0:00:02 > 0:00:04This huge oak tree is thought to be up to 600 years old,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07making it the real granddaddy of this forest.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10Find out where it is and why it's this particular shape
0:00:10 > 0:00:12in just a few moments.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32Today we're helping a retired couple find a rural retreat
0:00:32 > 0:00:35where they can really crank up their music.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38'But it's the heat we're turning up in one property.'
0:00:38 > 0:00:41- Oh!- Now, that is a burner. - That's a fire.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45'And we reveal something that's music to the ears and eyes.'
0:00:45 > 0:00:48I wasn't expecting this room, and it's stunning.
0:00:48 > 0:00:53I'm in Hampshire, and this is the Knightwood Oak in the New Forest.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56Not only is it one of the oldest, it's also one of the thickest,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59measuring over 24 feet around its trunk,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02and this is due to an ancient tree-management system
0:01:02 > 0:01:06known as pollarding, whereby cuts were made in the trunk of the tree
0:01:06 > 0:01:08just a few metres above the ground,
0:01:08 > 0:01:10which would encourage it to grow more branches,
0:01:10 > 0:01:15thus yielding more timber. Now, towards the end of the 1600s,
0:01:15 > 0:01:18this method of pollarding was banned here in the New Forest,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22as the Navy wanted taller trees to produce long, straight planks
0:01:22 > 0:01:24to build ships for Nelson's fleet.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27But it's great to see that even today, this beautiful tree survives
0:01:27 > 0:01:31as a reminder of this county's rich heritage.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Bordered by five regions,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36including the home counties of Berkshire and Surrey
0:01:36 > 0:01:39to the north and east, and Wiltshire and Dorset to the west,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Hampshire takes an enviable position on the central southern coast,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46with 34 miles of Solent shore.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Blending both coast and countryside,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52it's one of the oldest counties in England.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55The majestic Hampshire once made up part of the Saxon kingdom of Wessex,
0:01:55 > 0:02:01with King Alfred making the county town of Winchester his royal seat.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05This ancient capital is famed for its magnificent cathedral
0:02:05 > 0:02:08and is also the resting place of literary great Jane Austen,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12who spent most of her short life in Hampshire.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Today, the village's 400-year-old manor house
0:02:14 > 0:02:18is home to a unique library of over 9,000 titles,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20to preserve women's writing in English
0:02:20 > 0:02:23from as far back as the 17th century.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29So let's find out where today's buyers are looking to head here in Hampshire.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34It's the end of working life
0:02:34 > 0:02:37that heralds the beginning of a new country life
0:02:37 > 0:02:39for former civil servant Mike and his wife Jill.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42They've been married for over three decades,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45and have spent the last five years in this 1930s dormer bungalow
0:02:45 > 0:02:48in Warlingham, Surrey. But preparations are under way
0:02:48 > 0:02:51to turn their backs on the southern-London suburbs.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54It's a little bit anonymous.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Everybody sort of keeps to themselves.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59Everybody's very busy.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03There isn't really much of a sense of community here.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07The traffic, if I have to go into Croydon to go shopping,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10it takes a long time in the car.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12There's just too much bustle,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14and I'll be very glad to get away from that.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17So the plan is a rural relocation
0:03:17 > 0:03:20equidistant between their closest loved ones.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24The reason we chose Hampshire is that Mike's mum lives in Devon,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27so we travel up and down to see her quite a lot,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30but our son lives in London, and we don't want to be far away from him,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33so Hampshire's really a perfect place, right in the middle.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36SHE SINGS
0:03:36 > 0:03:38And when it comes to the perfect pad,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41they're hoping to raise the roof.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43We've got a lot of instruments and music,
0:03:43 > 0:03:49so we'd like to have a separate music room or a study, something like that.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50I still play my bass.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Jill never stops singing. She's always singing to the radio.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56In fact, I can't even mention the title of a song,
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- and you have to sing the whole thing!- Yes.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02But when they're not making sweet music,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05Jill and Mike have their own separate passions.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08I took up golf when I was a teenager,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11and got quite good at it,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15but then was stopped through working life quite a lot.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- But I've really taken it up with a vengeance again...- Yes.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20..recently. I can still play in single figures,
0:04:20 > 0:04:22which I'm determined to hold on to as long as I can.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25'In the last few years I've been trying to grow a lot of vegetables,
0:04:25 > 0:04:30'and it's my dream to be self-sufficient in vegetables.'
0:04:30 > 0:04:36'We've got a huge garden here, but it's actually too big, and I'd like something a bit smaller.'
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Their current home is already on the market,
0:04:38 > 0:04:42and a budget is set for this new Hampshire venture.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46The maximum we'll look up to for this move is £525,000.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52Jill and Mike want the best of country and coast,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55so a house search will focus on the county's southern portion
0:04:55 > 0:04:59and the pretty villages surrounding the small town of Bishop's Waltham.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01So, with the area sorted,
0:05:01 > 0:05:04I'm meeting up with our buyers on Hampshire soil
0:05:04 > 0:05:06to clarify the details of their move.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12Well, it's always nice to start in beautiful surroundings,
0:05:12 > 0:05:15- so welcome to a beautiful and sunny Hampshire.- Gorgeous.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Tell me, why have you decided to look for a house here?
0:05:18 > 0:05:21It's got everything we want. It's got the coast,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24it's got the countryside...
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Of everywhere we've looked at, this is where we feel most comfortable.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31And we don't want to be too far from London, cos our son's in London.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34What's your shortlist? What are your must-haves?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37We like a pretty reasonable-size garden,
0:05:37 > 0:05:39cos gardening's very important to me.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42- How about you, Mike? What's important to you?- Golf course.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45- Unfortunately I need... - Tell me it's nearby!
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- ..reasonable access to one. - We don't want to live in one.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50What about the house itself?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52I know you want a music room. How many bedrooms?
0:05:52 > 0:05:57Very flexible, really, because we'd be willing to change rooms around
0:05:57 > 0:06:02and use them for what we... Minimum is, we only need two bedrooms.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I'd love a nice kitchen, but everybody wants a nice kitchen.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08- What's a nice kitchen, though, for you?- Um...
0:06:09 > 0:06:11- A five-burner gas hob. - Yes!
0:06:11 > 0:06:14She dreams of a five-burner gas hob.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- Old or new? - An older property would be fine,
0:06:17 > 0:06:21- if it's been modernised inside. - We've got three properties lined up.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24I'm going to really enjoy showing you round these old new houses,
0:06:24 > 0:06:28or new old houses. Let's start. This way.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33'For their maximum budget of £525,000,
0:06:33 > 0:06:37'Mike and Jill are after a low-maintenance, modernised property
0:06:37 > 0:06:40'that must be detached. It has to have at least two bedrooms
0:06:40 > 0:06:43'and a room they can dedicate to music.'
0:06:43 > 0:06:46And let's not forget the two all-important Gs -
0:06:46 > 0:06:49that's gardening and golf.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52We'll be showing our buyers a selection
0:06:52 > 0:06:54of some of the best homes on the market,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58but as always, I won't reveal their price tags until they've had a guess.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00And our final choice is a mystery house,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03which while straying from their stated wish list,
0:07:03 > 0:07:07could disprove the adage of "age before beauty".
0:07:13 > 0:07:15The first location on our house quest
0:07:15 > 0:07:17is situated in the village of Durley,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20which lies just a couple of miles from Bishop's Waltham
0:07:20 > 0:07:22and the nearest golf course.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Lying in the Meon Valley, the small medieval town of Bishop's Waltham
0:07:26 > 0:07:29benefits from a choice range of businesses, shops,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32restaurants and boutiques.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35And just a five-minute drive away in Durley,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37the first house we're viewing is a barn conversion
0:07:37 > 0:07:39right in the heart of the village.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Now, then - property number one.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- What do you think, Jill? - I like the look of it.
0:07:46 > 0:07:47It looks like it's quite modern.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50It looks like just what we're looking for,
0:07:50 > 0:07:53except the extent to which it looks a little bit squeezed
0:07:53 > 0:07:56between the two adjoining houses,
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- so the overlooking element might be a no-no for us.- OK.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03- Possibly.- Well, it's a good point. It's something to bear in mind.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05OK. Let's look inside.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Great.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10'Originally an agricultural building for a neighbouring farm,
0:08:10 > 0:08:14'this property was converted into a family home in 1981.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17'So let's see if it's modern enough for Jill and Mike.'
0:08:22 > 0:08:24So, let's start with the kitchen.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31Ooh! Yes. Very nice. You don't have to walk far. Everything's...
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- Yeah, it's right there, isn't it? - Which is brilliant for working,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- for cooking. That's good. - You're not cramped in here.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- Not at all. - Plenty of room for a table.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43Again, just looking, it's been done.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- Nice lighting.- It's been finished to a nice standard.
0:08:46 > 0:08:50And I like the windows. So there's lots of light in.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Yes, this corner window behind us works well.
0:08:53 > 0:08:57Great thing about this house is, the living room is just off the kitchen,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- so let me show you just through this door.- Ah! Sorry!
0:09:01 > 0:09:04So, conveniently off the kitchen.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08- Oh, a vaulted ceiling! - Yes, that's nice. Very attractive.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13- Always like that.- Yeah. - So much light, with a high ceiling.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15That's what you get with barn conversions.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19Now, let me squeeze through, and we'll go to the bedrooms.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Within the main house, there are three bedrooms in total.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24The smallest one is a single,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and all three are served by a family shower room.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Now, this is the master.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32OK.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- It's a little small. - Yeah.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- What we're used to... - But tap that wall.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44It's a stud partition, so then you could knock through here
0:09:44 > 0:09:46and have a lovely master suite, really good.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- You potentially could do that, couldn't you?- Yeah.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52'That concludes our tour of the main residence,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54'though we haven't yet addressed the issue of storage
0:09:54 > 0:09:58'for all their musical instruments. But, back outside,
0:09:58 > 0:10:00'I think there could be the perfect solution.'
0:10:01 > 0:10:03So...
0:10:03 > 0:10:05we have the annexe.
0:10:05 > 0:10:10There's an office, there's a double bedroom and a bathroom,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- so completely self-contained. - Excellent.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15You've still got a double garage here.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Might not need both of those. Could always build into one of them.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21You'll need to reconfigure the garden.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- What's your thoughts on this, Jill? - Well, the best thing is...
0:10:24 > 0:10:27the way it's facing, and the sun here, I would think,
0:10:27 > 0:10:28- pretty much all day. - It's really sunny.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31How much do you think this house, with the annexe,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34is on the market for?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Um, I'm going to go 470.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- OK. Jill? - I think it'll be a little bit more,
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- so 480. - All right.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45Well, it's on the market, and has been for two months,
0:10:45 > 0:10:48at £499,950.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- Oh, I'm well low, then. - Yeah, so am I.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Under budget with an asking price £50 short of half a million pounds,
0:10:55 > 0:10:58the first property is a detached barn conversion,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00comprising a large kitchen/diner,
0:11:00 > 0:11:04an impressive sitting room with vaulted ceiling,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07three bedrooms, and a separate one-bedroom annexe.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- All done and dusted? - Yes, thank you.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Good. Well, that's property one finished and viewed. Off we go.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16OK.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23More than 80 percent of the land in Hampshire
0:11:23 > 0:11:25is used for farming and forestry,
0:11:25 > 0:11:27but in the depths of the countryside,
0:11:27 > 0:11:29one pioneering British farm has successfully diversified
0:11:29 > 0:11:33from cultivating watercress to the native Japanese superfood, wasabi,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37one of the rarest and most expensive vegetables in the world,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40that's notoriously difficult to grow.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43'So I went to the farm to find out from product manager James Harper
0:11:43 > 0:11:46'just how they've managed to cultivate and harvest
0:11:46 > 0:11:48'this valuable crop.'
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Hi, James. - Hey, Jonnie! How you doing?
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Very good, thanks! Very good. What an amazing place!
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It's not what I was expecting,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59but I was surprised to even hear we had wasabi here in the UK.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01It's Europe's first wasabi farm.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03I don't think it's what anybody expects!
0:12:03 > 0:12:07- Europe's first, eh?- Absolutely. - So, James, what is wasabi?
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Wasabi is a Japanese aquatic plant. - Yeah.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12Although it looks like a root, it's actually a rhizome.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15It's a swollen plant stem. And you grind this up.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19The paste that you buy in the supermarket is trying to mimic this.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22So, how come you're growing it here in Hampshire?
0:12:22 > 0:12:24You'd think it would only grow in Japan.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27The reason is... We're standing in it. It's spring water.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's mineral-rich spring water that comes out at source.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32So what are we looking at? Is this fully grown?
0:12:32 > 0:12:36No. This is less than a year old. It gets to be quite a large plant.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- Shall we go and have a look? - Yeah, please.- Do some harvesting.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44'Wasabi is a member of the same family as cabbage and horseradish.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49'It grows wild in Japan, but here it takes two painstaking years to harvest.'
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Now, I tell you what, James - this is impressive.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59- Bit bigger, isn't it?- These are magnificent plants, aren't they?
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- Shall we pull one out, have a look at it?- I'd love to.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06- This one looks about ready.- You feel around for what - a rhizome?
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Yeah, rhizome. These bits here are the actual roots themselves,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12but these bits that look like roots are actually rhizomes,
0:13:12 > 0:13:15- swollen plant stems. - Could someone at home
0:13:15 > 0:13:17- grow this kind of plant? - Yeah, it's possible.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20In fact, we actually sell plants to the public.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23We use everything on the plant. The leaves are edible.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- You can eat it raw? - Yeah.- Can I have a go?
0:13:26 > 0:13:27Yeah.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38That is sweet. Ooh! It's still got a bit of a kick...
0:13:38 > 0:13:41It's still got a bit of a kick to it.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45'The price of fresh rhizome is just as eye-watering as the taste,
0:13:45 > 0:13:49'and costs upwards of £25 per 100g.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54'Traditionally ground into a hot paste to accompany sushi,
0:13:54 > 0:13:58'wasabi's intense flavour and heat is now used as a key ingredient
0:13:58 > 0:14:02'in a range of dishes, both surf and turf.'
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Now, whilst this steak is just finishing off cooking,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- I've got one eye on these oysters. - Well, let's give it a go.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- Yeah, please. - There we are.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14Thank you very... Cor, that is a lot of wasabi!
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- Cheers! - Chin-chin.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Oh!
0:14:25 > 0:14:28That goes so well!
0:14:28 > 0:14:32'Wasabi is not just simply hot. It has more of a nutty flavour,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35'and unlike chilli, you get a kick through the nostrils
0:14:35 > 0:14:38'as opposed to the back of the throat.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40'But once it's been grated, there's about 15 minutes
0:14:40 > 0:14:43'before it oxidises and loses its flavour.'
0:14:43 > 0:14:45If you don't mind, I'm just going to help myself.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48While you're doing that, I'll stick some leaves in a pan...
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- OK. - ..and, er, we can try those,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54because they're very good with rock salt, tossed in butter.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57This is going along the lines of... I've just done you a bit there.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01This is going along the lines of using the whole plant again.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Mm!
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Oh, that is amazing! - Well cooked, Jonnie. Well done.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09'Even the leaves are edible, much like spring greens
0:15:09 > 0:15:12'when they're wilted down.'
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- OK. - Right, see what you think.
0:15:16 > 0:15:20- They're lovely! - Quite fibrous.- Yeah, very much so.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23And after savouring a flavour of the Far East,
0:15:23 > 0:15:26but freshly grown in Hampshire, it's about time we found out
0:15:26 > 0:15:30if any of our three properties are to the taste of Jill and Mike.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44For our second property, we're heading four miles south
0:15:44 > 0:15:46of Bishop's Waltham to the village of Wickham.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Dating back to at least Roman times,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54today the picturesque village is lined with historic buildings,
0:15:54 > 0:15:57housing a great variety of shops and restaurants,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00and just a mile away on the more rural fringes of the village
0:16:00 > 0:16:05and right opposite the Forest of Bere, we find our second property.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- The house. Do you like it? - Yes.- I do, yeah.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Yeah?- Yeah. Very positive first impression, yeah.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- That's all we want to hear. Let's go inside.- OK.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18'Originally built in the 1930s,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20'this bungalow has been considerably extended over the years,
0:16:20 > 0:16:25'and we're heading straight for the main living areas at the back.'
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Let's start with the living room in this one.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Ooh! Oh, that's nice.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34Nice! Modern, light, bright.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- It's got a good feel to it. - It has, hasn't it?- Uh-huh.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- Oh!- Now, THAT is a burner.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42That's a fire, isn't it? That really is.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- You wouldn't need central heating if you've got that.- Almost!
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- But you've got to be... OK...- Nice.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50It's a 1930s house, or bungalow,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53but inside it's very contemporary, isn't it?
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- Yes.- Yeah. Very tasteful. Nice floor. I like the floor.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Beyond... I'll show you the kitchen. You don't need to dine elsewhere,
0:17:01 > 0:17:05but you do have a conservatory that's set up for formal dining,
0:17:05 > 0:17:08which I thought was maybe a foot in each camp for you.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- That might be nice, yeah. - Very nice.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13- You could move in.- Yeah. - Well, I almost think Jill has!
0:17:13 > 0:17:17But let's show you both the kitchen. Let me squeeze past you.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- So, the kitchen! - Oh, very nice.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- Lovely view of the garden. - Spacious.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30You have a utility room with this place,
0:17:30 > 0:17:33so you can get the white goods out of the way if you want to.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- Talking your language there, aren't we?- Very much so.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Well, I'm glad you say that,
0:17:38 > 0:17:41because these two rooms are very important to you,
0:17:41 > 0:17:45but I want to show you something that may be a bit unexpected,
0:17:45 > 0:17:49- which is right up you pair's street. Let's go.- Oh, excellent!
0:17:50 > 0:17:53So, just through the utility room...
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Oh!
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- Oh, this is super, isn't it? - What a nice little room!
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- Yeah! - Oh, yes. This is good.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- Now, we know what this room's going to be, don't we?- Mm-hm!
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- I suspect we do.- Mm-hm.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Music room.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Your third bedroom is just through there, with its own en suite,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16and you still have a music room.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18You said a third bedroom would be the music room.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20You've got that extra room, that extra space,
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- but also your guests aren't right on top of you.- Sounds perfect.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28This extended arm of the property lies to the rear of the house,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30accessed through the kitchen and utility.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34The remaining two bedrooms are back in the main part of the property
0:18:34 > 0:18:37to the front, and are both large and well-proportioned rooms.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42One is a bright double that looks out over the front garden,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45and is served by the family bathroom.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48And the final bedroom is the master suite.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52So...
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- Bedroom.- That's a good, decent size, isn't it?
0:18:56 > 0:18:59I like the storage space.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Behind that door, en-suite shower and loo.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04Splendid.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Great news! Well, it's going really well so far, isn't it?
0:19:07 > 0:19:10- Yes. Yeah. - Let's take a look at the garden.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- Let me just squeeze past you there. - Sorry.- Thank you very much.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17The front garden has a huge gravel drive
0:19:17 > 0:19:20with plenty of parking, and again, a double garage.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23'But we need to find out if the back garden is appropriate
0:19:23 > 0:19:26'for Jill's veggie aspirations.'
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- So, a cracking garden! - Yes. Lovely.
0:19:31 > 0:19:36Very nicely laid out. Lovely trees, shrubs, everything.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38- So...- That's very nice.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- ..how much...- Ooh...
0:19:41 > 0:19:44..do you think this place is on the market for, then?
0:19:44 > 0:19:47- 520.- 520. OK. Mike?
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Mm. I'm going to say 535.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Well, yeah. I mean, you've seen the house.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54You've seen the gardens, of course.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58It's on the market for £475,000.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Oh!
0:20:01 > 0:20:04SHE LAUGHS Wow.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07A huge £50,000 under budget,
0:20:07 > 0:20:11the second property is a detached 1930s bungalow
0:20:11 > 0:20:13that's had a thoroughly modern make-over
0:20:13 > 0:20:16and features a large kitchen/diner, two reception rooms
0:20:16 > 0:20:19and three bedrooms, two of which are en suite.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22And the whole lot offers plenty of scope
0:20:22 > 0:20:25for our buyers' specific hobbies, both inside and out.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- Now, then, have you explored the gardens?- Oh, yes.- Yes.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35- Did you have a good time? - Great.- Yeah.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Lots to see. Lots of little nooks and crannies.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40And you're both still smiling, which is great news.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43- It's a super place.- A good point to end today's search on, yeah?
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- Yeah.- Very much.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04For the mystery house,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07we're travelling out of their preferred search area,
0:21:07 > 0:21:11to the village of Over Wallop, near the Hampshire-Wiltshire border.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15And in the midst of green and tranquil Hampshire countryside
0:21:15 > 0:21:17peacefully sits our mystery house.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Oh, my word!- Wow!
0:21:24 > 0:21:26Oh, heavens above!
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- Wow!- Isn't that pretty?!
0:21:30 > 0:21:32- It's not contemporary.- It's "wow"!
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- No, it isn't, is it? But it is "wow". - Totally "wow".
0:21:35 > 0:21:38- Dying to see inside. - Yes. I want to see inside.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Let's go inside, then. Come on.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44'With a pedigree dating back to the 19th century,
0:21:44 > 0:21:47'the mystery house is an utterly charming Grade II listed cottage
0:21:47 > 0:21:50'under a recently thatched roof.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52'It's absolutely packed with period features,
0:21:52 > 0:21:56'but the twist is that it's a far cry from the modern living space
0:21:56 > 0:21:58'Jill and Mike requested.'
0:22:00 > 0:22:03So, the big moment!
0:22:03 > 0:22:05SHE SIGHS
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Lovely!- Big inglenook fireplace. - It's dramatic.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12First reception room. Second one just through here.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14Oh, another reception?
0:22:17 > 0:22:21So, this one's a bit brighter, actually, this room.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Oh, another reception room, and another open fire.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26- Good size, as well. - Yes, another fire.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- Three windows. - It's spacious, though.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31That's... Actually, if you combine the size of the lounge
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and this as well, there's a lot of room.
0:22:34 > 0:22:35- Plenty of living space.- Yes.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38With two comfortably sized reception rooms to choose from,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42there's definitely a solution for their music room.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44'Time to see if the kitchen fits the bill.'
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Now, then, the lowest ceiling of the house!
0:22:48 > 0:22:50Oh, that's fine. Not a problem.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53- No, it's bigger than I thought it would be.- Is it?
0:22:53 > 0:22:55Again, you get some white goods out the way,
0:22:55 > 0:22:58- because you got a utility. Have you cooked with one of them?- No.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02Not a clue. But I'm sure you can learn fairly easily.
0:23:02 > 0:23:07It's got two windows, which is great. That brightens it up a lot.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10The last room to see on the ground floor is the bathroom,
0:23:10 > 0:23:13which could benefit from a make-over.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15'But, unusually for a property of this type,
0:23:15 > 0:23:19'there are two spacious bathrooms, and the other one lies upstairs
0:23:19 > 0:23:21'alongside the bedrooms.'
0:23:21 > 0:23:23I love these steps into this master room.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28- Oh, isn't this lovely? - I wasn't expecting that.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32Oh, it's so pretty! I love the staircase coming up,
0:23:32 > 0:23:35and the window. Isn't that smashing?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Now, you got three bedrooms up here on the first floor,
0:23:38 > 0:23:43family bathroom. With three bedrooms and that second reception room,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45you've got options. You don't have to lose a bedroom
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- to get your music room.- No.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51It's not just heart-versus-head, this house.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54You do have some practicalities here.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57This is a real... This is a real bonus.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59As I said, I wasn't expecting this room,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01and it's stunning.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04So, outside - garden's hugely important.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Let's go and see where you could get your hands dirty.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09- OK.- Great.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13'I'm really encouraged that both Jill and Mike are keeping positive
0:24:13 > 0:24:15'about this delightful mystery cottage,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18'and I'm confident that the well tended, south-facing rear garden,
0:24:18 > 0:24:22'enveloped by glorious countryside, won't disappoint.'
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Oh... Oh!
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Golly, what a lovely garden!
0:24:31 > 0:24:35Let's have a sit on this flint wall, shall we?
0:24:35 > 0:24:37So...
0:24:37 > 0:24:40- What...- What a picture!
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- Gorgeous, isn't it? - It is absolutely gorgeous.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- I think I'll just stay here. - It's so pretty!
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- And this garden?- Oh, fabulous!
0:24:48 > 0:24:50All right. How much do you think
0:24:50 > 0:24:55this beautiful thatched house is up for sale for?
0:24:55 > 0:24:58I'm going to say 535.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00OK. Jill?
0:25:00 > 0:25:04There's a lot that needs doing to update it,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07in terms of the kitchen, the bathroom, or the two bathrooms.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11So I would go down a little bit and say 500.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Not a bad guess, Jill.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19This place is on the market for offers around £495,000.
0:25:19 > 0:25:20Gosh!
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Yet again comfortably under budget,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27the mystery house is a listed 19th-century thatched cottage,
0:25:27 > 0:25:31with two separate reception rooms, a roomy kitchen,
0:25:31 > 0:25:35three bedrooms, and large, beautifully kept cottage gardens.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41- Now, then, quite thought-provoking, this house.- Very much.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- You didn't fall out, did you? - Not yet.- No, actually!
0:25:44 > 0:25:47We should find you somewhere to have a bit of a think
0:25:47 > 0:25:50and then we'll catch up later on.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- Oh, lovely spot again.- Beautiful.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04So, you've had a bit of time to think.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06What's your favourite property?
0:26:06 > 0:26:08- In a word... - BOTH: Number two.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11OK. What is it about the second house that makes it your favourite?
0:26:11 > 0:26:14It's the flexibility of the accommodation.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16That annexe that was built onto the back,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18you could use that living room
0:26:18 > 0:26:21between the kitchen and the extra bedroom
0:26:21 > 0:26:25as a music room or a study, or almost as a day sitting room.
0:26:25 > 0:26:29And everything done. That's a big thing.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33There's nothing immediately crying out to be renovated or modernised.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Your head wasn't turned by the mystery house, then?
0:26:36 > 0:26:38It was really beautiful to look at,
0:26:38 > 0:26:42and the environment and everything about it was great from the outside,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45but it didn't really fit the bill.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48Are there any question marks over the second property?
0:26:48 > 0:26:52I think we've thought we would like very much to have another look.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54I think you should do just that. Go back there on another day,
0:26:54 > 0:26:57- spend some time there. - I'm sure we will.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00- I want to get it right, and this has been really helpful.- It really has.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Good. Well, it's been a pleasure to accompany you
0:27:03 > 0:27:07these past couple of days, and find out a bit more about the area
0:27:07 > 0:27:10and what's of interest to you, so thank you both very much.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- It's been great fun.- Good luck. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23It looks like the mystery property was a fairly tempting option,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26but it seems like Mike and Jill have kept their heads on this one.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29And let's face it, property number two did pretty much give them
0:27:29 > 0:27:33everything they said they're after. But it's a big move for a couple,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36so I think they're doing the right thing in coming back here
0:27:36 > 0:27:40for a second viewing. They'll get the chance to suss out the area too.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42And then, if all goes well,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45hopefully they'll both make an escape to Hampshire sometime soon.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48See you next time.
0:27:48 > 0:27:53On reflection, Mike and Jill decided not to pursue the second property,
0:27:53 > 0:27:56but are looking for their dream home away from their initial search area
0:27:56 > 0:28:00and around the location of the mystery house instead.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02If you would like to escape to the country
0:28:02 > 0:28:05in England, Northern Ireland, Wales or Scotland, and need our help,
0:28:05 > 0:28:08you can apply online at...