0:00:02 > 0:00:06This windswept beach is home to a very strange natural phenomena
0:00:06 > 0:00:12which makes it one of the most perilous beaches in Europe. Find out why in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:38'On today's show, I'm helping two enthusiastic sailors find a country village in which to drop anchor.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40'They've a very specific agenda...'
0:00:40 > 0:00:44- These beams are not too low for you?- Not for me!
0:00:44 > 0:00:48They're marginal. I wouldn't like them any lower.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51'..and are very excitable.'
0:00:51 > 0:00:56It feels so airy and spacious, but also inviting.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00- There's something really nice about this.- Yeah.
0:01:00 > 0:01:07Today I'm in Dorset and this is Chesil Beach, the longest shingle bar in Europe.
0:01:07 > 0:01:14Back in the 18th and 19th century it saw many drownings and shipwrecks due to the strong tidal currents,
0:01:14 > 0:01:20but that same sea has a curious effect. It hits the 18-mile-long beach at an angle
0:01:20 > 0:01:24and perfectly self-selects and arranges the pebbles.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28At that end, near Portland, they're as big as my fist.
0:01:28 > 0:01:34And at the other end, like peas. The rest of Dorset is quite interesting, too.
0:01:36 > 0:01:43Sitting on the south coast, Dorset is bordered by four counties, including Somerset and Wiltshire.
0:01:44 > 0:01:50Its landscape is defined by its geology, whether the limestone cliffs of the Jurassic Coast
0:01:50 > 0:01:54or the chalk slopes of Cranborne Chase.
0:01:54 > 0:02:01Sharp straight lines cutting into the coastline around Portland are a reminder of 600 years of quarrying
0:02:01 > 0:02:06and construction, notably in the rebuilding of London by Sir Christopher Wren
0:02:06 > 0:02:09after the Great Fire in 1666.
0:02:09 > 0:02:15The fishing industry in coastal areas like Weymouth also supported trade until the 18th century
0:02:15 > 0:02:17when tourism started to make waves.
0:02:17 > 0:02:23It was here in 1789 that George III became the first monarch to use a bathing machine.
0:02:23 > 0:02:29Be it royalty, holidaymakers or residents, Dorset's natural assets
0:02:29 > 0:02:33continue to work their magic to this day.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41On the face of it, buying property in Dorset is quite expensive.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47The average price of a detached house is £316,000. That's 20% above the national figure.
0:02:47 > 0:02:52But if you scratch the surface, that is a little bit misleading
0:02:52 > 0:02:56and the distortion is caused by the presence of Sandbanks,
0:02:56 > 0:03:00the multi-millionaires' playground down by the seaside near Poole.
0:03:00 > 0:03:07If you take that out of the equation, you can still buy a very reasonable house along here,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10but further westwards towards Weymouth.
0:03:10 > 0:03:16Our buyers today are both very keen on the sea, so let's see if they'd be interested in buying
0:03:16 > 0:03:18a coastal residence in Dorset.
0:03:21 > 0:03:26Retired couple Hugh and Christine have spent the last 21 years in Petersfield, Hampshire,
0:03:26 > 0:03:32but they feel now is the time to leave the family home behind and begin a new chapter
0:03:32 > 0:03:34out in the country.
0:03:34 > 0:03:41Now that we've both retired, in the last 18 months, we want to think about the next 20 years.
0:03:41 > 0:03:47This house has served us beautifully for bringing up a family,
0:03:47 > 0:03:51but it's not what we're looking for for the next stage in our life.
0:03:51 > 0:03:56It's a new era for us. The children have grown up, left home.
0:03:56 > 0:04:02We want a house that we can enjoy with them and their family and participate in the activities.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07Key to the location of the new house is proximity to a shared passion.
0:04:07 > 0:04:14We have a yacht and we need to have it fairly reasonably near to where we live.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20We've only had the boat for two years so far. We've had to do a lot of work to bring it up to spec.
0:04:20 > 0:04:27It'll be also really nice just to go out whenever we want to and just say, "It's a perfect sailing day!"
0:04:27 > 0:04:33When it comes to style, they know what they're looking for.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37The new house we'd like to be a bit quirky and not run-of-the-mill.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42We want to accommodate the family when they come along.
0:04:42 > 0:04:48They're getting their own families. Grandchildren are going to be on the horizon. We have one already.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53I just thought a double garage with provision for accommodation on top,
0:04:53 > 0:04:58so that they can be self-sufficient, would be ideal.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03I would like the new property to have an open fire.
0:05:03 > 0:05:09On the other hand, I'm not so sure about that. I always think of the dirt they create
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- and the dust everywhere. - Oh, I'll sweep it up!
0:05:14 > 0:05:18And they're not necessarily after the finished article.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23We would like something that we feel we can develop and improve.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29We would like to bespoke a building to our needs.
0:05:29 > 0:05:35All that remains is to discover the financial detail for their Dorset relocation.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40The maximum budget we have to spend would be £650,000,
0:05:40 > 0:05:45but that would be for a house that was perfect to our liking
0:05:45 > 0:05:48and didn't need anything spent on it.
0:05:52 > 0:05:58Hugh and Christine have asked us to concentrate our search within a reasonable distance of the coast
0:05:58 > 0:06:04with Bournemouth and Weymouth possible mooring venues for their yacht. I met up with them
0:06:04 > 0:06:07to learn more of what they're after.
0:06:07 > 0:06:12- Hugh and Christine, good morning. - Morning.- Beautiful Dorset morning. Slightly overcast.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17In terms of the house, what are your dream features?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Em, three bedrooms, minimum.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- And a view!- And a view?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26So is this move all about the views?
0:06:26 > 0:06:31Yes, I think it's really important that we've got something to look at
0:06:31 > 0:06:34that is not bricks necessarily,
0:06:34 > 0:06:41- but trees and fields and nature. - You've said lots that you would like. Are there no-nos,
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- things you definitely can't live with?- A low ceiling.
0:06:45 > 0:06:51- So no beams.- I don't mind beams. - I don't mind that.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54You like rafters, but not beams!
0:06:54 > 0:06:59How far away from the sea do you have to be? Do you need to be near a marina?
0:06:59 > 0:07:03We've got to be within reasonable proximity of the marina.
0:07:03 > 0:07:0740 minutes to an hour distance from the sea.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Well, we found three very - I think - beautiful properties.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16- I hope you like them as much as I do. So let's go visit.- Lovely!
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Follow me.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23For a top budget of £650,000,
0:07:23 > 0:07:27Hugh and Christine are looking for a minimum of three bedrooms,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31a large kitchen and dining area to accommodate family parties,
0:07:31 > 0:07:37an annexe or outbuilding with options to convert, the possibility to refurbish,
0:07:37 > 0:07:42all in a village setting with views of the Dorset countryside
0:07:42 > 0:07:46and a maximum of an hour away from marinas on the south coast.
0:07:46 > 0:07:51We've found three fantastic Dorset properties and before I reveal each price,
0:07:51 > 0:07:56I'll be asking them to guess just how much they think it's worth.
0:07:56 > 0:08:01The last is our mystery house, to challenge what they think they want.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04But first it's house number one.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09How much of a reluctant crew member are you, Christine?
0:08:09 > 0:08:16I'm only reluctant when it's really very windy and pouring with rain.
0:08:16 > 0:08:22- I'm with you there!- But you don't exactly go out when the weather is like that at the start,
0:08:22 > 0:08:28- unless you have to.- That's the thing. You go out when it's not like that and two hours later it IS!
0:08:36 > 0:08:42For our first offering, we're travelling to the north of the county, close to Somerset,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46to the village of Nether Compton, around 50 minutes from Weymouth.
0:08:46 > 0:08:52This pretty village comes with its own 13th-century church and village hall
0:08:52 > 0:08:58and is served by a local shop that provides gourmet food and fine wines.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02Before we find our first house, I'm taking them to meet Stewart Glasby
0:09:02 > 0:09:05for an insight into this village.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09- This is Stewart, the chairman of the village hall.- Hello, yes.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12A key player in the village.
0:09:12 > 0:09:19- I believe this is true, it was voted sixth most desirable village to live in in England?- It certainly was.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23See, I bring you to all the best places.
0:09:23 > 0:09:30- But I'm quite keen to know what makes it the sixth most desirable village to live in.- One thing is
0:09:30 > 0:09:35that most of the people are prepared to join in and enter into things.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39- We have a progressive supper. - Oh, great fun!- In wintertime.
0:09:39 > 0:09:44No one really knows where they're going until they get their paper
0:09:44 > 0:09:49and we go to all people's houses for part of a meal. You go to three different houses.
0:09:49 > 0:09:56- Then we meet back at the village hall.- This is actually something we would love, when we move,
0:09:56 > 0:10:02- to really get immersed in the village life.- Thank you, Stewart. Extremely good sales pitch.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Good to meet you. Thank you.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07I do hope you come.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11In the centre of the village lies our first house, a four-bedroom renovated property
0:10:11 > 0:10:15with stunning views of the Dorset countryside.
0:10:15 > 0:10:21- I thought I'd bring you out the back for a better view.- Wow. Look at that.- Wow.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- Yes, look.- And this would have been two dairy cottages.
0:10:25 > 0:10:32- About 200 years ago it was built. - Right.- And it's been extensively remodelled over the years.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Love it.- I love the porch. - Mm-hm.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40- And that extension's looking very exciting.- Yes.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- Shall we go inside?- Yes! - Lovely. Yes, please.
0:10:44 > 0:10:51'We've made a splendid start with plenty of positives, so let's see if the interior can deliver.'
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Come on in. Hugh, you may have to... We're doing the Hugh height test.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01- Did you make it? - Oh, look at this!
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- Yeah.- Oh, I love that.- Yeah. - I love that.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08What jumps out at you immediately?
0:11:08 > 0:11:14- The beams!- The spaciousness. This is for family entertainment.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18This was the extension they put on relatively recently.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Lots and lots of space. Were you OK coming in through the...?
0:11:22 > 0:11:27I'm OK, but one just needs to take it into consideration.
0:11:27 > 0:11:33- On the ground floor on the other side, there's the utility room and a toilet/shower.- Right.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37So there's amenities there. The sitting room is through here.
0:11:39 > 0:11:44Yes, I imagine this is more of a wintry room or a TV room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- But it's got a nice airy sort of... - Cosy feel to it.
0:11:49 > 0:11:56- Yes. Cosy little room. - And you've got a log burner behind you.- I approve of that.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01- Quaint.- Hmm. Let's have a little peek at the master bedroom upstairs.
0:12:01 > 0:12:02OK.
0:12:04 > 0:12:10'The downstairs is completed by a study and although they seem to like the house,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14'I'm not convinced they're smitten, with ceiling height an issue.'
0:12:14 > 0:12:20- Come into the master bedroom. - Oh, this is nice. - Again, mind your head, Hugh.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22Oh, I like this. I like the ceiling.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27And built-in cupboards, which is always a plus.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- So these beams are not too low? - Not for me!
0:12:30 > 0:12:34They're marginal. I wouldn't like them any lower.
0:12:34 > 0:12:39- And are there any negatives? - There's no en suite,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43which is what we've got used to, but we haven't seen the rest.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48I'll let you look upstairs later, but let's get out into the sunshine.
0:12:48 > 0:12:49Yes!
0:12:53 > 0:12:59There are two further smaller bedrooms, one under the eaves, as is the family bathroom,
0:12:59 > 0:13:06so showering for Hugh might prove tricky. Up another flight of stairs is the attic room, a fourth bedroom.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13I think one of the biggest selling points is this beautiful view.
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- It's beautiful. Lovely.- Very nice. - What we don't give you is an outbuilding to convert.
0:13:18 > 0:13:25- There's a very nice sort of wooden-framed double garage and store room.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:13:25 > 0:13:30- What do you think as a whole? Is it a contender?- It's a contender,
0:13:30 > 0:13:35but for me it's all been done and I'm not sure what I would change.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40I am concerned about the low ceiling and living with it.
0:13:40 > 0:13:47It's pretty. Somehow I'm not getting... "I love, I love, I love it!"
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- What do you think about the price? - I think perhaps...575.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Mm-hm.
0:13:52 > 0:13:58No, I think it's much less than that. I think it's probably nearer the 500 mark.
0:13:58 > 0:14:03OK, so this property is on the market for 625.
0:14:03 > 0:14:04625?
0:14:04 > 0:14:10- Right.- Well, that's an indication of what you get or what the prices are in Dorset.
0:14:10 > 0:14:17Why don't you have a look round and we'll meet again outside and go on to the next property?
0:14:19 > 0:14:24Interesting! An interesting wake-up call about the price.
0:14:24 > 0:14:30It's difficult when you move from Petersfield, a completely different market, to this lovely bit of Dorset
0:14:30 > 0:14:33to really gauge the prices. That's quite a good wake-up call.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36Under budget at £625,000,
0:14:36 > 0:14:42this stone cottage gives them four bedrooms, a good-sized kitchen with dining area,
0:14:42 > 0:14:46ideal for family gatherings, a sitting room with wood burner,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50a decent-sized garden and all with stunning views of the Dorset hills.
0:14:52 > 0:14:58First impressions were that it's a little bit small, but absolutely love the extension.
0:14:58 > 0:15:04I think Hugh is going to be frustrated with the space getting up and down the stairs.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It's got its pros and cons.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10So I think it's open to debate at this point.
0:15:10 > 0:15:15I think the house is very nicely done, very nicely extended.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18It's just a wee bit on the smaller side for me.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24That's funny. It's perfect for Hugh and Christine.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Hello, guys. Hi! I have to drag you away, I'm afraid.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- Time to look at our second property. - Excellent.- Did you see this?
0:15:32 > 0:15:35- Yes!- I love that.- We're off!
0:15:44 > 0:15:50Dorset's lush landscape is home to some striking architectural landmarks,
0:15:50 > 0:15:56conceived to make the most of their surroundings. One of its oldest historic manors is Mapperton House,
0:15:56 > 0:16:00with one of the most distinctive gardens in the south-west.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05With Hugh and Christine looking for new activities in their retirement,
0:16:05 > 0:16:10we arrange for them to gain a personal insight from its owner, the Countess of Sandwich.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Hello. How lovely to see you. Welcome to Mapperton.
0:16:14 > 0:16:20One of the most important things about it is it stayed in the same family
0:16:20 > 0:16:24from the 14th century right through to the 20th,
0:16:24 > 0:16:29but the really good thing about it is it went through the female line.
0:16:29 > 0:16:35The house was bought by my father-in-law in the '50s.
0:16:35 > 0:16:41At the time, it was being lived in by an old bird, Mrs Labouchere, and was in a frightful shambles,
0:16:41 > 0:16:47ivy all over it, this courtyard hardly existed, and he pulled it together.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51And we came and have been living here since the 1980s.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55What you need to see are the gardens. They are extraordinary.
0:16:55 > 0:17:00Mapperton's terraced valley gardens are famous for their romantic setting and sense of peace,
0:17:00 > 0:17:06epitomised by Fountain Court, the Italianate garden laid out in the 1920s.
0:17:06 > 0:17:13Come in and see the formal topiary gardens, which are one of the prides of Mapperton.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- This is fantastic. Beautiful. - It really is lovely.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22- Lady Sandwich, who designed the garden?- Well, this part was designed by an architect,
0:17:22 > 0:17:28but it was basically designed by Mrs Labouchere in memory of her husband
0:17:28 > 0:17:34and created an Italianate garden. Every single thing comes down to the fountain in the centre.
0:17:34 > 0:17:40The water going up in the centre of that pond is the whole focus.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44It's so attractive how it's designed within the valley.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47It lies in its deep valley.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50It's a tumbly countryside, this area of west Dorset.
0:17:50 > 0:17:55South of Fountain Court is the Pool Garden,
0:17:55 > 0:17:59with its long 17th-century fish ponds.
0:17:59 > 0:18:05The gardens rely on day-to-day care by a team of gardeners, one of whom is David Greenaway-Rowe,
0:18:05 > 0:18:08who passes on a few tips to Hugh.
0:18:08 > 0:18:14David, how do you get character in a garden? You're speaking to the person who does the humping and heaving.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19Christine's the one who looks after the weeds and things.
0:18:19 > 0:18:27It's one of those things where you can actually be overly tidy. It's nice to let some things droop over.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31Like we have the cercis over there, just drooping over the path.
0:18:31 > 0:18:38Or just let some plants just self-seed and freely climb. They shouldn't be there, but we let them.
0:18:38 > 0:18:43When the flowers come out, it provides so much more interest
0:18:43 > 0:18:46than just a straight border with one particular type of plant.
0:18:46 > 0:18:53Hugh and Christine's love for Dorset seems to have flourished from their promenade at Mapperton.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58Hopefully, they'll be able to apply their newly-found gardening tips
0:18:58 > 0:19:03if we can find them their perfect property.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13For our second property, we're moving eastwards to Hartgrove,
0:19:13 > 0:19:18a short distance from Fontmell Magna and 45 minutes from Bournemouth.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24The charming village of Fontmell Magna with its Grade 2-listed church
0:19:24 > 0:19:29and the brook running through it is the local point for picking up supplies
0:19:29 > 0:19:36offering a village shop and a post office. A short distance away in Hartgrove is house number two,
0:19:36 > 0:19:41an unusual four-bedroom property over three floors, with stunning, panoramic views
0:19:41 > 0:19:44towards the distant Duncliffe Hill.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Oh, look at that view!
0:19:48 > 0:19:53Come on in. Don't get too excited too soon.
0:19:53 > 0:19:58- First of all, let's take in the property.- It looks fairly modern.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03- It looks newish. - It is from the '70s.- Oh, right. OK.
0:20:03 > 0:20:08- By comparison, that's new. - Exactly. Sort of vintage.- Yes.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12- You've already spotted the major point of this house.- Over there!
0:20:12 > 0:20:16- Which is its incredible position. - Yes.- Yes.
0:20:16 > 0:20:21- Before that, any problems with a more modern property?- No.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- Very open to see what's what. - What do you think, Hugh?
0:20:25 > 0:20:28Exactly the same. Very open.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- You wanted quirky.- I like quirky.
0:20:30 > 0:20:36- So thumbs up from the outside?- Yes. - I'm looking forward to showing you inside. It's a bit slippy.
0:20:36 > 0:20:43'We're off to a great start and they're very positive about this property's individual style.
0:20:43 > 0:20:50'With family gatherings to cater for, I'm banking on the interior, arranged over three floors,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52'to deliver the space they need.'
0:20:52 > 0:20:54So...
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Oh, my goodness!
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- Look at that!- Lovely.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01That's what you want.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Well, yes. It feels so airy
0:21:05 > 0:21:08and spacious, but also inviting.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- There's something really nice about this.- Yep.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16- It is a huge, big blank canvas. - Yes.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20But your eye is clearly drawing you this way, so let's go this way.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Oh, look at that!
0:21:23 > 0:21:30- Ha ha!- Fabulous.- You can see three counties - Wiltshire over there, Somerset over there and Dorset.
0:21:30 > 0:21:35You wanted views and we were thinking this cannot be bettered.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39Absolutely. And what I love is all these doors
0:21:39 > 0:21:45- so we can get out and feel like we're right in it.- Yep. - Which we are, of course.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- But this space is just amazing for your family.- Oh, yes.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- This would be your dining room, I guess.- Definitely.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56The living area, I reckon.
0:21:56 > 0:22:02I'll let you have a look at the kitchen later. It's very modern. But I want to take you upstairs.
0:22:02 > 0:22:05Guess what - there are more views.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Oh, goody!
0:22:10 > 0:22:14'The downstairs seems to have well and truly hit the spot.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18'Let's hope it continues as we head to the three bedrooms upstairs.'
0:22:20 > 0:22:25- This would be your bedroom. - Oh, wow.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- Look at this.- Oh, gosh.
0:22:27 > 0:22:33Look at that. You wouldn't need to get up, would you?
0:22:33 > 0:22:39- Just stay in bed! - Each of you have your own view. You get your own window.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Oh, yes.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- So we could sit in the morning and say, "How's the weather your side, dear?"- Yes, indeed.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48And an en suite,
0:22:48 > 0:22:54but one of the really great selling factors about this house is what's down below.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00'Two further double bedrooms complete the sleeping quarters.
0:23:01 > 0:23:06'And I've got a surprise for them on the lower ground floor.'
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Come into this surprise.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Golly!- Oh, dear!
0:23:14 > 0:23:19- Oh, wow!- So downstairs you've effectively got a little maisonette.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Oh, goodness!
0:23:21 > 0:23:26- Yes, thinking of our son, when he's boomeranging back. - Yes, exactly.
0:23:26 > 0:23:33On the other side of the little landing is a kitchenette and a bathroom, toilet and bath.
0:23:33 > 0:23:38- And here you've got a space you could make into a little bedroom. - Yes.- And hive it off.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41And it goes into the garage.
0:23:41 > 0:23:48- Oh, right.- Right. - And you've got a little sun room. - This is a lovely big space.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- Shall we go outside and you can see more?- Love to.
0:23:53 > 0:23:58'So far, it looks as though house number two is leading the way.
0:23:58 > 0:24:02'With only the garden to see, it could be a serious contender.'
0:24:02 > 0:24:08I think this is a really intriguing garden. It's probably about a third of an acre,
0:24:08 > 0:24:14- but laid out in a very different way.- Very different, yes. I like the different layers.
0:24:14 > 0:24:21And every layer, your eye is still drawn to the view. You're never going to miss it!
0:24:21 > 0:24:24- No, absolutely not. - Which is lovely.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28It's something we had never come across or considered before,
0:24:28 > 0:24:35- but I like it. We'd have a wonderful life here. - But how much is it going to cost?
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Well, I'll go first this time.
0:24:38 > 0:24:44- I think it is nearer our budget, but I'll go for 625. - I think it's 650.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Well, it's actually pitched above your budget.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51It's on at 675.
0:24:51 > 0:24:52OK.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56But, of course, there's always room for negotiation.
0:24:56 > 0:25:02- Why don't you go in and look a bit more? And then I'll meet you at the front.- Lovely. Thank you.
0:25:05 > 0:25:11This unusually configured 1970s property has the stunning views they're looking for,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14but it is over budget at £675,000.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19It gives them three main bedrooms, including a master with en suite,
0:25:19 > 0:25:24a self-contained annexe with a fourth bedroom, kitchenette and sitting room,
0:25:24 > 0:25:26ideal for family visits,
0:25:26 > 0:25:32a large L-shaped sitting room and dining area, extra living space with a glazed veranda
0:25:32 > 0:25:37and all looking out over the spectacular West Country scenery.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42Lots of space, big rooms and ample for us to do in the garden,
0:25:42 > 0:25:46just tweaking, modifying it. We hadn't seen anything like this.
0:25:46 > 0:25:52Would we have considered it on the internet? I think seeing it does it so much more justice.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55I actually like this house.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59I love the way it feels very different in each place.
0:25:59 > 0:26:06The different levels of the house is fun and the garden feels like
0:26:06 > 0:26:12it's lots of different rooms, but every single one of them has the view.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16It's like, "That's it!"
0:26:16 > 0:26:20So one more peek at the view because that's your lot for the day.
0:26:21 > 0:26:26- Time...- Bye!- ..to rest and recuperate before tomorrow.
0:26:35 > 0:26:42We're continuing our house search in Dorset with Hugh and Christine from Petersfield, Hampshire,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46who have £650,000 to spend on their countryside relocation.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52Coming up, our mystery house leaves everyone mystified.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57- I'm unsure whether you like it or not.- I'm a little unsure as well!
0:26:58 > 0:27:03And I get some tips on grasping the ancient art of stonemasonry.
0:27:05 > 0:27:11It's a lovely, blustery spring day for our second day of property hunting for Christine and Hugh.
0:27:11 > 0:27:15I think they're on the horns of a very familiar dilemma -
0:27:15 > 0:27:19choosing between a property and the location of the property.
0:27:19 > 0:27:25The mystery house doesn't really solve that. We're giving them what they want in location,
0:27:25 > 0:27:27close to their beloved sea,
0:27:27 > 0:27:33but we're giving them something they hadn't asked for and that is a very familiar landmark here -
0:27:33 > 0:27:38a thatch. Hugh and Christine had discounted thatched roofs
0:27:38 > 0:27:44as they are traditionally associated with low ceilings, but this may give them something to think about
0:27:44 > 0:27:51and the opportunity to put on their own stamp. We're moving closer to the sea to Askerswell,
0:27:51 > 0:27:56around 17 miles from Weymouth, a possible home for their yacht.
0:27:56 > 0:28:01The pretty village of Askerswell lies in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:28:01 > 0:28:06and has a mix of old traditional stone cottages and modern ones.
0:28:06 > 0:28:12For a wealth of local produce, the ancient Saxon market town of Bridport is nearby,
0:28:12 > 0:28:17known for its rope and net-making industry since the 13th century.
0:28:17 > 0:28:23On the fringe of Askerswell lies our mystery house - a four-bedroom cottage edged by woodland.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27This is the mystery house.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31- Very nice.- This looks very exciting. - Are you excited?- Yes.
0:28:31 > 0:28:39- I've noticed a little plaque that says 2002, which can only mean it's fairly new.- Very keen eyes!
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Although it has got an older thatch.
0:28:43 > 0:28:48So that's mixed messages, isn't it?
0:28:49 > 0:28:53I am quite excited to see inside, I must admit.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55Let's have a look inside.
0:28:55 > 0:29:00'Thankfully, they're not put off by the thatched roof, so a great start.
0:29:00 > 0:29:07'Hopefully, it will carry on inside as the mystery house does offer them something for their family visits.'
0:29:07 > 0:29:14Let's look at the kitchen first. It's a lovely old country kitchen, but actually it's brand-new.
0:29:14 > 0:29:20This is very nice. Lovely and warm in here, which is such a lovely feeling.
0:29:20 > 0:29:25Yes, you've got the old range cooker giving off lots of heat.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29If you look over here, you've got this sort of...
0:29:29 > 0:29:33A nook. I suppose you could put a dining table in there.
0:29:33 > 0:29:40- Yes, you could do or just have it as a little snug like it is. - I'm getting mixed messages...
0:29:40 > 0:29:42- It's good.- Positive?- Yes.- Yes.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45You're being quite cagey on this.
0:29:45 > 0:29:50- Flowing with comments yesterday. Early days.- Yes, early days.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55- Let's... Let's have a look at the rest.- OK, let's do that.
0:29:56 > 0:30:03'A more reserved reaction to the downstairs, but unlike house number two, this property has potential.'
0:30:04 > 0:30:07OK, so this is the living space.
0:30:08 > 0:30:14- This is nice.- Spacious, lovely. - I like the doors. - So you can block that off.
0:30:14 > 0:30:20Have a formal dining room that's separate or open it up to have one big, colossal living space.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- Nice big fireplace.- Yeah.- Very nice.
0:30:23 > 0:30:29- And lovely quality wood floors throughout.- Interesting. - What do you think about the layout?
0:30:29 > 0:30:34Can you imagine what you'd do here? This is pretty much the downstairs.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37It needs a little thought, I think.
0:30:37 > 0:30:40Not impossible.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45- This is completely different. The mystery house.- It is.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50But I'm a little unsure about whether you like it or not.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- I'm a little unsure as well!- Yes.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58'They're still playing their cards very close to their chest,
0:30:58 > 0:31:04'but I do have a couple of surprises which should swing things in favour of the mystery house.'
0:31:04 > 0:31:09- Right, this is the master because it's the largest. - This is a surprise.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13This is nice. A lovely big room.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18A big en suite. You've got a family bathroom also on the landing.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23- Very good.- And there's lots of room around the whole place.- Yeah.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27And lots of windows, which is nice. I like the light. That's lovely.
0:31:27 > 0:31:32There's two really good-size doubles and then one smaller room,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34but plenty of space for the family.
0:31:34 > 0:31:39There is one feature of this cottage that we thought was a definite draw.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41And it's outside.
0:31:43 > 0:31:49'A big plus point for the master as we head outside to the garage for my final surprise.'
0:31:49 > 0:31:54In the garden you've got another house.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56Oh, wow.
0:31:56 > 0:32:03- It's a fully-functional annexe. - Which is just what we were looking for.- Yes.
0:32:03 > 0:32:08You've got a bedroom and a little tiny bathroom there, a kitchenette here.
0:32:08 > 0:32:15This is not a listed building, so in the years to come you can tweak it as you like.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19- Shall we have a look in the garden? - Yes!- And talk about price.- Oh, yes.
0:32:21 > 0:32:28'The annexe seems to have changed their outlook, but it remains to be seen if it has won them round.'
0:32:28 > 0:32:32Once again, the plot is about a third of an acre.
0:32:32 > 0:32:38We haven't been able to get much more, but you do have this rather grandiose Iron Age fort
0:32:38 > 0:32:43- as the backdrop to your garden. - Wow.- It doesn't belong to you.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47- It's certainly part of the ambience of the garden!- It is indeed.
0:32:47 > 0:32:51This is the grass laid out, lawn-y garden,
0:32:51 > 0:32:55then there's a very sizeable patio, which is a massive sun trap.
0:32:55 > 0:33:01- Yes, very nice.- I do see potential for having an extension, a double door,
0:33:01 > 0:33:06out from the sitting room. And having a...a conservatory.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10What do you think this modern thatched property is on sale for?
0:33:10 > 0:33:13I think we're looking at...
0:33:13 > 0:33:15680, 690? Something like that.
0:33:15 > 0:33:20I would like to think it's a tad less than our budget,
0:33:20 > 0:33:26- so I'm putting a figure on of 635. - This is actually on the market for...
0:33:26 > 0:33:28625.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- Oh? - Makes it interesting.- Yes.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36- Why don't you go inside, have a look round?- Lovely.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39We'd like to do that.
0:33:40 > 0:33:45Our mystery thatched property comes in under budget at £625,000,
0:33:45 > 0:33:52giving them the opportunity to extend further and it has four bedrooms, including a large master,
0:33:52 > 0:33:56a spacious sitting room with inglenook fireplace,
0:33:56 > 0:34:01a large kitchen/breakfast room, a self-contained annexe
0:34:01 > 0:34:05and all surrounded by the rolling West Dorset countryside.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Another interesting choice. There's lots of potential
0:34:09 > 0:34:15to tweak and change things. I think I would be exploring the possibilities of extending out
0:34:15 > 0:34:20a little bit to take advantage of the southerly aspect.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24I like this because it's a modern house dressed in old clothes.
0:34:24 > 0:34:29It just feels like it needs a little bit of love and attention.
0:34:29 > 0:34:35The other thing that's a big draw is the accommodation over the garage,
0:34:35 > 0:34:40which is something that we did desperately want. It's needing a lot of thought.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43It's definitely in the picture.
0:34:43 > 0:34:50OK, guys, that is your lot. I do not have any more properties to show you. Why don't you head to the car
0:34:50 > 0:34:53- and you can have some thinking time? - Thank you.
0:35:00 > 0:35:06We've served up three charming properties for Hugh and Christine, but there are plenty more
0:35:06 > 0:35:14if, like them, you want Dorset's undulating scenery as the backdrop to your perfect country home.
0:35:14 > 0:35:20For a reasonable budget you can still find the idyllic country location close to the coast
0:35:20 > 0:35:26with charming three-bedroom thatched cottages like this one including feature beams
0:35:26 > 0:35:31and a cosy fireplace on the market for £350,000.
0:35:31 > 0:35:36If you can stretch the budget a little further, this stone cottage
0:35:36 > 0:35:40that sits in the shadow of Corfe Castle combines modern living space
0:35:40 > 0:35:45with original features and can be snapped up for £495,000.
0:35:45 > 0:35:52But for those looking for more space a renovated farmhouse like this six-bedroom,
0:35:52 > 0:35:5616th-century offering in Sturminster Newton with converted barn,
0:35:56 > 0:36:02swimming pool and delightful orangery is on the market at £790,000.
0:36:07 > 0:36:13The natural bedrock of Dorset has shaped not only the county's architectural heritage,
0:36:13 > 0:36:17but also the nation's. In an area known as the Isle of Purbeck,
0:36:17 > 0:36:22the quarrying of stone has been a defining feature for centuries,
0:36:22 > 0:36:28providing material for buildings including St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.
0:36:28 > 0:36:33I've come to St Aldhelm's quarry in Worth Matravers near Swanage
0:36:33 > 0:36:36to unearth more from stonemason Andy Webster.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40Andy, very nice to meet you. I've travelled all over the country
0:36:40 > 0:36:45and often come across bits of Purbeck stone.
0:36:45 > 0:36:50It's quite nice to actually see it in the raw. Have you any examples?
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Yes, we've got a piece over here.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56'The stone around Purbeck is excavated from different layers
0:36:56 > 0:37:03'from 45 million to 145 million years old, which yield a range of stone finishes.'
0:37:03 > 0:37:08- Have we got any Purbeck stone? - Yes, this is one here.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13This is one of the Purbeck marble beds, more or less as it came out of the ground.
0:37:13 > 0:37:17And this is how it... It's really heavy! ..ends up.
0:37:17 > 0:37:23- Beautifully detailed, really dense. - It's literally millions of fossil pond snails.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25- Is that what it is?- Yeah.
0:37:25 > 0:37:33'Purbeck marble is not marble at all. It's a fossil-rich limestone with a beautiful polished finish
0:37:33 > 0:37:37'used in cathedrals since the 13th century.'
0:37:37 > 0:37:44This is the Purbeck marble in-filling footprints in the layer below.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48- Footprints of what?- Well, it's lagoonal, so on occasions,
0:37:48 > 0:37:55the lagoon was raised above sea level or the sea level dropped enough
0:37:55 > 0:37:58for creatures to walk across it.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01So here is a dinosaur footprint.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04'A more workable stone is the Portland pond free stone,
0:38:04 > 0:38:09'a creamy white Jurassic limestone found in many celebrated buildings
0:38:09 > 0:38:16'from the British Museum to Windsor Castle. Andy's using this to teach me about stonemasonry.'
0:38:16 > 0:38:20What are we doing? This is clearly something you've started before.
0:38:20 > 0:38:25Yes, what we've got is a piece of moulded work, moulded on both sides.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29What I;d like you to do... You see there's a line here?
0:38:29 > 0:38:32- Yep.- You need to go above that line.
0:38:32 > 0:38:38We're not going to get a clean break right down to the line. If you do that,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40we'll employ you!
0:38:40 > 0:38:45So a little bit above the line and I'd like you to hit that off.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50- A nice swipe, please. - A big old whack.- A big old whack.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55- Bigger than that. Bigger than that.- It's quite tough.
0:38:58 > 0:39:04- There you go. And there's a chunk of waste gone. - it came off quite easy.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08It would be easy to just take a bit too much off.
0:39:08 > 0:39:15- Do you have the satisfaction of going to some building? "I made that."- Oh, definitely.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19If you've done something, especially restoration work,
0:39:19 > 0:39:27if you go to a cathedral and you've reproduced something that was originally done 800-plus years ago,
0:39:27 > 0:39:31- using...- The same techniques pretty much?- Generally the same techniques
0:39:31 > 0:39:39when it comes down to this kind of thing where you're forced to use manual mallet and chisel.
0:39:39 > 0:39:45Obviously, things have changed because we have large machines to cut surfaces square and clean.
0:39:45 > 0:39:50- So they did it all by hand? - Flat surfaces were produced by hand.
0:39:50 > 0:39:57- And that is quite demanding. - I'm very glad that we could do our bit for safeguarding this heritage.
0:39:57 > 0:40:02- Thank you so much.- Thank you. - I'm not going to touch that. You were a bit nervous!
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:40:05 > 0:40:11'It's gratifying to know that centuries-old skills are still being employed today,
0:40:11 > 0:40:16'but for now it's time to find Hugh and Christine to see if they've come to a decision.'
0:40:18 > 0:40:24Usually at this stage of proceedings I know pretty much which house our buyers are going to go for,
0:40:24 > 0:40:29but with Hugh and Christine I don't have a clue, so let's find out.
0:40:33 > 0:40:39Now, guys, usually at this point I would say, "Clearly, house number one wasn't any good.
0:40:39 > 0:40:45"What do you think?" But in this instance I have no clue which one you like.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47So do you have a clue?
0:40:47 > 0:40:50I think not number one.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52We absolutely loved the village.
0:40:52 > 0:40:59Not sure about the house at all mainly because it was so difficult for Hugh to get up and downstairs.
0:40:59 > 0:41:06- So that leaves us number two and three.- And, Hugh, do you have a preference from those two?
0:41:06 > 0:41:12I think three has a marginal preference over number two because it would be easier to look after
0:41:12 > 0:41:18- compared with number two. - If we're thinking long-term, going into our old age,
0:41:18 > 0:41:23it was quite a long way from the bottom of the garden!
0:41:23 > 0:41:25- So you're thinking long-term.- Yes.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29What I liked about the mystery house was that we could definitely make it our own
0:41:29 > 0:41:36and change all sorts of little things and tinker with it, which is exciting.
0:41:36 > 0:41:42- So what happens next? - We're remaining here in the area for the next couple of days.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- We want a quick recce.- And see the houses again.- Which ones?
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Oh, definitely two and three.
0:41:49 > 0:41:56- Great.- And also I think it would be nice to just have a chat with the children. We want a family house,
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- not just ours.- Excellent.
0:41:59 > 0:42:04I'm glad that we've got two in the running. I wish you all the best
0:42:04 > 0:42:11- and I hope you find somewhere soon. - Thanks.- Thank you very much. It's been great fun.- Ditto.
0:42:15 > 0:42:21Although we didn't get them down to this lovely bit of the coast, this was a great success
0:42:21 > 0:42:26largely because we got them excited about moving down to Dorset,
0:42:26 > 0:42:31even though they were a little confused by the riches offered by our three properties.
0:42:31 > 0:42:36Still, that's sort of our brief. I hope you enjoyed the show and join us next time
0:42:36 > 0:42:41for more perambulations in rural Britain.
0:42:41 > 0:42:46Even though they liked our second property and the mystery house,
0:42:46 > 0:42:51Hugh and Christine felt they hadn't got the full package they were after
0:42:51 > 0:42:54but they have since made an offer on another property.
0:42:54 > 0:43:00If you would like to escape to the country in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England
0:43:00 > 0:43:06or indeed to the continent, and need our help, please apply online:
0:43:25 > 0:43:28Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd