Cornwall

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04Today I'm in the Alps, not the Swiss or French Alps.

0:00:04 > 0:00:05I'm in England.

0:00:05 > 0:00:08but find out which county I'm in in just a moment.

0:00:39 > 0:00:42On today's show we're helping a couple swap their modern,

0:00:42 > 0:00:44urban lives for some traditional, country living

0:00:44 > 0:00:47which our properties serve up from the start.

0:00:47 > 0:00:49Never cooked on a range,

0:00:49 > 0:00:52so it'll be interesting to find out how it all works.

0:00:52 > 0:00:54- It's an art.- Yeah. - It's a dark art.

0:00:54 > 0:00:59Then some spectacular scenery sends their heart soaring.

0:00:59 > 0:01:02Oh! Oh, yes.

0:01:02 > 0:01:04Wow, that is amazing, a great view.

0:01:04 > 0:01:07But can any of our houses convince them

0:01:07 > 0:01:09that their dream could be a reality?

0:01:09 > 0:01:12This would give us the lifestyle that we want.

0:01:14 > 0:01:17Today we're in Cornwall and, not far from the town of St Austell,

0:01:17 > 0:01:20is this extraordinary landscape of weird peaks

0:01:20 > 0:01:24and turquoise lakes, known as the Cornish Alps.

0:01:24 > 0:01:25These Alps are not natural,

0:01:25 > 0:01:29they are the by-product of China clay extraction.

0:01:29 > 0:01:33Back in its heyday in the 19th and early 20th century, this area

0:01:33 > 0:01:37was producing more than three million tonnes a year of the stuff,

0:01:37 > 0:01:41making it the largest producer in the world at that time.

0:01:41 > 0:01:44Now China clay is used to make porcelain and also paper

0:01:44 > 0:01:47and in order to get one usable tonne of the product,

0:01:47 > 0:01:50you end up with nine tonnes of waste.

0:01:50 > 0:01:56It's the waste that has left us this legacy landscape of Cornwall's proud, industrial past.

0:01:56 > 0:01:59Though, it's not the only thing this county has to be proud of.

0:02:03 > 0:02:06Lying in the extreme south-west corner of England,

0:02:06 > 0:02:08and sharing just one county border with Devon,

0:02:08 > 0:02:13Cornwall is flanked by some 300 miles of wrap-around coastline.

0:02:13 > 0:02:17The wild Atlantic Ocean crashes against its rocky northern shores,

0:02:17 > 0:02:22where deep, blue rollers create the ideal conditions for surfing and

0:02:22 > 0:02:26where the cliffs conceal caves, known only to smugglers and seagulls.

0:02:27 > 0:02:30Sheltered from the Atlantic in bays along the coast,

0:02:30 > 0:02:34are many fishing villages where trawlers sit alongside pleasure boats,

0:02:34 > 0:02:38reflecting the county's seafaring activity of past and present.

0:02:39 > 0:02:43Discover more of this county further inland by walking or cycling

0:02:43 > 0:02:48the Camel Trail, linking Padstow's busy harbour to Bodmin's

0:02:48 > 0:02:50wide expanse of granite moorland.

0:02:50 > 0:02:54With such fabulous countryside and coastline on offer,

0:02:54 > 0:02:57it's no wonder that Cornwall is so proud of its heritage.

0:03:03 > 0:03:06It's the time in the show where we talk about property prices.

0:03:06 > 0:03:10The average detached price in Cornwall is £263,000,

0:03:10 > 0:03:13which is £6,000 above the national figure.

0:03:13 > 0:03:16Although you do have to remember that includes all those super

0:03:16 > 0:03:21expensive places like Rock, Padstow and Fowey.

0:03:21 > 0:03:24Further inland, places like Redruth, Camborne, Bodmin,

0:03:24 > 0:03:27you get a lot more house for your money

0:03:27 > 0:03:31but the general rule of thumb here is that the coast is king.

0:03:31 > 0:03:36You're going to be paying about 50% over the odds to get a sea view.

0:03:36 > 0:03:39However, wherever you are, the bricks and mortar are beautiful

0:03:39 > 0:03:44and very stylish, although they're more likely to be slate and granite.

0:03:44 > 0:03:48Cornwall's history of mineral extraction is evident in its housing stock.

0:03:48 > 0:03:55The natural Cornish stone, with added redbrick detail used to build this three-bedroomed terrace,

0:03:55 > 0:03:59in the village of St Teath, gives it real heritage kerb appeal.

0:03:59 > 0:04:02It's currently priced at £335,000.

0:04:04 > 0:04:07Another common sight, are village properties built from cob,

0:04:07 > 0:04:10which is a mixture of clay, sand and straw.

0:04:10 > 0:04:14Eco-friendly and durable, it's become a fashionable choice for new builds,

0:04:14 > 0:04:18but old cob houses, built centuries ago, still stand the test of time.

0:04:20 > 0:04:23Granite and slate are also a recurrent theme.

0:04:23 > 0:04:26Granite being incredibly hard wearing and perfectly suited

0:04:26 > 0:04:31to coastal properties, exposed to the corrosive sea air.

0:04:31 > 0:04:33You'll also find slate used on both the roofs

0:04:33 > 0:04:37and front facades of traditional Cornish homes.

0:04:40 > 0:04:44You can't beat Cornish granite and slate but is it going to be

0:04:44 > 0:04:47enough to magnetise and hypnotise our house buyers today?

0:04:47 > 0:04:49Let's meet them.

0:04:50 > 0:04:53Mark and Sandra have lived in their modern four-bedroom

0:04:53 > 0:04:57house in the busy Sussex town of Burgess Hill for the past 12 years.

0:04:57 > 0:05:00Sandra's career involves working in the travel industry

0:05:00 > 0:05:04whereas Mark has spent the last 28 years in the police force

0:05:04 > 0:05:07and, of late, by Royal appointment.

0:05:07 > 0:05:10I moved up to London about ten years ago.

0:05:10 > 0:05:13I've worked in the centre of London since then.

0:05:13 > 0:05:17Just recently, I've been posted out to Windsor Castle

0:05:17 > 0:05:20and now I'm looking after the Queen at Windsor.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24Number one, Sandra, number two the Queen and so...

0:05:24 > 0:05:26Then number three, Ruby, the dog.

0:05:26 > 0:05:30We've come to stage where Mark's come to the end of his career.

0:05:30 > 0:05:34He is on a very flexible shift, so we could move somewhere else

0:05:34 > 0:05:36quite far away from here.

0:05:36 > 0:05:39He could still commute for the last 18 months of his career.

0:05:39 > 0:05:43So with one chapter nearing a close, and without dependents,

0:05:43 > 0:05:48the focus is less on work and more on combining holidays and home life.

0:05:48 > 0:05:51We are dinkies, as they say, dual income, no kids

0:05:51 > 0:05:55so we basically, we love to travel.

0:05:55 > 0:05:59We go on holiday when we can and it would be nice to have a place

0:05:59 > 0:06:03somewhere where we feel like we're on holiday, even if we're not.

0:06:03 > 0:06:06We've holidayed in Cornwall for the last four or five years

0:06:06 > 0:06:09and each time just fall more and more in love with the place.

0:06:09 > 0:06:14But it also has good links on the train, straight back into Paddington.

0:06:14 > 0:06:16Despite winding down the work routine,

0:06:16 > 0:06:19this move is not about taking life slowly.

0:06:19 > 0:06:23I've never surfed but it would be fun to have a go.

0:06:23 > 0:06:27All I'd like to do is jump off the cliffs into the sea, really.

0:06:27 > 0:06:30I hope to take some of my tourism experience down there

0:06:30 > 0:06:33and hopefully get a job down there.

0:06:33 > 0:06:37If not, I can just while my days away painting and eating,

0:06:37 > 0:06:39which I love doing.

0:06:41 > 0:06:44A good thing about Cornwall is there's lots of local produce down there

0:06:44 > 0:06:47which will link in very much with my cooking.

0:06:47 > 0:06:51I love having friends round, cooking big meals.

0:06:51 > 0:06:55When it comes to the property, entertaining is high on the agenda.

0:06:55 > 0:06:59We're quite sociable. So although we seem to moving away from friends and family,

0:06:59 > 0:07:03what we're thinking is when they come, they have to stay.

0:07:03 > 0:07:06We'll get to see them for a bit longer.

0:07:06 > 0:07:09There's a certain thing I really want to do is to have

0:07:09 > 0:07:12massive big open-up doors with a view.

0:07:12 > 0:07:15So that's what I'm looking for in my next house.

0:07:15 > 0:07:18But before we can start searching for their new home, we need to

0:07:18 > 0:07:22find out what figure they have in mind for their Cornish property.

0:07:22 > 0:07:25The budget for our move would be £350,000

0:07:25 > 0:07:29and that will hopefully be a house that's already done.

0:07:29 > 0:07:31If not, we need to go a little bit lower

0:07:31 > 0:07:35- so that we've got money to do the work.- Yeah.

0:07:41 > 0:07:45Ideally Mark needs a location near to the town of Bodmin,

0:07:45 > 0:07:47which has a direct train line to London for

0:07:47 > 0:07:50when he has to travel back to Windsor for work.

0:07:50 > 0:07:53So we'll be trying to focus our search on countryside

0:07:53 > 0:07:56locations within a 20-mile radius of the town.

0:07:56 > 0:07:59And it's in such a setting that we're meeting up to discuss

0:07:59 > 0:08:01the details of this Cornish move.

0:08:03 > 0:08:07- Here we are. Welcome, you two to Cornwall.- Hi.- Hi.

0:08:07 > 0:08:11- You know it quite well, don't you? - Yeah, we do. We've been quite a few years on holiday.

0:08:11 > 0:08:14Always enjoyed, it's a lovely county, nice feeling.

0:08:14 > 0:08:17That's good to hear since you're about to move here.

0:08:17 > 0:08:19In terms of the house, what are you looking for?

0:08:19 > 0:08:22What we would like is a view.

0:08:22 > 0:08:24Erm... Ideally, like this.

0:08:24 > 0:08:28We're going to be quite close to the seaside but we understand that, with our budget,

0:08:28 > 0:08:32we probably won't be able to afford to have a sea view as well.

0:08:32 > 0:08:34It doesn't necessarily have to have a lot of land.

0:08:34 > 0:08:36We're looking for three, four bedrooms.

0:08:36 > 0:08:39- And a nice big, open kitchen/diner? - Yes.- Hopefully.

0:08:39 > 0:08:43So we can look out on the view, hopefully, that we've found as well.

0:08:43 > 0:08:46- You're going to do this crazy commute back to London. - Yes, that's right.

0:08:46 > 0:08:49I still work in London, I work in Windsor.

0:08:49 > 0:08:51I work four days on, four days off.

0:08:51 > 0:08:53The days off, I'll be back here.

0:08:53 > 0:08:58What about the location? Are you looking for super rural, or more in a village?

0:08:58 > 0:09:00Edge of a village, probably.

0:09:00 > 0:09:04You know, not totally isolated because when I'm working Sandra

0:09:04 > 0:09:06will be on her own in the middle of the country.

0:09:06 > 0:09:09- What's your budget?- 350 max.

0:09:09 > 0:09:13So, we'll do a bit of juggling but we have found three very beautiful properties.

0:09:13 > 0:09:16- Thank you.- Excellent. - Very different, as well.- Oh.

0:09:16 > 0:09:21- I hope they can spark some interest. - I can't wait to see them. - Come with me.- Thank you.

0:09:21 > 0:09:24For a top budget of £350,000,

0:09:24 > 0:09:28Mark and Sandra would like a country home with potential for further development,

0:09:28 > 0:09:31that has at least three bedrooms

0:09:31 > 0:09:34and a large kitchen/diner for entertaining.

0:09:34 > 0:09:37The location needs to be within reach of a direct train line

0:09:37 > 0:09:40into London but, above all, they long for somewhere

0:09:40 > 0:09:43that gives them a fabulous view.

0:09:43 > 0:09:46And the selection of beautiful Cornish homes we've got lined up

0:09:46 > 0:09:49certainly have the upper hand when it comes to the surrounding scenery.

0:09:49 > 0:09:53I won't reveal the prices until they've had a guess first.

0:09:53 > 0:09:55Then, to top it off, we've got the mystery house

0:09:55 > 0:09:59where there's every chance the tide could turn.

0:10:03 > 0:10:06Mindful of Mark's need for a good train link,

0:10:06 > 0:10:10our property search gets under way in the rural hamlet of Rescorla,

0:10:10 > 0:10:14which is a 20-minute drive to Bodmin Parkway railway station.

0:10:14 > 0:10:18Essential amenities, as well as a pub, are allocated in the nearby

0:10:18 > 0:10:20village of Bugle, but Rescorla itself,

0:10:20 > 0:10:22delivers a quiet country setting,

0:10:22 > 0:10:26with traditional granite houses lining its winding streets,

0:10:26 > 0:10:29one of which we've earmarked for them.

0:10:29 > 0:10:31This is our first property.

0:10:31 > 0:10:33Lovely.

0:10:33 > 0:10:37Welcome it doesn't have great kerb appeal at the moment, I would say.

0:10:37 > 0:10:40It could do with being a bit spruced up but, yeah.

0:10:40 > 0:10:43But, this is a great property.

0:10:43 > 0:10:48It is an 1800, stone built Cornish cottage.

0:10:48 > 0:10:51- OK.- Shall we look inside? - Let's do it.- Looks big.

0:10:51 > 0:10:55This substantial granite semi-detached cottage also

0:10:55 > 0:10:59comes with a double garage and inside has great character bones.

0:11:01 > 0:11:03Mind your head.

0:11:03 > 0:11:06Nice wood burner, which is good.

0:11:06 > 0:11:08It feels warm and cosy.

0:11:08 > 0:11:12Yeah, it's quite small that sitting area,

0:11:12 > 0:11:15you couldn't get a large piece of furniture in

0:11:15 > 0:11:17because that staircase is right there.

0:11:17 > 0:11:21In terms of light, there's not a lot of light in here.

0:11:21 > 0:11:25- But it does make it cosy.- In the winter this would be a lovely room.

0:11:25 > 0:11:28I think you're going to be interested in the kitchen

0:11:28 > 0:11:32and outside space but before we go there let's peak up these stairs.

0:11:32 > 0:11:35We're going to check-out the bedrooms next as I'm saving

0:11:35 > 0:11:38the property's best selling points until later.

0:11:38 > 0:11:41That's not to say there's anything lacking upstairs,

0:11:41 > 0:11:44as along with a large, light family bathroom,

0:11:44 > 0:11:46there are four bedrooms in total.

0:11:46 > 0:11:49These include a bright double with a deep inset window,

0:11:49 > 0:11:52giving them the rural outlook they want.

0:11:52 > 0:11:55There's also another well proportioned double,

0:11:55 > 0:11:59decked out with bunk beds and a cosy, but charming, single.

0:11:59 > 0:12:01But we're heading for the master bedroom.

0:12:04 > 0:12:06- A nice size.- A lot of space in here.

0:12:06 > 0:12:09Is this going to be big enough for you as a master?

0:12:09 > 0:12:12They use this one as the master.

0:12:12 > 0:12:14Yeah, it's a shame because the views are out that way.

0:12:14 > 0:12:16- You could swap them round. - It's still big.

0:12:16 > 0:12:21- You can move in straightaway, you would want to do a few extras.- Yeah.

0:12:21 > 0:12:24So that's upstairs. There is a good offering upstairs

0:12:24 > 0:12:26but it is downstairs that we particularly wanted to show you,

0:12:26 > 0:12:28so let's head to the kitchen.

0:12:28 > 0:12:31Back down on the ground floor, to the rear of the property,

0:12:31 > 0:12:34there's a second reception room being used as a snug,

0:12:34 > 0:12:38which takes in those far-reaching views.

0:12:38 > 0:12:40And it lies right at the end of the kitchen.

0:12:42 > 0:12:46Come on in, into the kitchen.

0:12:46 > 0:12:50Lovely, yeah. Nice range.

0:12:50 > 0:12:52- Yeah, lovely, isn't it? - And farmhouse kitchen, yeah.

0:12:52 > 0:12:56- And a view.- Beautiful view.

0:12:56 > 0:12:58I've never cooked on a range,

0:12:58 > 0:13:01so it'll be interesting to find out how it works.

0:13:01 > 0:13:03- It's an art.- Yeah. - It's a dark art, I think.

0:13:03 > 0:13:05MARK LAUGHS

0:13:05 > 0:13:08But the whole thing about this property, I think,

0:13:08 > 0:13:12- is what's out there.- Mmm.

0:13:12 > 0:13:16And what's out there, I think, has amazing potential.

0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Lovely.- Let's go, then.

0:13:24 > 0:13:27Wow!

0:13:27 > 0:13:30So, if I'm honest, I think the whole house,

0:13:30 > 0:13:34it's not a great beginning but it all builds up to this.

0:13:34 > 0:13:36It's a really nice space, actually.

0:13:36 > 0:13:39As you say, it all focuses you into that view.

0:13:39 > 0:13:41Lovely.

0:13:41 > 0:13:45What are your immediate thoughts, bearing in mind that the kitchen isn't too big

0:13:45 > 0:13:47and you wanted a kitchen/diner?

0:13:47 > 0:13:51Well, there's obviously a lot of potential here, as well.

0:13:51 > 0:13:53What's in all of that lot

0:13:53 > 0:13:57and how easy would it be to make that into more accommodation.

0:13:57 > 0:14:00Yeah, let's go down and have a look.

0:14:03 > 0:14:06Really good solid, they're not terribly wide

0:14:06 > 0:14:09- but it's a very robust building. - Yeah.

0:14:12 > 0:14:15This is the boundary of the property, this lovely old wall.

0:14:15 > 0:14:17Yeah.

0:14:17 > 0:14:21You can see the potential here. They're substantial outbuildings.

0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Yeah, it's beautiful. - It's a big garden.

0:14:24 > 0:14:26- You get all of this as well. - It's huge.

0:14:26 > 0:14:30All the way down there and you could clear a space between those trees,

0:14:30 > 0:14:33or have that as a more shaded area, or a veggie patch, even.

0:14:33 > 0:14:36It's straight onto the fields, which is what we were after.

0:14:36 > 0:14:38That's just lovely.

0:14:38 > 0:14:41It's unusual because it doesn't have the enormous "wow" of the front

0:14:41 > 0:14:45- but it definitely has... - But it finishes off on a "wow" so that's good.

0:14:45 > 0:14:48So what do you think it's worth? What's on the market for?

0:14:48 > 0:14:51I'm thinking around 315.

0:14:53 > 0:14:56I'll go for a little bit more, 325.

0:14:56 > 0:15:00It's actually on the market for offers over...

0:15:00 > 0:15:02- ..330.- Ah.

0:15:02 > 0:15:06- I think it's a strong contender just because of the potential. - Definitely.

0:15:06 > 0:15:09- Particularly with these outside buildings.- It is huge inside.- Yeah.

0:15:09 > 0:15:12Why don't you have a look around because we rushed round upstairs

0:15:12 > 0:15:16and have a good nosy around in these and think about what you might want to do to them.

0:15:16 > 0:15:20- Yeah, lovely.- I'll see you the front.- OK.- OK, thank you.

0:15:24 > 0:15:26For offers in excess of £330,000,

0:15:26 > 0:15:30our first property is a 19th century cottage that comes

0:15:30 > 0:15:33with two reception rooms, four bedrooms

0:15:33 > 0:15:37and a stone built barn that has got potential written all over it.

0:15:37 > 0:15:40Being under budget, they have money left over to develop it

0:15:40 > 0:15:45and take advantage of those uninterrupted, countryside views.

0:15:47 > 0:15:49OK.

0:15:49 > 0:15:52I think we would use this as the master bedroom

0:15:52 > 0:15:55- because we've got the view. - Definitely.

0:15:55 > 0:15:58And all of this is just partition walls so you could take that down

0:15:58 > 0:16:01- and maybe...- En-suite. - En-suite.

0:16:01 > 0:16:05The downstairs is a lot bigger than I anticipated from the outside.

0:16:05 > 0:16:08Erm, it's got lots of potential.

0:16:08 > 0:16:11It hasn't got our kitchen/diner but I think we could extend out

0:16:11 > 0:16:15and we could get exactly what we want, incorporating this view.

0:16:17 > 0:16:20The real potential of the property is back here

0:16:20 > 0:16:22and the view that's behind me and it's gorgeous.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25Probably not one that we would have looked out but given what we've seen,

0:16:25 > 0:16:28and the potential that there is in it, I'm glad we did see it.

0:16:28 > 0:16:30A bit of blue sky now.

0:16:30 > 0:16:33Just enough to sew a pair of sailor's breeches, as they say.

0:16:33 > 0:16:35Hello. The sun's come out.

0:16:35 > 0:16:37If the sun comes out during a viewing,

0:16:37 > 0:16:41- it means you have to buy it. - Oh, excellent.- Possibly.

0:16:41 > 0:16:44- I'm going to show you the second house.- OK.

0:16:53 > 0:16:59The atmospheric light conditions in Cornwall have captivated artists since the days of Turner,

0:16:59 > 0:17:02who was known to have toured the county in 1811.

0:17:02 > 0:17:06Today the seaside town of St Ives, set on the northern coast,

0:17:06 > 0:17:08is widely renowned as an artistic hub.

0:17:08 > 0:17:12But, it was some ten miles away on the southern shores,

0:17:12 > 0:17:17that in the 1880s many of Britain's most talented landscape painters

0:17:17 > 0:17:22founded an artists' community, collectively known as the Newlyn School.

0:17:22 > 0:17:25That legacy continues over a century later,

0:17:25 > 0:17:28as Newlyn has recently opened its doors to a new school of art,

0:17:28 > 0:17:31the brainchild of local artist, Henry Garfit.

0:17:33 > 0:17:35Earlier in the week we sent Sandra, who's a keen painter

0:17:35 > 0:17:38and Mark to find out more.

0:17:38 > 0:17:40Lovely to have you here at Newlyn School of Art.

0:17:40 > 0:17:45There were 130 different artists working in Newlyn around 1900

0:17:45 > 0:17:48and they had to introduce a new train from here to London

0:17:48 > 0:17:50for all the paintings that were submitted

0:17:50 > 0:17:54- to the Royal Academy summer show every year.- Really?

0:17:54 > 0:17:56A huge number of people working here.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59And, all the cobbled streets around are very much as you

0:17:59 > 0:18:04would have seen them then, actually. Have you done much painting before?

0:18:04 > 0:18:06I've done a small amount at home,

0:18:06 > 0:18:09just messing about with different acrylics and watercolours.

0:18:09 > 0:18:12I'm a complete beginner. I do a bit of photography.

0:18:12 > 0:18:14It'll be interesting to see what I could paint,

0:18:14 > 0:18:15I haven't done that since school.

0:18:15 > 0:18:19We do courses here of one to three days, in drawing, painting,

0:18:19 > 0:18:22stone-carving, print-making, all sorts of different things.

0:18:22 > 0:18:26- We've got 20 well-known local artists teaching here.- OK.

0:18:26 > 0:18:29All levels of experience are welcome.

0:18:29 > 0:18:33The school is a not-for-profit venture, founded to help Cornwall's

0:18:33 > 0:18:37artistic residents supplement their incomes from creative work.

0:18:37 > 0:18:41Landscape artist, Paul Lewin, is one such painter who teaches

0:18:41 > 0:18:43a mixed media course.

0:18:43 > 0:18:48What I'd like to get you to do is to free up and to use colour

0:18:48 > 0:18:52and mark-making in a mixed media on paper.

0:18:52 > 0:18:58I'm going to show you some techniques that I use for finishing it.

0:18:58 > 0:19:03One of my favourite tools is actually a Stanley knife blade,

0:19:03 > 0:19:06which I will use in the paint.

0:19:06 > 0:19:09After a demonstration of paint techniques from the expert,

0:19:09 > 0:19:13it's off to an inspiring cliff top to put paint to paper.

0:19:15 > 0:19:18The dramatic effects of both light and landscape mean that Cornwall

0:19:18 > 0:19:22is home to the largest concentration of artists outside of London.

0:19:23 > 0:19:27- So how have you got on? That looks great.- Well, it's a start.

0:19:27 > 0:19:31- It is a start.- I've gone a little bit haywire over here.

0:19:31 > 0:19:34Yeah, haywire's good when you're painting the sea.

0:19:34 > 0:19:39It is a very difficult subject, the sea. I'm sure you've found out.

0:19:39 > 0:19:41It's always moving.

0:19:41 > 0:19:46That's good, you've mixed some of the colour from the sky into the sea here.

0:19:46 > 0:19:49There's a great energy about it.

0:19:49 > 0:19:51Great, well done.

0:19:53 > 0:19:56Now that they've had a chance to Cornwall's natural qualities,

0:19:56 > 0:20:00let's see if our properties paint an equally pretty picture.

0:20:07 > 0:20:10For our second house, we're venturing towards the northern coast

0:20:10 > 0:20:13to a cliff top hamlet called Treligga,

0:20:13 > 0:20:15about half an hour's drive from Bodmin.

0:20:15 > 0:20:19Within easy reach of everyday essentials in the neighbouring village of St Teath,

0:20:19 > 0:20:23the entire hamlet of Treligga lies within a conservation area,

0:20:23 > 0:20:28on a rugged and enchanting bit of coast between Port Isaac and Tintagel.

0:20:28 > 0:20:32And it's here, with commanding views over cliffs and sea beyond,

0:20:32 > 0:20:35that our second property sits.

0:20:36 > 0:20:39- This is the house. - Yes, I like.

0:20:39 > 0:20:41- Lovely.- Beautiful.

0:20:41 > 0:20:45- And you get a distinct sniff of the sea.- I certainly do.- I can smell it.

0:20:45 > 0:20:47The views coming in were great as well.

0:20:47 > 0:20:50- You thought you wouldn't get sea views, but maybe...- Maybe we will.

0:20:50 > 0:20:54- Maybe we will.- What do you think about the property?- Love it.

0:20:54 > 0:20:56- Yeah, looks nice.- Really nice.

0:20:56 > 0:20:58It's in a very nice little village.

0:20:58 > 0:21:02You certainly feel right in the country here.

0:21:02 > 0:21:05- Enough chat, shall we go and have a look inside?- Yes, please.

0:21:07 > 0:21:10Although the traditional hung slate tiles hint at this being

0:21:10 > 0:21:14an historic property, it was actually built in 2005.

0:21:14 > 0:21:18Perhaps its more modern feel inside will appeal to Sandra and Mark.

0:21:22 > 0:21:25So, come into the kitchen/diner.

0:21:25 > 0:21:27Ah...

0:21:27 > 0:21:29Very nice.

0:21:29 > 0:21:33It's a great space. Because they could design it as they wanted it, really,

0:21:33 > 0:21:35they were able to put in everything that they want.

0:21:35 > 0:21:38There's a lovely, big, tiled area here.

0:21:38 > 0:21:40A wonderful utility room with all the white goods

0:21:40 > 0:21:42- and lots of storage there.- Great.

0:21:42 > 0:21:44In a way it has a lot of the traditional features

0:21:44 > 0:21:47with the slate and the wood.

0:21:47 > 0:21:50There's a lot of wood in the property, but it has all the mod cons.

0:21:50 > 0:21:53- Which is kind of what you were looking for.- That's right.

0:21:53 > 0:21:56They've turned the upstairs into the sitting room to maximise the views

0:21:56 > 0:22:00- but there's also a winter sitting room down here.- OK.

0:22:05 > 0:22:07- I like this room.- Oh... yes.

0:22:07 > 0:22:10- That is very nice. - It's stylish, isn't it?

0:22:10 > 0:22:12Sandra's thinking a lot of about this house, actually,

0:22:12 > 0:22:15already getting that feeling.

0:22:15 > 0:22:16Sandra maybe warming to this house

0:22:16 > 0:22:21but I sense we need to keep going to feel good vibes from Mark as well.

0:22:21 > 0:22:24Down on the ground floor there's also an attractive double bedroom

0:22:24 > 0:22:28with fitted wardrobes, ideally placed as a guest room,

0:22:28 > 0:22:31as there's a stylish tiled wet room down here too.

0:22:31 > 0:22:34Then upstairs, along side a contemporary bathroom

0:22:34 > 0:22:38are the other two bedrooms and we're going to check out the biggest one.

0:22:38 > 0:22:41This is one they're using as the master bedroom.

0:22:41 > 0:22:44- It's a nice size.- Yeah.

0:22:44 > 0:22:47It's got a lovely skylight and there's some built-in storage.

0:22:47 > 0:22:50Is the bedroom a big thing for you? Does it need to be big and spacious?

0:22:50 > 0:22:53- It's quite tight, isn't it? - It's quite tight.

0:22:53 > 0:22:55But you've got to balance the whole thing up.

0:22:55 > 0:22:57Where it's situated, the view.

0:22:57 > 0:22:59You can't have everything.

0:22:59 > 0:23:02The other bedroom up here gives them extra storage space.

0:23:02 > 0:23:06It's currently being used as a hobby room and offers a glimpse of the sea.

0:23:06 > 0:23:10But it's in the main living area that those views really come into their own.

0:23:12 > 0:23:17- Oh, yes.- Wow, that is a great view. - That is lovely.

0:23:17 > 0:23:19You thought we couldn't give you a sea view.

0:23:19 > 0:23:22- We found you a sea view. - You've done well.

0:23:22 > 0:23:25It's clear that this house has swept Sandra away.

0:23:25 > 0:23:28Let's have a look outside at the paved garden

0:23:28 > 0:23:31and try and put a price on those picture-perfect views.

0:23:35 > 0:23:39- So you've got the little path that goes down to the sea that way.- Yeah.

0:23:39 > 0:23:42Then the road out that way

0:23:42 > 0:23:46- and these charming, little clump of cottages around you.- Mmm.

0:23:46 > 0:23:49- But somehow it's still quite private.- It's lovely.

0:23:49 > 0:23:52What do you think this is worth?

0:23:52 > 0:23:55I'll go first. I think...

0:23:55 > 0:23:57..340.

0:23:58 > 0:24:01I actually think it's more than that because of its location.

0:24:01 > 0:24:04I think...

0:24:04 > 0:24:05..370.

0:24:07 > 0:24:10Well, you obviously think we're nastier than we are

0:24:10 > 0:24:13because, actually, this is on the market at 350.

0:24:13 > 0:24:15Oh. Good.

0:24:15 > 0:24:17I think it's a lovely contender.

0:24:17 > 0:24:20This would give us the lifestyle that we want.

0:24:20 > 0:24:22Well have a look inside. We've seen most of it.

0:24:22 > 0:24:24- In you go.- OK.

0:24:26 > 0:24:28Come on!

0:24:28 > 0:24:32This is a great house. I would buy this house, it's gorgeous.

0:24:32 > 0:24:35So I just hope that their desire for something bigger

0:24:35 > 0:24:39doesn't get in the way of what's affordable.

0:24:42 > 0:24:45Bang on budget at £350,000,

0:24:45 > 0:24:48this sympathetic new build has some topsy-turvy

0:24:48 > 0:24:51elements in the layout but provides them with a perfect

0:24:51 > 0:24:54kitchen/diner, two reception rooms,

0:24:54 > 0:24:56two bathrooms and three bedrooms.

0:24:56 > 0:24:59As it requires no work, they could just move in

0:24:59 > 0:25:02and soak up the coastal setting and views.

0:25:02 > 0:25:08Overall, I think for me, I could live quite comfortably here.

0:25:08 > 0:25:10I would really like it.

0:25:10 > 0:25:13I think I'm going to have to persuade Mark a little bit.

0:25:13 > 0:25:16I do know his priorities are a little bit different.

0:25:16 > 0:25:20I think the down sides are definitely outweighed by the location.

0:25:20 > 0:25:24The approach down here from the main road was fantastic.

0:25:24 > 0:25:30You could see the rolling fields and the sea shimmering in the distance and it really is lovely.

0:25:30 > 0:25:35The hamlet here is beautiful little small Cornish hamlet,

0:25:35 > 0:25:39you couldn't expect anything better. It's a lovely house.

0:25:40 > 0:25:42Whether it's right for me, I'm not sure.

0:25:42 > 0:25:45Sandra really likes it so, you know,

0:25:45 > 0:25:48I'm going to have to think long and hard about it.

0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Hello.- Hi!

0:25:53 > 0:25:55- The wind is picking up.- Sure is.

0:25:55 > 0:25:59- Time for you to maybe have a little bit of discussion about the houses we've seen.- Yeah.

0:25:59 > 0:26:02- Rest your head and get ready for tomorrow.- Perfect.

0:26:14 > 0:26:17With the last rays of the sun glistening on the water,

0:26:17 > 0:26:21the first day of our Cornish house hunt draws to a close.

0:26:29 > 0:26:31With a budget of £350,000,

0:26:31 > 0:26:35Mark and Sandra want to leave behind their busy lives

0:26:35 > 0:26:39in Burgess Hill, Sussex, and realise their country dream in Cornwall.

0:26:39 > 0:26:43So far we've tempted them with two attractive rural properties,

0:26:43 > 0:26:46the second of which really appealed to Sandra.

0:26:46 > 0:26:51But coming up, our mystery property goes out on a limb to give them a room with a view.

0:26:51 > 0:26:53SHE GASPS

0:26:53 > 0:26:57- Wow!- Now, that is good! That is good!

0:26:57 > 0:26:59And I see what happens when design and sport

0:26:59 > 0:27:02come together the Cornish way.

0:27:05 > 0:27:07I'm wondering after a night's sleep

0:27:07 > 0:27:11whether Sandra's enthusiasm for house two has won over Mark's big reservations.

0:27:11 > 0:27:14And I can understand he was a bit worried about the space in the property.

0:27:14 > 0:27:17So for our mystery house, we are giving them the potential

0:27:17 > 0:27:23to expand and we're also giving some thought to Sandra's isolation.

0:27:23 > 0:27:26Because if she moves down here and Mark is away in Windsor,

0:27:26 > 0:27:28she's going to be all on her own

0:27:28 > 0:27:31so we're taking her a bit closer to civilisation.

0:27:34 > 0:27:37Did you sleep well after all the excitement of yesterday?

0:27:37 > 0:27:39I slept like a log!

0:27:39 > 0:27:41And I was planning what we were going to do to the second house.

0:27:41 > 0:27:45And what do you think we might show you for the mystery house?

0:27:45 > 0:27:50- Really haven't got a clue. - I think some sort of conversion.

0:27:50 > 0:27:51An old tin mine.

0:27:53 > 0:27:55In need of a little work!

0:27:57 > 0:28:01Our mystery proposition does force us into uncharted territory

0:28:01 > 0:28:04as we are straying outside of their preferred search area

0:28:04 > 0:28:07into the town of Saltash.

0:28:07 > 0:28:09Set on the banks of the Tamar estuary,

0:28:09 > 0:28:13the river forms a natural border between Devon and Cornwall.

0:28:13 > 0:28:16If our buyers are after a lifestyle of leisure

0:28:16 > 0:28:18that involves connection to water,

0:28:18 > 0:28:20Saltash is well placed for that as it's home

0:28:20 > 0:28:22to a well-regarded sailing club.

0:28:22 > 0:28:25One of its members, local resident Peter Payne-Hanlon,

0:28:25 > 0:28:29gives us an insight into what life by the water's edge is like here.

0:28:30 > 0:28:32You couldn't find a better place to come and live.

0:28:32 > 0:28:35It does look beautiful. So Davenport is right down there.

0:28:35 > 0:28:39That's right, yeah. The centre of Plymouth is about 4½ miles away.

0:28:39 > 0:28:43And there's a train. This is the Brunel bridge they are renovating.

0:28:43 > 0:28:45You can get the train into Plymouth from Saltash

0:28:45 > 0:28:49and then it goes on and beyond and up to London and other places.

0:28:49 > 0:28:53It's a great area for sailing and it covers all the sort of aspects.

0:28:53 > 0:28:56What about for beginners?

0:28:56 > 0:28:58Well, the club does a certain amount of training.

0:28:58 > 0:29:00People are always looking for crew

0:29:00 > 0:29:03and you can get introduced to sailing that way and it's a great place.

0:29:03 > 0:29:05- It's very sociable.- Lovely.

0:29:05 > 0:29:10- The house we're showing them is not a million miles away so thank you very much.- You're welcome.

0:29:10 > 0:29:13You guys, follow me.

0:29:13 > 0:29:15The mystery property invites our buyers

0:29:15 > 0:29:17to let go of their sea view aspirations

0:29:17 > 0:29:21and consider a completely different waterside experience

0:29:21 > 0:29:24which it's ideally located for.

0:29:24 > 0:29:29- Here we have it. The mystery house. - Ah!- This white one with a blue door.

0:29:29 > 0:29:33- OK. Not quite what we were thinking. - Mystery.

0:29:33 > 0:29:37- Certainly is a mystery. - That's the nature of the mystery, the curveball.

0:29:37 > 0:29:41- Then you've got this green and the river.- Now that is beautiful.

0:29:41 > 0:29:44- It's certainly got views. - It certainly has. Absolutely.

0:29:44 > 0:29:47I've always liked north Cornwall and the north Cornish coast

0:29:47 > 0:29:49so that was where we were looking but

0:29:49 > 0:29:53it's good to open your eyes up to somewhere else. It's not that far away.

0:29:53 > 0:29:56Another thing about this property is you've been wanting to extend

0:29:56 > 0:29:58and you haven't really been able to do that,

0:29:58 > 0:30:01- certainly in the one yesterday.- No.

0:30:01 > 0:30:04And there might be possibilities here.

0:30:04 > 0:30:08- OK. Interesting.- Let's have a look.

0:30:08 > 0:30:11The mystery house is a terraced cottage with panoramic views

0:30:11 > 0:30:13over the estuary and beyond.

0:30:13 > 0:30:16It's believed to date back to at least Victorian times

0:30:16 > 0:30:21and as such is full of traditional character.

0:30:21 > 0:30:26- Come in here.- That's nice and light. - That is nice.- Cosy, as well.

0:30:26 > 0:30:31Lovely fireplace and I like the way they've taken the brickwork all the way back.

0:30:31 > 0:30:35The present owners have been here about nine years and they've done a lot to it.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37That is a nice outlook, actually.

0:30:37 > 0:30:41- The floorboards all taken back. - Original floorboards.

0:30:41 > 0:30:46There's an extraordinary story that apparently Lawrence of Arabia,

0:30:46 > 0:30:49after he came back from Arabia and was so famous,

0:30:49 > 0:30:52became a bit of a recluse and lived around here.

0:30:52 > 0:30:56And would sail up and down the Tamar and once one morning broke down

0:30:56 > 0:30:59and was rescued by the fisherman who lived in this cottage.

0:30:59 > 0:31:01- This was a fisherman's cottage. - Really?

0:31:01 > 0:31:04And he came in and then he became friends

0:31:04 > 0:31:06and would come and stay in this room.

0:31:06 > 0:31:08This was Lawrence of Arabia's bedroom.

0:31:08 > 0:31:12- He was a fisherman's friend?- Yeah. He was a fisherman's friend.

0:31:12 > 0:31:14It's a great pun.

0:31:14 > 0:31:16THEY LAUGH

0:31:16 > 0:31:21So this is the front room and the back of the house, I think, is going to be interesting for you.

0:31:27 > 0:31:31- This is the kitchen as it stands now.- Galley-type kitchen.

0:31:31 > 0:31:34- Quite small, but nice. - Not unusually small.

0:31:34 > 0:31:37No. And beautifully done.

0:31:37 > 0:31:40Great big thick granite tops.

0:31:40 > 0:31:42- Gas hob for you.- Yes. Like that.

0:31:42 > 0:31:45And the big utility room with all the white goods at the back.

0:31:45 > 0:31:48So this is, I think you'll agree, a perfectly workable kitchen.

0:31:48 > 0:31:50Definitely. Yeah.

0:31:50 > 0:31:57But I'd like you to cast your eyes out the window to this to this return that goes up the side.

0:31:57 > 0:31:59Long-term, you could,

0:31:59 > 0:32:04as neighbours have done further down the road, push out.

0:32:04 > 0:32:08- And that, I think would be just gorgeous.- Yeah.

0:32:10 > 0:32:12Although there's scope to expand the kitchen,

0:32:12 > 0:32:16our mystery property as it stands certainly isn't short of space.

0:32:16 > 0:32:19On the ground floor there is also a separate dining room

0:32:19 > 0:32:24featuring patio doors out to a pretty paved courtyard garden

0:32:24 > 0:32:29with lots of pot plants and room for dining outdoors.

0:32:29 > 0:32:32However, this mystery cottage provides accommodation set out

0:32:32 > 0:32:35over not two but three levels.

0:32:35 > 0:32:39Up on the first floor, a bright, fully tiled family bathroom

0:32:39 > 0:32:41serves two double bedrooms,

0:32:41 > 0:32:44one themed in cream and the other in blue.

0:32:44 > 0:32:47You can take your pick from which one you want as your master.

0:32:47 > 0:32:51- OK.- This one has the views, obviously.- It has the views.

0:32:51 > 0:32:57Very nice. And again, very tastefully decorated and you would want to just move straight in.

0:32:57 > 0:33:01So you don't really need a lot in here, other than a bed and a chest of drawers

0:33:01 > 0:33:03because you got all the cupboard space.

0:33:03 > 0:33:05This first-floor bedroom looks out to the front

0:33:05 > 0:33:07of the property across the water

0:33:07 > 0:33:11but upstairs again on the second floor, the third bedroom

0:33:11 > 0:33:15'has been turned into a sitting room to make the most of that outlook.'

0:33:15 > 0:33:17Love this!

0:33:17 > 0:33:19Ah!

0:33:19 > 0:33:24A little hideaway! This could actually be a bedroom.

0:33:24 > 0:33:28It could be a bedroom but then you wouldn't be able to appreciate this!

0:33:29 > 0:33:32Oh, wow!

0:33:32 > 0:33:35- SHE GASPS - Now that is good.

0:33:35 > 0:33:37That is good!

0:33:37 > 0:33:40- This is a great feature, isn't it? - SHE LAUGHS

0:33:40 > 0:33:43So when I'm out sailing and Sandra's done my dinner, she can just...

0:33:43 > 0:33:46If you come back in there, they sit here.

0:33:46 > 0:33:49- You can sit there.- OK.

0:33:52 > 0:33:56With a glass of wine chilled in their own fridge.

0:33:56 > 0:34:00- Yeah.- And they watch the racing on the river at the weekend.

0:34:00 > 0:34:05They've got the best seats in town. Very seaside-y.

0:34:05 > 0:34:08- It's a good mystery house, no? - Yeah, it is a good mystery house.

0:34:08 > 0:34:10But of course it all depends on how much it costs

0:34:10 > 0:34:13and whether it is budgetable.

0:34:13 > 0:34:17- So, what do you think? - I think about 300.

0:34:21 > 0:34:24I would think a little bit below you, 285.

0:34:24 > 0:34:27This house is on the market for...

0:34:27 > 0:34:29275.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31You know what, I'm going to leave you two here

0:34:31 > 0:34:34to admire the view and maybe have a little discussion, heart-to-heart,

0:34:34 > 0:34:37- about what you think about it. - OK.

0:34:37 > 0:34:39And I will, as usual, see you out the front.

0:34:43 > 0:34:45That is a great view. Can't fault that at all.

0:34:45 > 0:34:48In fact, I'll think I'll have another look at it.

0:34:51 > 0:34:55A huge £75,000 under budget,

0:34:55 > 0:34:58the mystery property is a wonderful waterside period cottage

0:34:58 > 0:35:02with great travel links, ideal for Mark's commute.

0:35:02 > 0:35:04The cottage has versatile living spaces

0:35:04 > 0:35:06laid out over three levels

0:35:06 > 0:35:09that include two ground floor reception rooms,

0:35:09 > 0:35:13two first-floor bedrooms and the potential for a third

0:35:13 > 0:35:17up in the eaves to take in those river views across to Dartmoor.

0:35:17 > 0:35:23Although this isn't a location that we would have considered firstly,

0:35:23 > 0:35:25looking closely at it,

0:35:25 > 0:35:28there are a lot of activities that we could use around here.

0:35:28 > 0:35:31We could have a really good lifestyle and...

0:35:31 > 0:35:34Yeah, so location-wise, it's great.

0:35:34 > 0:35:38When you get through the door, it really is a lovely property.

0:35:38 > 0:35:42Going to have to give it some thought in terms of what it lacks,

0:35:42 > 0:35:45does what's in there make up for that?

0:35:45 > 0:35:49I don't think it does at the moment but it's been very interesting looking around and...

0:35:51 > 0:35:54..you've certainly got the view that we were after.

0:35:54 > 0:35:55It's lovely. It really is nice.

0:35:55 > 0:35:58It's not the far northern coast of Cornwall

0:35:58 > 0:36:01but it's not any worse for being a bustley.

0:36:01 > 0:36:05- Hello.- Hi.- All done? If you just pull the door behind you,

0:36:05 > 0:36:08- we're going to collect our thoughts. - OK.

0:36:15 > 0:36:20The Cornish Atlantic coast has some of the finest surfing beaches in the UK.

0:36:20 > 0:36:24It is estimated that the millions of surfers who dive into the waves

0:36:24 > 0:36:29each year contribute over £60 million to the Cornish economy.

0:36:29 > 0:36:31The most popular surfboards in use today

0:36:31 > 0:36:34rely on man-made materials which are more buoyant

0:36:34 > 0:36:38and flexible but impact considerably on the environment.

0:36:38 > 0:36:40In light of this, young furniture designer

0:36:40 > 0:36:44and passionate surfer, James Otter, has spent the last

0:36:44 > 0:36:47couple of years developing an environmentally-friendly

0:36:47 > 0:36:50alternative to the mass-produced foam and fibreglass boards,

0:36:50 > 0:36:53using locally sourced wood.

0:36:54 > 0:36:57I've come to James' workshop in St Agnes to find out

0:36:57 > 0:36:59how his boards evolve from tree to sea.

0:37:01 > 0:37:03- Morning, James.- Hiya. How are you doing, Alistair?

0:37:03 > 0:37:07- It's like the school workshop. - Being back at school.

0:37:07 > 0:37:11- I imagine initially they were wooden, historically?- Yeah.

0:37:11 > 0:37:15Historically, back in ancient Hawaii, the Polynesians all rode solid wooden boards.

0:37:15 > 0:37:18And then in the early 1920s,

0:37:18 > 0:37:20a Californian guy, they used to have paddle races,

0:37:20 > 0:37:22and he drilled a load of holes in his board

0:37:22 > 0:37:24and slapped plywood on the top and bottom

0:37:24 > 0:37:27and he started winning all the races so he was onto something.

0:37:27 > 0:37:30From then, hollow wooden boards has been a small undercurrent

0:37:30 > 0:37:33through the whole of surfing.

0:37:33 > 0:37:38- It's like a kind of classic, classic board, back to the roots.- Yeah.

0:37:38 > 0:37:40'Using digital software for the design,

0:37:40 > 0:37:43'a marine ply skeleton is cut out

0:37:43 > 0:37:45'by a computer-controlled router,

0:37:45 > 0:37:47'which is hand assembled and then sandwiched

0:37:47 > 0:37:50'between the top and bottom skin.'

0:37:50 > 0:37:53So that framework goes into the board, here.

0:37:53 > 0:37:56Once it is all popped together, you start to see the shape.

0:37:56 > 0:37:58This is the beautiful thing that we see.

0:37:58 > 0:38:01That's kind of the finished skin, yeah.

0:38:01 > 0:38:04These hollow boards are made from locally grown Western red cedar,

0:38:04 > 0:38:07then inlaid with strips of hardwood.

0:38:07 > 0:38:10- This is the cedar, is it? - Yeah, that is the cedar down there.

0:38:10 > 0:38:13And then the different hardwoods are in various sized strips

0:38:13 > 0:38:16- that I kind of go and raid people's offcut bins for.- Really?

0:38:16 > 0:38:20- So you can use recycled bits that people don't use?- Yeah.

0:38:20 > 0:38:23Cos long, thin strips are pretty much useless for everyone else

0:38:23 > 0:38:25but they are great for me.

0:38:25 > 0:38:29The average board takes about 60 hours to build from scratch

0:38:29 > 0:38:32with much of the process done by hand.

0:38:32 > 0:38:35James runs workshops, giving surfers the opportunity to get involved

0:38:35 > 0:38:39in building their own boards.

0:38:39 > 0:38:41This is beautifully...

0:38:41 > 0:38:44Is this one of the ones that your apprentices are doing?

0:38:44 > 0:38:46Yeah, the workshop guys.

0:38:46 > 0:38:49This is one a chap from London called Ian's come down...

0:38:49 > 0:38:52Feels... You can imagine...

0:38:52 > 0:38:54So they come and do this to make their own surfboard.

0:38:54 > 0:38:57So they must become very tactilely attached to them.

0:38:57 > 0:39:00And the wood lends itself really well to the old shapes.

0:39:00 > 0:39:05So the much smoother surfing, more stylish surfing, rather than quick,

0:39:05 > 0:39:08snappy performance surfing, because they are that little bit heavier.

0:39:08 > 0:39:12'The surfboards are then finished with a laminate fibreglass coating,'

0:39:12 > 0:39:15then lacquered to give them a glossy finish

0:39:15 > 0:39:17that not only makes them watertight

0:39:17 > 0:39:20but also highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

0:39:20 > 0:39:22So we've got the finished boards here.

0:39:22 > 0:39:25- They're so beautiful!- Yeah.

0:39:25 > 0:39:28- They're like works of art. - They do finish up nicely.

0:39:28 > 0:39:31- Can I see how heavy they are? - Yeah, go for it.

0:39:31 > 0:39:33Gosh, they're really light!

0:39:33 > 0:39:37They're about 25% heavier than the foam equivalent.

0:39:37 > 0:39:40'Although surprisingly lightweight, these boards are tough

0:39:40 > 0:39:43'with a longer lifespan than their man-made counterparts.

0:39:43 > 0:39:45'And since no two bits of wood are the same,

0:39:45 > 0:39:47'each one is visually unique.'

0:39:48 > 0:39:50But they weren't made to stay on land

0:39:50 > 0:39:53so it's off to hit the beach and see them in action,

0:39:53 > 0:39:57demonstrated by fellow wooden board enthusiast, Matthew Arney.

0:40:01 > 0:40:03Conditions aren't ideal to create massive waves

0:40:03 > 0:40:06but there's no doubt this locally crafted board

0:40:06 > 0:40:08cuts a graceful silhouette in the water.

0:40:10 > 0:40:12For now though, it's time to find out

0:40:12 > 0:40:16whether the surf's up for any of our three properties?

0:40:20 > 0:40:23So how's it been, your Cornish week?

0:40:23 > 0:40:24Really interesting.

0:40:24 > 0:40:27You've done what you said you would do,

0:40:27 > 0:40:29that is showing us three totally different properties.

0:40:29 > 0:40:31I keep my promise.

0:40:31 > 0:40:34Let's go through the houses one by one. The first house.

0:40:34 > 0:40:37It was a grey day when we went to see it. It was a grey morning.

0:40:37 > 0:40:41But it did have amazing views at the back of the house.

0:40:41 > 0:40:44Although the view was great, I didn't really like the location that much.

0:40:44 > 0:40:47The front of the property was quite bland.

0:40:47 > 0:40:49Go through the front door

0:40:49 > 0:40:52and there was lots of lovely parts to the house.

0:40:52 > 0:40:54It didn't quite add up as an offering?

0:40:54 > 0:40:57- No.- Not really.

0:40:57 > 0:41:01So the second house. This was, had a lot more curb appeal.

0:41:01 > 0:41:05- Was a beautiful looking property. - I fell in love with that property.

0:41:05 > 0:41:09The view, again, was amazing. The upstairs was beautiful.

0:41:09 > 0:41:12It's been done out exactly to our taste

0:41:12 > 0:41:16- so we could literally move in there. - Mark, you were more...

0:41:16 > 0:41:18You, from the start,

0:41:18 > 0:41:21seemed to be sort of stubbornly resistant to its charms!

0:41:21 > 0:41:24I just didn't get a feeling when I went in through the door

0:41:24 > 0:41:30that I really loved it and sometimes that's the most important thing.

0:41:30 > 0:41:33I've given it a lot of thought since then

0:41:33 > 0:41:36and I'm coming more round to Sandra's way of thinking.

0:41:36 > 0:41:38- But we'll see. - And the mystery house.

0:41:38 > 0:41:44It was really nice but just not quite what we're looking for.

0:41:44 > 0:41:46And it wasn't your part of Cornwall.

0:41:46 > 0:41:50And I do love the north Cornish coast

0:41:50 > 0:41:53and the beaches and to have those in easy reach,

0:41:53 > 0:41:56anywhere from Bodmin across that way...

0:41:56 > 0:41:58Is the draw.

0:41:58 > 0:42:02..is one of the big draws for coming to this part of the world.

0:42:02 > 0:42:05Is there something you've learnt or is there one property

0:42:05 > 0:42:07you would pursue and visit again? What happens next?

0:42:07 > 0:42:11Well, that second property, for me, had a feel about it

0:42:11 > 0:42:15that would really make me want to go back for a second viewing.

0:42:15 > 0:42:18- So it's still a contender, that property?- It certainly is, yeah.

0:42:18 > 0:42:21- I wish you all the best. It is a tough place to shop...- It is.

0:42:21 > 0:42:24..for property, because it's got so many second homes

0:42:24 > 0:42:27and there's a lot of pressure on the market here.

0:42:27 > 0:42:31But you've got some time and you've got a good budget so I wish you all the best.

0:42:31 > 0:42:34Thank you very much. We had a really excellent time.

0:42:34 > 0:42:37You've brought the sun out so we like you.

0:42:41 > 0:42:43I have actually just finished a Cornish pasty

0:42:43 > 0:42:46climbing up here to deliver these thoughts about this show

0:42:46 > 0:42:50and partly to celebrate three great properties.

0:42:50 > 0:42:53I know that Mark and Sandra probably won't go for any of them,

0:42:53 > 0:42:56but we did deliver an important service in making them

0:42:56 > 0:42:58think about what they can get for their budget

0:42:58 > 0:43:02and also where they're going to buy here in this lovely county.

0:43:02 > 0:43:04So I hope you've enjoyed our perambulations around Cornwall

0:43:04 > 0:43:07and join us next time for more Escape To The Country.

0:43:08 > 0:43:12If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales, England

0:43:12 > 0:43:15or Northern Ireland and need our help, please apply online.

0:43:42 > 0:43:44Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd