0:00:02 > 0:00:07180 years ago in this stately home, one of the greatest English traditions, afternoon tea, was born.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11Who was its creator, and where are we? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44'On today's show, we're helping a married couple hoping to quit suburbia
0:00:44 > 0:00:47'to buy their first home together in the country.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50'And hold on, cos it's going to be a rough ride.'
0:00:50 > 0:00:54It makes you feel a bit seasick as you're walking around, I find.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58'Though we do find our feet on solid and rather splendid ground.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I can see the potential.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'But will the numbers stack up?'
0:01:03 > 0:01:05I've come with a formula.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08I'm going to think of a price, take off 200 and add 25.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13We're in Bedfordshire,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15and I'm in the reputed birthplace of afternoon tea,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18the Blue Drawing Room at Woburn Abbey.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22In the 1840s, the lady of the house, Anna Maria, Duchess of Bedford,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26complained to her butler about "the terrible sinking feeling"
0:01:26 > 0:01:30that she had in her stomach - i.e. she was hungry around four o'clock.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33So she instigated a ceremony of light refreshments with the tea.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Being Lady-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria, the ceremony caught on.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41I'll be learning the etiquette of taking tea later in the show.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44First, let's look at some of the tasty delights
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- this county has on offer. - BELL TINKLES
0:01:47 > 0:01:50'Neighboured by four other counties,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53'Bedfordshire is the gateway to the Midlands and East Anglia,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57'and lies within easy reach of London.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01'Despite its proximity to major rail, road and runway links,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04'it boasts many areas of outstanding countryside
0:02:04 > 0:02:08'dotted with picturesque towns and villages.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12'The Chiltern Hills dominate the county's southern edge,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15'within which are the Dunstable Downs.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19'The chalk escarpment is the highest point in east England
0:02:19 > 0:02:23'looking out over woods, grassland and arable fields.
0:02:23 > 0:02:28'One of Bedfordshire's principal rivers is the Great Ouse,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31'idling past many historic market towns
0:02:31 > 0:02:34'that have flourished on its banks.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36'Crossing over on the arched bridge
0:02:36 > 0:02:40'is probably the best introduction to the county town of Bedford.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43'It was here in the 17th century
0:02:43 > 0:02:46'Christian preacher and writer John Bunyon began writing
0:02:46 > 0:02:49'his most celebrated work, The Pilgrim's Progress,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52'whilst incarcerated in Bedford jail.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56'There's an array of quieter corners such as the village of Sutton,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58'with its 13th-century packhorse bridge
0:02:58 > 0:03:01'and picture-postcard properties.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05'It's clear to see why Bedfordshire is an appealing slice of the country
0:03:05 > 0:03:08'in which to set up home.'
0:03:09 > 0:03:13With beautiful countryside like this, and good transport links into London,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17as you might expect, property prices in Bedfordshire are pretty pricey.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The average for a detached house is £298,000,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24which is £40,000 above the national average.
0:03:24 > 0:03:29If you want to be on a direct train link, stations like Harlington,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32you're going to pay 10% above the odds.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Further north and east, little villages up there,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38you're going to get a lot more bricks for your money.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43Those bricks are beautifully laid out in a wide variety of styles.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45Let's take a look.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48'Sandstone from Bedfordshire's Greensand Ridge
0:03:48 > 0:03:50'has been quarried for hundreds of years
0:03:50 > 0:03:54'and used to build many homes across the county.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58'There's a mix of other traditional building materials including thatch
0:03:58 > 0:04:01'and limestone from the northern Ouse Valley.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06'The unspoiled village of Pavenham has an abundance of stone cottages,
0:04:06 > 0:04:08'such as this two-bedroom terrace,
0:04:08 > 0:04:12'that comes with an asking price of £242,000.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14'In the same pleasant village,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17'this 18th-century three-bedroom limestone cottage
0:04:17 > 0:04:21'is ripe for the picking for offers in excess of £300,000.'
0:04:26 > 0:04:29A beautiful collection of architectural styles.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Will any be suitable for our couple today? Let's meet them.
0:04:34 > 0:04:39'Carolyn runs her own events company and her husband, Carl,
0:04:39 > 0:04:42'is chief operating officer for a dental supplies company.
0:04:42 > 0:04:47'They tied the knot in Sri Lanka two years ago, after crossing paths in cyberspace.'
0:04:47 > 0:04:51We met on the internet. The face-to-face meeting was here.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55We met up again a few weeks later. Met up in India.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Then been together ever since, really.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02'They're living in a four-bedroom chalet bungalow on a main road
0:05:02 > 0:05:04'in a busy suburban Middlesex town.'
0:05:04 > 0:05:08I've been living in this house in Northwood for nearly 27 years now.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12My daughter, who's going to be 15 this year, was born here.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16Over the years, we've extended it upstairs, downstairs, sideways.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20There's really nothing else we can add to it.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23'As well as Carl, Carolyn and her daughter, Tamsin,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27'the new property must potentially cater for Carolyn's mother as well.'
0:05:27 > 0:05:30My mum's on her own and although she likes where she is,
0:05:30 > 0:05:34all her friends are there, it would be nice to have somewhere
0:05:34 > 0:05:37that she could come and live with us, eventually,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40if she felt that was something she wanted to do.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44'All parties involved in the move have particular needs
0:05:44 > 0:05:46'when it comes to the location.'
0:05:46 > 0:05:50I have to be within a reasonable commute of Kings Langley.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54My daughter goes to school there and I don't really want to change her school.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58And my mother is in Pinner, so...
0:05:58 > 0:06:02And I need to get to St Albans area.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05We'd like to live somewhere close to a village,
0:06:05 > 0:06:10because it would be really nice to get involved in the local community.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13'So strong community ties are a must.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18'It seems Carl and Carolyn are willing to do what it takes to create their dream property.'
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We both like doing DIY type stuff.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Carolyn's quite handy. She's got a full set of tools in the workshop.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27A bit of a project would be great.
0:06:27 > 0:06:33'There are, however, a few fundamental elements that can't be shaped with a toolkit.'
0:06:33 > 0:06:37It would be really nice to wake up and look out over woodland
0:06:37 > 0:06:40or fields or something like that.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Enough rooms that we can have our separate offices.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Not beamy. Not too low ceilings.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50No. Something with a bit of character, a bit quirky, even.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52I trained as a garden designer,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56so I'd LOVE to have a big space to get my hands on,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58divide up and make it look interesting.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00'With grand ambitions for the garden,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03'it's clear that Carolyn has a horticultural vision,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07'but Carl may need a little more convincing.'
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Carl's a bit more fussy than I am.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- Clearing up after yourself would be useful.- I do!
0:07:12 > 0:07:14BOTH LAUGH
0:07:14 > 0:07:18We'd like somewhere that's our house, that we've bought together,
0:07:18 > 0:07:24- we can decorate and refurbish and make our own. - Together, make it ours.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32'Good transport links are essential for our buyers,
0:07:32 > 0:07:36'looking for a maximum commute of one hour to Hertfordshire
0:07:36 > 0:07:38'for work and also the school run.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42'Our search will take us to some wonderful rural villages
0:07:42 > 0:07:46'surrounding Bedford, which are well connected to the M1.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51'Time for us to meet up to finalise the details of their move.'
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Welcome to Bedfordshire.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Thank you.- Thank you. - What a beautiful day!- Glorious!
0:07:56 > 0:07:58The sun shines on your property search!
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Bedfordshire's not an area that you've looked at.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06We've been looking the other side of the M1, so it'll be interesting.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09A ballpark figure of how many you've seen?
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Probably around about 50. - 50 you've actually visited?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14CHUCKLING: A fair few!
0:08:14 > 0:08:17So, what's the spec? How many bedrooms?
0:08:17 > 0:08:20A minimum of four. Five would be perfect.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- We need a kitchen-breakfast room. - Large kitchen-breakfast room.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Couple of studies. - Cos you work from home?
0:08:27 > 0:08:29- I work from home. - Carolyn works from home.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33And I tend to bring work home,
0:08:33 > 0:08:36so I like my own space for work as well.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- Right.- He just likes to get away from me, actually(!)
0:08:40 > 0:08:46- Have his own peace and quiet. - The secret of a good relationship. - A good shed would do!
0:08:46 > 0:08:50In terms of doing work to the property - you've done a lot of work to the bungalow.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55We don't mind knocking a place about a bit, doing a fairly major renovation.
0:08:55 > 0:09:00- If we could live in it while we're doing it.- And your budget? How much are we going up to?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03If it's a big project, around about 800.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- We could push up to a million for something perfect. - Something really fantastic.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10- It is expensive, being so close to London.- Yeah.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15But we have three beautiful properties lined up. We're excited to show them to you.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20- Hoping you've not seen them online! - Don't think we will.- Let's go.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25'Carolyn and Carl have a starting budget of £800,000
0:09:25 > 0:09:28'to spend on a character home with project potential,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32'although they could go higher if a house was absolutely perfect.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34'They'd like...
0:09:55 > 0:09:58'..We'll be serving up three superb properties
0:09:58 > 0:10:00'all with different opportunities.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04'I won't be revealing the prices until the end of each tour.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06'Our special offer is the mystery house.
0:10:06 > 0:10:12'It's safe to say our buyers could get much more than they bargained for.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18'For our first stop, we're heading to the village of Harrold,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21'an hour's drive from Carolyn's daughter's school
0:10:21 > 0:10:23'and Carl's office in Hertfordshire.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26'Harrold typifies an idyllic English setting
0:10:26 > 0:10:28'and wraps itself around a pretty green,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31'complete with an octagonal butter market
0:10:31 > 0:10:36'and an old circular lock-up that was last used to detain drunks
0:10:36 > 0:10:39'and suspected criminals in the 19th century.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44'We're stopping off in this arresting village to look around.'
0:10:44 > 0:10:48This is one of the hidden jewels of Bedfordshire, Harrold.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52This beautiful village green. Have you been here before?
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- No, not at all. - No. It's a beautiful village.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- It's a charming village! - It's like going back in time.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- Is it what you were thinking, in terms of a home?- Yes.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07If it's got a nice community, if there's a community hall or...
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- Yeah, there's a good hall. They do amateur dramatics.- Great!
0:11:11 > 0:11:14I used to be a bit of a thesp, actually.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19It's got two pubs, supermarket, butcher's, in terms of amenities.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- Everything you need on the doorstep. - And, possibly, your new home.
0:11:23 > 0:11:24A-ha!
0:11:24 > 0:11:28'A short stroll away in the heart of the village is our first house,
0:11:28 > 0:11:33'which is an outstanding Grade II listed former manor house.'
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- Property number one! - Oh, wow!- Wow!
0:11:36 > 0:11:38It dates back to the Elizabethan period.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42It was a gift of Elizabeth I to a wealthy London grocer.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- What are your first impressions, Carl?- It's beautiful. Nice property.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Very handsome. Exactly the sort of thing we're looking for. Full of character.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53It's a handsome property and you get this thrown in.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- Wow!- That comes with it?- Yes.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Gosh.- Your coach house.- Another separate house.- Indeed it is.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- You can guess what I might suggest that's going to be.- Yes.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- Do you want to look inside? - Yeah.- Certainly.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11'A very positive first impression, and that's no surprise.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16'This three-storey Elizabethan home certainly delivers on the character our buyers were after.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20'And it boasts terrific period features throughout.'
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Step on in through the hallway,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27into the main sitting room.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Wow! I like the window seat as well.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Is this a property you can imagine living in?
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- Could you imagine sprawling out in this room?- Yeah.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39This is a lovely cosy room.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42I can imagine a roaring fire in that amazing fireplace.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45Let's take a look in the dining room/kitchen.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50- Another very impressive room. - Wow! This is incredible!
0:12:50 > 0:12:54- This screen separates the dining room from the kitchen.- I like that.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56That's interesting, that feature doorway.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59The staircase, too, is all wibbly wobbly.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Yeah. It's quite a lot of wibbly wobbly upstairs!
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Oh, dear. Carl won't like that.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08- Let's have a peek in the kitchen. - OK.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Here we are. This is the kitchen. - Compact.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14- A bit small. - A bit disappointing.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17The proportions are historically compact,
0:13:17 > 0:13:21cos you can't move this wooden screen.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24It's got a range cooker. I'm not sure about a range cooker.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26I've never used one.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31I know everyone that has one swears by them but I wouldn't know where to start.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- I'm sure you'd soon learn. - YOU'd soon learn!
0:13:34 > 0:13:36I'd have to do all the cooking!
0:13:36 > 0:13:40That's downstairs. Let's have a peek upstairs.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45'It was all going so well, but it seems we've hit a stumbling block with the proportions of the kitchen.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48'There is a separate utility room
0:13:48 > 0:13:51'where you could hide away the white goods.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56'There's also a large conservatory offering additional dining space
0:13:56 > 0:13:59'that opens out onto a paved patio.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03'But I've a feeling Carl and Carolyn won't find the space lacking
0:14:03 > 0:14:05'when it comes to the bedrooms upstairs,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07'spread out over two floors.'
0:14:07 > 0:14:10- You've got four bedrooms and this is...- Wow!
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- ..as you can guess, the master. - Very grand. Gosh.
0:14:14 > 0:14:19- That's a solid bed, isn't it? - It is a solid bed. Lovely carvings.
0:14:19 > 0:14:23- Look at all the detail there. - That's amazing, isn't it?
0:14:23 > 0:14:25You have two big, big bedrooms on this floor,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27one of which could be a study.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30In the attic, you've got two more good sized bedrooms.
0:14:30 > 0:14:35Not squishy small, but they do have very bowed floors.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37So if you like a flat floor...
0:14:37 > 0:14:42It makes you feel a little bit seasick, I find.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47- There is only one bathroom. There's not en suites in a building this old.- No.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50You were lucky if you had a bathroom!
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- It's actually a lovely bathroom, a nice big bathroom.- OK.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59- Plenty of space.- Right. - Let's pop outside and talk price.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02'They do seem won over by the huge master bedroom.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06'There's also some excellent proportions in the outbuilding.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09'The former coach house has been converted
0:15:09 > 0:15:14'into a self-contained annexe and has an upside down layout.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19'With kitchen and living areas on the first floor and a shower room
0:15:19 > 0:15:22'alongside two double bedrooms on the ground floor.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25'So the coach house could be used as offices
0:15:25 > 0:15:28'or for Carolyn's mother in the future.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31'It just remains to be seen if the private walled garden
0:15:31 > 0:15:34'will come up smelling of roses.'
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- What about the garden?- Yeah, a little bit on the small side
0:15:39 > 0:15:42for what I would like, ideally, really.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45It's a very pretty garden and it frames the house nicely,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49but I'd be looking for something a little bit more substantial.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53- Well, it's a good first house... - Yes. It's a beautiful house.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Focusing our mind on what you're looking for.
0:15:56 > 0:16:02- What do you think a property like this is on the market for? - I would say, about...860.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07I would hazard a guess around 925.
0:16:07 > 0:16:12925. OK, so this is on the market for...
0:16:12 > 0:16:14a shade under 800.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- Ooh.- Under 800?
0:16:16 > 0:16:18- Wow! - Just a smidgen under £800,000.
0:16:18 > 0:16:22For a very substantial characterful property.
0:16:22 > 0:16:26- Yeah. That's surprising, actually. - With a ready-made annexe for Mum.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- So, food for thought. - Definitely food for thought.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34Check out the annexe first, then explore around the rest.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- I'll meet you on the drive and we can head to the next one.- Perfect.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44'On the market for a shade under £800,000,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46'this fine 16th-century property
0:16:46 > 0:16:49'is a great house to get our search under way...'
0:17:01 > 0:17:06If it was open plan downstairs and two rooms upstairs,
0:17:06 > 0:17:10- I think it would work a bit better. - Hm.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14When we came through the garden and first saw the house, I thought,
0:17:14 > 0:17:18"Wow! It's really beautiful, full of character."
0:17:18 > 0:17:20I was a little disappointed in the kitchen.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23It's got a beautiful big window, but not enough storage.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27This house has a lot of period features, most of them I like.
0:17:27 > 0:17:32But there's a few I don't like. This would be a nice house to visit.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35I'd soon get tired of ducking down every day of the week.
0:17:35 > 0:17:40It's a beautifully secluded garden, even though it is right in the middle of the village.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44I wonder if the next property should be further afield.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Which it is. Hello! - Hi.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- All done? - Yes, thank you.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52So, closing the door on a very characterful property.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- Let's move on to something new. - OK.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08'With Carolyn's vision to create her own dream country garden,
0:18:08 > 0:18:10'a trip to Bedfordshire provides the ideal opportunity
0:18:10 > 0:18:13'to visit the village of Stevington,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16'where four and a half acres at the manor house have been transformed
0:18:16 > 0:18:21'into an atmospheric and artistic horticultural highlight.
0:18:21 > 0:18:26'Developed by the owner, Kathy Brown, over the past 25 years,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29'the gardens have been divided into 18 themed areas,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32'each with a distinctive character.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36'Open to the public, it's not only a dream for those with green fingers,
0:18:36 > 0:18:41'but a tonic for those who wish to peruse the glorious surroundings.
0:18:41 > 0:18:45'So, earlier in the week, we sent both our buyers to get inspiration.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47'Influenced by trips abroad,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50'there are formal box parterres in a French style,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54'a colourful empty fishpond that's strongly Mediterranean,
0:18:54 > 0:18:58'as well as the traditional English cottage garden.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00'There's also a few art-inspired beds,
0:19:00 > 0:19:05'in particular one themed on Claude Monet's Water Lily paintings.'
0:19:05 > 0:19:09We've come over to one of the art gardens that we have,
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- which was based on a painting I saw in the National Gallery.- Wow.
0:19:13 > 0:19:18I looked at it and was drawn in and I thought, "I can plant this up."
0:19:18 > 0:19:23Instead of the golden water, the reflection of water, I saw grasses.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27You know how they go golden in the autumn and through the winter?
0:19:27 > 0:19:30So I planted up an ornamental grass garden
0:19:30 > 0:19:33with these dots of colour for the water lilies.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36For me, it's hugely emotional. It's not about individual plants.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38It's about the overall feeling.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42'Not only are the grounds evocative and entertaining,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45'but medicinal and culinary, too.'
0:19:45 > 0:19:49We have an edible flower border here, which is unusual, isn't it?
0:19:49 > 0:19:51But in the 17th and 16th century,
0:19:51 > 0:19:57households were so used to using lavender and cowslips down here
0:19:57 > 0:19:59and roses, in all sorts of different ways.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I make rose petal cakes out of the roses.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06- This is a David Austin rose. - Oh, that's beautiful!
0:20:06 > 0:20:08It's full of scent.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Simply get the scissors and cut off the coloured parts
0:20:11 > 0:20:14and mix it with unsalted butter and icing sugar
0:20:14 > 0:20:17and put it in a Victoria sponge cake.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20'It's important to note that only certain flowers are edible
0:20:20 > 0:20:23'and it can be dangerous to eat flowers
0:20:23 > 0:20:26'unless you're absolutely sure the variety is safe to consume.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30'Always check with a reputable horticultural expert.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33'Also, be aware that flowers treated with pesticides, fungicides
0:20:33 > 0:20:36'or other chemicals are not safe to eat.'
0:20:36 > 0:20:41- I don't know whether you'd like to eat something.- Yeah. - Do you like aniseed?- I do.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43We have sweet cicely.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- See if you like it. - You eat the whole thing?- Yes.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51- I love to make roast peppers with these inside.- Ooh, yeah!
0:20:51 > 0:20:53The flowers are the same flavour.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56You can put them on salads or omelettes.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59People have forgotten how to use them.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01'Fuelled with fresh ideas for her own garden,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04'no doubt Carolyn's itching to get planting.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08'I'm hoping we may have found her an ideal option.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12'Time to step away from the cake and get to the second property.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18'Our next stop is the village of Thurleigh,
0:21:18 > 0:21:21'a 20-minute drive east of our first house,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25'and just over our buyers' preferred one-hour commute time.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27'Thurleigh has a close-knit community
0:21:27 > 0:21:30'and an inviting part-thatched pub.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32'On the edge of the village,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35'with a very impressive approach down a long driveway,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38'we arrive at our second property.'
0:21:38 > 0:21:40- A different offering. - Yeah.- Yes.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Because you're on the edge, you've got a lot more space to play with.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48- It sits on a three-acre plot. - Wow! That should keep me busy!
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- And this is the property. It's a barn conversion.- Right.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- Any strong feelings about barn conversions?- Like the space.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59- Usually have a good amount of space. - It was done in the mid '90s.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Then there's this annexe, which was an old smithy and an outbuilding,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06which was made part of the parcel of land.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- Shall we have a look inside? - Yeah, lovely.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14'It's a thumbs up for this beautiful peaceful setting.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16'Let's see if this barn conversion
0:22:16 > 0:22:20'is a style suited to our buyers' tastes.'
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Come on in.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Straight into the hallway. - Lovely.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29I love the floor, these lovely flagstones are beautiful.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34Yellow York stone throughout. What are your first impressions inside?
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- Yeah, good. - Big smiles from Carl!
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- LAUGHS - It's nice, bright and airy.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44This is a very impressive space, you can really see the barn...
0:22:44 > 0:22:49Oh, wow! Beautiful. I love the double height space.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53- That's quite a chimney stack! - Yeah, it certainly is!
0:22:53 > 0:22:55This is how a barn conversion should be,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59so you get the full height of the original structure.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02- Look at the windows!- They've done some imaginative things.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06This herringbone wouldn't have been in the original,
0:23:06 > 0:23:08but they've used the bricks in that way.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11It's nice cos you can separate it off
0:23:11 > 0:23:15and either have it as one big room or make this a separate dining room.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- In the winter, it would be nice and snug.- It's a lovely room.
0:23:19 > 0:23:23It's quite nice to have a slightly lower ceiling.
0:23:23 > 0:23:29- Makes it a bit more intimate.- Yeah. - Let's go through downstairs.
0:23:30 > 0:23:31# Ta-da! #
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- Slightly...- Oh, wow!
0:23:33 > 0:23:37That's a bit more like it! That's what I call a kitchen!
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- It's good, isn't it?- Beautiful.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41This is a lovely space to hang out.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- It's like an old-fashioned farmhouse kitchen.- It is. Yeah.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- Very nice modern range. - Yes. That's more my style.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53- Also a log burner, so you can keep nice and warm in the winter.- Wow.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- With your coffee... - Yeah. That's really nice.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01And a huge utility room, which links through seamlessly into the annexe.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04- Oh, perfect. - The annexe is all on one level.
0:24:04 > 0:24:09So if your mum is going to move here, she can close the door or potter in here and join you.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- That's perfect.- Excellent.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16'The three rooms in the annexe sit in the far wing of the property,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19'to one end of the kitchen-breakfast room.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24'It includes a large kitchen-diner, cosy lounge with a log-burning stove
0:24:24 > 0:24:27'and a double bedroom.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30'In the middle of the property sits a family room,
0:24:30 > 0:24:35'right next to the smallest of five bedrooms within the main house.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38'As this bedroom is on the ground floor, it could be ideal
0:24:38 > 0:24:41'as one of their two requested studies.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45'But there's another large ground floor bedroom across the hallway
0:24:45 > 0:24:48'which is already being used as an office.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51'We'll leave Carl and Carolyn to battle out who gets the bigger.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55'The remaining three bedrooms are all on the first floor,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58'alongside the family bathroom.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01'They include a double, set in the eaves,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05'and another roomy double with exposed timbers.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08'That leaves the room that could be theirs.'
0:25:08 > 0:25:10This is the master bedroom.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Oh.- Oh, wow!
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- That's the room with the... - Oh, yes. The lounge with the glass.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20That's the other side of the window. You've got an en suite here. So...?
0:25:21 > 0:25:23It's fine!
0:25:23 > 0:25:25It's not reduced height at all.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28Not what I expected. They've done a really good job.
0:25:28 > 0:25:34'It's safe to say that Carl is getting on board with the idea of this generous barn conversion.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37'It's definitely got the upper hand when it comes to land.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42'I hope three and a half acres is what Carolyn was looking for.'
0:25:42 > 0:25:47I need to get pole position so I can show you everything in one fell sweep.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51You've got the back of the house. This is a formal garden.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55Lovely sun-kissed patio and this pergola that goes all the way round.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59I could definitely do something with this. It's a wonderful space.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02To have the hedging round it, it's totally secluded.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- I'm not a gardener and I see the potential.- Yeah?
0:26:04 > 0:26:08What do you think this parcel of property is worth?
0:26:08 > 0:26:12Ooh! I would say, probably about...925.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It is, I think, worth more than the last house. I would say 950.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19Well, actually, it's on the market for...
0:26:19 > 0:26:21£740,000.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24- 740? - LAUGHING: I don't believe that.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26I don't believe that at all.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- That's... That's incredible. - 740?
0:26:29 > 0:26:32- Have a look round and I'll meet you out the front.- OK. Perfect.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Explore away.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40'Well under budget at £740,000, our second property has, yet again,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43'given our buyers something to think about...'
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Another big room!
0:27:08 > 0:27:11This is just the annexe. This is amazing.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13This works well as an annexe.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17I think this is much more practical for us than the last one.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19The house looked really nice from the outside.
0:27:19 > 0:27:25I had high expectations. It didn't disappoint when I came inside.
0:27:25 > 0:27:28The garden is amazing. It needs quite a lot of work.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31It's pretty much a blank canvas.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34When you went into the living space and the ceiling opened up,
0:27:34 > 0:27:36it was, "Wow!"
0:27:36 > 0:27:40It's nice that they've kept the full height of the original structure.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43It's a bargain compared to stuff we've been looking at.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47We don't know if it's a bargain for the area. I guess we'll find out.
0:27:47 > 0:27:53I wonder whether that extra £200,000 in their pocket is burning a hole.
0:27:53 > 0:27:54- Hello.- Hi.- Hi.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- Did you have a good look round? - Brilliant, yeah.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- Liked what you found?- Yes. Very nice.- Big smiles! I'm happy!
0:28:01 > 0:28:04So, time to rest and regroup. Let's head off.
0:28:16 > 0:28:20'As the sun sets on what's been an enlightening time in Bedfordshire,
0:28:20 > 0:28:24'the first day of our house hunt draws to a close.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31'With a starting budget of £800,000,
0:28:31 > 0:28:35'Middlesex based couple Carl and Carolyn have set their sights
0:28:35 > 0:28:39'on a Bedfordshire home with bags of room both inside and out.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41'They've seen two fantastic properties,
0:28:41 > 0:28:45'the second of which really seemed to hit the mark.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47'But it's not a done deal yet.
0:28:47 > 0:28:51'Coming right up, we're going back to basics with the mystery house.'
0:28:51 > 0:28:54There is something nice about being in a house that is 400 years old.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59'And I'll be minding my Ps and Qs with an alternative vintage blend.'
0:28:59 > 0:29:02It's the second day of our property hunt in Bedfordshire.
0:29:02 > 0:29:06The sun's hiding behind the clouds, but I'm very pleased with the impact
0:29:06 > 0:29:09this county is having on Carolyn and Carl.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13They were floored by the prices yesterday. That's very gratifying.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17For the mystery house, we're combining the period charm of the first property
0:29:17 > 0:29:20and the land of the second, and seeing how that flies.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24Although Carl is going to have to mind his head.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33Slightly less nice weather on our second day.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34- Yes.- Yes.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38What do you think we're going to show you with the mystery house?
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Probably something a bit more ultra-modern,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45which has all the land we're looking for, all the space,
0:29:45 > 0:29:49and the compromise will be on the period property.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52'Well, Carl, you couldn't be more wrong.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56'We're not going forward in time, we're going back, way back.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58'The location of the mystery house
0:29:58 > 0:30:02'is on the edge of an unspoiled riverside village called Felmersham.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05'Essential amenities are just a couple of miles away
0:30:05 > 0:30:08'in the village of Sharnbrook.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10'They include a convenience store and a pub.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12'The mystery property we're showing our buyers
0:30:12 > 0:30:16'is a substantial thatched stone farmhouse
0:30:16 > 0:30:19'which dates right back to the 17th century.'
0:30:19 > 0:30:22So, I brought you in the back of this property.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- Very nice.- VERY nice.
0:30:25 > 0:30:26Nice.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31- So you'll see that we have lots to talk about here.- Yeah.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- A swimming pool. Tamsin will be pleased.- Tamsin will be pleased.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38And then, a 400-year-old...
0:30:38 > 0:30:41- 400-year-old?- ..stone-built.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43I can see all the beams...
0:30:43 > 0:30:47CARL LAUGHS ..going through Carl's head.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49There are many reasons we brought you here.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52One of the reasons is you talked about having a project,
0:30:52 > 0:30:57- something where you could put your stamp on it, and this has it, but not here.- OK.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01'The real twist of this house comes around the corner.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05'We're about to find out if our self-confessed DIYers
0:31:05 > 0:31:08'can handle starting a project from scratch.'
0:31:08 > 0:31:11- That IS a project! - That is definitely a project.
0:31:11 > 0:31:16It's a stone barn in the same pocket of land as the listed building.
0:31:16 > 0:31:22So this is Grade II listed, but the great thing is that this has planning already.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- Right. - Approved to be converted into,
0:31:26 > 0:31:31actually, a separate property that you could sell or have as an annexe.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34- This is a nice building. - It's an inspiring building.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37It really is great potential.
0:31:37 > 0:31:41'This old rustic stone barn comes with planning permission
0:31:41 > 0:31:46'for conversion into a two-bedroomed dwelling with separate access,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49'which could really give our buyers something to get their teeth into.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53'The farmhouse is also ripe for some development,
0:31:53 > 0:31:55'so let's have a look inside.'
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Carl's not going to like that. - CAROLYN CHUCKLES
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- CARL CHUCKLES - Not low ceilings, but low doors.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06- Mm.- Yeah.- This would have been the heart of the home.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10You've got this fantastically huge inglenook which you can sit in,
0:32:10 > 0:32:13which is the definition of an inglenook.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- Slopey floors.- Mm-hm. - But quite high ceilings.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22- This room itself, it's a nice cosy room.- It's not a bad size.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25- For a snug, it would be nice. - Yeah. For a snug.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29- But for a living room... - For the main living room, no.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33I'm shaking my head in a worried way because it is the main living room.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Is it? OK.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39Let's go look through the rest. Another low door.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44Here we have the kitchen.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46- Hm.- It's huge(!)
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- LAUGHTER - Being very diplomatic.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52- It is...- Compact.- Also diplomatic.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56- It's a small kitchen compared to the last one.- Yeah.- Much smaller.
0:32:56 > 0:33:02- So the wind slightly went out of our sails when we got inside the old house.- I think, yeah.
0:33:02 > 0:33:05'Off the kitchen, there's a decent sized dining room
0:33:05 > 0:33:10'and another reception room, currently laid out as a study.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15'The rest of the accommodation is set out on a further two floors.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18'On the top floor, the family bathroom serves a double bedroom
0:33:18 > 0:33:21'with chunks of exposed timbers,
0:33:21 > 0:33:25'as well as a single bedroom with a brick chimney breast.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28'The middle floor has two large double rooms on offer,
0:33:28 > 0:33:30'each with its own en suite,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33'one of which we've earmarked for them.'
0:33:33 > 0:33:39This is the master bedroom. It goes through there into a big en suite.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- Lots of storage. Wardrobes. - Right.- OK.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47The bones of the building have a lot of history in it.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51There is something nice about being in a house that is 400 years old.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54If we could make it work, that would be great.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56When you've got something this old,
0:33:56 > 0:34:00you are limited to what you can change and alter
0:34:00 > 0:34:02to make it work for modern living.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05'Sadly, it seems that the mystery property
0:34:05 > 0:34:08'is a step too far for our buyers.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12'Which is a great shame, for it stands in over two acres of land,
0:34:12 > 0:34:16'including a fenced paddock, an orchard with a variety of trees,
0:34:16 > 0:34:20'and a beautifully manicured and landscaped garden.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23'More than enough to keep Carolyn busy,
0:34:23 > 0:34:25'but I think it will be to no avail.'
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- It is a beautiful looking property. - It is, yes.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33- Ideal location, the grounds, the gardens, the orchard.- Yeah.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36The outbuildings, everything, is fantastic.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39How much do you think this lovely property's worth?
0:34:39 > 0:34:43- 720.- What about you, Carl? - I've been thinking similar.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45I've come up with a formula.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49I'm going to think of a price, take off 200 and add 25.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52So I'm going to go for 725 on this one.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57Often the guess is a barometer of how much you like the property. This is on the market for 775.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01- Oh.- Right.- That's because it's got planning permission, I suppose.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04- And because it's period.- Yeah.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07- And a good bit of land with it, too. - True.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10- So have a wander round. - Lovely. Thank you.
0:35:12 > 0:35:16'With an asking price of £775,000,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19'the mystery property is a three-storey farmhouse
0:35:19 > 0:35:23'that has a history spanning some 400 years...'
0:35:41 > 0:35:45Oh, wow! This is an interesting place. It's got great potential.
0:35:45 > 0:35:49- Yes.- Just a shame it's not nearer to the house.
0:35:49 > 0:35:55- Cos you could then join it on. - Yes. This would be a totally separate building to the main house.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58We hadn't really considered a thatched cottage before
0:35:58 > 0:36:02because we had a preconceived idea that the rooms would be small
0:36:02 > 0:36:04and the ceilings would be low.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08It's the cottagey thing that is what we're NOT looking for.
0:36:08 > 0:36:14I think the mystery house has challenged us to think a bit more
0:36:14 > 0:36:17about exactly what it is that we do want from a property.
0:36:17 > 0:36:22Anything more than 200 years old is not really that suitable for us
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and our type of modern living.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28Beautiful walnut tree here, and very old.
0:36:28 > 0:36:32This was the centre of the village, and at one point this was the pub.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34That's a lot of history. Hello.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36- Hi.- All done?- Yeah.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40- Very beautiful walnut tree. - It's lovely. It's really old. - Very old.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Now, our time here is done.
0:36:42 > 0:36:48- Time to get you somewhere warm and dry so you can have a think.- OK.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01'Covering less than 500 square miles,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04'Bedfordshire is one of England's smaller counties,
0:37:04 > 0:37:08'but it still has its fair share of exclusive palatial mansions.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12'It was here at the grand stately home of Woburn Abbey
0:37:12 > 0:37:15'that the custom of afternoon tea was created
0:37:15 > 0:37:20'by the seventh Duchess of Bedford, Anna Maria, in the mid-19th century.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24'Earlier in the week, I went behind the scenes to meet tea party hostess
0:37:24 > 0:37:27'and baker extraordinaire Joe Christie,
0:37:27 > 0:37:30'who showed me how to prepare the perfect tea plate.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33'Starting, of course, with cucumber sandwiches.'
0:37:33 > 0:37:36Slightly thick. There needs to be a crunch to it.
0:37:36 > 0:37:37So...
0:37:37 > 0:37:39I'd say a little bit thinner.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43- Yeah. I'd say there. - When you say thick you mean thin!
0:37:43 > 0:37:48- Why cucumber?- They had cucumber sandwiches to show off
0:37:48 > 0:37:50in the wealthier quarters.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53It was a very rare ingredient. So, crusts off.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56And then finger sandwiches.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00So they can be eaten in two or three bites. They're delicate.
0:38:00 > 0:38:05'As well as sandwiches, afternoon tea is typically composed of scones
0:38:05 > 0:38:10'with clotted cream and jam, sweet pastries and the best bit, cake!'
0:38:10 > 0:38:14- More over here!- The giggle cake, which is not so well known.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18It's a boiled fruitcake, best served warm with a good cup of tea.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- Oh, my God! That is fruit-tastic! - It's nice and colourful inside.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27- You can see cherries and pineapple and dried fruit.- Wow!
0:38:27 > 0:38:30'Afternoon tea was initially developed as a social event
0:38:30 > 0:38:32'for ladies in genteel society.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36'Traditionally, the upper classes would indulge around four o'clock,
0:38:36 > 0:38:39'just before a fashionable promenade.
0:38:39 > 0:38:44'The middle and working classes would have a more substantial high tea a couple of hours later.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48'Beryl Peters is an expert on afternoon tea etiquette.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52'She joined me in Woburn Abbey's Blue Drawing Room,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55'where this quintessentially English ritual was born.'
0:38:55 > 0:39:00Hello. I come bearing sandwiches, giggle cake and Victoria sponge.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04I need you to guide me through the ceremony of tea.
0:39:04 > 0:39:09Anna, the Duchess, used to have the finest toast,
0:39:09 > 0:39:12as thin as poppy leaves,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15just as little tasters to begin with.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19Then the percolated tea would be brought to the table.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22It was brewed away from the table
0:39:22 > 0:39:26and it was left for three minutes to draw,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29then decanted into a warm teapot.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34In the early days, we would have a bowl instead of a cup.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36It would be of bone china.
0:39:36 > 0:39:41So the balance had to be taken at six o'clock on the thumb,
0:39:41 > 0:39:4412 o'clock with the first two fingers.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48- And then the little finger would be the balance...- I shouldn't laugh.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50It does sound extraordinarily complicated!
0:39:50 > 0:39:54The milk was poured in first, so it was a coolant.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58And it would be given a gentle stir
0:39:58 > 0:40:02before drinking, from the front to the back, like this,
0:40:02 > 0:40:04and not in the vulgar fashion!
0:40:04 > 0:40:07It is an amazing thing, afternoon tea. Who knew?
0:40:07 > 0:40:12'And so, within a generation, as tea became more affordable
0:40:12 > 0:40:15'and women were freer to socialise outside the home,
0:40:15 > 0:40:19'tea rooms became a popular sight on the nation's high streets,
0:40:19 > 0:40:24'leading to afternoon tea becoming a widespread cultural phenomenon.'
0:40:26 > 0:40:31I'm rather regretting not having snaffled a piece of giggle cake, but I have duties to perform.
0:40:31 > 0:40:37Namely, to find out whether Carolyn and Carl like any of the three houses we've shown them.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45Let's talk about the houses, one by one, in retrospect.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50The first house was a very beautiful Elizabethan period manor house.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54- What are your thoughts about that? - It's a stunning house in a really pretty village.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57The rooms had nice high ceilings, which we like,
0:40:57 > 0:41:00but we just felt that it didn't have enough land.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02We did want a bit more garden.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05Also, in terms of the room space we wanted,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08there weren't enough rooms for us to do what we wanted.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11We did manage to give you that for the second property,
0:41:11 > 0:41:16a very nice large plot - three and a half acres on the edge of a village.
0:41:16 > 0:41:20Attached annexe. What else do you think about that property now?
0:41:20 > 0:41:23That was a great property, that barn.
0:41:23 > 0:41:29Loved the garden. Lots of potential to develop and do something with.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32Room layout worked well. More than enough space.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36The annexe, we could utilise as part of the living space
0:41:36 > 0:41:39before having to use it as an annexe.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43What about the price? You were both quite surprised when I said it.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47I really couldn't believe that you got so much space for that money,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49and all the garden as well.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53You do get so much more for your money here in Bedfordshire.
0:41:53 > 0:41:56The mystery house combines the two, really.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59We had lots of land and also the period aspect.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01What are your thoughts?
0:42:01 > 0:42:05The mystery house looked a really nice, picturesque property.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Lots of land. Nice gardens.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12A lot of potential with the barn conversion project.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14But the main house itself,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18whilst it was beautiful and quaint, just wasn't right for us.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22The kitchen was a bit on the small side, and being Grade II listed,
0:42:22 > 0:42:26it would be a long drawn-out process to get planning permission,
0:42:26 > 0:42:31if you could even get planning permission to extend it and make it work.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34- Not such a hit, the mystery house. - No, unfortunately not.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36Were any of them a hit? What happens next?
0:42:36 > 0:42:42- Would you revisit any of them? - I think the barn offers a lot of what we wanted.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45We would like to explore the area a bit more.
0:42:45 > 0:42:51Also, we need to check out the daily commute to and from work and to school.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55- And we'll take it from there. - I do hope that you find something.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57We may not have found you the perfect property,
0:42:57 > 0:43:02but maybe we've opened your eyes to Bedfordshire, which would be nice.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04- I wish you all the best. - Thank you very much.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11What an enormously satisfying week here in Bedfordshire.
0:43:11 > 0:43:15Satisfying for me with the cream tea and Victoria sponge,
0:43:15 > 0:43:19but more importantly, satisfying for Carl and Carolyn.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22We've opened their eyes to a whole new potential pool of homes.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25If you've enjoyed exploring these rural retreats,
0:43:25 > 0:43:29join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
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