0:00:02 > 0:00:05This tank was raised from the sea bed of the county I'm in and stands
0:00:05 > 0:00:10in memory of a WWII training exercise that ended in disaster.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13Find out what happened and where I am in just a few moments.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36On today's show, we're helping a couple of lifelong suburbanites
0:00:36 > 0:00:38up sticks to the country.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41At one property, it's all about the view.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- You wouldn't want to watch TV, would you?- No.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48- And there's a big surprise at another.- We've stayed here.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- We've stayed here.- You're joking?
0:00:54 > 0:00:57Today, I'm in South Devon and this is Slapton Sands,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00which was used by the Allied forces to rehearse for the D-day
0:01:00 > 0:01:03landings on the Normandy beaches.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Codenamed Exercise Tiger, this top-secret rehearsal
0:01:06 > 0:01:11ended in tragedy when a US convoy was torpedoed by German E-boats.
0:01:11 > 0:01:16The death toll amounted to over 900 servicemen.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Today, their memory is preserved here,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22as is this area, as it's also home to a national nature reserve.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25And I'll be finding out more about this unique coastline
0:01:25 > 0:01:26later on in the show.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30But first, let's take a look at some of Devon's other natural highlights.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37Devon is the third largest
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and one of the most hilly counties in England.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45Bordering Cornwall to the west and Somerset and Dorset to the east.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47The south of the county, known as the South Hams,
0:01:47 > 0:01:52covers an area of around 350 square miles between Plymouth and Torquay.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56Sheltered from the weather by the uplands of rocky Dartmoor,
0:01:56 > 0:02:00this rich agricultural region, with its patchwork of fields,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03enjoys one of the mildest climates in the whole of mainland Britain.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07There are 62 miles of Devon coast,
0:02:07 > 0:02:10ranging from sheltered hidden coves in the long,
0:02:10 > 0:02:12golden expanse of Slapton Sands,
0:02:12 > 0:02:17to the tree-lined slopes of the Dart and Kingsbridge estuaries.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19From historic ports such as Dartmouth
0:02:19 > 0:02:22to the pretty riverside villages like Stoke Gabriel,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26they all stand testament to the county's rich maritime heritage.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Devon's desirability is reflected
0:02:33 > 0:02:36in just how much it costs to buy a home here.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40With the average price for a detached house in the county
0:02:40 > 0:02:42coming in at around £288,000.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45Some £30,000 above the national figure.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Now, the South Hams district is the most expensive in the county.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51In seaside towns like Salcombe and Dartmouth,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55you can expect to pay almost double the national figure for a property.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59But if you head west towards Plymouth or inland towards Dartmoor,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02you'll be rewarded by getting much more property for your budget.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05So, what's attracting today's buyers to Devon?
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11Darren and Tracey have been married for 25 years.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15For the last decade, they've lived in Farnham Common in Buckinghamshire,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17just outside London's M25.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20But with their grown-up children about to leave home,
0:03:20 > 0:03:24- it's time to make the break. - We have enjoyed living here.
0:03:24 > 0:03:25The community's really nice.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29We've a good set of friends and we're local to the shops,
0:03:29 > 0:03:32but it's just becoming more compact with traffic.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Despite the changes in the neighbourhood,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37they still have fond memories of the area.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40We met in a disco called Regal's in Uxbridge.
0:03:40 > 0:03:41Which was our main nightclub
0:03:41 > 0:03:44on a Thursday night. It was girls' night.
0:03:44 > 0:03:48Um...but then I had a break and went travelling for a bit
0:03:48 > 0:03:52and then came back and we sort of hooked up again.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- At Regal's again.- Yes!
0:03:55 > 0:03:58And then, um...decided to get married.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Four years ago, they holidayed in South Devon
0:04:01 > 0:04:03and it was love at first sight.
0:04:03 > 0:04:06We just like everything about it.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09It's the pubs, it's the open fields, the woods.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13Because we've got a dog, we like walking.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16And the idea would be to get another dog.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18Just having some space around you
0:04:18 > 0:04:20without too many neighbours would be really nice.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22Darren runs a glazing company
0:04:22 > 0:04:24and Tracey's a product development manager.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26A job she can do from home.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29But after the move, work will take more of a back seat.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32I've built the construction company up.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35It can operate without me being there fulltime.
0:04:35 > 0:04:40I think the move's going to make us a bit more...or you more relaxed.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44The last couple of years, your work has been quite stressful.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48Um...and it would just sort of give you the opportunity
0:04:48 > 0:04:51to pursue some areas that you've been looking to do for quite a few years.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- Yeah. Enjoy life, really.- Mm.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Work to live, not live to work, really.
0:04:59 > 0:05:01There's that saying, isn't there?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03And with more time on his hands, keen biker Darren
0:05:03 > 0:05:07will be able to enjoy everything coastal Devon has to offer.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10The move down there would get me more into the sports I love,
0:05:10 > 0:05:12which is scuba diving.
0:05:12 > 0:05:17I know walking's not so much a sport, but walking.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19It's everything there, really.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23It's just for me and I really would like to get into sailing.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25And when he's not sailing the seas,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29Darren will be hitting Devon's roads with his other pride and joy.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32I've got a Triumph Stag. I've had it over a year now.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36I've had a bit of work done on it and it would just be great
0:05:36 > 0:05:39to go around the countryside in a Triumph Stag.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43While Darren's away, Tracey will keep the home fires burning.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45It's going to be very important for me to have a good kitchen
0:05:45 > 0:05:49because I spend a lot of time in it. Currently, anyway, with the family.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53I do a lot of cooking and baking. I'm into growing vegetables.
0:05:53 > 0:05:58I do lots of gardening. I grow my own flowers and seeds, et cetera.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02And I really would like to look at having some chickens.
0:06:02 > 0:06:03So that is my next plan, really,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07to get some space where I could put some hens and chickens in.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10All that's left is to find out how much money is financing this
0:06:10 > 0:06:12move to the South Devon countryside.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15The budget for the move is £600,000.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Darren and Tracey have holidayed in the South Hams area of the county
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and would like us to concentrate our property search there.
0:06:26 > 0:06:32I've come to meet them on Devonian soil to go over the specifics of the house.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35Welcome, both of you, to beautiful South Devon.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38- I know you've been here many times before, haven't you?- Yes.- We have.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41- Popular holiday destination. - Definitely, yes.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45So, why now are you choosing to relocate fulltime?
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Well, our family have all grown up.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51We're now more comfortable money-wise
0:06:51 > 0:06:54and we can do that in our time of life, really.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Let's talk about the house. Open plan downstairs?
0:06:57 > 0:06:59- Yeah, definitely.- A nice big kitchen.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Kitchen/diner. More room perhaps downstairs than upstairs.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06- Because that's where we are. - Yeah. OK, that makes sense.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08We need to have an office space
0:07:08 > 0:07:11because Darren obviously has his business and I work from home.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14So I'd like to be able to have a room that I can switch off from.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- That could be one of the bedrooms, though.- Yeah.- It could be.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Because that could turn into a guest room perhaps afterwards.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23How many bedrooms as bedrooms do you need?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26- At least three. - Three. We'd like three.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29So you're looking for a three to four bedroom house,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33or a house with two to three receptions rooms downstairs.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- Yes.- Yeah.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38I don't mind doing the bed-and-breakfast type scenario
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- or the guesthouse scenario.- OK.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43If we were lucky to have something that had perhaps a small annexe
0:07:43 > 0:07:45or something that we could rent out.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Well, that's worth thinking about. - Definitely.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50Should I be looking out for any big no-nos?
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- A detached, we'd like, not a semi or terraced.- You'd like, or...?
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- It's got to be detached, really. - Yeah.- It really has.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03So finally, the price. What's the final budget?
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- £600,000.- £600,000.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- Yeah.- Which is a good amount of money.- Yeah.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12We want quite a lot from the property itself,
0:08:12 > 0:08:14but we should have a good go at this, shouldn't we?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- I think so, yeah.- All right. Let's get started. Just this way.- Great.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25For a budget of £600,000, Darren
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and Tracey want a detached property with lots of light and space.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31It must have three to four bedrooms
0:08:31 > 0:08:34with enough room downstairs to entertain.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38Tracey would like a large garden to grow vegetables and keep chickens.
0:08:38 > 0:08:42Darren needs a garage or workshop for his classic car.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45And location-wise, they'd like to be close to the coast.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49We've lined up three charming properties here in South Devon to show them.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53And at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price at the end.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55The last is our mystery house,
0:08:55 > 0:08:58which could give our couple lots of options for work and play.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10So, Tracey, talk me through this idea of running some kind of B&B.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- Yeah. - Is this a long-held dream of yours?
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- Yeah, it has been actually, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19For quite a few years, we've talked about that.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23And I like to entertain and I like to organise things, so, um...
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- Perfect! You're both quite social people, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31- We entertain quite a lot. And our friends come over, don't they?- Yes.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34We've had a holiday home before,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36so I've sort of rented that out
0:09:36 > 0:09:39and got that all ready for the guests, et cetera,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41so I think I'd be quite interested to do that.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49For our first property, we're heading to the hamlet of Goveton,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52not far from the South Devon coastline.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55It's within two miles of the market town of Kingsbridge, which is
0:09:55 > 0:09:59situated at the northern end of the estuary that takes its name.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03Its proximity to the sea has seen Kingsbridge develop into a popular
0:10:03 > 0:10:07tourist destination and it has a varied selection of shops and cafes.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11Just a 10-minute drive away, you're well into the countryside.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13And you'll find our first house.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19So here we are at property number one.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- Wow!- What do you think of how it looks? It's not your uber modern.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30- No. The stonework's a bit different for me, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Yeah. I'm not quite sure.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Bit dark.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38- It does seem very dark.- Yeah. - Rural location. Rural enough?
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- Yes, definitely.- Definitely, yeah. - First impressions, you sound...
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Reserved. THEY LAUGH
0:10:45 > 0:10:47You sound reserved. OK.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Let's see what you think of the interior. Follow me.- OK.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56Our first property was built in the early 1990s.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59And although the stonework might not be to Darren and Tracey's liking,
0:10:59 > 0:11:04I'm sure the light and spacious interior will lift their spirits.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06So to start off with,
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- you've got a separate living room just through there.- OK.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13This is the most important kitchen for you, isn't it?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Yeah. Actually, this is very nice. I like this.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18Yeah, this is nice.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20This is the sort of plan that I like.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- When you said, actually, this is very nice.- Yeah.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27That tells a story in itself. You weren't expecting to see this.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30No, I wasn't. Because from the front, it looks quite small, compact.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32But it's nice and light.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36Now, off this room, you've got lots of what you said you wanted.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- Your separate utility through there. - OK.- Office through there.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44But what they've done here is opened it all out.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47There was a corridor running across here to the office.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49So they've got rid of one wall,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51which gives us the space for a nice big kitchen.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53They've also opened up the room this way.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56- Let's go and take a little look. - Sure.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- There's a lot more space, isn't there?- Very nice.- It is nice.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- Plenty of light coming through the windows.- Yeah, definitely.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09But you've got so many other places. You've got a conservatory through there, just tucked away.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- French doors to open out during the summer.- Bit of decking.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16And you've got that other separate reception room at the front of the house.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Yeah.- Let's look upstairs, shall we?- OK.- Sure.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24A much better reaction to the inside of our first property.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27But I'm still not sure it's really grabbing Darren and Tracey,
0:12:27 > 0:12:31even though on paper, it gives them everything they've asked for.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36all serviced by a family bathroom.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39Two of the bedrooms overlook the front of the house,
0:12:39 > 0:12:43another is dual aspect and then finally, the largest.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- Let's take a quick peek into the master.- OK.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- That's a nice size. - Yeah, a great size.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55This master, it's triple aspect and you've got an en suite, as well.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57- Oh, even better.- Yeah? - Yeah, definitely.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59You didn't say you wanted an en suite.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Actually, we didn't say, but we do. Sorry.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04- Is that a rod going up my back there?- Yeah.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06We do want an en suite, yeah.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08You said you wanted minimum three and an office.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- We've got four beds and an office here.- Yeah.- That's good.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13A lot more room than I thought.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17So our first property certainly gives Darren and Tracey
0:13:17 > 0:13:19the space they're after and more.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22But Tracey also wanted a large garden to grow vegetables
0:13:22 > 0:13:26and keep chickens, so I'm hoping it's up to scratch.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28So you've got a really nice raised terrace and decking area.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31- You can pretty much chase the sun around the house.- Yeah.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35- That would be nice.- Now, big double garage there for you.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40- I like the garden.- Yeah. - Some fruit trees.- Yeah.- Mm.- So...
0:13:41 > 0:13:44..how much do you think a house like this,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47or maybe this house exactly, is on the market for?
0:13:47 > 0:13:52- 565?- 565, you're saying? - Yes.- OK. Darren?
0:13:52 > 0:13:57I think it's lower than that. I think it's 545.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Obviously, I'm going to be wrong.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03Well, we'll be crashing down to earth with a bump, I'm afraid.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07This place is on the market for offers around £625,000.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- Really?- Yeah, that is...
0:14:09 > 0:14:12I wouldn't have thought that.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Speaking to one of the owners,
0:14:14 > 0:14:18he says they would be prepared to consider offers around your budget,
0:14:18 > 0:14:21but that's still priced a lot more than you've put it at.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Definitely. That's come as a bit of a shock.- Has it?
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- We're way out.- It has, yeah.- I'm surprised. It must be the location.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29It's got to be the location.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Why don't you have a look at the areas you haven't seen.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34The other bedrooms, the utility and what have you.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- And I'll meet you out the front whenever you're ready.- OK.- OK.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Thank you.- Thank you. - See you in a mo.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Well, that price reveal wasn't great news for them.
0:14:45 > 0:14:49I think coming down to Devon might be a bit of a shock to the system.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51This house, technically,
0:14:51 > 0:14:54it fulfils pretty much all of their shopping list.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Style-wise, I'm starting to get to know what they want.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59And I'm not sure this is it.
0:15:01 > 0:15:07On the market for £625,000, our first property is over budget,
0:15:07 > 0:15:10but the owners are willing to accept a lower offer.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12It's a modern, spacious family home
0:15:12 > 0:15:15set in a peaceful rural setting close to the sea.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18It comes with a large kitchen and living area
0:15:18 > 0:15:21and there are four good-sized bedrooms.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26The garden is laid to lawn and it has its own mini apple orchard.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28It was a bit of a relief when I walked in,
0:15:28 > 0:15:34the rooms were a lot lighter and bigger than you'd seen from outside.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36It was more to my liking, I must admit.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39The downstairs size is perfect, really.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42The front room, there'll only be two of us most of the time.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44There's lots of opportunity in the garden,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46there's some fruit trees I can work with.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49There's some space for the greenhouse, which is great.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50And lots of little nooks and crannies.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52We'd be able to fit some vegetable plots in
0:15:52 > 0:15:55and perhaps some chickens, hopefully.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58- So, all done inside and out? - Yes, thank you.- Yes, thank you. Yeah.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- Well, that's property number one done. Onto the next one.- OK.- Lovely.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Away from the coast, South Devon's moorland
0:16:14 > 0:16:17and rivers have shaped its industrial past.
0:16:17 > 0:16:18During the 19th century,
0:16:18 > 0:16:22the town of Buckfastleigh was a centre of textile production.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24And a railway line was built to transport freight
0:16:24 > 0:16:26along the River Dart towards Totnes.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Part of the track was closed in the 1960s,
0:16:29 > 0:16:33but a seven-mile stretch has been revived by committed locals
0:16:33 > 0:16:36and is now run as the South Devon Railway.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38It's an appealing way to explore
0:16:38 > 0:16:41the region's inland heritage and landscape.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43First stop for Darren and Tracey,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45the railway's museum at Buckfastleigh station.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48They're meeting historian John Brodribb.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- Welcome along to the South Devon Railway.- Thank you.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53The railway itself, what is now the South Devon,
0:16:53 > 0:16:57it first opened in 1872. 1st May, 1872.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00And it actually opened on the broad gauge.
0:17:00 > 0:17:01Now, the broad gauge,
0:17:01 > 0:17:05Isambard Kingdom Brunel's seven foot and a quarter inch gauge,
0:17:05 > 0:17:07it's the distance between the rails,
0:17:07 > 0:17:11was unusual because it was used in this part of the country,
0:17:11 > 0:17:13but actually not very much elsewhere.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- Is the broad gauge still in use today?- No, it isn't.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18We run on the standard gauge.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22What happened was that the Great Western Railway in 1892
0:17:22 > 0:17:26changed the gauge in a single weekend.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30After the broad gauge was changed, did that affect the line and the running?
0:17:30 > 0:17:33It would've probably been slightly better in fact
0:17:33 > 0:17:38because it was then easier for goods to reach other parts of the country
0:17:38 > 0:17:41without the break of gauge, which had meant that
0:17:41 > 0:17:44you had to manually shift goods from one train to another
0:17:44 > 0:17:47where the gauge changed.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51Despite the gauge change, the line was never really profitable,
0:17:51 > 0:17:54until it started running as a heritage railway.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58And today, it carries over 100,000 passengers every year.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00Chairman of the railway company, John Haslam,
0:18:00 > 0:18:04is taking Darren and Tracey on a short trip to Staverton station
0:18:04 > 0:18:09to try their hand at operating one of the line's three mechanical signal boxes.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Right, here we are. This is Bishops Bridge Signal Box.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17A massive great row of levers. The red ones are signals.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20All the points are set up correctly
0:18:20 > 0:18:23so all we're doing today is we are clearing the signals
0:18:23 > 0:18:25to allow the passage of the train.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27BUZZER
0:18:27 > 0:18:30There's as train coming, as if by magic.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Turn the buzzer off.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Right, one of you, press the plunger marked 37.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40A system of wires and rods link the lever to the track-side signal.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44A pull on the lever clears the signal and the train can pass.
0:18:46 > 0:18:51Tracey, we'll let you pull the next one, which will be 35.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Today, railway signalling is operated by electrical
0:18:54 > 0:18:56and hydraulic mechanisms.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00But the old lever system does require some elbow grease.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03It's quite hard at the end, isn't it?
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Now Darren and Tracey have tried their hand at signal operating,
0:19:06 > 0:19:10it's time to make tracks and get back to the house hunt.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22For our second option, we're heading 22 miles west towards
0:19:22 > 0:19:25Plymouth to the coastal hamlet of Heybrook Bay.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28The closest amenities are a mile away in Down Thomas,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32which has a village shop, historic pub dating to the 14th century
0:19:32 > 0:19:34and a small post office.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36Just a two-minute drive away,
0:19:36 > 0:19:40our second property with its magnificent sea views awaits.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45I'm hoping for at least one of us,
0:19:45 > 0:19:50the first impressions are going to be pretty good from this angle.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52- That's a lot better. - Very unusual. Yeah.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- We've never looked at something like this.- I know. It's very nice.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59It's not something I thought I'd like, but it's very, very nice.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03- It suits, I think, the vicinity, the location.- It does.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I mean, from first thing in the morning,
0:20:06 > 0:20:11this house has light beaming into all this side of the house.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15But also, as you can quite imagine, behind there,
0:20:15 > 0:20:19which is why it's raised, you get amazing sea views.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- Now, you're grinning.- I know. Yeah. - I can't see.- I'm surprised myself.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- I'm surprised.- It's not your cup of tea normally.- I know. I do like it.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- What does Tracey think?- I do, I'm looking forward to going in.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- OK. Let's go inside.- OK.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39I thought our second property, built in the 1960s,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41would have appealed more to Tracey.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44But the smile on Darren's face says it all.
0:20:45 > 0:20:49Now, do you want to pause briefly here?
0:20:49 > 0:20:50You heard funny bing-bongs
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and I'll explain why we've got things like that.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Because this house is currently let out as a holiday apartment,
0:20:56 > 0:20:58or holiday home.
0:20:58 > 0:21:00What we've got here is, as you can see, a games room,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04but also on this level, you've got, well, a small kitchen,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08currently used as an utility, and a living room and a shower and loo.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Ah, I see.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14So you could, if you wanted to, self-contain this, even as it is.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- And that could maybe... - Be a let.- Be letting accommodation.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21But I think you might want the extra space on the ground floor, anyway.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- OK.- Now, upwards to the living accommodation.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26- Can I just squeeze through there? - Sure.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29This ground-floor area could be converted to bed and breakfast
0:21:29 > 0:21:32accommodation, or storage for Darren's sporting equipment.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36Because the real selling point of this property is just upstairs.
0:21:36 > 0:21:42So let's see what you think of what I think is a very impressive room.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47- I do like this, yeah. - Look at that view.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51- I can see the water. - That's fantastic!- The coastal path.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- You wouldn't want to watch TV, would you?- No.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- It's the antithesis of the first house, isn't it?- Wow!
0:21:57 > 0:22:00Yeah, totally the opposite. I do... I mean, it's nice to watch everybody.
0:22:00 > 0:22:05- Just people-watch.- This is great. Really is great.- On a sunny day.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07- I just want to see some more, really.- Well, let's do that.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11Kitchen just through here. So...
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- Good size.- Good size.- Come right in.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Um...compared to the one we saw last,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24- that's my ideal kitchen/diner, really.- OK.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28I don't think it would be a big waste if you started again in here.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32I don't think so. No. It's got the size.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- So you could change this quite easily.- So you can see through it.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- Definitely. - It's a good enough space.- Yeah.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Let's see what you think of the rest. Let me squeeze through.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- Great.- Thank you very much.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48The kitchen also leads onto
0:22:48 > 0:22:50a small conservatory at the back of the property.
0:22:50 > 0:22:55Also on this floor, a large family bathroom with twin Jacuzzi.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Two double bedrooms, both with views over the bay,
0:22:57 > 0:23:01and a dining room with stairs up to the second floor.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09- So we might be fighting over who gets this space.- Is that the office?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- A desk each.- That's handy, actually.- The views are fantastic.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13You've got windows, as well.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16I would say you might want to use this as a walk-in wardrobe, but...
0:23:16 > 0:23:20- True.- No, you've got plenty of space through here. Check this out.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24- Ooh, gosh!- Oh! Ho-ho!
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- Very nice.- Views again.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29This is the wardrobe space?
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Loads of storage space and, of course...
0:23:32 > 0:23:33of course you've got an en suite.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- Look at this!- Oh!- Oh, great!
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- LAUGHTER - Very, very nice.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Well, the interior tour of our second property
0:23:41 > 0:23:43couldn't have gone any better.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47But there's still the outside space to see.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Tracey wanted a large garden for her vegetables
0:23:49 > 0:23:52and Darren a garage for his classic car.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55And I fear that's where we might come a cropper.
0:23:55 > 0:23:59The rear garden is terraced with steps leading to a decked viewing platform
0:23:59 > 0:24:02and a summer house, offering some breathtaking views.
0:24:04 > 0:24:10- You'll be pleased to hear it's worth the climb.- Oh, yeah!- It is indeed.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14I can't believe I'm saying this, but that's your flat bit of garden.
0:24:14 > 0:24:15LAUGHTER
0:24:15 > 0:24:17I was just looking over there
0:24:17 > 0:24:20and they've obviously got their vegetables and things there,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23- so if you were going to do anything, it would have to be here.- Yeah.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27All in, around a quarter of an acre. Just lots of different levels.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31- Levels, yeah.- But there's no garage here at the moment.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33And that might involve more than just digging out.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36It would involve engineering. So...
0:24:36 > 0:24:40- The price.- The price.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42We made a boob on the last tone.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Well...- Um...
0:24:44 > 0:24:46I'm thinking about 575.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49And I'm going to say 600,000.
0:24:49 > 0:24:55- Your guess is much better. It's on the market for £580,000.- Yeah.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57And it started life at £600,000.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00- So you're back on the money.- OK.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Don't be too led by the configuration at the moment.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04It might take you some time,
0:25:04 > 0:25:07but that's all we're going to do, so take as much time as you want.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10- Because I will be lapping in this view.- OK, then.- All right?
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Thank you.- Thank you. - Catch you later on.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16On the market for £580,000,
0:25:16 > 0:25:21our second property is £20,000 under budget.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24It's a modern lodge-style house built on three levels.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27The accommodation includes a large reception room
0:25:27 > 0:25:30with glass doors out onto a wraparound balcony.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33It has four bedrooms, including the ground-floor room,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35as well as a study.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38And the garden is terraced with fantastic views out to sea.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43TRACEY LAUGHS
0:25:43 > 0:25:46- Oh, it is, yeah. - Jacuzzi!- Jacuzzi bath.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- Oh, wow! That's unusual!- For two!
0:25:49 > 0:25:52No, thanks. LAUGHTER
0:25:52 > 0:25:56This was a very different house in concept to what we've looked at before.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59So it was quite a surprise. The views are spectacular.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02We knew when we saw the house that we were going to see something
0:26:02 > 0:26:04really good from inside the house.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09The garden where the terracing is at the moment, is quite difficult
0:26:09 > 0:26:14for me to actually sort of visualise, but I'm sure it can be worked on.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17There's definitely enough living space and, um...
0:26:17 > 0:26:20even downstairs, that's a great games room.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24I really do like the house, but I've got to try to persuade Tracey.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27So that will be my job tonight.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33So...all done inside and out.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- Yes. - Did you find anywhere for your hens?
0:26:35 > 0:26:39At the very, very top, as long as they don't escape into next door.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- That could be a negotiating point for you, Darren.- It could be.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44- I do feel this might have split the camp.- OK.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47- Time to go back.- That's great.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58It's day two of our property search
0:26:58 > 0:27:01and Darren and Tracey from near Slough, to the west of London,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05have a budget of £600,000 to spend on their Devonian dream.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09Coming up, there's a big surprise at the mystery house.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10Four years ago, we stayed here.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13This is where it all started, in this particular property.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15And I visit the wildlife wonder
0:27:15 > 0:27:18under threat from Mother Nature herself.
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Well, I think we might have split the camp yesterday.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27Whilst property two came out on top,
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I think Darren preferred it a lot more than Tracey.
0:27:29 > 0:27:34We're on the way to the mystery house and I think this property
0:27:34 > 0:27:36plays a lot more to what Tracey said she wanted.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38Well, it's only fair, isn't it?
0:27:38 > 0:27:40Now, this property has a garden I think
0:27:40 > 0:27:42she has pictured in her mind's eye.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45And it also has a business opportunity
0:27:45 > 0:27:47they can probably dip their toes into now
0:27:47 > 0:27:50or fulltime sometime in the future.
0:27:50 > 0:27:53But in order to get all this, as it's the mystery house,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55there is a compromise.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59And they'll see this compromise as soon as they step out of the car.
0:28:05 > 0:28:07For our final property, we're heading back to familiar
0:28:07 > 0:28:11territory, and specifically, the hamlet of South Huish.
0:28:12 > 0:28:16The closest amenities are to be found in the village of Marlborough,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18which has a pub and a post office.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21Before we get to our mystery house, we're making a pit stop
0:28:21 > 0:28:25at a nearby beach called South Milton Sands to take in the view.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31So, I take it you've probably been to this beach before, have you?
0:28:31 > 0:28:34We have. This is what started our journey quite a few years ago.
0:28:34 > 0:28:36- Is it?- Yeah.- Why?
0:28:36 > 0:28:39We stayed not too far from here and we used to come to this beach
0:28:39 > 0:28:41with our dog and walk him in the morning.
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I just thought it would be a glorious beach to come to.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46- It's dog-friendly.- Absolutely.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48A lot of people come here for water sports.
0:28:48 > 0:28:52There's a wreck that you can dive around and discover, as well.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Oh, great. That's even better.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56So it would be good news if I told you you could
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- walk from the mystery property to this beach, would it?- Yes.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00It would be very good news.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Some of the properties we looked at around here, we liked very much.
0:29:04 > 0:29:07- Well, this is quite an expensive part of the world.- Mm.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11- Yeah.- So to be close to this beach is pretty special.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13But we are, so let's see if the house,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16well, pleases hopefully both of you, shall we?
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- Yeah, great.- Let's go.- Thank you.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21At the start of our house hunt yesterday,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Tracey mentioned she'd like to run a bed and breakfast.
0:29:23 > 0:29:28And our mystery house is an up-and-running, well-established B&B.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31But our buyers also wanted a detached property.
0:29:31 > 0:29:34And our mystery house, a 300-year-old barn conversion,
0:29:34 > 0:29:37is essentially terraced with neighbours either side.
0:29:39 > 0:29:43Right, then, this is our mystery house.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45It's not a surprise to us.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- We've stayed here.- We've stayed here. - You're joking?- No.
0:29:49 > 0:29:51Four years ago, we stayed here.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54And this is where it all started, in this particular property.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57When we were on the beach, when you said a mile away, we thought...
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- We were thinking, "Hm." - Maybe... Because...- And then...
0:30:00 > 0:30:02And Tracey's been excited ever since.
0:30:02 > 0:30:06- You stayed here? - We stayed here.- In that room there.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08Yeah, in that room there.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Well, I can tell you're excited,
0:30:10 > 0:30:13but almost putting to one side the fact that you've stayed here,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- you know it's attached.- Yes.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- We do.- I do, but I'm really happy about the way...
0:30:20 > 0:30:24We just liked it when we were here and that doesn't bother me at all.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27- All right.- Because we know the land set-up and everything around it.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30So whilst you said you would never look at anything attached...
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- We did say.- Absolutely fine. - Yeah, yeah.- I'm really excited now.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37I can't wait to show you. Come on, let's go!
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Well, that's definitely a first.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42But despite having stayed here some four years ago,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Darren and Tracey only saw two rooms in the property.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48One of which was this impressive entrance dining hall,
0:30:48 > 0:30:50where they had their breakfast.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53But our first stop is to the left of the hall, the kitchen.
0:30:53 > 0:30:58- So, did you get a chance to look in here?- No, I didn't. No.- We didn't.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00This is the sort of farmhouse kitchen I like.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03The owner, who you've probably met...
0:31:03 > 0:31:07This is quite bizarre for me. She spent a lot of money on this place.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09We remember. We had quite a conversation about it.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Talking about all the renovations she's done.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15We're aware what's gone into it.
0:31:15 > 0:31:20Tracey, you seem clearly over the moon with the prospect of this.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21Darren...
0:31:21 > 0:31:25I'm still shocked. I am shocked, yeah.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28It's, um... I don't mind the mind the idea.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31- You're worried about the B&B bit. - I'm worried about the B&B bit.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33And having people in the house.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36I think he likes to have a separate area.
0:31:36 > 0:31:40I had a thought about maybe rejigging the accommodation
0:31:40 > 0:31:43- slightly so you can have a bit of separation.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45Let's go downstairs to some current letting accommodation
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- I think could become yours. All right?- OK.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52At present, the owner's accommodation
0:31:52 > 0:31:54is situated to the right of the hallway.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57This includes the bedroom that Darren and Tracey stayed in,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00a small living room and a bathroom.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04But my plan is to turn the basement into a larger, private living space.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09A small living room to the left-hand side there.
0:32:09 > 0:32:14- OK.- And this, as it stands, is a letting bedroom.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18- Lots of storage here and then it's huge, as you can see.- Yeah.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20Oh, right, yeah. This is great.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24- And you've got a massive en suite just to the right.- OK.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- But I was thinking this is a really nice owner's accommodation. - Definitely.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Potentially even this as a living room
0:32:30 > 0:32:32with a smaller living room becoming a bedroom
0:32:32 > 0:32:36and then you just sort out the access between the two with the bathroom.
0:32:36 > 0:32:37- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Oh, this looks great.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43- You can definitely cut it off then, can't you? That's...- Yeah.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- Well, you're totally separate from the guests here.- Yeah.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49- It's a great idea.- I think so.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53- Let's get outside and show you some of the options there. OK?- Thank you.
0:32:56 > 0:32:57As well as the basement bedroom
0:32:57 > 0:32:59and the room Darren and Tracey stayed in,
0:32:59 > 0:33:03there are two further guest bedrooms on the first floor of the property.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Both come with en suite bathrooms.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07And that makes four bedrooms in total.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09At full capacity, the B&B business
0:33:09 > 0:33:13can make £250 a night in peak season.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17The outside space includes a small fenced-off garden,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19a larger paddock area with a stable block
0:33:19 > 0:33:23and garage for Darren's car and a vegetable plot.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25But that's not all.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29So in a bid to get you as much space as possible,
0:33:29 > 0:33:33this paddock is also included.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35- Really?- Yep.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37This whole property can be self-sufficient.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39There's a borehole you could use.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43You've got so much wood for the central-heating.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44And with a south-facing roof,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47- you could even put solar panels on there.- Right.
0:33:47 > 0:33:53So...how much do you think this mystery house is on the market for?
0:33:53 > 0:33:57- I'd say 575.- OK. Tracey?
0:33:57 > 0:34:00Bearing in mind the first house we had was over our budget,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02but this has got really everything we want,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05I'd like to think it was still in that price range.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08I'm going to go for about 595.
0:34:08 > 0:34:13She's good. It's on the market for offers around £590,000.
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Mm. Wallet?
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Ooh! Wallet!
0:34:17 > 0:34:19LAUGHTER
0:34:21 > 0:34:25- It could be a lovely rural, almost seaside home for you two.- Yeah.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28- And that's what I want to remind you of.- Yeah.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30So why don't you both now go back into the house,
0:34:30 > 0:34:32take as much time as you want.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35- Come on, then.- Thank you. - See you later.- Bye.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39On the market at offers around £590,000,
0:34:39 > 0:34:43our mystery house is £10,000 under budget.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45It's a 300-year-old barn conversion
0:34:45 > 0:34:48and a successful bed-and-breakfast business.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52It has a large dining entrance hall and a farmhouse-style kitchen.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53There are four bedrooms,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56three of which are currently used for guests.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59The property comes with two acres of land which includes
0:34:59 > 0:35:02a large paddock area and an adjoining field.
0:35:02 > 0:35:04This is a nice, airy room.
0:35:04 > 0:35:09- We haven't seen his, have we?- No. - Nice en suite.- Nicely decorated.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Very nice.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14It's got the beams. This is very nice.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16I know I keep saying that, but it is.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19It was such a surprise when we came around the corner.
0:35:19 > 0:35:21I can't believe we actually stayed here four years ago
0:35:21 > 0:35:26and this is where we decided we wanted to live in the South Hams.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29If we didn't run it as a B&B, internally,
0:35:29 > 0:35:31the set-up is a bit of a challenge, I think.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34We've got a really nice kitchen/diner, which I wanted,
0:35:34 > 0:35:38but then you need to go downstairs to the living accommodation.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40So it could be a little bit challenging.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44The property is not something we'd usually go for
0:35:44 > 0:35:45because it's not detached.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47The building, the way it's been built,
0:35:47 > 0:35:49it's got loads of character.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53It's got the beams I like and it's a bed and breakfast,
0:35:53 > 0:35:56which Tracey has wanted to do for years.
0:35:57 > 0:36:03- So, am I looking at the new Basil and Sybil Fawlty?- Yeah.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06It would be Fawlty Towers with us!
0:36:06 > 0:36:11Well, I hope you enjoyed looking around that as prospective owners.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16- I found us somewhere very nice to go for a bit of a chat. Just that way. - Thank you.
0:36:24 > 0:36:26The South Devon coast is home
0:36:26 > 0:36:28to some of the best beaches in the country.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31One of them is Slapton, a four-mile strip of shingle
0:36:31 > 0:36:32with the sea on one side
0:36:32 > 0:36:36and a freshwater lake on the other called Slapton Ley.
0:36:36 > 0:36:40The Ley is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna in the UK.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43And its natural beauty is clear to see.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47But maintaining this fragile habitat hangs in the balance.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49I've come to the Ley to meet Andy Pratt
0:36:49 > 0:36:52from the Slapton Field Centre and Nature Reserve
0:36:52 > 0:36:54to find out why it's under threat.
0:36:54 > 0:36:59Andy, this is just an amazing picture we've got in front of us.
0:36:59 > 0:37:04I can't remember seeing a freshwater lake of this size so close to the sea.
0:37:04 > 0:37:05It must be one of the larger ones.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08This is the largest freshwater lake in the South West.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12The fact that it's close to the beach makes it quite significant.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16I understand this is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19- Is that right?- Yeah, that's right.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21It's designated by Natural England
0:37:21 > 0:37:25and they've identified it as one of the key sites in the county
0:37:25 > 0:37:27because of the variety of wildlife
0:37:27 > 0:37:30and the sorts of wildlife that are important.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Really, the range of plants and animals.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- So there's a particularly rare plant called strapwort.- Right.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39This is the only site in Britain where it actually grows.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Andy, this nature reserve in its current state
0:37:42 > 0:37:45may well be changing in the future.
0:37:45 > 0:37:48It could almost be under threat in its current guise
0:37:48 > 0:37:51- from Mother Nature itself, I understand.- Yeah.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Our concern is that this stretch of coastline
0:37:53 > 0:37:57suffers from a significant amount of storms and coastal erosion,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59particularly during the winter.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02Our concern is that one day in the future,
0:38:02 > 0:38:05that the whole shingle ridge will be breached.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09If the ridge is breached, saltwater would flow into the Ley
0:38:09 > 0:38:12and the plants and animals that have adapted to the freshwater
0:38:12 > 0:38:15environment will no longer be able to live there.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18Andy's taking me down to the beach.
0:38:18 > 0:38:22And it's immediately clear just how delicate this natural barrier is.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25In 2001, a large storm damaged the road
0:38:25 > 0:38:29and it's only a matter of time before it happens again.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34We're literally over the road and it's a fairly busy road, isn't it?
0:38:34 > 0:38:37- We've got the threat of that sea, haven't we?- Yeah.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41It's hard to believe on days like today where it's a flat, calm sea,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43that there would be any threat at all.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45But this is an incredibly dynamic beach.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48It changes dramatically and can change almost overnight.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Today, it's hard to see what the issue would be.
0:38:51 > 0:38:55But in high winds, storm conditions, high tides,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58you see the full force of the ocean.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Could any sea defences be put in place at all?
0:39:01 > 0:39:03This is a four-mile long beach.
0:39:03 > 0:39:08To have a four-mile sea wall would be quite a significant feature.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10What's felt to be in keeping with the nature reserve,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13with the geology and the dynamicness of the beach
0:39:13 > 0:39:17is to have the small-scale bastions you can see behind us.
0:39:17 > 0:39:18These are basically mounds of shingle
0:39:18 > 0:39:21that have been put in key strategic places
0:39:21 > 0:39:23to protect areas most at risk.
0:39:23 > 0:39:28Experts predict the sea could reach the lake within the next 100 years.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31So we should enjoy this natural wonder in its present form
0:39:31 > 0:39:33while we still can.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38After a bit of time to think, I've agreed to meet Darren and Tracey
0:39:38 > 0:39:42at the beach where it kind of all started, really,
0:39:42 > 0:39:44to find out what they plan to do next.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52Well, it seems rather fitting to choose this spot
0:39:52 > 0:39:55- to contemplate your future, doesn't it?- Yep.- It does.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56Finish where we started, really.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00This really does seem like we're closing the circle, doesn't it?
0:40:00 > 0:40:02- It does. - So, what's your favourite house?
0:40:02 > 0:40:05- The mystery house. - The mystery house. Without a doubt.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08- Not such a mystery, but a mystery house.- Yeah.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11It's the first time anybody has said to me
0:40:11 > 0:40:14they've stayed the night in the house I'm about to show them.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17But the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19- You knew what it was like to be a customer there.- Definitely.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24And that was what started the whole idea of wanting to come down here
0:40:24 > 0:40:27and perhaps set up home and live here permanently.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Can you see yourself making it more of a home for you guys?
0:40:30 > 0:40:33I think we can. We've got a lot of thinking to do.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35The way the set-up is at the moment for the B&B,
0:40:35 > 0:40:37we need to see, do we continue in that,
0:40:37 > 0:40:41or can we make adjustments where we can have it as a B&B
0:40:41 > 0:40:43- and a family home?- Yeah.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46Darren, what are your thoughts on the mystery house?
0:40:46 > 0:40:48I'm quite excited.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52So, it's better for you, Darren, than the second house we looked at?
0:40:52 > 0:40:56It is, really, because it's...it's everything for Tracey.
0:40:56 > 0:41:00So if Tracey's happy, I think my life's going to be a lot easier.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04That's a man that's been successfully married for a while.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06- We've been married 25 years. - You've got the land.
0:41:06 > 0:41:0915 minutes' walk on a footpath to come down here
0:41:09 > 0:41:11and it just seems so perfect at the moment.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14- I'm sure there's going to be a catch, but...- It's great for our friends.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Like the lady who does it at the moment closes it down for a while.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- And has friends and family down. - So second viewing, how soon?
0:41:21 > 0:41:23Well, we'll have a talk to them.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26We've got to go back, unfortunately, within the next couple of days,
0:41:26 > 0:41:30but we'll see if we can get back as soon as possible and turn something around.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- Brilliant news. I wish you both the very best of luck.- Thank you.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- It's exciting.- It's very exciting. - It's been enjoyable.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39And apparently, there's swell down here.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42So when I'm next coming down surfing, I'll know where to stay.
0:41:42 > 0:41:46- Definitely.- Discount, I'm looking for.- Special rate. Film rate.- Yeah.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49Oh, so, you're still going to charge me? Thanks a lot(!)
0:41:49 > 0:41:52- Good luck, and let us know what you do.- Will do.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59I think it's fair to say that's a bit of a one-off.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Sure, it was an educated guess
0:42:01 > 0:42:04bringing them to an area we knew they liked,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07but showing them a property that was the catalyst
0:42:07 > 0:42:09behind their big idea to move down here to Devon,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12well, that was a bit of a fluke.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15But I think it's the business element that's really inspired them.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19They can now see what it might be like to not only live down here,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22but perhaps work down here, both of them, fulltime.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Maybe sooner rather than later.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28So hopefully their second viewing goes according to plan
0:42:28 > 0:42:31and then they'll make their very exciting move down here
0:42:31 > 0:42:35to the stunning Devon coastline. See you next time.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41Darren and Tracey returned to the mystery house and put in an offer.
0:42:41 > 0:42:43They're currently in negotiations with the owner
0:42:43 > 0:42:45and we're keeping our fingers crossed.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47If you'd like to escape to the country in England,
0:42:47 > 0:42:49Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
0:42:49 > 0:42:53or even further afield to the Continent and need our help,
0:42:53 > 0:42:55then please apply online: