0:00:02 > 0:00:04These mysterious undulating slopes are all that remains
0:00:04 > 0:00:06of England's largest hill-fort.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08It's the size of 50 football pitches
0:00:08 > 0:00:11and in the Iron Age, it was home to several hundred people.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14Find out where I am in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34On today's show, we're helping a semi-retired couple
0:00:34 > 0:00:40who've been married for 35 years find their very first home together.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43We don't exactly get off to a roaring start.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45It's not quite your dream kitchen?
0:00:45 > 0:00:46No.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48But, thankfully, things begin to look up.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50This is a bit more like it!
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- This is more like what you were looking for?- Yeah.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58Today, I'm in Dorset and this is Maiden Castle,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01a gigantic Iron Age fort, just outside Dorchester.
0:01:01 > 0:01:06Archaeological digs show that people lived here 6,000 years ago
0:01:06 > 0:01:07but it was in the Iron Age,
0:01:07 > 0:01:11around 600 BC, that these massive earthworks were built to protect
0:01:11 > 0:01:16a circular encampment in the centre, filled up with little round houses.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19The castle fell into disrepair in the Roman period
0:01:19 > 0:01:22but it still remains one of the oldest and, perhaps,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26the largest attraction in this very attraction-rich county.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Sitting on England's south coast, Dorset is bordered
0:01:32 > 0:01:36by the counties of Devon to the west and Hampshire to the east.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Its 95 miles of magnificent coastline is punctuated
0:01:40 > 0:01:42by appealing seaside resorts.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44The westernmost is Lyme Regis,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47a genteel town with strong literary connections.
0:01:47 > 0:01:49After spending a summer here,
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Jane Austen was inspired to feature it in Persuasion, her final novel.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57And its harbour wall, known as The Cobb,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00is where the mournful heroine of John Fowles' modern classic,
0:02:00 > 0:02:02The French Lieutenant's Woman,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06stood and stared wistfully out to sea.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09As well as seaside appeal, the county exhibits a rich history,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13reflected in evocative landmarks, including the ruins of Corfe Castle,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15built after the Norman conquest
0:02:15 > 0:02:18to keep guard over the royal hunting grounds
0:02:18 > 0:02:21of the Isle of Purbeck, which it towers above.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25Further inland, the countryside has been shaped by centuries of farming.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29And hidden amidst the gently undulating hills are appealing,
0:02:29 > 0:02:33age-old villages, bearing quaint names.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35With its charm and unspoilt beauty,
0:02:35 > 0:02:38it's no surprise visitors and house-buyers are so drawn
0:02:38 > 0:02:40to this wonderful part of the country.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45If you want to buy yourself a slice of Dorset property,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48then it comes with a hefty price-tag attached.
0:02:48 > 0:02:51The average price for a detached house, here in the county,
0:02:51 > 0:02:56is £317,000, which is £60,000 above the national figure.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01Which makes it, outside of London, the most expensive area in the UK.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05However, if you discount the multimillion pound mansions
0:03:05 > 0:03:07along the coast at Sandbanks, in Poole,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10then the whole picture becomes more optimistic.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Basically, if you head north out towards Blandford Forum,
0:03:13 > 0:03:15then things get more affordable.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18So, what is it that attracts our buyers today to this county?
0:03:18 > 0:03:21Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24David and Susan have lived in this four-bed bungalow,
0:03:24 > 0:03:28on the outskirts of Woking, Surrey, since they married 35 years ago.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Having both grown up in the countryside,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34they'd love to return to a more rural way of life.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37And now that David has semi-retired from his electrical business
0:03:37 > 0:03:40and with their 28-year-old daughter, Anna, living abroad,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42they're free to make the move.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46I think over the last 40-plus years in business,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I've given 110% to whatever I was doing.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Now is the time to relax
0:03:52 > 0:03:57and to enjoy retirement before we become too ancient to enjoy it.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02You could just sit comfortably here, if you wanted to, for ever and ever
0:04:02 > 0:04:04but we both want something different.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07The roads are just so busy, there's so many people
0:04:07 > 0:04:12and the area has changed so much in 35 years.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Having contemplated moving for nearly 15 years,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18they've considered almost every county
0:04:18 > 0:04:21but have finally honed their search to Dorset.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24We love the scenery. It's close enough to the sea.
0:04:24 > 0:04:29I like the rolling hills and it's peaceful and quiet.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Despite having been together for 41 years,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35this house search will be a first for them.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39David has lived in their current house since he was 12 years old!
0:04:39 > 0:04:42When he and Susan were newlyweds, his mum was looking to downsize,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46so they bought her place and have lived here ever since.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50To go and find a property, the two of us, and actually start
0:04:50 > 0:04:55choosing something for ourselves will be exciting and different.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57I'll look forward to it.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59I have thought about what it's going to be like
0:04:59 > 0:05:02to actually leave the property and, quite frankly, as long as we find
0:05:02 > 0:05:06what we're looking for, then I think it's not going to be a problem.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08I think we've, frankly, been here too long.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Although they've never looked for a place together before,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14there are things on their wish list they've had no problem agreeing on.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17From my point of view, the external building,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20I'm quite good with my hands, I like to repair stuff.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23So, to have a suitable outbuilding as a workshop would,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25certainly, be one of the requirements.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Yes, I would be keen on that.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30You could go out into the workshop.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32At the minute, your old wreck
0:05:32 > 0:05:38that you've been restoring for 15 years sits on the drive.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40No, no...14 years.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Under a bright blue tarpaulin, which is not attractive.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46So, outbuilding's fine.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50The wreck, as Susan describes it, is an ex-army lightweight Land Rover
0:05:50 > 0:05:53that David bought himself for his 50th birthday.
0:05:53 > 0:05:59It still starts, despite the fact that Sue calls it a wreck and now
0:05:59 > 0:06:02with the pending move, I will get it roadworthy
0:06:02 > 0:06:04and I will probably sell it.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07And the money from the sale of the lightweight will go towards
0:06:07 > 0:06:10the boat fund, because that's the next project,
0:06:10 > 0:06:12when we move somewhere near the coast.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15As well as new projects, they're hoping the move will offer them
0:06:15 > 0:06:19more time and space for leisure activities.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22I'd like to start to learn the piano again.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25The garden, we want to play golf again together,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29fish, and lose yourself in a shed with the old wreck.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32THEY LAUGH
0:06:32 > 0:06:35The last thing to establish is the amount of money
0:06:35 > 0:06:38they've set aside for their dream home in Dorset.
0:06:38 > 0:06:42The budget for the move is £650,000.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Susan and David are fond of Lyme Regis,
0:06:48 > 0:06:52so we're focusing our search within 30 miles of this town.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55I'm catching up with them on Dorset's shoreline to learn
0:06:55 > 0:06:58more about what they're looking for from this move.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59Welcome to Dorset.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02Why this place?
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Have you got family bonds down to this part of the world?
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Well, I used to spend a lot of time in Lyme Regis.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12My parents had a caravan there and I would come down with my mother
0:07:12 > 0:07:14and spend every summer there.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15So, you know all this.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17I know this area quite well, yeah.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Yeah, we used to bring our daughter down here,
0:07:19 > 0:07:21when she was small.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25We've holidayed and taken cottages and fished out in Lyme Bay...
0:07:25 > 0:07:29You've been in your present house 30-odd years?
0:07:29 > 0:07:30Well, I have for 35 years.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34- You've lived there for... - I've lived in it for...
0:07:34 > 0:07:36- 52.- Getting on for that.
0:07:36 > 0:07:38So, it's a big move for you two.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40And what is it that you're looking for,
0:07:40 > 0:07:41in terms of the spec of the house?
0:07:41 > 0:07:45I think, three to four bedrooms. We'd love an en suite.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47I'd like a kitchen with a view.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51I'd like an outside, decent garage/workshop,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53so that if I keep the...
0:07:53 > 0:07:55if I'm allowed to keep the classic Land Rover,
0:07:55 > 0:07:58I can actually do the renovation on it,
0:07:58 > 0:08:00which I've been talking about doing for some time.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03What about the age of the property, are you into old buildings?
0:08:03 > 0:08:04- Listed buildings?- I don't mind.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08I mean, I think a chocolate box with a thatched roof is lovely
0:08:08 > 0:08:12but I don't know that I could cope with that.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15No, this is where there's a slight dichotomy,
0:08:15 > 0:08:17is that I would be quite happy
0:08:17 > 0:08:20to find a property that needs total renovation.
0:08:20 > 0:08:25I'd happily project manage that to get what we really want.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26So, you realise you have chosen
0:08:26 > 0:08:29one of the most expensive bits of the country.
0:08:29 > 0:08:30So, what is your budget?
0:08:30 > 0:08:32The budget is up to 650,000.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34And rooting backwards into what you just said
0:08:34 > 0:08:37about living in a house for 35 years,
0:08:37 > 0:08:39are you quite gung ho about these things
0:08:39 > 0:08:42or is it going to be another 35 years?
0:08:42 > 0:08:45I think Dave...no, I think you are much more adventurous and gung ho.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Oh, I'm ready, yeah.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Yeah, I am feeling a little bit of trepidation.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- Well, we have three lovely properties lined up.- Right.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55I hope they're going to, kind of, wet your whistle.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57- So, let's go and look at them.- Excellent!
0:08:57 > 0:08:58Thank you.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03With a budget of £650,000, David and Susan are hoping to find
0:09:03 > 0:09:06a home with four bedrooms, an en suite
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and a spacious kitchen, ideally with a view.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Outside, they'd like a decent sized garden
0:09:12 > 0:09:15and a garage or workshop for David.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18We've lined up three wonderful Dorset homes for Susan
0:09:18 > 0:09:19and David to look at.
0:09:19 > 0:09:21And I'll keep them guessing about the price,
0:09:21 > 0:09:23until they've had a good look around.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25One will be our mystery house,
0:09:25 > 0:09:30which has a rustic style that could either divide them or unite them.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Our search begins 19 miles northeast of Lyme Regis,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37in the rural hamlet of Hooke.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41There are no amenities in the hamlet but a pleasant place to shop,
0:09:41 > 0:09:43four and a half miles away, is Beaminster,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47an attractive market town, with over 200 listed buildings
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and a popular annual arts festival.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54A short drive away on a quiet country lane is our first offering.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58A five bedroom detached home, made of local Dorset stone.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Well, here we have it, house number one!
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- Super!- What do you think?
0:10:05 > 0:10:06- Quite a property.- It's very pretty.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08- Very pretty.- Very pretty.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- It's quiet.- Quiet. - COCKEREL CROWS
0:10:10 > 0:10:12It's super quiet, apart from the cockerel,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- which is a good countryside...- I can live with that. I like cockerels.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18This property is very interesting, this used to be the schoolhouse.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- You can see, it's got the school bell above the door.- Oh, yes.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23What do you think of the style, the age of the house?
0:10:23 > 0:10:25- Doesn't worry me at all.- I like it.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27I like the roof.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30My only concern is how modern the facilities are.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33The facilities? Does that mean the toilet?
0:10:33 > 0:10:34THEY LAUGH
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Kitchens, bathrooms.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Right.- That's what Sue worries about.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40Shall we go inside then?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Yeah...yes, please.- Follow me.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47'The property was built in 1850 and was once two separate buildings,
0:10:47 > 0:10:51'the schoolhouse and the headmistress' quarters.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53'But the two were joined in the 1950s
0:10:53 > 0:10:56'and a few extensions have been added since then.'
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Come on into the kitchen.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- A range.- A range for you. - Always wanted a range.
0:11:04 > 0:11:05- Really?- Yeah.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08So, this is what you called a facility.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10THEY LAUGH
0:11:10 > 0:11:13Is it the sort of facility you were looking for?
0:11:13 > 0:11:15It could be, yes.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- Needs a bit of sprucing up or...?- Yeah.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- It's a reasonable size and it's got lots of storage.- Yes.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24There's lots of possibilities.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27But you'd want to change it?
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Yes.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- OK, it's not quite your dream kitchen.- No.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- Right. - DAVID LAUGHS
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Come into this room, which is the sitting room.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39So, up until the 1950s, these were the school rooms.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41- Good size.- Yeah, nice size.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- Nice.- Nice ambience.
0:11:43 > 0:11:46- Wood burning stove... - Indeed, wood burning stove.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48..which is nice. Possibilities.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51That word again.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Starting to ring alarm bells... "possibilities" is underwhelmed?
0:11:54 > 0:11:57I wonder if it might not be a little dark.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Dark.- Yes, you've got...it's light at that end, slightly darker here
0:12:00 > 0:12:04but when you've got older properties, they're often smaller rooms.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Well, to pick up on your word, there are lots of possibilities,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09because there are lots of rooms to this house,
0:12:09 > 0:12:10it's a house of many rooms.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- Let's continue.- OK.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19I'm going to bring you over to this corner
0:12:19 > 0:12:24because then you can see the feature of this...part of the house.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Oh, lovely.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- Gallery.- That's nice.- Very nice.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31So, it's a gallery, sort of, sitting room, drawing room,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33perhaps you could call it.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36This was put on when the schoolhouse was closed in 1950.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39A family came over from India who'd been in the army
0:12:39 > 0:12:41and they set up a curtain-making business.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45This is where they displayed them, hanging down from the gallery.
0:12:45 > 0:12:46Ah, yes, of course.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48I think this is a lovely feature.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Yeah, super feature, isn't it?
0:12:50 > 0:12:52And out here they've added a very lovely sun room.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56- That's nice.- Yeah, I was going to say, nice breakfast room, yes.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57So, upstairs is a case in point,
0:12:57 > 0:13:01upstairs probably needs a bit of re-modelling.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04And a bit of your special touch.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07- TLC.- Let's have a look.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Also on the ground floor, adjoining the kitchen we saw earlier,
0:13:13 > 0:13:15there's a whole extra wing,
0:13:15 > 0:13:19which in the past has been used as a holiday let and a granny annexe.
0:13:19 > 0:13:24It contains a bathroom, a spacious dining room and two single bedrooms,
0:13:24 > 0:13:27one of which is currently being used as a study
0:13:27 > 0:13:29and it has its own entrance via a sunroom, which is
0:13:29 > 0:13:32one of the extensions added a few years ago.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Upstairs, back in the main part of the property,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38there are three further bedrooms.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40This is the biggest bedroom upstairs
0:13:40 > 0:13:42and they're using it as the master bedroom.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46- This is where I think you could do some re-modelling.- Yeah.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49You've got a big family bathroom at the end, beyond that wall,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52and then two bedrooms at the other end.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56So, basically from here, all you're going down to is a bathroom.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Yeah.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Then I would take that wall out, make an en suite
0:14:01 > 0:14:05and I'd take this wall down and do away with the corridor.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- Yeah.- You see, the possibilities are opening up.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10DAVID LAUGHS
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Yes...I've never done this before.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15No, no...to be honest, you know, you'd want to move here
0:14:15 > 0:14:18and live here for a few months to work out how you use the house.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Yeah, you would.- But I do want to show you outside,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- because I think you'll like that.- Lovely.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28It's pretty clear they haven't exactly been wowed by this house
0:14:28 > 0:14:31but outside in the half acre plot,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33there are some features I think they'll approve of.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39Right, well, you have a river down the bottom of your garden.
0:14:39 > 0:14:40Lovely!
0:14:40 > 0:14:43The centre of the river is the end of your garden.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46- Right.- This belongs to your neighbour.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50- OK.- For you, Dave, you've got this big shed that used to be workrooms.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54- And a big double garage, so you could work there.- Absolutely!
0:14:54 > 0:14:57What do you think it's on the market for?
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Oh, golly!- You go first.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02I would say 625.
0:15:03 > 0:15:05- What do you think?- 600.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08600...very definite.
0:15:08 > 0:15:14This is on the market for £565,000.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16- Wow!- That surprises me.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19I'm going to let you explore because there's quite a lot inside. I'll see you out the front.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- Lovely!- OK.- Thank you very much. - Off you go.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27'Considerably below budget at £565,000,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30'this charming converted school house, with its handy annexe,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32'offers three reception rooms,,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34'two sun rooms
0:15:34 > 0:15:36'and five bedrooms.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40'There's no en suite but there is plenty of scope to create one.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42'Outside, on the half-acre grounds,
0:15:42 > 0:15:45'there's a workshop, perfect for David's projects
0:15:45 > 0:15:47'and there's even a river.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50My first impression, when we first arrived at the property,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53very pretty, old,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56nice area, property standing in its own grounds
0:15:56 > 0:15:58and attractive.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02There is a lot of rooms, a lot of space
0:16:02 > 0:16:03but I believe, for us,
0:16:03 > 0:16:07it's probably not in the order that we would like it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10We would want to be able to remodel,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12especially upstairs.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15The kitchen, we would want to modernise it.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17The fittings are very nice,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20very traditional farmhousey.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23But I'm beginning to think that, possibly,
0:16:23 > 0:16:24I want something more modern.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27It's incredibly quiet here apart from the sound of the river.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29It's very nice.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- I was just saying it's very peaceful here.- It's wonderfully peaceful.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33It's very quiet.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Can you just pull the door behind you, because we're all done here.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- OK.- Time to motor on to house number two.
0:16:39 > 0:16:40Righty-ho!
0:16:47 > 0:16:49'With miles of coastline,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53'fishing has long been a way of life for many Dorset residents.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56'But like much of the rest of the world, fish stocks here have
0:16:56 > 0:16:59'been significantly depleted from overfishing.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02'And some varieties are suffering more than others,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05'due to the nation's rather limited fish repertoire.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09'Currently around 80% of fish bought by British consumers is made
0:17:09 > 0:17:15'up of just five types - cod, haddock, tuna, salmon and prawn.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19'But in Wyke Regis, on the northern shore of Portland Harbour,
0:17:19 > 0:17:23'chef Nigel Bloxham is determined to redress the balance
0:17:23 > 0:17:26'by promoting lesser-known, but more plentiful fish varieties
0:17:26 > 0:17:29'at his beach-side cafe.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31'And because David is keen to take up fishing
0:17:31 > 0:17:35'when he and Susan move to Dorset, we've arranged for them to meet up.'
0:17:37 > 0:17:39We have a sustainability ethic here.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41We have an ethic of doing things different.
0:17:41 > 0:17:45What we should be doing is looking at the other fish species to eat.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47How about ling, cod family?
0:17:47 > 0:17:50The best way to describe ling, for me, is chewy cod.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Firm, lasts longer in the mouth.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55Sand sole looks like a Dover sole.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58I think it's a better eat than a Dover sole.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00- I think it's more tender, more delicate.- Yeah.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02We've got some dabs here today.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Sand dabs.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I was brought up eating these for Sunday tea with bread and butter.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10- Right.- Yeah.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13'Encouraging consumers to be more adventurous with their choices
0:18:13 > 0:18:15'helps relieve pressure on threatened fish stocks,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18'giving them a chance to recover.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21'It also leads to less waste because unpopular fish
0:18:21 > 0:18:25'that would typically be discarded from a catch end up getting used.'
0:18:25 > 0:18:29What we really want to do is use everything the fisherman catches.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- We even deep-fry the bones to make fish crackling.- Wow!
0:18:32 > 0:18:35- Now, that's interesting.- We really believe in using everything.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37'And it's not just the marine environment
0:18:37 > 0:18:39that Nigel is supporting.'
0:18:39 > 0:18:43We have an ethic in using fish from the English fishermen
0:18:43 > 0:18:46off English boats, in the English Channel.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50How does using local produce tie in with sustainability?
0:18:50 > 0:18:53It helps the community by me buying it and selling it
0:18:53 > 0:18:56off the local fishermen, so the whole community
0:18:56 > 0:18:58is living and working together.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02'Research carried out on behalf of a leading UK supermarket
0:19:02 > 0:19:05'has shown that around 31% of consumers say they wouldn't try
0:19:05 > 0:19:09'a different type of fish if they didn't know how to cook it.
0:19:09 > 0:19:12'Nigel is committed to proving that underappreciated varieties
0:19:12 > 0:19:15'are both just as flavoursome and simple to cook
0:19:15 > 0:19:17'as more favoured ones.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20'And today he's recruited Susan and David to help him
0:19:20 > 0:19:23'prepare a tasty dish, using a sand dab,
0:19:23 > 0:19:27'a type of flatfish that came in on the morning's catch.'
0:19:27 > 0:19:29We're going to flour our fish.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32If you can just dip it in the flour.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35- Right.- One of you.- Two of you.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- This is a together thing. - One each.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45- This is the fennel from the garden. - Right.- This is the rocket.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47You put a bit of rocket into it, wild rocket.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Very hot and peppery, nothing like supermarket rocket.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53We've got some purslane.
0:19:53 > 0:19:54These, Sue, are slightly salty.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56You can eat them like this,
0:19:56 > 0:19:58blanch them off, put them in salads.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Oh, yes, they are.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04'Sea purslane is one of the variety of sea herbs that grow
0:20:04 > 0:20:09'wild around the coast and Nigel uses them regularly in his recipes.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11'As well as adding a pop of saltiness to the dish,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14'they're also nutritionally rich, with high levels
0:20:14 > 0:20:16'of iron, calcium and vitamins.'
0:20:18 > 0:20:21- This looks interesting. - Add a little bit of herb butter,
0:20:21 > 0:20:24a squeeze of lemon juice, to stop the butter burning.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30And we'll finish it off with a wild rocket flower.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- Beautiful.- Do you reckon? - Really delicious.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34- Absolutely.- Looks good.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- Perfect.- Thank you very much. - Thank you.- OK?- Yeah, too right!
0:20:40 > 0:20:42- Oh, yum.- Mmm.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- No salt, no pepper. - It doesn't need it.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- It doesn't need anything else. - Absolutely delicious fish.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51'It's clear Nigel has found a couple of new converts
0:20:51 > 0:20:53'with this delicious sand dab dish.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56'Time now for us to return to finding them a home.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04'Our search continues nine miles south
0:21:04 > 0:21:06'to the small village of Uploders,
0:21:06 > 0:21:08'situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13'Two miles away in Bradpole, there are one or two handy amenities,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16'including a post office and an award-winning butcher.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20'Our second property, just a short drive away,
0:21:20 > 0:21:25'is a four-bedroom period stone house with a clay tile roof.'
0:21:25 > 0:21:26Voila!
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- House number two.- Oh, right.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33What do think of the structure from the outside?
0:21:33 > 0:21:35I like the appearance.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37I like the stone built house, I think that's pretty.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39Windows are nice.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42It's been remodelled to a pretty high spec when we go inside.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43- Oh, goody.- Oh, well.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45THEY CHUCKLE
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Good facilities.- Yes, that's what I'm looking for.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52- So in good country style, we're not going to go through the front door, but the back.- Okey-doke.
0:21:52 > 0:21:57'Built in the 1800s, this attractive home was originally a dairy.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00'The current owners bought the place in 2000
0:22:00 > 0:22:03'and they've done quite a lot of renovations to it.'
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Straight into the sitting room,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09or should I say the summer sitting room,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11because you actually have two sitting rooms.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- Oh, right.- Ah, interesting.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Interesting, this has got loads of character.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Is this more your style?
0:22:18 > 0:22:19Yes.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Yes, interior, decorative, yeah.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25- I like that feature. - That's a nice little feature.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29That's interesting, that's partly so you can talk to people
0:22:29 > 0:22:32in the dining room but also because the heat from this is quite intense
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and it heats that room as well.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Oh, wow! I like this, it's nice and bright.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39You could walk straight in and...
0:22:39 > 0:22:41- ..live in it.- What, move in? Exactly.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- Yeah, I like this.- Let's continue our tour, then.- All right.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53It's got a nice flow, this house.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56We've come in a circle, this is the dining area.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Then through into the kitchen.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- Oh...- Yeah, this is a bit more like it.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- This is more like what you were looking for?- Mm-hm.- Yes.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10It's not huge but it's been very nicely done.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12The facilities are good.
0:23:12 > 0:23:13THEY CHUCKLE
0:23:13 > 0:23:17They continue up here, you've got a utility room with your big fridge
0:23:17 > 0:23:20- and there's a larder and washing machine.- Great.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22It's all to hand.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- Yeah, it's a good, easy plan and layout.- Yes.
0:23:25 > 0:23:26There's a second sitting room,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29a winter sitting room up there on the right.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33- Yeah.- Which means that you can change around, winter and summer.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36Or, if it's just the two of you, you can just shut the door, put the fire on...
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- Yeah.- ..with the snow outside...
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- ..and snuggle up.- Let's look upstairs. All right.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47'This property is giving them more of what they're after than our first house.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51'On the next floor there are three bedrooms.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53'Two are doubles,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56'one is a single and they all share a family bathroom.'
0:23:58 > 0:24:02- They use this as the master bedroom. - Right.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04- Very nice.- A nicer set of cupboards.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- Lots of storage.- Wonderful.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10Lovely views. Simple space but...
0:24:10 > 0:24:13..good size, just nice.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17I think you might reconsider which room you use as the master
0:24:17 > 0:24:21- when you see the next floor. - Ah.- Ah-ha.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29Ah-ha.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33- So up here...- Interesting.
0:24:33 > 0:24:34This is different.
0:24:34 > 0:24:39- They've created actually what's essentially a separate flat.- Right.
0:24:39 > 0:24:45But in terms of the light and the peace and quiet
0:24:45 > 0:24:46- and views...- Yeah.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50I think you might like to make this like a tea station.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54- There's a fabulous bathroom through there.- Right.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56You might consider making this...
0:24:56 > 0:24:59What are your thoughts about this space?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02The ideas are rolling in the head.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- It's lovely and bright.- It is.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08This has got a lot of possibilities...
0:25:08 > 0:25:10- Oh dear!- And potential.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14Oh no! I preferred it when you were saying everything was lovely.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17I'd need to do a little bit of work up here and a bit of thinking.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20'Outside, there's a quarter of an acre of land
0:25:20 > 0:25:23'which is smaller than our first property's plot
0:25:23 > 0:25:25'but it has been nicely landscaped
0:25:25 > 0:25:29'and includes a greenhouse, and a good-sized veggie garden.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33This is a manageable size. It's enough.
0:25:33 > 0:25:34It's not too small?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37No, because there's a lot in it.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39There's quite a bit... Although it's small,
0:25:39 > 0:25:43there's a lot of borders and enough to maintain here.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46You don't have a garage, that's the downside.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Ah, right.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50There's this building here
0:25:50 > 0:25:54- but it's really more of a storehouse.- Yeah.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:25:56 > 0:25:58I'd put it at 630.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04I would agree with you there and say 620-630.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Then you will be pleased to know that it is on the market
0:26:08 > 0:26:10for 595.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- Ah.- So once again, we've given you some cash in your pocket.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15- Wow!- Absolutely.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20Yeah, that does surprise me for the standard of the interior,
0:26:20 > 0:26:21the way it's been done.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24OK, why don't you go and explore, there's quite a lot we haven't seen,
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- and I will see you at the front. - Lovely.- Lovely.- Thank you very much.
0:26:29 > 0:26:34'Well under budget at £595,000, this beautifully renovated house
0:26:34 > 0:26:36'has three attractive reception areas,
0:26:36 > 0:26:40'including winter and summer sitting rooms.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42'On the first floor there are three bedrooms,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45'and above that there's a self-contained suite.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47'Outside, there's an attractive garden
0:26:47 > 0:26:50'and a substantial vegetable plot.'
0:26:53 > 0:26:55- Oh, this is nice.- Super, isn't it?
0:26:55 > 0:26:58- I could just see us sitting here in the winter.- Yeah.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- Nice, big fire blazing.- It's charming, it's got a lovely feel.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03It has.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04It feels right.
0:27:04 > 0:27:09The immediate impact on looking at the outside, it's very pretty,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12I love the styling, the way it's been done.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15It's just got a really nice, warm feeling.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19The way it's laid out, I think is superb.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22I love the concept of the two sitting rooms.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26The property does not lend itself to bringing the Land Rover
0:27:26 > 0:27:29with us so, maybe, that would have to be sold.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32For the right property, I'm prepared to do that.
0:27:32 > 0:27:37One of my major concerns is David's old wreck,
0:27:37 > 0:27:40where he's going to "do" that up.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44And although he said, he's prepared to sell it,
0:27:44 > 0:27:46I think that would be really sad.
0:27:46 > 0:27:48It's been one of his joys.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51Oh, he's made me stand up.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- Ah-ha.- But it was worth it. Was it a good house tour?- Yes.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- It was.- Yes.- Is it still lovely?
0:27:57 > 0:27:59It's still lovely.
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Rising tone.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Let's rush you away somewhere before you change your mind!
0:28:03 > 0:28:06THEY LAUGH
0:28:13 > 0:28:18'It's day two of our property search and with a budget of £650,000,
0:28:18 > 0:28:22'Susan and David are leaving the suburbs of Woking, Surrey
0:28:22 > 0:28:25'where they've lived all their married life to find their first new
0:28:25 > 0:28:28'home together in rural Dorset.
0:28:28 > 0:28:31'Still to come, the mystery house undergoes a thorough scrutiny.'
0:28:31 > 0:28:33I feel like I'm being picky.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35THEY LAUGH
0:28:35 > 0:28:38'And I meet up with a cantankerous character who has been
0:28:38 > 0:28:42'a familiar face on Weymouth beach for well over 100 years.'
0:28:42 > 0:28:44That's the way to do it!
0:28:46 > 0:28:49There's a couple of alarm bells ringing in my head this morning
0:28:49 > 0:28:52as we head out to show Dave and Sue the mystery house.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56One is really resting on my theory that actually,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59the daunting prospect of moving out of that house
0:28:59 > 0:29:03where they have lived for 35, or 50-odd years in Dave's case,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05is just too much
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and actually, they're looking for any excuse not to make the move.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10The second thing is, reading between the lines,
0:29:10 > 0:29:13if they did want to move, they'd want to move into something really,
0:29:13 > 0:29:16really modern with new facilities,
0:29:16 > 0:29:18they don't have to do anything,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21which is slightly worrying because the mystery house
0:29:21 > 0:29:23is the oldest of all three properties.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30Having seen the two houses yesterday,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33what do you think the mystery house might involve?
0:29:33 > 0:29:35I think it might be modern,
0:29:35 > 0:29:38a complete contrast to what we saw yesterday,
0:29:38 > 0:29:41even to the point of possibly, to get the sea view,
0:29:41 > 0:29:44a luxury apartment.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Ah-ha, so down by the coast. What about you, Dave?
0:29:47 > 0:29:51I'm thinking maybe again an ultra modern property,
0:29:51 > 0:29:52maybe in the middle of a village.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59'The final stop on our search takes us 13 miles west to
0:29:59 > 0:30:02'the hamlet of Maudlin, less than a mile from the Somerset border.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05'One of the closest spots to find amenities
0:30:05 > 0:30:07'is the pretty village of Thorncombe,
0:30:07 > 0:30:09'where there's a sports club, a village hall
0:30:09 > 0:30:13'and a much-loved community shop run by volunteers
0:30:13 > 0:30:18'that supplies local produce and holds regular tasting events and other activities.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21'Our last property, a five bedroomed detached cottage,
0:30:21 > 0:30:23'is two and a half miles away.'
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- Well it's definitely not a modern apartment with a sea view.- No.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Completely wrong! Completely wrong.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34As always, the mystery house, slightly curve ball.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38- About 300 years old.- Wow! - Not listed.- Good.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41But we've been having kittens about showing it to you because it seems
0:30:41 > 0:30:44that actually, what you're looking for is something more modern.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46It depends what's like inside.
0:30:46 > 0:30:50But the spin is that I think you're going to want
0:30:50 > 0:30:51to put your mark on it.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54OK. That sounds ominous!
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- It's a sort of rustic property.- Ah.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02- I'm intrigued.- Absolutely.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04- Let's start the tour from the back. - OK.- Okey-dokey.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08'This characterful home was originally a pair of cottages
0:31:08 > 0:31:11'that were converted into one several years ago.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14'Some of the stone it's built from is thought to have been
0:31:14 > 0:31:17'recovered from an old, nearby abbey.'
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Step in...
0:31:19 > 0:31:22..through the large porch area.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23Right.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Into the kitchen.- Ah-ha.- Yes.
0:31:26 > 0:31:32I think the guiding idea here is a sort of French Provencal theme
0:31:32 > 0:31:36because you've got these lovely original tiles through here
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- and then an old country kitchen here.- Mm-hm.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Tight-lipped there, Sue. What are your thoughts?
0:31:43 > 0:31:46- It's a bit too rustic for me. - Too rustic?- Mm-hm.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50- This is probably the biggest kitchen that we've shown you.- Yeah.
0:31:50 > 0:31:55It would need a certain bit of modernisation, I would say.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58But then you'd lose the rustic charm.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02You're either into it, in my opinion, or you're not.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06- True.- If you like this sort of thing, great.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08It's not floating my boat.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10It's not floating your boat.
0:32:10 > 0:32:12Let's continue the tour into the sitting-room.
0:32:12 > 0:32:13That sounds good.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18Here we have a bit more history because you've got the beams above your head.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21Most definitely.
0:32:21 > 0:32:22It's a south facing garden,
0:32:22 > 0:32:25so on a sunny day this is all filled with sunlight.
0:32:25 > 0:32:26Mm-hm. It's a good size.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28And the ceilings aren't too low.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31It's not my scene at the minute
0:32:31 > 0:32:35and my fear is to do what I would do with it,
0:32:35 > 0:32:38it would ruin the charm of the place.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40I think you were very clear in what you wanted
0:32:40 > 0:32:42but the mystery house is always a bit of a challenge.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44Yes, well.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- It is challenging! - Yes, it is.
0:32:47 > 0:32:48Yes, it is.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51I feel that I'm being picky.
0:32:51 > 0:32:52THEY LAUGH
0:32:54 > 0:32:55- Let's go and see the rest.- OK.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57See how it hangs together.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00'Also on the ground floor, there's a utility room
0:33:00 > 0:33:02'and another characterful reception room,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05'with a recently laid parquet floor.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07'There's also a snug,
0:33:07 > 0:33:09'which is currently being used as a music room.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13'On the next floor, there are four light-filled double bedrooms.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16'One has access to a loft above
0:33:16 > 0:33:18and is being used as an artist's studio.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21'All are served by a family bathroom.'
0:33:22 > 0:33:26This one's used as the master.
0:33:26 > 0:33:27Ah-ha.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- You do have lovely views down the garden.- Yes.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33And, like the last house, there is an attic room
0:33:33 > 0:33:36- which has been opened up.- Mm-hm.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- Which has an en suite bathroom. - Oh, right.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42Thinking about what you were saying about somewhere to do your car
0:33:42 > 0:33:45and the lack of facilities, to use your word...
0:33:45 > 0:33:49..outdoor facilities in the last house.
0:33:49 > 0:33:52This house has it in spades.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54- Ah.- OK.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58'It seems the style of our mystery house is a little
0:33:58 > 0:34:00too rustic for their liking.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03Outside, there's half an acre of land that includes
0:34:03 > 0:34:06an ornamental pond, a veggie garden and a building
0:34:06 > 0:34:09'that I think could make an excellent workshop for David.'
0:34:12 > 0:34:14So at the bottom of your garden
0:34:14 > 0:34:17- you've got this big, old outbuilding.- Mm-hm.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20It's already got water and electricity, obviously,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23- and then down there you've got a big garage.- Fantastic.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Oh, yes, I can see a little workshop in here.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30- Well, enough torture for you! - Thank you.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- Let's go out the front. - OK.
0:34:38 > 0:34:39It's a handsome property.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42It's actually probably the biggest property that we've showed you
0:34:42 > 0:34:46but I'd be interested to hear what you think it's on the market for, What its market value is?
0:34:46 > 0:34:48I'd go for about 575,000.
0:34:51 > 0:34:52600.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Well, in this instance, your husband is spot on.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58It's on the market for 575.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Well done, you.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04So for one happy buyer, it's going to be a fantastic project,
0:35:04 > 0:35:05maybe not for you two.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07Unless we separate!
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Which we don't want.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Why don't you have a look upstairs?
0:35:11 > 0:35:13There is this whole room upstairs
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- that runs the whole length of the attic space, explore that.- OK.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21- I'll see you back outside. - Super, thank you.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24'Below budget at £575,000,
0:35:24 > 0:35:28'this beautiful stone cottage has three reception rooms
0:35:28 > 0:35:31'and a spacious farmhouse kitchen.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33'On the first floor there are four double bedrooms,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36'and above that, in the converted loft, there's another bedroom with
0:35:36 > 0:35:38'a large and attractive en suite.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42'Outside, there's half an acre of land,
0:35:42 > 0:35:43'a substantial outbuilding
0:35:43 > 0:35:48'and a garage that would make the perfect home for David's Land Rover.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52If you like old and you like rustic,
0:35:52 > 0:35:55it'll be a lovely property for somebody.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57It's rural, it's large enough, a garden,
0:35:57 > 0:36:01but it's way too much for me to take on.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04For me, it's not a project too far.
0:36:04 > 0:36:10The potential to actually convert it into a really nice modern
0:36:10 > 0:36:14internal farmhouse would be a great project.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18Externally, it's got a unit that can turn into a nice workshop.
0:36:18 > 0:36:22Yes, I could finish my Land Rover off.
0:36:22 > 0:36:23I've always said before,
0:36:23 > 0:36:29the chocolate box, pretty cottage, that appeals.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33What is becoming more clear to me is that yes,
0:36:33 > 0:36:38I want the appearance of it, but I want the interior more modern.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45- That is the final house tour done. - Right.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47So maybe we should find a spot to reconvene
0:36:47 > 0:36:50and consider everything we've seen.
0:36:50 > 0:36:51- OK.- Sounds a plan.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58Sitting on Dorset's coast
0:36:58 > 0:37:01is one of England's archetypal seaside resorts.
0:37:01 > 0:37:06Weymouth has been attracting holidaying families for generations.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09It is thought to be the last resort in England to have had
0:37:09 > 0:37:12a near continuous run of Punch and Judy shows
0:37:12 > 0:37:16on its beach, drawing crowds here since 1881.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19The most recent in a long line of Punch and Judy men,
0:37:19 > 0:37:23known since Victorian times as professors, is Mark Poulton.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26And his first experience of the show at a young age
0:37:26 > 0:37:28was a life-changing moment.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30I saw it down here when I was four years old
0:37:30 > 0:37:33- and we used to come on holiday.- Here? - Yes, in the same spot.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35And I knew there and then, that's what I was going to do.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37I came and said to the Punch and Judy man,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40"When I grow up, I'm going to be a Punch and Judy man on a beach."
0:37:40 > 0:37:43- And here I am.- What's the history of Punch and Judy?
0:37:43 > 0:37:47The first record we've got is by Samuel Pepys in his famous diary.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50The entry was on May 9th, 1662.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53He went to Covent Garden, saw an Italian puppet group
0:37:53 > 0:37:55and they were string puppets.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56The main character was called Punchinello.
0:37:56 > 0:38:01Sometime after that, when people stopped going into the marionette theatres, they cut the strings,
0:38:01 > 0:38:03turned him into a glove puppet and went out to the people.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Here he is.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08- I mean, he's quite a scary-looking chap.- He can.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11They say, handled in the right way, he can make you laugh.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13Handled in the wrong way, he can terrify you.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15There's a famous stick, he's whacking people with his stick.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- Yeah.- Is that where slapstick comes from?
0:38:18 > 0:38:23It is. Mr Punch's stick, it's big effect, big noise without hurting.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25As well as devising the show and performing it,
0:38:25 > 0:38:30Mark creates all of the props, sets, puppets and theatres himself,
0:38:30 > 0:38:33including this replica Victorian booth.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35- We've got...- Ah, Joey.
0:38:35 > 0:38:39Joey the clown, taken from the famous white-faced clown, Joey Grimaldi.
0:38:39 > 0:38:43- A musical clown. - He is a bit off-putting.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45If you had a fear of puppets and clowns,
0:38:45 > 0:38:49- that would be like a double whammy of phobia.- Oh, I try!
0:38:50 > 0:38:56And then this character comes up and gets the sausages.
0:38:56 > 0:39:00We think that the crocodile came into Punch and Judy because of Peter Pan.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02It would hurt if I...
0:39:02 > 0:39:04HE LAUGHS
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Originally, the shows were mostly found in cities,
0:39:07 > 0:39:10but when the advent of steam trains made seaside trips
0:39:10 > 0:39:12accessible to the masses,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16Punch professors found a whole new audience, and soon became fixtures
0:39:16 > 0:39:18on beaches all over the country.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20Which finger goes where?
0:39:20 > 0:39:25- That one's the head and the other ones are the arms.- I see.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29That's the way to do it! I bet you've never heard that before?
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Oh, no!
0:39:31 > 0:39:34So, on comes Punch and then there's Judy.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37So you have to make them look at each other.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Yes, if they are talking to each other
0:39:39 > 0:39:42they need to look at each other and if they are talking to the audience
0:39:42 > 0:39:44they need to look at the audience.
0:39:44 > 0:39:46Well, I am looking forward to seeing the show.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50- Yes, well, it won't be long now. - Thank you very much.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53And good luck with it. I hope it doesn't go out of fashion.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58- Well, it's lasted 351 years so far... - So it will keep on going.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00It'll keep going.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02The show was originally intended for adults,
0:40:02 > 0:40:05with topical storylines mocking the politicians
0:40:05 > 0:40:07and establishment of the day.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10But by the late Victorian era, it had evolved more
0:40:10 > 0:40:12as an entertainment for children,
0:40:12 > 0:40:15and some of the original cast deemed inappropriate for youngsters
0:40:15 > 0:40:21were phased out, including the devil and Punch's mistress, Pretty Polly.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25Hello, lovely, lovely, nice to see you all and welcome to Weymouth.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29SQUEAKY VOICE: Where is it? Where is it? Where is it?
0:40:29 > 0:40:30AUDIENCE CALL OUT
0:40:32 > 0:40:33- Bye-bye.- Bye-bye.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35BLOWS RASPBERRY
0:40:35 > 0:40:37Oi, naughty boy!
0:40:37 > 0:40:40It's charming to witness this very British institution
0:40:40 > 0:40:43being performed here so expertly by Mark,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46who is helping to keep this seaside tradition alive,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49hopefully for generations to come.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Time now, though, to return to our buyers to get their final verdict
0:40:52 > 0:40:54on the houses we've shown them.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00My property sixth sense tells me that, well,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02unless you're going to get divorced...
0:41:02 > 0:41:03THEY LAUGH
0:41:03 > 0:41:06..houses one and three are not really contenders, is that right?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Correct.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12- Dave nods obligingly.- Correctly.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18And that second house seemed to give you a lot of what you wanted.
0:41:18 > 0:41:22I think we'll do another drive-by, we want to go and see the village.
0:41:22 > 0:41:25It ticks a lot of the boxes.
0:41:25 > 0:41:31And obviously, there are a few items for me which it does not tick.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- You don't have somewhere for your car.- Correct.
0:41:33 > 0:41:37And so at the end of this week, what do you feel will happen next?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41I think we'll still keep looking in this area.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45I think it helped us to focus on what we really want between us.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Yes, it has with me.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50This chocolate box is all very well,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54but unless it's been modernised inside, or has the potential
0:41:54 > 0:41:59to do that, within not having to do the massive restoration...
0:41:59 > 0:42:01Not bring my team of builders in.
0:42:01 > 0:42:06I'm sorry we didn't whisk you away to a brand-new home.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09It's been great fun and it has given us a lot to think about.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12- It's helped us a lot.- It's been terrific. Thank you very much.
0:42:12 > 0:42:13You're welcome.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22I think there are two conclusions we can draw from our time
0:42:22 > 0:42:24here in Dorset with Sue and Dave.
0:42:24 > 0:42:29One is that facilities must be modernised and two,
0:42:29 > 0:42:31that projects should not be undertaken
0:42:31 > 0:42:35unless there is a marriage counsellor on hand.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39That said, the properties were lovely, Dorset is always lovely,
0:42:39 > 0:42:44and make sure you join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47If you'd like to escape to the country
0:42:47 > 0:42:49in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales,
0:42:49 > 0:42:53and would like our help, please apply online at: