Devon Escape to the Country

I'm at the foot of the highest waterfall in England.

You may think it's a natural feature of the local landscape but in fact it's not.

It's man-made but woman-designed.

Find out where I am in just a moment.

On today's show, I've got a search for the good life on my hands

for a couple with self-sufficiency plans.

And they appear slightly underwhelmed at first.

-How do you feel about this sort of space?

-Well, it's adequate, isn't it?

It's not big enough. It's functional.

But once again, the allure of the mystery house works its magic.

-You really are smiling in this property.

-Yeah. I can see myself in here, definitely.

Today we're in Devon, and these are the 220-foot high Canonteign Falls.

They were created back in 1890 by the third Lady Exmouth.

She employed 100 local miners to divert a stream over this natural rock formation

to create a rather impressive water feature for her Victorian garden.

But this is just one of the many spectacular sights that this gorgeous county has to offer.

Devon is the fourth largest county in England,

lying between Somerset and Cornwall.

North Devon extends

from Exmoor National Park

to the edge of Dartmoor,

and one of its major centres is the busy market town of Tiverton.

Situated on two rivers, the Lowman and the Exe,

its growth and prosperity in the 16th and 17th centuries

were due to the wool trade.

Devon is also home to the highest cliff in southern Britain,

the Great Hangman near Combe Martin Bay,

which stands over 800 feet high.

Much of this coastline and landscape is nationally protected

as an area of outstanding natural beauty,

and attracts many of the 4.8 million visitors a year

bringing in almost £500 million to the local economy.

Despite a gradual rise in sales, house prices here in Devon,

like much of the UK, are continuing to fall.

Latest figures put the average detached Devon house

at just under £292,000.

While that is £6,000 less than at the start of the year,

it's still 14% more than the national average.

So if you're interested in what's currently on the market in Devon, take a look at these properties.

For a shade under £300,000,

you could be living in this two-bedroom,

Grade II listed, thatched cottage in Drewsteignton.

It features an inglenook fireplace in the dual aspect sitting room

and exposed beams in the bedrooms.

There's also a charming cottage garden outside.

You'd need £450,000

to buy this four-bedroom thatched cottage in Okehampton.

Dating back to the 18th century,

it has stunning ceiling timbers in the reception rooms,

a cosy inglenook fireplace in the lounge

and a lovely country kitchen with feature fireplace.

And if you can stretch to £850,000,

you could opt for this four-bedroom thatched house in Yarcombe,

which dates back to 1885.

The drawing room has exposed timber uprights and a Bath stone fireplace,

while in the kitchen there are oak work surfaces

and limestone flooring.

Outside, it offers glorious views of the Blackdown Hills.

Three super properties there,

and we've got three more fabulous houses lined up for today's hopeful couple,

including, as ever, the mystery house.

So let's go meet them, shall we?

Peter, a former accountant who retired early due to a life-changing illness,

and his wife Judy, who works in healthcare management,

currently live near Reading in Berkshire.

But with their two children at university

and Judy looking to stop working in the near future,

they feel now is the perfect time to consider a change of pace with a new life in the country.

I feel that we need to go now before I'm 60.

It's much easier to move around,

to just make a fresh start at this age.

I had to retire early because I had a stroke about four years ago.

I tried working for a little firm of accountants after that to see how it was,

and I couldn't do the things I wanted to do the way I used to be able to do them.

It'll be a lifestyle change, really,

because I have had a long-term dream of being self-sufficient.

For me this will involve keeping goats and this garden isn't big enough for it.

While they're aiming for a slower lifestyle, Judy is certainly going to be keeping herself busy.

I'd like to grow vegetables from the local market as well as for home consumption,

and make goats' cheese hopefully for an outlet, breed chickens,

pure breeds so that would be a source of income,

and expand my bee population so that I can sell local honey.

Judy is the green fingers. I'm just the hired help in the garden. I mow the lawn and things like that.

So having somewhere to sell Judy's home-made produce will be an important consideration in the move,

and they think the West Country is the perfect spot.

We've been to Tiverton and East Devon and the people there are lovely.

It's got a lovely atmosphere.

There's a ready market for produce and stuff.

So I think that we're looking around there.

They've seen 10 properties so far in their own house search.

But none have quite matched their wish list.

Our ideal house would be three or four bedrooms with two bathrooms.

Nice, light, airy rooms that we have now,

and an annexe for an elderly relative or to sublet.

To supplement our pensions.

We wouldn't really like to have a thatched property

because of the fire risk, insurance and whatever.

We also don't want to be low-lying so that we could be flooded.

-And you don't want a semi-detached.

-And we don't really...

You never know what your neighbours are going to be like.

Our buyers are selling their house near Reading to fund the move

and have a very definite idea of their finances.

Our maximum budget is £500,000.

Goats, chickens, bees and home-grown fruit and veg -

it really does sound like Peter and Judy are after a slice of the good life. And who can blame them?

But although £500,000 is a lot of money, will it get them everything that they're after?

A three or four bedroom detached house, a minimum of an acre and a half,

and that all-important annexe. Well, we'll just have to wait and see.

Peter and Judy would like us

to find them their forever home

within a 15-mile radius

of the Devon town of Tiverton.

We've got some fantastic houses in store for our couple.

As usual I'll be asking them to guess the price of each before I reveal it.

The final choice is our mystery house, which I think could really give them something to ponder.

-This is going to be quite a move.

-It is. It's a long way from Berkshire.

So what's drawn you to the county?

Well, I want to rear goats. I also grow lots of things.

It's a better growing climate, I think.

So what are we looking for? What are the key elements of this search?

We want a nice house with at least three bedrooms,

with perhaps an annexe so that we can...

Well, Peter's mother's not getting any younger.

-She's in her mid-80s.

-So she could come down when she's ready,

but until that time we probably could rent it out to holidaymakers or something like that.

Supplement the pension.

And between two and five acres of land, and a maximum of five because I couldn't manage any more.

-Ooh, I've got a challenge!

-Well...

-Certainly make you work for your money.

There's plenty to look for there. We have managed to find some good properties.

-I'm excited about showing them to you.

-Excellent.

-I think we should get ahead while the weather's on our side. Shall we go?

-Yep.

For a sizeable £500,000,

Judy and Peter's home for their good life in the country

needs to have three or four bedrooms for the children to stay,

at least 1.5 acres of land for veg and animals,

some outbuildings for the goats,

and an annexe for Peter's mum, or a possible holiday let.

We've travelled 14 miles

northwest of Tiverton to the village of Bishops Nympton,

a community of around 900 people.

Its 15th century church is a local landmark,

and it has all the day-to-day essentials such as a Post Office

and community shop run from the village hall,

as well as a lively local pub.

House number one was originally a blacksmith's cottage

and was extended around 12 years ago.

Here we are, the first property.

-First impressions?

-Good.

-It looks nice.

-Yes, it does look nice.

Looks pretty substantial, I think.

-It does, yes.

-The house, I think, is going to be more your domain.

-You're probably more interested in how much land it comes with.

-I'm interested in the orchard.

-Yes, the orchard, the trees!

-Her priority is the goats.

-Your priority is the house, so shall we have a look inside?

-Yes.

-Come on.

So with the house possibly playing second fiddle to the garden for Judy

I hope Peter will be voicing his appreciation

of the inside of this lovely property.

Right, come on through.

So here we are in the older part of this property.

It dates all the way back to the 16th century.

-Lots of history. It has got that cottagey feel about it.

-It has.

Which means there are lots of lovely features. You've got the beams.

-Yeah.

-The huge inglenook fireplace there.

It's not too low a ceiling either.

Our son would have a problem with this.

-How tall is he?

-BOTH: Six foot four.

-Ooh!

He'd have a problem most places, to be honest.

He'd definitely be hitting his head on the beams.

But, yeah, it feels cosy, the first room, it does.

What are your thoughts, Peter?

It's a nice room. The decor isn't the way we'd do it,

but everyone has their own ideas what they want to live with.

-It's nice to move into a property and put your own stamp on it.

-Yes.

I'm sure that with very little effort

they could give this house the feel they're after.

Our next room shouldn't require any work.

A slightly more modern take in this room. This is the kitchen.

Only re-done a couple of years ago.

How do you feel about this sort of space?

Well, it's adequate.

I don't thinks it's particularly the style we'd go for. But...

Not enough work space for me.

You do have extra space behind there.

-You've got a big utility with more space.

-Yeah.

The room we came through to get here,

it was another kind of extra space you could use.

-They're using it as a breakfast room.

-Yes.

-So there is opportunities if that's what you need.

-Yes.

'Well, they don't appear convinced by the charm of this property.

'But the light and spacious second reception room in the newer part

'of the house could just be the one to change all that.'

So the second reception room is in the extended part of the property.

Slightly bigger. Big enough for your son?

Big enough for a dining room table, more important.

Get your priorities right! Absolutely.

You need a big dining room table. How big?

About ten foot normally.

-So this could be the house where you're having your family Christmases?

-Could be.

'That's what I like to hear.

'Now let's see if Judy can picture her family in the four potential bedrooms.

'Upstairs there are two bright and reasonably-sized doubles,

'which could suit their children on their university holidays.

'But we're heading to the main bedroom, via a short detour.'

So, this space could be one of the bedrooms.

Currently, it's a bit of a study but if you've got lots of guests...

Family bathroom which is Jack and Jill, an entrance from both sides,

leading through into what's probably the biggest of the four bedrooms.

-OK.

-What do you think of the size?

-It's not big enough.

-It's not big enough?

If it's the biggest of the bedrooms,

if our bed went on there, it would come to here.

There'd be no space to get in the other side.

-That's a big bed!

-It's a king-size.

-It's two singles together.

It's an extra king-size, I think they call it.

-I'm not sure how you're feeling in this house.

-Um...

-Ambivalent.

-Jury's out.

-Jury's out?

-Jury's out at the moment.

Let's go outside. I'm determined to win you over on this one.

I think you'll like the outside space, Judy, OK?

Follow me back down here.

If anything can win Judy's heart, I think it's this garden.

With an acre and a half of land it's big enough for her to grow her veg in this massive greenhouse.

There's also a range of outbuildings,

including a garage which could be converted into an annexe.

As well as an old stable and hayloft where Judy could set up a dairy for her goats.

Now Judy, I'm sensing you weren't overawed by the house,

but you've got to love this garden.

It's good. It's a lot. Chickens.

That was a chicken run.

Polytunnel, greenhouse, vegetable garden, raised beds.

Your imagination is on fire now.

-This is you in your element now.

-Peter on a tractor mowing the lawn.

She's even found a role for you, Peter!

So let's guess the price. Who shall we start with? Peter?

I'm going to go 450...thousand.

OK.

I'll say 465.

OK, well, Peter you're actually very good at this, aren't you?

This is on the market at £450,000. You were right.

So it's below your budget.

You've some money left over to make space for the goats or redecorate.

So why don't you have a wander around, look at the outbuildings, the garage,

-and we'll catch up later on?

-Great. Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

So at £450,000

this property delivers handsomely

on nearly all their requirements.

It has cosy reception rooms,

four bedrooms,

a garage with conversion potential,

outbuildings for the goats

and 1.5 acres of land

for Judy's vegetable growing and animal adventures.

First impressions are that it's interesting.

I'd want to know more about it, but it didn't put me off. It's a possibility.

It's a question of space at the moment.

If you're expecting children to come back at regular intervals,

um, there isn't enough space.

It is beautiful out here, Judy. I'm in love with the garden.

-And you've had a bit more time in the house, haven't you?

-Yeah.

-We've got more properties to see. Shall we keep going?

-Yes.

-Shall we? Yes.

The Exmoor pony has inhabited the moorland here since the Ice Age

and is the oldest British breed of its kind.

As it's so rare, with only around 1,000 left worldwide,

the Exmoor National Park Authority has established two herds

to ensure it remains in its natural environment.

The landscape in North Devon also lends itself

to the grazing of farm animals, and as Judy is keen to have goats,

we've arranged for her and Peter to visit Lesley Prior's goat farm

on the edge of the National Park.

There are over 300 breeds worldwide but Lesley farms just one,

a herd of 200 cashmere goats.

Their wool is among the best in the world

and her animals provide some of the finest fleeces

for tailors on the renowned Savile Row.

As Judy is keen to get hands-on, Lesley is about to run through the basics.

Have you ever handled goats?

Um, I have some, but any tips would be gratefully received.

Right, I can show you the basics of health care,

how to look and see whether your goat is healthy.

-That's great.

-Then we can do some foot trimming, if you'd like.

-That would be lovely. Thank you.

-Good. Right.

It's always advisable to buy your goats from a local breeder

with a good reputation and one registered with the British Goat Society.

If you want to check over your goat and make sure she's healthy,

one of the first things you can do is check her lower eyelid

and see if it's nice and pink which means she's not anaemic,

she probably hasn't got a big worm burden.

The other way to check that is to check the lower gum,

to make sure that's quite pink.

That also allows you to look at her teeth.

They only have teeth on the lower jaw. No teeth on the upper jaw.

As a rule of thumb,

it's around six goats and their kids to each acre of land.

You should always provide them with shelter and their fencing needs to have a strong bottom

as they have a tendency to try to get under it.

Luckily, these ones aren't going anywhere

until they've had a manicure.

We have to trim off any extra nail that's overgrown.

-There, isn't it?

-Just here there's a little bit, yeah.

Like that.

Then we also trim a little bit of the sole.

This is the bottom piece of the foot.

Just to make sure the goat is standing level.

That's pretty reasonable now, so we put it back down and make sure she's standing level.

Right, I'll give you the trimmers and I'll take the goat.

OK?

This is what I find difficult.

-Bend the toe up, that's it.

-OK.

-That's it.

-So we get underneath.

-That's OK.

There's a knack to it!

-Yeah, I'm sure there is.

-And you will get there.

Well done! Excellent.

That side's OK, I think.

-It looks like it's flat.

-It does.

Well done. Excellent.

Thank you so much, Lesley. I've learnt a lot this morning.

Oh, well done. You did splendidly.

-If you do keep goats, you'll do very, very well with them.

-Thank you.

So, armed with some helpful hints,

it's time for Judy and Peter to say goodbye

to their new four-legged friends and get back to their house search.

We've travelled seven miles southwest of Tiverton

to the large village of Cheriton Fitzpaine,

set in unspoilt countryside.

The village's name derives from the Old English of Cheriton,

meaning village with a church,

while the Fitzpaines were the parish landholders in the 13th century.

It has a Post Office and shop for those day-to-day essentials,

and two pubs, both of which have been serving the locals for over 150 years.

House number two dates back to the 16th century,

and was once the local bakery.

Here we are, property number two for you.

With this property, you also get an annex.

So you've got two properties to look at and some land.

-What are your first thoughts?

-The house looks like it's in two parts.

-That's right.

-But I see something over there that I quite like.

Why am I even asking you about the house, Judy? I don't know what I'm thinking.

Yes, let's turn this way and look at the land. You're looking at the stables over there.

I don't want to live in a loose box!

You don't want to live in the stables.

-I'll ask you, Peter, what you think of the property.

-It's interesting.

Obviously this is first impressions. I'm intrigued.

You're finding it hard to work out, this property, I should imagine.

Looking at it from here, where's the front door? How does this work?

-How do they all go together and what belongs to what?

-Yeah.

As I said, you have two properties, the annex and the main house.

-I think the best way to answer your questions is to get inside and have a look.

-That's a good idea.

There's a lot more than meets the eye to this property

and I hope they'll find the use of the space impressive.

We're going to start by having a look at what used to be the old conservatory

but now has a more practical purpose.

Right, straight through.

This is the door into the main property

and it brings you through into the kitchen which...

-Tell me what you think about the kitchen.

-It's functional.

I've never come across it anywhere else.

It is a little different, isn't it?

You can see, actually, this was the conservatory

and they've decided to use it as the kitchen.

I think it goes to show this house is a very versatile house.

You can make it work for you. That's something you should bear in mind as we look through.

So while the kitchen is bright and functional,

there's a contrast in styles with the first reception room.

There's lots of character in the main living room. Beams included.

-I think you're OK there, Peter.

-I'm just about.

-Our son will definitely hit his head.

-He'd have to be careful.

Hopefully he'd duck rather than hit his head.

Then you get to sit and look at this.

Yes, lovely for the bread oven there.

-Which in an old bakery is very fitting.

-Exactly.

-What do you think of it then? Do you like the character?

-Yes, so far.

-Yes. I do.

-I do.

Nice big room, you know. We're used to more space.

Just through that door you've got a utility and a downstairs bathroom.

-OK.

-Through there is the original kitchen which is now being used

as a dining room, second reception.

Tucked behind that is another room, which is a snug.

I'm definitely feeling better vibes from you in this house.

-Yes.

-Bigger smiles. A little bit more comfortable here?

-Yes, I think so.

I'm pleased to get a positive reaction from Peter

who will be spending most of his time inside

while Judy tends to her goats.

Let's see if we can keep up the momentum upstairs.

There are four good-sized double bedrooms in total,

so plenty of space for the children when they come to stay.

They all have access to a shower room,

as well as a spacious family bathroom with wooden flooring.

But it's time to check out the master bedroom.

Will it be large enough for Judy and Peter's super-sized bed?

-So the fourth of the four bedrooms up here.

-Yep.

As you can see, it's got a good-sized double bed in it.

However, I think this room could probably fit your king-size,

if you placed it this way.

Then, of course, you'd be looking out at the view.

What do you think about the character of this property?

I think it's charming.

It's got the charm of an old place, an older property.

-The winky-wonky walls.

-They're all a bit squiff.

-Yes.

Remember, this house comes with almost a second property, the annex.

This time it's fully decked out already.

-Let's have a look at that and then we can reconsider.

-Great.

-Follow me.

I'm glad that Judy can see the appeal of the main house

but I think she and Peter will be astounded by the beautiful annex,

which is all ready to go as a really fabulous holiday let

or granny flat.

I absolutely love this annex. I think it's so cosy

and I love the view.

-It's wonderful, isn't it? I agree with you.

-Yes.

-Yes.

I do as well.

It's got everything you need. There are two bedrooms upstairs,

-plus you've got the family bathroom, the living space.

-It's lovely.

This could work quite well for you?

-It could, it could indeed.

-That's a big tick.

Which just leaves those all-important goats to sort out

and there's everything Judy might need in the two acres of land outside.

Aside from a perfect spot for growing vegetables,

there's a range of outbuildings, including stables,

which could house her new herd.

There's even an expanse of land for them to graze on.

I think the most important thing for you, Judy, would be this area behind us.

-That's very interesting.

-Mmm.

-I think perfect for goats.

-Yes.

-They could clear that for you.

-Yeah.

What are your thoughts on how much this would cost you?

-435?

-OK.

I think, because of the extra land,

I would probably go for 465.

-OK, so nearer the top of your budget?

-Yes.

Right, this property is on the market for 499,950.

-Oh, really?

-I think you need to really consider it.

For your budget and your wish list, this could be the one.

-It certainly could.

-Food for thought.

-Yes.

Why don't you have a little wander around, maybe get out of the rain?

-Thank you.

-And take all of that in, seriously consider it

-because I think you get a lot for your money here.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-OK.

-I'll see you later on.

-All right, then.

-Thank you.

There you go. I do think they have to take serious consideration

about what they can get for their money.

Yes, they might have to do some work to make it their own

but, by golly, they get a lot of property and a lot of land for their money.

So right at the top end of their budget at a whisker under £500,000,

this wonderfully versatile property

delivers on absolutely everything they asked for.

It has bright reception rooms for Peter to relax in.

Four bedrooms in the main house.

A lovely two-bed annex.

Outbuildings for the goats

and close to two acres of land for Judy's vegetable plot

and animal husbandry.

I'm not sure whether we could live here. The annex, I love.

The garden, I think, is suitable but Judy's a better judge of that.

The main house would require a bit of thought what to do

and at the moment I'm not quite sure. It's very early days.

I think we could be happy living here.

Um, you make a home where you want a home to be

so, yes, of course we could.

Ah, it's clearing up a little.

I don't know if your minds are any clearer after those two properties today?

-Let's have some time where you can sit down and think about it.

-OK.

As dusk falls over Devon's lush countryside,

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

Peter and Judy are planning a move from near Reading in Berkshire,

to a life of self-sufficiency in the Devonshire countryside.

Goats, chickens and veg are all high on the agenda.

So far they've proved tricky customers with our first two properties

but coming up, the mystery house is a mouth-watering prospect.

-It comes with 2.5 acres of paddock.

-Yum!

-All over there.

-Yum!

And I help out with the harvest at Devon's oldest vineyard.

A good bunch, a good bunch.

The weather's brightened up today

and I'm hoping for a much more cheerful reaction from Pete and Judy

to our mystery house.

Yesterday I think we did deliver everything they were looking for

but I just wasn't getting that emotional reaction from them to the properties.

So with the mystery house, as ever, we're going to show them something

they would never have looked at without us.

I'm hoping that's what's going to get the reaction we're looking for.

We've travelled around 30 miles southwest of Tiverton,

almost double the distance they wanted to be from the town

to the charming village of Belstone, on the northern edge

of the Dartmoor National Park.

Amenities are somewhat limited,

with just a post box and telephone box and no local shop.

However it is blessed with a popular free house inn that serves food,

a church that dates back to the 15th century

and some Grade II listed stone stocks,

last used for punishment in the 1800s.

Our mystery house dates back to the 16th century

and gives them two properties for the price of one.

It's our last chance to impress them,

so let's see if our thatch gamble pays off.

Right, mystery property.

Always something that I'm pretty sure

you would never have looked at on your own.

-I'm guessing you would never have wanted to see this.

-Yes.

You're pretty right there!

-The thatch.

-Yeah.

-Yes. It is a thatched farmhouse.

But that is the only thing I think you'll have to compromise on with this property.

-So bear that in mind.

-We will. Yes, we will.

-Yes.

-OK.

-On the upside,

-it comes with 2.5 acres of paddock.

-Yum!

Yum!

On top of the 2.5 acres of paddock just for you,

you get a gorgeous garden.

-Yes.

-OK?

-Right.

-The windows look good.

Good! You like the windows. I know light's important.

I think you'll be impressed with the amount of light you get in here.

Yes, I look forward to it.

So far, so good, and once inside this fantastic property

I think they'll be excited by the potential it offers.

It's divided into two self-contained houses,

which both lead off this entrance.

So we've got a very grand hallway to come through

-and this is your first reception room.

-It's lovely.

-It's nice.

-Intake of breath there.

-Very nice.

-It's quite a high ceiling, which is good.

-Very nice indeed.

-You like it, don't you?

-I do. Smile in my eyes.

-I know!

This is what I was looking for, a bit of a reaction.

-Look at that fireplace. That's a lovely statement, isn't it?

-Working?

It can be opened up. They're not using it as a working fireplace.

-So you like?

-So far.

-So far, so good.

There's a lot to see so we won't dwell too long here.

There's another reception room, equally a good size,

another fireplace through there,

-but I want to show you the kitchen on this side.

-OK.

Here you go. The kitchen. Smaller than you might like?

-Is it adequate for you?

-Yes, sure. Sure.

What do you think, Peter?

-It's smaller but I'm not the cook!

-OK!

-Defer to her.

What you also get is space behind here.

It goes down into some storage areas. You can make a pantry.

You could create enough work surface, I think.

Lots of space for storage and, remember, this is only one side.

-There are two sides to this house.

-I was just thinking about that.

-You really are smiling.

-Yeah.

How's it making you feel?

I can see myself in here, definitely.

-Peter?

-I like it.

Great! So it looks like we're onto a winner with this house

but we're heading upstairs which, on this side of the property,

has two very good-sized double bedrooms with lovely, low windows.

Both of them also have en suite bathrooms - a real bonus.

I'm showing Peter and Judy where they could be resting their heads.

-So come on through. What do you think?

-A nice sized room.

-It would certainly fit our bed.

-Ensuite, is that through there?

-Through here, yes. It's a good-sized bathroom as well.

-Very nice.

-Yes.

-And that lovely view and a great, deep window.

How would this be if this was where you were living from what you've seen?

-Fine, absolutely.

-So positive.

So one of the options. I think this house will make sense once you've seen it all.

It's a bit unfair to describe it now.

Because they're both ensuite, if you wanted to,

thinking about pensions and moneymaking,

this could be the holiday let side. This could be a B&B

because you've got the bathrooms all ready to go.

It's something to keep in the back of your mind

-as we look at the other side of the property.

-OK.

Our buyers are pretty tight-lipped but when they do express themselves

about what this house has to offer, they seem very taken with it.

I think when they see the rest, they'll be equally delighted.

-Yes.

-Mind the stairs.

-The second half of this property.

Another good-sized reception room.

-Yes, that's true.

-And lots of light.

To give you the lay of the land with this one,

through that door there's a door leading to the outside and there's a downstairs cloakroom.

Over here we've got a really generous-sized study.

Through here we have a makeshift kitchen but it's smaller

and upstairs you have two good-sized double bedrooms,

a family bathroom

and a single bedroom.

-I did say this house had lots of bonuses.

-It certainly does.

The bonuses continue outside

with one area of the garden containing an old barn

which, with the right planning consent,

could be just right for renovation,

either as a granny flat or as a space for those goats.

Then, of course, there are the extensive grounds

which should allow enough peace and quiet for Peter

and room for Judy's veg.

Plenty of garden space. You do get 2.5 acres.

A separate entrance there and it wraps its way all the way around the property.

So, all of that, but it does come at a price.

I'm going to start with you, Peter.

How much do you think you'd have to pay for this to become yours?

-£500,000.

-500?

-Yes.

-Judy?

-I'd say less than that.

Um, I'd say about 425.

Why so much lower?

Because thatched properties traditionally,

when I've done a search, thatched properties generally are lower.

-So I'm hoping it's that because it'll give some money...

-Is that a wish?

Well, you were closer, Judy. Well done.

It's actually on the market at £450,000.

You have a little think about it because after that

-we'll have a serious sit-down and see what you're going to do next.

-Thank you.

-OK.

Well within their budget at £450,000,

this property seems to be a contender.

It has multiple reception rooms,

five bedrooms, two with an ensuite,

giving them the potential for holiday lets in the future.

An old barn which they could convert into a granny flat,

or use as a shelter for Judy's goats,

dependent on the right planning permissions.

And over two acres of land.

I do think Peter likes the house.

I think he likes it possibly not as much as I do

but he's definitely open.

It's definitely something he wouldn't discount.

I think this is a good mystery house because of the three houses we've seen

this is the only one I think we'd consider at all.

It's got quite a lot of space.

It would leave us some money to do things.

It's certainly a possibility.

-Hello. Did you enjoy that?

-We did. Plenty of time to explore.

-Have you seen enough?

-We have, thank you.

Well, you've seen all the properties we've got to show you.

Let's go and sit down.

Here in the heart of mid-Devon, locally produced wine

has been a slow-growing industry since the 1970s.

But the last ten years has seen an explosion in business

and there are currently 418 commercial vineyards in England and Wales.

In the Exe Valley, you'll find the oldest vineyard in Devon

and I've come here to join owner Roger White and his team

on the very last grape harvest of the season.

I understand this is the oldest vineyard in Devon

but how long have you been here?

We've been here since '94 but it was planted in '76.

This is the 36th year of crops.

What do some of the other more famous wine regions think of English wine?

They're very interested.

They're pleased that we are growing grapes because it's a sign to them

that we're becoming more civilised in their eyes.

I have actually had an enquiry from a Loire grower who wanted a joint venture with me.

We're at the end of the season, aren't we?

I believe this is the last pick.

I think we're going to have something like seven to eight tonnes

and my target is 15 tonnes. We haven't done that badly.

These are the Dornfelder, the rose grapes.

-They look pretty good to me.

-OK, let's do it.

-OK.

The Devon climate, with its warm summers and generally mild winters,

is similar to the French wine-growing Loire Valley area,

so it's perfect for a healthy harvest.

-Right, so I've got my bucket, I've got my snippers.

-Good.

-What's the technique?

-OK, it's quite simple, really.

Cradle the bunch in your hand, in your palm.

Cut the stem, not the berries, with your sharp snippers

-and don't cut your fingers at the same time.

-Sounds simple enough.

Here we go.

Good.

Good, that's a good bunch.

One bucket, five bottles of wine.

One bucket, five bottles? That's not bad, is it?

-I am pleased with that.

-Well done.

Each year, an average of around 2 million bottles of wine

are produced in the UK,

with the greatest number of hectares devoted to the popular varieties

of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Once the grapes are picked, the next stage is the pressing,

which is being done by Roger's wife, Juliet.

So this process here, we seem to be just crushing them.

That's all we're doing. We're just bursting the berries

so that when the press operates, the juice comes out quite easily.

It helps the juice come out.

Can we have a look at the actual presser

and how we turn it from the grapes into this liquid?

OK. We'll just flatten this out a little bit.

Then we put a mat in next.

There we are. Then we'll put some more grapes in from the bucket.

-What's the purpose of the mats in between?

-It just helps the juice come out.

The juice is pressed purely by the pressure of the layer of mats

and the added weight of the fruit in a traditional Italian technique.

It looks like we're doing quite well already, this is already pressing,

-what I think I need to do is have a taste of this wine.

-Yeah, sure.

To turn grape juice into wine takes at least six weeks of fermentation

but the vintage that's going to be sold from this batch won't be ready for six months.

-There we go.

-Great.

-It's starting to go pink already.

-It is, isn't it?

-This is just the pure grape juice.

-Pure grape juice.

That's actually very nice. You could sell it just like this.

Since the mid-90s,

this vineyard has grown from under two acres to over 7.5 acres.

An average of 20,000 bottles of wine each year are produced here

with around 95% of them being sold locally.

With West Country vineyards sparkling at this year's prestigious Winemaker Of The Year competition,

it seems this region's wine is well on the way to becoming

an industry that can take on the world's best.

I'm now convinced that you do not need to move to the Loire Valley

if you're looking for countryside living and a good glass of wine at the same time.

But are any of our properties the right vintage for Peter and Judy to make the move to Devon?

Let's find out.

We've been to three properties and it's time to find out what you've decided to do.

Let's recap. We started with the old blacksmith's cottage.

I loved the situation in the garden.

Outside was cool.

Inside, we felt, both of us, we'd be a little bit hemmed in.

I think it's probably I'm used to having more space.

It was a little bit claustrophobic. A very nice house but not my sort of house.

House number two was an old bakery. What were your first impressions?

-The annex was lovely. It really was a nice space.

-It was, very nice.

The main house, it confused us. So not really a consideration.

We left there, end of day one, I was a little bit worried

and we had the mystery house to come.

One thing I knew you didn't like was thatched roofs.

And that's what we took you to see!

What did you think when I said this is it?

The house looks very interesting. It looks lovely.

Inside we were really taken with one part of the house,

the two reception rooms. Nice and big, lots of light.

-What about you, Peter? Have we touched your heart strings?

-The rest of the house was fine

but not as gripping as those two rooms.

Having had some time to think, where are you now?

If an offer is made on your property tomorrow, would you buy the mystery house?

-Possibly.

-I think that's...

-Possibly.

Oh, you two! You are hard to pin down.

Which concerns me, because will you actually make the move? This has been a long-held dream of yours.

We will make the move. We will definitely make the move.

It's been a pleasure spending the last couple of days trying to help you find the right property

and I'm really encouraged that you liked the mystery house.

-Best of luck with it all.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

We had a real challenge on our hands this week,

satisfying the needs of both Peter and Judy.

Not only did we have to find the perfect home to keep Peter happy,

but enough land to satisfy Judy, the goats, the bees and the vegetable patch.

At one point, I was a little bit worried.

Then the mystery house came in and saved the day yet again.

It just goes to show that sometimes, when you take a massive gamble, it can pay off.

I'll see you next time on Escape To The Country.

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