0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's said this lovely country cottage is home
0:00:04 > 0:00:07to the oldest Englishman that ever lived.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It's also claimed that he reached the ripe old age of 152.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Who was he, and which county did he hail from? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Today, I am helping a technically minded couple
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to abandon the hurly-burly of the commuter belt,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40and take a logical approach to house-hunting...
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- How are we doing on the spreadsheet? - It's got to be a 20.- Kerching.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48..with a very specific wish-list.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Quite a lot of land, but is it going to be enough for you?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- Yes.- Good! - Of course it is!- Jackpot!
0:00:56 > 0:01:00This is the home of Shropshire agricultural worker Thomas Parr,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02who came to fame in the reign of Charles I
0:01:02 > 0:01:06because of his excessively long life.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09The legend has it that he lived through the reign of ten monarchs
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and he got married twice - once at the age of 80,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and then again at the venerable age of 122.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19But it was aged 152 that the king invited him down to London,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and that's what did it for poor Thomas.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27It's said in 1635, he died of the pollution of the city
0:01:27 > 0:01:29and the lavish London lifestyle.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32But the king had his body buried in Westminster Abbey,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34where it remains to this day,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37but I'm sure that his heart remains here in Shropshire.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Landlocked Shropshire is sandwiched between Wales to the west
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and Staffordshire to the east.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50The Shropshire Hills have been a designated area of natural beauty since 1958,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53covering a quarter of the county.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The ancient Long Mynd alone has 500 acres of moorland
0:01:57 > 0:01:59with 30 miles of footpaths
0:01:59 > 0:02:02from which to enjoy this natural splendour.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04The borderlands of England and Wales,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07an area known as the Welsh Marches, is where you'll find
0:02:07 > 0:02:12one of the largest concentrations of castles in the UK,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15typified by strongholds such as Clun and Ludlow.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18As well as a castle, Ludlow in the south of the county
0:02:18 > 0:02:22also boasts some of the finest historical architecture
0:02:22 > 0:02:26of any town in England - with over 400 listed buildings.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30But it's the beautiful rural countryside across the county
0:02:30 > 0:02:33that is drawing our buyers today, so let's meet them.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40For 15 years, John and Pauline
0:02:40 > 0:02:42have lived on a housing estate in Charvil
0:02:42 > 0:02:44on the outskirts of Reading, Berkshire,
0:02:44 > 0:02:48but feel that now is the time to address their life-work imbalance
0:02:48 > 0:02:51and swap the red brick views
0:02:51 > 0:02:54for the rolling Shropshire countryside.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58At the moment, as you can see, we look out on houses.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03And I'd really like to look out on hills and fields.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05Despite being semi-retired,
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Pauline has one eye on a brand-new venture
0:03:08 > 0:03:10that coincides with their move.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12So, now, what I'd like to do,
0:03:12 > 0:03:15is to set up a chocolate-making business.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18This move would enable me to have the space
0:03:18 > 0:03:20to be able to make larger batches.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Although my kitchen has got a huge island in the middle of it,
0:03:23 > 0:03:25and it's lovely,
0:03:25 > 0:03:30there is not enough room to make those quantities of chocolate.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33A vital element to achieving a better work-life balance
0:03:33 > 0:03:37is space in the new house to accommodate healthier pursuits.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41Our new house ideally will have a separate room
0:03:41 > 0:03:42where I can have a gym.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47Although we do yoga together at home, it's very cramped.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48There isn't enough space.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- We keep bumping into each other, don't we?- Yes!
0:03:52 > 0:03:55All that's left to discover is the finances
0:03:55 > 0:03:57for their Shropshire sanctuary.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Our budget for the move is £700,000.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03That's absolute maximum -
0:04:03 > 0:04:07and that would have to include the setting up of our chocolate business
0:04:07 > 0:04:11and the outbuilding required, the renovation of that.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17John and Pauline would like us to concentrate our house search
0:04:17 > 0:04:21in the south of the county around the market town of Ludlow.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24I met up with them to discover more about what they're looking for,
0:04:24 > 0:04:28and to learn how a spreadsheet is helping them choose
0:04:28 > 0:04:29their ideal property.
0:04:30 > 0:04:32Welcome to Shropshire, you two.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34So we've got lots of lovely houses lined up for you,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37but I want to talk a bit about what sort of property you want.
0:04:37 > 0:04:41I know you want a big kitchen, but you also want a sort of chocolate factory.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45I want to have a separate building to make chocolate, yes.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48To create a chocolate business.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- What about you, John? Do you have requirements?- Yeah.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Our house at the moment, we've really just got one main room downstairs,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58which has got the television in, and my hi-fi.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00And, ideally, what I'd like,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03is a separate room that I could put the hi-fi in.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06It seems the land is quite important,
0:05:06 > 0:05:09- in terms of getting an outbuilding. - And growing.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11I grow all of my food, and fruit.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15And I want to incorporate those into the chocolate fillings.
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Well, you have your trusty tablet.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19- Is the spreadsheet on this little thing?- It is. Yes.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24I've created a score for each really important factor in the house.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27- I'm an accountant, so...- Ah-ha! I see!
0:05:27 > 0:05:29- So I can allocate points to money. - Right.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31So, we're going to do Escape To The Country
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- in a scientifically thorough manner. - Sort of.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36But it might come down to gut feeling at the end. Who knows?
0:05:36 > 0:05:39- So, the heart might win out over the spreadsheet?- Yes!
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Good. We've got three lovely houses, so come with me to the car.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47For a budget of £700,000,
0:05:47 > 0:05:52John and Pauline are looking for four bedrooms, a large kitchen,
0:05:52 > 0:05:54a room to use as a gym,
0:05:54 > 0:05:59an outbuilding or annexe for Pauline to set up a chocolate factory,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02land to accommodate an orchard and vegetable garden,
0:06:02 > 0:06:06all ideally located near to the foodie's paradise of Ludlow
0:06:06 > 0:06:08in south Shropshire.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10We have a variety of properties to serve up,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13and at each one I'll be asking them to guess the price
0:06:13 > 0:06:14before I reveal it.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17One of course is the Mystery House,
0:06:17 > 0:06:19that might not be right for them on paper,
0:06:19 > 0:06:21but might just set their pulses racing nonetheless.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25But before all that, first on the list, is house number one.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32We start our property search in the hamlet of Seifton,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35a short distance from the market town of Ludlow.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38Described as the gastronomic heart of Shropshire,
0:06:38 > 0:06:40historic 11th-century Ludlow is renowned
0:06:40 > 0:06:42for its locally produced food and drink.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Our first house is 15 minutes north of the town,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48a four-bedroomed modern conversion,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50set in just under an acre of land,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53that retains bags of period features.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56Here we are - house number one!
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- What do you think? - I like it! Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- Big smiles as we come up the drive. - BOTH:- Yes!
0:07:01 > 0:07:02The great thing about this,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05and really the reason we brought you,
0:07:05 > 0:07:07is that we're just six miles from Ludlow.
0:07:07 > 0:07:08Yes, very close.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11No, it's a beautiful area, so it's a fantastic location.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- Another reason we brought you here is because of this.- Yes.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16This is the outbuilding.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Come with me.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19'We're bang on with the location,
0:07:19 > 0:07:23'but it's the outbuilding that needs to deliver the required space
0:07:23 > 0:07:25'if the house is to be a contender.'
0:07:25 > 0:07:28So, this is a big double garage.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Yes.- With electricity and water.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35- Yes.- Very good.- Excellent. - And it is all boarded upstairs.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39But is this going to be big enough for your chocolate factory?
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Absolutely. Yes. Yes, I think so.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44- It's a lot more space than you've got at the moment!- Yes.
0:07:44 > 0:07:45Let's continue the house tour.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51That's two major factors satisfied.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Let's hope it continues, as we head inside.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Into the kitchen...
0:07:57 > 0:08:01Because this is obviously the heart of the home.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Oh, my word.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- This is lovely. - It is.- Yeah, it's good.
0:08:07 > 0:08:08It's a nice big size, isn't it?
0:08:08 > 0:08:11How does it compare on your kitchen scale?
0:08:11 > 0:08:14We were looking for a big kitchen, nicely done out,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17and that is absolutely this kitchen, isn't it? It works really well.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20You've got a nice boot room there, for when you come in from walks.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25- And through here is a utility space. - Oh, fabulous.- All your white goods.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26- OK. Yeah.- Good.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29I don't think you'd be spending much time in your kitchen, because...
0:08:29 > 0:08:31you've got this room.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36In terms of living space, I am confident the next room
0:08:36 > 0:08:38will knock their socks off!
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- This is the room.- Oh, wow.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- It's brilliant, isn't it? - What a view!
0:08:46 > 0:08:48This is an amazing green oak orangery
0:08:48 > 0:08:51that they put on just a few years ago.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Couple of years ago. - I think it's absolutely amazing.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59- I think it's stunning. It brings the garden into the house.- Yeah.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05And a very beautiful sitting room here, and a little study, you can explore later on.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07I don't have a category for this!
0:09:07 > 0:09:11You didn't do a category on your spreadsheet for orangery!
0:09:11 > 0:09:15I didn't, no. Or conservatory, or anything.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- But does it get 20 out of 20? - Oh, yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- So, top marks for downstairs?- Yes.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24More than top marks - if that's possible - but let's look upstairs.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25OK.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30'A dining room completes the downstairs,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32'and it's all going swimmingly well.'
0:09:32 > 0:09:36'So fingers crossed the bedrooms meet the spreadsheet's approval.'
0:09:36 > 0:09:42There are two staircases, and two sets of bedrooms in this house.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44- This is a master bedroom.- Right.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Yeah.
0:09:46 > 0:09:52- And a very nice wet room en suite. - That's lovely, isn't it?
0:09:52 > 0:09:54That's very nicely done.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Because you've virtually got a big modern bathroom next door,
0:09:57 > 0:10:01which is sort of a family bathroom, but could also be...bath tub.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05What do you think to the aspect of the bedroom?
0:10:05 > 0:10:07It's a lot smaller than our current bedroom.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10I mean, it is a smaller room.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13But it's a nice room, and it feels light and airy.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15So I'll let you explore all around -
0:10:15 > 0:10:17- there's actually lots of rooms we haven't seen.- Thank you.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20But let's go into the garden and guess the price.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26There are three more bedrooms - one also with an en suite -
0:10:26 > 0:10:28all complete with character beams.
0:10:28 > 0:10:33It seems the house has delivered more positives than negatives,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36but it remains to be seen if less than an acre of land
0:10:36 > 0:10:38is enough for Pauline's allotment.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40As I mentioned, close to Ludlow,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43it's difficult to get a property with all the land you wanted.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45You wanted one to two acres, which is a lot of land.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50It's a lot of land but I wanted to create an orchard
0:10:50 > 0:10:54and have more fruit for the fillings for my chocolates.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58So I think it would be a bit of a stretch with the size of the land.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- Have you filled in all the things yet?- I have.
0:11:01 > 0:11:02So what does the figure come out at?
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Because it also tells you how much it is going to be worth, no?
0:11:06 > 0:11:07Yes, my estimate of it.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10So, here we go - what is your estimate of the property price?
0:11:10 > 0:11:14Um, it thinks 695,000.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16John, do you agree with that?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20I think it has got to be at the top end of the budget -
0:11:20 > 0:11:22maybe 710, or something like that?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25We might need to do some recalibration,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27because this is on the market for...
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- £565,000. - No!- Wow... Really?!
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33Well within their budget,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37this characterful renovation is perfectly located,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and includes four bedrooms - two with en suite -
0:11:40 > 0:11:44a kitchen/breakfast room, separate dining room,
0:11:44 > 0:11:46a stunning orangery,
0:11:46 > 0:11:49a double garage - a possible venue for the chocolate factory -
0:11:49 > 0:11:53along with wonderful views of the glorious Shropshire countryside.
0:11:55 > 0:12:01- Hello.- Hello.- You all done?- Yes. - You've got your tablet?- Yes!
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Ready for house number two?- Yes. - On we go.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22To the south of the county, in the rolling hills of Shropshire,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25lies an incredible family home that is a renovation project
0:12:25 > 0:12:28that would stretch even the biggest budget.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32The magnificent Victorian mansion of Stokesay Court,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34with its imposing Jacobean-style facade,
0:12:34 > 0:12:39hit the big screen as the location for a cinema smash hit.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41And I am meeting the current owner, Caroline Magnus,
0:12:41 > 0:12:46who inherited the house that has been in her family since 1889,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48to find out more.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49Caroline, I am fascinated -
0:12:49 > 0:12:51I mean, the house is absolutely staggering -
0:12:51 > 0:12:54but I'm fascinated by this moment
0:12:54 > 0:12:57when the brown envelope hits your mat,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01and you realise you've inherited an incredible stately home.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04It contained a copy of a will and a compliments slip,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07but with no letter of explanation at all.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11So, I had to read it about three times.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Built in 1889 by John Derby Allcroft,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16the house found its way to Caroline
0:13:16 > 0:13:20after her aunt, Darby Allcroft's granddaughter, sadly died.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23I'm wondering how much work have you actually done here?
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Was it a ruin when you moved in, or...?
0:13:26 > 0:13:28The roof was completely rotten.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31We had to literally recover the entire structure.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35I wonder if you'd like to come and see the rest of the house?
0:13:35 > 0:13:36Absolutely.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Caroline expected her planned restorations to take decades,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44but fortuitously the house was hired as a location
0:13:44 > 0:13:47for the Oscar and BAFTA-winning film Atonement,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50starring Keira Knightley, which gave the restoration
0:13:50 > 0:13:52a quick nudge in the right direction.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Was the film a big turning point?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Yes, it really was.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Before Atonement, this house was completely obscure.
0:14:01 > 0:14:04Nobody had ever heard of it, really.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06The house appeared on the big screen
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and suddenly there was a huge amount of interest.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Rooms were redecorated to fit the film's period.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14And part of the set still remains
0:14:14 > 0:14:16as an attraction for the visiting public,
0:14:16 > 0:14:19Having spent almost 20 years renovating the house,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Caroline still has more work to do.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24But she isn't deterred.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Well, these are the old kitchens.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31But in terms of the future of the hall,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34what would you do with this room, for example?
0:14:34 > 0:14:39This, could make a wonderful tea room for the house, I think.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41For the events that happen in the house,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43or when we have visitors coming.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Thank you so much.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I know you've got lots to do, but it's been a real joy looking around.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51And lovely, as well, not just to see the extraordinary house,
0:14:51 > 0:14:52but to hear your story.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Well, thank you. It's been a pleasure showing you round.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59I hope Caroline is successful with the renovations at this beautiful house
0:14:59 > 0:15:03for more people to enjoy, and we wish her all the best.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16For our second property, we're going further afield,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19travelling east to the very edge of the county,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21close to the village of Albrighton -
0:15:21 > 0:15:24around an hour away from their desired location of Ludlow.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30House number two is a very spacious five-bedroom farmhouse conversion,
0:15:30 > 0:15:35sitting three miles out of the village in the east Shropshire countryside.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37House number two!
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Quite a different offering for you.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42And I've brought you into the back because it is easier to see
0:15:42 > 0:15:44the layout of property.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Because we're in part of the Patshull estate.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49Actually, this is where the woodworker lived,
0:15:49 > 0:15:52and it was all converted back in the late '90s.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56So how does it rate on your system in terms of location?
0:15:56 > 0:15:59I'd say, on balance, location
0:15:59 > 0:16:02probably not as good as the first house.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Well, the layout of the house is quite unusual.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06As you can see, it's all in a sort of horseshoe.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09I think you'll be surprised - there's a lot more space.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14As anticipated, the location doesn't score well,
0:16:14 > 0:16:15as we are quite a way from Ludlow.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18But this property does have a lot of plus points
0:16:18 > 0:16:20that should rate highly on the spreadsheet.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Straight into the kitchen.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29- It's a tall kitchen, isn't it? - It is tall.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33You've the whole height of the building, right up to the rafters.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35How do you rate it?
0:16:35 > 0:16:39Size. It's maximum for size, isn't it?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Yeah, I mean, I think this is a lovely kitchen.
0:16:43 > 0:16:48- I was going to say eight. - Yeah, yeah.- Seven or eight, something like that.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50'Accessed via the kitchen
0:16:50 > 0:16:55'is extra living space, courtesy of a glass conservatory extension.'
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Come on through into the sitting room.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- And another spectacularly large room.- Huge!
0:17:02 > 0:17:07- And this gigantic fireplace. - It's lovely.- A proper inglenook.
0:17:07 > 0:17:13It's a lovely room. But, perhaps not quite so much my style, I'd say.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14But you may feel different?
0:17:14 > 0:17:19Yeah, I actually like the size more than the other one.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Adjacent to the sitting room lies the dining room,
0:17:23 > 0:17:25above which is a galleried study area
0:17:25 > 0:17:28and an additional bedroom with shower room.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Onwards to the master bedroom,
0:17:30 > 0:17:34and I am confident they won't be quibbling over size here.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Now...
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Wow!
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Here we have a master bedroom that hopefully will fit the bill.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Absolutely.- This is more of...
0:17:46 > 0:17:48This is a Master bedroom, isn't it?
0:17:48 > 0:17:50It's a MASTER bedroom!
0:17:50 > 0:17:53A very nice shower en suite.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Different to the other one, but...it's fine.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- But again, big, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02But one of the things that really brought us here, for you,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06is on the other side of the house. Come with me.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10There are two further bedrooms on the ground floor
0:18:10 > 0:18:12served by a well-equipped family bathroom,
0:18:12 > 0:18:14including a double-ended bath.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16Through the kitchen is an annexe
0:18:16 > 0:18:20which will hopefully satisfy two of their major requirements.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22So, a gigantic games room.
0:18:22 > 0:18:27- We thought this could also be your chocolate factory.- Yeah.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Because upstairs there's the same sort of size
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- with a shower and bathroom at the end.- So it could be a gym?
0:18:35 > 0:18:36So that could be a gym/yoga room.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39But, essentially, this is the same as the garage,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43- but it's all finished and three times as big.- Hm!
0:18:45 > 0:18:49The games room-cum-chocolate factory gets a massive plus point.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53But I'm not convinced they're totally sold on this property yet.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57The outside space comprises part-walled garden with paved terrace and lawn,
0:18:57 > 0:19:03however the drawback is there is no additional land for Pauline's market garden.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:19:05 > 0:19:07Or, how much does the computer think it's on the market for?
0:19:07 > 0:19:11So, the computer says 550,000.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13I think I'm going to go higher than that.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15I'll go to 625.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18625. Well, maybe it needs a bit more calibration,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21because in this instance it's wrong again,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23but in the other direction.
0:19:23 > 0:19:29This property is actually on the market for - brace yourself - 695.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Oh, right! Right at the top of our budget.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37The former woodcutter's residence just creeps in under budget
0:19:37 > 0:19:39and certainly offers a lot of what they are after
0:19:39 > 0:19:43with five bedrooms, including a huge master bedroom,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45a large kitchen/diner,
0:19:45 > 0:19:47a spacious sitting room,
0:19:47 > 0:19:51an annexe as a possible venue for the chocolate factory,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55and the option to utilise one of the five bedrooms as a gym.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59OK, so two houses down - how are you feeling?
0:19:59 > 0:20:03I'm still excited. But, yes, it's quite interesting.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- It's been a great day.- Yeah.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23For our Mystery House we are heading north,
0:20:23 > 0:20:25close to the Wales-England border,
0:20:25 > 0:20:26to the hamlet of Coton,
0:20:26 > 0:20:30a short distance from the market town of Whitchurch.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Dating back to the Roman era, Whitchurch is one of the oldest
0:20:33 > 0:20:34communities in Shropshire.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39The Mystery House is a five-bedroomed cottage,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42approximately four miles south of the town in Coton,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46surrounded by the stunning north Shropshire scenery.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Oh.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49I hear that!
0:20:49 > 0:20:53- Any thoughts about the location? - I really like the location.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- I mean, just driving up here, the countryside's great.- I like it.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Yes. It's lovely.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02And you'll notice that there is quite a parcel of land
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- with this property.- Alistair, why is this the Mystery House?
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Is it still in Shropshire?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It is still in Shropshire, but...
0:21:09 > 0:21:12in order to get you all this lovely land at a price you could afford,
0:21:12 > 0:21:15we don't have your chocolate factory yet.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16Oh, right!
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- This could be something you could build.- Yes.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Let's go and look inside.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26With a big thumbs up for the exterior, it is onwards inside
0:21:26 > 0:21:30to check out a room high on John's agenda.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31I just wanted to show you this room.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- This is the newest room in the house.- Oh.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37I thought of you, John. Your desire for a little music room.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- This could definitely be a music room, couldn't it?- Absolutely.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- Yeah, brilliant. - It's a nice big size, isn't it?
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Well, this was a little detour on the way to the main room,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49which, of course, is the kitchen.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53The kitchen is also high on the list,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57so this needs to deliver a big score to beat the previous two.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59So the dining room here...
0:21:59 > 0:22:02But this is the room I wanted to show you.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Oh, wow!- Kaboom!
0:22:07 > 0:22:10It's like kitchen wars, and this one wins, because it's the biggest.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- No, it's not. It's not because it's the biggest.- Oh, OK.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- It's because it's got the island. - It's because it's got the island.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20Ahhh! That's where we've been going wrong. Not giving you your island.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24Now, I wanted to talk to you a bit about the chocolate factory.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29Because this house does not have outbuildings, as it stands now.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32There was a shippen. You know, a shippen?
0:22:32 > 0:22:33A cow barn with a hay loft on top?
0:22:33 > 0:22:35Now the footings for that are still there,
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- so you could build something just outside.- That's fine.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42So I could have the kitchen and you could be in your factory.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44I could be in the other kitchen!
0:22:44 > 0:22:48- So, how many do you and your magic thing...- Well, kitchen...
0:22:48 > 0:22:4920 out of 20?
0:22:49 > 0:22:5320 out of 20! Can't possibly be...
0:22:53 > 0:22:54Can't possibly be any less than that.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Well, I'd be interested to see what the living space gives you.
0:22:58 > 0:22:59Follow me.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08- And our third and final sitting room.- It's lovely.
0:23:08 > 0:23:10- Obviously got beams! - It has got beams.
0:23:10 > 0:23:15They're quite high up, aren't they? So not oppressive.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17I like this room.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19It's actually quite cosy, isn't it?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22And sweeping through into the conservatory.
0:23:23 > 0:23:27And, of course, this would be the view over your...domain.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Yeah, I could certainly see us having breakfast and lunch in here.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Completing the ground floor is a study,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36a utility area
0:23:36 > 0:23:40and a second conservatory that can double as a gym.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42The downstairs is scoring highly,
0:23:42 > 0:23:44so let's hope this continues upstairs.
0:23:44 > 0:23:45This is the master bedroom,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47and there are five bedrooms in this property,
0:23:47 > 0:23:49and actually two of them have en suites,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51so you could swap them around.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- But this is, I think, the biggest and the lightest.- Mm-hm.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55Yes, it's lovely.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Nice big square room.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Obviously, the reason we brought you here is because it's got lots of land.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04So let's go and look at that, and think about the price.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Of the four remaining bedrooms, one also has an en suite.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14The others are served by a modern family bathroom.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15We could be onto a winner,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18as the upstairs seems to have hit the mark too.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20And with the house standing in nearly three acres of land,
0:24:20 > 0:24:25let's hope that that's enough for Pauline's market garden.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- Quite a lot of land. Is it going to be enough for you?- Yes.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- Good.- Of course it is! - Jackpot!
0:24:30 > 0:24:32How is this one scoring?
0:24:32 > 0:24:36This one scores the highest of all of the percentage points.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38How much does it score?
0:24:38 > 0:24:39Percentage-wise?
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- It scores 90%.- Wow!
0:24:42 > 0:24:47So I am wondering what your system thinks about the price of this house?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50My estimate is that it would be about 690.
0:24:50 > 0:24:55- 690?- In terms of my estimate, I would say 675.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Well, it's getting better, but not quite right.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Because this property is on the market for 649.
0:25:01 > 0:25:02Hurray!
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Oh, yes. But you liked the other one.
0:25:07 > 0:25:12Our Mystery House racks up a whopping 90% on Pauline's tablet,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15offering them almost everything they are looking for,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17including five bedrooms,
0:25:17 > 0:25:18two with en suite,
0:25:18 > 0:25:19a huge kitchen/diner,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22a music room to house John's hi-fi,
0:25:22 > 0:25:26an area to build the chocolate factory,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28all standing in nearly three acres of land,
0:25:28 > 0:25:30ideal for Pauline's fruit and veg garden.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33Ah, here you are. Are you planning your orchard?
0:25:33 > 0:25:35- Yes!- Yes, we are.
0:25:35 > 0:25:36Well, I'm afraid I have to tear you away,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39because it's time for some decision-making.
0:25:39 > 0:25:40Come with me.
0:25:54 > 0:25:55Now, correct me if I'm wrong,
0:25:55 > 0:25:59but it seems like property number two isn't really in the running.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02So it comes down to property number one, which you seemed to like,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04and property number three, the Mystery House
0:26:04 > 0:26:07which you suddenly seemed to find your favourite.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09I think the Mystery House, when we discussed it,
0:26:09 > 0:26:12we thought it had everything as a house.
0:26:12 > 0:26:17And it would be lovely to be able to lift the Mystery House up
0:26:17 > 0:26:19with its garden and its land
0:26:19 > 0:26:24and drop it into where the first house was.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26If we can find some land
0:26:26 > 0:26:29that we could rent or buy
0:26:29 > 0:26:32next to property one,
0:26:32 > 0:26:38then that would give us everything that we required.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40So what is going to happen next?
0:26:40 > 0:26:45We're certainly going to go back and look at property one again,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48because we do really like it, and I think the key thing there
0:26:48 > 0:26:52is just to see whether we can get in touch with
0:26:52 > 0:26:54whoever owns the land around there
0:26:54 > 0:26:57and whether they would be willing to either rent us or sell us
0:26:57 > 0:26:58a small piece of land.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01So if you couldn't get land for property one,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04property three might become a contender again?
0:27:04 > 0:27:06It might be, yeah.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Well it's been a great joy showing you around.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10And I hope we've shown you a bit of Shropshire
0:27:10 > 0:27:12that you hadn't considered before.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14And whichever house you choose, that you're very happy.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22I have to say I was surprised.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26I thought Pauline was going to twist John's arm and make him
0:27:26 > 0:27:27love house number three.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29But, in the end, to be fair,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32she let her head rule her heart
0:27:32 > 0:27:33and they went for house number one.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Although it was good to see they discovered the joys of north Shropshire,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39and when you look at how beautiful the county is,
0:27:39 > 0:27:40you can understand why.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42So that's us done for the day,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45but do join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47John and Pauline looked into the possibility of land
0:27:47 > 0:27:50around the first house near Ludlow,
0:27:50 > 0:27:53but unfortunately the house went under offer to another buyer,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55so sadly their Shropshire search continues.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58It just goes to show that sometimes you have to be quick
0:27:58 > 0:28:00to clinch that rural escape.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03If you want to escape to the country in Northern Ireland, Scotland,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Wales or England, and you need our help,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09please apply online...