0:00:02 > 0:00:06Behind me is a house designed and built by an award-winning architect,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10but you may know him as one of the 19th century's most famous writers.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Find out who made this amazing career change and where I am in just a moment.
0:00:43 > 0:00:50'On today's show, we're helping a creative couple buy their very first property together.'
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- I like this room! - You sound surprised.
0:00:53 > 0:00:58'If all goes well, we could be opening the door to a completely new career.'
0:00:58 > 0:01:01Oh, my goodness! Look at that!
0:01:05 > 0:01:11Today, we're in Dorset and this is Max Gate, the house designed and built by Thomas Hardy.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Hardy was always passionate about architecture,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17working for a local firm of architects to the age of 16
0:01:17 > 0:01:21and completing his studies at King's College in London,
0:01:21 > 0:01:26but Dorset was never far from his thoughts and he moved back here in the 1880s
0:01:26 > 0:01:31where, on the back of the success of Jude The Obscure, he built this glorious Victorian villa
0:01:31 > 0:01:33where he lived for the next 40 years.
0:01:33 > 0:01:39And there's plenty of reasons why you too could fall in love with this beautiful county.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42Taking a prime position on England's southern coast,
0:01:42 > 0:01:48Dorset is bordered by the counties of Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52There are no motorways or cities, so it's a truly rural county,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56with many villages seemingly plucked from the pages of a story book.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Travel from north to south through the patchwork of undulating fields
0:02:00 > 0:02:05and the reward is a breathtaking view across 95 miles of Jurassic coastline,
0:02:05 > 0:02:10featuring the spectacular turquoise waters of Lulworth Cove
0:02:10 > 0:02:16and the iconic limestone arch of Durdle Door, 140 million years in the making.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20The town of Bridport has made a name for itself as a cultural Mecca.
0:02:20 > 0:02:26The streets are lined with over 1,000 listed buildings, featuring regular antiques markets,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29food fairs and a vibrant art scene.
0:02:29 > 0:02:34Where better to get inspired than this fascinating and peaceful county,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38a place, in the words of Thomas Hardy, "far from the madding crowd"?
0:02:40 > 0:02:44All that beauty and history obviously comes at a price.
0:02:44 > 0:02:50The average cost of a detached house here in Dorset is around £315,000.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53That's around £60,000 above the national figure,
0:02:53 > 0:02:58but this also includes exclusive areas like Sandbanks in Poole
0:02:58 > 0:03:01where prices of houses can hit the millions.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05With the exception of Wimborne, Sherborne and Blandford Forum,
0:03:05 > 0:03:11the general rule in Dorset is the further north you go, the more property you get for your budget.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15And there's plenty of architectural gems to please the eye.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Dorset is full of old, stone-built farmhouses,
0:03:19 > 0:03:24ranging from around £650,000 to about £800,000 for a listed four-bedroomed home
0:03:24 > 0:03:26in the most favoured villages.
0:03:26 > 0:03:33The coastal resort of Lyme Regis has some great examples of Georgian architecture from the 18th century,
0:03:33 > 0:03:37but looking out across swathes of blue sea comes at a price.
0:03:37 > 0:03:43A simple one-bed flat on the waterfront could cost upwards of £275,000.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47But if it's the traditional rural life you're hankering after,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50an asking price starting at around £400,000
0:03:50 > 0:03:54would buy you a three-bedroom, picture postcard cottage
0:03:54 > 0:03:56made from local Portland stone.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03With such a wide variety of architectural styles to choose from,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06there are rich pickings for today's buyers. Let's meet them.
0:04:06 > 0:04:12Self-employed builder Ben and his partner Cathy who works as a nurse have been together for two years
0:04:12 > 0:04:17and home is temporarily Cathy's two-bedroom flat in Woking, Surrey.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20House-hunting occupies a unique place in their hearts
0:04:20 > 0:04:24because it was a property search that first brought them together.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29I went over to look at a property that Ben had on the market.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34I really liked it and I went back for a second viewing.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37And, uh...Ben was there at the viewing.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41And I still really, really liked the flat,
0:04:41 > 0:04:45but I sort of really, really liked Ben more.
0:04:45 > 0:04:52It was passion across the property particulars, and though this move is about finding the perfect love nest,
0:04:52 > 0:04:57at the heart of the decision is a desire to be closer to Ben's youngest daughter Carmen.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02My 12-year-old daughter has recently started school in Bournemouth
0:05:02 > 0:05:08and there are times when we will spend in excess of ten hours a weekend in the car,
0:05:08 > 0:05:11and also it's not great for Carmen,
0:05:11 > 0:05:17so the idea is a radius of a 45-minute drive...
0:05:18 > 0:05:20..from Bournemouth.
0:05:20 > 0:05:26Their respective building and nursing skills are transferable for a move anywhere,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30but by freeing up time, they aim to create new business opportunities.
0:05:30 > 0:05:37In the past, I used to import furniture and partially design some of the furniture from Thailand.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43It would be brilliant to have an outbuilding that we can tinker
0:05:43 > 0:05:48and build prototypes and generally be mad scientists.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54To be able to work on the inventions and have outside space would be absolutely fantastic.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58With new ventures and inventions at the forefront of their minds,
0:05:58 > 0:06:02it's dictating the type of property they're after.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I think the three absolute must-haves are...
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Character.- Yeah.
0:06:07 > 0:06:15Outside space with potential either to put outbuildings or with buildings already there.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19And the third thing was...
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- an open fire?- Yeah.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24And while the fire could be keeping them warm,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28their shared passion for food and friends could help them relax.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30We'd like a nice, big kitchen.
0:06:30 > 0:06:36We do a lot of cooking and Ben's really, really great in the kitchen.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39I think living in the country will change our lives
0:06:39 > 0:06:43in that it will give us a lot more space,
0:06:43 > 0:06:50it will give us the facility to entertain friends, which is really important to both of us.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54Ben has already sold his flat and Cathy's is currently on the market,
0:06:54 > 0:06:59so our buyers have a clear idea of their finances for this dynamic Dorset move.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04The budget for the new property is £500,000.
0:07:07 > 0:07:13'Ben and Cathy have requested a location within a strict radius of 45 minutes from Bournemouth,
0:07:13 > 0:07:19'so we'll concentrate our property hunt in the beautiful villages in the northern half of the county,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23'steering well clear of the coast to get the most for their money.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27'I met up with them both on Dorset soil to get better acquainted.'
0:07:27 > 0:07:32I know you're looking for a more rural existence, but why have you chosen Dorset?
0:07:32 > 0:07:36We've chosen Dorset. Both of us have got family in this area.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39We're looking for a property with a bit more space.
0:07:39 > 0:07:45We want to be more out in the country and possibly a slight change of lifestyle, business.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49You mentioned a business opportunity. Talk me through that, Ben.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Part of the idea is to buy a property that has space,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57that we can increase that space and add to the capital value.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02- You being a builder, that comes in handy.- That might help somewhere along the line.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- OK.- And then we have plenty of other ideas,
0:08:06 > 0:08:13which again, with a bit of space to work in, that we can carry those through.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18So it might not just be a home, but a potential business opportunity.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21How big is this character property in your mind's eye?
0:08:21 > 0:08:27I think both of us have been looking along the lines of three bedrooms, possibly four bedrooms.
0:08:27 > 0:08:32- Family living nearby to come and stay with you?- Yes, definitely. And entertaining.
0:08:32 > 0:08:35And obviously, the outside space, a bit of garden.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Are you likely to agree on everything that you see?
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- We...- Hmm.- Oh.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45I'll answer that for you. Perhaps no.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49There will be a few things, I'm sure, which will...
0:08:49 > 0:08:54- But mostly we do agree on... - The big things.- The space and the big things.- Let's find out.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Let's go.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05For a top budget of £500,000, Ben and Cathy are after a detached, three-bedroom character home
0:09:05 > 0:09:09with space for entertaining, a large kitchen and an open fire.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13They'd also like a good-sized garden with an outbuilding or workshop,
0:09:13 > 0:09:18but more than anything, they want to find something with potential both inside and out.
0:09:18 > 0:09:25We have a great mix of homes to show our buyers, but I won't reveal the price until they've guessed first.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29As ever, last orders finds us at the mystery property,
0:09:29 > 0:09:34and this home might have a lot more taps than they could ever have imagined.
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Our first destination is Compton Abbas, a 45-minute drive from Bournemouth.
0:09:43 > 0:09:48Meaning "village in a narrow valley", Compton Abbas is a peaceful, rural hamlet,
0:09:48 > 0:09:54dotted with thatched cottages and farmhouses all wrapped up in lush countryside.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00Ben and Cathy are looking for a house with bags of character and our first property doesn't fall short.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05Accessed through a gate on a quiet lane, the entire grounds lie to the front of the cottage,
0:10:05 > 0:10:11taking full advantage of the setting with spectacular views across the hills and valleys.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Here we go.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21Lovely. Really pretty exterior.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Nice bit of thatch.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27There's an interesting spectrum of time here.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- That is 1750.- OK.- 1850...
0:10:30 > 0:10:311980.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34They've managed to use some decent stone,
0:10:34 > 0:10:40but although there's so much time between all these different parts of the construction, it ties in well.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42The first impressions are good.
0:10:42 > 0:10:48- Is it the sort of character you were after, Ben?- It's getting there. I'm not sure about the dormers.
0:10:48 > 0:10:54That's the whole thing. Because it's such an old cottage, the dormers, I think, are necessary.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- To give it some height?- To get you the bedrooms.- Yeah.- Right.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- OK, now, let's look inside. - Excellent.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Down these stairs.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Leads you straight into your main living area.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18This is a cosy little room.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22- Decent fireplace. - A really nice fireplace.
0:11:22 > 0:11:29This is the 1750 part of the cottage and I thought it was quite a grand fireplace for a small cottage.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33- It's cosy.- "Cosy" can mean bad news, can't it?- Oh, can it?
0:11:33 > 0:11:38- I'm not putting words in your mouth. - It's not claustrophobic cosy, though, is it, do you think?
0:11:38 > 0:11:44- No, I reckon when you get the fire going and lots of heat going through the room...- It's a big fire.- Yeah.
0:11:44 > 0:11:51- The window is a very basic 1980s style...- What do you want to do? Have a quick look at it.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- What would you want to do to that? - Take it out.- Take it out completely.
0:11:55 > 0:12:00- Put in a nice oak window.- And not paint it?- And not paint it, no.
0:12:00 > 0:12:04- To me, that doesn't really match in. - It sounds cosmetic.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- To a builder, sticking a new window frame in is cosmetic.- Yeah.
0:12:08 > 0:12:12- They're things that can easily be changed.- OK. This is good.
0:12:12 > 0:12:17- Is it good?- Excellent. It is good. It's cosy.- Let's keep going.
0:12:17 > 0:12:23Right, this wood floor continues. What do you think of this kitchen area first?
0:12:24 > 0:12:31Um... I'm not massively impressed, I have to say, on the kitchen area.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36But that's probably again a cosmetic thing with the units.
0:12:36 > 0:12:42But definitely these get much more of a flow if you carry it straight through,
0:12:42 > 0:12:47and then sweep it round to a really nice island unit
0:12:47 > 0:12:53- and actually, I would suggest, bring the cooking area out to the island or peninsula.- Yes.
0:12:53 > 0:12:58That's a good idea. To a lot of people, putting in a new kitchen is a major thing,
0:12:58 > 0:13:02but to an expert builder, it's everyday life, I suppose.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06This room comes into its own when you consider what it has here.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- You've got an amazing patio. This is west-facing. The sun sets over there.- Oh, nice.
0:13:11 > 0:13:16I really like the wood effect that they've got here along the window ledges.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19All in all, it's a nice, big kitchen.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Is this the sort of space you could work with then?
0:13:22 > 0:13:28We always feel that we would like to stamp our ideas and tastes on a place
0:13:28 > 0:13:31because it very, very rarely fully transfers.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36- I shouldn't be downhearted by what you're saying to me.- Not at all.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40'The utility and cloakroom are on the other side of the house next to the entrance hall
0:13:40 > 0:13:44'where the stairs lead up to the bedrooms.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49'There are four in total - one double bedroom in the oldest part of the house
0:13:49 > 0:13:54'and two smaller ones under the thatched roof beside the family bathroom.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57'The largest bedroom is across in the more modern wing.'
0:13:57 > 0:14:03The master bedroom sits at the end of this property because you've got those two wonderful views.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05That is a beautiful view.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10- Lovely view.- I like this room! - You sound surprised.
0:14:10 > 0:14:15- You did, actually. Your voice went up a couple of octaves.- Dead give-away!
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Yes, I like the...
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- It's very airy.- ..arches.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21I love the height.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25It hasn't quite got the walk-in wardrobe that you were hoping for.
0:14:25 > 0:14:31- Absolutely.- Walk-in wardrobe? - Am I springing that one on you? - Yes, a little bit. It's a worry.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- We've got four bedrooms up here.- Ah! - You said a minimum of three,
0:14:35 > 0:14:40so you might have a dressing area, a dressing room.
0:14:40 > 0:14:46- I like the sound of that.- For an old set of cottages, you have a decent amount of upstairs space.- Yeah.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- And the view is beautiful.- We should have a good look at that view.
0:14:50 > 0:14:55- There are a few aspects outside I'd like to chat to you about.- OK. - Think about price as well.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00'Back downstairs to the front of the house is the access to the garden
0:15:00 > 0:15:02'which gently slopes over three lawn terraces.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05'And apart from the truly uplifting views,
0:15:05 > 0:15:11'a real highlight is a one-bedroom timber annexe which could make for a great workshop.'
0:15:14 > 0:15:18So, all in all, not a bad package, this, I didn't think.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23- Mm-hm.- But what do you think this place is worth? How much is it on the market for?
0:15:23 > 0:15:29- I'm going in at a price of about 460,000.- OK.
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- I'm going to go a tad under there. I'm going to go 450.- Right.
0:15:33 > 0:15:38This place is on the market, it has been for around a month,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41at offers around 499,950.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- OK.- OK.- Right.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48- Interesting.- So it's slightly above what you were thinking.- Yeah.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53It's an asking price, but it's maybe something to bear in mind for the other properties,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- as much as anything else. - Yeah.- Benchmark.
0:15:56 > 0:16:03Why don't you guys go back into the house, see if it will work for you with some changes, if you like,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07- and I'll meet you back here in ten or fifteen minutes?- Excellent.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- I'll catch up with you in a bit.- OK. - All right.- Thank you.
0:16:12 > 0:16:18Just £50 under their maximum budget, the first property is an extended, detached period cottage
0:16:18 > 0:16:21with an organic history spanning over 200 years.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24There's an open fireplace in the sitting room
0:16:24 > 0:16:27and a large kitchen/diner, perfect for entertaining,
0:16:27 > 0:16:31with countryside views that pour into the room.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Upstairs offers four bedrooms, one more than our buyers asked for,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39and the garden has an annexe room which they could use as a workshop.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Oh, this is a cute room.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48Could you almost put a bathroom, do an extra...?
0:16:48 > 0:16:50You could do. It's almost too big.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53I love the exposed stonework here.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Yes, it's a really nice little room.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58The frontage of the house comes in sections
0:16:58 > 0:17:04and the older section I really liked, but I wasn't quite so keen on the bit that goes to the right
0:17:04 > 0:17:06which is the extension.
0:17:06 > 0:17:12I like the size of the sitting room and then a really good kitchen/dining area.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16With a few cosmetic changes,
0:17:16 > 0:17:21I could envisage Cathy and I living here,
0:17:21 > 0:17:24so food for thought.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- All done inside? - Yes, thank you, yes.
0:17:28 > 0:17:32- The weather's on the turn, so let's get in the car.- OK. Good idea.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46Dorset spreads itself over some 1,000 square miles,
0:17:46 > 0:17:51of which 10% is made up of woodland, both ancient and modern.
0:17:51 > 0:17:55And these 28,000 hectares of woodland are important
0:17:55 > 0:17:58for the county's wildlife, landscape and economy.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02Keen to develop their interests in craftwork when they move to Dorset,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05we sent Ben and Cathy to a coppice wood in Holditch
0:18:05 > 0:18:09to test their design skills with master woodworker, Guy Mallinson.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Good to meet you. Come on.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15Now, in the woodland workshop, we're going to make a spatula,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19using some ash which we've sourced locally from the woods.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's an ash tree that fell down in the storm last week,
0:18:22 > 0:18:27so we're using unseasoned wood which is softer and much easier to work.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32Green woodworking is completely man-powered using just simple hand tools.
0:18:32 > 0:18:38The first part of the process called cleaving splits the log with a large wooden mallet called a beetle
0:18:38 > 0:18:40which is hit against a metal froe.
0:18:40 > 0:18:46- The split follows the grain to get the maximum strength from the wood. - The moment of truth...
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Let's see what we've got.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51- That's it. It's gone.- Done.
0:18:51 > 0:18:57Once the bark has been removed from the split sections of wood, it's up to the workshop to shape them.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02OK, so we've got our blank and we're going to use the shaving horse
0:19:02 > 0:19:07- to make it into a plank that we can then draw on for our spokeshave.- Right.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12The shaving horse is like the old version of a Black & Decker Workmate.
0:19:12 > 0:19:17It's for gripping your wood and it's a very, very efficient way of gripping your wood.
0:19:17 > 0:19:22So with a straight back and elbows in, time for our buyers to have a go.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26So, remember, nice, long shavings.
0:19:28 > 0:19:34Once the wood has been shaved to the desired thickness, the design is drawn on
0:19:34 > 0:19:41and after a demonstration from Guy, it's back to the shaving horse to create the spatula shape.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44That's looking really nice there.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52The final stage is some whittling to refine it and then the tool is complete.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Let's have a look.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- One spatula.- One fantastic spatula.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02- Well done. That's great. - Thank you very much.- Ta-da!
0:20:02 > 0:20:06With the hand-made utensil from their day in the Dorset woodland,
0:20:06 > 0:20:10it's back to the hunt to find the perfect kitchen in which to use it.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18'For our second stop today, we're actually venturing out of Dorset
0:20:18 > 0:20:23'and crossing the county border to the most westerly village in Hampshire called Martin,
0:20:23 > 0:20:27'but Bournemouth is still within a 45-minute drive.
0:20:27 > 0:20:32'Lying in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Martin is a very quiet village,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35'home to many houses of architectural delight.
0:20:35 > 0:20:40'The streets have immaculate thatched cottages and picturesque timber-framed farmhouses,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43'some of which date back to the 15th century.
0:20:43 > 0:20:48'Amenities include a not-for-profit community shop run by volunteers
0:20:48 > 0:20:51'and offering a free delivery to all village residents.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55'Despite the rain, we can see there is a lot of pride in the village
0:20:55 > 0:21:01'and our second property is no exception, but will it meet Ben and Cathy's expectations?'
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- How about this for a character cottage?- That is really pretty.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Very.- Character bursting out. - Clean and crisp.
0:21:09 > 0:21:15Thatched cottages and houses frighten some people off and other people fall in love with them.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19I like that one because it's quite high off the front of the house.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- It doesn't impose down too much. - Exactly. Good word.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- It's fairly new. It's less than a year old.- Ah!
0:21:25 > 0:21:31According to the thatcher, to re-thatch, you'd hope to get maybe around 25 years out of this.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37- It looks petite, but I'm hoping it's a bit of a Tardis.- Let's talk about that inside, out of this weather.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Right, then.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- Thank you.- What are we thinking? - Aww, I like it, actually.
0:21:49 > 0:21:55- Very characterful.- Yeah. - Character is what you asked for. - Yes, I think this has lots.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00- The beams are lovely. - Quite a farmhouse-type kitchen.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Yeah, yeah, really nice range.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08It was built in the mid-17th century with a mid-18th century extension.
0:22:08 > 0:22:14- We are standing in it. - This is the external original wall? - You've got it.
0:22:14 > 0:22:19- No, it's lovely.- Good. All right. Next door is your living room. Let me just lead you there.
0:22:22 > 0:22:29- Now this... I'm hoping if you like character, this is the kind of character you like.- This is lovely.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- Really lovely room. Beams are great. - How fabulous is that?
0:22:33 > 0:22:38- That's really good, isn't it? We've often said about...- Yeah.
0:22:38 > 0:22:44There's a funny little thing. In the old oven, there's an old Victorian boot they found
0:22:44 > 0:22:51- when they were doing the place up. There are some recent additions. - But it's a beautifully-shaped room.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56There's so much to it. It needs lots of thinking about configuring it.
0:22:56 > 0:23:02Also to appreciate lots of the history that's here, nooks and crannies you'd find months later.
0:23:02 > 0:23:09'With all the exposed beams and history, the sitting room's a really characterful room to entertain.
0:23:09 > 0:23:16'Upstairs, there's a family bathroom and three bedrooms, including a pretty double
0:23:16 > 0:23:18'and a cosy single.'
0:23:18 > 0:23:22- This is your master.- OK. - This is a lovely room.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27I like the flow, the way the ceilings go and the chimney breast.
0:23:27 > 0:23:32- This is, again, just bags and bags of character.- Loads.
0:23:32 > 0:23:40- It's a beautiful room.- Is it big enough?- I think it's what I would expect in this type of property.- OK.
0:23:40 > 0:23:46'Ben and Cathy seem suitably intrigued, though they're not giving away too much just yet.
0:23:46 > 0:23:52'Every room in this cottage has been beautifully finished. Back downstairs there's a utility room
0:23:52 > 0:23:56'and a small garden room which overlooks the back.
0:23:56 > 0:24:02'Immediately to the rear is a paved patio and the garden, which is mainly lawn enclosed by hedges.
0:24:02 > 0:24:08'For our innovative duo, there's also an outbuilding in the form of a large summer house,
0:24:08 > 0:24:11'which could easily double as a studio.'
0:24:11 > 0:24:18Now the weather isn't helping, but I think this is a much more usable garden than the first one.
0:24:18 > 0:24:24I really like the garden, actually. It's bigger than I thought from the front.
0:24:24 > 0:24:29- How much do you think this property is on the market for?- Oh. - Shall I go first?- You go first.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32I'm going to say...
0:24:32 > 0:24:34445.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37445. OK, cheaper than the first one.
0:24:37 > 0:24:38Yeah, I...
0:24:38 > 0:24:43Three bedrooms. I'm going to go a bit lower than that, actually.
0:24:43 > 0:24:48- So I'm going to go 430. - Right. This is getting worse!
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- This property is on the market at 495.- Oh, OK.- Right.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Some of that might be partly due to it being in Hampshire
0:24:56 > 0:25:00with good access to the coast and it's in the village.
0:25:00 > 0:25:05Go back in, have a good look around. This is the last thing we do today, so take your time.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07- See you in a bit.- Thank you.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14Just shy of their maximum budget at £495,000,
0:25:14 > 0:25:20this second property is a homely three-bedroomed thatched cottage in a beautiful Hampshire village.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24Brimming with character features, it has a farmhouse-style kitchen/diner
0:25:24 > 0:25:29and an original inglenook fireplace in the sitting room.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33In the well-maintained garden sits a small timber-frame studio.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39The property looked really tidy, lovely garden. Generally, really positive.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Ah! This is...- This is cool.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50Yeah, really cool. A little burner.
0:25:50 > 0:25:57Yeah. Office/studio. A little workbench over there for your curtain-making and other things.
0:25:57 > 0:26:03Living room, absolutely beautiful. That is a stunning fireplace.
0:26:03 > 0:26:08Love it. I just feel it is a little bit small
0:26:08 > 0:26:12for the lack of space to grow into.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17- Here they are. All done? - Yes.- We're all done here.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22- Were you waiting for it to stop raining?- Not as stupid as I look!
0:26:22 > 0:26:29- That's all done today. Good day? - Lovely.- Really good day. Really positive.- OK, let's go.
0:26:35 > 0:26:43As the day draws to a close, it gives our buyers a chance to mull over their property search so far.
0:26:49 > 0:26:55Woking-based Ben and Cathy have set their sights on a move to the Dorset countryside
0:26:55 > 0:27:00to be closer to Ben's daughter. They want character and potential
0:27:00 > 0:27:07and so far we've shown them two different options, neither of which has lit their entrepreneurial fires.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11Still to come, the mystery house leaves them lost for words.
0:27:13 > 0:27:18And I'll be discovering the delights of an unusual Dorset delicacy.
0:27:23 > 0:27:27Well, Ben and Cathy reckon they wanted a character property.
0:27:27 > 0:27:33Both of the houses yesterday delivered that in droves, with wonderful period features.
0:27:33 > 0:27:39Today the weather is pretty much the same and we're off to see the mystery house.
0:27:39 > 0:27:46As I'm sure you'll all expect, it's going to be very different. This one is not actually a house!
0:27:49 > 0:27:51We're off to the mystery house.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56Now you know what's coming, or do you? What are you expecting?
0:27:56 > 0:28:04- A huge, rambling shack of some sort. - Yes, yes. Something that we've really got to put our backs into.
0:28:04 > 0:28:09I think that's what you're hoping it to be! You especially, Ben. There's some effort required.
0:28:09 > 0:28:16- I'm on for a bit of effort.- Yeah. - And possibly a bit of vision? - Vision, yeah. You'll need vision.
0:28:21 > 0:28:29The mystery house is our final stop and we're heading to the very heart of Dorset to Buckland Newton.
0:28:29 > 0:28:36However, this takes us 15 minutes out of our buyers' comfort zone, an hour's drive from Bournemouth.
0:28:36 > 0:28:42Surrounded by attractive countryside, Buckland Newton has a few small businesses,
0:28:42 > 0:28:48with an old chapel converted into the village store and Post Office, for fresh produce and essentials.
0:28:48 > 0:28:54And there's a close-knit community here, most of whom are rather familiar with the mystery property.
0:28:57 > 0:29:03I know you had a few guesses in the car as to what the mystery property might be. You can see now - a pub!
0:29:03 > 0:29:07- Oh, right! - The Gaggle of Geese.
0:29:07 > 0:29:13- Yeah.- It's the only pub in the village, so you've got...
0:29:13 > 0:29:20- a captive audience.- Right.- And a good reputation for food and drink, which we'll learn about later.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24- Oh, great.- What's your thoughts? - Excellent.- Really nice looking.
0:29:24 > 0:29:31- You've mentioned the idea of wanting to do a business.- Yeah.- This is a business you could run together.
0:29:31 > 0:29:38- You happy?- Happy! Let's go! - Let's have a look.- You're beaming more than the other two properties.
0:29:38 > 0:29:44Yeah, because it's different and I can immediately see the frontage is great.
0:29:44 > 0:29:50- There's work to be done.- I see. - But it would improve this as a building and a business.
0:29:50 > 0:29:56'Smiles all round on the outside and the best is still to come.'
0:29:57 > 0:30:01In we come. I'll adopt my usual position.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04- At the bar.- Propping up!
0:30:04 > 0:30:09- Ah. Initial feeling, really lovely. - Yeah, yeah.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13Bar shape good, open fire, always good.
0:30:13 > 0:30:18Almost like you'd sit for hours and have coffee...
0:30:18 > 0:30:24- and alcohol.- Yeah.- All afternoon. - If you like it and it feels customer-friendly, they'll like it.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26And they do.
0:30:26 > 0:30:33- This pub turns over around £245,000 a year.- Right. - So it's a good, modest turnover.
0:30:33 > 0:30:38There's plenty of potential there, but you've got a good basis to start from here.
0:30:38 > 0:30:42Let's look through the trading areas. Really decent-sized bar.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46They have a whole range of beers, loads of guest ales.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51Now the dry trading areas, if you like, are still plentiful.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55Restaurant area there, but also double doors that open out onto...
0:30:55 > 0:30:57You'll like this.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Oh, my goodness! Look at that.
0:31:00 > 0:31:06- Cor.- A little skittles. - I bet that gets some people in.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10The split between food and drink, or wet and dry, is 50/50,
0:31:10 > 0:31:15which is quite rare. You've got a continuous flow of drinkers, which is easier trade,
0:31:15 > 0:31:22- and a lot of that is because you've got this fantastic skittle alley. A winter league plays here.- OK.
0:31:22 > 0:31:26- As it's the only pub in the village, this is the function area.- Yes.
0:31:26 > 0:31:33'Off the dining area is a small games room and the ground floor has the food preparation area,
0:31:33 > 0:31:40'which is more of an industrial catering zone than country kitchen. But it isn't just a business.
0:31:40 > 0:31:46'Time to look at the living accommodation. The present landlords use just two of the bedrooms,
0:31:46 > 0:31:50'but there are four double bedrooms and two bathrooms in total,
0:31:50 > 0:31:55'currently split into owners and staff quarters either side of the landing.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58'We'll look at the master bedroom.'
0:31:58 > 0:32:04What do you think about living above your business premises in not such huge quarters?
0:32:04 > 0:32:08I think it's something that, at the start...
0:32:08 > 0:32:14- I was going to say that.- Good. - ..we'd be prepared to do because you throw yourself at it.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Hands on, get in.- You make the compromises and get on.
0:32:18 > 0:32:26And then all the easier bits when it all settles down and the changes have come in,
0:32:26 > 0:32:31- you can relax back and maybe change things.- I couldn't agree more.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35Get in here, get bedded in, see what changed you'd like to make.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39I'm going to let you look around because there's lots to see.
0:32:39 > 0:32:45- And we'll look outside, where you'll be pleased to hear there is lots to see.- OK.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47Follow me.
0:32:49 > 0:32:56'Despite the somewhat limited living quarters, it's encouraging that they're staying on track
0:32:56 > 0:32:58'with the idea of a publican's life.
0:32:58 > 0:33:03'And when they're not serving the happy locals at the bar, they can enjoy the beer garden.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07'But that's not all when it comes to the land here.'
0:33:07 > 0:33:10So...outside space.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15- Wow. There's a lot of it. - Four and a half acres.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17Oh! Goodness.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22The members of the public, your customers, can come here. It's like a menagerie.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26You've got geese, chickens, goats, a pony.
0:33:26 > 0:33:32How much do you think this country pub is on the market for? Toughie, I know.
0:33:33 > 0:33:34Em...
0:33:34 > 0:33:39I'm going to say... somewhere in the region of £700,000.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41OK.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45- I'm going to go less, but I'm going to go 650.- OK.
0:33:46 > 0:33:50You should have gone with your first bet. It's 325.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56- Freehold?- Freehold.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00That's a good face! Hang on.
0:34:00 > 0:34:01Em...
0:34:01 > 0:34:03No!
0:34:03 > 0:34:09I think even those geese are included. £325,000 for the freehold of this pub,
0:34:09 > 0:34:16as a going concern, turning over about £245,000 a year. With 4½ acres of land.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19- It's just come on the market. - I'm speechless.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Absolutely speechless.
0:34:22 > 0:34:28- Lots to think about.- Yeah. - When you go back inside you might meet some customers,
0:34:28 > 0:34:33maybe have a chinwag with them. Go back inside for a look around.
0:34:35 > 0:34:41I love showing people businesses, it's no secret. But when you maybe realise some people's dreams
0:34:41 > 0:34:45like that, and at such a competitive price, it's a wonderful job.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50I think I've given them something to really think about.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Hugely under-budget at £325,000,
0:34:53 > 0:34:58the mystery proposition combines business and home in the form of a lively village pub.
0:34:58 > 0:35:04It has a cosy lounge bar, a dining area for 70 covers and the skittle alley,
0:35:04 > 0:35:08as well as extensive living quarters. And outside,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11the acreage makes the potential here endless.
0:35:11 > 0:35:16But are they willing to live an extra 15 minutes' drive away?
0:35:16 > 0:35:20When Jonnie said it was 325, I think,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23I was completely taken aback
0:35:23 > 0:35:29because it just seemed you would get so much for your money - a business, living accommodation,
0:35:29 > 0:35:33lots and lots of outside space. It's fantastic.
0:35:33 > 0:35:38The outside space, it is absolutely fantastic.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44And incorporated more into the business, your functions,
0:35:44 > 0:35:50I think there's a huge demand for rural good wedding venues.
0:35:50 > 0:35:56- I think your idea of having it for weddings and...- Great. - ..parties...
0:35:56 > 0:36:02- It's just a fantastic idea. There's so much space.- You could incorporate this brilliantly
0:36:02 > 0:36:04and make it a real attraction.
0:36:06 > 0:36:12- So that was a mystery property with a difference.- It certainly was! It took me by surprise.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16- A lot to think about. - Good. Let's go.
0:36:24 > 0:36:29Almost three-quarters of Dorset's countryside is used for agriculture,
0:36:29 > 0:36:34producing some of the finest food in the land, but in a commercial farm near Wimborne,
0:36:34 > 0:36:40a mere 37 square metres are dedicated to a new wave of farming, not normally associated with us.
0:36:40 > 0:36:47'During the week, I went to meet Tony Walker, one of the UK's leading suppliers of gastropods.
0:36:47 > 0:36:53'That's snails to you and me. The farm is actually a huge polytunnel where snails are bred
0:36:53 > 0:36:57'and kept in a protected, heated environment.'
0:36:58 > 0:37:02Well, first off, Tony, this isn't what I expected to see.
0:37:02 > 0:37:08I don't know why, but I almost expected to see something resembling a mushroom farm.
0:37:08 > 0:37:14Just loads of snails everywhere! But this is immaculate. This is clean, isn't it?
0:37:14 > 0:37:20- Well, it has to be.- Does it? - Yeah, for the standards that we need to keep up.- OK.- The hygiene.
0:37:20 > 0:37:26- So they're all in these boxes. How many have you got here? - In this section here, 20,000.
0:37:27 > 0:37:34'Each box houses 100 snails so it's possible to manage vast numbers with a fraction of the energy needed
0:37:34 > 0:37:40'to produce other meat, making the mollusc an economical and sustainable product to farm.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45'The climate in this country isn't suited to outdoor snail farming,
0:37:45 > 0:37:52'but the snails here are regularly washed and fed every day with a mix of chalk and high-protein grain.'
0:37:57 > 0:38:03- So what are these? They're huge. - These are our breeding snails. These are roughly six months old.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07- How often do they breed? - All they need to do is breed once.
0:38:07 > 0:38:13They can mate once and that's it. They can then reproduce eggs every two weeks.
0:38:13 > 0:38:19'There are over 80 different species of land snail in the UK and this farm breeds a common garden variety
0:38:19 > 0:38:24'called helix aspersa maxima. The snails are distributed to a wide range of customers
0:38:24 > 0:38:27'including Michelin-starred restaurants.
0:38:27 > 0:38:33'I followed the trail - pardon the pun - just 50 miles away to a hotel in Beaminster
0:38:33 > 0:38:38'to sample the chef's speciality of Parma snail rarebit.'
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Look at that!
0:38:41 > 0:38:45I want to try it with a bit of bacon as well.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49The sauce...
0:38:49 > 0:38:51A magic mouthful.
0:38:58 > 0:39:05I forgot they were snails. That is beautiful. And then they come into their own. Excuse me.
0:39:05 > 0:39:12Where a mushroom is defeated, the snail comes out and you feel that really nice, meaty texture,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16- almost like a shellfish.- Yeah. - I love that.- Glad you enjoyed it.
0:39:16 > 0:39:22'And after savouring some of Dorset's gourmet slow food, let's pick up the pace
0:39:22 > 0:39:25'and get back on track.'
0:39:25 > 0:39:30That's hopefully something to tempt your tastebuds. Time to catch up with today's buyers
0:39:30 > 0:39:35and see if they've been tempted with any of the properties I've shown them.
0:39:35 > 0:39:41So how have you found this whole process of looking for properties over in Dorset?
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- Very enjoyable, really.- Enjoyable and sort of interesting.
0:39:47 > 0:39:53- I think it focused our minds a lot as well.- Right at the top of your shopping list was character.
0:39:53 > 0:39:57The first two properties gave you that. What about the first house?
0:39:57 > 0:40:01Externally, a bit bitty. Not really flowing,
0:40:01 > 0:40:04period to period to period.
0:40:04 > 0:40:10I left there thinking, "They liked aspects of it, but not enough to go for it."
0:40:10 > 0:40:13- No, definitely not.- That's fair.
0:40:13 > 0:40:19In the afternoon we went to another character property and you reacted really well inside.
0:40:19 > 0:40:25- And outside.- Yes.- Yep. - That thatch puts some people off, but you loved it, didn't you?
0:40:25 > 0:40:30Oh, the thatch was lovely. It was tidy and it was new
0:40:30 > 0:40:34and it made the whole cottage just look really sort of cosy
0:40:34 > 0:40:37and, as you said, bags of character.
0:40:37 > 0:40:44So internally, externally, you could just move into that house and do very little to be very comfortable.
0:40:44 > 0:40:51So even though it was immaculate inside, with wonderful period features, it was too finished.
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- There wasn't much scope. - Well, yeah. No scope.
0:40:54 > 0:41:01- And...too finished.- OK. But if you wanted something that wasn't finished, and wanted scope,
0:41:01 > 0:41:07it played into the hands of the mystery property perfectly. Plenty of work running a pub!
0:41:07 > 0:41:12- Loads.- Absolutely. - And refurbishing a pub.- Yeah.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- First impressions, very good. - Yes. A really good bar area
0:41:16 > 0:41:21and possibly getting some tables, chairs, make the dining area wider.
0:41:21 > 0:41:28- Slightly informal dining at the front, more formal at the rear. - So when I left you to look around,
0:41:28 > 0:41:35- you did a bit of planning! - Oh, yes. We had it all worked out. - We weren't wasting our time.
0:41:35 > 0:41:41- I take it that's your favourite? - Yes.- Definitely. But, sadly, the furthest north-west.- Yeah.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43That was a gamble there.
0:41:43 > 0:41:51- It's just too far away?- Yeah. - That is a shame.- Genuinely, if that was 15 minutes south,
0:41:51 > 0:41:55- then we would be putting an offer in tomorrow. Wouldn't you say?- Yes.
0:41:55 > 0:42:02- Absolutely.- Sorry. That's a bit of a strong thing to say. Potentially! Isn't that right?- Yes.
0:42:02 > 0:42:08You now concur! Good. Do please let us know how you get on.
0:42:08 > 0:42:14- I'd be very interested to see what you eventually buy and where. - Yes, definitely.- We'll be in touch.
0:42:14 > 0:42:20- Definitely.- OK.- Thank you. - I've really enjoyed this, so thank you for your patience and candour.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22- Good luck.- Thank you.- Excellent.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Ben and Cathy haven't opted for any of the properties we've shown them,
0:42:30 > 0:42:37but they've come on leaps and bounds in their search. I think they're really focused on finding a business
0:42:37 > 0:42:41they can both run together. And maybe, just maybe, we've unearthed
0:42:41 > 0:42:48one of Dorset's new landlord and landlady pairings for a pub here. Who knows? See you next time.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53It turned out that the mystery property was too tempting
0:42:53 > 0:42:59and Ben and Cathy did go back for a second viewing, but after some serious consideration
0:42:59 > 0:43:02they decided running a pub wasn't for them.
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