0:00:02 > 0:00:05On today's Escape To The Country, we are venturing into uncharted waters
0:00:05 > 0:00:09as we step into a county that we've never been to.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12It's full of some amazing and pretty quirky features, not least this one,
0:00:12 > 0:00:17Western Europe's largest manmade lake, covering 3,000 acres.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20So, where are we? Stick around and I'll tell you.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50On today's show, I'll be helping a couple
0:00:50 > 0:00:55move from their London pad to England's smallest county,
0:00:55 > 0:00:58and they've got very exacting expectations.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01You would be able to fit my cooker, wouldn't you, into that space?
0:01:01 > 0:01:05We'd have to measure it, but I think it would probably fit.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08But there's always the Mystery House.
0:01:08 > 0:01:12- Absolutely amazing.- Yes?
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Well, today, we're in Rutland.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19It's perhaps no surprise that we've never been here,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22because this is England's smallest county.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25But in the centre of it is this lot, Rutland Water,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28an enormous reservoir built in 1970
0:01:28 > 0:01:32to supply water to towns like Peterborough, Northampton and Milton Keynes.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37It's so big, there are 160 billion litres of the stuff in here.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Now, when it was created, of course, various things got submerged,
0:01:40 > 0:01:46but one of the things that survived is this Normanton Church, or at least half of it,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49a fascinating reminder of the area's rich heritage.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Along its 25 miles of shoreline,
0:01:52 > 0:01:55it's become a mecca of yacht clubs, hotels and fine restaurants.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58This really is a place with something for everybody,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02but there's a lot more to Rutland than just its liquid assets.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Surrounded by county giants, Rutland borders Lincolnshire,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Cambridgeshire.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16The smallest county in England, it's just 17 by 18 miles across
0:02:16 > 0:02:21and it only has two major towns, Oakham, the county town, and Uppingham.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24But this scenic slice of Middle England
0:02:24 > 0:02:27is not to be outdone by its neighbouring counties.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Largely a rural region, the area features many attractive stone-built villages
0:02:32 > 0:02:35and a landscape which has changed little in 200 years.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38And, of course, at its heart is Rutland Water,
0:02:38 > 0:02:43a wishbone-shaped lake that's a draw for wildlife and sports lovers alike.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The county has seen its fair share of upheaval.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50In 1974, Rutland was merged with Leicestershire,
0:02:50 > 0:02:55but after a long campaign, independence was finally restored in 1997
0:02:55 > 0:02:59and it became England's smallest county once more.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02There are also at least twice as many sheep as people here
0:03:02 > 0:03:06and Rutland is also testimony to the old adage that small is beautiful.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09With its charming market towns and villages,
0:03:09 > 0:03:15this potted pocket of England attracts 1.6 million visitors a year.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23It's hard to imagine why on earth we've never been to Rutland before.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26But at long last, thanks to today's buyers, we've made it.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33Meet Frank, an ex-policeman, and his wife Sue, a sales rep.
0:03:33 > 0:03:37They've been living in their three-bed house in south London for the last 30 years.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41With Sue's retirement looming they're keen to sell.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43But there is another reason why they want to move.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47About eight years ago, Frank had cancer,
0:03:47 > 0:03:49quite a virulent form of cancer,
0:03:49 > 0:03:54and in fact, was only given a five percent chance of pulling through.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56So happily, of course, he did,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00but that made us take stock of our life more
0:04:00 > 0:04:04and we now feel that that probably was a wake-up call.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06It's that time of life
0:04:06 > 0:04:10when we would like to go back to what is my roots, in fact,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12and live in the country.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17Their current house has considerable living space and a garden with a summer house,
0:04:17 > 0:04:22but they're not intending to compromise on the size of their new home.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24At least two, possibly three bedrooms.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Minimum two, but the more the better.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30And they don't want a new build.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32We're looking for a barn conversion
0:04:32 > 0:04:38or a period property, perhaps Georgian style,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42but with a slick interior.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45Sue also has a clear idea on what she wants from the kitchen.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I'd like it to be a very large kitchen, with granite tops.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53And it has to accommodate one non-negotiable feature.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Our range, I absolutely love it.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00It's restaurant commercial standard, so it makes cooking on it so easy and accurate.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02I know this sounds weird,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07but I wouldn't buy a house that I couldn't fit this range into, because I'm not leaving it.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11But, of course, it's the price that will set the standard for what they can achieve.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15Our maximum budget for this move is £400,000.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24Gorgeous as this county may be, it is going to stretch their budget.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Their requirements are fairly simple,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29characterful house with three bedrooms and a manageable garden,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32but I do suspect here on Escape To The Country,
0:05:32 > 0:05:36we're going to have to work a bit of good old-fashioned magic.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Frank and Sue have a budget of £400,000
0:05:40 > 0:05:44to help them make their rural escape to a patch of paradise in Rutland.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47We don't have a vast amount of ground to cover,
0:05:47 > 0:05:52so we'll head to the heart of the county, focusing our search around the market town of Oakham.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56We've selected three great properties to show our buyers,
0:05:56 > 0:05:59but I won't let on how much they're on the market for
0:05:59 > 0:06:02until they've had a shot at guessing the price first.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I'm hoping our Mystery House will help them think outside the box.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Let's have a think about exactly what you're after.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12How well do you know the property market here?
0:06:12 > 0:06:15I have researched it quite a lot on the internet,
0:06:15 > 0:06:20so one thing that does strike me is that the prices are quite high.
0:06:20 > 0:06:25Your budget of £400,000, as you've probably seen by looking online,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28you know, it is going to be,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31I wouldn't say challenged, but you'll spend most of it.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33Any movement on that at all?
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Down!
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Everybody says that, yes!
0:06:38 > 0:06:40- Up.- Up a little bit, perhaps?
0:06:40 > 0:06:45For the right property, we'll be realistic and flexible.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49We've got some really interesting properties for you to look at. Let's go.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- Great.- OK.- Thank you, Jules.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55With a budget of £400,000,
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Frank and Sue want a detached period property, a minimum of three bedrooms,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01on the edge of a lively village.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03And there's one key element they're after -
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Sue is into her cooking, so she'd like a glossy fitted-kitchen
0:07:07 > 0:07:11and it's an absolute must that there's enough space for her beloved range.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Sounds like an interesting recipe to me.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Surrounded by countryside that's scattered with woods,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28our first property is in the conservation village of Braunston,
0:07:28 > 0:07:32two miles west of Oakham and just three miles from Rutland Water.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37Braunston is a lively place, which has several farmhouses dating back to the 1600s
0:07:37 > 0:07:41and a number of cottages with either thatched or tiled roofs.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46The house we're looking at is thought to date back to the 1800s.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Right, let's start with property number one.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- There you go, Sue, Frank. What do you think?- Lovely.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58- Picturesque. - Yes. The early bit is to the left with the porch and so forth.
0:07:58 > 0:08:03- But you wanted a stone exterior. - We've got stone.- You've got stone.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- And then you've got this. - That's part of it?- It is, which is a much later arrangement,
0:08:08 > 0:08:13- something of a converted barn with another extension on here. - Looks interesting.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- Let's cut to the chase, get inside, see what you make of it.- Great.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Good.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23The interior also has a few surprises in store
0:08:23 > 0:08:25and I'll be interested to see what they think.
0:08:25 > 0:08:30- Here we are. You've got two doors to choose from. We'll pick this one.- OK!
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Right, Sue, come on in.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40What do you think, Frank?
0:08:40 > 0:08:43I think I expected it to be a bigger room.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- It's not the only reception room. - No.- That's the good news.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49If you painted it a different colour
0:08:49 > 0:08:52and perhaps put coving in to lift the room,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55- I think we could do a lot with it. - Good!
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Let's continue through here!
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Now, then... Dining room.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04- Mm.- It did say on the list that entertaining was of importance.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06- BOTH: It is.- Very much so.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Could you envisage the sort of things that you do in here?
0:09:10 > 0:09:12Certainly, yes. We could.
0:09:12 > 0:09:18'So the dining room gets the thumbs-up, but will the kitchen meet Sue's rather precise requirements?'
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Now, then, Sue. Take it all in.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27Is that the only form of cooking, on the range?
0:09:27 > 0:09:31It is not. There is an electric cooker
0:09:31 > 0:09:34through this corridor, which we'll explore later.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38But let's talk about the range. On its own, this is lovely, but it's not yours.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43- Unusually, you want to bring your cooker with you.- I do.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Would your cooker fit in there?
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- I think it would. - It looks similar in width.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51- I think it would.- OK. Right, then.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55This is the alternative cooker that we mentioned.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57This is quite useful. Downstairs, double shower,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01power shower, loo and all the rest.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04And in here, this other living room.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- Goodness me. I'm surprised.- Yes.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10- You wouldn't imagine it to be here. - You wouldn't credit it.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16- What would you do with it? It could be a bedroom, I suppose. - A guest room.- A guest room.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18'Certainly food for thought.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22'Leading off is yet another room, which the current owners use as a study
0:10:22 > 0:10:25'but which does offer scope for a range of uses.'
0:10:25 > 0:10:30'Upstairs, this house has two guest bedrooms and an appealing master.'
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Right.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Oh, this is a good size, isn't it? - Mm.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- Yes?- The lower window appeals to me. - Really?
0:10:39 > 0:10:44But this is the master bedroom for the simple reason that it's the biggest.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49None of them have got an ensuite, but you've got the family bathroom up here.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54So lots of options. The point is, it offers you a lot of flexible accommodation.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58I didn't think this bedroom would be so large.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01'So it sounds like Frank and Sue are warming to this place
0:11:01 > 0:11:04and I'm confident they'll like the outside, too.'
0:11:04 > 0:11:06So cross the track...
0:11:06 > 0:11:09..into your garden.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Have a look at this. I think it's really sweet.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15- It is. - Bigger than you expect, isn't it?
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- It is pretty generous, considering where we are.- Yes.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22The question is, how much do you think it's on the market for?
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Er, well, Jules, given the locality of the property,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31I think it's got to be £395,000.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33395. Frank?
0:11:33 > 0:11:36I think Sue's probably underestimating.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40I would think it would be up to our budget of 400.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42400.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- You, madam, are absolutely right. - Oh!
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- £395,000.- Oh, right.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- That's a pleasant surprise. - That's about right.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Go and have a look round and I'll catch up with you later.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- OK, Jules.- Off you go. - Thanks very much.- Enjoy.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Brilliant!
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Priced at £395,000,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08this pretty stone cottage is just within Frank and Sue's budget.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11It's got three bedrooms, including an ample master.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13It offers lovely rural views
0:12:13 > 0:12:19and, of course, it has a kitchen which should be able to accommodate Sue's all-important range.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23You would be able to fit my cooker, wouldn't you, into that space?
0:12:23 > 0:12:26We'd have to measure it, but I think it would probably fit.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29And the cooker hood?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32The real surprise for me was the annexe,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36the other wing that's been built on.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40That really did open up a lot more possibilities.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44Ah, here we are! Our intrepid house-hunters!
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Come on, Sue and Frank. Have you figured it all out?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50- I think so. Just minor details left. - Minor details!
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- We've got ideas in here. - Good. Keep them coming!
0:13:01 > 0:13:03The second house
0:13:03 > 0:13:06is in the midst of the honey- coloured cottages of Lyddington,
0:13:06 > 0:13:11a rural conservation village, just a five-minute drive from Uppingham.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14The village is brimming with historic buildings,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17such as Lyddington Bede House, a former shelter for the poor
0:13:17 > 0:13:21that was once part of a medieval bishop's palace.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23There's also the 14th century St Andrew's Church,
0:13:23 > 0:13:27which is just around the corner from our next offering.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Right...
0:13:29 > 0:13:32- Our second property for you. - BOTH: Oh.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- Very...- Different.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Yes, it is different!- Impressive.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41The nice thing about this is, you're in the village, but on the edge of it.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44And a building which is not the oldest in the village, either.
0:13:44 > 0:13:50- Six years old.- I'm impressed.- Good, because I know you weren't entirely happy about new builds,
0:13:50 > 0:13:55- but I think this is worth looking at and because of where it is. - The setting is lovely.
0:13:57 > 0:13:58- Shall we?- Please.- Definitely. - Come on, then.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03'Initial reactions are positive, despite the fact that this is a new build.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08'Will the interior have the space they want and room for Sue's range cooker?'
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Right, come on in. Grab the door, Frank.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Certainly.
0:14:13 > 0:14:19- Wow.- Yes?- Yes. - You like?- Very much so. - It does have the wow factor.- Lovely.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- Would this space work for you, Sue? - As long as I could get my cooker in.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25I think you can.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Have a look at this. The kitchen as it is,
0:14:28 > 0:14:33the units are perfect serviceable but not particularly valuable,
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- and this cooker is nowhere near as big as yours.- No!
0:14:37 > 0:14:41So I'm thinking you would start again with all of this lot.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Blank canvas, isn't it?- It is.
0:14:44 > 0:14:50In terms of storage and so forth, there's a generous utility room through that door there
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- with a kind of boot room, as well. - Oh, right.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54So plenty room and a back door.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58But, of course, it does all drift through here. Have a look at this.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01This is the main living area, reception area.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- Oh, yes. Very bright and airy.- Yes?
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It's square. I like that.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09The way that his house presents, I like.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11'Excellent. Let's head upstairs.'
0:15:11 > 0:15:14This, I think, is quite surprising, actually,
0:15:14 > 0:15:16this great big light landing.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- It is spacious, isn't it?- Yes.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- And off of here, we've got you four bedrooms.- Four?
0:15:23 > 0:15:24- Yes.- Really?
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Have a look at this to kick off.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30One of four, as I say. Sue?
0:15:30 > 0:15:34The thing that strikes me immediately
0:15:34 > 0:15:36is there's no apparent place to put wardrobes.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- This is true. - Because I have got lots of clothes.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44- This isn't the only bedroom, of course, so this could be a generous guest room.- Yes.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Although you are right. That's one of the things with these ceilings.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- Family bathroom is in there. You can explore that later.- OK.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Bedroom two is in there.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00This is a much smaller box room.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Make a good study.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- And then, finally, we've got this one.- Oh.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10- Now, it's not the master bedroom... - Mm.
0:16:10 > 0:16:15- ..but it is the only one with an ensuite, behind you in there. - Oh, right.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19Have a quick look. Just poke your heads in.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Nice shower cubicle.- Very nice.
0:16:22 > 0:16:23It's a shame, in a way,
0:16:23 > 0:16:28- that the bigger bedroom doesn't have the ensuite.- It is.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31And that's a big bit of furniture which is taking up a lot of space.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- But as a guest room, it's perfectly lovely.- Yes.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36I could live here, no trouble at all.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38For me, there wouldn't be enough storage.
0:16:38 > 0:16:43Let's not give up just yet. Let's finish off in the garden and talk about the money,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46because I'm sure that'll have a bearing on it!
0:16:46 > 0:16:49After you! Go on, Frank.
0:16:49 > 0:16:54'Yes, the great money chat... Better done outside where there's more room to breathe.'
0:16:54 > 0:16:57In terms of the garden,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01we've seen it on the way in. What you see is what you get.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05But I get the sense that from everything we've talked about,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09- this is the sort of size... - It's ample, yes!
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- And, of course, you know, this very, very pretty house. - It is pretty.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17There are definitely things you could do.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21But it all depends on how much you want it. Let's think money.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26- Who went first last time?- Me.- Sue. OK, so, Frank,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28make me an offer.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32Four bedrooms, location...
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Rutland... 415.
0:17:36 > 0:17:42- 415. Yes. Sue? - Yes, beautiful village, lovely aspect, pretty house...
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Five pounds short of 400.
0:17:44 > 0:17:51OK. This could be yours for £425,000.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54They don't come on the market in this village that often,
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- so I think it's well worth thinking about.- I think so.
0:17:58 > 0:18:03- And given that you like it, twist her arm!- Yes! Exactly!
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- Go on, Frank, you were a copper, you should be good at that! - An arm lock!
0:18:07 > 0:18:09- Off you go, I'll see you later on. - Thanks, Jules.
0:18:09 > 0:18:15At £425,000, this house is over budget,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18but that's largely down to its fantastic location.
0:18:18 > 0:18:23It doesn't need much work and would give our buyers the opportunity to move in straight away.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27It's got four good-size bedrooms and the kitchen is a great space,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29which allows Sue to put her stamp on it and make it her own.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33This house, being compared with newly built,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37is one that would be easily maintained.
0:18:37 > 0:18:42I felt that the house let down a little bit upstairs.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45I think the bedrooms really,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47on reflection, are a little too small.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54So as the day draws to a close over the waters of Rutland,
0:18:54 > 0:18:59our buyers get some time to reflect on today's properties.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05As we said yesterday,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10Frank and Sue's £400,000 was always going to have to work pretty hard in Rutland,
0:19:10 > 0:19:14and although we've seen some beautiful properties, I think they've yet to be wowed.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17Let's hope that our final one, the Mystery House, can do the trick
0:19:17 > 0:19:21as we head out on our last day of house-hunting.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26So Mystery House... What could it be?
0:19:26 > 0:19:30I think it could be an apartment.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32I tell you what, if you look at that sign there...
0:19:32 > 0:19:36- Oh, Leicestershire. - It's in Leicestershire.- Right.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Now, as always, our Mystery House offers up a surprise or two.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44And so, for our third offering, we're heading to Scalford,
0:19:44 > 0:19:48a village just outside the county of Rutland in Leicestershire.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Scalford is Old English for "shallow ford"
0:19:51 > 0:19:53and its church is named after St Eglewin,
0:19:53 > 0:19:56the only one in the country to be named after this saint.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01The village has a post office and a pub and the area is popular with horse riders.
0:20:01 > 0:20:06- This is it, this is the Mystery House, at long last.- Wow! - The waiting's over.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09- Do you like?- I love it. - Very nice, isn't it?- Yes.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- What is it about that one? - It's the symmetry of it.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15It looks absolutely immaculate.
0:20:15 > 0:20:20I love the windows. And that yellow stone is gorgeous.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- Shall we?- Yes. - Let's go and have a look.- Please.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25Now, although it's not in Rutland,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28I'm pretty sure our buyers will like this house.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31It's got everything they had on their wish list and more.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36- In you come, Sue.- Wow, Jules. - Grab the door, Frank.
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- Come on in. What do you think? - This is lovely. Beautiful.- Yes.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43This is the original bit of the house.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48There is an extension put on in the '70s, not that you'd know from the outside.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- I notice the cookers. - Yes! Now, I've got a solution, though, for you.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- You could take the unit out that's behind you...- Yes.
0:20:56 > 0:21:01..and that cooker, which is lovely, it seems a shame to move it, but if you wanted to put yours in,
0:21:01 > 0:21:05- you could fit it there and keep that there.- Definitely.
0:21:05 > 0:21:10In terms of this mixture of contemporary and old and a bit of character,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- I think this works. - This fits it.- Beautiful.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- If you like this, you'll love the rest.- Save the best till last.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Through here, we've got the dining room.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- Oh, this is absolutely wonderful. - Yes?- Beautiful.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- What do you think, Frank?- I like it.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- Yes?- You're clever.- Good, right!
0:21:30 > 0:21:33Come and have a look at this. You'll love this bit.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Look at that.- Oh! No!
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- How about that?- You wouldn't expect to find that, would you?- No!
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Absolutely amazing.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- But the best is yet to come. - No?- Oh, yes.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Come and have a look in here.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Wow. Another "wow". I love the wardrobes.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55'This could be used as a bedroom, because the windows are sunken
0:21:55 > 0:21:57'and don't allow as much light in as upstairs.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01'It also works well because it has an ensuite shower room.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03'Let's see what they think of the first-floor space
0:22:03 > 0:22:06'and the living room the current owners created.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09'I have a feeling they'll be impressed.'
0:22:09 > 0:22:15- Goodness me. What a surprise!- Yes. - Absolutely fantastic.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19The question is, can you see yourselves genuinely using a house like this
0:22:19 > 0:22:22and relaxing in space such as we see?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25I could, definitely. Love it.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Oh, well, if the good lady says...
0:22:29 > 0:22:33'Well, as expected, they love the living room and its design.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35'And the bathroom is pretty special, too.'
0:22:35 > 0:22:38What about that?
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- Wow. Beautiful.- You wanted funky.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45You've done it. You've done it!
0:22:45 > 0:22:47There's a further guest bedroom or study
0:22:47 > 0:22:52and then the master, which I have no doubt will be a hit.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- Oh, my! What a room!- Yes?
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Beautiful!
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Has this got an ensuite, as well?
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- No. It has a walk-in wardrobe. - Oh, right.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07Lovely decor. It's exactly the colours we would choose.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13'Well, that's the way I like it. Our Mystery House has totally hit the jackpot.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16'And outside, there are yet more surprises to come.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19'The property has three outbuildings including a double garage,
0:23:19 > 0:23:23'that can be used as storage or indeed a workshop.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26'Above it, there's an artist's studio.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29'The garden is just the right size for Frank and Sue
0:23:29 > 0:23:32'and has the benefit of facing south.'
0:23:32 > 0:23:37- I love this sort of busy, profuse garden.- It's beautifully planted. - Everything's spilling out.
0:23:37 > 0:23:43- You've got this area of lawn.- I know you said we've moved from Rutland, but you wouldn't know.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46It begs the question, our final price guess, guys...
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- How much?- How much is the Mystery House on for?
0:23:52 > 0:23:58Well, given the beautiful location and the stunning house,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01I think it's got to be 435.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04435. So over budget there, Frank.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06I would hope for it to be less.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08I'm going to guess at...
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- 420.- 420.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Well, I'm going to give you some very good news.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18You don't have to stretch that far at all. This is under budget.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- No.- By 50 quid!
0:24:21 > 0:24:25- Really? - This could be yours for £399,950.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29- That is amazing. Absolutely amazing. - Yes?
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Happy days!
0:24:32 > 0:24:34And I've made a decision.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36I'm going to sell the cooker.
0:24:36 > 0:24:41- You're selling the cooker?- Yes. - This £8,000 cooker?- Yes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43- It's going to go?- Yes. - Because you want this house?- Yes.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47Brilliant. Look, go and have a look at those outbuildings. There are the keys.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- Go and find yourself a workshop, studio, an office, it's all out there.- Thank you.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- I'll catch up with you later. - OK.- Off you go.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59So at just £50 shy of their £400,000 budget,
0:24:59 > 0:25:02this surprising stone cottage just over the border in Leicestershire
0:25:02 > 0:25:07has brought about the impossible and made Sue consider getting rid of her range.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10With three great-size bedrooms, one with an ensuite dressing room,
0:25:10 > 0:25:16this house has the perfect mix of an old exterior and modern interior that really appeals to Sue.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20And it's got a selection of outbuildings for Frank to play in.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24- What do you think? Workshop or... - That appeals to me.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- It appeals to me leaving my car in it.- Uh-huh.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30So we'll have to come to a compromise on that.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35As soon as we walked up to the front of this property, I was excited.
0:25:35 > 0:25:40As we walked through into the entrance hall, it got better and better with each room.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Everything, for me, is perfect.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52We've scoured Rutland and hopped over the border into Leicestershire.
0:25:52 > 0:25:58We saw three fantastic properties, but which one, if any, are Frank and Sue going to go for?
0:25:58 > 0:26:03I'm pretty sure I have a good idea. Is it the same as yours, I wonder?
0:26:06 > 0:26:11For our first trip to Rutland, you've been a fantastic couple to have on board.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15It's been a real treat, so thanks for wanting to move to this part of the country.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17It's been the most enjoyable trip.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21The key thing, though, is have we managed to find you your new dream home?
0:26:21 > 0:26:24The first one that we went to...
0:26:24 > 0:26:27There was a lot to like about it. It grew on me as I went through.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31If we could knock that back wall out to make it just larger
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and perhaps lose the corridor, that could've been an option.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Then we took you to our second property.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42I liked the situation of the house and the appearance.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44It didn't look like a new build.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46The kitchen was a good space.
0:26:46 > 0:26:51I have to confess that when we finished our first day I was a bit anxious,
0:26:51 > 0:26:58because I think we'd yet to find this interesting mix of old and new that you'd been seeking.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- But then we took you to our Mystery House!- Aww!
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- Talk me through that one, Sue. - It was just...
0:27:04 > 0:27:10I had a feeling I would fall in love with it when we first saw the front.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I think it's a wonderful place, I really do,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16and with a lot of potential.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20- In terms of the obvious choice, it is the Mystery House. - Yes.- Without a doubt.
0:27:20 > 0:27:27It was just a very clever, tasteful blend of old and high-spec.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30How about the fact that the Mystery House wasn't in Rutland?
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Rutland was our starting point. To move out a little bit...
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- Is not an issue. - We've found something we like.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40There you go. Brilliant, guys.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43It's a fantastic property. I do hope you're able to get it.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46You won't regret it, I'm sure. So best of luck.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48Let's cross everything! Well done.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- Thank you, Jules.- Our pleasure. - Thank you for your time.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Well, as you can probably tell, we've had an awful lot of fun
0:27:58 > 0:28:01house-hunting in Rutland and the surrounding area.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06We've seen some fantastic houses and been greeted by some very warm and welcoming people,
0:28:06 > 0:28:10reason enough for anybody to want to move to this part of the world.
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Despite the fact that it's our first visit to England's smallest county,
0:28:14 > 0:28:20I suspect that thanks to Frank and Sue's bold lead, it won't be our last.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Northern Ireland or England and would like our help,
0:28:26 > 0:28:27please apply online at:
0:28:31 > 0:28:34Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd