Dorset Escape to the Country

"I found brick and left marble" - so said the playboy heir responsible

for giving this magnificent building the makeover of all makeovers.

Back in 1835, the same fella commissioned the eminent architect

best known for rebuilding the Houses of Parliament

to redesign this place into a Venetian Renaissance palazzo.

Who was the playboy and in what county did he live? Find out in a while.

'On today's show, I'm helping a soon-to-be retired couple

'seek out a country retreat within easy reach of the coast,'

and they're simply blown away by one of our properties.

-Wow. That's priceless, isn't it?

-It is stunning.

But then the mystery house causes a stir.

-Wow. I think I'm moving in.

-Ooh!

Today, I'm in Dorset, and behind me is the Kingston Lacy.

It was built by the Bankes family back in 1663.

Now, the original house was a simple

rectangular brick affair, neither fussy nor grand.

But that wasn't to the taste of one illustrious family member and playboy, William John Bankes.

Artistic, adventurous, charming, William John was a close friend

of Lord Byron, who summed Bankes up as "the father of all mischief".

That's something, coming from Byron.

He was a pioneering explorer, and I'm sure that his extensive travels

really did help redesign the family home.

Rather like what he did with the place.

Located in the south-west of England,

Dorset's southern border sits on the English Channel,

while inland, it's surrounded by four counties including Hampshire, Wiltshire and Somerset.

The county's 95-mile coastline has many attractions.

There's the picturesque harbour at Weymouth,

the 18-mile stretch of shingle and stone beach at Chesil,

and amazing monoliths like the limestone arch of Durdle Door near Lulworth.

Dorset is also a county that has captured the imagination

of some of Britain's most famous authors.

The county town of Dorchester on the banks of the River Frome was

the inspiration for Thomas Hardy's fictional town of Casterbridge,

whilst the Blackmore Vale, a large expanse of lush,

low-lying land predominantly used for dairy farming,

is the opening backdrop for his novel Tess Of The d'Urbervilles.

Dorset is one of the few counties in England that doesn't have a single motorway.

Now, usually, I'd be telling you that the lack of good road links equates to cheaper housing stock,

but, you know, to every rule there is an exception,

and in this case the exception is Dorset.

Despite or because of the lack of motorways,

I can tell you that an average detached property here

costs you just over £314,000.

That's almost 25% above national average in England and Wales.

But if you ask those who choose to live here,

surrounded by these gorgeous views and lovely properties,

they'll tell you it's priceless.

Here's what's currently on the market in and around the area.

This three-bedroom rendered and thatched cottage in Milton Abbas

could be yours for £330,000.

With traditional features such as a brick fireplace

and exposed timbers in the sitting room,

it also has a smart modern kitchen and a secluded terrace garden.

For just a shade under £460,000,

there is this three-bedroom 16th century thatched cottage in Whitechurch.

Full of charm and character, it has a wealth of exposed beams

and an inglenook fireplace in the sitting room.

And if you can stretch to the heights of almost £900,000,

you could buy this five-bedroom house in Cosmore.

Dating back to the 19th century and originally two cottages,

it comes with five acres of land and stunning countryside views.

Time to meet today's buyers, who are eager to make the move here to Dorset.

Sales manager Pete and office manager Maz met on a blind date

and got married in New York just over four years ago.

They currently live in a four-bedroom house in the busy Buckinghamshire town of Amersham,

but yearn for the quiet life in the countryside.

We've been considering moving for a couple of years now.

We think it would be great, really, now, to get out into the countryside.

We're looking towards the next phase of our lives,

looking at retirement, and it'd be nice to plan ahead.

I work from home, so I can work anywhere in the UK.

So, it doesn't have to be so close to London,

doesn't have to be so close to the motorway network, so it's a good time for us both.

Pete and Maz have a definite idea about where they'd like to spend their leisure years.

They've decided to head for the south-west coast.

The location we're looking for is based on our beach hut down in Mudeford in Dorset.

At the moment, we're two-and-a-half hours away and it takes forever to get there,

so it'd be lovely to be a lot closer.

And they have plenty of plans on how to make use

of all the extra time they'll have on their hands.

We love fishing when we're down at the hut.

We both enjoy that, we go out, we're quite competitive about it as well.

We are, yes, we have a competition all through the summer.

We have to see who can catch the most sea bass

and the loser has to take the other one out to a nice fish restaurant.

And we barbecue them fresh on the beach.

I fancy getting a slightly bigger boat,

a small yacht, and getting into deep-sea fishing. That's the plan.

We're keen on golf, that's one of our hobbies, so we're looking for somewhere

that's got reasonable access to a good golf course.

I'd like to go back to learning the piano,

and also start to grow vegetables in the garden. That would be great.

Well, that's the hobbies taken care of,

but of course the real prize is picking the right type of property.

We're looking for a house, three-four bedrooms, detached house,

open-plan living downstairs, ensuite bathroom or two,

decent-size garden...

I would like a large cooker, not necessarily a range,

as long as it's, you know, quite a big cooker.

-Cos cooking's one of your hobbies...

-It is. I love cooking.

That's why we want a nice kitchen, open-plan, so that you can indulge.

-More sociable.

-And eating is one of my hobbies, so...

-Perfect pair, aren't we?

Sounds like Pete is a man after my own heart.

Only one thing left - that's the finances.

I think our top end for the next property is in the region of £550,000.

Pete and Maz would like to be within 45 minutes of their beach hut

at Mudeford, situated at the entrance to Christchurch Harbour.

We've got a superb selection of properties to show them,

but I won't reveal the price of each until they've had a guess first.

And then of course, there's our mystery house,

which will force them to consider sharing their future with more than just each other.

-Pete, how are you? Nice to see you.

-Delighted you to meet you.

-Maz.

-Hello, nice to meet you.

I feel a bit odd saying welcome to Dorset, cos you're here all the time, aren't you?

-Yes, pretty much.

-Yeah, we come here a lot.

We've got a beach hut and we're here every other weekend in the summer.

So the beach hut is the focus of our search?

It's quite important. We want to be much nearer to the hut.

How close to the hut do you want to be?

Well, ideally, about half-an-hour to 45 minutes away.

Let's have a top budget. What's it going to be?

For the right property, we could go a bit higher, we might stretch as far as £600,000.

-So Maz persuaded you, then?

-Yes.

-For the right property, dig a bit deeper.

If it ticks all the boxes, then we would go to our maximum.

Well, as is the norm, we've got two houses to show you

and then the mystery house, which, who knows what will happen!

Come on, follow me. Let's go.

So, Pete and Maz's budget has gone up to a maximum of £600,000 for their ideal house.

For that, they'd like...

..office space for Pete to work from home, room for Maz's piano,

and a big garden to grow veg and store a boat.

We've travelled 10 miles north to Poole Harbour,

which is close to the market town of Wimborne Minster,

the nearest place for amenities such as pubs and supermarkets.

It's also home to a Norman church from which the town gets its name.

Our first property is situated in the hamlet of Ashington,

around a 14-mile drive from Pete and Maz's beach hut in Mudeford.

This was basically built in 1938.

Lots of space, it was extended in the '80s, and again in the '90s.

-It's lovely. Really beautiful.

-It looks lovely from the outside.

-It does.

-Lovely part of the world.

-Really like it.

-Beautiful road outside, nice quiet road.

-So it's not too rural?

-No, it's perfect.

-Beautiful.

So, we've hit the mark with their first impressions of this property.

Time to go inside and see if we can keep up the momentum.

You get two doors for the price of one. Come on in, close the door.

So this is your hallway. You've got oak floor throughout, downstairs.

-Really lovely.

-You'll love that.

-I do.

-You love your wooden floors.

-I do, yeah.

-Why are your eyes drawn to that room?

-There's a piano.

-There is a piano. It's a music room! Already.

-I know.

They've got a baby grand in there, drums, so, you know, plenty of room for your instruments.

-Great.

-I like that a lot.

-Fantastic.

Let's go to the living room. You probably spend more time there. You can't hold her back!

-Oh, this is nice.

-Very bright.

-It is, isn't it?

-It's a good size.

-I really like it.

-Again, the floors, lovely.

-Fantastic.

-I like the fireplace. Is that a real fire?

-It is, working fireplace.

-Yeah, we like a real fire, that's good.

-That's good.

-Lovely views onto the garden.

-It's great.

-I like that a lot, yes.

-Fantastic.

Well, they seem happy with this room,

but Maz's priority is having a sociable kitchen-diner,

so we'll head that way now to see what this house has to offer.

-I like the continuation of the floor, don't you?

-It's lovely.

Dining room they've got here, at the moment. Leading to the kitchen.

-I like.

-Do you?

-It's a nice size.

-You were panicked about the kitchen, weren't you?

-I was, I was.

-No, that is a good size, isn't it?

-It is.

-I like the units.

It all follows through beautifully.

-And if you want to pop your head in there.

-OK.

Just pull it.

-Oh, wow.

-PETE LAUGHS

Yes, you like that, don't you?

You always talked about having something like that.

-That's brilliant.

-Isn't it just?

-Really fantastic.

So, guys, you've seen downstairs, more or less. What do you reckon?

-Yeah, I like it.

-Can you imagine yourself living here?

-Hmm.

I always think you get an impression very quickly with a house

and it feels quite good, it feels quite warm.

'Great responses so far, but can the upstairs impress as much?

'Well, let's see. Off the light landing area

'there are three very good-sized double bedrooms,

'one with more of that lovely wooden flooring.

'There's also a wonderfully bright and spacious family bathroom,

'but we're heading for the fourth and largest of the bedrooms.'

And this is the master currently.

-This is a good size.

-Good size, nice, light windows.

-Is it big enough for you?

-Yeah, I think it could be.

-Um...

"Um"! That "um" was...

I'm not seeing an ensuite.

Oh, no, you're not. You wanted an ensuite.

Well, you've got loads of storage. Come with me.

You've got, you know, big storage here,

-and then you've got this interesting storage here.

-Oh, wow.

-Oh, that's fantastic.

-You wanted an ensuite, we give you an ensuite.

That's good. That's well-hidden, isn't it?

-I must admit, you had me fooled, there.

-That's good, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It is good.

-Well, come on out.

That's made me happy.

That's made you happy? I like that, Maz.

Would I not like it if you're not happy?

Mm, probably not. So, that works.

That works, yeah.

And talking of work, we haven't forgotten

that Pete was after a study.

Up on the second floor there's a dual-aspect office room

that should suit him, along with another bedroom,

making five in total.

Outside, there's enough parking space for a boat or two,

and if they prefer to use that upstairs office space

for additional guests,

there's an alternative study area in the garage.

Garden-wise, there's an expansive, beautifully maintained lawn,

a greenhouse and a large,

timber-built and fully insulated summerhouse.

All in all, it's a huge amount of space for work and play.

You get the basic layout now, don't you?

Those were the doors that opened into your living room and kitchen.

Yeah. This lawn looks good enough to pass on as well.

That's well looked-after. A little sun house, yeah.

We love to dine outside

and so this garden faces exactly the right way, and that's beautiful.

-It's good for that.

-You get the sun, probably,

-through the trees there.

-And the greenhouse as well

if you wanted to grow your own veg or whatever.

-That's one of your targets, isn't it?

-Yes, yes, vegetable plot.

Not quite sure where I'd put that, but I'm sure there's enough space.

OK, all this comes at a price, of course.

-So, shall we talk money?

-OK. I think this is about...

525,000.

£525,000, OK. How about you?

-I'd go a bit higher, I must admit. I'd go 550, 560, I think.

-OK.

560,000. You're closer.

-Ah.

-It's the top end of your budget.

-This is 595 - £595,000.

-Wow.

But, you know, you're in a great area.

-You're getting a lot.

-It is a lovely area.

-It's basically five bedrooms

-with an office outside as well and some outbuildings.

-That's true.

Well, go and have a look round.

Have a look at the outhouses and I'll be in the music room.

-OK. We'll see you there.

-Yeah, what a cliche.

That went well, didn't it?

They seems to be saying all the right things.

As they said, it's ticking, well, all of their boxes.

Have they moved in already?

Have the couple who met on a blind date

just had their eyes opened to this lovely little gem?

We'll find out.

So, near their maximum budget at £595,000,

this property more than delivers on the list of demands.

It has five bedrooms, one with a discreet little ensuite bathroom,

a choice of office space for Pete, a kitchen-diner with range cooker,

a music room for Maz's piano and outside there's room to park a boat

and there's a garden with potential for a vegetable plot.

When I first arrived at this house, I thought the outside looked lovely,

and inside the kitchen is very nice

and the open plan into the dining area works well,

and the biggest surprise was the ensuite bathroom

to the master bedroom.

I really wasn't expecting that - I didn't think there was one,

so that's great. I think it's a contender.

I really do like this house, it's got a lovely feel about it.

We have a list of criteria we're looking for

and this house fulfils an awful lot of those criteria.

We wanted enough bedrooms for all our family to come and stay,

it has that. We wanted somewhere where I could work from home,

it certainly has that.

We wanted ample parking and perhaps somewhere to keep a boat or two,

and it certainly has that, so, yes, there's an awful lot going for it.

On the Dorset coast, sandwiched between the River Avon

and the River Stour sits the town of Christchurch,

just two miles from Mudeford and our buyers' beach hut.

It's packed with more than 200 listed buildings,

including the grade one-listed Christchurch Priory

and the ruins of Christchurch Castle,

which include the stone-built constable's house.

On the outskirts of the town sits another grade one-listed building -

Highcliffe Castle, built in Gothic revival style

in the 19th century for the Stuart family.

The design by William Donthorne,

a founder member of the Royal Institute of British Architects,

incorporates large quantities of carved, medieval stonework

salvaged from a Norman Benedictine abbey in northern France.

Pete and Maz are here to meet Ian Stevenson,

a local historian, to find out more.

-Hello, Maz.

-Hello.

-Hello, Pete.

-Hello.

I'm Ian Stevenson, I'm the volunteer historian at the castle,

and welcome to this amazing place, which I hope might be

somewhere that you'll come again if you move into our area.

What you're looking at here -

and this is a wonderful model of it -

is probably the most important surviving example

of the Renaissance picturesque style of architecture.

The castle looks very old, but in fact it was built in 1835.

The man who built it, Lord Stuart de Rothesay,

had been ambassador in Paris.

Now, the reason he built here was that his grandfather,

the Earl of Bute,

who'd been Prime Minister under George III very briefly,

had had a house here, and that, eventually, was demolished

and he'd determined as a young boy

that one day he'd build on the cliff top like his grandfather,

and that's indeed what he did.

The castle stayed in the Stuart family until 1950

before going through the hands of a number of owners.

In the '60s, disaster struck when it was ravaged by two fires,

but in 1977, pressure from local campaigners

helped turn its fortunes around

and the castle was eventually bought by Christchurch Council.

Since then, with some much-needed support from English Heritage

and the lottery fund, it's been restored to its former glory.

One of the attractions that actually survived the fire

is this 30ft-high window in the great hall.

Fortuitously, it had been taken away

by stained-glass specialists for repair.

With the assistance of tour guide Joan Stones,

Pete and Maz are about to take a look

at what was once the hub of the house - the Victorian kitchen.

-Here we are.

-Oh, wow.

This kitchen was a double-height room,

so the ceiling was up there where those girders are

and there would have been bedrooms above that.

One famous visitor that came here was the Kaiser - Kaiser Wilhelm -

and he didn't like the food that the local cook was cooking for him

and he wouldn't eat it,

so his cousin, Edward VII, promised that he would send

one of his favourite chefs down from London.

Her name was Rosa Lewis.

When she was here, it was suggested to her

that she was not only one of the king's favourite chefs,

she was also one of his mistresses

and she never denied this, so we can presume that she probably was.

The appearance of the castle is testimony to the remarkable skills

of craftsmen and women who have carried out

a huge repair and conservation programme,

turning it into a top local tourist attraction

as well as Dorset's most popular wedding venue,

but for now, we are returning back to our house hunt to see if we find

a slightly smaller, but equally glorious home for our buyers.

We've travelled 28 miles from Mudeford,

close to the picturesque village of Corfe.

With the majority of its buildings

constructed from the local Purbeck limestone,

it's best known for its 11th-century castle.

Around a mile south of here is our second property,

which is in the small village of Kingston.

It's one of two adjoining buildings on this plot,

the other being a chapel conversion.

Basically, the chapel bit's 19th century,

but the bit that you would own would be 16th century.

It blends so well, you wouldn't know they were 300 years apart.

You wouldn't, would you?

Everything inside is done absolutely beautifully as well.

How do you feel about being semi-detached?

It wasn't part of our ideal, I must admit,

but it's not TOO semi-detached really, is it?

Really just linked together.

Well, the current owners, basically, they're moving...here, next door.

At the moment it's a holiday let, but that finishes in November,

so if you didn't want to be semi-detached,

this little porch bit you've got in between there -

they'd just knock it down, so you would be detached.

-OK.

-That's better. I'm very keen to go inside.

-Come on, let's go.

So, with that semi-detached potential stumbling block

out of the way, I'm hoping they'll be impressed

by the wonderful period features

and open-plan living inside this property.

Come on in. Don't be shy.

-Ooh. This is lovely.

-"Ooh, this is lovely?" OK.

-It's very cosy.

-It is.

I can imagine both of these rooms in the winter.

-I bet they are lovely.

-Look at that fireplace.

-That's magnificent, isn't it?

-I know.

That's a log burner and you've got a multi-fuel burner as well.

-Wow.

-A fire each.

-You wanted open-plan as well.

It certainly is open-plan, I'll give you that.

I think it's done beautifully,

and one thing that hits you straightaway is the floor -

-there's wood everywhere.

-Yes.

It's all oak and the local craftsman has done it.

It's a really lovely. It's gorgeous, so far.

Gorgeous is a massive word.

-Yes, it is.

-I don't think you used gorgeous in the first property.

No, I don't think I did.

This has got a lot more "wow" factor.

The living space is working wonders on Pete and Maz.

Time to check out the very characterful kitchen

and see if that holds the same appeal.

Local flagstone flooring again.

-Oh, lovely floor, isn't it?

-Very nice.

It almost looks like a very old-fashioned type of kitchen,

yet modern conveniences are there.

-I love the slate.

-Yes, that's nice.

-And, again, you've got the oak.

-A lot of character.

-It's very nice. It is.

But, as you say, it's also that modern twist again.

So is this a kitchen that you could, sort of, work in?

I think so, but I'm not sure

if it's open-plan enough with the lounge area.

I mean, I like it so much

from what I've seen of the house so far

-and I think I'm wanting it to work.

-Right.

While it's not the absolute ideal setup for Maz,

at least she's thinking about how this property might work as a home.

A bit of compromise could be all it takes,

but she'll have to remember that as we head upstairs.

So you can go left and right. We'll go this way.

Come in here.

Basically, you've got two doubles and a single upstairs

and a family bathroom and I'll tell you now, there isn't an ensuite.

-OK.

-But this is currently the master,

and a blank canvas, really.

-It certainly is.

-It is, yeah.

-What do you think?

-Um...

-Quirky.

Yes, and the fact that it doesn't have an ensuite

is a bit disappointing.

We really do want that.

You got a lovely family bathroom, again, beautifully done,

and another bedroom a similar size to this -

not as quirky, more of a square - and then you've got a single room,

again, a good-sized single.

And they're all bright, all with great views.

-So, shall we head outside, then?

-Yes, please.

And I'll show you the garden. I think you'll like the garden.

-Good.

-It hasn't got an ensuite though.

-SHE LAUGHS

-No? Oh, dear.

-It's got a few bushes.

I'm hoping the lack of an ensuite isn't a deal-breaker for Maz,

as this house has lots going for it.

Outside, there's more than enough garden space for entertaining

along with two outbuildings for storage and logs.

I almost forgot - we've thrown in some spectacular scenery as well.

Oh, fantastic view.

-Isn't it just?

-Gorgeous.

If you like eating out, or even just sitting out looking at that view.

-That's lovely.

-And, as you can see,

they've got a few tomatoes growing there -

I know you wanted to grow your vegetables.

But if you're thinking that's not big enough, come with me.

Oh, right.

For all Maz's vegetable-growing requirements,

there's a whole separate patch of garden for her to get stuck into

and it comes with yet more fantastic views

of the surrounding countryside.

-Oh, that's stunning.

-That's magnificent.

-Isn't it just?

-It is.

-What a view.

See, this is the vegetable plot that's already there.

-Yes, very nice.

-You've come alive in the garden.

I like the garden. I do. Well, look at that. How can you not like that?

-That's priceless, isn't it?

-Well, actually it costs some money

so we should talk about money, shouldn't we, really?

-I think it's the top of our budget.

-I would agree with you.

It's quite a special house.

It certainly is, yes, I would imagine it's the top end. I would say 575.

-I'd say 599.

-Well, actually it costs £595,000.

-I'm not surprised.

-I'm not surprised.

-It's a unique property.

The million-dollar question is do you reckon it could be yours?

-There's one...

-One or two.

One or two areas that are not quite right for us.

Yeah, I think you're right.

What you need to do, maybe - go back in, evaluate the positives

against the negatives and see which one comes out on top, I suppose.

-OK.

-OK, good, yeah.

-I'll be out front.

So, also costing £595,000, it's a fraction under their top budget,

and for that they get three bedrooms,

open-plan living downstairs

and a large garden with a vegetable plot.

When we arrived at this house,

the outside was absolutely beautiful and when we got inside

the open-plan living is really lovely on the downstairs,

but the kitchen area - I think I would have preferred it

had it been a little more integral with the living area as well,

but it could work for us. It could work.

The house itself is absolutely amazing.

For a 16th-century house, I never thought that you'd have

so much height in the rooms, so much light in the rooms,

and it looks so modern, it looks so clean.

It's a beautiful property and - my goodness -

the views from outside are priceless.

-Hey. You took your time.

-I know.

-You seen enough?

-Yes, thank you.

-You still like it?

-It's very nice. It's lovely.

Well, listen - you've seen two very different properties,

so the plan is we retire and we start afresh tomorrow morning

and you can spend the whole night talking about properties.

-Oh, and I'm sure we will do.

-Really?

-I'm sure we will.

-Don't keep me up.

Come on, let's get into the car.

So, as evening falls over Dorset's stunning countryside,

it marks the end of the first day of our property search.

'Pete and Maz are looking forward to a life of leisure

'and are seeking a rural hideaway

'to complement their seaside hut in Dorset.

'So far, we've seen two properties that have come close to the mark, but coming up,

'our mystery house is verging on perfection...'

-So far, Pete, Marks out of 10?

-Yeah, I'd say...getting on 9/10.

Not quite a 10, but it's getting there.

'..and I get hot under the collar

'as I discover the craft of becoming a blacksmith.'

Just hammer away.

Day two in Dorset.

I'm with Maz and Pete looking for their ideal country residence.

I'm wondering whether anything

we showed them yesterday really hit the mark.

They were positive about aspects of both properties,

but with all this talk of "open-plan",

I get the impression that it's space they're after,

so bring on the mystery property.

It may not be exactly what they want,

but it's got loads of internal space - maybe even too much.

I wonder what they'll think of it?

We're travelling across the border into Hampshire

to find our mystery property. We're close to the new Forest

and the historic market town of Ringwood,

which is the nearest place for pubs and shopping,

and although we've moved counties, we're still only a 30-minute drive

from Pete and Maz's beach hut in Mudeford.

The mystery house is just outside the village of Alderholt

and is a Grade II-listed barn conversion dating back to 1760.

But there is a twist, as it's one of nine properties

in a shared, freehold development.

So I forgot to ask you earlier on if you had a good night's sleep,

because you're going to have to be on form today.

There is so much to take in - don't go any further, this is it.

-Oh, wow.

-Oh, wow.

-That's... That's amazing.

Basically, it's up to half that white door - this part is yours.

Also the garage and the little office through there as well.

Again, half of this communal area

is shared with the other half of the barn.

-What do you reckon?

-It's very different.

You've pulled the stops out for the mystery house.

-It doesn't look like a barn, though, does it?

-No. No, it doesn't at all.

-Shall we get in?

-Please.

-Come on, let's go. Loads to see.

So, first impressions are very favourable indeed,

and I know that as soon as they've stepped through the door,

they're going to be completely blown away by this property.

So you're straight through to the kitchen.

Oh! That's amazing.

-You like it?

-Incredible. Absolutely amazing.

-And this was a barn, you say?

-Well, I think I'm moving in.

Oh, really? Cor, blimey! It's not open-plan though.

No, that's... This is fine. This is absolutely gorgeous.

-You've got a little utility through there.

-Good.

And I think even if you were cooking on one of your ovens - there's two -

I think everyone would be with you anyway, wouldn't they?

I think they would. Why would you not want to be in here?

-It's so lovely. I can't wait to see the rest.

-OK.

You're saying all the right things. Come on then. Follow me.

'Despite the lack of open-plan living,

'it seems that Maz has fallen for this house already.'

So this would be your dining room, I suppose.

Oh, this is lovely.

-Oh, it's a good-sized room, isn't it?

-Really lovely.

-Look at that ceiling.

-Brilliant.

The space, the light - it's brilliant, isn't it?

You really like it, don't you? I do. I love it.

-And it's not that far to the kitchen, is it, really?

-No, no.

-OK.

-It's absolutely lovely.

Well, if you like this room - I'm not a betting man,

but if I was I'd probably put a lot of money on the fact

-that you'd like the next one. Come on.

-OK.

-Oh.

-Good room to lounge around in.

-It is. It's a good size.

-Absolutely lovely.

You love rooms that are big enough

not to have furniture pushed against the walls.

-Great room.

-And the little doors opening out to your private garden.

There's not much that makes me speechless, but so far...

So far, Pete, marks out of ten?

Yeah, I'd say...getting on 9/10.

It's not quite a ten, but it's getting there.

-What about you?

-Oh, off the scale, but I'll say nine

-because we have to see the rest of the house.

-Absolutely.

Well, can the sleeping quarters in this home

bring that nine up to a ten?

Off the hallway there are two very generously sized double bedrooms

for their guests, one of which has an ensuite

and the other adjoins the family bathroom, so no sharing here.

But we're having a look at the exceptionally large third bedroom,

which Pete and Maz could be calling their own.

-This is the master.

-Oh, this is lovely.

-With ensuite as well.

-Good.

-Just to keep madam happy.

-Thank you.

-The other room was good, but this one is even better.

-Yeah, this is lovely.

-Nice and bright.

-Yes.

It's a lovely room.

So you've seen, more or less, the inside of the house.

Is it still a nine?

Yeah, still pretty good.

Certainly not fallen away at all, that's for sure.

-No, no. Nine and three quarters.

-Whoa!

'We're nearly at full marks

'and I've got something up my sleeve that they really won't be expecting.

'I'm about to show them the most spectacular of outbuildings.'

It's amazing.

So if you've got a few gardening tools, you know...

Your very own barn. Literally.

Yeah, um...half of it. This belongs to next door.

-OK.

-And this is yours. This was originally a hay-loft

but, interestingly, you also notice what next door has done.

-Cos you can't touch the walls.

-No.

-So he's actually got

this wooden structure which is going to be

another bedroom, ensuite, an office and also some storage down there.

So you could do whatever you wanted with this part.

Wow, I see what you mean.

And right at the end, there's the door to your utility room, you see.

Oh, it's a real bonus, this bit.

This massive barn area isn't the only outside space.

There is also a private garden with a patio for entertaining,

and this property comes complete with space

for a couple of raised beds or even a greenhouse.

However, it doesn't end there.

Pete and Maz could also enjoy the communal garden area,

which is shared with the other eight properties.

-And this is your very own sunken garden.

-Oh, dear.

While we wanted a bit bigger garden, possibly, I think this is...

-It's huge, isn't it?

-It is. It's lovely.

-Shall we talk money?

-Yes.

-OK.

-What do you reckon it's currently on the market for?

-Oh, dear.

-PETE LAUGHS

-Why are you laughing?

-That's impossible. Impossible to say.

It's got to be top end of our budget.

The fact that you're showing us makes you think, you know,

it's in our price range, but I would go with Maz -

right at the top end. I'd say something like 580, 590.

I think, probably, 610,000.

610,000, right.

It's currently on the market for £635,000,

but we've been reliably informed

-that the owner will take offers of £600,000.

-Right.

I assumed it would be. I mean, you get an awful lot for your money.

There is a lot of options.

We've had you up to nine and three quarters, haven't we?

-What is it now?

-About 15.

THEY LAUGH

-You're in trouble, Pete.

-I know. I know. Where do we unpack?

Go and have a look around. OK.

Take it all in and I'll catch up with you in a bit.

So priced at £635,000,

but with offers accepted at the top end of their budget of £600,000,

this stunning property has a great deal to offer.

There's three large bedrooms with two ensuites,

the kitchen of Maz's dreams, loads of entertaining space,

an office for Pete, private and communal gardens

and a massive outbuilding for storage or conversion.

Ooh, this is a good area.

PETE LAUGHS

Did we have a hay-loft on our list of priorities?

-Not really, but why not? It's huge.

-That's amazing.

When we arrived at the mystery house,

the approach was very impressive.

The entrance goes into the kitchen, which is absolutely incredible.

The kitchen is just my dream kitchen,

even though it doesn't lead in to the living area -

which was something I really wanted,

but I think it's something that I could live with in this house.

Well, I think you've excelled yourself as the mystery house

is a strong contender.

It's a wonderful location on the edge of a forest,

it's a beautiful property, it's really quirky.

There are communal gardens, which is fine,

but the area at the front of the house is communal as well

and I just need to understand that a little bit more,

as well as that barn - I mean, that barn was a fantastic bonus,

but, again it's a shared barn and I just need to find out

a little bit more about how that works.

They've had enough time.

BELL CHIMES

Quite satisfying. Come on, you two.

-You rang?

-Yes. My Lord.

-THEY LAUGH

I'm not even going to ask if you've seen enough - you have, OK?

Three very different properties,

I think I know which one you'd prefer,

but let's go have a chat about all of them.

-OK.

-Yeah?

-Great.

-OK, yeah.

In the 19th century, farming was central to the economy of Dorset.

In 1832, the county saw the birth of the trade union movement

when the Tolpuddle Martyrs

formed the Friendly Society Of Agricultural Labourers

in protest at the lowering of wages due to mechanisation.

Today, just outside the market town of Wimborne Minster,

a craft that has successfully fought the advent of machinery

remains alive and well and it comes in the shape

of this 170-year-old Dorset forge.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution,

a smithy was a staple of every town and village, mending carts

and making everything from metal tyres to armour.

But by the end of the 19th century, factories were producing metalwork

in a larger quantities and more economically than local blacksmiths.

However, in the 1960s, there was a revival in the art of blacksmithing

with an increased demand for artistic ironwork

and today it's estimated that there are some 250 working in Britain.

Giles Stuart is the man who's brought the tradition back

to this corner of Dorset and I've come to the forge to find out more

about the 21st-century use of this venerable craft.

-Tell us what a blacksmith does.

-Basically, I do ornamental ironwork.

I've got a set of gates which I'm working on,

which are outside the forge, and various other bits and pieces.

Lots of pokers, curtain poles...

-I've got about 20 jobs on my board at the moment.

-Wow.

I can hear the crackle of a fire in the, so can we go in?

Yes, let's go on. I'll show you in.

Giles has been working the forge since 1997.

He still uses traditional tools and techniques

that haven't changed in generations.

Wow. This is amazing. It reminds me so much of North Wales,

where I lived, you used to drive up the hill

and at the top there used to be this old forge,

and this is some of your work, then?

Yes, some of my smaller work, which I take to shows and things,

but it really, sort of, demonstrates the different techniques

in blacksmithing skills, using traditional methods.

-That's amazing - you've even got a Welsh dragon.

-Yes, yes.

How long would it take you to do something like that?

Something like a dragon would take about a week,

depending on how big it is and how much detail is involved.

And what about something like a poker?

A poker can take an hour, maybe slightly less, it depends, again,

on the amount of detail involved.

-Any chance I could have a go? You CAN have a go, yes.

-Oh, really?

Yes, the fire's all running ready to go, so let's go for it.

Blacksmithing in some form dates back to the Iron Age.

The term "smith" originates from the word "smite" which means to hit,

while "black" refers to the colour that iron turns when it's heated.

A blacksmith's fire is obviously very hot,

but if there are bellows blowing air through the fire,

it can actually reach temperatures of around 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Basically, I'm making a dragon poker,

but I'd like you to, sort of, finish it off

and put the point on it for me and then a couple of twists.

So the first job is to heat the metal up in the fire

and get it up to a nice yellow temperature,

which basically softens the metal.

How long does it take to heat up?

-This will probably take about a minute.

-Is that all?

-Sometimes less than that.

-OK.

I should think we're nearly at temperature there - it's pretty good.

-I'll get my hammer ready.

-Right, so you're ready to go for this?

There we go, that's a nice temperature.

You've got a bit of time to work on this. There you go.

So hold it in that hand and then just hammer away.

A bit harder than that.

-Turn it over, that's right.

-It's hard work, isn't it?

You can feel the anvil is, sort of, actually working with you.

It's causing the hammer to bounce back.

I'm very impressed. For someone who's never done it before,

you're drawing it down very well.

Right, let's heat it up again.

-It really is a labour of love, isn't it?

-It is, yes.

Then we're going to, basically,

put a twist in and were going to go round a couple of turns that way

and then twist it back round, two turns the other way.

With Giles's help getting the poker into the vice,

I'm going to have a stab at adding my own unique twist

to this piece of ironwork.

Good, keep going round.

Two. That's it. Lovely.

And then you brush it off?

Might brush it off a little bit, there you go, that's brilliant.

-That looks very good.

-It looks nice, actually, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

-I'm rather proud.

-Good.

-Those twists are so effective, aren't they?

-They are.

Those are excellent, the two twists you put in there.

-I've really enjoyed it.

-Good.

And, you know, good on you for keeping this tradition alive.

-It's fantastic seeing what you're doing here.

-Thank you.

There. I've realised another ambition in my life.

Jones The Blacksmith. Sounds good, doesn't it?

I'll stick to the day job. Have Maz and Pete fallen in love

with any of the properties that we've shown them?

Let's go and do some "poking" around to find out.

Oh, I don't know about you but this is a welcome coffee. I'm tired.

-It certainly is.

-We've done a lot of walking.

-We have.

There was a lot of standing around as well.

But let's talk about everything is seen.

-The first property - you really liked it.

-I did, yes.

It's very pretty from the outside.

It ticked a lot of boxes, that first place,

and there was just the issue

with the lack of a through kitchen/living area.

It was the open-plan living that didn't work.

But other than that, that place was nice.

And if that was at the end of our search,

then I think it could be a possibility,

but we're still holding out for the open plan, I think.

OK. Let's talk about the second property.

That was a very special property.

The garden was lovely, the views were fantastic.

I mean the garden - the garden was the best bit for me.

-It was gorgeous.

-It'll make someone a wonderful home,

-but not for us, I don't think.

-Why not?

It didn't have a study, it didn't have an ensuite,

it didn't have the through living area that we were looking for either.

The location wasn't...

I mean, beautiful location, but not right for us.

Maybe we need to relocate the beach hut.

Yes, that's the problem, clearly.

Let's talk about the mystery property.

There's a lot going for that place. An awful lot going for it.

I reckon you like it more than you like it.

I think you're probably right.

I mean, Maz was ready to start measuring for curtains.

Yeah, I caught her doing a little bit of that.

She was also asking the neighbour,

you know, if you could park your boat in certain places as well.

I was, I was.

Well, I'd just need to find out more, but it ticks so many boxes.

-Yes.

-The rooms are fantastic.

And even though the kitchen, again, wasn't part of the living area,

I think the house flowed beautifully from the kitchen to the dining room

to the lounge to the sitting room area.

-And, OK, it's the top of your budget, but it's doable.

-Yes.

-It is.

-We always said for the right property,

that could be reachable and so we're not discounting it,

we're going to go and have another look on the way home.

-Yeah, we need to see it again.

-How much do you want to live there?

I'm very excited about the house.

Marks out of ten on the possibility of you

living in the mystery property any time soon.

Knowing Pete's reservations, I would say an eight.

I was more of a six.

-But more than halfway, right?

-Yes, more than halfway.

Because I think Maz can be persuasive, so...

You'll have to be persuasive, I think.

I can be a great negotiator, if need be.

I think you should go back and have a look at it

and I really hope you do get it,

because I think you'd both be really happy there.

And it's been fantastic meeting you, you've been really brilliant.

-You've been really positive as well.

-Thank you so much.

So, Maz and Pete are off viewing the mystery property

for a second time - that's what we like to see.

Will it be their dream home here in Dorset?

Well, if it was down to Maz, yes, most definitely,

but I fear Pete may take a little bit of convincing.

But I could be wrong. Even as I speak,

he could be enjoying the communal areas of the old farm,

and if not, well, I know a lovely open-plan beach hut

that's got them written all over it.

I wish them well, and I'll see you next time

on Escape From The Country.

If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,

Northern Ireland or England and need our help, please apply online at...

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd