North Yorkshire Escape to the Country


North Yorkshire

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Transcript


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I am stood next to what could easily be mistaken as the remains

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of an ancient church, but all is not what it seems.

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Find out what this is and where I am in just a few moments.

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On today's show, I'm using the powers of positive

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thinking to find one couple's country dream.

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-You seem to be warming up a little bit now.

-Yeah, a little bit.

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But it's not all an uphill battle as we brave the elements.

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I think we've just been blown away with the view, to be honest.

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-I've got blown away with the wind.

-And the wind!

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Today, I'm in North Yorkshire and this is Yorke's Folly.

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Whilst it's a listed monument, it was only built 200 years ago as a

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decorative romantic ruin, reflecting the landscaping trend at the time.

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Commissioned by the Yorke family, the local estate owners, it was

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also built to keep local workers busy during a time of recession.

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Today, from this spot, the reward - a fantastic views of Pateley Bridge

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and the Nidderdale Valley, which we'll be visiting

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later on in the show.

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North Yorkshire is the largest rural county in the country

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and offers up over 1,000 square miles of national parks

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from the rugged North York Moors to the stunning

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undulations of the Yorkshire Dales.

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This beautiful, varied terrain attracts walkers

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and cyclists the whole year round.

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Picturesque cobbled towns such as Grassington in Wharfedale offer

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a perfect base to explore incredible sites such as the limestone

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cliff at Kilnsey Crag.

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North Yorkshire's history

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is inextricably linked with agriculture.

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The 12th-century Bolton Priory may have inspired the great

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artist Turner, but it was also home to a self-sufficient

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community where the monks farmed the land and even created a tannery,

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rinsing their animal hides into the fast-flowing River Wharfe.

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The genteel spa town of Harrogate actually

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made its fortune from the water, and visitors flooded there in the

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19th century to sample its iron and sulphur rich springs.

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Today, the town continues to thrive, offering up Yorkshire

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traditions that are simply hard to resist.

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The property market in North Yorkshire remains firmly robust.

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The average price of a detached house here

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is around £260,000, which is just above the national figure.

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Prices do vary greatly throughout the county.

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For example, in Harrogate, you can pay up to 70% more for a house.

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You'll also pay a sharp premium for living around the Dales,

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but if coastal living is more your thing,

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then head to Scarborough as a more affordable option to Whitby.

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A detached house there could cost around £50,000 less than

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the county average. So, whereabouts do today's buyers want to head?

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Let's meet them and find out.

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Rich, Claire and their three-year-old son Tom currently

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live in a three-bed 1950s house in Kensworth, Bedfordshire.

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They've decided they no longer want to live on the edge of a town

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and feel it's time for a fresh start.

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It's getting busier in the south-east

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and it is quite overpopulated

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and we just want to escape to a bit more of a rural lifestyle, really.

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There's one overwhelming priority for their son Tom

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-when they make the move.

-When we were kids, I just

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remember playing out and that is super important for both of us...

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-Yeah.

-..for Tom to have that environment to grow.

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And they feel Claire's birthplace is the county that has it all.

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The area that we are wanting to move to is North Yorkshire.

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It's just a very beautiful part of the world.

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We've got the coastline, the Yorkshire Dales.

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It's got it all up there.

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You have forests, big kind of open moorland

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and you also have the amenities as well.

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The Yorkshire move would also get them closer to Claire's family

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in Wakefield. It had always been a long-term dream,

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but serious health issues have led them to rethink their plans.

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I was unfortunately diagnosed with breast cancer last year and have been

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up and down really with treatments and surgeries and things going on.

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'It's put everything into perspective about what's important in life.

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'We just want to enjoy everything we can really, to the maximum.'

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And Claire's from a very close family

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so it would be very nice just to have them nearer by.

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They'll need to be able to access London

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for Claire's continuing treatment.

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And IT manager Rich will need good road links for his job

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as well as for his favourite hobby.

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My main passion is bikes, specifically mountain bikes

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and everything to do with biking. I like to renovate them, restore them.

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Tom is quite often helping me in the garage, passing me spanners

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and Allen keys and things like that. He seems to enjoy helping his daddy.

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Ex-textile designer Claire will be up for a bit of DIY,

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but not a project. She's recently got a taste for the good life.

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This year was our first year of attempting vegetables

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and we've had quite a good success, haven't we?

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So the next house has to have a little bit of a veggie plot.

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So all that's left is to find out what funds

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they'll have for their dream Yorkshire move.

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Our budget for our next move is £350,000.

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Rich and Claire are keen on the countryside around the small

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market town of Pateley Bridge,

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so we'll be basing our search to the east of the beautiful

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Yorkshire Dales.

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Before we set off, I'm meeting them in their chosen county to find

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out a bit more about their proposed relocation.

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-Good morning.

-BOTH: Good morning.

-Welcome to North Yorkshire.

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-How long is it since you've been up here?

-About a week.

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-Do you come back a lot?

-Quite a lot.

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Moving up here to Yorkshire... why now?

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Last year, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

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We've just kind of had a whole year of ups and downs

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-and lots of challenges, really.

-Yeah.

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We thought we'd like to do something major

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-and have a big life change, really.

-It was always our dream to do it.

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We're just kind of doing it quicker than we potentially would

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-have done.

-We've got a little boy, Tom.

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And what we want to do is move before he turns four,

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five, for school, really.

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What particular style of house do you like?

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We're looking for something that has a...

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a kind of a country feel.

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Again, around Tom, we are looking for something maybe three, four bedrooms.

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We're not too keen on modern houses as such.

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All our previous houses have been relatively older.

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What would you say is the most important room for you in the house?

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Kitchen for me. What about you? Garage.

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I was going to say a garage or like a shed, almost.

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What's the most important thing?

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House in a fantastic location or the looks of a house?

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Definitely location. I think it has to be close to local amenities.

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-School, maybe a local shop.

-Yeah.

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-A pub!

-Pub.

-Always have to have a pub!

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-Now, you've sold your house, haven't you?

-Yes, that's right.

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-Sold it within two days.

-Two days?

-Yeah.

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What's your final budget?

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The final budget is 350,000.

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That's the maximum we are looking to go up to.

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Let's not waste any more time. We'll finish these coffees

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-and get on with the search.

-Excellent. Brilliant!

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With a top budget of £350,000,

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Rich and Claire are looking for a property with some character.

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They'd like three to four bedrooms, a spacious kitchen,

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a workshop or garage to house Rich's bike collection,

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a low-maintenance garden and, above all, a close community with

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local amenities, including a primary school for son Tom.

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We've got three very different properties lined up for

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today's buyers and I'll be putting their valuation skills to the

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test before I reveal the price of each one,

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the last of which will be the Mystery House.

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Its surprise location could be a bit of an uphill battle,

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but might just take their search to new heights.

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-So Rich, you're pretty big on cycling?

-Yes.

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I love the freedom of it, really.

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You know, it just opens up lots of nice places to you.

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So you go out on your bike for how long at a time?

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Ideally, it's three or four hours at a time.

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Whenever I can get rid of him, really!

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For our first property, we are heading to the unspoilt

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rural village of Sutton Howgrave.

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It's just a 20-minute drive from Thirsk, with its fast rail links

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to London and only a mile away from the thriving

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community of Wath, with its beautiful 13th-century church,

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a village hall, and a gastro-pub for some cosy ambience

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after those long winter bike rides.

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Just back down the lane in a lovely open

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position on the edge of Sutton Howgrave is our first property.

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-Well, this is the house we are going to look at.

-Wow!

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-So you've been here before, this location?

-No, we haven't.

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It's all new to us, this area.

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-From what we can see straightaway it's totally...

-Positive.

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-This is a real community. There's about 25 households.

-OK.

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All of differing ages, and they've got a real community spirit.

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-They get together and have little fetes and parties and stuff.

-Wow.

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This was an old reading room.

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The current owners... You'll see inside, it's basically a new-build.

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-OK.

-It looks old and they've built it with local stone,

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lovely Yorkshire stone there.

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-I love the setting.

-Yeah. It's idyllic, really.

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We'll talk about that extra bit of garden later on. Let's go inside.

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OK. Excellent.

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So Rich and Claire seemed to like the location.

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The primary school for Tom is around five miles away,

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so not right on their doorstep

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but I'm hoping this truly unique property can win them over.

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-So, Claire, you said the kitchen was the most important room.

-Yeah, wow.

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It's pretty impressive.

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-Yeah, very impressive, actually.

-Love it. It's a very light room as well, isn't it,

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with the big window there as well.

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I think the view you've got really sells it for me.

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-Is it what you like?

-If it makes you happy, it makes me happy.

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Correct answer. Well trained.

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In this house, things are shaken up a little bit here.

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You've got two double bedrooms on this level, and a family shower and loo.

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OK? The other master bedroom is upstairs. I'll show you that later on.

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But you're all right with this one, the configuration, so far?

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-Yeah, absolutely.

-Fine, yeah.

-Just delightful. Really lovely.

-Good news.

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-Now, then.

-Wow.

-Wow!

-Amazing. Yeah, this is what we like.

-Good.

-Yeah, very nice.

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-Pretty special, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It is. I'm quite pleased to see a dining table here as well,

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cos I was concerned in that kitchen that,

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-you know, there wasn't anywhere to potentially put a table.

-And you've got the height as well.

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Which is great.

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-Sounds like you like this.

-We like it a lot.

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Yeah, I love the fact that it's got a wood-burning stove as well,

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-so you can imagine it in the winter.

-Not much to do, which is good.

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-There's nothing to do, is there?

-No.

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-Just personalise it a bit.

-Yeah.

-And that's what it does need, doesn't it? It feels...

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Well, it kind of feels dressed at the moment, doesn't it?

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-Let's take a quick peek at this mezzanine and see what you might do.

-OK.

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Some positive reactions, and the current owners have certainly

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maximised this impressive vaulted space.

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It's just whether Rich and Claire can find a use for it.

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What do we do with this?

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Oh, wow, amazing. Office, Rich?

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I think I'll have no problems at all working up here.

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-It's a brilliant space for that.

-Absolutely beautiful, yes.

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Mezzanine roofs, they can be quite dark

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but you have got a lot of light in here which really sells it as well.

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-Good, so a nice place to work.

-Beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.

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Fabulous place to work. I'll be working from home more often, I think.

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-Well, yeah.

-Or not, in that case.

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-Let's take a quick look at this master bedroom.

-Thank you.

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-So, amazing view.

-Wow.

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Even got a few sheep.

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-I put them there on purpose.

-Yeah, yeah.

-Again, nice space here.

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When people redevelop, they tend to, like you say, they put smaller space...

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-Yeah, try and get as much out of it as possible.

-And it's... It's nice they've kept it quite open.

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So, the big conundrum here for you guys,

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-I suppose is, this is a three-bedroom house.

-Yes.

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Now, Tom is three years old

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so I imagine you might want to be closer to him.

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We were just saying, actually.

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That might be the only slight problem.

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I mean, potentially, this becomes the guest room, especially as it's en suite as well.

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Potentially, you could do with that for family and friends to stay, and things. That would work well.

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OK, well, let's nip outside to the garden

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and just show you what you're getting and we'll talk about price.

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Let me squeeze past.

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Well, some creative thinking from Rich

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but I'm not sure that Claire's buying into that layout.

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Outside, there's a sheltered courtyard, perfect for outside dining

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and just enough lawn to take Tom's trampoline.

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But there's also an area of garden beyond the far fence which is

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being rented by the current owners

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and any new buyers should get the same agreement.

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I think this house really works as long as you've got

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-the use of that garden.

-Yes, definitely.

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Yeah, I think you kind of need that, and we're into growing our own

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vegetables and things, so we'd need somewhere to continue that, really.

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And it's... Yeah, you've got the views as well which is something that...

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-It's very pretty as well, isn't it?

-Something that we want, yeah.

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I'm not quite sure where Rich would put all his...seven bikes!

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-I'm in the market for a new bike.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Do you a deal!

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So how much do you think this house is on the market for?

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I'm going to go with the top end of our budget and I'm going to go up 350.

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Not knowing the area around here

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but I would imagine it's probably around the 340 mark.

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Pretty good guess, Rich.

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-This place is on the market for offers around £339,950.

-Wow!

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-£50 out, so unlucky.

-Well, you know...

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So it's comfortably under budget.

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It's been done to a very high standard and I absolutely love it.

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Go back into the house, have a good look around and I'll meet you whenever you're ready.

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-Thank you.

-Thank you.

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Our first property is £10,000 under Rich and Claire's maximum budget.

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It's a stunning detached former reading room dating back to 1840.

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It offers up three double bedrooms,

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two of which are on the ground floor,

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a spacious kitchen to satisfy Claire's culinary ambitions,

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an impressive vaulted living room

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with feature fireplace, and a sheltered garden

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enjoying a peaceful setting with unspoilt countryside views.

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-And the bedroom.

-OK.

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So this could potentially be Tom's room or a guest room.

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-I think this would be our room. Decent-sized.

-Yeah.

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When we first arrived, it was just... Blew me away completely.

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There are some compromises I think we would have to make

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in terms of storage for Rich's bike collection

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and then the only other thing which kind of niggles me a little bit

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is the bedrooms, because you've got the master bedroom upstairs.

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And we would ideally like to be near to Tom, as he is only three.

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I love the main living space, so the kind of front room,

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as it were, with the combined dining area and the mezzanine,

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obviously working from home as well,

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that's another aspect that the house fits well.

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I'm glad to see you're both still beaming. You especially, Claire.

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-Yeah.

-That's all done for property number one. On to the next one.

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Excellent.

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Rich loves his bikes and although Claire may not be a cycling fanatic,

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who could resist the beautiful Yorkshire Dales?

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The National Park covers 680 square miles

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and attracts tens of thousands of cyclists every year.

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To top this, the Dales will be hosting the first stage of the 2014 Tour de France.

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Starting in Leeds on fairly flat terrain, the riders will then

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pass through Skipton to face the more demanding dales.

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The semi-circular route will sweep the cyclists across its rugged

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terrain before they can breathe a sigh of relief on their way

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to Harrogate and then the finish.

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Rich and Claire are meeting local mountain bike guide

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Stuart Price in Wensleydale to see

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what this most spectacular of cycling routes has to offer.

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So, Stuart, why is the tour coming to the Yorkshire Dales?

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The Yorkshire Dales has hosted many cycling events

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and it's part of the challenge, is the terrain that the

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Yorkshire Dales has and the big climbs

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and the technical descents, you know, for what I love doing.

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My passion is cycling and mountain biking.

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There's no better place to be in the country, I feel. So it's great.

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-Excellent.

-OK, right, guys. Let's hit the road.

-Excellent.

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-Let's do some riding.

-Let's do it.

-Yeah.

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Rich and Claire are actually following some of the route that

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Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome will take - just a little slower!

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The pro riders will follow the valley that holds

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Wensleydale's principal river, the Ure.

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Rich and Claire take their first diversion to view it

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at its most dramatic point.

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This is Ayesgarth Falls. This is the middle falls.

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Ayesgarth Falls has got three drops.

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The National Park is essentially a limestone landscape.

0:17:260:17:30

It's glacial, so there's waterfalls dotted around all over.

0:17:300:17:34

-It's great you can see these on a cycle ride as well.

-Yeah, yeah.

0:17:340:17:38

The tour will race through the beautiful market town of Hawes,

0:17:380:17:41

home to the famous Wensleydale cheese.

0:17:410:17:44

But there's no time for snacking as Rich

0:17:440:17:46

and Claire climb up nearly 600 metres on one of the country's

0:17:460:17:49

most famous sections of road, the Buttertubs Pass.

0:17:490:17:53

It's an area renowned for dramatic limestone potholes

0:17:530:17:56

formed by erosion over the years.

0:17:560:17:59

Some say the cool waters actually proved useful to local

0:17:590:18:02

farmers in the 18th century.

0:18:020:18:04

The thoughts are that as they're heading to market,

0:18:040:18:07

they stopped off here,

0:18:070:18:09

and on a hot day like this, if you're bringing butter over

0:18:090:18:12

and you're heading to Hawes market, the butter is going to melt.

0:18:120:18:15

They'd drop the butter down here and they'd store it here for a while

0:18:150:18:19

while they rest and then drag it back out and off they go.

0:18:190:18:22

-Hence the Buttertubs Pass.

-Hence the Buttertubs Pass.

0:18:220:18:26

History lesson over,

0:18:260:18:27

it's time to turn their attention back to today's tour.

0:18:270:18:30

So, yeah, July 5 2014, the pro-riders will be coming down here,

0:18:300:18:34

down Buttertubs Pass, straight past us here, heading that way.

0:18:340:18:38

-Exciting.

-Shall we go and do it?

-Yeah.

-Come on.

-Why not?

0:18:380:18:42

I hope Rich and Claire's legs aren't getting too weary,

0:18:430:18:46

as the travel ten miles north

0:18:460:18:48

into the steep-sided valleys of Swaledale,

0:18:480:18:50

famed for its beautiful meadows

0:18:500:18:52

and crisscrossed by a network of dry-stone walls.

0:18:520:18:55

I've seen these quite a lot on our trip round.

0:18:590:19:01

What are these buildings, then?

0:19:010:19:03

These are field barns.

0:19:030:19:05

Swaledale is quite well known for it.

0:19:050:19:06

These barns are the jewel in the crown

0:19:060:19:09

of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

0:19:090:19:11

During the summer, they cut the grass,

0:19:110:19:13

make hay out of it and drag it across to the barn,

0:19:130:19:16

and fork it into the upstairs.

0:19:160:19:18

They keep the stock in the barn downstairs over the winter,

0:19:180:19:22

every day feed the stock from the hay, water them, muck them out.

0:19:220:19:27

During the spring, he'd spread that over the land,

0:19:270:19:30

grass would grow, cut the grass,

0:19:300:19:33

make hay, and the cycle carries on.

0:19:330:19:35

Time to leave the beautiful pastures of Swaledale behind,

0:19:350:19:39

as Stuart leads them to the bustling community of Reeth.

0:19:390:19:41

The village will be the exit point from the Dales

0:19:410:19:44

for the Tour de France as they surge on to Harrogate and the finish.

0:19:440:19:47

But for Rich and Claire, it's the end of the road

0:19:470:19:51

and time to continue their North Yorkshire property hunt.

0:19:510:19:54

For our second house, we're heading ten miles west

0:19:560:19:59

from Sutton Howgrave to the village of Grewelthorpe,

0:19:590:20:02

which is seven miles from the beautiful cathedral city of Ripon

0:20:020:20:05

and only a 15-minute drive from Rich and Claire's beloved Pateley Bridge.

0:20:050:20:09

This village is steeped in history,

0:20:090:20:11

warranting a mention in the Doomsday Book.

0:20:110:20:15

It also lies within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

0:20:150:20:18

and has its very own duck pond.

0:20:180:20:20

Before we move on to the house,

0:20:200:20:22

we're looking at what this community has to offer.

0:20:220:20:25

So, welcome, both of you, to Grewelthorpe. Heard of it?

0:20:250:20:28

-We have, yes.

-You have?!

-Yes, we've drove through,

0:20:280:20:31

though not actually stopped here.

0:20:310:20:33

-What do you know about it, then?

-Not much, really.

0:20:330:20:37

Pretty little village.

0:20:370:20:38

We know it's got a primary school here, which is very good.

0:20:380:20:41

It's got a school, but also, it has something

0:20:410:20:44

that'll be of benefit to you in a couple of months' time.

0:20:440:20:47

You can barely see it behind us,

0:20:470:20:50

but there's an old church having a lot of building work done

0:20:500:20:54

and that it is going to be converted into a shop and cafe.

0:20:540:20:57

So that is bringing together this whole community.

0:20:580:21:01

This is a much bigger setting than we had for the first house,

0:21:010:21:04

but with that bigger setting comes a bigger community and more facilities, as well.

0:21:040:21:08

I think I kind of like this better, in a way.

0:21:080:21:11

You don't feel as isolated.

0:21:110:21:13

Yeah, good first impressions, I think.

0:21:130:21:14

OK, well, let's go to the house.

0:21:140:21:16

Well, Rich and Claire have said from the word go that location

0:21:170:21:21

is all important, and Grewelthorpe definitely seems to have

0:21:210:21:25

the right feel and facilities.

0:21:250:21:27

Just a short stroll away lies house number two.

0:21:270:21:30

-Come on in.

-Wow.

0:21:300:21:32

-This is exciting.

-Pretty little place.

-Mm. Very pretty.

0:21:330:21:37

You're slap-bang in the heart of the village.

0:21:370:21:39

Yes, it's beautiful. Really lovely.

0:21:390:21:42

-Almost got your own...

-Yes, Tom'd have his own playground!

0:21:420:21:45

Because of the primary school, there's young families here.

0:21:450:21:48

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:21:480:21:50

Right, let's look inside.

0:21:500:21:52

Well, they can certainly picture Tom here, which is a good start.

0:21:520:21:57

The stone cottage dates back to 1642,

0:21:570:22:00

but has been recently renovated

0:22:000:22:01

so would offer the hassle-free move Rich and Claire are after.

0:22:010:22:05

Right, I just want us to pause in this room first of all.

0:22:050:22:08

One of two reception rooms.

0:22:080:22:11

Very nice.

0:22:120:22:13

-Yeah?

-Love it. Love the fire.

0:22:130:22:15

Open fireplace.

0:22:150:22:17

I've got a fair idea what I think you may well use this for,

0:22:170:22:21

but let me show you this room next door first.

0:22:210:22:23

See what you make of it.

0:22:250:22:27

Yeah, very nice.

0:22:270:22:29

Mixed feelings at the moment.

0:22:290:22:31

Compared to house number one, the open space...

0:22:310:22:34

It's kind of almost the opposite at the moment.

0:22:340:22:37

Well, now you've seen this, the main living room,

0:22:370:22:39

I was thinking the smaller living room could be where Tom plays.

0:22:390:22:43

-Or a dining area.

-Yeah.

0:22:430:22:46

We do have room for a dining table in the kitchen. Let me show you.

0:22:460:22:49

-A breakfast kitchen you'd call it, I suppose, wouldn't you?

-Yes.

0:22:530:22:58

Very nice.

0:22:580:23:00

-Not a bad size.

-A nice size, though.

0:23:000:23:02

I'm quite pleasantly surprised, actually.

0:23:020:23:04

Behind you, you've got a utility, as well.

0:23:040:23:07

So that gives you that extra bit of space in the kitchen.

0:23:070:23:11

I'm quite pleased, having seen the two rooms we've seen,

0:23:110:23:14

-that this is almost like the whole length of the house.

-Yes.

0:23:140:23:17

-It kind of flows.

-Yeah. Yeah.

0:23:170:23:20

Good! This is going well. You seem to be warming up a little bit.

0:23:200:23:24

-Yes, a little bit. A little bit.

-Good.

0:23:240:23:26

Let's look upstairs.

0:23:260:23:28

Despite my best efforts, Rich still looks slightly underwhelmed.

0:23:280:23:31

I think it's an issue of light.

0:23:330:23:35

The first floor offers up nearly 500 square feet of space,

0:23:350:23:38

including a stylish bathroom with newly tiled, enclosed shower

0:23:380:23:42

and freestanding roll-top bath.

0:23:420:23:44

The master bedroom is big enough for a super-king-size bed.

0:23:460:23:49

As you can see!

0:23:490:23:51

-Crikey.

-Nice. Nice size.

0:23:510:23:53

-It's a decent size, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:23:530:23:55

This house has three bedrooms.

0:23:550:23:57

The other two bedrooms aren't massive,

0:23:570:24:00

but they're all on one level.

0:24:000:24:02

-Which is a massive advantage over the first house.

-Yes.

0:24:020:24:04

We haven't seen a lot of storage space,

0:24:040:24:06

but you do get that in bucket loads outside.

0:24:060:24:10

-Oh!

-If you want to use it for storage.

-Yeah.

0:24:100:24:13

There might be a battle of wills.

0:24:130:24:15

We'll see if Rich's bikes are going to find a home,

0:24:170:24:20

but the more conventional first-floor bedrooms

0:24:200:24:22

seem to have gone done better than our first property's split layout.

0:24:220:24:26

OK, so you're probably expecting a fairly compact rear garden.

0:24:280:24:33

-But there is something I want to show you first.

-OK.

0:24:330:24:36

Maybe for you, Rich.

0:24:360:24:37

So...

0:24:420:24:43

Well, you can see you can make it into a gym, if you want.

0:24:450:24:49

It's the biggest private gym I've ever seen, actually.

0:24:490:24:52

It's...amazing.

0:24:520:24:54

An amazing space.

0:24:540:24:56

-Could be even a little annexe or...

-Yeah. This is the old forge.

0:24:560:24:59

You can see where the fire would be burning.

0:24:590:25:02

But you also - if you look through that window there -

0:25:020:25:06

you can see it goes all the way back there.

0:25:060:25:08

OK. So that could almost be a separate office space.

0:25:080:25:11

-Definitely could be an office.

-You could use it straightaway.

-Yeah.

0:25:110:25:14

You could certainly fit a few bikes in

0:25:140:25:16

-and do my repairs and everything I like to do here.

-Yeah.

0:25:160:25:21

Rich is one happy boy.

0:25:210:25:23

Outside, the rear garden is certainly compact.

0:25:230:25:25

It has a small decked patio, but is predominantly a gravel area

0:25:250:25:29

leading to the side of the house.

0:25:290:25:31

The neighbours do have access across its land,

0:25:310:25:34

which could be a bit of a stumbling block.

0:25:340:25:36

So, you've got this smaller area at the back of the property.

0:25:360:25:40

-Your garden really is at the front.

-Yes. It is.

0:25:400:25:43

I quite like the fact it's easy maintenance.

0:25:430:25:46

What do you think about having some right of way at the back of your house?

0:25:460:25:50

-Not an issue, is it?

-No.

0:25:500:25:52

And this area is relatively small,

0:25:520:25:54

it doesn't matter because there's a park right next door.

0:25:540:25:57

Good. So how much do you think this house's on the market for?

0:25:570:26:01

-I would guess at...320.

-OK?

0:26:010:26:04

-Claire?

-I'm guessing...

0:26:040:26:08

I'm going to go a little bit lower than the other one and say 329,950.

0:26:080:26:14

Not bad guesses.

0:26:140:26:15

This place is on the market for offers in excess of 309,950.

0:26:150:26:20

OK. That's pretty good value, in terms of the location, as well.

0:26:200:26:24

Very good. Yeah.

0:26:240:26:26

That's really surprising, actually.

0:26:260:26:28

I thought it would be a lot more than that.

0:26:280:26:31

Well, look, go back into the house,

0:26:310:26:33

see if you can warm Rich up any more over it.

0:26:330:26:35

-Because you weren't jumping up and down in there.

-No, no.

0:26:350:26:38

So why don't you go back in and once you've finished come back out

0:26:380:26:41

-and fight over who's going to get the use of the outbuilding?

-OK.

-OK.

0:26:410:26:45

-See you whenever you're finished.

-Thank you.

0:26:450:26:47

At £40,000 under Rich and Claire's maximum budget,

0:26:490:26:53

our second property is an end of terrace, stone, period cottage.

0:26:530:26:57

It features three first-floor bedrooms, two reception rooms -

0:26:570:26:59

one of which could be ideal for Tom's playroom -

0:26:590:27:03

a spacious kitchen/diner

0:27:030:27:05

and a characterful detached former forge,

0:27:050:27:08

offering lots of scope for Rich's bike workshop.

0:27:080:27:11

The property is also in an excellent central village location,

0:27:110:27:14

right next to the park.

0:27:140:27:16

I'm not entirely convinced it's the property for us,

0:27:160:27:19

but, potentially, with the outside space -

0:27:190:27:22

and there isn't much to do inside to make it homely -

0:27:220:27:25

that it could work.

0:27:250:27:28

The location is selling it for me here, more than anything else.

0:27:280:27:31

Having access to amenities is very important.

0:27:310:27:34

I think, come winter months, if we are snowed in,

0:27:340:27:37

it's going to be important to have facilities.

0:27:370:27:39

In terms of the outbuilding or most of this property,

0:27:390:27:42

I'm pretty much blown away by that.

0:27:420:27:44

Just in terms of its potential. Not necessarily just for bikes,

0:27:440:27:47

but also potentially as an office or maybe a play space for Tom.

0:27:470:27:51

-Now, then. Have you warmed him up?

-I think so. Although...

0:27:520:27:56

I'm warming, I'm warming. Just a little cold, but I'm warming.

0:27:560:27:59

You got some work to do tonight, then. That's it for today.

0:27:590:28:02

-So let's go back.

-Excellent.

0:28:020:28:04

It's the second day of our house-hunt in North Yorkshire

0:28:070:28:10

with Rich and Claire from Kensworth in Bedfordshire.

0:28:100:28:13

They have £350,000 to spend on what would be a homecoming

0:28:130:28:17

for Yorkshire-born Claire.

0:28:170:28:19

Coming up, Rich certainly seems impressed with our mystery space.

0:28:190:28:22

Wow.

0:28:220:28:24

This is amazing, Claire.

0:28:240:28:26

Whilst I check out a legend in the world of handcrafted furniture.

0:28:260:28:30

A man who made a huge impact with something very small.

0:28:300:28:34

So with two good house tours under our belt from yesterday,

0:28:350:28:38

we are going to mix things up a bit with our Mystery House.

0:28:380:28:41

Now, we're going to a location

0:28:410:28:43

that we know that Rich and Claire both really like,

0:28:430:28:46

but in order to get that, there could be a few compromises.

0:28:460:28:50

First off, well, it's not as aesthetically pleasing as the houses

0:28:500:28:54

we saw yesterday, but I'm hoping the open aspect could counter that,

0:28:540:28:59

although that rural location could be a bit TOO rural for them.

0:28:590:29:04

For today's Mystery House we're heading 12 miles south-west

0:29:050:29:09

to Rich and Claire's beloved Pateley Bridge.

0:29:090:29:12

Its centre offers a variety of shops selling everything from crafts

0:29:120:29:15

to locally sourced produce,

0:29:150:29:17

including a sweet shop dating back to 1827.

0:29:170:29:21

Pateley Bridge is also a focal point for the surrounding community,

0:29:210:29:25

and even hosts an annual agricultural show.

0:29:250:29:28

I've got no concerns about the town,

0:29:280:29:30

but our Mystery House is a bit of a gamble in terms of style,

0:29:300:29:33

although it does potentially deliver more space,

0:29:330:29:36

and while the setting may be beautiful, it hasn't exactly got

0:29:360:29:39

that community feel that Claire's dreaming of.

0:29:390:29:41

So, right atop the hill, we have the Mystery House.

0:29:410:29:46

Well, I think we've just got out of the car and being blown away

0:29:460:29:49

with the view, to be honest.

0:29:490:29:51

-I got blown away by the wind!

-And the wind!

0:29:510:29:53

Stunning location, though, isn't it?

0:29:530:29:55

It's just magical, isn't it?

0:29:550:29:57

-Now, you've got Pateley Bridge at the bottom of this hill.

-Mm-hm.

0:29:570:30:02

Close enough?

0:30:020:30:03

-Just need a sledge for the winter.

-Yeah!

0:30:030:30:06

-It's an easy commute INTO the town!

-Yeah!

0:30:060:30:09

Let's talk about the house itself.

0:30:090:30:11

Yes, it's not what we'd have gone for, really.

0:30:110:30:13

-It's a bungalow, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:30:130:30:15

We've chosen this house because it's near Pateley Bridge

0:30:150:30:18

in this amazing location,

0:30:180:30:20

so that's why we're here.

0:30:200:30:22

-Let's see what you think of it inside.

-Excellent.

0:30:220:30:25

Well, they seem to love the views,

0:30:250:30:27

but that all-important community feel of Pateley Bridge

0:30:270:30:29

is just under a mile away.

0:30:290:30:31

We'll have to see if this detached bungalow

0:30:310:30:34

can convince them about a more rural life.

0:30:340:30:36

-Let's start off with a living room. So...

-Cosy!

0:30:360:30:40

THEY LAUGH

0:30:400:30:42

-I think there's enough room. The window goes out.

-Yes.

0:30:420:30:46

-It's got the bay, hasn't it?

-Yeah.

0:30:460:30:49

At the start of this, you said

0:30:490:30:51

the house we want is one we can lock up and leave

0:30:510:30:53

-and make the most of the environment we are in.

-A base, yes.

0:30:530:30:57

So I was thinking, this house plays to that

0:30:570:31:00

more than the others we've seen so far.

0:31:000:31:02

Let's keep walking through.

0:31:020:31:04

This house is set up with living this side

0:31:050:31:08

and sleeping that side.

0:31:080:31:10

That used to be the master but is now one of the children's bedrooms.

0:31:100:31:13

Another bedroom there - used as an office and music room.

0:31:130:31:16

-And straight back into the kitchen, here.

-Oh, interesting.

0:31:160:31:22

Now, this is new.

0:31:220:31:23

The kitchen used to be all the way through to here.

0:31:230:31:25

But they've made it into a dining room.

0:31:250:31:29

-Wow.

-Have a good look.

0:31:290:31:31

Aesthetically pleasing.

0:31:310:31:33

Really?! Why, because of that, you mean?

0:31:330:31:36

Because of the view, I think, yes.

0:31:360:31:38

-It works as a space, I think.

-Yeah.

-Kitchen and dining room.

0:31:380:31:41

Although they are slightly separate, it works as one.

0:31:410:31:45

The kitchen - all right, is it?

0:31:450:31:47

Yeah, I think it's a nice size.

0:31:470:31:49

The spacious kitchen could be winning them over.

0:31:490:31:53

Next to it is a newly tiled shower room, complete with generous enclosure.

0:31:530:31:56

This in turn leads to a well-thought-out utility

0:31:560:31:59

for all the white goods.

0:31:590:32:01

Back towards the front of the house, the third bedroom

0:32:010:32:03

is a light-filled space with wooden flooring,

0:32:030:32:06

perfect for son Tom.

0:32:060:32:07

And to complete the layout, there's one more bedroom on offer.

0:32:070:32:11

-So, the master bedroom and a modern extension of the house.

-Nice.

0:32:110:32:17

-Nice, high ceilings.

-What do you think, Rich?

-Yeah, I like it.

0:32:170:32:19

Yeah. Although they're not massive rooms,

0:32:190:32:22

there are a lot of them, aren't there?

0:32:220:32:24

It would need quite a lot of DIY, in terms of plastering.

0:32:240:32:27

Which is doable.

0:32:270:32:29

Not knocking walls and things down.

0:32:290:32:31

Which is what we don't want.

0:32:310:32:33

But I'm still not sold on the bungalow. Yet.

0:32:330:32:35

-Takes a bit of getting used to, doesn't it?

-It does.

0:32:350:32:38

So Claire's yet to be convinced.

0:32:380:32:40

Outside, the garden is fairly compact,

0:32:400:32:42

but has an open aspect and plenty of space for a family vegetable plot.

0:32:420:32:46

It's bordered by attractive stone walling

0:32:460:32:48

and features a timber veranda

0:32:480:32:50

which offers fantastic views of surrounding countryside.

0:32:500:32:53

The wind's got up a little bit, but the view's still there, thankfully!

0:32:530:32:57

-Glorious, isn't it?

-Stunning.

-Amazing.

0:32:570:32:59

And the fact that you can see

0:32:590:33:01

actually down to the school and the leisure centre, as well.

0:33:010:33:04

Quite. Yeah.

0:33:040:33:05

Now, outside, space-wise, you've got off-street parking for your 4x4

0:33:050:33:10

which you're probably going to buy,

0:33:100:33:12

and a small garden.

0:33:120:33:14

-Kind of what you wanted it, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:33:140:33:17

Yes, easy to maintain.

0:33:170:33:19

Not too much work.

0:33:190:33:21

Which I didn't want.

0:33:210:33:23

-And, most importantly, you've got a ginormous garage.

-Whoa...!

0:33:230:33:28

Rich is very excited about that, aren't you?

0:33:280:33:30

I thought I'd let you loose in there later on, go and explore it yourselves.

0:33:300:33:34

So, how much do you think this house is on the market for?

0:33:340:33:37

I'm going to go with...

0:33:370:33:41

327.

0:33:410:33:44

Right, OK. Strange number.

0:33:440:33:46

Go on, then, Rich.

0:33:460:33:47

OK, I'm going to go less than that.

0:33:470:33:50

I think around 310.

0:33:500:33:51

Well, it's on the market for offers of around £320,000.

0:33:510:33:55

-You're not a million miles out.

-No.

-No.

0:33:570:33:59

-So, Rich, you like this, don't you?

-I do.

0:33:590:34:02

I do, out of the three properties we've seen, this one fits MY brief.

0:34:020:34:06

The only thing that'd niggle me a little bit is...isolation for Tom.

0:34:060:34:10

There doesn't seem to be any other houses around here.

0:34:100:34:13

Tom, growing up, might need more of a community of children.

0:34:130:34:17

So that would slightly put me off this property.

0:34:170:34:20

Going as that garage is only going to be another tick for you -

0:34:200:34:23

I know that - but do have a conversation when you walk around.

0:34:230:34:26

-I'll meet you whenever you're finished.

-Fantastic.

-OK.

0:34:260:34:29

See you when you're done.

0:34:290:34:32

Well, just like any good Mystery House selection,

0:34:320:34:34

it's raised a few issues - a few questions that need to be answered.

0:34:340:34:38

But in doing so, it also calls into question the other houses we've seen.

0:34:380:34:42

And it's a real nice spectrum of properties

0:34:420:34:44

they've now got to consider.

0:34:440:34:47

Well under Rich and Claire's maximum budget of £350,000,

0:34:470:34:50

our mystery property is a detached bungalow.

0:34:500:34:53

It offers four bedrooms as well as a modern kitchen

0:34:530:34:56

and spacious dining room.

0:34:560:34:58

The outside features an excellent double garage,

0:34:580:35:01

and the crowning glory of this property

0:35:010:35:03

has to be the outstanding views over the local hills.

0:35:030:35:07

Wow!

0:35:070:35:08

This is amazing, Claire.

0:35:080:35:10

-Big space, isn't it?

-It's massive. For a garage.

0:35:100:35:13

It's big enough that I can use a bit of it, and you can too.

0:35:130:35:15

-We can utilise it for what we need.

-Yes, it's nice.

0:35:150:35:18

The mystery property has really surprised me, actually.

0:35:180:35:22

I really like it. I'd quite happily live in the house, or bungalow,

0:35:220:35:25

I don't have a preference.

0:35:250:35:27

I do like a bungalow. I'd probably like it as a holiday house.

0:35:270:35:31

But it doesn't really excite me, if you like.

0:35:310:35:34

I think it would have to be pretty spectacular inside

0:35:340:35:38

to kind of win me over.

0:35:380:35:40

It's only three-quarters of a mile into Pateley Bridge,

0:35:400:35:43

but it is quite a steep hill.

0:35:430:35:45

It is walkable but for a small child, it would be a challenge.

0:35:450:35:49

-Now, then, all done?

-Yes.

0:35:510:35:53

-Yes, we are.

-Lovely.

0:35:530:35:54

-Well, hopefully, this Mystery House is giving you something to think about.

-Definitely.

0:35:540:35:58

It's definitely a good Mystery House,

0:35:580:36:00

in terms of the overall look and feel of it.

0:36:000:36:03

We definitely wouldn't have looked at a bungalow.

0:36:030:36:06

That's what it's there for.

0:36:060:36:07

Let's find you somewhere to have a sit down and chat.

0:36:070:36:10

Kilburn sits below the hill carving of the white horse

0:36:160:36:18

in the North York Moors National Park.

0:36:180:36:21

But the village was also home to another famous figure,

0:36:210:36:24

one of the country's greatest ever furniture-makers, Robert Thompson.

0:36:240:36:28

His work has continued through the generations

0:36:280:36:31

and I'm meeting his great-grandson, Ian Cartwright Thompson,

0:36:310:36:34

to find out more about this legendary master craftsman.

0:36:340:36:37

I'm keen to hear about this historic business.

0:36:390:36:42

It's very much the heart of Kilburn today.

0:36:420:36:45

When was it all started by your great-grandfather?

0:36:450:36:48

Well, Great-grandfather took over from his father John Thompson

0:36:480:36:52

and that happened around 1900,

0:36:520:36:54

when Robert took over the running of the business.

0:36:540:36:58

He was the village joiner.

0:36:580:37:00

He was repairing gates, making windows, doors.

0:37:000:37:03

Don't forget, a lot of property here in this village

0:37:030:37:06

was owned by the Church Commissioners.

0:37:060:37:08

This early religious influence continued through Robert's

0:37:080:37:11

true passion for furniture.

0:37:110:37:13

He was inspired by the beautiful woodwork of local cathedrals

0:37:130:37:17

and soon became renowned for his intricate carving of oak church furniture.

0:37:170:37:21

Much of his work can still be seen throughout Yorkshire,

0:37:210:37:24

and even in the majestic York Minster.

0:37:240:37:27

Despite this grandeur, his work is best known for one tiny detail

0:37:270:37:31

and, for many, he is simply known as the Mouseman.

0:37:310:37:35

Where does this Mouseman name come from?

0:37:380:37:41

When Great-grandfather was working with one of his fellow craftsmen,

0:37:410:37:45

they were working on a piece for a local church,

0:37:450:37:47

and the craftsmen he was working with happened to mention

0:37:470:37:50

he thought they were both as poor as church mice.

0:37:500:37:53

The mouse is working quietly, gnawing away with its chisel-like teeth,

0:37:530:37:56

and here he was on the edge of the Hambleton Hills,

0:37:560:37:59

working away in his little workshop here in Kilburn,

0:37:590:38:02

not making a song and dance about it,

0:38:020:38:04

so he thought, what a nice idea,

0:38:040:38:05

we'll carve a mouse on this particular piece.

0:38:050:38:07

And that unique mark became his signature.

0:38:070:38:10

By the 1920s, his notoriety had spread

0:38:100:38:13

and he branched out into the domestic market.

0:38:130:38:15

His inspirational furniture designs

0:38:150:38:18

are still produced in the family workshop today,

0:38:180:38:20

using techniques passed down from generation to generation.

0:38:200:38:24

I was expecting, when we came up here to the workshop,

0:38:240:38:28

to see lathes everywhere, but it's all hand tools.

0:38:280:38:32

Yes, a tremendous amount of handwork goes into what we do here at Kilburn,

0:38:320:38:36

and that's what we pride ourselves in.

0:38:360:38:38

No substitute for a pair of those.

0:38:380:38:40

Oak is still the material of choice,

0:38:400:38:42

some of which is still sourced from the local forests around Kilburn.

0:38:420:38:46

It's then seasoned in vast wood stores for up to four years

0:38:460:38:50

before making it onto the craftsman's bench.

0:38:500:38:52

The workshop now produces over 150 types of furniture for any use.

0:38:520:38:57

Some of the craftsmen have been carving for over 50 years

0:38:570:39:01

but they're always looking to the next generation.

0:39:010:39:03

We've got five apprentices currently,

0:39:030:39:06

and they will serve a minimum of four years of training

0:39:060:39:09

on a one-to-one basis with a master craftsman.

0:39:090:39:12

It's a good learning curve for them

0:39:120:39:15

and they will learn an awful lot of skills.

0:39:150:39:17

But don't forget, it's a lifetime of learning.

0:39:170:39:19

Of course. Four years is a drop in the ocean, I suppose, isn't it?

0:39:190:39:22

We're meeting up with Andy Watkins,

0:39:220:39:24

who's one year into his apprenticeship.

0:39:240:39:26

He's even letting me loose on his own carving.

0:39:260:39:29

What made you want to come and do an apprenticeship at Kilburn?

0:39:290:39:32

Just from school, really.

0:39:320:39:35

I enjoyed woodwork there

0:39:350:39:36

and this place had a lot of hands-on with the tools,

0:39:360:39:39

and we use all different types of planes, and stuff.

0:39:390:39:42

-How am I getting on, Andy? This all right?

-Yes, it's good.

0:39:420:39:44

-Getting there.

-When Andy's fully trained,

0:39:440:39:47

each person here will be responsible

0:39:470:39:49

for their entire piece of furniture themselves?

0:39:490:39:52

That's right, Jonnie. And when they have finished it,

0:39:520:39:54

they'll be carving a mouse, as well.

0:39:540:39:56

Right, OK. And this is what we do here.

0:39:560:39:58

This is a mouse trademark.

0:39:580:40:01

-This is your handiwork, is that?

-Yes.

-Fantastic.

-I did it last night.

0:40:010:40:04

-So this is all one piece.

-It is, yes.

0:40:040:40:07

We leave the piece in the middle for carving the mouse

0:40:070:40:09

and that's all done by hand.

0:40:090:40:11

-So this is your signature?

-Yes, that's mine.

0:40:110:40:14

So, I'll let you go back to work. Good luck for your three years.

0:40:140:40:17

You are the future of the business!

0:40:170:40:19

-Today's apprentices are tomorrow's craftsmen.

-Perfect.

0:40:190:40:22

Well, listen, I wish you all the very best of luck.

0:40:220:40:25

-Thanks for having me.

-Cheers, Jonnie.

0:40:250:40:27

It is fantastic to see one man's vision being carried on.

0:40:270:40:31

I'm sure Kilburn will be home to oak furniture-making

0:40:310:40:34

for many generations to come.

0:40:340:40:36

But for now, it's back to our property hunt.

0:40:360:40:38

So, my first question is, are you in agreement on a favourite property?

0:40:380:40:42

Because you have had slight differences of opinion.

0:40:420:40:45

I think, for both of us, the third property - the Mystery House -

0:40:450:40:48

was a favourite in terms of location,

0:40:480:40:51

although the property wasn't quite right for me, unfortunately.

0:40:510:40:54

Location-wise, definitely property three.

0:40:540:40:57

Property-wise, there is some work to do on it.

0:40:570:41:00

But out of the three, that would be my preference.

0:41:000:41:03

-So what's your favourite property, Claire?

-I don't know.

0:41:030:41:06

-I'd quite like to go back to property number one.

-OK.

0:41:060:41:08

It was lovely house, location...

0:41:080:41:11

Maybe a second visit would kind of summarise what was in the area.

0:41:110:41:14

Property two, beautiful village -

0:41:140:41:18

not sure it was quite the right house for us.

0:41:180:41:21

You seemed to get on quite well with the Mystery House, Rich?

0:41:210:41:23

-Yes.

-Is it worth going back there as well? Or has the boss spoken?

0:41:230:41:27

I think they're not too far apart,

0:41:270:41:29

so if we see one, you need to see the other.

0:41:290:41:32

Who's going to win out here?

0:41:320:41:33

I love the location - it's everything that we wanted,

0:41:330:41:37

but I'm still not sold on a bungalow.

0:41:370:41:39

You've seen your favourite bits of each property,

0:41:390:41:42

and in order to move forward,

0:41:420:41:44

you almost maybe need to think of, "Which bits can we do without?"

0:41:440:41:47

We like our own different things,

0:41:470:41:49

but we will hopefully come to the right end point.

0:41:490:41:53

I think it's important that we're both happy with the final choice.

0:41:530:41:58

-Absolutely.

-So, I wish you both the very best of luck

0:41:580:42:01

with both of your second viewings.

0:42:010:42:02

-And please let us know what you decide.

-We will.

-Will do.

0:42:020:42:05

-And most importantly, good luck.

-Thank you.

-Thank you for your time.

0:42:050:42:08

So, after great reactions in all three properties, really,

0:42:130:42:16

I'm chuffed that Claire and Rich think it's worth the effort to come

0:42:160:42:19

all the way back up here to North Yorkshire

0:42:190:42:22

and look at least two of the three we selected.

0:42:220:42:24

Now, it's pretty firm in my mind

0:42:240:42:26

that Claire's favourite is property number one.

0:42:260:42:28

She loved it as soon as she set eyes on it.

0:42:280:42:31

But if they do go to the Mystery House as well,

0:42:310:42:33

it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't pop in to Pateley Bridge

0:42:330:42:36

and visit an estate agent or two just to double-check

0:42:360:42:39

there hasn't been anything new come onto the market. Watch this space!

0:42:390:42:42

And my instincts were right.

0:42:450:42:47

Despite loving different elements of two of our properties,

0:42:470:42:50

Rich and Claire managed to find a house that they both love

0:42:500:42:53

near Pateley Bridge.

0:42:530:42:55

We wish them all the very best with their North Yorkshire move.

0:42:550:42:58

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0:42:580:43:02

Northern Ireland, Scotland

0:43:020:43:03

or even further afield to the continent and need our help

0:43:030:43:06

please apply online...

0:43:060:43:09

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