0:00:02 > 0:00:06In this gorge, the complete skeleton of a man that lived 9,000 years ago
0:00:06 > 0:00:09was discovered at the start of the 20th century.
0:00:09 > 0:00:14Find out what county I'm in and where our prehistoric ancestors called home in a few moments.
0:00:43 > 0:00:49'On today's show, I'm helping a retired head teacher and her husband start their new life in the country
0:00:49 > 0:00:53'by seeking out a house to use as a B&B with a difference.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58'Along the way, the value of one property has them gasping in disbelief.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:00- Heavens to Betsy! - That's unbelievable.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'But later on in our search, panic sets in.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Size-wise, tell me, Cathy...
0:01:06 > 0:01:08- Agh!- Yeah.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15Today, I'm in Somerset and this is Cheddar Gorge
0:01:15 > 0:01:20which was formed over thousands of years by glacial floods at the end of the Ice Age.
0:01:20 > 0:01:26And it was here in 1903 that Cheddar Man, Britain's oldest intact skeleton, was unearthed,
0:01:26 > 0:01:32which suggests that the hollowed-out caverns inside provided shelter for our Stone Age ancestors.
0:01:32 > 0:01:37More recently, these same caverns provide the ideal storage conditions for Cheddar cheese
0:01:37 > 0:01:41and I'll get a whiff of what's involved in that process later on.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45First, here's a taste of Somerset's other historic highlights.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Sitting in the south-west of England, Somerset borders four other counties,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54including Wiltshire to the east and Dorset to the south-east.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58It's home to three upland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty -
0:01:58 > 0:02:02the Quantocks, the Blackdown Hills and the Mendips
0:02:02 > 0:02:05which attract mountain bikers, walkers and horse-riders.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Cheddar Gorge, the biggest limestone gorge in Britain,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12is also a famed tourist attraction thanks to its caves,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15as well as being a national nature reserve.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Agriculture is major business in the county.
0:02:18 > 0:02:25The farming of cattle and sheep for wool and the county's famous cheeses, most notably Cheddar,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29are traditional practices, as is the cultivation of willow for basketry.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32Somerset also boasts the smallest English city - Wells,
0:02:32 > 0:02:38whose 12th century cathedral was the first in England to be built in the Gothic style.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41And it's also where you'll find Vicars' Close
0:02:41 > 0:02:46which claims to be the most complete surviving medieval street in Europe.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Buying a house here in Somerset can be an expensive business.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55The average price of a detached property here is around £265,000.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59That's around £10,000 above the national figure.
0:02:59 > 0:03:04Hot spots in the north-east of the county include beautiful Wells and Castle Cary
0:03:04 > 0:03:07where you're paying for good train links into London.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13Likewise, head to the south of the county and expect to pay a 10% premium for desirable villages
0:03:13 > 0:03:16such as Hinton St George and Dowlish Wake,
0:03:16 > 0:03:21so if you want your money to stretch that bit further, head to villages such as Ilton or Stoke-sub-Hamdon
0:03:21 > 0:03:25where prices are around 10% below the county average.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30No matter where you look, you're sure to find a wealth of period properties on offer.
0:03:30 > 0:03:35In Somerset, the ground under your feet is made up of different types of rock,
0:03:35 > 0:03:37depending on where you are in the county.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43Limestone, evident in the immense gorges around Cheddar, is by far the most prolific building material.
0:03:43 > 0:03:48The honey-coloured stone was used to construct great Georgian properties,
0:03:48 > 0:03:52as well as two-bed cottages which can be found for under £200,000.
0:03:52 > 0:03:58Pockets of sandstone are common in the south around the Quantocks and Blackdown Hills.
0:03:58 > 0:04:04Its reddish-pink colour means that any home built from this distinctive rock is eye-catching.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08This four-bed barn conversion with terracotta tiled roof in Burrington
0:04:08 > 0:04:12is priced at £710,000.
0:04:13 > 0:04:18Or if you prefer to live in a cool, blue property made of Blue Lias stone,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22then head towards the levels around Glastonbury or the Polden Hills.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Currently on the market for just under £450,000,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29this five-bed period cottage in Pedwell is typical of the area.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37Time to meet today's buyers to find out what will tempt them to this county.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43Accountant Michael and retired head teacher Cathy have been married for over 30 years
0:04:43 > 0:04:47and have brought up their three children in Dulwich, South London.
0:04:47 > 0:04:53They've lived in their four-bedroom, Edwardian house all of that time, but encouraged by their family,
0:04:53 > 0:04:58they're looking for a change of scenery in the country as they spend more time together.
0:04:58 > 0:05:04I am retired and I'm hoping to start enjoying retirement, especially with a move on the cards
0:05:04 > 0:05:10and seeing a bit more of Michael, although, of course, that could be disastrous.
0:05:10 > 0:05:15The idea is that when we move I'm going to start working from home
0:05:15 > 0:05:19and so far, Cathy's been finding me sheds at the bottom of the garden.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23The idea is that I will go to work, not just be in the house.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27There'll be more than just Michael's work in their new property.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30They're planning on taking in paying guests too.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32We've always wanted to do a B&B
0:05:32 > 0:05:35and I think it's a good sort of halfway house for me
0:05:35 > 0:05:41in that I would have an opportunity to be with people, but they won't be there all the time.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46And we would love to be able to offer respite care because both our families have had situations
0:05:46 > 0:05:52where somebody has been a very long-term carer for somebody who has been very ill
0:05:52 > 0:05:57and we've seen how the commitment isn't always balanced out
0:05:57 > 0:06:00with opportunity for respite for the carer,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04so we would like to be able to offer that as part of the package.
0:06:04 > 0:06:10The idea of the B&B is business plan A to subsidise business plan B which is the respite.
0:06:10 > 0:06:17We would be looking to rent out two rooms because you don't want to run yourselves down into the ground
0:06:17 > 0:06:19when you're trying to retire or enjoy life.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23They've settled on the county of Somerset for their new venture
0:06:23 > 0:06:27as it's a doable commute from London once a week for Michael
0:06:27 > 0:06:31and they'll be making the most of their time off too, inside and out.
0:06:31 > 0:06:37- Now I have a bit more time for gardening.- I'm good at digging holes. - And you're getting better at weeding.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40I love cooking and I've done a butchery course.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45I've done a floristry course to keep myself busy, but I'd like to do a bit more butchery.
0:06:45 > 0:06:50I don't like touching raw meat, so, actually, it's quite a challenge.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55Making the move with them will be their dog Max who they hope will play a part in their new community.
0:06:55 > 0:07:00What I'd like to do is find a special needs school and take the dog in there
0:07:00 > 0:07:04because I qualified in special needs and I think it will be great,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08so that will link my teaching with having the dog as well.
0:07:08 > 0:07:14Their house is on the market and Michael knows what's in the wallet for the next phase of their lives.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17The budget for the move is £550,000.
0:07:25 > 0:07:31'Michael and Cathy would like their new rural home to be in the areas around the cities of Bath or Wells.
0:07:31 > 0:07:37'They'll need a good rail link for Michael to have a maximum two-hour commute to London once a week.
0:07:37 > 0:07:43'They've come to Somerset to give me a clear picture of what they want from their new home in the country.'
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- Welcome to a very bright, if not a bit breezy Somerset. - Thank you very much.
0:07:48 > 0:07:54It's beautiful round here. Let's talk about the environment of this home for you and B&B.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59Do you want it in the middle of this beautiful countryside or close to a population?
0:07:59 > 0:08:06We'd like to be in or on the edge of a village purely because we'd like some facilities available.
0:08:06 > 0:08:12- How many bedrooms do you want for your own accommodation?- Four bedrooms would be a good number.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Let's briefly talk about the must-haves.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19It must have room for a large cooker. I'll leave my range behind in London.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23- So we're looking for a substantial property then?- Yes.
0:08:23 > 0:08:29So it's going to be a four, five-bedroom house or a house with an annexe? Would you look at that?
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- Yes.- We certainly would.
0:08:31 > 0:08:37- Let's talk about budget. It's not a cheap part of the world. What are we looking at?- About 550,000.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Right, OK.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- There's a lot that you require.- Yes.
0:08:41 > 0:08:46I think we can service your requirements to a large extent.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49We've only got three opportunities. Let's get started.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- This way.- Lovely.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55'For their budget of £550,000,
0:08:55 > 0:08:59'Michael and Cathy are looking for a home that can also be a business.'
0:09:13 > 0:09:16'We've got three fantastic properties to show them
0:09:16 > 0:09:20'and at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price tag.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25'Last up will be our mystery house which could prove to be a ready-made delight,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28'but before that, we're off to house number one.'
0:09:34 > 0:09:37So whose idea was it to run a B&B?
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- The boss. - Oh, right, yours, was it, Cath?
0:09:40 > 0:09:46- Is this a long-held ambition? - Yeah, yeah.- Right. You've dealt with children all your working career.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52- Have you not had enough of people yet?- I have a naughty step, so it's going to be a very tailored B&B.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- OK...- Any nonsense, don't eat the boiled eggs, on the naughty step.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- It's going to be a disciplined B&B by the sounds of it.- Yes.
0:10:00 > 0:10:06'For our first property, we've made the journey close to the village of Wedmore, eight miles west of Wells.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11'When Michael needs to travel to London, he could catch the train from Weston-super-Mare or Bristol.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15'Situated on the Somerset Levels between the Rivers Axe and Brue,
0:10:15 > 0:10:22'Wedmore has an impressive Grade One listed church which mostly dates back to the 15th century.
0:10:22 > 0:10:27'Other amenities include a pub that serves food, a pizza restaurant and a local shop.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30'Set in a secluded position within the Mendip Hills,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34'in the nearby hamlet of Nyland is our first offering,
0:10:34 > 0:10:38'a former farmhouse built in the 1700s with an Edwardian extension.'
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Now then, for the first property, we're going semi-detached,
0:10:43 > 0:10:47but it's not your bog-standard semi-detached by any means.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50This is it. What's your first impression?
0:10:50 > 0:10:53- Neat shape.- Neat shape? - And it's got the views.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Fantastic views.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00It's not short on views. Behind that house are views of the Mendips.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- Yes.- Fantastic.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05So, what you see so far... Michael?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08I think it's...a good possibility.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12Let's go home now(!) I'll show you inside. Come on.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17'The great rural views are selling this property to Cathy right from the outset
0:11:17 > 0:11:23'and as we head inside, I'm going to show them a room I think they'll be spending a lot of time in.'
0:11:23 > 0:11:27I know this is a very important room for you guys.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Yeah, nice and light. Look at the space.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34- Almost Georgian in proportions, one might add.- One might say, yes.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36No, good start, lovely.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41Not only have you got your kitchen area, through there you've got a fantastic utility.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- There was an old dairy.- Oh! Fantastic.- And a ground floor loo.
0:11:45 > 0:11:50Through that archway there, you've got a really nice sun room, well, a conservatory.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- That sounds good.- Yes.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57I know we're looking at the B&B aspect as well, but this is about you guys.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01I think this part of the house is just yours. Forget about the guests.
0:12:01 > 0:12:07That conservatory room through there is a reading room or maybe a formal dining room, whatever you want.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11- This would be a good family room. - That's what I was thinking.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16'So far, the downstairs of this former farmhouse is really impressing them
0:12:16 > 0:12:21'and I think they'll love the character and history of the next room too.'
0:12:21 > 0:12:25You have a choice of reception rooms. This, I think, is just for you.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28This is a really old part of the property.
0:12:28 > 0:12:34A local historian has been here and the previous owners have passed down the same story
0:12:34 > 0:12:37that this could have been some form of chapel.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42It's got a lovely feel to the room. It's calm and I like that calmness.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Let's look upstairs at the bedrooms.
0:12:44 > 0:12:51'Across the hall from this sitting room is a formal dining room which could be a guests' breakfast area.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55'And we haven't forgotten that Michael will be working from home,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58'so there's a small study next door in a quiet corner,
0:12:58 > 0:13:03'but now for the upstairs which I think will give them more than they bargained for
0:13:03 > 0:13:06'with six bedrooms over two floors.'
0:13:06 > 0:13:12- This bedroom is by no means the biggest, but I think it's a good place to start.- It's a good size.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- Splendid views. - I mean, look at that view.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19- If you could wake up and see that in the morning...- Yes.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21- This is pure letting bedroom.- Yes.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25- It's got a small en-suite, basically a shower and a loo.- Yes.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28You've got room for a cabinet each side of the bed,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32which all the guides want you to have, and room for some storage.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- As a guest room, this is more than adequate.- I believe so.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38- Very good.- Fantastic. - We're up here on the first floor.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43You've got a much bigger room at the other end which is a fantastic en-suite.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48You could almost make that a family room. So, you've got two en-suites now.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53You also have two standard, smallish rooms you could knock into one and a smaller room next door,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- so you've got at least four bedrooms here.- Good.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00'With two en-suites as well as a family bathroom on this floor,
0:14:00 > 0:14:04'there are ample facilities for guests or family.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07'What's more, there's another stunning bedroom on the floor above
0:14:07 > 0:14:12'to which they could add an en-suite and let out or use as their master.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16'Let's head outside to take a look at the lovely, terraced garden
0:14:16 > 0:14:22'which comes with a double garage and a workshop that could be converted to an office for Michael.'
0:14:22 > 0:14:25So, you've got enough garden here, I'm hoping.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- Yes.- So, who wants to guess the price first?
0:14:28 > 0:14:30I think it's slightly over budget,
0:14:30 > 0:14:36- but not too far over budget, so I would say somewhere around about the £560,000 mark.- OK.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Cathy?- 540.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40Straight in.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Well, I've got some good news for you then.
0:14:43 > 0:14:49This house is on the market for offers around £499,950.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53- Oh, that's very good.- That's very good value for money.- It seems it.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- I'm surprised.- Have a good look around this house.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01Bear in mind how much money you might save from your budget and what changes you might make.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- I'll see you whenever you've finished.- Lovely.- See you in a mo.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Well within their budget at just under £500,000,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14this period farmhouse gets us off to a great start.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31The kitchen is very important to us.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35It had ample space, then with the utility room and the conservatory,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38it gave plenty of space to move around for family,
0:15:38 > 0:15:43so the ground floor gives us ample space to be running it as a business and for family use.
0:15:43 > 0:15:50The en-suite room on the first floor that is already made for guests, you've got the south aspect
0:15:50 > 0:15:54and people would be waking up in the morning to those beautiful views.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57I think it would be bringing people back to stay again.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Now then, how did you get on inside?
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- Very nice.- Still good? - Yes, still good.- Very much.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08It's testament to the hard work this guy's put into this place.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- In the last five years, after finding it derelict, he's spent £120,000 on it.- Good grief!
0:16:13 > 0:16:18- So, someone's going to benefit from that.- Yes.- Maybe it's you. Let's go.- Maybe.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Both on the coast and inland,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Somerset has been defined by its relationship to water.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44Coursing through every part of the county, it can be traced through the willow industry,
0:16:44 > 0:16:48its water mills and in the names of its spa towns, Bath and Wells.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53Nature has also carved out some spectacular geological sites here
0:16:53 > 0:16:57like the caves at Wookey Hole on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills.
0:16:57 > 0:17:03These were formed through erosion of the limestone by the River Axe and were once home to Ancient Britons.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06Today, they are a popular tourist attraction
0:17:06 > 0:17:10and as Cathy and Michael are looking to entice visitors to their new B&B,
0:17:10 > 0:17:14we sent them to have a look around with guide Mark O'Callaghan.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Do you know when the caves were first occupied by man?
0:17:17 > 0:17:23Yes, these caves were lived in 2,000 years ago or over 2,000 years ago by Iron Age people.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25They were known as the Celts
0:17:25 > 0:17:30until eventually, Anglo-Saxon invaders chased them away from the area.
0:17:30 > 0:17:36Once they abandoned the cave, it was empty then for a very long time
0:17:36 > 0:17:40until an old woman lived in the cave and that was over 1,000 years ago,
0:17:40 > 0:17:45- and it's around that old woman that the story of the Witch has grown up.- Right.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50Legend says she terrorised the villagers and crops would fail for no reason
0:17:50 > 0:17:56and people would disappear and it's said that the villagers decided to get rid of her.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00They summoned a monk from Glastonbury Abbey, a few miles away.
0:18:00 > 0:18:06After a fierce argument with the old woman, he picked up some water from one of the pools
0:18:06 > 0:18:10and blessed it, then threw that holy water upon the Witch
0:18:10 > 0:18:12and she turned to stone.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16As well as consigning the Witch to her mythical and watery fate,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19as supposedly illustrated by this effigy in rock,
0:18:19 > 0:18:25the river also provided the clean, high pH water that was so vital in the making of paper.
0:18:25 > 0:18:32This local mill has been in operation since 1610, making it the oldest paper mill in Britain.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35By Victorian times, it was also the largest in Europe,
0:18:35 > 0:18:39using cotton fibres in a pulpy mulch known as "stuff".
0:18:40 > 0:18:44So, the tool that we use to make the paper is called the mould.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46It's basically a very fine mesh
0:18:46 > 0:18:50with a frame that goes over the top called the deckle.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56If you'd like to hold the mould and the deckle there and dip it into the stuff,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59right underneath,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02then bring it up and give it a shake from side to side
0:19:02 > 0:19:05and the fibres join together on the surface of the mould.
0:19:05 > 0:19:11Then if you put it back here, Michael, and take the deckle off the top...
0:19:12 > 0:19:18And Cathy, if you'd like to now lay the sheet of paper on to the felt...
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Give it a firm press and then roll it off.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25- This way?- That's right.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27That's called couching the paper.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32This couching process would be repeated over and over again by the paper-maker
0:19:32 > 0:19:38until the pile had grown tall enough to place in a hydraulic press which squeezed out the excess water,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42then the paper would be hung on ropes to dry for around five days.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45What was the paper used for?
0:19:45 > 0:19:49In the old days, they used to make a lot of banknote paper
0:19:49 > 0:19:55and during the American Civil War, Wookey Hole made the banknotes for the Confederate States of America.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58The mill reached its peak of production in 1900,
0:19:58 > 0:20:03but by that time, most paper-making had already been mechanised.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06The last paper was made here around five years ago,
0:20:06 > 0:20:12so having experienced the taste of local history, it's time to fast-forward to the present
0:20:12 > 0:20:15as we resume Michael and Cathy's house search.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26'Our second property lies in the village of High Littleton.
0:20:26 > 0:20:33'For Michael's once-a-week commute, it's 20 minutes from his Bath to Paddington rail connection.
0:20:33 > 0:20:38'The community has a Grade Two listed church, as well as a local shop and post office.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42'There's also a pub which could be a useful draw for their B&B guests.
0:20:42 > 0:20:48'Our second property makes the most of the facilities on offer as it's right in the centre of the village.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52'Built around the 1840s, it's constructed of local Bath stone.'
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Now, this...
0:20:56 > 0:21:00- This is a completely different environment.- I like the windows.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04But let's talk about the location because that's the big thing,
0:21:04 > 0:21:10- right in the heart of the village with a main thoroughfare at the end of your drive.- Yes, I noticed.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14Let's see what it's like at the house.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16- For traffic noise?- Yes, yes.
0:21:16 > 0:21:21- Let's enjoy this house because it feels completely different. Let's go.- Let's go.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26'They built these houses with thick walls back in the 1840s,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30'so I know that Cathy and Michael will be pleasantly surprised
0:21:30 > 0:21:33'at how peaceful this robust stone property is inside.'
0:21:38 > 0:21:42So, straight into a pretty sizeable living room.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46- Mm-hm.- It's very big.- I like it. - I think it's a nice, light room.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49This probably would have been two rooms at least.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53You've got two huge fireplaces, almost inglenook in size.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58- So, one big living room.- Mm-hm. - Mm-hm.- Do you like the idea of that?
0:21:58 > 0:22:04If we were having this as a living space for ourselves and a facility for bed and breakfast people,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- then that would be a problem.- Yeah.
0:22:06 > 0:22:11I think you've got options. You might want to do something with this door here, but...
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Road noise?
0:22:14 > 0:22:16SILENCE
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- True.- Vastly different. - Isn't it?- It's very quiet.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- It is.- Yes.- It is.- OK. Let's look in the kitchen.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27'With their minds at rest about that aspect of the house,
0:22:27 > 0:22:32'we're taking a look at where all the culinary action will be taking place.'
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- Right, not as big as the first house's kitchen.- No.- No.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41- It's still a dining kitchen, but here's the thing, you've got a dining room straight off.- Yes.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- Oh!- That's a breakfast room or a dining room and you've got patio doors straight out,
0:22:46 > 0:22:50which means you keep your living room to yourself again.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55- Yes.- For a cook's kitchen, you've got it all. You've got a massive range.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57It's huge.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01It appears...a workable space and a good cook's area.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04It doesn't need any changes immediately.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08But here are where the options become apparent.
0:23:08 > 0:23:13Through that door there is another third of the property, an annexe, if you like.
0:23:13 > 0:23:19'I'll let them look at the annexe later, but they'll be impressed at the respite potential for carers.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24'There's plenty of space to relax in the reception room and it also has a small kitchen.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28'Upstairs, there's a bedroom, a small boxroom and a shower room.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32'There's access to the main house through this sitting room,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35'although it does have its own separate front door,
0:23:35 > 0:23:40'but we're going to take a look at what's on offer upstairs in the main house.'
0:23:41 > 0:23:46Right then, this is one of four bedrooms on this floor.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50- Right.- Mm-hm. A double. Very nice.- All doubles.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55- Two of the bedrooms are en-suite.- Fantastic.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- Then you've got a family bathroom almost behind you.- Right.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02This is ready to rock and roll for at least two of the bedrooms
0:24:02 > 0:24:08- if you had the family bathroom to yourself and one of the other bedrooms.- It's a lovely, light room.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13- Size-wise though, I think this is probably your best room.- Right.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16- We'll head down the stairs. - After you.- Thanks.
0:24:16 > 0:24:21'With the sleeping accommodation all mapped out, there's just one more element to resolve
0:24:21 > 0:24:28'and that's an office for Michael to work from home. Outside, I think we might have found just the thing.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33'Alongside a large garage and a lovely enclosed garden, there's a barn ripe for conversion.'
0:24:33 > 0:24:39- There's room for chickens. - That's all we ever need.- And there's room for Max the dog.- Perfect.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45- Michael, you're working one day a week up in London, then from home. - Four days a week at home.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50- How about converting that for an office? - That would be more than adequate.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54I'm glad you said that. Let's summarise what we've got here.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59We've got the big house with its annexe, then this outbuilding
0:24:59 > 0:25:03that is, to use estate agents' parlance, ripe for conversion.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05- Yes.- Yes.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09How do you price it? Right in the heart of a village...
0:25:09 > 0:25:15- Hopefully, it'll be under our budget and I would like it to be around 535, more said in hope.- OK.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19So, Cathy, 535 from Michael... Any advances?
0:25:19 > 0:25:24I think with the close proximity to Bath, we could be looking at top of budget - 550.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26Well, the asking price for this house
0:25:26 > 0:25:30is offers around £499,950.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32- No?- Again. Yeah.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- Heavens to Betsy! - That's unbelievable.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Good find, good find.- Yes.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42It is extraordinary to have this amount of property in this situation.
0:25:42 > 0:25:47- Now it's your opportunity to look around the whole property.- Yes.
0:25:47 > 0:25:53- I'll meet you when it's finished. I expect it to be dark when you're done! Do not worry.- Thank you.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- I'll catch you in a mo.- Thank you.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01Priced at just under £500,000, well within their budget,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04there's a great deal of house for their money here.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17Within the garden, there's an outbuilding,
0:26:17 > 0:26:20which could work as an office for Michael.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25The outside of the building is very attractive. It appealed to me very much.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29And I found it just a house that was asking me to come in, a home.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31It would work very well for a B&B
0:26:31 > 0:26:37and you could put a door back from the main reception areas directly into the breakfast room.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Nobody would have to come into the kitchen and see my mess.
0:26:40 > 0:26:46I must admit I'm slightly puzzled as to whether we would continue to have this as a bed and breakfast,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50allowing for the fact you have the annexe with its own catering area.
0:26:50 > 0:26:56And it may be that, after discussion with Cathy, that we use this part of the house purely for ourselves
0:26:56 > 0:26:59and the annexe as a letting area.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03- So, a big enough project for the future?- I think so, yes.
0:27:03 > 0:27:09- Has it given you something to compare against the first house? - Definitely.- Quite different.
0:27:09 > 0:27:14- Different feel, different components ticked.- Ticks is all we want to hear, isn't it?- Yes.
0:27:14 > 0:27:20- There's just enough light left to enjoy maybe a sunset on the drive home.- Lovely.- Let's go.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36'As evening falls over the stunning Somerset landscape,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40'it marks the end of a very positive first day's house-hunting.
0:27:42 > 0:27:48'Retired head teacher Cathy and husband Michael want to escape their busy London suburb
0:27:48 > 0:27:51'and run a B&B in the Somerset countryside.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56'So far, they've been impressed by a character farmhouse with lovely views
0:27:56 > 0:28:02'and seen the merits of a Victorian property set in the middle of a village, but coming up,
0:28:02 > 0:28:07- 'could the mystery house work its magic?' - Absolutely, completely surprised.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11'And I get to grips with Cheddaring, the county's iconic cheese.'
0:28:11 > 0:28:15It's like when I overcook my scrambled eggs!
0:28:17 > 0:28:23I'd like to think, last night, Cathy and Michael went to sleep pleasantly surprised at what they saw,
0:28:23 > 0:28:28having seen two properties that satisfied a lot of their extensive wish list,
0:28:28 > 0:28:32so this morning, I think we can afford to mix it up a little bit,
0:28:32 > 0:28:38ask our buyers to think laterally, which is what the mystery house is all about, isn't it?
0:28:39 > 0:28:45For our mystery property, we've strayed way out of their preferred search area,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48close to the town of Crewkerne near the Dorset border.
0:28:48 > 0:28:54The good news for Michael is that it still has convenient train links to London.
0:28:54 > 0:29:00The community has all the facilities of a lively market town with many shops and places to eat and drink,
0:29:00 > 0:29:04very appealing for any potential guests at Michael and Cathy's B&B.
0:29:04 > 0:29:09Our mystery property is a mile and a half out of town in the hamlet of Hewish.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13It's an impressive house built around 1638 from the local hamstone
0:29:13 > 0:29:18and this time, although the home might need a bit of renovation,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22we're giving them a business that's already up and running.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30Now, I have been looking forward to showing you this house and here we are.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35- It's lovely.- That is... - That's lovely.- ..stunning.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Gorgeous garden as well. - Yeah, it is, isn't it?
0:29:38 > 0:29:45So let's first of all focus on you, your new home. Is this somewhere you'd like to come home to?
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- Definitely.- Definitely.- I pretty much knew you would say that.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Let's go inside.
0:29:51 > 0:29:56'The period grandeur of this house clearly appeals to our buyers.
0:29:56 > 0:30:01'Inside, they'll find plenty of character, but there's a bit of work to do.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05'We'll take a look at our first reception area off the hallway.'
0:30:05 > 0:30:08OK, what do you make of this living room?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Well, it's cosy. In a good way, in a good way.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15Most people say "cosy" when they think "small", but it's not small.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19- No.- It's a nice-sized room, a nice open fire.
0:30:19 > 0:30:25You could be in here with a couple of friends, a glass of wine in front of the fire. Nice, usable space.
0:30:25 > 0:30:30Behind this, we've got a good-sized dining room. I think it's only for you guys still.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Yes, lovely view of the garden.
0:30:32 > 0:30:39OK, now, projects, a bit more than a little bit of work, are towards this end. Let me show you.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44'And here is where we find out just how open they are to doing some renovation.'
0:30:44 > 0:30:49You've got a space here. Keep that in mind when you see the kitchen.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- Yes.- I did say "projects".
0:30:51 > 0:30:54- Yes.- This is a project.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00- Bijou.- Compact and bijou, I believe, yes.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03Now, size-wise, tell me, Cathy...
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Aagh!- Yeah, I know.
0:31:06 > 0:31:12I was thinking, you've got a whole load of room behind this where you can build a new kitchen.
0:31:12 > 0:31:18- Oh, right.- You've got a utility and a downstairs shower room and some other rooms here.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- We could look at the whole footprint and work from there?- Yes.
0:31:21 > 0:31:26I wouldn't jump into things straight away, but I'd consult an architect.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32Yeah. Now, upstairs, you've got three really good-sized double bedrooms, one of which is en-suite,
0:31:32 > 0:31:37although I think at the moment that's just your accommodation still
0:31:37 > 0:31:40because this is an up-and-running B&B.
0:31:40 > 0:31:44- Fabulous.- Why don't I let you see that yourselves later?- Yes.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47- Let's go and take a look at the B&B, shall we?- Great.- OK.
0:31:49 > 0:31:55'Moving past the utility area, there's a separate dining room which would be perfect for guests
0:31:55 > 0:32:01'as the French doors lead across a courtyard to the annexe and I think this is really going to impress.'
0:32:06 > 0:32:09- DOOR CREAKS - Squeaky door, Michael's first job.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13- I like this.- I wasn't quite expecting this from the outside.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18Completely surprised, absolutely completely surprised.
0:32:18 > 0:32:23- Beams, but they work. - Yes, don't they just? This is the old cow barns.
0:32:23 > 0:32:29Next door is a twin room, slightly bigger, just as nice, maybe even nicer, you never know.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32I'm completely taken aback. Not what I expected at all.
0:32:32 > 0:32:38- These have en-suites? - Both letting bedrooms, this and next door, are en-suite.- Very good.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40I'm truly surprised.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Each room, she charges around £70 per night, B&B.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46That's a good rate. It's lovely.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51Careful what you wish for because sometimes a mystery property delivers it.
0:32:51 > 0:32:56'They've been stunned by the B&B rooms, but this property has so much more potential.
0:32:56 > 0:33:01'With the right permissions, this outbuilding could become another letting bedroom
0:33:01 > 0:33:03'or the place for Michael's office.'
0:33:03 > 0:33:05So, with that room next door there
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- and this here, it's a pottery, as you can see...- Yeah.
0:33:09 > 0:33:14- What I like is the mystery house is giving you here lots of options. - It is.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19But if you can and it's going to be a bit of a guess, let's have a guess of the price.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21It will be a guess.
0:33:21 > 0:33:25'The house stands in a plot of one third of an acre
0:33:25 > 0:33:27'and has a pretty, wrap-around garden.'
0:33:27 > 0:33:32- So, now, Cathy, you can see you've got space for your veggies...- Yes.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37- Maybe some chickens?- Yes. - Guests having fresh eggs in the morning would be nice.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- It would be fabulous.- Great. - So, how do you price this place?
0:33:43 > 0:33:45- I don't know.- Good luck. Good luck.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48I'd go 510.
0:33:48 > 0:33:49OK.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52- I was going to go 520.- OK.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Well, this time, you've gone under.
0:33:55 > 0:34:01The asking price for this house is this time slightly above your guesses - £545,000.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- Mm-hm.- All right?- Yes.
0:34:03 > 0:34:09But on speaking to the agents, they reckon they're expecting to settle just below the stamp duty threshold.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- Just below the 500?- Yeah, just below £500,000.- Very good.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14- No guarantees, but...- No.
0:34:14 > 0:34:19You would be getting an awful lot of property for that, wouldn't you?
0:34:19 > 0:34:23- We would.- And also an up-and-running income already.
0:34:23 > 0:34:28I'm sure you're dying to see the upstairs of the main house and look around all the property.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32- Go and do that now.- Thank you.- Take all the time you need.- Thank you.
0:34:36 > 0:34:41Under budget at £545,000, but with a good chance of success if they made a lower offer,
0:34:41 > 0:34:47our mystery house provides them with a generous home, as well as an up-and-running B&B.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52It includes a large sitting room, the potential to create Cathy's perfect kitchen,
0:34:52 > 0:34:56a useful guest breakfast room and three bedrooms for them
0:34:56 > 0:34:58with two existing letting rooms.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02Finally, there's loads of scope to develop the outbuilding
0:35:02 > 0:35:06into further accommodation or to use as an office for Michael.
0:35:06 > 0:35:13The mystery house looked absolutely fantastic. It was the kind of house I'd imagined having in the country.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18Overall, the house itself I would say would make a fantastic home for myself and Cathy.
0:35:18 > 0:35:24As we walked through the garden towards the B&B, it gave no hint at all to what was behind the doors.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28It's already an established business and would give immediate income,
0:35:28 > 0:35:31the sort of thing we would be proud to call our business.
0:35:32 > 0:35:38This house would be absolutely gorgeous in the summer with this red ivy.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42- It would be.- Fabulous.- So, all done? - Yes, thank you.- Let's go.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00'Somerset lays claim to a rich and varied food heritage,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03'ranging from Exmoor lamb to cider manufacture,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06'and of course, dairy produce.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10'Indeed, the area around Cheddar has been at the centre
0:36:10 > 0:36:13'of England's dairy industry since the 15th century.
0:36:13 > 0:36:19'Originally, cheese had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral in order to be called "Cheddar".
0:36:19 > 0:36:25'Today, just 14 makers are licensed to use the name "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar"
0:36:25 > 0:36:29'which under the EU has Protected Designation of Origin status.
0:36:29 > 0:36:35'I went to meet artisan cheese producer John Spencer who, since 2003, has been pivotal
0:36:35 > 0:36:39'in bringing Cheddar cheese production back to where it all started.'
0:36:39 > 0:36:44- The making of this Cheddar, it's called Cheddaring?- Part of the process is called Cheddaring.
0:36:44 > 0:36:49What cheesemaking is about is about turning a liquid into a solid,
0:36:49 > 0:36:52so Cheddaring squeezes even more moisture out of it.
0:36:52 > 0:36:57'As the biggest influence on the taste of the cheese comes from the milk,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00'John uses just one local farm as his main source.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02'After donning my protective overalls and hat,
0:37:02 > 0:37:06'I got involved in some hands-on, unmechanised cheesemaking.'
0:37:08 > 0:37:12So, I can see all this whey draining away. What's the next process?
0:37:12 > 0:37:16This is the start of Cheddaring, so we'll let it settle down a bit,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19then cut it into blocks and start turning it.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24- Now we need to leave it for about five or ten minutes and we'll come back to it.- OK.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28'Cheddaring is a continual process of manipulating the curd,
0:37:28 > 0:37:32'cutting it, turning it, piling it up and pressing it,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36'all this to ensure the maximum amount of whey is removed.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39'It was clearly popular with Scott of the Antarctic
0:37:39 > 0:37:45'who took 3,500 pounds of Cheddar cheese with him on his famous expedition in 1901.'
0:37:45 > 0:37:49It's got an amazing texture, like when I overcook my scrambled eggs.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53Yeah. You can see the difference in texture straight away.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- So, you do your Cheddaring. - Yeah.- Then...?
0:37:56 > 0:38:02Then you mill the cheese, which is ripping it up into small bits, so you can distribute salt in it.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07- It then gets shovelled into the moulds and then on to the press.- Right.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09That stays there overnight,
0:38:09 > 0:38:13then we take it out and we dip them in hot water.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16That's to make sure you've got a plastic-type surface,
0:38:16 > 0:38:21so when you put them back in the mould, you get a really nice, smooth finish on the rind.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23- It almost seals it?- That's right.
0:38:23 > 0:38:29Then the next day, you take them out and you dress them in muslin and you put them back on the press again,
0:38:29 > 0:38:35then the next day, you take them out, you cover them with butter or lard and they go in the store.
0:38:35 > 0:38:40'Some of the Cheddar cheese here is matured in the caves of Cheddar Gorge
0:38:40 > 0:38:43'just as local cheesemakers did centuries ago.'
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Why on earth are you storing it in a damp, dark cave?
0:38:46 > 0:38:52Because what you really want is a constant temperature which the caves give us,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55but you also want as high a humidity as you can get,
0:38:55 > 0:39:01so the water dripping through the limestone gives us virtually 100% humidity all year round.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05If I try this one, you'll probably find different textures coming out.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07So...just break a bit off.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10That's it.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16It's almost like... I don't know if I'm right.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20I had a tang straight away before I got the matured taste as well.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24You get one flavour, then another flavour. That's the unpasteurised milk.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28John, it's a fascinating process and a rather tasty one as well.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- Thank you for your time. - You're welcome.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42I'm sure that's tempted the taste buds of any cheese lovers out there.
0:39:42 > 0:39:48Time to catch up with our buyers to see if any of the properties we've chosen have matured in their minds.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57A huge move from the Big Smoke to Somerset...
0:39:57 > 0:40:00- Yes.- Have we put you off or are you even more enthused?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- Definitely enthused.- Good.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08Let's start at the beginning, the first house, very rural, half of a farmhouse, really.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10- Yes.- Yeah.- Fantastic views.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13There was far more to it than you initially thought.
0:40:13 > 0:40:19It wasn't a disjointed building, even though it was built in different periods.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22It was a really good-sized kitchen.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27It was possibly too isolated, just by the fact that there's only three or four houses around.
0:40:27 > 0:40:33- OK. So, like a pendulum, we swung the other way in the afternoon. - Completely the other way.
0:40:33 > 0:40:40It was in the heart of everything, within walking distance, completely different from the first location.
0:40:40 > 0:40:46I was quite worried when we were there that although when you're in the house, it's very quiet,
0:40:46 > 0:40:52on a summer's evening when you wanted to sit out in the garden, that road could be very, very busy.
0:40:52 > 0:40:54It was lovely. It was cosy, warm, homely.
0:40:54 > 0:40:59But once we'd seen the main body of the house, we went next door to the annexe.
0:40:59 > 0:41:06- It was almost a semi-detached bolted on.- Yes.- That was wonderful. - Yeah, very well done.
0:41:06 > 0:41:12So, hopefully, two houses to ponder yesterday evening, then we went to the mystery house today,
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- outside your target zone of around Wells.- Yes.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21It's a beautiful house and sitting so comfortably in its own surroundings, just lovely.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24It was a good bridge between the first two properties.
0:41:24 > 0:41:29- What about inside the house? - Inside, there's some work to be done.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32- Mm-hm.- But it's doable.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37There was definitely the potential to do stuff there and make it as we wanted it.
0:41:37 > 0:41:43Then it's an up-and-running bed and breakfast business, already two rooms you could let out.
0:41:43 > 0:41:49What a surprise when you walk in, no indication about what's on the other side of the door. It was stunning.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53We've looked at three very different properties in very different locations.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57- Do you have a favourite? - The mystery property.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01- Yeah?- Yes, definitely. It's an interesting project.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04It's a building with history that deserves to be cared for
0:42:04 > 0:42:08and it's a challenge that interests me.
0:42:08 > 0:42:13- So what's next for you guys? - We're going to go back and have a look round the area.- Good idea.
0:42:13 > 0:42:18If the area is as good as it feels, we'll have a second viewing.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Looking round the area is very sensible. Let us know what you do.
0:42:22 > 0:42:27- It's got us hooked.- Good. Job done. Good luck.- Thank you. - Thank you very much indeed.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36It probably doesn't come as a great surprise to hear
0:42:36 > 0:42:39that yesterday morning when we stood atop the Mendip Hills
0:42:39 > 0:42:45and I was listening to Cathy and Michael reel off their, how do I put it, extensive shopping list,
0:42:45 > 0:42:47I was more than a bit worried,
0:42:47 > 0:42:52but this morning, after taking them both away from their initial target search area
0:42:52 > 0:42:57and asking them to think laterally, which is what the mystery property is all about,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01I think we might have just cracked it. I certainly hope so.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03See you next time.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06If you'd like to escape to the country
0:43:06 > 0:43:10in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
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