0:00:02 > 0:00:06Today I'm in a county whose chalky slopes are home not only to carvings of white horses,
0:00:06 > 0:00:12but also these striking military badges. Find out where I am and how they came to be here
0:00:12 > 0:00:14in just a moment.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48'On today's show, I'm with a city couple who are harbouring farming fantasies
0:00:48 > 0:00:55'so need a property with loads of land. It's an uphill struggle as I show them one house.'
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- It's not grabbing me. - Just... Sorry, it's not settling me.
0:01:00 > 0:01:04'Later, they seem pleased by the mystery property.'
0:01:04 > 0:01:08I've got my wine fridge, he's got his boy's den!
0:01:10 > 0:01:14Here I am in Wiltshire and these are the Fovant Badges.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19During WWI, the village of Fovant was home to a military camp for allied troops
0:01:19 > 0:01:25leaving for the battlefields of Northern France. In remembrance of their comrades who didn't return,
0:01:25 > 0:01:31the surviving soldiers carved these huge designs of their military badges in the hillside.
0:01:31 > 0:01:36Today eight of them, some over 50 metres across, are preserved
0:01:36 > 0:01:39as a powerful reminder of that time.
0:01:40 > 0:01:46Known as the gateway to the West Country, landlocked Wiltshire is bordered by six counties,
0:01:46 > 0:01:51including Somerset to the west and Berkshire and Hampshire to the east.
0:01:51 > 0:01:58It's a beautiful county of great diversity, covering an area of almost 2,200 square miles.
0:01:58 > 0:02:04Ancient landmarks range from the unmistakeable site of Stonehenge on Salisbury Plain
0:02:04 > 0:02:12to Old Sarum, the Iron Age hill fort two miles north of Salisbury, where the city's first cathedral stood.
0:02:12 > 0:02:18Between Marlborough and Hungerford, the ancient Savernake Forest has its origins in Norman times.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22It's also the place where Henry VIII met his third wife, Jane Seymour,
0:02:22 > 0:02:25during a hunting visit to the estate.
0:02:25 > 0:02:32Much of north and west Wiltshire lies within the Cotswold area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38Villages here include Lacock, with its great abbey and other historic buildings,
0:02:38 > 0:02:45which are preserved reminders of how the area's wealth grew from the wool trade in the Middle Ages.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Wiltshire's beautiful countryside can come at a cost.
0:02:52 > 0:02:59The average price of a detached property currently stands at just under £292,000.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03That's around £35,000 above the national figure.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08What's more, around hotspots such as Marlborough and the southern Cotswold villages,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12you might expect to pay a premium of up to 20%.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Mind you, if you head south you get more for your money,
0:03:16 > 0:03:22but wherever you're looking, Wiltshire is full of different architectural styles
0:03:22 > 0:03:25that reflect its rich heritage.
0:03:25 > 0:03:31Across the county there are some fine examples of historic whitewashed and thatched properties.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36This three-bedroom, Grade 2-listed house on the edge of the village of Lockeridge
0:03:36 > 0:03:40was originally three cottages. It dates back to the 18th century
0:03:40 > 0:03:43and is priced at £570,000.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Much of the north and west of the county falls within the Cotswolds,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52characterised by the region's distinctive honey-coloured limestone.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57This four-bedroom stone house in the village of Savernake
0:03:57 > 0:04:01is on the market at £350,000.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Towards the east of the county, particularly around Marlborough,
0:04:05 > 0:04:11the mellow Cotswold stone gives way to red brick, which was used in Georgian and Victorian properties.
0:04:11 > 0:04:18Here, a three-bedroom whitewash brick terraced cottage will cost you £295,000.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25But what are today's buyers after? Let's meet them and find out.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30Married couple Will, an oil broker, and Mel, an estate agent office manager,
0:04:30 > 0:04:36have been living in their four-bedroom house in Fulham for eight years,
0:04:36 > 0:04:43but are already part-time country dwellers, spending every weekend with family and friends there.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45I was born in Wales.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49I wanted to come out of London within 5 years of moving here.
0:04:49 > 0:04:5320 years on, I'm still here, so I think it's now time to move.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57We commute to Wales or Staffordshire every Friday night
0:04:57 > 0:05:03and we thought we need to get out so we don't have to do that and we're down in the country.
0:05:03 > 0:05:10One thing that excites me is getting slightly nearer to my parents and my sisters.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14- And doing your veg.- And potentially having a veg garden, absolutely.
0:05:14 > 0:05:20Living a shorter distance from Mel's family in Staffordshire and Will's family in Wales
0:05:20 > 0:05:26needs to be balanced with his need to travel regularly to London for work.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29So they've decided Wiltshire would be the best fit.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35We're looking at what I call the M4 corridor. It's for me for commuting.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39I want to look at Didcot, Swindon, if you go south down towards Pewsey.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45Anywhere which is basically an hour to an hour and a half to Paddington.
0:05:45 > 0:05:51As Will plans to travel back to London during the week and live his rural dream at the weekends,
0:05:51 > 0:05:55it's important for Mel that their home is close to a community.
0:05:55 > 0:06:02My concerns about moving out to the country are probably... based on isolation,
0:06:02 > 0:06:06just worrying about not necessarily knowing anybody around there.
0:06:06 > 0:06:11- I'd love to be a part of a community. It's quite important. - I think you have to be.
0:06:11 > 0:06:16- I'm not saying you should be in the Women's Institute!- I wouldn't be.
0:06:16 > 0:06:22While the WI might not be Mel's thing, she's got plenty of other ideas to integrate with the locals
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and breathing the fresh country air.
0:06:25 > 0:06:32In terms of spare time, many years ago I used to play golf, so that's something I'd like to get back into.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36I also, much to my husband's annoyance, love reading,
0:06:36 > 0:06:42have been known to get on the back of a horse, so I would certainly consider doing that again.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Tennis - so, yes, I'm open to many options, really.
0:06:46 > 0:06:53So it's sport or a book club for Mel, but frustrated farmer Will has other ideas
0:06:53 > 0:06:59- about where to meet his new neighbours.- I'd like to be within walking distance of a village pub.
0:06:59 > 0:07:05That could be 10, 15 minutes. How long it takes me to get back is another story!
0:07:05 > 0:07:12With their house currently on the market, they have a clear idea of how much they have to spend.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15The maximum budget is £900,000.
0:07:25 > 0:07:30Will and Mel's preferred location would give them good access to the M4 corridor
0:07:30 > 0:07:36so Will can travel into London for work. We all met up in the county to discuss the finer details
0:07:36 > 0:07:38of their move to the country.
0:07:39 > 0:07:46- So, Will and Mel, ready to give up life in London and move here to Wiltshire.- I hope so.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50So what are we looking for ideally with this property? Remind us.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55Outside space, certainly an acre, probably two, would be really good.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Three/four bedrooms.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03- You wanted a decent-sized kitchen. - Absolutely. At the moment, we're a bit top heavy.
0:08:03 > 0:08:09We've got four bedrooms, but lacking entertaining space, so more reception area would be good.
0:08:09 > 0:08:14I'm intrigued about this land. What are you going to do with it?
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- I think this could be Will's dream. - Well, OK.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Maybe a little bit of hobby farming.
0:08:21 > 0:08:28I think you've got to be open to any kind of idea that you could get involved with the local community.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32So we've selected three houses. I say houses and not farms, note.
0:08:32 > 0:08:38One, of course, is our mystery property, which is going to be something a little bit different.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- Shall we get going?- Absolutely.
0:08:41 > 0:08:47For their generous budget of £900,000, Will and Mel want to live the rural dream
0:08:47 > 0:08:52in a large, characterful house with loads of reception areas,
0:08:52 > 0:08:55a large kitchen, a study for Will,
0:08:55 > 0:09:00four bedrooms and a couple of acres of land, so they can keep some livestock.
0:09:00 > 0:09:06We found three fantastic properties to tempt them with and at each one
0:09:06 > 0:09:10I'll be asking them to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:09:10 > 0:09:16The last will be our mystery house, which could really bring out the party animals in them,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18but first is house number one.
0:09:25 > 0:09:31You're both very strong characters. It will be interesting to see if you agree when looking at property.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35There will be a lot of stuff where I disagree. It's a compromise.
0:09:35 > 0:09:42- Isn't that what marriage is about? - For Mel? I think we're going to have fun, I really do.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46- We'll try not to bicker too much. - Two women against me!
0:09:46 > 0:09:52We've made the journey to the north Wiltshire village of Purton, six miles north-west of Swindon,
0:09:52 > 0:09:58with good train links into London. The community offers a range of everyday amenities
0:09:58 > 0:10:02and includes a Grade 1-listed church, library and Post Office,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06and a choice of pubs for Will to share a pint with the locals.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11In the heart of the village lies this Grade 2-listed Georgian property.
0:10:11 > 0:10:19Through the gate, down the garden path to our very first property here in Wiltshire.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22It's a good solid-looking house.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24Very pretty, isn't it?
0:10:24 > 0:10:30- It's a very good-looking house for a village house.- It stands alone. Quite imposing, I think.- Handsome.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- Shall we go in the house?- Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39'We've got a very good first reaction to the stature of this period house
0:10:39 > 0:10:43'and I'm sure they'll find the interior equally special.'
0:10:43 > 0:10:48- So come straight through. Pretty impressive entrance.- Yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:55This house is Grade 2-listed, but it's been renovated first of all around the 19th century.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59Then the current owners have done a lot of work to it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02I like the stairways as well.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05We'll start with the drawing room.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- Certainly a very light room today. - Yeah.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15- Good square room.- I like that you can see all the way down the garden
0:11:15 > 0:11:20- and you have a great view into the walled garden. - With floor to ceiling windows.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25- And a very impressive fireplace. - It is.- Not working, mind you.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- You can open it up.- Fine.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- Next door has the same size room and a working fire.- Perfect.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Right. Well, we will continue.
0:11:35 > 0:11:41'Quite a muted response to this reception area, but now we pass the dining room,
0:11:41 > 0:11:47'a space that Will and Mel, who love to entertain, might use on many an occasion.'
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- So the dining room leads through to this kitchen.- Right.- Love this.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56If I had to be slightly negative, a little bit small.
0:11:56 > 0:12:03- Right.- And the dining room. Whether you could knock this into one... - I'm not sure.- Grade 2-listed.
0:12:03 > 0:12:09Anything like that, you'd need to look at and get permission for, but there is scope.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13The kitchen as it is is quite a modern kitchen.
0:12:13 > 0:12:19- As kitchens go, to the average person this is pretty big. - Oh, it's...- Agreed.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- You've also got a large larder. - We like larders.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- Shall we head upstairs?- Love to.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27After you.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33'Will might not be sure about the size of the kitchen as it stands,
0:12:33 > 0:12:40'but as we head upstairs, there's a great deal of space on the first floor, which has three bedrooms
0:12:40 > 0:12:44'as well as a study area. We'll take a look at the master.'
0:12:45 > 0:12:51- So again another really light... - Yeah, really light room.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Amazing views that way.- Lovely.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57With this room, you do have the space, relatively high ceilings.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Again floor to ceiling windows.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04It's got its en suite next door, which is a really good size,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07but this is one of five bedrooms.
0:13:07 > 0:13:13- Five?- Five. Now because the house was extended 100, 200 years ago,
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- it does have a lot of character. - Corridors and things. That's fine.
0:13:18 > 0:13:24You've also got an additional two bedrooms upstairs to make the five. They're actually in the eaves.
0:13:24 > 0:13:31You've got an en suite, a family bathroom, shower room and toilet upstairs. Plenty of facilities.
0:13:31 > 0:13:38- Do you like it?- Yes. I think it's a good size.- Good. Sun's still shining. Let's head back outside.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43- A little bit more to show you. We've also got to talk price.- Oh, yes.
0:13:44 > 0:13:51'This is a property that just keeps on giving and for entertaining there's a wine cellar, too.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55'In addition to the main house, there's a one-bedroom cottage
0:13:55 > 0:13:59'which comes with its own modern kitchen and good-size bathroom
0:13:59 > 0:14:03'as well as a stunning living room with exposed beams.
0:14:03 > 0:14:09'And there are a total of four garages out here, but it's the garden that holds real appeal.'
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Now just look at this.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17I think this is absolutely fabulous.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21- The back of the garden is so impressive.- Yeah.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Really lovely. So total plot is an acre and a half,
0:14:25 > 0:14:29but that includes the buildings. You can see the boundary wall.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34- It's the dry stone wall at the end. - There's a lot of gardening to do!
0:14:34 > 0:14:39If that idea about being a farmer, fantasy farmer, really appeals
0:14:39 > 0:14:46and you do think you have the time, you could talk to your local farmer about the possibility
0:14:46 > 0:14:48of renting that land.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- Something else to add into the mix. - Definitely.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54Shall we get straight to the money?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- Why not?- How much is it on the market for, Mel?
0:14:57 > 0:15:01- 850.- OK.- £850,000.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02OK.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Oh, let's say 810.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10- 810 and 8...- 50. I'll have got this so wrong!
0:15:10 > 0:15:16The asking price for this property, you're both out, but, Mel, you are the closest.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18£895,000.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23- So just in budget.- Why don't you have another look around?
0:15:23 > 0:15:29- Yeah.- Think about that price and what you get for this house. I'll catch up with you later.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32- See you later.- Bye.- Thank you.
0:15:34 > 0:15:41Under budget at £895,000, this substantial Georgian house in the heart of the village
0:15:41 > 0:15:45is well located for Will's commute and offers a large kitchen,
0:15:45 > 0:15:51three reception rooms, five bedrooms with another in a separate cottage,
0:15:51 > 0:15:55all set on a well-maintained plot of 1½ acres.
0:15:55 > 0:16:01My initial impression was yes, very good. Good-sized bedrooms and a good number of bedrooms,
0:16:01 > 0:16:08with bathrooms as well. The location is perhaps not what we originally anticipated we'd look for,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11but is certainly due consideration.
0:16:11 > 0:16:16Great entrance, loved the reception rooms. My problem is
0:16:16 > 0:16:20probably with the dining room/kitchen.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Being Grade 2-listed, could you actually knock the walls down?
0:16:24 > 0:16:28The jury's out. Let's see the next house and where we go from there.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- OK. Happy? Have you seen enough? - I think so, yeah.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40- Very interesting. Good start. - Excellent. And that's only the first house.- That's very true.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- A very good start. - Good. Come on, then.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Many of Wiltshire's historic towns and villages date to Saxon times
0:16:59 > 0:17:05and have prospered thanks to its position on main trade routes to the west from London.
0:17:05 > 0:17:11The market town of Chippenham was once the site of a Saxon royal forest. Its advantageous location
0:17:11 > 0:17:16on the River Avon gave its mills a ready-made source of water power
0:17:16 > 0:17:20when the wool industry was at its peak in the 15th century.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Given the area's wool heritage and our buyers' farming ambitions,
0:17:24 > 0:17:31we've arranged for them to meet Jane Calloway, the owner of a 150-acre organic farm,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34home to her striking, multi-horned rare breed sheep.
0:17:34 > 0:17:41Jane, any tips for anyone considering doing this, a smallholding?
0:17:41 > 0:17:47It depends whether you are actually considering a smallholding or how big you consider that to be,
0:17:47 > 0:17:53or whether you want to go farming. I've got Manx Loaghtan, which is a primitive, rare breed.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58If you're starting up not knowing anything about sheep or lambing,
0:17:58 > 0:18:05then a rare breed is quite a good place to start in that they're hardy, they're healthy
0:18:05 > 0:18:11and if you have a pedigree flock, in that you're not crossing two breeds,
0:18:11 > 0:18:17then the lambs will be the right size for the ewes, so you will have much easier lambing.
0:18:17 > 0:18:22Before Jane started to farm her sheep as a novice in the mid-1990s,
0:18:22 > 0:18:27she researched rare breeds, particularly those at risk.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33She also attended a multitude of courses on farming subjects, from lamb feeding to butchery,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37a good tip for Will and Mel who get a closer look at the flock.
0:18:37 > 0:18:43You can see that they've got these lovely chocolate faces and coffee fleeces
0:18:43 > 0:18:45and predominantly two-horned ewes.
0:18:45 > 0:18:51- How many sheep do you use to an acre?- It'll say in all the books four to an acre,
0:18:51 > 0:18:57but that doesn't allow for clean grazing and for making hay.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00So I would say two to an acre.
0:19:00 > 0:19:06The best way to maintain sound sheep is to split your acreage
0:19:06 > 0:19:12so that you graze them over one half and you take hay or clean it somehow with other livestock
0:19:12 > 0:19:16on the other half and then you rotate it round.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19The Manx Loaghtan are lovely sheep.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24They're not the easiest of sheep in that they jump like stags
0:19:24 > 0:19:30so you've got to have wonderful fencing and you've got to keep a lot of good grass ahead of them
0:19:30 > 0:19:34or they'll jump out and find it elsewhere!
0:19:34 > 0:19:40As well as the award-winning quality of its meat, one of the main attractions of the Manx Loaghtan
0:19:40 > 0:19:46is its highly-prized fleece. This rich variation from a deep chocolate to a milky coffee colour
0:19:46 > 0:19:51that makes the fleece popular for everything from rugs to jumpers.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56You can see here these are some by-products from the flock.
0:19:56 > 0:20:03My feeling is that you have to use everything from the sheep out of respect for the animal.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08The wool goes to the wool board or to organic spinners
0:20:08 > 0:20:13and we produce these beautiful sheepskins. A lot of skins come in from overseas,
0:20:13 > 0:20:20from all over the world, and there are very few UK sheepskins that are produced in this country.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25It's the pleasure of having things made from your own wool.
0:20:25 > 0:20:31Will and Mel have been given a real insight into the work involved in looking after livestock,
0:20:31 > 0:20:36but now it's time to continue their property search.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44We've hopped over the border into west Berkshire
0:20:44 > 0:20:50and close to the village of Lambourn in the area of chalk downland known as the Lambourn Downs.
0:20:50 > 0:20:57Along with the everyday amenities such as a large local store, there's a Norman church and traditional pub.
0:20:57 > 0:21:04There's also a renowned centre for National Hunt racehorse training, so there are a number of saddlers.
0:21:04 > 0:21:09Our second house is two miles away on the edge of the village of Eastbury.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15Built at the turn of the 20th century, it's in a fabulous location surrounded by idyllic countryside.
0:21:15 > 0:21:21And here is house number two. Very different from the first property.
0:21:21 > 0:21:27- So, Will, come on. What are you thinking?- I'm undecided. I can't see the front and can't see the back,
0:21:27 > 0:21:33- so it's very difficult to judge. - Open-minded?- Completely.- For the time being.- We'll start.- Perfect.
0:21:35 > 0:21:41'Despite Will's initial doubts, I do hope that he and Mel give this house a fair viewing
0:21:41 > 0:21:45'as it has a great deal to offer in terms of space for entertaining.'
0:21:45 > 0:21:51With this property, when you come through the front door, you've got two reception rooms either side.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55One's being used as a bedroom. This is a good-sized dining room.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- Certainly bigger than the last one.- It's more like a proper dining room as well.- Yes.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05And this house has plenty of entertaining spaces. Follow me through here.
0:22:08 > 0:22:14- So, as you can probably see, you've actually got six reception rooms downstairs.- Six?
0:22:14 > 0:22:20Six. So you've got a fantastic sun room next door and a purpose-built study there,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23then you've got the kitchen through there.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Would that be convenient for you? - Absolutely.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30- It's a definite positive. - What about the house so far?
0:22:30 > 0:22:35- You've only seen half of downstairs. - I'm not convinced still. - Not quite hitting the mark.- No.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40- I need to see the rest of the house before I make a judgment. - Good point. Let's continue.
0:22:40 > 0:22:46'In spite of the raft of reception areas at the front of the property, they still need persuading,
0:22:46 > 0:22:52'so let's see if the kitchen at the back of the house meets with their approval.'
0:22:52 > 0:22:58So you've got a utility room and a downstairs cloakroom next door to your very long kitchen.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01- Only recently been re-fitted. - Quite long and skinny.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05Carry on, I'd say. Sorry. It's still not settling me.
0:23:05 > 0:23:11Come and have a look. All the units have been replaced. You've got granite work surfaces.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16You've got another utility room and it leads on to a splendid conservatory
0:23:16 > 0:23:18which is being used as a dining room.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- That is lovely.- Much lighter. - Still the jury's out?
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Yeah. It hasn't jumped out at me.
0:23:25 > 0:23:31It sounds like the house hasn't quite won you over yet. Let's see what you think about the upstairs.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36'This house still has some impressing to do.
0:23:36 > 0:23:42'Upstairs, there are four bedrooms - two good-sized doubles with cast-iron fireplaces,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45'which is also a feature in the single room,
0:23:45 > 0:23:50'and they all share a charming family bathroom with free-standing bath.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53'But I'm going to show them where they could be sleeping.'
0:23:53 > 0:23:56So this is your master.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58Lighter.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01It's not grabbing me if I'm honest.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06If you look at this as a master bedroom and it's got a good-sized en-suite,
0:24:06 > 0:24:08that's your view every day.
0:24:08 > 0:24:14- That is an amazing view. - It's a great view. There's potential here, but it needs some love.
0:24:14 > 0:24:20It has great living accommodation. It might not be right for you, but there's plenty of scope there.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25- Let's head outside. I know the land is really important. See what you think of that.- Perfect.
0:24:25 > 0:24:30'It would seem that the land is our last chance to win them round to this property.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34'I don't think they can ask for more than what's on offer here.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39'There's a huge lawn, as well as a few extras for our frustrated farmer.'
0:24:39 > 0:24:43You wanted acres. You've got two-and-a-half acres here.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46You've got three paddocks, the stable block,
0:24:46 > 0:24:50which can take three horses, plus a tack room.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54If we decided to start riding, you could have one paddock for a horse,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58and if you want to put a few sheep or chickens, so be it.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00You've got a bit more scope.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05Right, OK. Let's talk money then, see if that surprises you or not.
0:25:05 > 0:25:10How much do you think this house with the two-and-a-half acres is on the market for?
0:25:10 > 0:25:13I'm going to go...850.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18- OK then, what about you, Mel? - 795.- OK.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- Role reversal.- Let's see, eh?
0:25:20 > 0:25:24The asking price is...£850,000.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- There's your premium. - So you were actually spot-on.
0:25:27 > 0:25:34- So take another look, check out the grounds and we'll talk in a little while.- Perfect.- Right. Thank you.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Well within their budget at £850,000,
0:25:43 > 0:25:48this turn-of-the-century property has everything Will and Mel asked for.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05Good house. The problem is the number of smaller reception rooms,
0:26:05 > 0:26:09rather than having perhaps one large reception room.
0:26:09 > 0:26:14In terms of internal entertaining space, it wouldn't work for Will and I.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16The land is a positive point.
0:26:16 > 0:26:18Two-and-a-half acres, a stable.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22It's got everything on the particulars, but once you walk in,
0:26:22 > 0:26:26it's missing something and I can't put my finger on it.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30- OK, guys?- Yes, thanks.- Yes, thanks.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35- Seen enough?- I think so. - Shall we hit the road now? - Yeah.- Yes.- Thank you.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49'As the sun sets over the Wiltshire countryside,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53'it marks the end of the first day of our property search.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01'Armed with a substantial £900,000 budget,
0:27:01 > 0:27:06'Will and Mel are looking for an escape from their urban life in London
0:27:06 > 0:27:10'to a country pile with farming potential in Wiltshire.
0:27:10 > 0:27:16'So far, our property search has struggled to please them with the perfect match of house and land,
0:27:16 > 0:27:20'but coming up, our mystery house delivers against all the odds.'
0:27:20 > 0:27:22I'm pleasantly surprised.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28'And I join an expert truffle hunter on the trail of the finest fungus.'
0:27:30 > 0:27:33Will and Mel are desperate to leave the capital
0:27:33 > 0:27:39and with £900,000 burning a hole in their pocket, want to find a new home here in Wiltshire.
0:27:39 > 0:27:45Yesterday, we showed them two charming properties, neither of which seemed to hit the mark.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50And what has become apparent is they're after an impressive country pad,
0:27:50 > 0:27:56but within a farm-like environment with outbuildings and acres and acres of land,
0:27:56 > 0:28:00a combination that is really hard to find, even on their budget.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04So, today, we're changing tack with the mystery house.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09We're concentrating on their social lives because this home is all about entertaining.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18'Our mystery house lies just four miles south of Swindon in the large village of Wroughton.
0:28:18 > 0:28:23'It's extremely convenient for Will to catch the train into London,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26'but it's also surrounded by beautiful countryside.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29'Wroughton has a village hall and a couple of pubs.
0:28:29 > 0:28:33'It's all within walking distance of our mystery house
0:28:33 > 0:28:38'which challenges Will to ditch his farming aspirations and focus on socialising.
0:28:38 > 0:28:45'This sympathetically modernised property isn't the Georgian mansion with land that they've asked for,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48'but it's got hidden selling points in its favour.'
0:28:48 > 0:28:53So here is your third and final property, the mystery house.
0:28:53 > 0:28:59I'm not quite sure what I'm going to say to this yet, but one thing I kno before we even walk in there,
0:28:59 > 0:29:03because it's relatively new, it will probably be a great layout.
0:29:03 > 0:29:09Built in 1960, but I don't think you would recognise the original house, that's the honest truth,
0:29:09 > 0:29:13because in 2007, the owner completely gutted it,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17renovated it, extended it, has done so much work
0:29:17 > 0:29:22that when it comes to entertaining, well, let's step inside.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24The proof is in the pudding.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27'I think Will and Mel still need some convincing.
0:29:27 > 0:29:34'Hopefully, it won't take long once they step through the front door into this immaculate house.'
0:29:34 > 0:29:39- Let's start off with what I think is a pretty impressive hallway. - I wouldn't disagree.
0:29:39 > 0:29:45- It's light.- Is this what you expected from outside?- I wasn't sure what I was going to see inside.
0:29:45 > 0:29:51Anything could have happened in here You'll hate me for saying this, but you'll hate the stairs.
0:29:51 > 0:29:57- I love the way you start off so positively(!)- No, no, no. - Kitchen. No, no. Kitchen, kitchen.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03You can't knock this as a kitchen.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05- No, it's lovely. - It is really impressive.
0:30:05 > 0:30:11You've got walnut units, Corian work surfaces, including the breakfast bar there,
0:30:11 > 0:30:15hand-made, all designed specially for this house.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19I also noticed, as we walked in, all the remote controls on the walls
0:30:19 > 0:30:23Judging by the speakers, it's obviously got all the mod cons.
0:30:23 > 0:30:29All controlled by a panel behind me, but the whole idea with this property is you love entertaining,
0:30:29 > 0:30:34you're really social and this house, hopefully, will really deliver on that front.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39- Come on, show us round the corner. - Come on then.
0:30:39 > 0:30:45Imagine with all your friends sitting here, a bottle of wine, very social...
0:30:45 > 0:30:51- I think it's amazing. - I just think probably the kitchen is half the price of the house!
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- Impressed?- Overly impressed with the kitchen, to be honest with you.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01You've got all of this space here, then through those doors is...
0:31:01 > 0:31:05At the moment, it's a sitting room, but it can be a cinema room.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09- I'm thinking "boy den".- I'm thinking Saturday afternoon, no disturbance.
0:31:09 > 0:31:15- The football or cricket or rugby. - Rugby!- I knew he was going to say that.- Perfect - shut yourself away.
0:31:15 > 0:31:20- You like that?- Absolutely. I've got my wine fridge, he's got his boy's den.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24The thought of getting rid of him! Oh, dear, dear...
0:31:24 > 0:31:28There's a spiral staircase just to the left that goes up.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Up there you have a bedroom and a bathroom, an en-suite really,
0:31:32 > 0:31:35but if you wanted your guests to use that facility, they can.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- Everything's been thought of. - Yes. The price will be interesting.
0:31:39 > 0:31:45- He looks disappointed because he can't find anything to criticise. Shall we continue?- Sure.
0:31:45 > 0:31:51'I'm very glad that we've managed to meet Will's very exacting standards with this property.
0:31:51 > 0:31:57'On this floor, there's even more for he and Mel to love, including a utility room just off the kitchen,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00'as well as a generous study,
0:32:00 > 0:32:04'and to the other side of the hall are two more fantastic entertaining areas,
0:32:04 > 0:32:08'a sitting room which flows on to a sun room with views of the garden.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13'We're going to take a look upstairs which is equally spacious.'
0:32:13 > 0:32:16So here we have the master bedroom and it is en-suite.
0:32:16 > 0:32:23So, upstairs, this part of the property, you've got four double bedrooms, including this one,
0:32:23 > 0:32:28two of which are en-suite, with a family bathroom. What about the upstairs of the property?
0:32:28 > 0:32:33- You've got five bedrooms, more than you asked for. - The more, the merrier.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- I'm loving the balcony outside here too.- Yeah.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39I'm kind of pleasantly surprised, I think.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43'Our mystery house has certainly done its job so far,
0:32:43 > 0:32:49'but outside is where Will and Mel may have to compromise if they really love this house.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52'While it has a very large lawn with decking,
0:32:52 > 0:32:58'the nearest place for them to rent some land for a smallholding would be a couple of miles up the road.'
0:32:58 > 0:33:04So, you've got a really mature garden here. I think this garden is absolutely fantastic.
0:33:04 > 0:33:10I'm guessing for the two of you with the dogs, probably enough grounds here to keep you busy.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14So we're going to talk money now.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16- Is it difficult to gauge?- Yes.- Yes.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18I'm going to say 995.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21OK. What about you, Will?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23I'm going to go 940.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28- OK. So you both think it's over your budget?- Yeah.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Well, your top budget is £900,000.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36The good news is you'd get £5,000 change.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40The asking price is £895,000.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43- It's a lot of house, isn't it? - It's a lot of house.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46It's definitely worthwhile thinking about.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50The word "compromise", I think, probably comes into the equation.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52Oh!
0:33:52 > 0:33:57- That's shocked you, hasn't it? - It has. That's normally my line. I like that, Will.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02Go and have another look around. Think about the location. Check out the grounds.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Take as long as you like. I'll catch up with you in a minute.
0:34:06 > 0:34:12Well, the mystery house may have pulled it out of the bag once again.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16Under budget at £895,000,
0:34:16 > 0:34:21our mystery proposition has made them completely re-evaluate the lifestyle
0:34:21 > 0:34:24they want their country home to give them.
0:34:24 > 0:34:30This modern party pad provides huge, flowing reception areas in which all their friends can congregate.
0:34:38 > 0:34:44The mystery house put us both in a quandary because it's the opposite of what we thought we might like.
0:34:44 > 0:34:49It offers a fantastic entertaining space which is what we were essentially looking for
0:34:49 > 0:34:53and it's got a great balance of bedrooms and reception rooms.
0:34:53 > 0:34:59It's something I actually love in an extraordinary sense. Having wante to move out to the country,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03you've got a little bit of the London lifestyle still here
0:35:03 > 0:35:08in the country, so you get the best of both worlds. It's going to be a difficult choice.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14Look at your faces! That was certainly a different tour from yesterday, wasn't it?
0:35:15 > 0:35:21Yes. Where do we start? I think we'll have a bit more time to think about this.
0:35:21 > 0:35:27OK. Take yourself somewhere quiet, gather your thoughts, have a chat, then tell me what you think.
0:35:27 > 0:35:28OK, come on.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44'Wiltshire's beautiful and varied countryside is characterised
0:35:44 > 0:35:48'by acres of ancient woodland and rolling chalk hills.
0:35:48 > 0:35:54'It's famed for the largest number of chalk hill carvings in the UK with eight white horses to see,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57'the oldest and highest being on Westbury Hill.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02'It's this chalky landscape and the alkaline content of the soil
0:36:02 > 0:36:07'that makes the county the perfect breeding ground for a much sought-after delicacy,
0:36:07 > 0:36:11'normally associated with France and Italy - the truffle.
0:36:11 > 0:36:17'I've come to a secret woodland location to meet chef and expert truffle-hunter Roger Jones
0:36:17 > 0:36:22'to find out more about how to track down this highly prized fungus.'
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Roger, what exactly is a truffle?
0:36:25 > 0:36:29It's a fungi, a type of mushroom in a sense, but it's not a mushroom.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33It grows under the ground, as oppose to a mushroom which grows on top.
0:36:33 > 0:36:39The truffles we find, which are the most common in France and in England are the summer truffles.
0:36:39 > 0:36:45They're charcoal-greyish throughout and they've got a lovely hazelnutty taste.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48When you cook with it, you get a lovely aroma.
0:36:48 > 0:36:53This part of the world in Wiltshire, can you harvest a big crop here?
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Substantial. 20 or 30 kilos a week.
0:36:56 > 0:37:01- Roger, is there a chance that we might be able to find a truffle for me today?- I hope so.
0:37:01 > 0:37:05OK, let's get started. Let's hope we strike some black gold.
0:37:05 > 0:37:11'Records show that truffle hunting has been practised in the UK for the past two centuries.
0:37:11 > 0:37:17'A royal warrant was held by a family business in Wiltshire up until the 1930s.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20'It was run by a man called Alfred Collins
0:37:20 > 0:37:24'who used dogs to sniff out truffles in the woods near Winterslow.'
0:37:24 > 0:37:30What we're looking for... If you loo at that tree over there, that slight moss effect around the base,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33that could have truffles on it.
0:37:33 > 0:37:38What am I looking for exactly? How am I going to know there's a truffle underneath?
0:37:38 > 0:37:42It's basically feeling for golf balls. Once we find one,
0:37:42 > 0:37:46you do a circle from the tree and we'll find lots of them, hopefully.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51- Are they hard or soft? - Hard. Rock-solid. What you don't want to do is dig.
0:37:51 > 0:37:57- If you look where I've just been, there's nothing touched at all. - So don't disturb, just feel.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01'Truffle season is at its peak in October and November.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05'They're at their best within two to three days of being unearthed.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08'These summer truffles cost around £100 a kilo,
0:38:08 > 0:38:12'though other rarer varieties can fetch thousands.'
0:38:12 > 0:38:16- Is that one? - I think that would be a truffle.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19And that was really close to the surface!
0:38:19 > 0:38:24What's happened here, this one was there, so we'll find another one in between these two.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28If you put that back where it was, we just need to line up...
0:38:28 > 0:38:32Here we are. So you will find them in this area..
0:38:32 > 0:38:37- Sometimes they're buried and sometimes they're on the surface?- Absolutely.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39There's another one here.
0:38:40 > 0:38:44- So again it's in that same circle. - You are so good at this.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49- Is that one?- There you are. - That was literally like that.
0:38:49 > 0:38:55I mean, that really is remarkable, how many we've found in a few hours.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00- We've done very well with the truffle hunting.- Shall we cook with them?- Yeah.- Excellent.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02I can't wait to have a taste.
0:39:02 > 0:39:08'These summer truffles are used to flavour a variety of dishes, including risottos and soups.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12'They are best served raw or slightly warmed.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16'I'm going to taste some grated on a piece of turbot.'
0:39:16 > 0:39:21- What you will need is just a tiny bi of sea salt.- Yeah.- Welsh, of course.
0:39:22 > 0:39:27And a bit of extra-virgin olive oil just to give it a bit more texture.
0:39:27 > 0:39:28Delicious.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31So here we have it with the turbot.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Hmm! Hmm!
0:39:36 > 0:39:39It's difficult to explain the taste.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43- That really brings out the fish. - Yeah.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50I can now say I've hunted and tasted pure Wiltshire truffles.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54And guess what? They were absolutely delicious.
0:39:54 > 0:40:00But it's time to find out if any of our three properties have hit the spot with Will and Mel.
0:40:05 > 0:40:12We've had a wide range of reactions, shall we say, to the three properties that we've shown you.
0:40:12 > 0:40:17Let's start with that first house set in beautiful grounds.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19Yes, we both loved the symmetry of it
0:40:19 > 0:40:24and the fact that the front garden was enclosed and therefore safe.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29Great house. Our reservation was the size of the kitchen and the dining room,
0:40:29 > 0:40:31but other than that, a lovely house.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35I still have a little bit of an issu over the outside space.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40Lovely, but just for my liking, not quite there.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42So it was a very strong start.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46We then moved across into West Berkshire to see our next property.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50I didn't get the same reaction with this house, did I, from you?
0:40:50 > 0:40:54I don't think it grabbed us as soon as we walked into the driveway.
0:40:54 > 0:41:00What about the actual house itself and the layout? That had plenty of reception rooms.
0:41:00 > 0:41:06But they were all quite small and separate. There was no natural flow through that house.
0:41:06 > 0:41:11It was quite dark as well which I couldn't see an instant solution to.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16It had the land that we didn't quite achieve with the first property.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21Absolutely. It had the two-and-a-hal acres. It just didn't sit well, unfortunately.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Which brings us to the mystery house.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29Back into the county of Wiltshire and something completely different.
0:41:29 > 0:41:33- You certainly threw us a curve ball here.- It's an amazing space.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37- Yeah.- The reception rooms and the gadgets and the kitchen to die for!
0:41:37 > 0:41:42In a way, with the mystery, we always set out to show you something different,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46perhaps change the way you look at your new life in the country.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50- Did we achieve that with that property?- Oh, yes.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Oh! Have we got close?
0:41:52 > 0:41:56There would be compromises that would have to be made,
0:41:56 > 0:42:02but it's completely thrown the balls up in the air in terms of what Will and I thought we were looking for
0:42:02 > 0:42:05because it's just something that we would never have looked at.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07So...yeah, possibly.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11So what does this mean then? What is the next step going to be?
0:42:11 > 0:42:14I think we'd like to go and see it again.
0:42:14 > 0:42:18- Great.- Just to sort of put it to bed, either yes or no.
0:42:18 > 0:42:24- We definitely need to spend more tim there and have a look round. - Look around the area really.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Even if that isn't the house for you,
0:42:26 > 0:42:31hopefully, what we've done is help you focus on what's important.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35I think what you've really helped us is... The word is "compromise".
0:42:35 > 0:42:40You're never going to get 100 or even 95% of what you want.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43It's how much are you prepared to compromise.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47- Thank you. It's been really good fun.- Thank you, Nicki.- Thank you.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59It looks as if Will and Mel will continue with city life for just that little bit longer,
0:42:59 > 0:43:04but hopefully, they will go for a second viewing of that fabulous mystery property.
0:43:04 > 0:43:09Who knows? Maybe this glorious county will be their new home very soon.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12Until next time, bye-bye.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:17 > 0:43:20Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:43:20 > 0:43:22please apply online at:
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