0:00:02 > 0:00:07Welcome to Escape To The Country. All over the UK, there are stone circles just like this one.
0:00:07 > 0:00:11For centuries, scholars have debated their origins and their purpose.
0:00:11 > 0:00:17Often they're surrounded in mystery and intrigue, but in this case, we know all about it,
0:00:17 > 0:00:22so where are we and what does it all mean? Join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45'On today's show, we've been entrusted with helping two self-confessed townies
0:00:45 > 0:00:48'to finally find some rural respite.'
0:00:48 > 0:00:54- That's a bit special.- 'Though they struggle with the right vibes in one place...'- I'm not getting the feel.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56'..we could hit the jackpot.'
0:00:56 > 0:00:59This is absolutely the real "wow"!
0:01:01 > 0:01:06Today, we're in Somerset and this stone circle is in the middle of Ham Hill,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10a local beauty spot towards the south of the county.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Ham Hill itself is an Iron Age hill fort.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15It dates from about 800 BC,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19but since it was constructed, it's also become a source for this -
0:01:19 > 0:01:22gorgeous, honey-coloured, local hamstone.
0:01:22 > 0:01:28Nestled in the south-west of England, Somerset is bordered by a number of counties,
0:01:28 > 0:01:31including Dorset to the south-east and Devon to the south-west,
0:01:31 > 0:01:35with its northern fringes meeting the Bristol Channel coast.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40Part of the imposing Ham Hill is now a 400-acre country park.
0:01:40 > 0:01:46Its underlying geology has provided the stone used to build much of the county's distinctive architecture.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51Hinton St George is one village that exemplifies the beauty of this stone
0:01:51 > 0:01:53with its warm, ochre-toned houses.
0:01:53 > 0:01:59But one of the county's most iconic landmarks must be the 500-foot Glastonbury Tor
0:01:59 > 0:02:05which soars to the skies with the ruins of a 14th-century church standing proudly at the summit.
0:02:05 > 0:02:11This is certainly a place with something for everyone, including today's buyers,
0:02:11 > 0:02:15so let's go and meet them and find out what they're after.
0:02:15 > 0:02:22Retired postman Andy caught the eye of his partner Fiona in a shoe shop eight years ago.
0:02:22 > 0:02:28They share this three-bedroom 1960s detached house in Haywards Heath near the south coast,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31but are looking for a new stomping ground to call home.
0:02:31 > 0:02:37We're both from the outskirts of London and when we moved here, this was escaping to the country,
0:02:37 > 0:02:41but now it's catching up. It's almost like a suburb of London.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46So, the plan is to swap suburban East Sussex for the wilds of the West Country.
0:02:46 > 0:02:51We particularly want to go to Somerset or Somerset-Dorset borders
0:02:51 > 0:02:55because it's an area that we've known, we've been on holiday,
0:02:55 > 0:02:59it's quite close to friends and relatives.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03And there's another member of their party with itchy feet.
0:03:03 > 0:03:10We've got a fairly large dog, a flat-coated retriever called Toto, who we got from a puppy...
0:03:10 > 0:03:13He's a big dog, so he quite enjoys walking.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15He needs a lot of exercise.
0:03:15 > 0:03:22With four legs catered for, there are also half a dozen four-wheelers that take top priority.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25My passion, as it were, are old cars.
0:03:25 > 0:03:27Although we have a garage here,
0:03:27 > 0:03:29it's quite small, it's quite tight,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Obviously, when we move, we'll have to try and accommodate them,
0:03:32 > 0:03:38so a bigger garage and a bigger drive and I'd be as happy as anything.
0:03:38 > 0:03:43For Andy, it's classic cars, but for Fiona, it's classy cakes.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47I spend most of my time in the kitchen. I love baking.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52I bake many cakes. I've done pop-up tea rooms with a friend of mine.
0:03:52 > 0:03:57At the moment, because I've got no pop-up tea rooms, Andy seems to be eating most of the cakes.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02My must-haves are... definitely a fairly large kitchen.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07The garden we've got at the moment is nice, but it's a little bit small,
0:04:07 > 0:04:10so I'm thinking that I would like a larger garden,
0:04:10 > 0:04:13possibly grow a few vegetables.
0:04:13 > 0:04:17Both Andy and Fiona have grown-up children from previous partners,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21but this move represents a defining moment in their relationship.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23We've been together for eight years.
0:04:23 > 0:04:28We want to go somewhere on our own terms. We want to decide where we're going to live.
0:04:28 > 0:04:35Exactly. Somewhere that we both want to live, as opposed to just meeting and continuing with life as it was.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39- And to incorporate retirement, so it's a huge, huge step for us. - It is.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45All that's left is to find out the figure they're willing to spend on their new Somerset venture.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49The budget for this move would be 375,
0:04:49 > 0:04:55but if you found us an absolute dream house, we could probably stretch it to 400.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02'To stay connected to their families, Andy and Fiona would like good access to the A303,
0:05:02 > 0:05:07'so we'll be concentrating our house search on the pretty villages in the south of the county
0:05:07 > 0:05:09'close to the border with Dorset.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13'It's in a peaceful Somerset spot where we're meeting up to nail the finer details of their move.'
0:05:13 > 0:05:18- Hi, Andy.- Hello, Jules. - Well, guys, welcome to Somerset.
0:05:18 > 0:05:24You've spent quite a long time thinking about this ideal property. What's in your mind?
0:05:24 > 0:05:28In my mind, roses around the door, pretty, in a nice, little village,
0:05:28 > 0:05:32up to the village pub and general store, something like that, not too big,
0:05:32 > 0:05:38but we are essentially townies, so we don't want to be too far from the main...
0:05:38 > 0:05:44It's not a phrase we hear often, "We're essentially townies." But it's right to be honest about it.
0:05:44 > 0:05:45We all need amenities, after all.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49You've got a big, extended family. How many bedrooms do you need?
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- Three bedrooms.- Four would be nice, but we can cope with three.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59Good. Let's have a think about money. How much does this whole endeavour need to cost you?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01- Max 400,000.- Yeah.- Right, then.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07Let's head off into this "land of the summer people" while there still is a bit of sunshine. Come on.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14For a top budget of £400,000, Fiona are Andy are looking for...
0:06:31 > 0:06:36I'm hoping that our line-up of textbook country properties will appeal to them,
0:06:36 > 0:06:40but I'll keep them guessing as to what each house is worth until the end of the tour,
0:06:40 > 0:06:45then there's the Mystery House which might be a little less sweet, but a lot more substantial.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Fiona and Andy have said they wouldn't mind a bit of border-hopping,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58but we're not jumping over just yet
0:06:58 > 0:07:03because property number one is in the village of Rimpton right on the Somerset-Dorset border.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07Rimpton is just five miles from the beautiful abbey town of Sherborne.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09The streets are full of historic interest
0:07:09 > 0:07:13with architecture that spans the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries,
0:07:13 > 0:07:18much of which has been constructed from the distinctive, mellow hamstone.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22In Rimpton, we have another property with vintage pedigree
0:07:22 > 0:07:24that we've chosen as our first house.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27- Oh, wow!- Oh, my goodness!
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- That's wonderful. - That's fantastic.- Yeah?
0:07:30 > 0:07:36- Chocolate boxy?- It is.- It has all the pretty charm that I think you're looking for.- I think you're right.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40- In terms of garaging... - I'm not seeing one.- No.
0:07:40 > 0:07:45I'm afraid you're not going to. The parking is there, but we have a solution.
0:07:45 > 0:07:51About ten minutes down the road is Sparkford and in Sparkford we have located a hangar.
0:07:51 > 0:07:52Ah!
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Now, it's a huge kind of barn
0:07:55 > 0:07:57which you can garage your cars in
0:07:57 > 0:08:03and it has some separate garages as well which you can lock your bits and pieces away in.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06All of that is about £600 to £800 a year to rent.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08That's not too bad at all.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11Come on, let's have a look inside.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15'Thatched fairly recently within the last seven years,
0:08:15 > 0:08:21'this Grade II-listed property appears to have all the hallmarks of a classic and cosy English cottage,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25'but there's a lot more to this place than immediately meets the eye.'
0:08:25 > 0:08:31- Right, Fiona...- Oh, wow, beautiful! - It's a beautiful room, isn't it?
0:08:31 > 0:08:36- And I love the inglenook.- Yes, it's gorgeous. But the detailing, I love.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- The panelling there is fabulous. - Yes.- Really nice.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- So, we're happy with the living room?- We like it very much.
0:08:43 > 0:08:49'In this main reception room, there's also a staircase that leads directly into the master bedroom
0:08:49 > 0:08:51'which is one of two staircases,
0:08:51 > 0:08:56'but we'll continue our tour of the ground floor where there are two study areas,
0:08:56 > 0:09:01'one of which has double patio doors out to the back garden. Up next is the dining room.'
0:09:01 > 0:09:03So, here we are, feeding time.
0:09:03 > 0:09:09- The dining room.- This is another nice room.- A very good-sized room. - Yes, another nice room.
0:09:09 > 0:09:15- We've talked about Fiona's love of chocolate box. Is this you as well, Andy?- I like it, yes.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18I look beyond into the practicalities of it all,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21but my reaction is it looks lovely. It's got character.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24It's an overused word, but it's got it in spades.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27It has. You've done very well. I like it.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Right, so far, so good. Let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37There you go.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42- OK, yeah...- This is a nice size. - I like the cooker.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47It's the way you said "OK" that perhaps betrays your slight disappointment
0:09:47 > 0:09:50at the fact that it's not...
0:09:50 > 0:09:54- Not quite my big... - Farmhouse kitchen.- Yeah.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57I like this bit where you've got the cooker.
0:09:57 > 0:10:02It's whether you can work with this, given you've got the dining room next door and a huge utility room.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05- Not too bad.- Not too bad.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08- Come on. There are no compromises upstairs.- OK.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12- This is the other staircase. - I see.- Look at this. - This is the upstairs?- Yeah.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- Yet more character...- Oh, yes. - ..up here.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- Look at these boards. - These stairs are challenging.- Wow!
0:10:22 > 0:10:28Now, you've got three bedrooms - one double there, really nice vaulted ceiling in it.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- Oh, that's... Yes, yes. - Lovely guest room.- Yes.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Come on.
0:10:37 > 0:10:41'A smaller double with exposed woodwork lies in the middle of the property
0:10:41 > 0:10:44'right opposite a large family bathroom
0:10:44 > 0:10:48'and a wooden staircase in the hallway goes up to an attic room.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52'That leaves the rooms we have earmarked for Andy and Fiona.'
0:10:52 > 0:10:58- This is like a master suite. There's a dressing room in there. - Oh, my goodness! I like that.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00There's an en-suite there for you.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04And then this is your bit.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- Wow!- Oh, yes.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08This, we like, yes.
0:11:08 > 0:11:12And I love the idea that you can roll out of bed and...
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Roll down the stairs, exactly, yeah. Well, let's try it.
0:11:16 > 0:11:22- Let's go outside and...- We'd have to put a guard across there. - ..have a look at the garden.
0:11:22 > 0:11:28'The staircase from the master bedroom winds its way downstairs back to the main sitting room
0:11:28 > 0:11:30'where we're headed for the garden.'
0:11:32 > 0:11:37There's more to this than meets the eye. A vegetable patch over there currently under plastic.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- A shed, the well...- Yes.- That's...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43- And the pond. - And the pond.- Beautiful.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46How much do we think property one is worth?
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I think 395,000.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Within our budget, just.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56- Andy?- I'm mindful of the fact that there's no garage and it's attached,
0:11:56 > 0:12:00so I'm going to go a bit lower and say 370.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- I'm hopeful.- You are hopeful!
0:12:02 > 0:12:09- Well, it's as well you are, Andy, because this could be yours for 375. - Ah!
0:12:09 > 0:12:11- First blood to me.- Really?- Yeah.
0:12:13 > 0:12:18The first in our selection is a charming, listed period cottage that's brimming with character.
0:12:31 > 0:12:37This was the perfect place to start. It has set the scene as to what you like, that cosy cottage feel.
0:12:37 > 0:12:42But I'll drag you away because you've got two more to look at, including our Mystery House.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- So, are you ready?- Lead on.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Despite Somerset's tranquil landscape,
0:12:55 > 0:12:58it was the backdrop for the 1685 Bloody Assizes
0:12:58 > 0:13:03in which over 100 locals were sentenced to death by the notorious Judge Jeffreys
0:13:03 > 0:13:05who resided here at Taunton Castle.
0:13:05 > 0:13:10Within the curtilage of the building is the Museum of Somerset
0:13:10 > 0:13:13and the once derelict Castle House,
0:13:13 > 0:13:18one of the town's few surviving 15th-century properties that has never been open to the public,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21but now in the hands of a charity-run project,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25work is under way to restore Castle House to its former glory.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- Russell!- Hello, Jules. - Nice to see you.- And you.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34'Russell Lillford from the Somerset Buildings Preservation Trust
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'is overseeing the restoration of this unique building.'
0:13:37 > 0:13:43I know it's associated with Judge Jeffreys, a man who has gone down in infamy in the history books.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46What were the Assizes all about?
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Well, we go back in history 300 years to the Battle of Sedgemoor,
0:13:50 > 0:13:56the last battle fought on English soil between the Duke of Monmouth and the King's forces.
0:13:56 > 0:14:02After the battle which the Duke lost, the prisoners were brought to Taunton and tried by Judge Jeffreys.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05It's a beautiful room, but the idea that a man like that,
0:14:05 > 0:14:11who, after committing people to be hung, drawn and quartered, would relax in here is a bit spooky.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15People like "spooky"! It's got atmosphere.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20'Before the Trust came to the rescue, this part of the castle was in such a poor state of repair
0:14:20 > 0:14:24'that it was placed on the English Heritage At Risk Register.'
0:14:24 > 0:14:28- What's this feature down here? - This is absolutely fascinating.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31It was an architectural feature the Normans used
0:14:31 > 0:14:35to keep evil spirits out of churches, so it was in the church doorway.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38'Restoration of this room is near completion,
0:14:38 > 0:14:43'but there is still a lot more work to do at the hands of skilled craftsmen like Dean Horsley.'
0:14:43 > 0:14:47- This is the real thing. - Lath and plastering as it was done.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Can I have a go?- Please do. - I'd love to try it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55- A lot of it is patience. Have a go, see how you get on.- I don't think I'm going to do very well.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57You've got so much to do, I'm not sure I'm helping.
0:14:57 > 0:15:03'There are no quick fixes for a project like this and sticking to the ethos of "repair not replace",
0:15:03 > 0:15:06'traditional methods are being used throughout,
0:15:06 > 0:15:10'but it's hoped that the full restoration will soon be finished
0:15:10 > 0:15:14'with plans afoot to incorporate the ground floor rooms into the museum.'
0:15:14 > 0:15:17This is a lovely view of the exterior.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18It certainly is.
0:15:18 > 0:15:23- What about those rooms upstairs? - They will generate enough income to maintain the building.
0:15:23 > 0:15:28They'll be let to the Vivat Trust who let historic houses to the public.
0:15:28 > 0:15:34- So, you can actually stay in Judge Jeffreys' bedroom? - Absolutely.- That really is spooky!
0:15:34 > 0:15:39'Castle House has had quite a role to play in the story of Taunton's history,
0:15:39 > 0:15:42'but it's great to know that that legacy is in safe hands
0:15:42 > 0:15:45and will be preserved for future generations.'
0:15:49 > 0:15:52'For our next destination, we're travelling east
0:15:52 > 0:15:56'and popping over the Somerset border to Fontmell Magna in North Dorset.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00'With documented evidence of a settlement here over 1,000 years ago,
0:16:00 > 0:16:05'the historic Fontmell Magna is a highly desirable village within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:16:05 > 0:16:10'After our success with the thatched property this morning, we're serving up another one.'
0:16:10 > 0:16:13Our second property of the day - there you go.
0:16:13 > 0:16:19- Very nice, another thatch. - It's another thatch and it's also another semidetached.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- Yeah.- But this one does have a garage.- Ah!
0:16:23 > 0:16:27It's also a step forward in terms of the kitchen on offer,
0:16:27 > 0:16:30as you will see when we get inside. You'll love it.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- Let's get out of this wispy snow, shall we? Come on.- Let's go.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40'Built in the 1800s with attractive banded brick and flint, as well as timber cladding,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43'this is another surprising cottage.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46'Beyond the classic frontage at the back of the property
0:16:46 > 0:16:51'is a contemporary oak-framed extension, given over entirely to the kitchen.'
0:16:53 > 0:16:56There, that's what I was promising you.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Wow, yes!
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- Now, this is much more like it.- Yes.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06- That's a bit special, isn't it? - Lovely, isn't it? Green oak. It's only about five years old.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09I do like, and I like the outlook as well.
0:17:09 > 0:17:15Yeah. The island is moveable, so you could have a great, big kitchen table in there if you wanted to.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- It's quite exceptional.- Very nice.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21Yeah. This is what I was saying. This bit is the wow factor.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24This is the part of the property that really sells it.
0:17:24 > 0:17:30What it really needs is this touch to be carried through to the rest of it.
0:17:30 > 0:17:36'The modern kitchen extension has been added to the back of the property via the main hallway
0:17:36 > 0:17:41'and it's inside the older part of the cottage where the layout gets more unorthodox
0:17:41 > 0:17:45'with a bedroom and family bathroom down on the ground floor,
0:17:45 > 0:17:50'then to the far side of the hallway are two main reception rooms.'
0:17:50 > 0:17:54Now, this is the dining room, as it's currently set up.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56- Cosy?- It is.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01And we've got this dual aspect going on right through the property,
0:18:01 > 0:18:03these lovely cottagey windows.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06It's certainly got the right components.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09It continues through here into the living room.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12There...
0:18:12 > 0:18:17- That's cosy.- Yes.- I mean, it's similar to property number one.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20We've got the beams, lovely big inglenook.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24I like it. It's just I'm not quite getting the feel.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27- So, we had a "wow"... - A "wow" in the kitchen.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32- And now we're...- I think that's probably it, the "wow" in the kitchen.- From "wow" to "ow".
0:18:32 > 0:18:36'Apart from being lost for words at the start,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40'we've now lost a crucial letter and our buyers' enthusiasm.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Oh, this is a sweet little room.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- This is what we're thinking about for you.- This is the master.- Yes.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- This could work.- It's the biggest, the squarest of the bedrooms on offer here.
0:18:54 > 0:19:01- There's some built-in storage over there and through that little door in the corner is a loo as well.- OK.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03It's growing on me, I think, yeah.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05Are you being generous?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07LAUGHTER
0:19:07 > 0:19:13'This house is a tough one as it does take time to figure out both the geography and the mix of styles,
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'but now to figure out the price.'
0:19:16 > 0:19:21I thought we'd finish off here in the kitchen because you can see the garden from here
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and it's so cold outside, it's a nicer place to do it from.
0:19:25 > 0:19:31OK, let's move on to the final stage of the process which is, of course, what...?
0:19:32 > 0:19:33- How much.- How much. Exactly.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35I'm going to go for 410,000.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38410,000, yeah. Fiona?
0:19:38 > 0:19:41I'm going to go for 415.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44This could be yours for 395.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48- Ah, right.- Oh! So, just under budget?- Pleasantly surprised.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Our second property offers an intriguing mix
0:19:53 > 0:19:56of 19th century history with 21st century design and features...
0:20:06 > 0:20:11Well, that is it, I'm afraid. Our two houses for today are done.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15- Right.- It's still snowing.- It is. - Shall we go and have some supper?
0:20:15 > 0:20:17That sounds like a wonderful idea!
0:20:24 > 0:20:29'Our last stop takes us over towards the southwestern portion of Somerset
0:20:29 > 0:20:34'where we're destined for the small hamlet of Sticklepath within the shadow of the Blackdown Hills.
0:20:34 > 0:20:40'We continue our journey towards the edge of the Blackdown Hills on the outskirts of Combe St Nicholas.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45'But our Mystery House isn't smack-bang in the middle of the village as our buyers wanted.
0:20:45 > 0:20:51'Instead, we're going into the quiet countryside hamlet of Sticklepath, a good 15 minutes' walk away.'
0:20:51 > 0:20:55This is our mystery property. What do you reckon?
0:20:55 > 0:21:01- It looks nice from the outside.- It looks huge.- Yeah. It looks as though it's got beautiful views as well.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06It's got amazing views and the further up the garden you get, the better they become.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- All in all, it's about an acre.- Oh!
0:21:09 > 0:21:11LAUGHTER That's a lot.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Bigger than the last garden, yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16It's by far the biggest space we've been able to find you.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- Can we go and have a look? - Certainly.- I need to see this one.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23'Set in an elevated position,
0:21:23 > 0:21:28'this sprawling mystery property gives our buyers an alternative style
0:21:28 > 0:21:31'to the traditional chocolate box they requested,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34'but that's not to say this one is without character,
0:21:34 > 0:21:39'so let's see what Andy and Fiona make of this design, starting at the back and straight into the kitchen.'
0:21:39 > 0:21:44- Here we are.- Right. - Come on in, Fiona.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46- This is nice.- It is.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49As you can see, it's all very much done.
0:21:49 > 0:21:54- You know, very easy...- You could move straight in.- Ready to move into, absolutely, yeah.- Lovely.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58Good. A bit more space then? Come this way.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Now, this, I think, is a real winner.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08- Oh, look!- This is huge. - This is lovely.- Oh, my God, look!
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- That's what you call an inglenook, isn't it?- Come on over.- Wow!
0:22:12 > 0:22:18- It's... This is absolutely the real "wow", actually.- Yeah, yeah.
0:22:18 > 0:22:24- I think our Mystery House is pressing a few buttons.- I think it's pressing all the buttons.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Let's see if we can press a few more. Come this way.
0:22:27 > 0:22:33'On the ground floor, there's also a large utility room, as well as a contemporary shower room,
0:22:33 > 0:22:39'but we'll head to the first floor where there's the perfect place to soak up the rural surroundings.'
0:22:39 > 0:22:43Right, up here, we've got you this conservatory...
0:22:43 > 0:22:47- Look!- Those views are to die for, aren't they?- Aren't they just?
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Fantastic. I can just see us sitting here, cup of coffee. Lovely.
0:22:51 > 0:22:57- As long as those pictures are emerging, that informs me...- I'll never get any work done on the car.
0:22:57 > 0:23:04- I'll be here drinking endless cups of coffee.- It informs me a house is working for people. That's great.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09'If we can tear them both away from the views, the bedrooms are all on this level too.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14'A bright, fully tiled family bathroom serves four bedrooms.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18'There are two doubles, one of which is being used as a study,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22'then a smaller single bedroom, and that just leaves the master.'
0:23:23 > 0:23:25And then finally, this one.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- Oh, this is nice. This is great. - Very nice.- Again it's a...
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- Yeah, this is lovely. - Built-in wardrobes, that's lovely.
0:23:32 > 0:23:33It's got far more of a cottagey feel here.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38It's really cosy, and waking up with that view out there,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40I think really sweet, actually.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- I'm a bit concerned about the price. - Well, you should be, yeah!
0:23:44 > 0:23:49- Let's go outside and take in that garden and talk about the money, shall we?- Thanks.- Come on then.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57'Outside, the acre of grounds is mostly laid to lawn across various levels
0:23:57 > 0:24:01'with a deck terrace and a heated swimming pool.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05'What's more, there's a large garage with off-street parking
0:24:05 > 0:24:09'and the whole plot is enveloped by lush Somerset countryside.'
0:24:09 > 0:24:15It's gorgeous, isn't it? So, how much then is our Mystery House on the market for?
0:24:15 > 0:24:18I'm going to go for 425,000.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22I think, looking at it and what we're getting, probably even more.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25I'm going to go for 430,000.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27430...
0:24:27 > 0:24:34It was on the market at £475,000.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38- But?- It's not any more.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41This is now on the market
0:24:41 > 0:24:45for £399,950.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Under budget?- By 50 quid!
0:24:47 > 0:24:49My God!
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Where do we sign? Where do we sign?
0:24:52 > 0:24:56I think this is a real steal, actually, for what you want.
0:24:56 > 0:25:02The detached Mystery House is the biggest property in our selection, but still within budget.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Considering we started this morning in the snow, I love this sunshine.
0:25:20 > 0:25:26- This is a bit more like it.- With this and the house, what could be better?- It's a perfect combination.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31- I'll have to whisk you away because there's another viewing here in half an hour.- We'd better be quick.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34If you want this, you'd better start thinking.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43We've explored quite a lot haven't we?
0:25:43 > 0:25:48We needed to find you a lovely home and somewhere for your car collection.
0:25:48 > 0:25:55- How have we done?- I think the first house, I loved the house, roses round the door, thatch.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58I think for you it was a bit more difficult.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02I always had issues with the fact there was no garage
0:26:02 > 0:26:05and the parking outside was very tight.
0:26:05 > 0:26:10It wasn't just Somerset that was of interest. You were quite happy to go into Dorset
0:26:10 > 0:26:15and there we went for our second property with that amazing kitchen.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16It was beautiful, yes.
0:26:16 > 0:26:21Unfortunately, the kitchen just overshadowed everything else in the house.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25As we started out this morning on the snow-covered Blackdown Hills,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29I was apprehensive as to what you would make of our Mystery House,
0:26:29 > 0:26:32but it was all smiles, wasn't it? The sun came out.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37Yeah, it just blew us away. We couldn't believe that that was the one house
0:26:37 > 0:26:39and that it was within our budget.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44What is it about our Mystery House that you have fallen in love with?
0:26:44 > 0:26:50Absolutely everything about it. The house is good for us. It works well for us, I think.
0:26:50 > 0:26:55The garden was gorgeous and those views, just unbelievable.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00And to have a double garage as well, that really did put the tin hat on it.
0:27:00 > 0:27:06- What happens next?- I definitely want to go and see it again and I think it's a real contender.
0:27:06 > 0:27:12- Thank you so much for finding it. - I'll keep everything crossed for you.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:27:16 > 0:27:22Throughout this programme, you may well have caught a glimpse of this wonderful building behind me.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It is, in fact, Dillington House.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Back in the 1780s, it was home to Lord North.
0:27:26 > 0:27:31He was then Prime Minister, clearly a man used to making a difficult decision or two,
0:27:31 > 0:27:35and that's what we've been doing this week during our house-hunt.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39He was a man who loved Somerset and this was his escape to the country.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44With any luck, we've managed to find Fiona and Andy their very own too.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48If only you could have that for £400,000!
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Fiona and Andy were completely won over by our Mystery House
0:27:52 > 0:27:56and are desperately waiting for that elusive buyer for their own home,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59so they can finally make their move to Somerset.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03If you would like to escape to the country in England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland
0:28:03 > 0:28:05and need our help, you can apply online at: