0:00:01 > 0:00:05These fort remains lie on one of the Roman Empire's most imposing frontiers
0:00:05 > 0:00:09and kept the barbarians at bay for some 300 years.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Find out exactly where I am in just a few moments.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45In today's show, I'll be helping a couple move to the country
0:00:45 > 0:00:47to start the next chapter of their lives.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49But we're not just looking for a home for them.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52What am I going to do with the tractor?
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Sell it for a boat.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57But then they struggle to get their head around our mystery house.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59You certainly thought out of the box for this one.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Yeah. I want you to try and do the same.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Today, I'm in Cumbria, at the site of Birdoswald roman fort,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10one of the best preserved sections of Hadrian's Wall
0:01:10 > 0:01:15which spans some 73 miles and now has World Heritage status.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Built back in 125 AD,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21this would have been one of the most important of the 16 forts
0:01:21 > 0:01:24that spanned the entire length of the wall.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26The Roman army's main job here
0:01:26 > 0:01:28was to guard over a nearby river crossing.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31But imagine if you were a centurion on duty here,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35you couldn't help but be impressed by these commanding views
0:01:35 > 0:01:37of the surrounding countryside.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Sitting on England's north-western border with Scotland
0:01:43 > 0:01:45and neighbouring Northumberland,
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Cumbria has one of the most dramatic and varied landscapes in Britain,
0:01:48 > 0:01:53stretching from the Eden Valley in the east across the peaks and valleys of the Lake District,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57all the way to the windswept shores along its western coastline.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02The Lake District National Park area may only span 30 miles across,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06but it draws in over eight million visitors a year,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09many of whom want to walk the terrain of England's highest mountains.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Clearly this awe-inspiring landscape is defined by its 16 main lakes,
0:02:15 > 0:02:18including Windermere which, at ten and a half miles long,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20is the largest natural lake in England.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24With its mix of historic towns such as Carlisle
0:02:24 > 0:02:27and rural villages lying at the foot of the fells,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30aspiring escapees will find Cumbria a compelling destination
0:02:30 > 0:02:32in which to set up home.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37The average price of a detached house here in Cumbria
0:02:37 > 0:02:40is around £233,000,
0:02:40 > 0:02:43nearly 23,000 less than the national figure.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45So, pretty good value.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47But there are hotspots, and in particular,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50the Lake District National Park.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54Here, properties can command premiums of up to 60% more.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56So if you want your money to stretch further,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58try looking outside the park boundaries.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02More affordable areas are in the north-west, Cockermouth and Bridgefoot,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05or if you want to look south, try around Barrow-in-Furness.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08But no matter where you look around this beautiful county,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12it's fair to say the property reflects its rich rural history.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14In the west of the county,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18a large number of houses have been built from locally quarried red sandstone for centuries.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20In the village of Waverton,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23this pair of sandstone cottages dating back to the 1800s
0:03:23 > 0:03:28are on the market for a combined price of £220,000.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31Cumbria's also home to a wealth of slate quarries
0:03:31 > 0:03:35such as the blue slate of Skiddaw to the green of Honister.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38Used in the construction of roofs, floors and walls,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40it's a widespread feature of properties across the county,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43including this substantial apartment is Grasmere,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47priced at £375,000.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53So a pretty varied and attractive property market.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Time to meet today's buyers to find out exactly what they're looking for.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Peter, a mental health worker, and his wife, Jill, a GP,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04live in the busy Lancashire town of Atherton.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09They've spent their lives moving between cities, going wherever work took them.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13But life in the country now holds a distinct appeal for them both.
0:04:13 > 0:04:15We'd have days out into the country
0:04:15 > 0:04:19and have a picnic or go blackberrying, that sort of thing.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I came from Halifax, which is very industrial.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27So there wasn't countryside because the smog just hung there.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29So it'll be a shock, but a pleasant shock.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33As this move will inevitably involve a major lifestyle change,
0:04:33 > 0:04:36over the last few months they've dedicated a lot of time
0:04:36 > 0:04:39to researching where they want to settle down.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41We narrowed the choice down to Cumbria.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Hopefully not just as much rain.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48But we've got the undulating hillside, which we both love.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53And I think we should get a larger property for our money.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Peter and Jill currently live in a 1960s detached property.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01But the vision they have for their home in the country is completely different.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05The house that I would really love
0:05:05 > 0:05:08is a house that's in the hillside,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10protected from the weather,
0:05:10 > 0:05:16compact, but you have that warmth, that life about it.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20Then when you go inside, there's a woodburning stove
0:05:20 > 0:05:22or the open fire.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25Peter and Jill are set to retire in the next few months
0:05:25 > 0:05:29and are coming to terms with ploughing their energies into something other than work.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I can't believe that we're retiring!
0:05:31 > 0:05:37I still feel, and I'm sure you do as well, that we're much younger than we really are.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41But we really want to go off and do something new
0:05:41 > 0:05:43as soon as we can, really.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45With their new-found freedom,
0:05:45 > 0:05:48they're determined to put their best foot forward
0:05:48 > 0:05:49and get stuck into their hobbies.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51For Jill, it's photography.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56In the countryside, it'll be much easier to throw the camera into the car,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00get out and hopefully find some really impressive wildlife.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05And Peter is keen on creating his own private hideaway.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Is it true to say a man is not a man without a shed?
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Escapism.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14They've both settled on how much they have to spend.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18The budget for our move would be £475,000.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25After spending a lot of time in the county,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Peter and Jill have settled on moving to the north of Cumbria,
0:06:28 > 0:06:32ideally in a rural location within reasonable distance of Carlisle.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Time to hear more about the specifics of their preferred location
0:06:35 > 0:06:37and the property itself.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Welcome to north Cumbria.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Why have you chosen this part of the world?
0:06:43 > 0:06:45We like the rugged feel.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49We like the feel of being close to the sea
0:06:49 > 0:06:51but also close to the mountains.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55- Sounds like you've thought about this a lot.- We have.- A little.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57What have you been looking for?
0:06:57 > 0:07:00What has this perfect house been, in your mind's eye, so far?
0:07:00 > 0:07:05- Large kitchen that you can eat in. - Now we're getting to it.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09With a range. Somewhere downstairs that can become a wet room so that as we get older,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12we can maybe even live downstairs.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13- Three, four bedrooms.- I think.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18Something of that nature. A greenhouse and area to grow vegetables.
0:07:18 > 0:07:23- But also, Peter has a special... - A large area for a nice lawn.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Possibly an orchard.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28Right. Let's talk about the style of the property.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32I think a sort of small farmhouse.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36An extended cottage might look very similar.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40But stone walls, slate roof, very traditional looking.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- That's the ideal.- How much are you looking to spend?
0:07:43 > 0:07:45£475,000.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- Which is a good chunk of money.- Yes.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53But when you talk about a three to four-bedroomed character house with the land,
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- that money has to work extra hard. - Yes.- Indeed.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Do you both agree on everything?
0:07:58 > 0:08:02- No.- Not completely.- Let's find out what you both agree on, shall we?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- Let's get this started.- Let's go.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26And enough lawn so Peter can mow to his heart's content.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29We've got three different properties to view
0:08:29 > 0:08:32and as usual, I'll be asking them to hazard a guess at the price before I reveal it.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36The final option is, of course, our mystery house,
0:08:36 > 0:08:38which is a tale of two halves.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46We're kicking off our property search in Bromfield,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48which lies 17 miles from Carlisle.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51This small hamlet is surrounded by agricultural land
0:08:51 > 0:08:53and still retains a rural feel.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57There's a local pub and an impressive church,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59parts of which date back to Norman times
0:08:59 > 0:09:02although it was largely restored in the 1860s.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Our first property is totally in keeping,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09as it's the former vicarage and has 18th-century origins.
0:09:09 > 0:09:15So, I think as an impact house, this is the first house.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18Wow. That's got character, hasn't it?
0:09:18 > 0:09:19Yeah, it really has.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Originally, it was a vicarage.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25- Until only 30 years ago, in fact. - Really?
0:09:25 > 0:09:30You've got 18th-century parts and Victorian extensions and some even sooner than that.
0:09:30 > 0:09:36- But it all looks like one good unit. - It does.- I agree.- It does. Yeah.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40- Yes.- Looks great.- Looks good. Let's see it inside.- Yeah.- Please.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- Let's go.- Great.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46The period bones and stature of this property have hit the mark.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51Peter will be pleased by the small garage which he can use to house his tractor mower.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Let's see what they make of the interior.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- I'm looking forward to you seeing this.- Yes. Ooh.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- It's probably very different to the house you live in at the moment. - Very different.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03- It's a very spacious hall. - And light.- Yeah.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04- Pretty grand, isn't it?- Very grand. - Yes.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07There's no shortage of reception rooms.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10One through there, a dining room,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13which may be used more regularly if you make changes to this kitchen.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Yes.- Tell me what you think.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20I love the windows. It makes it a nice, light room.
0:10:20 > 0:10:27The dining room is so close you may just use the dining room more and maybe move the table out.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30You've got two other reception rooms which we'll see later.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34So you could make this a huge kitchen diner by knocking through.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36You certainly could.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38- That would be a lovely size.- Lovely.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- It's big, isn't it?- It is. - It's really big.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- There's lots of potential.- Amazing how much room so far there is.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48Another reason why this kitchen feels bigger and you've got room for a dining table
0:10:48 > 0:10:53is that you've got a huge utility just through there
0:10:53 > 0:10:56which you'd use that as your normal front door,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59with a little storage cupboard through there as well.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02You get all the white goods out
0:11:02 > 0:11:04and then this is just a lovely living space.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- Isn't it?- Yeah. It's got everything you need for now.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10For entertaining. Plenty of space.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13You've still got two more reception rooms to think what to do with.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14- Let's take a look.- OK.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18The living rooms lead off the main hallway
0:11:18 > 0:11:19and are generously sized.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- This is when you get the real Georgian feel.- Oh, yes.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Very, very...- Very nice room.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30The light coming in from the garden.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Now, you've got this room.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34And next door is a good-sized reception room as well.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39You've got a downstairs loo which could make a very small wet room.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42If you've got guests staying here in these rooms,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45you might not get rid of them, cos they're cracking. Let me show you.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50'Upstairs there are four spacious bedrooms.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52'Two are well decorated doubles
0:11:52 > 0:11:54'and one is currently being used as a study.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57'There's also a pretty lavish family bathroom.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01'I'm taking them straight to the room that they could claim as their own.'
0:12:02 > 0:12:06So. I couldn't decide which could be your master.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Because this has an en-suite shower,
0:12:08 > 0:12:10I thought this would be it.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- Isn't it beautiful?- It is. The decoration.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Again, Georgian style, isn't it?
0:12:15 > 0:12:18- And well proportions. - Plenty of room.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24And the feature of this house so much is windows and light, isn't it?
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- Look at the view through there. Gorgeous.- It is.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31OK. So this house gives you more space than you asked inside.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34- Yes.- Is it too big?
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- So far...- I don't think so, not from what we've seen so far.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- Not so far.- No.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Most people, 99 out of 100, like Georgian properties.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- Yes.- It's just whether or not you can afford them.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49- So start thinking about that.- OK.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51- As we make our way outside. All right?- OK.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56The parcel of land on offer is, like the house,
0:12:56 > 0:12:57substantial.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00What can I say?
0:13:02 > 0:13:06If you chose this part of Cumbria cos it gets the good weather...
0:13:07 > 0:13:09What's the rest of the county like today?
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- Indeed.- Indeed, yes.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- Look at this.- This is all included?
0:13:14 > 0:13:17All in all, there are 2.2 acres.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19- Blimey!- Perfect.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- Yes.- Yeah.- Yes?- Yep.
0:13:21 > 0:13:24We've got the vegetable patch over there on the left.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25Yes, already set up.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30This area over here is what remains of a Roman fort.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32- Really?- Yes.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35All you can do on this Roman fort is graze or mow it.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- Which is all you want to do. - That's all we want. Perfect.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40All in all, quite a lot. How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:13:40 > 0:13:44With the amount of house and land, it's going to be top end.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- 470.- 470.- 470.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50I think I would risk going slightly lower.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53460?
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Well, you might be surprised to hear, then,
0:13:57 > 0:14:02this house is on the market for offers around £425,000.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04- Good heavens!- Gosh!
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- All this?- All this.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- And all of that.- All of that.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09Wow.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Tell you what. Go back into the house, have a look around all the rooms you haven't yet seen,
0:14:13 > 0:14:17and now you know how much this place is,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19maybe you can think about maybe making some changes.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- Go back into the kitchen as well. - Sure.- Thank you.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- See you in a mo.- Let's go.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30Comfortably under-budget at £425,000
0:14:30 > 0:14:34there are plenty of funds freed up to expand the kitchen if they wanted to.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37Chock-full of Georgian-style character, it provides...
0:14:45 > 0:14:48..giving Peter space to roam freely on his mower
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and Jill to grow her vegetables.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Overall, the impression of the entire house is marvellous.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59When you come to the outside, some lovely landscaped areas
0:14:59 > 0:15:03with established trees, which is the sort of thing we love.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07And for Peter, plenty of lawn to mow
0:15:07 > 0:15:10and to ride on his ride-on mower.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14The house just seemed outstanding.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18The exterior, very good condition.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22The kitchen, large, just what we're looking for.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26However, I think it would need to be re-done.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Still smiling. Looks like you enjoyed that one.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34- We did.- Good. OK. Next house coming up.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52The best known region of Cumbria is the Lake District,
0:15:52 > 0:15:56which along with being a specially protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59is also the most visited National Park in the country.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05The romantic vistas of its fells have inspired numerous literary figures such as William Wordsworth
0:16:05 > 0:16:09who wrote many of his works from his home in the village of Grasmere,
0:16:09 > 0:16:13a place he described as "the loveliest spot that Man hath ever found."
0:16:14 > 0:16:17During the Victorian era, there was an influx of tourists to the area,
0:16:17 > 0:16:19many of whom would visit Wordsworth's grave
0:16:19 > 0:16:22which lies in St Oswald's churchyard.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24It provided a great boost to local trade.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29The most unlikely business to benefit was a small gingerbread shop
0:16:29 > 0:16:33that now, 150 years later, is still thriving.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Mindful of Peter and Jill's passion for cooking,
0:16:36 > 0:16:38earlier in the week we sent them to meet Joanne Hunter,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41the co-owner of the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop
0:16:41 > 0:16:44to find out more about the building's humble beginnings
0:16:44 > 0:16:47and the enduring appeal of this local speciality.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51Welcome to the Grasmere Gingerbread Shop here in the Lake District.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Can you tell us something about the history of the shop?
0:16:53 > 0:16:56The building was built in 1630
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- by public subscription as a village school.- A school?- Yeah.
0:17:00 > 0:17:05It was owned by the church. It was the church that gave it up for rent
0:17:05 > 0:17:06for a poor and needy family.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10And so Sarah Nelson, the creator of Grasmere Gingerbread,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13she was quite poor and very needy.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17And her and her family moved into Church Cottage.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19But why gingerbread?
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Basically, in Victorian times,
0:17:21 > 0:17:26the Victorian tourists would get off the four-in-hand coach
0:17:26 > 0:17:31and they had to tootle past the front of Sarah Nelson's cottage,
0:17:31 > 0:17:32Church Cottage,
0:17:32 > 0:17:37and she'd sell a selection of her home-made cakes and pastries.
0:17:37 > 0:17:38That's what she got renowned for.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42It's a little pit-stop for the Victorian tourist.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46One of her most popular cakes with visitors was gingerbread
0:17:46 > 0:17:50and the recipe has not changed for 159 years.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53It's a secret passed down from generation to generation.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58There is only one person privy to this classified Cumbrian formula and method,
0:17:58 > 0:18:01and that is Joanne's husband, Andrew.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- Pleased to meet you.- I see you've come out of...- The mixing room
0:18:06 > 0:18:07which is where all the secrets are kept.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Unfortunately, we won't be going in there this morning.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13But I'll show you how the baking process works.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15TIMER BEEPS There we go.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19- I'll get out of the way.- I'll take some gingerbread out of the oven.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24The freshly baked gingerbread is then cut whilst it's warm,
0:18:24 > 0:18:25then cooled and boxed.
0:18:25 > 0:18:30The history of this spiced bread in the UK stretches back over 1,000 years
0:18:30 > 0:18:31to the time of the Crusades,
0:18:31 > 0:18:36when ginger was introduced as a new and exotic commodity in this country.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39Now Peter and Jill are going to wrap things up.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42I know you're desperate to eat some, but just wait until you've wrapped it!
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- I think that's very good. Well done, Peter.- Thank you.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50Time for Peter and Jill to take away a slice of local Cumbrian cuisine.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53- Warm it up in the oven. It's delicious.- Sounds lovely.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- It might help you make your decision!- Thank you very much.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- No. It's a pleasure.- Hope to see you soon.- Yes, OK.- You know where we're at!
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- Thank you.- Thank you. Bye.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05Now that our buyers have sampled some Lakeland food tradition,
0:19:05 > 0:19:09let's hope our house-hunt continues to serve up some tempting options.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Our second property lies in the village of Hayton,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17seven miles east of Carlisle.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22This small rural settlement features a Grade II listed church
0:19:22 > 0:19:25built in the late 18th century, and a pub.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Many of the properties in the village are made of red sandstone,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31including the one I'm about to show our buyers.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33It has a traditional look
0:19:33 > 0:19:35but is, in fact, a new build.
0:19:36 > 0:19:37- Now, then.- Wow.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41- This is somewhat different to the first.- Yes, I'd say.
0:19:42 > 0:19:47So, this house, probably not what you might expect to look at.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49OK.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- We're looking from - see where the roof line changes?- Yes.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55From the left onwards.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58What do you think? Is this a possibility, what you see so far?
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It's got a lot of the features of the sort of house we'd want.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03Depends what it looks like inside.
0:20:03 > 0:20:04I think inside you'll be impressed.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- Let's see what you make of it. - Come on, let's go.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10'I sense Peter and Jill are holding back somewhat on this one.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13'But on the upside, it does offer a garage.
0:20:13 > 0:20:19'Let's see how they react once they get inside this semi-detached but spacious property.'
0:20:19 > 0:20:22OK. Nice big hallway again.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24- It is.- Lots of wood everywhere. - Plenty of wood. It's lovely.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27Now, this room you're about to see
0:20:27 > 0:20:29is a couple of rooms in one.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34- Oh, yes.- But fairly impressive. - And finished.- Yes.- Yes.
0:20:34 > 0:20:39- Yes. Right up to date.- Yes, it's convenient. You can be cooking away,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42have people sat at the table,
0:20:42 > 0:20:43really nice feel to it.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- It's a social space. - It is a social space.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48I said it's a couple of rooms in one,
0:20:48 > 0:20:50but it spills out onto the living room as well.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55But also in the mornings you can go out onto your patio as well.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57- There's a lot of flow to this house. - There is.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01There's also a large utility room attached to the kitchen.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05I said it has a flow. Let's see how you would flow through here.
0:21:06 > 0:21:11You've got some more space and then the most fantastic living room. Come through here.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15That is a good size.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17This house has some cracking views.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- There's windows everywhere in this room.- Yes.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22And there's an office which is easily big enough to be a bedroom.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24They call it their sixth bedroom.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- That sounds good.- Yes.- Yes. - Not bad, is it?
0:21:27 > 0:21:29That sounds very good, yes.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33So doesn't take a mathematician to work out we've got five bedrooms to look at upstairs!
0:21:33 > 0:21:35- Let's get started.- After you.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38'All the bedrooms on the first floor lead off a large landing.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43'Three of the five bedrooms are light and of a good size.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47'The fourth is currently being used as a study-cum-games room.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50'There's also a bright modern bathroom,
0:21:50 > 0:21:55'not that they would need to use it, as the main bedroom gives them their own extensive suite.'
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Now this is certainly the master bedroom.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Yeah!
0:21:59 > 0:22:04- It's big!- And these rooms are? - Walk-in wardrobe,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08and one of the biggest en-suites you'll ever see!
0:22:09 > 0:22:10Yes!
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Separate shower, massive bath.
0:22:12 > 0:22:13Mm.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18So much room. Daylight excellent.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I really like this room. I could definitely see us in here.
0:22:21 > 0:22:26Outside, very different story to the first property.
0:22:26 > 0:22:27Let's take a look.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31'I think the high-spec finish inside has impressed them.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35'Outside, the property sits in ten acres of private woodland
0:22:35 > 0:22:36'that they would have access to.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38'And they do get a generous plot of their own.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41'Although Peter may have to make some compromises.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:49- Now, then. You didn't ask for a lake. Few people do.- No.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Wow.- That's fantastic, yes.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Before we get excited, it's not your lake. You get access to it.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- Which I think is preferable. - That's maybe best, yes.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03So your land comprises what we see here?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07What you see, but also, see this slope coming down here,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10this line of trees is where your land ends.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- So you get all this slope as well. - Yes.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14And your land goes up to a path that goes around the lake.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19Not a lawn, per se, but some land there, flat land.
0:23:19 > 0:23:26All in all, apparently about 0.85 of an acre.
0:23:26 > 0:23:32What do you think? You'd need to put some four-wheel-drive tyres on your lawn mower!
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- You would.- It's a beautiful spot, it's fantastic with the lake.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Tranquil. The birds.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- But it's the missing lawn, isn't it? - Indeed.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46What am I going to do with my tractor?
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Sell it for a boat.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- How do you value this?- Not easy. - Not easy at all.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57470.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01I would actually say it's over budget and I'd go for 485.
0:24:01 > 0:24:07Interesting. This house can be bought for offers around £475,000.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Uh-huh.- So you're there or thereabouts.- Mm.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12What do you think about that price, Peter?
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Expensive.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- Think so?- Yes.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Go and have a look around that land at the back.
0:24:18 > 0:24:21- Have a look at the lake.- Yes.- And we'll catch up with each other
0:24:21 > 0:24:25- whenever you've finished.- Sounds good.- Yes, we'll do that.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26- See you in a mo.- After you. - Thank you.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Bang on budget at £475,000,
0:24:34 > 0:24:38this attractive stone-built property provides on many fronts.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58It was quite a revelation when we came
0:24:58 > 0:25:01because it looked like an old house.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04It was built in an old style, but it's only a few years old.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Inside, I thought it was fantastic.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09I could easily settle into the living room.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12It was beautiful with the woodburning stove.
0:25:12 > 0:25:17And the views were fantastic, with lots of window and lots of light.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19The house, exceptional.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I love the lake. I love the woodland.
0:25:22 > 0:25:28Limited space I think with regard to a lawn,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30allotment, greenhouse.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Right. I think now is a perfect time to draw a line on today's search.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- I agree.- I think so.- Good day? - Very good.- Very good.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- Something to think about? - Absolutely.- A lot.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56As evening falls over the Cumbrian skyline,
0:25:56 > 0:25:59the first day of our house hunt comes to an end.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06Armed with their £475,000 budget,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Peter and Jill want to leave behind a lifetime spent in the industrial town of Atherton
0:26:10 > 0:26:12and head to glorious Cumbria.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17There's no doubt they loved the space and character feel of our first property.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20But the second house, albeit immaculate,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23fell short of Peter's tractor mowing aspirations in the garden.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28So, could the mystery house deliver his field of dreams?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30I can put my wee tractor in there!
0:26:30 > 0:26:33And I discover how the juices of a traditional Cumbrian fruit
0:26:33 > 0:26:36are flowing once again after years of decline.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43Well, a couple of centuries divided both houses yesterday.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47But after looking round the first property which impressed Peter and Jill so much,
0:26:47 > 0:26:49we wondered how we were going to top it.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51So we thought we'd mix things up a little bit.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55Although on reflection, whilst the second house had no less amount of character,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I think it was the land for Peter that really let it down.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02So today, a beautiful start, and I think they have a firm favourite in mind.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06So how are we going to beat it? The mystery property sometimes has an attribute
0:27:06 > 0:27:08that our buyers haven't even asked for.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10And this one's no different.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Our mystery house lies near Wigton,
0:27:16 > 0:27:19a small market town with a history dating back to Roman times
0:27:19 > 0:27:23which prospered greatly in the 13th century through trade.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Since 1872,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28the marketplace has been graced by a decorative fountain
0:27:28 > 0:27:32depicting The Acts of Mercy by the pre-Raphaelite sculptor Thomas Woolner.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36On the outskirts of Wigton, we find our mystery proposition,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40which asks Peter and Jill to rethink how they spend their retirement.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Since they've said they want to keep busy,
0:27:43 > 0:27:46we're combining their wish for a stone-built country home
0:27:46 > 0:27:48with the potential for an income,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52delivering a surprise of two houses under one roof.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55- So this is it.- Oh, gosh, yes! - All of it?- All of it.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- All of it.- Blimey. - Wow. It's beautiful.
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- And the outbuildings.- Yes.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- The location.- I can put my wee tractor in there.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07- Yes, it would just about fit!- You could put your motor home in there! - I think so.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Yeah. Wow.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14- Now, the property itself. Different ages.- Yeah.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17The original part, the original farmhouse bit, around 1850.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21- To the right, a converted barn of that.- Yes.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25And behind it, extensions, OK?
0:28:25 > 0:28:26To make what we have today.
0:28:26 > 0:28:32- It looks like one big unit, but you'll see it's split up in a quirky way.- Quirky way. OK.
0:28:32 > 0:28:36- Now, inside might need a bit of work to do.- OK.
0:28:36 > 0:28:38This is where your imagination comes in.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40- All right?- Yeah.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44- How you feeling?- Let's see.- Happy? - Yes.- Very positive, yes.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45Good. Let's take a look inside.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49'A great initial reaction there from Peter and Jill,
0:28:49 > 0:28:51'to the style and scale of our mystery house.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54'The part of the building to the right of the main farmhouse
0:28:54 > 0:28:56'was turned into an annexe about eight years ago.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00'But we're going to start our tour in the original part.'
0:29:00 > 0:29:04A bit of a theme with all the properties we've seen this time.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- One of a couple of reception rooms. - Yes.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10- Cosy.- Very.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12Very warm feeling.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15This would have been the old farmhouse front room, if you like.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17There's one either side of that doorway.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19You can see yourself in this room?
0:29:19 > 0:29:25Absolutely. Just with a few cosmetic changes to suit our style.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- A nice, cosy room.- Yes.
0:29:28 > 0:29:29Good start.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34- Well, this... There's quite a number of rooms to look at here.- Uh-huh.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37OK. So let's go on to the kitchen now.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43So, every farmhouse needs a farmhouse kitchen.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45- And this is it.- Isn't it just.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Spacious, light.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51I like having the seat as well as the table and chairs.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54Out there to the sun spot.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Yeah, have your breakfast there. - It's cracking, isn't it?
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- It is.- Yes.- Your snug would be round there. There's a doorway just through there.
0:30:00 > 0:30:04Or coming off this main hub. Let's look round the rest of the property.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07This is one kitchen. But obviously it's not the only one. Right?
0:30:09 > 0:30:12'We're now moving out of the original house into the annexe
0:30:12 > 0:30:15which has the potential to become a holiday let.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20So, we now have a completely separate kitchen and living area.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- You've got one house that way, one house this way.- Right.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28All this, the barn was converted in 1999.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32So this kitchen dining area...
0:30:33 > 0:30:36..services the living room through there.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Right.- With bedrooms above here.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43You still have your own bedrooms above your living accommodation.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45- Yes.- What do you think about that?
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- It's not something we'd thought about.- Not at all.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Yeah.
0:30:50 > 0:30:55- I'll tell you...- You certainly thought out of the box for this one.
0:30:55 > 0:30:57Yes. I want you to try and do the same.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Let's look at the master bedroom for this side of the house.
0:31:00 > 0:31:01Sure.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05'Upstairs is a spacious family bathroom and two bedrooms,
0:31:05 > 0:31:07'the larger of which we're looking at.'
0:31:09 > 0:31:11This one has two good-sized double rooms.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14It is a good size, isn't it?
0:31:14 > 0:31:15- Yes.- It is.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18I like the features and the little windows.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21It's called an annexe, but it's connected internally
0:31:21 > 0:31:23on the first floor and the ground floor.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25So it could be just part of the house.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- But it also has its own self-contained entrance.- Yes.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30At the end here.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33So you could let it out perfectly easily, really.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Would you ever consider doing that?
0:31:36 > 0:31:39We've not thought about it before,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41but it's something we could consider, isn't it?
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- It's a consideration.- Needs a bit of thinking about.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47When we see how much room there is.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51Have a quick scoot and I'll meet you at the back of the barns.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- All right?- Yeah.- See you in a mo. - Good.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56'On the first floor of the main house
0:31:56 > 0:31:58'are three generous double bedrooms,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01'one of which is being used for storage.
0:32:01 > 0:32:05'The versatile accommodation of our mystery house may hold a lot of potential.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09'But I think it's what lies outside that will blow them away.'
0:32:10 > 0:32:11Look at that!
0:32:11 > 0:32:14- Wow!- Wow! The views!- Yes.
0:32:14 > 0:32:19This is all your land up to that wire fence there.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Wraps right the way round
0:32:21 > 0:32:24and goes up to the little old pig sty, if you like.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29- Up near the formal garden by the kitchen.- Sure. Yeah.
0:32:29 > 0:32:30There's a heck of a lot to think about.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Good. How much would you pay for this?
0:32:35 > 0:32:37I think it'll be on the top end or beyond it.
0:32:37 > 0:32:42So I would go for...490.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I agree. I think it's above the budget.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Possibly only slightly.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51I would say 480.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56This place, as it stands,
0:32:56 > 0:32:58with all that you've seen and maybe are yet to see,
0:32:58 > 0:33:03is on the market for offers around £475,000.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Mm.
0:33:05 > 0:33:06Hmm.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- Surprising.- Very.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10You've got lots to see.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Go and see it. This is the last thing we're going to look at now.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15Take your time.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18I am going to take my time enjoying this beautiful view.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- OK.- Go round and have a look at the pig-sties.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22We will.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26I wanted to give Peter and Jill something to think about.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Something to compare that Georgian property against.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30This place is just that.
0:33:32 > 0:33:35Bang on budget at £475,000,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38the mystery house provides them with the traditional style home they wanted
0:33:38 > 0:33:43but also gives them the flexibility to run two homes side by side if they want to.
0:33:43 > 0:33:49The one for them has a kitchen diner, two reception rooms with open fireplaces.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54The annexe lends itself to being a holiday let.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01Lots of space for Peter to be let loose with his tractor mower.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07When we saw the house from outside, it looked absolutely fantastic.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10You could see a lot of the old farmhouse features
0:34:10 > 0:34:13which we very much liked.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15We were a bit puzzled when we first saw it
0:34:15 > 0:34:17because we couldn't work out what was going on.
0:34:17 > 0:34:22And as we went in it became apparent that it was two houses in one.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25It's always worth thinking about something different.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29It was well worth seeing this property, no doubt about it.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32The land that comes with it at the moment,
0:34:32 > 0:34:38a lot of it is not really suitable for lawn.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41There are no close neighbours.
0:34:41 > 0:34:46I think as we got older, that would be of concern.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50So, lots to look at.
0:34:50 > 0:34:51- Indeed.- Yeah.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Lots to think about.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- Is there?- Mm-hmm.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56I think.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Well, that's a start, thinking!
0:34:59 > 0:35:02I think we'll find you somewhere to have a bit of a ponder.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05- Yes.- Then we'll catch up later on. - That sounds good.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Back up the hill.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Just under 40 years ago, Cumbria's borders were widened
0:35:21 > 0:35:26to include a handful of historic counties including Cumberland and Westmorland.
0:35:26 > 0:35:27In the early 20th century,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30the Westmorland valleys were known for their damson trees
0:35:30 > 0:35:34with the plum-like fruit harvested and sent to jam factories
0:35:34 > 0:35:35in Lancashire and Yorkshire.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38However, after the Second World War,
0:35:38 > 0:35:40as that industry dwindled in the region,
0:35:40 > 0:35:42so did the management of these orchards.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45However, over the past couple of decades,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47its damson heritage has made a comeback.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50I've come to see how Vicky Barrett,
0:35:50 > 0:35:54a member of the Westmorland Damson Association, established in 1996
0:35:54 > 0:35:57is championing this local crop,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00although extreme weather conditions recently have hampered the fruit yield.
0:36:02 > 0:36:03Now, then...
0:36:04 > 0:36:06These are the feted damson trees.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08They are.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13They look a little... I take it I've missed the picking, have I?
0:36:13 > 0:36:16No, you haven't, cos there's no harvest this year at all.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18It's really sad.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21We've never ever had this orchard completely naked of damsons.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23Is it because of the weather?
0:36:23 > 0:36:26I think it is. You could say the frost because we had a very hard early frost.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30But after that, we had massively cold winds.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34I think they had lovely blossom, but no chance of setting.
0:36:34 > 0:36:39It seems that one might attempt to grow fruit in abundance here in the Lake District.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41It's interesting, isn't it?
0:36:41 > 0:36:45These damsons have been planted here for the last 500 years.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49'In an attempt to bring an historic tradition back to full bloom,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51'10,000 trees have been planted
0:36:51 > 0:36:56'and a small-scale cottage industry has sprung up around damson production.'
0:36:56 > 0:37:01So, when you do get damsons from these trees, what do you do with them?
0:37:01 > 0:37:05We make gin, and we also make damson chocolates.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09- Right.- With our soaked damsons in the gin.
0:37:09 > 0:37:14We give those to a chocolatier to make lovely damson chocolates with.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16Tell me about the gin. You make gin here?
0:37:16 > 0:37:18We do. I'll take you round to see it now.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21- Shall we have a look?- Yes. - Great. After you.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24'Vicky's been planting and growing damson trees for 14 years
0:37:24 > 0:37:28'and devotes part of the orchard solely to producing damson gin.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31'It's entirely a family-run operation,
0:37:31 > 0:37:33'as I discover from Vicky's husband, Oliver.'
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Hello, Oliver.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Hi!
0:37:39 > 0:37:41I've been speaking to your lovely wife.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43Apparently you're making damson gin?
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- Yes, we're bottling today. - Sounds fantastic.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49So, how does this work? Talk me through the process.
0:37:49 > 0:37:54First of all, we buy gin in bulk from a distiller.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56- Yep.- And we fill this tank
0:37:56 > 0:38:02up to about... Up to about there with gin.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06Then we fill it up to about there with damsons.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08We leave it for a couple of months to steep.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13'25 kilograms of sugar is also added to the damson and gin mix.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18'Two months later, the damson gin is pumped out to allow it to settle for a few days.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20'And then it's filtered before being bottled.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23'The soaked damsons are removed from the vat
0:38:23 > 0:38:26'and put into a traditional fruit press.'
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Looks like it's ready to go. Can I help out at all?
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Yes, you can turn the handle.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32- Do the hard work!- Right.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33Just go round clockwise.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36It's very easy to start with!
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Am I going to regret volunteering?
0:38:40 > 0:38:44'The gin pressed from the fruit has a stronger, nuttier flavour
0:38:44 > 0:38:45'which will be added to the next batch.'
0:38:45 > 0:38:48This is getting close to the finished product?
0:38:48 > 0:38:50It is. The finished damson gin
0:38:50 > 0:38:52- is pumped up through this pipe into this tank.- Yep.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54And then it just runs down into the bottles.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00'The damson gin is then decanted and bottled.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02'But not before I sample it!'
0:39:03 > 0:39:09So this is damson gin as you'd normally expect it.
0:39:09 > 0:39:10This is what we sell.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11Right.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13I can't leave you to drink on your own.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15No!
0:39:15 > 0:39:16Chin-chin.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26That's lovely and sweet. Sweet enough to drink just on its own.
0:39:26 > 0:39:31- Yes.- Thank you very much. I've enjoyed seeing the process
0:39:31 > 0:39:34- almost as much as I've enjoyed drinking it.- Good.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36Cheers again. I'll pop by again.
0:39:38 > 0:39:43Well, I'll certainly be keeping a look-out for any damson jam or gin in my local shop.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Time now to catch up with our buyers to find out if we've found anything for them
0:39:47 > 0:39:48to raise a glass to.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56So, a couple of days house-hunting.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59In Cumbria. Has it put you off?
0:39:59 > 0:40:01- Not at all, no.- No.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04- Three totally different properties. - Yes.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06Let's start with the first one.
0:40:06 > 0:40:12- That Georgian house, I think it had pretty much everything you asked for, didn't it?- Mm.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16I think it did. The land was great.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20But inside, it had some Georgian splendour to behold.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Those rooms were fantastic.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25The proportions were just right.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Nice large square rooms
0:40:27 > 0:40:29that you could fit your furniture in easily.
0:40:29 > 0:40:33There was potential in the kitchen.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35But potential that didn't scare you off, Peter.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37No, no.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- You could live with the kitchen as it is.- Yeah.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44And be quite happy in a short period of time to do it in stages.
0:40:44 > 0:40:49Now, straightaway, one property down, I was chalking that up as a success.
0:40:49 > 0:40:50But where to go from there?
0:40:50 > 0:40:54But I felt the second house felt different enough to show you.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57- Was it?- It was.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02Exterior-wise, you wouldn't initially know it was a new-build.
0:41:02 > 0:41:07From the outside it looked like an old house that had been renovated.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Once you got inside, it suddenly grew. Every room was big.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13It was so big, yes.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Maybe too big for two people.
0:41:15 > 0:41:18That was the worry. So, this morning,
0:41:18 > 0:41:20new start to the day. The mystery house.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24- It was basically two houses in one. - It was.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26That was the quirky thing about it.
0:41:26 > 0:41:30With two kitchens and living areas for two sets of people.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34So it was thinking, "What can we do with that?"
0:41:34 > 0:41:38The holiday lets idea. You've had time to think about it now.
0:41:38 > 0:41:39Do you fancy doing holiday lets?
0:41:39 > 0:41:45I think if the let was more separate from the house, that would be a different matter.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50But because the people had been relatives sharing the house,
0:41:50 > 0:41:55the house isn't designed in such a way that it can be easily separated.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58So I would feel a bit as though people were a bit too close.
0:41:58 > 0:41:59So.
0:41:59 > 0:42:03Of all three properties, which one would be your favourite?
0:42:05 > 0:42:07I don't think there's any doubt, is there, really?
0:42:07 > 0:42:09Property number one.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11- Yes. The Georgian house.- Absolutely.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15So the next step is to return for a second view.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18And to get a feel of that little hamlet, as well.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Whatever happens, though, with the sale of your property
0:42:21 > 0:42:24but also what you fancy doing about the Georgian house,
0:42:24 > 0:42:27- do let us know. Keep in touch, won't you?- We certainly will.- We will.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29- Good luck.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36I reckon as soon as Peter and Jill's eyes met that first house,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39they started falling in love with its Georgian charms.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41And why not? It was beautiful,
0:42:41 > 0:42:46but importantly, it had every single thing they said they wanted from a house.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Plus, with £50,000 left in their budget,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51they've got the breathing space to make it perfect.
0:42:51 > 0:42:56So what's next? Over the next couple of weekends they want to come back to Cumbria
0:42:56 > 0:42:58and take a second viewing.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00Hopefully in better weather like today
0:43:00 > 0:43:04and maybe that sunshine will confirm that this is the property for them.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06See you next time.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Peter and Jill did go back to see house number one
0:43:09 > 0:43:13and I'm delighted to say they put an offer in which has been accepted.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17So we wish them all the best in their new Cumbrian home.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19If you'd like to escape to the country
0:43:19 > 0:43:22in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England
0:43:22 > 0:43:24and need our help,
0:43:24 > 0:43:25please apply online.
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