0:00:02 > 0:00:07You'd expect to see a gondola like this floating down the canals of Venice, but back in 1904,
0:00:07 > 0:00:11it was raising eyebrows on one of Britain's most famous rivers.
0:00:11 > 0:00:16Find out where I am and who its eccentric owner was in just a moment.
0:00:45 > 0:00:50'On today's show, I'll be helping a couple make one of our biggest escapes ever
0:00:50 > 0:00:54'as they move all the way from China to find a thoroughly British abode.
0:00:54 > 0:01:01- 'In one property, the garden offers much more than they ever imagined.' - That was an unexpected surprise.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- 'The mystery house comes up trumps.' - You've found my perfect kitchen.
0:01:09 > 0:01:14Today, we're in Warwickshire right in the middle of Stratford-upon-Avon,
0:01:14 > 0:01:19famous for William Shakespeare, but at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries,
0:01:19 > 0:01:23it was also home to one of Britain's most popular female writers.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Marie Corelli was so good that at the time it is said she outsold the likes of HG Wells,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Rudyard Kipling.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33It is even thought that Queen Victoria was a fan.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37She was larger than life and could often be seen taking to the water,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40propelled by her very own Italian gondolier.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43It's just one of those lovely colourful stories
0:01:43 > 0:01:47that makes Warwickshire such an enticing county in which to live.
0:01:47 > 0:01:52Landlocked in the heart of England, Warwickshire is bordered by six counties
0:01:52 > 0:01:55and has a population of approximately half a million people.
0:01:55 > 0:02:00Its terrain is gently rolling with outcroppings of the Cotswold Hills in the south.
0:02:00 > 0:02:05The area to the north of Stratford-upon-Avon was formerly the Forest of Arden
0:02:05 > 0:02:10and though much of the forest was cleared by the time of the Industrial Revolution,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13the area still maintains a wooded character.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Around 5½ million visitors a year flock to Stratford-upon-Avon
0:02:18 > 0:02:21where Shakespeare was born in 1564.
0:02:21 > 0:02:26The county's other historic attractions include the imposing medieval Warwick Castle
0:02:26 > 0:02:32that sits on a cliff top overlooking the River Avon and can trace its history back to the year 914.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39Now at £271,000, your average property here in Warwickshire
0:02:39 > 0:02:43will set you back a cool 17½ grand above the national average.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46But things can vary across the county.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Go to southern Warwickshire and things can go up
0:02:49 > 0:02:52because of its close proximity to the beauty of the Cotswolds.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Things are a bit cheaper in the north of the county,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59but beware of the hot spot around Royal Leamington Spa.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02Wherever you want to be in this gorgeous place,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06there are plenty of houses on offer and real architectural beauties.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09In the villages around Stratford-upon-Avon,
0:03:09 > 0:03:13you will find a range of attractive, red-brick Victorian cottages
0:03:13 > 0:03:17which start from around £180,000 for a two-bedroom home
0:03:17 > 0:03:21and around the £380,000 mark for a four-bedroom property.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26If you want even more grandeur, you could try the area around Royal Leamington Spa.
0:03:26 > 0:03:32A Georgian property here can cost upwards of £400,000 for a three-to-four-bedroom home.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38And this historic county is also dotted with black-and-white timber-frame cottages,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41some Grade 2 listed and some dating back to the 16th century.
0:03:41 > 0:03:46For a three-bedroom cottage, prices begin in the region of £300,000,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49but can quickly soar for a particularly choice home.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58So, as you can see, if architecture is your thing, this is a county that should not disappoint you.
0:03:58 > 0:04:04But will it be enough to entice today's buyers to make a very long-distance move to the country?
0:04:04 > 0:04:08Entrepreneurs Chris and Shirley currently live and work
0:04:08 > 0:04:11in the bustling metropolis of Shanghai in China,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15but are desperate to set up home in the English countryside.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20Married for eight years, they're staying with Chris's parents in the West Midlands
0:04:20 > 0:04:23as they ease themselves into a new lifestyle.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26China has been a great home for us over the last 14 years,
0:04:26 > 0:04:33but it's now coming to the time where we believe we've got to be closer to family, friends.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37It would be nice to live close, not too far away from Chris's parents
0:04:37 > 0:04:43because we have a very good relationship with them and they are very loving parents.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47While Chris will continue to run his insurance company remotely,
0:04:47 > 0:04:53Shirley has recently sold her wine business and is keen to embrace their changing circumstances.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59The challenging part for me, I guess, is I have lived in a very busy lifestyle.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02I run my own business,
0:05:02 > 0:05:08but I realise that pace or that lifestyle is becoming a bit more... is draining myself out.
0:05:08 > 0:05:14It is also not healthy for our marriage as well.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18I would like to have kids, to have a family.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21And wherever they choose to start their family,
0:05:21 > 0:05:26it will certainly be a world away from their apartment complex in China.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31Our property in Shanghai, it's on the 23rd and 24th floor.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36We basically gutted the place and we've created the perfect home in Shanghai.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- Now we want...- A city home, yes.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43A city home. Now we need to create the same in the UK somehow.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- In the countryside. - In the countryside.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50The part of this green and pleasant land they've chosen to live in is Warwickshire
0:05:50 > 0:05:55as it has good links to the Midlands and London for family and business purposes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58They also have clear ideas about their dream home.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02We're looking for something that really encapsulates everything
0:06:02 > 0:06:06about traditional English country lifestyle, if possible.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11Also, yeah, Shirley wants a purely detached place.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15Using lessons learned in his move to China, Chris has some good ideas
0:06:15 > 0:06:18about how he and Shirley can get to know their new community.
0:06:18 > 0:06:22I'm a city boy. I've never lived in the country.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28To try and integrate, we'd need to do more in the community, make them feel we're adding to the community.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33Things like wine parties, cheese parties, noodle parties. Things like that.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36There's a lot of socialising on the agenda,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40but he also plans to spend some time on the fairway too.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46I love playing golf. However, in Shanghai, although there's 40 different golf courses,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48they're all at least two hours' drive away.
0:06:48 > 0:06:55When you come to the UK, golf is readily available to the masses, so I want to play more golf.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59Chris and Shirley are raring to start the next phase of their lives
0:06:59 > 0:07:04and as cash buyers, all the finances are already in place to move quickly.
0:07:04 > 0:07:10If we find a property that ticks all the boxes, we would spend up to 800,000.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22'Chris and Shirley want to live in the villages in and around Stratford-upon-Avon,
0:07:22 > 0:07:27'giving them that country feel, but with good access to a lively town.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30'I met up with them in the Warwickshire countryside
0:07:30 > 0:07:34'to get a picture of what they want from their first British home together.'
0:07:34 > 0:07:38Chris, Shirley, welcome to Warwickshire. This is quite a move.
0:07:38 > 0:07:43I don't think we've ever had anybody on the show who has moved so many miles.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46It's hard to imagine such a greater extreme, really.
0:07:46 > 0:07:53Yes, I think Shanghai is very different. Obviously, we're moving to the countryside.
0:07:53 > 0:07:58Shanghai is a very busy city and always very chaotic,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01so it's a very different lifestyle.
0:08:01 > 0:08:06It's great for business, it's great for partying, but it's not good for raising a family.
0:08:06 > 0:08:11- So raising a family is what's motivating this move, I suspect? - Yeah, that's for sure, yes.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Paint us a picture of the property we're looking for in terms of its constituent parts.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Constituent parts are something that has character.
0:08:19 > 0:08:25Instead of living in a concrete block, we have something that has some history, some character.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28You look out the window and see greenery.
0:08:28 > 0:08:33Good gardens if possible, but I think the most important thing is the environment,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35the clean air, schooling,
0:08:35 > 0:08:40all those things that you really want to give your children a good start in life.
0:08:40 > 0:08:47- Water also is important, isn't it? Many oriental gardens, they have to have water in them.- Yeah, yeah.
0:08:47 > 0:08:52- It just gives you this calming... - Feng shui, as they say.- Feng shui. It means "water".- OK.
0:08:52 > 0:08:58- Somewhere with a bit of water would help?- Yes.- So how many bedrooms? - Ideally, four.
0:08:58 > 0:09:04Obviously, we'll still be working, so we need somewhere to maybe convert into a bit of an office.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07OK. And the wine business that you're in is also worth noting
0:09:07 > 0:09:11because a wine cellar, presumably, is going to be important?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Yeah, that will be important, yes.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16And just remind us of the budget.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- About 800,000.- £800,000.
0:09:19 > 0:09:24- A bit more if it's a very nice property?- We'll see what's available.
0:09:24 > 0:09:29I would think £800,000 in Warwickshire would get you fairly close to what you're looking for.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- Let's go.- Great.- Follow me. - I'm looking forward to it.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37'Chris and Shirley hope their £800,000 budget
0:09:37 > 0:09:40'will buy them a characterful and very British property.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53'We found three beautiful properties we think they'll be impressed with,
0:09:53 > 0:09:57'but I won't reveal the price of each until they have a guess first.
0:09:57 > 0:10:03'The final option is the mystery house which offers our buyers the chance to immerse themselves
0:10:03 > 0:10:06'in a very authentic British way of life.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13'We begin our house search ten miles east of Stratford-upon-Avon, close to the village of Kineton.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17'This location has a range of amenities for Chris and Shirley,
0:10:17 > 0:10:22'including a butcher's shop and a number of pubs, some of which sell local ales.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27'Five miles north-west of here is the thriving community of Wellesbourne,
0:10:27 > 0:10:32'which is where we'll find our first property situated on a quiet no-through road.'
0:10:32 > 0:10:36- That's the house we want to show you.- With the S? - Yeah, that big iron S.
0:10:36 > 0:10:42It's an ancient wall tie that's quite common in a lot of older properties here.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45At its core, it's about 1600s or so. What do you think, guys?
0:10:45 > 0:10:50Nice three-storey house with, uh... Yes, it's quite interesting.
0:10:50 > 0:10:57- Yeah.- I also notice that it looks like it has a cellar.- You've just spotted that little brick arch.- Yes.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01It does have a cellar. There's a lot of smiling going on.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Probably a mixture of relief and optimism, I hope.
0:11:04 > 0:11:10- Obviously.- Yes. I look forward to visiting inside.- Come on then. Let's have a look.
0:11:10 > 0:11:16'So from the outside, this property appears to have all the bases covered - character,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20'good dimensions and a cellar, but let's see if it continues to deliver inside.'
0:11:20 > 0:11:24Right, Shirley, come and tell me what you think of this.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Wow!
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Very, very impressive.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31That's a very nice fireplace.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- It's sweet, isn't it?- Yes.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36This is a classic inglenook fireplace.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39It's the way that it disappears into the wall.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44- All the original beams. - It really starts to betray the origins of the place.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47And unusually, so high. That's what's nice about it.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- It doesn't feel claustrophobic.- No.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52Then it goes on into this area here.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- So this is the old, original part. We're now...- New extension.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- New extension. When was this extension built?- Five years ago. It's a great party space.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07- Nice and bright.- Through there, downstairs loo, utility room and door out to the garden.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Then the whole thing is overlooked by the kitchen here.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16I think this range, Chris, is just the sort of thing that you were imagining.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21This is the sort of cooking facilities that I really wanted to look at.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- It's a very different way of cooking.- Hmm.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28It's very, very good for traditional baking and for roasting,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31but for Chinese cooking, you can't cook on here.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- A wok does not go on there. - LAUGHTER
0:12:33 > 0:12:38So, luckily, over there I've just noticed there's a gas hob,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41so you can still cook your Asian food.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45- In terms of kitchen space... - It works exceptionally well.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49'Chris and Shirley both seem to love the layout.
0:12:49 > 0:12:54'Down here, there's also a further reception room or snug for those cosy winter nights,
0:12:54 > 0:13:00'but we'll look at the first floor to check out the master bedroom which has a surprise in store.'
0:13:01 > 0:13:07What's nice about this room is that the high ceilings we saw downstairs continue up here.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09- Very bright.- Yeah.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14Initially, I think it's a little small, but maybe I just need to get the feel of the place.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- It goes on.- You haven't seen that part.- You've got this bit too
0:13:18 > 0:13:21which is a really well appointed dressing room.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Oh, yeah, this I like.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26That makes a huge difference, yeah.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31- It's a beautiful feature as well. - Yeah. I'm just wondering where is the bathroom?
0:13:31 > 0:13:33Ah! It's not en-suite.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- The bathroom is down the corridor. - OK.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40'There are actually two options for bathing on this floor -
0:13:40 > 0:13:44'a family bathroom if you prefer a bath or an adjoining shower room.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48'Up on the second floor, there are three more bedrooms in the eaves.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53'They're all a good size and very characterful with exposed timbers.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58'They would be perfect for visiting friends and family. Time to head outside to the garden,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00'which is mostly laid to lawn.'
0:14:00 > 0:14:05- What we do have is a bit of grass, but is it big enough? - The garden?- Hmm.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07It's more for Chris.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Yeah, it's workable. It's smaller than I expected, but...
0:14:11 > 0:14:16- You're thinking "putting green", aren't you?- I was thinking, "Where am I going to hit my 18th?"
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- But it's a lot to think about. - It is a lot to think about.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- As indeed is the price. - Oh, the price.
0:14:23 > 0:14:30Yes, let's think about that, shall we? You've got, what, 800,000 or so, if you had to go that far.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35What do you think, Shirley, this is on the market for?
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- I have no idea.- Go on, Chris.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41You start.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44I would hazard a guess at around about 795.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48£795,000. Do you want to just agree with Chris?
0:14:48 > 0:14:54Yeah, but Chris generally is the generous one!
0:14:54 > 0:14:56LAUGHTER
0:14:56 > 0:14:59OK, so we'll go with £795,000.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03Well, now I can be generous to both of you
0:15:03 > 0:15:09because you could have property number one for £659,950.
0:15:09 > 0:15:10Wow!
0:15:10 > 0:15:15- That surprised me.- You see? Chris is always the generous one! - It's great value for money.
0:15:15 > 0:15:21- That surprised me. That has surprised me.- Go and explore. Have a look at the cellar as well.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- I'll catch up with you a little bit later.- OK. - Off you go.- See you later.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31So well within their budget at a fraction under £660,000,
0:15:31 > 0:15:35this imposing property is bursting with character features
0:15:35 > 0:15:39that offers them a spacious country kitchen with range and gas hob,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42two good-sized reception rooms for entertaining,
0:15:42 > 0:15:44a cellar for wine storage,
0:15:44 > 0:15:48four double bedrooms, one of which includes a dressing room,
0:15:48 > 0:15:50and a courtyard garden with lawn.
0:15:50 > 0:15:56The first house from our side when we first arrived is very impressive.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59The kitchen is very nice.
0:15:59 > 0:16:04It is a typical English, country house kitchen.
0:16:04 > 0:16:11For the master bedroom, I guess I always wanted to have one bedroom with en-suite,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15so the bathroom, the fact that it is not linked to the bedroom
0:16:15 > 0:16:19is probably one small disadvantage.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Oh, wow!
0:16:23 > 0:16:26- Oh, wow!- So...
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- Little cellar. - It would be quite unique for wines.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33You can even have a tasting table.
0:16:33 > 0:16:39My initial impression coming through the front door with the inglenook fireplace was just stunning.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43The cosiness, the wonderful lounge area.
0:16:43 > 0:16:47Overall, for a first property to see, very impressive.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50This is a great value-for-money property.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Whether it would be the perfect property is yet to be seen.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- Out you go, Shirley. - Thank you.- After you, Chris. - Thank you very much.
0:16:57 > 0:17:03- There are times when I feel like a butler.- You look a lot like a butler.- You think so?- Yeah.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05I might dress up a bit more.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10- Right, so that's house number one. Two more to go.- Yeah. - And it's raining.- Unfortunately.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14But it's English weather. You've got to get used to this.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18I guess. You have to carry an umbrella all the time.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30'It's the afternoon of our first day's house-hunting
0:17:30 > 0:17:34'and we're heading five miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37'close to the village of Newbold on Stour.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41'It has a range of amenities, including a shop with a post office
0:17:41 > 0:17:44'and a traditional country pub dating back to the 16th century.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49'Just a mile away is the pretty and very quiet hamlet of Crimscote
0:17:49 > 0:17:55'and the location of property two, a thoroughly British, 17th century barn conversion.'
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Here it is. Come on in.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Come up here and we'll get a better view of it.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03There we go.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- What do you think? - It's quite a big place.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- It is.- Very impressive. - There's a lot of it.
0:18:11 > 0:18:17- So this is your whole yard, basically?- Yes. You don't get this building. This is the neighbour's.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20But you do get that.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- Oh, quite interesting. - And that is a 16th century dovecote.
0:18:24 > 0:18:29Now it's just a storeroom, but it would make a great wine cellar
0:18:29 > 0:18:34- because inside the walls are the holes in which the doves used to perch.- Oh, how interesting!
0:18:34 > 0:18:38- I'm told there are 987 holes in it. Apparently.- That's a lot of wine!
0:18:38 > 0:18:41LAUGHTER
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Come on then. Have a look inside.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47'There's been a great deal of renovation in this stunning house,
0:18:47 > 0:18:54'but it still has plenty of wonderful original features which I hope Chris and Shirley will love.'
0:18:54 > 0:18:56- What do you reckon?- Wow!
0:18:56 > 0:18:58My kind of kitchen.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02It's just got that rural, rustic sort of element about it. It's nice.
0:19:02 > 0:19:08A lot of the beams you can see have been put in to kind of create that feel that you describe.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13- Is this the sort of space you would be happy to work with?- Yes, sure.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17I don't need a big kitchen, actually. Chris always wants that.
0:19:17 > 0:19:23One element in this kitchen that is missing though for Shirley is a gas hob.
0:19:23 > 0:19:29- A gas hob, yeah.- Because in Chinese cooking, you've got to have a lot of heat and flame.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32There's plenty of room for a gas hob.
0:19:32 > 0:19:37- You could even swing that bar round and have one over there with a hood over it.- I'm a tinkerer.
0:19:37 > 0:19:42- Immediately, I can see a gas hob, there's the extractor.- Yeah.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45- No problem. - 'That should keep them both happy.
0:19:45 > 0:19:51'Adjoining the kitchen, there's also a very stylish utility room with exposed timbers
0:19:51 > 0:19:53'and a downstairs shower room.'
0:19:53 > 0:19:59So out of the kitchen, you've got this central hallway that leads on to the conservatory.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- OK.- Then into here, the dining room.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06- It's very nice. - It's a very nice room.- Yeah.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08The fireplace...
0:20:08 > 0:20:13Yes, that's a nice trick, actually, because not only does it serve this room,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16but it also serves the living room next door.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19It really sets it off. Yeah, it's nice.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- This is the main living room.- Oh!
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- Like?- Very nice.- It's a nice size.
0:20:27 > 0:20:31- The nice thing is you can move in here tomorrow because it is immaculate.- Yeah.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35Let's go upstairs then. There's plenty more space up here.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41'On the first floor off a timbered landing with room to sit and read,
0:20:41 > 0:20:47'there's a selection of three spacious double rooms, perfect for visiting family and friends.
0:20:47 > 0:20:53'This floor also has a boxroom currently being used as an office that could be very useful for Chris.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56'And next door is the family bathroom.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00'But I'm taking Chris and Shirley to see their potential main bedroom.'
0:21:00 > 0:21:02And then last, but not least...
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Your master suite with an en-suite.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- Oh, that's...- Wow!- Yeah.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Very modern. Nicely done.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15I think this is a great size. Your big bed, I think, would fit in here.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- The master room is...- Very spacious. - Very spacious, very nice.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23- And the en-suite as well which was missing in the last place.- Exactly.
0:21:23 > 0:21:29So we've got you a bigger bedroom, we've got you an en-suite, we've got you a bigger kitchen.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33And we've also got you a much bigger garden.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Hmm.- In the rain. Come on. - Let's go and have a look.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42'Yes, it's raining, but the outlook is very sunny for the outside space
0:21:42 > 0:21:49'with more than enough room for Chris to practise his putting and something extra for Shirley.'
0:21:49 > 0:21:55- I think it's proving to be of interest, this one. - It's got a lot of potential.- Yep.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59We've got the immediate garden and it's bordered by this fence.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03Let's have a think about the golf. What about the field beyond it?
0:22:03 > 0:22:09- You've got quite a few pathways. - You've got six acres following the line of the river.
0:22:09 > 0:22:15It also includes a little island in the far distance by those very tall, mature willow trees.
0:22:15 > 0:22:21- So he gets a golf course, Shirley, and you get your feng shui. - I get my river!- Your river.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26- How about that?- Wow. - That was an unexpected surprise.
0:22:26 > 0:22:31So how much do you think it's on the market for?
0:22:31 > 0:22:37I think it's above £800,000 because of the land. Six acres. So I would think...
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- it will be approaching £900,000. - £900,000.
0:22:41 > 0:22:47- OK.- I'll plump for a little bit less. As I said at the last property, 795.- 795.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Oh, this time I'm the generous one.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Feel the love, the generosity.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58- This could be yours for £795,000. - Wow.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- That's interesting.- Isn't it?- It is.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07It's even more interesting when you get into the dovecote. Go and have a look at that.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15So for just £5,000 under their top budget at £795,000,
0:23:15 > 0:23:20this property really delivers. It has a spacious and characterful living space,
0:23:20 > 0:23:25a huge country kitchen, five bedrooms, one of which could be used as a home office for Chris,
0:23:25 > 0:23:31six acres of land with river access and a dovecote that could be used for wine storage.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Well, house number two has been quite a surprise.
0:23:34 > 0:23:40The striking thing is the grounds that it sits on, the dovecote and everything else.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43It's a very, very nice property.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47Potentially, I could see myself living here.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52The house is very, um... beautiful from outside.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57And the kitchen is nice and spacious and warm.
0:23:57 > 0:24:05My only question is I need to ask myself, am I prepared to live in the countryside?
0:24:05 > 0:24:11I mean, I was just thinking there's not so many neighbours, you have a small neighbourhood.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14It's going to be a huge change for me.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18It's typical. The rain stops and the house tour is now over!
0:24:18 > 0:24:23- Out you come, Shirley, Chris. - It's very good.- Yeah? Happy?
0:24:23 > 0:24:29- Yes.- Excellent.- Wonderful. - It's your first barn conversion. Maybe it's converting you to them.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- Shall we go and dry off and find a pint somewhere?- Let's go!
0:24:33 > 0:24:36- Brilliant. What a good first day.- Wonderful.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50As the sun sets over the Warwickshire countryside,
0:24:50 > 0:24:54it marks the end of a very encouraging day of househunting.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03'Chris and Shirley are undertaking one of our biggest moves ever
0:25:03 > 0:25:08'with a massive lifestyle change from the city of Shanghai to the Warwickshire countryside.
0:25:08 > 0:25:13'They hope to find a traditional British home to settle down and start a family.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17'So far they've been impressed by the three storeys of property one
0:25:17 > 0:25:22'and dazzled by a barn conversion with a dovecote in house number two.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28'But still to come is the mystery property, which gives them a taste of British life like no other.'
0:25:28 > 0:25:34Now, Shirley, I don't think you're going to see many buildings like this in Shanghai.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36For sure not.
0:25:36 > 0:25:42'And I visit a free-wheeling Warwickshire factory with an 80-year heritage.'
0:25:43 > 0:25:49It is the start of our final day of househunting and it's almost time to introduce Shirley and Chris
0:25:49 > 0:25:54to our mystery property. Before we do, let's just take stock of the situation.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Yesterday went well, but I'm not sure we've really quite clinched it.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03But there's an awful lot to do here and I'm constantly reminded that Shirley, in particular,
0:26:03 > 0:26:09is making a massive move. She's grown up in a city of 24 million people. To put it in context,
0:26:09 > 0:26:17that's a third of the population of the UK alone. Busy? No wonder she wants some peace and quiet.
0:26:18 > 0:26:24So are there any kinds of elements of yesterday's properties that you would take forward today?
0:26:24 > 0:26:28I think all the elements that we would take forward
0:26:28 > 0:26:34are that the ground floor of all the properties had a lot of features, great kitchens, lounges.
0:26:34 > 0:26:40If we could find something with slightly better layout upstairs, it would be perfect.
0:26:40 > 0:26:46OK. Let's see how we do with the mystery house. It's quite sort of...manorial,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50which I think you'd quite like, really.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56For our mystery proposition, we're heading close to the village of Ettington,
0:26:56 > 0:27:02a small community of pretty stone-built houses with amenities such as a shop and Post Office
0:27:02 > 0:27:04that even offers a laundry service.
0:27:04 > 0:27:10The mystery property is a couple of miles away in the conservation area of Pillerton Hersey.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14Part of a Grade 2-listed manor house dating from the late-17th century,
0:27:14 > 0:27:20its original features include the arches of an old orangery which really add to the charm.
0:27:20 > 0:27:25While Shirley really wants a detached house, hopefully we can convince her
0:27:25 > 0:27:29- that a section of British history is more than enough.- Wow!
0:27:29 > 0:27:31How about this?
0:27:31 > 0:27:35- Yeah? Come on in. - This house is such a big house!
0:27:35 > 0:27:41- Unfortunately, your £800,000 won't buy all of it.- Oh.- Oh, OK.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45But you do get a fair chunk. Let me explain. Come over here.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49The bit that we want you to consider is that bit.
0:27:49 > 0:27:55- OK. It's still significant. - Absolutely. - It looks very nice from outside.
0:27:55 > 0:28:01The building itself is about 1600, but it's had a 19th century makeover, which is that bit
0:28:01 > 0:28:07- which is the neighbour. So it's a place of some real history. - Very interesting.- So far, so good.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10- Impressive.- Yeah? Come on.
0:28:10 > 0:28:16'Well, the awe-inspiring facade of this property seems to have done the trick.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18'The inside is just as impressive.'
0:28:18 > 0:28:25Now then, Shirley, I don't think you're going to see many buildings like this in Shanghai.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27For sure not.
0:28:27 > 0:28:32- Come on in.- Wow. It's quite big, huh?
0:28:32 > 0:28:37- It's really big. You've got another inglenook fireplace that we saw in property one.- Wow.
0:28:37 > 0:28:43It's very bright and it's got this depth. With a low ceiling you expect it to be dark,
0:28:43 > 0:28:47- but this is very bright.- Yeah. - Very nice.- Lots of smiles.
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Yeah. Initially, it's... it's hitting the mark.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56'Well, Chris and Shirley seem very taken with this place.
0:28:56 > 0:29:02'Across the hallway, there's a grand dining room with stunning original cornices, moulding and panelling.
0:29:02 > 0:29:07'This could be the perfect place to wow friends at dinner parties,
0:29:07 > 0:29:13'but as the kitchen is so important to both our buyers, that's where we're going next.'
0:29:13 > 0:29:20- Now I think this room really does combine...- Wow.- ..the best of what we've seen so far.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- Yeah, this is a massive kitchen. - This is a...
0:29:24 > 0:29:27- chef's dream.- It's beautiful.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32This is incredibly impressive.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- And you've got that.- You've just found my perfect kitchen.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40Well, the nice thing about this is that, similar to my first property,
0:29:40 > 0:29:44they've added this garden room onto the kitchen.
0:29:44 > 0:29:50- And it really does add to the footprint of this space in a really impressive way.- Very nice.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55Now one of the bonuses, Shirley, of a house like this is that, historically,
0:29:55 > 0:29:58they also kept wine cellars.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- Wow! A cellar.- Yeah. It's through this door.
0:30:01 > 0:30:08'This next space needs to really inspire Shirley and wine cellars don't get much better than this.'
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- This is a lot of space. - Wow. This is a proper cellar.
0:30:12 > 0:30:17- Perfect for wine and cheese tasting. - Yeah.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21- Yes, it's very nice. And it's very dry as well.- Yep.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23- It's good.- Perfect cellar for you.
0:30:23 > 0:30:30'Also off the kitchen is a utility room, which is as spacious as everything else in this property,
0:30:30 > 0:30:36'with a long walk-in pantry at one end. But now we're going to see if this scale continues upstairs.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42'On the first floor is the family bathroom and a very generous guest bedroom, which is charming.
0:30:42 > 0:30:48'On the next level, under the eaves, there's space for a bright home office just off the landing
0:30:48 > 0:30:52'and a good-size double bedroom with beamed ceiling.
0:30:52 > 0:30:59'At the other end of this floor is another double bedroom with an adjoining en suite shower room,
0:30:59 > 0:31:02'so it could work as a potential master.
0:31:02 > 0:31:08'But I'm going to show them the room currently set up as the master back on the floor below.'
0:31:08 > 0:31:14- A nice bright room again. - Very beautiful.- I think what's nice is it offers the most space upstairs
0:31:14 > 0:31:20- that we've been able to give you. - Absolutely.- I think there's a bit of upgrading to be done.- Yes.
0:31:20 > 0:31:26- I like to tinker, so I think just a bit of upgrading.- Yeah. - And I think it'll be superb.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29- Garden!- Garden. - Let's finish off down there.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33- Wow, yes.- 'Outside,
0:31:33 > 0:31:37'the various original outbuildings include old stables
0:31:37 > 0:31:41'and there is also a large patio area overlooking the lawn.
0:31:41 > 0:31:47'Overall, there are around 1.5 acres of grounds, which slope down into a brook feeding the River Avon,
0:31:47 > 0:31:53'providing a fantastic bit of feng shui for Shirley.' Come and survey what you might own.
0:31:55 > 0:32:02- This is a lot of beautiful garden. - What would you do here, apart from the obvious driving range?
0:32:02 > 0:32:06Actually, a driving range, I'd lose a lot of balls, I think!
0:32:06 > 0:32:12Do you like the set up? I know it's not completely detached. There is a neighbour, obviously.
0:32:12 > 0:32:18But that said, there's so much property to go with it, does it bother you?
0:32:18 > 0:32:24Well, if it's not... if I don't have a neighbour, it probably is perfect,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28but I think it's very difficult to find the perfect house.
0:32:28 > 0:32:33- But it's very good.- Very wisely said. Let's think about the money.
0:32:33 > 0:32:39That will obviously have an influence as to how much interest this house really has for you.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44- Chris?- Wow. The million-dollar question. I don't think it's quite that expensive.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I would say it's pushing 850, 860.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50- I'll go for 860.- 860. Yeah?
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- Shirley?- Yeah, 850, I would think.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56- Around that.- OK. - That price range.
0:32:56 > 0:33:02- The mystery house could be yours for 765.- Wow.
0:33:02 > 0:33:08- Ah, OK.- That's very, very good. - Well, look, I think you should spend the time
0:33:08 > 0:33:15looking around the rest of these lovely grounds, explore the outbuildings. I'll catch you later.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Explore away to your heart's content!
0:33:18 > 0:33:24Lovely. There we are. The mystery house might have done it once again. It is technically a semi,
0:33:24 > 0:33:29but, as you can see, it's a semi with a difference.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35This intriguing slice of manor house could have been tailor-made for Chris and Shirley
0:33:35 > 0:33:39and it's well within their budget at a price of £765,000.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43It offers them very grand baronial-style living spaces,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47a huge country kitchen, a large wine cellar for Shirley,
0:33:47 > 0:33:53four bedrooms, a study area and a garden with a brook feeding into the River Avon.
0:33:53 > 0:33:58The mystery house is a good surprise, I would say.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04Really in an exclusive location, beautiful surroundings.
0:34:05 > 0:34:11Upstairs, all the rooms are so spacious and lots of light
0:34:11 > 0:34:17and both windows you see nice views. So it's really beautiful.
0:34:17 > 0:34:23From the moment of walking through the front door, to the kitchen, upstairs, out to the garden,
0:34:23 > 0:34:30it just has so much potential. And really gives me the chance to put my signature across this place.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34So for me, I think you've found me the ideal property.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36BELL RINGS
0:34:36 > 0:34:41I can just about hear it. The question is can Chris and Shirley?
0:34:41 > 0:34:44Because the bell means it's time to go.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47So has it worked, I wonder?
0:34:48 > 0:34:52Yes, indeed it has. How about that? You came to the bell. Brilliant.
0:34:52 > 0:34:57- It's like being back at school.- Yes. - Happy?- Very happy.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01Very happy. I think you've knocked yourself out with this one.
0:35:01 > 0:35:05- This is a fantastic property. - OK. Well, they are all interesting.
0:35:05 > 0:35:11They've all given you plenty to think about. Let's go away and sit down somewhere quietly
0:35:11 > 0:35:16- and mull it over.- Absolutely. - Come on. Follow me.
0:35:22 > 0:35:27Britain is one of the best places in the world to see by bike.
0:35:27 > 0:35:33Its hills are challenging and its varied landscapes mean the scenery is constantly changing.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Sales of bikes in the UK have soared in the past few years
0:35:37 > 0:35:43and counties such as Warwickshire provide the perfect terrain for exploring on two wheels,
0:35:43 > 0:35:49especially in locations like Stratford Upon Avon, which are investing heavily in cycling.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53'Stratford Upon Avon is also home to Britain's longest-established bike manufacturer.
0:35:53 > 0:36:00'For the last 80 years, Pashley have been building bicycles at their factory here.
0:36:00 > 0:36:07'They also make specialist bikes for business, including Post Office deliveries and ice cream sellers.
0:36:07 > 0:36:14'I've come along to meet John Connard, part of the Pashley team, to find out more about the company.'
0:36:14 > 0:36:18When you listen to the news and hear all about the doom and gloom,
0:36:18 > 0:36:22here you are still going strong in a time-honoured way.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27We benefit from a renaissance in cycling itself, so the market's growing anyway.
0:36:27 > 0:36:33- This would be my favourite. What's its story?- This is based on a bicycle from the Second World War
0:36:33 > 0:36:37by BSA called the Airborne. Originally, it was a folding bike.
0:36:37 > 0:36:43They would drop it in with the paratroopers behind enemy lines and they would reassemble it.
0:36:43 > 0:36:46Can I get on and have a go?
0:36:47 > 0:36:53- Actually, it's got a lovely feel. - Absolutely. It's that straight back, sit up and beg feel.- Yeah.
0:36:53 > 0:36:59- It's not a speed machine, but has a good range of gears. - It's nice to the simplicity of it.
0:36:59 > 0:37:05The bicycle frame, in its original design, was one of those things that hit the nail on the head
0:37:05 > 0:37:11first time round almost. The classic diamond frame or loop frame doesn't need too much doing to it
0:37:11 > 0:37:14to make a comfortable bike.
0:37:14 > 0:37:20'Here at the factory workshop, every separate part of production is done by hand.'
0:37:20 > 0:37:27- This is a frame going together now? - Yes, this is Ben getting the basic element of the frame together.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32The level of quality control you can manage when someone like Ben is building each frame by hand
0:37:32 > 0:37:38and inspecting by eye means that at any point in the process, someone's taking real care.
0:37:38 > 0:37:44'The workshop is keeping alive traditional skills such as welding.
0:37:44 > 0:37:49'By working closely with local colleges, young apprentices are recruited and taught these skills
0:37:49 > 0:37:54'by old hands with years of experience, like Dave on brazing,
0:37:54 > 0:37:59'a metal joining process that involves using a filler or flux to melt two metals together
0:37:59 > 0:38:05'at a temperature of 800 degrees centigrade. And today Dave's apprentice is me.'
0:38:07 > 0:38:14- So the flux is going to help the brass flow over the join? - Yeah. Start fluxing the joints now.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18- I just sort of paste it on? - Yeah, wipe it over the joint.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23You can see the flux melting into the joint in there.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28Now put the rod back in and turn it so the tip is touching.
0:38:28 > 0:38:33- It's amazing. You see the brass flooding round the joint. Is that it?- Fine.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36Then I take it out.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42- Needs a bit of cleaning up? - No, it's all right. Quite good.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46- There you are.- There's some more here if you want another go.
0:38:46 > 0:38:53'Once built, these bikes are exported to over 50 countries, including the USA and Hong Kong.'
0:38:53 > 0:38:55- Guys, keep up the good work. - Thanks, Jules.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00'So, as the Bard would say, all's well that ends well.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05'But now it's time for the final act in Chris and Shirley's property search.'
0:39:05 > 0:39:10Well, guys, here we are at the end of our little journey through Warwickshire,
0:39:10 > 0:39:15but have we managed to find you somewhere to move to? Let's remind ourselves.
0:39:15 > 0:39:23- We started with that lovely red brick house with the cellar. - Yes, absolutely beautiful.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25Ground floor, very nice.
0:39:25 > 0:39:33- The kitchen was exquisite.- Yeah. - And the way they extended out at the back was very, very nice.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37Very bright, very fitting with the property.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39And we really, really liked that.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43It would be lovely just for us to live there. If we have kids,
0:39:43 > 0:39:48I think probably it will be a little bit small.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52The garden was a bit limited. It was the smallest of the three.
0:39:52 > 0:39:59And also the upstairs was not ideal for kids, so that was a major downfall on that one.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Then we took you to property number two.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07The barn conversion. It's very different.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11And I liked the settings.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15I guess the challenge will be me living there
0:40:15 > 0:40:22if Chris is travelling. It would be a little bit challenging for me
0:40:22 > 0:40:27because I feel it is really sort of isolated a little bit.
0:40:27 > 0:40:32You see, it's only... I say "only". .. a couple of miles from the nearest main village.
0:40:32 > 0:40:38For us, that's quite convenient, but if you're used to living in the heart of a city,
0:40:38 > 0:40:43- I can see why you'd feel a little bit... - Just a little bit of isolation.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48That was, again, the major downfall from our perspective on that one.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52- But you seemed to enjoy it, Chris. - For me it was great. 6½ acres.
0:40:52 > 0:40:56On the River Stour. A dovecote.
0:40:56 > 0:41:02I like it, but the thing for Shirley is it just felt, for her, the isolation.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06So, finally, then, it was time for our mystery house.
0:41:06 > 0:41:12- A semi with a difference, one might say.- The key to this property is it had everything
0:41:12 > 0:41:19that we thought we wanted. The fact it's a semi-detached actually isn't a distraction at all.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23In fact, for me it actually enhances the fact that if I was away
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Shirley's got somebody next door.
0:41:26 > 0:41:33Huge potential. And it's just a phenomenally attractive property to me
0:41:33 > 0:41:37- to put a signature across it. - And would you, Shirley?
0:41:37 > 0:41:42Yes, yes, I would be very happy there. It's a very nice house, yes.
0:41:42 > 0:41:48So it sort of almost pre-empts my final question, which is what happens next?
0:41:48 > 0:41:55It ticks 99.9% of our boxes and we just have to sleep on it, think about it,
0:41:55 > 0:42:01- but we will definitely be in touch with the agents on this property and see what happens.- Brilliant.
0:42:01 > 0:42:09- Guys, thank you very much. Best of luck.- Thank you.- And welcome to Britain, albeit in the rain!
0:42:10 > 0:42:14- Thanks.- It hasn't put us off. - Good. I hope you're very happy here.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23This has certainly been quite a trip, all the way from Shanghai,
0:42:23 > 0:42:27one of the world's most vibrant and fastest-growing cities,
0:42:27 > 0:42:32to the quiet splendour of our mystery house. There's no doubt in my mind
0:42:32 > 0:42:38that if they eventually buy that property, they'll be in good company because it's just down from here.
0:42:38 > 0:42:45These are the ruins of the church that once served one of Warwickshire's most famous families
0:42:45 > 0:42:49and their name, well, it was Shirley.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52It's a small world.
0:42:52 > 0:42:58After exploring Warwickshire, Chris and Shirley decided country life was a stretch too far for now
0:42:58 > 0:43:01and decided to buy a city property in London first.
0:43:01 > 0:43:05However, an escape to the country is still on the cards in the future.
0:43:05 > 0:43:11If you would like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:11 > 0:43:15and would like our help, then please apply online:
0:43:31 > 0:43:34Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd