:30:15I suspect you'd probably take it out
0:30:15 > 0:30:19and turn this into more of a family room?
0:30:19 > 0:30:23- Yes, definitely.- I think so. Unless you want to run a bar!
0:30:23 > 0:30:26- There you go. - It has a slight attraction!
0:30:26 > 0:30:31And of course it opens out onto this very private patio area as well,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34and there's a little barbecue area out there too.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- And also a wine cellar.- It's a great size.- A wine cellar?- You see!
0:30:38 > 0:30:42I was just waiting to see if that dropped. Absolutely!
0:30:42 > 0:30:46There's a little wine cellar for you. Well, space and scope.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50- Space and scope.- That's the thing with this one. OK?- Yes, great.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Let's have a look upstairs.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57The bar room certainly caught Christopher's imagination
0:30:57 > 0:31:00and the wine cellar was another unexpected bonus.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Upstairs, this house is equally sizeable,
0:31:03 > 0:31:06with a family bathroom and six bedrooms.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07Three with en suite.
0:31:07 > 0:31:13So there's plenty of space, should their children and their friends all want to visit at once.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16But we're heading for the main bedroom.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20So, amongst the six bedrooms, we've of course got you a master suite.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22- You're used to suites.- Yes.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Certainly floor area, there's lots of room around the bed.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29- It doesn't feel cramped or claustrophobic, even for me.- Good.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- Well the en suite is pretty generous too.- Good.- In here.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39- It's a nice big rolltop bath there, the shower of course. - That's a nice bath.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- And his and hers basins. - It's huge!
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- Not bad.- No, it's a big bathroom, isn't it?
0:31:46 > 0:31:48And you really are in your own little world.
0:31:48 > 0:31:54- On the top floor, there's one more bedroom, and also a sauna.- Right.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56- And a steamer.- OK.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59I'm going to let you explore those a little bit later on.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03But I think now, we should get out into the garden,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07back to the tennis court, and really start to draw this one together.
0:32:07 > 0:32:12- I'm looking forward to seeing the garden.- Good, right, follow me. - Thank you.
0:32:12 > 0:32:17Well, they do seem genuinely enthused by this property, not least because of the tennis court,
0:32:17 > 0:32:21and I'm sure they'll see the terrific entertaining potential of the acre of gardens,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24big enough to hold a croquet tournament on!
0:32:24 > 0:32:27But what do they think it costs?
0:32:27 > 0:32:32- Let's have a think about how much it's going to cost you.- Right. - So, Avril?
0:32:32 > 0:32:36- 1.2?- 1.2, yes. - Maybe a little bit more?
0:32:36 > 0:32:38Maybe a little bit more.
0:32:38 > 0:32:44- I'm going to go around the same price I think, 1.2.- 1.2.
0:32:44 > 0:32:45The top end of the budget.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- It would be absolutely the top end of your budget.- Yes.
0:32:48 > 0:32:53And it wouldn't leave you much left over to make a few adjustments, which clearly you'd want to make.
0:32:53 > 0:33:00- So, the good news is that it's not 1.2, it's 1.15.- Right.- OK?- OK.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02That's the other reason I like the mystery house,
0:33:02 > 0:33:06is it's the cheapest one we've been able to offer you so far.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10- Right.- So, go and have an explore. I'll catch up with you later.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11Thank you.
0:33:16 > 0:33:21Under budget at £1.15 million, this house comes complete
0:33:21 > 0:33:23with everything on their wish list and more.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25It has six bedrooms,
0:33:25 > 0:33:28spacious entertaining rooms including a bar,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30a wine cellar for Christopher,
0:33:30 > 0:33:32a huge lawn for croquet,
0:33:32 > 0:33:34and their own tennis court.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38- Avril, have a look at the tennis court. What do you think?- I love it!
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- I really like it.- And I love the garden as well, what do you think?
0:33:41 > 0:33:45I love the garden, it's one of the best features of the house.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49- This must be the sauna, I think, up here.- So that's the sauna.- OK.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- It's a nice big sauna.- It is a big sauna.- I wanted a sauna.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54It's an area that I hadn't considered,
0:33:54 > 0:33:59haven't even thought about coming over this way, and I really like where it is.
0:33:59 > 0:34:00I think that's lovely.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03I think the garden is beautiful, fantastic garden,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05and the tennis court, what can I say?
0:34:05 > 0:34:07It's like icing on the cake, isn't it?
0:34:07 > 0:34:10I was very pleased about the price.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12It's obviously under our maximum budget,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15but it still is pushing that ceiling and I'm a bit concerned
0:34:15 > 0:34:18about how much work we'd have to do to make it feel as if it was our own.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22It's certainly the nicest house we've seen,
0:34:22 > 0:34:27and definitely the best location, and I'm really excited to have seen it.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30So there we are, that's the mystery house.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34Let's face it, it wouldn't have been right if we hadn't found you a property with a tennis court.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37- Yes, it's amazing. - So, we've done that at least,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41but let's get you somewhere where we can sit down and consider what we've seen so far.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44- OK.- And find out what happens next. - OK. Thanks.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59In a county brimming with royal connections,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03it's no surprise that the nation's most regal of birds, the swan,
0:35:03 > 0:35:07has its very own protector here on the Thames in the shadow of Windsor Castle.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14The Queen's official swan marker is responsible for their protection and conservation.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18The role and unique regalia is currently held by David Barber,
0:35:18 > 0:35:21and I have come to meet him, to find out more.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- David Barber, I presume.- Yes, it is.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26They said "Look for the man in the red coat"
0:35:26 > 0:35:29and I found you, looking absolutely resplendent.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31Remind us of your exact title.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Title is Swan Marker to Her Majesty, the Queen.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37The job dates back to the 12th century,
0:35:37 > 0:35:42when the Crown claimed ownership of all the swans in the country.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Because it was an important food source then.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48It was served up at banquets and feasts. It was very precious.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51Of course, today, it's changed
0:35:51 > 0:35:55and now it's all conservation and education.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Playing an important role in the conservation of the mute swan
0:35:58 > 0:36:01is the ancient tradition of swan upping,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03which is the collecting of data,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06assessing the health of young cygnets and checking them for injuries.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Every July the Queen's swan marker
0:36:09 > 0:36:11and swan uppers travel from Sunbury to Abingdon
0:36:11 > 0:36:15to complete the census of this feathered population on the river.
0:36:15 > 0:36:20We will lift the family of swans from the water, take them ashore.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22We will weigh them, measure them,
0:36:22 > 0:36:24and if there's any injuries on them,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26then they would be taken to Swan Lifeline,
0:36:26 > 0:36:29which is a treatment centre here at Eton,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32and they would be looked after there.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36Here at the Swan Lifeline Centre, the injured birds are rehabilitated
0:36:36 > 0:36:39by staff such as warden and treatment co-ordinator Wendy Herman.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43The charity's been based here since 1993.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47We're actually a rescue centre and treatment centre, not a sanctuary.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51- Every bird we get in, we aim to release into the wild.- Amazing.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55What about this little fellow? Was this one born here?
0:36:55 > 0:36:59This one was rescued because it went over a weir and it was abandoned.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01So we didn't know who the family were.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03So this one will stay with us until October,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06when it is fully grown, then we'll release it into a group.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10What are they most at risk of? Is it fishing lines and hooks?
0:37:10 > 0:37:13We get a lot of fishing injuries, mainly every day,
0:37:13 > 0:37:18where they leave their hooks and lines on the river bank,
0:37:18 > 0:37:20and just walk away and leave it.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Last year, the charity rescued round 1,500 swans from the River Thames.
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Once the birds are fit and healthy, they're ready to be released,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31just like this one I am helping to return to the water today.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Can you see the one with the white plastic ring on its leg?
0:37:35 > 0:37:36This one here?
0:37:36 > 0:37:38So I'll catch the swan.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40You're absolutely right you will!
0:37:40 > 0:37:42You can help me wrap it up.
0:37:42 > 0:37:43Fine. Off you go then.
0:37:43 > 0:37:44Come on, poppet.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53To keep the swan secured for its own safety, while being transported back to the river,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55its legs are loosely tied,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and its body is placed in a special wrap.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00That goes over there.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Literally pick it up and put it in there.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04Ooh, hello!
0:38:04 > 0:38:09- Crikey, you're not the lightest swan in the world.- That's it.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11That's extraordinary.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- So off to the river? - She's ready to go.
0:38:13 > 0:38:14Like a bag of shopping.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17The charity's aim is to release birds back to where they came from,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20whenever possible.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23In its 27 year history, the organisation has rescued
0:38:23 > 0:38:26and treated more than 20,000 swans.
0:38:26 > 0:38:31Turn your head away in case she flap her wings, then we just let her go.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36There you go! She looks pretty happy, Wendy.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38She is. She's in her natural environment.
0:38:38 > 0:38:40She'll hopefully look round for a male.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- Thank you very much. Nice feeling, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48And I'm hoping that Christopher and Avril will have a nice feeling
0:38:48 > 0:38:52about their move to Berkshire, as they consider our three properties.
0:38:54 > 0:38:59I'm about to go and have my final conversation with Avril and Christopher.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03Now, we normally like to call this part of the show Decision Time.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07But on this occasion, I think it might be more of a confessional.
0:39:13 > 0:39:18Well, what can I say about this house search?
0:39:18 > 0:39:20It's been an odd one, as you probably gathered.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23So, how have we done, I wonder?
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Let's think about the first one, by the river.
0:39:26 > 0:39:27With the Thames at the end of it.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31Really nice house, nice style of house. Arts and Crafts, Edwardian.
0:39:31 > 0:39:35You could a lot with that. The downstairs was perfect.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37A bit of tweaking here and there.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40The problem for me was when we went upstairs,
0:39:40 > 0:39:44and then my love affair started to fall apart a bit.
0:39:44 > 0:39:45I was having to duck and dive.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47It's funny, the downstairs flowed.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49It was easy to figure out,
0:39:49 > 0:39:53but upstairs it was little corridors and different levels.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54Different levels,
0:39:54 > 0:39:57and walking through one bedroom into another into another.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00It didn't flow very well. I couldn't see how you could change that.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04But surprisingly, at the bottom of the garden, was the river,
0:40:04 > 0:40:07- and that was unexpected. - That was a pleasant surprise.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12If only you'd wanted a boat, we'd have been laughing.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- If boats had been our thing. - Yes, if it wasn't tennis!
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Then we took you to our second property,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21which you had already seen.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Now that has never, ever happened to me on Escape To The Country,
0:40:24 > 0:40:26but you were still keen to have a look at it,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29even though you remembered a lot of it.
0:40:29 > 0:40:34Being objective about it, did you get a sense that you wanted to
0:40:34 > 0:40:37take that one on and really make your mark on it?
0:40:37 > 0:40:41I think the problem for me with that house, particularly upstairs,
0:40:41 > 0:40:45was it appeared to be trying to be so many different types and styles
0:40:45 > 0:40:48of house in one, and it seemed to have lost its way a little bit.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Also, I think we decided probably there and then
0:40:52 > 0:40:55that maybe six bedrooms are probably too many for us.
0:40:55 > 0:41:00I had high hopes for our mystery house, which I'm not sure were met.
0:41:00 > 0:41:05When I saw it I just smiled from, you know, ear to ear.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07The garden was just magical.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- I thought the setting was absolutely terrific.- Perfect.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14I was surprised how peaceful it was. Lovely lawns, as you say.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- The gardens were beautiful. - Tennis court, come on.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- What a bonus.- Unexpected, again.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22The fact it's in a village of tennis enthusiasts
0:41:22 > 0:41:26means Avril would be there all the time, I'm sure.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28- Ideal.- It was the best house.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31And it was the cheapest.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33That was a big surprise,
0:41:33 > 0:41:36and I can't believe we got a bonus of a tennis court.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40Lots of things there that have to make us think.
0:41:40 > 0:41:44We didn't think about Surrey, so moving out of Berkshire, it's interesting.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46I don't think we found you your dream home.
0:41:46 > 0:41:52I'm not convinced it's about finding a house in the country for you two.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56I think, because you have your dream home already, you just want something
0:41:56 > 0:41:58with a bit more space around it,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01and that's very different to having a country life.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03I think you're probably right.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05I think that has really been highlighted to us.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Maybe it's not a rural life we're looking for,
0:42:08 > 0:42:12maybe it's just a house with more space around it, bigger grounds.
0:42:12 > 0:42:18I think that's probably it, but at least we've helped you figure out what it is you do want.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20- You certainly have. Thank you. - That's the main thing.
0:42:20 > 0:42:23It's been a pleasure. We wish you the very best of luck.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Who knows, maybe we'll be here again.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32If you're a regular watcher of Escape To The Country,
0:42:32 > 0:42:36you'll know we very often set out to find our buyers their perfect home.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39But what do you do with a couple that have already got it,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42and are trying to spend over £1 million in the process
0:42:42 > 0:42:45of trying to change it and importantly, get something better?
0:42:45 > 0:42:47Well, it's always going to be a tall order.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51That's exactly what we found here in Berkshire and Surrey,
0:42:51 > 0:42:52with Avril and Christopher.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55I don't doubt they want to escape where they are,
0:42:55 > 0:42:57but by their own admission,
0:42:57 > 0:42:59whether they really want to escape to the country,
0:42:59 > 0:43:01I think that's another matter.
0:43:01 > 0:43:02I'll see you next time.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:05 > 0:43:08Northern Ireland or England, and would like our help,
0:43:08 > 0:43:14please apply online -
0:43:33 > 0:43:36Subtitles by Red Bee Media
0:43:36 > 0:43:39E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk