0:00:02 > 0:00:04This is the world's very first lawnmower,
0:00:04 > 0:00:09patented in 1830 by Edwin Beard Budding.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14And this little beauty revolutionised the art of cutting grass.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17But which county was it built and designed in?
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Find out in just a moment.
0:00:49 > 0:00:56'Today, I'm helping a couple of second-time-around newly-weds find their first home together,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00'and early on, our property search gives them some uplifting extras.'
0:01:00 > 0:01:03I love the balcony. That's really struck me.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07'But ultimately, will it be the mystery house that steals the show?'
0:01:07 > 0:01:10- There's a big smile on my face. - I can see.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Today, we're in Gloucestershire and I'm here in Stroud.
0:01:16 > 0:01:22It was near Stroud that Budding, who was a mechanic, went in and out of the cloth factories
0:01:22 > 0:01:27and noticed that the cylindrical blades that cut the fabric would also be good for cutting grass.
0:01:27 > 0:01:33He tried out his prototype on his lawn at home, but at night to avoid his neighbours' curiosity
0:01:33 > 0:01:35and perhaps their ridicule.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Even though the machine was manufactured in the 1830s,
0:01:39 > 0:01:44it's incredible that the design really hasn't changed that much up until the present day.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49But Gloucestershire is about more than just clever lawn-cutting devices.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52Let's take a look at what else it has to offer.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Gloucestershire is bordered by Wales to the west
0:01:58 > 0:02:03and six English counties, including Worcestershire and Wiltshire.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08The southern part of the county encompasses the beautiful Cotswolds,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11but these are not all that Gloucestershire has going for it.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15Head west and you'll reach the spectacular Wye Valley
0:02:15 > 0:02:18whose great river is a popular draw for canoeists.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23The nearby Forest of Dean, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26is one of the last remaining ancient woodlands in England.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32In 1986, a four-mile-long sculpture trail was established in the forest,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36including many works of art like this wooden Giant's Chair,
0:02:36 > 0:02:40which blends in perfectly with the wider natural landscape.
0:02:41 > 0:02:48Unsurprisingly, living in this glorious Gloucestershire countryside comes with a hefty price tag.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53You will be paying £290,000 for an average detached house
0:02:53 > 0:02:55which is 15% above the national average.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00That said, if you come south towards Stroud or west towards the Forest of Dean,
0:03:00 > 0:03:05you'll get a lot more for your money than in the crushingly expensive Cotswolds.
0:03:05 > 0:03:11So what kind of house will be the one for today's buyers, Howard and Valerie from London?
0:03:11 > 0:03:15Let's meet them and find out because the story of their relationship
0:03:15 > 0:03:17could be described as a modern-day fairy tale.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20I was 17 at a steel band dance.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- Yes.- And we went out for about 18 months.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28He asked me to marry him. I was too young. I said "no".
0:03:28 > 0:03:31And we went our separate ways.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35And it wasn't until 40 years later, almost to the day,
0:03:35 > 0:03:38that we set eyes on each other again.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44I logged on to a social network for my school
0:03:44 > 0:03:47and I wondered if Valerie had logged on with her school.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49I checked and there she was.
0:03:49 > 0:03:57- Yes, and very shortly after that, we got engaged and we've been married almost a year now.- Yeah.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00With children from their previous marriages all grown up
0:04:00 > 0:04:05and Howard soon to retire from his management job at a housing association,
0:04:05 > 0:04:10he and Valerie have no ties and are keen to plan a future together.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14They live in a busy West London suburb in a five-bedroom house with a swimming pool
0:04:14 > 0:04:18which Valerie bought with her late first husband.
0:04:18 > 0:04:24- What we're most excited about, regarding the move, is buying a house together.- Absolutely.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29We've never had a house together and we'd be just completely starting afresh.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34New house, new furniture, new garden, new friends, new life.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37- It is very exciting.- It is, yeah.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43After a lot of careful thought, they've set their hearts on living in Gloucestershire.
0:04:43 > 0:04:48Our only concern about moving is that we're going to be a little bit far away
0:04:48 > 0:04:51from our friends and relatives,
0:04:51 > 0:04:56but having said that, one of the criteria that we've laid down
0:04:56 > 0:04:59is a maximum of two and a half hours' drive,
0:04:59 > 0:05:04so it's not the end of the world that we're moving away from this area.
0:05:04 > 0:05:10And once they get there, they'll be jumping headlong into country pursuits.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15We love walking. We're looking for places out in the country where we can walk.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19I go clay-pigeon shooting. I'd like to pursue that more.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24One of the things that we are hoping to do when we move is to have a bee-hive.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30Something I've often wanted to do is have a hive, but it's just not practical to have one in London.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35As far as the new property goes, their must-have list isn't a huge one.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Our dream house would be a relatively modern house.
0:05:39 > 0:05:41It must have a double garage
0:05:41 > 0:05:43for my classic cars.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Or the possibility of building one if it hasn't got it there.
0:05:47 > 0:05:54A reasonably-sized garden because I'd like to build a swimming pool in the garden for Valerie.
0:05:54 > 0:05:59With Howard's property sold, plus the future proceeds from the sale of Valerie's house,
0:05:59 > 0:06:03they've worked out what they can afford to spend.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07Our budget for the move is up to £600,000.
0:06:10 > 0:06:16'As even the most westerly part of the county is accessible from London within two and a half hours,
0:06:16 > 0:06:21'thanks to good links with the M4, we can extend our search as far as the Welsh border.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24'Howard and Val are meeting me in Gloucestershire to tell me more
0:06:24 > 0:06:28'about what they'd like in their first home together.'
0:06:28 > 0:06:35- Welcome, guys, to a very green and slightly damp, but as yet no rain, Gloucestershire.- Good morning.
0:06:35 > 0:06:39We're excited that you're looking for a more contemporary property.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44We're always showing people things with thatches and beams, but you don't want that.
0:06:44 > 0:06:50No, I've been in the building industry for 40 years and I'm due to retire at the end of this year
0:06:50 > 0:06:55and I don't really want to be renovating an old property.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- I've had enough of it. - What do you want, Val?
0:06:57 > 0:07:01What's on your top three...features?
0:07:01 > 0:07:06- Certainly easy to manage, eco-friendly if possible.- Mm-hm.
0:07:06 > 0:07:11It has got to have either a double garage or space to build a double garage.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- For all your cars?- Yes, yes.- Yes.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Other than that, four bedrooms, so that the family can come and stay.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- Right.- A reasonable-sized garden
0:07:21 > 0:07:25and close to amenities, I think that's... Yes.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- A swimming pool?- If there was a swimming pool, it would be lovely.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- Space for a swimming pool? - Space for a swimming pool.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36- That's something you could do? - I could project-manage that.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- Project-manage it, not do it.- No. - Someone else can do it?- I'll do it.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Great. We're very excited. We've found some really lovely properties.
0:07:44 > 0:07:48With contemporary properties, you get much more for your money.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53The weather is looking quite bright, a little bit of sunshine coming through the clouds.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Let's go and look. - Looking forward to it.- Come with me.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03Our buyers have £600,000 to spend on their first home together and they'd like it to be...
0:08:15 > 0:08:18'We selected three gorgeous properties to tempt them with
0:08:18 > 0:08:22'and at each one they'll have to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:08:22 > 0:08:28'The last one, our mystery house, could prove there are no boundaries to finding their dream home.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31'Time to hit the road and go to our first property.'
0:08:31 > 0:08:37Are you good at making friends? Within a few weeks, will you have a network of new friends?
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Will you miss the ones you've had back in London?
0:08:40 > 0:08:46I'll miss my neighbours. We've got a very close community within our road.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50I'll miss them terribly, but hopefully, we'll be able to make good new friends.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53There's no reason why we shouldn't.
0:08:53 > 0:08:59And people love to visit people in the countryside. You might have a lot of time with them anyway.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04We anticipate our children coming to see us very often, yeah.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10- So Christmases and all those things, will there be a full house? - I hope so. Yeah, that's the idea.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18'We're travelling to the village of Brockweir close to the border with Monmouthshire.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23'We're just under ten miles from the M4 for those trips back to London.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26'Lying on the eastern bank of the River Wye,
0:09:26 > 0:09:30'the focal point in this lively community is the village shop.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36'Staffed by volunteers, you can buy fresh baked bread and a wide range of local produce here,
0:09:36 > 0:09:40'as well as posting your letters and grabbing a newspaper.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43'Our first house should get us off to a flying start.
0:09:43 > 0:09:49'It's a modern build dating back to the early 1970s and it should be right up their street.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52'And the double garage could instantly please Howard.'
0:09:54 > 0:09:56This is the house I want to show you.
0:09:56 > 0:10:02- House number one.- Double garage. - Yeah. It's very striking. - It is, yes.
0:10:02 > 0:10:07- The first impression is good. - I love the balcony. That's really struck me, that.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12- Sitting out there overlooking the valley would be fantastic.- Yes.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16- Maybe we should go in and check it out.- Yes, please.
0:10:17 > 0:10:23'That seems like a good start and to take in the brilliant view from the best vantage point,
0:10:23 > 0:10:29'we're heading up a couple of steps to the front door and up another flight to the main living space.'
0:10:30 > 0:10:33And here we are. This is the famous view.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Lovely, lovely.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39That is stunning.
0:10:39 > 0:10:44So it's a slightly topsy-turvy house. You come in on one floor. It's sort of staggered.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48You come in on one floor and there's two bedrooms down there.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51But the main living space is on this first floor.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56I think that's lovely having the living on the area where you have got the view.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59You sleep downstairs. It doesn't really matter.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03- There's a wood-burning stove in the corner.- Yes, fantastic.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07'Well, the love story with this property seems to continue
0:11:07 > 0:11:11'and I expect they'll find the kitchen just as impressive.'
0:11:12 > 0:11:14So, quite a kitchen.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- It is.- Really huge.- It is. - Huge.- Yes, it is.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23It's quite the most extensive fitted kitchen I think I've ever seen.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26That's amazing, isn't it?
0:11:26 > 0:11:28- It's very well done.- Yeah.
0:11:28 > 0:11:33And leading into a lovely dining room there. Look at all those windows!
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- There's lots to catch your eye down here.- Yes.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39A beautiful space and...
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- A swimming pool! - It's my pool, my pool!
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- Yes, yes...- It's exactly the same one that you've got.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Yes, yes, it looks...
0:11:48 > 0:11:52It's actually an above ground pool, but it's all boxed in.
0:11:53 > 0:12:00'That sneak preview of the pool has really put a smile on Valerie's face. So far, so good.
0:12:00 > 0:12:05'And also on this floor there's a good-sized utility room and a shower room,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07'both located off the kitchen.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11'Now let's explore the sleeping arrangements this house offers.
0:12:11 > 0:12:17'Back down on the ground floor where we came in are two generous bedrooms, along with a shower room,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21'so there's plenty of space for visiting friends and family.
0:12:21 > 0:12:27'As we head upstairs, on the next level, there are two other bedrooms large enough to fit in a double bed.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29'These both share a family bathroom.
0:12:29 > 0:12:35'But we're climbing to the very top of the house to have a look at what's being used as the master.'
0:12:35 > 0:12:40So this they've carved out of the loft space
0:12:40 > 0:12:43into their master bedroom.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Yes, um...
0:12:46 > 0:12:49That's one thing that you're not too keen on, is it?
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- No, I don't like skillions.- Yes.
0:12:51 > 0:12:56- The window in the ceiling?- No, it's the sloping...- Oh, the sloping...
0:12:56 > 0:12:58But we could put a dormer in there.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03It could be a guest wing because you've got an en-suite bathroom here.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05- Mm-hm.- OK.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09So any reservations so far about the house?
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Well, that.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15And the stairs as well. There's a lot of stairs here.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- A lot of stairs.- This is going to be, hopefully, our final house.
0:13:19 > 0:13:25And if we live to 100, we might find it difficult climbing up all those stairs.
0:13:25 > 0:13:31But it's not beyond the realms of possibility to put some stairlifts in if necessary.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34Let's go outside and look at the grounds.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39'Outside, along with the garage that was top of Howard's list and the swimming pool that Valerie wanted,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42'there's also a lovely, large, expansive lawn
0:13:42 > 0:13:48'which is easily big enough for them to set up an apiary for the bees.'
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Through the double doors.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I like these doors.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57Let's come on to the lawn and we get a good view of the whole property.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03Stunning views. The garden is an amphitheatre for these incredible views down the Wye Valley.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06The view is stunning. It really is.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10OK, so how much do you think this property would set you back?
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Well, I think it's below our budget.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I'm going to guess at 545.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18What about you, Val?
0:14:18 > 0:14:21I'd have thought it's closer to our budget. I'd say 580.
0:14:21 > 0:14:27Well, this property is on the market... It's been on the market for over a year
0:14:27 > 0:14:30and it's now valued at 535.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- Wow!- My goodness! - I wasn't that far out then.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35- That is...- I am impressed with that.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40You get a beautiful property and incredible views. Have a look round.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I'll meet you in the garden. It's very nice here.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Then we can push on from there.- OK. - In you go.- All right.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53Well within their budget at £535,000,
0:14:53 > 0:14:59this beautiful modern house with breathtaking views offers them everything they're after and more.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10The sun's shining.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14- Oh, yes.- Look at that stunning view.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- It's lovely.- And it is so quiet.
0:15:17 > 0:15:24I'm impressed with the house. I'm really taken with the price, I have to say. I'm very impressed.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28The pool is perfect. I always said I wanted to pick up my home in London
0:15:28 > 0:15:33and put it down in the country and this goes a long way to doing that.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38- Hello.- Hi.- Have we won you over with this first house?
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- Y-Yes.- Yes? Do we need other options?
0:15:41 > 0:15:46- There's a lot going for it. - That's what we like to hear. - There's an awful lot going for it.
0:15:46 > 0:15:51- You've got another two to view. - Yes.- I'm looking forward to it. - One right now.
0:15:58 > 0:16:04In the spring and summer, the Gloucestershire countryside is alive with flowers and blossoming trees,
0:16:04 > 0:16:06a veritable haven for bees.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10However, in the 20 years up to 2005,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14wild honey-bee colonies declined by 50%.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19Fortunately, Gloucestershire has a very active population of beekeepers
0:16:19 > 0:16:24who are taking steps to increase their numbers by encouraging more people to own hives.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29As Val and Howard are keen to keep honey bees once they move to the country,
0:16:29 > 0:16:35we've sent them to meet Liz Gardner of the Gloucestershire Beekeeping Association to find out the basics.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Welcome to the apiary. We've got lots of hives to see.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44We know nothing at all about beekeeping. Living in London, it's very difficult.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47We're moving to the country and we'd love to keep them.
0:16:47 > 0:16:52It's really good to get involved in your local branch of the BBKA where we do lots of teaching.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Once you open a hive, you will see that there's quite a lot to learn.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00British Beekeeping Association courses run for 18 months
0:17:00 > 0:17:04and end in an exam which is practical and theory-based.
0:17:04 > 0:17:09Once you've passed that, you'll have the basic qualification in beekeeping.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Only then should you get your first bee-hive.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16The BBKA is the best place to go for this too, as well as for your bees,
0:17:16 > 0:17:20as they'll provide local ones that are used to sourcing local nectar.
0:17:20 > 0:17:26Before handling bees, it's always advisable to wear a protective bee suit with veil and gloves.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30I'll drift a little bit of smoke at the front of the entrance.
0:17:30 > 0:17:36Come in closer to look, but we don't stand in front of the entrance when you're working the bees.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39So here you can see a very tiny split.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42There's an entrance block in
0:17:42 > 0:17:46and we're just going to drift a bit of smoke along the bees.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51That's just to let them know we're coming, so they don't have a rude awakening.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55Inside a starter bee hive, there's a row of five frames,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59but as this one is a little more advanced, there's 11.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Honey bees are social insects
0:18:02 > 0:18:06and a colony includes a queen, drones and workers.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09These types of bee are categorised by the division of labour
0:18:09 > 0:18:13with the workers doing all of the nectar gathering.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15This actually is food.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19The bees have been out and collected this. This is nectar in here.
0:18:19 > 0:18:25This is capped nectar, so this is their food. The bees have gone out, collected the nectar, come back,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29passed it over, the bees have stored it and capped it with wax.
0:18:29 > 0:18:34They have six little wax glands and they secrete wax.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37The bee performs a vital role in the environment.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41One third of the food we eat relies on pollination by bees.
0:18:41 > 0:18:47As they forage amongst the flowers, their furry bodies pick up pollen which fertilises other plants,
0:18:47 > 0:18:50resulting in the formation of seeds and fruit.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53The queen is quite distinctive from the other bees.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57The queen is quite distinctive from the other bees. She's a lot longer.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00And obviously, she produces a pheromone.
0:19:00 > 0:19:06This is why it's important to keep a young queen in a colony, so that she'll be laying well.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11Wild colonies of honey bees are increasingly rare, due to a loss of habitat and disease,
0:19:11 > 0:19:16and now only survive as a result of the treatment and care provided by beekeepers.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19And how many bees in there approximately?
0:19:19 > 0:19:24At the moment, they can get up to about 55,000.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- In one box?- In both of them, yeah.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29So, I mean, there are quite a few bees.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34Honey bees have been producing honey for at least 150 million years
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and they exist on every continent except Antarctica.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Now that Val and Howard's beekeeping ambitions are taking full flight,
0:19:41 > 0:19:45we need to buzz back to the search for their dream home.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56'We've travelled around four and a half miles from Brockweir to the parish of Woolaston,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00'situated on the western edge of the Forest of Dean.
0:20:00 > 0:20:06'We're within easy reach of the A48 and the Severn Bridge which gives access to the M4 to London.
0:20:06 > 0:20:11'Lying on the north side of the Severn Estuary, Woolaston is a beautiful setting,
0:20:11 > 0:20:15'surrounded as it is by both woodland and undulating farmland,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19'but although it consists of a scattering of quiet hamlets,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22'there is a post office and local shop,
0:20:22 > 0:20:27'as well as a pub within a reasonable distance of our second property.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32'With this house, we've mixed the modern look with the character of a period cottage
0:20:32 > 0:20:35'as this one dates back to 1738.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39'A bit of a gamble, but will it pay off?'
0:20:39 > 0:20:41Here we are, house number two.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- Oh!- OK.- A very different offering.
0:20:44 > 0:20:45Yes.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- It's older.- It's certainly older.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53But it's been extended innumerable times over its long history.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56A lot more land than the last property,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58so it's about 1.3 acres.
0:20:58 > 0:21:05- Does it include the tennis court? - It does include the tennis court. - We may have to learn to play tennis.
0:21:05 > 0:21:11There's also the option to change the tennis court into a swimming pool! We'll explore that later.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Let's look inside.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16'Well, no compliments so far, I notice,
0:21:16 > 0:21:22'but hopefully, the mix of old and new elements inside will be to their taste.'
0:21:22 > 0:21:28So a lovely porchway. This is the last bit of the extension they've done in the last two years.
0:21:28 > 0:21:33It goes into the kitchen which is again an extension that they've put on.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Mm-hm. That's lovely.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- That's more than adequate, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42It's more cottagey, isn't it?
0:21:42 > 0:21:46The fittings are... are fitting in a cottage.
0:21:46 > 0:21:53- But very homely, yes. - And then this takes you through to the oldest part of the building.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58This was the original kernel of it, back in the 18th century.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Mmm.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03I think it's lovely. I like the fireplace.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- This is not the main sitting room. This is the breakfast room.- OK.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10The main lounge is in the new part.
0:22:10 > 0:22:16'I'm not sure that Howard is convinced by the charm of this property, but both he and Valerie
0:22:16 > 0:22:20'may be more impressed by this more modern living space.'
0:22:20 > 0:22:26- So here you can see the oak floor throughout with the underfloor heating.- Mmm.
0:22:26 > 0:22:33- And another wood-burning stove. - Yes. It's actually a very green house.
0:22:33 > 0:22:39You've got solar panels on the roof, underfloor heating, which is better, lots of solid fuel burners,
0:22:39 > 0:22:45- so that doesn't use as much gas. - OK.- Mm. Very good.
0:22:45 > 0:22:51- I'm getting a more muted response on this one.- Yes.- It is... - You're not kicking your heels.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53No, it's dark.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Well, let's go upstairs. It's a bit lighter.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03'Our two lovers of all things modern are proving a tough nut to crack.
0:23:03 > 0:23:09'Also downstairs, off the kitchen is a useful utility room and cloak room, both bang up to date,
0:23:09 > 0:23:16'while off the living space there's a good-sized dining room and study, both with the same oak flooring.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20'And upstairs they'll find no lack of light in the bedrooms.
0:23:20 > 0:23:26'There are three guest rooms up here, all very good sizes for accommodating friends and family,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29'and these all share a very stylish modern family bathroom,
0:23:29 > 0:23:34'but we're heading up the impressive oak staircase to see where they could be sleeping.'
0:23:34 > 0:23:36This is the master.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40So it has a big en-suite and a big walk-in wardrobe.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44Ah, lovely. That's one thing I've always wanted, really.
0:23:44 > 0:23:51And then you are down at the bottom of the valley, so the views are more up the fields.
0:23:51 > 0:23:56But lovely open country views, nevertheless. Yes.
0:23:56 > 0:24:03I'll let you explore upstairs, but let's go outside. It's got quite considerably more land.
0:24:03 > 0:24:10'Outside on this one-and-a-third acre plot, as well as that tennis court by a wooden summer house,
0:24:10 > 0:24:15'there's an immaculate lawn with space for a whole host of bee hives,
0:24:15 > 0:24:17'looking onto those countryside views.'
0:24:17 > 0:24:22Come up to the point and we have a little vantage point of your domain.
0:24:22 > 0:24:28You've got the house, we have one, two, three, four sheds.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30So what do you think it's worth?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33I would reckon it's...
0:24:33 > 0:24:35£500,000.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39I would go in a little bit lower. I'm going to go in at 445.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41445.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47OK, so this house is on the market for £50 short of £600,000.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- Oh.- Oh, dear!
0:24:49 > 0:24:54- Oh, dear.- So slightly optimistic in your pricing.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59- But often our pricing reflects what we like or dislike.- Yes.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01So there is a lot you haven't seen.
0:25:01 > 0:25:07Do explore outside, particularly. There's a few bedrooms you haven't seen.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09And we will meet back up outside.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14- OK.- And see what happens. - All right.- OK.- Thank you.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20On the market at a fraction under their top budget of £600,000,
0:25:20 > 0:25:26this beautifully-refurbished period cottage offers them almost everything on their wish list.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31Four bedrooms, a garage and outbuildings for Howard's cars,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35beautifully maintained mature gardens with scope for keeping bees
0:25:35 > 0:25:39and a tennis court which could be turned into a swimming pool.
0:25:39 > 0:25:46Going round the back to enter the house, there's a lovely modern aspect to it.
0:25:46 > 0:25:52Big windows, great. But when you come inside, that is just in the hall.
0:25:52 > 0:26:00But the rooms going off were still very dark and with small windows, so there wasn't the light.
0:26:00 > 0:26:06The owners have spent a lot of time and trouble and money on improving the property,
0:26:06 > 0:26:12but I was a little bit disappointed at what I perceived to be a lack of character.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14It's not really for me.
0:26:14 > 0:26:19There they are. All right? Have you seen everything you wanted?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- Yes, thank you. - Inside and out?- Yes.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25- Ready to go?- Indeed, yes.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29- OK, let's rest and recuperate. - Thank you.- It's been a long day.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41As the sun sets over the stunning Gloucestershire countryside,
0:26:41 > 0:26:48it marks the end of a day of highs and lows in our search for Howard and Val's dream home.
0:26:50 > 0:26:57'Armed with their £600,000 budget, newlywed retirees from London, Val and Howard,
0:26:57 > 0:27:00'are property hunting together for the first time.
0:27:00 > 0:27:06'So far we've shown them a '70s house with stunning views that they loved,
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'yet the second property didn't go down so well.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13'Could the mystery house raise their spirits?'
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- Might have something for you, Val. - I'm excited!
0:27:17 > 0:27:23'And I discover how a dedicated group of volunteers is reviving Gloucestershire's canals.'
0:27:25 > 0:27:31Delicious English summer weather on our second day of property hunting with Val and Howard(!)
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Yesterday afternoon, I think we got our fingers burnt.
0:27:35 > 0:27:41We showed them a period property, out of force of habit, and they really don't want that.
0:27:41 > 0:27:48So for the mystery house we're going to play it safe, skip across the Welsh border and give them modern.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54For our mystery property, we've crossed over into Monmouthshire,
0:27:54 > 0:27:58close to the historic village of Tintern, famed for its abbey.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02And we're in easy reach of the A40, providing access to the M4.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07Lying at the southern end of the village, the ruins of Tintern Abbey
0:28:07 > 0:28:14are a remarkable local landmark to have on your doorstep. We stopped to have a closer look.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Cross over the bridge to Wales and you get this.
0:28:18 > 0:28:24- You get your own 13th-century Gothic abbey ruins.- Wow. - It's magnificent, isn't it?
0:28:24 > 0:28:28- Have you been to this part of the world before?- Last time I was 16!
0:28:28 > 0:28:31- Have you ever been here, Howard? - No, I haven't. I've passed it,
0:28:31 > 0:28:38but I've never actually come in to have a look at this magnificent building.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40- Shall we explore?- OK.
0:28:43 > 0:28:49'The abbey was founded by Cistercian monks in 1131 and was home to around 400 holy men.
0:28:49 > 0:28:55'Like many other such buildings, it fell into disrepair after the dissolution of the monasteries
0:28:55 > 0:28:57'in the mid-16th century.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02'Our mystery house is considerably more modern.
0:29:02 > 0:29:07'Built in the 1920s and surrounded by forest, it's completely secluded.'
0:29:08 > 0:29:13Finally revealed, here it is. The mystery house.
0:29:13 > 0:29:19- Yes. This is what we've been waiting for.- Ah!- That's lovely. - Music to my ears. Very good.
0:29:19 > 0:29:24This is an exceptional property. I've seen a lot of properties.
0:29:24 > 0:29:29I don't think I remember seeing one that has such incredible situation.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34And especially for you, Howard, a triple garage.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39- I am impressed. I can't wait to get inside.- Val?
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Very attractive. Mm, yes.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46- It's lovely.- I've got something for you as we step forward.
0:29:46 > 0:29:52- I'm excited. - On the way to the house, take a look to your right.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Aha!
0:29:54 > 0:29:58- There's your swimming pool.- That's fantastic.- Pleased?- It's lovely.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03- Let's take a look inside. - The impressions get better.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08'We're definitely singing in the rain with those reactions
0:30:08 > 0:30:12'and the style of our mystery house seems to have struck a chord, too.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17'I think they'll be equally enamoured with the interior.' So come on in.
0:30:17 > 0:30:24- Straight into the brand-new kitchen. It's about two years old. - Mmm.- Very impressed.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28- Lovely.- A good size.- Yeah.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32- Very bright.- There's a window seat there.- Very cottage-y,
0:30:32 > 0:30:38- although it's in a modern building. - Yes.- So this is a kind of new creation,
0:30:38 > 0:30:44although it takes lots of the old details. You see these interesting reliefs on the cupboard fronts?
0:30:44 > 0:30:50- There's a squirrel and oak leaves. Those are from the original 1920s kitchen.- Wow.
0:30:50 > 0:30:56- They saved those and then fitted them into this brand-new kitchen. Is it your style?- Yes.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- Oh, certainly.- There's a big smile on my face.- There is.
0:31:00 > 0:31:07'I'm delighted that they're so taken with this house and the dining room should add to their excitement.'
0:31:07 > 0:31:09- Oh, that is lovely.- Magnificent.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Lovely.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14It's a good size, yes.
0:31:14 > 0:31:19- Would your furniture fit in here? - I think certainly.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24We've combined two house-worth's at the moment into the one house.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28And we're sorting out exactly what we want to bring.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31Because it's a completely new start, there's very little we'd bring.
0:31:31 > 0:31:36We can take the opportunity of choosing some nice furniture.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38It's just a great, nice space.
0:31:38 > 0:31:45'Flowing off the dining room is a cosy sitting room with patio doors and wood burner. And there's more.'
0:31:45 > 0:31:50There's a little study in there. This is an extension, this end.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54There is actually a front door there, a sort of porch room,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57and then a bedroom. That could be a guest wing.
0:31:57 > 0:32:03- This is the main spiral staircase up.- An interesting staircase!
0:32:03 > 0:32:05- It's noisy.- It is!
0:32:05 > 0:32:09'Upstairs, there are two guest bedrooms, both for a double bed,
0:32:09 > 0:32:16'along with plenty of built-in storage. And they both share a modern panelled bathroom.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20'But we're heading for what could be Howard and Val's room.'
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- It's enormous! - That's a good size, isn't it?
0:32:23 > 0:32:27Look at these lovely views. This forest is just bewitching.
0:32:27 > 0:32:32- And the trees aren't cutting out an awful lot of light into the room. - No.
0:32:32 > 0:32:38- There's a nice en-suite with a shower.- Mm-hm.- What do you think of the inside space?
0:32:38 > 0:32:42- It's enormous, isn't it?- It is, yes. And quite flexible as well.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46Plenty of options, plenty of storage.
0:32:46 > 0:32:52'With the bedroom definitely offering enough light, there's just the outside to consider.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56'We've already delivered Howard's garage and Val's pool,
0:32:56 > 0:33:00'but the grounds offer so much more.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05'Just under an acre of landscaped gardens with plenty of shrubs, bushes and trees,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09'which ensure maximum privacy. And potential for a bee hive or two.'
0:33:09 > 0:33:14Lots of nods and smiles, but how much do you think it costs?
0:33:14 > 0:33:17I think it's over our budget.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21I'm going to say 625.
0:33:21 > 0:33:26I would have thought on the budget. I'd say 600.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29It's on the market for...
0:33:29 > 0:33:33- Brace yourself. 575. - Wow!- Oh!
0:33:35 > 0:33:39- That's a good price.- That's brought another smile to my face.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43Have a look round. I know you're itching to look into the garage.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45- Go and explore that.- Come on, then.
0:33:45 > 0:33:53'Under budget at £575,000, our mystery house stretches them beyond their original search area,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57'but seems to have addressed many of their property demands.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01'The interior gives them those modern, clean lines, four bedrooms,
0:34:01 > 0:34:07'not just a double garage for Howard, but a triple one, a swimming pool for Val
0:34:07 > 0:34:11'and a beautiful secluded garden for them and their potential bees.'
0:34:11 > 0:34:14It's a place that's got character.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17Very attractive. Good size.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Lovely.
0:34:19 > 0:34:24There's a lot of the things we've been looking for.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29There's a triple garage! And the pool was already in place.
0:34:29 > 0:34:34The mystery property I'm very taken with. Very taken.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Living in Wales I don't see as a problem.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Valerie's relatives are still very close to us.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45The shops and the main towns are still very close,
0:34:45 > 0:34:48so I don't see a problem at all.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53- Ah, you've been looking at the pool. - Yes.- Come on down. Mind the puddles.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58- So we're all done here.- Right. - OK.- Time is over here,
0:34:58 > 0:35:03but let's go and find a place where we can dry off. Come with me.
0:35:08 > 0:35:15'For over 200 years, two canals have shaped the landscape of Gloucestershire's Stroud Valleys.
0:35:15 > 0:35:21'The 29-mile Thames and Severn Canal and the 7-mile Stroudwater Navigation.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26'Built in the late 1700s, these were an essential trade link,
0:35:26 > 0:35:31'carrying coal between the great rivers of the Thames and Severn. With the advent of the railways,
0:35:31 > 0:35:38'these once-busy canals went into decline and both were closed by the early 1950s.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44'20 years later, in 1972, the Cotswold Canal Trust was established by a small band of locals
0:35:44 > 0:35:50'who shared a vision to restore and reopen all 36 miles of these historic waterways.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54'I've come to meet Ken Burgin, the Trust's Chief Executive,
0:35:54 > 0:35:58'to find out more about their work here on the Stroudwater Navigation.'
0:35:58 > 0:36:02- What happened when it closed down? - Well, the canal closed in stages
0:36:02 > 0:36:06between 1927 and 1954.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11What happened then is that bits got filled in, bridges got knocked down,
0:36:11 > 0:36:17pipes got laid across it, rubbish got dumped in it. That was when the damage was done
0:36:17 > 0:36:22and that's costing the money to put right. The big money is being spent on putting right
0:36:22 > 0:36:27the destruction that has happened, rather than restoring what is left.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33Taking nasty stuff out of the canal, diverting the canal in one place around a rubbish tip
0:36:33 > 0:36:35as the original route is a road.
0:36:35 > 0:36:41'Volunteers are important to the project with around 300 people helping out each week.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45'The man who supervises them is Jon Pontefract.'
0:36:45 > 0:36:52If someone joins the Trust and you've got lots of people, what would they get to do on a Sunday?
0:36:52 > 0:36:56Rebuilding the towpath. That's the most important one.
0:36:56 > 0:37:02A lot of the finishing off work - they're installing mooring bollards and, very importantly,
0:37:02 > 0:37:07the paddle gear that people wind to empty and fill the locks.
0:37:07 > 0:37:14- I have a feeling that I might be getting involved.- Yes, indeed. - What's down here?
0:37:14 > 0:37:20'Once I'm correctly attired, I've to help Jon pull a barge through the lock to empty the rubbish
0:37:20 > 0:37:24'collected in it from the canal bed.' So, pulling away.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27- How heavy is this thing? - Many tons.
0:37:27 > 0:37:33What we're doing here, effectively, is replicating what people would have done in the very early days
0:37:33 > 0:37:38of these waterways, where on the River Severn boats were hauled by men.
0:37:39 > 0:37:45Obviously then it moved over to horses and donkeys.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50- A mass of steel like this floats quite easily.- It's actually not too much hard work!
0:37:50 > 0:37:54That's us. That's as far as we need to go.
0:37:54 > 0:38:00'Once the barge is safely in the lock, it's more heavy work securing the locked gates behind it.
0:38:00 > 0:38:06'Then it's just a matter of floating the barge out the other side with the help of volunteer Paul.'
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- Another volunteer. - As you see, it's quite turbulent.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Jon's holding us in position anyway.
0:38:16 > 0:38:22- How high do we get?- About... We'll be stood just about level with the section back there.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27By then, the two locks will have equalised and you can move on.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31'British canals have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity,
0:38:31 > 0:38:35'with 200 miles of new and restored waterways opened in the last decade.
0:38:35 > 0:38:41'The number of boats using the canal system today is far greater than during its industrial heyday.'
0:38:41 > 0:38:46So what do you think has changed? Why have canals become flavour of the month?
0:38:46 > 0:38:52Well, it's almost like a green corridor through rural areas.
0:38:52 > 0:38:57The footpath or the towpath becomes an exercise machine for people.
0:38:57 > 0:39:03And with the new towpath, we've got such a good surface, it's allowed access for people with disabilities,
0:39:03 > 0:39:09in wheelchairs and so forth. Also, it's a nicer route to walk than along a main road.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13- It's very inspiring. We've risen to our full height now.- We have indeed.
0:39:13 > 0:39:20- It is a really worthwhile project. It seems win/win.- Everybody gains from it. I've not found a negative.
0:39:22 > 0:39:29Ken, Jon and Paul really inspired me. It's a long, herculean task they've got ahead of them
0:39:29 > 0:39:34to get all 36 miles joining the Severn and the Thames up and running,
0:39:34 > 0:39:40but it's going to be a wonderful legacy for Howard and Val when they move here,
0:39:40 > 0:39:45which reminds me. We have to find out what they think about the houses.
0:39:48 > 0:39:56- So can we cast our minds back over all three properties and see what you think now?- OK.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00- The first one seemed quite a hit. - I was very impressed with it.
0:40:00 > 0:40:06It was modern, there wasn't anything that we needed to do to it straight away.
0:40:06 > 0:40:10- All we had to do was furnish it. - Any reservations about it?
0:40:10 > 0:40:16The only reservation was the stairs. It was on multiple levels.
0:40:16 > 0:40:22And... we want this to be our first... our first and last house.
0:40:22 > 0:40:28So we're looking forward hopefully a few decades.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32And that could be a problem, but not insurmountable.
0:40:32 > 0:40:39- The second property drew a bit of a dark cloud from you, Howard. - Yes, I had a long face.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44You had a long face. What are your thoughts, setting it in context?
0:40:45 > 0:40:51It was a very well-extended period property.
0:40:51 > 0:40:58I think for me the rooms were too small. Although we're not bringing a lot of stuff with us,
0:40:58 > 0:41:03we've got quite a number of possessions. We're bringing them.
0:41:03 > 0:41:09And family coming to visit and that sort of thing was my main reservation.
0:41:09 > 0:41:15The third house, you had plenty of room for your furniture and that seemed a bit of a hit.
0:41:15 > 0:41:22- What are your thoughts about the mystery house?- It was lovely. First impression, what a pretty house.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27- What a delightful house. - The kitchen was lovely. It was a cottage kitchen.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Taken with the triple garage!
0:41:30 > 0:41:33I knew that was a winner for you!
0:41:33 > 0:41:37Plus it had a swimming pool, which is what Valerie wanted.
0:41:37 > 0:41:43Again, it's a property that we could move straight into, furnish it the way we want to furnish it,
0:41:43 > 0:41:49- and start living in it straight away. Very, very little to do to it. - So what happens next?
0:41:49 > 0:41:55Are any of them jumping off the page? Will you revisit any or put an offer in?
0:41:55 > 0:41:59We did actually speak to the owner of the mystery house
0:41:59 > 0:42:04and he has invited us back to look at the property again
0:42:04 > 0:42:11- because we said we would like to see it in the sun, rather than in the dreadful rain.- Sneaky!
0:42:11 > 0:42:17- When did you do that? - Well, we've come here to find the house of our dreams.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- No hanging around.- No.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25It's a very romantic story that you've met after 40 years and got married
0:42:25 > 0:42:31and this is a very big move so we hope we do help in some way to finding that forever home.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33- Thank you very much.- Thank YOU.
0:42:38 > 0:42:45It was definitely one of the moister summer weeks that we spent exploring Gloucestershire and Monmouthshire.
0:42:45 > 0:42:51Despite the dampness, I'm hoping that Val and Howard will have been magically transported,
0:42:51 > 0:42:57just by crossing that bridge into Wales and they'll love the mystery house enough to buy it.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59It would be a fairy tale ending.
0:42:59 > 0:43:03I hope you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:43:03 > 0:43:09If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England and need help,
0:43:09 > 0:43:12please apply online:
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