0:00:02 > 0:00:06For over 100 years, this man's music has resonated in the national consciousness like no other.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08But which county was he born in?
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Find out in just a moment.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32On today's show I'm hoping to find a home for a couple and their horse.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36But one of our properties falls at the first hurdle.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37It looks a little small.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40But then we find a real thoroughbred.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Oh, my word!
0:00:43 > 0:00:46That is extraordinary.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Today we're in Worcestershire and this is the village
0:00:50 > 0:00:53of Lower Broadheath, and it was in this cottage in 1857
0:00:53 > 0:00:57that the great British composer Edward Elgar was born.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00He was the son of a piano tuner and it was following his dad to work
0:01:00 > 0:01:03that he was able to show off his musical abilities
0:01:03 > 0:01:06to local grandees in their homes.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09If you're looking for a classical English landscape,
0:01:09 > 0:01:14then look no further than the countryside around the Malvern Hills.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18Worcestershire is situated in the heart of the West Midlands
0:01:18 > 0:01:21region and its neighbours include Herefordshire to the west
0:01:21 > 0:01:24and Gloucestershire to the south.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Despite its proximity to Birmingham, Worcestershire is primarily rural
0:01:28 > 0:01:32and the landscape is formed of undulating hills and farmland,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35stretching on either side of the River Severn,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37which weaves its way through the centre of the county.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40Rising up majestically from the Severn Valley,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44the Malvern Hills are one of the county's gems.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Known for their natural springs, the Hills' summit
0:01:47 > 0:01:51offers some of the best panoramic views anywhere in the country.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55At the foot of the hills lies the town of Great Malvern,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58which developed as a spa resort in the 19th century,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02playing on the healing properties of the local spring water.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Away from the tourist hot spots,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08Hanbury Woods is an ancient pasture where livestock once grazed
0:02:08 > 0:02:11and is home to some of the oldest trees in Britain.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16It's this rural scenery, coupled with delightful towns and villages,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19that makes Worcestershire and the Malverns
0:02:19 > 0:02:21a popular place to escape to.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28The average price for a detached house in Worcestershire
0:02:28 > 0:02:31is £261,000,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33which is pretty much on a par with the national figure.
0:02:33 > 0:02:36There are, of course, regional variations. If you want to live
0:02:36 > 0:02:39near the classic market towns of Tenbury Wells, or Bewdley,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43then you're going to have to add 20% on top of that average figure.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Generally speaking, the further west you go, the more rural to the
0:02:47 > 0:02:49borders of Herefordshire and Shropshire,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51then you get more for your money.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Let's find out which of these areas is going to appeal to our buyers today.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58For the past 12 years IT consultant Nigel
0:02:58 > 0:03:01and Maddy, who's an insurance broker, have lived in this
0:03:01 > 0:03:05four-bedroom new build on the outskirts of Southampton.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08But with their two children now finished at school
0:03:08 > 0:03:11they feel it's time to begin a new chapter in their lives.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14It has been a great place to live and raise children,
0:03:14 > 0:03:18with good schools and good facilities,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22but you feel boxed in because it is an estate at the end of the day.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- It is a very nice estate but it is an estate.- We love this place.
0:03:26 > 0:03:28We've lived here for a long time.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31It's something we want to move slightly further away from,
0:03:31 > 0:03:32from the hustle and bustle.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37Maddy, who grew up in the States, works from home for half the week
0:03:37 > 0:03:39and Nigel travels around the UK for his job.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42They've chosen Worcestershire due to its mix of countryside
0:03:42 > 0:03:45and transport connections to the rest of the country
0:03:45 > 0:03:48and they're looking for place that's big enough for the whole family.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54We've got two boys. Thomas is our youngest
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and Alex is our eldest and he's 21.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59It could be a possibility that they will be living with us
0:03:59 > 0:04:02for the next couple of years, so we need to accommodate for them.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07But the boys aren't the only ones we need to think about during our house search.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10We'll need to accommodate Busby, too.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Busby is a 17-hand French Percheron horse.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18He was definitely a mad purchase of mine.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20I used to ride when I lived in America,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24when I was a teenager, but I really hadn't ridden any horses,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26or kept up the riding for many, many years.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30Just by chance last summer I got the opportunity to go to France
0:04:30 > 0:04:33and got to go horseback riding as a one-off
0:04:33 > 0:04:35and it all came flooding back.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Why have I not done this?
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I came back to England and did a bit of research and said,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42"Nigel, I'm going to buy a horse".
0:04:42 > 0:04:43That's what I did!
0:04:43 > 0:04:45SHE LAUGHS
0:04:46 > 0:04:50At the moment Busby is about 25 minutes away
0:04:50 > 0:04:54and I work from home. I can't go up to see him at lunchtime
0:04:54 > 0:04:57because it's too far of a drive to go up there, come back.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00I'm hoping the place that we find I might be able to
0:05:00 > 0:05:03ride during the lunchtime occasionally.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Whilst Maddy's busy with Busby,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Nigel will be spending time with their other four-legged friends.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12We have two dogs. At the moment I take them out at the weekends.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15I have to drive them down to Hamble where there's lovely
0:05:15 > 0:05:17walking areas and big parks.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22So, in an ideal world, I could do with something similar or a lovely
0:05:22 > 0:05:26walk in the countryside to take them out just close to the house.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30And when they're not with their animals, the couple are down at the
0:05:30 > 0:05:34local tennis club, which serves their passion for sport and socialising.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40You tend to play against the same couples quite often
0:05:40 > 0:05:41and you become good friends.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43Some of the people we've even gone on holiday with,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45we have become that good friends with them.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49Hopefully, we will still have the ideal home in the country
0:05:49 > 0:05:53but still not be too far away to have a social life, as well.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57Or maybe even build a tennis court in Busby's paddock.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59No.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03All that's left to find out is how much we've got to play with
0:06:03 > 0:06:06for this move to the Worcestershire countryside.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10The budget for the move will be £550,000.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Nigel needs to be close to motorway connections for his work
0:06:18 > 0:06:21and Maddy's head office is in Bristol
0:06:21 > 0:06:23but they would also like to be close to the Malvern Hills
0:06:23 > 0:06:27so we're concentrating our property search with that in mind.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32- Welcome to the Malverns.- Thank you.- Very nice to see you here.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35You don't really know this area very well, do you?
0:06:35 > 0:06:37No, it's the first time we've visited here, to be honest.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Why this area? It's strange that you trust us this much.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46- Yeah.- It's looking for a property of the right price
0:06:46 > 0:06:48in an area that's still close enough to where we work,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51where we need to commute.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55I've still got family around Bristol and Bath which I'd like to be able to commute to.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58You've got the M5 and the M4 corridor, obviously,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00an area I can work in and Maddy can work in.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02That's the driver for this.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04What's your budget?
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Right, well, it's £550,000.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11There is a lot of ask for that, really, for what we want
0:07:11 > 0:07:13because, obviously, land is important to us.
0:07:13 > 0:07:18In terms of house, we are a little bit more flexible on that.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- Converted barn.- Yeah.- That's what I'd like.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22That doesn't sound very flexible at all!
0:07:22 > 0:07:25- You definitely want a converted barn.- That's been my dream.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28It's not the be-all and end-all but it's that kind of open plan...
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Open-plan space, yeah. - ..which I quite like the idea of.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34You know, yeah, that is our dream
0:07:34 > 0:07:37but we're willing to be flexible on that.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- You've got a horse, Busby.- Yeah.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42How much land..it's an acre a horse, isn't it?
0:07:42 > 0:07:47It is, exactly. But they don't like to live by themselves.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- So...- Nigel's face is like that.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- "Another one!"- Yeah, an acre upwards would be ideal.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- But more than an acre, ideally. - More than an acre, ideally.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58So you'd like Busby on your land?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Absolutely, that would be a dream for us.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04You've got two boys, are they living at home or have they flown the nest?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07They're getting closer to flying the nest.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09We've got a 21- and a 19-year-old.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Both of them do currently live at home.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14What I'm getting at is how many bedrooms do you need?
0:08:14 > 0:08:18OK, a minimum of three bedrooms just in case they do come along with us.
0:08:18 > 0:08:19So, yeah...
0:08:19 > 0:08:21We have some lovely houses lined up.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- I hope that you like them.- Yeah.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- OK, great.- Follow me.- Thank you.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31For a budget of £550,000 Nigel and Maddy would love a barn
0:08:31 > 0:08:34conversion or, alternatively, a house that's open plan
0:08:34 > 0:08:37and light inside.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39They'd like a minimum of three bedrooms in case
0:08:39 > 0:08:41the boys move with them.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44For Maddy, it's less about the house and more about the horse.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48She would like a property with at least one acre of land.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52We've lined up three properties currently on the market
0:08:52 > 0:08:54for Nigel and Maddy to view
0:08:54 > 0:08:57and at each one I'll be quizzing them on the cost.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Our last house, the mystery property,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03could please one of our buyers but at the expense of the other.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11So, Maddy, how long have you been away from America?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Because you've got this wonderful West Country,
0:09:14 > 0:09:17sort of, American accent.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Yeah, I came over as a university exchange student in 1989,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24actually to Bath College.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28I met Nigel, erm,
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- and graduated and stayed. I've been here since 1989.- Oh, right.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- Quite some time. - Time enough to get the accent.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38It's a bit diluted now.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47We are seeing just one property today
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and that's located in the small village of Birtsmorton,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53not far from the borders with Herefordshire and Gloucestershire.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57The nearby village of Longdon has a large range of amenities including
0:09:57 > 0:10:02a parish church, primary school and plenty of space to walk the dogs.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05It's a ten-minute drive from our first house.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10- Nice.- Cute. Yeah.- Very nice.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14This is a house that is quite unassuming from the outside.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16I actually think you're going to love the inside
0:10:16 > 0:10:19- but what are your impressions of the exterior?- Nice.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21It's cute. It looks a little small.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- You should hold your judgment until you go inside.- It looks nice on the outside.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Let's look.- OK.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Maddy doesn't need to worry.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30I'm confident the inside,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34which has been considerably extended and renovated, will impress.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Come on in.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- This is your sitting room. - That's cosy.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Crumbs, it's nice. It's quite large, actually, isn't it?
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- It is large, do you see what I mean? - Yeah.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- That's a wood-burning stove? - Yeah, a wood-burning stove.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52And you'll see later on that you have your own source of fuel,
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- so that won't be a problem.- OK. - I guessed that from the outside.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58Basically, this would have been a farm worker's bungalow
0:10:58 > 0:11:02but it was extended this way and at the back
0:11:02 > 0:11:06- so it's almost quadrupled in size.- OK.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10I'm very surprised, looking at the outside,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12doesn't feel like the inside.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14Let's look at the kitchen.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- This, I think, is a really lovely space.- Wow!
0:11:19 > 0:11:21Oh, crumbs, yeah.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- That's beautiful.- I like the kitchen, the kitchen's very nice.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Very nice, yes. Very spacious.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29So what do you think about the sunroom?
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It's nice. It's nice how it flows out from the kitchen.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34It's almost like a dining room, isn't it?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Yeah, open plan.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Yeah, open living, which is nice.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41You can have guests sat there and be cooking.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44It's very nice, it's all windows.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46Yeah, it's very light.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Yeah, it brings a lot of light into the kitchen.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Also, underfloor heating throughout.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53All these parts have underfloor heating.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56These are the living quarters. Let's go through to the sleeping quarters.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57Sounds good.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Whilst it may not be a barn conversion,
0:12:00 > 0:12:02the light open-plan nature of our first property
0:12:02 > 0:12:04is drawing our buyers in.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07As well as the kitchen and sunroom,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10there's also a utility room with space for the white goods
0:12:10 > 0:12:13and a further living room at this end of the property.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17All the accommodation is arranged across one level
0:12:17 > 0:12:19and the three bedrooms are just down the hall.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23They're all doubles and all of them have en suite bathrooms.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27There's also a spacious study which could be turned
0:12:27 > 0:12:29into a fourth bedroom
0:12:29 > 0:12:31and a rather stylish family bathroom,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33which just leaves the master.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36You've got three big bedrooms
0:12:36 > 0:12:39and this is used as the master bedroom, it has an en suite.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41This is the master? Yeah.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45It's a little bit tiny...
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I'm surprised because the proportions are so big for the kitchen
0:12:48 > 0:12:50- and then...- This is quite small.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54A little bit boxy and not a huge amount of storage,
0:12:54 > 0:12:56although they have some.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00There are also two, three other rooms equally the same size, really,
0:13:00 > 0:13:03- but you could perhaps take your pick.- Yeah, yeah.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06But they all have en suites so you've got three bedrooms
0:13:06 > 0:13:10all with en suites and a family bathroom and a toilet.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- I know the interiors are your bag. - Absolutely.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- But the exteriors are very important to you?- Absolutely.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- I think you're going to like the outside.- I look forward to that.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22And I think Busby will feel at home here too
0:13:22 > 0:13:24because as well as a large wraparound garden
0:13:24 > 0:13:26with decked and lawn areas,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28a wooden bridge leads you to a coppice
0:13:28 > 0:13:31and beyond that two enclosed paddocks.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34All in all, there's three acres of land here
0:13:34 > 0:13:38but it might involve a bit of work to turn it into a home for the horse.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- So you have your own woodland.- I know.- Very nice.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43It's quite nice.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- What's particularly nice about it is it supplies all your wood for the log burner.- Yeah.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- Then you have this very nice vegetable garden.- Yeah.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51And some outbuildings,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53but this is where we need to talk about the access,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55because this is not an equestrian property
0:13:55 > 0:13:59and for you to make it an equestrian property you're going to have to lose that greenhouse,
0:13:59 > 0:14:02probably lose the other side of this tack room
0:14:02 > 0:14:06and build a driveway that comes down the side of the garage all
0:14:06 > 0:14:11- the way along this property over the two brooks into the field.- Right.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13It's worth considering, yeah.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- We also have to think about the budget.- Yes.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18How much do you think this is going to cost you?
0:14:20 > 0:14:23I'm going to say it's on the top of the budget, really.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25I was going to say 550.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28I'm going to go a little bit lower, I'm going to say 525.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32OK, this is on the market for 575.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35But the owners are quite open to negotiation
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- so I think you could definitely get it in your budget.- Really?- OK.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42I'm going to let you explore inside because we haven't looked at all the bedrooms.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45- You might find one that's more suitable to your master bedroom needs.- Absolutely.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Also I'd like you to have a look around this side
0:14:47 > 0:14:50and see what you might do there.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51- See you later.- Cheers.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59Priced at £575,000, our first house is just slightly over budget.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02It's a much extended, detached country home
0:15:02 > 0:15:05situated in a beautiful rural setting.
0:15:05 > 0:15:06The accommodation is spacious
0:15:06 > 0:15:11and open plan with a light kitchen diner and adjoining sunroom.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14There are three bedrooms, all with bathrooms en suite.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17The outside space includes a large garden and two paddocks
0:15:17 > 0:15:20offering plenty of room for Busby and another horse,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22should they want one.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Wow! It's spacious. Let's have a look at this bedroom.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Another en suite, Nige, look.- Yeah.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- A shower.- Nice shower, nice decorating, really nice.- Yeah.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36This looked so small on the outside,
0:15:36 > 0:15:39it was amazingly, deceptively big on the inside.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42I really like the decor, I like the way the house flows.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I like the openness plan.
0:15:45 > 0:15:50I'm quite amazed at, for the money, what you can get in Worcestershire.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51I love the interior.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53It's a really stunning house.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Outside has obviously got a lot of land, so ideal for the horses.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Yeah, absolutely stunning.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02I really was impressed with this house, all round.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05How's the weather?
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Well, it's not raining.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- Typically English.- Oh.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- Well, a sunny response to house number one?- Absolutely.
0:16:12 > 0:16:13Super, absolutely loved it.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15That's what we like to hear.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25On the banks of the River Severn is one of Worcestershire's
0:16:25 > 0:16:29most historic and scenic towns.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Bewdley has long been an important river crossing
0:16:32 > 0:16:35and by the 18th century it had become a thriving inland port
0:16:35 > 0:16:38with goods arriving from all over the world.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42The town's prosperity at that time is reflected in its impressive
0:16:42 > 0:16:44Georgian architecture today.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Nigel and Maddy enjoy socialising and are real foodies,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50so we're offering them the chance to step back in time
0:16:50 > 0:16:53and experience a taste of the past.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Nigel, Maddy, good morning. Welcome to the Copper Pot.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02They're meeting the owner of an 18th-century food shop
0:17:02 > 0:17:05in Bewdley Museum, Nick Trustram-Eve.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08I really like engaging with people on bringing history alive
0:17:08 > 0:17:10through the food.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13It's really nice to get people to actually taste
0:17:13 > 0:17:14what the past was like.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18How do you source the local... those old ingredients?
0:17:18 > 0:17:20They are still available, we just don't use them
0:17:20 > 0:17:23in British cooking generally today.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26How do you know they used these ingredients in the olden days?
0:17:26 > 0:17:28We have surviving cookbooks.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31For example, one of the ones I use is Hannah Glasse.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33This is a facsimile copy of it.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36- We're working from the original recipes.- OK.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40In the 18th century these books were produced for the expanding
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- middle classes, what we call the middling.- OK.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48We see from this what is available and what they're eating.
0:17:48 > 0:17:51One of those recipes is a salad called Salmagundi
0:17:51 > 0:17:55which contains herbs that aren't readily available today,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57but the museum has its own garden
0:17:57 > 0:18:00where these old-fashioned varieties are grown.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04One of the first ones we've got is this, salad burnet.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07It's been used in this country since the 16th century.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10It was used for medicinal purposes
0:18:10 > 0:18:13and also it was used to induce perspiration,
0:18:13 > 0:18:15a bit like a curry in Indian cooking.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18You can have a taste of that.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21If you have a chew of that, after a few seconds,
0:18:21 > 0:18:25you will find you suddenly get a clean cucumbery taste.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- Mmm.- How about that?- Mm.
0:18:28 > 0:18:32You suddenly get that sort of crunchiness and it's cucumber.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33That'll go in our salad.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38The other one we're going to use from here is winter savoury.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41It's quite a hot taste. Have a chew of that.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- It's very peppery. - Mm, definitely.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48So use that very sparingly on the Salmagundi.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53The herbs are then added to the main ingredients, chopped chicken,
0:18:53 > 0:18:57pickled anchovies, eggs and onions arranged on a bed of lettuce.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02The salad is being served with other foods from the Georgian era,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06onion pie, salmon en croute and a beetroot pancake.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10When you're eating in the Georgian period you get a real mix.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14We would have had all of these on the table for the same course.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16It doesn't matter whether it's sweet, or savoury.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18It's so colourful, as well.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20What's the origin of the name of that salad?
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Because it seems quite an unusual name.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Salmagundi, it's worth making just for the name.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Hey, guys, come and have a Salmagundi.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31It may come as a sort of changing of names from the French,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34from an Italian, literally for pickled meats.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38We have pickled anchovies in there
0:19:38 > 0:19:41and you may well have had more pickled meats, pickled vegetables.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44There is another nice story for Salmagundi
0:19:44 > 0:19:47that they were eaten in the Caribbean.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51So it's associated, perhaps, as being a pirate food.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53I love this idea of rufty-tufty pirates,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57"Oh, let's have a fresh salad!"
0:19:57 > 0:19:59With Nigel and Maddy's taste buds tingling,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03it's time to tuck into the delicious bounty of Georgian food.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Nice.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Mm, very nice.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Now that our buyers have sampled England's historic culinary
0:20:11 > 0:20:16delights, let's hope the final two properties also whet their appetite.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19But that's all to come tomorrow.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33It's day two of our property search in Worcestershire
0:20:33 > 0:20:36and our mission is to help Southampton-based husband and wife
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Nigel and Maddy find an equine retreat close to the Malvern Hills.
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Still to come, we have two properties to unveil,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46including the mystery house which could be the dark horse!
0:20:46 > 0:20:48- It's massive!- Wow!
0:20:50 > 0:20:54It's glorious summer weather for our second day of property shopping
0:20:54 > 0:20:56and we have widened the net somewhat
0:20:56 > 0:20:58in order to get that balance of all that lovely horsey
0:20:58 > 0:21:01land for Maddy and a big, nice house for Nigel.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04We're seeing two properties today, rather unusually.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08The first one gives lots of land, the mystery house...
0:21:08 > 0:21:10I think it's going to be a challenge for Maddy.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14We're beginning the day by heading south-west over the border,
0:21:14 > 0:21:18into Gloucestershire and to the hamlet of Kilcot.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20The closest village for services is Aston Ingham,
0:21:20 > 0:21:24which has a Victorian church, a rather attractive village hall
0:21:24 > 0:21:26and a tennis club.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29And our second property is just a five-minute drive away.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34- House number two.- Oh, my word.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- That is very pretty. - It is a pretty house.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41I notice they have solar power on the roof.
0:21:41 > 0:21:45These are actually hot water pipes, so these heat the water.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47So, on a hot day like today you don't need to turn the immersion on.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50- OK.- It's a handsome stone property.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53You can see it's been extended at the end there, about 30 years ago.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- Yeah.- You can see the different stone.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59One thing about this house is that it's not an equestrian property.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- Mm-hm...- No need for a long face - hah!
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Because...it could so easily be one.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09Much more easily than yesterday, because look at this.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Two loose boxes.- OK.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Actually all opened up inside.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18Wow, OK, that's a good size, yeah.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20And then, follow me.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28OK, so...this is all yours.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29Really? Oh, my gosh!
0:22:29 > 0:22:33That is such a pretty paddock. How many acres?
0:22:33 > 0:22:36The whole plot is about 3.2 acres.
0:22:36 > 0:22:41- Is it all fenced off?- It's all fenced off.- Oh, it's...unbelievable.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- It's a huge plot. We'll explore a bit later on.- Yes, please.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- OK, so we've won over Maddy.- Yeah. - Just got to convince Nigel.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49- Yeah, let's wait and see. - Let's look inside.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53'Good reactions to our second property
0:22:53 > 0:22:57'but we've got a lot to do to beat the first house.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00'We're heading to the newer part of the house via a dining hall
0:23:00 > 0:23:02'and study room.'
0:23:02 > 0:23:06I'm going to whizz you through those rooms into this big, lovely room.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- This is the extension.- OK.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- So, this was put on about 30 years ago.- Yeah.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13But it gives you the big volume.
0:23:13 > 0:23:15It's a good space, there's no question,
0:23:15 > 0:23:17and it's got good aspect windows and it's light
0:23:17 > 0:23:20and you can see out to the garden, so we've got some positives.
0:23:20 > 0:23:23It's just you've spoiled me with the first house.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26I'm sorry, that's just the way I am. Just showering blessing on you both.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- You have to choose.- Yeah.- But there are lots of lovely features.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32I mean, you've got to think about the space here,
0:23:32 > 0:23:34because you've got a lovely south-west-facing sort of room.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38- Yeah.- Very nice, big log burner. - Light and airy.- Yeah, it's nice.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41- It is a nice room.- And you've got to think long term.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- You're not going to have any costs to heat it.- Yeah.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47The other house had underfloor heating, which is quite expensive.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Is it, yeah? Let's see the rest of the house.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54So bossy.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58'As well as the living room, there's also a dining room and separate
0:23:58 > 0:24:03'dining hall with wood-burning stove at the older end of the house.'
0:24:03 > 0:24:06You come through this smallish snug,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10down some steps into a smallish kitchen.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12- OK. Oh, yeah.- Pretty small kitchen.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15And then through here you've got another small dining room,
0:24:15 > 0:24:19so my thought is that you might want to remodel this in some way.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Cos through here you've got a huge utility room.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26So, it feels to me there's lots of small bits
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- that could add up into bigger rooms.- Yeah.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32It's going to take some thinking on how we could make it
0:24:32 > 0:24:36- to how we like it and... - Absolutely.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Depends what the price is!
0:24:37 > 0:24:41But also you've got to remember this is a beautiful plot.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43Absolutely stunning.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46And the location you can't change, the house you can change
0:24:46 > 0:24:49cos it's not listed, so you could build out, build a sunroom...
0:24:49 > 0:24:51That's true.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55'Upstairs, this property has four bedrooms - three of those are
0:24:55 > 0:24:59'doubles and there's a smaller, single bedroom and family bathroom.'
0:24:59 > 0:25:03Unlike the last house there are lots of steps up and down.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05There are indeed.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08- But this is a much bigger master. - This is huge, isn't it?
0:25:08 > 0:25:09Yeah, it's a good size.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13It's lovely, it looks out the fields and the paddock and the garden.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- This is a lovely room.- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18Through here you've got a very nice en suite.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20No, it's beautiful.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22- Mm.- Beautiful.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26- The B word. Very good.- Beautiful, but needs redecorating.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28It's whether you're the sort of people that like to do
0:25:28 > 0:25:30that sort of thing, whether you like to get architects in,
0:25:30 > 0:25:32- knock down walls...- Yeah, yeah.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- We're not DIY people, are we? - Certainly not.- So...
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Well, these are not the sort of things you'd do yourself.- No, no.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- It's whether there's money in the budget.- Exactly.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- That's the key question. - Yeah, that'll be the big question.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48Luckily it's the question I'm going to ask you very shortly. Follow me.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50'Along with the paddock and outbuildings,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52'the garden, to the side and rear of the property,
0:25:52 > 0:25:56'is made up of patio areas with steps leading to a large lawn
0:25:56 > 0:26:00'and great views of the surrounding countryside.'
0:26:00 > 0:26:02I get the impression the outside is a winner,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04the inside has a few question marks.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06I want to like the inside, I really do
0:26:06 > 0:26:10- because the outside is just so gorgeous.- There's a lot of work.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Huge amount of decoration. As you say, probably a lot of remodelling.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16So, how much do you think it's on the market for?
0:26:16 > 0:26:19I say it's on the top of the budget - 550?
0:26:19 > 0:26:22I'm going to go lower cos I think they realise it's a lot of work
0:26:22 > 0:26:25to do to the house, so I'm going to go for...
0:26:25 > 0:26:27500.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Well, if you split the difference it's on the market for 530.
0:26:30 > 0:26:34- OK.- OK.- So, you'd have £20,000 to remodel.- Yeah, yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38Which is a considerable budget for what needs to be done in the house
0:26:38 > 0:26:40- cos it's not insurmountable.- No.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43Why don't you two go inside and have a look around, maybe try and put on
0:26:43 > 0:26:46your imagination goggles and see through the decor
0:26:46 > 0:26:49- and see if you could make it work for yourself?- Sounds good, let's go.
0:26:49 > 0:26:50Let's have a look.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55'On the market for £530,000, our second property
0:26:55 > 0:26:58'is under Nigel and Maddy's budget.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01'It's a detached, stone-built former cottage,
0:27:01 > 0:27:03'sitting in three acres of land.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06'The accommodation includes a large living room,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09'various reception rooms and four bedrooms.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13'Outside there's a paddock and stone outbuilding for Busby, the horse.'
0:27:15 > 0:27:18The paddock, you can see my horse in there.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20I can just see him grazing away happily.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23From the house you could see the horse.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25The outside space had so much going for it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:30Inside, it's a lovely, lovely house. It's just postcard perfect.
0:27:30 > 0:27:33So, I just want to like it but I don't!
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Outside is absolutely stunning. It's like having your own rolling hills
0:27:37 > 0:27:39and your garden is just beautiful.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43Unfortunately, the inside doesn't do it for me at all.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Downstairs - total remodelling.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Upstairs - totally redecorating.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Not a contender for me.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- All done inside?- Yeah.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Done with your head scratching about the interiors?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- Yeah.- A lot of head scratching, yeah.- It's a challenging property.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59It very much is, yeah.
0:27:59 > 0:28:03- But we do have the mystery house to come.- Yes. Looking forward to that.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Go for it.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11'We've got one last property to show Nigel and Maddy today.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14'And as it's the mystery house, we're going the extra mile.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17'We're heading further away from the Malvern Hills
0:28:17 > 0:28:20'and into Herefordshire and to the hamlet of Weston.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23'The closest village is Pembridge,
0:28:23 > 0:28:25'with its pretty black and white architecture
0:28:25 > 0:28:30'and a church with, unusually, a separate bell tower.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32'Many of the timber-frame buildings in the village
0:28:32 > 0:28:34'are over 500 years old.'
0:28:36 > 0:28:39What do you think the mystery house might involve?
0:28:39 > 0:28:41- I've no idea.- No idea at all.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I have a little bit of trepidation.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46What are your trepidatious thoughts?
0:28:46 > 0:28:50I think the worst could be a plot of land that, again,
0:28:50 > 0:28:54we have to envision, you know, building it from scratch.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59Ideally, it would be great if we have the space and the houses together.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02What about you, Nigel? What do you think we might be showing you?
0:29:02 > 0:29:05- What do you HOPE we might be showing you?- No idea.
0:29:05 > 0:29:06You want a converted barn, say it.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09Yes, I'd like a converted barn. That's my ideal house.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17'With the mystery house we're giving Nigel what he wants.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19'But Maddy may have to compromise.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23'And I'm keen to see how she'll react.'
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- Ha-ha.- It's the barn!
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Nigel...
0:29:27 > 0:29:30this is your big moment.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- It's a converted barn. - The converted barn. Looks lovely.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36- It looks really nice. - It's a huge house.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38It's not a lot of land.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- Oh.- That's the mystery.
0:29:41 > 0:29:43THEY LAUGH
0:29:43 > 0:29:48But there is so much land around here and the owners assure us
0:29:48 > 0:29:54that you could rent acres and acres of land within walking distance. OK?
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- OK.- But I think you're "Oohs" and "Aahs" might come
0:29:57 > 0:29:59- when we get inside.- Yeah?- OK.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04- I don't want to prejudge but... Let's have a look.- So far so good.
0:30:04 > 0:30:08'So, our third house is a converted L-shaped barn.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11'One wing is double-storey but the other takes advantage
0:30:11 > 0:30:15'of the ceiling space to create a fantastic reception room.'
0:30:17 > 0:30:23- I'm going to take you straight into the "kapow" moment.- Oh, my word!
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- It's massive.- Wow.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Yeah, that is a converted barn. It's beautiful.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31That's formal dining.
0:30:31 > 0:30:32This is formal dining.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- That is extraordinary.- Yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37High, high ceilings, skylights,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39which is kind of unusual in a barn conversion.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42OK. Get more light, yeah.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- And obviously this mezzanine area up there.- Yes.
0:30:45 > 0:30:46It's almost worrying, it's so big.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51But they have a lot of stuff and it still...feels spacious.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53But I'm sure we could fill it.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55I'm sure we could fill it.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58You've got a study at the end there, which is sort of, you know,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00doors that you can shut. And also this potential,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03you could have another bedroom or another second study at the top.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- Yeah.- Spectacular. - The beauty continues.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11Coming into the kitchen, after that room, it feels a little poky.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13Just a little.
0:31:13 > 0:31:17- But for most of it it's massive. - Nice Shaker-style kitchen.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20It's a pretty substantial size. There's no doubt about that.
0:31:20 > 0:31:24So, this would be, I guess, your lunch and breakfast room.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26Yeah, every day.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28- As opposed to formal dining.- Yeah.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Can you imagine coming down in the morning,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- making yourself a cup of tea, padding around?- Yeah, I can.
0:31:33 > 0:31:37- Yeah?- Definitely.- I think we'd need more animals!
0:31:37 > 0:31:39To fill the barn.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- It keeps on going.- OK. - So, follow me.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47'As well as the double-height dining hall and the kitchen,
0:31:47 > 0:31:50'the ground floor also features a large sitting room
0:31:50 > 0:31:54'with wood-burning stove and, beyond that, a large office,
0:31:54 > 0:31:58'a generous utility room and a ground-floor shower room.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01'Upstairs there are three bedrooms in this property
0:32:01 > 0:32:05'and they're all doubles, built into the eaves and with exposed timbers.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08'Two of the bedrooms have en suite bathrooms.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12'One of those has a his-and-hers sink and roll-top bath.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14'And it's part of the impressive master suite.'
0:32:16 > 0:32:19You have three bedrooms upstairs.
0:32:19 > 0:32:23- This is yours.- Oh, my God - look at that closet!
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Yes.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29- So, it's not really a closet, it's actually a dressing room.- It is!
0:32:29 > 0:32:33- Oh, my word!- It's pretty substantial, isn't it?- Yeah.- Again!
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I like to have a sofa in my bedroom.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40So I can just think about getting into bed.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42- I'll let you explore cos there's a lot more to see.- Yes, please.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46But I just want to pop outside so we can talk about Busby
0:32:46 > 0:32:50- and think about budget.- Yes.- OK.
0:32:50 > 0:32:51The B word.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54'Although not large enough to accommodate the horse,
0:32:54 > 0:32:58'the garden is made up of a spacious lawn with raised vegetable beds
0:32:58 > 0:33:01'and there's also a sheltered patio area,
0:33:01 > 0:33:04'as well as a gravel driveway and single garage.'
0:33:04 > 0:33:06It is actually a lovely garden.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10- It's not a paddock.- No. It's not a paddock.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14- But it is beautiful.- What do you think it's on the market for?
0:33:14 > 0:33:17I get it wrong all the time but I'm going to say it's
0:33:17 > 0:33:24the top of the budget - 550 - because it's a stunning, stunning barn.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28I'm going above that, actually, again. 575.
0:33:28 > 0:33:34- You say yes?- Yeah, it's probably pushing the ceiling. I'd say 575.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36Well, you shouldn't cos you were right the first time.
0:33:36 > 0:33:41- It's on the market for 550.- Really? On the mark.- So, in your budget.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46- Your dream barn could be yours, Nigel.- It's big. It's huge.- It is.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49- It's almost too big. - It's overwhelming!
0:33:49 > 0:33:51Never say too big.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55I mean, the thing that worries me is that room there.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58I can't visualise it yet, it's just so vast - what you put in there
0:33:58 > 0:33:59and what you do with it.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Why don't you head back in and explore a bit further?
0:34:02 > 0:34:05- And then I'll meet you in your palatial garden.- OK.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06Sounds good, let's go.
0:34:09 > 0:34:10That is very interesting
0:34:10 > 0:34:13because I thought it was going to be a complete deal breaker,
0:34:13 > 0:34:16not having the land for Busby, but Busby lost out.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20'Priced at £550,000,
0:34:20 > 0:34:24'our mystery house is right at the top of Nigel and Maddy's budget.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28'It's a spacious converted barn - which is what Nigel asked for -
0:34:28 > 0:34:31'but there's no room at the inn for the horse.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34'The accommodation includes a magnificent dining hall
0:34:34 > 0:34:37'with high ceiling and an equally impressive master bedroom.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39'There are three bedrooms in total
0:34:39 > 0:34:42'and the possibility to create more if needed.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44'The garden is largely laid to lawn
0:34:44 > 0:34:48'and there are options nearby to rent land for a paddock.'
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Oh, my word - another room! Another one.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- It's like a rabbit- warren. We could turn this into a bedroom, easy.
0:34:54 > 0:34:58- Yeah. I mean, you could easily get a double bed in here.- Yeah.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02The mystery house is absolutely stunning, amazing.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04I was a little bit disappointed
0:35:04 > 0:35:07when I found out there wasn't enough land for Busby.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09I'm in a little bit of a conundrum.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13There's a few things I need to look into with regards to the
0:35:13 > 0:35:17location of the house and getting to Bristol and where I need to be.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20And Busby, you know, finding a livery.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23But on the other hand, it is absolutely stunning.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25I don't want to miss an opportunity.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27This house is absolutely magnificent.
0:35:27 > 0:35:31It is a barn conversion, the barn conversion I was asking for.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34It's got everything. It's so large, actually.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37Some of the rooms I can't even picture what to do with at the moment.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39All in all it's pretty spectacular.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Going to have to drag you two away from your dream barn, I'm afraid.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Yeah, it's pretty special.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57'Worcestershire is home to one of the most historically
0:35:57 > 0:36:00'important country estates in the West Midlands - Croome Court.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03'The former home of the Earls of Coventry,
0:36:03 > 0:36:07'it was remodelled in the 18th century by the landscape artist
0:36:07 > 0:36:08'"Capability" Brown,
0:36:08 > 0:36:11'with the palatial interiors designed by Robert Adam,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14'both trailblazers in the world of architecture at the time.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18'But decades of neglect under private ownership saw
0:36:18 > 0:36:20'the building fall into disrepair
0:36:20 > 0:36:23'and the worst hit was the Grade I listed Red Wing.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26'Today it's part of a £5 million repair project involving
0:36:26 > 0:36:30'the entire house, which is being managed by the National Trust.
0:36:30 > 0:36:34'I've come to meet the building's project manager, Sean Wilkes.'
0:36:34 > 0:36:36So, tell me about the Red Wing.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39It was a service wing to ensure the smooth running of the courts.
0:36:39 > 0:36:44- So, this is where the servants, all the undesirables...?- Exactly.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45Of course, yes.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49On the upper floors you would have had servants' accommodation
0:36:49 > 0:36:51and on the lower floors you would have had kitchens.
0:36:51 > 0:36:52And when the Trust got involved,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55what sort of state of repair was it in?
0:36:55 > 0:36:57It was in a terrible state of repair. It was about to collapse.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00It had already suffered partial collapse, some of the internal floors
0:37:00 > 0:37:02had collapsed and we got here just in time.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05We're standing on a fairly significant scaffolding,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08which was the first thing that was erected, along with a temporary roof.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11And I think the building wouldn't have stood another winter.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14We have saved quite a lot of the original building.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18- Here you can see that's a new bit of oak.- Yeah.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20- And this is presumably an old bit? - Exactly.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22The bottom section was rotten
0:37:22 > 0:37:26but there was enough left of the original timber to warrant saving.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29'As well as repair work to the inside of the Red Wing, craftsmen
0:37:29 > 0:37:32'are making good the damage to the exterior brickwork of the building,
0:37:32 > 0:37:36'again by mixing the old with the new.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39'Each brick costs £80 and has been specially made
0:37:39 > 0:37:42'so they can be cut more easily.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44'I'm meeting bricklayer Tony Cunningham to see
0:37:44 > 0:37:46'if I can lend a hand.'
0:37:46 > 0:37:49This bit that you're doing here is obviously a bit specialised.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Yes, there's a lot of damage on them.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54And we're replacing them with new bricks.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58- So, you need gloves cos of the lime. - Yeah. So, it's lime...?
0:37:58 > 0:38:01It's lime mortars, yeah. Lime putty on it.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05'Lime mortar is more flexible than cement,
0:38:05 > 0:38:07'allowing the building to breathe and move,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10'making it much better suited to an historic structure.'
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Hold it firmly in place.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Hey, presto.
0:38:17 > 0:38:18OK.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- Can I do the one above?- And then we go on the one above.- That one?- Yeah.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26'There are many ancient examples of the use of lime mortar
0:38:26 > 0:38:31'as a building material, from the Pyramids to the walls at Pompeii.
0:38:31 > 0:38:33'But because of its alkaline content, it can burn the skin,
0:38:33 > 0:38:36'so extra care has to be taken.'
0:38:36 > 0:38:40Just make sure the whole brick's covered in the lime.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43'You also need to work quite quickly before the lime dries out,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46'and I'm keen to see if my bricklaying skills are up to scratch.'
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Doesn't feel very secure.
0:38:51 > 0:38:53- No, we've moved it a few times. - Oh, no!
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- I took too long.- Possibly, yeah.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00He's being very polite. I know that as soon as my back's turned
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- you're going to whip that out and do it properly.- More or less.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07- Never mind.- You can see the care that the craftsmen have to take.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Especially if I've been around!
0:39:11 > 0:39:14'Once the work is finished on the Red Wing the builders will move on
0:39:14 > 0:39:16'to the rest of Croome Court
0:39:16 > 0:39:19'and the makeover should be completed in the next few years,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21'when the whole house will be open to the public
0:39:21 > 0:39:24'for the first time in its history.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27'And talking of houses, it's time to find out what Nigel and Maddy
0:39:27 > 0:39:29'feel about what they've seen this week.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32'And I think there's a clear favourite. '
0:39:37 > 0:39:41Amazing. From being the absolute motive for this move,
0:39:41 > 0:39:44poor old Busby the horse has now been parked off in a nearby field.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Because, once again, the beautiful house has won the day.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51My money, it's on the mystery property.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56I've done quite a number of these shows and I feel that
0:39:56 > 0:39:59I have the gift of guessing which house people like the best.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03I think you like the mystery house best. Am I right?
0:40:03 > 0:40:05- Absolutely.- Yeah.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10The mystery house certainly has a lot to offer in terms of value
0:40:10 > 0:40:13for money, you know, incredible.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16I feel I don't need to ask you, Nigel, but do you agree?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20Absolutely 100%. It's done it for me. There's no doubt about that.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24- What happens next?- I think we're going to move fast on this one.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26I think if we don't grab the opportunity,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28someone else certainly will.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32So, I think the next step, really, is...you know,
0:40:32 > 0:40:37speak to the financial advisor and sell our property.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39So, it's still on the market, so...
0:40:39 > 0:40:41- And make an offer.- Yeah.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44And what's the situation with your property? How likely are you to...?
0:40:44 > 0:40:47Do you smell a sale in the air?
0:40:47 > 0:40:50We had a cheeky offer a couple of weeks ago,
0:40:50 > 0:40:56so we might reconsider that cheeky offer to get on to this one quicker.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59But I think we need to speak to the estate agent so see
0:40:59 > 0:41:01if that's a possibility.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05And take it from there and do our research, quick.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07And in terms of your sons, do they factor in?
0:41:07 > 0:41:10Obviously, Busby's off in a field somewhere.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Do they have a say in it or...?
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Er...- We'll definitely get their input.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21Yeah. It might encourage them to get on their way sooner than later,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25I don't know. I mean, obviously the space is not a problem
0:41:25 > 0:41:28with the mystery house because it is accommodating for them
0:41:28 > 0:41:31and probably a lot more people as well.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35- But, no, we will have a family chat. - Yeah, we'll have to talk to them.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38The mystery house was wonderful because it was beautifully quiet.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42- We were there all day and there was not a car that went past.- No.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46But the flip side of that is it's quite a long way from the motorways.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48Nigel, is that daunting for you, the commute?
0:41:48 > 0:41:52It changes where I work cos at the moment a lot, by luck,
0:41:52 > 0:41:57I guess, a lot of the jobs I've had have been commutable, so it would
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- mean probably staying away from home more often during the week.- Yeah.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03But that's part and parcel of the work I do.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07And finally, do you think that the mystery house could be
0:42:07 > 0:42:11a sort of, "This is where I'm going to lay down my bits and bobs"?
0:42:11 > 0:42:15I can see us definitely there for ten or 15 years, if not more.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17Yes! That's what I wanted to hear.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Wonderful. That's a great conclusion. I hope it all goes well.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22I hope you sell your house, I hope you put an offer in,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- I hope it gets accepted. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30I really do hope that Maddy and Nigel move
0:42:30 > 0:42:33to this part of the world, although, interestingly,
0:42:33 > 0:42:35it seemed that Nigel was getting cold feet about the size
0:42:35 > 0:42:37of his barn conversion,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39whereas Maddy was very enthusiastic,
0:42:39 > 0:42:41despite there being no space for her horse.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44I do hope that they move here and I hope that you join us
0:42:44 > 0:42:47next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49And if you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:49 > 0:42:52in Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, England,
0:42:52 > 0:42:55or maybe even further afield to the Continent, and would like our help,
0:42:55 > 0:42:57please apply online at...