0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Now if you are lucky enough to have visited Brazil
0:00:06 > 0:00:08and in particular Rio de Janeiro,
0:00:08 > 0:00:11you are probably familiar with the world-famous statue of Christ
0:00:11 > 0:00:14who overlooks the city and the coastline beyond.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Well, here we've got a similar sort of thing going on.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21He IS a holy man but we're not in South America.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23So who is he and where are we?
0:00:23 > 0:00:26Well, join me in just a few moments, and I'll tell you.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46On today's show, I'm helping a couple who want to grow their own
0:00:46 > 0:00:48and find the good life out in the countryside.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51They're planning for unusual house guests...
0:00:51 > 0:00:54We can fit in the bees and the chickens.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57..and retail therapy is on the cards.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59- It's a lot more wardrobes than we've got already.- Yeah.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- I'll have to buy more clothes to fill it.- No, you won't.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04Well, today we're in West Wales
0:01:04 > 0:01:07and specifically we're in the county of Ceredigion,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11a place that takes its name from an ancient king, King Ceredig.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12But this isn't him.
0:01:12 > 0:01:18This is his grandson, St Crannog, and he was a sixth-century saint.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Now, as you can probably appreciate, being part of the ruling family,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24he was expected to accede to the throne but he didn't want to know.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Instead, he dedicated his life to Christianity, fled the court
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and came here to Llangrannog where it's said he built a church
0:01:32 > 0:01:34and lived in a cave.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Now, of course, we'll never know if this tale is true
0:01:37 > 0:01:40but this, well, new statue is a lovely
0:01:40 > 0:01:44reminder of an ancient tale that lives on in this glorious setting.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50The Welsh county of Ceredigion is bordered by four regions
0:01:50 > 0:01:53including Powys to the east and Carmarthenshire to the south
0:01:53 > 0:01:56and overlooks Cardigan Bay to the west.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00The county's spectacular coastline stretches
0:02:00 > 0:02:04some 60 miles around the magnificent sweep of Cardigan Bay.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08The Ceredigion coastal path runs the entire length of the county
0:02:08 > 0:02:11and offers stunning views over the bay to the white sandy beaches
0:02:11 > 0:02:16below, all framed by miles of rocky outcrops and sheer cliff faces.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Take it from me,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23somebody who's spent over half their life in this county,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26this is a place with something for everybody,
0:02:26 > 0:02:28including, I hope, today's buyers.
0:02:35 > 0:02:36For the past 35 years,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Ken and Elaine have lived in and around Cheddar, Somerset
0:02:39 > 0:02:43but feel that with Ken retired and their environment rapidly changing,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46now is the time to up sticks for a quieter spot in the country.
0:02:48 > 0:02:53The estate we now live on is almost a village in itself
0:02:53 > 0:02:59and there's two big supermarkets vying for position in the town.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02And that's just going to attract more houses,
0:03:02 > 0:03:06more people coming in, a totally different way of life.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09And they've identified a microclimate
0:03:09 > 0:03:11ideal for their relocation.
0:03:12 > 0:03:18- We're hoping to move to the Welsh coast around the...- Cardigan area.
0:03:18 > 0:03:23Cardigan area. And New Quay, which is a small harbour over there.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26We want to get within five miles of the coast there,
0:03:26 > 0:03:31because I think there's a warmer sort of climate.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36Their current home has one major element missing that they're desperate to find.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41I don't think we've got one blade of grass at this house
0:03:41 > 0:03:44and we want to go somewhere where we can...
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- Yeah, have the garden again. - I want to grow flowers.
0:03:47 > 0:03:49Elaine wants to grow her flowers.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54I want to grow our vegetables so that we can almost become self-sufficient.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56Have some chickens.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- Pigs.- And some pigs.- Pigs. Yeah.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01Ken already has a well-stocked wine rack that he's
0:04:01 > 0:04:03produced from hedgerow fruits
0:04:03 > 0:04:06and they're looking to add honey to their list of home-grown produce.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I think we'll be looking to be able to obviously get in touch
0:04:09 > 0:04:12with the local beekeeping association wherever we are,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14to then start our own hive.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21Now, all that's left to discover are the finances for their Welsh retreat.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26Our maximum budget for this move is £300,000.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30Ken and Elaine have asked us
0:04:30 > 0:04:33to concentrate our search around the Cardigan Bay area,
0:04:33 > 0:04:37within reasonable distance to New Quay on the west coast.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I'm meeting them on Welsh soil to learn a little more about what
0:04:40 > 0:04:42they're after in their new home.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Now, one of the things that drew you to this part of the world
0:04:47 > 0:04:49was this notion that there was some kind of microclimate
0:04:49 > 0:04:52that made the weather just that bit better!
0:04:52 > 0:04:54You see what's happening outside right now.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57It's blowing a bit out there, there might be a bit of rain.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Now the requirements that you have are quite specific
0:04:59 > 0:05:02because this is very much a kind of lifestyle change, isn't it?
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- Definitely. - Just talk us through the key nuts and bolts that you're after, Elaine.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Three bedrooms. Be nice to have
0:05:08 > 0:05:12- a living-kitchen-dining area for the daytime.- Yeah.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14I want a bit more than your average house.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18- I want something with some real character.- Yeah.
0:05:18 > 0:05:20Yeah, the old farmhouse type thing.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Up to five acres, round about there. That would be really good.
0:05:23 > 0:05:24It would be good!
0:05:24 > 0:05:29- It would be brilliant if we could get it all for your budget.- Yeah.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- We live in hope.- Yeah. - You never know.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- Right then, shall we go and brave the weather?- Yeah.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39For a budget of £300,000, Ken and Elaine are looking for three
0:05:39 > 0:05:44bedrooms, a kitchen-dining-living space, a character property, up to
0:05:44 > 0:05:49five acres of land to grow their own produce and keep animals and all in
0:05:49 > 0:05:54a quiet village location within easy reach of the Cardigan Bay coastline.
0:05:55 > 0:05:59We have three rural properties to show them and after each tour,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02they'll have a chance to guess the price and we have our mystery
0:06:02 > 0:06:05house which could really test their ability to compromise.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Time now to start the hunt with property number one.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19We begin just outside the village of Talsarn, around seven miles
0:06:19 > 0:06:23from the town of Lampeter and half an hour from New Quay on the coast.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27And around a mile out of Talsarn village lies our first property,
0:06:27 > 0:06:31a stone-built three-bedroom house set in the delightful
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Aeron Valley countryside.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36There you are, property number one.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- It's looking very good. - Looking good.- Really substantial.
0:06:39 > 0:06:44- Very typical of this part of the world, actually.- The stone.- Yeah.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- The stonework.- Your initial reaction seems quite good, Ken.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- Very good so far. Got a bit of that character I'm looking for.- It has.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54It has. And I think it's got a bit more in there to be drawn out, too.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55Come on.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59We're off to a good start with the exterior,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01so let's hope this property can deliver enough
0:07:01 > 0:07:04space as we head for a room high on their agenda.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11Right, guys, here we are. Let's start with the kitchen. Come on in.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12What do you think?
0:07:13 > 0:07:17- Smaller than I would... - Smaller, I would say smaller but...
0:07:17 > 0:07:19It's a small house but some of the features,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21which I think you could really kind of make more of.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I mean, obviously, the ceiling is lovely.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Erm, but the fireplace there,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29you could have a really nice wood burner.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31- That appeals.- That's what you want.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- A good start.- I like it. - Yeah.- Yes, right.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40Come on in.
0:07:40 > 0:07:41What do you reckon?
0:07:41 > 0:07:46- Nice size.- It's good, isn't it? I love it.- Very good size.- Smiling?
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- Smiling.- You're being very considered on this on this one, aren't you?
0:07:50 > 0:07:51I can see the wheels turning.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- Yeah, I'm thinking, placing stuff, I think...- Yeah, yeah.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57..more than anything.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Well, come and have a look at the dining room. Here we are.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03It all kind of flows quite nicely, doesn't it?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- It does.- It does.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09Our table would fit here, rather than put it in the kitchen.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- I was thinking, office.- Oh, were you?
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- Now, you wanted how many bedrooms?- Three.- Three.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17There are three and they are up here, come and have a look.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25A utility room with shower and toilet completes the downstairs.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28Upstairs, a modern family bathroom serves three bedrooms.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31A good size second bedroom and a decent sized third,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35currently used as a study but first the master.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41How does this compare with the current master suite?
0:08:41 > 0:08:43THEY LAUGH
0:08:43 > 0:08:45- A lot bigger.- Bigger.- A lot bigger.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47- Yeah, they all are, aren't they? - Yes.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50It's really impressive up here, I think.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Actually, we talk about this as the master bedroom, probably because
0:08:53 > 0:08:56it's got the views that way but, frankly,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59- bedroom two down the landing, actually, is just as nice.- It is.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- Happy so far?- So far, it's looking good.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- So, we've whetted your appetite...on this one?- Definitely.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08OK, let's go outside, have a look at the garden.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10And then I want you to start thinking about what you think
0:09:10 > 0:09:12it's on the market for.
0:09:12 > 0:09:13- OK.- Yeah.- OK.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18With the upstairs giving them plenty of space,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20it's crunch time as we head outside to see
0:09:20 > 0:09:24whether there is enough land for their smallholding ambitions.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27The extensive, mature garden comes with ornamental fish pond
0:09:27 > 0:09:30and a large secluded wooded area, with stream.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35We've got you just under one acre.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38May struggle.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Well, let's talk about the price cos that will probably, you know,
0:09:40 > 0:09:42put things into perspective.
0:09:42 > 0:09:47- Elaine, go on, make me an offer? - 265?- 265.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49I'm going to go above that, 275.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51You are right to do that.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- Cos that's what it's on the market for.- Is it?- 275,000.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59House number one comes in comfortably under budget.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02It gives them three bedrooms, a large living room,
0:10:02 > 0:10:06a decent size kitchen, a dining room and it's all set in a rural
0:10:06 > 0:10:08location with stunning views
0:10:08 > 0:10:09of the Aeron Valley countryside.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- Aha!- Ah! Hello.- All done? - All done.- Yes, thank you.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Right then, do you fancy a spot of lunch?
0:10:17 > 0:10:21- Would be good.- Warm cup of tea? - Yes, please.- Come on, then.
0:10:27 > 0:10:31The Ceredigion coast, an incredibly beautiful and extremely rural
0:10:31 > 0:10:35part of the country, is home to swathes of natural flower meadows,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38where the emphasis is on livestock farming.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40These wildflower meadows create perfect
0:10:40 > 0:10:42conditions for the honeybee to thrive,
0:10:42 > 0:10:47as they're unaffected by pesticides associated with field crops.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51It's an important factor, as some research suggests pesticides might
0:10:51 > 0:10:54be responsible for the decline in the bee population across the world,
0:10:54 > 0:10:58with a phenomenon known as colony collapse.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Just outside the seaside town of New Quay is Wales' biggest honey farm
0:11:01 > 0:11:04and I'm joining bee farmer Sam Cooper on his daily
0:11:04 > 0:11:07rounds to find out more about the only insect that produces
0:11:07 > 0:11:09food eaten by man.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12So we've got a number of hives up here.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15The tall ones, they're the ones with the bees in, so we'll have a look in them.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- I suppose we ought to get properly...- Get protected.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19..sorted out here.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21There we are.
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Are you zipped up?
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Shall we go and see some bees? - Let's go and do it.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29The farm has around 600 colonies, spread over the county,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32so the individual colonies have enough bee forage.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34And with 50,000 inhabitants per hive,
0:11:34 > 0:11:39that's around 30 million bees - a lot for Sam to manage.
0:11:39 > 0:11:40Bit of smoke in the entrance.
0:11:42 > 0:11:43Calm the guard bees down.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Guard bees?
0:11:45 > 0:11:50- Yeah.- It's amazing how every one has their job, isn't it?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53Do we know how old bees are? Is it millions of years old?
0:11:53 > 0:11:57I think there was a form of bee with the dinosaurs.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Incredible, isn't it?- Yeah. - BUZZING
0:12:00 > 0:12:04The noise of these bees is incredible, it's just risen.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08There we go. It'll rise a bit more in a minute.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Wow.- You see here?- Look at that.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13See that glistening in there?
0:12:13 > 0:12:15That's this year's honey.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18A honeybee visits 50 to 100 flowers during a collection trip
0:12:18 > 0:12:22and a hive of bees will fly 90,000 miles,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25the equivalent of three orbits around the Earth to collect one
0:12:25 > 0:12:27kilogram of honey.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31All these bees are getting very busy now, you can probably see them.
0:12:31 > 0:12:36I know we've smoked them but they don't seem very happy about this.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39They're just flying around, they're not attacking you.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42You know when it's going wrong when they start bombing your head
0:12:42 > 0:12:44and it feels like heavy raindrops.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48That's a sign that they're getting angry.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51So this is the brood box, the queen is in here somewhere
0:12:51 > 0:12:55and we're going to have a quick look to see if we can find her.
0:12:57 > 0:13:02What you're looking for is a long, thin bee.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Here's the queen.- That's it.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08She doesn't like sunlight, so she always goes towards the dark.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10Mistress of all that she surveys, really.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13She is the life of the hive.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15How long will a queen live for?
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Queen lives up to three, maybe four years at the most.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21The queen can lay up to 2,000 eggs a day,
0:13:21 > 0:13:25building a colony of 20,000-50,000 bees,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28made up of female worker bees and male drones, who only mate.
0:13:30 > 0:13:34- See there?- Yeah. - That's a bee emerging from its cell.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- That's a bee being born, basically?- Yeah.
0:13:37 > 0:13:42It's chewing its way out from the wax capping over its cell.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44How long is that bee going to live for?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48In the summer, it'll live for about six weeks.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51That's all? That's incredible - welcome to the world.
0:13:53 > 0:13:57Sadly, in six weeks' time that little bee will be no more,
0:13:57 > 0:14:01having done its job and hopefully help produce some honey.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05They say a bee's lifetime work is a teaspoon of honey.
0:14:05 > 0:14:10Think of that the next time you put a teaspoon of honey in your tea.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Thank you very much!
0:14:19 > 0:14:22For our second property offering, we're staying in the area
0:14:22 > 0:14:26and heading a few minutes down the road to the village of Felinfach,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29still within easy reach of the Cardigan Bay coastline.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Felinfach itself is around seven miles from the town
0:14:33 > 0:14:35of Aberaeron on the coast.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37At the mouth of the River Aeron, the town,
0:14:37 > 0:14:42with its colourful Regency buildings, was once a thriving port,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44now known more as a destination for tourists,
0:14:44 > 0:14:47lured by its excellent seafood.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50On the outskirts of Felinfach village is house number two.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53A stone-built period property with glorious views across
0:14:53 > 0:14:55the Vale of Aeron.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59This is property number two. What do you think?
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Looking good.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05Property one had just under one acre, this has three and a half.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08- Three and a half!- Sounding better.- Mmm!- I like it.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11You also get that very well-built double garage,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13with a studio above it.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16It's also got a downstairs shower room in it and so on and so forth.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Looking good.- Mmm.- Come on.
0:15:21 > 0:15:23A great reaction
0:15:23 > 0:15:26and smiles all round at the prospect of the three and a half acres.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28But before we survey the land,
0:15:28 > 0:15:31I want them to see something else high on their agenda.
0:15:31 > 0:15:32Come in, Elaine.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35We'll start with the kitchen-diner.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- Come in a minute, what do you think? - Yeah.- This is bigger, I like this.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41- This is bigger.- Yeah.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44This is more probably what I was thinking of.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Yes, and then through there,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49you've got a really lovely conservatory/garden room.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51This is interesting, this is a kind of...
0:15:53 > 0:15:57I mean, I suppose, really, it's a kind of mixture of study
0:15:57 > 0:15:59and dining, if you like.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Yeah...it's going to get confusing.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05I'm not sure how this fits with the living room.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Well, have a look at the living end. This is it through here.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Again, it all nicely flows through.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Yeah, this is nice and cosy.
0:16:14 > 0:16:19- Little, nice room.- Yeah.- It's just right.- Cosy. Confused.- I am.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Confused!- I like this half of the room.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24The other half doesn't quite fit.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28- No.- I guess, the truth is, it's a bit of a corridor, isn't it?- It is.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- But you love this bit, don't you?- I do.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32I can see you lit up as soon as you came into here.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- I can see us sat here in front of that fire.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- Brilliant.- Definitely.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40Good, let's go upstairs, come and have a look at this.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42The kitchen definitely hits the spot
0:16:42 > 0:16:45but we've a 50/50 response to the living area.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48So, I'm hoping the space upstairs can tip the balance.
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Bedroom two and three are both good size doubles
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and all are served by a modern family bathroom. Now, the master.
0:16:57 > 0:17:02- There we are.- This is a very big bedroom.- Isn't it?- Look at the size!
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Yes.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06That's a lot more wardrobe than we've got already.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- I'll have to own more clothes to fill it.- No, you won't.- Yes, I will.
0:17:09 > 0:17:10HE LAUGHS
0:17:10 > 0:17:12Just need a pair of overalls.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14- It also has an en-suite shower room in there...- Oh!
0:17:14 > 0:17:16..which is a great bonus.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18I know it's not something you specified
0:17:18 > 0:17:20as being a deal-maker but...
0:17:20 > 0:17:21Good as an added extra.
0:17:23 > 0:17:24So far, so good.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26But it's the land that is the clincher
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and whether they feel it's enough for their menagerie of animals.
0:17:29 > 0:17:34At the rear of the sun room is a patio leading onto extensive lawns.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36The remaining acreage is largely grassland,
0:17:36 > 0:17:39including two large wildlife ponds.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43THEY LAUGH
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Looking good!
0:17:46 > 0:17:48It looks an awful lot of space.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51Well, you would clearly have a lot of fun,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- trying to make sense of all this.- Yes.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57But, of course, the price is going to be the deciding factor.
0:17:59 > 0:18:01So, £300,000, Ken.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04I think this one is going to be pretty well on our budget,
0:18:04 > 0:18:08- so I'm going to say the 300,000.- 300,000. Elaine?
0:18:08 > 0:18:15I was going to say that, so I'll go 299,999, just under.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17It's 50 quid short...
0:18:17 > 0:18:19of your 300,000.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- So, 299,950.- One all.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25THEY LAUGH
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Just scraping in under budget,
0:18:28 > 0:18:31this renovated stone-built country house gives them
0:18:31 > 0:18:35three bedrooms, a large kitchen/breakfast room,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38open-plan living and dining area,
0:18:38 > 0:18:41a sun room with views across the grounds, approximately
0:18:41 > 0:18:44three and a half acres of land, ideal for their smallholding,
0:18:44 > 0:18:47and it's all set in the delightful Aeron Valley countryside,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49a short distance from Cardigan Bay.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Is this it? Is this the one?
0:18:54 > 0:18:55- It could be.- Could be.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57The house is right, the ground is right
0:18:57 > 0:19:02and I want to point out that the sun is shining in my microclimate.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Brilliant! Well, let's make the most of it.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Come on, I'll treat you to an evening beer.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08Sounds good.
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Finding a property with character
0:19:25 > 0:19:29and enough land for £300,000 has been the challenge.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31Hopefully, the mystery house will resolve this
0:19:31 > 0:19:33by offering an abundance of charm
0:19:33 > 0:19:36and an alternative option for their smallholding.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41To find it, we're travelling south to the village of Henllan,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44around four miles from the town of Newcastle Emlyn
0:19:44 > 0:19:46and a 20-minute drive to the coast.
0:19:48 > 0:19:52The nearby market town of Newcastle Emlyn lies on the banks of the
0:19:52 > 0:19:57River Teifi, overlooked by the ruins of its 13th-century hill-top castle.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00The town serves the local area with a variety of independent shops,
0:20:00 > 0:20:02pubs and post office.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06Just outside the village of Henllan lies our mystery house,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09a Victorian property with a delightful veranda facade.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Da-da! There it is.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17This looks very good.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19What do you think?
0:20:19 > 0:20:23This is what I would have hoped for and it looks spacious.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27So, land, we'll tackle that head on - we haven't got acres here,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30but we can rent it very readily, we've already made some
0:20:30 > 0:20:33enquiries around here, it's not hard to get hold of.
0:20:33 > 0:20:37Property two, in a way, did it give us too much space?
0:20:37 > 0:20:40You weren't really sure what to do with some of those reception rooms.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42I was a bit overwhelmed by the amount of space.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43They needed a bit of thinking about.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45I think this one's much more manageable.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49- OK.- We've just got a lovely, peaceful, you know,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52super little Victorian house.
0:20:52 > 0:20:54You going to shut up and we can get in there?
0:20:54 > 0:20:57You are so, so cheeky! Come on.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Well, I'm taking that as a good sign.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03Ken just can't wait to see inside,
0:21:03 > 0:21:07hopefully they'll feel as excited about the interior.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11Let's start in here, then,
0:21:11 > 0:21:12the obvious place - the kitchen.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- This is my sort of kitchen. - This is nice.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21Simple, quite simple.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23- Nice proportions, you know.- Yes.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26That little archway's really sweet and the stone steps.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30That takes you up to a utility area and downstairs loo and shower.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34See what I mean, it's just got that little bit more character.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Definitely has. Definitely.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38Good. Right then, let's continue.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39Through here...
0:21:41 > 0:21:43..the dining room.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Fireplace is rather nice, windowsill,
0:21:46 > 0:21:47again there's lovely windows.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51And then through here you've got this hall/lobby,
0:21:51 > 0:21:56stairs up there, and then, finally, the living room.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01- Smaller than I would have probably...- A touch smaller, yes.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03..wanted, but...
0:22:03 > 0:22:07The fire and the surround is the real show stopper in here, I think.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10It's full of character, which I like.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Yeah, OK.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14We can try and work on it.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Come upstairs, let's see what you think of that.
0:22:18 > 0:22:19So the great reaction to the kitchen
0:22:19 > 0:22:22and dining area is tempered somewhat by the living room,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25but they do seem willing to compromise, which is good,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27as there may be more compromises upstairs.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31The family bathroom which has a mix of wood panel features
0:22:31 > 0:22:35and a stylish white suite serves the four bedrooms.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38Bedroom three is a small single, and the fourth is used as a study.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Technically, this house does offer you four bedrooms.
0:22:46 > 0:22:47We'll start with this one.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51This is one of the four.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54I personally think it's more of a landing area
0:22:54 > 0:22:58cos it's a kind of a through-route to two rooms that are down there.
0:22:58 > 0:22:59- OK.- Yes.
0:22:59 > 0:23:03I think, actually, it would make a really nice study area.
0:23:03 > 0:23:04Yeah, thinking the same.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Yes, so the space isn't wasted.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Bedroom three and four are separated by a stud wall, which gives them the
0:23:11 > 0:23:15option to knock through, making one large double-aspect master bedroom.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21So this is currently the main bedroom,
0:23:21 > 0:23:24but if you put your master at the other end of the house,
0:23:24 > 0:23:28converting those two rooms into one, this would be a guest room.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34I'd prefer to have the master bedroom at that end, the other end,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37cos then you'll have dual aspect.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39As a second bedroom, this is a good size.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42Yeah. Let's talk about the money.
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Come on, let's go outside.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50We've had a mixed reaction to the interior, but they do seem willing
0:23:50 > 0:23:53to try and make it work, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed
0:23:53 > 0:23:56they feel the same about the outside space.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Let's talk about the garden.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Just under an acre, you've got this bit we're standing on here, you've
0:24:02 > 0:24:06got a nice little lawned area to our left behind that large
0:24:06 > 0:24:07rhododendron area.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11It drops down to the river itself, so you can get your feet wet
0:24:11 > 0:24:13if you fancy it, and then we've got
0:24:13 > 0:24:17this series of outbuildings here - a reasonable spread.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19Well, let's think about the money, shall we?
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Who's going first?
0:24:21 > 0:24:22Ladies first.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Setting...
0:24:27 > 0:24:29..perfect.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- 315.- £315,000? OK.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34- Over budget.- Over budget, yeah. OK.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35I'm going to say a lot under.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38I'm going to say 275.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39Well, here's the thing...
0:24:39 > 0:24:43It's on the market at...
0:24:43 > 0:24:47£279,000.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51And that would leave you quite a bit left over.
0:24:51 > 0:24:52To play with.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54It would indeed.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Our mystery detached property gives them three to four bedrooms,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01a large kitchen with a separate utility area, a dining room,
0:25:01 > 0:25:03bags of character features
0:25:03 > 0:25:07and around an acre of land with the option to rent more,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10backing onto a river, set in the Ceredigion countryside.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15Well, this is all good -
0:25:15 > 0:25:18smiley, happy faces at the end of our house tour.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20- Definitely.- Have we cracked it, I wonder?
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- Possibility.- Good possibility.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Well, we thought that before, haven't we?
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Without pressing you on it, I think you need to go and consider it,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33and then we shall catch up and have a good old chat about it.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37- Lots to think about. - Let's go find somewhere to think.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55How's the discussion gone between the pair of you?
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Erm...surprisingly well!
0:25:57 > 0:25:59- We've actually agreed. - Have you?- Yeah.- OK.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01We didn't argue on anything.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04We haven't argued on anything, which is a major breakthrough.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06I'm going to stick my neck out and say it's number three,
0:26:06 > 0:26:09our mystery house.
0:26:09 > 0:26:12You'd be right. HE LAUGHS
0:26:12 > 0:26:13OK. Right.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15So we like the mystery house.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18It just felt...right. Comfortable.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21There's potential there to do an awful lot,
0:26:21 > 0:26:25and it's definitely got the character that we're looking for.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Beautiful, quiet location - perfect.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30But the animals, then.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35As you pointed out, there's always a possibility of renting close by,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and I think we could fit in something
0:26:37 > 0:26:39in the garden that's there.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- Yeah.- Well, I'm really pleased, guys, I'm really delighted.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46I think it gives you all the flexibility you'd want,
0:26:46 > 0:26:47financially, it makes sense
0:26:47 > 0:26:50and it's a really, really pretty, charming house.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52- It is.- It is.- Well, here's to you!
0:26:52 > 0:26:55We should probably have something a bit stronger, shouldn't we,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- rather than just tea? But cheers!- Cheers.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Oh, how we all do love to be by the seaside.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11We often talk about house searches as a bit of struggle,
0:27:11 > 0:27:14but, in truth, whatever their challenges,
0:27:14 > 0:27:15they are, and should be, good fun.
0:27:15 > 0:27:18And as you've seen, we've had plenty of that
0:27:18 > 0:27:19this week with Ken and Elaine.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23More importantly, they've really helped themselves because they've compromised.
0:27:23 > 0:27:24We often use that word,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28but it is so important if you are to find a home of your dreams.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32There's also one more key fundamental point -
0:27:32 > 0:27:34often, houses can speak to us and, as they've discovered,
0:27:34 > 0:27:39when you walk in and it feels right, then it probably is right.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41I'll see you next time.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Ken and Elaine fell in love with the character of our mystery house,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49but couldn't come to terms with the amount of land it offered.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53So, after much soul-searching, they've decided to continue
0:27:53 > 0:27:57their hunt for property in the area with the five acres they want.
0:27:57 > 0:27:58If you'd like to escape to the
0:27:58 > 0:28:02country in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland or England,
0:28:02 > 0:28:04or maybe even further afield to the continent and would
0:28:04 > 0:28:07like our help, then please apply online at...