0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05According to the nursery rhyme,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08Little Jack Horner sat in a corner somewhere around here.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11But where are we and who was Jack Horner?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47On today's show, I'll be helping a couple who want to swap the Swiss Alps
0:00:47 > 0:00:51for a bit of glorious countryside back home in the UK.
0:00:51 > 0:00:55And as our house hunt gathers pace, so do their reactions.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- Fascinating.- Ooh!- Yes.- I think things have gone up a gear.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02So much so, it all seems too good to be true.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05- Where to next?- Where to next? - We can only go downhill from here.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07No, we can't, no, we can't.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Today, we're in Somerset in the village of Mells,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17the place, it's thought, that inspired the nursery rhyme Little Jack Horner.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Now, the story goes that Little Jack was one Jack Horner,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23an emissary from the abbot of Glastonbury,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26who was entrusted with taking a pie to the table of Henry VIII
0:01:26 > 0:01:29in the crust of which were the deeds to this manor.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32The implication is that he pinched this place
0:01:32 > 0:01:34but in reality, well, the story is very different.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Jack Horner actually bought it from the crown
0:01:37 > 0:01:40at the time when the monasteries were being dissolved.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41His descendants still live here
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and more to the point they've got the receipt of sale to prove it.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45So if you ask me,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49it was a fairly plum bit of 16th-century property speculation.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54Seen by many as the gateway to the Southwest,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Somerset boasts beautiful countryside
0:01:56 > 0:01:58and stunning coastline,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00looking out over the Bristol Channel.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04Towards the north of the county, the range of limestone hills known as the Mendips
0:02:04 > 0:02:09conceal an extensive network of caves, underground rivers and gorges,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13the most famous of which is undoubtedly the dramatic precipice at Cheddar.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17The county is not just home to nursery rhymes.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20It's thought that Somerset's north coast inspired Coleridge
0:02:20 > 0:02:24to write his epic poem The Rime Of The Ancient Mariner
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and a seven-foot high effigy of the Mariner stands in the poet's memory
0:02:27 > 0:02:30on the harbour in the town of Watchet.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Covering more than 1,500 square miles
0:02:32 > 0:02:38Somerset's varied landscape epitomises the timeless beauty of the rural West Country,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41painting itself perfectly in just about every shade of green.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Now, at £265,000, the average house price in Somerset
0:02:51 > 0:02:54would appear to offer fairly good value for money,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57being just 3% above the national average
0:02:57 > 0:02:59and there are some rich pickings to be had
0:02:59 > 0:03:00around Shepton Mallet and Cheddar.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03But head towards Bath and things go up.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06In villages around there you could add a £50,000 premium
0:03:06 > 0:03:08to the property that you're looking at.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11But as you can tell, there is one thing this county is not short of
0:03:11 > 0:03:13and that's beautiful architecture.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Somerset has an extremely diverse geology
0:03:16 > 0:03:20and quarrying for building stone has occurred since Roman times.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24The robust red sandstone from the Quantock and Brendon hills
0:03:24 > 0:03:26are most commonly used in the west of the county.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Further north, around the city of Bath,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32the villages owe their distinctive style to the local Bath stone.
0:03:32 > 0:03:36This warm, mellow stone has been used extensively
0:03:36 > 0:03:39in the handsome 18th-century houses in Bathampton
0:03:39 > 0:03:41and this detached, two-bedroom former coach house,
0:03:41 > 0:03:45dating back to the early 1800s, is a prime example,
0:03:45 > 0:03:49that's currently for sale at £435,000.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Thatched roofs are common in the West Country
0:03:52 > 0:03:56and here the style is typically combed wheat reed or water reed,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58featuring a shallow pitch.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01This delightful four-bedroom thatched cottage in Mells
0:04:01 > 0:04:04is on the market for £850,000
0:04:04 > 0:04:07and is awash with character from its 16th-century origins.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13So as you can see, there is plenty to tempt anybody
0:04:13 > 0:04:15who wants to escape to the country,
0:04:15 > 0:04:17which is just as well because today's buyers
0:04:17 > 0:04:21aren't just escaping, they're moving from one country to another.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25Close to celebrating their ruby anniversary,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Graham and Sandra are both on the cusp of retirement.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33Sandra is a teacher and Graham's role as a group vice president for a Swiss service company
0:04:33 > 0:04:35has taken them all around the world.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38Residents of Switzerland for the past three decades,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41their busy lives have included raising three sons.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45But they can't ignore the call of the English countryside,
0:04:45 > 0:04:47so they've sold their house in Geneva
0:04:47 > 0:04:50and are now temporarily staying in a hotel in Britain
0:04:50 > 0:04:53with the hope of finding their new dream home.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57The international life in Geneva has its positives, strong positives -
0:04:57 > 0:05:01the bistro, cafe mentality in the summer,
0:05:01 > 0:05:02the skiing in the winter -
0:05:02 > 0:05:05but there are a lot of things about the UK that we miss,
0:05:05 > 0:05:09not only the weather but also going down to the pub in the evening,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11something you can't do in Geneva.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15So the time is right for them to settle back on home turf.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Coming back to the UK, it's like an old shoe.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19It's a bit uncomfortable when you put it on
0:05:19 > 0:05:21but you take a few steps and it's yours
0:05:21 > 0:05:26and your foot fits and it's easy to walk.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28It will be a whole new life,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31away from work and everything that we've known in the past
0:05:31 > 0:05:34to something new, which is quite exciting.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Graham is originally from Swindon
0:05:37 > 0:05:39and they're both familiar with the Southwest,
0:05:39 > 0:05:41so they've settled on Somerset as their county of choice.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45And as for the property itself, well, they're pretty flexible.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49I think we're looking for a house with character,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51an individual house.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54It could possibly be a barn conversion
0:05:54 > 0:05:59simply because of the opportunity there is to have an open space.
0:05:59 > 0:06:05I'm interested in a spacious house
0:06:05 > 0:06:09but the garden - that is the thing that really interests me.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14And I would actually quite like a pond in the garden.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16Leaving Sandra to the horticulture,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18you'll probably find Graham in the garage,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21busy with a pastime he takes very seriously.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I get offended when people talk about my "train set".
0:06:23 > 0:06:27My sons say, "Are you going out to play with your trains, Dad?"
0:06:27 > 0:06:30I prefer to think of it as model engineering.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35The existing layout occupies almost the entirety of a double garage.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Maybe we need a triple garage. - Maybe we need a triple garage, yeah.
0:06:41 > 0:06:42There's a thought.
0:06:42 > 0:06:48All that remains is to find out what their euros convert to in pounds sterling.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53The budget for our house would be a maximum of £900,000.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Good transport links are essential for our buyers
0:07:01 > 0:07:05as they need to access the M4 to stay connected to Graham's mother in Swindon
0:07:05 > 0:07:09and also for airport runs when their three sons fly in to visit from abroad.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13Our house search will focus on the villages to the north of the county,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15around the city of Bath.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Time now for me to catch up with Graham and Sandra,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21to discover more about the details of their move.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Hello, there.- Hello. - Nice to see you.- Good morning.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Well, Sandra and Graham, the lure of the English countryside
0:07:27 > 0:07:31has brought you all the way back from Switzerland to Somerset.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- 35 years abroad.- Yes. - How well do you know the UK now?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39Not very well at all, so it's a voyage of discovery for us.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42Give us an idea, Sandra, of the sort of property
0:07:42 > 0:07:44that you envisage living in.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47A reasonably sized home.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49Four bedrooms, maybe five
0:07:49 > 0:07:53if there's a downstairs bedroom with an en suite
0:07:53 > 0:07:55that would suit for when Graham's mother comes to visit.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58- Now, the garden is very important, isn't it?- Yes.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01How keen a gardener are you, on a scale of one to ten?
0:08:01 > 0:08:02Ooh, nine.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Nine, yeah?
0:08:05 > 0:08:07So you've both got your areas of influence -
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- the model railway and the garden.- Yes.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14- You need a house to contain all that, somewhere for Mum if she comes to stay...- Exactly.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17..but with a slice of English character, I suspect,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- to give you that feel that you have come home.- Yes, yes.- Indeed.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24The most important thing is that we've got you three wonderful properties to look at,
0:08:24 > 0:08:26including the mystery house.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Come on and follow me.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31For a top budget of £900,000,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Graham and Sandra have requested a house with character
0:08:34 > 0:08:36and plenty of space.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39They need five bedrooms, including one on the ground floor,
0:08:39 > 0:08:42a large garden for green-fingered Sandra,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46and for Graham it's a room for his extensive model railway network.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We've cherry-picked three fantastic properties
0:08:49 > 0:08:51that will hopefully conjure up the English country dream
0:08:51 > 0:08:53for our returning ex-pats.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Among them is the mystery house, which should open up their eyes
0:08:57 > 0:09:00to somewhere entirely different.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Seeing as Graham and Sandra are living in a hotel,
0:09:03 > 0:09:04time is of the essence,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06to find them a home as soon as possible,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08so let's get started.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Our first house is the Mendip village of Buckland Dinham,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13towards the north of the county.
0:09:13 > 0:09:17Around three miles away from the house is the neighbouring village of Mells,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21which has a fantastic community-run shop, post office and cafe.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23We're making a quick detour here
0:09:23 > 0:09:27to whet Graham and Sandra's appetite with some English community spirit.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- Here we are. Good morning.- Morning. - How are you?- Fine, thank you.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34And look who've I've brought . to visit the Mells shop.
0:09:34 > 0:09:38- These two have lived out of the country for 35 years. - Oh, my goodness.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42We're trying to reintroduce them to the best that England has to offer.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- Yes.- And I don't think this is a bad start.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I think you've come to the right place, definitely.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51This is a shop with a difference. It's not just the village cafe.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53No, it's a community shop,
0:09:53 > 0:09:58it's a post office and a wonderful cafe all rolled into one.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00June, how did the shop come about?
0:10:00 > 0:10:05Well, in 2008, a group of interested villagers got together around a kitchen table
0:10:05 > 0:10:09and from there, we offered membership to anybody in the community.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11As a result of that we got £20,000,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15which demonstrated the interest in the community
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- and we go from strength to strength. - I think you've done it really well.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20So presumably a brilliant place
0:10:20 > 0:10:22to get to know not just the area and people
0:10:22 > 0:10:24but also the sense of community?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Oh, absolutely. It's really brought the community together.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- I really recommend it for newcomers. It's ideal.- There you go.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34And though the cakes look mighty tempting,
0:10:34 > 0:10:35we've got to get going to our first house,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37which is just a ten-minute drive away
0:10:37 > 0:10:39in the small village of Buckland Dinham.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44Set back from the main road is our rather appropriate first property.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- How about that, then? - Was it a school?- It was a school.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53- Well spotted. We thought this was quite fitting for you.- Yeah. OK.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- The old school. - Lovely old schoolhouse. 1853.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- You also, however, get that orchard behind us.- Ah!
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Very, very good soil. All organic, I'm told.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05- OK.- Nice apple trees, as you can see, nice and mature,
0:11:05 > 0:11:08- so plenty of space for the gardening to develop.- Yes.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- Yeah, good.- In whichever way you want it to.- Yes.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Looks fascinating.- I think this is a nice one to start with, I really do.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18If offers a very interesting part of the history of this village
0:11:18 > 0:11:21and you could get to call it home.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- We could.- Indeed.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25- Let's find out. Come and follow me. - Thank you.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Graham and Sandra have expressed a preference for conversions
0:11:31 > 0:11:34and this one is a particularly fine example.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Comprising a former Victorian schoolhouse and cottage,
0:11:37 > 0:11:38it has a light and modern feel
0:11:38 > 0:11:42wrapped up in an historic mid-19th-century shell.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- What do you think, Graham?- I like the beams. I do like the beams.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50- And I also like the two spiral staircases.- Yes.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53It's amazing. It's not at all what it looks like from the outside, is it?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56It's amazing. That's the word I was hoping to hear.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01In a way, you've got two kind of distinct zones in this huge room.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04You've got a lovely, very modern multifuel stove there...
0:12:04 > 0:12:06- Yes.- That's what the wood is for. - Yeah.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08And you've got this lovely open fireplace,
0:12:08 > 0:12:10which is original to the build of the school.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- My guess is you'd probably want to sort of zone it.- Fascinating.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- Ooh. I think things have gone up a gear from outside. - They have, they have.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22We've come to there. The question is, can we go to there?
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- Let's go to the kitchen and find out.- OK.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30There we are. Again, as you can see,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34- just drifts off of the main living area itself.- Yes.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- It's a good-sized kitchen.- Yeah? - Yeah.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40How does it compare to what you've got already?
0:12:40 > 0:12:45- This kitchen is probably bigger. - And it's more open to the outside.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Mm. There's also a very generous utility area through there,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52a downstairs loo and another door out to the garden.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- It's more spacious than I expected it to be from the outside.- Yeah.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Because it goes that way as well.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01The key thing, Sandra, is that we haven't let you down.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04- Absolutely not.- Oh, no, no, no. - Follow me across here.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08It's all going to plan so far,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10so let's see if we'll get equally positive reactions
0:13:10 > 0:13:13to the other wing on the ground floor.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14Now, this is interesting.
0:13:14 > 0:13:19Across that huge space, we've got another, smaller living room,
0:13:19 > 0:13:22something of a snug, if you will, with another lovely woodburner.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25What's interesting, though, is that leading off it
0:13:25 > 0:13:26is a lovely conservatory
0:13:26 > 0:13:32- and through there, bedroom.- Ah! - Bedroom. That's a surprise.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- That, if you kept it as a bedroom, would be bedroom number four.- OK.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- It's a good size.- Isn't it? - It is a good size.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40Now, in fairness, it doesn't have an en suite
0:13:40 > 0:13:44but just next door is a very fabulous family bathroom,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46so it's all on the same level.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50- So I'm thinking Mum.- Yeah.- Yeah. - Indeed.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52So the big open living space, that's one thing
0:13:52 > 0:13:55but somewhere a bit cosy, perhaps if you're here on your own
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- or just relaxing, reading a book. - It's ideal.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01I can close the door and turn up the stereo.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04And while Graham pumps up the music,
0:14:04 > 0:14:07there's plenty more space for Sandra to escape to upstairs.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11Directly above the annexe wing is a galleried landing,
0:14:11 > 0:14:14transformed into useful office space,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17off which sits a bright and modern family bathroom
0:14:17 > 0:14:19that serves two double bedrooms.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22The larger of the two is a dazzlingly light room
0:14:22 > 0:14:25that sits right next to the smaller one, set up as a study.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Then the last of the four bedrooms is the master suite,
0:14:28 > 0:14:34which is accessed from the other spiral staircase on the opposite side of the property.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39And this is your own kind of wing, as it were.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43- Ah!- A little palace. - Come on in. Come on in.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- How about it?- I rather like that semi-circular window.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Yes! You're going to love the en suite, which is through there.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- Rather special.- It is.- Isn't it? - It is, yes.- I'll say.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55- Yeah!- It doesn't have a school feel at all.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58- Good, good.- No, no, no.- Good.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Well, so far, Sandra seems to be awarding us high marks,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05so let's wind our way back down the stairs and into the garden
0:15:05 > 0:15:08to find out if that also makes the grade.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14Well, the back tells a slightly different story to the front.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Gone is the symmetry and here, there's this lovely amalgam.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20In terms of garden space, you remember we saw the orchard -
0:15:20 > 0:15:21- that's pretty big.- Yes.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- It would make a fabulous vegetable patch.- It would.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27But you've also got this area here and it extends off round the corner.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Again, a few more fruit trees and so on and so forth.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- And a pond, Sandra.- Wonderful. - Happy?- Yes.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Yeah! Well, I know that ponds are of interest to you.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- Now, then, the railway.- Yes, indeed.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43There is this garage space behind us
0:15:43 > 0:15:46that also contain the oil tank for the boiler,
0:15:46 > 0:15:51but if renovated, it might do the job, I'm hoping.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- You can have a proper look at that a little bit later on.- Fine.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58But I think we've certainly got space to accommodate it,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01- even if you went to build yourself something bespoke.- Yeah.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04- Well, let's see if we can tempt you with its price.- Right.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08- Your £900,000...- Yes. - ..is ready to go.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11How much of it do you think you're going to have to part with
0:16:11 > 0:16:13to get property number one, madam?
0:16:13 > 0:16:16800, maybe a bit more.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19Maybe a bit more than 800? You could be right, there, yeah.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- Graham?- I would have said about the same.
0:16:21 > 0:16:27OK, well, this would cost you £850,000.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- This could grow on me. - It could? That's the spirit.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- I'll catch up with you later. - All right, thank you.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41At £50,000 under budget,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45this schoolhouse, thought to date back to 1853,
0:16:45 > 0:16:49has been sympathetically converted and has got us off to a sound start.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52The flexible reception areas lend themselves
0:16:52 > 0:16:54to an impressive open-plan drawing room
0:16:54 > 0:16:56with exposed pine timbers,
0:16:56 > 0:16:57a kitchen-breakfast room
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and included in the four bedrooms
0:16:59 > 0:17:03is the potential for a ground-floor annexe suite.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05Outside, the grounds extend to just under half an acre,
0:17:05 > 0:17:07with an orchard and pond for Sandra
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and also options for Graham's miniature railway.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13When we entered the house I was really quite surprised.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16The open space, the vaulted ceilings,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20the way they've used the original architecture of the school building,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23really opened up quite a few possibilities for me
0:17:23 > 0:17:25as to what we could do with this space.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28I love the garden because there are so many facets to it.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31It has so many areas that you could work with.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35It has a wonderful pond that I would really enjoy working with,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38as I haven't had one for a lot of years.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40The whole garden, I really like it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- I would have the time to work on it. - Yeah.- So that's not an issue.- OK.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47I'm delighted that the trains have made way
0:17:47 > 0:17:51for a conversation about the garden, Sandra's garden.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55- Come on.- Let's go.- I'm going to take you off to property number two.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07Throughout Somerset's rural landscape,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11there are many waterways cutting their way through the countryside.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Towards the west edge of the Mendips,
0:18:13 > 0:18:17the River Sheppey rushes through the historic market town of Shepton Mallet,
0:18:17 > 0:18:21and was once used to power as many as 30 mills for the local textile industry
0:18:21 > 0:18:23during the 1600s and 1700s.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26By the 19th century,
0:18:26 > 0:18:29the arrival of the railway changed the area's fortunes again
0:18:29 > 0:18:31and, indeed, its scenery.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34There were once two networks that crossed the town
0:18:34 > 0:18:36and although both lines have long since closed,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40the imposing Charlton viaduct creates a dramatic reminder
0:18:40 > 0:18:41on the skyline.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43However, just a few miles from Shepton Mallet,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46part of the rail network has been resurrected.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Earlier in the week, we sent locomotive loving Graham and Sandra
0:18:50 > 0:18:52to this preserved railway at Cranmore,
0:18:52 > 0:18:55where they met up with chairman Dick Masters.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58You must be a railway enthusiast to come here on this rather dull day.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02You're right, I am, for many, many years.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Was this once a fully operational station?
0:19:05 > 0:19:09It opened in 1858 when the original East Somerset Railway opened
0:19:09 > 0:19:14from Witham Junction right the way through to Yatton on the Bristol to Taunton line.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Passenger and freight trains ran along here.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20In particular the line was used, as some of it still is today,
0:19:20 > 0:19:23to transport stone from the local Mendip quarries.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26But the line closed just before the Beeching era in fact
0:19:26 > 0:19:29because, like many small country branch lines,
0:19:29 > 0:19:31there weren't really enough passengers to make it pay its way.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36So the line closed for passengers but it stayed open until about 1985
0:19:36 > 0:19:37and we took over the station here
0:19:37 > 0:19:41after British Rail finally stopped their tar freight business.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45The current heritage railway here was founded in 1971
0:19:45 > 0:19:49by celebrated artist and conservationist David Shepherd.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51He purchased the derelict site
0:19:51 > 0:19:53and with the help of many committed volunteers,
0:19:53 > 0:19:56it was reopened as a charity two years later.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58How many volunteers do you have working here?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00We have about anything up to 100.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Without them, we could not run the railway.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06So it's something that both of us could contribute to.
0:20:06 > 0:20:07Oh, definitely, yes, yes.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- Let's go and have a look and I can introduce you to some of the things the volunteers do.- Let's go.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14The line now runs for two and a half miles
0:20:14 > 0:20:18between the restored stations of Cranmore and Mendip Vale
0:20:18 > 0:20:20and duties include staffing the ticket office,
0:20:20 > 0:20:24maintaining the tracks and, of course, driving the engines.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27That's the brake there. Push it all the way round to your right.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33Push that forward.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34HOOTING
0:20:34 > 0:20:38In its heyday, the number 45 diesel engine was used by the Liverpool docks
0:20:38 > 0:20:41and ended its working life as a bitumen train in Plymouth,
0:20:41 > 0:20:45after which it was donated for preservation.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48You can release the brake a little bit, Graham.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50- Are you sure?- Yeah.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Well, it may be nearing the end of the line for this journey
0:20:53 > 0:20:57but we need to get back on track as we continue our house hunt.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00HOOTER BLARES
0:21:02 > 0:21:04The destination of our second property
0:21:04 > 0:21:07is near to the village of Oakhill within the Mendip Hills.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10Just about a mile away in Stoke St Michael
0:21:10 > 0:21:14is the nearest village pub and convenience store.
0:21:14 > 0:21:18Our second house is an enormous single-storey barn conversion
0:21:18 > 0:21:20that started life as a milking parlour
0:21:20 > 0:21:23but was then transformed into a fabulous family home
0:21:23 > 0:21:24around eight years ago.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28So what do we think of property number two?
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- It has the wow factor.- Does it? - It does.- It's impressive.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37- I do know that barn conversions are of interest to you.- That's correct.
0:21:37 > 0:21:42And this is just that. It's a great, big, bruising barn conversion.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Your initial thoughts, Sandra?
0:21:44 > 0:21:46I would like to get in there.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- Let's take your advice and get inside.- Let's go.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53With enthusiasm like that, we can't keep them waiting any longer,
0:21:53 > 0:21:59so let's find out if what's revealed inside lives up to expectations.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Now, please don't tell me this isn't big enough.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06- It's more than big enough.- Is it? - Yeah.- Yes.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11- Not bad, eh?- It is a superb space. Ideal space for a kitchen-diner.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14I can see our furniture in here. I love the stone floors.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- It's amazing. It's a really good family space.- Yeah.
0:22:17 > 0:22:21I could really see myself in here.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- Well, if you like this, you're going to love the living room.- OK.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Straight off the kitchen. - Oh!- Another amazing room.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Come on in, come on in, don't be shy.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36So what do we think of this, then, Sandra?
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- I love it.- Really?- Yes, I do.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- This house is bowling you over a bit.- It is rather.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- Plenty more to see.- OK.- Follow me.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50The huge eating, dining and living areas occupy
0:22:50 > 0:22:53the central portion of this sprawling barn conversion,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56formerly the old dairy parlour.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59In the wing to the far side of the hallway
0:22:59 > 0:23:01are three of the five en-suite bedrooms
0:23:01 > 0:23:03that feature in this property,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05so plenty of options to accommodate Graham's mother.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Immediately off the hallway there's a utility room and handy WC.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Then there's a large comfortable double bedroom
0:23:15 > 0:23:18with an en-suite shower.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20This is next to a bright and simple twin room
0:23:20 > 0:23:22with a sleek modern shower room.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25And a third bedroom is another double,
0:23:25 > 0:23:27this time with an en-suite bathroom.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33The last two remaining bedrooms are across in the other wing
0:23:33 > 0:23:36and include the one currently used as an office
0:23:36 > 0:23:40and the one we've earmarked for Graham and Sandra.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Now, as if you didn't have enough bedrooms to choose from...
0:23:43 > 0:23:47- Ooh!- ..this one is currently the master.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52There's the en suite in there. Have a look, Graham, yeah.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Oh! Rather good.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56There's a quiet confidence about you.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01Yes, well, I haven't seen anything I don't like, so...!
0:24:01 > 0:24:04If only everybody said that about all the houses we took them to,
0:24:04 > 0:24:07my job would be so much easier.
0:24:07 > 0:24:08Brilliant. I'm delighted.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- Where to next?- Where to next? - We can only go downhill from here.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13No, we can't, no, we can't.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15I think Graham needs to keep the faith
0:24:15 > 0:24:17because what we've got coming up next
0:24:17 > 0:24:19should be just the ticket.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- Now...- Crikey.- Come on in.- Oh!
0:24:24 > 0:24:27- Now, I'm thinking railways.- So am I.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- It works.- Doesn't it?- Yes. - It does work indeed, yes.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- I'd imagine this being square really helps.- It does.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38It's an absolutely perfect shape. I can see that now.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41- And of course you can access it from the house.- From the house, yes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:42Super.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45OK, so, we've sorted you with a property,
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- we've sorted you with somewhere for our railway.- Yeah.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51- Let's sort you out with a garden. Out that way.- Thank you.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Brilliant. Happy days.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57This property just keeps on giving.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Outside is no exception and it's bound to make a splash.
0:25:02 > 0:25:06- It's not raining any more. - Great.- Hurrah!- Super.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Now, then, look over your shoulder.
0:25:09 > 0:25:16- Yes!- As ponds go, it's pretty good. - It's not bad at all.- Not bad.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19And of course we've got the full extent, at long last,
0:25:19 > 0:25:21of our lovely property number two - it's huge.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26So in terms of garden space for what you might want to do...
0:25:27 > 0:25:30- enough?- Yes, more than enough. - More than enough.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- There's a series of raised vegetable beds as well.- Yeah.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- But it also is for sale with six acres...- Ah.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42- ..which goes that way down to that tree line behind us.- OK.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45So the question is what's it worth to you, sir?
0:25:45 > 0:25:49This has got to be close if not on the £900,000
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- that we've said we're willing to pay. - Mm-hm.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53£900,000. Sandra?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Yes, I would say the same.
0:25:56 > 0:26:03The good news is that it has just been reduced to £895,000.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07- OK.- Well, that's a good price. - That's a fair price.- Yes.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09- There's no need to do anything in the house.- No.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12We could move in today and leave everything the way it is.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- Brilliant.- It's perfect.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Well, go and explore, go and enjoy. There's plenty of it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22On the market for £895,000,
0:26:22 > 0:26:26our second house is a stone-built single-storey barn conversion
0:26:26 > 0:26:30that seems to perfectly match all of our buyers' requirements.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34Highlights include an enormous kitchen, family and dining room,
0:26:34 > 0:26:35a spacious living room
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and no less than five bedrooms,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40every one of which has its own en suite.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43The attached double garage could make the ideal getaway
0:26:43 > 0:26:46for Graham to indulge in his model engineering
0:26:46 > 0:26:50and the six acres of grounds come complete with a wildlife pond
0:26:50 > 0:26:53and open views over the surrounding countryside.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55My first impressions were, "Interesting."
0:26:55 > 0:26:59I didn't fall in love with it at the point we walked through the door.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02When we went into the kitchen-lounge area,
0:27:02 > 0:27:06that was the point at which we said, "A-ha! This is something interesting."
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Can I accommodate my trains? Yes, I can.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10That question's already answered.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12It's got a wonderful kitchen.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16It's got a great dining area and it's got a sitting area.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19I liked the house so much once I was in,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22that the outside space would have worked as well.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I think I love this house.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26I think I would be very happy here.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Hey! All done?- All done.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- It's great.- Great. Yeah!
0:27:32 > 0:27:36I think this is transforming your perspective on Somerset, somewhat.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39Er, it didn't need transforming much but, yes, you're right.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44Good. Well, I suspect you could write a cheque right here
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- and right now.- Yes.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48- But there is one more property to come, of course.- There is.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- Sleep on it. Come on.- Right.
0:28:03 > 0:28:08As dusk falls over rural Somerset, the first day of our house hunt draws to a close.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16With a budget of £900,000,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18returning ex-pats Graham and Sandra
0:28:18 > 0:28:22have decided to close the door on 35 years in Switzerland
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and start afresh in the magnificent Somerset countryside.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28So far they've seen two wonderful properties
0:28:28 > 0:28:31and although they were quite ready to seal the deal on the second one
0:28:31 > 0:28:35it's never a done deal until we've seen the mystery house.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37You'd never get me out of here.
0:28:37 > 0:28:40And I'll be taking a nostalgic trip to the flicks.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46Well, yesterday certainly finished on a high
0:28:46 > 0:28:48and the good weather that heralded the end of day one
0:28:48 > 0:28:52thankfully looks as if it's going to be with us for the start of day two.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56Graham and Sandra's reaction to our second property left me feeling
0:28:56 > 0:28:59that perhaps my work here in Somerset was done
0:28:59 > 0:29:02but of course it's never over until it's over.
0:29:02 > 0:29:04One more property to come. It is mystery house time.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Time to get our buyers to think not just outside of the box
0:29:07 > 0:29:10but in this case, outside of the county.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Our mystery property is ahead of us
0:29:19 > 0:29:21but it's got a lot of work to do, I suspect,
0:29:21 > 0:29:24to compete with property number two, hasn't it?
0:29:24 > 0:29:28- We're ready to be surprised. - We stay open-minded.- Yeah.
0:29:30 > 0:29:31That's the spirit, Sandra!
0:29:31 > 0:29:34To get to our mystery house we're travelling further north
0:29:34 > 0:29:37and hopping over the county border into south Gloucestershire
0:29:37 > 0:29:41where we're headed for a hamlet near the village of Wick
0:29:41 > 0:29:44and just ten minutes' drive from the centre of Bath.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Wick has several shops and pubs
0:29:46 > 0:29:49and though we haven't got majestic snow-capped mountains,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52the mystery house takes full advantage
0:29:52 > 0:29:55of some outstanding panoramic views over the Severn estuary.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01So at last, the suspense is over.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03This is our mystery house.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05It was worth waiting for.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09And this one is a very interesting, a very clever rearrangement
0:30:09 > 0:30:11- of this particular property.- Yes.
0:30:11 > 0:30:12Let's see what you think of it.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17The mystery house started life 200 years ago
0:30:17 > 0:30:19as a smaller traditional cottage
0:30:19 > 0:30:21but has been considerably extended in the past decade
0:30:21 > 0:30:24and now spreads itself over many levels
0:30:24 > 0:30:26that flow off a rather impressive hallway.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Let's see if it will work for Graham and Sandra.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30How about this, then?
0:30:32 > 0:30:33There!
0:30:33 > 0:30:37- Quite a nice kitchen diner. - Yes.- Yeah?
0:30:37 > 0:30:40That's a huge difference.
0:30:40 > 0:30:44- This is great.- Yes, it is. - Lots of space.- Excellent.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Well, the kitchen itself is absolutely lovely, as you can see.
0:30:47 > 0:30:52- The kind of arrangement that suits you?- Yes, it would. It would.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54It's a good-sized kitchen. It's got everything you need.
0:30:54 > 0:30:59- You can always put the chairs this way if you want to look at the view.- Turn them round!
0:30:59 > 0:31:01There's plenty of places to enjoy the view from.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05There's a utility room through there and a back door out,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- so all your white goods and stuff are in there.- Yes.
0:31:08 > 0:31:11But it is the views, of course, that have really determined
0:31:11 > 0:31:13how this layout has come together.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15It gives you this lovely family space,
0:31:15 > 0:31:17which I think you'd use quite a lot.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19- We would.- Yeah?- Absolutely. Yes.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- So far, so good. - So far, so good.- Right, follow me.
0:31:22 > 0:31:27Although the kitchen and family room would probably become their main socialising space,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31the house has been designed to offer the best of both worlds,
0:31:31 > 0:31:33with a more intimate formal area, too.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37- Now, this, I think, is really nice. - Ooh!- Come on in.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40- You weren't expecting this one, were you?- No.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42- It is a well-proportioned room. - Yeah.- Nice fireplace.
0:31:42 > 0:31:46- This has really brought a smile to your face, hasn't it?- Yes.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49- Can you see yourself relaxing in here? It's very comfortable.- Yes.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- Absolutely.- Good.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55There's a bit of confusion written all over your faces, isn't there?
0:31:57 > 0:32:00I sense we may have found some competition for the second property
0:32:00 > 0:32:01with this mystery house
0:32:01 > 0:32:04and there's much more here to increase the odds.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06A large conservatory provides the link
0:32:06 > 0:32:09to an adjoining bedroom suite, currently set up as a study,
0:32:09 > 0:32:11with patio doors onto the garden.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15This could easily become a potential fifth bedroom for Graham's mother
0:32:15 > 0:32:17as it's on the ground floor.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20The other four bedrooms are all upstairs.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23A family bathroom serves three of them, all doubles,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26including one that's dual aspect,
0:32:26 > 0:32:28another smaller one that's currently used as a single,
0:32:28 > 0:32:32and a third, which is attractively decorated
0:32:32 > 0:32:33but we'll take a look at the master.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37So last but by no means least, your bit.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40- Ah!- What do you think? - It's a good space.- Yeah?
0:32:40 > 0:32:44- Lovely.- It's got views. - You have got views.- Yeah.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46You've got that cosy feel.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Combined with all the other bedrooms that this place offers you,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52hopefully it's beginning to kind of complete the picture.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55- Yes, this is definitely the master bedroom.- Yes.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59Good. And you've got that. Have a look in there.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- Have a look. It's like a spa.- Ah!
0:33:02 > 0:33:04- How about that?- That's wonderful. - Isn't it?
0:33:04 > 0:33:09- Proper wet room for you.- Indeed. You'd never get me out of here.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Well, I am going to get you out. Come on!
0:33:11 > 0:33:12You've got plenty more to see.
0:33:12 > 0:33:18Bit by bit our buyers are appreciating the way the character of this house unfolds
0:33:18 > 0:33:20and the garden is no exception,
0:33:20 > 0:33:24with a lovely mixture of paved terraces, lawned areas
0:33:24 > 0:33:26and there's even a pond hidden away as well.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29This is the perfect spot to get a sense of the geography
0:33:29 > 0:33:32of what's on offer in terms of the outside space.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36It's about three quarters of an acre in total, Sandra,
0:33:36 > 0:33:37most of it running up behind us, there,
0:33:37 > 0:33:40to some mixed woodland at the top.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43I want you, Graham, to look at that shed down there.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- I'm not saying it's big enough for a railway at the moment...- No!
0:33:46 > 0:33:51..but would there be space there, do you think, to put in a new shed
0:33:51 > 0:33:52and maybe treble its size?
0:33:52 > 0:33:56On the footprint of that patio area down there, certainly.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59- Would it be big enough?- Yes. - It would? Brilliant.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- This is our last guess. You can go first.- Last guess.
0:34:02 > 0:34:06- 875.- £875,000. Graham?
0:34:06 > 0:34:10Erm, we've not colluded but the same figure was in my mind.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12- Would you like to agree? - We agree on 875.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15You agree on £875,000.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Well, it's not a bad guess, guys, to be honest.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19This offers a direct financial comparison
0:34:19 > 0:34:21to property number two
0:34:21 > 0:34:25because it is also on the market for £895,000.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27It's a good price. A fair price.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- It's got great views. - It's got wonderful views.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34- It challenges us.- Good. Well, may the challenge continue.- Yes.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36Off you go!
0:34:38 > 0:34:42£5,000 under budget, the mystery property is a wonderful detached house
0:34:42 > 0:34:45with yet another unconventional layout.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50It's beautifully presented with a superb open plan family kitchen,
0:34:50 > 0:34:51a more formal living room
0:34:51 > 0:34:54and five bedrooms, one of which is on the ground floor.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58And it's all set in grounds that cover some three quarters of an acre,
0:34:58 > 0:35:01with spectacular views.
0:35:01 > 0:35:04When I first saw the mystery house from the outside,
0:35:04 > 0:35:07I think it was something, yet again, that was different,
0:35:07 > 0:35:10so I just wanted to get in.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12The views are a real plus to the house.
0:35:12 > 0:35:17I was particularly struck by the sort of mezzanine level
0:35:17 > 0:35:19that you have in the kitchen-dining area,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23at a slightly different level to the entrance to the bedrooms above them.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25That's a very distinctive feature.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29In terms of the choice between the three properties that we've viewed,
0:35:29 > 0:35:33certainly it's going to be a very tight choice between two of them.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37It's a pretty spectacular view all round.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40It's like looking at a map.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43You can pick out different features in the landscape as you look at it.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45I thought I'd find you here.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- Pretty captivating, isn't it?- It is.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50So what happens next?
0:35:50 > 0:35:51I think we need to get you somewhere
0:35:51 > 0:35:54where you can think about our three properties
0:35:54 > 0:35:59- and mull it all over.- Yes, indeed. - Shall we?- Yes.- Let's go.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13The coastal town of Clevedon became a popular holiday destination
0:36:13 > 0:36:15in the Victorian era
0:36:15 > 0:36:17and many fine examples of architecture from the period
0:36:17 > 0:36:22include its restored Grade I listed pier that dates back to 1869
0:36:22 > 0:36:25and its Grade II listed picture house
0:36:25 > 0:36:28which has entertained Clevedon for a century.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30During the week I took a trip to the cinema,
0:36:30 > 0:36:33which is now celebrating its centenary year,
0:36:33 > 0:36:37thanks entirely to a passionate group of community champions.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Margaret Keel and Jeanette Maycock are two devoted volunteers
0:36:40 > 0:36:42at the front of house.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44Hello, ladies! Nice to see you.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46How long have you been working here now?
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Erm, 27 and a half years.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52- What was it like when you first came?- Pretty dilapidated building, actually.
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Its future was obviously hanging in the balance somewhat, Margaret.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59What happened to turn its fortunes around?
0:36:59 > 0:37:02I think it was Jon Webber that turned it around.
0:37:02 > 0:37:04One Saturday morning he opened up the cinema
0:37:04 > 0:37:07and told everyone to come in and bring £1.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Everyone came with £1 and you've never seen so many people in your life.
0:37:10 > 0:37:15- So the thought of losing their cinema galvanised Clevedon's population?- Yes.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17I'm going to go up have a look around, if I may.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19- Do I need a ticket?- Oh, definitely.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- Look at that!- One ticket, sir. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29The cinema was the brainchild of local sculptor and stonemason Victor Cox
0:37:29 > 0:37:33and first opened its doors to the public in April 1912,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35just days after the sinking of the Titanic.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40The first screening raised funds for the survivors and victims' relatives.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45The cinema proved so popular, within ten years they'd enlarged it
0:37:45 > 0:37:48but building works didn't interrupt a single performance.
0:37:48 > 0:37:51Projectionist Maurice Thornton has worked here
0:37:51 > 0:37:53for an incredible 69 years.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57- Maurice!- Yes.- Hello, sir.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59What are you putting into the projector now?
0:37:59 > 0:38:05We've got a film here. It's about Clevedon as it was in 1903.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- Right, are we ready to run? - Oh, yeah.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10PROJECTOR WHIRRS
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Talkie films weren't introduced here until 1930,
0:38:13 > 0:38:16so before then the musical background to silent performances
0:38:16 > 0:38:18was provided by pianists playing an organ,
0:38:18 > 0:38:22a role which is now in the hands of Bernie Brown.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25ORGAN PLAYS CADENCE
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- Bernie, this is an absolute beauty, isn't it?- Isn't it just?
0:38:29 > 0:38:33- How old is this particular organ? - This one's 1931.- 1931.
0:38:33 > 0:38:34It's about 80-odd years old.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Where do all the sounds come from?
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Well, they come from up there in the side of the cinema.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44So you've got a room full of bells and whistles and drums and...?
0:38:44 > 0:38:47All of those things are up there, yes.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49XYLOPHONE PLAYS
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Wonderful. You get a real sense, just hearing that,
0:38:54 > 0:38:58how useful these would be, how essential they would be
0:38:58 > 0:39:00in accompanying the early silent movies,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02to give you that tension and drama.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05The effects are wonderful. Have you ever accompanied a silent film?
0:39:05 > 0:39:09Oh, yes. We frequently run silent films here and do an accompaniment.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12It's a part of cinema history and quite an important part
0:39:12 > 0:39:15and I think it needs to be kept alive.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Bernie, an absolute treat. Thank you very much.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Give us a nice seaside theme to end on.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25ORGAN PLAYS JAUNTY TUNE
0:39:34 > 0:39:37Well, for me that little cinema in Clevedon is just one example
0:39:37 > 0:39:41of how community makes Somerset a wonderful county in which to live.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44So let's see if we have managed to find Graham and Sandra
0:39:44 > 0:39:46the perfect place in which to do it.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48Let's go and ask them.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57- So, how are we doing, then? - Pretty good, pretty good.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00- Difficult time, though. - Difficult decisions to be made.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Trying to make a decision is always difficult.
0:40:02 > 0:40:07Well, that sense of confusion is often a good thing
0:40:07 > 0:40:11but have we managed to find you the home of the future?
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Let's just remind ourselves of our properties.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17Property number one, the old schoolhouse.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Very dramatic, in many respects.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23The inside of the house was really, really well done.
0:40:23 > 0:40:27I really liked the inside. I also liked the garden.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31I think the difficulty I had with it was the beams, absolutely wonderful,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33but it was very difficult to envisage
0:40:33 > 0:40:36how we'd position furniture within that space.
0:40:36 > 0:40:39Then we took you to an altogether different proposition.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41House number two.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43There was a great entrance into the property.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45You saw a lot of the garden when you were going in
0:40:45 > 0:40:47and it was a lovely garden.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50It was just a good property to look at.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53It had a really good feel about it.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55The idea of the entrance hall being a welcoming space,
0:40:55 > 0:40:59with the bedrooms on one side and the living space on the other,
0:40:59 > 0:41:00that worked very well for us.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03- And that kitchen, Graham? - Wonderful, wonderful.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05Perfect living space.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09It probably represented the best that we could even think of.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12And we also finished up with a lovely great big pond for you.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17Yes. Yes, you did. The pond of my dreams.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- It was the pond what swung it. - It was the pond, definitely.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24But we had one more property to show you, our mystery house,
0:41:24 > 0:41:27and I'm delighted to say that that also piqued your interest.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31The views from the property are stunning.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35The inside of the property is so light and spacious
0:41:35 > 0:41:41that, yes - a lot of serious consideration, there.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43It certainly was an intriguing property.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46Well, we've seen them all and talked about them all.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48So what happens next?
0:41:48 > 0:41:53For me, we're at the nine and a half to ten for the second property,
0:41:53 > 0:41:56the third property probably nine.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59Do you agree with that?
0:41:59 > 0:42:02Yes, although I love the mystery house,
0:42:02 > 0:42:07probably the second property had more that we were looking for
0:42:07 > 0:42:10in terms of friends, relatives.
0:42:10 > 0:42:12Are you going to go and have another look at the second property?
0:42:12 > 0:42:15We certainly are. I think there's a strong probability
0:42:15 > 0:42:17- that we'll put in an offer. - Brilliant.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Well, as ever, let us know how you get on.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24- We will.- I'm delighted that you came to us to help you make this move,
0:42:24 > 0:42:27back from Switzerland to the old country, as it were.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30It's a wonderful property, number two.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33If you are able to get it, I'm sure you'll be very, very happy there.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35- Thank you.- Thank you for your help.
0:42:35 > 0:42:40It's been a really warm welcome back to this country.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Good. Well, that is our pleasure. Best of luck.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49I count myself extremely lucky to spend most of my life
0:42:49 > 0:42:51out here in the countryside
0:42:51 > 0:42:54and whilst I hope I'll never, ever take it for granted,
0:42:54 > 0:42:56it is of course familiar,
0:42:56 > 0:42:59so it's been interesting watching a couple like Graham and Sandra
0:42:59 > 0:43:01embark on a journey of rediscovery.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04The exciting thing is that they're right at the beginning
0:43:04 > 0:43:05of that process.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09But I'd like to think that for a couple who've spent so many years in Switzerland
0:43:09 > 0:43:12and developed a passion for model railways,
0:43:12 > 0:43:15when eventually they do make the move, it'll run like clockwork.
0:43:15 > 0:43:17I'll see you next time.
0:43:18 > 0:43:22If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
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