Browse content similar to Dorset. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!
Line | From | To | |
---|---|---|---|
Welcome to today's Escape To The Country. | 0:00:02 | 0:00:03 | |
Now this gorgeous pool behind me | 0:00:03 | 0:00:05 | |
may look like the quintessential picture of peace and serenity, | 0:00:05 | 0:00:09 | |
but about 200 years ago it was a hive of industrial activity | 0:00:09 | 0:00:13 | |
with men furiously digging. But for what? And where? | 0:00:13 | 0:00:16 | |
Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you. | 0:00:16 | 0:00:19 | |
On today's show I'll be helping an island-hopping spiritual healer | 0:00:37 | 0:00:41 | |
find peace in the countryside, ably assisted by his daughter. | 0:00:41 | 0:00:44 | |
We hit the spot... | 0:00:44 | 0:00:47 | |
Oh, this is... This is it! | 0:00:47 | 0:00:49 | |
This is...wow. | 0:00:49 | 0:00:50 | |
-It's the perfect size for you, isn't it? -Yeah. | 0:00:50 | 0:00:52 | |
And leave them stumped. | 0:00:52 | 0:00:54 | |
You're a bit lost for words! | 0:00:54 | 0:00:56 | |
I'm a bit speechless, yeah. I am. | 0:00:56 | 0:00:58 | |
Well, today we're in Dorset and this | 0:01:00 | 0:01:03 | |
is the aptly named Blue Pool at Furzebrook just outside Wareham. | 0:01:03 | 0:01:07 | |
Since the days of the Romans, this area has been a rich source of | 0:01:07 | 0:01:10 | |
what is known as Purbeck Ball Clay. | 0:01:10 | 0:01:12 | |
Since the early 1600s, it was much in demand for producing clay pipes | 0:01:12 | 0:01:16 | |
following the introduction of tobacco from the Americas. | 0:01:16 | 0:01:20 | |
And as our love affair with tea increased in the 1700s, | 0:01:20 | 0:01:23 | |
the likes of Wedgwood turned it into teapots and teacups | 0:01:23 | 0:01:27 | |
to grace some of the finest homes in the country. | 0:01:27 | 0:01:30 | |
This particular clay pit behind me was begun in 1840, | 0:01:30 | 0:01:34 | |
but within 20 years they'd finished work here, | 0:01:34 | 0:01:37 | |
and left behind this amazing blue lagoon. | 0:01:37 | 0:01:39 | |
And it's the clay in the water that still exists | 0:01:39 | 0:01:42 | |
that gives it this amazing turquoise colour. | 0:01:42 | 0:01:46 | |
It is a real gem, | 0:01:46 | 0:01:47 | |
that just goes to show that this region is full of hidden surprises. | 0:01:47 | 0:01:51 | |
Dorset, bordered by four counties | 0:01:53 | 0:01:55 | |
is sandwiched between Hampshire in the east and Somerset in the west, | 0:01:55 | 0:02:00 | |
and its geographical location offers the best of countryside and coast | 0:02:00 | 0:02:04 | |
with 42 percent of the county designated as protected | 0:02:04 | 0:02:07 | |
Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. | 0:02:07 | 0:02:10 | |
Its shores encompassed the 95 mile long Jurassic coastline | 0:02:12 | 0:02:16 | |
whose 180 million year old prehistoric cliffs | 0:02:16 | 0:02:18 | |
have earned it World Heritage status | 0:02:18 | 0:02:21 | |
and include the remote stretch of Chesil Beach | 0:02:21 | 0:02:23 | |
and the secluded Lulworth Cove. | 0:02:23 | 0:02:26 | |
Looking inland, farming has shaped Dorset's rural landscape | 0:02:26 | 0:02:30 | |
with lowland areas defined by lush pasture land | 0:02:30 | 0:02:33 | |
feeding their county's dairy industry. | 0:02:33 | 0:02:37 | |
Unsurprisingly, 80% of this agricultural splendour | 0:02:37 | 0:02:40 | |
falls within a natural conservation area. | 0:02:40 | 0:02:42 | |
It's no wonder then, that Dorset exerts | 0:02:42 | 0:02:45 | |
such a powerful pull on property shoppers, | 0:02:45 | 0:02:48 | |
looking to find a permanent home | 0:02:48 | 0:02:49 | |
in this wonderful mix of glorious scenery. | 0:02:49 | 0:02:52 | |
Now, Dorset's desirability does come at a cost. | 0:02:57 | 0:03:02 | |
£316,000 is what you'll have to pay | 0:03:02 | 0:03:05 | |
for your average detached property here - | 0:03:05 | 0:03:08 | |
that's some 60 grand above the national figure. | 0:03:08 | 0:03:11 | |
But as with all statistics, there are things that can skew them, | 0:03:11 | 0:03:14 | |
and here, well, it comes in the form of Sandbanks near Poole. | 0:03:14 | 0:03:18 | |
Multi-million pound properties that represent some of the most | 0:03:18 | 0:03:21 | |
expensive real estate in the UK. | 0:03:21 | 0:03:24 | |
But don't panic if you haven't got seven figures to hand, | 0:03:24 | 0:03:27 | |
head north to Wimborne or indeed around Blandford Forum | 0:03:27 | 0:03:30 | |
and you will certainly find plenty, | 0:03:30 | 0:03:32 | |
not only that will take your breath away, | 0:03:32 | 0:03:34 | |
but would also make your money go that little bit further. | 0:03:34 | 0:03:37 | |
So, time now to meet today's buyers | 0:03:37 | 0:03:39 | |
and find out why they think Dorset is the county for them. | 0:03:39 | 0:03:43 | |
Since the year 2000, retired IT consultant John | 0:03:46 | 0:03:48 | |
has lived in busy Bembridge on the Isle of Wight | 0:03:48 | 0:03:51 | |
close to his daughter Sarah, | 0:03:51 | 0:03:53 | |
but he feels the time is right to swap the high street | 0:03:53 | 0:03:55 | |
for a quieter spot in the countryside. | 0:03:55 | 0:03:57 | |
Bembridge is a lovely, lovely place, | 0:03:59 | 0:04:01 | |
but over the years it's got more and more and more busy. | 0:04:01 | 0:04:06 | |
The traffic is getting bigger and bigger, | 0:04:06 | 0:04:08 | |
so for me it's not as quiet as I would have liked it. | 0:04:08 | 0:04:11 | |
And John has signed up his daughter to assist in his search for a new home. | 0:04:11 | 0:04:17 | |
Sarah's been my... I would say, my closest friend. | 0:04:17 | 0:04:20 | |
It's two good mates, isn't it? | 0:04:20 | 0:04:23 | |
-Yeah, we do get on very well. -We're good mates. | 0:04:23 | 0:04:26 | |
And I don't preach any more. I don't tell her what to do. | 0:04:26 | 0:04:29 | |
I will help Dad find his next property by being honest, I think, | 0:04:33 | 0:04:37 | |
and practical about it. | 0:04:37 | 0:04:40 | |
Having lost his wife just over six years ago, | 0:04:42 | 0:04:44 | |
John has a new lady in his life but she lives on the mainland, | 0:04:44 | 0:04:47 | |
prompting his desire to leave the island. | 0:04:47 | 0:04:51 | |
Ingrid lives in Weymouth, | 0:04:51 | 0:04:53 | |
and I want to be near her, | 0:04:53 | 0:04:55 | |
because she's very special to me. | 0:04:55 | 0:04:57 | |
It's been difficult because of the expense of the ferry crossings. | 0:04:57 | 0:05:01 | |
The logistics of it are just quite difficult to manage, | 0:05:01 | 0:05:04 | |
to get from here to Weymouth. | 0:05:04 | 0:05:05 | |
So, it makes sense for Dad to be over there. | 0:05:05 | 0:05:08 | |
When it comes to the new home, John is very specific about what he's after. | 0:05:10 | 0:05:14 | |
I think the priority is a nice quiet spot. | 0:05:14 | 0:05:17 | |
My ideal property would be a nice low-slung cottage. | 0:05:17 | 0:05:23 | |
I'm not keen on thatch, | 0:05:23 | 0:05:25 | |
what with the insurance problems and all that sort of thing. | 0:05:25 | 0:05:28 | |
Its energies are quite important, and the feel. | 0:05:28 | 0:05:32 | |
It's not so much the bricks and mortar - that's not important - | 0:05:32 | 0:05:36 | |
I'm not after chocolate box stuff. | 0:05:36 | 0:05:39 | |
An important element in the new home is the kitchen. | 0:05:40 | 0:05:44 | |
I am passionate about my cooking. | 0:05:44 | 0:05:46 | |
I've been cooking Indian food - well, cooking food - | 0:05:47 | 0:05:50 | |
since I was about three. | 0:05:50 | 0:05:52 | |
We love cooking huge banquets together. | 0:05:52 | 0:05:55 | |
We'll cook about 15 dishes, you know. | 0:05:55 | 0:05:57 | |
And also playing a key role in the property search | 0:05:57 | 0:06:00 | |
is spiritual healing - something close to John's heart. | 0:06:00 | 0:06:04 | |
My biggest passion - it's my life now, vocation, | 0:06:04 | 0:06:06 | |
whatever you want to call it - is healing. | 0:06:06 | 0:06:10 | |
The healing that I do has not got a label on it, not like others. | 0:06:10 | 0:06:14 | |
I just try and keep it very simple and very straightforward, | 0:06:14 | 0:06:18 | |
and I work on the basis that there is a cosmic energy which drives everything. | 0:06:18 | 0:06:22 | |
So a healing room is very important. | 0:06:22 | 0:06:25 | |
It doesn't have to be a bland empty box or anything, | 0:06:25 | 0:06:28 | |
it just needs a room that feels right. | 0:06:28 | 0:06:31 | |
All that's left to discover are the finances for the move. | 0:06:31 | 0:06:36 | |
My budget for the move - £350,000. | 0:06:36 | 0:06:40 | |
John has asked us to concentrate our search around the south coast, | 0:06:42 | 0:06:45 | |
to be within reasonable distance of his partner Ingrid in Weymouth. | 0:06:45 | 0:06:49 | |
I met up with him and his daughter Sarah | 0:06:49 | 0:06:51 | |
to find out more about his property hunt. | 0:06:51 | 0:06:54 | |
This is an interesting tale, really. | 0:06:54 | 0:06:56 | |
You're escaping the Isle of Wight! | 0:06:56 | 0:06:59 | |
I'm actually moving here to break out with the healing side, | 0:06:59 | 0:07:02 | |
and take that a bit more seriously now. And, erm... | 0:07:02 | 0:07:06 | |
I found a partner three years ago | 0:07:06 | 0:07:08 | |
and we've really hit it off together. | 0:07:08 | 0:07:11 | |
She lives in Weymouth, so it was an opportunity to bring the two together. | 0:07:11 | 0:07:15 | |
What sort of travelling time are we trying to get within? | 0:07:15 | 0:07:19 | |
About 20 minutes to half an hour. | 0:07:19 | 0:07:20 | |
Sarah, are you the voice of reason - dare I say - in all of this? | 0:07:20 | 0:07:24 | |
He's the one who's going to feel the energy, but, yes. | 0:07:24 | 0:07:26 | |
I'm giving him the advice. | 0:07:26 | 0:07:28 | |
But in terms of practicalities... Bedrooms-wise, what...? | 0:07:28 | 0:07:31 | |
Three bedrooms. | 0:07:31 | 0:07:32 | |
I don't need any more than that. | 0:07:32 | 0:07:34 | |
I know that you've been quite anxious about the idea | 0:07:34 | 0:07:37 | |
-of a thatched property. -Yeah. | 0:07:37 | 0:07:39 | |
I mean, my reservations are obviously how long the thatch has been there. | 0:07:39 | 0:07:43 | |
I don't want a £30,000 build cropping up in two or three years. | 0:07:43 | 0:07:48 | |
If it's a thatched place, it's got to be relatively new. | 0:07:48 | 0:07:50 | |
Right, then, so you've got £350,000 to spend, | 0:07:50 | 0:07:54 | |
we've got three, I think, really interesting properties to show you. | 0:07:54 | 0:07:58 | |
I think we should make a move. | 0:07:58 | 0:07:59 | |
For a budget of £350,000, John is looking for three bedrooms, | 0:08:02 | 0:08:07 | |
a separate room to use for his spiritual healing, | 0:08:07 | 0:08:09 | |
a good-sized kitchen diner, | 0:08:09 | 0:08:12 | |
a quiet village location | 0:08:12 | 0:08:13 | |
and all within half an hour of his partner Ingrid in Weymouth. | 0:08:13 | 0:08:18 | |
We have three gorgeous properties for John, | 0:08:18 | 0:08:20 | |
and after each tour we will see if he can guess the price. | 0:08:20 | 0:08:24 | |
Our final offering is a mystery house which, | 0:08:24 | 0:08:26 | |
although it might not be on his radar, | 0:08:26 | 0:08:28 | |
could totally change his outlook. | 0:08:28 | 0:08:31 | |
So, we began our search with our first property. | 0:08:31 | 0:08:34 | |
What other interests are you hoping to pursue down here? | 0:08:34 | 0:08:37 | |
I've always had a fascination for working with wood and glass. | 0:08:37 | 0:08:41 | |
So working with the two together would be an ideal. | 0:08:44 | 0:08:47 | |
It's something you could have a bit of pride in, | 0:08:47 | 0:08:50 | |
and it doesn't take up a lot of space. | 0:08:50 | 0:08:53 | |
-You're clearly a very positive man, John. -Oh, yeah. | 0:08:53 | 0:08:56 | |
And I get the sense that you are pretty optimistic about this week. | 0:08:56 | 0:09:03 | |
Yes, it will all come together. | 0:09:04 | 0:09:06 | |
We're heading west to the village of Netherbury, | 0:09:08 | 0:09:11 | |
close to the town of Beaminster, | 0:09:11 | 0:09:13 | |
about 40 minutes from his partner in Weymouth. | 0:09:13 | 0:09:16 | |
Netherbury is a peaceful village beside the river Brit | 0:09:16 | 0:09:20 | |
in a designated conservation area, | 0:09:20 | 0:09:22 | |
and in a region known for its stone houses and cottages. | 0:09:22 | 0:09:25 | |
For the essential day-to-day supplies, | 0:09:25 | 0:09:27 | |
the nearby market town of Beaminster is only two miles down the road. | 0:09:27 | 0:09:31 | |
Property number one, a detached period stone house, | 0:09:31 | 0:09:35 | |
sits in a quiet hedge-lined lane in the heart of Netherbury village. | 0:09:35 | 0:09:39 | |
-Hey. -What do you make of that? | 0:09:39 | 0:09:42 | |
-Well, that's a wow. -Yes? -That is beautiful. | 0:09:42 | 0:09:45 | |
-You got a wow out of me! -How about that? -Already! | 0:09:45 | 0:09:47 | |
We haven't been in yet! | 0:09:47 | 0:09:49 | |
-Central front door, rooms either side... -Yep. | 0:09:49 | 0:09:53 | |
-Pretty, isn't it? -It is really pretty, yeah. | 0:09:53 | 0:09:56 | |
What do you think Ingrid would make of it? | 0:09:56 | 0:09:58 | |
I think she would really love it. | 0:09:58 | 0:10:00 | |
We're off to a great start, with a "wow" for the exterior | 0:10:00 | 0:10:03 | |
and so far it's hitting all the right spots. | 0:10:03 | 0:10:06 | |
As we head inside, I've got a good feeling about this house. | 0:10:06 | 0:10:10 | |
Let's hope John does, too. | 0:10:10 | 0:10:12 | |
Well, John, I thought we'd start in here. | 0:10:12 | 0:10:15 | |
Now, obviously, this is set up as their dining room, | 0:10:15 | 0:10:17 | |
but I thought we'd tackle the business of having somewhere | 0:10:17 | 0:10:21 | |
for you to work with the healing first. | 0:10:21 | 0:10:23 | |
Yeah. This would be perfect. | 0:10:23 | 0:10:25 | |
There's a sense of quietness in this room as soon as you walk into it. | 0:10:25 | 0:10:29 | |
Is the road an issue? I mean, you can't really hear it, can you? | 0:10:29 | 0:10:33 | |
There is some secondary... double-glazing there, too. | 0:10:33 | 0:10:37 | |
Let's keep going. Follow me across the hallway. | 0:10:37 | 0:10:39 | |
So this is your main living room, John. | 0:10:41 | 0:10:43 | |
Oh, yes. | 0:10:43 | 0:10:45 | |
This is just the right size. | 0:10:46 | 0:10:49 | |
I think I said I don't want anything too big. | 0:10:49 | 0:10:52 | |
-We can get six of us in here, no problem. -Yeah. | 0:10:52 | 0:10:55 | |
And it's all done as you can see. | 0:10:55 | 0:10:57 | |
The finishes are really nice. | 0:10:57 | 0:10:58 | |
Another lovely working fireplace there. | 0:10:58 | 0:11:01 | |
No, the room is neutral. | 0:11:01 | 0:11:03 | |
You know, so there's nothing here that would disturb me. | 0:11:03 | 0:11:06 | |
-Well, Sarah's smiling, so I think it's all good news. -I like it. | 0:11:06 | 0:11:09 | |
-Oh, it is lovely. -Yeah? -Yes. | 0:11:11 | 0:11:14 | |
-And then this is the kitchen/diner, John. -Oh, this is it. | 0:11:16 | 0:11:21 | |
This is... wow. | 0:11:21 | 0:11:22 | |
-It's a perfect size for you, isn't it? -Yeah. | 0:11:22 | 0:11:24 | |
Very simple space, this. Nothing's very cluttered. | 0:11:24 | 0:11:27 | |
Lines are very clean, it's all done. | 0:11:27 | 0:11:29 | |
It's really nice, actually. | 0:11:29 | 0:11:31 | |
It's been done really well. | 0:11:31 | 0:11:33 | |
-We do need to see upstairs. -Mm. | 0:11:33 | 0:11:36 | |
-Yes. -To draw this picture together, don't we? | 0:11:36 | 0:11:39 | |
-We do. -Indeed. -OK. | 0:11:39 | 0:11:40 | |
The house has delivered the perfect kitchen, | 0:11:42 | 0:11:45 | |
and so far no negative vibes at all from the downstairs. | 0:11:45 | 0:11:48 | |
So let's hope that continues. | 0:11:48 | 0:11:50 | |
Up on the first floor | 0:11:50 | 0:11:52 | |
there is one good-sized and another slightly smaller double bedroom, | 0:11:52 | 0:11:55 | |
and a small single. | 0:11:55 | 0:11:57 | |
Then, up another few steps is the master bedroom. | 0:11:57 | 0:12:00 | |
Ah, yes. This has got to be the master, hasn't it? | 0:12:03 | 0:12:06 | |
-Yes, indeed. -This is good. This is good. | 0:12:06 | 0:12:09 | |
Next door is a really lovely bathroom. | 0:12:09 | 0:12:11 | |
Just been all done. | 0:12:11 | 0:12:13 | |
So, again, nothing really to have to do. | 0:12:13 | 0:12:16 | |
No. You could just move in here. | 0:12:16 | 0:12:18 | |
But what about the practical side, Sarah? | 0:12:18 | 0:12:20 | |
The rooms are manageable. | 0:12:20 | 0:12:22 | |
I think you'd manage quite well. You wouldn't feel overwhelmed. | 0:12:22 | 0:12:25 | |
-And this is a lovely room. -Yeah. Definitely. | 0:12:25 | 0:12:28 | |
-Good. -Lovely and bright. | 0:12:28 | 0:12:30 | |
Well, talking about lovely and bright, | 0:12:30 | 0:12:32 | |
let's get out there to the garden. | 0:12:32 | 0:12:34 | |
-Yeah, go into the sun. -Absolutely. | 0:12:34 | 0:12:36 | |
John seems really taken with the house. Top to bottom. | 0:12:36 | 0:12:40 | |
And as we head for the garden to guess the price, the sun is shining. | 0:12:40 | 0:12:43 | |
It really can't get any better. | 0:12:43 | 0:12:45 | |
This is a sun trap, for sure. | 0:12:45 | 0:12:48 | |
You've got that sort of patio area down there, | 0:12:49 | 0:12:52 | |
and then it's terraced up to this lawned area. | 0:12:52 | 0:12:55 | |
And then you've got farmland and an orchard beyond. | 0:12:55 | 0:12:58 | |
Yeah, it's fantastic. | 0:12:58 | 0:13:00 | |
Well, let's have a think about the price, then. | 0:13:00 | 0:13:02 | |
I would probably say... | 0:13:02 | 0:13:05 | |
Mmm... | 0:13:05 | 0:13:06 | |
-335. -£335,000, Sarah? | 0:13:07 | 0:13:11 | |
Voice of reason? | 0:13:11 | 0:13:13 | |
I think it's going to be a bit more. | 0:13:13 | 0:13:16 | |
-I would say 345. -345. | 0:13:16 | 0:13:19 | |
I would say it's close to the budget. | 0:13:19 | 0:13:21 | |
Actually, you've both straddled it. | 0:13:21 | 0:13:23 | |
-Oh, right. -This is on the market at £339,500. | 0:13:23 | 0:13:28 | |
That's isn't far off. That's nice. | 0:13:28 | 0:13:30 | |
-That's a nice price. -I'd say so. Ten grand under budget. -Yeah. | 0:13:30 | 0:13:34 | |
-There's nothing really needs doing. -No. | 0:13:34 | 0:13:36 | |
-Well, I think you should now go and explore a bit more. -Right. | 0:13:36 | 0:13:40 | |
-Feel the energy. -Feel the energy! | 0:13:40 | 0:13:43 | |
THEY CHUCKLE | 0:13:43 | 0:13:45 | |
Under budget at £339,500, | 0:13:47 | 0:13:50 | |
this double fronted period stone cottage will give John | 0:13:50 | 0:13:53 | |
the peace he's looking for, | 0:13:53 | 0:13:55 | |
along with four bedrooms, | 0:13:55 | 0:13:57 | |
a quiet private space to use as a healing room, | 0:13:57 | 0:14:00 | |
a good-sized kitchen/breakfast room for when the family come round. | 0:14:00 | 0:14:05 | |
A generous sitting room | 0:14:05 | 0:14:06 | |
and it's all set in a pretty village | 0:14:06 | 0:14:08 | |
in the peaceful Dorset countryside. | 0:14:08 | 0:14:10 | |
-This is nice, isn't it? -It is, isn't it? -It's good. | 0:14:10 | 0:14:15 | |
You could even have this as a master bedroom, really, if you wanted to. | 0:14:15 | 0:14:19 | |
It's got a lovely feeling to it. | 0:14:19 | 0:14:21 | |
It's a very, very gentle feeling to it. | 0:14:21 | 0:14:24 | |
There are issues with locations for me. Mainly the distance from Ingrid. | 0:14:24 | 0:14:29 | |
I wanted to be a bit more closer, roundabout the 20-minute driving time. | 0:14:29 | 0:14:33 | |
Here we're a bit further than that. | 0:14:33 | 0:14:36 | |
I could see my dad living here. | 0:14:37 | 0:14:39 | |
I think this is ideal for him. | 0:14:39 | 0:14:42 | |
The rooms are just the right size, they're cosy. | 0:14:42 | 0:14:45 | |
There is a room he could definitely use as a healing room. | 0:14:45 | 0:14:48 | |
-I think that went rather well, John. -Brilliant, absolutely superb. -Yeah? | 0:14:50 | 0:14:55 | |
-A good start, Sarah? -Yeah, very good start. | 0:14:55 | 0:14:58 | |
It couldn't get better, really, could it? | 0:14:58 | 0:15:00 | |
-It might, it's still shining. Come on! -It is, isn't it? Wow! | 0:15:00 | 0:15:04 | |
For centuries Dorset's countryside has been home to traditional | 0:15:07 | 0:15:10 | |
craftsmanship skills that underpin country life. | 0:15:10 | 0:15:14 | |
But with shifting employment trends, | 0:15:14 | 0:15:16 | |
these practices are in danger of dying out. | 0:15:16 | 0:15:20 | |
However, artisans at the Dorset Centre for Rural Skills near Child Okeford | 0:15:20 | 0:15:24 | |
have been reviving and teaching traditional crafts. | 0:15:24 | 0:15:27 | |
Mindful of John's creative streak, | 0:15:27 | 0:15:29 | |
we sent him, and daughter Sarah, to meet founder, Rob Buckley. | 0:15:29 | 0:15:33 | |
Well, welcome to DCRS, the Dorset Centre for Rural Skills. | 0:15:33 | 0:15:38 | |
This is one of the workshops where we run courses. | 0:15:38 | 0:15:41 | |
Is there anything you're particularly interested in? | 0:15:41 | 0:15:44 | |
I have always had this passion, since I was a child, to do something with glass. | 0:15:44 | 0:15:49 | |
-I think it's fascinating. -Yes. | 0:15:49 | 0:15:51 | |
If you want to come down this way to the studio, | 0:15:51 | 0:15:53 | |
one of our tutors has got something very special lined up for you. | 0:15:53 | 0:15:57 | |
-That's wonderful. -Oh, fantastic. -If we head on down here. | 0:15:57 | 0:16:00 | |
The aim of the Centre is to give craftspeople the opportunity | 0:16:02 | 0:16:05 | |
to pass on their skills whilst maintaining a business. | 0:16:05 | 0:16:08 | |
Running courses such as hedge-laying, blacksmithing and glass blowing. | 0:16:08 | 0:16:12 | |
Local glass-blower Emsie Sharp has been running her own studio for over | 0:16:13 | 0:16:17 | |
ten years, having learnt her craft around the world, | 0:16:17 | 0:16:20 | |
including three years in Murano, Venice, | 0:16:20 | 0:16:23 | |
the centre for glass blowing. | 0:16:23 | 0:16:26 | |
-Have fun. -Thank you very much, lovely to meet you. Cheers. Bye-bye. | 0:16:26 | 0:16:30 | |
-Come in. -Okey-dokey. -Thank you. | 0:16:30 | 0:16:33 | |
-So you've come to have a go at glass blowing, have you? -Yes. | 0:16:33 | 0:16:38 | |
We're going to try a bauble. | 0:16:38 | 0:16:40 | |
This is one my son made, who's six. | 0:16:40 | 0:16:42 | |
-If he can do it, you can do it. -Exactly! | 0:16:42 | 0:16:44 | |
The glass, a mix of 24% lead and silica, | 0:16:47 | 0:16:50 | |
has to be in the furnace for 24 hours, making sure | 0:16:50 | 0:16:54 | |
it's approximately 1,100 degrees Centigrade | 0:16:54 | 0:16:57 | |
and pliable enough to be worked. | 0:16:57 | 0:16:59 | |
Keep turning, that's it. | 0:16:59 | 0:17:01 | |
Got it. | 0:17:03 | 0:17:04 | |
Colour is achieved by rolling the molten glass in ground metal | 0:17:04 | 0:17:08 | |
oxides which impregnate it. | 0:17:08 | 0:17:09 | |
Over to the heat. | 0:17:09 | 0:17:12 | |
The glass is then returned to the heat in the glory hole | 0:17:12 | 0:17:15 | |
part of the furnace, which is not as hot. | 0:17:15 | 0:17:17 | |
-We're melting in the colour. -Right. | 0:17:21 | 0:17:24 | |
Out you come, hang it down. Into the mould. | 0:17:24 | 0:17:27 | |
Ah, right. | 0:17:28 | 0:17:30 | |
Now I want you to blow as hard as you can | 0:17:30 | 0:17:33 | |
-and turn at the same time. -OK. | 0:17:33 | 0:17:35 | |
Steep angle. | 0:17:35 | 0:17:37 | |
Turning and blowing, turning and blowing. | 0:17:38 | 0:17:41 | |
Speed is the key in glass blowing as it's imperative to | 0:17:41 | 0:17:44 | |
get the glass shaped before it cools down. | 0:17:44 | 0:17:48 | |
Yes, here it comes already. Good, keep going. | 0:17:48 | 0:17:50 | |
And it's essential to keep turning the pipe to avoid the fluid | 0:17:51 | 0:17:54 | |
glass dropping off the end. | 0:17:54 | 0:17:57 | |
-Lovely. OK? -Yeah. -See that. | 0:17:57 | 0:18:00 | |
Not a bad attempt. | 0:18:00 | 0:18:02 | |
Now for the finishing touch. | 0:18:04 | 0:18:06 | |
-Tweezers there? -Snip, yeah. And again. | 0:18:06 | 0:18:09 | |
Lovely. | 0:18:09 | 0:18:11 | |
A little hook. | 0:18:13 | 0:18:15 | |
Hurray! | 0:18:15 | 0:18:17 | |
Great. Beautiful bauble. | 0:18:17 | 0:18:20 | |
Thank you, Emsie, that was really, really good. | 0:18:20 | 0:18:23 | |
After their insight into Dorset's rural craft heritage, | 0:18:23 | 0:18:27 | |
let's hope John and Sarah can continue to plough their creative | 0:18:27 | 0:18:30 | |
gusto into a house-hunting quest. | 0:18:30 | 0:18:33 | |
For our second property we're travelling east to the | 0:18:37 | 0:18:39 | |
centre of the county to the village of Hilton, near to the town | 0:18:39 | 0:18:43 | |
of Blandford Forum, around half an hour from Weymouth. | 0:18:43 | 0:18:46 | |
The pretty village of Hilton with its 15th century Gothic church | 0:18:47 | 0:18:50 | |
is in the heart of the Dorset countryside | 0:18:50 | 0:18:52 | |
and is littered with picture postcard thatched cottages, typical of the area. | 0:18:52 | 0:18:57 | |
Bearing in mind John's aversion to thatched roofs, | 0:18:58 | 0:19:01 | |
we're taking a chance here in order to give him extra space. | 0:19:01 | 0:19:04 | |
House number two is a Grade II listed semi-detached cottage | 0:19:04 | 0:19:08 | |
that has undergone extensive modernisation. | 0:19:08 | 0:19:11 | |
Now, John, look over there. | 0:19:11 | 0:19:15 | |
Good grief! | 0:19:15 | 0:19:17 | |
That is property number two. | 0:19:17 | 0:19:19 | |
-That's nice, isn't it? -Yeah? What do you think, Sarah? | 0:19:21 | 0:19:25 | |
I love it, I think it's really sweet, really pretty. | 0:19:25 | 0:19:28 | |
One thing I can assure you of is what we find on the inside | 0:19:28 | 0:19:33 | |
is not what you're expecting. | 0:19:33 | 0:19:35 | |
OK. | 0:19:35 | 0:19:36 | |
'A good reaction to the outside and John hasn't run away | 0:19:37 | 0:19:40 | |
'at the sight of a thatched roof so here's hoping the configuration | 0:19:40 | 0:19:44 | |
'of this extended cottage will give him the space he needs.' | 0:19:44 | 0:19:47 | |
-Feast your eyes, John. -Good, gosh. | 0:19:48 | 0:19:52 | |
Gosh! | 0:19:52 | 0:19:54 | |
-Wow. -Wow! | 0:19:54 | 0:19:56 | |
I was not expecting that. | 0:19:56 | 0:19:58 | |
-I told you. -You were right. -It's something else. | 0:19:58 | 0:20:01 | |
It's absolutely fantastic, isn't it? | 0:20:01 | 0:20:03 | |
-You are lost for words. -I'm a bit speechless, yeah. I am. | 0:20:04 | 0:20:08 | |
It's not like me. | 0:20:08 | 0:20:09 | |
Let's see if you can find words in here. This is amazing, look at this. | 0:20:09 | 0:20:12 | |
'As we leave the kitchen, we move into the new part of the cottage, | 0:20:14 | 0:20:17 | |
'an extension that runs along the rear of the property adding | 0:20:17 | 0:20:20 | |
'significant extra space with two large extra rooms.' | 0:20:20 | 0:20:24 | |
What do you say about this? | 0:20:28 | 0:20:30 | |
It's not a wow, it's more than a wow, I think. Yeah. | 0:20:30 | 0:20:35 | |
-They've done a fantastic job. -It's really clever, isn't it? | 0:20:35 | 0:20:38 | |
Come and soak up the atmosphere, it's quite a lot, to be honest, | 0:20:38 | 0:20:42 | |
to take on. | 0:20:42 | 0:20:44 | |
It is so different to probably what any of us were expecting. | 0:20:44 | 0:20:49 | |
It's this mix of contemporary and old and thatched | 0:20:49 | 0:20:54 | |
and it would take me a time, I think, to get adjusted to it. | 0:20:54 | 0:20:59 | |
'Onwards to the rest of the extension | 0:21:01 | 0:21:03 | |
'that offers an option for John's healing area.' | 0:21:03 | 0:21:05 | |
-Now here on the other side of the pod you've got a wet room. -Gosh. | 0:21:09 | 0:21:13 | |
This, which is currently, | 0:21:13 | 0:21:17 | |
the master bedroom. | 0:21:17 | 0:21:18 | |
-Nice, isn't it? -Very nice. | 0:21:20 | 0:21:22 | |
If you were prepared to compromise on your bedroom and go upstairs, | 0:21:22 | 0:21:26 | |
this might lend itself to being your treatment room. | 0:21:26 | 0:21:31 | |
That's true. That makes sense. | 0:21:31 | 0:21:33 | |
'The upstairs is within the original part of the cottage | 0:21:35 | 0:21:39 | |
'with its more period configuration.' | 0:21:39 | 0:21:41 | |
Now it's up here, guys, that we really start to go back in time. | 0:21:42 | 0:21:47 | |
-Much more of that cottagey feel. -Yeah. | 0:21:47 | 0:21:50 | |
Come into this one. | 0:21:50 | 0:21:51 | |
It's nice. | 0:21:51 | 0:21:53 | |
Now really here we have two bedrooms that are pretty much the same size. | 0:21:54 | 0:21:58 | |
This one and one next door. | 0:21:58 | 0:22:00 | |
-Quite a nice family bathroom up here. -Mmm. | 0:22:00 | 0:22:02 | |
-In all, it's a three bedroomed house. -Yeah. -OK. | 0:22:02 | 0:22:07 | |
This is where the compromise might be | 0:22:07 | 0:22:10 | |
if you decide to use that amazing master suite as your treatment room. | 0:22:10 | 0:22:16 | |
Yeah. | 0:22:16 | 0:22:17 | |
Yeah, it would be an option, though. | 0:22:17 | 0:22:19 | |
Come on, let's go and get some fresh air. | 0:22:20 | 0:22:23 | |
'As we head outside, I get the feeling John is finding this | 0:22:25 | 0:22:28 | |
'combination of the old and new slightly confusing. | 0:22:28 | 0:22:31 | |
'It remains to be seen if he's willing to concede on bedroom size | 0:22:31 | 0:22:35 | |
'in order to get his healing room.' | 0:22:35 | 0:22:37 | |
You see, this John, I think this is where | 0:22:37 | 0:22:41 | |
it really starts to make sense. | 0:22:41 | 0:22:43 | |
It seems to blend, it's a nice contrast with the thatch. | 0:22:43 | 0:22:47 | |
You know what's coming now, don't you? | 0:22:47 | 0:22:49 | |
It's Sarah's turn first. | 0:22:49 | 0:22:50 | |
-I'm going to say, 360. -360. | 0:22:50 | 0:22:53 | |
I know it's above budget, but... | 0:22:53 | 0:22:55 | |
I think, potentially, it could be spot on budget about 350. | 0:22:55 | 0:22:58 | |
-Mm-hm. -But I'm being optimistic there, I think. | 0:22:58 | 0:23:02 | |
-It's 325. -Good grief! | 0:23:02 | 0:23:04 | |
-No way, really? -How about it? -Wow! | 0:23:04 | 0:23:07 | |
It changes the equation yet again. | 0:23:07 | 0:23:09 | |
Well, you go and do the maths and I'll catch up with you later. | 0:23:09 | 0:23:12 | |
Yeah, OK. | 0:23:12 | 0:23:13 | |
This Grade II listed thatch cottage comes in under | 0:23:17 | 0:23:20 | |
budget at £325,000. | 0:23:20 | 0:23:23 | |
With a mix of contemporary and traditional features, | 0:23:23 | 0:23:25 | |
and gives John three bedrooms, with a master ensuite. | 0:23:25 | 0:23:29 | |
A large kitchen/breakfast room, a bright and airy sitting room, | 0:23:29 | 0:23:33 | |
a manageable garden and all within an attractive village location. | 0:23:33 | 0:23:37 | |
If you are going to compromise with downstairs | 0:23:38 | 0:23:41 | |
I don't think either of these two are big enough. | 0:23:41 | 0:23:43 | |
-No. -For you. -Yeah. | 0:23:43 | 0:23:44 | |
I love it, I just don't know whether it's the house for you. | 0:23:44 | 0:23:48 | |
I mean, really, what do you feel about it? | 0:23:48 | 0:23:51 | |
I don't know, I just don't have that sort of feeling. | 0:23:51 | 0:23:56 | |
Well, the bedroom, absolutely stunning. | 0:23:56 | 0:24:01 | |
I would die for that. It is beautiful. | 0:24:01 | 0:24:04 | |
When I walked into the living room, it literally knocked me back. | 0:24:05 | 0:24:09 | |
I had to step back a little bit. | 0:24:09 | 0:24:12 | |
This is lovely uber-modern and all the rest of it | 0:24:12 | 0:24:16 | |
but there's a bit too much space here. | 0:24:16 | 0:24:19 | |
It may be a bit too modern for him downstairs. | 0:24:19 | 0:24:21 | |
I think, then upstairs, it was a bit too small and cottagey for him. | 0:24:21 | 0:24:25 | |
I think his mind is still trying to work out how that would work for him. | 0:24:25 | 0:24:29 | |
This has definitely got the wow factor, this house. | 0:24:29 | 0:24:32 | |
I'm not sure it was the right wow for him. | 0:24:32 | 0:24:35 | |
-We've had quite an exciting day, I think. -We have. | 0:24:35 | 0:24:38 | |
Ready for a celebratory drink to finish our first day. | 0:24:38 | 0:24:42 | |
-Phor! -Absolutely. | 0:24:42 | 0:24:44 | |
-Come on. -Lead me to it. | 0:24:44 | 0:24:46 | |
It's day two of our house hunt with John from Bembridge | 0:24:59 | 0:25:02 | |
on the Isle of Wight who has £350,000 to spend | 0:25:02 | 0:25:05 | |
on his Dorset retreat. | 0:25:05 | 0:25:07 | |
Coming up, we get the right vibe from the mystery house. | 0:25:07 | 0:25:11 | |
This one, for me, does send zinging things around. | 0:25:11 | 0:25:15 | |
'And I try to meet a very slippery countryside resident.' | 0:25:15 | 0:25:19 | |
-Are you sure there is anything living in here? -Definitely. | 0:25:19 | 0:25:23 | |
You know we do get to work in some fantastic locations on the show | 0:25:26 | 0:25:30 | |
and, as always, Dorset has not disappointed us. | 0:25:30 | 0:25:33 | |
Just take a look at that. | 0:25:33 | 0:25:36 | |
Chesil Beach, the Fleet Lagoon, | 0:25:36 | 0:25:38 | |
and over in mist, Lyme Bay and the rest of the coast | 0:25:38 | 0:25:41 | |
to the south-west, stretching off into the distance. | 0:25:41 | 0:25:44 | |
The beginning of any working day doesn't get much better than this. | 0:25:44 | 0:25:48 | |
When we finished up yesterday at property two | 0:25:48 | 0:25:51 | |
John said that he was feeling somewhat perplexed. | 0:25:51 | 0:25:54 | |
As we are over halfway through our house tours, | 0:25:54 | 0:25:57 | |
I think we need to transform that sense of confusion | 0:25:57 | 0:26:00 | |
into some sort of conclusion. | 0:26:00 | 0:26:02 | |
Maybe value for money is the key. | 0:26:02 | 0:26:04 | |
Let's find out. | 0:26:04 | 0:26:06 | |
It's mystery house time. | 0:26:06 | 0:26:08 | |
For the mystery house we're staying in the area, | 0:26:10 | 0:26:12 | |
travelling a few miles down the road to the village of Milton Abbas. | 0:26:12 | 0:26:16 | |
Milton Abbas is a picture perfect 18th-century model village. | 0:26:18 | 0:26:21 | |
Thatched cottages equally spaced apart run either side | 0:26:21 | 0:26:25 | |
of one Main Street, interspersed with village shops, | 0:26:25 | 0:26:28 | |
a pub and post office. | 0:26:28 | 0:26:30 | |
It has, however, an unusual history having begun life | 0:26:32 | 0:26:34 | |
as Middleton village, half a mile down the road | 0:26:34 | 0:26:37 | |
on the Milton Abbey estate. | 0:26:37 | 0:26:39 | |
The Lord of the estate didn't like the look of Middleton, so he razed it to the ground | 0:26:39 | 0:26:44 | |
and moved everyone to a new site, now known as Milton Abbas. | 0:26:44 | 0:26:47 | |
The man responsible was called Lord Damer | 0:26:50 | 0:26:52 | |
and in 1772 he asked one Capability Brown to redesign the estate. | 0:26:52 | 0:26:58 | |
He moved the village and produced this, well, amazing vista. | 0:26:58 | 0:27:02 | |
It is, it's fantastic, isn't it? Beautiful. | 0:27:02 | 0:27:05 | |
If you like all this you're going to love our mystery house | 0:27:05 | 0:27:08 | |
because it's just down the road | 0:27:08 | 0:27:10 | |
-and this will be your local port of call. -That's good. | 0:27:10 | 0:27:13 | |
Come on, let's show you the property. | 0:27:13 | 0:27:15 | |
'A short walk away at the bottom end of the village lies | 0:27:17 | 0:27:19 | |
'the mystery house, a Grade II listed semi-detached cottage | 0:27:19 | 0:27:23 | |
'that may test John's ability to compromise.' | 0:27:23 | 0:27:26 | |
Oh, that is... | 0:27:27 | 0:27:29 | |
Yeah, gobsmacked as they say in Liverpool. | 0:27:29 | 0:27:31 | |
-Lovely? -Yeah. It's gorgeous. | 0:27:31 | 0:27:34 | |
-You don't get the whole thing. -Oh, right. -It is a semi. | 0:27:34 | 0:27:38 | |
It's lovely. | 0:27:38 | 0:27:39 | |
-Does it have the right sort of feeling? -It does. | 0:27:39 | 0:27:41 | |
'An amazing reaction, | 0:27:43 | 0:27:44 | |
'especially considering John's reluctance for a thatched roof. | 0:27:44 | 0:27:48 | |
'He seems to have come full circle. | 0:27:48 | 0:27:50 | |
'However, the acid test is to come, as we head for the kitchen, | 0:27:50 | 0:27:53 | |
'a room high on his agenda.' | 0:27:53 | 0:27:55 | |
Come in, John. | 0:27:57 | 0:28:00 | |
Now... | 0:28:00 | 0:28:01 | |
Not a massive kitchen/diner. | 0:28:01 | 0:28:04 | |
-No. -Not a diner. | 0:28:04 | 0:28:06 | |
You know we can't have everything, can we? It's about compromise. | 0:28:06 | 0:28:09 | |
-What are you thinking? -I thought you would say "no" immediately. | 0:28:09 | 0:28:13 | |
-I'm really surprised, pleasantly surprised. -Yeah. | 0:28:13 | 0:28:16 | |
-No, because of the kitchen size? -Yeah, I thought that would just be... | 0:28:16 | 0:28:19 | |
But compromise is good. | 0:28:19 | 0:28:21 | |
-It has three bedrooms. -Mm-hm. | 0:28:21 | 0:28:23 | |
-Two of them are on the ground floor. -Yeah. | 0:28:23 | 0:28:26 | |
I think we should try and have a look at one of those next. | 0:28:26 | 0:28:30 | |
'John's U-turn by compromising on the kitchen dining space | 0:28:30 | 0:28:34 | |
'has taken us by surprise | 0:28:34 | 0:28:35 | |
'as I thought it would be a substantial sticking point. | 0:28:35 | 0:28:38 | |
'Let's hope the good vibes continue with the possible | 0:28:38 | 0:28:41 | |
'space for the healing room.' | 0:28:41 | 0:28:43 | |
-This is nice and light, isn't it? -Isn't it? Gosh, yeah. | 0:28:43 | 0:28:46 | |
And you get a nice view out to the trees. | 0:28:47 | 0:28:50 | |
-Next door also has a light well like that. -Yes. | 0:28:50 | 0:28:54 | |
This is bigger, it's set up as a twin and next door is the bathroom. | 0:28:54 | 0:28:58 | |
-You just get that lovely feeling, it's very grounded. -Mmm. | 0:28:58 | 0:29:02 | |
That's probably because of the age of the property. | 0:29:02 | 0:29:05 | |
The living room is a real seller, come and have a look. | 0:29:05 | 0:29:08 | |
That sounds intriguing. | 0:29:08 | 0:29:10 | |
Now on the way, is the dining room. | 0:29:12 | 0:29:14 | |
-Oh, yeah. -That's nice. | 0:29:14 | 0:29:16 | |
It's not a kitchen/diner but it is a kitchen with a diner. | 0:29:16 | 0:29:20 | |
-Wow! -Yeah. | 0:29:20 | 0:29:22 | |
-Oh, gosh. -You like that? -Yeah. Definitely. | 0:29:22 | 0:29:26 | |
-Cosy, isn't it? -It is. | 0:29:26 | 0:29:27 | |
-That's rather nice, the little window seat there. -That's lovely. | 0:29:27 | 0:29:31 | |
This one, for me, does send zinging things around, you know. | 0:29:31 | 0:29:35 | |
But the head is still saying, "You don't want semi | 0:29:36 | 0:29:39 | |
"and you don't want this and you don't want..." | 0:29:39 | 0:29:41 | |
The heart is saying, "Hang on, let's just..." | 0:29:41 | 0:29:44 | |
Is he given to following his head, or his heart? | 0:29:44 | 0:29:47 | |
-He's a heart man. -I thought so, yeah. -Yeah, definitely. | 0:29:47 | 0:29:50 | |
We have got you quite a nice master bedroom upstairs, | 0:29:50 | 0:29:54 | |
-so you've got your own little domain there. -That's good. | 0:29:54 | 0:29:57 | |
-Let's have a look at that. -That's important. | 0:29:57 | 0:29:59 | |
'The mystery seems to be coming up trumps, | 0:29:59 | 0:30:02 | |
'not just on a practical level but spiritually too. | 0:30:02 | 0:30:05 | |
'Onwards upstairs to see if the bedrooms | 0:30:05 | 0:30:08 | |
'have the zing factor as well.' | 0:30:08 | 0:30:10 | |
-Do you like this? -Yeah. | 0:30:11 | 0:30:13 | |
-Oh, yeah. -That's really sweet. -It's nice. | 0:30:13 | 0:30:15 | |
-You're beaming, aren't you? -I am. | 0:30:15 | 0:30:17 | |
I've never seen you so happy. | 0:30:17 | 0:30:20 | |
And across the landing, effectively an ensuite dressing room, really. | 0:30:20 | 0:30:24 | |
-Shower in there and so on. -Yeah, it's really cosy. -It's really cosy. | 0:30:24 | 0:30:27 | |
I think it's a happy coincidence that, actually, our final property seems to fit more. | 0:30:27 | 0:30:32 | |
It is all kind of here, spatially, for you. | 0:30:32 | 0:30:35 | |
And it has the character and similar, better energy, | 0:30:35 | 0:30:38 | |
than number one did. | 0:30:38 | 0:30:40 | |
-So... -Which you really liked. -Yeah, I did like. | 0:30:40 | 0:30:43 | |
-Ah... -So, yeah, this is lovely. | 0:30:43 | 0:30:45 | |
'With the energy flowing, we head outside to the garden | 0:30:47 | 0:30:50 | |
'as it's time to guess the price.' | 0:30:50 | 0:30:52 | |
-What do you think, John? -There it is, the pond. -Your water feature. | 0:30:52 | 0:30:55 | |
-The water, yeah. -You love water. | 0:30:55 | 0:30:58 | |
That's... Listen... | 0:30:58 | 0:31:00 | |
WATER TRICKLES | 0:31:00 | 0:31:02 | |
Now the garden itself also continues up beyond this other terrace | 0:31:02 | 0:31:07 | |
here and way up towards the wood line. | 0:31:07 | 0:31:09 | |
I think this one is going to blow my budget. | 0:31:13 | 0:31:15 | |
It's going to be above 365. | 0:31:15 | 0:31:18 | |
365, Sarah? | 0:31:18 | 0:31:20 | |
I'm being more optimistic and I'm going to say it's on budget at 350. | 0:31:21 | 0:31:25 | |
-At 350. -Mmm. | 0:31:25 | 0:31:27 | |
It could be yours for offers in excess | 0:31:27 | 0:31:31 | |
of £300,000. | 0:31:31 | 0:31:33 | |
Good grief! | 0:31:33 | 0:31:34 | |
That is incredible. Gosh, I know I would be so happy here. | 0:31:36 | 0:31:41 | |
The feeling of this place is quite incredible. | 0:31:41 | 0:31:45 | |
-This is the one. -Yeah. -Oh, yeah. | 0:31:45 | 0:31:48 | |
Well, there is a bit more that you haven't seen and it's up that hill. | 0:31:48 | 0:31:52 | |
-Beautiful views, go and check it out and I will find you later. -OK. | 0:31:52 | 0:31:57 | |
'The charm of this 18th century Grade II listed mystery cottage | 0:32:00 | 0:32:04 | |
'seems to have completely won John over and is well within budget | 0:32:04 | 0:32:07 | |
'with offers required in excess of £300,000. | 0:32:07 | 0:32:11 | |
'It gives him three bedrooms, including a decent sized master | 0:32:11 | 0:32:15 | |
'with the option to convert one into a healing room. | 0:32:15 | 0:32:18 | |
'A characterful living room with inglenook fireplace, | 0:32:18 | 0:32:21 | |
'a peaceful garden, including ornamental pond and secluded patio. | 0:32:21 | 0:32:26 | |
'Views over the glorious Dorset countryside | 0:32:26 | 0:32:28 | |
'and all within reasonable distance to his partner, Ingrid, in Weymouth.' | 0:32:28 | 0:32:32 | |
-It's a nice space, isn't it? -It is, isn't it? | 0:32:32 | 0:32:36 | |
-Can you see yourself healing up here? -Oh, yeah. | 0:32:36 | 0:32:39 | |
This has totally blown me. | 0:32:40 | 0:32:43 | |
-I know I said that yesterday. -I know. | 0:32:43 | 0:32:45 | |
This is a very positive thing. Very positive. | 0:32:45 | 0:32:49 | |
The kitchen, perhaps I would have liked a kitchen/diner | 0:32:50 | 0:32:53 | |
but actually that kitchen is perfectly adequate for cooking. | 0:32:53 | 0:32:56 | |
The living room is just, it's just so fantastic | 0:32:56 | 0:32:59 | |
and there's a lovely energy in the whole thing. | 0:32:59 | 0:33:02 | |
Wherever you go on this property, there's a feeling of flow of energy. | 0:33:02 | 0:33:07 | |
Timing point of view, from Weymouth, we're only looking at 20, | 0:33:07 | 0:33:10 | |
maybe 25 minutes. | 0:33:10 | 0:33:12 | |
I think I've got a very clear idea of where I want to be. | 0:33:13 | 0:33:17 | |
This has changed his whole outlook and he's willing to compromise. | 0:33:19 | 0:33:24 | |
There's something about it that he feels is right for him. | 0:33:24 | 0:33:28 | |
He's just walked through the whole house saying, "Yeah, I love this. | 0:33:28 | 0:33:31 | |
"I'd love it, I can feel it." | 0:33:31 | 0:33:33 | |
If he's happy with that, so am I and I share that. | 0:33:33 | 0:33:36 | |
I think it's really, really cosy and lovely. A really lovely house. | 0:33:36 | 0:33:40 | |
-Out you come, sir. Madam. -Thank you. -Thank you. | 0:33:42 | 0:33:45 | |
-Wow, what a few days we've had, John. -What a journey. | 0:33:45 | 0:33:48 | |
-What a journey. -Mm. | 0:33:48 | 0:33:49 | |
It's not quite over yet, you've got it all to think about now. | 0:33:49 | 0:33:52 | |
So off you go, let's hope you've resolved that confusion. | 0:33:52 | 0:33:56 | |
-Yeah. -I'll catch up with you later. | 0:33:56 | 0:33:58 | |
-Thanks. -Brilliant. | 0:33:58 | 0:34:00 | |
That is it as far as our house tours go for John and for Sarah | 0:34:00 | 0:34:04 | |
but if we have managed to whet your appetite as to what | 0:34:04 | 0:34:07 | |
Dorset has to offer, | 0:34:07 | 0:34:08 | |
here's a little taster of what's on the market right now. | 0:34:08 | 0:34:12 | |
If you want to put down roots in Dorset, you can | 0:34:14 | 0:34:16 | |
still secure the village life with period stone cottages | 0:34:16 | 0:34:19 | |
such as this two bedroomed terraced house in Pymore, | 0:34:19 | 0:34:22 | |
just north of Bridport on the market for £210,000. | 0:34:22 | 0:34:27 | |
Should your budget stretch a little further, | 0:34:27 | 0:34:29 | |
then this Georgian Grade II listed three bedroomed semi | 0:34:29 | 0:34:32 | |
in the classic picture postcard village of Bradford Peverell | 0:34:32 | 0:34:35 | |
is full of character. | 0:34:35 | 0:34:37 | |
This home is available for offers in excess of £395,000. | 0:34:37 | 0:34:43 | |
If the classic thatched cottage is your idea of a country retreat, | 0:34:43 | 0:34:47 | |
but you're looking for modern conveniences, | 0:34:47 | 0:34:49 | |
then how about this 10-year-old four bedroomed hamstone property, | 0:34:49 | 0:34:52 | |
mixing contemporary fittings with period character | 0:34:52 | 0:34:55 | |
inviting offers in excess of £625,000. | 0:34:55 | 0:34:59 | |
At the beginning of the 19th century, heathland covered | 0:35:04 | 0:35:08 | |
most of South East Dorset | 0:35:08 | 0:35:10 | |
but today some 86% has been lost. | 0:35:10 | 0:35:12 | |
It's important to conserve these areas as it's this environment | 0:35:12 | 0:35:16 | |
which is home to specialist plants and animals, | 0:35:16 | 0:35:18 | |
including all six of our native reptiles. | 0:35:18 | 0:35:22 | |
'Today I've come to Arne, | 0:35:22 | 0:35:24 | |
'a heathland nature reserve near Wareham on the south coast | 0:35:24 | 0:35:27 | |
'to meet Michael Wilson from the RSPB | 0:35:27 | 0:35:29 | |
'to find out more about these cold-blooded creatures | 0:35:29 | 0:35:32 | |
'and, hopefully, meet some.' | 0:35:32 | 0:35:34 | |
Now the headline that there are six reptiles in the British Isles | 0:35:34 | 0:35:38 | |
was news to me, I have to confess, and I'm surprised, in a way, | 0:35:38 | 0:35:41 | |
that there are so many. | 0:35:41 | 0:35:43 | |
It's amazing, there's actually three lizards, three snakes. | 0:35:43 | 0:35:47 | |
So we've got slow worms, common lizards, sand lizards, | 0:35:47 | 0:35:50 | |
grass snake, adder and smooth snake. | 0:35:50 | 0:35:52 | |
Here Arne is a hotspot for them, really. | 0:35:52 | 0:35:55 | |
I have to confess, probably like most people, | 0:35:55 | 0:35:57 | |
I have a slight reservation about snakes. | 0:35:57 | 0:35:59 | |
Should I be cautious, are there any that are dangerous in any way? | 0:35:59 | 0:36:03 | |
The only venomous reptile is the adder | 0:36:03 | 0:36:06 | |
and really it's more scared of us that we should be of it, really. | 0:36:06 | 0:36:09 | |
It will only bite if it's threatened, | 0:36:09 | 0:36:11 | |
if someone accidentally stands on it, something like that. | 0:36:11 | 0:36:14 | |
Well, what is it about this particular reserve that makes it | 0:36:14 | 0:36:17 | |
work as a home for this rare collection? | 0:36:17 | 0:36:20 | |
Lowland heath is an extremely rare habitat. It's dry here. | 0:36:20 | 0:36:24 | |
We're obviously at the southern edge of the country. | 0:36:24 | 0:36:27 | |
They just really like that sort of habitat. | 0:36:27 | 0:36:30 | |
How big an area does this cover? | 0:36:30 | 0:36:32 | |
We've got about 1,200 acres that we currently manage here at the moment. | 0:36:32 | 0:36:36 | |
So, yeah, big area. | 0:36:36 | 0:36:37 | |
A fair bit to get around, we better get a move on! Come on. | 0:36:37 | 0:36:40 | |
THEY LAUGH | 0:36:40 | 0:36:42 | |
'Up on the heath, the RSPB monitor and record reptiles | 0:36:42 | 0:36:46 | |
'and we're hoping to see at least one of our six native species. | 0:36:46 | 0:36:50 | |
'Because of their rarity, a special licence is required to survey | 0:36:50 | 0:36:54 | |
'and disturb smooth snakes and sand lizards. | 0:36:54 | 0:36:56 | |
'If we do find anything, I'll leave the handling to the experts.' | 0:36:56 | 0:36:59 | |
So, yeah, if you come over here, Jules, | 0:37:02 | 0:37:04 | |
I'll show you our reptile surveying area we've got set up. | 0:37:04 | 0:37:08 | |
All I can see is some old tin sheets. | 0:37:08 | 0:37:10 | |
It does look a little bit odd but there is a serious point to this. | 0:37:10 | 0:37:14 | |
Reptiles are cold-blooded | 0:37:14 | 0:37:16 | |
and these tins warm up first thing in the morning | 0:37:16 | 0:37:18 | |
and reptiles find them as a refuge, | 0:37:18 | 0:37:20 | |
so they can actually reach a decent body temperature, | 0:37:20 | 0:37:23 | |
so they can be active. | 0:37:23 | 0:37:24 | |
Fingers crossed, see what we can see. | 0:37:24 | 0:37:27 | |
Take it off carefully. | 0:37:27 | 0:37:30 | |
Well, there's no-one in! | 0:37:30 | 0:37:31 | |
There are several more to look under so we'll see what we can find. | 0:37:31 | 0:37:35 | |
-They are clearly rare. -That's reptile hunting for you! | 0:37:35 | 0:37:38 | |
Ah, ants. | 0:37:39 | 0:37:40 | |
Lots of ants. | 0:37:40 | 0:37:42 | |
No. | 0:37:45 | 0:37:47 | |
No. | 0:37:47 | 0:37:48 | |
No. | 0:37:50 | 0:37:53 | |
Not a soul. | 0:37:53 | 0:37:55 | |
No. | 0:37:55 | 0:37:57 | |
No. No one! | 0:37:57 | 0:37:59 | |
A spider. | 0:37:59 | 0:38:01 | |
-Is it? -No. -No. | 0:38:04 | 0:38:06 | |
I mean, Michael, we have looked under... | 0:38:08 | 0:38:10 | |
-What, 40? -About 40 tins. | 0:38:11 | 0:38:15 | |
They are out here somewhere. I like to think they're watching us. | 0:38:15 | 0:38:18 | |
-Probably laughing at us. -Probably laughing at us, yeah. | 0:38:18 | 0:38:21 | |
'Thankfully, however, Michael caught a couple of reptiles | 0:38:21 | 0:38:24 | |
'earlier in the day. Let's see what he's got for us.' | 0:38:24 | 0:38:27 | |
The first thing I'm going to show you | 0:38:29 | 0:38:31 | |
is probably the commonest reptile in Britain. | 0:38:31 | 0:38:34 | |
This is a slow worm. | 0:38:34 | 0:38:36 | |
Despite appearances she's actually a lizard. | 0:38:37 | 0:38:41 | |
If you grab hold of their tail it will actually lose its tail. | 0:38:41 | 0:38:44 | |
Just put your hand out like that. | 0:38:44 | 0:38:46 | |
Incredible, it seems quite happy. | 0:38:48 | 0:38:50 | |
Yeah, they will start being quite active because they like the warmth | 0:38:50 | 0:38:53 | |
-of your hand so it'll make them more active. -There you go. | 0:38:53 | 0:38:55 | |
-Shall I put the lid back on there? -Yes, safely. | 0:38:57 | 0:39:00 | |
-What have we got in here? -That was a lizard. | 0:39:00 | 0:39:03 | |
This is a snake. | 0:39:03 | 0:39:04 | |
Again, quite common, | 0:39:05 | 0:39:07 | |
you might even find these living in your compost heaps at home. | 0:39:07 | 0:39:11 | |
The biggest snake that you get in Britain | 0:39:11 | 0:39:13 | |
and it's a grass snake. | 0:39:13 | 0:39:15 | |
-She's actually a couple of feet long. -That's incredible. | 0:39:15 | 0:39:18 | |
I wasn't expecting to see anything that big, if I'm honest. | 0:39:18 | 0:39:22 | |
It's incredible the way it's lying there, with its mouth wide open. | 0:39:22 | 0:39:25 | |
That is a classic grass snake playing dead. | 0:39:25 | 0:39:27 | |
Yeah, properly playing dead. | 0:39:27 | 0:39:30 | |
I'm not sure she's enjoying this experience, you better put her back. | 0:39:30 | 0:39:33 | |
I think I'll put her back. | 0:39:33 | 0:39:34 | |
Michael, thank you very much. | 0:39:34 | 0:39:36 | |
We had a frustrating search but it's lovely to see the real thing here. | 0:39:36 | 0:39:40 | |
Of the six species, the adder is the only venomous reptile in the UK. | 0:39:40 | 0:39:45 | |
When it comes to our cold-blooded neighbours, | 0:39:45 | 0:39:47 | |
remember the golden rule. | 0:39:47 | 0:39:49 | |
-Look, but don't touch? -Yeah. | 0:39:49 | 0:39:51 | |
'Like the creatures basking in the Dorset countryside, | 0:39:54 | 0:39:57 | |
'I know our house hunters have certainly enjoyed their time here, | 0:39:57 | 0:40:01 | |
'so let's find out if Sarah has managed to help John | 0:40:01 | 0:40:03 | |
'come to a conclusion.' | 0:40:03 | 0:40:04 | |
Well, as you can probably just make out, over there, | 0:40:07 | 0:40:10 | |
John and Sarah are now coming to the end of what, | 0:40:10 | 0:40:12 | |
I suspect, has been a fairly detailed discussion | 0:40:12 | 0:40:15 | |
and where better to have it than against the backdrop of the remains | 0:40:15 | 0:40:19 | |
of Milton Abbey, set now within the grounds of Milton Abbey School. | 0:40:19 | 0:40:23 | |
There's an awful lot going on around that table. | 0:40:23 | 0:40:27 | |
Let's go and find out what's going to happen next. | 0:40:27 | 0:40:30 | |
So... | 0:40:37 | 0:40:39 | |
Where are we now, Sarah, with this search? | 0:40:39 | 0:40:42 | |
Have we managed to do it for your dad, do you think? | 0:40:42 | 0:40:44 | |
-I think you have. -Really? | 0:40:44 | 0:40:47 | |
-I think you have, yes. -OK. | 0:40:47 | 0:40:49 | |
I'm not going to say too much because it's his decision. | 0:40:49 | 0:40:52 | |
I'm getting the right vibes, let's say. | 0:40:52 | 0:40:54 | |
-Property number one had the edge, didn't it? -It did. | 0:40:54 | 0:40:57 | |
It did because it had a lot of all of the parameters | 0:40:57 | 0:41:01 | |
that I was looking for. | 0:41:01 | 0:41:03 | |
Dead on there, it was spot on. | 0:41:03 | 0:41:05 | |
It was perfect until today. | 0:41:05 | 0:41:07 | |
The mystery house seems to have changed everything. | 0:41:07 | 0:41:10 | |
Today wouldn't have happened quite so dramatically | 0:41:10 | 0:41:13 | |
if we hadn't had that contrast from the first two properties. | 0:41:13 | 0:41:18 | |
It challenged maybe what I was thinking. | 0:41:18 | 0:41:20 | |
What am I trying to do, what's my purpose? | 0:41:20 | 0:41:22 | |
Am I coming here because I want to do my healing? | 0:41:22 | 0:41:25 | |
That's not the ultimate thing. | 0:41:25 | 0:41:28 | |
The purpose is to spend the rest of my life | 0:41:28 | 0:41:31 | |
in peace and tranquillity and in a place I'd love to live. | 0:41:31 | 0:41:35 | |
So where are we? | 0:41:35 | 0:41:37 | |
Providing things go ahead back at home, | 0:41:37 | 0:41:41 | |
I'm going to see if I can make an offer on the last one. | 0:41:41 | 0:41:43 | |
-The mystery house? -The mystery house. | 0:41:43 | 0:41:45 | |
It's dependent on you selling your current property on the Isle of Wight. | 0:41:45 | 0:41:48 | |
-Which could be soon. -Could be soon. | 0:41:48 | 0:41:50 | |
-Have you got a good feeling about that? -Yes, brilliant. | 0:41:50 | 0:41:53 | |
-Best of luck. -Thank you. It's been really good. | 0:41:53 | 0:41:57 | |
That is our pleasure. | 0:41:57 | 0:41:59 | |
Now Milton Abbey ceased to be a monastic centre during the | 0:42:03 | 0:42:06 | |
Reformation of the 1540s | 0:42:06 | 0:42:09 | |
but it still has a spiritual air about it. | 0:42:09 | 0:42:12 | |
I think that's a theme that's really run through this entire week. | 0:42:12 | 0:42:16 | |
I've always believed that buying a house should be an emotional | 0:42:16 | 0:42:19 | |
process but, thanks to John, I'm beginning to think it should | 0:42:19 | 0:42:22 | |
also have a spiritual dimension, as well. | 0:42:22 | 0:42:25 | |
I've learnt a lot from him | 0:42:25 | 0:42:26 | |
and now, with any luck, he'll be living just up the road from here | 0:42:26 | 0:42:29 | |
in possibly just a few months' time. | 0:42:29 | 0:42:32 | |
'John has since returned to Milton Abbas for a second viewing | 0:42:34 | 0:42:37 | |
'of the mystery house and is eager to put in an offer. | 0:42:37 | 0:42:40 | |
'All that remains is for John to sell his property | 0:42:40 | 0:42:43 | |
'and Dorset may soon welcome a new resident. | 0:42:43 | 0:42:46 | |
'If you'd like to Escape to the Country in Northern Ireland, | 0:42:46 | 0:42:49 | |
Scotland, Wales, England or further afield to the continent, | 0:42:49 | 0:42:52 | |
and would like our help, | 0:42:52 | 0:42:53 | |
then please apply online at... | 0:42:53 | 0:42:56 |