Cotswolds Escape to the Country

I'm standing on the oldest crossing point

over one of the most iconic rivers in Britain.

Where am I? Find out in just a moment.

'On today's show I'm helping a couple of expats return home

'and we've got a great selection of properties to entice them back,'

as long as we avoid a keyword.

-Something a bit more cosy in here.

-Peter doesn't like the word "cosy".

It means "little" to me.

But at another property there's a U-turn.

-It's nice and cosy in here.

-Yeah, in a good way.

I'm in the Cotswolds and this is Radcot Bridge

which dates back to the 12th century and crosses the Thames.

It's here that Henry Bolingbroke took his first major step

towards becoming Henry IV, King of England.

At the time he was being hunted down by his cousin, Richard II

and, in order to stop the attacking army, Henry smashed through

the middle section of that bridge and defeated them.

12 years later, Henry went on to overthrow cousin Richard

and was eventually crowned king.

As you'll see, this beautiful limestone forms a theme

throughout the wonderful looking towns and villages of the Cotswolds.

The Cotswolds is an area of outstanding natural beauty

that lies mainly within the counties of Gloucestershire

and Oxfordshire but stretches into four other counties.

As one of the most unspoiled regions of England,

the area is world-famous for its golden coloured limestone villages,

gentle, undulating hills

and scenic river valleys, making it a very desirable place to live.

The best vantage point is from Cleeve Hill,

the highest peak in the Cotswolds, some 330 metres above sea level

and, on a good day, you can see as far as the Black Mountains in Wales.

It was the wool trade during the Middle Ages

that made the Cotswolds prosperous.

That wealth has left its mark in the form of towns

such as Burford with its pretty high street leading downhill to

a crossing point across the River Windrush.

Today the Cotswolds is still favoured by the rich and famous,

all drawn to the harmonious mix of stunning countryside

and beautiful properties.

Now it's no secret that house prices within the Cotswolds

are a country mile away from house values outside of the area.

The average price for a detached home here comes in

at around £441,000.

That's £184,000 above the national figure.

In order to reduce this huge premium for living here,

you're better off travelling further out and two great examples

are Tetbury and Nailsworth heading west into Gloucestershire.

Both are on the periphery of this area but they still retain

that Cotswold feel and heading south, you're better going the other

side of the M4 into Wiltshire,

where you will also be rewarded with better access.

However, today's buyers do want to be in the heart of the Cotswolds,

so let's meet them.

Eight years ago Peter and Alfie moved from Swindon to Eichelberg

in Germany for Peter's work in electrical engineering industry.

Now that he's retired they feel the time is right to return to British

soil and are checking into a hotel in the Cotswolds to begin their hunt

for a home closer to their grown-up children and five grandchildren.'

We've been away from home and family a long time now

and we think it's time to go back and see more of the family.

We've missed a lot of years there. We've had a great time abroad,

but we just know it's the right time to come back to the UK.

Their current home is a four-bedroom property

in the south of Germany

but despite its hillside location, there are drawbacks.

It's a beautiful place, it really is beautiful, but we have to

get into the car to go anywhere because we're up a mountain.

I want to go to a place where I can just open the door

and walk to a shop, buy a paper

and have a cup of coffee and walk back.

Peter, on the other hand, wants more peace in his retirement.

The reason we want to leave Eichelberg is when we first

went it was nice and quiet, but more and more houses have been built up

and, to be frank, there is no seclusion in my garden.

I like to sit in the garden

and do things without people being able to overlook me.

I would like a bit of privacy and a bit more quietness.

Moving to the Cotswolds has been on Alfie's mind for a while.

It's very picturesque, it's a beautiful part of the world

and it's sunnier than it is up North.

I used to go to university in Coventry, as a mature student,

and I used to travel from Swindon to Coventry

and I had to go through the Cotswolds and I used to think,

as I was driving along, I'd like to live here.

It's just very nice.

Peter and Alfie have enjoyed their German experience

but after a decade there are some things they've really missed.

I never eat fish and chips.

Very rarely.

There are times when I would just love a bag of fish and chips.

And when they finally return to the UK

they will be keeping themselves busy.

For me, what I'd like to do

is first thing join a good golf course, a nice, big golf course.

There's a lot of social activities in the golf course for me.

I love photography. I'm not very good at it but I love photography.

I need more lessons.

I would like to sort of develop sort of artistic skills

like the photography and I would also like to do patchwork.

I have to say the other thing I would like to do

is start cycling again. It's flatter.

I know there are hills here, where we live it's very hilly.

All that's left is to find out how much money they've got to play

with for their great British homecoming.'

The budget for the move is £750,000.

Peter and Alfie would like to be within

an hour from their grandchildren in Swindon.

We're concentrating our Cotswolds property search with that in mind.

'I've come to their hotel on a misty morning to discuss their wish list.'

-So, after living in Germany, you're moving back to the UK.

-Yeah.

Not your hometown of Newcastle, then?

No, before we went to Germany we lived in Wiltshire for 21 years

and three of the grandchildren live in Wiltshire.

-OK, so the house itself.

-Mmm.

I take it you want some Cotswold stone?

Yes, Cotswold stone would be nice but it's not necessary.

We like contemporary insides, that's the main thing.

Bright and light, we don't like lots of dark rooms and small windows.

We need space, as well.

You need space, light and bright,

you could be after, maybe, a modern property then.

-Yes.

-Modern's OK, yes.

I would like a big kitchen as the centre, the hub of the house,

-that's what I would like.

-OK.

It has to have more than one bathroom.

More than one bathroom for the guests?

No, one for him and one for me and then perhaps one for the guests.

How many bedrooms, one each?

THEY CHUCKLE

No, we're still into one bedroom.

-How many bedrooms, minimum?

-Three minimum.

-At least three, yeah.

-Finally, outside space?

-Outside space, I like gardening.

In fact, I spend a lot of time in the garden if I'm not golfing.

When Alfie's in the kitchen, I prefer to be in the garden.

A nice sized garden.

Half an acre, even an acre is not a problem for me.

Right, let's talk budget.

We've thought about £750,000 as the budget figure

that we'd like to go and spend.

For the best possible house in the world could you squeeze it?

Yes, we could squeeze it a little bit.

We could squeeze if there's the best house in the world,

we would be prepared to spend a bit more.

-Make no mistake, that's a really healthy budget.

-Mmm.

-But, it's...

-It's here.

-It's an expensive part of the world.

I stress there may well be compromises here.

-Let's get started.

-OK, thanks.

-OK.

For a maximum budget of £750,000

Peter and Alfie want a property with a light and spacious

contemporary interior and they're not too concerned

about the age and style.

Alfie would like a large kitchen for entertaining the family

and they'd both like a bathroom each.

The house should have at least three bedrooms,

a reasonably sized garden for Peter

and Alfie would like to be close to a village, or a town.

We've lined up three impressive properties for our buyers to view

and at each one I'll be asking them to guess the price at the end.

Our mystery house is a revelation in more ways than one.'

For our first property we're travelling 15 miles

north of Swindon to the hamlet of Driffield in Gloucestershire.

The closest amenities can be found in South Cerney,

around two miles away.

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds,

this busy village has a post office and newsagents, three pubs

and a church and there's an 18-hole golf course nearby.

Just a short drive away, our first house, very much

'a traditional Cotswold property, awaits us.

Right then, here we go with our first property.

Let me tell you what you get.

You get from that building, all the way across

-to all that you see, really.

-Yes.

And it's detached.

It's OK. It's not something I would go for.

-Oh, right, OK.

-I have to say that.

-It just looks... It's very olde worlde.

-Yeah.

The first thing Alfie is probably thinking of, and I know I am, is

how light is it inside because, you know, the windows aren't massive.

I'm just wondering whether it will be a bit darker inside for what we like.

Let's go inside and see what you think of what's in there.

OK, I'm looking forward to this.

'Not the best start I've had to a house tour

'but this pretty converted barn built from Cotswold stone

'is typical of the area.

'I'm keen that Peter and Alfie get a real sense of what's on offer

'in their price range in this expensive part of the world.

We're heading to the kitchen first,

which is located at the far end of the property.

So, tell me what do you think of this kitchen?

I think it's too small for what we're looking for.

Too small and too low. The ceiling is far too low for me.

We have family that are well over six foot five.

How much more size do you need from your kitchen?

-How much more?

-Double?

-I think double.

I would like, not that I am going to get what I would like...

this is not the hub of the house. It's pushed to the side.

Let's go to the living room now and tell me what you think about that.

-Yeah, that'll be great.

-Thanks.

Although the kitchen might be too small for Peter and Alfie's needs

there's an adjoining utility room for all the white goods

and a workshop beyond that.

-You have a good-sized dining room here.

-Yeah.

-Keep walking through.

OK.

-Then something a bit more cosy in here.

-Oh, yeah.

It's that word "cosy".

-That famous word, "cosy".

-Peter doesn't like the word, "cosy".

It means little to me.

It's not that little, is it?

It's an OK size just for a sitting room, yes.

And the fire is quite nice.

-I like the fireplace, actually.

-It's got higher ceilings as well.

-The ceilings are a bit better, definitely.

-Mm-hm.

It's OK.

But you're not going to buy a house that you think's OK.

What's making it OK and not lovely?

-I think, for me, it's a nook and cranny house.

-Right.

Which is nice, or can be nice,

but I'm just figuring out how you could change it around.

-Let's go upstairs and we'll go from there.

-OK.

-OK, right.

In total this house has four bedrooms.

They're all of a decent sides with exposed timbers

and plenty of cupboard space.

There are also two family bathrooms,

something Peter and Alfie were keen on.

Furthermore, the owners have made use of a space on the landing

to create an open study area,

which just leaves the master bedroom.

Righty-oh, so come on in.

So what do we have here?

Yeah, it's low ceilings again.

It's the slopes, isn't it?

-Claustrophobic comes to mind.

-Really?

-Yes.

I think it's the shape of the room and it's not enough light for me

and it's just makes it feel like an old cottage.

-It is.

-I suppose it's a converted barn,

essentially that's what it is.

You don't like that, then?

At the moment I'm thinking I could change it all,

but that's what I've got to do to live here.

-To change it all?

-To change it all.

Let's go outside, I'll show you a bit more of the gardens

-and we'll talk about price.

-OK.

Get your thinking caps on.

'At least Peter and Alfie are being clear about their feelings

'towards our first property.

'There's still the garden to see

'and maybe we can claw something back.'

It's south facing, bordered by Cotswold stone walls.

with views across neighbouring fields.

There is also a large gravel driveway and a stone and timber

outbuilding, which could be converted

'subject to planning permission.'

-So Peter, the garden is your domain.

-Yes.

-Tell me, what do you think?

The actual overall size is not too bad.

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

It's a bit difficult. I'm not very good at this.

I think on the market, probably 700,000.

All right, Peter?

I think I'll go a bit higher than Alfie, about 720,000.

That'll be right.

-Right, it's on the market for offers around £745,000.

-OK.

That's after a price reduction.

-Really?

-It's worth bearing in mind, you know, for me to remind you

as much as anything else, this is not a cheap part of the world.

Why don't you go back into the house, have a good look around

and I'll meet you when you're done.

-That's lovely, thank you.

-Thank you.

Well a bit of reality check there.

Our first house is priced at £745,000,

just 5,000 below Peter and Alfie's maximum budget.

It's a former barn built out of traditional Cotswold stone.

Converted in the 1980s, the accommodation includes a kitchen

and breakfast room and a twin aspect sitting room.

Upstairs, there are four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

The garden is south facing

and the property is two miles away from a busy village.

It's a very nice house, very nice property. It stands on a nice plot.

It's not the type of house for Peter or I.

It's not got what we're looking for, I don't think.

From my point of view, the size of the plot itself was OK.

It's a country house in a country place,

but it's not for me or Alfie, I think.

-So, all done inside, both of you?

-Yes, thank you.

-Yes.

-OK.

-Onward and upward.

-Brilliant.

In the early 20th century the Cotswolds became an important

centre for the Arts & Crafts movement.

In 1902, a group of craftsmen led by designer CR Ashbee

arrived here in Chipping Campden, from London.

At the time the Cotswold town was rather run down

and Ashbee and his followers were happy to make it their home

and pay cheaper rent.

One of those designers was George Hart who set up

this workshop to make silverware.

Fast forward 100 years and this artistic tradition

is being carried out by his great grandson, Julian Hart.

Since Pete and Alfie are keen to master new creative skills,

we sent them to try their hand at silversmithing.

This is one of the things we do.

A cheese knife.

That's lovely.

The handle itself is a hollow section.

We take a piece of silver like that,

bend it round the tool.

If you want to have a go you can feel how tough it is to bend

-it around.

-I'll have a try. Thank you.

As well as advocating better working conditions for craftsmen,

the Arts & Crafts movement placed emphasis on the value of materials

and the revival of traditional skills and tools

at the expense of heavy machinery.

-Is that ready to hammer now?

-Yeah.

You tap it in with a mallet just to tighten it all up around the top.

I'll have a bash.

It's not going very well, Julian.

Don't be afraid to hit it, it won't hurt...

The mallet is made of leather so it won't mark the silver.

I'm not really worried about the silver, it's my hands!

JULIAN CHUCKLES

It was workshops like this that transformed this market town.

Jewellers, blacksmiths, cabinet-makers and printers

all set up shop here.

But the experiment was short lived and by 1908,

many of the craftspeople left to go back to the towns.

But not George Hart and this workshop

is the only one still in operation from that time.

-OK?

-Yeah.

The next stage will be go to the forge

and we've got to solder it all together and join the ends up.

I've noticed all the way around,

all of these tools, really heavy tools, did they come up from London?

Probably added a few but the majority were what were collected up

in London back in the 1880s.

What about lighting, it's quite dark?

That's essentially why all the benches are laid out under

the windows because you tend to prefer natural light to work.

If you've got bright overhead lights it just reflects off the silver

and back into your eyes.

-Is that the original filing system?

-That's the accounts department.

-That's your accounts department?

-Yeah.

You're supposed to keep your receipts for seven years,

-but last time we had a clear out was 70 years ago.

-70!

Now that Peter and Alfie have discovered this historic gem

on their potential doorstep,

we need to forge ahead with our house search.

For our second property we're heading a mere seven miles south

to Cricklade, which is just over the border into Wiltshire.

Cricklade is a ninth century Saxon town with a wide High Street

along which you'll find a range of shops, pubs and restaurants.

In 2011, the town was winner of the prestigious

Britain in Bloom competition.

It's also home to a nine-hole golf course

and we're making a detour there first.

Now I've heard a lot about you two being keen golfers.

-Time to find out how good you are.

-OK.

-OK.

So, nearest the pin...

-Oh!

-No way. No way!

THEY LAUGH

Where do I go from here?

This is ridiculous!

-No, it's not going to go in.

-Oh!

Surprise, surprise, I'm the loser here,

but this is where I could pull it all back, I think.

Because property number two is right on top of this golf course.

It's there.

-There?

-Up that road?

Down that drive. That is your drive.

It's close enough to a golf course!

-Do you think so, yeah!

-Let's have a look.

-Come on.

'It's a thumbs up for location from Peter

'but will we score a hole in one with the house itself?'

-Now, then, grand entrance?

-Yes.

-It is very.

-A beautiful entrance.

-Excellent.

I like the house, it's very nice.

-Yeah.

-It's picturesque, isn't it?

It was built around 1920,

but then in 1980 odd, it was extended out this way.

-OK.

-This house is bigger and squarer

so I'm hoping that configuration will be more to your liking.

OK. Let's hope the kitchen is big, as well, for Alfie.

Is the kitchen big, that's the important thing?

Let's start there, then.

'A more positive response to our second house.

'Perhaps Peter is still thinking about the distance to the first tee.

'Let's hope the kitchen is up to par.'

-So the all-important kitchen, Alfie.

-Yeah.

-It's nice, it's a nice size.

-Good.

-Yeah, it really is.

I just thought this is a nice, big, square room

-of which you can put your central island in.

-It is nice.

-It's not my decor.

-No, OK.

I think that what it is, it's not my decor but it is lovely.

-Very nice.

-I like it. Do you think you might cook in here?

-No, no.

-No?

-I'll show you the living room now.

-OK, that'll be lovely.

Here's your living room, or snug.

It's nice, isn't it?

-It's nice and bright.

-It is a bright room.

This is maybe a little bit smaller than the living room

-you saw at the first house.

-Yes, you're right.

It's not the size, it's the brightness that makes the difference.

-I think the decor, as well.

-Yeah.

If you like this room, which is good news for me,

you'll love the room next door, which is currently a dining room.

You've also got, what they have is a cinema room,

-the other side of the house, as well. Much smaller.

-Mm-hm.

-A cinema room sounds great.

-Yes.

-So downstairs sounds like it could work for you.

-Yeah.

-It's looking like it is. We can work around it.

-It's looking good.

Let's have a look upstairs. Thank you very much.

As well as the ready-made cinema room,

there's also a study off the entrance hall.

Upstairs there are five bedrooms, three of those are doubles,

one comes with ensuite bathroom, ideal for guests

and another has built-in cupboards.

There are also two smaller bedrooms, as well as a large,

family bathroom, which just leaves the master suite.

Now then...

Master bedroom...

-It's small.

-Yes.

That's the first thing I thought.

-You've got built-in wardrobes here.

-Yeah.

Maybe take this storage back, giving yourself

-a much bigger master bedroom.

-Yes.

With these be very deep, would that give you much room?

I'll show you. Look.

They go back there, look.

-That would give quite a bit.

-That makes it much bigger.

It would make all the difference.

Now this is the master because it has, well,

one heck of an ensuite, let me show you.

-Ah, now that's...

-Now we're talking.

-Now we're talking!

-Now then...

-Oh...

Hey, we could have a party in here!

-This is what I call an ensuite, definitely.

-It is lovely.

Let's show you outside and, hopefully,

-that could be the cherry on top of the cake.

-OK.

-Wonderful.

'I thought we'd lost them with the size of the master bedroom

'but the ensuite has got us back on track.

'And they shouldn't be disappointed with the grounds.

'As well as the sweeping driveway and double garage

'and workshop at the front of the house, there is

'a total of one acre of gardens here, including a large lawn,

'a decked area, ideal for outside entertaining

'and there's even a built-in chess set.'

So, Peter, what are you going to do with all this garden?

-What am I going to do with it? I'm going to enjoy it, I think.

-Yeah.

It's just really nice and different.

It's not a bad package, is it?

-It's not.

-It's a very good package.

Great reactions but how much do you think

this house is on the market for?

I think I would go for £730,000.

-I was going to say it's the top of our limit, I would say 750.

-750.

-Yeah, because it's beautiful.

-Well...

-Maybe more.

-It's on the market for offers around £760,000.

-OK.

We'll have to think about it because it's the top end of our budget

and we'd have to do a lot of changes, like the kitchen

and various things that we'd have to move.

-Go back into the house and have a look at all the other rooms.

-OK.

-Walk the grounds, there's an acre of them.

-Mm-hm.

It's the last thing we're seeing today so I'll meet you

-whenever you're finished.

-OK, that's lovely.

-Enjoy it.

-Thank you.

Priced at £760,000,

our second property is only slightly over budget.

Dating back to the 1920s,

the extended house retains many original features.

The accommodation includes a large kitchen and breakfast room

and two light living areas.

There are five bedrooms upstairs as well as one of the biggest

ensuite bathrooms I've ever seen.

The extensive gardens have fantastic views

and the property is located on the edge of a golf course,

close to a popular town.

Crikey, this is nice. That's a surprise, isn't it?

It's another ensuite. That's very good.

-Yeah, that's good.

-It's lovely.

The layout's very nice.

The kitchen, you don't feel as though you're tucked away,

it is a big part of the house, which is good.

The dining room,

the fireplace in the dining room is absolutely superb.

I think it's the original.

The bedrooms are lovely.

However, the master bedroom, I think, is a little bit small

in comparison to the ensuite, which is huge

and we could have a lovely party in there.

The outside space is fabulous.

I like the fact that you have a big barbecue area

and a nice area where there's a chess set setup which would be

great for the grandkids or myself, even, to play with Alfie.

-Ah.

-Hiya.

-All done inside?

-Yes.

-Yes.

Well, I can say it is a lovely place to spend an evening.

I wish I could stay here even longer!

-You just need a gin and tonic or something.

-Oh, that would be nice.

-Let's go back and get one, shall we?

-We will. Lovely.

It's the second day of our property search here in the Cotswolds.

And on a budget of £750,000, we are helping expats Peter

and Alfie return home after eight years in Germany.

Coming up, the mystery house has a garden with a difference.

At least I haven't got to cut the grass!

'And the mind boggles at one of Britain's miniature villages.'

And we have the model of the model of the model

and we've got the model of the model of the model.

Have you really?

Well, wonderful reactions from both Peter and Alfie

in yesterday's second property.

So much so that we are taking a bit of a gamble with the mystery house.

Now, whilst they will both enjoy, I hope,

looking round a beautifully appointed house with a minimum

of three bedrooms, there are gambles.

Firstly, it's in a very rural location.

Whilst Peter might get plenty of outside space with this

property, he will also get plenty of trees.

On the way to the mystery house, you know it is going to be

a bit different, it is going to challenge you in some way.

If we're going to show you something quirky or a bit different, Peter,

what would be a good start?

Quirky or different to me would be, I don't know, some sort of...

conversion of some large building where it had really high roofs

and lots of space and things. That would be quirky.

It's all about space for you, isn't it?

Space is most important for me.

And outside, again, bigger is better?

Erm, I've got no problem with size actually. If it's bigger, then fine.

It doesn't worry me at all.

Alfie worries that if I die, who is going to cut the grass

but I've told her to buy a gardener.

Let's try and stay positive this morning, shall we?

For our mystery house, we are heading back over

the border into Gloucestershire and to the small village of Sapperton.

The closest amenities are in Oakridge around three miles away,

which has a church,

a pub and a post office.

Style wise, I think our third house delivers

but as far as location is concerned, it's very rural.

And Alfie in particular wanted to be able to walk into a town

or large village. I'm just hoping our mystery property,

with its spiritual pedigree, will enlighten our buyers.

The mystery property is a religious affair.

-OK.

-Or used to be.

This was accommodation for farm workers locally

and then the local squire decided in, let me get the dates right,

in the 19th century to build this chapel next door.

A Wesleyan Chapel, so Methodists.

And then it all became one much later on

and there's a 1970s extension just the other side

-so it's actually quite a lot of accommodation.

-Really?

-It does look interesting.

-Good.

-It really does.

One thing you did say, you said I like the idea of taller ceilings.

Obviously one of them is very tall. Let's start in that room.

-So my prayers were answered.

-Yes.

'As well as its religious past,

'the property has been an inspirational home

'to various artists and sculptors,

'which should appeal to Alfie's creative side.

'First stop, the old chapel.'

-Not a bad entrance hall.

-It's beautiful. It's lovely.

You wanted to become more crafty, in the nicest sense of the word.

It's braced towards that, isn't it?

-Yes. Nice high ceilings as well.

-It is.

-What an entrance hall, eh?

-Shall we make our way?

-Yes.

-Follow me.

'The property is arranged on various levels and we are heading down

'a flight of stairs for the remainder of the reception rooms.'

So, lots of different areas here.

-Uh-huh.

-It's lovely.

It's not a big, sprawling kitchen.

-No, but it's very central, it's very sort of workable.

-Yes.

-Yes.

And you've got the space down there for eating and things like that.

It's a very nook and cranny kitchen, isn't it?

Which some people might not like.

I thought Peter might protest about this.

-Peter doesn't work in the kitchen.

-I could see Alfie working in here.

Just need to find you somewhere to sit and relax

-and wait for your food, don't we?

-Exactly.

I'll sit in the corner at the bottom.

Well, you have obviously seen that lovely chapel space upstairs,

which could be a reception room.

-You've got a couple of places down here as well, let me show you.

-OK.

Now then, what do we think?

-Oh, yes.

-It's lovely.

-Nice and cosy in here.

-It is cosy in here - he's using the word cosy.

-In a good way!

In a positive way, I hope.

It is, it is very nice.

It's really done out well, I think,

whoever has renovated this has done a good job.

-So this is the 1970s extension.

-Yes.

But in putting this on here, they have still managed to connect it.

See the door going through there, into the dining part of the kitchen.

-Ah, so it's open... It's sort of semi-open plan.

-Correct.

And then you've got another reception room through there.

That's a nice one, isn't it? Small one.

Obviously I've still got my problem with the height of the roofs.

And things like that and the beams, but the way it is done is

-so tasteful, it's really incredible.

-So you would bow your head?

-You'd have to, it's a church!

-Quite, yes.

The heavenly charms of the mystery house appear to be working

their magic on our buyers.

'A second flight of stairs leads us to another level,

'where there are three decent sized bedrooms.'

-This is the master.

-OK.

-It's nice. Nice and light, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Actually it's quite a big room here, in the way it's done out.

-Yes.

We are in the roof. A bit like in the first house.

-But there's more room.

-Yes, it's sort of squared off a bit better.

-No en suite, though?

-Next door you've got a family bathroom. OK?

But that family bathroom also needs to service the spare

bedroom as well, which is just through there.

But then, you've also got another double bedroom which is en suite.

-Ah, OK, so you have got two bathrooms.

-Mm. So, outside space.

It's...

It comes in quite a different shaped package, if you like.

-But there is loads of it. Let me show you.

-Really?

And that package includes a secluded terrace and paved

and gravel areas surrounded by numerous shrubs.

'But that is not all that is on offer here.'

I know you wanted to get involved in something a bit more,

-so as it's the mystery property we have got you a lot more.

-A lot more.

-You've got six acres of woodland.

-Of woodland?

-Ooh.

-Six acres?

-Woodland?

-Yep.

-Whoop-whoop!

-It's got to be different.

-Woodland.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

At least I haven't got to cut the grass!

Before I let you loose into the woodland

and back into the house of course, you need to guess the price.

-Oh, my God.

-Oh, yeah.

It has been quite a quirky mystery house, hasn't it?

It has. The house is absolutely lovely.

So I think I would probably go for 760.

760. OK. Peter?

Yeah, if it hadn't been for six acres, I think

that threw me a bit.

I think I would go for £785,000.

Well, Peter, you are on the money.

It's on the market for offers around £785,000.

-He's not!

-Mm.

It's the last thing we're seeing of all the three houses,

so take your time, have a good look around inside and out.

-I'll catch you later on.

-OK, thank you.

Well, this house, it's, you know, it had the big rooms

and quirky feel, which I thought they might like.

But, of course, whilst it might have lots and lots of land,

the big gamble here was the position.

On the market for £785,000, our mystery house is over budget,

but the owner is open to offers, and the property requires no work.

Originally a farm workers' cottage,

the Methodist chapel was added in the 19th century.

The accommodation includes a spacious kitchen

and breakfast room and three double bedrooms.

As well as a rear garden,

the property comes with six acres of woodland.

It's weird because it is like a sort of nook and cranny house,

but it's an open plan type of nook and cranny.

I've never seen anything like it.

The atmosphere inside is lovely, very calming.

The entrance hall was fabulous, just superbly decorated and the paintings

on the walls and the furniture, tiling, was out of this world.

It was really excellent. I was pleasantly surprised.

The location itself would be the big problem for us.

It's just, it feels quite isolated

and I think it's fine on a reasonable day, but on a cold, wet,

rainy day, we would probably feel a bit trapped inside the property.

Well, I was wondering whether I would see you again after

-going in that dark wood there with all that nature.

-I know.

A lot of nature! A lot of trees as well.

-It's a long way round, six acres.

-Yes.

-But, great house.

Beautiful house.

So let's find you somewhere to have a bit of a "conflab", shall we?

Let's go.

Each year, around 38 million people visit the Cotswolds

and tourism is the primary industry in the area.

But a century ago, pretty villages like Bourton-on-the-Water

were quiet and isolated.

In the 1930s, a local entrepreneur,

keen to cash in on the boom in car ownership, decided to create

a local tourist attraction to put Bourton on the map.

An exact model replica of the village itself.

Commissioned by the Morris family, who owned the local pub,

the model village was only the second in the country

when it opened in 1937.

I've come to find out more about this unique miniature world.

I am meeting the owner, Julian Atherton.

Is this built to scale?

Yes, this is a one-ninth replica of the village of Bourton-on-the-Water.

There is various discussions of why it is one-ninth.

People called it the architect's scale at the time because obviously

it'd be in imperial, not metric, so 9 is a portion of 12.

The other rumour is that it was scaled at that to fit in

the available space

that they had, which is what we see the space has been used now.

I would be deeply suspicious if it was the latter. It looks...

very well done. It looks built.

It is a replica rather than a model and it was built

by eight stonemason who were the men that would have built

the real houses in the village

and done repairs to them, because they're all made of Cotswold stone.

-But it's weathered well.

-Yes.

Cotswold stone does suffer, we have to do a lot of repairs,

especially the winter is the main problem because it gets wet

and then you get some frost and the stone sort of explodes,

and so that causes a lot of wear that has to be replaced.

Because of its historical and architectural significance,

the miniature village was given Grade II listed status

earlier this year -

the only one in the country to receive such an accolade.

To ensure its upkeep, Julian has a team of people on hand

who are responsible for maintenance and repair.

From stonemasons who work with scale down Cotswold Slate,

to gardeners who prune the trees.

I notice here, this is something I was hoping you would have here.

You have got, you know, as this is the model village, then you have

-to have this model village in the model village.

-Absolutely.

How far down that road can you go?

-Have you got a model of a model of a model?

-We have.

You're in the village of Bourton-on-the-Water.

We're in the model village in Bourton-on-the-Water.

We have the model in the model village in Bourton-on-the-Water.

Then we have the model of the model of the model.

-And we've got the model of the model of the model.

-Have you really?

Have you ever entertained the idea of going one step further?

-My eyesight is going a bit for that!

-I bet.

'Although around 30 model villages are believed to have been built

'around the country during the last century,

'the majority are fictional toy towns.

'This is the only one that recreates a real village in miniature

'at a particular point in time,

'built by local builders using authentic materials.

'Now I've had my tour, it's time to get back to the real world.'

I've got a fair idea which of the properties is coming out on top

and after a bit of thinking time, let's find out what Peter

and Alfie's next move is.

So, after a bit of time to think,

what is your favourite property out of the three?

For me, the favourite one has to be the last one. The mystery house.

-Really?

-Yes. Has that shocked you?

-Yes!

What was it about the mystery house that made it your favourite?

I think it was just the quirkiness.

The actual house, not the locality of it.

-The location wasn't very good.

-It was very rural, wasn't it?

-Yes.

I don't think I would feel safe there on my own.

Is your favourite house the mystery property as well?

The actual quality of the mystery house I really liked.

I just loved the atmosphere, the way things were laid out.

The different shapes, the whole quirkiness of the lay out,

even though I don't like low ceilings and things.

It was one of those things I would have compromised on, actually.

But it was just too far out in the country.

Sort of miles away from anywhere

and the forest was great,

but Alfie would never, ever move to a place so far away from civilisation.

I was banking on you choosing property number two

as the favourite.

I think property number two would be, if there was any chance

of buying any of them, it would be number two, definitely.

I could actually see us living in property number two.

Ideally, if I could take property number three,

the mystery house, and place it in property number two's sort of

-environment or location, then we have everything that we want.

-Sure.

-It would probably be well over budget as well.

-Way over budget.

It sounds like if property number two isn't for you, it is

a good eight out of ten, gauging your reactions.

If you come back and view some more houses,

-you've just got to beat that, haven't you?

-Yes.

-That's right.

As far as I'm concerned, it is

a good benchmark for the next house we look for that we like better.

That's good. So off back to Germany now.

The next time you come back here to the Cotswolds,

-you'll be looking at houses again?

-Yes.

-Definitely.

So, good luck with that.

-And please let us know whatever you decide on, won't you?

-We will.

-So it's auf wiedersehen now.

-Yes, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

-Auf Wiedersehen, Pet.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you.

Whilst we didn't find Alfie

and Peter the ideal home here in the Cotswolds, we did come pretty close.

And surprisingly so with the mystery house.

I think even Peter was taken aback on how much

he enjoyed looking around that property,

especially when you bear in mind he was after big, bright living spaces.

I think one of the reasons why he enjoyed it so much was

it was impeccably presented.

So I think, whatever property they end up settling on here

in the Cotswolds, it'll be very much the finished article.

So, I guess, let's watch this space. See you next time.

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