0:00:02 > 0:00:05Here I am 1,000 feet above sea level in front of this extraordinary
0:00:05 > 0:00:08Rapunzel tower, from the top of which, on a clear day,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11it is said you can see 13 English counties.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Find out where I am in just a moment.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Today we'll be helping a dynamic couple keen to buy
0:00:46 > 0:00:48their first house together in the country,
0:00:48 > 0:00:53and they have some very playful opinions about one of our homes.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56It's a traditional house that you draw as a child.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58With the door in the middle of the house.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00And we showed them a mystery house
0:01:00 > 0:01:03with more space than they could have ever imagined.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06You could run around with about 2,000 dogs here.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Today we're in Worcestershire.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15And this is the Broadway Tower, built in 1789
0:01:15 > 0:01:18by the renowned architect James Wyatt
0:01:18 > 0:01:20for the sixth Earl of Coventry.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24And in the 1880s it was the weekend retreat, very glamorous,
0:01:24 > 0:01:27for William Morris of Arts and Craft fame.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30And it said that this building inspired him to set up
0:01:30 > 0:01:34the Society For The Protection Of Ancient Buildings, or SPAB.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36And indeed many thousands of buildings across the UK
0:01:36 > 0:01:40over their continued existence to SPAB,
0:01:40 > 0:01:42and in some way to this delightful folly,
0:01:42 > 0:01:45but there's lots more to Worcestershire than just follies.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Landlocked Worcestershire is bordered by Herefordshire
0:01:52 > 0:01:56to the West, Gloucestershire to the south, and Warwickshire to the east.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59The county is home to the Malvern Hills,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02which have been described as a mountain range in miniature.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Stretching for eight miles,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08they contain some of the oldest rock formations in Britain.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10The east of Worcestershire falls within the Cotswolds
0:02:10 > 0:02:13area of outstanding natural beauty.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17It boasts villages like Broadway, which characterise
0:02:17 > 0:02:20the stunning architecture often seen across the region.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25The county was also home to Geoffrey Bazeley, creator of The Archers.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30And his watering hole, The Old Bull in Inkberrow, still remains today.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34So, for fantastic scenery, with real rural charm,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Worcestershire provides an attractive option
0:02:37 > 0:02:38for aspiring escapees.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44When you consider it's such a handy commute into Britain's second city,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Birmingham, and lovely rural countryside,
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Worcestershire is a great buy for property hunters,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51particularly when you think about prices.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53According to the Land Registry figures,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57an average detached house here will set you back £262,000,
0:02:57 > 0:03:02which is just £6,000 above the national average.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05That's particularly good when you think about nearby Gloucestershire,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08where you'd have to pay 10 percent more for the same sort of property.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12So, let's take a look at what's on the market in this lovely county.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15For just under £350,000,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19there's this two-bedroom converted barn in Holt Heath.
0:03:19 > 0:03:23It has an open plan sitting room with a feature glass balustrade,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and a high spec kitchen with wooden flooring.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Outside, there is a walled garden, with a patio and lawn.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Also on the market is this timber framed four-bedroom
0:03:34 > 0:03:38thatched house in Whickham, priced at £555,000.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Behind the historic facade, there are exposed beams
0:03:41 > 0:03:42in the sitting room,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and a stunning contemporary kitchen with a range.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49Outside boasts half an acre of extensive landscaped gardens.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54For larger budgets, this six-bedroom house
0:03:54 > 0:03:57in Clifton-on-Teme is up for sale at £850,000.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02The huge kitchen has bespoke units, and underfloor heating.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06The bedrooms feature sash windows with exposed timbers,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08and outside there is a third of an acre of private
0:04:08 > 0:04:11landscaped garden with mature shrubs and trees.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Some beautiful properties on the market here in Worcestershire.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Let's meet the couple who we're hoping are going to buy one.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Lynette and her partner Ned have been together for three years,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27but have yet to buy their first property together.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30Dividing their time between their respective homes in Halesowen
0:04:30 > 0:04:32and Stourbridge in the West Midlands.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36Lynette works for England Athletics, and owns a horse called Mickey,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39who she keeps an hour away from her house.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41And it seems being closer to him
0:04:41 > 0:04:44is a key motivator for the move to the country.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49I spend all my free time that I'm not at home down the stables with him.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51So, for me, getting a house in the country,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54and having some land, and having him right on my doorstep
0:04:54 > 0:04:56would be absolutely wonderful.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59Motorbike fanatic Ned, on the other hand,
0:04:59 > 0:05:02is lucky enough to combine one of his passions with his job.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Heading up the West Midlands Police Force's driving school.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08But, unfortunately,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Ned's wealth of motorbikes is threatening to overrun his home,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14so more space is essential.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Four bikes and a very small garage really don't mix,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19and something needs to give.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I've got no plans at all to get rid of any of my bikes,
0:05:21 > 0:05:22I'm only ever going to get some more.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25So, the prospect of moving to the country with more room
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and some land to ride the bikes is a very tempting idea.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31Both our buyers work in Birmingham,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33and need to be within an hour's commute of the city.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36And after much consideration, they are convinced they have found
0:05:36 > 0:05:40the perfect location to start the next chapter of their lives.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43My horses are based at Dodford in Worcestershire,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46so anywhere around the North Worcestershire countryside,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48we thought would be ideal.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52We spent quite a lot of time there, and every time we find we want to stay there just a little bit longer.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56And they have a very clear vision for the wish list.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01I wouldn't particularly like to live somewhere which is too close to, perhaps all the neighbours around,
0:06:01 > 0:06:03or perhaps is a little bit overlooked.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07The new house, for me, is something that has around about three bedrooms.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10And, for me, bedroom with an en suite.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17It's got to have some land, open fire, wood burner,
0:06:17 > 0:06:22large kitchen, just lots of open space around us, I think.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25- That would be great. - And development potential.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Certainly, that we can put our own mark on it.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30And enough space that we can perhaps chase a dog around the garden.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33The only remaining factor is, of course,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36how much money they had to spend.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40Our ideal budget would be around £450,000, but if we do come across
0:06:40 > 0:06:42something that really captures our heart,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46we can perhaps extend this to, maybe, 500,000.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54This is a big, romantic move together for Ned and Lynette,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56but it could be quite a headache for us,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59because they are Birmingham commuters,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03and Worcestershire is Birmingham commuter-belt, in all effects.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06And it means to find a beautiful house with two acres of land
0:07:06 > 0:07:10might be a bit of a squeeze, even with half a million pounds.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Particularly if we're insisting that we need to be near Dodford,
0:07:13 > 0:07:14where the horses are stabled now.
0:07:14 > 0:07:19So, we might suggest, just very gently, that the horses could move.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Ned and Lynette want to move to North Worcestershire,
0:07:28 > 0:07:31ideally around Dodford, where Lynette's horses are stabled.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33So, we'll bear that in mind as we take them
0:07:33 > 0:07:36on a gentle canter around the countryside.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39I'll be showing them three fantastic properties,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43but I won't reveal the price until they've had a guess first.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Our final option will be, of course,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49the mystery house, which provides more land than they could dream of.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53Welcome to Worcestershire,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56although it's not so far away from where you live.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- No, not at all.- No, about 40 minutes, something like that.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02You're very keen around the area of Dodford,
0:08:02 > 0:08:04where your horses, but there are only around
0:08:04 > 0:08:0720 houses in Dodford, so we couldn't find anything in the village.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- No!- And it's probably a good idea to widen your net a little.- Yes.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14How many properties have you seen?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Probably about half a dozen in the last three or four months.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20What was wrong with them? What were the things that put you off?
0:08:20 > 0:08:23Well, so far we've found some great locations,
0:08:23 > 0:08:25but houses without the features that we want.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Or, alternatively, the great features,
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- but not really where we need to be. - Yes.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32And how big an issue is land,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35because I know you're not going to have the horses on your property?
0:08:35 > 0:08:39So, how much land do you actually need, or want?
0:08:39 > 0:08:44Well, a large garden would be nice. Or a small paddock, one to two acres.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46It's not a necessity to move the horses,
0:08:46 > 0:08:49but if we had the opportunity to, that would be great as well.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52Now, you are in quite a desirable area,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- you know, there are commuters into Birmingham.- Yes.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Prices are quite steep,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02and to get one to two acres might be a bit of a stretch.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Is there something that can give? What would you compromise on?
0:09:04 > 0:09:09Because you want a big kitchen, you want to land, position?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I know, I want it all for the budget.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13And I know I've got to compromise.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18Maybe the space would be more important, should I say.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Because there would always be an opportunity, hopefully,
0:09:20 > 0:09:25to extend the living space at some point, would be a way to look at it.
0:09:25 > 0:09:30- And what is your budget?- Well, we're looking towards £500,000.- Excellent.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Well, there are some beautiful properties out there,
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- so let's get on the road and see them.- Thank you.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Ned and Lynette have a maximum budget of £500,000
0:09:41 > 0:09:45to spend on a detached country house.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47On the wish list is a large kitchen diner that could be
0:09:47 > 0:09:51the hub of the home. Three bedrooms.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53A garage to house Ned's bike collection,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56and up to 2 acres of land.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09We're kicking off our property search in Sinton Green,
0:10:09 > 0:10:14on the edge of Hallow, which is around an hour south of Birmingham.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17In the 1680s the village was home to the soldier, William Careless,
0:10:17 > 0:10:22who saved King Charles II, after he fled the Battle of Worcester,
0:10:22 > 0:10:24by hiding him in an oak tree.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26The first property I am showing them
0:10:26 > 0:10:28is a rather characterful redbrick cottage.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Come onto the lawn to get a good view of house number one.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36- Here we have it.- Oh, that's lovely.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39It's the traditional house that you draw as a child,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- with the door in the middle of the house.- It really is, isn't it?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- So, what are your first impressions? - It's lovely.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- Beautiful looking house, isn't it? - Yeah.- It's fantastic.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50The house is interesting, it's actually from the 1700s.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52It doesn't look it, it looks more Victorian,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54but as people had a bit of wealth
0:10:54 > 0:10:57they put bricks on the front of their houses,
0:10:57 > 0:10:59because at the time, that was the sign of wealth.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02So, actually, this facade is probably later, probably Victorian,
0:11:02 > 0:11:07you can see there's been a bit of work done around the windows.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08Yes.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10We haven't really talked about the period,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13or the style of the house that you want. What does this do for you?
0:11:14 > 0:11:17It appeals to me. I have to say.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18I like the style, it's got character.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20It certainly has inside. Let's look inside.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25So, good first impressions, and behind that Victorian facade
0:11:25 > 0:11:29there are some lovely historic treats.
0:11:30 > 0:11:35Here we go. Straight in to the front room.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Well, I'm loving the fireplace.- Yeah. - I'm loving the fireplace, too.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- Certainly big enough.- Yeah.
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- That is what they call a proper inglenook.- Yes it is.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47And you've got these lovely beams,
0:11:47 > 0:11:48you can see the age of the building
0:11:48 > 0:11:50is much older than the Victorian frontage.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53These would have come from the 1700s when it was built.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Well, you've got a separate room on the other side,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59which is very much the mirror image, a little bit smaller.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03But, the room where very excited to show you is the kitchen. So, follow me.
0:12:03 > 0:12:07Lynette is after a kitchen that could be the hub of her home,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and I think this one really delivers.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14- Here we go.- Goodness me. That's a huge size, isn't it?- OK.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16That's a great size kitchen, isn't it?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18You could entertain in here, I think.
0:12:18 > 0:12:19I think this is a magical kitchen diner.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Yeah, that's great. We could do a lot in here,
0:12:22 > 0:12:23couldn't we?
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Yeah, I like it. It has a nice feel to it. Nice, light and airy.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29The feeling of space around you.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32It's a proper place that you'd congregate, wouldn't you?
0:12:32 > 0:12:34- Yes, I think so.- Very nice.- Good.
0:12:34 > 0:12:41There's also a bit that goes out into this rather nice sunroom.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46So, this is, essentially a utility room, but a conservatory.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Very practical. Very nice to have the end
0:12:48 > 0:12:50of your kitchen diner as well, isn't it?
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Yeah, I think we'd sit in here with a glass of wine.
0:12:53 > 0:12:54That would be very nice.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56I know you're itching to look into the outside,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- but let's look upstairs at the bedrooms first.- OK.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06On the first floor there's a good-sized family bathroom.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09And the two double bedrooms both have delightful period features,
0:13:09 > 0:13:15with exposed trussed beams, and wonderfully wonky doors.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18But I'm taking them to the room that could be theirs.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19OK, so mind the steps.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23So, this takes us up into what is the master bedroom,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25that's built over the kitchen.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28This is unusual, coming up the stairs, and then down more stairs.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32- That's to an en suite, so you have an en suite shower in there.- Oh, right.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35It's nice, because there's windows all around the room.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39So, like you say, from each aspect you've got some nice views.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41Certainly.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45And that view, that would be something nice to wake up and look out the window.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49In the end, that's why you wanted to move, to open the door, windows, and have...
0:13:49 > 0:13:50Well, I know that land is important,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54- it's always been a big issue, so let's go outside.- OK.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56Out here there is a large garage and workshop,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58which could house Ned's motorbikes.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03There's also a secluded garden which backs onto open fields.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Land, land, land. Now,
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- as it stands this is your garden.- OK.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14- OK, yeah not a bad side. - Not a bad size.- Not a bad size.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15But, there is the possibility,
0:14:15 > 0:14:19you can see next door has already done it, of purchasing
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- the land up to the beginning of the field from the farmer. - Oh, right, yes.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26That's not, I hasten to add, in the purchase price.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28That there is a precedent next door,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- there's been signs that the farmer is perfectly willing to do that.- OK.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33Well, let's talk about price.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36What do you think this is on the market for?
0:14:36 > 0:14:41- I think, I'm going to go low, and say 425.- No, I think a little bit more.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44I say 440.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45OK, so this is going to be a bit of a shock,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48because this is on the market at just a dot under £500,000.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- OK. We got that wrong then. - Yeah, a little bit.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55So that's the figure, unfortunately,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58you have to carry around in your head, as you do a little tour,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- and I'll meet you out the front when you're done. - OK. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06On the market for just under £500,000,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10this quaint period house has a massive kitchen diner,
0:15:10 > 0:15:11and two reception rooms,
0:15:11 > 0:15:15which could certainly meet our buyers' entertaining requirements.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19Upstairs there are four double bedrooms, and outside
0:15:19 > 0:15:23a good-sized mature garden, with the potential to buy more land.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25So, you think you'd be all right with the allotment?
0:15:25 > 0:15:27I think that will be your speciality,
0:15:27 > 0:15:31I'm not sure if it's our ideal property,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34but it's certainly got some definite promising features
0:15:34 > 0:15:37that I think we need to go away and think about.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39It's very nice. The location is fine,
0:15:39 > 0:15:41the house I'm not so sure, and the price,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45perhaps more than I would like to pay for a property of that type.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46- Hello.- Hi.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49All done, I'm going to have to move you on to the next property.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51- Right, OK, thank you. - Shut the door behind you.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05Lying on the banks of the River Severn is the historic
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Worcestershire town of Bewdley, linked together
0:16:08 > 0:16:13by the Bewdley Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, and built in 1798.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16The town is also one of the six stops on the ever popular
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Severn Valley Heritage Railway Line.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Built between 1858 and 1862,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26it regularly carries steam trains along a route
0:16:26 > 0:16:30between Bridgnorth in Shropshire, and Kidderminster in Worcestershire.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35A few miles away is the Elizabethan manor house of Harvington Hall.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40From the late 1500s it became a secret haven for Catholic priests,
0:16:40 > 0:16:44driven into hiding during the English Reformation.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47A period of religious unrest which began with Henry VIII
0:16:47 > 0:16:50and stretched beyond the reign of Elizabeth I.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Earlier in the week,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55we sent Ned and Lynette off to meet local tour guide
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Ian Fletcher, to find out more.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01It's a very unusual house, and it's got a lot of unusual features.
0:17:01 > 0:17:02And if you'd like to follow me,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- perhaps we'll have a look at a few of them.- Great, thank you.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10The hall has one of the most striking
0:17:10 > 0:17:12collections of priest holes anywhere in the country.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15They date back to a time when any Catholic priest being caught
0:17:15 > 0:17:20would have faced the penalty of high treason, punishable by death.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25If I push on the top and pull on the bottom.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Oh, clever.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30So, that once the priest has gone in you can actually close it
0:17:30 > 0:17:33and he can bolt it from the inside.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35Would you like to go in?
0:17:36 > 0:17:39When Elizabeth I, who was a Protestant, came to the throne,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42she remained tolerant towards Catholics
0:17:42 > 0:17:44worshipping in private houses.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48But after an attempt by the Spanish Catholics
0:17:48 > 0:17:51to overthrow her rule in 1588, the tide turned
0:17:51 > 0:17:55and Catholicism was driven underground, leading to a network
0:17:55 > 0:17:59of houses such as Harvington, where priests could hide away safely.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Well, I was hoping for something slightly bigger!
0:18:03 > 0:18:08There are four of the secret hideouts in total.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Aha. OK.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16- Oh, excellent.- Looks like we have found the jewels as well!
0:18:16 > 0:18:17You see where the priest is?
0:18:17 > 0:18:21You see a square of light, that would have been a complete panel across there,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23you wouldn't be able to see the priest.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Just imagine that I'm one of the searchers,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29and I got to here, I've lifted this up,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32and there's some small valuables there.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34So, pick it up, "wow, like that."
0:18:34 > 0:18:37So, I'll put that in my pouch, and then I close this up again,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40and then I'm going to go back to the person in charge,
0:18:40 > 0:18:43and I'm going to say, no, I haven't found anything."
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Because I'm not going to admit to stealing.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Harvington Hall stands as a continuing
0:18:48 > 0:18:50reminder of the extraordinary lengths
0:18:50 > 0:18:54members of the Catholic Church went to in order to pursue their faith.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58But, for now, it's time to turn our buyers' focus back
0:18:58 > 0:18:59to our property search,
0:18:59 > 0:19:04and see if we can find a rural hideaway of their own.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11For our second property I'm taking them to Old Hills,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14which is just outside the village of Callow End,
0:19:14 > 0:19:16around 40 minutes south of Birmingham.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Situated on land between the stunning Malvern Hills and
0:19:19 > 0:19:24the River Severn, this quite village has a mix of more recent houses,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26and period homes.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28The house I'm showing them is a thatched cottage,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30set in idyllic gardens.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37Once again, let's get onto the lawn to get a full eyeful of this
0:19:37 > 0:19:39beautiful thing.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41That's lovely looking, isn't it?
0:19:41 > 0:19:43That's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47It is a really spectacularly well-kept
0:19:47 > 0:19:49- thatched cottage.- Yes.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52What do you think about thatched? Not everyone's mad on thatch.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57They always are eye-catching, yes, but yes, I hadn't considered
0:19:57 > 0:20:00a thatched property, I've got to say, so, yeah, that's really nice to see.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01Yeah, it's looking good.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- Shall we look inside? - Absolutely, yes.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08'The interior of this property is full of charm,
0:20:08 > 0:20:09'with a contemporary feel.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12'And I think it will really appeal to them.'
0:20:15 > 0:20:16Here, you can see.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Wow.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Quite a different take on the period cottage.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24I like the fireplace though, again.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28I like the mix of it, actually, just from walking into here.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Yeah, I think so, the painted brickwork, the stone floors,
0:20:31 > 0:20:32the beams, it's of a time, isn't it?
0:20:32 > 0:20:37It's so nicely maintained that it just draws you to it.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39I'd like to see some more, I think.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43Is it yours sort of time? Does it feel comfortable?
0:20:43 > 0:20:44Yes, it does.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- I've got a nice feeling for the house, have you?- Yeah, I think so.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Good, well, this is the sitting room,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52let's go through into the kitchen.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Here, so, again, a very different offering.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59I like the range, as well.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Yes, it's nice in that feature, um...
0:21:02 > 0:21:03It's an inglenook range.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Yes, it is. It is.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09It's a nice-sized kitchen, though.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11But it's beautifully finished, again, you know,
0:21:11 > 0:21:16this very nice, red and black and white theme throughout.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19What do you think, Ned, do you think this is more your speed?
0:21:19 > 0:21:20Yeah, I think so,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22particularly the finish, it just jumps out to me,
0:21:22 > 0:21:25it's been so well maintained, it's very nice.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26It's very airy.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29Yeah, there seems to be some quite large gardens out there as well.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33Just keep your eyes to yourself, we haven't finished inside yet.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36'I'd say that's a thumbs up for the kitchen,
0:21:36 > 0:21:40'and the beautiful finish of this house continues in the drawing room.'
0:21:42 > 0:21:44As with the other property, this is an extension
0:21:44 > 0:21:49that was put on the back of the original cottage, in the 60s.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53We might use this as your lounge area, rather than the other room.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Yeah, we'd get some use out of this room, I think.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58And there's an open fire again.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00So, this is all of your space downstairs.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04There is quite a nice, big utility room which we haven't seen yet.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- Let's have a peek up stairs, shall we?- OK.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Downstairs is a the mix of modern period features,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14however, as we're about to discover,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17the rooms on the first floor are much more in keeping
0:22:17 > 0:22:19with the property's heritage.
0:22:21 > 0:22:22Upstairs.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Oh, this is nice, isn't it?
0:22:28 > 0:22:29Oh, yeah.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33So, nice, high ceilings as we've gone right up into the roof.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35And you can see these lovely, little feature windows,
0:22:35 > 0:22:37tucked into the thatch.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40So, essentially, you've got four bedrooms again,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43but they are interlinked, as they would have been in an old cottage.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45This one goes into that one, and then there's another one,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48over what was the extension, and then a fourth one through here.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50OK.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55The interesting thing about this house, a feature, shall we call it?
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Is that there is no bathroom upstairs,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01there's a very nice modern bathroom at the bottom of the stairs.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02OK.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05But, we were thinking, since it's just the two of you,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07one of these rooms, ie. this room
0:23:07 > 0:23:11which is linked, as you can see, just by stepping into the next room,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13would make a gorgeous, big en suite bathroom.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15It's crying out for it, isn't it?
0:23:15 > 0:23:17And it's right above the kitchen,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19so it can't be that difficult to run the plumbing up.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- No, that's a good idea.- We're not averse to building work, are we?
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- No, no, a project for you. - Thank you.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- Are you handy at DIY? - Absolutely, yes, I can build.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Really?- Yeah, no problem. - I can't tell whether you're joking.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35- No, I can build, I do a little bit. - No, he really can.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38So, you've got a very high standard to match here.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39We can't have any botched jobs.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Well, that's a challenge for you, Alistair.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44I should comeback in a years time and check?
0:23:44 > 0:23:49I know it's difficult when you haven't seen all the rooms to clock the layout,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51but I'll give you plenty of time to explore later on,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53but I want to get you out in the garden,
0:23:53 > 0:23:55because I know that's where you want to go.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59'Although they'll have to sacrifice a bedroom
0:23:59 > 0:24:00'to get that en suite Lynette wants,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03'I'm hoping they'll be wowed by the outside of this property.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06'Which comes with just under half an acre of land.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10'It includes a secluded lawned garden,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13'with spectacular views of the countryside.'
0:24:13 > 0:24:18So, incredible views over towards Cheltenham there,
0:24:18 > 0:24:19through the hedges.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22And you can see, this is a much more substantial garden.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23Yes.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25- It's a gorgeous plot. - It's very pretty, isn't it?
0:24:25 > 0:24:28When you look back at the property now,
0:24:28 > 0:24:32from inside the grounds here and it's lovely, really nice.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34And very quiet.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35Mmm.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37What do think of this garden?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40Yeah, I think you'll be very busy here, don't you?
0:24:40 > 0:24:43THEY LAUGH
0:24:43 > 0:24:47It is fantastic, you know, it's had so much work done to it,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50by the looks of it, and as with the house, it's immaculate.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Good.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I think you've all got poker faces on,
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I can't quite tell whether you're loving it, or you're just...
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Anyway, this is house number two, you don't know the price yet,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03what do you think the price of the property is?
0:25:03 > 0:25:05I think you spent our budget,
0:25:05 > 0:25:08and I would say just under 500,000,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11maybe 499, 490.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Well, it's certainly the top end, but I can't agree with you,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17so, let's say 480, maybe.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21480, the moral of the story is you should always agree with Lynette,
0:25:21 > 0:25:23because she is dot on the money,
0:25:23 > 0:25:27it is exactly the same price the last one, just a dot under £500,000.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Right. OK.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31So, why don't you have a look around the grounds,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- and I'll see you at the front. - Thank you, will do.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43At £495,000, this characterful cottage has plenty of appeal.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47It has a good-sized kitchen diner, two reception rooms,
0:25:47 > 0:25:48four bedrooms,
0:25:48 > 0:25:52and a relaxing, secluded garden, with stunning views.
0:25:52 > 0:25:53Well, there's my garage.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- It's big enough for your bikes, isn't it?- It's a workshop as well.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57Your second home.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I think so, you know, I could live in it, I really could.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03It is what it is, it's a very old cottage,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05and there's only so many things you can do with the layout.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07It's certainly been very sensitively arranged,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10and I think it's something we could certainly live with.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12I do think it has got a bit of a wow factor for me,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15I really like it, it's very, very pretty,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and yes, I probably could see myself living in it.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25Ah, beautiful thatch work. That's a cracking house, huh?
0:26:25 > 0:26:27It's lovely, really nice.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Well, that's your lot for today, time to retire and regroup.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49As the sun sets over the Worcestershire countryside,
0:26:49 > 0:26:52our first day of house-hunting draws to a close.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Armed with their £500,000 budget,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07Ned and Lynette are making two huge leaps in their lives.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09Buying their first home together,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12and starting a new life in rural Worcestershire.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Out of the two properties we've shown them so far,
0:27:14 > 0:27:17the thatched cottage seems to have won them over.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- I've got a nice feeling for the house, have you?- Yeah.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22It's picture perfect from here, isn't it?
0:27:22 > 0:27:23Looking at the house, it's ideal.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26'But coming up, we've got a mystery house
0:27:26 > 0:27:29'that stretches their horizons to the limit.'
0:27:29 > 0:27:31It's absolutely huge, yeah.
0:27:31 > 0:27:32It's huge.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36'And I join some industrious babes in the wood.'
0:27:36 > 0:27:40So, they're like, kind of, biological ground clearers?
0:27:40 > 0:27:41Yeah.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47It's an absolutely beautiful autumnal morning
0:27:47 > 0:27:48here in Worcestershire,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52and we've got the mystery house lined up for Lynette and Ned.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54After the first day's properties
0:27:54 > 0:27:57I wasn't quite sure whether we were hitting the nail.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59They were being very polite, making nice noises,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02but maybe the houses are a little too period,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04little too old, too beam-y.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08So, for the mystery house, we've gone grand,
0:28:08 > 0:28:11and we've gone lots of land.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Day two, and we're off to the mystery house,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19what do you think the mystery house might be?
0:28:19 > 0:28:21Do you know, I haven't got a clue,
0:28:21 > 0:28:24I think you threw us yesterday with the thatched cottage
0:28:24 > 0:28:26so, who knows what this could be.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29Maybe a converted barn?
0:28:29 > 0:28:32Converted one end for the horses, and the other end for us.
0:28:32 > 0:28:33Who knows.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Ah, a live-in stable?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Yes, a stable in the middle of a field.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Who knows.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52'For our mystery house, we're heading further south to Croome,
0:28:52 > 0:28:56'which is situated around four miles from the market town of Pershore.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00'This unspoiled, Georgian town is surrounded by beautiful countryside,
0:29:00 > 0:29:06'and is particularly renowned for its wealth of independent shops.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09'In contrast to the chocolate box charm of property two,
0:29:09 > 0:29:12'I can safely say that our mystery offering
0:29:12 > 0:29:14'is right at the other end of the scale.'
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Now, you wanted some land.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20Goodness me, and some.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21There is some land, OK.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Here is land aplenty,
0:29:23 > 0:29:26you've got the Malvern Hills in the background, framing your garden,
0:29:26 > 0:29:31and then 200 acres of Capability Brown-designed stately home garden.
0:29:31 > 0:29:36However, your house is in these Robert Adam-designed stable block.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39What are your thoughts?
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Well, it's certainly unexpected,
0:29:41 > 0:29:47I never in a million years dreamt of a property on a National Trust,
0:29:47 > 0:29:50or ex-stately home, park, at all, did you?
0:29:50 > 0:29:53No, not at all, it's not something we'd considered,
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- but we have to have a look, it's fantastic.- Let's have a look.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01'I love throwing our mystery home into the mix,
0:30:01 > 0:30:04'especially as this house offers our buyers
0:30:04 > 0:30:06'a slice of very elegant living.'
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Come in.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's amazing to think this was just built for the horses,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14you know, back in the 1700s, this was all for stables,
0:30:14 > 0:30:20the carriage houses, the coach houses, amazing, hm?
0:30:20 > 0:30:21It would have been.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Yeah, yeah, it is now, as it's all been converted.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26It's pretty impressive, isn't it, to look at?
0:30:26 > 0:30:30And you've now got seven dwellings in this block.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33As you can see, it's a C shape,
0:30:33 > 0:30:36and the one that I want to show you is this one,
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- which was the coach house.- OK.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42What are your thoughts about living in this shared courtyard-y type?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44We were, perhaps, hoping to have a bit of privacy,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47and perhaps live a little more on our own,
0:30:47 > 0:30:50but when you have views like this, you have to reconsider things.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55And the facilities too, having all of those grounds on your doorstep,
0:30:55 > 0:30:57again, it's something else to consider, really.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00I'm not closed to the idea.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01Let's take a look inside.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08'Let's see how they feel once they've had a peek at the interior.'
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Come on in.
0:31:12 > 0:31:13Oh, it is lovely, isn't it?
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Gosh, that's a reception.
0:31:16 > 0:31:17Isn't it just?
0:31:17 > 0:31:20What we've got is, essentially, this would have been all open space
0:31:20 > 0:31:21for the carriages to come in,
0:31:21 > 0:31:24and it's been converted in to three stories.
0:31:24 > 0:31:25Oh, really?
0:31:25 > 0:31:29Of very well proportioned, high ceilinged rooms.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30Well, it's lovely,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33because you wanted the kitchen to, kind of, flow open,
0:31:33 > 0:31:35so, if you open these doors,
0:31:35 > 0:31:36ta-da!
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Oh, gosh.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42That is lovely, isn't it?
0:31:42 > 0:31:44I mean, it's a great-sized kitchen.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- It seems to offer everything we asked for.- Yeah, yeah.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50And the ceilings are amazing, they're just so high.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51That's good.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53Just need to see some more now, I think.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Well, let's open up another big door.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Ah, I could really get used to opening all those doors like that,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04bam!
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Another massive room.
0:32:06 > 0:32:07With such high ceilings again.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11It's huge. Light, spacious, airy.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14Very dramatic with the front windows there, don't you think? Very nice.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18What's nice about it is that it feels like a very grand house,
0:32:18 > 0:32:19well, it is a very grand house,
0:32:19 > 0:32:23but it's just an unusual property in many ways.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26It's unusual in the fact that when you're in here,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28you don't feel as though you're a part of a block,
0:32:28 > 0:32:30which is, essentially, what you are.
0:32:30 > 0:32:36And it's good that it gives you that feeling of being separate, I think.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40That's what I was trying to say, but you said it much better. Thank you.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Well, that is the total ground floor,
0:32:44 > 0:32:48I mean, it's about 3,000 square feet, the whole house.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50So, the rooms are very big,
0:32:50 > 0:32:54but you do have four bedrooms upstairs,
0:32:54 > 0:32:58all of them, all of them, with en suites.
0:32:58 > 0:32:59Goodness me.
0:32:59 > 0:33:00I'm just saying.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05'I certainly think we've hit the jackpot with this property,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08'and there are highlights around every corner.'
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Two flights of quite steep stairs.
0:33:14 > 0:33:15They are, aren't they?
0:33:15 > 0:33:19Take you to this really lovely mezzanine level.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Gosh, that's unexpected, isn't it?
0:33:22 > 0:33:24It's great, isn't it?
0:33:24 > 0:33:26It's a little settee area, half way up your stairs.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28What a feature.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31As I mentioned, there are four bedrooms, another floor,
0:33:31 > 0:33:34so the attic space has got another two bedrooms.
0:33:34 > 0:33:38And two huge rooms, so you can take your pick.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40We'll find a use for that, I'm sure.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Always can.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46Both the bedrooms are, sort of, identical.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50This is being used as the master, but the other one is of equal size.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54- It's a huge room. - It is huge, it's lovely.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58With a nice, big en suite there, and lots and lots of wardrobe space.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00You can never have enough wardrobe space.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01Again, ideal.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04It's really, really tastefully done.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08Yeah. There's no work to do here, it's all about relaxing time, isn't it?
0:34:08 > 0:34:09That sounds good.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13Well, this is going to be a very hard one to price.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15So, let's go outside and do that.
0:34:17 > 0:34:18'This residence,
0:34:18 > 0:34:22'offering a share of a stately home within private parkland
0:34:22 > 0:34:23'is truly unique.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26'But I'm not sure it's enough to convince Ned and Lynette
0:34:26 > 0:34:29'that this would be their ideal property.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30'Time to find out.'
0:34:31 > 0:34:36Now, apart from the 200 acres, which is quite a lot of garden,
0:34:36 > 0:34:38you do have this communal private garden at the side,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41which is just for, just for reading the papers in, I suppose.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43Yes.
0:34:43 > 0:34:49But clearly, you do share this courtyard with seven other neighbours,
0:34:49 > 0:34:50and then the land beyond,
0:34:50 > 0:34:53which you pay a, sort of, nominal maintenance fee
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- to the National Trust to look after. - OK.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58- There is a garage as well.- OK.
0:34:58 > 0:34:59Just to give you all the factors
0:34:59 > 0:35:02so you can work out how much it's going to cost.
0:35:02 > 0:35:08How much do you think for this rather unusual, unquantifiable property?
0:35:08 > 0:35:10You can go first, Ned.
0:35:10 > 0:35:11Oh, thank you.
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Well, it's a fantastic property, isn't it?
0:35:13 > 0:35:15There's no doubt about that.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17I think with our budget of 500,000,
0:35:17 > 0:35:20it's going to be at the top end, so I'll say that, 500,000.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23Well, I think all go little bit lower, but not too much,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26um, 480 I think.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28I feel like a bit of a broken record,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31because this too is just a shade under £500,000.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35- It's not surprising at all. - That makes complete sense, doesn't it, it is beautiful.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Well, it's a difficult one to price, because it's so unique.
0:35:38 > 0:35:39Yes, indeed.
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Why don't you go inside and look upstairs, cos we didn't look at that top floor,
0:35:43 > 0:35:45and also wander around your 200-acre garden,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47although not too far, or I'll never find you again.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- OK, thank you. - We'll do that.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55'On the market for a shade under £500,000,
0:35:55 > 0:36:00'this grade 2 listed converted coach house is a fantastic home
0:36:00 > 0:36:02'in a spectacular setting.
0:36:02 > 0:36:04'It has an elegant kitchen diner,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06'a large reception room,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09'four double bedrooms, all with en suite,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11'a garage for Ned's bikes,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14'and glorious views towards the Malvern Hills.'
0:36:14 > 0:36:16This is such an unusual feature of the house,
0:36:16 > 0:36:18and to be able to sit here
0:36:18 > 0:36:22and look out towards the Malvern Hills is really lovely.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24I'm not still 100% on the courtyard living,
0:36:24 > 0:36:27but the property is so lovely,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29it's also pulling me another way
0:36:29 > 0:36:33into saying that it would really, really be a nice place to live.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36I'm not sure it's going to give us the privacy that we particularly want,
0:36:36 > 0:36:38or the opportunity to ride the horses,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40ride the motorbikes and things in the grounds,
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I'm really not too sure just at the moment.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45Ah, there you are, taking in the view?
0:36:45 > 0:36:46We are.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Gorgeous, isn't it?
0:36:48 > 0:36:49Just beautiful.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I am glad you weren't in a folly 200 acres away.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54We were very tempted.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56Let's go find a place to discuss.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10'Spread across more than 6,000 acres,
0:37:10 > 0:37:12'the Wyre forest in Worcestershire
0:37:12 > 0:37:16'is one of the largest remaining ancient woodlands in the country.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19'And like all forests, it's an ever-changing environment,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22'in need of constant regeneration.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24'But in these woods, help is at hand,
0:37:24 > 0:37:28'in the shape of a rather unusual ally, pigs.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32'I've come to meet local farmer, John Ayles, to find out more.'
0:37:32 > 0:37:33So, where do the pigs come into it?
0:37:33 > 0:37:38What they're doing is breaking up the ground, and eating the bramble,
0:37:38 > 0:37:39and the bracken here,
0:37:39 > 0:37:43so that the oak acorns when they fall to the ground,
0:37:43 > 0:37:46are going to germinate, and replace all these lovely oak trees.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49So, they are, kind of, like biological ground clearers?
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Yeah, here they come. Come on, pigs!
0:37:52 > 0:37:53- Ah!- Come on, pigs!
0:37:53 > 0:37:56Oh, they're beautiful.
0:37:56 > 0:37:57These are Tamworth pigs,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00and, as you can see, they've got a lovely, long snouts,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02which means that they're really good at digging.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04They actually eat the bracken and bramble,
0:38:04 > 0:38:06which nothing else will eat?
0:38:06 > 0:38:07Yeah, they go particularly for the roots.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11These Tamworth pigs are believed to be the closest descendants
0:38:11 > 0:38:14of the indigenous English forest pig.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16Here in the Wyre Forest,
0:38:16 > 0:38:19the pigs are being used as a means of naturally protecting
0:38:19 > 0:38:21the local environment.
0:38:21 > 0:38:22Helping to clear areas of woodland,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25to allow young tree seedlings to grow.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30The alternative to using pigs is either mechanical means,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32which would just destroy everything.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Or chemicals, and for herbicides,
0:38:35 > 0:38:38we don't really know what the lasting damage is that they do.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41The pigs are in here, three or four months, and they're gone.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Well, I can't really see what they're doing.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Is there a bit where they've been?
0:38:45 > 0:38:49If we walk up here, Alistair, we'll see what they've been up to.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Ah, now, I can see they've been much more industrious here.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55Yeah, you can see they've really pushed back the bramble
0:38:55 > 0:38:57and the bracken around us here,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00and, in fact, the bracken has got way back.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03You've got these little birch saplings coming through,
0:39:03 > 0:39:06there's a wee oak seedling here.
0:39:07 > 0:39:08Here, some holly.
0:39:08 > 0:39:11So, the woodland species that we want to encourage
0:39:11 > 0:39:13are starting to come through,
0:39:13 > 0:39:14and the pigs are leaving them,
0:39:14 > 0:39:18and they're going for the bramble and the bracken.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21'The young trees that grow are felled and recycled,
0:39:21 > 0:39:25'providing woodchips, fuel, and fencing.'
0:39:25 > 0:39:27What about the pigs, what happens to the pigs?
0:39:27 > 0:39:31At the end of their time here, which will probably be early November,
0:39:31 > 0:39:33they go and they're made into sausages.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36And because we use the whole pig in the sausages,
0:39:36 > 0:39:38you're getting all the best cuts,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41so, the sausages taste absolutely delicious.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45'It's amazing to see these animals in action in their natural habitat,
0:39:45 > 0:39:48'helping to manage such a delicate and important environment
0:39:48 > 0:39:50'for future generations.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53'But now, it's time to catch up with our buyers,
0:39:53 > 0:39:57'and see if they're smitten by any of our three properties.'
0:39:57 > 0:39:59That mystery house was a bit risky.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00I think Lynette, for example,
0:40:00 > 0:40:02didn't really like it as she was approaching,
0:40:02 > 0:40:06but once they both got through the door, completely different picture.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10So, I'll be interested to see whether it affected their decision.
0:40:10 > 0:40:11Let's find out.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18Has it been fun, exploring Worcestershire?
0:40:18 > 0:40:19Yeah, I think so,
0:40:19 > 0:40:23I think we've seen one or two sites that we'd never been to before,
0:40:23 > 0:40:25so, yeah, it's been a real adventure.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Yeah, it's been really good, and as you've just said,
0:40:27 > 0:40:31there's still parts of Worcestershire that, even though it's on our doorstep,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34we really, really haven't explored,
0:40:34 > 0:40:35and I think it's proved to us now
0:40:35 > 0:40:38that we need to go and explore more, maybe.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Tell me about the first house, because that was a period property,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43but it seemed to raise questions for the two of you.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Perhaps the question for myself
0:40:45 > 0:40:48was the fact that it had had quite a bit of refurbishment,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50and perhaps a little bit more or to do,
0:40:50 > 0:40:52and at the very top end of our budget,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55I'm not sure that was exactly what we're looking for.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58I thought the garden area was lovely,
0:40:58 > 0:41:02but I have to say, I would want to look at that option
0:41:02 > 0:41:04of having the additional land at the back,
0:41:04 > 0:41:07just to make it a little bit more open, a little bit more space.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10What about the second house, because this did have a bit more land.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14Well, the second house really had the wow factor, didn't it?
0:41:14 > 0:41:15It was beautiful.
0:41:15 > 0:41:19Yeah, you could just move into that, they had refurbished it beautifully,
0:41:19 > 0:41:24and it's one I could actually see myself living in there, maybe, maybe.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Well, we dealt you a real wild card with the mystery house,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29because it wasn't anything that you'd asked for,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31but it was a very striking property.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Yeah, the mystery house, for me, if I'd had looked at it on paper
0:41:35 > 0:41:39I would never, ever, in a month of Sundays had gone to look at it.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42And then when we walked into the property
0:41:42 > 0:41:45it completely changed my view, considerably.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48So, that certainly gave us food for thought.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Well, I think if there were a draw back
0:41:51 > 0:41:54it's the fact that it's such a stylish and grand building,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56I'm not sure it would be in keeping with me
0:41:56 > 0:41:58and six or seven motorcycles in the grounds.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02I'm not too sure they'd go down well with the neighbours.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04In terms of the three properties now, looking at them,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06are there any of them that you would proceed on,
0:42:06 > 0:42:08maybe take another look at?
0:42:08 > 0:42:10What are your thoughts at the end of the process?
0:42:11 > 0:42:15I think the one that, perhaps, stood out for us would be property two,
0:42:15 > 0:42:17the thatched cottage.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20That's certainly a very, very nice place to live.
0:42:20 > 0:42:21Mmm-hmm.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23I think what we need to do now is to just have a look at the area,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26get an idea of how long it may take to travel to work,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28and just get a feel for that particular part of the world.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Excellent, well, I hope to see you galloping your horse,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34or riding your bikes across the Worcestershire hills very soon.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36We hope so too.
0:42:36 > 0:42:37Thanks very much.
0:42:37 > 0:42:38Thank you.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45I do hope our week in the countryside here in Worcestershire
0:42:45 > 0:42:49has helped Ned and Lynette loosen up their search criteria a little,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52because that, in turn, is going to help them find,
0:42:52 > 0:42:56and move in to, their love nest in the countryside more quickly.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58So, if you've enjoyed our rambling
0:42:58 > 0:43:00in this beautiful bit of the countryside,
0:43:00 > 0:43:04make sure you tune in next time for more of the same,
0:43:04 > 0:43:05on Escape to the Country.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09And if you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Northern Ireland, or England,
0:43:11 > 0:43:16and need our help, please apply online, at bbc.co.uk/beonashow
0:43:24 > 0:43:28Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd