0:00:02 > 0:00:07For today's escape to the country, I've come to a county with some gorgeous rivers,
0:00:07 > 0:00:12but it's also famous for its mills and the woollen blankets they produced? Where are we?
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Join me in a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48'On today's show I help a couple move back to their roots
0:00:48 > 0:00:52'and find their piece of paradise in West Wales.
0:00:52 > 0:00:58'And it's full steam ahead as an impressive bathroom makes them keen to take the plunge.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- Even I might be tempted. - It's lovely.- 'And another house
0:01:02 > 0:01:07'sees them reaching for their hankies.' A little bit tearful.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Hold it together. Don't lose it just yet.
0:01:13 > 0:01:19Today we're in Carmarthenshire, a county that was once at the centre of the Welsh woollen industry,
0:01:19 > 0:01:26producing gorgeous Welsh blankets like these. The building behind me is the mill in Dre-fach Felindre.
0:01:26 > 0:01:32Back in the 19th century, there were once 27 mills in this tiny village alone.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37By the 20th century, textile production in this region rivalled that of Yorkshire.
0:01:37 > 0:01:43It's hard to imagine these days, but later I'll look at the area's history and a recent upturn
0:01:43 > 0:01:49in the production of products like these. But for now, there's a lot more to this county
0:01:49 > 0:01:52than blankets and sheep.
0:01:52 > 0:01:59Carmarthenshire is surrounded by Ceredigion to the north, Powys to the east, Pembrokeshire to the west.
0:01:59 > 0:02:07Dylan Thomas, who spent much of his life here, described its natural beauty as the "fields of praise".
0:02:07 > 0:02:13And the west of the county is home to swathes of picturesque hills and farmland.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18It's also famous for its many castles such as the impressive fortress of Llansteffan.
0:02:18 > 0:02:24If you have a passion for the sea, it could be the perfect place for your next home.
0:02:24 > 0:02:31The county has miles of coastline running along the grand sweeps of Carmarthen Bay and Pendine Sands.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40So if you are in the market for a rural bolthole, this part of South Wales should be on your radar.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45The average house price here is around about £160,000.
0:02:45 > 0:02:50Give or take, that's 100 grand less than the national average for England and Wales.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55So when you've got gorgeous landscapes like that and occasional beautiful weather,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59you can see why it's an ever-popular destination.
0:02:59 > 0:03:05Carmarthenshire offers up a varied mix of properties that reflect the county's heritage.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09Former millworkers' cottages dating back to the mid-19th century
0:03:09 > 0:03:12could be available for as little as £150,000.
0:03:12 > 0:03:19If you yearn for locally-quarried stone, you'll find an array of houses with slate roofs,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21dating back to the 17th century.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26These can range from around the £300,000-£450,000 price bracket,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29but it all depends how much land is on offer.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34For budgets of £500,000 or more, there are gorgeous period farmhouses.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39Hailing from the late Georgian era, they can provide an impressive number of acres.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47So as you can see, there are some fantastic properties on offer in all sort of shapes and sizes,
0:03:47 > 0:03:54but will any one of them be enough to tempt today's buyers to move? Well, they certainly hope so.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00Today's escapees are Tim and Lisa. Self-confessed townies,
0:04:00 > 0:04:05they've lived in Welwyn Garden City in Hertfordshire for most of their lives,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08but now crave the sights and sounds of the country.
0:04:08 > 0:04:14My ideal property would have a view to die for. I want to get up and see the beauty of the countryside.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19I was brought up in a rural community so I wanted our children to have the same opportunity, space,
0:04:19 > 0:04:26land, woodland to explore and to play in and to grow up in.
0:04:26 > 0:04:32But this isn't just an important move for our buyers. There's also their children, Sophie and Harry.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37Harry's 10, he's full of life and he needs space.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Building treehouses, quad bikes,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45playing rugby and football and cricket.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Sophie can have a pony.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53So it seems an active lifestyle is key to everyone's aspirations and that includes Tim.
0:04:53 > 0:04:58I like to shoot clay pigeons and air rifles. And I really want a tractor!
0:04:58 > 0:05:04Lisa, however, wants to be the driving force behind a completely new venture.
0:05:04 > 0:05:08I actually want to start a business myself. We want to do rentals,
0:05:08 > 0:05:12either log cabins or glamping.
0:05:12 > 0:05:19I don't want to just get another job working for somebody else. I want to incorporate this with the move.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22If we've got the right land, we can do that.
0:05:22 > 0:05:28And that right land is in West Wales, a part of the world that's very close to their hearts.
0:05:28 > 0:05:35We're looking to move to Carmarthenshire. We're looking for an area from Swansea westwards
0:05:35 > 0:05:37across to Carmarthen.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42I've got some very happy memories of Wales. When I was growing up,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46we spent many, many years having fabulous holidays there.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51Just one final thing to nail down and that's the finances.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54Our maximum budget would be £550,000.
0:05:57 > 0:06:03Tim and Lisa want us to concentrate our property search towards the southern edge of the county
0:06:03 > 0:06:07to take full advantage of all their favourite country interests,
0:06:07 > 0:06:11but within easy motorway reach as Tim still needs to commute to Newport.
0:06:11 > 0:06:17I met up with them on their arrival in Wales to find out more about what they're looking for.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23- Nice to see you. Hi, Lisa, Tim. Good to see you.- You, too. - Welcome to Carmarthenshire.
0:06:23 > 0:06:29There's Llansteffan Castle behind us and I gather you're part-Welsh.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33- My mother's Welsh.- Hey! Do you speak Welsh?- Just a little.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36Good. This is Welsh-speaking territory.
0:06:36 > 0:06:42- So tell me, what are we looking for? - I think our ideal property would probably be a stone farmhouse
0:06:42 > 0:06:48with big kitchen, heart of the house, and maybe a fireplace and some oak beams.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51- So traditional country living.- Yeah.
0:06:51 > 0:06:58- But we're also bringing Mum along, Margaret.- Yes, that's right. - Are we thinking about an annexe?
0:06:58 > 0:07:04Definitely an annexe. Maybe a cottage or an outbuilding we can convert for her.
0:07:04 > 0:07:10- Now you like tractors, quad bikes and lots of land.- Absolutely! The more land the better.
0:07:10 > 0:07:15- What are you going to do with it? - We've got some business ideas around glamping.
0:07:15 > 0:07:21I want wooden pods. They're fabulous. We need woodland to put them in the right setting.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25And how much have we got to pay for this good life?
0:07:25 > 0:07:30We could go to 550 if everything was there and we didn't have lots to renovate.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Shall we?- Yeah.- Come on, then.
0:07:36 > 0:07:42Tim and Lisa have a maximum budget of £550,000 and a very clear idea of their wish list.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47They'd like a large country kitchen, at least four bedrooms,
0:07:47 > 0:07:49an annexe or outhouse for Lisa's mum
0:07:49 > 0:07:52and a minimum of four acres of land.
0:07:53 > 0:07:59We'll be showing them three fabulous country retreats, but as ever I won't be revealing the price
0:07:59 > 0:08:04until they've had a guess first. The final property is the mystery house,
0:08:04 > 0:08:11a home they might not have looked at on paper, but the location could make them go weak at the knees.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17Our first property is in Llandyfan, a beautiful rural hamlet
0:08:17 > 0:08:22nestled on the western edge of the Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons National Park.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27Our buyers asked for a setting with good access to country activities
0:08:27 > 0:08:31and this location is perfect for both camping and fishing.
0:08:31 > 0:08:37Towering above this tiny village are the grey stone ruins of the medieval castle of Carreg Cennen,
0:08:37 > 0:08:42the perfect romantic ruin. So let's hope they fall in love with house number one.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46You wouldn't think it, but that is a converted barn.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52- Right.- The whole thing was converted about 12 years ago or so.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Since then, they've kind of added to it,
0:08:56 > 0:09:01- not least with that log cabin. - OK.- Everything's gone quiet.
0:09:01 > 0:09:06- Hasn't it?- Is this a good sign? - Yes.- Yes, it is good.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09All in all, seven acres.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12They sort of wrap themselves around the boundary you see there,
0:09:12 > 0:09:18- beyond that red shed you can see in the distance and the tractor! - The little tractor!- Yeah!
0:09:18 > 0:09:25- Let's go inside and have a look. There's an awful lot of it, our converted barn.- Lovely.- Come on.
0:09:26 > 0:09:32'A pretty good start, I think, even though Tim and Lisa appear to be slightly lost for words.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35'Let's see what they make of the very spacious interior.'
0:09:35 > 0:09:41Let's start with this enormous, wraparound garden room, really. Or conservatory. Call it what you like.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46It really does make a huge difference to the floorplan here.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51It really does extend it into a wonderful family space.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55It goes right the way round the corner in this lovely L-shape.
0:09:55 > 0:10:02It's nice that it's next to the kitchen. It just, effectively, extends the whole kitchen area.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- The nice thing about it is that it helps insulate the whole thing as well.- Yeah.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- You spotted the kitchen.- Yes. - Let's have a closer look.
0:10:11 > 0:10:16Here it is. Lisa, I know you wanted it to be the heart of the home, as it were.
0:10:16 > 0:10:23- Physically, it's right in the middle as you can see.- Mm.- There's a lot of "mm" going on.- No, it's nice.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- It's nice.- Again, it's a big space.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30- Is there a utility as well? - A massive utility room.- OK.- Huge.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33Come and have a look through here.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39This is the sort of cosier end of the family space, if you will.
0:10:39 > 0:10:45- More of a sitting room with wood burner.- Uh-huh.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49I suspect these days we would look at a much more neutral palette here,
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- which would in some respects lighten it.- It is quite dark.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58And obviously all the cosmetic things we can put right.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- You have to look beyond that. It's personal taste.- It is.- Yeah.
0:11:02 > 0:11:09- I think it's got a great deal of potential.- Good. OK. Well, upstairs we've got you five bedrooms.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- Oh!- Which means Mum could be here while you do up...
0:11:13 > 0:11:16- The lodge for her. - The lodge. Follow me.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21'Our buyers are certainly starting to see the potential here, which is great news.
0:11:21 > 0:11:27'Downstairs there's also a cloak room, a good-sized dining room and a useful boot room.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32'Time now for the first floor.' OK. How about this for a landing?
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Oh, this is lovely.- Yeah?
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- This would make a really good office, actually.- It would.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- Computer there, looking out. - Can you imagine that, Tim? - Yeah, straight out.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- Yeah.- The fields and the woods. - I did say five bedrooms. There's another floor.
0:11:49 > 0:11:56- And that's the master suite. - Plenty of space to put my clothes! - Follow me.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01'There are four other bedrooms on this floor, plus a sizeable family bathroom,
0:12:01 > 0:12:08'but it's up another flight where they'll have the opportunity to get away from it all.'
0:12:08 > 0:12:13So here we are in the eaves. This is your own little space.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17- Oh, this is lovely. - Yeah?- Yeah, beautiful.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23- Oh, look at the view when you wake up.- Yeah.- What a surprising space.
0:12:23 > 0:12:29- OK, what is it about this bit that's moved you?- This is the stuff that really works for me.
0:12:29 > 0:12:35- It's just solid and lovely. - We just need to put a hinge in it so you can get in and out!
0:12:35 > 0:12:39It's that painful learning experience that you get used to.
0:12:39 > 0:12:45- In properties of this sort, that's exactly what I expect. - Less painful would be outside.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Let's go and take a closer look and talk about the price.
0:12:49 > 0:12:55'The master also has an en-suite, but it's the love of the great outdoors that really appeals
0:12:55 > 0:13:00'to Tim and Lisa and the outside of this property has plenty of space for their camping business.'
0:13:00 > 0:13:01OK.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Now then, let's have a think about our seven acres,
0:13:07 > 0:13:12our five-bedroom converted barn and all that goes with it
0:13:12 > 0:13:15and your £550,000 budget.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- Who's going to go first? Lisa?- OK.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24I think it's quite a bit under that. I'd go for...485.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- £485,000 says your wife, Tim. - Mmm.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34I think it's probably a little bit below that. It's probably 470-475.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37Well, it WAS on at 525.
0:13:38 > 0:13:44- But now it could be yours... for 455.- Wow.- Right.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48- It's definitely a prospect. Definitely.- Yeah?
0:13:48 > 0:13:52We haven't yet had a good look at where Mummy might go.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58- She's going to go in there, so you go and explore that.- Lovely. - I'll check with you later.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04'This converted barn is on the market for £455,000.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09'Well within their budget, it gives them everything they want in their new home.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13'It has a spacious kitchen, a chalet for Lisa's mum,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17'seven acres of land to develop the luxury camping business
0:14:17 > 0:14:21'and plenty of space for the family to enjoy country sports.'
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Oh, look at this. It's lovely.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- It's like a little doll's house. - It is.- Mum would love this.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35- Yeah, a lovely old pine cabin. - So cosy, isn't it?
0:14:35 > 0:14:39The house itself is really interesting, really nice.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43Very, very good size. And upstairs it's absolutely outstanding.
0:14:43 > 0:14:48It's got some lovely space up there that we could do a lot with.
0:14:48 > 0:14:54I think the land is lovely. With some replanting, we could get pods in here. It's nice and flat.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58This is definitely in the running.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02- Come on, let's go. I'm going to take you away.- Bye, tractor.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15Prior to the 1300s, the county town of Carmarthen was said to be the largest town in Wales,
0:15:15 > 0:15:21supporting a population of 1,000 people. The location also has many strong historical
0:15:21 > 0:15:25and legendary links, like those to King Arthur's wizard, Merlin.
0:15:25 > 0:15:31Indeed, its Welsh name of Caerfyrddin means Merlin's Fort.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35The Romans conquered it in the 11th century and built Carmarthen Castle.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Today all that remains are the ruins.
0:15:38 > 0:15:45As time went on, the town flourished. In the early 19th century, due to booming industry,
0:15:45 > 0:15:51the Victorian rail network was constructed, some of which is still running today.
0:15:51 > 0:15:57This is the Gwili Steam Railway, part of what used to be the 56-mile Carmarthen to Aberystwyth line.
0:15:57 > 0:16:04As Tim has a real passion for machinery, we arranged for him and Lisa to meet Barry Frobel,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08who's been working on the line for the last 12 years.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12- This railway was built in 1860. - Uh-huh?
0:16:12 > 0:16:18And it eventually reached Aberystwyth and took passengers on a very leisurely run.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22Two hours it was from Carmarthen to Aberystwyth.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26Latterly, it was taking goods only and milk.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30As a result of the restructuring of Britain's railways in the 1960s,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34the Gwili line was eventually closed to passengers. However, in 1975,
0:16:34 > 0:16:42the Gwili Railway Company was formed and within three years they'd rescued 8 miles of the old track
0:16:42 > 0:16:47which is now used to transport over 20,000 passengers a year, including Tim and Lisa.
0:16:47 > 0:16:53If you'd like to stand over there to be fireman. This is the gear lever.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55We call it the reverser.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00- It's in mid-gear now or neutral. - Uh-huh.- To move it that way
0:17:00 > 0:17:02will send the locomotive forwards.
0:17:02 > 0:17:07And you've got to get your foot on that to move it back there.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11That will send the locomotive that way.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13So give us a blast on the whistle.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17Brake off.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19Regulator.
0:17:21 > 0:17:26Watch the floor down there. You'll see it moving slowly. A little bit more now.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30That gives you a nice, easy take-off.
0:17:30 > 0:17:34- Yeah.- And if you're running a dining train, that's very important!
0:17:35 > 0:17:38You don't want the soup on your lap!
0:17:39 > 0:17:44The vast majority of work on the railway is carried out by volunteers
0:17:44 > 0:17:50of the Gwili Railway Preservation Society. There are now over 380 members in total.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56A toot of the whistle, please!
0:17:56 > 0:17:58WHISTLE BLOWS
0:17:59 > 0:18:01All you need do now
0:18:01 > 0:18:03is do the brake.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Keep your eye on the speed.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11A bit more brake.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Off. Can you feel it stopping on its own?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20And that was a perfect stop.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Now right off.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28- That was absolutely brilliant! - Really?- Fantastic.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Well, Tim and Lisa seem to be chugging along nicely,
0:18:32 > 0:18:37but now it's full steam ahead as we get back to the property hunt.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44For our second house, we're heading to the south-west of Carmarthenshire
0:18:44 > 0:18:47to the village of Pen-y-bont.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54Pen-y-bont is in a remote location, surrounded by stunning scenery
0:18:54 > 0:18:58which should appeal to our country lovers, Tim and Lisa.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04'The house we're showing them is a detached former farmhouse which they can really put their stamp on.'
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Right. There.
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- Ah, that's beautiful. - Beautiful house.- Isn't it?
0:19:12 > 0:19:16- Absolutely outstanding. - And look at those views.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19You wanted a bit of Carmarthenshire. You can see most of it!
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Absolutely fantastic.
0:19:22 > 0:19:28- That is absolutely stunning. - This is a reaction!- Yeah. - Look at your face now!- It's lovely.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- It's just beautiful.- OK. Well, we've got the house.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34We've also got this.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- That's for your mum. - It's just absolutely beautiful.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42It's even more beautiful on the inside.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45Oh, a little bit tearful! A-ha!
0:19:45 > 0:19:51- Hold it together.- OK. - Don't lose it just yet. Now this is completely empty.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56- You can see very clearly what there is on offer.- Right.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01- Your face. - Stunning.- Follow me. Come on.
0:20:01 > 0:20:07'Well, I can safely say Tim and Lisa have been left breathless by the exterior of this property.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12'And I'm pretty sure they won't be disappointed by the inside either.'
0:20:12 > 0:20:13OK, Lisa.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Ohh!- Come on in.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Yeah, yeah.- Look at it.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25It's fantastic. Absolutely fabulous. Look at it.
0:20:25 > 0:20:31- It's got an island! I could make my Welsh cakes on it. - You can make anything you like.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's all mod cons, all built in.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- Fridges, freezers galore. - Oh, yeah.- Dishwasher over there.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42And as you can see, ready to go.
0:20:42 > 0:20:49- If we had a blank piece of paper... - This would be it.- This is absolutely what we would draw.
0:20:49 > 0:20:54- I get the sense we could spend the rest of the day in here.- Yeah. - Certainly could.- We're not.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Follow me. I'm not going to let you.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03- Oh, look.- Loads of space! Look at this place!
0:21:03 > 0:21:11- Look at the fireplace.- Come on in. Enjoy it. It's not often you get a living room of these proportions.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13No, it's gorgeous.
0:21:13 > 0:21:18- Because we don't have endless rooms down here - we've effectively got two...- Yep.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23- ..you've got to think carefully about how you use this space.- OK. - Beautiful.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27- I think you'll make it work whatever.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:21:27 > 0:21:32'The smiles on Tim and Lisa's faces are simply getting broader and broader.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38'On the ground floor there is also a cloakroom, but we'll pick up our tour on the beautiful staircase.'
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- This is lovely, this oak staircase. - It's beautiful. Really solid.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- And it pours into the kitchen.- This panelling is really nicely done too.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49It gets you up to this with our five bedrooms. Have a look in here.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52The main event.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Beautiful. Look at the views.
0:21:56 > 0:22:02Yeah, you really have got the best room in the house for views. There's no two ways about that.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06- Built-in wardrobes as well. - Has it got an en-suite?
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Would we let you down? It's in there. Go and have a look. Pop the light on.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14It'll make a bit of a noise, but see what you think.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Oh, it's lovely, it's beautiful. A huge shower, look!
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- That's your size. - Absolutely. It's fantastic.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25'The four other bedrooms on this floor are all good sizes and two have built-in wardrobes.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29'There's also a large shower room, but we're heading outside
0:22:29 > 0:22:32'to find that special place for Lisa's mum.'
0:22:32 > 0:22:35For what you're after, this is one of the best I've seen.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40I think this will satisfy Margaret handsomely.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- Oh, she'll love it.- Yeah? - Yeah, it's gorgeous, really nice.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Come through here because I think this is lovely again.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51And just plenty big enough because it's got so much light.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Yeah.- Yeah.- It's lovely.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Again it's a lovely, beautiful big room.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03But the sleeping arrangements are downstairs that lead on to a little terrace.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- That's making the best of the views. - This is nice. Have a look at this.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Now I'm just trying to imagine
0:23:11 > 0:23:16what Margaret would say or will say
0:23:16 > 0:23:18when she walks around this place.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- She'll absolutely love it.- I think she'll be absolutely blown away.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27What would be her exact choice of words, do you think? You're her daughter.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30She'd say, "This is lovely." LAUGHTER
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- Would she really? - Yeah, she probably would.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34OK...
0:23:34 > 0:23:38'And Margaret's words would certainly not be out of place
0:23:38 > 0:23:42'as in this beautifully designed cottage there's also a huge bathroom
0:23:42 > 0:23:45'and a fabulous and spacious walk-in wardrobe.'
0:23:46 > 0:23:53Well, this is probably as good a place as any to take in just some of the land
0:23:53 > 0:23:56that comes with this, in the setting sun.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00You can just see it draped over that far hillside. It's a gorgeous view.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- They don't come much better. - No. Beautiful.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05But let's talk about the money then.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Oh...
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- 540?- 540, yeah.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12I'm going to go for slightly less.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- 529.- 529.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Come on, come on, come on.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21Break my heart.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23- Five...- Yeah.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- ..one zero.- Yes!
0:24:27 > 0:24:29LAUGHTER Yes!
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- Or make my day.- There you are. Maybe I have made your day.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38- Yeah, £510,000.- Gobsmacked.- Yeah, absolutely.- Absolutely gobsmacked.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- Go and have a little cry down there. Go on, off you go.- Thank you.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45If for no other reason than I can feel tall again!
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Brilliant. Love it.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56This stunning, modernised farmhouse is well under budget at £510,000
0:24:56 > 0:24:59and has got them seriously excited.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14- The land must go across here... - Yeah.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- And down the valley that way, then back up that side.- Yeah.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20There's a little lane down there too.
0:25:20 > 0:25:25- Yeah, it's just absolutely incredible. - It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:25:26 > 0:25:32It is a fabulous house in an incredible location.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36The annexe is absolutely perfect for Margaret and she will love the place to bits.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39The kitchen is lovely.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Fabulous oak staircase. Big, spacious bedrooms.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46It's just to die for. I absolutely love it. It's just way out in front.
0:25:46 > 0:25:52We've heard an awful lot about pods from Tim and Lisa, but how about this thing in your garden?
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Pretty special. What about this? Nice, eh?
0:25:55 > 0:26:01- Is this what you had in mind? - Not quite. But the children would like to sleep in it.- They would.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05They'd also love this. Look at all the toys we've got for you!
0:26:05 > 0:26:09- Essential.- Yeah.- Now, that's a real toy.- Isn't it?- Yeah.
0:26:09 > 0:26:15If you play your cards right, you too could have one. Come on. Let's go. Follow me.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26As the sun sets over the Carmarthenshire hills,
0:26:26 > 0:26:29it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41'Tim and Lisa are desperate to swap their home in Welwyn Garden City
0:26:41 > 0:26:46'for a property offering them country pursuits in rural Carmarthenshire.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49'They've fallen head over heels for a modern farmhouse
0:26:49 > 0:26:54'and were intrigued by a barn conversion with some of Tim's favourite boys' toys.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57'However, will the mystery house tip them over the edge?'
0:26:57 > 0:27:02- Actually, this barn would make two really nice holiday lets.- Yeah.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04There's a lot of work to do here.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08'I get spun a yarn at one of the oldest woollen mills in West Wales.'
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Are you going to fire it up for us? Wow!
0:27:12 > 0:27:15That is extraordinary.
0:27:21 > 0:27:27There is nothing quite like starting your working day with a beautiful view. How about this one?
0:27:27 > 0:27:32And of course, with a beautiful property. It is mystery house time for Tim and Lisa.
0:27:32 > 0:27:38And to get there, we're going to follow the line of this river up into the hills.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45Now, yesterday was quite interesting.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49You've slept on it now. How do we feel about our two properties?
0:27:49 > 0:27:55We were absolutely blown away that you had found a place that was absolutely perfect for us,
0:27:55 > 0:28:00so if you're going to top that with number three, bring it on.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07'For our mystery house, we're travelling slightly out of their search area
0:28:07 > 0:28:09'to the village of Cilycwm.
0:28:09 > 0:28:15'This historic location is situated on the north-west border of the Brecon Beacons National Park,
0:28:15 > 0:28:20'allowing all the family an expansive countryside to play in.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22'Cilycwm is an ancient rural hamlet.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26'Its church takes centre stage here and dates back to the Middle Ages.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30'There's also a school, a quaint post office and a local pub.
0:28:30 > 0:28:36'The mystery property is a 15th century farmhouse with several large outbuildings.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40'Tim and Lisa would have to take on a bit of a project
0:28:40 > 0:28:45'as there's potential not only for an annexe, but also for holiday rentals
0:28:45 > 0:28:48'which could meet Lisa's business aspirations.'
0:28:48 > 0:28:50There's the mystery house.
0:28:50 > 0:28:54- It's a beautiful house. - Yeah, it is, absolutely.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56It's end of the 1500s, early 1600s?
0:28:56 > 0:29:01To find a building like this in this state of repair
0:29:01 > 0:29:05is quite something, actually. What do you think?
0:29:05 > 0:29:09- It's very yellow.- It is very yellow. That's a limewash on there.
0:29:09 > 0:29:14It's nice to see because traditionally, buildings like this would have been washed,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17so historically, it's not wrong. Tim?
0:29:17 > 0:29:19It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24The only drawback with this one is the amount of land that it has
0:29:24 > 0:29:26because obviously, you get a big house.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- It's only got 31 acres. - LAUGHTER
0:29:31 > 0:29:36- Shall we have a look? - Yeah, absolutely.- Yes, please. - Come on then.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39'There's been a mixed reception so far,
0:29:39 > 0:29:44'but I think they'll both be pleasantly surprised by what lies behind the front door.'
0:29:44 > 0:29:45OK...
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- Oh, my goodness, look at this! - Come on in.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50Wow!
0:29:50 > 0:29:53Look at the height of the ceilings!
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- It's probably not what you expected.- No.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01- No.- It's a massive, massive room. Great space.- Yeah.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- Lisa, are you being polite? - No, I really, really like it.
0:30:06 > 0:30:11- I do like it, but I'm still thinking number two...- House number two.
0:30:11 > 0:30:17- It's so hard. I've got to put that to the back of my mind.- Forget about it for now.- This is a beautiful room.
0:30:17 > 0:30:20Come and have a look.
0:30:20 > 0:30:25This is something of a lobby area, cupboards, coats and so on.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29Then you pass through this enormous wall which contains a fireplace
0:30:29 > 0:30:33into reception room number one, effectively.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- Yeah, it's lovely. Look at the beams.- Yeah.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44Lots of little details that pop out, the oak, the windows, the reveals, the depth of the sills.
0:30:44 > 0:30:49Nice little window seat behind me here. And the texture of the walls as well.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- I think the main reception room is through here.- OK.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59So, main hallway. There's the front door there and the stairs.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01And then we've got this. Come on in.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Again, lovely family room, this, very cosy.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09If you're into history, this is a room that says it all.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13- It is. Again, a lovely, lovely room. - Yeah, I like the fireplace.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17In terms of the way this is put together, is it of interest?
0:31:17 > 0:31:21- Absolutely.- Absolutely. It's beautiful.- I'm glad you think so.
0:31:21 > 0:31:27That is the difference between that contemporary and that traditional, period property.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- It's gorgeous.- Absolutely.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35Through there, there is a downstairs bathroom, which is quite useful,
0:31:35 > 0:31:41and above it, via a spiral staircase, one of the bedrooms, which is on its own,
0:31:41 > 0:31:46- so for guests...- Perfect. - They've got their own mini-annexe which is quite nice.
0:31:46 > 0:31:51- But upstairs, we've got you four more bedrooms.- Lovely. - Come and have a look at these.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02Now, as master bedrooms go, I think this is quite interesting.
0:32:02 > 0:32:08- What do you think?- Yeah, it's nice, really nice. I like the window sills and the beams.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12- Again very simple, you know, very uncluttered.- Yeah.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16- It's a lovely room.- And it has an en-suite which is through here.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19Come on in.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21How about that?
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Oh, that's nice.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- Oh, I like the bath.- Yeah?
0:32:26 > 0:32:28Bath, shower and his 'n' hers sinks.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31- Lovely.- That's useful.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35- Even I might be tempted to get in that bath.- I know. It's lovely.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38'And there's no risk of Tim being disturbed
0:32:38 > 0:32:41'as there's a stunning family bathroom just down the corridor.
0:32:41 > 0:32:47'The three other bedrooms up here are all double rooms with fantastic period features.
0:32:47 > 0:32:52'Our buyers are certainly very taken with the charm and character of this house.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56'However, top of their wish list was land and lots of it,
0:32:56 > 0:33:00'so let's hope they'll be delighted with the acreage outside.'
0:33:00 > 0:33:06Now, I'm not proposing that we should walk around all 31 and a half of these acres.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10Let's not forget the half. But to give you an idea,
0:33:10 > 0:33:15- the boundary... Can you see the woodland in the far distance? - Yeah.- That's kind of it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20- But also we've got to incorporate Margaret.- Oh, yes.- Your mum. - Almost forgot her.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23In all the excitement we almost forgot her.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28We have got some buildings we can convert, so that's a possibility too.
0:33:28 > 0:33:34While we were doing that, she could have the room with the spiral staircase and the bedroom above,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37which is just a bit away from all the noise and bustle.
0:33:37 > 0:33:43So let's have a think about the price of this one. It's our final guess.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47- I'd probably go for 565.- 565, yeah.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- I think it's probably about 530, I would think.- 530...
0:33:51 > 0:33:56- You are right to think that it's over your budget.- Mm-hm.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58Or it was.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01It is now absolutely bang on your budget.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04This is £550,000.
0:34:04 > 0:34:10It's a nice one, this. I've tried to sway you away from property number two. But who knows?
0:34:10 > 0:34:14- I think you should go back and have another look around.- Yeah.
0:34:14 > 0:34:20- I just think it's a joy to see... - It is a beautiful building. - ..a building like that. Off you go.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- Thank you.- Brilliant.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27There we go. Our mystery house perhaps has not satisfied Lisa,
0:34:27 > 0:34:31but I certainly think it's tickled Tim's fancy and so it should.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I think this is a real gem, as I said at the outset.
0:34:34 > 0:34:40And in this sort of landscape, for my money, it doesn't get much better than this.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45Spot on budget at £550,000,
0:34:45 > 0:34:51our mystery property could be the fabulous family home that Tim and Lisa have been looking for.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07This barn would make two really nice holiday lets.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- There's a lot of work to do here, Tim.- Yeah.- A lot of work.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13It's a lovely, big building.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18- It is, but it's a complete... - It's a complete gut and re-roof, everything.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23The house itself is just steeped in history
0:35:23 > 0:35:27and the thickness of the walls and the beams is absolutely gorgeous.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31I think this is an absolutely lovely property,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34full of period quirks and beauty,
0:35:34 > 0:35:38authentic to its very foundations.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42I'll let you into a secret. This is my favourite.
0:35:42 > 0:35:48Out you come. Don't mind me, just sitting out here talking to myself as I like to do. Come on, Tim.
0:35:48 > 0:35:54Now, I know there is a kind of leader amongst the properties that we have shown you,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57but I don't want you to make your minds up just yet.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59Let's go and have a think about it.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04- OK.- We've given you a great range, I think.- You certainly have. - Come on.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14BLEATING
0:36:14 > 0:36:19'Sheep farming is embedded in the agricultural and industrial heritage of Wales
0:36:19 > 0:36:25'and for many years, wool production was one of the country's most important commodities.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29'However, nowadays, only a handful of enterprising wool producers still survive.
0:36:29 > 0:36:34'I'm heading to the tiny village of Dre-fach Felindre to meet master weaver Raymond Jones.
0:36:34 > 0:36:40'He has one of the few working mills still producing textiles in a time-honoured fashion.'
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- How are you, sir? Nice to see you. - Nice to see you.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47I'm staggered by the number of mills that were in this village.
0:36:47 > 0:36:4927 at one time?
0:36:49 > 0:36:53There was during its peak period. That was the early 1900s.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57But a lot of them have closed since.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59What caused it?
0:36:59 > 0:37:04It was generally man-made fibres, imports and the invention of the duvet, I suppose.
0:37:04 > 0:37:10- That's my opinion.- We love duvets, but you're saying it didn't do you any real favours.- It didn't, no.
0:37:10 > 0:37:17Blankets fell out of favour. It collapsed. The whole blanket market ceased to be.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20'During the 19th and 20th century,
0:37:20 > 0:37:25'Wales rivalled Yorkshire as the centre of wool production in Britain.'
0:37:25 > 0:37:27What's happening in here?
0:37:27 > 0:37:31This is a bale of wool and this is the fleece.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35- So that's it, raw material? - It is pretty much.- Lovely.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37It smells quite nice and warm, rich.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41What's this machine doing? Is this the beginning of the whole system?
0:37:41 > 0:37:44This is a willeying machine.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49It breaks down the fibres. It goes in as fleece and comes out like cotton wool.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54'The clean wool is then turned into soft rolls ready for spinning.
0:37:54 > 0:37:59'It's the spinning motion that pulls and twists the fibres together to form a continuous thread
0:37:59 > 0:38:03'which transforms the wool into a strong yarn.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06'After that, the yarn is ready to be woven on a loom.'
0:38:06 > 0:38:10What are these huge chains that dominate each machine?
0:38:10 > 0:38:16Every one of those indicates the pattern or the lifting programme for the pattern you're producing.
0:38:16 > 0:38:21- It's like a punch card?- Yes.- Each of those defines the pattern that comes out on the loom.- Yeah.- Amazing.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24- Can we have a look at this one? - Indeed.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28- And these are all individual yarns? - Yeah.
0:38:28 > 0:38:32- Presumably, all those have to be put through by hand?- Yes, they have.
0:38:32 > 0:38:38- Actual threading would probably take a day, just threading them through the wires.- A day?- Yeah.
0:38:38 > 0:38:44- It's all looking remarkably peaceful at the moment. Can we see it in action?- Yeah. OK then, Brian...
0:38:44 > 0:38:48Brian there is going to fire it up for us... Wow!
0:38:51 > 0:38:54That is extraordinary.
0:38:54 > 0:39:00'This mill still produces traditional Welsh flannel, tweed,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02'blankets, shawls and shirts.'
0:39:02 > 0:39:07- Now, I've had my eye on your shirt there.- Mm-hm.- I just love it.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12- Can I try one of these on?- Yeah, please do. There's a blue one there. - Blue to go with the shirt.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15"Large." It's a "large". It's official.
0:39:17 > 0:39:20There we are.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24- Hey, these must be fabulous in the winter.- Yeah, they are.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Look at that. What do you think of that? Made to measure in Wales!
0:39:28 > 0:39:33- Raymond, it's been an absolute pleasure. Thank you. Keep up the good work.- Thank you.
0:39:33 > 0:39:38So now let's see what's looming as we come to the end of our property hunt.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40BLEATING
0:39:40 > 0:39:44Look at that! That is a sight I love to see and hear,
0:39:44 > 0:39:48this year's spring lambs enjoying the sunshine,
0:39:48 > 0:39:52another generation of woolly jumpers and blankets.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57But enough about the wildlife! It's time to end the show. It's decision time.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05Well, Lisa and Tim, we have been blessed with some fantastic weather
0:40:05 > 0:40:08and three very interesting properties.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13Let's cast our minds back to property number one with its seven acres,
0:40:13 > 0:40:17the converted barn with the sort of chalet annexe attached to it.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19What are your thoughts, Lisa?
0:40:19 > 0:40:25I like the house. It's got potential. I like the kitchen. I like the space it offered.
0:40:25 > 0:40:30It was quite dark, largely down to the wrap-around conservatory that was quite heavy wood.
0:40:30 > 0:40:35I thought it was good with having the cabin next to it which would be ideal for Margaret.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Lots and lots of potential, so a really good first property.
0:40:39 > 0:40:45Then we went to property number two which you loved as soon as we walked through the gate, didn't you?
0:40:45 > 0:40:47I just absolutely loved it.
0:40:47 > 0:40:53Just a dream house, the most fantastic views and just perfect.
0:40:53 > 0:40:57- And Tim?- It was an absolutely fabulous, fabulous property.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00Again, great annexe.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04It did offer the best working solution for Margaret, didn't it?
0:41:04 > 0:41:10Absolutely. Even though it was a contemporary property, it was very well done. It was a beautiful house.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12And it did take our breath away.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16Last up was our mystery house. You said it had a lot to contend with,
0:41:16 > 0:41:19given how much you loved property number two.
0:41:19 > 0:41:26I thought it was terrific, but I got the sense I was pushing uphill a little bit with you.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Well, I did love the house.
0:41:28 > 0:41:34It's absolutely beautiful, all the period features. It's a great, solid family house.
0:41:34 > 0:41:40But it's at the top end of our budget and that barn to convert, there's a lot of work to be done there.
0:41:40 > 0:41:46And also, it's quite a way out of our area. It's away from where we want to be really, to be honest.
0:41:46 > 0:41:51I don't really need to be a betting man to take my chances on which one is your favourite.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Nor does anybody who has watched this programme.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59So it's property number two. How much do you love it and what happens next?
0:41:59 > 0:42:05We absolutely adore that place. We'll definitely go and see it again as soon as possible.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10- Can I hear an offer winging its way through the airwaves? - I think you probably can.
0:42:10 > 0:42:16- I need to know about this as soon as possible. Will you tell us? - Yes.- I can't wait for the call.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Guys, best of luck. I'm absolutely delighted.
0:42:19 > 0:42:25- So are we.- We've been blessed with great weather, great company and I think a great result.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29- Absolutely.- Congratulations. - Thank you.- Well done.- Thank you.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32- Brilliant. Let me know.- Will do.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Well, what can I say about this one?
0:42:39 > 0:42:44I'm in Wales, I'm bathed in sunshine and I've looked at some fantastic properties
0:42:44 > 0:42:46along with Tim and with Lisa.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50They are dead set on property number two. With any luck, they'll get it.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54They set out here wanting to start a whole new chapter in their lives
0:42:54 > 0:43:00and with any luck, they'll now have the chance to start writing it. Happy days!
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Tim and Lisa went for a second and a third viewing on house number two,
0:43:04 > 0:43:10but after looking further into planning permission, sadly, they decided it couldn't work for them.
0:43:10 > 0:43:13If you'd like to escape to the country
0:43:13 > 0:43:17in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England and would like our help,
0:43:17 > 0:43:19please apply online at:
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd