Cumbria Escape to the Country

200 years ago, this lakeside location was home

to a local beauty who found herself

involved with a scandal that enthralled the nation.

Find out who she was

and which county she hailed from in just a moment.

On today's show, I'm helping a couple abandon

busy city life for a restful, rural retreat.

But there are issues finding the perfect fit.

It's boxy.

It is a little bit small for me.

-Small?!

-I'm sorry.

-No!

Today, I am in Cumbria, in Buttermere,

where Lakeland lovely Mary Robinson lived with her father,

who was the landlord of the village inn.

In 1802, a suitor claiming to be the well-heeled MP Augustus Hope

asked for her hand in marriage, which she happily accepted.

However, when the romantic poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge

reported it in the London newspaper,

his true identity was revealed as a bigamist and a fraudster.

His name was John Hatfield and he was later hanged for his sins.

Luckily, Mary's tale ended happily.

She married a local farmer

and saw out the rest of her years in this awe-inspiring location.

Cumbria is England's most northwestern county,

and like neighbouring Northumberland,

is bounded to the north by Scotland.

One of the most sparsely populated counties in the UK,

the stark beauty of its brooding, glaciated landscape has

attracted countless artists and writers,

including William Wordsworth,

who spent 60 years of his life here and helped popularise the area

when his Guide To The Lakes was published in 1810.

At the heart of the county

is the stunning Lake District National Park,

home to 16 lakes and England's five tallest mountains.

The park's northern hub is the medieval market town of Keswick,

a popular base for walkers and gateway to the

kind of beautiful landscape this county is so famous for.

The average price of a detached house in Cumbria is £233,000.

That's £23,000 under the national figure,

making this county certainly worth a look.

However, there is

a real price hike in properties within the National Park,

where building is, understandably, restricted,

and makes existing homes extremely desirable.

Head west outside of the park's borders

to rural villages like Brigham

and you'll find that premium falls away.

So let's find out which part of this huge county

so appeals to today's buyers.

A world away from the open wilds of Cumbria, civil partners Philip and

Alan's current home is Crystal Palace,

in the heart of South London.

They have lived here in their five-bedroom Victorian semi

for the last 22 years.

With Alan already retired and Philip phasing out his work as a consultant

in the financial sector, they are eager to embrace a new way of life.

In Crystal Palace, there's some nice shops,

there are a few nice restaurants.

And it's an area and a house that we've been happy to live in,

but it really is time for a change.

The age we both are and what we want from the future,

we can't do that and live in Crystal Palace.

And a big part of what they want from the future

is to pursue a shared passion for food.

I started cooking at home when I was around about 12 or 13,

so, yes, I've always had a big interest in it.

Inspired by Alan's cooking,

Philip got in on the foodie act and two years ago,

they set up a blog together, writing about food and wine,

posting recipes and restaurant reviews.

I think I'll get more involved in the website once we've moved.

It's something I enjoy doing, but it doesn't come naturally.

With practice, it's something I might start to really develop my voice.

Yes, Philip has a much punchier style than I do.

-Do you think?

-Yes.

-OK.

Having enjoyed plenty of holidays in Cumbria,

certain spots have become favourites.

We particularly like Keswick.

We were there one day on market day and it was very much your thing -

going around and sniffing the cheeses and...

actually buying some as well.

But it is not just the two of them

they have to consider with this move.

To spend more time with Philip's mother, who currently lives

150 miles from them in Lincoln, they are planning to take her with them.

Ever since I have moved home,

I've never been able to pop around and see Mum for a cup of coffee.

We've never been able to say, "Let's go out for a bite to eat."

Never had that.

She's missed that, I've missed that,

and that is something we will be able to do.

So the ideal property would be either a very big house that we can

divide, so that she has her own living space,

or that we have separate accommodation

in a complex where she is close by.

Philip and Alan met 27 years ago

when they were volunteering for the Samaritans, and they have

both given their time to a variety of charities ever since.

I think once we move to Cumbria, I'd like to be part of the community.

And I think the way I'd like to, one of the ways,

is to do some volunteer work.

Wherever we go, there will be a need for volunteers.

I'd hope in Cumbria there'd be things we can do

to put something into the community.

So what have they got to spend on a country home in Cumbria?

We'd like to bring the purchase in within a budget of £500,000.

Philip and Alan are particularly fond of Keswick,

so we are keeping our search within easy driving distance of the town.

I am meeting up with them

to talk through the finer details of their move.

Well, Philip and Alan, welcome to glorious Cumbria.

BOTH: OK.

Hopefully, your future home.

Why have you decided you wanted to move to this part of the world?

It's an area we've been to a few times.

We have had holidays here, we have explored the area a lot.

Beautiful scenery. And we just love it here.

-It is not just the two of you that are moving, is it?

-No.

-You are bringing Mum along as well, Celia.

-Yes, my mother.

She lives in Lincoln at the moment. She is going to be moving with us,

either into the same property or certainly into the area.

We are looking for something to accommodate the three of us,

but give us all our independence and privacy.

-That is quite a lot of property.

-Absolutely.

And we have come into this with an open mind, cos we are not sure

if our expectations... We don't know if our wish list is realistic.

-Yeah.

-What you are going to show us will give us a much better idea

of whether we can make our escape to the country.

-Just remind me of your budget.

-It's 500,000.

-OK.

I have got to ask you, if we find this property,

it might need a little bit of work doing to it.

Are you happy to take on a bit of a project to make it that perfect

home for all three of you?

-Oh, yes, absolutely.

-Yes.

-Not work shy?

-No.

-Alan is not.

I like the delegation, Philip, that was very good.

I don't mind sharing with you that you have set us a challenge,

but I'm quietly optimistic. Are you looking forward to it?

-Very much.

-Good.

We have got three properties already lined up to show you,

-so shall we get cracking?

-Please.

With their £500,000 budget, Philip and Alan need rather a lot.

They are hoping for a generous kitchen-diner, four bedrooms

and two reception rooms.

And that's just for them.

They also want self-contained accommodation for Celia,

so either a large property that could be divided or one

with an annexe or convertible outbuilding.

And they are happy to consider a project.

They'd like all this to be within striking distance of Keswick.

We found Philip and Alan three wonderful properties,

and I will be asking him to guess the price at the end of the tour.

One will be our mystery house, whose hidden depths could offer

the living arrangements they are looking for.

But first on the agenda is house number one.

-So, you both are real foodies.

-Yes.

-Yes.

So, will you be hunting out the farmers markets

-and the local bistro?

-Oh, absolutely.

Hoping that we will be near

a market town where we can

buy local produce.

Just to explore the local specialities,

so local cheeses, local meats.

You know, if they smoke things or do things slightly differently.

I'm feeling hungry just talking about it now. Thank you for that.

My tummy is going to be rumbling, isn't it,

while we go round the first house.

We are starting our search in the Lake District National Park,

in Embleton, which is ten miles north of Keswick.

The nearest town, just four miles away, is Cockermouth.

This appealing Georgian town is nestled at the confluence

of the River Derwent and the River Cocker,

and is the birthplace of William Wordsworth,

whose childhood home is now a museum.

It has a town hall and plenty of shops and amenities.

Just a short drive from here is our first house,

a brick-built Edwardian property with a Buttermere slate roof.

So, as we are in Cumbria, we thought we would

start off with our first property in the National Park.

-BOTH: OK.

-And here she is.

-Looks really nice.

-Yeah, it does, it looks lovely.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

It's nice and isolated.

You can probably hear the beck in the distance, can't you?

That actually runs through your land.

So, what is your first impression when you look at the property?

-I think it is very solid.

-Yes.

-You know, very robust, sound home.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

-Does it excite you, though?

-Um...

Is it calling your name? Is it asking you to go in?

-It's boxy.

-Yes.

So I don't think you get the full impression of what it is like

until you actually see what is inside.

-So, shall we start the tour?

-Yes.

-That will be great.

The property was built in 1904 for a retired sea captain.

I am hoping the interior will convince Philip

and Alan that this is the place to drop anchor and call home.

We're going to start off in the drawing room through here.

A fair size and double aspect.

-Indeed, yeah.

-It is quite light.

And you've got the same size room on the other side of the hallway,

sort of mirrored, and then you have got a conservatory as well.

Because obviously we have got to think of Celia, your mum, too,

with this property.

So you could potentially have one reception room for you

-and one perhaps for her.

-Yes.

-Just a thought, possibly.

-Yep.

-I'd like to see more, definitely.

-Getting a good flavour?

-Yeah.

-All right, follow me.

Now, safe to say, Alan,

this really is the most important room in the house for you, isn't it?

Absolutely, yeah.

So, what do you think about our kitchen, with that in mind?

-I think it's...

-Good-sized?

It is not quite the size of kitchen I was hoping for,

so a little disappointed.

-Philip, what do you think?

-Um...

Alan does all the cooking

and it just needs to be something on the social end, so it'd be nice if

we could find a kitchen where there was room for an old rustic table.

So, good size kitchen, but not quite big enough for your needs.

-I would say that.

-OK. There are some other options.

Through the door is a utility room, plus a downstairs cloakroom

and storage, I think a coal shed as well.

So you do have a footprint already there.

Obviously, you'd need planning permission.

But there is the possibility perhaps of using that area.

-Right, would you like to see a bit more?

-Yeah, love to.

-Please.

That extra space could also be reconfigured to create

a self-contained annexe for Celia, leaving the rest for the boys.

And there would still be enough space on their side of the house to

put in the kind of kitchen that Alan would be happy with.

Upstairs are four bedrooms - three doubles and one single -

and they share a large family bathroom.

We're going to take a look at the master bedroom.

How do you feel about this room?

It has got a thing of openness about it that I think...

I mean, it's not huge, but, my goodness, it is

-certainly comfortably big enough.

-Yes.

We could make this into a lovely home for the two of us. The three of us...

Yeah, it needs a bit more thought.

Let's head outside, take a look at the grounds, the garden,

the surrounding fields.

-OK.

-Were also going to talk money.

-OK.

-OK.

It seems clear that inside the house doesn't quite deliver what the

chaps are looking for, but at least the outside can't fail to impress.

The three-quarter acre grounds are made up of garden and woodland,

which I am told are regularly visited by dear and red squirrels.

I must admit, I love being in the garden

because you just look around you and it's just stunning.

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

I would guess at £450,000.

-OK.

-Strange, that was exactly the figure I was going to say, yes.

Well, you are...

£70,000 under.

The asking price is £520,000.

-Wow.

-OK. Well, it's in the National Park as well,

-which I am assuming puts the numbers up.

-It does.

Because you can't build in the National Park, it is

very difficult to have new buildings put in,

existing properties do have a premium attached to them.

I think it is a good example of what you can buy in the National Park.

-A good starting point.

-Yes.

-Absolutely.

It does give you something to think about.

So why don't you take another look around?

-Have a look, I'll catch up with you when you're ready.

-OK, thank you.

Reflecting National Park prices,

this house comes in above budget at £520,000.

It offers a kitchen with adjoining utility rooms that could be

converted to create an annexe for Philip's mum.

There are also four bedrooms, two reception rooms

and a garden room, all set in three quarters of an acre grounds,

complete with its own woodland stream.

I like the place. I think it is going to make a lovely home.

But I think for us, we would have to reconfigure some of the space,

-maybe take out one of the downstairs rooms.

-Mm.

I'm not sure that's going to work for us.

I don't think we could shortlist this house

because it really just doesn't quite fit our requirements.

I think it is a beautiful home for somebody,

I just don't think it is the beautiful home for us.

I doubt that this would work as a property for Philip

and I to share with his mum.

We would be living on top of one another.

I don't think that she would want that.

So, for that reason, it really is a nonstarter.

OK, well, that is our first house done here in the National Park.

-Have you seen enough?

-Yeah, I think so.

-Yeah.

It has given us a good idea what we can get for our money

-in this area.

-Good.

-There's plenty more to show you.

-Looking forward to it.

-Thank you.

On the western edge of the Lake District stands the majestic

Muncaster Castle,

reputedly one of the most haunted buildings in the UK.

There is no guarantee you'll encounter a ghost here,

but in its wooded gardens,

you'll find a very impressive collection of owls.

The World Owl Centre is home to more than 50 different owl species,

ranging from some of the world's biggest,

like the pharaoh's eagle owl, to the diminutive pygmy owl.

The charity attracts over 80,000 visitors a year,

and it welcomes volunteers.

This is great news for Philip and Alan, who, with their background

of volunteer work, are keen to find a way to help out in the community.

They are here to meet Steve Richardson,

the centre's chief executive.

The trust was initially started 41 years ago as a breeding

and release scheme for British owls.

It became a charity in the early 1990s

when it transformed itself into the World Owl Trust.

How did it come to be on the castle grounds?

Our honorary president was working locally with his own owls

and with his own conservation programme.

His father actually worked at the castle.

Tony was invited to bring his owls up here,

and so the World Owl Centre was born.

Through breeding programmes, education and habitat restoration,

the centre protects populations of endangered owls

from Britain and abroad.

Head keeper Wulf Ingham is doing the introductions with Fidget,

one of the centre's residents.

This is the British white-breasted barn owl.

What's the sort of heart shape around the face?

We call it facial disk.

It has the same function as our outer ear.

And this particular bird, it hunts just by hearing alone.

It will actually listen for the noises that the smaller

animals make in the long grass.

They tend to fly when they are hunting usually

between about a metre and two metres off the ground. They fly slow.

They don't fly fast because they don't have to.

They fly silently. It means their prey can actually hear them

and they can hear better what is going on around them.

So that is a very efficient way of locating small mammals

-in long grass. Philip, would you like to have a go?

-Mm-hm.

-Surprisingly light.

-Yes, they are.

I know it is not a big bird, but I just thought...

They're nothing more than a feather duster with wings.

You wouldn't know it was there, really.

Time to bid farewell to Fidget

and return to our task of finding Philip and Alan a home.

Our next property lies just a mile outside the National Park

in the village of Bothel.

A short drive away is Keswick, where our foodie couple will be

able to pick up the local produce from the weekly Saturday market.

The town has a host of characterful shops, pubs and cafes.

There is even a pencil museum,

which tracks the history of the pencil making industry that

sprung up here after graphite was discovered in the area

350 years ago.

Our second offering -

a Georgian-style, Grade II listed property -

is 12 miles north of the town.

-And here it is, here is the second house.

-Lovely.

-Yeah?

Do like the look of the house?

From what I can see now, yes.

I think it is a handsome house, isn't it?

-Rather than a beautiful one, but, yeah, interesting.

-Striking.

-Yeah, definitely.

-It has an awful lot to offer.

-OK.

-All right?

-Yep.

-Sounds intriguing.

-Let's start.

-OK.

-So, I think an impressive Georgian-style hallway.

-Yep.

And you can see the set-up,

you have got two reception rooms on either side.

-Yep.

-Let's start off with this one first.

So, both these drawing-sitting rooms are about the same size.

Very high ceilings again.

This is nice, it's a good space.

-Well, the tour is just beginning, so let's keep going.

-Lovely.

So, we have already established just how important the kitchen is.

-So how does this one fair?

-First impression is I like it.

I think it has got a nice feel to it. It feels cosy.

Nice size with the table there as well.

-So, yeah, first impression is very positive.

-Good. Alan?

Um...

Again, like the last house, it's a little bit small for me.

-Small?!

-I'm sorry.

-No!

I was really hoping to get something that was more open

and had more work surfaces, for example.

-This is not a small kitchen.

-I know.

I look at lots of homes and this is not a small kitchen.

-But it is actually the surface space.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-Well, that is fair enough. This is a stud wall.

-Mm-hm.

-Which leads on to that second sort of sitting room.

-OK.

You could open it up.

-Right.

-Have your dining table in there.

-Right.

So that for when you are entertaining,

you have got all that wonderful space

and actually make more use of this.

You have also got a cellar just through that door.

Cellars are good.

Cellars are great. And it is a huge cellar.

So again, more space for you, should you need it for storage,

for prepping, etc, etc.

I'm going to hold back my disappointment

because I thought I had done so well with this kitchen.

But plenty more to show you upstairs and then we will head outside.

Also on the ground floor, there is a utility room and a garden room.

The kitchen clearly didn't measure up, but I'm hoping the rest

of the property has more to tempt them, starting with the upstairs.

Now, this property does have plenty of character, doesn't it?

Big, open spaces, including the hallway.

So, at the moment, this would be the master.

-It is a good size.

-It is, yeah.

-It is.

-Nice, high ceiling.

Good dimensions, obviously light. Yeah, it's got a nice feel to it.

Across the hallway is the biggest family bathroom ever,

nearly the size of this, and it does have the four bedrooms.

One is a single. It is a generous single.

So, for your friends when they come to stay, plenty of space.

Great, lovely.

Any thoughts you want to share?

I think it is a house that Philip and I could live in.

I'm not sure it is a house that would lend itself to Celia

-being part of that.

-Yeah.

Well, I still have more to show you,

so I'm just going to dangle that carrot.

-OK.

-And ask you to follow me.

Outside, to the rear of the half-acre plot, there is

a wooded garden with beautiful, mature trees,

but that is not the only feature I am excited to show these chaps.

So, you might have got the impression that this property

used to be a farmhouse.

Because here are all the barns.

A couple of outbuildings,

one being quite large that they use at the moment for storage.

-But this is what I wanted to show you.

-OK.

-OK.

-A huge barn ripe for conversion.

-Mm-hm.

-If that's what you chose to do.

-OK.

Perhaps that could be Celia's home.

Or the other way round.

Or the other way round.

That perhaps could be Celia's house and you two could take

that on as a project and make it the most fantastic accommodation.

-I would like to look at...

-Why don't you?

Come back and then we will talk money.

-Off you go.

-Thanks.

I am quietly hopeful we might have found some space that could,

with a bit of imagination, work for Philip, Alan and Celia.

-Wow.

-Wow. OK.

This would make a really good kitchen.

With a lot of work, obviously.

-Yeah, it's quite a project.

-Yeah.

Just amazing.

There are two storeys for the chaps to explore.

The second is accessed from the rear of the building.

-Good grief.

-Wow, this is a huge space.

-It's just enormous.

-Yeah. You could easily get four bedrooms up here.

-Just four?

-Yeah.

I just can't imagine how all this is going to fit the budget.

Oh, I can't gauge your faces. Did I scare you or excite you?

A little of both. For me.

It's huge, it has got huge potential.

It just depends on what money we might have left having bought

the place, so...

-Do you want to take on a project like that?

-Yes. We've got

the fall back of being able to live in the main house

and we would be on-site. We could be completely hands-on,

use local things, local materials.

What a way to get involved in the community

by actually putting some money into it.

So...

what price are you going to put on the Grade II listed house with

all these outbuildings and one remarkable barn?

-Probably...495?

-OK.

I think it is over our budget.

The figure I have got in mind is 550,000.

-You both are quite a bit out, I'm afraid.

-Right.

Mm.

But in a good way.

-BOTH: Right.

-The asking price is £385,000.

-Oh, really?

-Yes.

-Seriously?

So I don't need to remind you that that leaves you £115,000

to potentially do up this barn.

-That will go a long way, actually.

-Yeah.

I imagine it would see most of it done.

I think it just demonstrates the difference from being

in the National Park, which actually we weren't particularly set on.

You know, 520,000 for the last property compared...

It just beggars belief.

Why don't you have another tour of the house on your own?

That's a lot of money in your back pocket,

-even enough to redo the kitchen.

-Absolutely.

-Enjoy.

-OK.

-Thank you.

We'll talk in a little while. Thank you.

I mean, it is a fantastic property.

The house itself has everything that they want in it.

But when you add into the equation the barn, the outbuildings,

the beautiful garden, location...

All for £385,000.

They really like it.

Just outside the National Park and well under budget

at £385,000, our second home features four bedrooms,

a kitchen-diner, two generous reception rooms and a garden room.

It is to the rear of the property where this place really starts

to make sense for our buyers.

The huge stone barn offers masses of potential to create an extra

self-contained living space

that would enable the three of them to live close to each other

but not too close.

This house was a real surprise. It...

I thought initially it was going to be maybe a little bit disappointing.

The surprise was when we went into the garden

and we saw all the outbuildings

and that huge barn, which has an enormous amount of potential.

So, yeah, I think it is a real contender.

It's a lovely place, it's a beautiful home

and I think we certainly could make it our home.

Yeah, definitely.

So, that is it for today, but we have got more to show you tomorrow.

We're looking forward to it.

It is the final day of our property search

and with a budget of £500,000, we are helping Philip and Alan leave

London and find a home in Cumbria fit for them and for Philip's mum.

Coming up, the mystery house offers them a whole new outlook.

-That's stunning, isn't it?

-That's a great view. It is a great view.

-Here they come.

-And I meet a hardy breed of Cumbrian locals.

This is a wonderful sight.

HE WHISTLES

It has become clear on our Cumbrian adventure with Alan

and Philip that their house search isn't going to work

unless we can find separate accommodation for Mum, Celia,

which is why we ended on a high yesterday when we took them

away from the rather expensive National Park to a great

property with the potential of turning those outbuildings

in the garden into superb accommodation for Philip's mum.

Now, of course, that would involve a lot of time, effort and money.

So today, we're going to show them our mystery house.

Now, it is a little bit further away,

but it is a property that just keeps giving and giving.

Our mystery house takes us just out of our search area to the

hamlet of Great Musgrave, 25 miles east of the National Park.

The nearest place to pick up provisions is a mile away

in Brough. With this village, you get two for the price of one.

When it was originally established, it was divided in half,

with market Brough to the north and church Brough to the south.

And our mystery house just down the road harbours a double

identity of its own.

So, we've brought you to your third and final property,

our mystery house.

-And here it is.

-OK.

Do you like the look of it, your initial reaction?

-It looks interesting.

-I think it is nicely presented,

the way they have decorated it.

You know, I think it looks fresh.

-Much more farmhouse-y, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-So, shall we start our final tour?

-Yep, love to.

-OK.

The property was renovated nine years ago to incorporate

a converted barn.

But will that convert into the kind of space Philip

and Alan are looking for?

So, with this property, you walk straight into the kitchen.

-Lovely.

-Alan, talk to me. What do we think?

It's a good size. It's a nice size.

So, this is a workable space for you?

Good entertaining space if you put your mark on it?

I think so.

I mean, if you are entertaining people, then they can be

sitting at that table whilst you are sort of finishing off things.

So, shall we continue through into the sitting room?

So, I think in this room,

-you really can see the age of the property, can't you?

-Very much.

-Yeah.

-Love the beams.

-Including over the window.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

And the wood panelling looks original as well.

-Yes, now that is all from man-of-war ships.

-Is it?

When they were decommissioned on the west coast of Cumbria,

very much in keeping. It divides the room up.

At the moment, they have got that as a second reception room.

You could have it as a study, a music room, you know,

whatever you liked.

Is this going to be ample space for you both?

I think it would.

I think, yeah, because you have got two reception rooms

and you have got that farmhouse-style kitchen.

So, yeah, I think at this point, yeah,

I'm feeling very positively that it would.

-Upstairs, you have got three large double bedrooms.

-Right.

And a very generous family bathroom.

Now, you might be wondering why I am not taking upstairs.

-Yes.

-Well, sort of.

Sort of. I will let you explore up there on your own

because this is the mystery house.

-Is the mystery...?

-And you're right.

You saw the doorway, didn't you?

Shall we go through and see the second part of this property?

Yeah, love to.

-All right, you ready for this?

-BOTH: Yes.

This property is a house of two halves - the central kitchen

was recently built to create a link between two once separate dwellings.

So, on one side, there is the converted barn and on the other,

is the farmhouse we just viewed.

Both sides have their own staircases,

which would give Celia and the boys the privacy they are hoping for.

So now, we'll take a look at the barn side of the house,

starting with the upstairs.

Let's see if the mystery house

can weave its magic on this side.

Cos there is a lot of people to find a property for.

We don't want to forget Mum.

Or perhaps, this section might work better for the two of you.

Maybe.

-It would need some thought.

-It definitely would need some thought.

It's an interesting space, yeah, absolutely.

You've got a sort of storeroom-utility room behind me,

-just there.

-Right.

But it does have hot and cold running water,

so you could easily open it up

-and make it a fantastic kitchen-cum-living space.

-Mm-hm.

So, Mum is not going to be that far from you,

but can be if she wants to be.

-Yeah, absolutely.

-Interesting.

-Definitely.

Is that "interesting" in, I'm not quite sure what to say,

or is that interesting as in interesting?!

-I think interesting...

-I'm probing you.

I think processing because it's a very different space.

I think in terms of immediate mental shortlist,

I would have this place on it.

-Let's go downstairs because it is sort of equal dimensions.

-Oh, OK.

'So it seems they've already earmarked this barn side

'of the house for themselves, in which case

'the room we're about to see downstairs would be their bedroom.'

So again, you really get the feeling of the barn down here as well,

-don't you?

-Very much.

You've got a bathroom, a family bathroom, well,

it's not really a family bathroom, it's your own bathroom here.

I'm going to call it the ensuite.

But you've also got another shower room and toilet next door.

And quite a large utility room as well which you could change

and make the dressing room very easily.

-It's a huge room.

-It is.

-Is this something that is workable?

Could she live in this side

or would you have it the other way round or is it not working so far?

-Difficult.

-I think that's something for us to weigh up and decide.

My initial thought is probably this side is more us than her.

But, you know, nothing is cast in stone, is it?

All right, let's head outside.

We've got more to talk about

-and of course we will be talking prices for this mystery.

-OK.

-OK.

I think seeing the interior has got their minds whirring,

about the ways they could make this place work for the three of them.

Outside, the three-quarter acre plot has some small outbuildings

and gorgeous views across to the North Pennines.

-Tell me this - this is what you are after?

-It's stunning, isn't it?

It's a great view. It is a great view.

-Takes your breath away.

-You're not going to get bored with that, are you?

-You're really not.

-So, how much is the mystery house on the market for?

Possibly being slightly optimistic here,

but I'm going to say it's within budget

and allowing for some sort of work to be done,

so I'm going to say £415,000.

-OK.

-I think it would be less than that.

I would say 380.

OK. Sort of in between the two of you actually.

The asking price is £399,000.

So that would leave you with £100,000 to make any adjustments

if you felt you needed to.

But now you know the asking price,

do you fancy having another look around?

-Yes.

-Let me know how you get on.

-Thanks.

At £399,000, the mystery house is well under budget.

Its layout offers two separate areas of accommodation under one roof.

Between the two areas, there are four bedrooms, three bathrooms,

three reception rooms,

and a large farmhouse kitchen that even Alan approves of.

But there is also scope to create

a second kitchen by converting an upstairs storage room.

This would give them two fully self-contained living spaces,

one for Celia and one for the boys.

The mystery house is an interesting prospect.

It is rustic, rather than pretty or beautiful.

It needs a lot of attention. It needs a total renovation, I think.

There is a lot you can do.

I quite like the interconnecting door because it means you don't

have to go out to go to one side or the other.

It's got a good feel about it.

In terms of whether it is the right property for us, that is

something we need to go away and think about.

It is definitely a contender. It is probably not my first choice.

I think I would definitely have another shortlist to consider further

and maybe bring Mum to have a look at it as well.

I'm loving these little fellas.

If you buy this house, you've got to keep chickens.

-They are so entertaining.

-OK.

-Have you seen enough?

-Yes, thank you.

-Got you thinking now, haven't we?

-Very much.

I will be very interested to hear your views, actually,

on all three properties, so we are going to hit the road.

-OK.

-Lovely.

A name that is strongly associated with the Lake District

is Beatrix Potter,

who fell in love with the area after holidaying here as a child.

Its landscape had a huge impact on her,

but she, in turn, had a significant influence on it.

Committed to preserving the unique beauty of this area,

she bought thousands of acres of land here.

And when she died in 1943,

she left it in the safekeeping of the National Trust.

Tarn Hows is one of the places she helped to protect and I'm here to

meet John Moffat, general manager for the South Lakes National Trust.

What was her legacy?

Well, practically, it was 4,000 acres of land,

14 farms, lots of other buildings that she left to the National Trust.

Because of the way we are set up, we can't sell it,

we can't pass it on to anybody else so all the land is still farmed.

We still have the buildings she owned and have people living in them.

Beyond that, there's what she did to protect the area as well.

If she hadn't been involved, a lot of this landscape might look very different.

It might have be forested with conifers which were very fashionable

at the time in the 1930s, '40s and around the War.

There is also the benefit of the landscape

and the wider impact of her helping look after what we have now.

What a legacy.

Generations have read her books and will continue to do so,

but she probably didn't realise how many more generations would be

appreciating views like this, which she helped maintain.

Absolutely, and the books for many people are their way into Beatrix,

but hopefully that will also inspire them

to think more about the landscape

and the love she had for it and come and visit and be inspired themselves.

As well as being a writer and conservationist,

Potter was a hands-on farmer, and during her Lakeland years,

she became an expert sheep breeder.

The breed closest to her heart was the Herdwick,

and I'm going to learn more about them from John Watson,

who runs Yew Tree Cottage, one of the farms she donated to the Trust.

So what was it about the Herdwicks

that Beatrix Potter championed so much? Why this breed?

They are very hardy, they are very adaptable

and just fit so naturally in that fell land.

The only sheep really that can survive up there,

that can graze there.

They don't just eat grass, they will eat anything, even bark in winter.

-Will they? Can we get them a bit closer so I can see them?

-Yes, sure.

HE WHISTLES

Distinguished by their white legs and faces,

the origin of this hardy breed is unclear,

but they are thought to have been introduced by early Norse settlers.

-Right, here they come.

-This is a wonderful sight.

HE WHISTLES Walk up, girl, walk up.

Certainly distinctive.

You see them dotted around all the landscape

and I now know which breed they are.

John, it has been great being on the farm,

-just getting a taste of what you do.

-You are very welcome.

It hasn't put us off with this weather, has it?

You have seen typical Cumbrian sheep in typical Cumbrian weather.

SHE LAUGHS

Well, we've shown Philip and Alan

our three properties here in glorious Cumbria.

They set us quite a task, so have we risen to the challenge?

Let's find out.

So, Alan and Philip, you set us a bit of a task, didn't you,

to find this remarkable property for the two of you and also your mother.

We have really struggled with your budget to find this, well,

these two houses.

How close did we actually get?

The whole process has taught us a lot.

We really have, I think, picked up

a lot of information that we will be able to use taking forward.

I certainly think the second property has enough potential

to warrant a second view, to get Mum to have a look around as well.

I think, given that were we able to convert the barn,

that will probably be our space.

At least there's something Mum can look around and think,

would this work, will I be happy here?

I would certainly be open to doing that.

I think she would like it.

If we were to make an offer on that, we would have to

take into account the possibility we may not get planning permission,

and therefore that Philip and I may just end up living there

on our own and looking for another property nearby for Celia.

If I was going to push you...

does this mean you are going to have a second viewing

and bring Celia with you?

I think, yes, there's a good probability.

We need to describe the house to her

and see whether she thinks it's something that she might like.

I think there is enough about it to warrant us doing that, yes.

All of our properties I think had their merits, but I'm delighted

you are considering going back and seeing the second one.

Let's hope Celia gives it the thumbs up

because it would be, especially if you got planning permission,

a remarkable home for the three of you.

-So let us know how you get on, won't you? All the best.

-Thank you.

-Thank you very much.

Well, wasn't that interesting?

It seems our second property won over Alan and Philip,

so much so, that they are going for a second viewing

and going to take mum, Celia, along with them too,

just to find out what she thinks.

Now it all boils down to whether they CAN get planning permission

for that wonderful barn, to convert it into accommodation.

Will they all agree? Only time will tell.

Whatever happens, we wish them all the very best.

See you next time, bye-bye.

Philip and Alan returned to house number two for another viewing,

this time bringing Philip's mum, Celia, with them.

Unfortunately, she wasn't quite as taken

with the property as they were, so they are continuing their search.

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