Somerset Escape to the Country


Somerset

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In this gorge, the complete skeleton of a man that lived 9,000 years ago

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was discovered at the start of the 20th century.

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Find out what county I'm in and where our prehistoric ancestors called home in a few moments.

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'On today's show, I'm helping a retired head teacher and her husband start their new life in the country

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'by seeking out a house to use as a B&B with a difference.

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'Along the way, the value of one property has them gasping in disbelief.'

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-Heavens to Betsy!

-That's unbelievable.

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'But later on in our search, panic sets in.'

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Size-wise, tell me, Cathy...

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-Agh!

-Yeah.

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Today, I'm in Somerset and this is Cheddar Gorge

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which was formed over thousands of years by glacial floods at the end of the Ice Age.

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And it was here in 1903 that Cheddar Man, Britain's oldest intact skeleton, was unearthed,

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which suggests that the hollowed-out caverns inside provided shelter for our Stone Age ancestors.

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More recently, these same caverns provide the ideal storage conditions for Cheddar cheese

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and I'll get a whiff of what's involved in that process later on.

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First, here's a taste of Somerset's other historic highlights.

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Sitting in the south-west of England, Somerset borders four other counties,

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including Wiltshire to the east and Dorset to the south-east.

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It's home to three upland Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty -

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the Quantocks, the Blackdown Hills and the Mendips

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which attract mountain bikers, walkers and horse-riders.

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Cheddar Gorge, the biggest limestone gorge in Britain,

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is also a famed tourist attraction thanks to its caves,

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as well as being a national nature reserve.

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Agriculture is major business in the county.

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The farming of cattle and sheep for wool and the county's famous cheeses, most notably Cheddar,

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are traditional practices, as is the cultivation of willow for basketry.

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Somerset also boasts the smallest English city - Wells,

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whose 12th century cathedral was the first in England to be built in the Gothic style.

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And it's also where you'll find Vicars' Close

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which claims to be the most complete surviving medieval street in Europe.

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Buying a house here in Somerset can be an expensive business.

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The average price of a detached property here is around £265,000.

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That's around £10,000 above the national figure.

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Hot spots in the north-east of the county include beautiful Wells and Castle Cary

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where you're paying for good train links into London.

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Likewise, head to the south of the county and expect to pay a 10% premium for desirable villages

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such as Hinton St George and Dowlish Wake,

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so if you want your money to stretch that bit further, head to villages such as Ilton or Stoke-sub-Hamdon

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where prices are around 10% below the county average.

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No matter where you look, you're sure to find a wealth of period properties on offer.

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In Somerset, the ground under your feet is made up of different types of rock,

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depending on where you are in the county.

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Limestone, evident in the immense gorges around Cheddar, is by far the most prolific building material.

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The honey-coloured stone was used to construct great Georgian properties,

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as well as two-bed cottages which can be found for under £200,000.

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Pockets of sandstone are common in the south around the Quantocks and Blackdown Hills.

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Its reddish-pink colour means that any home built from this distinctive rock is eye-catching.

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This four-bed barn conversion with terracotta tiled roof in Burrington

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is priced at £710,000.

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Or if you prefer to live in a cool, blue property made of Blue Lias stone,

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then head towards the levels around Glastonbury or the Polden Hills.

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Currently on the market for just under £450,000,

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this five-bed period cottage in Pedwell is typical of the area.

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Time to meet today's buyers to find out what will tempt them to this county.

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Accountant Michael and retired head teacher Cathy have been married for over 30 years

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and have brought up their three children in Dulwich, South London.

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They've lived in their four-bedroom, Edwardian house all of that time, but encouraged by their family,

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they're looking for a change of scenery in the country as they spend more time together.

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I am retired and I'm hoping to start enjoying retirement, especially with a move on the cards

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and seeing a bit more of Michael, although, of course, that could be disastrous.

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The idea is that when we move I'm going to start working from home

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and so far, Cathy's been finding me sheds at the bottom of the garden.

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The idea is that I will go to work, not just be in the house.

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There'll be more than just Michael's work in their new property.

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They're planning on taking in paying guests too.

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We've always wanted to do a B&B

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and I think it's a good sort of halfway house for me

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in that I would have an opportunity to be with people, but they won't be there all the time.

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And we would love to be able to offer respite care because both our families have had situations

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where somebody has been a very long-term carer for somebody who has been very ill

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and we've seen how the commitment isn't always balanced out

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with opportunity for respite for the carer,

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so we would like to be able to offer that as part of the package.

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The idea of the B&B is business plan A to subsidise business plan B which is the respite.

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We would be looking to rent out two rooms because you don't want to run yourselves down into the ground

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when you're trying to retire or enjoy life.

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They've settled on the county of Somerset for their new venture

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as it's a doable commute from London once a week for Michael

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and they'll be making the most of their time off too, inside and out.

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-Now I have a bit more time for gardening.

-I'm good at digging holes.

-And you're getting better at weeding.

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I love cooking and I've done a butchery course.

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I've done a floristry course to keep myself busy, but I'd like to do a bit more butchery.

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I don't like touching raw meat, so, actually, it's quite a challenge.

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Making the move with them will be their dog Max who they hope will play a part in their new community.

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What I'd like to do is find a special needs school and take the dog in there

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because I qualified in special needs and I think it will be great,

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so that will link my teaching with having the dog as well.

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Their house is on the market and Michael knows what's in the wallet for the next phase of their lives.

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The budget for the move is £550,000.

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'Michael and Cathy would like their new rural home to be in the areas around the cities of Bath or Wells.

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'They'll need a good rail link for Michael to have a maximum two-hour commute to London once a week.

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'They've come to Somerset to give me a clear picture of what they want from their new home in the country.'

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-Welcome to a very bright, if not a bit breezy Somerset.

-Thank you very much.

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It's beautiful round here. Let's talk about the environment of this home for you and B&B.

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Do you want it in the middle of this beautiful countryside or close to a population?

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We'd like to be in or on the edge of a village purely because we'd like some facilities available.

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-How many bedrooms do you want for your own accommodation?

-Four bedrooms would be a good number.

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Let's briefly talk about the must-haves.

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It must have room for a large cooker. I'll leave my range behind in London.

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-So we're looking for a substantial property then?

-Yes.

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So it's going to be a four, five-bedroom house or a house with an annexe? Would you look at that?

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-Yes.

-We certainly would.

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-Let's talk about budget. It's not a cheap part of the world. What are we looking at?

-About 550,000.

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Right, OK.

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-There's a lot that you require.

-Yes.

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I think we can service your requirements to a large extent.

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We've only got three opportunities. Let's get started.

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-This way.

-Lovely.

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'For their budget of £550,000,

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'Michael and Cathy are looking for a home that can also be a business.'

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'We've got three fantastic properties to show them

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'and at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price tag.

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'Last up will be our mystery house which could prove to be a ready-made delight,

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'but before that, we're off to house number one.'

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So whose idea was it to run a B&B?

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-The boss.

-Oh, right, yours, was it, Cath?

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-Is this a long-held ambition?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Right. You've dealt with children all your working career.

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-Have you not had enough of people yet?

-I have a naughty step, so it's going to be a very tailored B&B.

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-OK...

-Any nonsense, don't eat the boiled eggs, on the naughty step.

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-It's going to be a disciplined B&B by the sounds of it.

-Yes.

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'For our first property, we've made the journey close to the village of Wedmore, eight miles west of Wells.

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'When Michael needs to travel to London, he could catch the train from Weston-super-Mare or Bristol.

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'Situated on the Somerset Levels between the Rivers Axe and Brue,

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'Wedmore has an impressive Grade One listed church which mostly dates back to the 15th century.

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'Other amenities include a pub that serves food, a pizza restaurant and a local shop.

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'Set in a secluded position within the Mendip Hills,

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'in the nearby hamlet of Nyland is our first offering,

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'a former farmhouse built in the 1700s with an Edwardian extension.'

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Now then, for the first property, we're going semi-detached,

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but it's not your bog-standard semi-detached by any means.

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This is it. What's your first impression?

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-Neat shape.

-Neat shape?

-And it's got the views.

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Fantastic views.

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It's not short on views. Behind that house are views of the Mendips.

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-Yes.

-Fantastic.

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So, what you see so far... Michael?

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I think it's...a good possibility.

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Let's go home now(!) I'll show you inside. Come on.

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'The great rural views are selling this property to Cathy right from the outset

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'and as we head inside, I'm going to show them a room I think they'll be spending a lot of time in.'

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I know this is a very important room for you guys.

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Yeah, nice and light. Look at the space.

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-Almost Georgian in proportions, one might add.

-One might say, yes.

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No, good start, lovely.

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Not only have you got your kitchen area, through there you've got a fantastic utility.

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-There was an old dairy.

-Oh! Fantastic.

-And a ground floor loo.

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Through that archway there, you've got a really nice sun room, well, a conservatory.

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-That sounds good.

-Yes.

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I know we're looking at the B&B aspect as well, but this is about you guys.

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I think this part of the house is just yours. Forget about the guests.

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That conservatory room through there is a reading room or maybe a formal dining room, whatever you want.

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-This would be a good family room.

-That's what I was thinking.

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'So far, the downstairs of this former farmhouse is really impressing them

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'and I think they'll love the character and history of the next room too.'

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You have a choice of reception rooms. This, I think, is just for you.

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This is a really old part of the property.

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A local historian has been here and the previous owners have passed down the same story

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that this could have been some form of chapel.

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It's got a lovely feel to the room. It's calm and I like that calmness.

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Let's look upstairs at the bedrooms.

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'Across the hall from this sitting room is a formal dining room which could be a guests' breakfast area.

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'And we haven't forgotten that Michael will be working from home,

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'so there's a small study next door in a quiet corner,

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'but now for the upstairs which I think will give them more than they bargained for

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'with six bedrooms over two floors.'

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-This bedroom is by no means the biggest, but I think it's a good place to start.

-It's a good size.

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-Splendid views.

-I mean, look at that view.

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-If you could wake up and see that in the morning...

-Yes.

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-This is pure letting bedroom.

-Yes.

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-It's got a small en-suite, basically a shower and a loo.

-Yes.

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You've got room for a cabinet each side of the bed,

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which all the guides want you to have, and room for some storage.

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-As a guest room, this is more than adequate.

-I believe so.

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-Very good.

-Fantastic.

-We're up here on the first floor.

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You've got a much bigger room at the other end which is a fantastic en-suite.

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You could almost make that a family room. So, you've got two en-suites now.

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You also have two standard, smallish rooms you could knock into one and a smaller room next door,

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-so you've got at least four bedrooms here.

-Good.

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'With two en-suites as well as a family bathroom on this floor,

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'there are ample facilities for guests or family.

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'What's more, there's another stunning bedroom on the floor above

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'to which they could add an en-suite and let out or use as their master.

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'Let's head outside to take a look at the lovely, terraced garden

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'which comes with a double garage and a workshop that could be converted to an office for Michael.'

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So, you've got enough garden here, I'm hoping.

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-Yes.

-So, who wants to guess the price first?

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I think it's slightly over budget,

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-but not too far over budget, so I would say somewhere around about the £560,000 mark.

-OK.

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-Cathy?

-540.

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Straight in.

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Well, I've got some good news for you then.

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This house is on the market for offers around £499,950.

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-Oh, that's very good.

-That's very good value for money.

-It seems it.

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-I'm surprised.

-Have a good look around this house.

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Bear in mind how much money you might save from your budget and what changes you might make.

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-I'll see you whenever you've finished.

-Lovely.

-See you in a mo.

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Well within their budget at just under £500,000,

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this period farmhouse gets us off to a great start.

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The kitchen is very important to us.

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It had ample space, then with the utility room and the conservatory,

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it gave plenty of space to move around for family,

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so the ground floor gives us ample space to be running it as a business and for family use.

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The en-suite room on the first floor that is already made for guests, you've got the south aspect

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and people would be waking up in the morning to those beautiful views.

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I think it would be bringing people back to stay again.

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Now then, how did you get on inside?

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-Very nice.

-Still good?

-Yes, still good.

-Very much.

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It's testament to the hard work this guy's put into this place.

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-In the last five years, after finding it derelict, he's spent £120,000 on it.

-Good grief!

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-So, someone's going to benefit from that.

-Yes.

-Maybe it's you. Let's go.

-Maybe.

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Both on the coast and inland,

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Somerset has been defined by its relationship to water.

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Coursing through every part of the county, it can be traced through the willow industry,

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its water mills and in the names of its spa towns, Bath and Wells.

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Nature has also carved out some spectacular geological sites here

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like the caves at Wookey Hole on the southern edge of the Mendip Hills.

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These were formed through erosion of the limestone by the River Axe and were once home to Ancient Britons.

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Today, they are a popular tourist attraction

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and as Cathy and Michael are looking to entice visitors to their new B&B,

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we sent them to have a look around with guide Mark O'Callaghan.

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Do you know when the caves were first occupied by man?

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Yes, these caves were lived in 2,000 years ago or over 2,000 years ago by Iron Age people.

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They were known as the Celts

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until eventually, Anglo-Saxon invaders chased them away from the area.

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Once they abandoned the cave, it was empty then for a very long time

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until an old woman lived in the cave and that was over 1,000 years ago,

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-and it's around that old woman that the story of the Witch has grown up.

-Right.

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Legend says she terrorised the villagers and crops would fail for no reason

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and people would disappear and it's said that the villagers decided to get rid of her.

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They summoned a monk from Glastonbury Abbey, a few miles away.

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After a fierce argument with the old woman, he picked up some water from one of the pools

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and blessed it, then threw that holy water upon the Witch

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and she turned to stone.

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As well as consigning the Witch to her mythical and watery fate,

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as supposedly illustrated by this effigy in rock,

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the river also provided the clean, high pH water that was so vital in the making of paper.

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This local mill has been in operation since 1610, making it the oldest paper mill in Britain.

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By Victorian times, it was also the largest in Europe,

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using cotton fibres in a pulpy mulch known as "stuff".

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So, the tool that we use to make the paper is called the mould.

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It's basically a very fine mesh

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with a frame that goes over the top called the deckle.

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If you'd like to hold the mould and the deckle there and dip it into the stuff,

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right underneath,

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then bring it up and give it a shake from side to side

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and the fibres join together on the surface of the mould.

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Then if you put it back here, Michael, and take the deckle off the top...

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And Cathy, if you'd like to now lay the sheet of paper on to the felt...

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Give it a firm press and then roll it off.

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-This way?

-That's right.

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That's called couching the paper.

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This couching process would be repeated over and over again by the paper-maker

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until the pile had grown tall enough to place in a hydraulic press which squeezed out the excess water,

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then the paper would be hung on ropes to dry for around five days.

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What was the paper used for?

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In the old days, they used to make a lot of banknote paper

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and during the American Civil War, Wookey Hole made the banknotes for the Confederate States of America.

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The mill reached its peak of production in 1900,

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but by that time, most paper-making had already been mechanised.

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The last paper was made here around five years ago,

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so having experienced the taste of local history, it's time to fast-forward to the present

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as we resume Michael and Cathy's house search.

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'Our second property lies in the village of High Littleton.

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'For Michael's once-a-week commute, it's 20 minutes from his Bath to Paddington rail connection.

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'The community has a Grade Two listed church, as well as a local shop and post office.

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'There's also a pub which could be a useful draw for their B&B guests.

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'Our second property makes the most of the facilities on offer as it's right in the centre of the village.

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'Built around the 1840s, it's constructed of local Bath stone.'

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Now, this...

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-This is a completely different environment.

-I like the windows.

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But let's talk about the location because that's the big thing,

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-right in the heart of the village with a main thoroughfare at the end of your drive.

-Yes, I noticed.

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Let's see what it's like at the house.

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-For traffic noise?

-Yes, yes.

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-Let's enjoy this house because it feels completely different. Let's go.

-Let's go.

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'They built these houses with thick walls back in the 1840s,

0:21:220:21:26

'so I know that Cathy and Michael will be pleasantly surprised

0:21:260:21:30

'at how peaceful this robust stone property is inside.'

0:21:300:21:33

So, straight into a pretty sizeable living room.

0:21:380:21:42

-Mm-hm.

-It's very big.

-I like it.

-I think it's a nice, light room.

0:21:420:21:46

This probably would have been two rooms at least.

0:21:460:21:49

You've got two huge fireplaces, almost inglenook in size.

0:21:490:21:53

-So, one big living room.

-Mm-hm.

-Mm-hm.

-Do you like the idea of that?

0:21:530:21:58

If we were having this as a living space for ourselves and a facility for bed and breakfast people,

0:21:580:22:04

-then that would be a problem.

-Yeah.

0:22:040:22:06

I think you've got options. You might want to do something with this door here, but...

0:22:060:22:11

Road noise?

0:22:110:22:14

SILENCE

0:22:140:22:16

-True.

-Vastly different.

-Isn't it?

-It's very quiet.

0:22:160:22:19

-It is.

-Yes.

-It is.

-OK. Let's look in the kitchen.

0:22:190:22:23

'With their minds at rest about that aspect of the house,

0:22:230:22:27

'we're taking a look at where all the culinary action will be taking place.'

0:22:270:22:32

-Right, not as big as the first house's kitchen.

-No.

-No.

0:22:320:22:36

-It's still a dining kitchen, but here's the thing, you've got a dining room straight off.

-Yes.

0:22:360:22:41

-Oh!

-That's a breakfast room or a dining room and you've got patio doors straight out,

0:22:410:22:46

which means you keep your living room to yourself again.

0:22:460:22:50

-Yes.

-For a cook's kitchen, you've got it all. You've got a massive range.

0:22:500:22:55

It's huge.

0:22:550:22:57

It appears...a workable space and a good cook's area.

0:22:570:23:01

It doesn't need any changes immediately.

0:23:010:23:04

But here are where the options become apparent.

0:23:040:23:08

Through that door there is another third of the property, an annexe, if you like.

0:23:080:23:13

'I'll let them look at the annexe later, but they'll be impressed at the respite potential for carers.

0:23:130:23:19

'There's plenty of space to relax in the reception room and it also has a small kitchen.

0:23:190:23:24

'Upstairs, there's a bedroom, a small boxroom and a shower room.

0:23:240:23:28

'There's access to the main house through this sitting room,

0:23:280:23:32

'although it does have its own separate front door,

0:23:320:23:35

'but we're going to take a look at what's on offer upstairs in the main house.'

0:23:350:23:40

Right then, this is one of four bedrooms on this floor.

0:23:410:23:46

-Right.

-Mm-hm. A double. Very nice.

-All doubles.

0:23:460:23:50

-Two of the bedrooms are en-suite.

-Fantastic.

0:23:500:23:55

-Then you've got a family bathroom almost behind you.

-Right.

0:23:550:23:58

This is ready to rock and roll for at least two of the bedrooms

0:23:580:24:02

-if you had the family bathroom to yourself and one of the other bedrooms.

-It's a lovely, light room.

0:24:020:24:08

-Size-wise though, I think this is probably your best room.

-Right.

0:24:080:24:13

-We'll head down the stairs.

-After you.

-Thanks.

0:24:130:24:16

'With the sleeping accommodation all mapped out, there's just one more element to resolve

0:24:160:24:21

'and that's an office for Michael to work from home. Outside, I think we might have found just the thing.

0:24:210:24:28

'Alongside a large garage and a lovely enclosed garden, there's a barn ripe for conversion.'

0:24:280:24:33

-There's room for chickens.

-That's all we ever need.

-And there's room for Max the dog.

-Perfect.

0:24:330:24:39

-Michael, you're working one day a week up in London, then from home.

-Four days a week at home.

0:24:390:24:45

-How about converting that for an office?

-That would be more than adequate.

0:24:450:24:50

I'm glad you said that. Let's summarise what we've got here.

0:24:500:24:54

We've got the big house with its annexe, then this outbuilding

0:24:540:24:59

that is, to use estate agents' parlance, ripe for conversion.

0:24:590:25:03

-Yes.

-Yes.

0:25:030:25:05

How do you price it? Right in the heart of a village...

0:25:050:25:09

-Hopefully, it'll be under our budget and I would like it to be around 535, more said in hope.

-OK.

0:25:090:25:15

So, Cathy, 535 from Michael... Any advances?

0:25:150:25:19

I think with the close proximity to Bath, we could be looking at top of budget - 550.

0:25:190:25:24

Well, the asking price for this house

0:25:240:25:26

is offers around £499,950.

0:25:260:25:30

-No?

-Again. Yeah.

0:25:300:25:32

-Heavens to Betsy!

-That's unbelievable.

0:25:320:25:35

-Good find, good find.

-Yes.

0:25:350:25:38

It is extraordinary to have this amount of property in this situation.

0:25:380:25:42

-Now it's your opportunity to look around the whole property.

-Yes.

0:25:420:25:47

-I'll meet you when it's finished. I expect it to be dark when you're done! Do not worry.

-Thank you.

0:25:470:25:53

-I'll catch you in a mo.

-Thank you.

0:25:530:25:56

Priced at just under £500,000, well within their budget,

0:25:570:26:01

there's a great deal of house for their money here.

0:26:010:26:04

Within the garden, there's an outbuilding,

0:26:140:26:17

which could work as an office for Michael.

0:26:170:26:20

The outside of the building is very attractive. It appealed to me very much.

0:26:200:26:25

And I found it just a house that was asking me to come in, a home.

0:26:250:26:29

It would work very well for a B&B

0:26:290:26:31

and you could put a door back from the main reception areas directly into the breakfast room.

0:26:310:26:37

Nobody would have to come into the kitchen and see my mess.

0:26:370:26:40

I must admit I'm slightly puzzled as to whether we would continue to have this as a bed and breakfast,

0:26:400:26:46

allowing for the fact you have the annexe with its own catering area.

0:26:460:26:50

And it may be that, after discussion with Cathy, that we use this part of the house purely for ourselves

0:26:500:26:56

and the annexe as a letting area.

0:26:560:26:59

-So, a big enough project for the future?

-I think so, yes.

0:26:590:27:03

-Has it given you something to compare against the first house?

-Definitely.

-Quite different.

0:27:030:27:09

-Different feel, different components ticked.

-Ticks is all we want to hear, isn't it?

-Yes.

0:27:090:27:14

-There's just enough light left to enjoy maybe a sunset on the drive home.

-Lovely.

-Let's go.

0:27:140:27:20

'As evening falls over the stunning Somerset landscape,

0:27:320:27:36

'it marks the end of a very positive first day's house-hunting.

0:27:360:27:40

'Retired head teacher Cathy and husband Michael want to escape their busy London suburb

0:27:420:27:48

'and run a B&B in the Somerset countryside.

0:27:480:27:51

'So far, they've been impressed by a character farmhouse with lovely views

0:27:510:27:56

'and seen the merits of a Victorian property set in the middle of a village, but coming up,

0:27:560:28:02

-'could the mystery house work its magic?'

-Absolutely, completely surprised.

0:28:020:28:07

'And I get to grips with Cheddaring, the county's iconic cheese.'

0:28:070:28:11

It's like when I overcook my scrambled eggs!

0:28:110:28:15

I'd like to think, last night, Cathy and Michael went to sleep pleasantly surprised at what they saw,

0:28:170:28:23

having seen two properties that satisfied a lot of their extensive wish list,

0:28:230:28:28

so this morning, I think we can afford to mix it up a little bit,

0:28:280:28:32

ask our buyers to think laterally, which is what the mystery house is all about, isn't it?

0:28:320:28:38

For our mystery property, we've strayed way out of their preferred search area,

0:28:390:28:45

close to the town of Crewkerne near the Dorset border.

0:28:450:28:48

The good news for Michael is that it still has convenient train links to London.

0:28:480:28:54

The community has all the facilities of a lively market town with many shops and places to eat and drink,

0:28:540:29:00

very appealing for any potential guests at Michael and Cathy's B&B.

0:29:000:29:04

Our mystery property is a mile and a half out of town in the hamlet of Hewish.

0:29:040:29:09

It's an impressive house built around 1638 from the local hamstone

0:29:090:29:13

and this time, although the home might need a bit of renovation,

0:29:130:29:18

we're giving them a business that's already up and running.

0:29:180:29:22

Now, I have been looking forward to showing you this house and here we are.

0:29:250:29:30

-It's lovely.

-That is...

-That's lovely.

-..stunning.

0:29:300:29:35

-Gorgeous garden as well.

-Yeah, it is, isn't it?

0:29:350:29:38

So let's first of all focus on you, your new home. Is this somewhere you'd like to come home to?

0:29:380:29:45

-Definitely.

-Definitely.

-I pretty much knew you would say that.

0:29:450:29:49

Let's go inside.

0:29:490:29:51

'The period grandeur of this house clearly appeals to our buyers.

0:29:510:29:56

'Inside, they'll find plenty of character, but there's a bit of work to do.

0:29:560:30:01

'We'll take a look at our first reception area off the hallway.'

0:30:010:30:05

OK, what do you make of this living room?

0:30:050:30:08

Well, it's cosy. In a good way, in a good way.

0:30:080:30:11

Most people say "cosy" when they think "small", but it's not small.

0:30:110:30:15

-No.

-It's a nice-sized room, a nice open fire.

0:30:150:30:19

You could be in here with a couple of friends, a glass of wine in front of the fire. Nice, usable space.

0:30:190:30:25

Behind this, we've got a good-sized dining room. I think it's only for you guys still.

0:30:250:30:30

Yes, lovely view of the garden.

0:30:300:30:32

OK, now, projects, a bit more than a little bit of work, are towards this end. Let me show you.

0:30:320:30:39

'And here is where we find out just how open they are to doing some renovation.'

0:30:390:30:44

You've got a space here. Keep that in mind when you see the kitchen.

0:30:440:30:49

-Yes.

-I did say "projects".

0:30:490:30:51

-Yes.

-This is a project.

0:30:510:30:54

-Bijou.

-Compact and bijou, I believe, yes.

0:30:550:31:00

Now, size-wise, tell me, Cathy...

0:31:000:31:03

-Aagh!

-Yeah, I know.

0:31:030:31:06

I was thinking, you've got a whole load of room behind this where you can build a new kitchen.

0:31:060:31:12

-Oh, right.

-You've got a utility and a downstairs shower room and some other rooms here.

0:31:120:31:18

-We could look at the whole footprint and work from there?

-Yes.

0:31:180:31:21

I wouldn't jump into things straight away, but I'd consult an architect.

0:31:210:31:26

Yeah. Now, upstairs, you've got three really good-sized double bedrooms, one of which is en-suite,

0:31:260:31:32

although I think at the moment that's just your accommodation still

0:31:320:31:37

because this is an up-and-running B&B.

0:31:370:31:40

-Fabulous.

-Why don't I let you see that yourselves later?

-Yes.

0:31:400:31:44

-Let's go and take a look at the B&B, shall we?

-Great.

-OK.

0:31:440:31:47

'Moving past the utility area, there's a separate dining room which would be perfect for guests

0:31:490:31:55

'as the French doors lead across a courtyard to the annexe and I think this is really going to impress.'

0:31:550:32:01

-DOOR CREAKS

-Squeaky door, Michael's first job.

0:32:060:32:09

-I like this.

-I wasn't quite expecting this from the outside.

0:32:090:32:13

Completely surprised, absolutely completely surprised.

0:32:130:32:18

-Beams, but they work.

-Yes, don't they just? This is the old cow barns.

0:32:180:32:23

Next door is a twin room, slightly bigger, just as nice, maybe even nicer, you never know.

0:32:230:32:29

I'm completely taken aback. Not what I expected at all.

0:32:290:32:32

-These have en-suites?

-Both letting bedrooms, this and next door, are en-suite.

-Very good.

0:32:320:32:38

I'm truly surprised.

0:32:380:32:40

Each room, she charges around £70 per night, B&B.

0:32:400:32:44

That's a good rate. It's lovely.

0:32:440:32:46

Careful what you wish for because sometimes a mystery property delivers it.

0:32:460:32:51

'They've been stunned by the B&B rooms, but this property has so much more potential.

0:32:510:32:56

'With the right permissions, this outbuilding could become another letting bedroom

0:32:560:33:01

'or the place for Michael's office.'

0:33:010:33:03

So, with that room next door there

0:33:030:33:05

-and this here, it's a pottery, as you can see...

-Yeah.

0:33:050:33:09

-What I like is the mystery house is giving you here lots of options.

-It is.

0:33:090:33:14

But if you can and it's going to be a bit of a guess, let's have a guess of the price.

0:33:140:33:19

It will be a guess.

0:33:190:33:21

'The house stands in a plot of one third of an acre

0:33:210:33:25

'and has a pretty, wrap-around garden.'

0:33:250:33:27

-So, now, Cathy, you can see you've got space for your veggies...

-Yes.

0:33:270:33:32

-Maybe some chickens?

-Yes.

-Guests having fresh eggs in the morning would be nice.

0:33:320:33:37

-It would be fabulous.

-Great.

-So, how do you price this place?

0:33:370:33:41

-I don't know.

-Good luck. Good luck.

0:33:430:33:45

I'd go 510.

0:33:450:33:48

OK.

0:33:480:33:49

-I was going to go 520.

-OK.

0:33:490:33:52

Well, this time, you've gone under.

0:33:520:33:55

The asking price for this house is this time slightly above your guesses - £545,000.

0:33:550:34:01

-Mm-hm.

-All right?

-Yes.

0:34:010:34:03

But on speaking to the agents, they reckon they're expecting to settle just below the stamp duty threshold.

0:34:030:34:09

-Just below the 500?

-Yeah, just below £500,000.

-Very good.

0:34:090:34:12

-No guarantees, but...

-No.

0:34:120:34:14

You would be getting an awful lot of property for that, wouldn't you?

0:34:140:34:19

-We would.

-And also an up-and-running income already.

0:34:190:34:23

I'm sure you're dying to see the upstairs of the main house and look around all the property.

0:34:230:34:28

-Go and do that now.

-Thank you.

-Take all the time you need.

-Thank you.

0:34:280:34:32

Under budget at £545,000, but with a good chance of success if they made a lower offer,

0:34:360:34:41

our mystery house provides them with a generous home, as well as an up-and-running B&B.

0:34:410:34:47

It includes a large sitting room, the potential to create Cathy's perfect kitchen,

0:34:470:34:52

a useful guest breakfast room and three bedrooms for them

0:34:520:34:56

with two existing letting rooms.

0:34:560:34:58

Finally, there's loads of scope to develop the outbuilding

0:34:580:35:02

into further accommodation or to use as an office for Michael.

0:35:020:35:06

The mystery house looked absolutely fantastic. It was the kind of house I'd imagined having in the country.

0:35:060:35:13

Overall, the house itself I would say would make a fantastic home for myself and Cathy.

0:35:130:35:18

As we walked through the garden towards the B&B, it gave no hint at all to what was behind the doors.

0:35:180:35:24

It's already an established business and would give immediate income,

0:35:240:35:28

the sort of thing we would be proud to call our business.

0:35:280:35:31

This house would be absolutely gorgeous in the summer with this red ivy.

0:35:320:35:38

-It would be.

-Fabulous.

-So, all done?

-Yes, thank you.

-Let's go.

0:35:380:35:42

'Somerset lays claim to a rich and varied food heritage,

0:35:560:36:00

'ranging from Exmoor lamb to cider manufacture,

0:36:000:36:03

'and of course, dairy produce.

0:36:030:36:06

'Indeed, the area around Cheddar has been at the centre

0:36:060:36:10

'of England's dairy industry since the 15th century.

0:36:100:36:13

'Originally, cheese had to be made within 30 miles of Wells Cathedral in order to be called "Cheddar".

0:36:130:36:19

'Today, just 14 makers are licensed to use the name "West Country Farmhouse Cheddar"

0:36:190:36:25

'which under the EU has Protected Designation of Origin status.

0:36:250:36:29

'I went to meet artisan cheese producer John Spencer who, since 2003, has been pivotal

0:36:290:36:35

'in bringing Cheddar cheese production back to where it all started.'

0:36:350:36:39

-The making of this Cheddar, it's called Cheddaring?

-Part of the process is called Cheddaring.

0:36:390:36:44

What cheesemaking is about is about turning a liquid into a solid,

0:36:440:36:49

so Cheddaring squeezes even more moisture out of it.

0:36:490:36:52

'As the biggest influence on the taste of the cheese comes from the milk,

0:36:520:36:57

'John uses just one local farm as his main source.

0:36:570:37:00

'After donning my protective overalls and hat,

0:37:000:37:02

'I got involved in some hands-on, unmechanised cheesemaking.'

0:37:020:37:06

So, I can see all this whey draining away. What's the next process?

0:37:080:37:12

This is the start of Cheddaring, so we'll let it settle down a bit,

0:37:120:37:16

then cut it into blocks and start turning it.

0:37:160:37:19

-Now we need to leave it for about five or ten minutes and we'll come back to it.

-OK.

0:37:190:37:24

'Cheddaring is a continual process of manipulating the curd,

0:37:240:37:28

'cutting it, turning it, piling it up and pressing it,

0:37:280:37:32

'all this to ensure the maximum amount of whey is removed.

0:37:320:37:36

'It was clearly popular with Scott of the Antarctic

0:37:360:37:39

'who took 3,500 pounds of Cheddar cheese with him on his famous expedition in 1901.'

0:37:390:37:45

It's got an amazing texture, like when I overcook my scrambled eggs.

0:37:450:37:49

Yeah. You can see the difference in texture straight away.

0:37:490:37:53

-So, you do your Cheddaring.

-Yeah.

-Then...?

0:37:530:37:56

Then you mill the cheese, which is ripping it up into small bits, so you can distribute salt in it.

0:37:560:38:02

-It then gets shovelled into the moulds and then on to the press.

-Right.

0:38:020:38:07

That stays there overnight,

0:38:070:38:09

then we take it out and we dip them in hot water.

0:38:090:38:13

That's to make sure you've got a plastic-type surface,

0:38:130:38:16

so when you put them back in the mould, you get a really nice, smooth finish on the rind.

0:38:160:38:21

-It almost seals it?

-That's right.

0:38:210:38:23

Then the next day, you take them out and you dress them in muslin and you put them back on the press again,

0:38:230:38:29

then the next day, you take them out, you cover them with butter or lard and they go in the store.

0:38:290:38:35

'Some of the Cheddar cheese here is matured in the caves of Cheddar Gorge

0:38:350:38:40

'just as local cheesemakers did centuries ago.'

0:38:400:38:43

Why on earth are you storing it in a damp, dark cave?

0:38:430:38:46

Because what you really want is a constant temperature which the caves give us,

0:38:460:38:52

but you also want as high a humidity as you can get,

0:38:520:38:55

so the water dripping through the limestone gives us virtually 100% humidity all year round.

0:38:550:39:01

If I try this one, you'll probably find different textures coming out.

0:39:010:39:05

So...just break a bit off.

0:39:050:39:07

That's it.

0:39:070:39:10

It's almost like... I don't know if I'm right.

0:39:130:39:16

I had a tang straight away before I got the matured taste as well.

0:39:160:39:20

You get one flavour, then another flavour. That's the unpasteurised milk.

0:39:200:39:24

John, it's a fascinating process and a rather tasty one as well.

0:39:240:39:28

-Thank you for your time.

-You're welcome.

0:39:280:39:31

I'm sure that's tempted the taste buds of any cheese lovers out there.

0:39:380:39:42

Time to catch up with our buyers to see if any of the properties we've chosen have matured in their minds.

0:39:420:39:48

A huge move from the Big Smoke to Somerset...

0:39:540:39:57

-Yes.

-Have we put you off or are you even more enthused?

0:39:570:40:00

-Definitely enthused.

-Good.

0:40:000:40:02

Let's start at the beginning, the first house, very rural, half of a farmhouse, really.

0:40:020:40:08

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-Fantastic views.

0:40:080:40:10

There was far more to it than you initially thought.

0:40:100:40:13

It wasn't a disjointed building, even though it was built in different periods.

0:40:130:40:19

It was a really good-sized kitchen.

0:40:190:40:22

It was possibly too isolated, just by the fact that there's only three or four houses around.

0:40:220:40:27

-OK. So, like a pendulum, we swung the other way in the afternoon.

-Completely the other way.

0:40:270:40:33

It was in the heart of everything, within walking distance, completely different from the first location.

0:40:330:40:40

I was quite worried when we were there that although when you're in the house, it's very quiet,

0:40:400:40:46

on a summer's evening when you wanted to sit out in the garden, that road could be very, very busy.

0:40:460:40:52

It was lovely. It was cosy, warm, homely.

0:40:520:40:54

But once we'd seen the main body of the house, we went next door to the annexe.

0:40:540:40:59

-It was almost a semi-detached bolted on.

-Yes.

-That was wonderful.

-Yeah, very well done.

0:40:590:41:06

So, hopefully, two houses to ponder yesterday evening, then we went to the mystery house today,

0:41:060:41:12

-outside your target zone of around Wells.

-Yes.

0:41:120:41:16

It's a beautiful house and sitting so comfortably in its own surroundings, just lovely.

0:41:160:41:21

It was a good bridge between the first two properties.

0:41:210:41:24

-What about inside the house?

-Inside, there's some work to be done.

0:41:240:41:29

-Mm-hm.

-But it's doable.

0:41:290:41:32

There was definitely the potential to do stuff there and make it as we wanted it.

0:41:320:41:37

Then it's an up-and-running bed and breakfast business, already two rooms you could let out.

0:41:370:41:43

What a surprise when you walk in, no indication about what's on the other side of the door. It was stunning.

0:41:430:41:49

We've looked at three very different properties in very different locations.

0:41:490:41:53

-Do you have a favourite?

-The mystery property.

0:41:530:41:57

-Yeah?

-Yes, definitely. It's an interesting project.

0:41:570:42:01

It's a building with history that deserves to be cared for

0:42:010:42:04

and it's a challenge that interests me.

0:42:040:42:08

-So what's next for you guys?

-We're going to go back and have a look round the area.

-Good idea.

0:42:080:42:13

If the area is as good as it feels, we'll have a second viewing.

0:42:130:42:18

Looking round the area is very sensible. Let us know what you do.

0:42:180:42:22

-It's got us hooked.

-Good. Job done. Good luck.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much indeed.

0:42:220:42:27

It probably doesn't come as a great surprise to hear

0:42:320:42:36

that yesterday morning when we stood atop the Mendip Hills

0:42:360:42:39

and I was listening to Cathy and Michael reel off their, how do I put it, extensive shopping list,

0:42:390:42:45

I was more than a bit worried,

0:42:450:42:47

but this morning, after taking them both away from their initial target search area

0:42:470:42:52

and asking them to think laterally, which is what the mystery property is all about,

0:42:520:42:57

I think we might have just cracked it. I certainly hope so.

0:42:570:43:01

See you next time.

0:43:010:43:03

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0:43:030:43:06

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