0:00:02 > 0:00:05This stone may be Welsh, but I'm not in Wales. I'm standing inside the inner circle
0:00:05 > 0:00:10of one of the most important historic monuments in the UK, if not the world.
0:00:10 > 0:00:15So, join me for what promises to be a very ancient Escape To The Country.
0:00:43 > 0:00:49In today's show, I'll be helping a couple keen to spend their retirement in the country.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52And they're certainly taken with the early properties we show them.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56- So, there's a sense of agreement, dare I say it?- Yeah.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- Worrying, isn't it? - THEY LAUGH
0:01:00 > 0:01:04Then, our mystery house really brings out their playful side.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- Can I jump a little bit and get excited?- Of course you can. Jump away.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Well, if you'd followed the clues, you'll have realised that
0:01:15 > 0:01:18today we're in Wiltshire and this, of course, is Stonehenge -
0:01:18 > 0:01:22for my money, the most important ancient monument in the world.
0:01:22 > 0:01:26No surprise, therefore, that it's amongst the UK's premier world heritage sites.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Now, for decades - for generations, really -
0:01:29 > 0:01:32speculation has raged as to who built it and why.
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Later on in the programme, I'll be back here
0:01:35 > 0:01:37to try and find out a little more about the history
0:01:37 > 0:01:42of this gorgeous and very mysterious ancient monument.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Forming the gateway to the south-west of England,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49the county of Wiltshire is steeped in history,
0:01:49 > 0:01:51and the legacies of Britain's oldest civilisations
0:01:51 > 0:01:53can still be seen today.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56The Avebury stone circle dating back 5,000 years
0:01:56 > 0:02:00neighbours the mysterious and magnificent Silbury Hill,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02quarried from local chalk and soil.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05Wiltshire's rich geological bedrock provides
0:02:05 > 0:02:08the building blocks for much of its architectural heritage,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11such as Salisbury's 13th century cathedral,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14built from Chilmark and Purbeck stone,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18and the sumptuous Elizabethan stately home of Longleat.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Offering both charming market towns and rural splendour,
0:02:21 > 0:02:25this county is certainly a compelling choice for many escapees.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Now, despite Wiltshire's close proximity to surrounding cities
0:02:33 > 0:02:36like Bristol, Bath, Southampton and even London,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39it is perhaps surprisingly the least densely populated county
0:02:39 > 0:02:41in south-west England.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43But that, of course, comes at a price.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Your average family home will set you back £292,000,
0:02:47 > 0:02:4938,000 above the national average.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52But don't be put off. There's plenty on offer.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57On the market for £350,000,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01this thatched cottage in Manningford Bruce is full of character features.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05There is a range in the kitchen, a large inglenook fireplace
0:03:05 > 0:03:09in the sitting room, and outside offers up a good-sized garden.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Or, for £595,000, you could buy
0:03:13 > 0:03:16this four-bedroom thatched cottage in Collingbourne Kingston.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21Dating back to the 1540s, it retains its historic feel
0:03:21 > 0:03:23with the open fireplace in the sitting room,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26while the light, bright kitchen is a sympathetic addition.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Or, for bigger budgets, £850,000 will land you
0:03:30 > 0:03:34this stunning four-bedroom barn conversion in Stanton Fitzwarren.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39The kitchen with high-spec fittings and main sitting room are vast,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41and the use of timber beams throughout
0:03:41 > 0:03:43complement its Grade II listed status.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49So, there you go. Plenty of reasons, as if they were really needed,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51to want to live in this part of the world.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54And that's just as well because for today's buyers,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57well, they haven't got to move that far.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Phil and Kim have lived in their large five-bedroom family home
0:04:00 > 0:04:03in Fareham, Hampshire, for nearly 14 years.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Kim currently works full-time as an NHS manager
0:04:07 > 0:04:10and Phil has retired from his job with the Ministry of Defence,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12although he keeps himself ticking over
0:04:12 > 0:04:14running his own consultancy firm from home.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Despite these commitments, they're both desperate for a change
0:04:18 > 0:04:20and are keen to start the next chapter of their lives.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24We'd like to move to the country at the moment because we've just come to a new era in life.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29We lived in the country back in the '80s when Phil's job moved to there.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33And we absolutely loved it. We loved being part of the community.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36And at this time we've got more time in our lives
0:04:36 > 0:04:39to actually establish ourselves within the community.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42We both love the countryside. We don't spend enough time there.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46Whenever we fly away abroad, the first thing we notice when we come back in
0:04:46 > 0:04:49is what a gorgeous country this is and we just want to see more of it.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51And they've got a whole list of pursuits
0:04:51 > 0:04:53they want to plough their energies into.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58I just want have a go at everything. I want to join the WI, I want to do fencing, I want to do archery.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Anything that's going, I want to have a try.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Just get lots of new hobbies, meet new people.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Certainly, in my case, I'm very keen to get out in the countryside.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12I cycle, which I enjoy doing. I want to cycle round the countryside and to see more of it.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15I want to improve my language skills, learn German more effectively.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18And also I'd like to perhaps even start doing some music as well
0:05:18 > 0:05:20to actually start playing something as well.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23And I'm also thinking about writing a book.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26And again the country environment provides a perfect setting for that.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30With Kim still needing to travel to Southampton for work
0:05:30 > 0:05:34and Phil wanting to be close to his beloved boat which is moored at Gosport,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38they've decided the perfect location is somewhere south east of Salisbury.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42What's more, they have a clear vision of what their next home needs to provide.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46In terms of the property itself, we're looking for something that is a real home.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49We'd want to see it with a good-sized kitchen
0:05:49 > 0:05:53with a good office that I can work from.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58A minimum, I would say, of three bedrooms, one en-suite which would be our main bedroom.
0:05:58 > 0:06:03We'd like a dining room, very important. We do lot of entertaining so it's key we have that.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06And then perhaps a couple of reception rooms.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09But there are some areas of potential conflict.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12One area where we would possibly disagree
0:06:12 > 0:06:16is that Kim's idea of a nice home, which I would tend to agree with,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18could end up as being lots of hard work for me.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I'm really keen on low-maintenance, keeping it easy.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26Work with it easy. I do not like the idea of spending all my life up ladders repairing things.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29Now, Phil and Kim want to be mortgage-free
0:06:29 > 0:06:33and, with that in mind, they've pinpointed exactly how much they can spend.
0:06:33 > 0:06:37Our budget for the new property is £500,000.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44So, Phil and Kim now feel it's time to fly their own now empty nest
0:06:44 > 0:06:47and find a house that they can live in their way.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50And boy do they intend to fill every minute of the future.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52They've got a real zest for life.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55There are languages to learn, instruments to play, books to write,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57even a boat to sail.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01I don't know about you, but they've exhausted me already.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Mindful of Kim's drive to work in Southampton,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08our house hunt will be based in the south-east of the county,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11although we may cast our net further to make the most of their budget.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15I'll be showing them three gorgeous yet very different properties,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18but I won't reveal the price of each until they have a guess first.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21The last property is, of course, our mystery house
0:07:21 > 0:07:23and I think it'll really challenge their vision
0:07:23 > 0:07:25of what they're looking for in their new home.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Well, hello, Kim. Hi, Phil. Nice to see you.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32This is all quite interesting
0:07:32 > 0:07:35because it could be your 10th move, I gather.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- It could be. We've moved around quite a lot.- Yes.- So, why now?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- Why again? - Well, it's a kind of long story.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44I think the thing is that we've come to a stage in our life now
0:07:44 > 0:07:46where I've just retired from my full-time job,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49we want to do something different, we always hankered to get out
0:07:49 > 0:07:52into the country and this just seems to be the natural time to do it.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Let's have a think about how much we've got to spend.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- Half-a-million?- Yes.- Sounds like an awful lot of money.- It does.
0:07:58 > 0:08:02But we found looking around that it's not a lot of money.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04One thing we've learned over many, many years
0:08:04 > 0:08:07is whatever your budget is, it's just actually too little
0:08:07 > 0:08:09for what you really want - we know that.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Guaranteed. Can we relieve you of £500,000, I wonder?- I hope so.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14I'm really looking forward to finding out.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- It's burning a hole, isn't it!? Right, come on, follow me.- Thanks.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24So, with their £500,000 budget,
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Phil and Kim would like a detached property
0:08:27 > 0:08:31that gives her character features while being low-maintenance for him.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34A couple of reception rooms with a separate dining room
0:08:34 > 0:08:37for entertaining would be ideal, as would a large kitchen/diner.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41Along with three bedrooms, Phil needs a home office.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Thankfully they only want a manageable garden
0:08:43 > 0:08:46and the also want to be close to a village community.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51We're getting our house hunt underway
0:08:51 > 0:08:54by heading to the village of Chilmark.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57And we're putting community and good access to Kim's work
0:08:57 > 0:08:58top of the agenda.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Among its array of lovely limestone buildings
0:09:00 > 0:09:03are a local pub and a parish church,
0:09:03 > 0:09:05which dates back to the 13th century,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09although its tower was rebuilt in the 1770s.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13Set in a secluded spot, our first property serves up
0:09:13 > 0:09:16a great low-maintenance option for our buyers to consider.
0:09:16 > 0:09:21- There we are. There's house number one.- Fantastic.- Lovely.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23What lovely grounds.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Nothing too big because you didn't want a huge garden.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30But this is really low maintenance. You've basically got to mow the lawn.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33That's fine by us. We may even get some rabbits or something to do that for us.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36You have to imagine this 12 years ago
0:09:36 > 0:09:42as a pretty uninteresting late-'60s built bungalow.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46And in the last 12 years or so, the owners have transformed it
0:09:46 > 0:09:50and extended it into a very, very slick three-bedroom property.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- Excellent.- And single-storey. We hadn't thought about that.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Their open-minded approach to living on one level
0:09:57 > 0:09:59means we're off to a good start.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04And, as they'll discover, the interior has some tasteful and quirky features.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- Come on in.- Thank you. - Right, follow me in through here.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- Now then, utility room is in there.- Excellent.- OK.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Useful little study in there, but this, Kim,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21is what I want you to really feast your eyes on.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23- Oh, I love that.- Goodness me.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- Wow.- Yeah?- That is lovely.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Gosh, that's stunning, isn't it? - You wanted a big one.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33- Yeah.- There you go.- That is lovely. I love how it's just been made modern
0:10:33 > 0:10:36but it's still got that traditional feel to it.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40That woodburner is just terrific. I think it really makes it.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- Very, very unique, hand-made for the property.- It's amazing.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- So, there's a sense of agreement, dare I say it?- Yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- Worrying, isn't it? - THEY LAUGH
0:10:53 > 0:10:55As this is single-storey, the three bedrooms
0:10:55 > 0:10:58all flow off the central hallway,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01so let's see what they make of the main bedroom.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05- Here it is. There we are. The master bedroom.- A room with a view.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09- Isn't it just?- Fantastic view again. - Nice way to wake up.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Lovely and bright as well and airy.
0:11:11 > 0:11:16The other thing is it is en-suite. Through that door is a fabulous bathroom and again, very quirky.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17- Very different.- I like quirk.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20My sense is also they've actually used good materials.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24It's always good when you've found somebody who's modernised a place
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and lived in it as they want to get it right, and I think that comes through.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- I love it.- It's good. - Lighting's nice as well.- Impressive.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The other two bedrooms are both large enough to be doubles
0:11:35 > 0:11:39and conveniently placed either side of the bright, modern family bathroom.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41And there's an added surprise.
0:11:41 > 0:11:47- Now, just when you probably thought there was no more to see... - Oh, that is lovely.- It goes on.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- That is really nice. Again, it's got that spacious feel.- Yeah.
0:11:50 > 0:11:55If you wanted a separate dining thing, you've got it. But I think this is lovely.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58- It really opens out. - Good view again into the garden.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00But it's got a cosy feel.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05Although it's quite a spacious room, because of all the aspects, the light aspects as well.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09As well as having that homely feel, this property, although all on one level,
0:12:09 > 0:12:12has a light and spacious interior.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14It has plenty of character features for Kim,
0:12:14 > 0:12:18and outside even has a study solution for Phil.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Right then, well, here we are back in the garden where we started.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25What you see is what you get, as you can tell - with one addition.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Behind the property, there's a very nice small garden
0:12:28 > 0:12:30with a couple of raised vegetable beds in it.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34And coming over to the business of studies, there is
0:12:34 > 0:12:38what was designed as a garage - they've never used it as a garage, they've got it set up as a study.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42- You don't have to use the small one in the property itself, there's that one.- OK.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- So, let's have a think about the money, then.- Yes.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49- Go on, Kim. You can guess first. - I've got a figure in mind of 525.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54- 525.- I'd be tempted to say slightly higher. Maybe nearer 540 or something like that.- 540.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58If it was 540, would it still be of interest?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- I think anything is of interest. - Ah! OK.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05But it just means that you have to look in your piggy-bank and see how many pennies you've got left.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10Well, you won't have any pennies left at all on this one because it's £525,000.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12- You were absolutely right. - Goodness gracious me!
0:13:12 > 0:13:16- But I suspect, you know, open to offers.- OK.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- It is a beautiful property. - Right, well, off you go.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- Go and check it out and I'll find you later.- Thank you.- Brilliant.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25You can't fault their enthusiasm - I absolutely love it.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29And, as a first property, this is absolutely ideal.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33It's very practical, it's very easy, it's very beautiful, frankly.
0:13:36 > 0:13:41Although this property nudges over their budget at £525,000,
0:13:41 > 0:13:44if they like it, a sensible offer could seal the deal.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Along with a large convivial kitchen/diner,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50it offers them a great separate sitting room.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53The three bedrooms include a master en-suite,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55and outside the manageable garden
0:13:55 > 0:13:57houses a super study option for Phil.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59My first impressions of this house
0:13:59 > 0:14:03when I got here was that it had a really nice garden, good-size.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05I can imagine having visitors here,
0:14:05 > 0:14:09having barbecues and people come to visit.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12But, as we've been going round, it's just been so spacious and so light,
0:14:12 > 0:14:17which is the main thing that I've wanted out of a house. I've been really pleased. I really like it.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Actually, this is looking very interesting. Immediately caught by very light, very airy,
0:14:21 > 0:14:26and, of course, you just walk in a little way and on the right hand side is that stunning kitchen.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31However you look at it, that really is the main feature of the house - and quite rightly so.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34The house has plenty of room, it's good for us as a couple
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and I think it would be good for the grandchildren and all the family.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42Well, I think that all went rather well, actually. Ah, how are you?
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- Really good. It's absolutely wonderful.- Excellent.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50I think you've done very well with choosing something that's got all the key parts there.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- Really good.- Good. And it's only the first one. - I know!- Let's go see some more.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11For thousands of Wiltshire's 13 million visitors every year,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15one of the highlights has to be a visit to Longleat.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Its beautiful Elizabethan house sits within a 9,000 acre estate,
0:15:19 > 0:15:23which encompasses three nature conservation areas.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26It's also home to the first safari park outside of Africa
0:15:26 > 0:15:28and supports animal conservation projects
0:15:28 > 0:15:32including the Hawk Conservancy Trust, a charity raising awareness
0:15:32 > 0:15:36of the threats that face both our native and non-native birds of prey.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40As Phil and Kim have said they're keen to try lots of new pursuits once they move,
0:15:40 > 0:15:45earlier in the week we arranged for them to meet the trust's falconer, Jimmy Robinson.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47Do you have a favourite?
0:15:47 > 0:15:49- Or shouldn't we ask questions like that?- Yeah, we do.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53Technically we shouldn't, but because you work with them every single day,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56you get very, very close to the species.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Like the little barn owl who just passed us here.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00- She's so sweet. - She's gorgeous, isn't she?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03I've known her since she was a tiny little ball of fluff.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07She will shout and call to you quite often. But many of them will do.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- This eagle owl will do quite often. - He looks all fluffed up.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13He looks as if he should be on somebody's bed.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17I think he's just woken up. He is quite cute and cuddly.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19I love the kite, that's my favourite.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22The kites, yeah. These are African yellow-billed black kites.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25They're a little bit smaller than our native red kite.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Jimmy's giving Phil and Kim the chance to get to grips with
0:16:28 > 0:16:33the basics of falconry, which, during the Middle Ages, was known as the sport of kings.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Indeed, Longleat's own archives show that
0:16:36 > 0:16:39it was practised here as far back as 1589.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44They're going to meet a non-native bird in need of some good publicity.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48He's a little African hooded vulture and is called Mighty-Might. He's only a year old.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- HE WHISTLES - Here we go.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- It's a long flight. - What's the wingspan?
0:16:54 > 0:16:57His wingspan will be about five feet from tip to tip.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00So, he is quite a large bird when he's on the wing.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04- We're about to become friends.- He's edging in a bit closer.- OK, fine. - We kind of grow up with vultures
0:17:04 > 0:17:08in loads of different cartoons being shown as horrible, ugly, dirty creatures.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11But they're not. They're incredibly clean.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14They have to keep themselves in tip-top condition.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16They've got amazing digestive systems.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18They can even take anthrax on board their systems
0:17:18 > 0:17:20and still survive. Which is just phenomenal.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23And so sadly because vultures are declining,
0:17:23 > 0:17:27various different animals are suffering problems with diseases and pests and parasites.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Where normally vultures would stop diseases from spreading.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33'An owl's ears are the...'
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Our buyers now have a chance to see this diverse cast of raptors in action,
0:17:37 > 0:17:43which includes Britain's largest breeding falcon, the peregrine.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45With a diving speed of over 190 mph,
0:17:45 > 0:17:48it's one of the fastest animals on the planet.
0:17:48 > 0:17:53But, for now, it's time to turn an eagle eye back towards our house hunting.
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Our property search continues over the border into Dorset,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05close to the village of Sixpenny Handley.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08It's just under an hour's drive to Kim's work in Southampton
0:18:08 > 0:18:12and there's a good selection of local amenities on their doorstep.
0:18:12 > 0:18:19Nearby in the hamlet of Woodcutts, set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, is our second house.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21The main part of it dates back to 1901
0:18:21 > 0:18:25and it also has a large side extension added in 2001.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31OK, in the rain, house number two.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35We've moved away from the whole single-storey arrangement
0:18:35 > 0:18:37and we've got you, well, three floors here, actually.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40- Three?- It goes right up into the roof space.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43And it overlooks this area behind us. This mixed woodland here.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- It's beautiful.- It's an ancient bit of woodland, this.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- It's called Scrubbity Burrows. - You're joking.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52I'm not, I'm absolutely serious. You might think it's drawn from
0:18:52 > 0:18:55some kind of fantasy novel, but no. It's called Scrubbity Burrows.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58I'm told by the owners they do in the morning come out here and find deer.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- So, I think we should get out the rain.- I think we should.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04- Come on.- Very good.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08The extension gives them a purpose-built garage
0:19:08 > 0:19:10and a large self-contained parking area.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12But let's see what their first reactions are
0:19:12 > 0:19:16to the front facing reception rooms in the original part of the house.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- This is the dining room. - Oh, decent-size.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27- It's a beautiful view out there. - Yes, what was it called again?
0:19:27 > 0:19:29- BOTH: Scrubbity Burrows. - Scrubbity Burrows.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34- Got to live here so you can say, "I live opposite Scrubbity Burrows." - You ought to rename the house.
0:19:34 > 0:19:39- Absolutely right.- Call it that. I think it's a very conventional layout, this.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43This room is reflected over the corridor on the other side
0:19:43 > 0:19:48as another living room/snug/study, whatever you want it to be.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50So, it's very easy to get a sense of the ground plan.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53The dining room leads through to the back of the property
0:19:53 > 0:19:55to the kitchen which we'll come to later.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58We'll take a look at another of the property's reception rooms,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01this time in the newer section of the house.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- That is surprising, isn't it? - Yeah. This is the new bit.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08This is the 2001 bit, which now goes on to a games room.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13It's got a little bar in there, you can probably just see a pool table shining through the door,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and a garage beyond and the parking and so forth.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21'But now let's take a look at that kitchen and see what they think.'
0:20:21 > 0:20:22Right, in you come.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- Right.- Bit more cottagey. - Bit smaller.- Yes.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31It's not what I would call a huge kitchen/diner,
0:20:31 > 0:20:34although obviously it's got a little table in it at the moment.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37That door goes through to a downstairs loo and utility room,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40and another door out, obviously, to the garden.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46You've got the range which again sort of ticks a cottage box, if you like, I suppose.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- But, yeah, if you think cosy cooking is for you. - I could definitely work with this.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Time to head to the first floor and see if the three bedrooms up here
0:20:55 > 0:20:58offer the space they're after.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Well, let's start upstairs in here.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04This is currently set up as the master bedroom.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07It's not the biggest bedroom in itself,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10- but it does have an en-suite next door.- Oh, right.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12But it's got these lovely high ceilings similar to
0:21:12 > 0:21:15what we've got downstairs, typical of the period of build, really.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- I love actually having the fireplace as well.- Yes, it's sweet, isn't it?
0:21:18 > 0:21:23A nice survivor, again, from the period. That's the real thing. Nice cast-iron fireplace.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25And having the recesses for the wardrobes as well
0:21:25 > 0:21:28is just a bonus in a cottage of this age.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33Follow me through here. This is quite interesting. It all sort of runs as a bit of a route.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Now, can you see this staircase here?- A-ha.
0:21:36 > 0:21:41To get to the staircase, you either go through this bedroom or that bedroom.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45This bedroom here is exactly the same, as you can probably see. And up there,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47they've pushed into the roof space. Remember on the outside
0:21:47 > 0:21:50we said they'd given you three floors effectively? That I think
0:21:50 > 0:21:55- would be ideal for visiting grandchildren or indeed study space. - OK.
0:21:56 > 0:22:01Under here on the first floor, the third bedroom is a compact but bright double
0:22:01 > 0:22:04which is served by the main family bathroom next door.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08Overall, this house offers them a mix of Victorian character
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and proportions, with the bonus of a modern adaptable living space
0:22:11 > 0:22:14to accommodate visiting friends and family.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18And outside gives them the low-maintenance garden they've asked for.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22- Madam.- Thank you.- You can have that. Right, up those steps.- OK.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Now, garden-wise, what you can see is what you get.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31It's this rather terraced arrangement,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34dropping down to the patio outside the doors there.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- But again I think this is probably the right sort of size from what you were describing.- Yes, it is.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42It's a generous plot. Because there's lots of land around it.
0:22:42 > 0:22:45And you get a nice sense of the geography of the buildings actually
0:22:45 > 0:22:48where the link works and the games room and the garage again.
0:22:48 > 0:22:52- Let's have a think about the price, then.- Depends on the price.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56- You went first last time, Kim. So, go on, Phil.- Golly.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00- Bearing in mind I'm not very good at this, 550 I would suspect.- 550, OK.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05- 485.- Oh!- Quite a difference.- Now, that's contentious, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09550, 485...
0:23:09 > 0:23:14- How about 495?- Oh, really?- Yeah. - Wow. That's great.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18I think it's a really good price for that size property
0:23:18 > 0:23:20and I think it's got huge potential.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- Yeah, well, go and make some choices. Off you go.- Thank you.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Great stuff. Well, very interesting. Very different property
0:23:27 > 0:23:30from our first one, but, as they say,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33a lot of scope and lots of potential -
0:23:33 > 0:23:35even if it is raining!
0:23:39 > 0:23:44Under budget at £495,000, this late Victorian property
0:23:44 > 0:23:48gives them four potential reception rooms along with a country kitchen.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51Upstairs, the three bedrooms include a master en-suite
0:23:51 > 0:23:55and there's a dedicated office for Phil on the top floor.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57Outside, the garden needs little upkeep
0:23:57 > 0:24:01and it's all wrapped up in a beautiful woodland setting.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05When I first walked up to the house, I really liked it
0:24:05 > 0:24:08because it's the sort of house that I've been looking at.
0:24:08 > 0:24:14It's that turn-of-the-century, huge potential. But generally
0:24:14 > 0:24:18when you get in, the feel of the house is very peaceful, very quiet.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23I believe we could see ourselves living in this house. I'm not quite exactly sure how we would work out
0:24:23 > 0:24:27the bits and pieces, and certainly we would want to be doing a fair bit of work on it
0:24:27 > 0:24:29to get it just the way we would like it to be.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Right, out you come. This weather! It just goes on, doesn't it?
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Oh, yes.- Are you happy with number two?- Yes.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41It's got huge potential and it's just thinking about the usage of the space
0:24:41 > 0:24:44because there's lots of land and lots of space in the rooms there.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47I think this one's really got your minds going, hasn't it?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- It has, actually.- Right, come on, let's get out of this rain.- OK.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06So, as evening falls over the Wiltshire skyline,
0:25:06 > 0:25:09the first day of our house hunt comes to an end.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21With the new phase of their lives about to begin,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Phil and Kim are poised to sell their family home
0:25:24 > 0:25:28in Fareham, Hampshire, and leap over the border to rural Wiltshire.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32For their £500,000, we need to find a property that balances
0:25:32 > 0:25:33Kim's desire for quirky
0:25:33 > 0:25:36while offering Phil something low maintenance.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39So far, there have been plenty of positive noises
0:25:39 > 0:25:42about the two properties we've already shown them.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46But, coming up, will our mystery house be a conversion too far?
0:25:46 > 0:25:48I mean, Phil seems slightly lost for words, Kim.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I think I am as well. It is a real true mystery house.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53There's no way we could have imagined this.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57And I step back through the mists of time in the company of
0:25:57 > 0:26:00these 5,000 year old Wiltshire giants.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Well, it's the final day of our house hunt
0:26:06 > 0:26:07here with Phil and with Kim.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11Yesterday went really well. So far, so good.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15But, of course, time is of the essence - they really want to get this move underway.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17It's raining, but as for the sundial,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19it's not going to be much use today, is it, really?
0:26:26 > 0:26:29What do you think our mystery house holds for you?
0:26:29 > 0:26:31- I like quirky.- Clearly.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- And you seem to both agree on quirky.- Yes.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36There's degrees of quirkiness, but...
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Well, I think we're going to up the ante on the mystery house.
0:26:39 > 0:26:43- Excellent.- Because this really is something different.- OK.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47- We look forward to seeing it. - Now I'm getting worried, I think. Yes...
0:26:51 > 0:26:54Our mystery property takes us to the village of Zeals,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57towards Wiltshire's borders with Dorset and Somerset
0:26:57 > 0:27:01and stretches Kim's drive-time to work to over an hour.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Along with welcome amenities, the village is peppered with
0:27:04 > 0:27:08some impressive mid-19th century architecture,
0:27:08 > 0:27:11such as the parish church built in the Gothic revival style
0:27:11 > 0:27:14and these lovely old alms houses.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Our mystery house was built in the 1850s
0:27:17 > 0:27:20and comes in the form of this converted chapel.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Well, here we are. The mystery house in this shocking weather.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29- Goodness me.- Or a part of it. - A part?- We've got you an old chapel.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- Oh, fantastic!- Wow! - But they've done it rather nicely.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37And there are some real giveaways as to the fact that it obviously is a chapel.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41- So, quirky is the name of the game. - OK.- I love the area as well.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45- I'm really excited about this one. - Yeah? I'm not going to make us linger any longer than we need to.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49- Let's get out the rain. Come on. - OK, fine. Thanks.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54Yes, let's quickly head inside and explore its awe-inspiring interior.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- Oh, that's better, isn't it? - Absolutely.- Get out the rain.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Um, yeah, a chapel for you. What do you reckon?
0:28:05 > 0:28:09- That is amazing.- It's incredible. - Absolutely amazing.- It's huge.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12Have you ever thought about this sort of thing?
0:28:12 > 0:28:14We'd never really considered it, had we?
0:28:14 > 0:28:17No, and I have often wondered what they do with them inside.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21This little hallway is a lovely way to greet your guests. You've got a woodburner there.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24We've got a little - it's currently a single bedroom through there.
0:28:24 > 0:28:26- Could be a study, Phil, really.- OK.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29And the rest of it just sort of opens up.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32- Stunning.- Come on. Let's have an explore.
0:28:34 > 0:28:38This, to me, is really where the whole kind of chapel thing comes to life.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- It is extraordinary. - It's an incredible space.- Yeah.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47- Absolutely amazing.- I mean, what do you make of it?- It is amazing.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Absolutely. Yes, as you say, you can see the main features which make it
0:28:52 > 0:28:56the building it is, but again, fascinating the way it's been put together.
0:28:56 > 0:29:01The really clever bit, I think, is this central fireplace arrangement
0:29:01 > 0:29:03which clearly it wouldn't have had as a chapel.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05But it divides the space up
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and allows us to create another floor beyond.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12You've obviously got all the architecture that portrays its history.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Indeed so. Amazing.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20It's a bit mind-blowing, really, I have to say.
0:29:20 > 0:29:25- I mean, Phil seems slightly lost for words, Kim.- I think I am as well. It is a real true mystery house.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27There's no way we could have imagined this.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- This is really pressing all the circuits.- It is true quirky.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34I mean, there's a little door off there which I think was probably the vestry.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37- That could be another office for you.- Fine.- If you like.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39I mean, the use of space is terrific.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43You can see this mezzanine level which is attached to the back of the huge chimney breast.
0:29:43 > 0:29:47That's currently set up as the master bedroom. It doesn't have to be. There's other options.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- This could be something for the grandchildren.- They'd be abseiling -
0:29:50 > 0:29:53- have a climbing wall. - Don't tempt them!
0:29:54 > 0:29:56Before their imaginations run away with them,
0:29:56 > 0:29:59we'll head to the other side of the chapel
0:29:59 > 0:30:02and explore the more practical home comforts of the kitchen.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08- OK, Kim.- Oh!- What do you think of this one, then?
0:30:08 > 0:30:09That's a really nice surprise.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12I did think perhaps this was something I would have to
0:30:12 > 0:30:16compromise on, but it's light, it's airy and it's a decent size.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- It's a good size.- But it's still got that feel about - cottage.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23Do you know what I like about it? Exactly, it's cottage.
0:30:23 > 0:30:25In some ways, it's a bit of a relief
0:30:25 > 0:30:28from the overwhelming chapel of next door.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32- Can I jump a little bit and get excited?- Of course you can!
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Jump away. I'm glad you're excited.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Of course, you've got this lovely oil-fired range as well,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39which again brings us back to the whole cottage feel.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43- It's very, very good.- Albeit within a chapel.- It's really good.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45- I love it. I really do love it.- Good.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Well, the door behind us goes through to the garage, so you've got internal access to that.
0:30:49 > 0:30:54It also doubles up as a bit of a utility area as well.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56- But so far so good, then? - BOTH: Absolutely.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- The mystery house is living up to all its expectations. - It's done very well.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03I know we've got the main room upstairs, but I can't imagine what else there is.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Come and have a look. Follow me this way.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Up here, there are three bedrooms,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12two of which are spacious self-contained doubles.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Although there are no en-suites,
0:31:14 > 0:31:18off the landing there's a family bathroom with an eloquent roll-top bath,
0:31:18 > 0:31:22and guests can always make use of the high-spec shower room
0:31:22 > 0:31:24back downstairs off the hallway.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27But let's explore the potential of the magnificent mezzanine.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32I suppose, in some respects, this is kind of the main event
0:31:32 > 0:31:35because you've got this extraordinary view down there.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- An amazing master bedroom as it is currently set up.- It is.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40All that room for books as well.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43You're always wondering what to do with your books.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45You could play with this house.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48You could, for the next 20 years, keep moving things around.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- Nice thought.- And say, "Actually, that works well."
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Clearly, Kim can't get enough of the quirky appeal,
0:31:54 > 0:31:56and surprisingly it's fired Phil up,
0:31:56 > 0:31:59even though he's got his eye on the practical aspects.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03Outside, the compact gardens wrap themselves around the property
0:32:03 > 0:32:06and are framed by some lovely yew hedges.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10But while they seem to love it, can they afford it?
0:32:10 > 0:32:13So let's have a think about the money, then.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Final price guess of the trip.
0:32:16 > 0:32:22- Kim.- Oh, me first, that's awful. 565 - but I haven't got a clue.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- I'm really stabbing in the dark on this one.- OK, Phil?
0:32:25 > 0:32:29It's got to be over the 500. 520.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33520. Well, how much do you want it?
0:32:33 > 0:32:35I really like this house.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37Well...
0:32:37 > 0:32:41It could be yours for just under £450,000.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44THEY LAUGH
0:32:44 > 0:32:49- Goodness me.- Yeah. 449,500 gets you the mystery house.- Fantastic!
0:32:49 > 0:32:51That's amazing. That is very, very good.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54- Has that sort of tipped the balance a bit?- Absolutely.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58- Sort of right down on the Yes side, really.- Well, there we go.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Mystery house has done it again.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03It's really been excellent. You've done exceedingly well.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06We could not have imagined anything like this. Or our reaction to it.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- Well, I'm glad you like it. - Fantastic.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11Go and have another look around, see what you're going to do with
0:33:11 > 0:33:15the 50,000 we've saved you and I'll catch you later.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23Significantly under budget at just shy of £450,000,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26our imaginatively converted mystery chapel
0:33:26 > 0:33:30takes the idea of a home with character to a new level.
0:33:30 > 0:33:34It has an enormous main living area and vaulted timber ceiling,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37a gorgeous country kitchen, three bedrooms
0:33:37 > 0:33:41and outside provides a manageable landscaped garden,
0:33:41 > 0:33:44plus it's all set in a village location.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47First impressions of the mystery house, really very positive.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Not what I was expecting - of course that's what a mystery house is.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52But I have to say from the very beginning
0:33:52 > 0:33:54it did feel really, really positive.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57I think initially this is a property that's going to need
0:33:57 > 0:33:59a fair bit of work to get started. That's not a problem.
0:33:59 > 0:34:03I think if we do that properly then it can be the kind of low-maintenance house I want.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06I really liked the idea of it.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09But when I came in, it just blew my mind.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11I was sort of in shock for a little while.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13But I love this house, I really do.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15And I can see us getting old together here.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18Everybody loves a chapel for a mystery house.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23- And so do you, don't you? - Incredible.- Amazing. Absolutely amazing.- Good.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Well, you know, I have to say, throughout all of our house tours,
0:34:26 > 0:34:29you've been so positive about everything we've shown you,
0:34:29 > 0:34:31I'm not quite sure where we are for our conclusion.
0:34:31 > 0:34:35I think the best thing is to go somewhere where you can have a good old think.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37And we'll see what you're going to do.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40- A hot drink would be good.- Right, come on. Lead on, that way.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Cup of tea.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Britain is home to countless historic stone monuments,
0:34:58 > 0:35:02but one that is always truly fascinating is Stonehenge -
0:35:02 > 0:35:05a site shrouded in mystery and whose presence and purpose
0:35:05 > 0:35:08still confounds prehistorians.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15Early one morning, I was given the rare opportunity
0:35:15 > 0:35:17to walk among these ancient stones
0:35:17 > 0:35:20and to find out more about the theories that surround them
0:35:20 > 0:35:23with Dave Batchelor from English Heritage.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28- Dave, good morning. How are you?- Good morning.
0:35:28 > 0:35:33There's a wonderful feeling in the centre of this monument, isn't there? A real kind of tingle,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35- an ancient presence, if you will.- Yes.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39I still get that after 20-odd years coming inside here.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Many people describe it as some sort of great celestial calendar
0:35:43 > 0:35:46rooted in the midsummer sunrise and midwinter sunrise.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Here we are on this gorgeous morning with the sun popping up behind the stones there now.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53- It's a very moving experience being in the middle here.- It is, yes.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57I mean, it's special. And it's designed to be special because of
0:35:57 > 0:36:00the different uses in heights and the true use of architecture.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03One of the things that makes Stonehenge unique
0:36:03 > 0:36:07is that you've got these lintels. You've got a third dimension,
0:36:07 > 0:36:10and the fact that they raise in height as you get towards the central space.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14Well, you talk about the architecture. Let's have a look at one of these gorgeous stones here.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- Yeah...- It changes in size as you approach it, doesn't it?
0:36:20 > 0:36:23So many questions, it's just amazing.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25But I love the fact that it's still a mystery.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30We do know the stones' geological story.
0:36:30 > 0:36:354,000 years ago, the 80 Preseli Bluestones forming the inner circle
0:36:35 > 0:36:39were transported from South West Wales, although it was never completed.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44However, those in the outer circle came from much closer to home.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48These are the Sarsens. These came from the Marlborough Downs 25 miles to the north of here.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50Probably semi-finished,
0:36:50 > 0:36:56ie these have all been worked to give us this final shape. And then big holes dug and put up.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58You make it sound very simple.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02What's interesting is that if you look at the top of some of those that are missing their cap stones,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06you can see these little nodes, these little knobs which would have located the stones on top.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09That's quite a sophisticated bit of engineering in some ways.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12Particularly in stone, yes. You've got mortise and tenon
0:37:12 > 0:37:15or ball and socket type of joints sitting between the uprights
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- and then the lintels that sit across them.- Yeah.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24Some of the early elements of Stonehenge point to the fact that
0:37:24 > 0:37:27this was an important site over the course of
0:37:27 > 0:37:31many centuries, notably the henge or ditch that surrounds the stones.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36There are a number of features outside here that relate to it
0:37:36 > 0:37:41and are part of this late Neolithic Bronze Age ceremonial landscape.
0:37:41 > 0:37:42So, it's a huge period of time.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45It's 1,400/1,500 years it was in use for.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50And in the wider landscape, we can just see one appearing through the mist over there, this lovely barrow.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53There are literally dozens of them in this area, aren't there?
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Hundreds of them. We reckon there's well in excess of 400.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58These are burial mounds dating from the Bronze Age?
0:37:58 > 0:38:03- Bronze Age period, yes. - So, what, 1,500 BC? - Contemporary with the stones here.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08Dave is among those historians
0:38:08 > 0:38:10who thinks the site must have had more than one purpose
0:38:10 > 0:38:14and that it wasn't just a massive sundial or place of worship.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23You know, I've studied this place for years. Hundreds, thousands of people have.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27None of us really are any the wiser as to what it was used for,
0:38:27 > 0:38:28who built it or indeed why.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31But, in a sense, I don't think it matters.
0:38:31 > 0:38:36Whoever did left behind a really palpable sense of magic.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39This place makes you tingle.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02We've now reached that point in the show where we can ask Phil and Kim the burning question.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06Have we indeed manage to find them their new dream home in the country?
0:39:06 > 0:39:08Sometimes it's perfectly possible to tell
0:39:08 > 0:39:10which of our three properties our buyers are going to go for,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13but on this occasion I think it's a bit too close to call.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15So, let's go and ask them
0:39:15 > 0:39:18and hopefully it might just stop raining.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28So. These last few days, then, have been quite interesting, I suspect.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32- Oh, yes.- Bit of a roller-coaster. HE LAUGHS
0:39:32 > 0:39:34You're not the first people to say that!
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Don't reveal all just yet. Let's have a think about where we started.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40A lovely single-storey converted late '60s bungalow,
0:39:40 > 0:39:42not that you'd know, really.
0:39:42 > 0:39:45What are your lasting thoughts on that one?
0:39:45 > 0:39:48Really nice property, very spacious,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50really well laid out,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- plenty of room for what we need. - Yeah.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56I liked the fact that there were a number of options you could play with it.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59Certainly it would meet all our needs, it's just a question of deciding how.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Well, our second property was an altogether different proposition.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05I liked the shape of the second one.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08I liked the fact it was a cottage with an extension
0:40:08 > 0:40:09and the land was lovely.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12There was plenty of land to play with.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15The rooms, to me, were just slightly too small to be able to
0:40:15 > 0:40:18entertain in and do what we wanted to do.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Like Kim, I was a bit concerned that
0:40:20 > 0:40:24maybe some of the rooms were perhaps a little bit on the small side.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26But, that's what you get when you get a cottage.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28That's part of the package that goes with that kind of house.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31I have to confess that when we set out toward the mystery house,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33I wasn't really sure what you'd make of it.
0:40:33 > 0:40:38I actually thought property number one was sold - hook, line and sinker.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41And I think you probably did as well.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43I mean, to be honest, the mystery house
0:40:43 > 0:40:46was going to have to pull something pretty magical out of the bag to be able to do that.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49Because, yes, we were very impressed with house number one.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52So, Kim, did the mystery house pull something magical about the bag?
0:40:52 > 0:40:56It made me jump for joy. I absolutely loved it.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58But we were just in trepidation of what it would be.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02You'd never really explored a chapel before, you said.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05No, we've seen chapels that have been converted houses,
0:41:05 > 0:41:07but we've never seen inside them.
0:41:07 > 0:41:09The roominess is really attractive.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12It means that we as a couple can have a good house
0:41:12 > 0:41:14but then, of course, make it a really good home.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18But when we have visitors - whether it's grandchildren, extended family or whatever -
0:41:18 > 0:41:19there's so much you can do.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22It's going to be a really fascinating place
0:41:22 > 0:41:25to entertain family, friends, formally and informally and so on.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28It's just really quite outstanding.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31I think you've probably answered my final question
0:41:31 > 0:41:35which is which of the three is your favourite?
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- Just to be clear, which one is at? - 11 out of 10 for the chapel.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43- We definitely love that, both of us.- Yeah, I think so. It's really excellent.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45It took us completely by surprise.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- So, what happens next? - Well, there's two things.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53First of all, we have to make sure that we sell our current property. That's clearly a major next step.
0:41:53 > 0:41:59But we want to actually, I think, start approaching the estate agent of the mystery house
0:41:59 > 0:42:01and start that ball rolling, too.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03Well, guys, it's been an absolute pleasure.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06I'm really delighted that we've managed to find your property
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- which I hope will be your forever home.- We hope so. - Here's to you. Cheers.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13- Thank you and to the team for all that you've done. - Our pleasure.- Thank you.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Now, if you're after top tips and advice when it comes to successful house hunting,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26there are plenty, of course, to choose from.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30But, for me, there is one ingredient that stands out above all else
0:42:30 > 0:42:32and that is attitude.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Imagine if I'd given you the keys to any one of the properties
0:42:35 > 0:42:37that we showed Kim and Phil.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Chances are you'd make it work.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42You'd search out their pros and you'd resolve their cons.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45And that, of course, is exactly what they have managed to do.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48And, lo and behold, despite all the suggestions earlier,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51they have found agreement on our mystery house.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53A real home for their future.
0:42:55 > 0:42:59Phil and Kim have gone back to see the mystery house twice
0:42:59 > 0:43:04and are still keen to put in an offer once they've sold their own property.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07If you would like to escape to the country in Wales, Scotland,
0:43:07 > 0:43:10Northern Ireland or England and would like our help,
0:43:10 > 0:43:12then please apply online at...
0:43:34 > 0:43:37Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd