0:00:02 > 0:00:05On today's Escape To The Country, I'm in the county that was home to
0:00:05 > 0:00:07one of the world's most famous female fossil hunters.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Her work here went on to define much of what we now know
0:00:09 > 0:00:12about geology and palaeontology.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14But where am I? And who was she?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Well, stick around and I'll show you.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51In today's show I'll be helping a couple move in to their very first home together
0:00:51 > 0:00:55and they clearly like what they see.
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- This is a wow.- Isn't it?- That looks nice, wow.- Wow.- Yeah?
0:01:00 > 0:01:03But our mystery house throws them into turmoil.
0:01:03 > 0:01:05We might have given you more to think about...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Another sleepless night, I think.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Well, now then.
0:01:12 > 0:01:18Today I'm in Dorset, on part of its very famous Jurassic Coast.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21This part of the country shot to fame back in 1811
0:01:21 > 0:01:26when a young 12-year-old girl, and keen fossil hunter, called Mary Anning,
0:01:26 > 0:01:28discovered the bones of a big fish.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33It turned out to be an ichthyosaur, 180 million years old.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Her discovery provoked something of a revolution in thought.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41It challenged many people's long-held biblical beliefs
0:01:41 > 0:01:45that the world was in fact much younger than her fossil had proven.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Since that discovery, this place has been a real Mecca for fossil hunters
0:01:48 > 0:01:50down through the decades.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53It's become such an important place of study and understanding that in 2001
0:01:53 > 0:01:57it became Britain's very first World Heritage Site.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Sandwiched between its coastal neighbours of Devon and Hampshire,
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Dorset's position means that it benefits from
0:02:04 > 0:02:07this glorious 95-mile stretch of stunning cliffs
0:02:07 > 0:02:10that falls within its county border.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14But venture inland from the towns of Lyme Regis and Charmouth
0:02:14 > 0:02:16and you'll find a rich hinterland with lush pastures
0:02:16 > 0:02:19providing perfect grazing territory
0:02:19 > 0:02:23for traditional livestock and alpacas alike.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26The region inspired much of Thomas Hardy's work
0:02:26 > 0:02:28and, as we'll discover,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32its villages remain a compelling option for aspiring escapees.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38Meet Valerie and Barry.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42This couple dated for 15 years before getting married.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Sadly, work commitments prevented them from moving in together.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48They've been living in separate properties, 70 miles apart,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50Barry in Sussex and Valerie in Kent.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54But, now they're both retired, it's finally time to buy their first home together
0:02:54 > 0:02:57and have a lifestyle overhaul.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00We've both led quite busy lives.
0:03:00 > 0:03:05We'd like to slow down and spend more time walking the dogs.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09We want a bit more land, we want chickens.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11I've already been out and bought the chicken coop.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14I would like a couple of alpacas.
0:03:14 > 0:03:21And hopefully by having these sort of things, the grandchildren will want to come to the country
0:03:21 > 0:03:26and spend some reasonable time with us.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31The style of house that we're looking for is cottagey, pretty,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33maybe a bit quirky, a minimum of three bedrooms
0:03:33 > 0:03:38and an ensuite, if possible, would be lovely.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42And there's one room that really needs to measure up.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47I like to bake cakes and make jams and chutneys.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51This kitchen just isn't big enough for the two of us,
0:03:51 > 0:03:53we get in each other's way.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56We would like a garden up to one acre.
0:03:56 > 0:04:04We realise that, with our budget, we'd rather have a nice house
0:04:04 > 0:04:06and compromise on the garden.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10And, as they already have their respective properties on the market,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14they actually have a healthy amount to spend.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Our top budget for the move would be £650,000.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26So, for a very healthy £650,000,
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Barry and Valerie are hoping to get a nice three-bed cottage,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33full of character, ideally close to, if not within, a village.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36They have been looking here in Dorset for some time.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41They did put an offer in, but sadly got pipped at the post at the very last minute.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46So, the pressure is on to try and find them their dream home this week.
0:04:49 > 0:04:54For Valerie and Barry's house hunt we will be casting our net wide,
0:04:54 > 0:04:58right across the county of Dorset from Lyme Regis to Dorchester,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01so they can experience the full flavour of what's available.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05We've cherry-picked three fantastic properties to show them
0:05:05 > 0:05:09but I won't reveal the price of each until they have had a guess first.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13And finally, our mystery house will set out to challenge
0:05:13 > 0:05:16what they think they want from their dream property.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Well, Valerie, Barry, welcome back to Dorset.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- This is your old stomping ground, isn't it?- It is, yes.- Yes.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29With many couples who've been together as long as you have, I can honestly say to them,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32are you going to agree on the sort of property that will be your new home?
0:05:32 > 0:05:36They'll say, "We've moved once, twice, three times and we always agreed,"
0:05:36 > 0:05:38but you've never done it.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41This is your first home together. How easy is it going to be?
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I think it's going to be quite easy
0:05:43 > 0:05:46because we basically love the same sort of things.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51- The garden and pottering around in the garden.- If the garden is right for Barry
0:05:51 > 0:05:55and I like the house, the house is probably more of a woman's domain,
0:05:55 > 0:05:59so, I think I will have the last say on that.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02- The last word.- That's what we normally do.- OK, fine.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06Let's go and see what maybe sunny Dorset has to offer you.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- Yeah, very excited.- Come on.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31..but if there's space for alpacas, all the better.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Our property search gets underway a couple miles from Beaminster
0:06:41 > 0:06:44in the village of Broadwindsor.
0:06:44 > 0:06:48Earmarked a conservation area, it benefits from many historic buildings,
0:06:48 > 0:06:53including a church, local pub and shop which serve its 1,200 residents.
0:06:53 > 0:06:59Our first house comes with a unique architectural heritage of its own being Grade II Listed.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03Well, there we are, our first one.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- Very pretty house.- Yeah.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08It's a kind of classic village house, this.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11- It's sort of 1700s, or thereabouts, so could be early Georgian.- Yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- The windows would suggest that. - I like Georgian.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- But it's finished to a really high standard.- Good.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18And you won't need to do much, if anything.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28Right, in you come. How about this then?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- This is pretty.- Nice?- Nice.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- Nice flagstone floor to greet you. - Ideal for the dogs.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34Let's start in here.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37What's interesting about this house is that potentially you've got five...
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- Wow.- ..reception rooms. And you can configure them however you like.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46This one is currently set up as something of a dining area, but it's all movable.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53You did say that one of the key ingredients was a nice big kitchen diner.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Yes.- Yes. Especially for when the family come.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59See what you think of this.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- There we are.- Wow. This is lovely.- Would this work?
0:08:03 > 0:08:07- Yes, definitely. - This would, yes, definitely.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10It's been finished to a high spec.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14And to get something this big, in a village like this,
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- I think is quite exceptional. - Yes.- Yes.
0:08:18 > 0:08:25Next door is the site of the old kitchen, which still has its original exposed beams.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30To the rear, there's an additional room currently used as a home office.
0:08:30 > 0:08:35At the front, on the other side of the hallway, there's that second living room that they asked for
0:08:35 > 0:08:38with its own signature fireplace.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43Upstairs gives them four bedrooms, which is one more than they asked for, spread over two levels.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Let's start in here.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49This would be, you know, another guestroom really.
0:08:49 > 0:08:55- Three on this floor to choose from. - It's a nice sized room.- Really nice.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58There's also a huge family bathroom on this floor.
0:08:58 > 0:09:03So, effectively, this is a guest floor. Because you two are on the very top.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- Right.- Look at this! Yeah.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12The other two potential guestrooms on this floor are both large enough to be doubles
0:09:12 > 0:09:15and one benefits from its own ensuite.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19But where they would sleep, upstairs on the next floor, really does raise the roof.
0:09:20 > 0:09:26- Oh.- Yeah.- This is a wow.- Isn't it?
0:09:26 > 0:09:31- What do you think?- This is lovely, isn't it?- We're up in the eaves, aren't we?- Yeah.- This is lovely.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33This is your own little space here.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36The other great thing about this, of course,
0:09:36 > 0:09:37is that you have got your own ensuite.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- Right.- Which is through here. Which I think is really nice.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Again, pretty generous when you think about it. Come on in.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49- This is a lovely size. - This is lovely.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- Just again, light too. You've got these lovely skylights here.- Yes.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57If this impressive Georgian property were to be their first home together
0:09:57 > 0:10:01there would be absolutely no work to do.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04But, I know the garden is a big factor for Barry.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Along with a lovely decked area flanking the rear of the house,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09the garden comes in at just under half an acre.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12But, is it enough for all of Barry's plans?
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Now, we spied the upper terrace from the kitchen and so forth.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Very much kind of formal lawn.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20This kind of dell, if you will, is the lower part of the garden.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24In fairness, Barry, we're probably not talking alpacas.
0:10:24 > 0:10:30We did discuss compromises though, unfortunately this was one of them.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34So, let's see how far your £650,000 is going to stretch.
0:10:34 > 0:10:43- Valerie, go on, you go first. - Well, I think it is at the top of our budget. I would guess 649.- 649?
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- Hoping for a bit of change. Barry? - I'll go slightly lower.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50I would've gone at a similar price, but I'll go at 639.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53OK, you're absolutely right, Valerie,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56this is absolutely at the top of your budget, this is £650,000.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- Yeah.- Is it? Right. - But, you know, the village location does come in at a premium.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05So, go and have a look round. See what you get for £650,000.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09Go and indulge yourself in that kitchen, Valerie.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11I know you love it. We all love it. See if you can find a kettle.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- Why not?- Catch up with you later, off you go.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Right on budget at £650,000,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25this fabulous Georgian property is a great opening gambit.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29And addresses many of the criteria on their wish list.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31It gives them...
0:11:45 > 0:11:48The house is absolutely lovely.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50It's the sort of house that we could move into,
0:11:50 > 0:11:56drop our belongings, our luggage and we'd be settled, nothing to do.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00I do like this house, I really like the downstairs,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03the way it flows from room to room.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08Especially this kitchen that looks out on to the garden and the decking.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23We're continuing our house search five miles inland from Charmouth,
0:12:23 > 0:12:29whose evocative coastline is utterly breathtaking, come rain or shine.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31Our second property takes them away from the coast
0:12:31 > 0:12:34and into the heart of a rural setting.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38But, as they'll discover, it gives them more land than they might imagine.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44- Make what you will of that, our second property.- That looks nice.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45- That looks very nice.- Yeah?
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- It's only 1960s or so.- I was going to say it's a fairly new build.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54Well, it is, and of course it benefits, therefore, from being laid out to accommodate,
0:12:54 > 0:12:59you know, modern living. Let's have a look. Follow me down.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08Come in. Come in.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12There we are, Valerie. What do you think?
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- I think it's a very nice hall. - Lovely entrance.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- This is the joy of a modern build.- Yes.- Yes.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21In that it's laid out with modern living in mind.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25And everything kind of flows off of this central hallway.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28Let's start in here, with the living room.
0:13:30 > 0:13:36- Now.- This is nice. I like this. - This is a nice size. Lovely and light, again.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39- It's bigger than we had before for your main...- Yes.- Yeah.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44..living room shall we say in terms of a separate area from the kitchen.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49Loads of light, that's one thing this house is not short of.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53It gets even better through here because it continues into this sort of sunroom arrangement
0:13:53 > 0:13:55which is also a dining room.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- It is quite a clever addition, I think, this.- Oh, this is lovely.
0:13:58 > 0:14:05- This is nice. - So, there we are living room, dining room. Now, the kitchen.- Yes.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Come and tell me what you think of this.- OK.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- OK, Valerie?- OK.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18- Now, this is clearly not the same as our first kitchen...- No.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- ..which was a real treat. - That was special.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Could you live with this one?
0:14:24 > 0:14:29Yes, I think I could because I can already see what I would do with it.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32OK, go on, tell me.
0:14:32 > 0:14:38- Take that wall out.- And go into the dining room?- Yeah.- Good one. - Very doable.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42The great thing about these relatively modern builds is that
0:14:42 > 0:14:44that sort of thing, structurally is...
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- Wouldn't be a problem.- Yeah, absolutely very, very easy to do.
0:14:46 > 0:14:52There's plenty of additional space in the form of a utility room,
0:14:52 > 0:14:57potentially a useful holding area for their dogs, with a WC and shower room next door.
0:14:57 > 0:15:02Sandwiched between here and the garage at the front is a handy workshop.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04With the downstairs covered,
0:15:04 > 0:15:06we'll head upstairs where there are four bedrooms.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Now, as with the hallway,
0:15:08 > 0:15:13obviously the landing benefits from light from that window.
0:15:13 > 0:15:20- I think, again, sets the scene for what you're going to get up here, really.- Yeah, this is nice.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Very generous family bathroom in here.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- There you go.- This is a good size. - His and hers sinks.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31Right, out you go. Let's find you a master bedroom.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Through here.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- This is your room.- This is nice, I like the windows.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- The different shaped windows. - Yeah.- Nice and bright.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Again, lovely big windows throwing a lot of light into the room.
0:15:44 > 0:15:49- So, how are we doing on the property?- Fine, fine.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51There's no issues.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56Because it is a bit smaller than our earlier one and I had a few concerns about that, but you seem OK.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Yeah, we actually don't need a big house.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03Next to the master is a single bedroom, currently used as a study,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05with two further bedrooms, both doubles,
0:16:05 > 0:16:09benefiting from large windows and garden views.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13It's outside to the garden where we're heading next which, with two and a half acres of land,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16gives Barry a plot over twice the size he wanted.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Perfect for growing his vegetables and keeping chickens.
0:16:20 > 0:16:26There's even a paddock for those alpacas, who could enjoy stunning views over the Marshwood Vale.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31There you go, Barry. I think they will be very happy alpacas in here.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36- I think they certainly would.- Enough room for them.- Nice, isn't it?- Yes.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Let's have a think about the money on this one
0:16:40 > 0:16:43- because clearly this has whetted your appetite.- Yes.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Barry, this is all about you really, isn't it?
0:16:45 > 0:16:50- Land and so forth, let's have you go first on this one.- 639,950.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- I think a little less than that. 625.- 625?
0:16:54 > 0:16:57- Yes.- Would you be happy with 625?
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- It would give us a little bit in the pot.- To play with.
0:16:59 > 0:17:04OK, there is a bit left over, you'll be delighted to know.
0:17:04 > 0:17:08From your budget of £650,000 you would have to part
0:17:08 > 0:17:10with £630,000 to get this.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15- Wasn't far out. That would be good, yes.- 20 grand left over.- Yeah.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Good, right. Look, the sun has finally come out to join us today.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22Make the best of it, go and explore that paddock.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27- See if it really is enough and I'll catch up with you later.- OK.- OK. - Off you go, enjoy.
0:17:31 > 0:17:36Under budget at £630,000, this house has emerged as a strong contender...
0:17:56 > 0:17:59I know Barry has fallen in love with the garden
0:17:59 > 0:18:05and the area that would be probably my domain, I think I could cope with it.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09The house, yes, there's a couple of things that we would like to do
0:18:09 > 0:18:12in the sense of small alterations.
0:18:12 > 0:18:19Other than that, the house is a good size for two of us.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28As evening falls over the Dorset countryside,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32it marks the end of our first day's property search.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43Well, it is, of course, the start of our last day of house hunting down here in Dorset
0:18:43 > 0:18:45with Barry and Valerie.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47I can tell you, having just had breakfast with them,
0:18:47 > 0:18:51they are more than excited about the prospect of our mystery house.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Overnight they've talked about our previous two properties
0:18:53 > 0:18:56and they're really happy with the way it's gone so far.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59So, can we continue to thrill them with our final property?
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Let's hope so, providing, of course, the weather holds off.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11For our mystery property we're heading to the village of Maiden Newton,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13some nine miles from Dorchester.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Located on the river Frome,
0:19:15 > 0:19:19it offers great walking terrain along the Frome Valley footpaths.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23The amenities serve a community of around 1,000 people
0:19:23 > 0:19:26and the village has its fair share of historic architecture.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30Neighbouring the parish church, our mystery property certainly delivers big on house
0:19:30 > 0:19:33but will it be too much?
0:19:34 > 0:19:37What we've got is, I suppose, at its heart, is a barn
0:19:37 > 0:19:39that's roughly, say, 200 years old.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- As you can see much converted.- Yeah.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47But it does also benefit from having the addition of that structure over there.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48- Oh, that's part of it?- What?
0:19:48 > 0:19:53- That's all part of it. It's made a huge addition to the floor space that is on offer.- Yeah.
0:19:53 > 0:19:59- Space is one thing this place is not short of.- Right.- It's lovely.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03The courtyard also houses two large garages.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Valerie was wary about a barn conversion,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09so is she ready to tackle those high ceilings?
0:20:09 > 0:20:13- Now then, come on in.- Wow.- Wow.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17- You like?- Yes.- Yes.- We like.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- I thought you might!- Yes, very nice.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22I think they've done this really inventively.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25So, if you like what you've seen so far
0:20:25 > 0:20:28wait till we get to the details.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Come and have a look at this, this is great.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- Oh, this is nice.- Yeah?
0:20:33 > 0:20:35That's lovely.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40What I think is quite striking about this is it's got a very Georgian feel.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- Georgian, yeah.- Because you've got these great big sash windows,
0:20:42 > 0:20:45and if I didn't know I was in a barn...
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- You'd think you're in a Georgian house.- I would, actually.- Yes.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Impressed so far?- Yes.- Yes.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Good, let's continue back through the hallway.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I'll show you what else happens.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Now, the whole kind of floor plan is linked with this lovely light corridor
0:21:01 > 0:21:04which runs the length of the building.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Leading off of it we've got a very generous utility room down there.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Now, Valerie, this, I've been dying to show you this.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Wow.- It's beautiful.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19It's absolutely everything that you could want.
0:21:19 > 0:21:24Open plan, kitchen diner and living room, actually, all in one.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Yes, and it's open. This is beautiful.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30So, have we really kind of put a spanner in the works?
0:21:30 > 0:21:33You certainly have after yesterday.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36After yesterday, after that second house yesterday.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39So we might have given you more to think about?
0:21:39 > 0:21:41- Another sleepless night, I think. - Well, now then, OK.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Talking of sleep, let's go upstairs and see what you get in terms of bedrooms.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48We have certainly spoilt them with the ground floor.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51There are two further reception rooms,
0:21:51 > 0:21:53one a potential den for Barry,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and the other a glazed reading room overlooking the courtyard.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00Tucked away, on each side of the central entrance hall, are two cloakrooms
0:22:00 > 0:22:05and upstairs the layout is just as extensive.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Up you come.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- Lovely great big sort of family wing over there.- Yeah.
0:22:10 > 0:22:15But this is for you two.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- Oh, this is nice.- Yeah?- I like the window.- That's lovely.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23It does also come with that very nice ensuite. Have a look at that.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- Oh, that's nice. I like the double doors.- Yeah.- This is really nice.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- It's ideal, isn't it?- We wanted an ensuite so, this is...
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- You'd feel at home with this. - This is lovely.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- So, we're pretty happy, aren't we? - We certainly are.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Well, we seem to be spot-on with the master.
0:22:42 > 0:22:47Upstairs gives them four bedrooms in total with the other three at the far end of the house.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50There is a potential double, which follows the roofline,
0:22:50 > 0:22:54with a convenient shower room right opposite.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Bedroom three also features a high sloping ceiling.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03The fourth has a built-in wardrobe with a handy bathroom next door.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07The compromise is that outside doesn't come with land for Barry's alpacas,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10but there is the possibility to rent the neighbouring field.
0:23:13 > 0:23:19In terms of garden, really, to be frank, kind of what you see is what you get.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24- Right.- We haven't got acres of land for you, but we have got acres of house.
0:23:24 > 0:23:30- Yes, yes.- That's the up side. Shall we talk about the money?- Yes.- Yes.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32You've got 650, where are we on this one?
0:23:32 > 0:23:37- I think this is way over the budget. So I would say 699.- 699.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41- I'll go 679.- 679.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44Yeah, comfortably over budget, both of you.
0:23:44 > 0:23:50- The good news is this is under budget.- No.- I'm surprised at that.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55- This could be yours for £645,000. - My goodness. That's incredible.
0:23:55 > 0:24:02That's incredible. You've certainly thrown a spanner in the works with this one.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04I thought we might. There's plenty of it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:09There are couple of bits that I'm going to leave you to explore on your own.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13- Go and finish the job off.- OK.- I'll catch up with you later.- OK, Jules.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16So, under budget at £645,000,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20this remarkable mystery house would make an amazing first home...
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I do like this barn conversion.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44It's very spacious, there are lots of bedrooms.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48The kitchen diner is wonderful, just what we asked for.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51So, I do believe it is a real contender.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55The only downside, I feel, would be the size of the garden.
0:24:55 > 0:25:00But the garden isn't everything and I am sure we can sit down
0:25:00 > 0:25:01and discuss these sort of things
0:25:01 > 0:25:06and decide what we want - a garden or a beautiful house.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17Well, we have now arrived at one of my favourite parts of any Escape To The Country.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20It is decision time for Barry and for Valerie.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Goodness knows, they have been looking for their new home for long enough.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Have we brought that quest to an end, I wonder?
0:25:26 > 0:25:28Well, let's go and ask them.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36So, Barry and Valerie, here we are at the end of our house search.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40Let's just remind ourselves of where we went and what we saw.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44We kicked off with that very pretty, 1700s,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Georgian fronted village house
0:25:47 > 0:25:50with the fantastic kitchen diner.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Beautiful, it was gorgeous.
0:25:52 > 0:25:58The slight downside of that property was the garden, in the two tiers.
0:25:58 > 0:26:04We're getting older all the time and that would be a concern.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08OK, then we took you to our second property, which in all sorts of ways was very, very different.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12But it did come, Barry, with lots of land.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17Yes, the paddock, the garden, was nicely laid out.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20The views from that area were stunning,
0:26:20 > 0:26:22and it was everything we wanted.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27My concern was that, having shown you a much bigger first property,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30that our second one was a little bit smaller.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33It wasn't going to give you all the reception rooms you might want.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36It gave us a larger lounge
0:26:36 > 0:26:39and there's only the two of us
0:26:39 > 0:26:41the majority of the time, except for when the family come.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44We don't need a huge house.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Then we took you to our final property, the mystery house,
0:26:47 > 0:26:52which you had spent all night guessing over.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57- It was amazing inside.- Huge. - The amount of room.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- The kitchen diner.- Let's just talk about the kitchen diner.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Is it the kind of kitchen diner that you had always had in mind?
0:27:03 > 0:27:06Yes, because you could have a nice, big table in there.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09But I'm dying to know where we are now.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11You've been married for not a year, quite.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14You've been together for 15 years.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16This is a great moment when it's all coming together.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20Have we managed to find you your combined dream home?
0:27:20 > 0:27:25I think you've really opened our minds to looking at something completely different.
0:27:25 > 0:27:31We've got to decide do we want a lovely house
0:27:31 > 0:27:34with a relaxing sort of retirement,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37or do we still want the real rural dream?
0:27:37 > 0:27:42I'm delighted that we have helped you to clarify a bit more what you want to do.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- Yeah.- So, we wish you all the very best of luck.- Thanks very much.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- As ever, let us know how you get on.- We will, most definitely.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Well, as you probably gathered,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58this hasn't exactly been the sunniest week we've ever had
0:27:58 > 0:28:00down here in Dorset on Escape To The Country.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04That's been more than made up for by the warmth and enthusiasm
0:28:04 > 0:28:07that Barry and Valerie have brought to this house search.
0:28:07 > 0:28:12A couple who, whilst they've been together, have had to live apart for the last 15 years.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15So, with any luck, they are now several steps closer
0:28:15 > 0:28:18to realising their dream of a life together.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20And here in Dorset, well,
0:28:20 > 0:28:22whatever the weather, they shouldn't go far wrong.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25If you'd like to Escape To The Country
0:28:25 > 0:28:28in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:28:28 > 0:28:32and would like our help then please apply online at:
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