0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to today's Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Now, this gorgeous pool behind me
0:00:05 > 0:00:09may look like the quintessential picture of peace and serenity,
0:00:09 > 0:00:13but around 200 years ago, it was a hive of industrial activity,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16with men furiously digging. But for what? And where?
0:00:16 > 0:00:18Well, join me in just a few moments, and I'll tell you.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41On today's show, I'll be helping an island-hopping spiritual healer
0:00:41 > 0:00:45find peace in the countryside, ably assisted by his daughter.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46We hit the spot...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Oh, this is... This is it!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50This is...wow.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- It's the perfect size for you, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54'..and leave them stunned.'
0:00:54 > 0:00:56You're a bit lost for words!
0:00:56 > 0:00:58I'm a bit speechless, yeah. I am.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02Well, today we're in Dorset,
0:01:02 > 0:01:04and this is the aptly named Blue Pool
0:01:04 > 0:01:07at Furzebrook just outside Wareham.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10Since the days of the Romans, this area has been a rich source
0:01:10 > 0:01:12for what is known as Purbeck Ball Clay.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16In the early 1600s, it was much in demand for producing clay pipes
0:01:16 > 0:01:20following the introduction of tobacco from the Americas.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23And as our love affair of tea increased in the 1700s,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26the likes of Wedgwood turned it into teapots and teacups
0:01:26 > 0:01:29to grace some of the finest homes in the country.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32And it's the clay in the water that still exists
0:01:32 > 0:01:35that gives it this amazing turquoise colour.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37It's a real gem,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40that just goes to show that this region is full of hidden surprises.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Dorset, bordered by four counties,
0:01:45 > 0:01:49is sandwiched between Hampshire in the east and Somerset in the west,
0:01:49 > 0:01:54and its geographical location offers the best of countryside and coast
0:01:54 > 0:01:59Its shores encompass the 95-mile long Jurassic Coastline,
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and include the remote stretch of Chesil Beach
0:02:02 > 0:02:05and the secluded Lulworth Cove.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08Looking inland, farming has shaped Dorset's rural landscape,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11with lowland areas defined by lush pasture land,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14feeding the county's dairy industry.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17It's no wonder, then, that Dorset exerts
0:02:17 > 0:02:20such a powerful pull on property shoppers
0:02:20 > 0:02:21looking to find a permanent home
0:02:21 > 0:02:24in this wonderful mix of glorious scenery.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27So, time now to meet today's buyers,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and find out why they think Dorset is the county for them.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Since the year 2000, retired IT consultant, John,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41has lived in busy Bembridge on the Isle of Wight,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43close to his daughter, Sarah,
0:02:43 > 0:02:45but he feels the time is right to swap the high street
0:02:45 > 0:02:47for a quieter spot in the countryside.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Bembridge is a lovely, lovely place,
0:02:52 > 0:02:55but over the years it's got more and more and more busy.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59The traffic is getting bigger and bigger,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02so, for me, it's not as quiet as I would have liked it.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05And John has signed up his daughter
0:03:05 > 0:03:08to assist in his search for a new home.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Sarah's been my... I would say, my closest friend.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14It's two good mates, isn't it?
0:03:14 > 0:03:16- Yeah, we do get on very well. - We're good mates. Yeah.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18And I don't preach any more. I don't tell her what to do.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20He's stopped all that!
0:03:22 > 0:03:25Having lost his wife just over six years ago,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29John has a new lady in his life, but she lives on the mainland,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32prompting his desire to leave the island.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Ingrid lives in Weymouth,
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and I want to be near her,
0:03:36 > 0:03:40because she's very special to me - she filled a gap in my life.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44It's been difficult because of the expense of the ferry crossings.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46The logistics of it are just quite difficult to manage,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- to get from here to Weymouth. - Yes.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51So it makes sense for Dad to be over there.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54When it comes to the new home,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57John is very specific about what he's after.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00I think the priority is a nice quiet spot.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06My ideal property would be a nice low-slung cottage.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I'm not keen on thatch, obviously for the price,
0:04:09 > 0:04:11and the insurance problems, and all that sort of thing.
0:04:11 > 0:04:15So its energies are quite important, and the feel, you know?
0:04:15 > 0:04:20It's not so much the bricks and mortar - that's not important -
0:04:20 > 0:04:23I'm not after chocolate box stuff and things like that.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26An important element in the new home is the kitchen.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29I am passionate about my cooking.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Well, I've been cooking food since I was about three.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33We love cooking huge banquets together.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36We'll cook about 15 dishes, you know?
0:04:36 > 0:04:39And also playing a key role in the property search
0:04:39 > 0:04:42is spiritual healing - something close to John's heart.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46My biggest passion - it's my life now, vocation,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49whatever you want to call it - is healing.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53I just try and keep it very simple and very straightforward,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56and I work on the basis that there is a cosmic energy
0:04:56 > 0:04:57which drives everything.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00So, a healing room is very important.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03It doesn't have to be a bland empty box or anything,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06it just needs a room that feels right.
0:05:06 > 0:05:11All that's left to discover are the finances for the move.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14My budget for the move - £350,000.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20John has asked us to concentrate our search around the south coast,
0:05:20 > 0:05:24to be within reasonable distance from his partner Ingrid in Weymouth.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I met up with him and his daughter, Sarah,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29to find out more about his property hunt.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31This is an interesting tale, really.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34You're escaping the Isle of Wight!
0:05:34 > 0:05:37I'm actually moving here to break out with the healing side,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41and take that a bit more seriously now. And, erm...
0:05:41 > 0:05:43I found a partner three years ago
0:05:43 > 0:05:47and we've really hit it off together. She lives in Weymouth,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50so it was an opportunity to bring the two together.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Sarah, are you the voice of reason - dare I say - in all of this?
0:05:53 > 0:05:56He's the one who's going to feel the energy, but, yeah.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57I'm giving him the advice.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00But in terms of practicalities, bedrooms-wise, what...?
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Three bedrooms.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04I don't need any more than that.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I know that you've been quite anxious about the idea
0:06:07 > 0:06:09- of a thatched property. - Yeah.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10I mean, my reservations
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- are obviously how long the thatch has been there.- Yeah.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Right, then, so you've got £350,000 to spend,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20we've got three - I think - really interesting properties to show you.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22I think we should make a move.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29For a budget of £350,000, John is looking for three bedrooms,
0:06:29 > 0:06:32a separate room to use for his spiritual healing,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35a good-sized kitchen diner,
0:06:35 > 0:06:36a quiet village location,
0:06:36 > 0:06:41and all within half an hour from his partner, Ingrid, in Weymouth.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43We have three gorgeous properties for John,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47and after each tour, we'll see if he can guess the price.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49Our final offering is our Mystery House which,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51although it might not be on his radar,
0:06:51 > 0:06:53could totally change his outlook.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56So, we began our search with our first property.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08We're heading west to the village of Netherbury,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10close to the town of Beaminster,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13about 40 minutes from his partner in Weymouth.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16Netherbury is a peaceful village aside the river Brit,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19in a designated conservation area,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22and in a region known for its stone houses and cottages.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26Property number one - a detached period stone house -
0:07:26 > 0:07:30sits in a quiet hedge-lined lane in the heart of Netherbury village.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Hey! - What do you make of that, then?
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- Well, that's a wow. - Yes?- That is beautiful.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38- You got a "wow" out of me! - How about that?
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- Already!- We haven't been in yet! - My goodness.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- Pretty, isn't it?- It is pretty. - It is really pretty, yeah.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46'We're off to a great start, with a "wow" for the exterior
0:07:46 > 0:07:49'and so far, it's hitting all the right spots.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52'As we head inside, I've got a good feeling about this house.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54'Let's hope John does, too.'
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Well, John, I thought we'd start in here.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Now, obviously, this is set up as their dining room,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02but I thought we'd tackle the business of having somewhere
0:08:02 > 0:08:05for you to work with the healing first.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Yeah. This would be perfect. Yeah.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11There's a sense of quietness in this room as soon as you walk into it.
0:08:11 > 0:08:12Is the road an issue?
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- I mean, you can't really hear it, can you?- No.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18- There is some secondary double-glazing there, too.- Yeah.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- Let's keep going. Follow me across the hallway.- Okey dokey.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25So this is your main living room, John.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Ah, yes.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30This is just the right size.
0:08:30 > 0:08:31The finishes are really nice -
0:08:31 > 0:08:34another lovely working fireplace down there.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36- No, the room is neutral. - Yeah.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39You know, so there's nothing here that would disturb me.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- Well, Sarah's smiling, so I think it's all good news.- I like it.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47- Oh, yeah, it is lovely. - Yeah?- Yes.
0:08:49 > 0:08:54- And then this is the kitchen/diner, John.- Oh, this is it.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55This is... Wow.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- It's a perfect size for you, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Very simple space, this. Nothing's very cluttered.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03Lines are very clean, it's all done, as you can see.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05It's really nice, actually. Really good for you.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07It's been done really well.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09- We do need to see upstairs. - Mm. Yes.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11To draw this picture together, don't we?
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- We do.- Indeed.- OK.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18'The house has delivered the perfect kitchen,
0:09:18 > 0:09:21'and so far, no negative vibes at all from the downstairs,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23'so let's hope that continues.
0:09:23 > 0:09:24'Up on the first floor
0:09:24 > 0:09:28'there is one good-sized and another slightly smaller double bedroom,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30'and a small single.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34'Then, up another few steps is the master bedroom.'
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Ah, yes. This has got to be the master, hasn't it?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- Yes, indeed!- Yeah. - This is good. This is good.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Next door is a really lovely bathroom.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Just been all done.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49So, again, nothing really to have to do.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51No. You could just move in here.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53But what about the practical side, Sarah?
0:09:53 > 0:09:55The rooms are manageable.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57I don't think they're claustrophobic, not too small,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59- because in cottages they can be, can't they?- Yeah.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02I think you'd manage quite well. You wouldn't feel overwhelmed.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- Yeah.- And this is a lovely room. - Yeah. Definitely.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07- Lovely and bright.- Well, talking about lovely and bright,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- let's get out there to the garden. - Yeah, go into the sun.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- See what you make of that. - Absolutely.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15'John seems really taken with the house - top to bottom.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19'And as we head for the garden to guess the price, the sun is shining.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21'It really can't get any better.'
0:10:21 > 0:10:23This is a sun trap, that's for sure.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28You've got that sort of patio area down there,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30and then it's terraced up to this lawned area.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34And then you've got farmland and an orchard beyond.
0:10:34 > 0:10:35Yeah, it's fantastic.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Well, let's have a think about the price, then.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40I would probably say...
0:10:40 > 0:10:41Mmm...
0:10:43 > 0:10:47- 335. - £335,000.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Sarah? Voice of reason?
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I think it's going to be a bit more.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- I would say 345. - 345.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57I would say it's close to the budget.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Actually, you've both straddled it.
0:10:59 > 0:11:04- Oh, right. - This is on the market at £339,500.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06I wasn't far off. That's nice.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- That's a nice price. - I'd say so.- Yeah.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11'This double-fronted period stone cottage
0:11:11 > 0:11:13'will give John the peace he's looking for,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16'along with four bedrooms,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19'a quiet, private space to use as a healing room,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23'a good-sized kitchen/breakfast room for when the family come round,
0:11:23 > 0:11:26'a generous sitting room, and it's all set in a pretty village
0:11:26 > 0:11:29'in the peaceful Dorset countryside.'
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- Well, I think that went rather well, John.- Brilliant. Absolutely superb.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- Yeah? - Yeah.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- A good start, Sarah? - Yep, very good start.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42It couldn't get better, really, could it?
0:11:42 > 0:11:46- It might! it's still shining. Come on!- It is, isn't it? Wow!
0:11:53 > 0:11:55'At the beginning of the 19th century,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58'heathland covered most of South East Dorset,
0:11:58 > 0:12:01'but today some 86% has been lost.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05'It's important to conserve these areas, as it's this environment
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'which is home to specialist plants and animals,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11'including all six of our native reptiles.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13'Today I've come to Arne,
0:12:13 > 0:12:15'a heathland nature reserve near Wareham on the south coast,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19'to meet Michael Wilson from the RSPB.'
0:12:19 > 0:12:23Now, the headline that there are six reptiles in the British Isles
0:12:23 > 0:12:26was news to me, I have to confess, and I'm surprised, in a way,
0:12:26 > 0:12:27that there are so many.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31It's amazing, there's actually three lizards, three snakes.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34So we've got slow worms, common lizards, sand lizards,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36grass snake, adder, and smooth snake.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39And here at Arne is a hotspot for them, really.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Well, what is it about this particular reserve
0:12:41 > 0:12:44that makes it work as a home for this rare collection?
0:12:44 > 0:12:49Lowland heath is an extremely rare habitat. It's dry here.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53We're obviously at the southern edge of the country.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56'Up on the heath, the RSPB monitor and record reptiles,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00'and we're hoping to see at least one of our six native species.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05'Because of their rarity, a special licence is required to survey
0:13:05 > 0:13:07'and disturb smooth snakes and sand lizards,
0:13:07 > 0:13:11'so if we do find anything, I'll leave the handling to the experts.'
0:13:13 > 0:13:15So, yeah, if you come over here, Jules,
0:13:15 > 0:13:18I'll show you our reptile surveying area we've got set up.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20All I can see is some old tin sheets.
0:13:20 > 0:13:25It does look a little bit odd, but there is a serious point to this.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Reptiles are cold-blooded,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29and these tins warm up first thing in the morning,
0:13:29 > 0:13:31and reptiles find them as a refuge,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34so they can actually reach a decent body temperature,
0:13:34 > 0:13:35so they can be active.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Fingers crossed, see what we can see.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41Just carefully.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44- Well, there's no-one in!- There are several more to look under,
0:13:44 > 0:13:46so we'll see what we can find, really.
0:13:48 > 0:13:49No.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53Nope.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56No.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Not a soul.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- No. - No.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- Is it?- No.- No.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11I mean, Michael, we have looked under...
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- What, 40? - About 40 tins, yes.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18They are out here somewhere. I like to think they're watching us.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- Probably laughing at us. - Probably laughing at us, yeah.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24'Thankfully, however, Michael caught a couple of reptiles
0:14:24 > 0:14:27'earlier in the day, so let's see what he's got for us.'
0:14:29 > 0:14:31The first thing I'm going to show you
0:14:31 > 0:14:34is probably the commonest reptile in Britain,
0:14:34 > 0:14:36and this is a slow worm.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Despite appearances, she's actually a lizard.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Just put your hand out like that.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Incredible, it seems quite happy, actually.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48Yeah, they'll start being quite active
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- because they like the warmth of your hand.- There you go.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Shall I put the lid back on there? - Yes.- Safely.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57- What have we got in here? - That was a lizard.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59This is a snake.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Again, quite common,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05you might even find these living in your compost heaps at home.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07The biggest snake that you get in Britain,
0:15:07 > 0:15:09and it's a grass snake.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12It's incredible the way it's lying there, with its mouth wide open.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15That is a classic grass snake playing dead.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18Yeah, properly playing dead.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21I'm not sure she's enjoying this experience, you better put her back.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22I think I'll put her back.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Michael, thank you very much.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28We had a frustrating search but it's lovely to see the real thing here.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33'Of the six species, the adder is the only venomous reptile in the UK,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35'so when it comes to our cold-blooded neighbours,
0:15:35 > 0:15:36'remember the golden rule.'
0:15:36 > 0:15:38- Look, but don't touch. - Yeah.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52'For our second property, we're travelling east
0:15:52 > 0:15:55'to the centre of the county to the village of Hilton, near to
0:15:55 > 0:15:58'the town of Blandford Forum, around half an hour from Weymouth.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03'The pretty village of Hilton, with its 15th century Gothic church,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05'is in the heart of the Dorset countryside.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10'Bearing in mind John's aversion to thatched roofs,
0:16:10 > 0:16:14'we're taking a chance here in order to give him extra space.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17'House number two is a Grade II listed semidetached cottage
0:16:17 > 0:16:21'that has undergone extensive modernisation.'
0:16:21 > 0:16:23- Now, John. - Yes?
0:16:23 > 0:16:26That is property number two.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- That's nice, isn't it? - Yeah?
0:16:28 > 0:16:30What do you think, Sarah?
0:16:30 > 0:16:32I love it, I think it's really sweet, really pretty.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36One thing I can assure you of is what we find on the inside
0:16:36 > 0:16:39is not what you're expecting.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40OK.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44'A good reaction to the outside, and John hasn't run away
0:16:44 > 0:16:48'at the sight of a thatched roof, so here's hoping the configuration
0:16:48 > 0:16:51'of this extended cob cottage will give him the space he needs.'
0:16:52 > 0:16:55- Feast your eyes, John. - Good gosh.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Oh, gosh!
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- Wow.- Wow! - Yeah, definitely a "wow".
0:17:00 > 0:17:02I was not expecting that at all.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- I told you.- Yeah, you were right. - It's something else.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It's absolutely fantastic, isn't it?
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- You're a bit lost for words. - I'm a bit speechless, yeah! I am.
0:17:12 > 0:17:13It's not like me.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17Let's see if you can find words in here. This is amazing, look at this.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- Wow! - What do you say about this?
0:17:25 > 0:17:29It's not a "wow", it's more than a "wow", I think. Yeah.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- They've done a fantastic job. - It's really clever, isn't it?
0:17:33 > 0:17:37Come and soak up the atmosphere, it's quite a lot, to be honest,
0:17:37 > 0:17:39to take on, because
0:17:39 > 0:17:43it is so different to probably what any of us were expecting.
0:17:43 > 0:17:49It's this mix of contemporary and old and thatched,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53and it would take me a time, I think, to get adjusted to it.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57'Onwards to the rest of the extension
0:17:57 > 0:18:00'that offers an option for John's healing area.'
0:18:03 > 0:18:07- Now, here on the other side of the pod, you've got a wet room.- Gosh.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11And then this, which is currently
0:18:11 > 0:18:13the master bedroom.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- Nice, isn't it? - Very nice.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21If you were prepared to compromise on your bedroom and go upstairs,
0:18:21 > 0:18:25this might lend itself to being your treatment room.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28That's true. That makes sense. Yeah.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33'The upstairs is within the original part of the cottage
0:18:33 > 0:18:36'with its more period configuration.'
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Now, it's up here, guys, that we really start to go back in time.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- Much more of that cottagey feel. - Yeah.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Come into this one.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- Oh, it's nice. - Squeeze in.- Cosy.- Now, really here,
0:18:49 > 0:18:52we have two bedrooms that are pretty much the same size.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54- Right. - This one and one next door.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- And quite a nice family bathroom up here.- Mm-hm.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- So, in all, it's a three-bedroomed house.- Yeah.- OK.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05But this is where the compromise might be,
0:19:05 > 0:19:10if you decide to use that amazing master suite as your treatment room.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Yeah.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Yeah. It would be an option, though.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Come on, let's go and get some fresh air.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23'As we head outside, I get the feeling John is finding this
0:19:23 > 0:19:26'combination of the old and new slightly confusing.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29'It remains to be seen if he's willing to concede on bedroom size
0:19:29 > 0:19:32'in order to get his healing room.'
0:19:32 > 0:19:35You see, this, John, I think this is where
0:19:35 > 0:19:37it really starts to make sense.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41It seems to blend, it's a nice contrast with the thatch.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43You know what's coming now, don't you?
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- I do.- I'm going to say 360. - 360.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I think, potentially, it could be spot on budget, about 350.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Mm-hm.- But I'm being optimistic there, I think.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- It's 325. - Good grief!
0:19:54 > 0:19:56- No way, really? - Yeah.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00'This Grade II listed thatch cottage
0:20:00 > 0:20:02'comes in under budget
0:20:02 > 0:20:04'with a mix of contemporary and traditional features,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08'and gives John three bedrooms, with a master en suite,
0:20:08 > 0:20:12'a large kitchen/breakfast room, a bright and airy sitting room,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16'a manageable garden, and all within an attractive village location.'
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- We've had quite an exciting day, I think.- We have.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Ready for a celebratory drink to finish our first day?
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- Phwoar, yeah! - Absolutely.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- Come on. - Lead me to it.
0:20:41 > 0:20:43For the Mystery House we're staying in the area,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46travelling a few miles down the road to the village of Milton Abbas.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52Milton Abbas is a picture-perfect 18th-century model village.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56Thatched cottages equally spaced apart run either side
0:20:56 > 0:20:59of one main street.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01A short walk away at the bottom end of the village lies
0:21:01 > 0:21:05the Mystery House - a Grade II listed semidetached cottage
0:21:05 > 0:21:07that may test John's ability to compromise.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Oh, that is...
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Yeah, gobsmacked, as they say in Liverpool.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- Lovely? - Yeah. Yeah. It's gorgeous.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- Now, you don't get the whole thing. - Oh, right.- It is a semi.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21It's lovely.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Does it have the right sort of feeling?- It does.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26'An amazing reaction,
0:21:26 > 0:21:30'especially considering John's reluctance for a thatched roof.
0:21:30 > 0:21:31'He seems to have come full circle.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35'However, the acid test is to come, as we head for the kitchen,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37'a room high on his agenda.'
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Come in, John.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45Now, not a massive kitchen/diner.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- No. - Not a diner.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51You know, we can't have everything, can we? It's about compromise.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55- What are you thinking?- I thought you would say "no" immediately,
0:21:55 > 0:21:56so I'm really surprised.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58- It has three bedrooms. - Mm-hm.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- Two of them are on the ground floor. - Yeah.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05I think we should try and have a look at one of those next.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08'John's U-turn by compromising on the kitchen dining space
0:22:08 > 0:22:10'has taken us by surprise,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13'as I thought it would be a substantial sticking point,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15'so let's hope the good vibes continue with the
0:22:15 > 0:22:17'possible space for the healing room.'
0:22:17 > 0:22:21- This is nice and light, isn't it? - Isn't it? Gosh, yeah.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- And you get a nice view out to the trees.- Yeah.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Next door also has a light well like that.- Yeah.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33This is bigger, it's set up as a twin, and next door is the bathroom.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37- You just get that lovely feeling, it's very grounded.- Mmm.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40That's probably because of the age of the property.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43The living room is a real seller. Come and have a look at this.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Ooh, that sounds intriguing.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Now on the way is the dining room.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51- Oh, yeah.- That's nice.- Sweet.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55So it's not a kitchen/diner, but it is a kitchen with a diner.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Oh, wow! - Yeah.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- Oh, gosh.- You like that? - Yeah. Definitely.
0:23:01 > 0:23:02- Cosy, isn't it? - Oh, it is.
0:23:02 > 0:23:06- That's rather nice, the little window seat there.- That's lovely.
0:23:06 > 0:23:11This one, for me, does send zinging things around, you know.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14But the head is still saying, "You don't want a semi,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17"and you don't want this and you don't want..."
0:23:17 > 0:23:19The heart is saying, "Hang on, let's just..."
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Is he given to following his head, or his heart?
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- He's a heart man.- I thought so, yeah.- Yeah, definitely.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29We have got you, I think, quite a nice master bedroom upstairs,
0:23:29 > 0:23:32- so you've got your own little domain there.- That's good.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Let's have a look at that. - That's important.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37'The Mystery seems to be coming up trumps,
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'not just on a practical level but spiritually too.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43'So, onwards upstairs to see if the bedrooms
0:23:43 > 0:23:45'have the zing factor as well.'
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- Sweet.- Do you like this? - Yeah.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- Oh, yeah.- That's really sweet. - It's nice.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- You're beaming, aren't you? - I am!
0:23:52 > 0:23:55I've never seen you so happy!
0:23:55 > 0:23:59And across the landing, effectively an en suite dressing room, really.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00- Shower in there and so on. - Yeah.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02I think it's a happy coincidence that, actually,
0:24:02 > 0:24:04our final property really seems to fit more.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- It is all kind of here, spatially, for you.- Yeah.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10And it has the character and similar...
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Better energy than number one did.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17'With the energy flowing, we head outside to the garden,
0:24:17 > 0:24:19'as it's time to guess the price.'
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- What do you think, John?- There it is, the pond.- Your water feature.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- The water, yeah. - You love water.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27That's... Listen...
0:24:27 > 0:24:29WATER TRICKLES
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Now, the garden itself also continues up beyond
0:24:32 > 0:24:36this other terrace here, and way up towards the wood line.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38- Oh! - Oh, wow.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- That's... I think this one's going to blow my budget.- Yeah.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45I think it's going to be about... 365.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48365. Sarah?
0:24:48 > 0:24:52I'm being more optimistic, and I'm going to say it's on budget at 350.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- At 350. - Mmm.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57It could be yours for offers in excess
0:24:57 > 0:24:59of £300,000.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01Good grief!
0:25:01 > 0:25:05'The charm of this 18th century Grade II listed mystery cottage
0:25:05 > 0:25:09'seems to have completely won John over, and is well within budget.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13'It gives him three bedrooms, including a decent sized master,
0:25:13 > 0:25:16'with the option to convert one into a healing room.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19'A characterful living room with inglenook fireplace,
0:25:19 > 0:25:24'a peaceful garden, including ornamental pond and secluded patio,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27'views over the glorious Dorset countryside, and all
0:25:27 > 0:25:30'within reasonable distance to his partner, Ingrid, in Weymouth.'
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- I think it's been a really good week, this, John.- Yeah.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36You've got plenty to consider now. We've given you all the options.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40- Yeah.- Let's go and consider. - You've thrown it at me, haven't you?
0:25:40 > 0:25:42- We have! Bit by bit. - Big time!
0:25:55 > 0:26:00So, where are we now, Sarah, with this search?
0:26:00 > 0:26:02Have we managed to do it for your dad, do you think?
0:26:02 > 0:26:04- I think you have, yeah. - OK.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07I'm not going to say too much, because it's his decision.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09I'm getting the right vibe, let's say.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12OK, well, it's been all about feelings, hasn't it, this one?!
0:26:12 > 0:26:14- Absolutely! - Erm... OK, John.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16- Property number one had the edge, didn't it?- It did.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20It did, because it had a lot of... All of the parameters
0:26:20 > 0:26:22that I was looking for.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Dead on there, it was spot on.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27It was perfect until today.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29The Mystery House seems to have changed everything.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33And that sort of challenged, maybe, what I was thinking.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Am I coming here because I want to do my healing?
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Well, that's not the ultimate thing.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42The purpose is to spend the rest of my life
0:26:42 > 0:26:46in peace and tranquillity, and in a place I'd love to live.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48So, where are we?
0:26:48 > 0:26:51Providing things go ahead back at home,
0:26:51 > 0:26:55I'm going to see if I can make an offer on the last one.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56- The Mystery House? - The Mystery House.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59So, it's all dependent on you selling your current property
0:26:59 > 0:27:01- on the Isle of Wight. - Which could be soon.- Brilliant.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05- Best of luck.- Thank you, as well. It's been really great.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06That is our pleasure.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Now, Milton Abbey ceased to be a monastic centre
0:27:15 > 0:27:18during the Reformation of the 1540s,
0:27:18 > 0:27:21but it still has a spiritual air about it.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25I think that's a theme that's really run through this entire week.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27I've always believed that buying a house
0:27:27 > 0:27:28should be an emotional process
0:27:28 > 0:27:31but, thanks to John, I'm beginning to think
0:27:31 > 0:27:34that it should also have a spiritual dimension as well.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36I've learnt a lot from him
0:27:36 > 0:27:39and now, with any luck, he'll be living just up the road from here
0:27:39 > 0:27:41in possibly just a few months' time.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46John has since returned to Milton Abbas for a second viewing
0:27:46 > 0:27:49of the Mystery House and is eager to put in an offer.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52All that remains is for John to sell his property,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55and Dorset may soon welcome a new resident.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58If you'd like to escape to the country in England,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland,
0:28:00 > 0:28:05and need our help, you can apply online at...