0:00:03 > 0:00:05These hills behind me are alive with the sound of music,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08and not the Austrian, Julie Andrews as a nun type of music.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10No, this is extremely British
0:00:10 > 0:00:13and written by a native son of this very area.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17Find out where we are in just a moment on Escape To The Country.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Coming up on today's show, I meet a globetrotting couple who have
0:00:39 > 0:00:42returned home to set up a B business.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44We hit the nail on the head at one property...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Good. I think this is a really great kitchen.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48If I designed one myself,
0:00:48 > 0:00:51this is pretty much how I would have set it out.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55And the mystery house takes their breath away. Wow, stunning!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Very nice.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Today, we are in Worcestershire,
0:01:02 > 0:01:06and these are the beautiful Malvern Hills, stomping ground of
0:01:06 > 0:01:09one of our greatest composers, Edward Elgar.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13He was born, spent most of his life and indeed is buried in this area.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17And it was 110 years ago, in June 1901 in London,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21that his most famous tune, from the Pomp and Circumstance Marches,
0:01:21 > 0:01:26was given extra words and sung as Land of Hope and Glory.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29It has been a favourite at the Last Night of the Proms ever since, and
0:01:29 > 0:01:34it is, as Elgar himself described it, a tune to knock 'em flat.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37But this countryside is more than just music.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41Worcestershire is situated in the West Midlands region of England
0:01:41 > 0:01:43and is bordered by five other counties,
0:01:43 > 0:01:47including Shropshire to the North and Herefordshire to the West.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49The ancient cathedral city of Worcester
0:01:49 > 0:01:52lies on the banks of the River Severn.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Founded in 680, the Cathedral later became an important
0:01:56 > 0:01:59centre of learning for the Benedictine monks.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01South of Worcester, there are the Malvern Hills.
0:02:01 > 0:02:06Here, visitors can enjoy over 4,000 acres of open country climbing,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08or simply ramble along the wooded slopes.
0:02:10 > 0:02:14What kind of property is going to make our house-hunters today happy?
0:02:14 > 0:02:15Let's find out.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18Meet Clive and Carolyn,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21both of whom left their jobs in finance three years ago
0:02:21 > 0:02:25to escape from the Birmingham rat race and travel the world.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29Since returning to the UK, they have been renting while looking
0:02:29 > 0:02:32for their dream property, which hasn't been easy to find.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34We so need your help!
0:02:35 > 0:02:38We've been looking for such a long time in so many places.
0:02:38 > 0:02:43We are beginning to get desperate to find somewhere to settle down,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46and we have been travelling, or a living out of a suitcase,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49for the last two and a half, three years.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51We've looked at so many houses.
0:02:51 > 0:02:56When we started counting them up, it was probably 50.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58That's a lot of properties.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00One thing they have decided on is that they want to set up
0:03:00 > 0:03:03a new venture when they move.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05The business we've identified is that we would like to run
0:03:05 > 0:03:07a bed and breakfast.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Now is the time for us to actually move somewhere quieter,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15a bit more space, some land, some gardens, maybe even a few goats
0:03:15 > 0:03:18and chickens, but that's Carolyn's idea, rather than mine!
0:03:18 > 0:03:23My ideal property would be four en suite letting bedrooms,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26dining room, kitchen, guest lounge,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28plus some private accommodation for us.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31After travelling the length and breadth of the country,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and with an offer on a property in the Cotswolds recently
0:03:34 > 0:03:37falling through, they have now decided on Worcestershire,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39where they should get more for their money.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42They are ready to buy and have given us a very flexible brief
0:03:42 > 0:03:46and budget for their perfect property.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I think the maximum price for us would be ?600,000.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51The parameters are quite large,
0:03:51 > 0:03:54it could be a small, two-bedroom place with a little land attached
0:03:54 > 0:03:59to it, right up to a fully fledged, operating business.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03If you can find us that, you are geniuses!
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I'm slightly anxious that it took two and a half years
0:04:12 > 0:04:15and over 50 property viewings for Carolyn and Clive
0:04:15 > 0:04:19to find that beautiful property they loved so much,
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and then lost, in the Cotswolds.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23Because we barely have two and a half days
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and we certainly haven't got time for 50 properties.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29But I think the secret might be
0:04:29 > 0:04:32a slightly less haphazard search strategy.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38We are concentrating our search in the scenic Malvern Hills
0:04:38 > 0:04:41region of Worcestershire, a popular tourist centre,
0:04:41 > 0:04:43especially for walkers and cyclists.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46We've got some eye-catching properties for them to see,
0:04:46 > 0:04:48and as usual, I will be asking them
0:04:48 > 0:04:51to guess the price of each before I reveal it.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Of course, there is our mystery house,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55which could give them a very different perspective
0:04:55 > 0:04:57on the B business.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01Welcome to Worcestershire. Thank you.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I think this is probably the only county in the whole of the UK
0:05:04 > 0:05:07that you haven't scoured for a property, is that right?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Just about, yes! So, you want to be running a B,
0:05:09 > 0:05:14is this the first time you've done something like this? It is, yes.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17We've stayed in literally hundreds of them
0:05:17 > 0:05:21in our travels around the world, but, yes, the first time we've actually...
0:05:21 > 0:05:24You mentioned that you'd like to do some animal husbandry?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27I'd like to try! Excellent.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Well, it's a beautiful part of the country,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I can't believe you haven't looked here already.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35So, let's go and find you your dream house. Good, thank you. Great.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46Clive and Carolyn have a maximum budget of ?600,000
0:05:46 > 0:05:48to finance their dream project.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51They want four bedrooms to use as B lets,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53either ready-made or with space to renovate...
0:06:11 > 0:06:13We start our search close to the county border,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15just west of the town of Bewdley.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19We are in the village of Far Forest, which has all the amenities you will
0:06:19 > 0:06:24need for country life, including a pub, post office and local stores.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Property number one is a spacious country cottage,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30which dates back to the 1860s.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32This is the property I want to show you.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34What are your first impressions from outside?
0:06:34 > 0:06:39Yeah, I think all the different roof shapes sort of don't really click
0:06:39 > 0:06:43together as much as I'd like to see, but that might be a good thing.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46On the inside, it makes it more interesting. OK.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Well, let's go inside and explore. OK.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52'At first glance, the exterior might not be to Carolyn's taste,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56'but I think they will both be pleasantly surprised
0:06:56 > 0:06:57'by what they find inside.'
0:06:57 > 0:07:01Step inside, to your palatial
0:07:01 > 0:07:04kitchen dining room!
0:07:04 > 0:07:08It is palatial, isn't it? It's big, yeah. It's huge.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10So this, we thought, would be
0:07:10 > 0:07:13a perfect place to have all your guests' breakfast.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17The beams are lovely, I think that really adds to the sort of character of the place.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Yeah. It's a nice-sized room,
0:07:20 > 0:07:23I hadn't thought about guests eating in the kitchen before.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26There's certainly enough space for either a very large table or
0:07:26 > 0:07:29maybe four separate tables there.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32The thing about this house and one of the reasons why we've
0:07:32 > 0:07:36brought you here is that it divides very nicely into two sections.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Let's start with the little annexe, that I think might be good
0:07:39 > 0:07:40for you guys.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42OK, yeah, sounds good. It's through here.
0:07:45 > 0:07:50And through this entrance hall with your own entrance... Ah!
0:07:52 > 0:07:57..into what we imagined would be your sitting room. Oh, OK.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00This is a nice size. Oh, wow.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04So there's a huge space with a nice big, sort of, like,
0:08:04 > 0:08:09receptiony, dining hall there, and then the bedroom and en suite.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13A bit more living space than I was expecting for us, so, yeah...
0:08:13 > 0:08:15Yeah, it's got a lovely view and it's a nice size,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17but it doesn't really have much else.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21No, but you could add lots to it to make it our own, couldn't we? Yeah.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24There are plenty of guest rooms as well, so let's go and explore those.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29These guest rooms are conveniently situated off a central hall
0:08:29 > 0:08:31with its own front door.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34First, we are starting with the guest lounge.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38Come in, mind your head. Low beam.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Oh, this is nice.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45On the other side is an equally big, perhaps a little bigger dining room.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Well, they've got it as a dining room with doors that go
0:08:47 > 0:08:49out into the garden. Oh, super.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53But those two rooms offer, I think, really great reception space for your guests.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Yes, this is a lovely room. Ideal guest lounge, isn't it?
0:08:57 > 0:09:00There's also a boot room at the back so walkers can come in
0:09:00 > 0:09:03and get rid of all their boots. Oh, we'd need that, yeah.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Let's look at the other relaxing rooms, the bedrooms.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09'The downstairs seems to be just what they are looking for,
0:09:09 > 0:09:11'but how will we fare upstairs?'
0:09:15 > 0:09:16Oh, gosh.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20Here we have what they use as their master bedroom,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23but could be a very nice guest room.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26You've got a huge en suite through there
0:09:26 > 0:09:29and a very good-sized room for storage here.
0:09:29 > 0:09:30Yeah, I like this room.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33It is a surprise to find such a big room upstairs!
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Across the hallway there is another good-sized room, not quite as big as this one,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and then there's a family bathroom that links them,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43but you could quite easily put a door in to step that down into it
0:09:43 > 0:09:45so it became the en suite to the room across the way.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46That would be good.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48'So far, so good,
0:09:48 > 0:09:51'but the second floor could prove more of a challenge.'
0:09:53 > 0:09:56So this requires a little bit more...thinking.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00This is probably the one area in the house where you could do some
0:10:00 > 0:10:02remodelling to make it really work for you.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05At the moment you've got two bedrooms,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08one sort of small bedroom and a lot of kind of closet space here, and
0:10:08 > 0:10:12then another room there, which is a good size, beautiful oak floors.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Alternatively, we could use this as living space
0:10:16 > 0:10:19and use the downstairs more for guests' accommodation, so... Yep.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22A cunning plan! Yeah.
0:10:22 > 0:10:23I like your style.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Now, the great thing about this property is...
0:10:26 > 0:10:28plenty of space for your goats.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Let's go and look. Show me the goats' space!
0:10:32 > 0:10:34'I'm pleased they are seeing the potential in this property
0:10:34 > 0:10:37'and coming up with some interesting ideas for its use,
0:10:37 > 0:10:39'but how will they make the most
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'of the animal-friendly land outside?'
0:10:42 > 0:10:46So, as well as the two acres of land, you've got three stables.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Hmm...
0:10:48 > 0:10:55So, your idea of having equestrian guests would be a possibility. Yeah.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Yeah, I like the layout of the land as I see it at the moment,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01but the road noise is a bit of a problem for me.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04It kind of reassures me a little bit, in that I thought
0:11:04 > 0:11:08we were in the middle of nowhere, but if people can get here
0:11:08 > 0:11:10on a reasonable road,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13then that is a good thing from a business point of view. Yeah, yeah.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16'So, what's a problem to Clive is a plus for Carolyn,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19'but can they agree on the price?'
0:11:19 > 0:11:22How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:11:22 > 0:11:26I would hazard a guess at somewhere around the 500,000 mark. Mm-hmm.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31I was going to say that, but I think, no, perhaps a bit higher.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34525. SHE LAUGHS
0:11:34 > 0:11:38Well, it's actually a bit higher still, it's on the market at 545.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Right. OK.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46I think that's a little bit pricey in terms of the total outlay
0:11:46 > 0:11:51that we would have to make to get it configured for a bed and breakfast.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59So, our first house is more than they expected at ?545,000,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02but this property could work well for their new business
0:12:02 > 0:12:03with its four bedrooms,
0:12:03 > 0:12:08good-sized reception rooms for B guests, with a separate entrance.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11Two acres of land with stables for horse lovers.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14And spacious, private accommodation for them.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Pull the door to and we're off to the next one. Lovely.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Just north of Great Malvern is Malvern Link,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39an area renowned for its hilly and winding roads.
0:12:39 > 0:12:44It's also home to a long-standing local business - the Morgan Motor Company -
0:12:44 > 0:12:47who have been hand-building cars for over 100 years.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50I've come to meet Charles Morgan, whose pioneering grandfather
0:12:50 > 0:12:53founded his car business here.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56Morning. Thanks for meeting us. Alistair, good to see you.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59So, this is what I associate with Morgan -
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I think about there being a lot of wood in it. Do you still use wood?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05We do, if you think of the wood as the meat in a sandwich,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07so, you know, you start off with a very strong,
0:13:07 > 0:13:11very stiff chassis, and then you've got this aluminium bodywork,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15which is relatively fragile, because it's light, and in between you've
0:13:15 > 0:13:19got the wood and that acts as the energy absorbing device, if you like.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23That will withstand an enormous amount of pounding and shock.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28The wood used in the car is English ash, all from sustainable sources.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Working the wood here is John Garbett,
0:13:30 > 0:13:34who's been at the factory for an impressive 47 years.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39So this is the wooden part of the Classic? Yes.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42And you make this by hand, you've done all this together?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44It's all put together by hand.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48This place is a prime example of a local cottage industry that
0:13:48 > 0:13:52has grown over the years and now makes over 700 cars annually.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Well, now I've got a feel of how the car is put together,
0:13:56 > 0:13:59let's see how it handles on the open road.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05HE HONKS HORN Ah!
0:14:07 > 0:14:08This is more like it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:18It's time to make tracks and return to the house hunt.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22We're heading to West Malvern which runs along the slopes
0:14:22 > 0:14:23of the famous Malvern Hills
0:14:23 > 0:14:27and allows great views over the border to Herefordshire.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30It's also the source of several springs and wells.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Our second property is a sprawling detached house, dating
0:14:35 > 0:14:41back to the 1800s, which has been run as a B for the past 22 years.
0:14:42 > 0:14:43House number two.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45This is a great location cos that is
0:14:45 > 0:14:48the beginning of the Malvern Hills. On the other side is
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Great Malvern with the theatres and the spa and the hotels.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57There's about 100 miles of designated walking paths out here.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59What are your first impression here?
0:14:59 > 0:15:03The road up to the place was really picturesque and some great
0:15:03 > 0:15:06views on the way, so I'm really pleased with the location.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Should we look inside? Please. Yeah, let's.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Well, that's a great response from Carolyn,
0:15:10 > 0:15:13let's hope we can build on it once we're inside.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19This is the guest dining room.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23Come in, welcome to Clive and Carolyn's bed and breakfast.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25Hope you enjoy your stay...
0:15:25 > 0:15:28All the guest facilities, at the moment, are on one level.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30All your living quarters are down below.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32That's quite nice. Perfectly functional.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35Functional, serviceable - yeah.
0:15:35 > 0:15:36OK.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Let's quickly look at the guest accommodation.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47On this floor there are three bedrooms with en suite.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50All good size. This is actually a little lounge area
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and there's a bedroom through there, and then the en suite through there.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57So its a sort of suite of rooms.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Mm. Yes, it's great.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00So far, so good.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02They seem a decent size.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Lots of greenery.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08Yep. I think, throughout, you would probably - having got to know
0:16:08 > 0:16:12you a bit - you would probably want to smarten it up.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14But none of them have to be changed.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17No. No, it could open tomorrow.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18It could open tomorrow, easily.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21And then all your accommodation is downstairs.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I'm really glad they're seeing the advantages this property
0:16:26 > 0:16:29offers as an up-and-running B, and I've got a feeling
0:16:29 > 0:16:31the kitchen might well put a smile on their face.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Down we come into your realm.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37The kitchen.
0:16:37 > 0:16:38Into the kitchen.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Ah, great size.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Nice kitchen. I like that.
0:16:42 > 0:16:43Actually, there's two kitchens.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47You've got that gigantic galley utility room through there.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51That's good. I think this is a really great kitchen, I really do.
0:16:51 > 0:16:52If I designed one myself,
0:16:52 > 0:16:54this is pretty much how I would have set it out.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58So, the kitchen has really hit the mark.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Let's see if they find their private accommodation as impressive.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06So, through a little suite of rooms that all belong to you -
0:17:06 > 0:17:08downstairs rooms.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10This is the sitting room and there was a dining room
0:17:10 > 0:17:13and then you have your own entrance.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17That's more space then we expected, yeah.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21It's a good-sized space. Much more than we were hoping for.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24So, again, it's one-level living for you.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27You have a master bedroom with a nice en suite.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31But private quarters aren't the only accommodation on the ground floor.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35There's a hidden bonus which could really help their business.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39There's a separate entrance and a fully equipped room
0:17:39 > 0:17:42for a disabled person, including a lift to take you down the steps.
0:17:42 > 0:17:47Gosh! A winch to get you from bed to the bathroom.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Fully functional disabled bathroom.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Ah, that's really good news. That is. Fantastic.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54So we offer you lots in terms of the business.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58One of the things you may have to sacrifice are your goats.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00I don't mean literally sacrifice!
0:18:05 > 0:18:08So the garden is very sheltered.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10Beautiful trees all around.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11It's nowhere near an acre.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Would you like to have a stab at the price?
0:18:14 > 0:18:17I think it'll be 585.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21I'd have gone a lot less than that.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22510.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24510.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29Well, it is on the market for ?50 short of ?600,000.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32So it's much more your end than your end, I'm afraid.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Within budget at a shade under ?600,000,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42this property meets many of their demands.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46It's an up-and-running B with four to five bedrooms.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49There's a guest dining and lounge area.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51It has a huge kitchen for B breakfasts,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55and there's spacious private accommodation for them.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58There's a lot of property to think about here. To digest.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Let's go and find some restful place, you can digest it at peace.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03BOTH: Lovely.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15As evening falls on the Malvern Hills,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17the first day of our property search comes to an end.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I'm starting to understand why it took two and a half years
0:19:28 > 0:19:30and 50 plus properties for Carolyn
0:19:30 > 0:19:34and Clive to settle on a business that they liked.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36The first house wasn't really businessy enough,
0:19:36 > 0:19:38the second house was to businessy.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Overriding everything, however,
0:19:40 > 0:19:44is Carolyn's desire to just unpack her bags and make a home,
0:19:44 > 0:19:47so the mystery house is going to offer them a home first
0:19:47 > 0:19:49and foremost and a business later.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57We've travelled south east of Worcestershire to the village of
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Peopleton, just outside the pretty market town of Pershore,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02on the banks of the River Avon.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Our mystery property is a former Victorian schoolhouse building.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09It might not look like your typical B,
0:20:09 > 0:20:12but that's why we've brought them here.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15It's a school, from the early 19th century.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20It's been converted into a beautiful home.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Yeah, it's a great building.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Love the windows. Yeah, fantastic.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The thing is, what we were thinking for the mystery house was,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30we'd give you a beautiful home
0:20:30 > 0:20:33and pretty much immediately start earning money with rooms.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36That's would be good. Really good.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Should we look inside? Please.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43While the outside aspect of the house doesn't shout B,
0:20:43 > 0:20:45there's options inside that could allow for holiday
0:20:45 > 0:20:48lets as well as being a very good-looking home.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Nice hallway. Yeah. Come into the kitchen.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57An amazing kitchen! Oh, it's really nice.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59So here's the modern bit.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03The house has been extended in several directions.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07The old part of the kitchen was what's now the hallway.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10And the present owner created this modern,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13very unusual arched kitchen.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15And a range cooker.
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Wow! Brilliant.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19I think it's great.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22I really love the semi-circular work surface.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25You've got space out there to a little sitting area that gets
0:21:25 > 0:21:27the evening sun.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30And then through here, you've got a downstairs toilet.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32And then a utility room with all your washing stuff.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Oh, yeah, that's good.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35And then a sitting room through there
0:21:35 > 0:21:38which we are envisaging as your sort of snug. OK.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41So this will be your domain. Private part.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44It's very quirky, the house has been done to a very high finish.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46You really wouldn't need to do anything.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49No, that's important to us, actually, is the finishing. Yeah.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52So, good? Thumbs up for this area? Yeah, very much. Excellent.
0:21:52 > 0:21:53You can explore more later,
0:21:53 > 0:21:56but I wanted to show you the main living area.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00The current family living area is easily big enough
0:22:00 > 0:22:03to imagine its use as a B guest lounge.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06This is what we envisaged as a room for your guests. Wow!
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Fantastic.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13It is. Lounge and dining room combined, isn't it?
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Also here on the ground floor are two very good-looking
0:22:16 > 0:22:20boutique bedrooms, each with their own en suite bathroom,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22which Clive and Carolyn could let out immediately.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29Now on to the upstairs, which I think they'll find very impressive.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Now you can see where the arches went. Oh, stunning!
0:22:35 > 0:22:37And this is being used as the master bedroom,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40because you've got a nice little shower room here, en suite,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42very simple. Oh, yes.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44I'm just amazed that they've actually got all this up here!
0:22:44 > 0:22:46Fantastic!
0:22:46 > 0:22:49I'd be really pleased if I got this as a bed and breakfast room.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51There's also potential for more guest space
0:22:51 > 0:22:53in the other two bedrooms,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57both of which come with beautifully crafted built-in storage
0:22:57 > 0:23:00and share the use of the family bathroom.
0:23:00 > 0:23:06Now, either you can just rest easy with your three luxury guest rooms,
0:23:06 > 0:23:10or you could split the bathroom in two...
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Oh, that's a good idea. ..and make each one en suite.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15Or you could just have one as your room
0:23:15 > 0:23:17and another one as a guest room.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Ah, that's really interesting. Yeah. Three to five is ideal.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Three to five is our target.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25They're definitely feeling positive about this property
0:23:25 > 0:23:27and seeing all its possibilities.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31I'm hoping the limited garden area won't be a major drawback.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39Now, inside is picture perfect, but outside...not much space. OK.
0:23:39 > 0:23:44Thoughts about that? A bit sad, because the house is so nice.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Yeah, it's a little bit disappointing.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49But still worth thinking about, I think. Yeah.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51It's certainly a lovely house.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54I think if we'd designed a place we'd probably have done it just like that.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Yeah, or very similar. Yes. Yeah.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00So, in order to think straight about this house
0:24:00 > 0:24:01you need to know the price.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03So, what do you think its market value is?
0:24:05 > 0:24:09It's really hard, but I think I'm going to go for 615.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13I think a little bit less than that, I would say 575.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Well, we are in a much more expensive area,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20cos we're in the commuter belt for Birmingham,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22and close to the Cotswolds,
0:24:22 > 0:24:27but actually, Clive, you are exactly right. Wow! ?575,000.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29That doesn't happen often, does it?
0:24:31 > 0:24:36So, well within their budget at ?575,000, this property
0:24:36 > 0:24:40meets nearly every demand that Clive and Carolyn threw at us.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Time to think about everything and make some decisions. OK.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04I think we may have cracked it with the mystery house,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06because it gives them a home.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Somewhere where Clive can unpack all his pots and pans
0:25:09 > 0:25:11and cook all his breakfasts, and Carolyn,
0:25:11 > 0:25:15although she doesn't get the goats, she can run that B
0:25:15 > 0:25:18But let's find out what they think of all three properties.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23So, a moment to collect ourselves
0:25:23 > 0:25:25and think about the three properties we've seen.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29So, spinning back to yesterday, when we looked at that first property,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32what are your thoughts about that now, in retrospect?
0:25:32 > 0:25:35I thought the house was a really great family home.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Great for dual occupancy.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42I think it could've been adapted for a B with some work.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Some good land with it, two acres.
0:25:44 > 0:25:50I think what let it down for us was the location for tourism.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Now, the second property was in a great tourist location.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56It was a superb location.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00I got quite excited by the amount of space inside the property,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03and it was only afterwards, when I started thinking more
0:26:03 > 0:26:06about how we would use that, it became more difficult to see.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Now, the mystery house was also a possible B,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13what were your thoughts when you saw what we were offering you?
0:26:13 > 0:26:17The first impression was, it was a great building,
0:26:17 > 0:26:22and a really exciting building to do a tourist-based business from.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25And thoughts about the business side of it?
0:26:25 > 0:26:28It needs a bit more research from us, really, to look into the area.
0:26:28 > 0:26:34The number of bedrooms and the size of the B bedrooms is nicer
0:26:34 > 0:26:38than anywhere that we have seen, of all the 50-plus properties!
0:26:38 > 0:26:40Well, that's something we can be proud of!
0:26:40 > 0:26:41That goes straight to the top of the list.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45So, of the three, is there one that you would go back and visit again,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48or think seriously about proceeding with?
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Yeah, I think we would certainly like to go back
0:26:51 > 0:26:53and have a look at the school.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55I think it's the sort of place that,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58had we come across an old school that needed renovation,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00we'd have probably done it in a very similar way, so...
0:27:00 > 0:27:02I really do hope that you make something work,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05because you've really got the commitment and the vision,
0:27:05 > 0:27:09and I hope that Worcestershire is the place that you find somewhere.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Thank you very much. And thank you for all your help.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Yeah. Not at all, it's been a pleasure. Thank you.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Thank goodness for the mystery house, I thought we had lost them
0:27:19 > 0:27:20halfway through the show today,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24but strangely, in the end it was Clive's nesting instinct,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27his desire for a comfy country lifestyle,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31that I think won out over Carolyn's more acute business sense.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Although time will tell.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36And if you've enjoyed our property frolics here in the British
0:27:36 > 0:27:41countryside, then do join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:27:41 > 0:27:42Clive and Carolyn have done some research
0:27:42 > 0:27:47and decided that Worcestershire is not the county for them after all.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50They've now turned their attention to Wales.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53Let's hope they find what they're looking for there.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56If you want to escape to the country in Wales, Northern Ireland,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59England, Scotland or even further afield, to the Continent,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02and need our help, please apply online at...
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd