0:00:02 > 0:00:06For centuries, hooks like this could be found in towns and villages throughout the country.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08However, very few of them survived.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10So, what was it used for and where is it?
0:00:10 > 0:00:12I'll tell you in just a moment.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35On today's show, we're helping a couple of busy city dwellers
0:00:35 > 0:00:38with a generous budget find peace in a home county.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41One of our properties is hard to size up.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45I guess it's not as spacious as you might have imagined.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49- But our buyers come alive at another.- What a difference!
0:00:49 > 0:00:53- Already.- I can definitely smile, it's much better.- You are animated.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Today, I'm in Buckinghamshire in the village of Ivinghoe.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00And this is a thatch hook.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03For many years it was used in the event of a building or house fire
0:01:03 > 0:01:07when the locals would rip the burning thatch from the roofs
0:01:07 > 0:01:09to stop the fire from spreading.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12And today, there's still plenty about this wonderful county
0:01:12 > 0:01:14to ignite your interest.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Situated in south-east England, landlocked Buckinghamshire borders
0:01:20 > 0:01:24a number of counties, including Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire
0:01:24 > 0:01:27as well as the administrative area of Greater London.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Despite its close proximity to the capital,
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Buckinghamshire retains a distinct rural quality
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and you certainly don't feel that you are close to a major city,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39surrounded as you are by breathtaking views
0:01:39 > 0:01:40of the English countryside.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Geographically, the county is split diagonally
0:01:43 > 0:01:46by the rolling chalky hills of the Chilterns,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49over which the red kite soars majestically again
0:01:49 > 0:01:52after being driven to extinction.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56The north of the county is dominated by the Vale of Aylesbury,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58a large expanse of mainly agricultural land.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01Here, you'll find the impressive Stowe House
0:02:01 > 0:02:06with its landscaped gardens designed by Capability Brown.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08Dotted with pretty, unspoilt villages,
0:02:08 > 0:02:10but easily accessible from London,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13this is a county which offers the perfect rural escape
0:02:13 > 0:02:16for those who need to continue to work in the capital.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Right, I'm not going to lie to you -
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Buckinghamshire is an expensive place to buy a house.
0:02:26 > 0:02:32£488,000 is the average cost of a detached home here.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35That's not far off twice the national figure.
0:02:35 > 0:02:40However, your property pound will go further if you know where to look.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42As a general rule, as you head north,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45house prices become more affordable.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47Take a look at Buckingham itself,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50where property is, according to local estate agents,
0:02:50 > 0:02:54around 30% cheaper than, say, Beaconsfield in the south.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59So let's meet today's buyers and find out why they want to move here.
0:03:02 > 0:03:04Nick and Karen met at work nine years ago.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Home is currently Barnes in south-west London.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11But they both feel it's time for a change of pace and surroundings.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15We've lived in south-west London for about 10 years.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18So it's just time to move out and get a bit more outdoor space.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22You are always around people, it's always very busy,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24you don't get any peace.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28Nick is a civil servant and Karen is a management consultant.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30They've homed in on one of the Home Counties.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32We still need to commute into London
0:03:32 > 0:03:36because we're trying to get that perfect meld of space
0:03:36 > 0:03:39and countryside, but still be able to get into London for work.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Also trying to get nearer my sister who lives in South Warwickshire,
0:03:43 > 0:03:46so we are looking at probably Buckinghamshire
0:03:46 > 0:03:48as the kind of county we have settled on.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53And for Karen, Buckinghamshire is almost like coming home.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56I like Buckinghamshire, because it's a shire county,
0:03:56 > 0:03:57I grew up in a shire county.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00It will be quite agricultural, which I quite like.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02But it's got a bit of variety.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06As far as the house goes, the kitchen will be key.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09For me, cooking is a switch-off mechanism.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I have a busy day, a busy worklife,
0:04:12 > 0:04:17and I just like to potter in the kitchen, be creative.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19So the next property,
0:04:19 > 0:04:23I do want something of comparable space to what we have now.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25As for the outside space,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28our self-confessed foodies are hungry for more.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31I'm hoping for a garden that's going to be a bit larger than
0:04:31 > 0:04:32we have at the moment.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36I really want somewhere where we can grow things. I'm also very keen
0:04:36 > 0:04:40that it's not just a garden itself but something to look out on,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42a view from the garden.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44A move to the countryside will offer them
0:04:44 > 0:04:47more opportunities to indulge their passions.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51I've got a hobby which I'm trying to cultivate, which is carving stone.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53At the moment, I have to set it up outside
0:04:53 > 0:04:56and you annoy the neighbours and it's dusty.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00So I really would like a workshop where I can have my equipment out.
0:05:00 > 0:05:04I do a bit of cycling in London, but I have to say, I don't enjoy it.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06There's too much traffic, too many people.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09I like the idea of cycling in peaceful countryside
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and actually enjoying the view of what one is cycling through
0:05:12 > 0:05:17rather than just it being going from A to B type of activity,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19which it is in London for me.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23All that's left is to find out how much they've got
0:05:23 > 0:05:25to turn this rural dream into a reality.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29The budget we have for this move is £950,000.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37Taking into consideration that Nick and Karen want to commute into London,
0:05:37 > 0:05:40we are starting our property search in the south of the county.
0:05:40 > 0:05:45I've come to meet the couple to find out more about their ideal home.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47Nick and Karen, great to meet you.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50We are looking for your next house in Buckinghamshire, aren't we?
0:05:50 > 0:05:54- We are indeed, yes. - Had enough of London life?
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Yes, it's time to move out into the countryside.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Because Buckinghamshire is a great county for commuting to London
0:05:59 > 0:06:02and if that's where you're based for work, we've got to be realistic.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Yes, I'm thinking about an hour out of London,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09an hour and a half door-to-door. It's a realistic distance.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12Are you aware that Buckinghamshire is split in two, if you like?
0:06:12 > 0:06:16- North and south, yes.- The north and south divide, shall we say.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18It certainly has an effect on the price
0:06:18 > 0:06:20with the Chiltern Hills in between.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23With this new home, tell me what you're looking for.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26A bit of open space, three to four bedrooms,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29particularly open living, so we like the cooking a lot,
0:06:29 > 0:06:31so the kitchen/dining bit is really important.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34And a bit of outdoor space, Nick's got some ideas about...
0:06:34 > 0:06:37From the, I'd like a bit of a view.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41I've got the idea of maybe some garden space where one could potentially have chickens
0:06:41 > 0:06:44or at least grow things, cos I'm keen, as a cook,
0:06:44 > 0:06:48I can grow my own fruit and vegetables and use those.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50What about the style of property?
0:06:50 > 0:06:53What are you looking for in your house? Any particular features?
0:06:53 > 0:06:57I'm quite in favour of something more traditional, certainly with
0:06:57 > 0:07:02some character. I don't mind if it's brand-new, as long as it's characterful.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Form and function, so it's got some real style, but it is practical.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09Who's going to make the final decision?
0:07:09 > 0:07:10We'll disagree on this!
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Are you ready to get started? - Brilliant, yes.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19For a generous budget of £950,000,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Nick and Karen want a traditional-looking property.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26The key is light and space and they want plenty of it.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29The kitchen must also be big enough for them to enjoy cooking together
0:07:29 > 0:07:31and they want three to four bedrooms
0:07:31 > 0:07:35and a large enough garden to grow their own vegetables.
0:07:35 > 0:07:39We've got three wonderful properties to show our countryside commuters.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42And as always, I'll be asking our buyers to guess
0:07:42 > 0:07:44the price at the end of each house tour.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Our final property, the mystery house,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49isn't your typical Buckinghamshire home.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57Can you see a time in your lives when you'll stop working in London?
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Probably less so for me.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Mainly because the nature of what I do is largely London-based.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08- I think I might.- Yes. - I might rethink what I do a bit.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Yes, once you get the taste. - Yes.- Of the country life.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16In a way, when you are commuting back home, on that train, you can
0:08:16 > 0:08:20leave the city life behind, the noise the pollution and all that
0:08:20 > 0:08:24and then you've got all this to look forward to. Just look at the view.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25- Fantastic.- Beautiful.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32For our first house, we're travelling
0:08:32 > 0:08:33to the hamlet of Widmer End,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35around three miles north of High Wycombe, which is
0:08:35 > 0:08:38about a 30-minute train ride from the capital.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42The closest village is Hughenden Valley, which has
0:08:42 > 0:08:47a range of amenities including a community shop, village hall and pub.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51Its most famous former resident is Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53who lived in Hughenden Manor
0:08:53 > 0:08:56and is buried in the local parish churchyard.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Just a five-minute drive away, our first house awaits.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04So, Nick and Karen, here is your first property.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06It looks brilliant, actually, sweet.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- A good start?- I think so. - I like the flints.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- It's classically Buckinghamshire, flint.- Absolutely.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16It's a real statement property to start off with, isn't it?
0:09:16 > 0:09:17Yes, it's pretty.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- As we walked in, this is your land on the side.- OK.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23So you've got that huge area here.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26There are three houses in total on this plot,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28but a pretty house, is that the thing you had in mind?
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Or completely different?
0:09:30 > 0:09:32It's pretty, it's got a bit of character,
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I can see it from the age.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37- So it's a good start.- Yeah? Karen?
0:09:37 > 0:09:41It's not what I had in mind, but it is pretty, so it does meet the brief.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43So yes, interesting.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45OK, it's got to be right for you,
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- so let's see what you think when we go inside.- OK, cool.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Our first property is a Grade II listed farmhouse
0:09:53 > 0:09:55which was built in the year 1820.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Bearing in mind our couple's love of food,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01we're heading to the most important first.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Let's start with the kitchen/breakfast room.
0:10:07 > 0:10:14- Yes.- Yes.- I guess it's not as spacious as you might imagine.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Do you think it looks bigger from the outside?
0:10:16 > 0:10:18I didn't expect the kitchen to be here.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20I expected it to be at the back of the house.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24- Stereotypically, that's what you would expect.- Yes, very true.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26You normally have your sitting/drawing rooms either side,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- don't you?- I wasn't expecting the kitchen to be here.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33You do have a lot of room here. You've got a huge dining area.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35So you could reconfigure it.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38I like you! Already, you're working out how it will work best for you.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42You could make better use of this and make it into one big kitchen.
0:10:42 > 0:10:48Yes, that's doable. We quite like that in some ways, don't we?
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- OK, let's continue if I can squeeze past.- Yes.- Thank you.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59- Next I want to show you the sitting room.- Yes.- Cottagey?
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- Yes.- Definitely has a cottage feel, doesn't it?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I like the fireplace, that is fab.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07A huge inglenook dominates this room, doesn't it?
0:11:07 > 0:11:12It's almost wasted in such a small room really, but it's really nice.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14It makes a good kind of reading, music room.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17They've got books here, I think that works well.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19I can see this as a quiet room.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23If Nick and Karen are worried about the downstairs space, there is
0:11:23 > 0:11:27an additional sitting room which is triple aspect
0:11:27 > 0:11:29with a door out onto the patio.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32There is also a utility room and shower room on the ground floor.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35Upstairs, the property has three double bedrooms,
0:11:35 > 0:11:37all of which have fitted cupboards.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41And there's a small study area that could be turned into a single.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- With this move, you were after three to four bedrooms.- Yes.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50This would be the master bedroom.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54It's not en suite, but you do have a family bathroom upstairs.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57You've also got that shower room and toilet downstairs.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59En suite doesn't really bother us very much, does it?
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Do you have one at the moment?- No. - So we're not used to it.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05- A big family bathroom, in effect. - Yeah, that's fine.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08- It's a decent size. - It's a reasonable-sized room.
0:12:08 > 0:12:09Get our big double bed in.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14Whereas the front of the house has a more formal garden,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17the back of the property is a bit more secluded.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Plenty of room for a vegetable patch
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and for Karen to do her stone carving.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- Nice and private, isn't it?- I was just going to ask you that question.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31We are so close, it's so easy to commute to London. But neighbours?
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Can't really see them, can you?
0:12:33 > 0:12:36I think first, you think you're in the middle of nowhere,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39but the privacy comes across, which is what we wanted.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41And I've noticed, I can see a swimming pool.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Oh, that was my surprise!
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- Your beady eyes have got it. And it's heated.- Wow, that's better.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52It's quite nice when I can say, "There's a swimming pool as well."
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- Did you ever want a swimming pool? - No.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Let's get down to money, crunch time.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01How much do you think this house is on the market for?
0:13:01 > 0:13:05- You can guess first.- I'm going somewhere around 925.- OK.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08I think it's more than that.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- I'm going to say 935.- OK.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14You are the closest.
0:13:14 > 0:13:20- But it is above that, it's £950,000. - I'm not surprised.- No.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24Because it's got more space than I thought, and the swimming pool.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27You're paying for the location, aren't you? That convenience.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- Absolutely.- Do you fancy having another look around?
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Someone might be keen to look at the heated pool.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36- Oh, no, it's you, isn't it? - I think it's growing on me.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40- Pool girl.- Pool girl.- Off you go, have a look around, take your time.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Have a think about what this house represents and offers you
0:13:43 > 0:13:46and I'll catch up with you when you're ready. See you later.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52On the market for £950,000, our first property is bang on
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Nick and Karen's budget.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56It's a brick and flint former farmhouse
0:13:56 > 0:13:58which dates back to the 1820s.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01The living accommodation includes a kitchen/diner
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and two reception rooms, three double bedrooms and there are
0:14:05 > 0:14:08large garden areas at both the front and rear of the house.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11Plus there's the bonus of a heated swimming pool.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14I thought it was really pretty, I did enjoy the house.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17I thought it was nice and characterful,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19and the flint is very impressive.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24I have to confess, as I came into the house, I found it a bit dark.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Then I guess that's to be expected with this kind of property
0:14:28 > 0:14:32which is of its age and has a very cottagey feel.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33As lovely as the property is,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36I didn't feel it really works for me
0:14:36 > 0:14:40because while I'm happy to invest and do some work in a new property,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43I think to get it to how we would like it
0:14:43 > 0:14:45would require just too much investment.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48I think the outside space is lovely.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50I love the gardens at the front, set back from the road.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53And I like the privacy and it's a bit wilder at the back.
0:14:53 > 0:14:59I have to say, when I went into the house, it was just a little smaller
0:14:59 > 0:15:02than perhaps I would have hoped for, having seen it from the outside.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06So I think we could make some changes to make it kind of liveable.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11But if I'm being really honest, it's probably not my ideal house.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- Have you seen enough? - Yes, thank you.- Thank you.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15That's the first tour over.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19We're off to see our second property and I'll give you a little clue.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- This time we are going to head north.- OK.
0:15:30 > 0:15:35Centuries ago, Buckinghamshire's wheat fields swayed with native wild varieties,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38which as well as providing a food staple,
0:15:38 > 0:15:41were put to good use as roofing material.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43But as farming became more mechanised
0:15:43 > 0:15:46and demand for flour increased in the 19th century,
0:15:46 > 0:15:49farmers switched to fast-growing monocultured crops.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52With Britain in the grips of a baking revolution,
0:15:52 > 0:15:54one Buckinghamshire-based farmer
0:15:54 > 0:15:59is bucking the trend by growing the historic grains once again.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01Since Nick and Karen are both passionate about food,
0:16:01 > 0:16:05we sent them to meet the heritage harvester, John Letts.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09- Hi, I'm Karen, nice to meet you. - Hi, Karen, nice to meet you.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Hi, I'm Nick.- Hi, Nick, I'm John.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Welcome to the farm.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16I'd love to show you my fields, some very unusual fields.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21- Full of heritage grains.- What are those?- Tell us about heritage grains.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Heritage grains, in my opinion,
0:16:23 > 0:16:29are really varieties of cereal which have been grown prior to about 1900.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34Also including some very unusual, rare species of cereals - Einkorn wheat, Emmer wheat, spelt wheat.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Really ancient crops, the crops of our ancestors.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39These are not varieties you can purchase in the shop
0:16:39 > 0:16:42or get from a plant breeding company.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45They're all very old, so you start off with about 25 seeds.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48So you plant them in little row crops, then in bigger plots,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51then you get a tenfold increase every year.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54If you come to the farm, I've got flour there and we can do some baking.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Make some bread, some pizza, then you can see it's different.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58- OK.- OK.
0:17:01 > 0:17:05The organically grown wheat contains less gluten than your average
0:17:05 > 0:17:09supermarket flour. So it's better on the digestion.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11And it's perfect for making pizza.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15What you don't want for pizza is a dough that's too stretchy,
0:17:15 > 0:17:20with too much gluten in it. So I've mixed in a wheat called rivet wheat
0:17:20 > 0:17:24which was introduced by the Normans and it has a beautiful flavour
0:17:24 > 0:17:28and it has a moderate strength in terms of its gluten.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31With the flour having already been mixed with yeast, salt,
0:17:31 > 0:17:34water and a splash of olive oil,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37the dough begins to rise in the heat of the summer sun.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41First, we need to cut off a section roughly of what we need.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45- We'll have a couple of pizzas, so that will be OK for me. - The rest is mine?
0:17:45 > 0:17:47The rest is yours, that's very large pizza.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- There you go, you can cut off a section.- Yes.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55As she begins kneading the dough, Karen immediately notices
0:17:55 > 0:17:58a difference to baking with normal flour.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02So it's stretchy, but not ever so stretchy. Does that make sense?
0:18:02 > 0:18:06- Yes, it's springing out, but not springing back too much.- Exactly.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08- Feels pretty much right. - It feels great.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Just time to add the toppings
0:18:13 > 0:18:16before the pizza bread is placed in the wood-fired oven.
0:18:21 > 0:18:2310 minutes later and it's ready to taste.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27It certainly tastes nice.
0:18:27 > 0:18:33I think it's got a slightly richer taste, maybe nuttier.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- It's very nice.- Good. - Great texture.
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Now that Nick and Karen have sampled the local flavours,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45let's see if we can find a property to set their taste buds alight.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54For our second house, we are leaving the south of the county
0:18:54 > 0:18:58and heading 30 miles north to the village of Thornborough.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Nearby Buckingham is the best bet for shops and restaurants
0:19:01 > 0:19:05and has all the amenities typical of a small market town.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08In the Middle Ages, Buckingham was a prosperous wool town,
0:19:08 > 0:19:12but in the early 18th century, many of its buildings were destroyed
0:19:12 > 0:19:16by fire and those you see today were built in the Georgian era.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Our second property is a five-minute drive
0:19:19 > 0:19:23outside of the town on the banks of the river Great Ouse.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25It's a brick and stone barn conversion.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28- What do you think? - It's got a good length to it.
0:19:28 > 0:19:33I can see two layers, so it's clearly a good size.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36- Particularly compared to the first house.- I like its informality.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39I think it looks welcoming.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43Very different. This property actually dates back to 1770.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45- OK, wow.- It's Grade II listed.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48I've got quite a lot to show you with this property.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- Are you keen to get started?- I am. - Yes.- Let's go through.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56The present owners of our second house
0:19:56 > 0:19:59converted it from just a shell in the early 1980s.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Today, it greets you with a large entrance hall.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08We'll start off with the drawing-room.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13- As you can see it's very light and very open.- Yes.- Very nice.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18- I like that.- I love the stone. - What a difference.
0:20:18 > 0:20:24- Already...- I can smile, it's much better.- Animated, you're animated.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27You come in here and you've got the exposed local stone,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31huge fireplace, it does dominate the room, but it has got a cosy feel.
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- But it's actually quite big and open.- Cosy but light, very nice.
0:20:35 > 0:20:39Let's go back through the house because the kitchen is down here.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45A much more positive reaction to our second property from Nick and Karen.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Beyond the drawing room, there's also a study
0:20:47 > 0:20:51should one of them decide to work from home in the future.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- I'll show you I think another country kitchen.- OK.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00- The first thing you notice is the bright red range.- It's enormous.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04That's oil. As in the heating for the property as well.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05I quite like the fact it's red.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Lots of them you see are cream.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11They sort of settle, but actually the red gives another warmth
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and stands out and makes it a feature.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- What about the space itself? Big enough?- Absolutely.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20I think you can make the space work, we could do different things to it.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23I'd want to do something with it to make it ours.
0:21:23 > 0:21:27But there's plenty of potential in terms of the space.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29On top of this, past the kitchen to the right,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32you've got a downstairs shower and toilet.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33And a boot area.
0:21:33 > 0:21:38To keep the mess out of the way. Good. Right, let's continue through.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42So you do have a dining area in the kitchen,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46but you've also got a more formal dining room here.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- That's nice and light. We like light.- A good room.
0:21:51 > 0:21:56You don't often get a generous space for the dining area.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00- And it's square.- You are immediately intrigued by the staircase.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05Yes, where does that lead to? You actually have a bedroom up there.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- OK. Quirky.- So, the shower and the toilet and utility room
0:22:09 > 0:22:11with so many guests staying there
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- because it's not en suite. - I can see that make sense.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15So they've thought about that.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18There's another set of stairs back through the house.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24In addition to the guest bedroom at this end of the property,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27there are three additional bedrooms up the other set of stairs,
0:22:27 > 0:22:29as well as a family bathroom.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31Two of those bedrooms are good-sized doubles
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and there's one single, currently being used as an office.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38So you remember you've got one bedroom
0:22:38 > 0:22:40on the other side of the property.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42It's not a bad sized room, is it?
0:22:42 > 0:22:45What about the size, the dimensions of this room.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Would this work for you two?
0:22:48 > 0:22:52Something going through my mind is where to put clothes.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56Good point, a very good point. You do have a wardrobe here.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- I didn't see that. OK. - But it isn't huge.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04No, but it's not small, it's a reasonable size.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- And I guess we could find ways around that.- Let's head downstairs.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11Bit of a reality check for you, because I am going to ask you
0:23:11 > 0:23:14about the money after I've shown you all the garden and land.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16- OK?- Yeah.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22And that land includes large mature gardens at the front
0:23:22 > 0:23:24and back of the property
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and a meadow, as well as access to the river Great Ouse.
0:23:27 > 0:23:28To the side of the main house,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31there's also an additional outbuilding,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34currently being used as a beauty salon with two rooms,
0:23:34 > 0:23:38which could make a perfect stone-carving workshop for Karen.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44So, how much land d'you think you might have in total? Any ideas?
0:23:44 > 0:23:48- It certainly looks a lot bigger than house number one.- 0.7 of an acre.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- Two acres, actually. - Two?! I absolutely love the setting.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57You can just imagine being out here in the summer, it's peaceful.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00And it just looks like it's been here a long time.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03It feels like it's been here a long time, but in a good way.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05So, sounding very positive.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Let's hope it doesn't go wrong with the price.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Well, I think it needs a bit of work to it,
0:24:10 > 0:24:14and it's north of the county, so I'm going to go
0:24:14 > 0:24:19probably similar to last time, I'm going to go for £915,000.
0:24:19 > 0:24:20All right.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23I'm going to go £940,000.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- Are you competitive, you two? - No.- Oh.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28Because Karen is closest again.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- Asking price is £950,000.- OK.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36The other thing I'll add before I send you back into the property
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- and have a wander around is it's only just gone on the market.- OK.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44- So you never know how the prices might move.- No.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47So go and take another look, have a think, with that price in mind,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49whether this is the house for you,
0:24:49 > 0:24:53and if it is, what you might want to do to it yourselves.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57- Brilliant. Thank you.- Enjoy it, see you in a minute.- Thank you.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Like our first property,
0:25:00 > 0:25:04the second is also on the market at £950,000 -
0:25:04 > 0:25:06right on budget.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08It's a converted stone barn
0:25:08 > 0:25:10which dates back to the 18th century.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12The accommodation includes a large sitting room
0:25:12 > 0:25:14and kitchen/breakfast room
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and there are four bedrooms in total.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18It's set on two acres of grounds
0:25:18 > 0:25:20and there's a separate outbuilding
0:25:20 > 0:25:22for a workshop.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I'm liking this property a lot better than the first one.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28For me, there's a lot more light in this property
0:25:28 > 0:25:31and I really like the real traditional character.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33There are some challenges with it,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35because it needs, I think, some work doing,
0:25:35 > 0:25:36particularly round the kitchen,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38and the upstairs space.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42I think there's a lot of reconfiguration work required there.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44Compared to the first property,
0:25:44 > 0:25:46the outside has much more "wow" factor
0:25:46 > 0:25:49when you come up and see the stream or the river
0:25:49 > 0:25:51and the stone is just really impressive,
0:25:51 > 0:25:55so you get a really great first impression coming here.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56I think the kitchen space
0:25:56 > 0:26:00into the sort of sitting, dining area works nicely
0:26:00 > 0:26:01and we could reconfigure it.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05But when we went upstairs, I thought that would be replicated,
0:26:05 > 0:26:07but actually, the rooms are a little bit smaller.
0:26:08 > 0:26:12- Do you think you've seen enough now? - Yes.- Happy?- Yeah.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15- It's been a great day, hasn't it? - Mm-hm.- We've seen...
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- You've given us some real things to think about.- Good.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19That's how we like to leave it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21- We're going to hit the road now. - Brilliant. Thank you.
0:26:32 > 0:26:33It's day two of our property search
0:26:33 > 0:26:37and, on a generous budget of £950,000,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40we're helping Nick and Karen swap lively London
0:26:40 > 0:26:43for beautiful Buckinghamshire.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Coming up, we get friendly at the mystery house.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47I could like you.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49LAUGHTER
0:26:49 > 0:26:50And I meet the public servants
0:26:50 > 0:26:53who have dedicated their lives to the country.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Now, both the houses we showed Karen and Nick yesterday
0:27:01 > 0:27:03had their merits, but by the sounds of things,
0:27:03 > 0:27:06they weren't quite right for our couple.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09So today, it's the turn of our mystery house.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11Now, I like to think all the properties we show our buyers
0:27:11 > 0:27:13have something special.
0:27:13 > 0:27:17But every now and then, we see something extraordinary
0:27:17 > 0:27:21and today, with our mystery house - well, it's an absolute corker.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23If this doesn't move and excite them,
0:27:23 > 0:27:24nothing will.
0:27:32 > 0:27:33For our final offering,
0:27:33 > 0:27:35we're heading to the village of North Crawley,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38which is located near the border with Bedfordshire.
0:27:38 > 0:27:42North Crawley is a pretty village with a Saxon church,
0:27:42 > 0:27:46a variety of historic houses, including two public houses
0:27:46 > 0:27:48and a farm shop selling local produce,
0:27:48 > 0:27:52and our mystery house is bang in the centre of the village.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55But it isn't the traditional detached Buckinghamshire house
0:27:55 > 0:27:57they had in mind.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00It's a leasehold maisonette, but not your average one.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05So, Nick and Karen, welcome to your third property -
0:28:05 > 0:28:06the mystery house.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09It's certainly grand, isn't it?
0:28:09 > 0:28:11LAUGHTER
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- We can't say you haven't done splendour.- Yes, yes.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18It's not all yours, you'll be relieved to know.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21The original manor house was built in the 16th century
0:28:21 > 0:28:22for Cardinal Wolsey.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- OK. Wow.- This part here, guess what it was?
0:28:27 > 0:28:29- Servant's quarters.- Absolutely.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31If you look across, your side of the property
0:28:31 > 0:28:33is from the end right the way through.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35- See where the drainpipe comes down? - Yeah.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37There's another chimney to the left of that -
0:28:37 > 0:28:38that's sort of the dividing line.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41- Oh, right - gosh. - OK. That's quite a bit of it.
0:28:41 > 0:28:42Quite a bit of it, isn't it?
0:28:42 > 0:28:44It's quite large, yeah, it is quite large.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47How do you feel, then, perhaps about being the next owners
0:28:47 > 0:28:50of something quite this splendid?
0:28:50 > 0:28:54- It could be really interesting. - Or daunting.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56- Let's take a look round.- Brilliant.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Our mystery house is one of six properties
0:29:00 > 0:29:03which make up the east wing of an older manor house.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Although it was the servants' quarters in its previous life,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09the accommodation inside is fit for a lord
0:29:09 > 0:29:12and it's spread over four floors.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Very glamorous servants' quarters.
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Certainly is, isn't it?
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- Right. This way.- OK.
0:29:18 > 0:29:23- So, welcome to a little bit of history, I think.- Yes.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27- Isn't it?- That's nice and airy. - A bit of charm.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29I'm going to start off with that hallway.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32- Yeah.- Unusual lift as you walk through the door.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35Now, the property is Grade II listed.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Yeah.- And within that listing, the laundry lift is named.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39- It's functioning?- It is.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41You can't touch it, that's the only thing -
0:29:41 > 0:29:43it is in working order, it's perfect,
0:29:43 > 0:29:45but you can't take it out.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Just a great feature - you wouldn't want to, would you?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50And then we come straight through into your kitchen.
0:29:50 > 0:29:51Which is just great.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54It's got a great proportion, it's got great light.
0:29:54 > 0:29:55The wood's lovely, isn't it?
0:29:55 > 0:29:58So, this is used as the kitchen at the moment,
0:29:58 > 0:29:59but I think you should have a look next door,
0:29:59 > 0:30:03- cos that could be a fantastic kitchen.- OK.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09OK, so it's used as the dining room at the moment.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11So, what, you're thinking move the kitchen
0:30:11 > 0:30:13or join the two up...?
0:30:13 > 0:30:16I think this would make the most amazing kitchen/dining area.
0:30:16 > 0:30:19- Yeah.- It is beautiful.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20But just as a thought...
0:30:20 > 0:30:24I do quite like the idea of opening it up a bit, but...
0:30:24 > 0:30:27It's how much we can do within the listing, I guess.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- Or you could make all this space... - Just a large kitchen diner.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32..an amazing kitchen diner,
0:30:32 > 0:30:35and you could have that as your formal dining area,
0:30:35 > 0:30:36if you wanted to.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38Swap it around a bit.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41This house is truly immense.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42As well as this floor,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45there's a whole other world below our feet - a vast basement
0:30:45 > 0:30:49which includes a storeroom, wine cellar, cinema room,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52as well as one on the most impressive laundry rooms
0:30:52 > 0:30:54I've ever seen.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Back upstairs, as we weave our way through the house,
0:30:57 > 0:30:59we pass one of the sitting rooms.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01So you've got two sitting rooms, if you like.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03It's a really nice, bright room.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05What do you think about the property so far,
0:31:05 > 0:31:07just looking on this one level?
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Uh...you can't deny it's really interesting.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13It's...got a lot of potential.
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- When you say "character", it's just...- Oodles.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Oodles of character. Yeah, absolutely.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Ready to look at the bedrooms?
0:31:21 > 0:31:23Yes, yes.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31Upstairs, there are four bedrooms spread across two floors.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Not surprisingly, they're all a good size.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37The top floor is where you'll find two of the doubles
0:31:37 > 0:31:40along with an office and shower room.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42There's another double on the floor below,
0:31:42 > 0:31:43with an adjacent bathroom,
0:31:43 > 0:31:45and also the master suite.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- So this, in a way, is your...private quarter.- Wow.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- Got a double shower through there. - OK.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54Because this is the master bedroom.
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- That's definitely a master bedroom. - That is a master bedroom.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01Yes, definitely spacious, isn't it? The arch is lovely.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03If you did have guests coming to stay,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07literally, this is your part of the house.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08You could just close the door.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- Yes, makes sense. - That does make sense.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13You're making me smile.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16- What about you, Nick? - I'm liking it quite a lot, so far.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18It has a certain seductive charm, doesn't it?
0:32:18 > 0:32:20THEY LAUGH
0:32:20 > 0:32:21Is it luring you two in?
0:32:21 > 0:32:24It's highly seductive charm.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29The mystery house has cast a spell over our buyers
0:32:29 > 0:32:33but there's still the spacious outside grounds to take in.
0:32:33 > 0:32:35As well as the property's own private land,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38which includes a lawn area and paddock,
0:32:38 > 0:32:40Nick and Karen would also benefit
0:32:40 > 0:32:43from the use of 64 acres of communal gardens,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46a shared heated swimming pool and tennis court.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48With so much on offer,
0:32:48 > 0:32:52I'm keen to find out how much they think it all costs.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Are you ready? Who wants to go first?
0:32:54 > 0:32:56How much is it on the market for, please?
0:32:56 > 0:32:59I don't know. It's certainly...
0:32:59 > 0:33:02I'm guessing...I'm guessing you're pushing us to the end, here,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04so I'm going to assume it's the million.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Yeah, I was going to say the same.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08The asking price is...
0:33:09 > 0:33:11..£900,000.
0:33:13 > 0:33:14I could like you.
0:33:14 > 0:33:16NICKI LAUGHS
0:33:16 > 0:33:19There was no reaction for a good two seconds!
0:33:19 > 0:33:20That's a very long two seconds.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23I was expecting you to go, "999,999" or something.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26£900,000.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29Off you go - enjoy. Lord and lady of the manor!
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- Take it away.- Thank you.
0:33:34 > 0:33:37Wow - it's really hard not to get excited
0:33:37 > 0:33:39when you're walking around a property like this.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42It just gives you a glimpse, I think, of history.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45The fact that it's so much under their budget...
0:33:45 > 0:33:49Just look at this location. It's fabulous.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53On the market for £900,000,
0:33:53 > 0:33:57our mystery house has the lowest price of all our properties
0:33:57 > 0:34:00and is under budget by £50,000.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Originally the servants' quarters to a historic mansion,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06it's one of six properties in the east wing.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08The accommodation is spread over four floors
0:34:08 > 0:34:11and includes cellar rooms, a spacious dining room
0:34:11 > 0:34:14and four large bedrooms, including a master suite.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16It comes with its own private land,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19but also, 64 acres of communal gardens,
0:34:19 > 0:34:22swimming pool and a tennis court.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25I have to confess that my feelings are kind of mixed.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27On one hand, it's just a delightful house
0:34:27 > 0:34:30and I could really see us living here.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33I don't know - I'm slightly nervous, and I don't really know why.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35Probably because it was so different to what I had in my head.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38It's a bit more communal living than I had thought about.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43The mystery house has surpassed my expectation.
0:34:43 > 0:34:44I know it's always going to be a surprise,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47and usually, it's about compromises.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50But I don't feel I need to compromise with this property.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54I have a slight "but" - the "but" is just down to practicalities,
0:34:54 > 0:34:57how we will get on with neighbours.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00But I am certainly really, really keen.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06So, that's it. How do you feel about leaving?
0:35:06 > 0:35:09I want to go back and look inside, really, but we won't.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Well, you've seen all our properties.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Yes.- I think we need some time to think.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16We definitely need time to think.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19Your mystery house has definitely stretched those boundaries,
0:35:19 > 0:35:20which I guess was your whole idea.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22That's really good - OK, let's go.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Nick and Karen are looking for properties
0:35:34 > 0:35:36within a specific price range,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38but if you have a different budget,
0:35:38 > 0:35:41there are plenty of other delightful ones to choose from
0:35:41 > 0:35:42here in Buckinghamshire.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44For £300,000,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46there's this two-bedroom detached cottage
0:35:46 > 0:35:49for sale in the village of Padbury.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50Part thatched and Grade II listed,
0:35:50 > 0:35:53the accommodation includes a cosy living room
0:35:53 > 0:35:54with inglenook fireplace
0:35:54 > 0:35:58and a master bedroom with exposed timbers.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Further up the price scale, in the village of Quainton,
0:36:01 > 0:36:03you'll find this three-bedroom barn conversion
0:36:03 > 0:36:07on sale at £435,000.
0:36:07 > 0:36:09Inside, there's a spacious sitting and dining room,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12conservatory with views out onto the garden
0:36:12 > 0:36:15and a master bedroom with vaulted ceiling.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Finally, for those with a bit more in their budget,
0:36:18 > 0:36:21what about this three-bedroom converted Victorian school
0:36:21 > 0:36:23in the village of Soulbury,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26on the market for £600,000?
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Arranged over two floors,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30the architect has made a feature of the double window
0:36:30 > 0:36:33and the interior includes a light and spacious kitchen
0:36:33 > 0:36:35and galleried master bedroom.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44It's no secret that I'm passionate about horses
0:36:44 > 0:36:47and I'm particularly excited about being in Buckinghamshire,
0:36:47 > 0:36:50as the county is home to the world's oldest horse charity,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53The Horse Trust.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56Founded in the year 1886 to help London work horses,
0:36:56 > 0:37:00it provides respite to retired four-legged public servants
0:37:00 > 0:37:04as well as those who have suffered from cruelty and neglect.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07I've come to this unique equine retirement home
0:37:07 > 0:37:08in Princes Risborough
0:37:08 > 0:37:12to meet Catherine Napper and one of her elderly residents.
0:37:12 > 0:37:13Who's this handsome beast?
0:37:13 > 0:37:14This is Commando.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18Commando is a 16-year-old retired military working horse.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20So what's his story, what's his history?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23He had a very illustrious career - he's one of the few horses
0:37:23 > 0:37:26who served in both the Golden and Diamond Jubilees,
0:37:26 > 0:37:28as well at the royal wedding in 2011.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31Aw! And then did he retire shortly after that?
0:37:31 > 0:37:32He did.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35He was very popular as an officer's charger
0:37:35 > 0:37:39because of his good looks and - unbelievably - his good behaviour.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43And he was known by his officers as the "perfect cavalry black".
0:37:43 > 0:37:46But he looks in such good health,
0:37:46 > 0:37:48but obviously not, otherwise he wouldn't be here.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50He suffers form arthritis, so he can no longer be ridden
0:37:50 > 0:37:53and continue with the work required of a military horse.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55But he is very happy and healthy.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58He just lives in the field and has a very happy, horsey life
0:37:58 > 0:37:59as a retired gentleman.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Yeah, I like that - "a retired gentleman."
0:38:01 > 0:38:03He looks so happy, Matt's doing a very good job.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- He's so active.- He is. He's a bit of a handful, sometimes.
0:38:08 > 0:38:09In its early years,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11the Trust was instrumental in helping horses
0:38:11 > 0:38:13involved in fighting in the First World War
0:38:13 > 0:38:17by providing the first motorised horse ambulance
0:38:17 > 0:38:20to evacuate wounded animals from the Western Front.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22As well as ex-military horses,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25the charity takes in retirees from the police force,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29some of whom can be ridden as it helps their rehabilitation.
0:38:32 > 0:38:33So, who's this, Catherine?
0:38:33 > 0:38:36This is Otto. He's a 17-year-old police horse
0:38:36 > 0:38:39who retired to us from Thames Valley Police.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41And did he see a lot of active service?
0:38:41 > 0:38:42As he was a police horse,
0:38:42 > 0:38:46I'm guessing he probably saw some pretty violent sights.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49He did. He was an incredibly brave police horse
0:38:49 > 0:38:51and he attended a lot of football matches
0:38:51 > 0:38:56and protected the public at riots, including the London riots in 2011.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59These horses do face some incredibly dangerous
0:38:59 > 0:39:01and sometimes violent situations.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04So did he see some really nasty sights?
0:39:04 > 0:39:06- Did it have an effect?- It did.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09He was a show jumper before he became a police horse
0:39:09 > 0:39:12and for many years, he was a very brave and very good police horse.
0:39:12 > 0:39:17But as he got older, it started to affect him psychologically
0:39:17 > 0:39:19and it became all a little bit too much for him,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21so he's retired to us.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Due to his tough police career, Otto is a nervous horse,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29but it's not long before he begins to trust me.
0:39:29 > 0:39:30Good boy, come on.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32Good boy, come on.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Come on. Come on.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35Good boy.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48It's truly wonderful that these magnificent creatures
0:39:48 > 0:39:51that have served the British public for so many years
0:39:51 > 0:39:54are able to spend the rest of their lives here,
0:39:54 > 0:39:56in peace and tranquillity.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58I think you deserve an apple, don't you?
0:39:58 > 0:40:01I think you all do. You've deserved it.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Well, that's it for our house hunt
0:40:10 > 0:40:12here in a very sunny Buckinghamshire.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Now, for me, there's one clear favourite,
0:40:15 > 0:40:17but let's hear what Nick and Karen have got to say.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28So Nick, Karen, we showed you two wonderful properties yesterday,
0:40:28 > 0:40:31but I think it's fair to say they didn't quite work for you,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33did they?
0:40:33 > 0:40:34No, not quite.
0:40:34 > 0:40:35I mean, they all had their merits,
0:40:35 > 0:40:38but they weren't quite the right place for us
0:40:38 > 0:40:41to live in for the next ten years or so.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44So that brings me nicely on to our mystery house.
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- Yes.- Yes. You were trouble, with your mystery house!
0:40:47 > 0:40:48LAUGHTER
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Which I guess is the purpose of the mystery house, yes.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53You had no idea, did you?
0:40:53 > 0:40:55No, I thought you might do other things to us,
0:40:55 > 0:40:58but I didn't think you'd put us in some kind of country mansion.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01No, I wasn't expecting that, no.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04So, what are your thoughts on that property?
0:41:04 > 0:41:09Still very taken by it in terms of the quality and the location.
0:41:09 > 0:41:10Absolutely love it.
0:41:10 > 0:41:14What's on my mind is, whilst we've got lots of grounds,
0:41:14 > 0:41:16it is just the how you get from the house into your own garden,
0:41:16 > 0:41:18how you make it private,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21cos you've kind of got the doorstep and then stepping into the garden,
0:41:21 > 0:41:24not normally as part of, as you were calling it,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26the "in-out" bit.
0:41:26 > 0:41:27How do we do that and make it work?
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Tempted to go for a second viewing quite quickly?
0:41:30 > 0:41:33Yes, I'd be interesting in seeing...
0:41:33 > 0:41:35- You know, it's a glorious day today. - Yes.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38I would like to see it in a slightly different light,
0:41:38 > 0:41:41or at a weekend, or some other context,
0:41:41 > 0:41:43to...get a feel for the place.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45When people aren't at work, actually -
0:41:45 > 0:41:47how busy is it at the weekend?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50What do people do at the weekends? Get rid of the sunshine, for once!
0:41:50 > 0:41:52I know - normally, you're saying to people,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54"If it looks good like this,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56"think what it'd look like with the sun shining."
0:41:56 > 0:41:59We had the best day of the year, didn't we?
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Will you let us know how you get on, what decision you make?
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- Definitely.- Of course.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05I really hope you go for a second viewing,
0:42:05 > 0:42:06that it's the house for you.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Yes.- Yes.- Thank you. - Thank you, it's been great fun.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17It's amazing - you can be within an hour's commute
0:42:17 > 0:42:19to one of the busiest cities in the world
0:42:19 > 0:42:22and still live in the heart of the glorious British countryside.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26So, our mystery house has cast its magic
0:42:26 > 0:42:28and it strikes me that Nick and Karen,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31they are a couple that are going to keep to their word
0:42:31 > 0:42:33and make a decision pretty quickly.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Let's face it - that stunning property has their names
0:42:35 > 0:42:37written all over it
0:42:37 > 0:42:41and I'm going to be keeping everything crossed.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45That's it from me from the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside
0:42:45 > 0:42:46and I'll see you next time.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52It turns out our mystery house was the perfect property
0:42:52 > 0:42:55and I'm delighted to say Nick and Karen put in an offer
0:42:55 > 0:42:57which has been accepted.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59If you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:59 > 0:43:02in England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland
0:43:02 > 0:43:04or even further afield to the continent,
0:43:04 > 0:43:05and need our help,
0:43:05 > 0:43:07please apply online at...