0:00:02 > 0:00:05What an extraordinary place to start any Escape to the Country.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09I'm underneath one of the most influential steamships ever built.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11When she was constructed and launched from this very dock
0:00:11 > 0:00:15back in 1843, she transformed maritime history.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20It was that propeller and this iron hull that made all the difference.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22But who is she and where are we?
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44On today's show, we're helping a family of six
0:00:44 > 0:00:47find somewhere for them all to stretch their legs.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51But it's no mean feat finding the perfect place to fit.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54I'm worried about the beams. Maybe they might be low ceilings.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- Again, on the compact side. - Yes?- For a kitchen.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02But could it be that something much more stately is much more suitable?
0:01:02 > 0:01:06- Wow!- Yes?- Really nice. - That's more like it.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Today, I'm in Bristol on the borders of Somerset
0:01:11 > 0:01:12at the Great Western Dockyard
0:01:12 > 0:01:16and this beautiful ship is the SS Great Britain.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Designed of course by our most famous of engineers,
0:01:19 > 0:01:20Isambard Kingdom Brunel.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23When she was launched in the mid 19th century,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25she revolutionised ship design.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27She was built of iron, she was the biggest ever built
0:01:27 > 0:01:30and she used a screw propeller,
0:01:30 > 0:01:34taking passengers across the Atlantic in a mere 14 days.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Later on in the show, I'll be back here
0:01:36 > 0:01:38having a closer look below decks
0:01:38 > 0:01:40but in the meantime, here's a little taster
0:01:40 > 0:01:46of some of the other heritage highlights this region has to offer.
0:01:46 > 0:01:47Lying in south-western England,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Somerset is flanked by the Bristol Channel
0:01:50 > 0:01:53and shares its land borders with Devon, Dorset and Wiltshire.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58The county name of Somerset means the land of summer people.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00Not because the sun always shines here,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03but because a large percentage of the land was
0:02:03 > 0:02:07and still is only dry enough to be farmed between May and September.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Principally, it's an agricultural county,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12known for its dairy and orchard produce.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Somerset is also a legendary place,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20full of prehistoric caves and catacombs.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24Some dating from as long ago as 12,000 BC.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27In fact, the landscape here reveals much about the county's history
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and no more so than in the wealth of distinctive housing stock.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34This is certainly a place with something for everyone,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37including, of course, today's buyers.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40So let's go and meet them and find out what they're after.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Teenage sweethearts, Mary and Gabriel,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52first met at a festival nearly 20 years ago.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54For the past seven years, this husband and wife
0:02:54 > 0:02:56have lived on a suburban housing estate
0:02:56 > 0:03:00just a couple of miles from Cambridge city centre.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03But a forthcoming new job opportunity in North Somerset
0:03:03 > 0:03:07provides the catalyst for a fresh start in the West Country.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10I grew up in a really rural setting in Northumberland.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13It's a big part of me. It's in here, you know.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17I miss hills and a bit more drama in the landscape.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20We would like to be within 45 minutes of Tickenham
0:03:20 > 0:03:22so that Gabriel can drive to work.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26And finding somewhere to fit their family
0:03:26 > 0:03:28will be fundamental to their move.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33We have lots of boys in our house right now. There are four.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35They just need to be outside.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38They need to be able to play and build dens.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41They love running about and they love climbing trees
0:03:41 > 0:03:45and I think the deal-breaker for them is that we have a treehouse.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48So that will be the first thing we focus on in the new place
0:03:48 > 0:03:50is where we can put the treehouse.
0:03:53 > 0:03:54Goal!
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Their four young sons are aged between nine and three
0:03:58 > 0:04:01and home is a small three-bedroom semi-detached property
0:04:01 > 0:04:03that is understandably bursting at the seams.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06So space is key when it comes to the next house,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09particularly the sleeping arrangements.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Four bedrooms, at least.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Loads of kids but it would be great if we could have
0:04:13 > 0:04:15a guest room as well.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18For me, no low ceilings because I like the sense of space.
0:04:20 > 0:04:21And no low beams.
0:04:22 > 0:04:27It's essential that the property is near a good primary school as well.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29Mary is a stay at home mum
0:04:29 > 0:04:31while Gabriel is a writer and aspiring novelist.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33And with four sons in the house,
0:04:33 > 0:04:37he is keen to find somewhere with his own sanctuary.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42I am really excited about having some space to write in a shed
0:04:42 > 0:04:46or a writing room that is hopefully a lot more peaceful.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Their present house is already on the market
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and they have a figure in mind for this Somerset relocation.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Our budget for the move is up to £350,000.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Gabriel needs to be within a reasonable commute
0:05:02 > 0:05:05of North Somerset for his work in the village of Tickenham.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08But our search will spread itself throughout the county
0:05:08 > 0:05:11for the very best chance of finding what our buyers want.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13And we are all meeting up on Somerset soil
0:05:13 > 0:05:16to clarify the finer details of their West Country move.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Hi, Gabriel. Hello, Mary. We've got a lot to pack in.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Six of you. Four bouncing boys.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26- It's going to be a busy house, this, isn't it?- Yes.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30Where are you with the current sale of your property?
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It has happened really fast, actually.
0:05:32 > 0:05:37We put it on the market just a few days ago and we had 17 viewings
0:05:37 > 0:05:41over the weekend and we have two strong offers over the asking price.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45So give us an idea of what this new house should comprise
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and perhaps look like?
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Well, we would like at least four bedrooms in it.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54And maybe a utility area so we can do lots of washing
0:05:54 > 0:05:56because we have a lot with four kids.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59I can well imagine you have lots of washing!
0:05:59 > 0:06:02A reasonable sized garden because the kids love the playing outside.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05Just remind us of the budget that is going to leave us with?
0:06:05 > 0:06:10We said £350,000 originally, but the sale is looking
0:06:10 > 0:06:14really good at the moment so it could be 10,000 more.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- So maybe 360?- Yes.- OK.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20We've got three, I think, very interesting properties to show you.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24- We've got a lot to do. I think we should get going.- Great.- Follow me.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32So for a revised maximum budget of £360,000,
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Gabriel and Mary want a four-bedroom house
0:06:35 > 0:06:38with a spacious kitchen diner. A separate utility room.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42As well as an office for Gabriel to write undisturbed.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45And essential to their checklist is a large garden
0:06:45 > 0:06:47and access to good local primary schools.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50We will be presenting our buyers with a varied assortment
0:06:50 > 0:06:52of fine Somerset family homes.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56But as always, I won't be revealing their price tag straightaway.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59The final selection is the mystery house, where we will be taking
0:06:59 > 0:07:03them out of their comfort zone to satisfy their creature comforts.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Our first location on this house quest
0:07:09 > 0:07:13is about a 50-minute drive from Tickenham in the village of Ilton.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18Characterised by lush countryside and picturesque thatched buildings,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21The house we are viewing is just a few minutes walk away
0:07:21 > 0:07:24in a quiet country lane on the edge of the village.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26This is what I want you to look at.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31- This is our first property of the week. What do you reckon?- Nice.- Yes?
0:07:31 > 0:07:34- It's cute.- Cute? Yes, I think it's rather nice.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39It's about 1760 so a nice bit of age to it.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42The thatch is relatively new which is always worth thinking about.
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Is this the sort of thing you had in mind?
0:07:44 > 0:07:48I'm worried about the beams. Maybe they might be low ceilings.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51If the boys were here now, would they be excited to look around this?
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- Yes.- They would, definitely.- Yes.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Good. Well, let's see if you are. Come on.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58One of the oldest properties in the village
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and originally built as two farm workers cottages,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03this detached stone house was converted
0:08:03 > 0:08:05into one family home in 1981.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08So let's find out if it's big enough for six.
0:08:11 > 0:08:16Well, here we are, you two. Let's start with the main living room.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19You've got a nice big fireplace over there.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Multi-fuel wood burner, giving you that kind of country feel.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25But, yes, we shall see?
0:08:27 > 0:08:30It is nice, I like it.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34- It just feels a little small. - In terms of the beams...
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- They're fine, aren't they? - Are these too low for you?
0:08:39 > 0:08:44Well, yeah... I like airy.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48OK. Well, let's see what you think of the kitchen. After you.
0:08:51 > 0:08:57This is it. I guess you would call it something of a galley kitchen.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- But it is light...- Yes, it is lighter in here.- I like the worktops.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05- Yes, the worktops are lovely. The sink as well.- Nice stone floor.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Doors out to a patio and the rest of the garden.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Again, I can imagine the boys all charging in and out
0:09:12 > 0:09:13on a nice summer's day.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16And in terms of seating everybody, you've got...
0:09:16 > 0:09:21I guess that would be your kind of everyday feeding area, as it were.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- Again on the compact side for a kitchen.- OK.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Let's continue down here.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30There's quite an interesting little space across the hallway.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35This, well, let's call it the music room, shall we?
0:09:37 > 0:09:43It could be quite a nice little playroom. What are you thinking?
0:09:43 > 0:09:44I am thinking it's versatile.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47I'm interested to see what you make of upstairs.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49Come and have a look at what's on offer here.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Back in the hallway, there's a very useful downstairs shower room
0:09:55 > 0:09:57and the stairs up to the bedrooms.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00But there are just three in total, two of which are comfortably
0:10:00 > 0:10:06sized doubles served by a large and newly fitted family bathroom.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07And that just leaves the biggest.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13So this is what we are calling the master. In terms of size...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- It's a good size.- It's a nice view.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18It's just trying to make it work.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22- OK. Let's go and have a look at the garden.- OK.- OK.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26We can let the boys run around out there, can't we? Follow me.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29It's clear that both parties are struggling to warm to this cottage,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32but perhaps we can find something that will bring
0:10:32 > 0:10:35a smile, to their four sons at least, outside in the garden.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42Immediately to the rear, there's a paved patio
0:10:42 > 0:10:44backing onto open countryside.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48But rather unusually, the majority of the grounds here
0:10:48 > 0:10:50stretch out to either side of the property.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53On one side, there's a large gravel driveway,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55providing access to a double garage,
0:10:55 > 0:11:00beyond which is a vegetable patch and an orchard, as well as a shed.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Then a larger lawned area fringed by mature trees lies on the other side.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12OK, so, outside space wise, quite a bit on offer.
0:11:12 > 0:11:18- Would this be enough space for the boys?- Yeah. I think so.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22It's more than they've got now. They could do even more!
0:11:22 > 0:11:23They could have fields.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26- You could have acres, couldn't you? Let's face it.- Not on our budget.
0:11:26 > 0:11:32Let's talk about the price of this very pretty 1760 cottage.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36- I'm going to say 340.- 340.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38I'd go lower, 320.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Well, there is good news.
0:11:41 > 0:11:46- This is on the market for offers in excess of £300,000.- OK.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Starting off considerably under budget
0:11:49 > 0:11:52the first property is a charming detached thatched cottage
0:11:52 > 0:11:55with a history that dates back to the 18th century.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58And with the right planning permission, there's money left over
0:11:58 > 0:12:02to extend and adapt the home to suit our buyers' family needs.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06But, as it stands, there are three separate reception rooms,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08three bedrooms and in the quarter acre of gardens
0:12:08 > 0:12:10there's a double garage and shed,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13so opportunity for Gabriel's writing room.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17We've got two more to tease you with. Come on. Let's get on with it.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Somerset's northern borders are bounded by the Bristol Channel,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29a major shipping corridor that has given the city of Bristol
0:12:29 > 0:12:33a long and illustrious shipbuilding legacy.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36So I have come to meet historian Jude Holland for a tour of the
0:12:36 > 0:12:40most famous ship ever launched from the stocks, the SS Great Britain.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- Hello, Jude.- Hi.- Very nice to see you.- Good to meet you.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Now, this ship is often referred to
0:12:48 > 0:12:52as the one that revolutionised maritime engineering. Why?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55Well, the Great Britain really is the ship that changed the world.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59Firstly, she was the biggest and strongest ship of her time
0:12:59 > 0:13:01because of the revolutionary use of iron.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04And the vision was really to extend the Great Western Railway
0:13:04 > 0:13:06as far as New York.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08So to really get into that passenger trade,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11speed was obviously really important, and efficiency.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14It is quite an ambition to extend the railway to New York!
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- But that was what they were doing with these ships?- Absolutely.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22It was the kind of pioneering age of innovation and engineering.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25Designed by the 19th century engineering giant
0:13:25 > 0:13:26Isambard Kingdom Brunel,
0:13:26 > 0:13:31the SS Great Britain is a mammoth 322 feet in length
0:13:31 > 0:13:34and was the very first ship to have a screw propeller.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Launched in 1843
0:13:36 > 0:13:40at a build cost exceeding £5 million in today's money,
0:13:40 > 0:13:44she ran aground just three years later and was then sold on...
0:13:44 > 0:13:48only to take the high seas again in 1852,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51changing her guise to a sailing ship and this time carrying
0:13:51 > 0:13:54After decades of restoration to its original state,
0:13:54 > 0:13:59today it is Paul Harrison who maintains the ship's engine.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01I gather at the time that she was built,
0:14:01 > 0:14:03this was the most powerful engine ever constructed?
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It was. 1,000 horsepower. To put it into some sort of context,
0:14:06 > 0:14:08if you look at the size of this engine now,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10we can get the same sort of horsepower from a Formula One engine
0:14:10 > 0:14:13which is this big and this we need a three-storey building for.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- Is this original? - No, this is a replica.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19She was re-engined many times during her illustrious life span at sea.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22By the time she finished off her useful career,
0:14:22 > 0:14:24the engines were long gone.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Now driven electrically, maintaining this replica engine is ongoing
0:14:28 > 0:14:31and the job of the day is to replace the lubricant.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34You will see in the pot there is a little threaded hole in the bottom
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and it should just screw into that quite nicely.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40She was re-engined a number of times but ultimately,
0:14:40 > 0:14:45the engines were removed because that gave more cargo space.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47After carrying passengers for 30 years,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51she went on to carry cargo for a further 50 before getting
0:14:51 > 0:14:54badly damaged in a storm and abandoned.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59Then, in 1970, an expert salvage team brought her back to Bristol.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02The remarkable thing was that when she came home, the dock was available
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and thankfully, she has been able to stay here in her original home.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07What a wonderful tribute to Brunel.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I think it is a tribute to the man, his engineering skills
0:15:10 > 0:15:11and the quality of the work
0:15:11 > 0:15:14that went into building the ship in the first place.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- Good. Right, then. Shall we see if it all still works?- We are done.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Let's switch on. Lena, when you are ready? Let's see her run.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27- Wow!- And there we go.- It is a beast, a beautiful beast.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Coming back to life.- It is.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Now listed as part of the UK's National Historic Fleet,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36the SS Great Britain proudly sits framed by a glass deck
0:15:36 > 0:15:39built at the original water level.
0:15:39 > 0:15:44An inspired 21st century design giving the illusion that this
0:15:44 > 0:15:48innovative 19th century vessel is still floating on water
0:15:48 > 0:15:49after 170 years.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00For our next destination, we're getting a little closer
0:16:00 > 0:16:03to Gabriel's new job location, as we're headed to Priddy,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05further north into the county.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Priddy is a highly desirable village in the Mendip Hills.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14This is a beautiful and peaceful pocket of the Somerset countryside,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16Much of the architecture in Priddy
0:16:16 > 0:16:18has been constructed out of local Mendip limestone
0:16:18 > 0:16:22and so too has property number two which lies opposite open fields,
0:16:22 > 0:16:24right on the edge of the village.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31- That is what we're going to suggest as our second property.- Nice.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35- Yes? What's nice then, Mary? - It's taller.
0:16:35 > 0:16:36It's taller, it's a little bit bigger.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- It's only about 20/25 years old. - Oh, right.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Rather cleverly they've clad the front in local stone,
0:16:42 > 0:16:45which is nice, so it fits in.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- So, are we happy to go and have a look?- Definitely.- Come on, then.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51First impressions appear to be drawing our buyers in,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53which is a huge relief.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55And I'm hoping this detached stone property
0:16:55 > 0:16:59will give them the kind of space they were hoping for.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00Now, living room wise,
0:17:00 > 0:17:02we thought the first one perhaps was a bit challenging.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- What about this one? - Oh, it's much better.- Yeah.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- Is it the taller ceilings?- Yes. - And the dual aspect as well.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Yes. Yeah.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Right, let's have a look at this one.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22Now, this is currently set up as a dining room. All right?
0:17:22 > 0:17:26- Yeah. Good size. Light.- Is this winning more than the other one?
0:17:26 > 0:17:27- Yes.- Yes. Definitely.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29- I'm liking what I'm seeing so far. - Good.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31I think it's an improvement, but I'm not warming to it yet.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35- Really?- Mm.- And yet outside it was all smiles, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38- So, what are you worried about? - I just want to see more.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41I want to see the whole thing.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45It's going to be another tough one, isn't it? Come this way.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48Now, just off the kitchen is this little utility area
0:17:48 > 0:17:49and door out to the garden.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52And this is what it provides for at the moment,
0:17:52 > 0:17:55which I guess isn't tiny?
0:17:55 > 0:17:58- No, no.- No.- How does it compare with the current property you're in?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- It's bigger.- Yeah, it's a lot bigger.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03I mean, it is difficult to see how you're all going to
0:18:03 > 0:18:06fit in to any building actually.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Yeah, that's the problem!
0:18:09 > 0:18:13The ground floor tour is completed by a downstairs WC.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16Then upstairs there's a spacious four-piece family bathroom -
0:18:16 > 0:18:19perfect for a large family.
0:18:19 > 0:18:23And more good news is that this time we have four bedrooms on offer.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Two are reasonably sized doubles,
0:18:25 > 0:18:29and a smaller bedroom is currently being used as an office,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32leaving the last room just for Gabriel and Mary.
0:18:32 > 0:18:36Right, guys. Finally, this is the master,
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- for the obvious reason that it has this very useful en suite.- Great.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42It's great to have the en suite.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Think of the joy of this, look, all the boys - all five of them -
0:18:46 > 0:18:50can have that bathroom out there, and you've got this one.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- Yeah, that's good. - It's not bad is it?
0:18:52 > 0:18:55I'm not sure I get a good deal out of that.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57You might just have to wear it, I don't know.
0:18:57 > 0:18:58Don't worry, Gabriel,
0:18:58 > 0:19:02because this property has a special treat just for you and your words,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05back outside in the garden where there's a lawned area
0:19:05 > 0:19:08bordered by characterful dry-stone walling.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10As well as a detached stone outbuilding
0:19:10 > 0:19:12that could be turned into a man cave.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16So, let's think about the money on this one.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20You can go first this time, Gabriel.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- OK, I'm going to go for 320,000 again.- Are you?- Same.- OK.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- And I'm going to go for 340 again.- Are you?- Yeah.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31Conservative is the phrase that comes to mind with you two.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Erm, well, I'm afraid it is neither of those figures.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38Priddy is quite a well sought after village in the Mendips,
0:19:38 > 0:19:40so this is on the market
0:19:40 > 0:19:45- for 369,950. - OK.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Just over their budget, our second property is a modern built
0:19:51 > 0:19:55but characterful family home in a popular country village.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58The cottage comes with two reception rooms and four bedrooms,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01including a master en suite.
0:20:01 > 0:20:02And let's not forget the garden,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05that features a detached outbuilding,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08presenting the ideal get-away for Gabriel's studio.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- See enough?- Yes.- What about the, you know, writers bothy, come on?- Yeah.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Yeah, that's good.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17You're saying it's good, you'll never see me.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19You'll never see him. He's going to hide himself away.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- Right, come on, let's get away and have a pint.- Sounds good.
0:20:23 > 0:20:24That sounds good.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Our mystery house is towards the eastern portion
0:20:42 > 0:20:43of Somerset in Tolland.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46And so would stretch Gabriel's commute to an hour.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50But Tolland itself is real rural Somerset.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55Nestled into which proudly stands our rather grand final property.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59This, then, is our mystery house.
0:21:01 > 0:21:02- Wow!- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- Really nice.- That's more like it. - That is more like it.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08- THEY LAUGH - I thought so!
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- It looks fantastic! - As you can see, this is your garden.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- The boys have got bags of room here to mess around in.- Yeah.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It's great and the views of the hills, as well, trees...
0:21:17 > 0:21:19- Really nice spot.- Yeah.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21And you've got another access as well from the road,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25with parking and another door but we thought we'd start here.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- I'm looking forward to going in. - Shall we?- Yeah.- Let's go.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32The mystery proposition is the largest slice
0:21:32 > 0:21:34of this grade-two listed Georgian manor house.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37And I've got everything crossed that a touch of historic grandeur
0:21:37 > 0:21:40is more to Gabriel and Mary's taste.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45OK, let's start with this one, the living room.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- What do you think?- Good.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- I like it! - Look at the smiles now from you.
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- This is just so much more like it. - Yeah.- In what way? Come on, tell me.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56It feels, just walking up to the house
0:21:56 > 0:22:01and coming into it that I'm in the country properly.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03Proper old house.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- So, Mary, are we happy? - I am happy, yes.- Good.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Right, let's have a look at the kitchen.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Now, I'm hoping this is going to be that little bit lighter for you.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Yeah, yeah.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Similar size to some of them we've had before, actually.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- But, I guess, the light windows make a difference.- Yeah, yeah.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22And big, big windows. Really like it.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25But if this isn't enough dining area,
0:22:25 > 0:22:30- we have also got you a dedicated dining room.- Great.- Wow.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31It's a whopper, have a look at this.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- So, how about this then? - Wow! Good size room.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43- Really big. I like the alcoves. - Yes, nice, aren't they?
0:22:43 > 0:22:44Nice bit of period detailing there.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Through this door here is the front door,
0:22:47 > 0:22:50off of that is a study which we're thinking might be your writing room.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Great.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- Marks out of ten? Dare I test the water?- It's too early to say.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57I knew!
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Right, come on, upstairs.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02In the main hallway, there's access to the cellar space
0:23:02 > 0:23:05we saw earlier, which is currently used for car parking.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09Then at first floor level the family bathroom serves four bedrooms.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12There's a single room with a long, large window
0:23:12 > 0:23:15but the others are all great size double rooms.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19But we're going to finish up our internal tour in the master.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26- So, last but not least... your room.- Wow! Good size.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30- It is, isn't it? Yeah.- Yeah, I like that little fire place, it's lovely.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32Yeah.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- So...- Yeah.- Now what do we think out of ten?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Now we've been upstairs.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Go on! Commit to something.
0:23:42 > 0:23:47- Nine.- Nine! That'll do. Mary? - Yeah, I'd say nine.- I'll take nine.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50- Is that good?- I'm delighted... Yeah, nine is very good.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- OK.- Good, good.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55Let's see if we can boost the score of our mystery house
0:23:55 > 0:23:57with a look at the garden.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59And if anything is going get top ranking,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01perhaps a third of an acre will do the trick.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Erm, the garden, obviously, we saw it on the way through,
0:24:06 > 0:24:11- but in terms of the boys, Mary? - Yeah, great, it's fantastic!
0:24:11 > 0:24:15- And it's a nice one this cos it's big but it's low-maintenance.- Yeah.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18It comes down to the nitty-gritty now of price.
0:24:18 > 0:24:25- Well, I think you've gone over. I'm going to say 365.- 365, yeah.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29It's a whole lot more house but it is much further out,
0:24:29 > 0:24:31as well, more remote.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33- So...380?- 380.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39If it were in the 360s, would you think about it?
0:24:39 > 0:24:40Definitely.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Well, you can think about it a little bit more
0:24:42 > 0:24:46because this is on the market for £330,000.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48Wow!
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Well under budget, the mystery property
0:24:52 > 0:24:55is part of a handsome Georgian listed manor house
0:24:55 > 0:24:58in the heart of unspoiled countryside.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00It nails our buyers' wishlist...
0:25:05 > 0:25:08And the third of an acre garden has plenty of scope
0:25:08 > 0:25:11to give their four young sons the treehouse they requested too.
0:25:15 > 0:25:19Well, what a difference a house makes. Look at your faces!
0:25:19 > 0:25:21JULES CHUCKLES
0:25:21 > 0:25:26- We are happy now?- Very happy.- Good. Well, there is plenty to consider.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- It is a big move.- Yeah.- It is. - Lots of money at stake.
0:25:29 > 0:25:30Come on, let's go and think.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46Well, you two, this has been quite a revealing week, I suspect.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49In many ways. How have you found it, Mary?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- Yeah, it's been a bit of a rollercoaster, really.- Really?
0:25:52 > 0:25:54A bit up, a bit down.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57Now yesterday, our first two properties -
0:25:57 > 0:26:01disappointing, frustrating...?
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- Yes.- They weren't going to be for you, were they?
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- They weren't for us.- No. They weren't for us.
0:26:05 > 0:26:06I was quite depressed last night.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I wasn't really sure what we were looking for, if I'm honest.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12But we pulled out all the stops,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15we went a little bit further afield and got to our mystery house.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19- Mary, talk me through it. - It was lovely.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23When we first saw it, it had that wow appeal. It was lovely.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26That was the real deal, for me.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27Big house in the country.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30We walked in there and immediately we were talking about things
0:26:30 > 0:26:31that we could do.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Now, we talked about the boys running round the garden,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37- Can you now imagine them running around the house?- Definitely.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39They would go and play hide and seek.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42And get lost somewhere. JULES LAUGHS
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Well, you are hoping so because you want to do some work!
0:26:45 > 0:26:48- You have got that little writer's study as well.- It was perfect.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50So, big question. What happens next?
0:26:50 > 0:26:55We are going to go back and look and we are going to see...
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Look at all the things, if we were living there, how would it work out,
0:26:58 > 0:27:01with schools and shopping and the commute and all these things.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06But I think the bottom line for me is that I really want it to work.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08And so I don't think there will be any obstacle
0:27:08 > 0:27:11that will be too big in making it happen.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Good. Well, look, I want it to work for both of you.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16We are in a great position.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19- Let us know how you get on. - Will do.- Yes.- Best of luck.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Well, of course, Mary said it. It has been a week of ups and downs.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33But thankfully, we have finished on a huge up.
0:27:33 > 0:27:38Properties can be extremely persuasive and our mystery house
0:27:38 > 0:27:41has had an awful lot to say to both Mary and Gabriel.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45I must confess, I'm hugely relieved. I'll see you next time.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Gabriel and Mary were so struck with the mystery house
0:27:50 > 0:27:52that they did go back for a second viewing.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54I am delighted to report
0:27:54 > 0:27:57that negotiations are currently under way to buy it.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59If you would like to escape to the country
0:27:59 > 0:28:02in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England
0:28:02 > 0:28:04or even further afield to the Continent
0:28:04 > 0:28:07and would like our help, then please apply online.