0:00:02 > 0:00:06The county I'm in today is home to around 40,000 buildings like these made simply from mud.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10Find out how they've weathered the test of time in just a few moments.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44'On today's show, I'm accompanying a novelist and her daughter
0:00:44 > 0:00:46'who've always lived in rented accommodation
0:00:46 > 0:00:50'to buy their first house, a dream home in the country.
0:00:50 > 0:00:55'Along the way, we find them the ideal place for family celebrations.'
0:00:55 > 0:01:00- Oh, I can imagine Christmas here. Can you?- Yeah. - THEY LAUGH
0:01:00 > 0:01:03'But later, it becomes a battle of the bedrooms.'
0:01:03 > 0:01:08- This is mine.- Oh! - You can go and find your own room.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Today I'm in Devon, and here in the village of Drewsteignton
0:01:13 > 0:01:18are some fantastic examples of properties dating as far back as the 15th century
0:01:18 > 0:01:22made simply out of straw and soil, known as cob.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27The clay-like soil found in this area had the ideal qualities for cob construction,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30which is why so much of this type of architecture
0:01:30 > 0:01:32can be found right across the county.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36You may be thinking that using earth for building is a little primitive.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40But because the materials are relatively cheap and eco-friendly,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44cob construction methods can still be found in the county today.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47And I'll be finding out what's involved in that process later in the programme.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51But first, let's take a look at the county's other enduring features.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54'Lying in southwest England,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58'Devon is the only county with two separate coastlines.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01'The North Atlantic coast is popular with surfers
0:02:01 > 0:02:04'and is home to some of the finest beaches in England.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08'The sandy expanse of shoreline in Croyde attracts sea-loving visitors,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12'while the village itself, which lies within the North Devon area of outstanding natural beauty,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15'exudes gentrified charm.
0:02:15 > 0:02:20'Devon's landscape has provided the inspiration for many literary greats.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23'Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes,
0:02:23 > 0:02:27'used the wild, windswept southern landscape of Dartmoor
0:02:27 > 0:02:31'as the backdrop for his most famous tale, The Hound Of The Baskervilles.
0:02:31 > 0:02:38'The dramatic countryside around Exmoor inspired author RD Blackmore to set Lorna Doone there.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41'Westward Ho!, the Victorian resort on the north Devon coast,
0:02:41 > 0:02:46'was named after Charles Kingsley's novel from 1855.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48'In the book he describes nearby Appledore
0:02:48 > 0:02:50'as a little, white fishing village.
0:02:50 > 0:02:56'In fact, this quayside community was the largest importer of tobacco in Elizabethan times
0:02:56 > 0:03:00'and has been a thriving fishing port since the 14th century.'
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Devon's popularity is reflected in its house prices.
0:03:04 > 0:03:09The average cost of a detached property here is around £290,000.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13That's around £35,000 above the national figure.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17Now, generally speaking, your money stretches further in the north of the county.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20So try out villages like South Molton and Bampton,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23which will also get you closer to Exmoor National Park.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25This, however, is in stark contrast
0:03:25 > 0:03:29to the costly hotspots on the south coast, such as Salcombe and Dartmouth,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33which seem to be perennially popular with the sailing fraternity.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35But if you fancy heading inland
0:03:35 > 0:03:37and sampling some of Devon's lush countryside,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39try heading to central villages like Hatherleigh,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42where you'll also get generally more value for money.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44But no matter where you look in this fantastic county,
0:03:44 > 0:03:48I think it's pretty fair to say there is a greater range of properties on offer.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55'If there's one architectural style that typifies Devon, it has to be cob housing.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59'Used since the 13th century, it involves the use of local earth materials
0:03:59 > 0:04:02'such as straw, soil and water.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04'And it's enjoying something of a revival here.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09'In the attractive west Devon village of Drewsteignton, this Grade II end-of-terrace cottage
0:04:09 > 0:04:14'with a thatched roof and two beds is priced at £275,000.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17'And thatched properties are also a recurring theme
0:04:17 > 0:04:20'in the pretty villages and hamlets across the county.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22'Despite being a natural material,
0:04:22 > 0:04:27'each straw thatch has a lifespan of around 25 years.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32'This traditional whitewash property in the north Devon village of Chittlehampton is Grade II listed.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35'It comes with three bedrooms, along with an attached barn,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39'and is on the market for £385,000.'
0:04:41 > 0:04:47Well, such a range of houses should certainly be of interest to today's buyers. Let's meet them.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50'In today's house-hunting tale,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53'Helen, an author of swashbuckling historical novels,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56'is on a quest to find a country home with daughter Cathy.
0:04:56 > 0:05:01'After living with Helen's husband, Ron, in their rented East London home for the past 17 years,
0:05:01 > 0:05:05'good fortune has smiled on the family.
0:05:05 > 0:05:10'Out of the blue, their dream of an escape to the country has turned into a reality.'
0:05:10 > 0:05:15The reason why we want to move is we unexpectedly had a little bit of a windfall
0:05:15 > 0:05:19which has given as the financial opportunity to move away.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22- We want to move yesterday. - SHE LAUGHS
0:05:22 > 0:05:25It would be just so nice to get away from London,
0:05:25 > 0:05:28take the chance to slow down a little bit,
0:05:28 > 0:05:30appreciate the countryside,
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- and the opportunity has arisen, and we're going to take it, aren't we? - Yeah.
0:05:35 > 0:05:41'It's Cathy's passion for horses that is really driving the family's enthusiasm for a change of scenery.'
0:05:41 > 0:05:45I've got two horses at the moment, Lexi and Jasper.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49We've always really wanted to move out cos of having the horses,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51it's not practical, really, for where we are.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55So finding somewhere with stables and land
0:05:55 > 0:05:57would be a good move.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02'So for Ron, Helen and Cathy's first house purchase they're off to Devon,
0:06:02 > 0:06:06'which has served as an inspiration for Helen's latest pirate adventure novels.'
0:06:07 > 0:06:11I think we were just talking one day and I said, "What about Devon?"
0:06:11 > 0:06:14And both you and Dad went, "Oh, yeah, Devon would be nice."
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- And that was it.- Mm.- Devon it is.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21'While Cathy's fantasy is setting up livery stables
0:06:21 > 0:06:25'and retiree Ron is in the garden tending to his pigeons,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27'Helen will be getting stuck into her writing work.'
0:06:27 > 0:06:30I'm not sure what I'm going to do for my next project.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34It'll probably be another serious historical fiction. I've got a couple of ideas.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39I'm just waiting for the inspiration of the view from my new study.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42'So with a study and stables top of the wish list,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46'there's one more thing Helen would really like from her new home.'
0:06:46 > 0:06:50Somewhere we can move straight into. That is, I think, another priority.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Ron is a lot older than me. He doesn't really want to do work there.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56He wants to go and enjoy his retirement.
0:06:56 > 0:07:00'And husband Ron is very much taking a back seat in the property search.'
0:07:00 > 0:07:04Helen knows what I want. I've told her.
0:07:04 > 0:07:09And I trust them wholly to get it right first time
0:07:09 > 0:07:13and sort it out in one go. I don't want to be mucked about.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18'Being cash buyers will certainly help them move quickly.'
0:07:18 > 0:07:22The maximum for our budget would be £620,000.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31'North and central Devon are Helen and Cathy's preferred areas,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33'ideally close to South Molton
0:07:33 > 0:07:36'or the region Helen has written about in her latest novel,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39'which includes the town of Bideford.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42'They came to Devon to tell me more about their fantasy future home.'
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Well, ladies, welcome to a Devonshire morning,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- quite a departure from Walthamstow, I'd have thought. - It is a little bit. Yes.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- What are the must haves, then? Cathy, for you? - Erm, it's mainly the stables,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- in that sense, because they are my main thing.- OK.
0:07:57 > 0:08:03Well, I suppose my must have would be I need somewhere where I can write.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08What kind of house are we looking for? I take it it's going to be a smallholding of some sort, is it?
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Well, something with stables and land,
0:08:10 > 0:08:16- and we want somewhere where Cathy can have your own bedroom, sitting room.- Space, yeah.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Somewhere where we can be together as a family, but where Cathy can have her independence.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23We're looking for a lot of property all of a sudden.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- Yeah, it's quite a bit, isn't it, really?- Yeah.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28I think basically a house with four bedrooms.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- OK.- A couple of reception rooms.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35An annexe would be nice, but then you're looking price-wise, as well.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38How soon can you move? Do you need to borrow any money?
0:08:38 > 0:08:42- No, we're cash buyers.- So you can do the deal.- We can move in tomorrow.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45- This is exciting, isn't it? - It certainly is, yes.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Hugely exciting. Let's not pause any longer.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51Let's get on with it. This way.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55'Helen and Cathy have a specific list of what they hope to find
0:08:55 > 0:08:58'for their budget of £620,000.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02'First off, it has to be a character property with a study for Helen,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04'a minimum of four bedrooms,
0:09:04 > 0:09:08'and have a separate area or annexe for Cathy if possible.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11'Outside they're after stables
0:09:11 > 0:09:14'and at least eight acres of land for the horses to graze on.
0:09:14 > 0:09:18'I'll be showing them three properties that we hope will inspire them.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22'At each one, we'll be playing a price-guessing game after we've had a look around.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26'Last up will be our mystery house, which could offer them everything
0:09:26 > 0:09:29'as long as they're prepared to work for it.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32'But let's head off to house number one.'
0:09:35 > 0:09:39One practical thing that comes across my mind is the fact that
0:09:39 > 0:09:43you're moving to a very rural environment
0:09:43 > 0:09:46and neither of you drive. How are you going to get about?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- Well, Cathy is going to learn to drive.- Yeah.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- And we might get a pony and trap, might we?- Yeah.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Really? It's like going back in time, isn't it?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57Yeah. Why not?
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- I write historical fiction. It's good for research.- There you go.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06'Mindful of the preferred location,
0:10:06 > 0:10:11'we've travelled around six and a half miles from South Molton to Chittlehamholt.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15'Situated in the Taw Valley, this pretty village is full of history and character,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19'with a thatched traditional coaching inn dating back to the 16th century
0:10:19 > 0:10:23'and a community hall which hosts a variety of activities.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27'Our first property continues the historic theme.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30'Dating back in parts to the late 1700s,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34'it was once a dairy farm and it provides the peaceful rural setting
0:10:34 > 0:10:37'along with all the outbuildings and acreage.'
0:10:38 > 0:10:44I want you to start here, really, cos this is where you get the best view of the house itself.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Ooh, this is nice.- Isn't it just?
0:10:46 > 0:10:48Ooh, yes.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- And lovely and quiet. - Well, listen, there's...
0:10:51 > 0:10:54- ..nothing to hear.- Lovely! - Nothing at all.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57There's a lot of history in this house.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- You said you wanted character, didn't you?- Yes.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Yeah, it looks a nice old cottage.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- Yeah, we'll see what it's got inside and see what size it is.- Yeah.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09OK. Let's go inside. This way.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14'So the period charm of this stone property
0:11:14 > 0:11:17'is working its magic so far. And as we walk around to the back door,
0:11:17 > 0:11:19'in typical farmhouse fashion,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22'I'm hoping they'll be impressed with what they find inside.'
0:11:22 > 0:11:27Now then, I'm not sure just how important the kitchen is to you ladies,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29but I thought this was rather lovely.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- Yes. It is quite a nice size, actually, isn't it?- It's a proper farm kitchen, isn't it?
0:11:33 > 0:11:36Just through there, there's a little dining room with patio doors
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- going out to a sun terrace, cos south is that way.- Right.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Do you like... How is it...
0:11:43 > 0:11:46A lot of people talk about this fuzzy feeling that they get when they walk into a home.
0:11:46 > 0:11:50Certainly you spend a lot more time in the house because you work from here, don't you?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- Yes. - If I can squeeze past you, Cathy, let's go to the living room next.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57'I know Helen needs somewhere to write and she'll find it just off the main reception area,
0:11:57 > 0:12:01'which is wonderfully atmospheric and brimming with period detail.'
0:12:01 > 0:12:06This is where you're starting to feel the real age of the property and character that you're after.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Oh, this is nice. Oh!
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- I can imagine Christmas here, can't you?- Yeah.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Is this is the sort of thing you like, as well, Cathy?
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- Yeah, I like the all the old things and everything.- Yeah. OK.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23- You did say you wanted to work from home.- Yeah.- And I was thinking,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27the study for you could be just through here. Let's have a look.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Now, Helen, do mind your step.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Is this big enough for a writing room or a study?
0:12:33 > 0:12:37Yes. Yes. And it's nice and light and airy and I've got a view.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40It could be nice and quiet.
0:12:40 > 0:12:45- This is not going to be my study or my office, this would be my snug. - Oh, right!
0:12:45 > 0:12:49Somehow, I think writing books has taken a back seat, all of a sudden.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- Yes, I'm not going to get any work done.- Oh.
0:12:52 > 0:12:57- All right.- Great!- Perfect. If you're happy, I'm happy.- Yes.
0:12:58 > 0:13:03'Helen seems so smitten by this house, she's thinking of giving up the day job.
0:13:03 > 0:13:08'Now we're going to head upstairs, which certainly delivers, as there are four bedrooms in all.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10'Two good size doubles with exposed beams,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13'one which also has a cast iron fireplace,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17'and a further double in the newer, 19th-century part of the house.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20'But we're heading for the largest one.'
0:13:20 > 0:13:25This, I think, is the master bedroom out of four bedrooms you have.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Oh, nice.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Four bedrooms, one bathroom, a really lovely family bathroom.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33But I know you said ideally you would like to have your own bathrooms.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37You don't have that here. OK? So this is a compromise.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40Well, Helen, if we've got you onboard with the house,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- we need to get you, Cathy, on board with the land and the stables.- Yeah.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46I think you might be, anyway. Let's hope so.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- Just through here.- Let's go see.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53'Outside there are two good-size outbuildings, a cow shed and a dairy,
0:13:53 > 0:13:58'which offers great conversion potential for that independent living space for Cathy,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00'with the right permissions in place, of course.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05'There's also some up and running equestrian facilities for her future riding business.'
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Stables you wanted. Stables you have.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- Right.- Ooh!- Four boxes. - Yeah.- They look all right.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- Right at the end of the garden. - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- Are these the sort of things you had in mind?- Yeah, similar.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24It'd be nice maybe to have a few more to branch out into a livery,
0:14:24 > 0:14:27but I don't know what field space there is.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- The only thing you haven't looked at yet is the land.- Yep.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- And there's loads of that. Come with me.- Brilliant.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38'So, along with the stables, Cathy was hoping for around eight acres of land.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41'And with this property, we've more than delivered,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43'as she's got two paddocks here,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46'along with the top field which is the same size as the paddocks together.'
0:14:46 > 0:14:48How much land is here?
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- 13 acres.- Right.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- I think that's enough, don't you? - I hope so.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- You've got the stable yard to yourself.- Yeah.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59How much do you think this house is on the market for? With all of its land?
0:14:59 > 0:15:04- I'd say, what, 600? - OK. Cathy?- What do you reckon?
0:15:04 > 0:15:07I think maybe a little bit more, maybe, like, 615.
0:15:07 > 0:15:13You'll be pleasantly surprised to hear that this place is on the market for offers around £575,000.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18- Oh, right. That's quite a bit lower. - OK. Definitely sold.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Yeah. I think first off, go back and look at the stables,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24then go into the house, have a good look around the house itself.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28And then, whenever you're finished, we'll go on to the next property.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- OK.- OK.- All right? - Yep.- Go and have another look.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- Away you go. Good luck.- Thank you.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38'At £575,000, the price is a nice twist in the tale,
0:15:38 > 0:15:40'as this house comes in well under budget
0:15:40 > 0:15:43'and addresses all the elements they asked for.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46'Helen gets her study-cum-snug,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49'a characterful sitting room and four bedrooms.
0:15:49 > 0:15:53'Outside, the horses are well-catered for, with four stables.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56'And there's an outbuilding which Cathy could develop for herself.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59'All set in 13 acres of paddocks and fields.'
0:16:00 > 0:16:03They're good-sized stables. There's only four of them
0:16:03 > 0:16:06so one would obviously have to be for tack and feed.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09It's mainly the space in the house, I think,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11more than the actual land and the stables.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19So there's another bedroom. But you could have that as your bedroom
0:16:19 > 0:16:22and this could be the sitting room, cos you've got a nice fire there.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25It could make a nice little cosy sitting room for you.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29I love the house. It's just the right sort of period.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32I can feel there's such an atmosphere in there.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34I know I can sit and write in that place.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- When can we move in? - SHE LAUGHS
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- I don't want to go home! - SHE LAUGHS
0:16:42 > 0:16:45There's so much to look at.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47- Hopefully you've seen it all, have you?- I think so, yes.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Well, I have to rush you on because we have another property.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- Hopefully a bit of land to look round again. So let's go.- OK.
0:17:05 > 0:17:09'North Devon is dotted with pretty historic villages and market towns
0:17:09 > 0:17:13'set in the midst of unspoiled green countryside.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16'Great Torrington must be one of the most spectacular
0:17:16 > 0:17:20'due to its cliff-top position above the River Torridge.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25'Known as the cavalier town, it played a significant role in the English Civil War,
0:17:25 > 0:17:29'the battle here marking the end of the Royalist resistance in the West Country.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32'The surrounding landscape has remained practically unchanged
0:17:32 > 0:17:38'since the 1920s, when Henry Williamson wrote his novel, Tarka The Otter.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43'And these days, it's a popular place with walkers, cyclists and horse riders alike.
0:17:43 > 0:17:48'As both Helen and Cathy, an expert rider, share an interest in all things equestrian,
0:17:48 > 0:17:52'we arranged for them to visit a riding school in nearby Petrockstowe
0:17:52 > 0:17:56'to find out more about a traditional mode of transport from its owner, Gail Palmer.
0:17:56 > 0:18:00'The 19th century was the golden age of carriage driving,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04'when horsepower was the main form of transport.'
0:18:04 > 0:18:07The West Country is a good place to do carriage driving
0:18:07 > 0:18:11because it's... the roads here are less busy.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15And there's more off-road driving you can do, anyway.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18There are qualifications that you can take,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21such as the Competency Test,
0:18:21 > 0:18:26which is something the Great Western Harness Club expect you to have achieved
0:18:26 > 0:18:31before you can attend a public event with your own horse.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34And then there's the BDS Road Assessment Test,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36which speaks for itself,
0:18:36 > 0:18:42which is qualifications on how to handle your driving horse on the road.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45So how practical would driving a carriage be to, let's say,
0:18:45 > 0:18:48going backwards and forwards to the shops and things?
0:18:48 > 0:18:52A lot of people now are going back to the old thing now
0:18:52 > 0:18:55where they do use carriage and horse for transport,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58which would include going to the shops.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01'As neither Helen or Cathy drive a car,
0:19:01 > 0:19:05'this could be both a very useful and nostalgic way for them to travel
0:19:05 > 0:19:09'once they've completed their British Driving Society training.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13'One of the skills they would learn would be to harness the horse correctly.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17'A key piece of equipment is the breeching, which is worn around the horse's hindquarters.'
0:19:18 > 0:19:23But it's this breeching that we need to make sure is correctly fitted,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27not too high, not to low, on his hindquarters
0:19:27 > 0:19:31cos that's what he stops the carriage with as he's coming downhill.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35'Once they've harnessed up, it's time for Helen and Cathy
0:19:35 > 0:19:39'to get their protective gear on, too, as the carriage is readied for the off,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42'a process that needs an extra pair of hands from assistant Abby.
0:19:42 > 0:19:48'Then there's a quick lesson about holding the reins for Cathy, who's going to share the driving.'
0:19:48 > 0:19:53This is how you hold the reins in traditional driving.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57And your left rein is coming over your index finger
0:19:57 > 0:20:00and your right rein is going in the middle of your four fingers.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04'The British Driving Society has a Devon branch
0:20:04 > 0:20:07'which runs events in the county throughout the year.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10'A great way for Cathy and Helen to meet like-minded people.'
0:20:10 > 0:20:14That's good. Good boy, Bruno.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- How you feeling?- Yep.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- I can feel his mouth, so... - Yeah, that's good.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30'Now they've enjoyed a ride through the Devon countryside,
0:20:30 > 0:20:34'let's hope we can steer Helen and Cathy in the right direction
0:20:34 > 0:20:36'as our house-hunt continues.'
0:20:41 > 0:20:45'Chapter two on our journey takes us close to the village of Bishops Nympton,
0:20:45 > 0:20:49'which lies about three miles from South Molton.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51'Once an estate of the Bishop of Exeter,
0:20:51 > 0:20:53'it's a charming community in a valley setting
0:20:53 > 0:20:57'and home to a whole host of well-preserved buildings.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00'The 15th century church tower is a local landmark,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02'and along with a shop for everyday necessities,
0:21:02 > 0:21:07'there's a very characterful inn where the residents gather and can play a traditional game of skittles.
0:21:07 > 0:21:12'Our second property lies around two miles away in the hamlet of Mariansleigh,
0:21:12 > 0:21:16'a small cluster of houses on a high exposed ridge.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19'This is an entirely different proposition to our first home
0:21:19 > 0:21:21'as they'll need to think more laterally about the land,
0:21:21 > 0:21:24'while the property itself needs no work at all.'
0:21:26 > 0:21:30Well, then, here's the second house.
0:21:30 > 0:21:33- Looks nice.- More modern looking, isn't it?- Yes.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- Yeah, by a couple of hundred years, I think. - THEY LAUGH
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- This place is just over four years old.- Right. OK.
0:21:40 > 0:21:45- What's your first impressions of it? - First impression is it looks very plain and ordinary.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47OK.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51But I think it could be looks are deceptive, maybe.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- Good. Well, keep an open mind.- Yep. - Let's see what you think of the inside. Let's go.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00'I'm glad they're giving this property a chance, because the interior does have character,
0:22:00 > 0:22:04'it's just more contemporary, and includes bespoke features such as the staircase,
0:22:04 > 0:22:08'which is the first thing that greets us as we step through the door.'
0:22:08 > 0:22:11This is a house that you very much use the front door,
0:22:11 > 0:22:16- because you want to make use of this wonderful entrance hall. - This is nice.- Very different.- OK.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- And the kitchen is different again. Follow me.- OK.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21I know neither of you are particularly keen cooks.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25- Ooh!- But I think you might have to learn.- Yes, quite a big kitchen.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30- This is a nice big kitchen, yes. - Yes, it's a bigger kitchen than in the other house.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- I would probably use the range. You won't.- No.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37I'll use the table. I'll sit in here, though.
0:22:37 > 0:22:42- Sit there, cup of tea, looking out the window. Yeah, I would do that. - It's a stunning view, isn't it?
0:22:42 > 0:22:46'Towards the back of the house, there's a small study or snug which might work for Helen.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49'But we're going to take a look at the main living room.'
0:22:49 > 0:22:51So the other side of the house...
0:22:52 > 0:22:54..another south-facing reception room.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Another nice room. It's a nice size.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01My feel is that it's not a home yet because it's new.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06There's no sense of the past and of people who lived here before that.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- But then, you make it a home, don't you?- Yeah.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14We're talking about land and stables, but you spend a lot of time inside, working and relaxing,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- so let's keep thinking about that. - Yep.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22- Let's go upstairs to the bedrooms and see how those might work for you.- Yep.- OK.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27'Upstairs in this immaculate home, there are four bedrooms in total,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30'all of them a very good size,
0:23:30 > 0:23:35'with one ready to use as an office if Helen prefers to work upstairs.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38'They stand alongside a generous and stylish family bathroom.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42'The third bedroom, however, comes with its own en suite shower room
0:23:42 > 0:23:45'which will be good news for them, as we take a look at the master.'
0:23:45 > 0:23:51Now, Cathy, you'll be rather pleased to hear that there are two bedrooms of this size.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- Right.- Oh, right. - Both of which are en suite.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58- Oh.- OK. That's you sorted for that, then.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- This is a nice size.- Mm.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- At least you get your own space then, don't you?- Yeah.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08Yeah, unlike the first one, which didn't really have any space at all.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10It's a shame, that.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13It still all depends on what's on the outside.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- And that is, in some ways, even more important than the house for us, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- Right, OK. Well, let's go outside. - Let's go and have a look.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- But think laterally. You might need to use your imagination with this one, OK?- Yep.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27All right. Let me just squeeze past there.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- I'm an author. I can do that.- Good!
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- Don't put any pirates anywhere. - THEY LAUGH
0:24:35 > 0:24:38'While the house works perfectly for them in terms of layout,
0:24:38 > 0:24:43'the land does need careful planning to give them the stables and space they're after.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46'With a total of four and a half acres,
0:24:46 > 0:24:49'there's plenty of paddock at the back of the house which would need fencing.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52'There's also a choice of adaptable outbuildings,
0:24:52 > 0:24:55'including a store shed and two large barns,
0:24:55 > 0:25:00'which give Cathy great potential to develop into stabling in the future.'
0:25:00 > 0:25:03Loads of outbuildings, land that needs a bit of thinking,
0:25:03 > 0:25:07maybe some attention to make it horse-ready, I would've thought.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11But, yeah, in the long run,
0:25:11 > 0:25:13you could probably make something of it if you wanted to.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- So, you know what's coming.- Yeah. - THEY LAUGH
0:25:17 > 0:25:23- Ooh, this is going to be hard. - I think maybe around 590. - 590, all right.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27I was going to go maybe a bit more. I think 615.
0:25:27 > 0:25:32Right. Well, this is on the market for offers around £650,000.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- That is high.- That is high. - I thought it would be higher.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I think it's really interesting what you said about,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41"It's practical, we just don't think it's a home yet.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45"Maybe we could make it a home." Maybe revisit that conversation.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47- Yes.- Yeah. - Let's go and have a look.- OK.
0:25:47 > 0:25:51Away you go. I'll see you whenever you're ready.
0:25:51 > 0:25:57'So, this stunning property may be priced over their budget at £650,000
0:25:57 > 0:26:01'but as cash buyers, they're in a great position to negotiate.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03'It offers a fantastic bespoke interior
0:26:03 > 0:26:06'with a light, spacious kitchen/diner,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08'a choice of study spaces for Helen
0:26:08 > 0:26:11'and four bedrooms, two of which are en suite.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15'Outside is bursting with potential with its many outbuildings
0:26:15 > 0:26:18'and provides four and a half acres of land.'
0:26:18 > 0:26:22The land is smaller, so it'll be easier to manage.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25It's nice that there's a barn, but again, it's having to put stables in.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29But it's a good possibility to think about having larger stables
0:26:29 > 0:26:31rather than the smaller ones in the first property.
0:26:31 > 0:26:38I did like it. I just feel with this, it needs a little bit more past life to it.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41This is a blank page.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43You've got to write your own story onto this house.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50I was just thinking, pity we didn't get better weather, cos there's a fantastic view here, isn't there?
0:26:50 > 0:26:53This would be stunning of an evening, sitting here.
0:26:53 > 0:26:59- Wouldn't it just?- Yeah.- Now, two completely different houses.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02- Hopefully something to compare against each other.- Yes.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05- That's it for today, so let's go back.- OK.- Right.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24'So, as dusk falls over the dramatic Devon landscape,
0:27:24 > 0:27:27'it marks the end of a tale of two very different houses
0:27:27 > 0:27:29'in our property search.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38'Author Helen, who specialises in swashbuckling historical novels,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41'has had an unexpected windfall.
0:27:41 > 0:27:47'So together with daughter Cathy and husband Ron, she can leave her rented London maisonette behind
0:27:47 > 0:27:49'and with £620,000,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52'buy a dream home in the Devon countryside.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55'She loved the historic bones of our first property,
0:27:55 > 0:28:00'while our stunning second house fell short of giving them a warm, homely feeling.
0:28:00 > 0:28:05'But coming up, the mystery property proves that truth is stranger than fiction.'
0:28:05 > 0:28:08It reminds me of an inn off of one of the old films,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10like, fantasy films.
0:28:10 > 0:28:15'And I get back to basics and try my hand at building a cob wall.'
0:28:17 > 0:28:19So of the two properties we saw yesterday,
0:28:19 > 0:28:24I'm pretty sure it was the character of the first that appealed to Helen's love of history.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28Even though, in house terms, maybe the second property was the most practical option.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31But one thing they haven't yet seen is a house with the land and stables
0:28:31 > 0:28:34but also access to a community.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36Let's face it, neither of the ladies drive.
0:28:36 > 0:28:41So if they're going to get that, as you can imagine, there may well be a compromise somewhere.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43But that's where the mystery house comes in.
0:28:43 > 0:28:46It's here to challenge the expectations of our buyers.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48It asks them to use their imagination,
0:28:48 > 0:28:53which is something I'm hoping novelist Helen will have little problem with.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00'For the final chapter of our property story,
0:29:00 > 0:29:02'we've taken the road to the village of Weare Giffard,
0:29:02 > 0:29:04'around four miles from Bideford.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07'It sits on the east bank of the River Torridge,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11'with all the necessary day-to-day amenities and surrounded by walking country.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16'In the 13th century, it was part of the estate of the Giffard family,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20'and the Weare part of the name can be traced back to the tradition of salmon fishing here,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22'as mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26'Within striking distant of the village and on a useful bus route
0:29:26 > 0:29:31'for our non-driving buyers, the mystery property dates back to the 16th century.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34'Yes, it offers fantastic potential for the livery business
0:29:34 > 0:29:37'as well as offering Cathy more independence.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41'But it throws down the gauntlet of having to do some work to give them all of that,
0:29:41 > 0:29:44'and I know that was something they wanted to avoid.'
0:29:44 > 0:29:46So, as you can see, right on the edge of the village,
0:29:46 > 0:29:51- the last house in the village... - Yep.- ..is the mystery house.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- This is nice.- It reminds me of an inn off of one of the old films.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59Like, fantasy films.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01- Right. Or maybe a fantasy novel. - Yes!
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Inspiration maybe for the next one.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06OK, well, good first impressions. Let's get inside.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14'Our mystery property certainly delivers on the charm as well as fantastic views.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17'And I know they'll love the inside, too, so we're starting
0:30:17 > 0:30:21'by heading for the side door into the kitchen, which was added in the 1980s.'
0:30:21 > 0:30:24Straight into the kitchen.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- You wouldn't normally use this entrance.- Yeah.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32- What do you think?- I think this is a nice compromise size kitchen.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- It's not too big.- Yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39- It's a bit more, erm, modern. - But there's enough room to move around here.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43Well, I learnt that kitchens aren't hugely important to you.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48You're not particularly keen cooks. You're out busy with the horses and you're busy writing.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- It's nice and light and airy. Yeah, I like this.- Good. All right.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54'With the kitchen passing the test, we're heading for the sitting room,
0:30:54 > 0:30:57'which I think will be to Helen's liking.'
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Right, then. Something a bit different, I think.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- Come right in. - Oh, yeah, I like this.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Nice fireplace. Nice and cosy. - It's got a fireplace both ends.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10Yeah. Going back to what you said you wanted,
0:31:10 > 0:31:13you could imagine yourself in an older building with an open fire.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16Well, you've got your choice of which one to use.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19One for me, one for Ron or one for you.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22Let's go upstairs now. We'll talk about some options
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- and then... Don't worry, I'll let you outside. All right? - Yes!- Let's go.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30'So far in our property search, we haven't managed to completely crack
0:31:30 > 0:31:33'giving Cathy an independent area to call her own.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35'But this property definitely comes the closest.'
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Right, let's start with the master bedroom.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- Oh, this is nice! - Yeah, quite big.- Yes.
0:31:42 > 0:31:47- Look, you want the independence, don't you?- Yeah.- This has a fantastic en suite at the end.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- Yeah.- You've got another double bedroom next door.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53And then at the back end of the house, you've got a double bedroom
0:31:53 > 0:31:58- with an office next door which you can knock through to if you want and another bathroom.- OK. Good.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- You have complete separation if you want.- Right.- That sounds good.- Mm.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05I will be fighting Cathy, because look at that view out there.
0:32:06 > 0:32:10- I like that. This is mine.- Ohh! - You can go and find your own room.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14'Upstairs may be where Cathy could sleep to start with,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17'but I've got a real treat up my sleeve for her,
0:32:17 > 0:32:20'as we head outside to the detached garage.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24'This could be converted into two large stables for her horses.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26'But it's upstairs that could be her domain,
0:32:26 > 0:32:31'as there's planning permission for accommodation and work has already begun.'
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- So, above the stables...- Uh-huh.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39..is current planning consent
0:32:39 > 0:32:44- for a one-bed apartment. - Oh, yeah!- Oh, right, OK.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- Well, this'd been all right, wouldn't it? - It's quite large, actually.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51But for you, I thought it was ideal. You've got independence, nearby though.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55Yeah, that is a lot easier, in that sense of that independence, yeah.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58So, the only thing we haven't seen is some land.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01Yeah, that's the other thing now that's going to worry us.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05'For the all-important horses, we've already seen two potential stables.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09'And there's the opportunity of having more on the other side of the house,
0:33:09 > 0:33:14'where there's an old granary currently with permissions granted to convert to a two-bed holiday let.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17'The grazing land is across a pretty wooden bridge
0:33:17 > 0:33:20'and the land stretches all the way down to a boundary fence,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23'giving them plenty of acreage to play with.'
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- So all in all, you've got comfortably over six acres here. - Mm-hm.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29OK? Of usable land.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Now, you do need to bear in mind, there is a covenant on this land,
0:33:32 > 0:33:34- which means you can't build on it. - Right.- Right.
0:33:34 > 0:33:39So any potential stabling you might want to build extra to what we've seen
0:33:39 > 0:33:42- has to be done that side of the water.- OK.- Right.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- So...- Ooh, dear. - ..land for your horses.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48You've got a lovely house with potential for your own accommodation
0:33:48 > 0:33:52next door above the garage, which could be stabling.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- You know where I'm going.- Yes! We've now got to make a guess.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58I'm going to go over-budget, 650.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03- OK. Cathy?- Yeah, I think a bit less. I'm going to go for about 600.
0:34:03 > 0:34:09Good guess. Offers around 599,999.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- Right.- Just recently reduced from around 625.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15So that's well within budget
0:34:15 > 0:34:19- and even does allow us enough for doing that conversion, as well. - Yeah.
0:34:19 > 0:34:21Go back into all the accommodation you haven't yet seen.
0:34:21 > 0:34:26- All right?- OK.- OK.- I'll meet you whenever you're finished.- OK! - See you in a mo.- OK.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30'Priced just shy of £600,000,
0:34:30 > 0:34:34'there's money left over to complete that conversion of Cathy's accommodation.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37'Overall, the mystery house is a compelling package,
0:34:37 > 0:34:40'providing a characterful sitting room,
0:34:40 > 0:34:42'four bedrooms, two with en suite,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46'while outside there's a garage ripe for conversion to stables
0:34:46 > 0:34:49'with a work-in-progress living space for Cathy upstairs.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52'There's also the bonus of a further outbuilding,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54'all wrapped up in six acres of land
0:34:54 > 0:34:57'with village amenities right on their doorstep.'
0:34:57 > 0:35:00Nice house, got a nice atmosphere, very welcoming.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Being on the edge of the village makes sense.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08This is far more practical, really, for what we should be looking for.
0:35:08 > 0:35:13Yeah, it's got potential for changing the block into stables and accommodation above.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18The nice flat land, the downside to it is you can't build on it.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Now, then. Have you sorted out who goes where?
0:35:25 > 0:35:30Yeah, I think... it's got possibilities upstairs, hasn't it?
0:35:30 > 0:35:33- Yeah. I think there's still a lot to think about.- Very much.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Let's find you somewhere to do that thinking and have a chat afterwards.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- OK.- OK. - Just this way. Mind your step.
0:35:49 > 0:35:54'Throughout the Devon countryside, traditional cob buildings are a familiar sight.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58'These thick-walled structures built from soil, straw and water
0:35:58 > 0:36:01'are common in southwest England where the subsoil is a sandy clay
0:36:01 > 0:36:05'and where other building materials like wood and stone were once rare.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08'Thought to date back to the 13th century,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11'this sustainable building style is making a comeback today
0:36:11 > 0:36:17'after falling out of fashion with the advent of commercial brick-making in the 18th century.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20'On the edge of Dartmoor, the heritage of this traditional building material
0:36:20 > 0:36:24'is being kept alive by Jackie Abey and Jill Smallcombe,
0:36:24 > 0:36:29'two artists who specialise in the use of cob in art and architecture.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33'I went to meet them at Jackie's cob farmhouse in Drewsteignton.'
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Well, thank you very much for seeing me today, ladies.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39- I understand, Jackie, you're the owner of this fine-looking structure behind us.- I live here, yes.
0:36:39 > 0:36:43- This is a typical Devon long house. - Right.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47- Quite a few, obviously, in Devon. - Yeah.- Made out of cob.
0:36:47 > 0:36:53You know all the thatched cottages with whitewashed walls, they're mostly made of cob.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Because most of the cob houses are listed,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- you have to repair like for like. - Yes.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03So that has been very good for keeping the traditional method.
0:37:03 > 0:37:08- So the listing has safeguarded the technique as much as anything else. - I think it really has.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10And what's been fantastic in the last ten years
0:37:10 > 0:37:12is that architects, surveyors, planners,
0:37:12 > 0:37:16are really getting on board with that and it's the vernacular of Devon.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20'Cob is actually an English term for mud-building,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23'which uses no form, bricks or wooden structures,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26'just whatever local materials are available.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30'Jill and Jackie are going to take me through the process of making it.'
0:37:30 > 0:37:34Now, everybody goes, "What's the mixture? What quantities?"
0:37:34 > 0:37:39And we reckon it's about a small bale to a ton of subsoil.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Then people say, "How much water?"
0:37:42 > 0:37:45Well, it depends how dry your subsoil is.
0:37:45 > 0:37:50So the answer to all those questions is, "Until it's about right." THEY LAUGH
0:37:50 > 0:37:54It's easy to teach in that it's a very simple process,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57but it's very hard to have hard and fast rules about it.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03'So we're adding wet soil onto this straw until it looks about right,
0:38:03 > 0:38:05'and after that, the process of mixing the two together
0:38:05 > 0:38:08'is done rather in the manner of treading grapes,
0:38:08 > 0:38:13'simply by jumping up and down to break down the soil and work it into the straw.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15'I'm glad I've got my wellies on for this bit.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18'The next stage is then turning the mixture with a spade.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22'Once it's ready, I'm all set to try my hand at building a cob wall
0:38:22 > 0:38:25'with the help of a rather unexpected implement.'
0:38:25 > 0:38:27If you leap up on there, we'll show you how it's done.
0:38:27 > 0:38:31And also, before you get on, quickly,
0:38:31 > 0:38:34you always pare back, or cut back,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37your lift, your previous lift.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40So all this has been cut back with a mattock first.
0:38:40 > 0:38:45But also, it cuts the straw, so it cuts the straw and pulls it downwards.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50- So when you've got rain, it runs off the wall.- Oh, clever! Yes, of course!
0:38:50 > 0:38:53- So if you want to jump up. - Right.- There's a cricket bat.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Of course. Why wouldn't there be?
0:38:56 > 0:39:00- And what we're going to do is just place it with the pitch fork, the mud.- Yes.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04You've then got to stand on it and hit it on the sides
0:39:04 > 0:39:08- because cob works by being compressed.- Right, OK.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12'The most effective way to build a cob wall is with a team of two people on the ground
0:39:12 > 0:39:16'loading the mixture onto the wall, while another two are on the top trampling it down.'
0:39:16 > 0:39:18So you stand on it...
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- That's it. Squidge it out. - Brilliant.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Whack it with your cricket bat. No, come on, with a bit of...
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- Oh, really? I can have a good go at it, can I?- That's it.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- This is where you get rid of the tensions of the day, is it? - Therapy, yeah.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37And then turn round and do the other side, cos it all falls off otherwise. That's it.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42- Oh, so I'm making sure everything on here... - Stays there.- ..is staying on there.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48'So, a very simple but it appears very effective method,
0:39:48 > 0:39:52'as Devon has around 40,000 cob buildings in all.'
0:39:55 > 0:39:59Well, it's great to see a traditional process that, just like these buildings behind me,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02has stood the test of time. Now let's catch up with our buyers
0:40:02 > 0:40:06to see if they've been tempted by any of the properties we've shown them.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13So let's start at the beginning. The first property.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17- I really liked that little house. - You did, didn't you?
0:40:17 > 0:40:22I really did like that little house. And the field space and the stables were already there for us.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Yeah. There was a lot of land there
0:40:24 > 0:40:27and the stables are already there and set,
0:40:27 > 0:40:32it'd just be a case of looking into whether that building could be converted into a small cottage.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35The view across that valley was stunning.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37I would've moved in there that morning.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40OK. So you did have to leave there, unfortunately, Helen.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42What about the second property in the afternoon?
0:40:42 > 0:40:45It was very interesting looking at a modern build.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48- Yeah, it was quite clean and sleek in that sense.- Yes.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50It just didn't feel like a home.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54And I think because the land needed so much to do with it...
0:40:54 > 0:40:56The land needed a lot of attention.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59The barns were nice. It'd be nice to have barns.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01But the land did need a lot of work.
0:41:01 > 0:41:06- All in all, it just wasn't quite right for us.- No.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08OK. So the land needed some work.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12So this morning, I took you to the mystery property, which...
0:41:12 > 0:41:15I wanted you to see something which I thought should be important to you
0:41:15 > 0:41:19and that was to have a community nearby, but it also had pretty much everything you asked for.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22Nice-looking cottage and everything. The buildings are quite nice.
0:41:22 > 0:41:27Nice flat ground. I'm just sort of looking into it closer,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31not having the building facilities to put a manege in is the downside.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34It gave you, unlike the first two properties,
0:41:34 > 0:41:36some independence accommodation-wise, didn't it?
0:41:36 > 0:41:41- You could have your own space, which I thought... - Yeah, that was quite nice.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44And the fact that it's got the planning permission already
0:41:44 > 0:41:47means it's something we haven't got to worry about, we just go ahead and do it.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51- I like the third place because it is near the village.- Yep.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55But I did like that cottage garden at the first one.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58I think property one is possibly the best in the long run,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01cos it is only one thing that needs to be done, to try to get accommodation.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- So what's the next step for you? - I think I would like to come back
0:42:05 > 0:42:09to look and number one and possibly the mystery house again.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12Well, if I was a betting man,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15I would probably put my money on the first property,
0:42:15 > 0:42:19just because of especially you, Helen, the way you reacted to the character.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- I did like that character place. - But no matter that you do
0:42:21 > 0:42:26- and when you do it, please let us know what your next step is.- Yeah.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28- Good luck.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Well, if you excuse the pun, I'm not sure it is a two-horse race
0:42:36 > 0:42:38between the mystery property and property number one,
0:42:38 > 0:42:42especially when you consider just how well Helen reacted
0:42:42 > 0:42:45when she saw that first property. It had everything, didn't it?
0:42:45 > 0:42:48It had the land, the character building,
0:42:48 > 0:42:50but it didn't have one thing and that was for Cathy,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52that independent living accommodation.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56But when they come back down here to Devon and do their second viewings,
0:42:56 > 0:42:58I think if they can satisfy themselves
0:42:58 > 0:43:01that they can convert that separate building at property number one
0:43:01 > 0:43:03into ancillary accommodation for Cathy,
0:43:03 > 0:43:08I'm pretty sure that'll come out on top. See you next time.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11'Well, my bet would have paid off,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13'as Helen and Cathy went back to see house one
0:43:13 > 0:43:16'and had their offer accepted.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19'So they and Ron should be moving in very soon.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23'It looks like happily ever after for all of them.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26'If you'd like to escape to the country in Scotland, Wales,
0:43:26 > 0:43:29'Northern Ireland or England and need our help,
0:43:29 > 0:43:34'please apply online at:
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0:43:38 > 0:43:38.