Northamptonshire Escape to the Country

This quiet, pretty village was the setting

for one of the most famous executions of a queen in British history.

Intrigued? Don't lose your head over it. I'll reveal all in a moment.

On today's show, it's my mission to help a retired couple

find a slice of country life closer to their family.

They'll need to hold their breath for some breathtaking properties.

SIGH

-Do I sigh again?

-I think maybe you should but maybe louder than you have before.

I am in Northamptonshire, in the village of Fotheringay,

which in the 16th century, was dominated by a great castle.

Today, only these ruins remain.

But it was here in the Great Hall in the 1587 that Mary Queen Of Scots was beheaded

on the orders of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.

Eyewitness accounts tell the gruesome tale of the executioner

taking two blows with the axe to perform the deathly deed.

When he lifted her severed head to the crowd,

her wig came away to reveal that her hair was cut short to the scalp.

Dramatic deaths aside, this county is packed with heritage that will warm the soul.

Landlocked in the heart of England, Northamptonshire is bordered by eight other counties

including a tiny 19 metre stretch that's shared with Lincolnshire

making it the shortest county boundary in the country.

Much of Northamptonshire's beautiful rural landscape has been shaped by farming.

But also provides fantastic walking territory, in particular the 70-mile footpath

of the Nene Valley Way that runs adjacent to the river Nene.

The river flows serenely through many attractive villages and towns

including the historic market town of Waendel,

whose impressive array of 17th and 18th century limestone buildings

make it clear to see why Northamptonshire is known as the county of spires and squires.

For many centuries, the main industry was the manufacture of shoes and boots.

This legacy has preserved in Northampton's museum

featuring the world's largest collection of shoes with over 12,000 pairs.

And with fascinating historic locations offering easy access to unspoilt countryside,

it's easy to understand why Northamptonshire is a shoo-in for aspiring escapees.

House prices here in Northamptonshire vary across the county,

though you may be interested to learn that a detached property will set you back £224,000.

That's £27,000 below the national figure.

But buyers beware, because property in the highly sought after golden triangle,

between Daventry, Towcester and Banbury

carry between a 10-20% premium

because they are in gorgeous countryside with good motorway links.

Other hotspots include Oundle and for good value property,

you should head to Wellingborough and Rushton.

One thing Northamptonshire isn't short of is housing stock with style.

The Midlands counties have a rich bounty of building materials

sourced from the underline Jurassic rocks.

It's the Northampton sand that contains the distinctive ironstone used to construct many buildings

such as this four-bedroomed listed home in Finedon, currently on the market for £245,000.

This region also showcases picture-postcard cottages

featuring the traditional style of thatched roofing known as long straw.

It's fixed and finished in decorative crisscross lengths of hazel or willow.

And at £465,000, this four bedroomed thatched cottage in the village of Barton Seagrave

is a particularly fine example.

Throughout the county, many pre-20th century properties are made of pale limestone

and mellow brick and this lovely listed terraced home in the sought-after village of Cranford

comes with an asking price of £235,000.

As you can see, there's great property shopping to be done in this county.

Let's meet today's buyers and find out what they're looking for.

Husband and wife, David and Sheila share a passion for travel.

Their relationship developed from a holiday romance overseas.

When it comes to their domestic itinerary, it's not always been an ideal destination.

We've been married for nearly 38 years.

All our moves have been based around work considerations.

We've finally got the chance to choose where we want to live

and not have to worry about being near an office, a railway station or a motorway.

They are both retired tax inspectors so without the restrictions of work, the world is their oyster.

At the centre of their world is their family, who all live some three hours drive away

from their home in the Somerset town of Weston-super-Mare.

We never saw Weston-super-Mare as our retirement home.

It was a stepping stone.

Now that we are both retired, I retired six years ago, Sheila's just retired.

We have a grandson living in Northampton

and we'd love to spend more time with him.

-We'd like to help out.

-We can be the nanny and grandpa who help out.

As well as being more hands-on grandparents,

they are also hoping for more interaction with the locals.

We would love to find a village.

With a proper community that we can get involved in.

We miss the friendship, the camaraderie,

the whole social scene of village life.

The new house has to accommodate the potential for socialising with neighbours and friends

as well as providing a place to stay for visiting family.

It also has to fit their recreational needs.

I'm very keen to get my knitting machine working again.

I used to have my own little business.

Perhaps that is something I'd look at doing again.

In a perfect world, our next house would have four bedrooms and a study.

That would mean David could have his own study and I could have my own room for all my craftwork.

If we didn't have that, we'd have a discussion about where I'd be able to keep my knitting machine.

No, definitely not. My computer comes first.

If David loses the battle, which I'm sure he will,

he knows the best way to let off steam.

For relaxation, I enjoy model railway.

I got my first train set when I was about four which, for many years,

every time I set it up, we'd moved and I've had to take it down again.

This next move, hopefully, I can have a permanent trackway

complete with scenery and enjoy a nice relaxing drive of trains.

Their house has just gone on the market and they've got all their finances in place

for their Northamptonshire move.

Our budget for the new house is £400,000.

But if you found the ideal house,

we might be able to stretch to £450,000.

Not only do David and Sheila desire a location closer to their grandson in Rushton,

they also want easy access to their daughter in Lincolnshire.

Our house search will concentrate on the villages towards the northern half of the county.

I caught up with our buyers on the banks of the River Eye

to discover more about the details of their move.

So go on then, what are we looking for in this retirement house for you both?

-Go on.

-Well, my primary concern, I'm a model railway enthusiast,

so I need something in the garden an outbuilding, a shed,

room for a shed, to house all my collection of trains.

Other than that, house-wise, minimum three bedrooms.

I love it. Basically, you're looking for a shed with house attached?

-Of course.

-Pretty much, yes!

I'll forget about what you want! What do you want, Sheila?

Erm, we'd like a minimum of three bedrooms with a study,

or four bedrooms where we could convert one to a study.

I hate open plan kitchen diners.

-It's a very strong word, hate.

-Yeah, it is hate.

-I want a separate dining room.

-Why?

I like to be able to shut it away when you finish the meal.

And I don't like people around me when I'm cooking.

-Oh really?

-Yeah, I hate people around me. I'm not a very good cook!

-Right.

-I like to make my mistakes in private!

She's better than she will admit to, I have to say.

-And outside space?

-Not too big because we're not very good gardeners either!

What about the property itself? What do you want it to look like?

We've lived in four new builds, which are fine in their own right.

But I like a character house.

-Why are you smiling?

-Because I actually prefer newer houses.

-So this could be interesting today.

-Oh, great! So you want character, you want new?

-Yeah!

As always, we've got three properties to show you, one of them the mystery property.

I'm hoping you were like all three. Only time will tell.

Let's get going, come on.

For a top budget of £450,000,

David and Sheila are looking for a four bedroom house

that has the potential for both a craft room,

for a knitting machine, and a games room for a model railway collection.

They have specified a separate kitchen and dining room,

so no-one can spy on Sheila as she cooks.

And although they have differing opinions on the property style,

they're united in wanting a location within a thriving community.

We have a variety of wonderful family homes lined up,

but I'll keep our buyers guessing as to the price until the end of each tour.

And as ever, we've got the mystery house, which promises to derail

their initial wish list and take them on an entirely different track.

For the first property we're destined for the village of Gretton,

practically equidistant from their grandson and their daughter.

With a travelling time of around 40 minutes to each.

Gretton is a pretty village situated in the Welland Valley,

which still retains its stocks and whipping post,

though fortunately, they haven't been used since the mid-1800s.

The streets are lined with idyllic cottages,

where it appears little has changed for hundreds of years.

And there's plenty of opportunity to mingle with the residents

at the local shop, in any of the three pubs,

or at the coffee shop. So that's exactly where we're headed.

Morning, gents, ladies, how are you? Sorry to interrupt your coffee.

It's a sleepy little village out there but it's all going off in here, isn't it?

-This is where the party is.

-It is. It is.

I've got a couple of potential neighbours. They haven't seen the house yet.

We're showing them the village. What's it like?

-It's a fantastic village.

-There we go, we'll move in now!

It's a really good, kind, loving community.

-So you'd recommend this village?

-100%.

-We haven't even seen the houses they've planned for us, but we're in!

-But we love the coffee shop!

-Well, I sort of retired up here. I was principal baritone with New Sadler's Wells Opera.

-Wow!

Do you fancy giving us a little serenade?

# The pale moon was rising above the green mountain

# The sun was declining beneath the blue sea. #

Oh, it's brilliant! We'll leave you to it!

Thank you very much everyone. See you. All the best. See you later.

After a welcoming serenade, it's time we got to our first property,

a short stroll away from the high street, tucked down a quiet lane.

-This is it. It's a nice property.

-Dave?

-Yeah.

Reminds me of a picture postcard.

Perfect mixture of old and new. You like the old?

-I do indeed, yes.

-This bit's 1700s.

-Just about right.

-Right, this bit for you - your wing.

-My wing? That'll do nicely!

-1990s.

-Can you imagine living here?

-Yes, I can, but I reserve judgement.

No, don't say but! Don't say but!

Just say, "Yes, I can", that's fine. Yes, I can, but what?

-I want to see the inside first.

-Really?

OK, come on then, I'll show you the inside.

This historic but homely stone cottage has been extended

and renovated over the years, but still maintains its traditional charm.

So let's see what David and Sheila make of the abundance of original features inside.

-I think this is lovely.

-Yeah.

-Yeah. I don't usually like beams,

but these are lighter than the ones you usually see.

-Good headspace as well.

-Plenty of headroom.

-Is this big enough for you?

-Yes, this looks good. Yeah. I love the window seat.

-Good.

-I was hoping you'd say that. It's lovely, isn't it?

-Yeah. Yes. I really like that.

-So if you did conventional knitting, you could do it there?

-Yeah.

-But not with your big machine.

-No, but I hand knit as well.

-Oh, you hand knit as well?

-Yes, I do.

-Oh, so you'd be doing at there?

-Yes.

-Yes, that looks really nice.

-OK, well let's move on.

Let's go have a look at the kitchen.

Well, the beam theme continues through to the kitchen.

-It certainly does.

-What do you think?

It's OK. I'm not sure there's enough storage.

-Have you got a lot of stuff?

-I'm known as the gadget master,

-so we have gadgets all over the place.

-Right.

-I'm not sure...

-You've got quite a bit of workspace here, haven't you?

-Quite a bit, yeah.

-It's not the work surfaces that's the problem, it's the cupboards.

I'm not sure there is enough storage space. Apart from that, it's fine.

-And of course you wanted a separate dining area?

-Yes, definitely.

Well I've got one now with a lovely view to show you. Come on.

-What a sun trap.

-This is lovely. It's so nice and warm.

-Nice large area to it.

-It's big enough for you two,

but it's also big enough for the grandchildren and family coming to visit as well.

-I wouldn't want to use this as a dining room.

-No?

No, I'd want to use this as a conservatory

and have nice comfortable chairs out here where you could come and sit

and read the paper on a Sunday.

Back of the hallway is a large utility and store room

next to a downstairs cloakroom.

An added bonus is yet another smaller reception room

featuring double doors to the garden.

This room could provide an alternative space to dine,

if Sheila could bear to sacrifice her craft and knit room.

But, of course, there are options upstairs too.

Alongside the modern and compact family bathroom,

there are four bedrooms, that include a cosy double room,

kitted out for a young boy, and a bright single for a young girl.

But let's check out their potential room.

-Currently this is the master bedroom.

-OK.

-Your thoughts please?

I can imagine lying in bed and looking at the windows. So, yeah.

Yeah. Again, storage is likely to be an issue in here.

Well, you've got the other three rooms to store your clothes.

-Might need them!

-A dressing room.

Yes, well, we've given you a knitting room, maybe.

Knitting room/dining room. We're still to find somewhere for your...

for your railways. I could have the answer. Follow me.

-And this is currently a good-size bedroom.

-This is big enough.

Yes, I can see walking in,

little seat here, controller,

all the points, levers and rest of it.

-Perfect layout.

-Good.

-Sorry, dear, you've lost your...

-Do you want a bet?

Your face was a picture all throughout that.

You're painting this romantic picture of man at play,

and there you're going, "Not having it, mate. Not having it."

Yeah. No, mine!

Well, David seems sold,

though I'm not entirely sure Sheila is convinced.

Time to get outside and see if the price will sway her.

-So, this is your garden. Manageable, I think is the word.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, it is a good size.

-All this comes at a cost, of course.

-Yes.

-Let's talk money.

-OK.

What do you reckon this is on the market for?

-It has got to be 475,000.

-How about you?

Erm, I think it's probably less than that.

-I think it's probably 425.

-425,000.

It's been on the market for six months.

It's currently on the market for £419,995.

-OK.

-Wow!

-That's better than I hoped for.

-Yeah.

Well, why don't you go back in?

Have a good look around and see if the rooms do actually measure up.

-I'll be by the front door, sunbathing.

-OK, thank you.

Thanks a lot.

Under budget at just under £420,000,

our first property is a handsome character cottage with good options

to fit all our buyers' hobbies, as they can take their pick from...

The whole lot is set in an enviable location at the heart

of an atmospheric village.

Very nice indeed. A lot of the house is very nice.

I'm conscious that my wife is concerned about the storage areas.

I know I keep on about "I want my model railway,"

but it has been many, many years in the making,

and it will be nice to have somewhere where I can just...

without arguing with the wife, you know, this is my room

or this is my shed, this is my outhouse, whatever.

So I think, on balance, this is not the house for me.

I haven't got any particular aversion to older houses,

and in fact I do like this house very much.

I'm just not convinced it's big enough.

Even though we're trying to downsize,

I'm not convinced it's actually big enough for what we need.

I don't think the rooms here would adapt to our particular requirements very well.

Here they come. Ah-ha!

-Seen enough?

-Yes, thank you.

-Right, come on, let's get in the car.

For generations, Northamptonshire's central location has played a vital role in trade and travel,

transporting goods and passengers throughout the country.

In the Middle Ages, the journey took them along the River Nene,

and in the 18th century, it was down the Grand Union Canal.

And by the mid-19th century, they travelled on the fast track of the railway.

Such was the popularity of rail travel at the time,

that entire industry was developed to create small-scale versions of the new locomotives.

And over a century later, enthusiasm for these miniature trains is still going strong.

So, where better to send our model railway devotee, David,

and his wife, Sheila,

than the Northampton Society of Model Engineers based at Delapre Park,

where they met up with chairman, Peter Squire.

-Hello. Hello, Sheila, hello, Dave.

-Hi there.

Welcome to the Northampton Society of Model Engineers.

The origins of the club really go back to as far as 1933.

Shortly after the club was formed,

there are records of the big model maker in the town, Bassett-Lowke,

actually attending some of the meetings and addressing them.

And we actually have here one of his designs from the '30s and '40s,

which was actually built by one of our members in 1970.

It's quite a fine example of those designs at the time.

And these were the model that everyone wanted.

Bassett-Lowke models had a fantastic reputation.

They were available in all sorts of scales,

from smaller than that to quite a lot larger.

In fact, a lot larger than those that we have here.

Before nationalisation in 1948,

the country's rail network was divided between four

regionally-based private companies known as "the big four" -

LNER, standing for London and North Eastern,

LMS, for London, Midland and Scottish,

GWR, which was Great Western

and SR for Southern Railway.

The locomotives from each of these companies had their own

distinct designs and characteristics,

and allegiance to a particular railway tends to lie with the region

in which enthusiasts were born and raised.

GWR, that's me. I love Great Western.

I'm the same.

Collectors are prepared to pay up to £50,000 for the most

highly-prized models in mint condition,

and vice-chairman David Holland explains the mechanics that make the machines move.

The steam engine is basically just a big kettle on wheels

with somebody's thumb over the spout to generate pressure.

The fire in here creates the steam, which then,

through the cylinders on the side of the locomotive, powers it.

With the theory done, the real fun can begin.

-And you can't possibly drive without one of those.

-Thank you.

All aboard!

From the look of intense concentration on David's face,

it's full steam ahead, despite the sudden change in the weather.

Here comes the rain.

Someone pass Sheila an umbrella!

Just what we need(!)

And let's hope we don't hit the rails

when it comes to our next house.

We're travelling 15 minutes south for our next stop,

towards the small village of Stanion, which is just

a couple of miles away from the larger village of Brigstock.

In Brigstock, David and Sheila will find a good selection of facilities,

including a convenience store and post office,

three pubs and a tea room.

A short five-minute drive away lies our second property.

Now, our buyers were both concerned about the apparent

lack of space in our first house.

So we've really upped the space stakes with this second selection,

but will it be too much?

-First impressions are - wow!

-Wow!

-Good.

-Yes, it looks wonderful.

-It was cattle shed and hay store.

-Oh, OK.

-Really?

19th century, yeah. It was converted in the '80s.

-It looks lovely from the outside.

-It's got lots of character, hasn't it?

-I can't believe it!

Again, the mixture of old and new. Especially for you and you.

-I'm really pleased you like it. Shall we go in?

-Yes, please!

'Both parties are enthusiastic about this spacious barn conversion from the outside,

'but let's see if the interior meets their expectations.'

-This is lovely.

-Yeah?

-I really like this.

-Wow. Another wow!

-Really? Oh, good.

-Got a double wow.

-It's nice, isn't it?

-It's beautiful, I really like this.

-And double-glazed throughout.

-Yeah. Lots of light because of these wonderful arches.

So, can you imagine yourself in here?

-Definitely. Yes, I really like this.

-Feel free to think about it.

-No, no...

-No need to think about it. I like this. I really like this.

I just hope the rest of the house is as nice.

And the lounge isn't the only place to kick back and relax,

as there is also a conservatory kitted out with a few comfy sofas

right off the dining area.

It's not every day you walk down the stairs to your dining room.

DAVID EXHALES DEEPLY

Uh-oh, it's that exhalation of breath again!

THEY LAUGH I can't believe you've done it.

-This is superb, and yes, our table will fit in here.

-Extended as well.

-Yes.

-Yes, lots of room.

-Extended as well(!)

-Can I just check one thing out?

-Yes.

-Hold on one second. I'm just going to sit here.

No, I can't really see you cooking either, it's brilliant. Yay!

-And shut the door.

-Yeah, exactly. Even better!

-Do you want to go through to the kitchen?

-Yes, please.

-Come on.

Let's huddle round the island.

DAVID EXHALES DEEPLY

That's your THIRD exhalation of breath.

I can't help it. I am...blown away.

-It's lovely. Yes, I like the work surfaces.

-Lovely, aren't they?

-Lots of them as well. Do you think there's enough storage space?

-Yes.

-Er, yes. I think this is better.

-Fantastic.

Gosh, I'm sensing that you really like this property so far.

Yes, really do.

Back in the main hallway is a cloakroom and a staircase

leading up to four bedrooms.

On this floor is a single bedroom which could make a good study,

and also two doubles, ideal for guests, grandchildren or hobbies.

There is also a four-piece family bathroom

and a rather grand master bedroom.

Goodness me. That is huge!

-Do I sigh again?

-I think you should, but maybe louder than before.

Oh, incredible!

-These are beautiful. I think we'd get our clothes in there.

-Yours would fit no problem at all.

I was a bit worried about storage space in here, really.

-This is fantastic.

-You've also got an en suite round the corner.

-That's good. This is wonderful. I love this.

-Modern enough for you?

-Yes, definitely.

-Old enough for you?

-Characterful enough for me as well.

-You know what's happened so far, don't you?

-Go on.

You haven't talked about knitting at all

-and you haven't talked about railways at all.

-I know.

For a house like this...

I might even give up the railways.

'Steady on, David!

'There's no need to do anything that drastic, as this grand house

'is actually marketed with no less than five bedrooms.'

The four bedrooms we've seen so far lie in the main part of the property

above the reception areas.

There's also a self-contained studio-style annexe

that sits above the garage, which could be used as a bedroom suite,

but in this case, could make the perfect hideaway for boys' toys.

The studio also has its own separate access from the outside.

So this is a separate wing attached to your already massive house.

-This is... You wouldn't like to move in here, would you?

-THEY LAUGH

DAVID EXHALES DEEPLY

I don't believe it.

-This would be fantastic for your trains.

-Absolutely!

Oh, I can see it here, no problem.

There's another room through there that would be a great office, great for the internet.

You've also got your own loo here.

-You'd never see him!

-Sounds like a brilliant idea.

THEY LAUGH

I'm totally speechless. I can't believe it.

-It's a lot of house this, isn't it?

-It's a huge house.

It is absolutely massive.

The one thing that worries me now is the price

and whether we'll be able to afford it or not.

-Do you think you will?

-Mm, I'm not sure.

I hope so, but I fear not.

Well, we better not keep them guessing any longer, so let's

get into the courtyard garden and reveal how much it's worth.

OK, shall we talk numbers?

Well, I think it is probably the top-end of our budget,

so I think it's probably 450, if not, a bit more.

-OK, 450,000 or more. OK.

-Yeah.

Because I'd love it so much, 400.

OK. Six months ago...

-it was on the market for £445,000.

-OK.

-It's now on the market for £425,000.

-Right. OK.

-So it's within budget.

-Within budget.

Go and have another look around, take your time.

-You may be waiting a while.

-Thanks!

-THEY LAUGH

-Go on, spoil yourself.

-Thank you.

Again, under budget at £425,000, this wonderfully large

barn conversion does a great job of marrying both our buyers' preferred

property styles by tastefully combining the old with the new.

It comes with the...

In fact, with all the space here,

there's no need to compromise on dining, train driving or knitting,

nor gadgets or clothing,

so I suspect we might just have hit the jackpot.

My first impressions of the house were,

"Wow, this looks absolutely fantastic.

"I hope David likes it as much as I do."

I think from his reaction since we arrived, it's pretty obvious

that he does love it, if not, even more than I do.

Wow! What a property. And that was just the outside.

Inside, double wow.

It just went from, well, from good to better to absolute best.

I can't see anything wrong with this property. It is right, right, right.

Tell you what, you weren't joking when you said you'd be some time!

-It's a lot of house to take in.

-A lot to look at, yes.

Listen, I know you like it, so what I suggest is we don't bother talking about houses tonight.

-We'll go back, regroup, start again tomorrow. How's that?

-That's good.

-Good idea.

-Come on.

With the sun setting over the Northamptonshire countryside,

the first day of a very promising house hunt draws to a close.

'With a budget of £450,000, David and Sheila

'are hoping to move closer to their family in Northamptonshire.

'So far, there wasn't quite enough space in the first property,

'but there was more than enough in our second.

'But still to come, could we be incarcerated in the mystery house?'

Shut all the doors, keep them all out, that would be fine.

'And I'll be fleeing for Northamptonshire's fields of gold.'

It's day two in our house search,

and I really do feel like we ended on a high yesterday.

Sheila and David seemed to fall in love with that second property, don't you think?

It had huge rooms and a modern feel.

It was an ideal family home for them. Well, it's by no means over.

Bring on the mystery house, it'll really test their boundaries.

Anything you'd hate the mystery property to be?

Erm... A semi-detached, Grade II listed, thatched roof bungalow

on the main road, in need of serious renovation.

Well, David will be relieved to know that it is none of the above,

but being that it's the mystery house,

we are taking our buyers right out of the comfort zone.

We're going to hop across the county border into Cambridgeshire

and head towards the village of Helpston.

And although we're travelling further away from David and Sheila's grandson in Rushton,

our final stop is only a few miles from their daughter.

Helpston is a picturesque village that has won numerous awards

for both its charming appearance and its community spirit.

The village was the birthplace of the peasant poet John Clare in 1793,

and local businesses include a couple of pubs

and a convenience store, with post office.

'In the heart of the village, the mystery house takes pride of place.'

-So...

-OK.

This is the mystery property.

It's bigger than I thought it was going to be.

She goes for size straightaway!

-How old do you reckon that is?

-It looks quite new.

This is a new build, you're right. 2008. The current owners built it.

But it has been done in a traditional style,

so we're hoping that you both like it for that reason.

You wanted a new build, it's a new build. It's got character.

-Stone features, yeah.

-The stone's nice, I like the stone.

-First impressions, very good.

-Looks very nice.

-Oh, good!

Let's go and have a look, come on.

'A very positive response.

'This four-year-old detached cottage has an attractive traditional feel

'from the outside, but a thoroughly contemporary style inside.'

-Come through here.

-Right, this is nice.

-Good.

Not sure about the open-plan, though,

cos it's not a separate dining room.

It was going so well until that. I've been really worried.

I thought, can we push you a little bit on that open-plan living?

-I'm not so worried, to be honest.

-Good.

-There's an element of shut-off there.

-There is, isn't there?

And you could probably put doors on there, perhaps glass doors,

to shut it off. But I'm not sure at the moment. We'll see.

-Shall we go and see the kitchen?

-Please.

-OK. It's through a door.

-You should be thrilled!

-Oh, good.

-Yeah! Come on, follow me.

Again, a very bright kitchen.

Beautifully done.

-Yes, this is very nice, very modern.

-A good space, yeah.

No-one can see you cooking.

No, shut all the doors, keep them all out. That'll be fine.

Any negatives?

-Same issue, possibly, over storage space...

-Really?

..as we had with the first one, but I'm not sure that the moment.

Hang on, now, come on. There's loads of the stuff!

-Yeah, there's more drawers there, aren't there?

-Drawers everywhere.

Are any of these built-in appliances at all?

No. The washing machine, drier and everything are in the garage.

-So that's effectively the utility?

-Yes.

-OK, that is better.

-So these are all storage areas?

-Yeah. You could fill all these drawers!

Yes, I probably could fill all these drawers.

'Ironically, I'm sensing that it's character-loving David who is

'warming to this property, not the self-confessed modernist, Sheila.'

Upstairs, the sleek finish continues with the family bathroom and five bedrooms.

There's a boxroom alongside another single being used as a study,

and there are double bedrooms which both have single beds.

Time, though, to check out their room.

Come through to the master bedroom.

-This looks nice.

-Very nice.

-Yeah.

-Pop your head around there.

Big en suite.

Oh, that's nice. Yes, good-size shower.

Big enough for you?

-Mm...yes. No wardrobes.

-No.

There is, actually.

-Would I show you a room with no wardrobes?

-Yes, you would!

Would I do that to you, Sheila? There's plenty of...

Well, maybe not for you, but lots of storage.

-No, that's nowhere near big enough.

-Right.

The bedroom itself is very nice.

I like the bedroom and it is plenty big enough for a bed,

there just isn't enough storage space in this one.

Sadly, cupboard space continues to be a contentious issue

inside the mystery house.

But they'll both be pleased to know the garden is another low-maintenance option,

with a lawned area to the rear that has just enough room

to construct a large shed for David's train sets.

-Not the biggest garden.

-No, no.

-Not too bad.

-Manageable. Manageable.

-I knew you were going to say that.

-A nice, flat lawn.

-Is this big enough for you?

-Yes, I think it would be. Yes.

Yeah, very good.

-Shall we talk money?

-OK.

-What do you think this is on the market for?

I think maybe 425.

425,000, OK. How about you?

Well, I was wildly over with the first property, wildly under with the second.

-I'm going to split the difference - 435.

-£435,000. OK.

Well, £425,000...

-..was the figure when it was on the market a year ago.

-A year ago? OK.

-It is now on the market for £405,000.

-OK.

-Right.

-So it's the cheapest we've shown you.

-Yes.

-Hmm.

-Yeah. OK.

-And breathe.

-That is the challenge. THEY LAUGH

-I can see that is the challenge.

-Yes.

-It is the cheapest.

-Yeah.

-And, literally, you wouldn't have to do anything if you moved in.

-No.

Well, it's food for thought, and it is starting to rain,

so I think you should get back in there

and I'll be by the front door under that little seat.

-In that seat? Not getting wet.

-Not getting wet, hopefully.

Right, thank you.

For an asking price of £405,000,

the mystery property is a delightful stone-built character cottage,

offering all the attractions of 21st century living.

The reception areas have an open-plan feel, but the kitchen

can be closed off to prevent prying eyes watching Sheila cook.

There's a choice of five bedrooms,

so plenty of room for guests and pastimes.

And outside, there's a secluded, low-maintenance garden.

When we first walked up the drive,

I wasn't even aware that it was a new house.

From the outside, it seems to have the same old character

as a lot of the other houses here.

And inside, pleasantly surprised.

I think that the major issue with this house that would be

a stumbling block is the lack of storage space upstairs.

The mystery house is absolutely immaculate.

It's beautiful, it's decorated exquisitely all the way through,

but I don't think Aled has swayed my opinion of open-plan houses at all.

I think my view on modern houses

as opposed to older houses has shifted slightly.

I think probably because the older house we saw

had so much more space in it, this house is lovely, it's a new house,

but I just don't think it's big enough for what we want.

Ah-ha! Lovely seat. Nice idea.

Now, listen, I think it's fair to say we've shown you three very different properties,

-so I think we should go and have a chat about them.

-OK.

-Come on.

When early summer approaches, Britain's countryside becomes

a blanket of vivid yellow, as the fields of rapeseed come into flower.

First cultivated by the Romans, it's a defining image of our farming landscape,

although rapeseed hasn't always been the pick of the crop.

Up until the 1970s, it was intensively grown,

mostly for animal feed, but not human consumption.

However, as the decades have rolled on,

there has been something of a rapeseed revolution.

So much so that rapeseed oil found its way into our kitchen cupboards.

In Northamptonshire, this farm near Hargrave highlights how

the use of this crop has blossomed with the times.

-Duncan, good to see you.

-Aled, how are you?

'I'm meeting Duncan Farrington, who is the fourth generation

'in his family to run the farm.'

-So what do you make out of rapeseed?

-In Britain,

97% of rapeseed is used in food, and we'd consume it every day.

But also, rapeseed oil can be used in cosmetics,

so, ladies' lipstick, soaps, shampoos,

but the reality is most of what we grow is used for food.

-And do you just use the yellow flower?

-No, not at all. No.

-Shall I pick a piece up?

-Yeah, go on.

So here we have the flowers at the top of the plant.

They're fertilised at the moment by the bumblebees and insects,

-but if you look further down the plant... Here's one.

-Yeah.

That is the very start of a seed pod,

and inside that little pod will be lots of little, tiny seeds.

'And it's these tiny black seeds that are harvested

'and then carefully cleaned and dried before being cold-pressed

'at room temperature to create rapeseed oil.'

They're pressed. What it's doing is taking those little seeds

and squeezing them in a hole they don't want to go through. And as it's doing that,

-it's literally squeezing the oil out of the seed.

-Right.

But that little, tiny trickle... Think of a bathroom tap.

You leave your tap dripping overnight, well,

that trickle adds up to a lot of oil.

It goes seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

What's the one thing that's popping out the end?

They're rapemeal, or pellets, we call them.

Two thirds of every seed is rapemeal,

and that, we sell to local farmers

and they use it to feed their cows and their sheep and pigs and things.

-So, nothing is wasted at all?

-Nothing is wasted at all. No.

-From that tiny little seed.

-That's it.

The oil is filtered through sheets of blotting paper to take out any seed husk.

It's then ready to be decanted into bottles in its purest form,

or mixed with other ingredients to make condiments.

Rapeseed oil is a good source of omega-3, as well as vitamin E.

-How much do you produce in a year, sir?

-It's growing.

In my very first year, I was the first person in Britain to do this,

and we did 6,000 bottles.

Now, we can do that number every two or three days.

Well, this farm may have struck liquid gold in Northamptonshire's fertile fields

but for now it's time to see if we've got the Midas touch with any of our properties.

Well, I think Northamptonshire,

and let's not forget Cambridgeshire, have been very good for us.

Three lovely, unique properties. Let's talk about the first property.

It had lots of charm, didn't it?

It certainly went towards my side of the choices.

The character of the property.

The conservatory was beautiful,

and I think it was rather wasted being used as a dining room.

-Yeah, I didn't really work for us, did it, that one?

-No.

Oh, come on, guys, you've got a cafe with an opera singer in it.

In a gorgeous village with stocks!

I was very impressed with the village. Really liked it.

It's just a shame that that house doesn't fit the bill for us.

What about the mystery property? Did we push you too far?

-Yes, the mystery house...

-It's very modern!

-It was very modern.

I didn't mind that at all, we've had a lot of new houses.

And it was a beautifully decorated house. It was immaculate throughout.

-That one just wasn't big enough.

-Really?

-Really.

Well, we'll move on to the second property.

I left that till last, cos I have an inkling that you might like it.

-Oh, I absolutely hated it(!)

-Yeah.

-THEY LAUGH

Good acting, honestly! The Oscar goes to...

And I'm glad you're sitting down, because every room, this is you...

HE EXHALES DEEPLY

You seemed to fall in love with it instantly.

I couldn't believe you'd found a property like that.

It's a hackneyed phrase about ticking boxes, but it did.

Yes, the second house had absolutely everything we wanted and some.

Absolutely, yeah. I couldn't agree more.

What were some of the highlights of it for you?

The living room was absolutely huge. It was lovely.

The dining room was perfect.

And when you thought it was over, it wasn't. There was another wing.

-And that was tears to the eyes time. Wasn't it?

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Hobby heaven.

-Oh, God, I don't know how you did it, to be honest.

-Was that too big for your hobbies, do you think?

-No, no, no!

-No, I don't think so.

Will anything ever be too big for you two? No, I don't think so.

His railways will expand to fill the space, I'm sure.

-The house really seemed to suit you.

-It did.

-Oh, yes, very much so.

From the moment we walked up that driveway to the moment

we walked back again, everything about it, absolutely fantastic.

-Do you think you'd live there?

-I could see us living there, yes.

-Yes.

I think we go away, put the pennies together and make an offer.

Well, I could imagine you living there. I hope it does become yours.

-You've been very positive and great fun to be with, so I wish you all the best.

-Thank you.

So, the barn conversion comes up trumps.

Well, it did give them the character that David was after,

coupled with the modern interior that Sheila wanted.

They both think that big is beautiful, and that second property

gave them more than enough space for all of Sheila's clothes and all of David's trains.

I'd say our work here is done, so it's time to get on board,

blow that whistle and get out of the county.

I wonder where my ticket is.

If I wasn't in such a hurry, I'd consider that mode of transport!

Maybe not. See you next time on Escape To The Country.

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