Somerset

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0:00:06 > 0:00:06Welcome to Escape to the Country.

0:00:06 > 0:00:09I may be in the smallest city in England...

0:00:13 > 0:00:16..but it has a very impressive cathedral organ.

0:00:16 > 0:00:18Find out where I am in just a moment.

0:00:52 > 0:00:56On today's show, I'm helping a couple relocate from

0:00:56 > 0:00:58a town house by the sea, to a rural village,

0:00:58 > 0:01:01just like the one they grew up in.

0:01:01 > 0:01:06- We'll be showing them some real country gems.- Oh, this is beautiful.

0:01:06 > 0:01:09But, will our mystery house hit the spot?

0:01:09 > 0:01:13It adds a whole new meaning to a home from home. I like it. I like it.

0:01:17 > 0:01:21Today we're in Wells in Somerset and the cathedral here has had

0:01:21 > 0:01:25an organ since 1310, this one though is a relative baby.

0:01:25 > 0:01:28It was built by Mr Henry Willis in 1857.

0:01:28 > 0:01:32Later in the show, I'm going to come back and have a lesson on it.

0:01:32 > 0:01:33I can't wait.

0:01:34 > 0:01:38The county of Somerset has many strong ties to the church

0:01:38 > 0:01:39and religion.

0:01:39 > 0:01:41Indeed, William Blake's poem, Jerusalem,

0:01:41 > 0:01:44source of the famous hymn, is inspired by the story

0:01:44 > 0:01:48that Jesus accompanied his uncle, Joseph of Arimatheia,

0:01:48 > 0:01:52on a trip to the tin mines of the region during the 1st Century AD.

0:01:52 > 0:01:57Legend has it that Joseph of Arimatheia went on to build a chapel in Glastonbury.

0:01:57 > 0:02:01Glastonbury itself is an area steeped in mystical associations.

0:02:01 > 0:02:04It's believed by some to be the site of the Isle of Avalon,

0:02:04 > 0:02:10the final resting place of the legendary King Arthur and his Queen Guinevere,

0:02:10 > 0:02:15but this county has much more to offer than just stories of its past. Somerset is the setting

0:02:15 > 0:02:19for one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the country.

0:02:19 > 0:02:23Wells has been a place of formal worship since Roman times.

0:02:23 > 0:02:27There's been a church on the site since the 8th Century.

0:02:27 > 0:02:30Somerset is situated along the edge of the Bristol channel

0:02:30 > 0:02:33and shares borders with Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire.

0:02:33 > 0:02:37It has a wealth of pretty villages, breath-taking countryside

0:02:37 > 0:02:39and spectacular historic sites.

0:02:39 > 0:02:43Predominantly agricultural land, the limestone hills of the Mendips

0:02:43 > 0:02:46sprawl in a line below Bristol, while their sister range,

0:02:46 > 0:02:52the Quantocks, stretch just east of Exmoor which spans the border with Devon.

0:02:52 > 0:02:56Now, if you're looking for beautiful and traditional countryside living,

0:02:56 > 0:03:02then Somerset is a good bet because it has 1,610 square miles of countryside

0:03:02 > 0:03:05and some charming villages filled in turn with beautiful property.

0:03:05 > 0:03:07As for prices,

0:03:07 > 0:03:11well, it's a little bit more expensive than the national average.

0:03:11 > 0:03:15A regular detached house here will cost £45,000 less than

0:03:15 > 0:03:19the same thing over the border in neighbouring Dorset.

0:03:19 > 0:03:22So, go on, treat yourself, take a look at what's on the market.

0:03:24 > 0:03:29If you're after a traditional property to match this county's rural allure,

0:03:29 > 0:03:34this three bed barn conversion in the heart of the market town of Crewkerne is full of character.

0:03:34 > 0:03:39It offers a number of original features, mixing the old with the new,

0:03:39 > 0:03:43and would set you back just under £240,000.

0:03:44 > 0:03:48Or what about this handsome house in the coastal town of Minehead

0:03:48 > 0:03:51which was built in the 20s for a member of the gentry?

0:03:51 > 0:03:55For £585,000 you could lord it up.

0:03:55 > 0:03:58With five bedrooms, an Edwardian plant room

0:03:58 > 0:04:01and light and airy reception rooms.

0:04:03 > 0:04:06If your budget can stretch to it, this gorgeous five bed

0:04:06 > 0:04:11converted barn in Cutcombe is believed to date back to the early 19th Century

0:04:11 > 0:04:14and it's set in 22 acres with views over Exmoor National Park.

0:04:14 > 0:04:18At £795,000, it has an enviable galleried living room

0:04:18 > 0:04:24with vaulted ceiling, French doors, leading out to a terrace,

0:04:24 > 0:04:28and a variety of paddocks and outbuildings to play with.

0:04:28 > 0:04:31Are you tempted by Somerset's property treasures?

0:04:31 > 0:04:35Hopefully, our buyers will be today, although they haven't come very far to go property shopping.

0:04:35 > 0:04:37Let's meet them.

0:04:38 > 0:04:40Meet Robert and Wendy.

0:04:40 > 0:04:43They actually went to school together in Wales.

0:04:43 > 0:04:45It was many years later that they met up again and married.

0:04:45 > 0:04:48They have three sons and four grandchildren between them

0:04:48 > 0:04:51and now they've added to their family further

0:04:51 > 0:04:55with a dog and two cats. So, the property they're looking for will need to have room

0:04:55 > 0:04:58for both guests and pets.

0:04:58 > 0:05:03Our buyers aren't quite ready to retire just yet, but they have begun to plan ahead.

0:05:03 > 0:05:05They feel now is the right time for them

0:05:05 > 0:05:08to sell their four bed Victorian townhouse in Portishead

0:05:08 > 0:05:13and move to a more rural location where they can be part of the community.

0:05:13 > 0:05:17My perfect property would be towards the centre of a village.

0:05:17 > 0:05:20Possibly with even like a village green in front of it and a pub.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24I'd like to be able to go out and know the people that I pass the road.

0:05:24 > 0:05:29Although they want to swap their sea views in Portishead for rolling hills and fields,

0:05:29 > 0:05:31they still want to stay in the same county.

0:05:31 > 0:05:35We've got family close. We don't want to be too far away from them,

0:05:35 > 0:05:39but we want it make that transition into the country proper.

0:05:39 > 0:05:42They have future plans for more leisure time

0:05:42 > 0:05:45and a home that will see them through their autumn years.

0:05:45 > 0:05:50We want to find our final house together really. Our forever house.

0:05:50 > 0:05:52We want this to be the big move.

0:05:52 > 0:05:56Paul still has a good few years' work in him yet

0:05:56 > 0:05:59and the move has to accommodate his professional needs.

0:05:59 > 0:06:01I travel a great deal in my job.

0:06:01 > 0:06:04In that we hope to move long before I retire,

0:06:04 > 0:06:07I still need access to communications, the motorways

0:06:07 > 0:06:10and particularly the railway station to get to Heathrow.

0:06:10 > 0:06:15The house they're looking for is one that is a similar size to their current home,

0:06:15 > 0:06:18but with less than the three floors they have now.

0:06:18 > 0:06:20We need a good kitchen.

0:06:20 > 0:06:25A large and open lounge, which could be combined with a dining room.

0:06:25 > 0:06:27At least three bedrooms, one for ourselves

0:06:27 > 0:06:29and two good guest bedrooms.

0:06:29 > 0:06:32A fourth bedroom, which would probably become a study.

0:06:32 > 0:06:35A barn conversion is definitely on the cards.

0:06:35 > 0:06:39The sort of place that I quite like is the conversion

0:06:39 > 0:06:42that might have been farm outbuildings or whatever.

0:06:42 > 0:06:44Again, provided that they've been done well,

0:06:44 > 0:06:48and relatively recently, then you've got a period property,

0:06:48 > 0:06:52but you've actually got a completely modern renovated interior.

0:06:52 > 0:06:56One thing they don't want is a property that needs too much work.

0:06:56 > 0:06:59My biggest no-no for our new house

0:06:59 > 0:07:03is going to be a renovation project of any sort.

0:07:03 > 0:07:09Also, anything church-like. Ecclesiastical, converted chapel.

0:07:09 > 0:07:11No, thank you, it's too creepy.

0:07:11 > 0:07:18With their property search about to become a reality, as always, the money does the talking.

0:07:18 > 0:07:21The budget for the new property is £400,000.

0:07:24 > 0:07:27Wonderful. It's a classic Escape assignment.

0:07:27 > 0:07:32A beautiful village, with cricket on the green and ducks on the pond

0:07:32 > 0:07:34and a lovely community, and in gorgeous Somerset -

0:07:34 > 0:07:36what more could we want?

0:07:36 > 0:07:39No converted chapels or creepy churches.

0:07:39 > 0:07:40Mha-ha-ha!

0:07:40 > 0:07:43Well, not unless they misbehave.

0:07:43 > 0:07:46Robert and Wendy have asked us to find them a house

0:07:46 > 0:07:50in the thriving village in the centre of the county, that's close enough to a station

0:07:50 > 0:07:53so he can hop on the train to Heathrow for work.

0:07:53 > 0:07:57So we'll be concentrating our search around Wells and Glastonbury.

0:07:57 > 0:08:01We've cherry picked some prime properties in the area. As usual, our buyers will need to

0:08:01 > 0:08:04guess the price before I reveal it to them.

0:08:04 > 0:08:10Then, of course, there's the mystery house which might just inspire them to embrace new ideas.

0:08:10 > 0:08:13- Morning, guys.- Hello.- Morning.

0:08:13 > 0:08:14Usually at this stage I would say,

0:08:14 > 0:08:18- welcome to Somerset, but you're actually from Somerset.- We are.

0:08:18 > 0:08:22Do you know this area? Is there a reason to move to this bit of Somerset?

0:08:22 > 0:08:25No, we just like Somerset. We don't really know this area at all, do we?

0:08:25 > 0:08:28Basically, we've still got family back in Portishead.

0:08:28 > 0:08:30We don't want to divorce ourselves

0:08:30 > 0:08:34and move right out into the wilds. We need some home comforts,

0:08:34 > 0:08:36but we need a different set of home comforts.

0:08:36 > 0:08:39So is this a, sort of, final footprint?

0:08:39 > 0:08:44- Yeah, this is it.- This is the plan. - This is going to be the one for us.

0:08:44 > 0:08:47- Tell me your budget again? - £400,000.- £400,000.

0:08:47 > 0:08:53- I've got all of your list of desired qualities.- OK.- Let's go and look. They're all waiting for you.

0:08:53 > 0:08:55- Let's go for it.- Thank you.

0:08:56 > 0:09:00Robert and Wendy are prepared to pay £400,000

0:09:00 > 0:09:04on a light and airy house with a minimum of three bedrooms.

0:09:04 > 0:09:06They want a big kitchen and are happy to combine

0:09:06 > 0:09:10their new sitting room and dining room in an open-plan space.

0:09:10 > 0:09:12They'd like a manageable sized garden

0:09:12 > 0:09:15and a property that's in a village with a lively community.

0:09:15 > 0:09:18Definitely not on the list is a project.

0:09:18 > 0:09:22This couple want a house they can move into straight away.

0:09:24 > 0:09:28We're starting our property hunt in the village of Walton,

0:09:28 > 0:09:30on the doorstep of the vibrant town of Street

0:09:30 > 0:09:34and two miles from historic Glastonbury.

0:09:34 > 0:09:39Walton is a popular village tucked away on the edge of the Polden Hills.

0:09:39 > 0:09:42It's a lively community with a couple of pubs and a farm shop.

0:09:42 > 0:09:45The local church, the Church of the Holy Trinity,

0:09:45 > 0:09:47is a Grade II listed building.

0:09:47 > 0:09:50Situated on the A39,

0:09:50 > 0:09:53the front of our first house has been reversed.

0:09:53 > 0:09:55The garages face the road,

0:09:55 > 0:09:58while the entrance to the property is accessed via the back garden.

0:10:03 > 0:10:07- Now, this is very unorthodox to show you the house from the back.- Right.

0:10:07 > 0:10:10But you won't have overlooked the fact that there is

0:10:10 > 0:10:11the road at the front.

0:10:11 > 0:10:15In many ways, this house offers you everything that you want on paper.

0:10:15 > 0:10:20- Good.- We wanted to show it to you despite the fact that the road is not ideal.

0:10:20 > 0:10:23Tell me about the location? Tell me about the road?

0:10:23 > 0:10:26Tell me about the building? Tell me what you think?

0:10:26 > 0:10:27The building looks lovely.

0:10:27 > 0:10:31The garden, from what I can see so far, is stunning. Lovely.

0:10:31 > 0:10:36I love the way that it backs onto a field. That's really nice.

0:10:36 > 0:10:39It does the old adage of making a first impression.

0:10:39 > 0:10:43You've got to give this one just that little bit extra because,

0:10:43 > 0:10:46as you walk away from the road, it just adds and adds and adds.

0:10:46 > 0:10:48It creates a terrific impression, it really does.

0:10:48 > 0:10:54- Shall we have a look inside? - Love to. Yes, please. - It adds and adds, I like that.

0:10:54 > 0:10:56A very positive first reaction for house number one.

0:10:56 > 0:11:00So this is the front side door.

0:11:00 > 0:11:04And there's plenty more for them to get excited about inside.

0:11:08 > 0:11:13- Now, it brings us straight into the dining room.- It's lovely.

0:11:13 > 0:11:17I like this. It's just us really, isn't it? I like this.

0:11:17 > 0:11:18I like the floor.

0:11:18 > 0:11:22Because of the aspect of the house, you've got the double light.

0:11:22 > 0:11:25The light on both sides. That really does help it a great deal.

0:11:25 > 0:11:29A little bit of the history. This was all agricultural outbuildings.

0:11:29 > 0:11:30They had various functions.

0:11:30 > 0:11:34You can see these, sort of, cross beams that go across.

0:11:34 > 0:11:37That was where the hay was dropped down

0:11:37 > 0:11:41and underneath was the, sort of, manger on that side.

0:11:41 > 0:11:46Actually, underneath these tiles there's the original cobbles.

0:11:46 > 0:11:49I like the easy access from the kitchen. I don't like doors.

0:11:49 > 0:11:52- Lots of houses take the doors away. This really works well.- Good.

0:11:52 > 0:11:54We'll come back to the kitchen later.

0:11:54 > 0:12:01Let's look at the main event, which is this wonderful living room.

0:12:01 > 0:12:02Oh, this is beautiful.

0:12:02 > 0:12:06That is just lovely, isn't it?

0:12:06 > 0:12:10It's probably a bit too early to be talking about wow factors.

0:12:10 > 0:12:14- Ah, never too early to talk about wow factors.- It's just beautiful.

0:12:14 > 0:12:16It's so light.

0:12:16 > 0:12:19- The one thing we really wanted. - The one thing I like about a conversion type building is,

0:12:19 > 0:12:23for the sort of money that we've got, which isn't excessive,

0:12:23 > 0:12:27it's the only opportunity that you get for this size of living room.

0:12:27 > 0:12:30Actually, this was the shearing shed. You can see there are hooks where they hung the shears.

0:12:30 > 0:12:34So all the sheep from the estate would come in here.

0:12:34 > 0:12:36This side of it was completely open.

0:12:36 > 0:12:39These were open to the elements, there was no wall here.

0:12:39 > 0:12:43The architect put these, sort of, curved cylindrical...

0:12:43 > 0:12:45- this is a feature. - Yes, very cleverly done.

0:12:45 > 0:12:47Now, the house is in, sort of, two halves.

0:12:47 > 0:12:49There's an upstairs at this end.

0:12:49 > 0:12:52Again, it was all built really to be away from the road.

0:12:52 > 0:12:54Can you hear the road? Is it bothering you inside?

0:12:54 > 0:12:57- Not inside at all, no. - No, not at all.

0:12:57 > 0:12:59A lot of the living quarters are on this side.

0:12:59 > 0:13:04There is actually another, sort of, staircase on the other end going up to some other rooms.

0:13:04 > 0:13:09Let's have a little peak up at the master bedroom/family bathroom.

0:13:10 > 0:13:14So on this side, we have a family bathroom here

0:13:14 > 0:13:18and a little room which could be a study or a dressing room.

0:13:18 > 0:13:23- Through here is the master bedroom. - Yeah... It's nice.

0:13:23 > 0:13:28It's not huge, but it does everything you need a bedroom to do, doesn't it?

0:13:28 > 0:13:32- Room to walk round the bed. - The storage space makes a big difference.- Yeah.

0:13:32 > 0:13:36It compensates for what appears to be a small room.

0:13:36 > 0:13:38So the master gets the thumbs up.

0:13:38 > 0:13:43Let's see if we can build on this momentum as we head to the kitchen.

0:13:46 > 0:13:47Here it is.

0:13:47 > 0:13:49Oh, right.

0:13:49 > 0:13:53- It's compact. - Yes.- Compact. Is it too small?

0:13:53 > 0:13:55The important thing is the work surface.

0:13:55 > 0:13:56There's lots of work surface there

0:13:56 > 0:13:59and storage space within the cupboards anyway.

0:13:59 > 0:14:02- No, I like that.- You could cook in here.- I could cook in there.

0:14:02 > 0:14:06- Are you the cook?- He's the cook.

0:14:06 > 0:14:11Right, next to the kitchen you've got this fabulous utility room which really is a boost.

0:14:11 > 0:14:15Ah, that is good. Yes. That's a great advantage.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17- It's a second kitchen, in effect.- It is, yes.

0:14:17 > 0:14:21It's a bit like the tardis, it just gets bigger, actually.

0:14:21 > 0:14:24Meeting our buyer's requirements for guest space,

0:14:24 > 0:14:28there are two further good sized bedrooms, both with skylights,

0:14:28 > 0:14:29up the second set of stairs.

0:14:29 > 0:14:32There's also an additional family bathroom.

0:14:32 > 0:14:36At one third of an acre, this superb expansive garden might be

0:14:36 > 0:14:41bigger than Robert and Wendy were looking for, but it does include an apple orchard,

0:14:41 > 0:14:44a vegetable patch and views over neighbouring fields.

0:14:44 > 0:14:47- Lovely viewing weather. - Yes, isn't it just?- Absolutely.

0:14:47 > 0:14:49They always say if you see a house you like in the rain,

0:14:49 > 0:14:52then you're going to love it in the sunshine.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55Yeah. Yeah. We like what we've seen in the rain.

0:14:55 > 0:14:57Yes, indeed.

0:14:57 > 0:14:59I mean, you couldn't get worse conditions

0:14:59 > 0:15:02to make a first impression and it's still a good impression.

0:15:02 > 0:15:05How much do you think it's on the market for?

0:15:05 > 0:15:08I would go pretty near £400,000. What about you?

0:15:08 > 0:15:13I think the quality is such that it will push it towards £395,000.

0:15:13 > 0:15:16Your instincts are all correct.

0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Really?- It's £50 short.

0:15:19 > 0:15:23It's just a smidgen under £400,000.

0:15:23 > 0:15:28- I'm not surprised because the quality is there.- That's right.

0:15:28 > 0:15:31I'm going to send you back in to have a little root around,

0:15:31 > 0:15:34maybe look at the upstairs at the back, rooms you haven't seen,

0:15:34 > 0:15:38then we'll meet out the front and move on to the next.

0:15:38 > 0:15:42- Fantastic. Thank you. - Let's go.- On you go.

0:15:42 > 0:15:45Within budget at just shy of £400,000,

0:15:45 > 0:15:49this converted detached barn provides a strong opener

0:15:49 > 0:15:51for Robert and Wendy.

0:15:51 > 0:15:53It's got four good-sized bedrooms,

0:15:53 > 0:15:55a fantastic open plan living space

0:15:55 > 0:15:57featuring exposed roof timbers

0:15:57 > 0:15:58and natural stone,

0:15:58 > 0:16:00and a good-sized kitchen.

0:16:00 > 0:16:03It is on an A road, rather than a quiet country lane,

0:16:03 > 0:16:06but will this be a dealbreaker?

0:16:06 > 0:16:09I was really impressed by the standard of the property.

0:16:09 > 0:16:12One thing I didn't really want to have,

0:16:12 > 0:16:16was any work to do to a house when we move in.

0:16:16 > 0:16:19I think the downstairs space is better than the upstairs space.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22To be frank, for the money, I didn't expect to find so much space.

0:16:22 > 0:16:24looking at the house,

0:16:24 > 0:16:26I would say that this is a house we could live in.

0:16:26 > 0:16:29Not absolutely sure about the location.

0:16:29 > 0:16:33We'd have to take one step backwards and look at it objectively.

0:16:33 > 0:16:35It's the first house you've shown us,

0:16:35 > 0:16:38and you'd like to think it could only get better,

0:16:38 > 0:16:42but it can't. It's a super house!

0:16:43 > 0:16:46- You gathered up all your bits and pieces?- Yes, thank you.

0:16:46 > 0:16:49We are done in Walton. Let's proceed.

0:16:56 > 0:16:59Robert and Wendy are no strangers to Somerset, having spent

0:16:59 > 0:17:03the last five years in the coastal town of Portishead in the northwest.

0:17:03 > 0:17:06Much of the rest of the county is still unchartered territory

0:17:06 > 0:17:10for them, so earlier, we took them to the cathedral city of Wells,

0:17:10 > 0:17:12the smallest city in England

0:17:12 > 0:17:15and the centre of our house search.

0:17:15 > 0:17:18Taking its name from the springs that supply the moats

0:17:18 > 0:17:24surrounding the Bishop's Palace, Wells retains a wealth of mediaeval buildings.

0:17:24 > 0:17:29The Vicar's Close is a cobbled street of uniform houses dating back to the 14th century.

0:17:29 > 0:17:32It's thought to be the oldest, complete mediaeval street in Europe,

0:17:32 > 0:17:36remaining unchanged for almost 700 years.

0:17:36 > 0:17:39The street still houses choir members

0:17:39 > 0:17:44of the impressive Wells Cathedral, built in the 12th century.

0:17:44 > 0:17:49Just outside Wells, lies another building of historical importance

0:17:49 > 0:17:53and one that Robert, who enjoys cooking, might find appealing.

0:17:53 > 0:17:57Located in the village of Wookey, Burcott Mill dates back

0:17:57 > 0:18:01over a millennium and is one of the only two fully working

0:18:01 > 0:18:03waterpowered flourmills left in Somerset.

0:18:03 > 0:18:08We arranged for Robert and Wendy to see the historic process.

0:18:08 > 0:18:11- Hello, Steve! How are you? - Hello, welcome to Burcott Mill.

0:18:11 > 0:18:14- Thank you. - This is where it all happens.

0:18:14 > 0:18:18- Would you like to have a look? - Absolutely.- Follow me.- Let's go.

0:18:18 > 0:18:21The flour at Burcott Mill is produced

0:18:21 > 0:18:25using the same methods and machinery that were employed 150 years ago.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28The flour is ground between two millstones,

0:18:28 > 0:18:31each of which weigh about three quarters of a ton.

0:18:31 > 0:18:35Powered by water drawn in from the River Axe,

0:18:35 > 0:18:40these twin stones can produce 50 kilos of flour every hour.

0:18:40 > 0:18:44An example of this process can be seen using a quern and hand stone.

0:18:44 > 0:18:46- Shall I show you how it works? - Yes please.

0:18:46 > 0:18:51Take a bit of grain, drop in the middle of the top stone, the runner stone.

0:18:51 > 0:18:54Then, using a bit of hand power...

0:18:57 > 0:19:00..it makes the flour.

0:19:00 > 0:19:02- Wow!- Would you like a go? - Wendy, I think!

0:19:02 > 0:19:06Take some grain. I wouldn't put too much grain in,

0:19:06 > 0:19:09otherwise it'll be really hard to turn and you'll look quite weak!

0:19:09 > 0:19:11So, you wouldn't want that!

0:19:11 > 0:19:14This method had been used in Britain for generations,

0:19:14 > 0:19:17until the Romans introduced watermills.

0:19:17 > 0:19:19There you go! I can see some flour.

0:19:19 > 0:19:23I wouldn't like to spend all day doing that!

0:19:23 > 0:19:27The mill produces 20 tons of flour a year, supplying hotels, restaurants

0:19:27 > 0:19:30and bakeries across the county, and also has its own teahouse,

0:19:30 > 0:19:32serving bread made in the mill.

0:19:32 > 0:19:35The bread's delicious, thank you. Lovely! Thank you.

0:19:39 > 0:19:43We continue our search on the edge of the village of North Wooton.

0:19:43 > 0:19:47The name Wooton means, "The settlement in or by a wood."

0:19:47 > 0:19:50Located three miles south of Wells, the village is dominated

0:19:50 > 0:19:55by the heights of Twin Hills Wood and Launchley Hill.

0:19:55 > 0:19:58Our second house is another barn conversion, this time set

0:19:58 > 0:20:02in delightful open countryside, well away from any main roads.

0:20:02 > 0:20:04Do you spot the difference?

0:20:04 > 0:20:09- Peace, quiet... - Peace, quiet, we're on the road...

0:20:09 > 0:20:14- A marked contrast to the A road we were on earlier.- Yeah, very much so.

0:20:14 > 0:20:16The house I want to show you is this one, here.

0:20:16 > 0:20:20It is joined to...this used to be a pub or a cider house.

0:20:20 > 0:20:23This was the barn, again it's a barn conversion,

0:20:23 > 0:20:26and it was converted back in the '80s.

0:20:26 > 0:20:28- Looks very promising. - Looks inviting.

0:20:28 > 0:20:32Can't wait to go in.

0:20:32 > 0:20:35- Shall we look inside?- Yes, please. - Absolutely.

0:20:35 > 0:20:38As it's tucked away from any traffic noise, the initial

0:20:38 > 0:20:42reactions to this house makes me think we may have hit the jackpot.

0:20:42 > 0:20:45Come on in.

0:20:49 > 0:20:53Straight through into the kitchen diner.

0:20:53 > 0:20:56- It's empty at the moment. - It's empty.

0:20:56 > 0:20:59- A different proposition here. - BOTH: Yes.

0:20:59 > 0:21:03The thing about this property is that we've got all the location

0:21:03 > 0:21:06and potential, but the house, I think, needs a bit of you in it.

0:21:06 > 0:21:10It doesn't strike me as needing that much to it,

0:21:10 > 0:21:12on first impression, certainly.

0:21:12 > 0:21:16The house is empty, so you don't have the...

0:21:16 > 0:21:20- Well...!- "Well", says Wendy with a question mark! What would you do?

0:21:20 > 0:21:23It's the units and floor, for a start.

0:21:23 > 0:21:26Yes, this floor could probably do with a little sparkle.

0:21:26 > 0:21:30So, unlike the last property, this is a smaller house.

0:21:30 > 0:21:32It's quite a simple layout.

0:21:32 > 0:21:35This is really the heart of the property, the kitchen diner,

0:21:35 > 0:21:37and then you've got, through here...

0:21:40 > 0:21:43..this is the sitting room.

0:21:43 > 0:21:46Oh, this is pleasant. It's quite light.

0:21:46 > 0:21:48It's airy, it's light,

0:21:48 > 0:21:51it's got super access out to the garden and lawn, there.

0:21:51 > 0:21:54And the garden is spectacular, when we look at it.

0:21:54 > 0:21:58It does cry out for a conservatory or extension, in that respect.

0:21:58 > 0:22:01And if that was in your budget,

0:22:01 > 0:22:04then that would be a really good addition to the property.

0:22:04 > 0:22:07'Well, that's a turnaround.

0:22:07 > 0:22:09'Having said they weren't keen on a project,

0:22:09 > 0:22:12'our buyers are suggesting changes they could make.

0:22:12 > 0:22:15'Perhaps they might consider some renovation?

0:22:15 > 0:22:17'Let's see if we can build on their ideas upstairs.'

0:22:22 > 0:22:26This is the biggest room, would be, maybe, the master bedroom.

0:22:26 > 0:22:30It's nice and light. First impression is airy.

0:22:30 > 0:22:34- I think I'd be inclined to take that away.- The vanity.

0:22:34 > 0:22:38I was thinking there are other options. There's only three bedrooms here.

0:22:38 > 0:22:41So you could have this as the master, or I was thinking,

0:22:41 > 0:22:44if we look down the landing...

0:22:46 > 0:22:49..there's a little room, there...

0:22:51 > 0:22:56..and this is the other big room at the front of the house.

0:22:56 > 0:22:59And the reason I thought maybe you could make this your bedroom

0:22:59 > 0:23:02is because you are next to the bathroom.

0:23:02 > 0:23:06So if you're going to take that vanity unit, I don't know why,

0:23:06 > 0:23:10- I thought this nice to sleep in. - This is a bit more confining.

0:23:10 > 0:23:13To get a study out of this, and accommodate grandchildren,

0:23:13 > 0:23:17or indeed anybody else, is going to be imaginative.

0:23:17 > 0:23:21'Although the bedrooms are small, one significant extra this property does have,

0:23:21 > 0:23:25'is a large garage which could be used as additional living space,

0:23:25 > 0:23:27'with some clever renovation work.

0:23:27 > 0:23:30And the garden with its mature trees and shrubs,

0:23:30 > 0:23:32'does have a unique selling point.'

0:23:32 > 0:23:35Personally, I think you should buy this house

0:23:35 > 0:23:40- because of that tree. - Pretty spectacular.- It's stunning.

0:23:40 > 0:23:43Wellingtonia - not many of them in the country.

0:23:43 > 0:23:45Quite a rarity to find it here in the middle of Somerset.

0:23:45 > 0:23:48Beautiful. Maybe 200 years old?

0:23:48 > 0:23:50And looking back at the house itself,

0:23:50 > 0:23:53can you see anything that you'd like to do?

0:23:53 > 0:23:56It needs to be made an awful lot bigger.

0:23:56 > 0:24:00It needs more space upstairs and downstairs, really.

0:24:00 > 0:24:04So it needs an extension, or a conservatory,

0:24:04 > 0:24:06or something to make it bigger.

0:24:06 > 0:24:09There's perfect room for it, but it's going to cost money.

0:24:09 > 0:24:13- What do you think the asking price is?- I would go for...

0:24:13 > 0:24:14365.

0:24:16 > 0:24:18I would've gone less,

0:24:18 > 0:24:23- I would've gone for 340.- 340.

0:24:23 > 0:24:29So you're going to be shocked to find out that actually this is only

0:24:29 > 0:24:33£500 less than your asking price!

0:24:33 > 0:24:35- Really? Gosh!- On the market

0:24:35 > 0:24:40- for just a shade under £400,000. - Gosh!

0:24:40 > 0:24:44- That's a lot of money. - It's a lot of money, largely because of the location.

0:24:44 > 0:24:48Yes, indeed. It has got a lot going for it, it really has,

0:24:48 > 0:24:51not quite in our direction, I don't think.

0:24:51 > 0:24:54Certainly very clearly not in your direction!

0:24:55 > 0:24:58Good, well, have a look around inside,

0:24:58 > 0:25:01and then we can continue thinking, afterwards.

0:25:01 > 0:25:04- OK.- Let's have a look.

0:25:04 > 0:25:07'Coming in just under their budget of £400,000,

0:25:07 > 0:25:11'our second house does need some work,

0:25:11 > 0:25:13'so Robert and Wendy would have to factor that in.

0:25:13 > 0:25:16'But it does have three bedrooms,

0:25:16 > 0:25:19'a sitting room with an exposed stone fireplace,

0:25:19 > 0:25:21'a fantastic rural location

0:25:21 > 0:25:24'and it also has a garage that could be refurbished

0:25:24 > 0:25:26'to add additional living space.'

0:25:26 > 0:25:30It would have had to be a lot cheaper,

0:25:30 > 0:25:33to make me want to do stuff to it,

0:25:33 > 0:25:35because, the price it is,

0:25:35 > 0:25:40we wouldn't have any surplus money to do anything with it, really.

0:25:40 > 0:25:44You might find we have to restructure what we think

0:25:44 > 0:25:46we're going to get for our money.

0:25:46 > 0:25:49Yes, we're looking for a village rural community

0:25:49 > 0:25:52and to be part of the community, but, the house

0:25:52 > 0:25:56and the fact we're going to live in it for the rest of our years,

0:25:56 > 0:25:58has to come first.

0:25:58 > 0:26:02I think a 90 foot Wellingtonia's not going to sway them to buy(!)

0:26:02 > 0:26:05- Hello! All done?- Yes.- Yes indeed.

0:26:05 > 0:26:09So, pull the door and we shall go home and reflect.

0:26:12 > 0:26:17As the sun dips over the Mendip Hills, our buyers have plenty to think about.

0:26:17 > 0:26:20We've had mixed reactions to the properties we've seen so far.

0:26:20 > 0:26:25What surprises will the mystery house have in store tomorrow?

0:26:33 > 0:26:36With a budget of £400,000,

0:26:36 > 0:26:39Robert and Wendy want to say goodbye to the sea views

0:26:39 > 0:26:42offered by the town of Portishead in North Somerset and move

0:26:42 > 0:26:46further south to a village where they can become part of the community.

0:26:46 > 0:26:50So far, they've had contrasting reactions to the two properties we've shown them.

0:26:50 > 0:26:54It's just beautiful, it's so light.

0:26:54 > 0:26:56So it needs an extension, conservatory...

0:26:56 > 0:26:59With one more property to go, will our mystery house

0:26:59 > 0:27:02whet their appetite?

0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Gosh, isn't that fantastic! - It is, actually.

0:27:04 > 0:27:06And later in the programme,

0:27:06 > 0:27:09I'll be working on creating my own harmonious atmosphere.

0:27:09 > 0:27:14MUSIC: "Toccata and Fugue D Minor" by Bach

0:27:17 > 0:27:21Wendy and Robert are on the horns of, for the show,

0:27:21 > 0:27:23a very familiar dilemma.

0:27:23 > 0:27:25House or location?

0:27:25 > 0:27:29Yesterday, we showed them that beautiful property on a noisy road. Wasn't ideal.

0:27:29 > 0:27:33Then a lovely location with a house they weren't so crazy about.

0:27:33 > 0:27:36However, one thing has shifted.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39At the beginning, they were adamant, adamant,

0:27:39 > 0:27:41that they didn't want a project.

0:27:41 > 0:27:44And yet, the second house yesterday, they were,

0:27:44 > 0:27:47"Yes, we could put a sunroom here, an extension there",

0:27:47 > 0:27:51and that gives me a glimmer of hope, because our mystery house,

0:27:51 > 0:27:55if they are prepared to soften their attitude towards renovation,

0:27:55 > 0:27:58could be their forever home.

0:28:00 > 0:28:01The mystery house.

0:28:01 > 0:28:04What do you think we might be showing you?

0:28:04 > 0:28:08Well, I know you can be very sneaky on the mystery house!

0:28:08 > 0:28:09Sneaky!

0:28:09 > 0:28:12But I really, really don't have that much of an idea.

0:28:12 > 0:28:15Is there anything you're definitely hoping it's not?

0:28:15 > 0:28:21I have said that the thing I would not like is something like a church.

0:28:21 > 0:28:23Graves would really worry me!

0:28:23 > 0:28:28- No open graves for flower beds? - No, no, absolutely not!

0:28:28 > 0:28:32So onto our mystery house in the village of Chilcompton,

0:28:32 > 0:28:35slightly further north, in the Mendip Hills,

0:28:35 > 0:28:37and about 20 minutes from Wells.

0:28:37 > 0:28:41Chilcompton is a thriving village, with three churches, a shop,

0:28:41 > 0:28:43a post office and two good country pubs.

0:28:43 > 0:28:47Right in the heart of the community, our mystery house has got

0:28:47 > 0:28:50the central location Robert and Wendy are after,

0:28:50 > 0:28:52and it's also a conversion,

0:28:52 > 0:28:55but perhaps not the kind they had in mind.

0:28:55 > 0:28:59Because you were both so well-behaved and such lovely housebuyers,

0:28:59 > 0:29:02I didn't take you to a converted church.

0:29:02 > 0:29:05- Oh, thank you!- But I did take you to a converted pub!

0:29:05 > 0:29:10Indeed! The place I've always wanted to live in!

0:29:10 > 0:29:14It adds a whole new meaning to home-from-home.

0:29:14 > 0:29:18- So you approve of a converted pub? - Yes.- Yes indeed, absolutely.

0:29:18 > 0:29:22- Shall we go and have a look inside? - Let's do it.

0:29:22 > 0:29:26This former pub used to be a cider house for the miners who

0:29:26 > 0:29:29worked in the local colliery, but will our buyers

0:29:29 > 0:29:33chisel out their own changes to put their stamp on it?

0:29:33 > 0:29:36Going to start at the back of the house,

0:29:36 > 0:29:39because I can make more sense of the history this way.

0:29:39 > 0:29:41Right. Oh!

0:29:41 > 0:29:45- I didn't expect to see such an open space, really.- Exactly.

0:29:45 > 0:29:49The owner was telling me, this is probably the oldest part of the house.

0:29:49 > 0:29:53It was probably a long farmhouse, so it's got these fantastic

0:29:53 > 0:29:56flagstones and that's the, sort of, historic base.

0:29:56 > 0:30:00The pub actually came later, in the 1880s.

0:30:00 > 0:30:02Here, you see this light pointing in that alcove.

0:30:02 > 0:30:05- That's where the dartboard was! - THEY LAUGH

0:30:05 > 0:30:09So, it has been... They sort of moved it around.

0:30:09 > 0:30:14This wall, it's just a stud wall. This would have been one long room.

0:30:14 > 0:30:20- And you might want to reinstall that.- Yeah, it is really surprising.

0:30:20 > 0:30:24When you come in through the front door, you don't expect to see this amount of space.

0:30:24 > 0:30:28I would take the wall away, just to have the space and more light.

0:30:28 > 0:30:29But that's a small job.

0:30:29 > 0:30:33Although opening up the ground floor would mean losing the existing

0:30:33 > 0:30:35study, there is still space

0:30:35 > 0:30:39for a small reading room in what used to be the old snug bar.

0:30:39 > 0:30:43The kitchen, however, is a space they wouldn't need to work on.

0:30:43 > 0:30:49This is an area that they have really finished off to a high spec.

0:30:49 > 0:30:53- Indeed! This is nice. - You know, the lovely sink, The granite work surfaces.

0:30:53 > 0:31:00- They found this when they were renovating.- That's lovely, isn't it?

0:31:00 > 0:31:02From some point in the house's history.

0:31:02 > 0:31:04- Yeah.- It's been restored.

0:31:04 > 0:31:07So this was a Victorian addition. This was the utility room.

0:31:07 > 0:31:08The kitchen was there.

0:31:08 > 0:31:12So they have knocked through to make it a much more liveable space.

0:31:12 > 0:31:16Yeah, I think you have got the kitchen-diner, haven't you?

0:31:16 > 0:31:17It's all one.

0:31:17 > 0:31:22I like that. I like open plan living, I think that's really nice.

0:31:22 > 0:31:24'And there are other original features our buyers

0:31:24 > 0:31:25'might like too.'

0:31:27 > 0:31:30This is a really interesting feature from the old pub.

0:31:30 > 0:31:33You know, where they turned off all the pub lights in one go.

0:31:33 > 0:31:39This is the central control board for all the lights downstairs, other than the kitchen.

0:31:39 > 0:31:41Which is slightly annoying.

0:31:41 > 0:31:43Because you can't turn them off in the rooms.

0:31:43 > 0:31:48- Oh, really?- But, you know, it could be part of the project.- Indeed.

0:31:48 > 0:31:53'It seems that Robert and Wendy might be coming around to the idea of a project after all.

0:31:53 > 0:31:57'And I am hoping the three upstairs bedrooms will meet their expectations.

0:31:57 > 0:31:59'We could be onto a winner.'

0:31:59 > 0:32:02We don't often show people bathrooms on the show,

0:32:02 > 0:32:05but this is a rather big one.

0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Gosh! Isn't that fantastic? - It is, actually.

0:32:08 > 0:32:12- Yes.- It's the sort of bathroom we'd hoped to see, but never do.

0:32:14 > 0:32:20- Across the landing into the master bedrooms.- Right! Yeah, this is nice.

0:32:21 > 0:32:25- My eye is taken by the black. - Mesmerised by the black feathers.

0:32:25 > 0:32:28Absolutely. Yes, but if you ignore the black

0:32:28 > 0:32:32and have a look at the size of the room, you might think...

0:32:32 > 0:32:36- It's a good-sized room.- It is nice. - Presumably storage over there.

0:32:36 > 0:32:38- There is a surprise around the corner.- Ah!

0:32:38 > 0:32:42Unbelievably, through this little door...

0:32:42 > 0:32:45is space for an ensuite.

0:32:45 > 0:32:50- Oh, lovely.- Not completed, but all the plumbing is there.

0:32:50 > 0:32:52It certainly would be very handy to have that.

0:32:52 > 0:32:55- I like having an ensuite.- Yeah. - That's great. Yeah.

0:32:55 > 0:32:59So there is potential for an extra bathroom

0:32:59 > 0:33:04and also three really good-sized bedrooms for all the grandchildren when they come to stay.

0:33:04 > 0:33:08And once here, the whole family can enjoy the ample sized garden

0:33:08 > 0:33:13which, unlike some other parts of the house, doesn't need any work at all

0:33:13 > 0:33:16and is easy to maintain.

0:33:16 > 0:33:20This is your garden. Not the biggest that I have shown you but I think rather charming.

0:33:20 > 0:33:23- Indeed.- It's about the size that I'd want a garden to be.

0:33:23 > 0:33:27- Not too big. Yeah.- What do you think of the property overall?

0:33:29 > 0:33:31It's a very interesting.

0:33:31 > 0:33:34It's got huge potential.

0:33:34 > 0:33:37It appears to be cosmetically sound

0:33:37 > 0:33:42but then you think, there might be some heavy make-up needed here rather than just cosmetic.

0:33:42 > 0:33:46So I think there might be more to it in terms of what you'd really like to do with it.

0:33:46 > 0:33:51- Heavy make-up being something like Botox?- Exactly. Absolutely.

0:33:51 > 0:33:54How much do think it is on the market for?

0:33:55 > 0:33:58- That's a challenge.- Yes.

0:33:58 > 0:34:01I would guess, personally, at...

0:34:01 > 0:34:04385.

0:34:06 > 0:34:11Going on yesterday's experience, I'd say it is still pretty close to 400,000.

0:34:11 > 0:34:14You are correct. It is actually the most expensive property.

0:34:14 > 0:34:15It is 400,000 on the nose.

0:34:15 > 0:34:18And it's actually dropped 50,000.

0:34:18 > 0:34:20It has been on the market for a while.

0:34:20 > 0:34:22It has been on the market for 12 months.

0:34:22 > 0:34:25So it's dropped 50,000 already.

0:34:25 > 0:34:30But that's the salient fact that you need to take with you as you walk around the house.

0:34:30 > 0:34:32And think whether that deep surgery -

0:34:32 > 0:34:35that cosmetic surgery on the house - is going to cost too much.

0:34:35 > 0:34:38- OK.- All right, let's go and look. - Thank you, see you in a bit.

0:34:38 > 0:34:41Coming in at £400,000, this property,

0:34:41 > 0:34:43formerly a public house,

0:34:43 > 0:34:47has many of the features Robert and Wendy are after.

0:34:47 > 0:34:48It has four bedrooms,

0:34:48 > 0:34:51and it's in the centre of a lively village community.

0:34:51 > 0:34:54But it does need some updating.

0:34:54 > 0:34:57So is renovation something they'd consider

0:34:57 > 0:35:00or will they be calling last orders on the old inn?

0:35:00 > 0:35:03I think there is an awful lot of space downstairs.

0:35:03 > 0:35:07Keeping the front room on the left as a study,

0:35:07 > 0:35:11but the rest of you could actually make

0:35:11 > 0:35:16one large, very, very cosy but spacious living room.

0:35:16 > 0:35:18I would have to be in the house for about a year

0:35:18 > 0:35:21before it would feel like it was our house.

0:35:21 > 0:35:26When we started the process, we didn't want to have to be doing anything to the house.

0:35:26 > 0:35:29Everybody wants to walk into something that's perfect.

0:35:29 > 0:35:33Life isn't like that. There's always got to be a compromise.

0:35:33 > 0:35:35Definitely getting a bit brighter.

0:35:35 > 0:35:37- The sun may well come out.- It might.

0:35:37 > 0:35:41- In that case you have to buy the house.- OK, if you say so.

0:35:41 > 0:35:43- Absolutely.- No, let's go and think about it.- OK.

0:35:48 > 0:35:51CHURCH ORGAN PLAYS

0:35:51 > 0:35:53'Now, as you may remember,

0:35:53 > 0:35:55'I've got a project of my own to get stuck into.

0:35:55 > 0:36:00'I am back at Wells Cathedral to learn about the organ here.

0:36:00 > 0:36:04'Head Organist, Matthew Owens is going to show me how to play it.'

0:36:04 > 0:36:08- Morning, Matthew.- Good morning. Welcome to Wells Cathedral.

0:36:08 > 0:36:11It's so beautiful! What an amazing sight for the eyes.

0:36:11 > 0:36:15- And the organ - what a fantastic beast.- It is absolutely stunning.

0:36:15 > 0:36:19You're in the Queen of English cathedrals, as it's known.

0:36:19 > 0:36:21This is the heart of the cathedral, the quire,

0:36:21 > 0:36:25which we spell Q-U-I-R-E.

0:36:25 > 0:36:30And this is where the cathedral choir sings services every day.

0:36:30 > 0:36:32No, I'm a terrible old hack on the piano,

0:36:32 > 0:36:34but my visit here is to take a lesson from you.

0:36:34 > 0:36:38- So, can we go up into the organ loft?- Absolutely, let's go.

0:36:39 > 0:36:41'Every organ is unique, with different sounds

0:36:41 > 0:36:43'and different means of operating.

0:36:43 > 0:36:48'There won't be another one like this anywhere else in the world.'

0:36:48 > 0:36:50- Ah, it's a real beast. - It certainly is.

0:36:50 > 0:36:51This is the nerve centre of the organ.

0:36:51 > 0:36:56- So, four "manuals", they're called? - Four manuals and pedals down below.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59These manuals all correspond to the stops here.

0:36:59 > 0:37:03So we have the choir organ, which is here, the lowest manual.

0:37:03 > 0:37:07This division here is called the swell because, literally,

0:37:07 > 0:37:10the sound swells.

0:37:10 > 0:37:15There is a system of almost Venetian blinds which open and shut as you'll hear now.

0:37:15 > 0:37:18ORGAN NOTES SWELL

0:37:18 > 0:37:20- Ah, it is like a crescendo.- Yeah.

0:37:20 > 0:37:23And, of course, it has got very soft sounds, as well.

0:37:23 > 0:37:27ORGAN PLAYS SOFTLY

0:37:27 > 0:37:29Wonderful.

0:37:29 > 0:37:32OK, so in terms of you teaching me something,

0:37:32 > 0:37:37the basics of playing maybe, but also this piece.

0:37:37 > 0:37:42Why don't start on this one. You want lots of noise, don't you? Yes.

0:37:42 > 0:37:43All right, here you we go.

0:37:47 > 0:37:49PLAYS DRAMATIC OPENING NOTES

0:37:50 > 0:37:54Then go up here.

0:37:54 > 0:37:56REPEATS NOTES IN LOWER KEY

0:37:58 > 0:38:00And then here.

0:38:02 > 0:38:04REPEATS NOTES IN DIFFERENT KEY

0:38:07 > 0:38:09Now what? Ah, a pedal.

0:38:09 > 0:38:12Excellent, 10 out of 10. That's it.

0:38:29 > 0:38:32- Excellent. You are a natural. - Two bars in and I'm exhausted.

0:38:32 > 0:38:35So can you do the difficult bit?

0:38:41 > 0:38:45'Organs need constant maintenance, just like any complex machine.

0:38:45 > 0:38:50'And this one was substantially rebuilt in 1973.

0:38:50 > 0:38:54'Upkeep includes repairs to features like the electrical components and the leather parts

0:38:54 > 0:38:56'and it can cost up to £1 million.

0:38:57 > 0:39:01'But of course it is cheaper than buying a new one.

0:39:01 > 0:39:04'At the top end, a brand-new cathedral organ would set you back

0:39:04 > 0:39:07'anywhere between £2 million and £4 million.

0:39:13 > 0:39:17Oh! Bravo, maestro. It's wonderful. Thank you so much.

0:39:17 > 0:39:21- It was a great joy. - Lovely to meet you.- What a beast.

0:39:28 > 0:39:34I'm not so sure the converted pub was really Robert and Wendy's cup of tea, or pint of cider.

0:39:34 > 0:39:36But it did raise some interesting issues

0:39:36 > 0:39:39about how much work they're prepared to do to get their forever home.

0:39:39 > 0:39:43So let's find out which one was the best contender.

0:39:48 > 0:39:50Tell me about the houses we visited.

0:39:50 > 0:39:54It's useful to run through them to find out what you thought about them.

0:39:54 > 0:39:57- What about the first house? - Absolutely love house number one.

0:39:57 > 0:40:00- Really?- Really, really. - Terrific house.

0:40:00 > 0:40:04It just had everything that I would want in a house.

0:40:04 > 0:40:07And it had such a lovely feel about it, a homely feel.

0:40:07 > 0:40:11You went in and it was just really perfect.

0:40:11 > 0:40:16With one drawback and it was a fairly large drawback - the road.

0:40:16 > 0:40:19- Robert, are you quite as dewy-eyed about it?- Indeed.

0:40:19 > 0:40:21I really did like the house.

0:40:21 > 0:40:23I've heard, again, doing a bit of digging

0:40:23 > 0:40:28that there might have been a possibility of a bypass that might have been stopped

0:40:28 > 0:40:30because of the current economic situation.

0:40:30 > 0:40:34- Can you pull strings, Robert? - I wish, I wish.- That would be good!

0:40:34 > 0:40:36But it was the prospect of that,

0:40:36 > 0:40:41- then...now might be time to buy that house. Very much so.- Very good.

0:40:41 > 0:40:46- Where did you snuffle that piece of information out? - Well, I have my sources.

0:40:46 > 0:40:51- What about house number two? There you didn't have any worry about traffic noise.- No.

0:40:51 > 0:40:54The situation for house number two, perfect. Lovely.

0:40:54 > 0:40:59But the house itself just didn't do it. The layout was wrong.

0:40:59 > 0:41:01It was too small.

0:41:01 > 0:41:05It had the feel of a sort of 10 or 20-year-old three-bedroom semi.

0:41:05 > 0:41:09Now the mystery house, this was interesting because at the second house,

0:41:09 > 0:41:13you had been saying, "Oh, we could put an extension. We could put a sunroom."

0:41:13 > 0:41:16Even though you said you didn't want to do any projects.

0:41:16 > 0:41:19So, with the mystery house, it needed some work doing.

0:41:19 > 0:41:22What are your thoughts about that now?

0:41:22 > 0:41:27I think it did require work but you could see your way through it.

0:41:27 > 0:41:31You could see what needed to be done to make it how you would like it to be.

0:41:31 > 0:41:33So it did have possibilities.

0:41:33 > 0:41:37Overall, I was afraid that we didn't really get you

0:41:37 > 0:41:41your forever home, ready, packaged in the right location,

0:41:41 > 0:41:44ready to move into, on budget.

0:41:44 > 0:41:49What have been your reflections on budget and area since then?

0:41:49 > 0:41:53Maybe we need to rethink or at least think about

0:41:53 > 0:41:57the compromises we are prepared to make, to have what we wanted.

0:41:57 > 0:42:01But you really did nearly hit the jackpot with the first house.

0:42:01 > 0:42:06You really did. And in some respects that spoilt us for the rest of it.

0:42:06 > 0:42:10- And what will happen next? - We're thinking of going back

0:42:10 > 0:42:13- and having a look at it another time.- Yep, certainly.

0:42:13 > 0:42:17And checking it out and checking out the bypass.

0:42:17 > 0:42:20- Things like that. - Well, I wish you all the best.

0:42:20 > 0:42:23I hope that Somerset opens its heart to you, again

0:42:23 > 0:42:27- and that you find your forever home. - Thank you very much.

0:42:27 > 0:42:30It's been brilliant. We've really enjoyed it. Thank you.

0:42:32 > 0:42:35We were a bit overwhelmed by the concept of finding

0:42:35 > 0:42:37Wendy and Robert's dream home

0:42:37 > 0:42:41and then having to deal with all the mess of roads and budgets and compromise,

0:42:41 > 0:42:48but I have been thinking about it and in a way, dream homes, forever homes, they're a slow business.

0:42:48 > 0:42:51You move in with your family and your friends and you make it the warm place

0:42:51 > 0:42:54that you want to spend the rest of your life in.

0:42:54 > 0:42:57And I'm pretty confident that Wendy and Robert will find that place.

0:42:57 > 0:43:00And if you've enjoyed our adventures here in Somerset,

0:43:00 > 0:43:03then join us next time some in the UK

0:43:03 > 0:43:05for another Escape To The Country.

0:43:06 > 0:43:11Although property number one was Robert and Wendy's favourite, the proposed bypass

0:43:11 > 0:43:13is still many years off, too long for them to wait.

0:43:13 > 0:43:18But the rural Somerset still holds the key to their future plans.

0:43:18 > 0:43:21If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,

0:43:21 > 0:43:25Northern Ireland or England, and need help, please apply online at:

0:43:48 > 0:43:51Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:51 > 0:43:53Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk