0:00:02 > 0:00:06Welcome to today's Escape To The Country. This little beauty is The Devon Belle.
0:00:06 > 0:00:12Over 70 years ago, she was one of 933 boats that took part in Operation Dynamo,
0:00:12 > 0:00:15one of the most daring rescue operations in history.
0:00:15 > 0:00:21Now she leads an altogether much quieter life, but find out where in just a minute.
0:00:38 > 0:00:43'Today, we're helping a young couple wave goodbye to urban living and find their perfect rural pad.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48- 'Could a cosy cottage steal their hearts?'- Beautiful.- So pretty.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52'Or will a stylish interior give another house the edge?'
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Wow, that is definitely right up our street!
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Well, today, we're in Berkshire on the River Thames
0:00:59 > 0:01:04where The Devon Belle takes day-trippers on pleasure trips up and down the river.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Back in 1940, this little craft found herself in the heat of battle.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11She was one of the little ships of Dunkirk,
0:01:11 > 0:01:16playing her role in helping to rescue some 338,000 Allied troops
0:01:16 > 0:01:18from the beaches of Dunkirk.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23Later on in the show, I'll be taking a lovely little cruise on her down the river,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27finding out more about her history and tales from the riverbank.
0:01:28 > 0:01:33The Home County of Berkshire, covering 487 square miles,
0:01:33 > 0:01:37is bordered by Surrey and Hampshire to the south, Wiltshire to the west
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire to the north.
0:01:41 > 0:01:43Home to historic Windsor Castle,
0:01:43 > 0:01:48still one of the Queen's official residences, the county is known as Royal Berkshire
0:01:48 > 0:01:53and offers the visitor everything from scenic riverside paths along the Thames
0:01:53 > 0:01:56to the gentle, rolling hills of the Downs.
0:01:56 > 0:02:01With winding lanes, peaceful woodland, open fields and classic rural villages,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05it's hard to believe this is just an hour's drive from central London,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08but that, of course, does come at a price.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15At £387,000, your average detached property is, wait for it,
0:02:15 > 0:02:20a whopping £133,000 above the national figure.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25This is a county where you do need your pockets to be that little bit deeper.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30So let's catch up with today's buyers and see if they really know what they've let themselves in for.
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Kim and Chara lived in London before moving to Guildford seven years ago,
0:02:35 > 0:02:40but with the birth of their son last year, they feel it's time for a change.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44I would have always seen myself as a city person and I really enjoy the city.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49Most of the holidays Kim and I have been on pre-Milo were cities,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53but with him coming along, we enjoy doing things together as a family.
0:02:53 > 0:02:59There's a whole new chapter about to unravel itself and we'd quite like to do that in the country.
0:02:59 > 0:03:05Chara's job as a pharmaceutical executive is relocating from London to Newbury
0:03:05 > 0:03:09and with wedding planner Kim running her business from home,
0:03:09 > 0:03:14it seemed like the right time to up sticks and follow their dream.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20We are looking for somewhere within a commutable distance of Newbury, so we have quite a wide search area,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24but we'd like somewhere that's got a real sense of community.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27I really enjoy sports. Golf, particularly.
0:03:27 > 0:03:33- A nice golf course nearby wouldn't hurt either and a good pub, of course.- Yes, absolutely.
0:03:33 > 0:03:38At the moment, home is a modern house on a new development, but they're itching for a change.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42We'd like something different. We'd like a period property.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46We'd like the idea of a roaring fire or a wood-burner
0:03:46 > 0:03:48and just that more rustic look.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51We're open to doing a bit of work, but not masses.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55- We don't have the best DIY skills, do we?- No.
0:03:55 > 0:04:00With plans for more children in the future, Kim and Chara are looking for more space,
0:04:00 > 0:04:04but what will really sell this new rural home to both of them?
0:04:04 > 0:04:09I think the one room that's going to draw me to a house is the kitchen.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14I love cooking and baking, so, for me, that's kind of the heart of the home.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20- I spend a lot of time in there.- For me, a nice lounge that's big enough to hold a 50-inch flat screen.
0:04:20 > 0:04:25Kim's not too keen on it, but I'm a bit of a sports fanatic,
0:04:25 > 0:04:31so it will be quite nice to sit down on a Sunday with a beer in hand and watch TV in a nice, warm room.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33And how much do they have to spend?
0:04:33 > 0:04:37The budget for the move would be £450,000,
0:04:37 > 0:04:41but we could possibly stretch if we found our dream home.
0:04:44 > 0:04:49'Our buyers want to be within 25 miles of Chara's new office in Newbury,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52'near the southern border of Berkshire.
0:04:52 > 0:04:58'I'm meeting up with them to find out the details of the kind of property they have in mind.'
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- Hello, chaps.- Hello. - How are we?- Good, thank you.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05- You picked a nice spot. - It's lovely, isn't it?
0:05:05 > 0:05:09The kind of property you're after, let's start with bedrooms.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Ideally four, but three would be OK.
0:05:11 > 0:05:17In terms of space, everybody wants the big kitchen/diner and I suppose you are no exception?
0:05:17 > 0:05:22- No, that would be really nice. - Have you got any views on style?
0:05:22 > 0:05:24We're quite open, really, aren't we?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27We'd quite like something with a bit of character.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32We're in a fairly new house now, so it would be nice to do something different.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36Outside space... Some people come on this show wanting the good life.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41- They want goats and chickens and pigs. Is that you? - We're not one of those.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45A fairly low maintenance garden would be absolutely fine with me.
0:05:45 > 0:05:50Room to run around with a football with the two boys, but nothing too strenuous.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54So, the budget you have... Let's just talk about the broad figures.
0:05:54 > 0:06:01Ideally, about 450,000, but we could stretch to about 475 if it was absolutely perfect.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07Now, Berkshire, you do, I suspect, have some idea of just how expensive...
0:06:07 > 0:06:12Yes, we thought Surrey was expensive until we started looking around here.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16I presume you have, like most people, kind of grazed the internet
0:06:16 > 0:06:21- and dipped your toe in the water to see what's out there?- Yes. Not a lot.- Hence you're here!
0:06:21 > 0:06:27- Absolutely.- Hoping for a bit of... - Magic.- A bit of Escape To The Country magic.- Yeah.
0:06:27 > 0:06:34We are fortunate in that your 25-mile radius or so to Newbury that you've stated as being important...
0:06:34 > 0:06:36I totally understand why.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40It does allow us to border-hop a bit between not just Berkshire,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43but also Wiltshire and maybe even Hampshire.
0:06:43 > 0:06:49- Are you wedded to any one of those counties?- Not particularly. We're quite flexible on the area as well.
0:06:49 > 0:06:55We don't know this part of the world that well, so it's just finding the right spot, really.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Let's go and see what we found you. Come on.
0:06:59 > 0:07:04So, for the maximum budget of £475,000,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Kim and Chara are looking for a family home with character.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22'We've found three distinctive properties to show Kim and Chara
0:07:22 > 0:07:26'and at each one, I'll ask them to guess the price before I reveal it.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31'The final offering is our mystery house which could steal the show.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34'It's time to head for our first property.'
0:07:34 > 0:07:38You are young. Do you not want to be amongst the bright lights?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Well, we've kind of done that.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43We've been together for a long time, nearly 12 years.
0:07:43 > 0:07:48- Wow!- We started off living in London, then moved out to Guildford.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Now we've kind of started our family.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55We quite like the idea of a bit of a less busy lifestyle, really.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59What are you most looking forward to in this whole, new endeavour?
0:07:59 > 0:08:03Being able to do more at home in terms of cooking and entertaining
0:08:03 > 0:08:08and learning about things like gardening and growing veg.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10I know it sounds really cliched.
0:08:10 > 0:08:16- I think Chara's got his eyes set on a bigger golf course.- A bigger golf course would be perfect.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20'Chara said he wanted to be near Newbury where he'll be working
0:08:20 > 0:08:26'and the first house I want to show them is just on the outskirts of the town, surrounded by open fields.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30'With the pretty Avon and Kennet Canal running through it,
0:08:30 > 0:08:33'Newbury has all the facilities a young family would need
0:08:33 > 0:08:37'and the leafy, rural neighbourhood offers a peaceful setting.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39'There's an added bonus for Chara.'
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I know, Chara, that golf is your thing.
0:08:42 > 0:08:48There is the bottom end of Newbury racecourse and just the other side of it, see that flag...
0:08:48 > 0:08:52- That, I'm told, is the 16th hole. - Wow!- Perfect.- How about that?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54And in terms of location, I mean...
0:08:54 > 0:09:00- You could walk to work.- I could cycle into work.- There's a lovely little canal that runs through there.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02You could follow it all the way in.
0:09:02 > 0:09:07All this is important because property number one is right there.
0:09:07 > 0:09:13- Wow!- That large, bruising thing behind those bushes.- It looks huge. - It is. There's quite a lot to see.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- So, shall we?- Definitely.- This way.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19'Hiding behind the trees just across the lane,
0:09:19 > 0:09:23'this first house is an imposing converted barn.'
0:09:23 > 0:09:28- Oh, wow!- Come on in. "Oh, wow," you said.- Yeah, amazing.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Wait till you get a proper look at it. There you go.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Oh, it's gorgeous, isn't it?
0:09:34 > 0:09:39- Beautiful.- So pretty. - It's a whopper, isn't it? - Yeah, it's huge.- It is huge.
0:09:39 > 0:09:43- Technically, it is a semi.- OK. - Although as semis go, it's not bad.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47Obviously, there's a neighbour at that side, then behind it,
0:09:47 > 0:09:52there's another building of a similar size attached to it, but you get all of that.
0:09:52 > 0:09:57- I've only just realised it's a semi. It's so deceptive. - It's pretty generous.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01Space was the key thing and this has got it in abundance.
0:10:01 > 0:10:07- But its location to Newbury is why we're here.- It's perfect. - Shall we?- Great. Yes, can't wait.
0:10:08 > 0:10:12'Built in 1890, this former agricultural building was transformed
0:10:12 > 0:10:18'into a substantial family home 17 years ago, retaining many of its original features.'
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Right, let's... Let's begin in here.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Wow!
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- What do you reckon? - Brilliant.- It's a big space.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Isn't it?- Yeah. - That's the joy of a barn conversion.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- Yeah, absolutely. - Really high ceilings.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- Really good family area. - Yeah, brilliant.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40- It's a really good space to work with.- Yeah.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43There's plenty to do. Space-wise, this is great.
0:10:43 > 0:10:49Again an extension of that family area. They've got a huge TV in here which I know is important.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- That was a key requirement. - Get your new telly.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56Exactly. And across here, the hallway, this is a huge room.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Oh, this is gorgeous!
0:11:01 > 0:11:07- Oh, yes. I love the fireplace. - Yeah, the fireplace is beautiful. - Very cosy room, this.
0:11:07 > 0:11:13- They've obviously got it as a study as well, but I think as a snug... - Yeah, it's brilliant.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- It's perfect for that.- Lovely.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20- You see this lovely stained-glass partition?- Yeah. - Behind it is an extra bedroom.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22One of five.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- Oh, my goodness!- Yeah.- Wow! - So that's where all the space goes.
0:11:26 > 0:11:30- Exactly. But I don't think you need five bedrooms.- No.
0:11:30 > 0:11:34In which case, that could also be a study or play room.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38- It definitely has great potential. - Good. Right then, upstairs?- Yeah.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Through there... Follow me.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45'Kim and Chara seem quite taken with the space on offer here.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49'There's a shower room and utility room on the ground floor too.
0:11:49 > 0:11:55'Upstairs, there are three spacious double bedrooms built into the eaves of the barn on one floor,
0:11:55 > 0:12:00'then at the top of the house lies a contemporary family bathroom and an en-suite master.'
0:12:00 > 0:12:03And then this would be yours.
0:12:03 > 0:12:08- Oh!- OK...- They're in the process of moving out, hence all the boxes.
0:12:08 > 0:12:14- This is a scene I suspect will be replicated...- Absolutely. - ..somewhere soon when you move in.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- It's lovely.- Very nice.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- And you get an en-suite shower room.- Brilliant.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- Poke your heads in there.- Perfect.
0:12:22 > 0:12:28- Lovely.- This is clearly a house that has the anatomy of a really nice family home.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Yeah. It's definitely one that you could grow into and do up over time.
0:12:32 > 0:12:38There's lots of features that are really nice, that are almost lost behind everything else.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43I like what you're saying. The creative juices are definitely flowing here.
0:12:43 > 0:12:49- I suppose the last thing to deal with, really, is the price. - Yes.- Let's go downstairs.- OK.
0:12:49 > 0:12:55'It seems Kim could see past the boxes here and, hopefully, she'll be inspired by the outside space too.
0:12:55 > 0:13:01'The large lawned garden is at the front of the property, but there's also a useful double garage.'
0:13:01 > 0:13:06- OK, back where we started. Now you've had a chance to see what's on the inside.- Yeah.
0:13:06 > 0:13:11- You were quite excited when you saw the outside. Is that excitement still going on?- I think so.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15It would definitely be a project, but I think an exciting project.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19It could be a really beautiful, big family home, I think.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- And the outside space here is completely under-utilised.- Yeah.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- You could have a lot of fun. - Definitely.- Let's cut to the chase.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Kim, make me an offer on property number one.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34I think it's a lot of house, so I think it's probably 450.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36450... Hmm.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40I'd probably go for 460, just a little bit more,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43just because of the space, the location.
0:13:43 > 0:13:48Well, we are hitting something of a learning curve, chaps, I'm afraid to say,
0:13:48 > 0:13:53because property number one is on the market for 499,995.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- Wow!- Now, I've talked to the owner.- Yeah.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59He would consider...
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- ..an offer of 475.- OK.- OK. - All right?- Yeah.
0:14:04 > 0:14:10That will soak up all of your budget, so renovations will take a little bit of time,
0:14:10 > 0:14:14- but things like painting, you can do that.- And it's liveable with.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20- It's a fair price, I think, isn't it?- Yeah, but that's where we are - Berkshire for you.- Yes, absolutely.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Off you go. Go and explore it to your heart's content.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Thank you.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32This house is priced at just under £500,000.
0:14:32 > 0:14:39Although the owner would accept an offer of 475,000, it is at the upper limit of Kim and Chara's budget.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55The key thing for me was space and this has it in abundance.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57If you look past a lot of the furniture
0:14:57 > 0:15:02and everything in the house, it's got everything we were asking for.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06I could see us living here. This would be a beautiful family home.
0:15:06 > 0:15:12Price-wise, I'm not sure whether we would be able to go to our top budget and then do work,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15but it's definitely one to think about.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- At last!- Yes. - You took your time.- Sorry.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24- There was a lot of house to explore. - It must be working. That's a good sign.
0:15:24 > 0:15:30- So, a nice one to start with. - Yes, definitely.- Two more to see. - Absolutely.- Come on.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37As Kim and Chara get their heads round the Berkshire property market,
0:15:37 > 0:15:43we're taking them to explore one of the county's finest architectural examples.
0:15:43 > 0:15:48Cliveden near Taplow hit the headlines in the 1960s as the glamorous backdrop
0:15:48 > 0:15:52for the notorious affair between the then Minister for War John Profumo
0:15:52 > 0:15:58and model and showgirl Christine Keeler which led to the downfall of the then Conservative government,
0:15:58 > 0:16:04but this architectural gem has a long and illustrious history which precedes the infamous scandal.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07Hello. I'm Michael. Welcome to Cliveden.
0:16:07 > 0:16:13Michael Chaloner is the house manager and is taking Kim and Chara on a private tour.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17The house was built in the 1660s for the 2nd Duke of Buckingham.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21It's been owned by many lords and ladies and dukes since then,
0:16:21 > 0:16:26most notably by the Sutherland family, one of the richest families in the mid-1800s.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Surrounded by over 300 acres of glorious grounds,
0:16:29 > 0:16:34the house was rebuilt by architect Charles Barry in his trademark Italianate style
0:16:34 > 0:16:37following a fire in 1851.
0:16:37 > 0:16:43Now owned by the National Trust, it became famous as the ultimate celebrity retreat when it was bought
0:16:43 > 0:16:46by American millionaire William Waldorf Astor
0:16:46 > 0:16:50and given to his son Waldorf and wife Nancy in 1906.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53- This is the French dining room.- Wow!
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- Wow!- This was installed by the Astors in the early 1900s.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00They were the hub of New York society in the late 1800s,
0:17:00 > 0:17:05so when they moved across here, they had massive amounts of money,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09but to really earn their place in society, they needed more than money
0:17:09 > 0:17:14and they did that by inviting the top politicians, the royal families from around Europe.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17As England's first female MP,
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Nancy Astor famously debated politics over dinner here with Winston Churchill.
0:17:22 > 0:17:26Many famous conversations were had at this table.
0:17:26 > 0:17:31In one of them, she said, "Winston, if you were my husband, I'd put poison in your coffee."
0:17:31 > 0:17:36- He said, "Madam, if I was your husband, I would drink it." - If these walls could talk!
0:17:36 > 0:17:41If these walls could talk, I'd love to hear what they could say. It wouldn't all be good, I'm sure.
0:17:41 > 0:17:46It wasn't just in the main house that great figures from history were entertained.
0:17:46 > 0:17:52Right on the edge of the estate down towards the Thames, Spring Cottage has played host to royalty.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Oh, wow!
0:17:55 > 0:17:57This is called the Tea Room.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02The house was originally a little fishing hut on the banks of the River Thames.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Then in 1857, it was developed by the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland
0:18:06 > 0:18:11because Queen Victoria was going to come and visit that following May.
0:18:11 > 0:18:16There was a mad flurry of activity and it was just made into a little cottage by the River Thames,
0:18:16 > 0:18:20- fit for a Queen and a Duchess to take tea in.- Lovely.
0:18:20 > 0:18:26Oozing Gothic style and elegance, the cottage was refurbished and extended by architect George Devey,
0:18:26 > 0:18:30responsible for a number of properties on the estate.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34Its balcony overlooking the river was the ideal spot for a bagpiper
0:18:34 > 0:18:38to warn everyone that the Royal Barge was approaching.
0:18:38 > 0:18:44These steps were only here for the two or three times Queen Victoria visited the Duchess of Sutherland.
0:18:44 > 0:18:49These were built just so the dainty royal foot wasn't covered in mud each time she came.
0:18:49 > 0:18:54They put these magnificent steps in which lead up over the bridge and up to the cottage.
0:18:54 > 0:18:59- Why is it called Spring Cottage? - It was built beside the Thames in a lovely rural setting.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03But it also had a spring. You can just hear it in the background.
0:19:03 > 0:19:09In the mid-1800s, the gentry liked to get into the rural surroundings of their houses.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Was that the fashion at the time?
0:19:12 > 0:19:17It was. They considered this as really slumming it and going into the depths of the country.
0:19:17 > 0:19:21In those days, it took a long time to get from London to Cliveden,
0:19:21 > 0:19:27- so they were a long way out of town in the depths of the country.- But I wouldn't call this slumming it!
0:19:27 > 0:19:32Having discovered the rich stories of Cliveden's colourful past,
0:19:32 > 0:19:37it's time for Kim and Chara to come back to the present and return to their own house-hunt.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46Our second property is situated 24 miles from Newbury across the border into Wiltshire
0:19:46 > 0:19:50and just outside the large village of Pewsey.
0:19:50 > 0:19:55Sitting in the rural heart of the county, recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57it is fantastic walking country.
0:19:57 > 0:20:03The village itself offers all the essentials, including a good choice of traditional pubs and tea rooms.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Come through the little gate.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10Now...let's have a seat in the sunshine.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14- Why not?- Why not, eh? - Take the weight off for a moment.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17There we are. That is property number two.
0:20:17 > 0:20:22- That is so pretty, a proper little chocolate box cottage.- It's lovely.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- I'm looking forward to going in. - What are you expecting?
0:20:26 > 0:20:31Probably lots and lots of character, probably not quite so much space.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's lovely. I can't wait to see what it looks like inside.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- Come on. We can't sit here all day. - Go and explore...
0:20:39 > 0:20:43'This Grade II listed, classic thatched cottage was built in 1750,
0:20:43 > 0:20:48'although a ground floor extension with a tiled roof was added later.'
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Squeaky door.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Let's start with this. Come on through, Kim.- Oh, wow!
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- That is gorgeous, isn't it? - Yeah?- It's beautiful.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01So pretty. I love all the little beams.
0:21:01 > 0:21:06- It's a proper little, cosy cottage, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09I think this is probably more what you were imagining.
0:21:09 > 0:21:16- I think so.- Yeah.- It's what you kind of imagine to be a little kind of rural hideaway almost.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Yeah, exactly. Completely.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21- Head on that way.- OK. - Let's carry on.
0:21:25 > 0:21:31- Another fireplace.- Isn't it lovely? - Very nice.- Gorgeous. - It's very light as well.
0:21:31 > 0:21:37- It is really light.- What's nice is that the windows go right through the whole width of the building.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43- The one thing I know is important to you, and we had it in property one, was an enormous kitchen/diner.- Yeah.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47This doesn't have that. Obviously, this is the dining room.
0:21:47 > 0:21:52The kitchen is not massive, but you could join the two together by removing this wall.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57- There's a little hatchway in there. - Would that be an issue with it being listed?
0:21:57 > 0:22:01It's a conversation you would have with the conservation officer
0:22:01 > 0:22:04and, hopefully, they would allow you to do it.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06But even as it is...
0:22:06 > 0:22:13- It's still got a lot of workspace and a lot of cupboards and things. - Yeah.- Yeah, it's fine.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17How are we doing so far? I'll put you on the spot. Out of ten?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I think probably about eight and a half, nine.
0:22:20 > 0:22:25- Oh!- I think I'm at the nine, actually. I really like it. - It's really lovely.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- What is it about it...?- It's the character. It's what we had in mind.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34I think it's so different because we are in a fairly new house now.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38Our whole thought of coming to the country and doing something completely different
0:22:38 > 0:22:44was to have something with bags of character and charm and this has got it in bucketloads.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47'It seems our buyers are rather taken with the ground floor
0:22:47 > 0:22:52'which also offers a bathroom and toilet at the back and a large utility room.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55'I hope they like what's on offer upstairs.
0:22:55 > 0:23:01'Off a cosy landing are two charming double bedrooms with exposed beams and sloping ceilings,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05'as well as a modern shower room, along with a spacious master.'
0:23:05 > 0:23:07- This is the main bedroom. - Oh, wow, it's so cute!
0:23:07 > 0:23:11It's a lovely room. Lots of space up here, actually.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14It's a really big room and nice and light again.
0:23:14 > 0:23:19The whole house is lovely. And the views are fantastic as well.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24- I was a bit worried about whether the height up here would be a deal-breaker.- I don't think so.
0:23:24 > 0:23:29- Any tall friends we can leave at the door or leave them outside. - They can sleep in the lounge.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33Brilliant. I'm really pleased because it's a great space.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38- And probably not what you would have expected looking at it from the outside.- No.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41Thatch is quite deceptive because it's so thick.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47- It doesn't always reveal what the likely size of an upstairs will be. - The rooms are quite big.- Yeah.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52- Good.- Lovely.- So, our eight and a half, nine, you said...? - I think so.- Still there?
0:23:52 > 0:23:55I think, yeah, nine. I'm sticking to nine.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59Nine's OK. Let's go out into the garden and finish up.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05'This characterful, 18th century cottage seems to be working its magic on Kim and Chara.
0:24:05 > 0:24:11'It comes with an easy to maintain, lawned garden, a good-sized driveway and a double garage.'
0:24:12 > 0:24:17- The garden is really sweet, actually. The summer house is rather nice.- That's lovely.
0:24:17 > 0:24:22- Little areas, little zones, and the veg patch over here. - Yeah, that would be good.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26You could keep it looking pretty all year. It's not high maintenance.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28What's it going to score on the price?
0:24:28 > 0:24:31- You go first.- I reckon 475.
0:24:31 > 0:24:36- Yeah?- I think it's more than that. I think it's 495.- 495?
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- Well, he's right.- 475.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42- One-nil!- He's right.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46- I mean, obviously, the top of the budget.- Yeah.
0:24:46 > 0:24:51- It's so beautiful.- It's ready-made. No work doing to it. - That's the joy of it.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56- These two properties offer you quite an interesting comparison. - So different to each other.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Very different in style and location and finish.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02- But both viable.- Yeah.
0:25:02 > 0:25:07- We've got some hard decisions to make.- You have. We're not all the way through yet.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10There's still the mystery house to come tomorrow.
0:25:10 > 0:25:16Go and start the process of thinking and talking in house number two and I'll catch up with you later.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19- OK. Thank you.- Off you go.
0:25:19 > 0:25:24When you look at a house like this, we often describe them as "chocolate box".
0:25:24 > 0:25:27They are the classic image of English country life
0:25:27 > 0:25:30and on a day like this, well, you can't beat them.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35On the market for £475,000,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39this pretty country cottage is right on Chara and Kim's maximum budget.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59I could definitely see myself, Chara and Milo living here.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02I think it is just so pretty and charming
0:26:02 > 0:26:07and just exactly what I have dreamed of, really. It's gorgeous.
0:26:07 > 0:26:13My only downside, as far as I can see, is the fact that it's got three bedrooms, rather than four bedrooms,
0:26:13 > 0:26:18but it's got so many plus points and it's so pretty that I could get over that.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21This was what we had in mind as a country cottage.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26It's just so scenic, so beautiful. It's a really lovely family house.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Yeah, it's given us a lot to think about.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34- Ah, two happy, smiling faces!- Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38- A good end to the day, I would suggest.- Definitely. A pretty end.
0:26:38 > 0:26:44- A pretty end, but it's a thirsty end too. I think it's time for a beer.- Definitely.- Come on.
0:26:48 > 0:26:53'It's the second day of our house hunt in Berkshire and neighbouring counties
0:26:53 > 0:26:56'with Guildford-based couple Kim and Chara.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01'They have a budget of up to £475,000 to spend on a country home.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04'Coming up, there's a surprise at our mystery house.'
0:27:04 > 0:27:07- I wouldn't know what to do. - Explore it.- Yeah.
0:27:07 > 0:27:14'And I take a trip up the Thames to discover the colourful history of this Elizabethan stately home.'
0:27:19 > 0:27:24On Escape To The Country, we like to give our buyers as much of a range of properties as possible
0:27:24 > 0:27:29and for our final offering, our mystery house, no exception is made.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33It may well put the proverbial cat among the pigeons.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40- Yesterday was interesting, two very different properties.- Absolutely.
0:27:40 > 0:27:46- Have you had a chance to think about them a little more?- Yeah, we've done lots of talking.- Yeah.
0:27:46 > 0:27:51And still probably not made a decision, but...
0:27:51 > 0:27:56Hold off on any decision-making because we'll have a proper de-brief later on,
0:27:56 > 0:28:02- but not before we've shown you our final offering, our mystery house. - Yes. This is very exciting.- Very.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04Any ideas what it might be?
0:28:04 > 0:28:08- Not really.- Absolutely no idea whatsoever.- It's the mystery house.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12Anything could happen. LAUGHTER
0:28:12 > 0:28:17'Our third and final property is only 13 miles from Chara's new office in Newbury,
0:28:17 > 0:28:23'but it's over the border again, this time into Hampshire, near the small town of Whitchurch.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25'Surrounded by glorious countryside,
0:28:25 > 0:28:30'it's a traditional market town, much of which is designated a conservation area.
0:28:30 > 0:28:34'There are good independent shops and a real sense of community
0:28:34 > 0:28:40'with plenty of local clubs and activities on offer, just what our buyers are after.
0:28:40 > 0:28:45'We're taking a gamble with our mystery house. Kim and Chara wanted a low maintenance garden,
0:28:45 > 0:28:47'but this one is anything but.'
0:28:47 > 0:28:49There...
0:28:49 > 0:28:51That is what I want you to look at.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54- Aw!- How sweet!- Lovely. - Isn't it?- Yeah.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57- Gorgeous.- The flint. - The flint's lovely.
0:28:57 > 0:29:02But this one is interesting. It is semi-detached. That drainpipe is the middle.
0:29:02 > 0:29:08- But it's had, back in the '90s, that great big addition put on at the other end.- Yeah.
0:29:08 > 0:29:13But done very much in keeping with the rest of the property which has doubled its footprint.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- You can't tell.- No. - It's been done really nicely.
0:29:16 > 0:29:21- The only real drawback is there is no parking immediately outside of it.- OK.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25Your parking is down that little alleyway and on to the road.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30- All right. - But apart from that, I think this is a really viable option for you.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32- Lovely.- Brilliant.- Come on then.
0:29:32 > 0:29:37'This Victorian brick and flint cottage was originally one of a number
0:29:37 > 0:29:40'built for local agricultural workers.'
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Straight into this.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47- Oh, wow! That is definitely right up our street. - You see? Lovely, isn't it?
0:29:47 > 0:29:52- Beautiful.- This is very "us".- Gosh, it's a big room, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:29:52 > 0:29:59- Can you see that room through there? - Yeah.- That used to be the kitchen before the extension was put on.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- Beautifully dressed now and a great Milo...- Milo room.
0:30:02 > 0:30:08Yeah. And there are double doors off of it into the courtyard which you can see through there.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12It's hard to imagine how you would fit a kitchen in there,
0:30:12 > 0:30:18but it now occupies all of the extension and it's right through there. Go on, lead us through.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20Oh, gosh, it is huge!
0:30:20 > 0:30:24- Yeah.- It's a lovely size, isn't it? - Yeah, it's really nice.
0:30:24 > 0:30:31Very light and airy. And it doesn't feel like a different part of the house to the older part.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33No, it all joins in very nicely.
0:30:33 > 0:30:39It does go back through that little doorway there, via a little sort of laundry area,
0:30:39 > 0:30:45- and links up back with the living room, so the whole thing has a nice, circular feel.- Lovely.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48- I can see us in here. - I think it's really nice.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50'So far, so good.
0:30:50 > 0:30:57'Upstairs, there are two cosy single rooms, a generous double, a family bathroom and the master bedroom.'
0:30:57 > 0:31:02- This is a nice room. - Yeah?- Yeah.- It's lovely. - It is the biggest of the four.
0:31:02 > 0:31:08- Very high ceiling.- I thought you might notice that. That's what's quite striking about this place.
0:31:08 > 0:31:13- It makes it feel even bigger. - It does. And plenty room for wardrobes.- Definitely.
0:31:13 > 0:31:19- We've got the little boxroom next door which could be a Milo...- Yeah. - Or it could be a dressing room.
0:31:19 > 0:31:24But having four to play with in a property of this size, quite unusual.
0:31:24 > 0:31:28- Definitely.- Excellent. Our mystery house is doing all right.- Very well.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Is it causing something of a rethink on the other properties?
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- Possibly, yeah.- Yeah, maybe.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39It's kind of halfway between the two if that makes sense.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44It has a number of features which I think recommend it, not least outside.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- Come and have a look at this. We've got a little surprise for you.- OK.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52'I'm really looking forward to seeing Kim and Chara's reaction
0:31:52 > 0:31:56'when I reveal the added bonus this house offers at the back.'
0:31:56 > 0:32:00So, finally, the garden.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04- It's lovely, isn't it?- It's really pretty.- Very nice.- Yes, it's lovely.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09- I think what this place lacks in parking, it makes up for with the garden.- Yeah.
0:32:09 > 0:32:14There's a lovely geography to it, nicely terraced, laid out for a bit of alfresco.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17- You've got the little patch down there.- Lovely.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21Then down there, the courtyard, nice, little sun trap, out of the wind.
0:32:21 > 0:32:28The current owners had explored extending that into some sort of garden room.
0:32:28 > 0:32:34- That would be nice.- That's a good idea.- So, planning permission, there is a precedent there for that.
0:32:34 > 0:32:38- But whether you'd need it... - That's the thing.- ..I don't know.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42Because you also get that rather nice garden office,
0:32:42 > 0:32:44fully insulated, wired.
0:32:44 > 0:32:49- That's lovely. I can see ourselves working in there. - Yeah, that'd be useful for me.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54So let's have a think about our final price guess of the week.
0:32:54 > 0:32:59- I think I went last time, didn't I? - Yes.- So it's your turn.
0:32:59 > 0:33:04I think...this is probably 450.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07- 450.- I'd say a little bit more. I'd say 460.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08460...
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Well, you were right last time.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14But you're right this time.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17- There you go.- £450,000.
0:33:17 > 0:33:22- Gosh, it's good, isn't it? - That's good.- It shows what you get hopping over the border.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26It does indeed. However, I did promise you a bit of a surprise.
0:33:26 > 0:33:30I think that's a really good price, but I think it's a fantastic price
0:33:30 > 0:33:34when you also consider that you also get an acre of woodland over there.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- What?- Really? Oh, my goodness!
0:33:37 > 0:33:40- OK...- Yeah?- Wow!
0:33:40 > 0:33:45- A boy's playground!- A wood.- Yeah. - Gosh, Milo would love that! - Wouldn't he just?
0:33:45 > 0:33:51- I wouldn't know what to do with it. - Explore it.- Yeah.- That's amazing. - I'm sure I'd find out soon enough.
0:33:51 > 0:33:57Go and explore it and think about what you would do with it and I'll catch up with you later. Off you go.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59Enjoy your woodland walk.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09At £450,000, this country cottage is comfortably under budget.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20Best of all, this property brings the countryside right to their back door
0:34:20 > 0:34:25as it comes with its own private woodland that our buyers could enjoy with their son.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27- Look at all the space!- I know.
0:34:27 > 0:34:32- Especially with Milo being so active...- He would love it, wouldn't he?- Yeah.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36Build some dens and swings and all sorts in here.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40It's just stunning. You could get lost in here. It's so big.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45From a space perspective, the house is what it is. It's a lovely house.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50But for me, personally, I think the woodland is just every boy's dream, really.
0:34:50 > 0:34:52It's just a great outdoor space.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55I love this house. It's got a really nice feel about it.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59The more time I spend in here, the more time I can see us here.
0:34:59 > 0:35:04It would be amazing having all our friends round. All of their children could play in the woods.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10We could still see them, they could have so much fun and we could sit and have a barbecue on the terrace.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14It's just a really lovely... lovely house.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20Well, well, well!
0:35:20 > 0:35:24- Our mystery house may be...- That was a surprise.- ..a surprise to you.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28It certainly surprised me for the money and what's on offer.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32- It's great value.- You saved that surprise right to the end.
0:35:32 > 0:35:37- There's an awful lot going on, I think, in your minds. - Yes, definitely.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- Shall we go and weigh it all up? - Yes.- Come on.- Lovely.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51We've shown Kim and Chara three very different houses in and around Berkshire,
0:35:51 > 0:35:56but there are plenty more to choose from if you too fancied relocating to the area.
0:35:56 > 0:36:01You can find characterful, two-bedroom cottages with heaps of period features
0:36:01 > 0:36:04like this one in Chaddleworth,
0:36:04 > 0:36:06on the market for £325,000.
0:36:06 > 0:36:10Further south near the Hampshire border in Aldermaston,
0:36:10 > 0:36:16this three-bedroom, Victorian property in the centre of the village is priced at £400,000.
0:36:16 > 0:36:22If you seek more luxury, a fantastic barn conversion such as this one in Compton in the north of the county
0:36:22 > 0:36:26with a stunning, double-height interior and four bedrooms
0:36:26 > 0:36:29will cost you £635,000.
0:36:31 > 0:36:37'When we think of the River Thames, most of us picture it flowing through the city of London,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41'but it actually starts in deepest Gloucestershire and winds its way
0:36:41 > 0:36:44'for 215 miles across southern England.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47'Some of its prettier stretches are here in Berkshire.
0:36:47 > 0:36:54'I'm taking a trip from Reading four miles up river to the Elizabethan manor house at Mapledurham.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59'My skipper for the day is Tim Deaton who is telling me more about the boat's history.'
0:36:59 > 0:37:03The Devon Belle has quite a story to tell, doesn't she?
0:37:03 > 0:37:09Yes. She was built in Dartmouth as a passenger boat just before the war in 1938
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and she was called up to Operation Dynamo.
0:37:12 > 0:37:19This is the moment when the British army in France can fight no longer and needs rescuing from Dunkirk.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22What was the role of small boats like this?
0:37:22 > 0:37:25This would have been a sort of halfway-house boat
0:37:25 > 0:37:29because it's quite a small boat, it's fairly agile.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32It could get very close to the beaches
0:37:32 > 0:37:37and it would have then ferried people to the destroyers and the larger craft
0:37:37 > 0:37:39which were waiting out at sea.
0:37:39 > 0:37:45She was kept on by the Admiralty afterwards and she actually went back to Normandy
0:37:45 > 0:37:48- with the D-Day landings.- Really?
0:37:48 > 0:37:55She was taken over lock, stock and barrel, painted grey and had a number on the side. And that's about it.
0:37:55 > 0:38:00'Almost 70 years later, her vital role in the war was remembered
0:38:00 > 0:38:05'when she was invited to take part in the Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012.
0:38:05 > 0:38:11'After all she's been through, chugging up and down this beautiful river suits this boat just fine.'
0:38:11 > 0:38:15That is a lovely sight - Mapledurham House. That's my final destination.
0:38:15 > 0:38:19- It certainly is. - Thank you very much for the ride
0:38:19 > 0:38:23- and the insight into this wonderful craft.- An absolute pleasure.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28'The splendid 16th century Mapledurham House also has a rich and fascinating history.
0:38:28 > 0:38:31'I'm meeting estate bailiff Corey Starling.'
0:38:31 > 0:38:37- Nice to meet you.- Nice to see you. This is a wonderful place to end my trip down the river.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41The first thing that greets you is that wonderful-looking mill.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45It's the last commercially working water mill on the River Thames.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50We've had a mill here now for over 1,000 years and it still works.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54- It still works?- We still produce flour. We have a wooden water wheel.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Not many mills still use a traditional structure.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01They're usually made of iron. Ours is an oak frame with elm paddles.
0:39:01 > 0:39:07'The centrepiece of this 2,000-acre riverside estate is the manor house built in 1588.
0:39:07 > 0:39:12'It's still owned by the same family and they have an intriguing royal tale.'
0:39:12 > 0:39:17The family surname is Blount and there is a lady by the name of Elizabeth Blount
0:39:17 > 0:39:19who was the mistress of Henry VIII.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22And she gave Henry an illegitimate son.
0:39:22 > 0:39:27What a coup for the family if her, albeit illegitimate, son would become King!
0:39:27 > 0:39:32Everything would have been completely different. He was groomed as if he was going to be.
0:39:32 > 0:39:37At the age of six, he was made Duke of Somerset and Richmond which is incredibly unusual.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41And there was always the possibility that he could become Henry IX.
0:39:41 > 0:39:47If that had happened, there would have been a huge difference for the family, but it never did.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49- It's a wonderful story though. - It is.
0:39:49 > 0:39:54It's lovely to see a building like this still in the same family after all those years.
0:39:54 > 0:39:58- Thank you.- You're very welcome. - It's been a real treat.
0:40:02 > 0:40:08The thing I love about Kim and Chara is that they have taken each of our properties on their own merits.
0:40:08 > 0:40:13That, trust me, is the way to do it, but have they got a favourite amongst them?
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- Well, here we are at the end.- Yeah.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22- Three very different houses in three different counties.- Yeah.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26But have we managed to find you your new home?
0:40:26 > 0:40:29It is Escape To The Country, of course,
0:40:29 > 0:40:34so it would be remiss of us not to show you a beautiful, little chocolate box cottage
0:40:34 > 0:40:39- and that's what we showed you with our lovely little thatch. - I loved that. So pretty.
0:40:39 > 0:40:44If it was just me, Chara and Milo, we could live there quite easily,
0:40:44 > 0:40:50but I think if we want to have more children, then we'd grow out of that quite quickly.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54- Does that mean that property two is off of your list?- I think so, yeah.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58- As pretty as it was, I think it's just not very practical.- OK.
0:40:58 > 0:41:05Property number one on the edge of Newbury, next to the racecourse, the golf course, bit of a project.
0:41:05 > 0:41:09It was a project, although it was actually pretty much just cosmetic.
0:41:09 > 0:41:15Definitely. I think a lick of paint and that space would be really enhanced, actually.
0:41:15 > 0:41:21- There's no reason why we'd have to do it straight away. We could do it over a good few years.- Yeah.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24So, property number one is on your list of contenders?
0:41:24 > 0:41:28- I think so, yes.- Yeah. - It's definitely a possibility.
0:41:28 > 0:41:33OK, well, then we came to our final property, our mystery house.
0:41:33 > 0:41:39It was done beautifully, really lovely, and having the space outside, we didn't think we'd ever get that.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41- And for £450,000.- Yeah.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45Hitting the mark on the budget front was such a big thing.
0:41:45 > 0:41:50- It just gives us that little bit of... - Flexibility.- Flexibility, yeah.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53So, what next? What's your favourite?
0:41:53 > 0:41:58We might possibly go back and look at the first one, but we definitely would look again at the third one
0:41:58 > 0:42:02with a view to maybe making an offer on it.
0:42:02 > 0:42:08- Best of luck.- Thank you very much. - Thank you very much.- Let us know how you get on.- Definitely. Thank you.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13You know, I have to confess, when we set out on this house search,
0:42:13 > 0:42:17I was a bit anxious as to whether or not we'd actually get there.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21Despite their very generous budget of almost half a million pounds,
0:42:21 > 0:42:26Kim and Chara were pitching it into one of the most expensive parts of the country,
0:42:26 > 0:42:28but I think we've got there.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32We've left them with two really interesting options
0:42:32 > 0:42:35which they'll take a second look at, so fingers crossed for them.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38But it goes to prove that whatever your budget,
0:42:38 > 0:42:43just keep a bit of faith with the good, old-fashioned, British property market.
0:42:43 > 0:42:48It can so often leave you spoilt for choice, provided you know where to look.
0:42:49 > 0:42:53Kim and Chara did return to the mystery house and made an offer,
0:42:53 > 0:42:59but I'm sad to report that they lost out to a cash buyer. Their search continues.
0:42:59 > 0:43:02But if you'd like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland,
0:43:02 > 0:43:06Scotland, Wales, England or even to the continent
0:43:06 > 0:43:09and would like our help, then please apply online at:
0:43:35 > 0:43:38Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd