0:00:02 > 0:00:05This magnificent hilltop has views over swathes of southern England.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09It's from this viewpoint that you can make out one of Britain's foremost buildings.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13What is it and where am I? All will be revealed very shortly.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Today I'm looking for a high and mighty property
0:00:45 > 0:00:48for a couple who have great expectations.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52In our first house, we run headlong into trouble.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- Uh-oh, we have a problem, Houston. - That is a problem.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59But thankfully the mystery house provides some light relief.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- You've been smiling...nearly all the way through, haven't you?- I know.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04- It's a first for you anyway! - Definitely.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09I'm in the Chilterns, a range of hills
0:01:09 > 0:01:13that stretch for around 47 miles and actually take in four counties.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15One of them being this one, Buckinghamshire.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Just behind me, you can probably make out
0:01:17 > 0:01:20the Prime Minister's country retreat, Chequers,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23and very nice too. It's been used by prime ministers since 1921
0:01:23 > 0:01:27when it was gifted to the nation by Lord Lee of Fareham
0:01:27 > 0:01:30who believed that regular exposure to the high and pure air
0:01:30 > 0:01:34of the Chiltern Hills and woods would lead to a saner government.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38I think we should take a vote as to whether that's actually happened!
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Situated to the north-west of London,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45the Chilterns are an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:01:45 > 0:01:48which begin in Oxfordshire's Thames Valley and stretch north-east
0:01:48 > 0:01:54through Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and into Hertfordshire.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Swathed in beech trees and chalk downland, the Chiltern Hills
0:01:58 > 0:02:01are a haven for wildlife watchers, ramblers and cyclists.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05To the north-east of the region are the Dunstable Downs
0:02:05 > 0:02:08which feature the famous chalk lion carved into Bison Hill.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12It's a landmark that pinpoints the zoo at nearby Whipsnade.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15For beautiful places to live, there's villages like Haddenham
0:02:15 > 0:02:19which is one of the most picturesque in the Chilterns winning
0:02:19 > 0:02:21the Best Kept Village accolade several times.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25It's also the home of the much-loved Aylesbury duck.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Of the four counties that the Chilterns straddle,
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire are the most expensive.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39Here, an average detached property will set you back around £480,000.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41The same sort of property in Oxfordshire...
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Well, it's £100,000 cheaper.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46But the best value for money comes in Bedfordshire
0:02:46 > 0:02:52where a similar property is £190,000 cheaper than those in Bucks and Herts.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55So here's what's currently on the market.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59This three-bedroom period property in Wheeler End Common,
0:02:59 > 0:03:03a conservation area, could be yours for £320,000.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07Dating back to 1750, it boasts original features
0:03:07 > 0:03:11such as exposed brick and stonework and a pretty cottage garden.
0:03:11 > 0:03:16For £650,000, you could be living in this three-bedroom property
0:03:16 > 0:03:18in Chalfont St Peter.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23With a large, attractive, modern kitchen and generously-sized reception rooms for entertaining.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27It also comes with planning consent for a two-storey side extension
0:03:27 > 0:03:29and half an acre of land.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32And if your pockets are deep, you could be the owner
0:03:32 > 0:03:35of this character four-bedroom cottage in Chalfont St Giles.
0:03:35 > 0:03:41At £835,000 and with a superb family room converted from an old barn,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44it's been beautifully modernised throughout whilst retaining
0:03:44 > 0:03:48every bit of its time-honoured charm.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52A lovely selection there, don't you think? It's time to meet today's buyers and find out
0:03:52 > 0:03:54why they want to escape to the country.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Michelle and Robin have spent 30 years
0:03:57 > 0:03:59living the city life in Hereford.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03While Robin has retired from his job working with adults with learning difficulties,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07business coach and trainer Michelle is still racking up miles behind the wheel
0:04:07 > 0:04:09commuting to London and the Chilterns.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13So a move is definitely needed to get a better work-life balance.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16We'd like to move to the Chilterns
0:04:16 > 0:04:21because we've been there a few times for various reasons and it's beautiful.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Its proximity for me for the M40 is absolutely perfect
0:04:24 > 0:04:28so we can be in the countryside and in two minutes' time, I can be
0:04:28 > 0:04:31on the road to work so it's got the best of everything for us.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34So if Michelle can reduce her driving time in this move,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37she'll get more time to spend with Robin and their two Dalmatians.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41And they'll both have the chance to indulge in hobbies old and new.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43I want to get involved in the local community.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47I love farmers' markets, going round looking at nice, new food shops
0:04:47 > 0:04:51and finding local sources for really good quality food
0:04:51 > 0:04:54so there are lots of things I want to do once I have the time to do them.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Once we get to the country,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I would like to continue with some of my current pursuits,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02i.e. shooting, that sort of thing.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07And perhaps I would love to go back to horse riding again.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Robin does a huge amount of cooking and I do loads of baking.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12He makes jams and jellies and pickles
0:05:12 > 0:05:16and we would love a bigger kitchen so that would be great.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18They've been in their large four-storey family house
0:05:18 > 0:05:21for almost 20 years but now their children have flown the nest
0:05:21 > 0:05:24they're planning to downsize although I'm not actually sure
0:05:24 > 0:05:29they've quite got their heads around it as big still seems to be better.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35I like space and I'd like a big bedroom with lots of wardrobe space,
0:05:35 > 0:05:37which I have currently.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39And I would like a large garden.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45I've got quite a small garden here but I am a very keen vegetable gardener and up until this year
0:05:45 > 0:05:48when I couldn't do it for health reasons,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51I had about a third of an acre of land
0:05:51 > 0:05:54as a vegetable garden somewhere else.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56And with the wishlist nailed down,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00there's just one more thing to confirm, and that's the finances.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04Our budget for this move is £500,000.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16So we have the length
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and breadth of the Chilterns to focus our property search.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22With one of Robin and Michelle's favourite locations
0:06:22 > 0:06:24being Thame in Oxfordshire.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26We've got some stunning houses to show them
0:06:26 > 0:06:30but as ever, they'll have to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The last offering is, of course, our mystery property, which I'm hoping
0:06:33 > 0:06:36might make them think again about heading for the hills.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- Robin, Michelle, welcome to the Chilterns.- Thank you.- How are you?
0:06:41 > 0:06:44- Very well.- Looking forward to this? - Excited.- Very much.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Imagine yourself here with the house of your dreams,
0:06:46 > 0:06:52- how will you be spending your days? - Well, I've always wanted to fly so I thought I'd have flying lessons.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54- Wow. What do you want to do? - I love to garden.
0:06:54 > 0:07:00I also love to cook so if I can have a good-sized garden and kitchen, I'll be pretty happy.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Sounds idyllic. What are you looking for in this house?
0:07:03 > 0:07:06High ceilings, obviously.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08She's not that tall!
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Not the little thatched cottage look whatsoever.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15Somewhere detached would be nice but we don't know how much
0:07:15 > 0:07:16we can have for our budget.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Has it changed at all?
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- No, the budget's still roundabout £500,000.- Roundabout.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25I guess we might be able to stretch to £525,000 at a push
0:07:25 > 0:07:28but we would be happiest at 500,000.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30We have two properties to show you
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and the mystery property, which you'll either love or hate.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35So shall we get going? Let's fly, come on.
0:07:37 > 0:07:42'So with their maximum budget at a potential £525,000,'
0:07:42 > 0:07:46space is the main priority for Robin and Michelle's wishlist.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49They'd like a large kitchen to bake and create in,
0:07:49 > 0:07:53a dining room for entertaining, three to four bedrooms,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56lots of wardrobe space for Michelle
0:07:56 > 0:07:58and a large garden for Robin.
0:08:02 > 0:08:07This downsizing malarkey. Do you reckon you honestly will be able to do it?
0:08:07 > 0:08:10I think we have to so... Yeah, I think we will be able to do it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:15It might be a little painful at times but we will do it.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16So you're not hoarders?
0:08:16 > 0:08:18I'm one of seven children.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22You can imagine what my childhood household was like
0:08:22 > 0:08:24so I'm actually a very tidy person.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28We're starting in Oxfordshire
0:08:28 > 0:08:30five miles south of Thame in the village of Pyrton.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33A community consisting of only 60 houses.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37It's just five minutes from the M40 for Michelle's commute.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41There's also a church and a market garden for all of Robin's vegetable supplies.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Our first property is a uniquely shaped cottage
0:08:44 > 0:08:46in a very peaceful setting.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- So what do you think of this quiet, country lane?- Lovely.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- You can stop in your tracks. Come over here.- Pretty good.- This is it. - Wow.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58- 200-year-old flint and brick cottage.- Oh, great. - Used to be called Cheese Cottage.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- Did it?- Yeah.- Because... - Because it's an unusual shape.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05It's a triangular shape and it used to serve the old vicarage next door.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07- Really?- Yeah.- What, with cheese?
0:09:10 > 0:09:13- Servants, dear!- Oh, right, very good.- What do you think? First impressions.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Not at all what I was expecting so I don't really know actually.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19I'm just keen to get inside and see what it's like.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22- Big smile on your face.- Mmm? - Big smile on this one's face.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25Yeah, absolutely. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27I'm just very practical,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30I'm already looking at very small windows.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- And we do like natural light.- OK, do you want to go in and have a look?
0:09:33 > 0:09:34- I'd love to.- Let's go.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39'I'm not sure about Robin but Michelle's first impressions
0:09:39 > 0:09:41'of this property are quite positive.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44'Let's see if they're happy with the space inside.'
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Come on in, bit of a tight squeeze. - Thank you.
0:09:51 > 0:09:52- He's still humming.- Sorry.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55There's one big test now as we move you forward.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- Yeah.- Oh, he can clear it. - Yeah, I can indeed.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- Excellent.- What do you think? They've got it as the dining room.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03As a dining room, a bit small.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- It's nice as an entrance hall.- Yeah. - Bit small as a dining room.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11It's quite difficult for us cos our current one's five metres by five metres.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- You'll have to forget that. - We are, I know.- I know.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- That'll be really hard. - It's difficult to put it behind you.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Yes, you've got to close that Hereford door. Yeah. Firmly.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- But nice. Let's see some more. - OK. Yes, Boss!
0:10:24 > 0:10:29- I thought he was the bossy one, not you! Role reversal.- I know!
0:10:29 > 0:10:34'Well, now I know who's in charge. I can only hope she's impressed with the next reception room.'
0:10:37 > 0:10:42- I always love your nervous smile. You're not quite sure what to say. - No!
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- It's lighter.- It is lighter, isn't it? See, I told you.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47What do you think?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Um... A little bit underwhelmed. - Really?- Yeah.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- I thought you'd really like this room.- Did you?- No.
0:10:52 > 0:10:58- What don't you like?- It feels a bit claustrophobic to me.- Gosh, OK.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Would your furniture fit in here?
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- Mmm...- Er...yes, it probably would.- No.- No?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07- The sideboard is...- The sideboard.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10I can tell I'm going to need counselling after this!
0:11:10 > 0:11:12- I can provide that. - Oh, can you?- Yes.- Brilliant.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Well, you're the cause of it so you might as well help me out as well.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19All the furniture apart from our one sideboard, which is 12 foot long.
0:11:19 > 0:11:24- OK.- Yeah, will fit.- Plenty more to see so come on.- OK.- Let's go.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28As the kitchen in this property leads straight into the garden,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30we'll be looking at that a bit later.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33But first we're heading upstairs. Off the hallway on the first floor
0:11:33 > 0:11:37there's one double guest room with traditional exposed timbers.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41These also a feature throughout the other two slightly smaller bedrooms
0:11:41 > 0:11:44and even put in an appearance in the large family bathroom.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49But I'm showing Robin and Michelle where they could be resting their heads.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Come through here, this is the master.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- OK.- Double aspect, what do you reckon? Uh-oh, we have a problem, Houston.- That is a problem.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59This will be your bedroom, er...Michelle!
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Oh, please! It wasn't that...
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- It's all right for you! - He's trying to elongate himself.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10- OK.- What do you reckon? - It's light.- It is.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14- For me, it's a little bit small. - Right, OK.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17So although I guess, for the type of cottage,
0:12:17 > 0:12:20I suppose it isn't a small room. If it were our bedroom,
0:12:20 > 0:12:23it would feel like it was too small for us.
0:12:23 > 0:12:26Sadly, the bedroom hasn't scored too highly on the size front
0:12:26 > 0:12:29but maybe they'll be happier in the high-ceilinged kitchen
0:12:29 > 0:12:32with its garden access.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- So this is it, your kitchen.- OK.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- Wow! Nice and light.- It is. - High ceiling.- Yeah.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- Yeah, ceiling's good. Best ceiling we've seen so far.- Absolutely.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- Can you imagine yourself creating a masterpiece here?- No.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- Do you want to think about it?! - No.- What's the problem?
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Er... It's a strange shape, it's not big enough.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57I think it's a nice space, I think it's a nice size room.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01It's not huge but again it's in keeping with the cottage.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07I like the fact it's light and the fact you've got doors straight out into the garden which is really nice.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12- Let's head out into that garden. - OK, fantastic.- And we can talk some money.- Fantastic.
0:13:12 > 0:13:17'Outside I'm not sure there's enough space to squeeze in a small vegetable plot for Robin
0:13:17 > 0:13:22'but it's a pretty and well cultivated garden so I'm hoping it might appeal.'
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- I'll say now, it's not going to take long to tour the garden.- No.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28- No, very small. Absolutely beautiful.- Isn't it just?
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- It's lovely.- Tremendous, lovely little garden.- Too small for you? - It is.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Miles too small but it is a lovely, little garden.- OK.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39- I think we should talk money.- OK. - Who's going to go first?
0:13:39 > 0:13:44Knowing our budget, I would've thought...£450,000?
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Right.- 360.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- Thousand pounds?- Yeah.- You're both way off the mark.- Right.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56- It's the top end of your budget. £525,000.- Wow.- Crikey.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- OK.- That is a surprise.- Mmm.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01- It gives you an indication of what your money gets.- It does.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05OK. Listen, you haven't seen all the house so go and have a good look around.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- One room might change everything. - OK.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12- I'll be by the front door, I'll meet you there.- OK.- Take your time. - All right, see you later.- OK.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Right at the top end of their budget at £525,000,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22this property has everything they're after
0:14:22 > 0:14:25if on a slightly smaller scale than they might like.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28There are four bedrooms, characterful entertaining rooms,
0:14:28 > 0:14:32a high-ceilinged kitchen and a pretty cottage garden.
0:14:32 > 0:14:36Overall I thought the house was beautifully presented.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40I can see it would appeal to a lot of people, it just doesn't really appeal to me.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42One of the things I suppose concerning me now is
0:14:42 > 0:14:46if this is the typical price for a Chilterns property,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48then we may have to rethink.
0:14:48 > 0:14:54I thought the house was a lovely little cottage but it's not for me.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59It's extremely depressing to hear the value of properties in this area.
0:14:59 > 0:15:05So I would think if that's fundamentally the range of prices,
0:15:05 > 0:15:09or what we get for our range of price, we're in the wrong area.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13I hope Robin hasn't banged his head. Let's get them out.
0:15:13 > 0:15:14BELL RINGS
0:15:16 > 0:15:21Oh, here they come. Don't tell me - too small?
0:15:21 > 0:15:23- Yeah? OK, listen, there's plenty more to see.- OK.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25So onward and upward. Follow me, come on.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Situated on the south Buckinghamshire border of the Chilterns,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43the town of Marlow prospered thanks to its position on the River Thames.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Once the power behind the town's mills,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48today the river is home to a yearly regatta
0:15:48 > 0:15:51that typically features around 200 crews.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56The local rowing club founded in 1871 has produced many Olympic oarsmen
0:15:56 > 0:15:59including five-times gold medallist, Sir Steve Redgrave.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Just outside Marlow is Wycombe Air Park.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05As both Robin and Michelle are keen to learn to fly,
0:16:05 > 0:16:10we've sent them to meet experienced pilot Sandra Haine of Airways Flying School,
0:16:10 > 0:16:13for their first ever flying lesson.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- Hi.- Hello, I'm Sandra.- Hi, Sandra, I'm Michelle.- Hi, I'm Rob.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19- Hi, Rob.- There are lots of different flying machines around.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- What are they all?- There's lots of helicopters based here
0:16:22 > 0:16:25and gliders, there's over 100 gliders based here
0:16:25 > 0:16:28and a lot of fixed-wing aircraft as well. That's what you'll be flying today.
0:16:28 > 0:16:34- It's a Piper Warrior fixed-wing aircraft.- Fantastic, how exciting. - Yeah.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39With the weather only allowing for one lesson, it's Michelle who's elected to take the hotseat.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- OK, Michelle. You'll be flying the aircraft today.- I am.
0:16:42 > 0:16:48- This is a picture of the cockpit here.- OK.- We're on runway 3-5 today.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I'll do the take-off and the initial climb-out
0:16:51 > 0:16:54and having done that, I'll hand over control to you
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- so that you can fly the aircraft. - OK!
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- OK?- Yes. Will it be obvious, what I have to do?
0:16:59 > 0:17:03- Yep, so I'm going to tell you what you need to do.- OK.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06When I'm flying the aircraft I'll say, "I've got control."
0:17:06 > 0:17:09When I want you to fly the aircraft, Michelle,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11- I'll say, "You've got control."- OK.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14What I want you to do then is to rest your feet
0:17:14 > 0:17:17- on the bottom bits of the pedals there.- OK.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- And take control with your left hand of the control yoke.- OK.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25And when you've done that then you can say to me, "I've got control."
0:17:25 > 0:17:28The plane is controlled by the elevator at the rear
0:17:28 > 0:17:31and the ailerons under the wings and the rudder on the tail,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33all regulated from the cockpit.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Moving the central control yoke back brings the nose of the plane up
0:17:37 > 0:17:41and moving it forward alters the pitch so the nose goes down.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45With her briefing complete it's time for Michelle to take her place in the cockpit.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Golf X-Ray Tango, roger. Enter and backtrack, runaway 7-6, line up and wait.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Heading down the runway, Michelle's plane will reach a speed
0:17:53 > 0:17:59of up to 90mph before ascending to 4,000 feet and cruising at around 125mph.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Michelle, put your feet on the bottom bits of the pedal.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- Yep, they're there. - OK, push with your left foot.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06SHE GIGGLES
0:18:06 > 0:18:12- That's it. Push with your right foot. OK, so that's how you steer the aeroplane.- OK.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15If Michelle and Robin decide to become fully-fledged pilots,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19they'll need to have at least 45 hours' flying experience,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22the minimum required by the Civil Aviation Authority.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26But if you haven't got the thousands of pounds
0:18:26 > 0:18:29and the amount of time needed to become a pilot
0:18:29 > 0:18:33you could just opt for a trial lesson, which costs under £100.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37And just use the controls - left to go left, right to go right.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Just keeping the attitude. That's good, excellent.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47OK, we're going to close the throttle now.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52We've stopped the descent and we're trying to hold it level,
0:18:52 > 0:18:57then we're pulling back just to try and stop it from landing.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58Well done.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02There are currently 137 licensed airfields in the UK
0:19:02 > 0:19:08and planes like this one have the range to get you to France for lunch and be back home for dinner.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- It was wonderful.- Survived? - Absolutely fantastic.- Glad you enjoyed it.- I really did.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15And with Michelle safely touched down,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19it's chocks away for the rest of our property search.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26We've travelled close to the historic West Hertfordshire town of Berkhamsted,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30which is just off the A41 around 26 miles from London.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33It has all the necessary amenities such as a pub,
0:19:33 > 0:19:34shop and a post office.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37Just a few minutes away in the hamlet of Northall
0:19:37 > 0:19:40stands our second property, which is Grade II listed
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and dates right back to 1540.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- So...- Wow.- This is it.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51How do you fancy living in a house from when Henry VIII was on the throne?
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- Whoa! This looks amazing. - Before we go in, a little quiz for you.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58- What do you reckon this place was originally?- Pub, inn.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- Yeah, coaching inn. - It's been a coaching inn.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- Yeah.- It's been a farmhouse. - Right.- Post office?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05It hasn't been a post office, actually.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08It was a house of ill-repute, by all accounts.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Was it? Excellent!- Any ghosts? - Well, we'll find out, won't we?
0:20:11 > 0:20:14I don't know if we will at this time of day.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- We'll be able to lay a few ghosts to rest.- Lead the way.
0:20:18 > 0:20:19Come on, let's go.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22'Good to see they're both in high spirits about this property,
0:20:22 > 0:20:25'but will it be big enough inside to keep them smiling?'
0:20:25 > 0:20:28- Come on in.- Thank you. - Mind your head, OK?
0:20:28 > 0:20:30BELL RINGS
0:20:30 > 0:20:32That's a warning. Mind your head.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- Oh, wow!- Good, isn't it? - It's fantastic. Amazing place.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41I think that's the first genuine happy smile I've seen from you.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- I wanted to say wow, but I haven't been able to.- A feeling of space.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Yeah, definitely.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Lots to tell you about.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- 200-year-old flooring.- Amazing. - Original beams.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53A good-sized office through there,
0:20:53 > 0:20:58- which doesn't have to be an office. - I need an office.- Right, handy.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- Lovely light and airy reception room.- Yeah, that looks lovely.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Then this multi-fuel burner which heats the house through the winter.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06- Fab!- What do you think?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- Yeah, good. - You've gone a bit quiet.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- I'm thinking. - Go on, tell us what you're thinking.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Fantastic room there with all the sunlight.- Yeah.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- It feels spacious and much more right. Much more like us.- OK, good.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25You're saying all the right things and you almost are as well.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27You might have two out of two.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30'Well that sounds suspiciously like full marks to me.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33'Can we keep it up, I wonder?'
0:21:33 > 0:21:35You've got another good-sized reception room here
0:21:35 > 0:21:37with the other side of the wood burner.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40That's an addition from the '80s, which they use as a playroom.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- A great size.- Yeah.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44They use this in the winter as a reception room.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- In the summer they use that one. - Cosy.- More pretty, isn't it?
0:21:47 > 0:21:50What did you say about the kitchen in the last property?
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- Too small.- Yeah. You're not going to say that here.- OK.
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- Ah, now this is a good-sized kitchen. This is lovely.- It's great, isn't it?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Ah, fantastic.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- Isn't it amazing?- Yeah. - Pretty good.- Yeah.
0:22:11 > 0:22:16- Nice height ceiling.- Yeah, I can walk under it.- Light.- Terrific.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Fantastic.- So you just ticked the box and said, "Yeah, fine."
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- So far so good.- A big tick in this box.- Definitely. We love it.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24Absolutely love it.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27'So it's top marks downstairs,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29'which really piles the pressure on upstairs.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31'Can this house deliver? Well, I think so.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35'There's three good-sized bedrooms with exposed timbers.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38'One currently being used as a study.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42'There's also a family bathroom with shower cubicle and three windows.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45'Surely enough for light lovers, Robin and Michelle.
0:22:45 > 0:22:49'But I've left the fourth and best bedroom till last.'
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- Oh, wow! Did Anne Boleyn sleep in there?- Last night apparently.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- She had a very comfortable sleep. - Did she? Absolutely amazing!
0:22:59 > 0:23:02The current owner says it's very, very romantic lying in bed -
0:23:02 > 0:23:05don't worry, I'm not going to get rude on you -
0:23:05 > 0:23:07with this nice, big fire there.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09And Cupid over your head.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13And your sound system here belting out Aled Jones' greatest hits.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17- Absolutely, what else?- Wouldn't that be lovely?- Or Tina Turner.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Oh, thanks a lot! You had to go and spoil it, didn't you?
0:23:20 > 0:23:26- What do you think? - I think it's very unusual.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29And look high up the ceiling is, Robin.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Might be a little difficult to appreciate that
0:23:31 > 0:23:34when I'm out cold from hitting my head on that.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- Apart from that, it's a fantastic room.- It is amazing.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- I'm glad you like it.- Yeah.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42'So that's probably as much high praise as we'll get from Robin.
0:23:42 > 0:23:46'We're heading off back downstairs - Mind your head, Robin -
0:23:46 > 0:23:49'to have a look at the potential for growing vegetables outside.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52'There's about a third of an acre here with plenty of out-buildings
0:23:52 > 0:23:55'for gardening equipment as well as two good-sized lawns
0:23:55 > 0:23:58'but will that be enough?'
0:24:00 > 0:24:03So this is as close as I can get to my friends in the field there.
0:24:03 > 0:24:07- Would this be big enough for your vegetable plot?- This bit here?- Yeah.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Probably not, but there's plenty of other space around.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13You've seen the plot now, basically. What do you think?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Absolutely fantastic. For me, it's pretty much as we'd like it to be.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21- Yeah, an amazing house.- We need to see if you can afford it, of course.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- Well, we can dream. - You may not have to dream.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26What do you think it's currently on the market for?
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- 495.- £495,000, OK.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- I would say 500.- 500,000.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34It's a kind of hopeful 500.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37You're bang on the money. Well done. Take the rest of the day off.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- Oh, thank you.- £500,000, which gives you money to do what you want.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- Yeah. I'm quite encouraged.- Listen, you go and take it all in.- OK.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49Go and have a good look around and I'll catch up with you later.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- How's that?- Perfect.- I'll be out here sunbathing.- Enjoy yourself.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- I will.- OK.
0:24:58 > 0:24:59Well, I think if it was up to Michelle,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01we may have a sale on our hands.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05She's gone round that property really being ruled by her heart.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09But it's Robin. He's really concerned about the low beams
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and I suppose quite rightly, being a six foot five man.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14But I also get the impression
0:25:14 > 0:25:17that our Robin isn't ready to fly the nest just yet.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19The nest he's in, that is.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23'So, well within their budget of £500,000,
0:25:23 > 0:25:27'this property has four characterful bedrooms.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32'A very spacious entertaining area. A large kitchen-diner.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36'And a third of an acre of ground for growing Robin's veg.'
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- Robin?- Yeah.- I've just found your workshop. Come and see this.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Yeah, look.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45- Oh, crikey! This would do. - This would do, wouldn't it?
0:25:45 > 0:25:50- Old Land Rover wheel.- It would be brilliant.- Yeah, it would do.- Yeah.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54An office for me and a workshop for you. How cool is that?
0:25:54 > 0:25:57- There's another building over there as well.- Is there?- Yeah.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58Amazing.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00'I thought the house was absolutely amazing.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02'It's got so much about it.'
0:26:02 > 0:26:05It's light, it's bright, it's very big.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08It's so good, I'm kind of wondering if we've missed something
0:26:08 > 0:26:11and there's something not right about it.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14You seem to get so much for your money here. It's incredible.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I can't think of anything I don't like about it.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19Tremendous. Fantastic house.
0:26:19 > 0:26:25Sadly, we seem to have had a deja-vu with the doorways.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28And some of them are very low.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Not a little bit low, but VERY low.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39You took your time. I gave up on sunbathing. It got a bit nippy.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41It is a little bit nippy now, yeah.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44I'm not going to ask what you thought on the second look around.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Two very different properties today, so I think we'll call it a day,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50go back to base and start again with joy in our hearts tomorrow.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- OK, very good.- Come on.- Excellent.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04As evening falls over the Chiltern Hills,
0:27:04 > 0:27:09it marks the end of an enlightening first day of house hunting.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16Retired Robin and his business coach wife Michelle are looking to
0:27:16 > 0:27:21improve her work-life balance with a move from Hereford to the Chilterns.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26We've found what they don't like in a property, low beams top of the list, but coming up,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29our mystery house could give them everything they want.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Oh, wow, come and see this. - That's a lot bigger than I thought.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Isn't it lovely?
0:27:34 > 0:27:38And I have a spooky experience under the Chiltern Hills.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44It's a brand new day and our search continues to find
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Robin and Michelle their dream property here in the Chilterns.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50They really loved the location of the first property yesterday
0:27:50 > 0:27:52but not the house itself.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55And even though the second location wasn't ideal,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Michelle did get quite excited about the house.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00The big problem has been big Robin.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03He keeps banging his head when he walks through any door,
0:28:03 > 0:28:06so for the mystery property, we're going to give him a helmet(!)
0:28:06 > 0:28:08If only life were that simple!
0:28:08 > 0:28:11We're going to find out if they have set their minds on the Chilterns
0:28:11 > 0:28:17and whether Michelle's heart can rule Robin's bruised head.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21- Here we are, brand new day, fresh as daisies.- Yes.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24What do you hope the mystery property's going to be?
0:28:24 > 0:28:29A small, detached castle on high ground with a lake
0:28:29 > 0:28:32and perhaps ten acres would be fantastic.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36- Yeah.- Let me just tell you it's not that.- Oh, OK.- Now I am disappointed.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41- Well, all will be revealed very shortly. We're close.- Are we?- Yes.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42'For our third house,
0:28:42 > 0:28:46'we think we've found exactly what our buyers are after in a property.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48'To get the size garden they want for their budget,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52'we have to move further up the M40 away from the Chilterns
0:28:52 > 0:28:55'to the historic Warwickshire village of Ladbroke.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58'It's home to a 13th century church
0:28:58 > 0:29:01'and offers amenities like a pub and a village hall.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04'While it's outside our search area some distance from the Chilterns,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07'the mystery house is only ten minutes from the M40,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11'useful for Michelle, although her commute will be much longer.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16'It's a gamble but it will be worth it if we found the perfect home.'
0:29:16 > 0:29:19The one thing you said to me was, "Don't want a thatched cottage."
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- Yeah.- Absolutely correct. - It's not that then.
0:29:22 > 0:29:28- It's this one.- Ah, very good. That's a relief.- A relief? This is it.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32- It looks very nice.- Yeah, great. - Used to be a two-up, two-down.
0:29:32 > 0:29:341640 it dates to and the current owners have been here
0:29:34 > 0:29:38for 32 years and have renovated and extended.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40- OK.- I must say it's absolutely immaculate inside.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Is it?- Yeah. Shall we go in? - Let's go in.- Come on.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46I hope you're smiling at the other end.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51'And I'm sure they will be when they get to see inside this cottage.'
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- I like the way you gingerly walk into a room.- Not quite sure.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Step into the unknown. - It is, a bit.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06This is one of the reception rooms. There's another through there.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08This is the eldest part of the house.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- As you can see, it's been really well done.- It has.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12- What do you think? - I quite like it. It seems nice.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17While you're there, why don't you pop your head round there.
0:30:17 > 0:30:17OK, good idea.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Oh, wow! Come and see this.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24That's a lot bigger than I thought.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- Isn't it lovely?- Yeah, terrific room. - This would suit us.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29Also, this part of it feels quite snug.
0:30:29 > 0:30:34- You've got that huge dining room table down there.- That's lovely.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36- I like it. - It's done beautifully.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- You could move in straight away. - You could.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40So, this room seems to suit them.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44I think the kitchen has potential to make them feel at home as well.
0:30:44 > 0:30:45So, smiler...
0:30:47 > 0:30:48- Yeah, I like it.- Do you?
0:30:48 > 0:30:51Yeah, I do. What do you think?
0:30:51 > 0:30:52Yeah, it's great.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- And...- It is quite small. - It is small.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- If you didn't want to have this as an eatery...- Take the table away.
0:30:59 > 0:31:00And have this as one big kitchen.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- That's gorgeous.- It is nice.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05- Don't you think?- It is lovely.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07It's got the range, which heats the water in the house.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10- It's a top of the range kitchen. - I think it's lovely.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13It is on the small side, but there's another plan.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Through there, there's an equally fantastic utility room,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18- food preparation area.- OK.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19You could knock through.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22That's definitely a possibility.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24I like it.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I think that it's a workable kitchen.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29There's also room for Michelle to work from home,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32in a study off the main hall.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34So it's looking good downstairs.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36Robin hasn't hit his head once.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Let's see if he can keep it up as we go upstairs.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42There are four good-sized bedrooms,
0:31:42 > 0:31:44with features such as thumb-latched doors.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46One of them even has space for an office,
0:31:46 > 0:31:48as well as a double bed.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50They all share the family bathroom,
0:31:50 > 0:31:53but we're heading for where they might sleep.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57- I was thinking of you here. - Right. Oh, this is nice.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01- Georgian windows. Again, very bright.- It is really bright.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03Not double glazed, so you can open the windows.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06I know they use the expression "light and airy" a lot, but this is.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10It is, isn't it. Yeah, it definitely is. It's a very airy room.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12- Good ceiling height? - Yes, excellent ceiling height.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14Oh, she's spied it!
0:32:14 > 0:32:17I was wondering how long it would take you to see that.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20You've got storage all along this wall,
0:32:20 > 0:32:21then you've got your own ensuite,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24which I think you should look at.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- I take it I get the chest of drawers!- One of the drawers.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30Oh, wow, this is good!
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Shower and a bath. It's nice and light.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36- Absolutely. Shower for me, bath for you. Great.- Wonderful.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40- You've been smiling nearly all the way through, haven't you.- I know.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42- Which is a first for you. - Yeah, definitely.
0:32:42 > 0:32:47While they're all smiles, it's time to head out to the garden, to see
0:32:47 > 0:32:51if it's large enough to meet Robin's vegetable-growing requirements.
0:32:54 > 0:32:57Oh, my goodness!
0:32:57 > 0:32:59- Nice, isn't it? - This is amazing!
0:32:59 > 0:33:02What I love about this garden,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04you've got that fantastic seating area there,
0:33:04 > 0:33:07and it's east-west, so you get the sun all the time.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08The whole plot is quarter of an acre.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12Lots of the plots of land around here are very large,
0:33:12 > 0:33:14because the neighbours keep horses.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18It is your typical shootin', huntin', fishin'.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- Do you think you'd like it?- It's lovely. It's quiet.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23So let's talk money. What do you reckon it's on the market for?
0:33:23 > 0:33:27- 450.- Right, £450,000.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29- 550 I would say.- £550,000? Big difference.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Why do you think 550?
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Because, I think, there's a lot of house,
0:33:35 > 0:33:36the grounds are nice,
0:33:36 > 0:33:39where it's located is good, and it's to such a high spec.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Why do you say 450?- Because I like to get value for money.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44- You do, don't you.- I do.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48Let me tell you, it's currently on the market for £550,000.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51But it's been on the market for at 550 since Christmas,
0:33:51 > 0:33:53so the current owner will take sensible offers.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55That's good to know.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56Anyway, go and have a look around,
0:33:56 > 0:33:59find out exactly which doors you're going to bang your head on,
0:33:59 > 0:34:01and I'll be around the front somewhere.
0:34:01 > 0:34:02OK. Perfect.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- You get the coffee on. - I might do, if you're a good boy.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- Go on, go and and enjoy it.- OK.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15So at £550,000, this property is £25,000 above their budget.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19But if they really like it, then maybe there's a deal to be done.
0:34:19 > 0:34:20It's got the four bedrooms they asked for,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23loads of wardrobe space for Michelle.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26A kitchen diner, with good potential for expansion,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29and a third of an acre of garden for Robin.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32House is great, yeah. Really liked it.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36Love the garden. Would like there to be a flat area, without trees,
0:34:36 > 0:34:38where I could grow vegetables.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44And some concerns about geographical position.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46I really like this house. It's got lots going for it.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49The only thing I would change would be the location,
0:34:49 > 0:34:51because it's not in the ideal spot.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55I would like to move it a little closer to the part of the Chilterns we want to go to,
0:34:55 > 0:34:58because we're actually outside of that, we're in Warwickshire.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02If it were there, it would be perfect, and I'd be putting in an offer.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- Ah. You made it. No battling.- No battling.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08You've seen three very different properties.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12I reckon we should reconvene and talk about them all, how's that?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15- Perfect.- That would be fantastic. Will it be somewhere they serve coffee?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17You're still not a good enough boy!
0:35:26 > 0:35:30The highest points of the Chiltern Hills are both near Wendover, in Buckinghamshire,
0:35:30 > 0:35:32at Haddington hill and Coombe Hill,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36both of which rise to over 850 feet.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39As to the lowest, I have a fair idea about where that might be.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41Underground.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44The Dashwood Mausoleum stands close by St Lawrence's Church,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48which was built in 1765 for Sir Francis Dashwood,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51as part of his West Wycombe Estate.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55It's a vast hexagonal monument, built of Portland stone and flint.
0:35:55 > 0:36:01300 feet beneath it lie the caves of the notorious Hellfire Club.
0:36:01 > 0:36:07The club was a select and secretive gathering of influential and wealthy 18th century gentleman,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11including Government officials, such as the Earl of Sandwich,
0:36:11 > 0:36:12and the artist William Hogarth.
0:36:12 > 0:36:17Their meetings took place twice a month in this spooky setting.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21Here to guide me on the descent through the quarter mile of tunnels is expert Lisa Sheehy.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25This is Paul Whitehead's cave. Incredible character.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28He was the steward and the secretary of the Hellfire Club.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32- So he kept all the minutes of these notorious meetings.- Right.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Just before he died he actually burned everything,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38so hence we've got this gap of information as to what went on.
0:36:38 > 0:36:43The urn that sits in there actually used to take his heart.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47When he died, he left in his will £50 to Sir Francis, who was a great friend, to buy this urn,
0:36:47 > 0:36:51to provide a housing for his heart, that he also left in his will to him.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Right. So the heart's in that urn?
0:36:53 > 0:36:55It used to be. Unfortunately, it got stolen.
0:36:55 > 0:36:58It was taken out and shown round groups of tourists,
0:36:58 > 0:37:01and unfortunately one day it did go missing.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02About 1829, we understand.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05But then it goes on to the next chapter of Paul's story,
0:37:05 > 0:37:09and he's seen walking the tunnels of the caves looking for his lost heart.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12It's been nice talking to you!
0:37:12 > 0:37:17The club was originally known as the Friars of St Francis of Wycombe,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20a spin on mock religious ceremonies.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24However, rumours abounded about black magic and debauchery,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26which resulted in their Hellfire Club nickname.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28- This is our banqueting hall.- Wow!
0:37:28 > 0:37:30- It's an incredible structure, isn't it.- Isn't it just.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32This is where the parties would have been held.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34It's an amazing place. It's 40 feet wide.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36We're about half way down the caves now.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39So why have we got these tiny little rooms?
0:37:39 > 0:37:41It's recorded there would have been curtains here.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44They would have been used for the friars' private devotions.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47They had a secret pact between them.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49They were influential men.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52By 1762 the majority of British Government was friars.
0:37:52 > 0:37:57They had a pact that agreed what went on in the club stayed in the club.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02These caves and tunnels were dug on the express orders of Sir Francis Dashwood,
0:38:02 > 0:38:04by local workers, who were paid a shilling a day
0:38:04 > 0:38:09to create this secret meeting place for him and his brotherhood of friars.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14And the huge amount of chalky rubble they excavated was used to build what we know as the A40,
0:38:14 > 0:38:17the road between High and West Wycombe.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23Congratulations, you've spooked me.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25We're part of the inner temple.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28We are at the inner temple now. This is the heart of the caves.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31And this is where the meetings allegedly took place.
0:38:31 > 0:38:34We have some influential men surrounding us here.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36we have Sir Francis Dashwood,
0:38:36 > 0:38:38we've got Lord Sandwich, the first Lord of the Admiralty,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40and we have John Wilkes,
0:38:40 > 0:38:42who really brought down the club in the end.
0:38:42 > 0:38:43What do you mean by that?
0:38:43 > 0:38:471762 was the time when English Government was mostly friars,
0:38:47 > 0:38:51and of course we were at war with France.
0:38:51 > 0:38:571763, the Treaty of Paris was signed, and John Wilkes was against that,
0:38:57 > 0:39:03so they became on opposite sides of the political sphere, and arguments started.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08So then they started personal attacks on each other, which went on publicly in the media.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Really, although they were personal attacks,
0:39:10 > 0:39:14what it represented was the fact that the secrecy of the club,
0:39:14 > 0:39:18the bond they'd all had as brothers was then blown apart.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20You've mentioned ghosts and the like quite a lot,
0:39:20 > 0:39:23- has anything happened to you? - A lot's happened in here.
0:39:23 > 0:39:24- In here?- Yeah.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28There's lots of odd things, you know. Padlocks get left unlocked when we know we've locked them.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30- Just odd things happen.- Great.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32I feel a bit spooked, do you?
0:39:32 > 0:39:33It is a little bit spooky.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36- Thank you very much. - You're very welcome.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Sorry, I couldn't help myself!
0:39:39 > 0:39:43After the club's demise, the caves fell into disrepair.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46They reopened in the 1950s as a tourist attraction,
0:39:46 > 0:39:50although the local vicar was heard to issue a warning about the eeriness of the place.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52He certainly got that right!
0:39:52 > 0:39:57It's great being back in the open air, but I really did enjoy that.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Now then, time to find out whether Michelle and Robin
0:39:59 > 0:40:03have been enamoured by any of the properties that we've shown them.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Well, look at us, guys - on top of the world.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11It's nice, isn't it?
0:40:11 > 0:40:14- It's lovely. - Absolutely beautiful view.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16- Have you enjoyed it? - Really enjoyed it.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19- Yes, it's been good. - Let's talk about the first property.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23- Great location.- Yes. Very good location.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26- Just not the property we're looking for.- How come?
0:40:26 > 0:40:31- If I visited someone there, I'd think it was a really nice place for them to live.- Right.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34OK, the second property, you really liked the house itself?
0:40:34 > 0:40:36Yes, the second one was a fantastic house for us.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40The size of rooms were beautiful, it was unusual...
0:40:40 > 0:40:43I know that you loved most of the house, actually,
0:40:43 > 0:40:45but you were really blown over by the kitchen.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48Yeah, terrific kitchen, yeah. Yeah, really good.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51But again, the location wasn't as good as the first property.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53No, the location wasn't good,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55and because the principal reason for moving,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58above and beyond anything else, is location,
0:40:58 > 0:41:02if we compromise on location we might as well stay where we are.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04So that is really crucial to the move.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07Let's talk about the mystery property.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11- A bit of a drive to that one. - It was a mystery.- A bit of a trip.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- A mystery why it was two counties away.- But still...
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- Fabulous house. - It was, wasn't it?
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- It was a really lovely...- Furnishing all done with really good taste.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24- I loved it.- And also, you were so close to M40?- Yes.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27- Another 30 minutes up it.- Yeah.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32I suppose at this stage, we need to try and tick as many boxes as we can.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35I think that house, again, if it was in a slightly different location,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38we'd have put an offer in. It was fabulous.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40The reason we showed you it
0:41:40 > 0:41:43was because the further away from the perfect location...
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- Yes.- Absolutely. - ..the cheaper you'll make it,
0:41:46 > 0:41:50but if that property was in the first location,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52you would literally be paying £200,000 more for it.
0:41:52 > 0:41:55Yes. So I think what we want to do from here on in
0:41:55 > 0:42:00is have a good look and see if we can get the best of everything...
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- ..in the Chilterns.- and so I think we have to go away
0:42:03 > 0:42:05and talk about the compromises
0:42:05 > 0:42:10and decide where the compromises will be, and then carry on looking,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13but I think that we've really enjoyed looking at the houses.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17I thought the house today was absolutely lovely and, actually, it heartened me.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21That's why watch the programme, because we love looking at houses.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25And although it was further away from where we wanted to be,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28some of the houses we've seen I wouldn't have thought of looking at,
0:42:28 > 0:42:32so it's opened up lots of avenues, so, actually, I'm quite excited.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Well, good. Well, I wish you all the best. It's been lovely meeting you.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40- It's been lovely meeting you too. - You've been great fun.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- And I hope you end up here one day. - Thank you. I hope so too.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53It's been great meeting Michelle and Robin.
0:42:53 > 0:42:56I wish them well in their hunt to find their dream property
0:42:56 > 0:42:59but I think that Robin is already living in his
0:42:59 > 0:43:02and unless he finds an exact replica here, he won't budge.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05The problem is, for their current budget,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I doubt this county will come up trumps.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10So Michelle may be on that dreaded commute for some time yet.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12I wish them well in their search.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18If you'd like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:43:18 > 0:43:26Scotland, Wales or England and need our help, please apply online, at:
0:43:44 > 0:43:47Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd