0:00:02 > 0:00:04These gigantic caverns are big enough to house
0:00:04 > 0:00:07more than a thousand double-decker buses.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Spacious? Yes. Light and airy? Not so much.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16Find out where I am and what this space was used for in just a moment.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49In today's show, I'll be helping a couple of sports fanatics
0:00:49 > 0:00:51hotfoot it out of the capital
0:00:51 > 0:00:54to find a holiday let business in the country.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56And they certainly have exacting standards.
0:00:56 > 0:01:01Sorry. I'm coming over as Mrs Perfection, aren't I?
0:01:03 > 0:01:08But with a bit of arm-twisting, they're soon up for the challenge. Well, almost.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10- Needs some work.- Yeah.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12That's fine. I'm not scared of work.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14You don't do any DIY!
0:01:14 > 0:01:18I'm not scared of getting the builders in to do the work!
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Fighting talk! We love it!
0:01:23 > 0:01:28Today we're in Cornwall and this is the 500-year-old
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Carnglaze slate mine which, for centuries,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35supplied roofing materials for buildings from Penzance all the way to Southampton.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39During the Second World War, it was commandeered by the Navy
0:01:39 > 0:01:44as a storage facility, not for weapons but for rum.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47That's quite a lot of rum.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49I'm going to be coming back later in the show to find out
0:01:49 > 0:01:53just how much rum and what it's being used for today.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58Much of Cornwall's colourful history stems from its expansive coastline
0:01:58 > 0:02:01which stretches more than 300 miles.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Over the centuries, the county's seafaring links
0:02:04 > 0:02:08led to many tales involving smugglers
0:02:08 > 0:02:10who used it as a renowned haven.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15This maritime tradition also benefited historic ports such as Fowey which,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18during the 19th century, became increasingly popular
0:02:18 > 0:02:21for shipping products such as china clay.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Away from the coast, the economy was historically dependent
0:02:25 > 0:02:30on copper and tin mining, leaving a legacy of character buildings
0:02:30 > 0:02:32which are dotted across the Cornish landscape.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36Today, Cornwall is a popular destination for tourists
0:02:36 > 0:02:39attracted by the dual charms of its coast and countryside.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42It's no surprise that many housebuyers
0:02:42 > 0:02:45are equally inspired to put down roots here.
0:02:50 > 0:02:52Top end properties here in Cornwall,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55particularly those that can be used a second homes,
0:02:55 > 0:02:57are very sought-after.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Second homes is a double-edged sword.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Of course, they do bring money into the local economy
0:03:02 > 0:03:05and who wouldn't want to have a second home here?
0:03:05 > 0:03:08But it drives up the prices of all the other properties
0:03:08 > 0:03:10which means locals find it difficult to buy.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13That in turn can decimate a local community.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16But if you're planning to move here lock, stock and barrel,
0:03:16 > 0:03:21the average price for a detached house in Cornwall is £267,000,
0:03:21 > 0:03:24that's just £12,000 above the national average.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Take a look at what you can buy.
0:03:27 > 0:03:29At just under £300,000,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33this barn conversion close to Ruan High Lanes has a beautiful
0:03:33 > 0:03:38main sitting room with a wood burner and vaulted beamed ceiling.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Outside there's a lawned garden that backs onto open fields.
0:03:42 > 0:03:48Or for £550,000, you could buy this barn conversion in Trevarth.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53It has a huge kitchen with a range and stone fireplace at the far end.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Upstairs, exposed roof trusses are a running theme
0:03:56 > 0:03:59throughout the three bedrooms.
0:03:59 > 0:04:04Or how about your own estate for £680,000 in Mithian Woods?
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Made up of a four-bedroomed cottage,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10it's set in lovely gardens with plenty of character inside,
0:04:10 > 0:04:15but also boasts a two-bedroomed annexe above a triple garage.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19There's even a one-bedroom converted stone barn for good measure.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Three Cornish crackers, there.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25We've got a hat trick of lovely properties lined up
0:04:25 > 0:04:29for the couple thinking of moving to this beautiful part of the world. Let's meet them.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34Michael, a recruitment consultant and Ruth, an HR manager,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38have been married for seven years and live in their four-bedroom
0:04:38 > 0:04:41semidetached home in Arnos Grove, north London.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Although it has the space they need to entertain
0:04:44 > 0:04:46and room for Michael's children to visit,
0:04:46 > 0:04:51it doesn't allow them to enjoy their passion for outdoor pursuits,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54hence their desire to move to the country.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58We want to take our life down a few steps.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We're really busy, both of us, at work, aren't we?
0:05:02 > 0:05:05And we've got these hobbies we like to do such as cycling,
0:05:05 > 0:05:07running, we do swimming, we dive.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12We think a move now would get us a bit more relaxed
0:05:12 > 0:05:17and able to enjoy what we like doing and balance that with work.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20Our buyers are certainly an active pair.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Ruth is keen to learn the saxophone
0:05:22 > 0:05:26while Michael wants to find time for his triathlon training.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Work is a priority too and although Michael plans to work from home,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33he'll still need to make a weekly trip to London,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36so good transport links are a must.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39But these aren't the only demands on their wishlist.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41If we think about what we want,
0:05:41 > 0:05:45it's, erm, plenty of reception room down at the bottom,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47at least four bedrooms.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52Detached, pretty large family home
0:05:52 > 0:05:54with some form of grounds to it,
0:05:54 > 0:05:58which either currently has outbuildings that can be converted
0:05:58 > 0:06:04into holiday lets or an area where holiday lets could be built
0:06:04 > 0:06:08and planning permission would be granted to do that.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12Yeah, and I think there are a couple of little things
0:06:12 > 0:06:16like I'd like a formal dining room as well as a kitchen/diner
0:06:16 > 0:06:19and an en suite bathroom for our master bedroom.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22And also nothing that needs structural renovation.
0:06:22 > 0:06:27We're not strong DIY people and we don't have the time
0:06:27 > 0:06:30and knowledge to take on a big project.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Despite such an extensive wishlist, they plan to
0:06:33 > 0:06:37hold on to their current property as an investment and rent it out.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40However, they still have sizable funds for the move.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44So our budget is £800,000.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46There can be some flexibility,
0:06:46 > 0:06:51give or take £50,000 to £70,000
0:06:51 > 0:06:53for the actual ideal property.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Cycling, scuba-diving, learning the saxophone,
0:07:00 > 0:07:02Ruth and Michael are a high-powered,
0:07:02 > 0:07:06high-energy couple who are coming to Cornwall to take it down a notch.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08Or so they say.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Though when you look at what they're planning to do here -
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Michael's commuting to London, training for a triathlon,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15they're going to be running holiday lets -
0:07:15 > 0:07:18sounds as though they're going to take up a notch.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22So we need to find a house that's going to contain all of that energy.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Good road and rail links are firmly on Michael and Ruth's radar,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30so we plan to keep their house search to the south-east
0:07:30 > 0:07:33and fringes of Cornwall's county border.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35The three properties I'll show them
0:07:35 > 0:07:39offer up a diverse mix of home and business possibilities
0:07:39 > 0:07:43but I won't reveal the price of each until they've had a guess first.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45The last of these is our mystery house,
0:07:45 > 0:07:51a proposition which I believe could make them think the unthinkable.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- Hello and welcome to Cornwall. - Thank you.- Yeah, lovely.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00You talked about stepping down and calming it down a bit
0:08:00 > 0:08:03but I don't quite see how that's going to work.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05You're going to be commuting back and forth to London
0:08:05 > 0:08:09and running triathlons, you're going to be running holiday lets.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13- It's a transitional phase! - A very busy transitional phase.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18I think it's a long-term plan that we're starting to put together.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22But we've always talked about moving away from London
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and out to the south-west.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28So we've done a lot of talking and we'd better start looking.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30So the budget's up to £875,000.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- Does the top end of that include holiday lets up-and-running? - Ideally, yup.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Presumably you want lots of,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38holiday lets need to have beautiful landscape.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- This is why we've brought you to Cornwall.- Lovely.- It's beautiful.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45They don't find themselves so let's get in the car and find some.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Excellent.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Michael and Ruth have confirmed that they are prepared to pay
0:08:52 > 0:08:57up to £875,000 for the ideal property.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59For that it needs to be a supersize period home
0:08:59 > 0:09:02with lots of reception rooms and have a large kitchen
0:09:02 > 0:09:05and separate dining room.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07It must also have five bedrooms.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Existing holiday lets, or the potential to create them,
0:09:10 > 0:09:12is essential,
0:09:12 > 0:09:16and it all needs to be within easy reach of good transport links.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Now, in the 1,001 things that you're going to do here,
0:09:20 > 0:09:26you didn't mention any particularly country things like growing vegetables or...
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Are you interested in those sorts of things?
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Not really!
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- We're not really big gardeners, are we?- No.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Walking - that's what we want to do. Get outdoors.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39And admire, is that right, admire gardens.
0:09:39 > 0:09:40Someone else's garden.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43We'd like a nice garden but I don't think we want to -
0:09:43 > 0:09:47at this stage - spend all our time looking after it.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52Our house search gets underway eight miles away from Launceston
0:09:52 > 0:09:54near the village of North Hill.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Situated on the eastern edge of Bodmin Moor,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00it's a peaceful setting with an array of pretty stone cottages
0:10:00 > 0:10:03as well as parish church and a local pub.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08A couple of miles away in a rural spot is our first offering.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11It comes in the form of this Victorian farmhouse
0:10:11 > 0:10:16and gives them ample scope to develop their holiday let business.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Come down here. Turn around have a look.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- Oh!- Wow! Good-sized house.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26It used to be pat of the Duchy Of Cornwall estate.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29It's from the 1860s, extended a bit in the 1880s.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34It's a beautiful, very well built Cornish farmhouse.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Yeah, solid walls, I would imagine.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39Indeed. With a nice chunk of land so it goes...
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- You see the stables there?- Yep. - All the way down there.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Down to the telegraph pole and back up here.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50- And including these outbuildings. - Ah.- Oh, right.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- These three here? - All these? A tool shed.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57Those are going to be your holiday lets.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Tool shed?!- OK, I thought you might say that.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- I smell a project.- Yep.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- Well, very interesting. Let's look inside.- OK.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13They'll be glad to know that the main farmhouse won't need any significant work
0:11:13 > 0:11:15and hopefully comes with the character
0:11:15 > 0:11:17and proportions they're after.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19So, inside.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Oh, straight into the kitchen. - It's a country house.- Yes, unusual.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Through the back door, straight into the kitchen.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28That's how it works in the countryside.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32- Big kitchen.- Very big kitchen. Lots of space.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37- And, look, a range. A typical country kitchen.- Exactly.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- It's a very simple kind of space. - Yeah.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43You've got these huge beautiful Cornish slate flagstones.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47I like the floor. What's behind there?
0:11:47 > 0:11:49Yeah, what's behind the red wall?
0:11:49 > 0:11:52It is slightly unusual because they've knocked through here.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- This would've been a separate dining room.- Ah, OK.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- It is quite unusual.- Oh, yes, I see. - This would be the dining area.
0:12:02 > 0:12:09So it's kind of a day-dining-sitting little family eating area.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Which breaks it off. Which actually is quite nice.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18Yeah, I can see it working. I think we'd need to completely change the decor and...
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- Yeah, I think... Really... - ..modernise the furniture.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- I think we have to visualise how we'd have it, at the moment.- I think it would look quite different.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31Redecorating aside, they seem impressed by the space.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Let's go through the inner hallway and see what they make of the sitting room.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Flagstones throughout.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Here at the back of the house with the views.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44And a nice fireside as well.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47A multi-fuel burner here.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50Again, it's quite simply, spartanly furnished.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52I think this is a warmer, lighter room, though.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54I quite like this room actually.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58- I like that it's got windows on two walls.- Looks out on the garden.
0:12:58 > 0:13:04You can see actually with the right things in it, it would be quite snug.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07There's a raft of other rooms tucked away downstairs
0:13:07 > 0:13:12including one they could use as an extra reception room or gym.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15There's also a guest bedroom, one of five in total,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18which is currently set up as a twin.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21The property also has a good-sized shower room
0:13:21 > 0:13:24and a separate utility room.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26With the ground floor covered,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29we'll head upstairs to explore the other four bedrooms.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Our first stop being the master.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36This is being used as the main room because it has an en suite.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- OK.- OK.- Nice, light airy room.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45- Probably a bit smaller than what we were hoping for. - Than what we're used to.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48But it's got built-in wardrobes and storage.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50I'm trying to imagine it with more furniture
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- but you can always use other rooms as dressing rooms.- Sure. Absolutely.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Ruth can take her pick from the other three bedrooms.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Our first property gives our buyers a grand home
0:14:02 > 0:14:06with ample space for friends and family to visit.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10All they need to do is add their personal touch.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13And outside, there's no doubt that the 4.4-acre plot
0:14:13 > 0:14:17makes the most of the stunning scenery.
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Let's settle ourselves here. We get a view of the house and the land.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Fantastic vistas. You can't fault that.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28You can't fault where it is. It's a glorious setting,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31beautiful views. It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33How much do you think it costs?
0:14:33 > 0:14:40Hopefully below our budget, so I would think 775.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Yeah, I thought it would be a bit lower than that.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Maybe 750.
0:14:46 > 0:14:47OK.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50So...we're not that cruel.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53We realise you'd have to spend quite a lot to do other things.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56This is actually on the market for just a shade over 660.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- I nearly went to six-something. I really thought...- Yep.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04That gives you almost 200,000 to spend on it,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06to do the holiday lets and to do the house.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08So do go around and look at the inside of the house
0:15:08 > 0:15:11and explore the outbuildings and I'll meet you at the back there
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- and we'll head on to the next property.- OK.- Thanks.
0:15:19 > 0:15:20Priced at just 660,000,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24our period farmhouse is a great opening gambit
0:15:24 > 0:15:28and addresses many of the criteria on their wish list,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30including a huge kitchen/diner,
0:15:30 > 0:15:34two reception rooms with an open fireplace,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36five bedrooms with a master en suite
0:15:36 > 0:15:41and, critically, there are two outbuildings with holiday let potential,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43subject to planning consent.
0:15:43 > 0:15:49It's all wrapped up on a 4.4 acre plot in a perfect rural location.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51Certainly on the house, we'd have to spend money on it.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53The holiday lets -
0:15:53 > 0:15:57there's only going to be two in terms of rental income.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01But the price did give us the opportunity to spend money on it.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Yeah.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07I think when I walked down the drive and saw the house,
0:16:07 > 0:16:10I was a little disappointed, I have to be honest.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15It does give you the potential but, if I can't get that feel about it,
0:16:15 > 0:16:17then I'm left with question marks
0:16:17 > 0:16:19about whether it's worth spending the money.
0:16:19 > 0:16:25It is in a lovely setting, the views are absolutely superb
0:16:25 > 0:16:27and it's a substantial house.
0:16:27 > 0:16:34Unfortunately, probably because it had a lot of heavy flagstones on the ground floor,
0:16:34 > 0:16:38it didn't leave me with a warm and homely feel to the house.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43I wonder if that extra £200,000 in their pocket made a difference as they were walking round.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Probably not.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50- Hi.- Hello.- All done?- We are.- Good. Let's go and see another one.- Right.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Cornwall's landscape is one of contrasts,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06from the brooding moorlands of Bodmin
0:17:06 > 0:17:10to the spectacular coastline in and around Fowey.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Sitting on the western bank of an estuary,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14the town has a rich maritime history.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18Defended against Spanish raids by Henry VIII
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and later prospering from the shipping of China clay.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25These days it's a haven for sailing enthusiasts
0:17:25 > 0:17:28and holiday-makers who come to enjoy its beaches,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31the closest to Fowey being Readymoney Cove.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34The Cornwall Wildlife Trust use it as a base
0:17:34 > 0:17:38for a snorkel safari held as part of National Marine Week.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40As our buyers are keen divers,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42we sent them to take part in one of the excursions,
0:17:42 > 0:17:47being led by Abi Crosby, part of the Wildlife Marine Trust Team.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- Hi, guys, nice to meet you. I'm Abi.- Hi, Abi. Michael.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56Good to see you're all kitted up, ready to go. You are taking part in a snorkel safari.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01Snorkel safari's all about getting out there and exploring the underwater environment.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05This area itself is part of a volunteer conservation area.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08And that's an area of great coastline, fantastic wildlife.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12These areas have to teach people about the environment,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15try and get out there, appreciated what's out there and want to protect it.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18- So, if you're ready, we can head off.- Yeah.- Excellent.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25Home to species ranging from basking sharks to rare coral,
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Cornwall's 300-mile stretch of coastline
0:18:28 > 0:18:32is reaping the conservation benefits of the 2009 Marine Act
0:18:32 > 0:18:37which was put in place to protect our fragile underwater habitats.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40Under the surface at Readymoney Cove,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43you can expect to see a variety of juvenile fish
0:18:43 > 0:18:45including mullet, bass and mackerel.
0:18:45 > 0:18:51And there's a way that Michael and Ruth could put there diving skills to good use, as Abi explains.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56The Cornwall Wildlife Trust run a project called Sea Search which is for volunteer divers,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00- especially people like yourself because you're a dive-master, aren't you, Mike?- Yep.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04We train you up so you're able to out on your recreational dives
0:19:04 > 0:19:06off a boat or a beach like this
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- and record what you are seeing underwater.- OK.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12We've trained up hundreds of divers over the years,
0:19:12 > 0:19:14and they're bringing back data to us
0:19:14 > 0:19:18which is basically mapping the underwater environment around Cornwall.
0:19:18 > 0:19:23The project runs around the UK with all the other wildlife trusts and that's fantastic really.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25It's a brilliant source of data,
0:19:25 > 0:19:29it's a great project engaging people and monitoring the environment.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Having given them a taste of what their Cornish lifestyle could be,
0:19:32 > 0:19:37let's hope they take the plunge into one of our three properties.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44Our house hunt continues close to the market town of Liskeard
0:19:44 > 0:19:47which has good road and rail connections for work
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and people coming to stay.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Many of the Victorian buildings on its main streets
0:19:53 > 0:19:56house an appealing range of independent shops.
0:19:56 > 0:19:57A short drive from the town,
0:19:57 > 0:20:01our second property sits in the midst of beautiful countryside
0:20:01 > 0:20:04and comes with its own ready-made business.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- And now you can turn around. - Oh, yeah.- Wow.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13What's really exciting about this particular property
0:20:13 > 0:20:19is that is has two up and running holiday lets.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24This one here. And that one right in front of us, joined to the house.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25- Ah, OK.- Ah, OK.
0:20:25 > 0:20:31Those two holiday lets bring in about 21,000 - a bit more - in turnover a year.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35The first of the holiday lets is all laid out on one level
0:20:35 > 0:20:38with a spacious well-equipped kitchen-diner
0:20:38 > 0:20:40and a large sitting room with a feature fireplace.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44It could easily accommodate four guests in its two double rooms.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47But we're heading to the main house,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49a former barn converted in the 1980s.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54In you come.
0:20:55 > 0:20:56That's a nice hall.
0:20:56 > 0:21:02You come through a clutter of utility rooms
0:21:02 > 0:21:05into what is, at the moment, the kitchen.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Just because, historically, this would have been the boot room
0:21:09 > 0:21:10and the scullery
0:21:10 > 0:21:13and you've got a shower room and a downstairs loo.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17This is the kitchen as it stands but you could either knock through here
0:21:17 > 0:21:21and have this as a huge kitchen-dining room
0:21:21 > 0:21:25and then have your living room over there or the other way round.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27OK. Yeah. Excellent.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31- But it's some work. - Yeah, definitely.- That's fine.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- Not scared of work. - You don't do any DIY!
0:21:34 > 0:21:37I'm not scared of getting the builders in to do the work.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41That's the fighting talk. We love it. Let's have a look in here.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48I see. So the stairs come down.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Lovely fireplace. That is a really great focal point.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56I think the lounge here is big enough. It's nice.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59I can't see us needing, necessarily, a bigger lounge than this.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Leading off the sitting room is a double guest bedroom,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05one of four in total.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09The other three are upstairs, including a double and a single.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12These both have access to a Jack and Jill en suite.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16But time to check out where they would sleep
0:22:16 > 0:22:20and I'm guessing they might want to knock down some of the partition walls.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23I think you'd find this is a little petite for a master bedroom.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- Oh, it is.- Bit snug. OK.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30That's a big sigh.
0:22:30 > 0:22:37Yeah, sorry, I'm coming over as Mrs Perfection, aren't I?
0:22:37 > 0:22:42I'm looking. I'm trying to look through it all see what I can do.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45The could add to the footprint of their home
0:22:45 > 0:22:48if they decided to knock through into the second holiday cottage
0:22:48 > 0:22:53which also caters for four people and is equally well kitted out.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00What do you think?
0:23:00 > 0:23:02Yeah, actually for a holiday let, it's not bad.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05We've seen lots that are much worse than this.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09There's another potential sweetener for our diving duo
0:23:09 > 0:23:14in the separate barn where there's a very well maintained swimming pool.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18But we'll head outside to survey the rest of the land.
0:23:18 > 0:23:23We've got about one and a third acres of land including a big paddock up there
0:23:23 > 0:23:26which goes quite a way beyond the garage.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30So lots of elements but that's going to cost money
0:23:30 > 0:23:35so how much does this cost on the market at the moment.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38I think about 740.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43I don't think you're far off. I would say 750.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47- You two are getting better. - Oh, at last!
0:23:47 > 0:23:50You're on the money. It's 750.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Yeah, I said 750 up there, didn't I?
0:23:53 > 0:23:55You can have that one.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Which still leaves a bit of money in the pot to do something,
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- which is encouraging.- Lots to think about so have a wander round.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05You know the form. I'll see you later on.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11With a guide price of £750,000, this property is under budget
0:24:11 > 0:24:15leaving them money to reconfigure all the elements it offers.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16As it stands,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20they get a four-bedroom home along with two established holiday lets
0:24:20 > 0:24:24which currently bring in an annual income of £21,000.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27There's also a pool house
0:24:27 > 0:24:31and let's not forget that it sits on 1.3 acres of land
0:24:31 > 0:24:33in a desirable location.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38I really like the property actually. I think it's got a lot of potential.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42I think, ultimately, it could all fall down to the fact
0:24:42 > 0:24:44whether we could use that top paddock
0:24:44 > 0:24:47and develop the holiday let business.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50If we can get another two up there
0:24:50 > 0:24:52then I think it makes it all very doable.
0:24:52 > 0:24:59It wasn't the kind of living room space that I certainly envisage.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02So, nothing I felt homely or comfy in
0:25:02 > 0:25:06and some of the features weren't to my taste.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09But, then again, the lovely fireplace was gorgeous
0:25:09 > 0:25:11so you try to think could you work round that?
0:25:11 > 0:25:13If we extend the house.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- BOTH:- Keep the pool cos we wouldn't want to lose.
0:25:17 > 0:25:23Guys? Sorry to interrupt. Looked like you were deep in visualising.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- Yes.- I think this has got a lot of scope up here
0:25:25 > 0:25:29to get a couple more up here with a bit of landscape gardening
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- and parking.- He's away. - I can visualise it.- Hooray!
0:25:33 > 0:25:36Visualising it - that's the first step before buying. We like that.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40- Good.- Ohhh!- I'm going to have to drag you away from your reveries.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42OK.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56As evening falls over the Cornish countryside,
0:25:56 > 0:26:00the first day of our search draws to a close.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09Armed with their £875,000 budget,
0:26:09 > 0:26:14sporty Michael and Ruth want to make the leap from the work-focused lifestyle they have in London
0:26:14 > 0:26:18to an outdoors existence in Cornwall's countryside,
0:26:18 > 0:26:20part-funded by running holiday lets.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22The two properties we've shown them so far
0:26:22 > 0:26:26have highlighted the challenge of find a huge home
0:26:26 > 0:26:28with the right business potential.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30But, in a bid to give them more,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33we played the get-out-of-London-forever card
0:26:33 > 0:26:35with our mystery house.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Your kingdom, King and Queen.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42One of the hardest decisions I'm probably going to have to face.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46And I explore Cornwall's great underground landscape.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Day two and I think we need to change or tack.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55I think we have been barking up the wrong tree
0:26:55 > 0:26:58by putting holiday lets so centre stage.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01I think Michael's quite keen on getting a business going
0:27:01 > 0:27:05and earning some income but Ruth? I think Ruth just wants a big house.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09So for the mystery property we are going to force them
0:27:09 > 0:27:15to leave London out of the picture and really MOVE to Cornwall.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22What do you think the mystery property might be?
0:27:22 > 0:27:23NOT a stone cottage.
0:27:24 > 0:27:30I'm used to nice sized rooms. I do want a lot of space a comfort.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34- You want Buckingham Palace with a street of holiday lets?- I do.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36Well, if that's what you want...
0:27:36 > 0:27:38But it may come at a price.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Our mystery house takes us seven miles away from Launceston
0:27:41 > 0:27:46which has a skyline dominated by its Norman motte and bailey castle.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51The elegant array of Georgian buildings is also a defining feature of its town centre.
0:27:52 > 0:27:58In the outline parish of Boyton and set in complete rural seclusion,
0:27:58 > 0:28:01our mystery proposition is on a super-size scale
0:28:01 > 0:28:04and challenges our buyers to make a huge sacrifice
0:28:04 > 0:28:07by selling their current house
0:28:07 > 0:28:10which they had wanted to hold on to as an investment.
0:28:10 > 0:28:12Here we are.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Wow.- The mystery house.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19- Oh!- That's more like it.- It is. - It's big, huh?- Yep.- Yep.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22- It's got instant character to it. - That's more what I envisaged.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26We were thinking, just to think outside of the box,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30- what would happen if you completely severed your ties with London.- Yeah.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32- Oh!- Sold your house in London
0:28:32 > 0:28:36and really committed to getting the big house that you want
0:28:36 > 0:28:38with an income stream.
0:28:38 > 0:28:44- This is five fully functioning up and running business holiday lets.- OK.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46And, ahem, 43 acres of land.
0:28:46 > 0:28:51SHE LAUGHS: Oh, no! I don't know what to do with 43 acres.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55- I can't imagine what it looks like. - Can you rent it out to the farmer?
0:28:55 > 0:28:57You can rent it out to a farmer. Indeed.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- In fact, they do rent it out to a farmer.- Do they?
0:28:59 > 0:29:04The main house dates back to 1588 in its oldest part
0:29:04 > 0:29:05and is Grade II listed.
0:29:06 > 0:29:12Predominantly Georgian, it has grand proportions in the inside.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Come on in, using the front door,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17though we never would, living in the country.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- So.- Oh, a proper dining room.- Mmm.
0:29:20 > 0:29:23Oh, yeah, this is grand.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26- It's more of a baronial hall. - It is, isn't it?
0:29:26 > 0:29:28But it's really in keeping with the house.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32It's got early Georgian panelling all around.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34This extraordinary granite hearth.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38Beautiful floors. Lovely flooring.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41It runs on into the sitting room here.
0:29:42 > 0:29:48Again, another lovely fireplace. Log-burner in there.
0:29:48 > 0:29:53With the right decoration and furniture in here, it could be a lovely warm room, I think.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56And back across the hallway, the kitchen is just as large.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- Mind the steps.- Oh. Oh! I see.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Yeah, this is a room and a half.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05- I think you could do something with this.- It's great, isn't it?
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Look at the huge range.
0:30:07 > 0:30:11This is the oldest part. These beams are mentioned in the listing.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15This definitely goes back to the Elizabethan period.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18- And you've got these AMAZING flagstones.- Yeah, I see it.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20- They fit in a kitchen.- Yeah.
0:30:20 > 0:30:25I'm happy with things like that in a kitchen. It makes sense.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Probably we'll need more units and a bit of modernisation.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33Well, you actually have a second kitchen. A working kitchen.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35Is this the show kitchen?
0:30:35 > 0:30:39I'm sure you're familiar, in country homes, you'd have a kitchen,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42that we'd probably call a living room, where everybody lived
0:30:42 > 0:30:46and all the farm-workers came and ate and then there's a scullery
0:30:46 > 0:30:48which is where you did all the food preparation.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Tuck away off one side of the main kitchen is a useful study
0:30:53 > 0:30:56with a large utility room next door.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59This gives them plenty of space for their white goods
0:30:59 > 0:31:02and to store outdoor equipment.
0:31:02 > 0:31:03But now it's time to head upstairs
0:31:03 > 0:31:06which provides them with five bedrooms
0:31:06 > 0:31:08with sizes I think they'll like.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Ta-da! Is this big enough for you?
0:31:13 > 0:31:17- Just. I think this must be the master then.- Good-sized room.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20Lovely room.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25- Nice little fireplace as well. - Yeah, it's lovely. Nice room. - Plenty of space to do things to.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28The master comes with a small en suite shower room.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31The other four rooms are all large enough to be doubles
0:31:31 > 0:31:36and would give them plenty of accommodation for all their guests.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40One has the added feature of an exposed timber A-frame roof.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Opposite this is the spacious family bathroom.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Our mystery property gives them acres of house
0:31:46 > 0:31:50but we'll head outside to take closer look
0:31:50 > 0:31:54at the five cottages that make up Holiday Let Avenue.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56- It's nice.- It's a nice little setup.
0:31:58 > 0:31:59It is quite cosy, isn't it?
0:31:59 > 0:32:04So you can imagine guests staying even when the weather's bad.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08- It is actually quite comfortable. - They each have a log-burner which is really lovely
0:32:08 > 0:32:12and, as I mentioned, all of this comes with the purchase,
0:32:12 > 0:32:16so all the equipment, furniture, TVs, everything.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20- It's an up-and-running concern. - Yeah, that's great.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25This cottage sleeps four with two double rooms downstairs.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28The other four cottages are also furnished to a high standard
0:32:28 > 0:32:31and sleep from two to six people
0:32:31 > 0:32:34giving them an income of around £40,000 a year.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39There's also scope to expand their business empire
0:32:39 > 0:32:40in the form of a stone barn
0:32:40 > 0:32:45that already has planning consent for three further holiday lets.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46On top of that,
0:32:46 > 0:32:49the immediate grounds house a whole host of farm buildings
0:32:49 > 0:32:52if they wanted to keep animals in the future.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55There's also an established veggie plot and fruit trees.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58And, I almost forgot, they get their own lake.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02Your kingdom, King and Queen.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- Basically, your land goes THAT way. - OK.- Oh, I see.
0:33:05 > 0:33:0943 acres that way. What do you think it costs though?
0:33:09 > 0:33:13I would say then 975.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18I'm hoping it'll be a bit under that but I think you're right.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21I think 950.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- Well, I'm sorry to disabuse you both.- Oh, God!
0:33:24 > 0:33:29- Actually, this is on the market for 1.195.- Oh!
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- So it's a lot over the budget. - That IS a lot.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Do explore cos there's lots and lots to see so take your time.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- Thank you.- OK, lovely, thanks.
0:33:37 > 0:33:38The big question is
0:33:38 > 0:33:42are they prepared to sell up their London home as well
0:33:42 > 0:33:46so they can afford to go above their initial £875,000 budget?
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Priced at just under £1.2 million,
0:33:50 > 0:33:55this gigantic farmhouse comes with an extraordinary list of features
0:33:55 > 0:34:01including three huge reception rooms, two kitchens, five bedrooms,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05five holiday lets that bring in £40,000 a year
0:34:05 > 0:34:08with existing planning in place to develop another three.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12And it's all wrapped up in a jaw-dropping 43 acres.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16An exciting ride - I think that's what his house could be.
0:34:16 > 0:34:21It would be absolutely everything turned around, a complete change.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24Getting out of London, selling up.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29A real lot of thinking. One of the, kind of...
0:34:29 > 0:34:33One of the hardest decisions I'm probably going to have to face.
0:34:33 > 0:34:38I'm amazing myself by saying, "Yeah, yeah, I can see it happening."
0:34:38 > 0:34:43I've got no doubt in my mind that this property can actually give us
0:34:43 > 0:34:48a lovely home to live in, which was our first priority.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51The second thing it has in its favour is a business
0:34:51 > 0:34:55which is already up and running and generating money.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57And it also has that third element
0:34:57 > 0:35:00which is the potential to grow, develop.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04Is too much for us to bite off in one go?
0:35:04 > 0:35:07That's what we need to go away and think about.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13- HE SIGHS:- What a exhausting mystery house.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16- It was!- I'm hoping it's energised you mentally.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20It has, I think, definitely. You're going boom-boom-bomm!
0:35:20 > 0:35:22I know! It's...
0:35:22 > 0:35:26It just generates so many ideas in what you could do with it,
0:35:26 > 0:35:30how you could generate revenue with it.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Hold them in your minds because we're going to get away
0:35:32 > 0:35:35- and then think about them.- OK.- OK.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Mining in Cornwall began 4,000 years ago in the early Bronze Age
0:35:50 > 0:35:57with tin and then copper the most prevalent metals to be extracted.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01Since medieval times, slate was also mined here in vast quantities
0:36:01 > 0:36:04and I've come to the Carnglaze slate mine near St Neots
0:36:04 > 0:36:07to meet Caroline Richards, who owns these caverns.
0:36:07 > 0:36:11- Morning, Caroline.- Hello. - Argh! Looks like you're going to skewer me.- Yeah, sorry.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15- Are they from the slate mine? - They are. Some of the old tools that were left behind here.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Before we talk about the slate mine which is fascinating
0:36:18 > 0:36:22- tell me about your move here because you're a proper escapee to the country.- We certainly are.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25About 11 years ago we were living in Basingstoke
0:36:25 > 0:36:28and looking to move from the house we had there.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30We were looking in glossy magazines
0:36:30 > 0:36:32for somewhere nice to go and have a look at
0:36:32 > 0:36:35and we saw a lovely photograph of the cottage here
0:36:35 > 0:36:39set in six and a half acres of wooded valley and it just looked heavenly.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41But the funny thing is that you moved here
0:36:41 > 0:36:47- and you didn't know that you also had gigantic caves.- We didn't understand from what was written
0:36:47 > 0:36:48what was here at all.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50So when we came here we were shown round the house
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- and shown round the woods and taken underground... - By the way, I forgot to tell you,
0:36:54 > 0:36:58- gigantic cavern with lake.- That's right. That's about the sum of it.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02I'm excited to look round that. Tell me about the actual mining of slate.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05There are mines all over Cornwall but this one's special.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08This is the only mine. The others were open cask quarries.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12This one actually started as an open cask quarry back in medieval times.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17They went underground in the 1700s, looking for the better quality slate.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19When you're working slate you need a drill bar.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22This is only a short one but it's easier for me to hold.
0:37:22 > 0:37:25You whack it into the wall with a sledgehammer
0:37:25 > 0:37:29and that's for when you've made the holes for putting the black powder into.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- That's when you blow it up.- That's when you blow out a nice bog block.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34When you've got your nice big block down
0:37:34 > 0:37:37you need to work it down with a bettle and chisel,
0:37:37 > 0:37:38the bettle being a wooden mallet.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42- It's so primitive that you get rock out with that.- Absolutely.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45You've done amazing things with the caverns -
0:37:45 > 0:37:47the space that's been caverned out.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Can we have a look inside? - Yeah, sure.
0:37:53 > 0:37:58Back in the 1840s, the miners here would be paid on a piecework basis
0:37:58 > 0:38:03so families often worked together to pool their meagre wages.
0:38:03 > 0:38:04Three caverns remain today
0:38:04 > 0:38:07and we've descended into the largest one.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15- These are amazing. These are manmade caves?- Yeah, entirely.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25Lots of people using all those tiny instruments you had made all this?
0:38:25 > 0:38:28They did. A little bit of black powder to help along the way.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31It's a bit deceptive because they actually came underground
0:38:31 > 0:38:34from down by the river at the bottom of the valley.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36- That's where the quarry floor was. - They've mined up.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40And they've mined just above river-level and then upwards,
0:38:40 > 0:38:43back-filling the floor with the waste material as they went.
0:38:43 > 0:38:47Slate mining ceased here in 1903
0:38:47 > 0:38:49but Caroline and her husband Graeme
0:38:49 > 0:38:51have given the site a new lease of life
0:38:51 > 0:38:57and converted it into a venue for concerts and even weddings.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59However, during the Second World War,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02it was requisitioned by the Royal Navy for storing rum
0:39:02 > 0:39:06to supply the sailors at Plymouth stocks.
0:39:06 > 0:39:07As Graeme explains.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11It seems like rather an elaborate store.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Yes, but the Navy liked their rum and wanted somewhere secure
0:39:14 > 0:39:17and tucked away so people couldn't get at it
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- or it could be damaged by the war at all.- Oh, really?- Yes.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24So, it doesn't matter about the boats and things
0:39:24 > 0:39:27- but the rum had to be kept safe. - Absolutely, yes!
0:39:27 > 0:39:30There was a very heavy armed guard on the front of the cavern
0:39:30 > 0:39:34where Caroline first met you, to make sure that nobody could get beyond that point.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37So they took it really seriously.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42Yes, and one entry, one exit, same place, so fairly easy to secure.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46- The English Navy like their rum. - Absolutely.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50With my subterranean tour at an end, let's see if, above ground,
0:39:50 > 0:39:55our house-hunters are punch-drunk by any of our properties.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01I wonder which one Michael and Ruth will go for.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04I have to say I think they were underwhelmed by the first two
0:40:04 > 0:40:07and maybe a little overwhelmed by the mystery house
0:40:07 > 0:40:10so I shall be interested to hear their thoughts.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- Guys.- Hello.- Hello.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19So, time to regroup and have a think.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21All these things we've thrown at you.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24It would be good if we could go through them one by one.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27The first house was a very attractive house
0:40:27 > 0:40:30but didn't seem to set you on fire.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33For me, there wasn't the wow factor.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37And the rooms were small.
0:40:37 > 0:40:43So I think that then was out of the question for me.
0:40:43 > 0:40:47I think also the holiday-let potential was quite small.
0:40:47 > 0:40:48What about the second property
0:40:48 > 0:40:52because this did have up-and-running holiday lets.
0:40:52 > 0:40:55It just didn't...work well enough.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58You'd have to do an awful lot of work inside
0:40:58 > 0:41:02and we were thinking we'd have to knock the other holiday let
0:41:02 > 0:41:05into the main house.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08So then we've lost a holiday let.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11Didn't want to convert that pool, lose that swimming pool.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13That would just be sacrilege.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15And the mystery house?
0:41:15 > 0:41:18Gorgeous looking house, plenty of space,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21lovely period features inside,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24had great business attached to it already with the holiday lets.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28The whole proposition there was really quite compelling
0:41:28 > 0:41:30but I think the original idea we had
0:41:30 > 0:41:33was that we would keep one London income coming in
0:41:33 > 0:41:35whilst we were building up the business.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39And I think the mystery house bypasses that stage altogether.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43We'd have to be sure we could see growth in the future
0:41:43 > 0:41:47and we could see where the business plan was going.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50So lots of question marks. What happens next?
0:41:50 > 0:41:56I personally am very excited about the opportunity that it presents to us
0:41:56 > 0:42:00and I can certainly see it's got a great future
0:42:00 > 0:42:05for us to develop it and make it a real life change for us,
0:42:05 > 0:42:07which was the idea in the first place.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12- So the mystery house is a contender? - Yeah, absolutely.- Yeah, at this stage.- Excellent.
0:42:12 > 0:42:13All the best.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18- Thank you very much. We've enjoyed it.- Yes, we have. Thank you.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26It's been a tricky week on Escape this time
0:42:26 > 0:42:29because I think it took us three properties to really work out
0:42:29 > 0:42:31what Michael and Ruth were looking for.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34And, for them, I think the mystery house really focused them
0:42:34 > 0:42:36on a choice they have to make.
0:42:36 > 0:42:38Do they want a comfortable home for themselves,
0:42:38 > 0:42:41close enough to London that they can commute
0:42:41 > 0:42:44or do they want a completely new start, new business,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47deep in the heart of Cornwall?
0:42:47 > 0:42:51It's a big challenge but an exciting one and we love that on this show.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54If you've enjoyed our adventures in rural Britain,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57then do tune in next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02After much deliberation and number-crunching,
0:43:02 > 0:43:08Ruth and Michael decided the scale of our mystery house proposition was too much to take on.
0:43:08 > 0:43:13They've since refocused their house-hunting efforts closer to home in Dorset.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16If you would like to Escape To The Country
0:43:16 > 0:43:18in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:18 > 0:43:21and need our help, please apply online.
0:43:38 > 0:43:42Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd