0:00:02 > 0:00:05This intriguing property behind me has more than just its name
0:00:05 > 0:00:07in common with this pack of cards.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11So, find out what it is, and where I am, in just a moment.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44In today's show, I'll be helping a house-buying couple fulfil
0:00:44 > 0:00:46their big business vision.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- And their levels of enthusiasm just keep rising.- I like it!
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- Look at that grin!- Yeah! - Cheshire cats are amongst us!
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- Do I suit it?- You do, actually, yeah!
0:00:56 > 0:00:59But then we really raise the bar.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01You've got 77 acres.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Today, I'm in North Devon, in the village of Combe Martin.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Now legend has it that this property behind me was built to resemble
0:01:11 > 0:01:13a house of cards after George Ley,
0:01:13 > 0:01:18a local squire, won a whole pile of money in a card game back in 1690.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21So happy was he with his winnings, he decided to build a palace
0:01:21 > 0:01:26to Lady Luck and so, he built the property on four floors to represent
0:01:26 > 0:01:30the number of suits in a pack, then on each floor he put 13 doors.
0:01:30 > 0:01:3313 being equal to the number of cards in each suit.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37And, if you look about the property, you'll also notice 52 windows.
0:01:37 > 0:01:4052 cards in a pack. And if you get to the top of the property,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42you'll also see a false window.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45And what's that? Well, that's the joker.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Bordered by Cornwall to the west and Somerset and Dorset to the east,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Devon is blessed with both beautiful countryside and coastline,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00and is peppered with villages and towns that hold on to their heritage.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02Lying at the mouth of the River Torridge,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05the small port town of Bideford is renowned
0:02:05 > 0:02:08for its iconic Long Bridge, which dates back to the 15th century
0:02:08 > 0:02:11and is made up of 24 arches.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15This part of the North Devon coast is almost entirely protected
0:02:15 > 0:02:18with either a national park status or as an area
0:02:18 > 0:02:20of outstanding natural beauty.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24This stunning county is also an outdoor playground,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27not just for surfers, but also for cyclists,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31who can enjoy the 144 miles of national cycle paths
0:02:31 > 0:02:35that run between the coast of North and South Devon.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41The average cost of a detached house in England and Wales
0:02:41 > 0:02:46is currently running at around £255,000, but, if you move to Devon,
0:02:46 > 0:02:51you can expect to add a massive £40,000 to that figure. Why?
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Well, quite simply, the beautiful countryside and coastline of Devon
0:02:55 > 0:02:57is much sought after by buyers,
0:02:57 > 0:03:00who are willing to pay handsomely for their very own slice of it.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04But you can ease the blow to your budget if you decide to look inland.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07After all, it's those stunning sea views from the coastline
0:03:07 > 0:03:09that really make prices rocket.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12So, with that in mind, take a look at a selection of properties
0:03:12 > 0:03:15that we found currently on the market here.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20For £350,000, this three-bedroom Grade II listed thatched cottage
0:03:20 > 0:03:24in Kennford couldn't be more chocolate box on its exterior.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28And inside, exposed beams and an open fireplace add a cosy feel
0:03:28 > 0:03:30to the main sitting room.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33In the kitchen, the range adds true rustic charm.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Or, what about this three-bedroom thatched cottage in Dalwood,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41priced at £525,000.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44The traditional features of inglenook and beams
0:03:44 > 0:03:47in the dining room are offset by the vaulted ceiling in the kitchen,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50filling the space with natural light.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Outside, the beautifully landscaped gardens also house
0:03:53 > 0:03:55a timber-built studio.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58And if you've got deep pockets, then this five-bedroom
0:03:58 > 0:04:03traditional longhouse in Crediton could be yours for £875,000.
0:04:03 > 0:04:08Along with three reception rooms chock-full of character features,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11the kitchen-diner serves up some real farmhouse style.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15Outside, the house is offset by a swimming pool and, all in all,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17it comes with around 25 acres of land.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Well, a great selection of properties there.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Time to meet today's buyers
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and find out why they're looking to escape to the country.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Company director Alistair and his wife Debbie,
0:04:29 > 0:04:31who's head of a music and media agency,
0:04:31 > 0:04:34have been tied to a daily routine of commuting into London
0:04:34 > 0:04:37from their three-bedroom cottage in Haslemere, Surrey.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40But they've now decided to give it all up, and have hatched a plan
0:04:40 > 0:04:44that will take them right into the heart of the countryside.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49For me, it's a really good time to move because I want a change.
0:04:49 > 0:04:56I'm really keen on setting up a business where we can do glamping,
0:04:56 > 0:05:00or you know, yurts and camping and yurt weddings,
0:05:00 > 0:05:02and just be part of the countryside,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04and just do something completely different,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08and get away from the hustle and bustle of London and London life.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Business aside, Alistair also has his reasons
0:05:11 > 0:05:14for wanting to move to North Devon.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16I'm particularly interested in surfing,
0:05:16 > 0:05:19so I'd like to get the opportunity to pursue that further.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21It's going to be a great environment, as well,
0:05:21 > 0:05:23for my son to come and visit,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27where we can just do great sort of father and son activities.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32Accommodating Alistair's son and their Jack Russell, Cooper, are just two of the reasons
0:05:32 > 0:05:36why this move definitely needs to provide something bigger and better.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39In our new house, we need a minimum of four bedrooms,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42one of them en suite.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45We'd also like open fires in the living room.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48We'd like a large kitchen-diner, if possible,
0:05:48 > 0:05:53and an office is really important for Al, because Al's going to be
0:05:53 > 0:05:55working from home a lot.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58They also have plenty of plans for outside,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01as Debbie wants to expand her vegetable patch
0:06:01 > 0:06:04and possibly get stuck in to some bee-keeping.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08What's more, they're looking for at least ten acres to set up their yurt campsite,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11but the setting needs to be just right.
0:06:11 > 0:06:18The land would have to be a mixture of pasture, sort of flatland,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22with woodland, and create a natural landscape.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28So the land is as important as the house, if not more, you could argue.
0:06:28 > 0:06:35And while they're happy to plough their efforts into the business, projects for their home are a no-no.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39We're not willing to renovate or modernise the house at all,
0:06:39 > 0:06:44but if there's out-buildings with the land, then obviously,
0:06:44 > 0:06:49we need to look at building toilets and shower blocks.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Also, if there was space to have horses,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56we would quite like to be able to, you know,
0:06:56 > 0:07:01convert some stables.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04With plans to rent out their current property, combined with the sale
0:07:04 > 0:07:08of Debbie's previous house, they have a sizeable pot for this move.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Our budget for this move is £1 million.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21We'll be trying to focus Alistair and Debbie's house search
0:07:21 > 0:07:24within ten miles of the coast that stretches between Ilfracombe
0:07:24 > 0:07:26and Bude, just over the border with Cornwall.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30We've cherry-picked three county homes that meet their brief,
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and I'll be asking them to guess the price tag of each
0:07:33 > 0:07:34before I reveal it.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36The last one of these is our mystery house,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40and I'll be serving up a property that will push the scale
0:07:40 > 0:07:43of their business ideas to the limit.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47I tell you what, looking around here, it's not hard to see
0:07:47 > 0:07:50why anybody would choose to live in the beautiful Devon countryside.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53But it's not just a new house you're looking for,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- you're looking for a completely new way of life, aren't you?- Yes.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- There's a business you're after as well.- We're looking for a complete lifestyle change.
0:08:00 > 0:08:05So we want a house with land and we want to do sort of yurts
0:08:05 > 0:08:08and glamping, basically.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Now, this is a term I'm hearing more and more. Glamping.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Now, I understand this is posh camping, is it?
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- Posh camping.- Yeah, I think we would basically want to appeal to people
0:08:16 > 0:08:19who probably wouldn't ordinarily get under canvas.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Being under the stars, but in a nice environment.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- So you'll get beds and comfy duvets...- Ooh, that sounds nice!
0:08:25 > 0:08:27..and you will have a fire.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29How much land are we talking about then?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Ten to 15 acres.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35The reason we want so much is we want to do the yurts, so ideally,
0:08:35 > 0:08:38if we had woodland, it would be great to put the yurts in there.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Right then, ultimately, what's the budget?
0:08:41 > 0:08:46- We'd be happy with £1 million for our budget.- Right.
0:08:46 > 0:08:51I think we could go up to 1.25 if it was the right property and land.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Look, it's going to be a work in progress as much as anything else.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- It's going to be really fun. - It is going to be fun.- Brilliant! - Excited?- Yes, definitely.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- You look very excited! - I am!- Let's go.- All right.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07Alistair and Debbie's ideal budget is £1 million,
0:09:07 > 0:09:09although they are prepared to go a little higher
0:09:09 > 0:09:12for the perfect property.
0:09:12 > 0:09:17They're looking for a country home which gives them a generous sitting room with character features,
0:09:17 > 0:09:19along with a large kitchen-diner.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24In total, they want four bedrooms, preferably with a master en suite.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27And critically, they're after at least ten acres of land,
0:09:27 > 0:09:32in an attractive setting for their luxury camping business.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Now, you're both fairly active people.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Debs, what do you want to get involved in
0:09:42 > 0:09:44if you move down here to Devon?
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I think I'm going to be too busy
0:09:46 > 0:09:50blooming setting this yurt business up to be doing any activities!
0:09:50 > 0:09:53It's a very good point actually, because starting a business,
0:09:53 > 0:09:58as you both know, involves a lot of your time. Will you get to enjoy this beautiful countryside?
0:09:58 > 0:10:01I'm looking forward to the walks on the beach with the dog, really,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04and Al can do his thing in the water.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Mindful that location is the key to the success of the business,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13we're kicking off our property search in the village of Tawstock,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16which is also just 15 miles from Alistair's favourite surfing beach
0:10:16 > 0:10:18of Woolacombe Bay.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Along with the scattering of traditional cottages that line
0:10:21 > 0:10:25its country lanes, its church is the historic resting place
0:10:25 > 0:10:27for the local landowning nobility.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31Nearby, Lord Wrey built this imposing folly in the late 18th century,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34which also shares its grand entrance with our first property,
0:10:34 > 0:10:36a former hunting lodge.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40OK, so first impressions, Debs.
0:10:40 > 0:10:45I really like it! It looks a bit like a Swiss log cabin.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47It has got that sort of ski resort feel about it.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- So you like it?- Yeah. - Yeah, it's interesting!
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- I'm looking forward to getting in and having a mooch around.- Yeah.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- Well, let's start mooching then. - OK.- Follow me.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00This huge property has an upside down layout,
0:11:00 > 0:11:03so the main living areas are on the upper floor,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06and take advantage of those gorgeous views.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08'First stop, the kitchen.'
0:11:10 > 0:11:11Right then, in you come.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Come right in.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15I like the fact that you can see up the drive,
0:11:15 > 0:11:17so you can see who's coming.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I'm quite nosy, actually! So...
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- Yeah, I don't think it's our taste, is it?- I like the granite surfaces
0:11:25 > 0:11:30and the nature of the property. I'd go for a contemporary white kitchen,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34some white granite surfaces, maybe, and just really lighten it up.
0:11:34 > 0:11:35Yeah.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39The adjoining sun terrace also helps to bring the outside in.
0:11:39 > 0:11:43'And the living areas just keep on flowing.'
0:11:45 > 0:11:47So you've got a dining area here,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50as if you needed one with that massive kitchen,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54but you get an open-plan feel. Follow me through here.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- And then the living room. - Yeah, that's got a nice feel to it.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- I like that.- Yeah, it has.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05- Thought it would be bigger, the lounge, though. Did you? - The lounge is quite narrow.- Yeah.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07Well, off the sitting room,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10'there are plenty of other options they can play around with.'
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Now, this area really took me by surprise.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17Ignore this as a work area at the moment, guys.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21Ignore that as a gym and all this as office space,
0:12:21 > 0:12:23and think of this as one massive reception.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- Come down here.- Ah!
0:12:25 > 0:12:27Yes.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31- Yeah, it's a great space. - It's huge! It is a great space.- Yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36I'd be inclined to use that as maybe a dining room, and this,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- like you say...- This is your living room.- ..a massive living area,
0:12:39 > 0:12:41and if it was cold in the winter,
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- you could have a little snug through there.- Yes, double doors on there.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48The interior may be more modern than they'd hoped for,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51but this house certainly delivers on big adaptable areas,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55and it's great they're working through how they would best put them to use.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56Off the main entrance hall,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00there's also an additional room which might make a useful study.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03'The topsy-turvy layout means that the five bedrooms
0:13:03 > 0:13:04'are all on the lower floor,'
0:13:04 > 0:13:08and include two spacious doubles with a warm, light feel,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11and two good-size single rooms,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15all of which are served by a large family bathroom.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18And right next door is a very generous master suite.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Ooh, it is big! Oh, it's lovely!
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- Yeah.- And look at the views.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Yeah, it's really impressive. - Yeah, this is like a...
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Yeah, this is the best room in the house.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31This is something I would definitely go for. As in...
0:13:31 > 0:13:33- It's gorgeous! - ..it's something I would choose.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37So put this in the right house, and this would be, like, ten out of ten.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38Brilliant!
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Well, we're on the right track,
0:13:41 > 0:13:46and the master also has a luxurious en suite with a feature stone wall.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49'Overall, this substantial home gives them acres of space
0:13:49 > 0:13:53'to which they can add the character they feel is missing.'
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Outside, the immediate gardens extend to one and a quarter acres,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00and consist of lawns, along with a well-tended kitchen garden,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02including a number of fruit trees.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05The timber-built summer house and ornamental pond
0:14:05 > 0:14:08are also eye-catching features of the grounds.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12But it's time to get a feel for the lay of the land beyond.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15So, all that way, all surrounding the house,
0:14:15 > 0:14:20- gardens essentially, is included within the sale.- Right.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22The land is an option.
0:14:22 > 0:14:27- Right.- OK?- OK.- Now, that option is all of this woodland.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- But you mentioned you wanted woodland, hilly as well.- Yeah.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34It will need some managing, maybe some removal as well,
0:14:34 > 0:14:38I should think, but all in all, there's up to 20 acres available.
0:14:38 > 0:14:43How much do you think this one acre and house is on the market for?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Hmm.- OK. Do you want to go first?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Oh, I'm really rubbish at this, Jonnie!- All right.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51I am really rubbish! You go first.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I think with the amount of land we're talking about
0:14:54 > 0:15:01that it comes with, and the house, I would guess around 800,000.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02OK.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Oh, I think, possibly, a little lower.- Right.
0:15:05 > 0:15:09I'm going to go with 750,000.
0:15:09 > 0:15:16Well, this house has been reduced to offers around £960,000.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20- That's so wrong!- 960?- Yeah.- Right. - It started out well over a million.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- I think, 1.15.- Yeah.- Oh!- So why don't you go back into the house?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- All right, brilliant.- Thank you. - I'll catch you later on.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33Coming in under-budget at £960,000, our first property may not have
0:15:33 > 0:15:37fitted their vision of a traditional country home, but as a whole,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40it does address the important elements of their wish list.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44It gives them five reception rooms, a massive kitchen-diner,
0:15:44 > 0:15:48and five bedrooms with a master en suite that they both loved.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Outside, along with around one and a quarter acres of garden,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54they could also buy a further 20 acres of woodland,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57providing a potential site for their luxury camping business,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00with views of the stunning Taw Valley.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Oh, and I almost forgot!
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Alistair is just half an hour's drive from the surf.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11I think this house delivered in the sense that the lead-up
0:16:11 > 0:16:13to the drive was very impressive.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16So while it was a fantastic house,
0:16:16 > 0:16:21great size rooms, it just lacks the character that I was looking for.
0:16:21 > 0:16:26The land, for me, is really important to set up these yurts.
0:16:26 > 0:16:33I'm not sure that the woodland here is right for what we want to do.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38- All done inside?- Yes, thank you. - Yeah.- Come on, then. Let's go.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54Alistair and Debbie's move to the country is motivated by their dream
0:16:54 > 0:16:58of running a luxury camp site where visitors can stay in yurts.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01These semi-permanent dwellings have been used in central Asia
0:17:01 > 0:17:05for over 3,000 years, and are still used by Mongolian nomads.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08But, in the UK, they've become a popular alternative
0:17:08 > 0:17:10to pitching a holiday tent.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14To find out more about their unique design, earlier in the week,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17we arranged for them to meet Rod Richardson and Keith Gray,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20who've been making yurts here in Devon for five years,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23and they've turned it into a successful business.
0:17:23 > 0:17:28- Have you stayed in a yurt before? - We have stayed in a couple of yurts, a couple of different yurt camps,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32and that's what sort of sowed the seeds for us wanting to get into it.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36- We like the cosy factor of stoking up the burner...- Yeah.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39It was kind of like comfortable camping, really,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42and we thought we could sort of do something with that
0:17:42 > 0:17:46and get away from the grime and city lifestyle
0:17:46 > 0:17:47where we currently live.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Once over the threshold, it's easy to see how the ribs of the roof
0:17:51 > 0:17:55connect the central wheel to the lattice-framed walls.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58It's a beautiful piece of design but,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02true to its nomadic roots, it also has to be practical to build.
0:18:02 > 0:18:07Well, what we want is for the thing to be uniform,
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and to go up the same every time.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12For each rib to be, like you say, the same,
0:18:12 > 0:18:13so it can all go together easily,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16are they manufactured through machinery or is it...?
0:18:16 > 0:18:19We use machines, but everything is hand-finished.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22And it's steam-bent. Just about every component goes in the steamer,
0:18:22 > 0:18:25so the ribs have a bent end, the trellis has a slight curve
0:18:25 > 0:18:29and, of course, the wheel is made of two flat pieces of timber
0:18:29 > 0:18:32that are steamed into curves.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Getting the geometry right is key to the yurt being rigid and robust,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40and a cornerstone of its design is accurately burning the square holes
0:18:40 > 0:18:44in the wheel, using a hot iron rod, called a dragon.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- Wey!- Excellent!- Don't get the burny bit on that bit!
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- I think mine was the best, actually! - Do you?- Yeah, it's straight!
0:18:51 > 0:18:52More shuffles!
0:18:52 > 0:18:55Next, it's time for teamwork, as Alistair and Debbie get
0:18:55 > 0:18:59some hands-on experience in assembling a whole yurt which,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02for one this size, should take three people around 40 minutes.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08The components are made from local wood, in this case, sustainably sourced ash and oak
0:19:08 > 0:19:10which can cope with Devon's humidity.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14Tuck it in. Quality knot, this is!
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Me husband's knots are always the best knots!
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Knowing that they're looking to create their glamorous
0:19:21 > 0:19:24camping site, a 10-foot yurt,
0:19:24 > 0:19:27sleeping two adults, will cost around £2,000,
0:19:27 > 0:19:33whilst a 30-foot yurt fit for a wedding would set them back £15,500.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Now they've had a taste of what it will be like literally building
0:19:36 > 0:19:39their business, we need to focus on finding them
0:19:39 > 0:19:42a permanent place they can call home.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52As we continue our house hunt, we're steering our buyers inland
0:19:52 > 0:19:54and away from the surfing beaches towards the village
0:19:54 > 0:19:56of Black Torrington,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59which has a range of amenities including a handy post office
0:19:59 > 0:20:01and local shop.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Set off a quiet country lane,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06we're going on a charm offensive with our second property,
0:20:06 > 0:20:08which comes in the form
0:20:08 > 0:20:10of a traditional Grade II listed thatched farmhouse.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14If you want character, this place could be your new home,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17because there is so much character with this property.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22But you get this wonderful-looking farmhouse, set in its own, well,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- courtyard now, but this would have been its farmyard.- Yeah, lovely.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- Yeah, I like it. Yeah. - Look at that grin!- Yeah!
0:20:29 > 0:20:31Cheshire cats are amongst us.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37Adjacent to the farmhouse, the old stables have lapsed planning consent for a holiday let,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40which could be a future project providing them with an income,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42or Alistair could use it as an office space.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45But let's see what they make of the main house which,
0:20:45 > 0:20:49in its oldest part, dates back to 1475.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55Let's start with what they use as the best room, if you like.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59- I like it.- Ooh, yeah! - Yeah, it's nice. I like the beams.
0:20:59 > 0:21:04There's lots of old and very sympathetic new. I mean, look at these flagstones.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07These are obviously new, but they work well, don't they?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Using natural materials.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12- I love the flagstones.- Yeah.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14I love the fireplace, I love the beams,
0:21:14 > 0:21:18I love the modern with the old, with the spotlights.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20- I love that.- Yeah, I do. Yeah.
0:21:20 > 0:21:25Across the other side, the raft of rooms build on the traditional feel.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29This feels much more like a more casual, maybe a more everyday
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- living room, doesn't it?- Yeah!
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Yeah, I really like this room. This room's got a more, kind of,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- historic character kind of feel to it for some reason.- Yeah, cosy.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42You see a lot more of the history. Look at those massive pieces of flint, and old timber.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44That fireplace, there is oil-fired central heating
0:21:44 > 0:21:48if you want it, but that can also power up to 17 radiators.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50All the heating through the house.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54You've got another reception room through there, or an office, which is nice.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56- Oh, I love it! Can I look inside? - Oh, wow, yeah!
0:21:56 > 0:22:00- In a moment, but we've got so much to get around, unfortunately.- Awwww!
0:22:00 > 0:22:04- Aww, yeah!- That's good.- Yeah, yeah. - Yeah, it's gorgeous!
0:22:04 > 0:22:07Am I allowed to say I think you started with the worst room?
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- Am I allowed to say that? - Funnily enough, I chose that room,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- first of all, because it felt like the natural flow.- I loved that room!
0:22:14 > 0:22:17And then I really loved that room, and then I really, really
0:22:17 > 0:22:18love this room!
0:22:18 > 0:22:20This kitchen looks brilliant. Yeah.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24I love the low ceilings, and all the beams and all of the windows.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- Let me just have a little sit. - Go on, then.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28You know, just like...
0:22:28 > 0:22:31- Do I suit it?- You do, actually, yeah!
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Debbie clearly feels at home here
0:22:33 > 0:22:35and it's great to see her in full flow.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38On this floor, there's also a walk-in pantry
0:22:38 > 0:22:41which gives a real sense of this being an authentic country kitchen,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44along with a room for taking off their muddy boots.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47With downstairs covered, we'll head to the first floor where,
0:22:47 > 0:22:52'off the landing, the stylish modern fixtures in the family bathroom'
0:22:52 > 0:22:55blend really well with the vaulted beam ceiling.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58The timbers continue next door in one of the five bedrooms,
0:22:58 > 0:23:02but the main event lies at the end of the hallway.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03Now, then.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06This isn't currently being used as the master bedroom,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08but I thought this was so impressive.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- Yeah, it's lovely.- Oh, yeah! - It's gorgeous!
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Yeah, I love it. It's brilliant.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- It's really nice. Yeah, I love it as well.- Yeah. Love the...
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- Love the high ceilings as well. - Yeah, the beams.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22- Yeah, it's great, isn't it? - It's gorgeous!
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- But it's great, isn't it?- This is impressive, yeah. Really nice.
0:23:26 > 0:23:31The other four double bedrooms are also bright and immaculate with those statement beams.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33One of them adjoined a dedicated library,
0:23:33 > 0:23:38with its own listed 15th century doorway.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41The authenticity and huge footprint of our historic farmhouse
0:23:41 > 0:23:42seems to have worked its magic.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45But now, it's time to get to grips with the outside space.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50Along with the development potential of the stone barn and storerooms,
0:23:50 > 0:23:54the farm buildings also include a huge iron-roofed covered yard
0:23:54 > 0:23:56and tractor shed, which gives an indication
0:23:56 > 0:23:58of how much land there is.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Now, then.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Alistair, you did say you wanted, what was it?
0:24:04 > 0:24:08I would have thought a minimum of 15-ish or 10 to 15.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Oh, it's a minimum of 15 acres of land now?
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Well, I was initially thinking that.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17- OK.- Yeah, 10 to 15 acres is going to be perfect.- 10 to 15 acres, yeah.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- OK, you've got... - That looks amazing, that.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21You've got 77 acres.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Oh, my God!
0:24:24 > 0:24:27And that's a mixture between woodland and pastureland.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- Right, brilliant.- That's only the edge of what you have.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- You've got that, the ancient woodland...- Wow, ancient woodland!
0:24:33 > 0:24:36Imagine having yurts in ancient woodland there?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39You've got pastureland at the back, which you can look out over.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Oh, I can imagine you galloping now, on your horse!
0:24:42 > 0:24:44The galloping major! That's me!
0:24:44 > 0:24:49With 77 acres comes the enormous task of looking after it all.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52The current owners rent out the pastureland to a local sheep farmer
0:24:52 > 0:24:57and that, along with EU subsidies, brings in £10,000 a year.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59What's more, there's a manege,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02giving them the chance to run a horse livery business.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07- All of this...- Yeah.- Could be yours! - But at a price.- At a price.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12I reckon it's at the top of our budget. 1.25.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15I'm going to go for 1 million and 50,000.
0:25:15 > 0:25:20Right, well, this has just come on the market, well, six weeks ago,
0:25:20 > 0:25:24and everything is for sale for offers around £1.1 million.
0:25:24 > 0:25:25Wow!
0:25:25 > 0:25:29I'm much more than pleasantly surprised.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31Well, look, it's not great weather,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- it looks like there's a lot more weather coming in.- I don't care!
0:25:34 > 0:25:37I'm going to run down to that woodland and have a mooch,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- if you don't mind!- Go on! I've given you all the information I need to.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- Are you coming?- It's brilliant, Jonnie.- Go on, then.- Done well.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- Yomp away!- Will do!
0:25:45 > 0:25:48- It's the last thing you're doing, so you've got plenty of time.- OK.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Well, fantastic reactions.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53Sometimes, when you take someone outside to the fields
0:25:53 > 0:25:56and it's howling a bit of a wind and some rain,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58they just want to get back inside,
0:25:58 > 0:26:00but they're genuine about their business idea,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04about their want to escape to the country here. And just look at them. She loves it!
0:26:04 > 0:26:06She just can't wait to get hold of this idea
0:26:06 > 0:26:09of living in the countryside. It's great to see.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12Wey-hey-hey!
0:26:12 > 0:26:14SHE LAUGHS
0:26:15 > 0:26:20On the market for offers around £1.1 million, dare I say it,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23this beautiful farmhouse seems to have won their hearts,
0:26:23 > 0:26:24and who can blame them?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26It offers them a great home,
0:26:26 > 0:26:30featuring two large reception rooms with beams and a wood burner,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34a rustic country kitchen beyond Debbie's wildest dreams,
0:26:34 > 0:26:36and five bedrooms.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38Outside, along with a range of buildings,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42the jaw-dropping 77 acres of woodland, orchards,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46and pastureland give them a whole new world for their yurt campsite.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50This is the kind of country lifestyle I dreamed of.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54The house is just amazing, it really sort of tops it up.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57The kitchen's fabulous, the bedrooms.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02It's all lovely, and yeah, I think I could be very happy here.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It's just fantastic. Yeah, I'm really, really blown away
0:27:05 > 0:27:07with the place, and the longer I spend here,
0:27:07 > 0:27:10even in this foul weather, the longer I'm kind of...
0:27:10 > 0:27:13the more I'm falling in love with it.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17You can't have looked around all that land in that time,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20but have you seen a good snippet of it, at least?
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- Yes.- I'd say a very good snippet, yeah.- Yeah?- Yeah, it was great.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Good! Well, there's plenty to see.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28Maybe if you're interested, another viewing,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32- you'd have to start in the morning and finish in the evening.- I think so! That's definitely in order.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- Good. Something to sleep on at least.- Thank you.- Let's go.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- Looks nice with the lights on, doesn't it?- It does.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41It's lovely, isn't it?
0:27:51 > 0:27:54As evening falls over the Devon countryside,
0:27:54 > 0:27:58it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08Armed with a budget of £1 million, Alistair and Debbie want to swap
0:28:08 > 0:28:10their hectic commuter life to London,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12for the hills of North Devon,
0:28:12 > 0:28:16where they plan to set up, as they call it, a "posh camping business".
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Of the two houses we've seen so far,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Debbie clearly felt at home in our second property, but coming up,
0:28:22 > 0:28:26our mystery house goes stratospheric with business ideas.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29- I'm going to hold my thoughts until the end, I think.- OK, Debs.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33And I get put through my paces on Devon's beaches.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Looking back at yesterday, I think the first property was
0:28:39 > 0:28:41a learning curve for all concerned,
0:28:41 > 0:28:44but by the time it got to the second property in the afternoon,
0:28:44 > 0:28:46I think we hit the nail right on the head.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49We got great reactions from Alistair and especially Debs.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52So, for today, if yesterday was about the house,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55the mystery property is going to be all about the business.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Let's see how we get on.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Our mystery house takes them to the North Devon border,
0:29:04 > 0:29:06close to the village of Bradworthy,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09eight miles from the Cornish coastal town of Bude.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Besides its magnificently craggy cliffs,
0:29:12 > 0:29:15the sandy beaches here are a well-known surfing territory,
0:29:15 > 0:29:18so Alistair can take to the waves.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21Our mystery property is a Victorian farmhouse
0:29:21 > 0:29:25bursting with business opportunities and a renovation project,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28all of which will require them to think big and creatively.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Now then, the mystery house offers you something a bit different.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37Nice size.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39- Yeah? Good.- Yeah, I like it.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Now, inside, it's a different generation that owns it,
0:29:42 > 0:29:44so you'll want to make some quite big changes to it.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49Yeah. I mean, to be honest, we didn't really want to take on a project.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53Right. I don't know what that laugh means!
0:29:53 > 0:29:57You're probably laughing at me cos I'm in trouble now, but there is some business here. OK?
0:29:57 > 0:30:01There is potential and some up and running income here for you.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- And it's the mystery house! - Oh, yes, it is the mystery house.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06- So, yeah.- The Mystery Machine.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09OK, let's go and see what the Mystery Machine has for us,
0:30:09 > 0:30:10- shall we?- Right.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15They might change their mind about getting stuck into a project
0:30:15 > 0:30:18when they see the potential of the generous space inside.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Right then.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24This would have been that the best room in this Victorian farmhouse.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- Come right in. Have a good look at this.- I quite like it, as a room.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31- I like the flagstone floors. - Yeah, it's a good-sized room.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33Yeah, it is a good-sized room. I like the fireplace.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- I mean, the decor isn't our taste. - No.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- I can totally see through that, though.- I can as well.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43If you look in that corner there, wonderful exposed stonework,
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- and look at these flags, they are huge!- I love the flags.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50I think, as a start, all good, great proportions.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52- Yeah, good start.- Good.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55- Have you ever cooked in a bread oven, a proper bread oven.- No.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58You'll have to learn, then. See that there?
0:30:58 > 0:31:00You'd have a big old fire, there,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03put the bread inside the oven, then seal up that hole,
0:31:03 > 0:31:05and take it out, afterwards.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07You would have to do that every day. Yeah?
0:31:07 > 0:31:09The floor's amazing, isn't it?
0:31:11 > 0:31:12Were you listening to me? Come on!
0:31:14 > 0:31:17Let's grab Deborah's attention and see what she makes of the next room.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19The kitchen.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23Good sized kitchen.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25Yeah, kitchen's all right. Yeah.
0:31:25 > 0:31:30Obviously needs modernising, but that's to be expected.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32But with this house, you've got a lot of reception areas.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35You've got a good-sized kitchen here, as well,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- a huge dining room behind you. - Oh, right!
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Behind that, a utility and a downstairs loo,
0:31:41 > 0:31:45but as we came in, you've also got two further reception rooms.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- Right.- So, I don't know what you're going to do with all those.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- It's a big old house, this. - I'm looking forward to seeing more.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56I tell you what, because there's so much to see here,
0:31:56 > 0:32:00you can come back here on your own and have a look.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02Let's go outside, because I want to focus on what's there,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06- then you can decide if you like the package.- Sounds fantastic.
0:32:06 > 0:32:07We'll go out this way.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15As they'll discover later, upstairs, the six bedrooms
0:32:15 > 0:32:19that fan off the central landing area are all a great size.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Firstly, there's a double with ensuite shower room
0:32:21 > 0:32:25they'd probably take as theirs. And yet another spacious ensuite double
0:32:25 > 0:32:28for guests. In addition,
0:32:28 > 0:32:31three of the other rooms would all easily accommodate double beds,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34even the one currently decked out with bunks.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38And the sixth is a single, complete with a corner sink.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Across the landing, there's also a family bathroom,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44but set aside from the main house, there's yet more
0:32:44 > 0:32:47accommodation on offer, which comes with an income attached.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- So, the holiday let.- BOTH: Oh!
0:32:53 > 0:32:56Nice, I like it. The Calf Barn, eh?
0:32:56 > 0:32:59- Yeah, nice!- I like it.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04I like...the ceilings, the vaulted ceilings.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- I think it's been done really well.- Yeah, it has.
0:33:07 > 0:33:10You've got two double bedrooms, en suites,
0:33:10 > 0:33:13you've got a wonderful living area.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Now, in peak season, they'll get anything up to £700 a week for this.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19That's good, isn't it?
0:33:19 > 0:33:23But next door, you'll see, through the window,
0:33:23 > 0:33:24there's that huge barn.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28That's got planning consent for four more.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- I'm going to hold my thoughts until the end.- OK, Debs.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35- Let's go outside.- Right.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Time to get their perspective on the business opportunities
0:33:40 > 0:33:42attached to the land.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46So far, we've seen an up-and-running self-catering holiday let...
0:33:48 > 0:33:51..and a campsite.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54- I could even see the yurts here, actually.- Oh, right.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58I like the tree-lined perimeter.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01I could imagine, sort of, dotting the yurts
0:34:01 > 0:34:04around the edges.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06This area is already a draw for holidaymakers
0:34:06 > 0:34:09who fish down at the Lower Tamar Lake
0:34:09 > 0:34:12and sometimes stay in the holiday lets.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15But our mystery proposition doesn't end there.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17The range of modern outbuildings are currently home
0:34:17 > 0:34:21to a licensed restaurant with a professionally decked out kitchen,
0:34:21 > 0:34:23which they could sublet if they wanted to.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25We'll wrap up our business-fuelled mystery house
0:34:25 > 0:34:29by revealing how much land they'll get to play with.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30At the moment,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34this old Victorian farmhouse comes in around
0:34:34 > 0:34:36- 13 acres.- OK.- OK?
0:34:36 > 0:34:40It's a completely different proposition, probably a lot more
0:34:40 > 0:34:44business focused than you'd intended, but there's
0:34:44 > 0:34:48not a dearth of opportunities here in Devon, for what you want.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52- You're going to ask us how much it all costs now, aren't you?- Yes.
0:34:52 > 0:34:56This house, with the old farm buildings,
0:34:56 > 0:34:58set in 13 acres.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01You go first.
0:35:01 > 0:35:0613 acres, I'd price at around £850,000.
0:35:06 > 0:35:07OK. All right.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11- Debs?- I think I'd go higher. I think I'd go for...
0:35:14 > 0:35:17..£950,000.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20She's a quick learner. It's £950,000.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22My goodness!
0:35:22 > 0:35:24Yes!
0:35:24 > 0:35:26I hate it when she gets that right!
0:35:26 > 0:35:28It's a small victory.
0:35:28 > 0:35:31I am not sure it's been a victory in what we've looked round.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34It's got your minds racing. I'm going to bask here in the sunshine.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Why don't you go and look at some of the buildings?
0:35:37 > 0:35:40Look around everything, there's so much to see.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43- Then we'll find somewhere to sit down and have a chat.- Thank you.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Catch you in a bit.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Under budget at 950,000, our mystery house
0:35:50 > 0:35:52is the cheapest of our three properties,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55which leaves the money left over to get the holiday lets
0:35:55 > 0:35:57or yurt business off the ground.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01Breaking down the mind-boggling list of components, it gives them
0:36:01 > 0:36:03a huge six-bedroom period home,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06an up and running two-bedroom holiday let
0:36:06 > 0:36:09which in peak season brings in £700 a week,
0:36:09 > 0:36:13the barn with planning consent for four further holiday lets,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16a licensed campsite and restaurant,
0:36:16 > 0:36:18and it's all wrapped up
0:36:18 > 0:36:20in over 13 acres of grounds and pastureland
0:36:20 > 0:36:22in a stunning countryside setting
0:36:22 > 0:36:25well-positioned to pull in the tourist trade.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28The mystery house, yeah, it was all very much
0:36:28 > 0:36:30more of a business focus thing
0:36:30 > 0:36:33than the kind of dream house that we were looking for.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37Definitely some potential there. A little daunting, to be honest.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40I thought the house was really pretty
0:36:40 > 0:36:43and it did need updating.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46The outhouses weren't really for me.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49It just felt like too big a project with the house as well.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54In the potential holiday let, are we?
0:36:54 > 0:36:56- All done, are we?- Yes, indeed.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Good. I think we should find somewhere to sit down
0:36:59 > 0:37:00- and gather our thoughts.- OK.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15North Devon's Atlantic coastline is a major draw for many
0:37:15 > 0:37:20of the 250,000 surfers that visit the south-west's beaches every year.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Saving lives in these wild seas is a major concern
0:37:24 > 0:37:27for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30but there's another rescue arm to the charity's work.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34Since 2001, its team of lifeguards
0:37:34 > 0:37:37now look after around 100 beaches in the region.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41They have to be extremely fit to do the job, and I am getting a taste of
0:37:41 > 0:37:44their intensive training regime from Robbie Lamb,
0:37:44 > 0:37:46who's a lifeguard supervisor.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49And one of the monthly fitness tests involves
0:37:49 > 0:37:52sprinting 200 metres in under 40 seconds.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54- Let's get it on.- Let's do it!
0:37:57 > 0:37:59That's a long...are you sure that's 200 metres?
0:37:59 > 0:38:02'Robbie's area manager Vaughan Lawson is at the finish line
0:38:02 > 0:38:05'to start us off.'
0:38:05 > 0:38:10Vaughan, are you sure that's 200 metres?
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Ready, boys? Take your marks...
0:38:14 > 0:38:15..go!
0:38:17 > 0:38:19'The team has grown to around 100 lifeguards,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22'all of whom have to maintain fitness levels across the season.'
0:38:25 > 0:38:28Very good!
0:38:28 > 0:38:32This is just one of the many tests the lifeguards undertake,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35including having to complete a 400 metres swim
0:38:35 > 0:38:37in under seven-and-a-half minutes.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40But, of course, the training all helps their ability to save lives.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44Last year, between April and mid-October, the lifeguards
0:38:44 > 0:38:48responded to nearly 13,000 incidents on the south-west's beaches.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52The paddle board is mainly used for rescues in shallower waters,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55and after a quick demo from Robbie, I'm tasked with rescuing
0:38:55 > 0:38:58fellow lifeguard Amy Caldwell.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01When the sea is about waist height,
0:39:01 > 0:39:05the idea is to jump on and paddle forwards while kneeling, which gives
0:39:05 > 0:39:07better visibility over the surf.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10When they get to the casualty, the board is turned over
0:39:10 > 0:39:13which helps lift the victim on, and then it's a case
0:39:13 > 0:39:17of paddling in while maintaining a firm hold on them.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19Fortunately, just when it starts to look like
0:39:19 > 0:39:22I'm in need of rescuing, I catch a lucky wave,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25which brings us safely back to shore.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27I was very grateful for that wave!
0:39:27 > 0:39:29The commute in was easier than the commute out.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32I'm going to have a sit-down!
0:39:32 > 0:39:35While I take a break, time to catch up with the house hunters.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Hopefully they've come to a decision
0:39:37 > 0:39:39and are in better shape than me!
0:39:46 > 0:39:48So, let's look at the houses. First property,
0:39:48 > 0:39:51it was certainly a learning curve for me.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54What are your thoughts on it, now you've come away?
0:39:54 > 0:39:57I just felt it was too modern for me.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01And it didn't have the period features I was looking for.
0:40:01 > 0:40:06And also, the land, the woodland that we could have bought,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08it just wasn't right.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11I don't think we could have made the house
0:40:11 > 0:40:14the sort of house we wanted. It wasn't right.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16We pretty much figured out, by the time we left there,
0:40:16 > 0:40:19the first property wasn't for you guys.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22So the pressure was on for the second house in the afternoon,
0:40:22 > 0:40:25but you were instantly blown away, weren't you?
0:40:25 > 0:40:30Yeah. House two was beautiful, inside and out.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35We were very pleasantly surprised by the cottage, the interiors,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38- the space. - I actually found it a grower.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41I was impressed from the start.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45But, when we got through the doors, it just got better and better.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47The space was brilliant, the way it had been finished
0:40:47 > 0:40:51was, as we said before, a real labour of love.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54We got to the outside, the 77 acres,
0:40:54 > 0:40:58there's so much we could do with it from a business point of view,
0:40:58 > 0:41:00so really happy with that one.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Let's look at today's escapades. The mystery house.
0:41:03 > 0:41:08The mystery house was a real project, I felt.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11I thought the house was pretty.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14It needed modernising, but I wasn't fazed by that,
0:41:14 > 0:41:18because I think we could have made it as beautiful as house two.
0:41:18 > 0:41:23If the business had been ready to go, straight away,
0:41:23 > 0:41:25maybe we'd have considered it.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28I think it was all a bit...
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Every element of it required attention,
0:41:30 > 0:41:35and I think we could have made the house quite grand.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39I still don't think it would have been the house like house two.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43Clearly, the second house we looked at, is your favourite.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47- What do you want to do about that? - Property number two was our favourite
0:41:47 > 0:41:51and so when we finish here today, we're going to go back
0:41:51 > 0:41:55and take a second look, just so we can work out
0:41:55 > 0:41:58how far it is from the beach,
0:41:58 > 0:42:02and also to be able to have a look at the land.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Yes, discuss the opportunities with the current owner,
0:42:06 > 0:42:10look at some figures and, yeah, watch this space.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Please let us know how you get on,
0:42:13 > 0:42:16because it sounds like things could happen quickly...
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- If everything goes to plan. - Definitely.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- Good luck this afternoon. - Thank you.- Cheers.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29It was always going to be a risk
0:42:29 > 0:42:31showing Alistair and Debs that mystery property
0:42:31 > 0:42:34when it was so skewed towards business.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37I also think it was a gamble I was willing to take because of
0:42:37 > 0:42:40the great reaction I got from them when they saw the second property,
0:42:40 > 0:42:44both the house itself and that 77 acres of land.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47What has surprised me, though,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50is just how quickly they want to arrange the second viewing.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54They're actually on their way to the house, right now, as I speak.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57So, I'm sure, like me, you wish them both luck
0:42:57 > 0:43:00and I look forward to finding out their plans
0:43:00 > 0:43:02over the next couple of weeks.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05'Although Alistair and Debbie loved our second property,
0:43:05 > 0:43:09'they decided its inland position and 77 acres of land were
0:43:09 > 0:43:13'a stretch too far, so their house hunt continues.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16'If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:16 > 0:43:18'Northern Ireland or England, and need our help,
0:43:18 > 0:43:24'please apply online at...'
0:43:43 > 0:43:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd