0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's said this lovely country cottage is home
0:00:04 > 0:00:07to the oldest Englishman that ever lived.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10It's also claimed that he reached the ripe old age of 152.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14Who was he, and which county did he hail from? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Today, I am helping a technically minded couple
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to abandon the hurly-burly of the commuter belt,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40and take a logical approach to house-hunting...
0:00:40 > 0:00:45- How are we doing on the spreadsheet? - It's got to be a 20.- Kerching.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48..with a very specific wish-list.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Quite a lot of land, but is it going to be enough for you?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53- Yes.- Good! - Of course it is!- Jackpot!
0:00:56 > 0:01:00This is the home of Shropshire agricultural worker Thomas Parr,
0:01:00 > 0:01:02who came to fame in the reign of Charles I
0:01:02 > 0:01:06because of his excessively long life.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09The legend has it that he lived through the reign of 10 monarchs
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and he got married twice - once at the age of 80,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and then again at the venerable age of 122.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19But it was aged 152 that the king invited him down to London,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and that's what did it for poor Thomas.
0:01:22 > 0:01:27It's said in 1635, he died of the pollution of the city
0:01:27 > 0:01:29and the lavish London lifestyle.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32But the king had his body buried in Westminster Abbey,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34where it remains to this day,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37but I'm sure that his heart remains here in Shropshire.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Landlocked Shropshire is sandwiched between Wales to the west
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and Staffordshire to the east.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51The Shropshire Hills have been a designated area of natural beauty since 1958,
0:01:51 > 0:01:53covering a quarter of the county.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57The ancient Long Mynd alone has 500 acres of moorland
0:01:57 > 0:01:59with 30 miles of footpaths
0:01:59 > 0:02:02from which to enjoy this natural splendour.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05The borderlands of England and Wales,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08an area known as the Welsh Marches, is where you'll find
0:02:08 > 0:02:12one of the largest concentrations of castles in the UK,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15typified by strongholds such as Clun and Ludlow.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18As well as a castle, Ludlow in the south of the county
0:02:18 > 0:02:22also boasts some of the finest historical architecture
0:02:22 > 0:02:26of any town in England - with over 400 listed buildings.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30With such a rich architectural and cultural heritage,
0:02:30 > 0:02:33it's easy to see what makes Shropshire so appealing.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Let's talk about property prices in Shropshire.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42The average price for a detached house here is £237,000,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45which is good news, because it's £17,000 less
0:02:45 > 0:02:47than the national figure.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49But there is a bit of a north-south divide going on in the county.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Down on the south around historic Ludlow
0:02:52 > 0:02:56and the well-connected but rural areas around Much Wenlock,
0:02:56 > 0:02:58there's a premium on property.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59In the north,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02in the countryside residences around Shrewsbury and Oswestry
0:03:02 > 0:03:05you get much more for your money.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09But it's the beautiful rural countryside across the county
0:03:09 > 0:03:13that is drawing our buyers today, so let's meet them.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15For 15 years, John and Pauline
0:03:15 > 0:03:18have lived on a housing estate in Charvil
0:03:18 > 0:03:20on the outskirts of Reading, Berkshire,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23but feel that now is the time to address their life-work imbalance
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and swap the redbrick views
0:03:26 > 0:03:30for the rolling Shropshire countryside.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34At the moment, as you can see, we look out on houses.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39And I'd really like to look out on hills and fields.
0:03:39 > 0:03:41Now's a good time for us to move to the country,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44because Pauline is semi-retired,
0:03:44 > 0:03:47so she doesn't have to be based in this area any more.
0:03:47 > 0:03:53And my work allows me to really work wherever I want...in England.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55Despite being semi-retired,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58Pauline has one eye on a brand-new venture
0:03:58 > 0:04:00that coincides with their move.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02So, now, what I'd like to do,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05is to set up a chocolate-making business.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08This move would enable me to have the space
0:04:08 > 0:04:10to be able to make larger batches.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Although my kitchen has got a huge island in the middle of it,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15and it's lovely,
0:04:15 > 0:04:21there is not enough room to make those quantities of chocolate.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25So where is the perfect location for Pauline's chocolate factory?
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Erm, probably south of Shrewsbury,
0:04:27 > 0:04:32taking in Ludlow and some of those other lovely little market towns,
0:04:32 > 0:04:33like Church Stretton, Much Wenlock.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39The countryside is so beautiful -
0:04:39 > 0:04:43lovely, green, rolling hills.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46A vital element to achieving a better work-life balance
0:04:46 > 0:04:50is space in the new house to accommodate healthier pursuits.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54Our new house ideally will have a separate room
0:04:54 > 0:04:55where I can have a gym.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00Although we do yoga together at home, it's very cramped.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02There isn't enough space.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- We keep bumping into each other, don't we?- Yes!
0:05:05 > 0:05:08All that's left to discover is the finances
0:05:08 > 0:05:10for their Shropshire sanctuary.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Our budget for the move is £700,000.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16That's absolute maximum -
0:05:16 > 0:05:20and that would have to include the setting up of our chocolate business
0:05:20 > 0:05:24and the outbuilding required, the renovation of that.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31John and Pauline would like us to concentrate our house search
0:05:31 > 0:05:34in the south of the county around the market town of Ludlow.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37I met up with them to discover more about what they're looking for,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41and to learn how a spreadsheet is helping them choose
0:05:41 > 0:05:42their ideal property.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Welcome to Shropshire, you two.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47So we've got lots of lovely houses lined up for you,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50but I want to talk a bit about what sort of property you want.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54I know you want a big kitchen, but you also want a sort of chocolate factory.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58I want to have a separate building to make chocolate, yes.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01To create a chocolate business.
0:06:01 > 0:06:04- What about you, John? Do you have requirements?- Yeah.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08Our house at the moment, we've really just got one main room downstairs,
0:06:08 > 0:06:11which has got the television in, and my hi-fi.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13And, ideally, what I'd like,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16is a separate room that I could put the hi-fi in.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19It seems the land is quite important,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22- in terms of getting an outbuilding. - And growing.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24I grow all of my food, and fruit.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27And I want to incorporate those into the chocolate fillings.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Well, you have your trusty tablet.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Is the spreadsheet on this little thing?- It is. Yes.
0:06:32 > 0:06:37I've created a score for each really important factor in the house.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- I'm an accountant, so...- Ah-ha! I see!
0:06:39 > 0:06:42- So I can allocate points to money. - Right.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44So, we're going to do Escape To The Country
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- in a scientifically thorough manner. - Sort of.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49But it might come down to gut feeling at the end. Who knows?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52- So, the heart might win out over the spreadsheet?- Yes!
0:06:52 > 0:06:53Good. We've got three lovely houses.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56They are quite spread out, because, as I said,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59because of the land we've gone a bit further afield.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02There are some where you wanted, and some further afield.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05So we're going to do a bit of driving, so come with me to the car.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09For a budget of £700,000,
0:07:09 > 0:07:13John and Pauline are looking for four bedrooms, a large kitchen,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16a room to use as a gym,
0:07:16 > 0:07:21an outbuilding or annexe for Pauline to set up a chocolate factory,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24land to accommodate an orchard and vegetable garden,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28all ideally located near to the foodie's paradise of Ludlow
0:07:28 > 0:07:30in south Shropshire.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33We have a variety of properties to serve up,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35and at each one I'll be asking them to guess the price
0:07:35 > 0:07:37before I reveal it.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39One of course is the Mystery House,
0:07:39 > 0:07:41that might not be right for them on paper,
0:07:41 > 0:07:44but might just set their pulses racing nonetheless.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47But before all that, first on the list, is house number one.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52How did you get into the chocolate-making business?
0:07:52 > 0:07:56I used to make chocolate every Christmas for my team,
0:07:56 > 0:08:01and then other people wanted them, so I started making them for all the people in my offices.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05I'd end up making 500 batches of 500 chocolate at a time.
0:08:05 > 0:08:09- And people in my offices!- And people in John's offices, for his team...
0:08:09 > 0:08:11It wasn't always just free...
0:08:11 > 0:08:13No, it's all been free. I've never sold them.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16No, I've always given them away as presents.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19But it's since you've retired that you're thinking of making it
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- into a business, isn't it? - Absolutely, yes.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- So this is a really big change for you?- It is, yes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32We start our property search in the hamlet of Seifton,
0:08:32 > 0:08:35a short distance from the market town of Ludlow.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38Described as the gastronomic heart of Shropshire,
0:08:38 > 0:08:40historic 11th-century Ludlow is renowned
0:08:40 > 0:08:43for its locally produced food and drink,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47with bakers, delicatessens, cheese shops and butchers
0:08:47 > 0:08:50amongst the varied array of independent food stores,
0:08:50 > 0:08:52as well as its traditional open-air market.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56Our first house is 15 minutes north of the town,
0:08:56 > 0:08:58a four-bedroomed modern conversion,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00set in just under an acre of land,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03that retains bags of period features.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Here we are - house number one!
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- What do you think? - I like it! Yeah.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- Big smiles as we come up the drive. - BOTH:- Yes!
0:09:12 > 0:09:14You can see there is a whole sequence of houses here.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17They're all part of a larger estate that was from the 16th century,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21but actually it was completely rebuilt in 1999.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23But the great thing about this,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25and really the reason we brought you,
0:09:25 > 0:09:27is that we're just six miles from Ludlow.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Yes, very close.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32No, it's a beautiful area, so it's a fantastic location.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Another reason we brought you here is because of this.- Yes.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37This is the outbuilding.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39I wanted us to have a little peek in here
0:09:39 > 0:09:41before we look in the main house.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- Just to see if we're on the right tracks.- OK.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Come with me.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46'We're bang on with the location,
0:09:46 > 0:09:50'but it's the outbuilding that needs to deliver the required space
0:09:50 > 0:09:52'if the house is to be a contender.'
0:09:52 > 0:09:56So, this is a big double garage.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58- Yes.- With electricity and water.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02- Yes.- Very good.- Excellent. - And it is all boarded upstairs.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06But is this going to be big enough for your chocolate factory?
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Absolutely. Yes. Yes, I think so.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11It's a lot more space than you've got at the moment!
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Yes, this is bigger than my kitchen.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15Slightly bigger than my kitchen, but it's squarer.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17So how are we doing on your spreadsheet?
0:10:17 > 0:10:18Oh, well, I'll fill that in.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20- Location has got to be good. - Oh, yes.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21- What do we score on location? - Let's see.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Because it's so close to Ludlow, it's got to be 20.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28And views, um...
0:10:28 > 0:10:30- Oh, I'd hang on for the views. - Oh, right. OK.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- You haven't seen all the views. - All right.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Let's continue the house tour.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39That's two major factors satisfied.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42Let's hope it continues, as we head inside.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Into the kitchen...
0:10:46 > 0:10:50Because this is obviously the heart of the home.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Oh, my word.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- This is lovely. - It is.- Yeah, it's good.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57It's a nice big size, isn't it?
0:10:57 > 0:11:00How does it compare on your kitchen scale?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02We were looking for a big kitchen, nicely done out,
0:11:02 > 0:11:06and that is absolutely this kitchen, isn't it? It works really well.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08You've got a nice boot room there, for when you come in from walks.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13- And through here is a utility space. - Oh, fabulous.- All your white goods.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14- OK. Yeah.- Good.
0:11:14 > 0:11:18I don't think you'd be spending much time in your kitchen, because...
0:11:18 > 0:11:19you've got this room.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24In terms of living space, I am confident the next room
0:11:24 > 0:11:26will knock their socks off!
0:11:27 > 0:11:30- This is the room.- Oh, wow.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34- It's brilliant, isn't it? - What a view!
0:11:34 > 0:11:37This is an amazing green oak orangery
0:11:37 > 0:11:39that they put on just a few years ago.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Couple of years ago. What do you think?
0:11:42 > 0:11:44I think it's absolutely amazing.
0:11:44 > 0:11:49- I think it's stunning. It brings the garden into the house.- Yeah.
0:11:49 > 0:11:55And a very beautiful sitting-room here, and a little study, you can explore later on.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57I don't have a category for this!
0:11:57 > 0:12:01You didn't do a category on your spreadsheet for orangery!
0:12:01 > 0:12:05I didn't, no. Or conservatory, or anything.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09- But does it get 20 out of 20? - Oh, yeah. Yeah.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- Yeah, I can't see how you can give it less than 20.- No.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- So, top marks for downstairs?- Yes.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20More than top marks - if that's possible - but let's look upstairs.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21OK.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26'A dining room completes the downstairs,
0:12:26 > 0:12:28'and it's all going swimmingly well.'
0:12:28 > 0:12:32'So fingers crossed the bedrooms meet the spreadsheet's approval.'
0:12:32 > 0:12:38There are two staircases, and two sets of bedrooms in this house.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40- This is a master bedroom.- Right.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Yeah.
0:12:42 > 0:12:48- And a very nice wet room en suite. - That's lovely, isn't it?
0:12:48 > 0:12:49That's very nicely done.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Because you've virtually got a big modern bathroom next door,
0:12:53 > 0:12:57which is sort of a family bathroom, but could also be...bath tub.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59What do you think to the aspect of the bedroom?
0:13:01 > 0:13:03It's a lot smaller than our current bedroom.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05I mean, it is a smaller room.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08But it's a nice room, and it feels light and airy.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10So I'll let you explore all around -
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- there's actually lots of rooms we haven't seen.- Thank you.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16But let's go into the garden and guess the price.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22There are three more bedrooms - one also with an en suite -
0:13:22 > 0:13:24all complete with character beams.
0:13:24 > 0:13:29It seems the house has delivered more positives than negatives,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32but it remains to be seen if less than an acre of land
0:13:32 > 0:13:34is enough for Pauline's allotment.
0:13:34 > 0:13:35As I mentioned, close to Ludlow,
0:13:35 > 0:13:38it's difficult to get a property with all the land you wanted.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41You wanted one to two acres, which is a lot of land.
0:13:41 > 0:13:46It's a lot of land but I wanted to create an orchard
0:13:46 > 0:13:49and have more fruit for the fillings for my chocolates.
0:13:49 > 0:13:54So I think it would be a bit of a stretch with the size of the land.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- Have you filled in all the things yet?- I have.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58So what does the figure come out at?
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Because it also tells you how much it is going to be worth, no?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Yes, my estimate of it.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06So, here we go - what is your estimate of the property price?
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Um, it thinks 695,000.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13John, do you agree with that statistically balanced figure?
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Speaking with my heart, rather than my head,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I think it has got to be at the top end of the budget -
0:14:20 > 0:14:23maybe 710, or something like that?
0:14:23 > 0:14:27So the heart says 710, and the head with the spreadsheet says 695.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32We might need to do some recalibration,
0:14:32 > 0:14:33because this is on the market for...
0:14:33 > 0:14:35£565,000.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37- No!- Wow... Really?!
0:14:37 > 0:14:38- Yeah.- Wow!
0:14:38 > 0:14:40That's unbelievable.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43- That's amazing. - That's fantastic news.- Yeah.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45So why don't you go back in and have a wander around,
0:14:45 > 0:14:47and I'll meet you out the front
0:14:47 > 0:14:49and get you packing off to house number two.
0:14:49 > 0:14:50- OK.- OK.- Good.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58Well within their budget at £565,000,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01this characterful renovation is perfectly located,
0:15:01 > 0:15:05and includes four bedrooms - two with en suite -
0:15:05 > 0:15:09a kitchen/breakfast room, separate dining room,
0:15:09 > 0:15:10a stunning orangery,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14a double garage - a possible venue for the chocolate factory -
0:15:14 > 0:15:17along with wonderful views of the glorious Shropshire countryside.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23The extension that they've put on is wonderful.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27It would just be a really lovely room to relax in.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29An absolutely fantastic house,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33and one I could certainly envisage myself living in.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36The outbuilding is brilliant.
0:15:36 > 0:15:41It's a lovely size for the chocolate-making kitchen.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45I think this could work for us because it's at 86%.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48So I think anything under 80% you would have to question
0:15:48 > 0:15:51whether it's the right property for you.
0:15:51 > 0:15:56- Hello.- Hello.- You all done?- Yes. - You've got your tablet?- Yes!
0:15:56 > 0:15:59- Ready for house number two?- Yes. - On we go.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Shropshire is famous for its range of quality local produce,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17numerous food markets, and more Michelin-starred restaurants
0:16:17 > 0:16:20than anywhere outside London.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22The twice-monthly Ludlow market
0:16:22 > 0:16:25that draws in hordes of local producers and buyers,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27is the epitome of this.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29With Pauline and John so keen to grow their own produce,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31and set up a cottage business,
0:16:31 > 0:16:33we sent them to meet Sarah Jane Brough
0:16:33 > 0:16:37whose jam and preserve business is one of many taking advantage
0:16:37 > 0:16:40of the burgeoning interest in locally made products.
0:16:41 > 0:16:46So we're very interested. What gave you the idea to start your business?
0:16:46 > 0:16:48It really started off as a hobby.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51I naturally started making preserves in my early 20s.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55My parents had orchards and they were keen on vegetable growing,
0:16:55 > 0:16:59and we also moved to an area with lots of natural old hedgerows.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02And I just sort of caught the preserving bug really.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05So it started off as a hobby, and then moved into a business?
0:17:05 > 0:17:07Very much. And still feels like a hobby, as well.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10I grow as much of the fruit as I can from my parents' house.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13So you've actually got some rhubarb you've picked today, I believe?
0:17:13 > 0:17:16I have. It's the forced variety, so if you want to come in the warm,
0:17:16 > 0:17:18I'll show you what we can do with it.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- I'd love to come in the warm. - All right! OK.
0:17:21 > 0:17:25Sarah Jane's ethos is to reintroduce long-forgotten recipes
0:17:25 > 0:17:29using heritage orchard fruits and the bounty from the hedgerows
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and her pesticide-free kitchen garden.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35What we're going to make today is a rhubarb curd.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37Rhubarb at this time of year can make really pretty jam,
0:17:37 > 0:17:40but I thought it might be interesting to show you
0:17:40 > 0:17:42a different product that you can make.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45One maybe you could use for your fillings
0:17:45 > 0:17:46in your chocolates, as well.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50So, first things first. We need to chop the rhubarb.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Shall I do that?- Yeah.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58Once the rhubarb is cut into slices,
0:17:58 > 0:17:59it goes into a pan to stew
0:17:59 > 0:18:03along with butter, sugar and vanilla extract.
0:18:04 > 0:18:10Next, it's time to separate the eggs - courtesy of Sarah Jane's own Rhode Island Red chickens.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14I've given John all the difficult stuff.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17- Yes, the messy bits, as well. - The things that might go wrong!
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Presumably, you've got some of your recipes
0:18:26 > 0:18:28from old books and things.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Where have you got them from?
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Actually, my great-grandmother's been quite an influence.
0:18:33 > 0:18:38She was a cook who used to cook at New Cross Hospital in Wolverhampton,
0:18:38 > 0:18:39and was a wartime cook.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43So my nan has often talked about marrow and ginger jam,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45and carrot and cardamom.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49All those things they would have made in the war as, sort of, mock jams.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51And then you've got the Victorian era,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55when sugar became cheaper and glass was more commercially made,
0:18:55 > 0:19:00so housewives had a great interest in filling their cupboards in preserves,
0:19:00 > 0:19:01and they took pride in it.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03And we, sort of, have lost a bit of that tradition.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05So I think the fashion now has come back
0:19:05 > 0:19:08to finding more in the old ways.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Two whole eggs are mixed with two yolks until totally blended,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15then whisked into the rhubarb mix over a bain-marie.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Once thick and creamy,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19it's into the jars, and off to market.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Since the recession, there's been a resurgence
0:19:23 > 0:19:26in people using their own allotments and making their own produce,
0:19:26 > 0:19:30with consumers lapping up these hand-made products.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33John and Pauline seem quite at home at the markets.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35But first we need to find them their dream home,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38so it's time to continue our property search.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45For our second property, we're going further afield,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48travelling east to the very edge of the county,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50close to the city of Albrighton -
0:19:50 > 0:19:53around an hour away from their desired location of Ludlow.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57The charming village of Albrighton,
0:19:57 > 0:20:00with a sprinkling of half-timbered inns and Georgian facades,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03serves the community with its independent stores,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06catering for basic everyday needs.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10House number two is a very spacious five-bedroom farmhouse conversion,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14sitting three miles out of the village in the east Shropshire countryside.
0:20:15 > 0:20:16House number two!
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Quite a different offering for you.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21And I've brought you into the back because it is easier to see
0:20:21 > 0:20:23the layout of property.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Because we're in part of the Patshull estate.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Actually, this is where the woodworker lived,
0:20:28 > 0:20:31and it was all converted back in the late '90s.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33What are your first impressions, though?
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- It is very different from the last property.- Oh, it is.
0:20:36 > 0:20:37It's very different.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40I'd be very interested to see what it is like inside.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44So how does it rate on your system in terms of location?
0:20:44 > 0:20:47I'd say, on balance, location
0:20:47 > 0:20:50probably not as good as the first house.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52Well, the layout of the house is quite unusual,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54as you can see it's all in a sort of horseshoe.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58I think you'll surprised - there's a lot more space.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02As anticipated, the location doesn't score well,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04as we are quite a way from Ludlow.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06But this property does have a lot of plus points,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09that should rate highly on the spreadsheet.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Straight into the kitchen.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17- It's a tall kitchen, isn't it? - It is tall.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22You've the whole height of the building, right up to the rafters.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24How do you rate it?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Size. It's maximum for size, isn't it?
0:21:27 > 0:21:30Yeah, I mean, I think this is a lovely kitchen.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- I was going to say eight. - Yeah, yeah.- Seven or eight, something like that.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38'Accessed via the kitchen,
0:21:38 > 0:21:42'is extra living space, courtesy of a glass conservatory extension.'
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Come on through into the sitting room.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49- And another spectacularly large room.- Huge!
0:21:49 > 0:21:55- And this gigantic fireplace. - It's lovely.- A proper inglenook.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00It's a lovely room. But, perhaps not quite so much my style, I'd say.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02But you may feel different?
0:22:02 > 0:22:07Yeah, I actually like the size more than the other one.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- So how do you work that in the scoring system?- I don't know!
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Do you have to split the difference? - I don't know.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13We'll have to come to a compromise.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16I think we'll just go with what Pauline wants.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Don't say that!- It's my recipe for a happy marriage.- Aw...!
0:22:19 > 0:22:22Adjacent to the sitting room lies the dining room,
0:22:22 > 0:22:25above which is a galleried study area
0:22:25 > 0:22:28and an additional bedroom with shower room.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Onwards to the master bedroom,
0:22:30 > 0:22:34and I am confident they won't be quibbling over size here.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38Now...
0:22:38 > 0:22:39Wow!
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Here we have a master bedroom that hopefully will fit the bill.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46- Absolutely.- This is more of...
0:22:46 > 0:22:48This is a Master bedroom, isn't it?
0:22:48 > 0:22:49It's a MASTER bedroom!
0:22:49 > 0:22:51A power bedroom.
0:22:52 > 0:22:57It's nice because you have these halfmoon, semi-lune, windows
0:22:57 > 0:22:59and then the amazing high ceilings.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01And a very nice shower en suite.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Different to the other one, but...it's fine.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- But again, big, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11But one of the things that really brought us here, for you,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15is on the other side of the house. Come with me.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18There are two further bedrooms on the ground floor
0:23:18 > 0:23:21served by a well-equipped family bathroom,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23including a double-ended bath.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Through the kitchen is an annexe
0:23:25 > 0:23:28which will hopefully satisfy two of their major requirements.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31So, a gigantic games room.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36- We thought this could also be your chocolate factory.- Yeah.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40Because upstairs there's the same sort of size
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- with a shower and bathroom at the end.- So it could be a gym?
0:23:44 > 0:23:45So that could be a gym/yoga room.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48But, essentially, this is the same as the garage,
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- but it's all finished and three times as big.- Hm!
0:23:52 > 0:23:54Or we could to forget the chocolate-making
0:23:54 > 0:23:57and just have it as a pool room and cinema, and stuff like that,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00and we'll just relax for the next few years.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- Yeah. Perhaps. - "Perhaps"?
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I think that perhaps, actually, in brackets, means no, close brackets.
0:24:05 > 0:24:11Yes. I know what "perhaps" means when Pauline says "perhaps" to me.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15The games room-cum-chocolate factory gets a massive plus point.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18But I'm not convinced they're totally sold on this property yet.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23The outside space comprises part-walled garden with paved terrace and lawn,
0:24:23 > 0:24:28however the drawback is there is no additional land for Pauline's market garden.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Or, how much does the computer think it's on the market for?
0:24:33 > 0:24:36So, the computer says 550,000.
0:24:36 > 0:24:40OK, so are you not agreeing with the computer?
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Well, that's a valuation.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45But in terms of usefulness to us,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49- I'm sticking with my 550,000. - Oh, OK.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51I think I'm going to go higher than that.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53I'll go to 625.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56625. Well, maybe it needs a bit more calibration,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59because in this instance it's wrong again,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01but in the other direction.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06This property is actually on the market for - brace yourself - 695.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10Oh, right! Right at the top of our budget.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12In value, it didn't score highly because it didn't have...
0:25:12 > 0:25:14We weren't buying land.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Why don't you have a look round,
0:25:16 > 0:25:19because there's actually a lot more of the house you haven't seen.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23And then we will come and convene and take a break for the day.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26Because we've seen two big houses and there's lots to think about.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- Yeah.- So head back in and have a peek around upstairs.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Oh! So confusing!
0:25:33 > 0:25:35I mean, the spreadsheet's quite confusing,
0:25:35 > 0:25:37but these are two very different properties,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40different parts of Shropshire, offering very different things,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43and some things they don't offer, like no land here.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45So, there is quite a lot to think about.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48And I'm wondering what they're thinking process is.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57The former woodcutter's residence just creeps in under budget
0:25:57 > 0:26:00at £695,000, and certainly offers a lot of what they are after
0:26:00 > 0:26:01with five bedrooms,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04including a huge master bedroom,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06a large kitchen/diner,
0:26:06 > 0:26:08a spacious sitting room,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12an annexe as a possible venue for the chocolate factory,
0:26:12 > 0:26:15and the option to utilise one of the five bedrooms as a gym.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19There are some things that I prefer in the other house to this one,
0:26:19 > 0:26:20like the kitchen.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23But in this one, I prefer the living room.
0:26:23 > 0:26:28I really like the high ceilings, and it's very open.
0:26:28 > 0:26:29There's so much to it.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33But I'd characterise it as a sort of internally focused house.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37And in one sense that's not a problem,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40but I do, in this house, miss the views.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44And that's the one thing it doesn't have which, for me, is a shame.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48OK, so two houses down - how are you feeling?
0:26:48 > 0:26:52I'm still excited. But, yes, it's quite interesting.
0:26:52 > 0:26:54- It's been a great day.- Yeah.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07We're continuing our house search in Shropshire with John and Pauline
0:27:07 > 0:27:12from the Reading area, who have £700,000 to spend on a rural home.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Coming up, our Mystery House hits the spot.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17- Oh, wow! - Kaboom!
0:27:19 > 0:27:21It's like kitchen wars, and this one wins!
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Because it's the biggest.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26And I pay a visit to a film set.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Day two, and I don't know about you,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32but I am loving Pauline's spreadsheet,
0:27:32 > 0:27:35which on the one hand is a vaguely scientific way
0:27:35 > 0:27:39of getting John to agree with her, and on the other hand,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42is quite an accurate reflection of what they're looking for.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45And what has become clear is that they are looking for land.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47And in order to give them land,
0:27:47 > 0:27:50we are going to go up to the top of Shropshire.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59What do you think we'll show you
0:27:59 > 0:28:01for the Mystery House, the third house?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Maybe, given it's the Mystery House, you're going to show us
0:28:04 > 0:28:06something that needs a bit more work?
0:28:06 > 0:28:08- It could just be the foundations. - Oh!
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- That would be an idea, wouldn't it?- No!
0:28:14 > 0:28:16For our Mystery House we are heading north,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18close to the Wales-England border,
0:28:18 > 0:28:19to the hamlet of Coton,
0:28:19 > 0:28:23a short distance from the market town of Whitchurch.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Dating back to the Roman era, Whitchurch is one of the oldest
0:28:26 > 0:28:30communities in Shropshire, and home to Joyce's clockmakers,
0:28:30 > 0:28:34whose iconic large clocks still adorn railway stations
0:28:34 > 0:28:35across the land.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37The Mystery House is a five-bedroomed cottage,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40approximately four miles south of the town in Coton,
0:28:40 > 0:28:44surrounded by the stunning north Shropshire scenery.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46Oh.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48I hear that!
0:28:48 > 0:28:50Ohs and ahs!
0:28:50 > 0:28:53The Mystery House!
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Sort of, probably a Victorian workers' cottage
0:28:56 > 0:28:59- extended every which way, as you can see.- Yes.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02The present owners put on this conservatory and the games room,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05and the owner before that put on a kitchen extension.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- Any thoughts about the location? - I really like the location.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12- I mean, just driving up here, the countryside's great.- I like it.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Yes. It's lovely.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17And you'll notice that there is quite a parcel of land
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- with this property.- Alistair, why is this the Mystery House?
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Is it still in Shropshire?
0:29:23 > 0:29:25It is still in Shropshire, but...
0:29:25 > 0:29:28in order to get you all this lovely land at a price you could afford,
0:29:28 > 0:29:31we don't have your chocolate factory yet.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32Oh, right!
0:29:32 > 0:29:35- This could be something you could build.- Yes.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Sympathetically.- Exactly.- Yes.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Well done. You're right on the ball.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42Let's go and look inside.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47With a big thumbs up for the exterior, it is onwards inside
0:29:47 > 0:29:50to check out a room high on John's agenda.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52I just wanted to show you this room.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54- This is the newest room in the house.- Oh.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58I thought of you, John. Your desire for a little music room.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- This could definitely be a music room, couldn't it?- Absolutely.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05- Yeah, brilliant. - It's a nice big size, isn't it?
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Well, this was a little detour on the way to the main room,
0:30:08 > 0:30:10which, of course, is the kitchen.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14The kitchen is also high on the list,
0:30:14 > 0:30:18so this needs to deliver a big score to beat the previous two.
0:30:18 > 0:30:20So the dining room here...
0:30:20 > 0:30:22But this is the room I wanted to show you.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26- Oh, wow!- Kaboom!
0:30:28 > 0:30:31It's like kitchen wars, and this one wins, because it's the biggest.
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- No, it's not. It's not because it's the biggest.- Oh, OK.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37- It's because it's got the island. - It's because it's got the island.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41Ahhh! That's where we've been going wrong. Not giving you your island.
0:30:41 > 0:30:45No, I wanted to talk to you a bit about the chocolate factory.
0:30:45 > 0:30:50Because this house does not have outbuildings, as it stands now.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52There was a shippen. You know, a shippen?
0:30:52 > 0:30:54A cow barn with a hay loft on top?
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Now the footings for that are still there,
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- so you could build something just outside.- That's fine.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03So I could have the kitchen and you could be in your factory.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05I could be in the other kitchen!
0:31:05 > 0:31:09- So, how many do you and your magic thing...- Well, kitchen...
0:31:09 > 0:31:1020 out of 20?
0:31:10 > 0:31:1320 out of 20! Can't possibly be...
0:31:13 > 0:31:15Can't possibly be any less than that.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19Well, I'd be interested to see what the living space gives you.
0:31:19 > 0:31:20Follow me.
0:31:24 > 0:31:29- And our third and final sitting room.- It's lovely.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31- Obviously got beams! - It has got beams.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35They're quite high up, aren't they? So not oppressive.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37I like this room.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39It's actually quite cosy, isn't it?
0:31:39 > 0:31:41- Hm.- Yeah.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- And a lovely people wood burner, giving some nice warm heat.- Yes.
0:31:44 > 0:31:46Yes. Brilliant.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49And sweeping through into the conservatory.
0:31:49 > 0:31:54And, of course, this would be the view over your...domain.
0:31:54 > 0:31:59Yeah, I could certainly see us having breakfast and lunch in here.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01Completing the ground floor is a study,
0:32:01 > 0:32:03a utility area
0:32:03 > 0:32:07and a second conservatory that can double as a gym.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08The downstairs is scoring highly,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11so let's hope this continues upstairs.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12This is the master bedroom,
0:32:12 > 0:32:14and there are five bedrooms in this property,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16and actually two of them have en suites,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18so you could swap them around.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- But this is, I think, the biggest and the lightest.- Mm-hm.
0:32:21 > 0:32:22Yes, it's lovely.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Nice big square room.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27So what do you think about the upstairs? How is that scoring?
0:32:27 > 0:32:32- I think it's scoring very well indeed.- That's good.- Absolutely.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Obviously, the reason we brought you here is because it's got lots of land.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39So let's go and look at that, and think about the price.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Of the four remaining bedrooms, one also has an en suite.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49The others are served by a modern family bathroom.
0:32:49 > 0:32:50We could be onto a winner,
0:32:50 > 0:32:53as the upstairs seems to have hit the mark too.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55And with the house standing in nearly three acres of land,
0:32:55 > 0:32:59let's hope that that's enough for Pauline's market garden.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- Quite a lot of land. Is it going to be enough for you?- Yes.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04- Good.- Of course it is! - Jackpot!
0:33:04 > 0:33:09We've struggled a bit with the pricing, according to your system.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11How does it score percentage-wise,
0:33:11 > 0:33:13with your total points that you allocate to a property?
0:33:13 > 0:33:15How is this one scoring?
0:33:15 > 0:33:19This one scores the highest of all of the percentage points.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21How much does it score?
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Percentage-wise?
0:33:23 > 0:33:25- It scores 90%.- Wow!
0:33:25 > 0:33:30So I am wondering what your system thinks about the price of this house?
0:33:30 > 0:33:33My estimate is that it would be about 690.
0:33:33 > 0:33:39- 690?- In terms of my estimate, I would say 675.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41Well, it's getting better, but not quite right.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45Because this property is on the market for 649.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46Hurray!
0:33:46 > 0:33:49Oh, yes. But you liked the other one.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50We're getting closer.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54You are getting much, much closer, much more accurate,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56and still over-estimating, which is good.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58All I'd like you to do is go behind the house,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01and you can sort of walk out the space for the chocolate factory,
0:34:01 > 0:34:05- and then have a wander upstairs, as well, because there are some other places to go.- OK.- OK.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15Our Mystery House racks up a whopping 90% on Pauline's tablet.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17And it is way within budget at £649,000.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Offering them almost everything they are looking for,
0:34:22 > 0:34:24including five bedrooms,
0:34:24 > 0:34:25two with en suite,
0:34:25 > 0:34:26a huge kitchen/diner,
0:34:26 > 0:34:30a music room to house John's hi-fi,
0:34:30 > 0:34:33an area to build the chocolate factory,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35all standing in nearly three acres of land,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39ideal for Pauline's fruit and veg garden.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I do spend a lot of my time in the kitchen,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46and this is everything you could possibly want for a kitchen.
0:34:46 > 0:34:50Overall, I am very, very happy with the house, with the land,
0:34:50 > 0:34:52and with the potential for the chocolate factory.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53Very happy.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Finally, I got my land at the Mystery House,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59I think the only drawback is that John had said
0:34:59 > 0:35:03that the first house was his preference.
0:35:03 > 0:35:06So, obviously, we need to talk about that.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Ah, here you are. Are you planning your orchard?
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- Yes!- Yes, we are.
0:35:11 > 0:35:12Well, I'm afraid I have to tear you away,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15because it's time for some decision-making.
0:35:15 > 0:35:16Come with me.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29We served up three delightful properties for John and Pauline,
0:35:29 > 0:35:30spread out across the county,
0:35:30 > 0:35:36but there is so much more to see if Shropshire is your ideal rural retreat.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39For a modest budget, you can still achieve the ideal countryside location,
0:35:39 > 0:35:43with two-bedroom newer builds like this one in Church Stretton,
0:35:43 > 0:35:47that come with plenty of character, oak features outside and in
0:35:47 > 0:35:50on the market for £219,500.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53If you have a little more to spend
0:35:53 > 0:35:55and hanker after the total rural retreat,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58then how about this three-bedroom detached cottage
0:35:58 > 0:36:00in the hamlet of Abdon.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03With equestrian facilities and bags of charming features,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05it's on sale for £400,000.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08And should the lure of the gorgeous Shropshire countryside
0:36:08 > 0:36:10stretch your funds further,
0:36:10 > 0:36:13head for conservation areas like the hamlet of Norbury
0:36:13 > 0:36:17where you'll find this larger seven-bedroom detached property
0:36:17 > 0:36:20on the market for £599,950
0:36:25 > 0:36:28To the south of the county, in the rolling hills of Shropshire,
0:36:28 > 0:36:32lies an incredible family home that is a renovation project
0:36:32 > 0:36:35that would stretch even the biggest budget.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39The magnificent Victorian mansion of Stokesay Court,
0:36:39 > 0:36:41with its imposing Jacobean-style facade,
0:36:41 > 0:36:45hit the big screen as the location for a cinema smash hit.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48And I am meeting the current owner, Caroline Magnus,
0:36:48 > 0:36:53who inherited the house that has been in her family since 1889,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55to find out more.
0:36:55 > 0:36:56Caroline, I am fascinated -
0:36:56 > 0:36:58I mean, the house is absolutely staggering -
0:36:58 > 0:37:01but I'm fascinated by this moment
0:37:01 > 0:37:03when the brown envelope hits your mat,
0:37:03 > 0:37:07and you realise you've inherited an incredible stately home.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11It contained a copy of a will and a compliments slip,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14but with no letter of explanation at all.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17So, I had to read it about three times.
0:37:17 > 0:37:22I probably could have been said to have been in shock for about a week,
0:37:22 > 0:37:25before I actually finally understood what was going on.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29But it took me at least six months, if not longer, to adjust.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32Built in 1889 by John Derby Allcroft
0:37:32 > 0:37:35a wealthy Victorian glove merchant,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38the house found its way to Caroline
0:37:38 > 0:37:41after her aunt, Darby Allcroft's granddaughter, sadly died.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44I was absolutely ready to do something new.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47It just seemed the right time to make a move.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49And I also thought, if I don't try it,
0:37:49 > 0:37:52I will spend the rest of my life regretting it
0:37:52 > 0:37:55and wondering if I could have managed to do it.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58I'm wondering how much work have you actually done here?
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Was it a ruin when you moved in, or...?
0:38:01 > 0:38:03The roof was completely rotten.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06We had to literally recover the entire structure.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10I wonder if you'd like to come and see the rest of the house?
0:38:10 > 0:38:11Absolutely.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Caroline expected her planned restorations to take decades,
0:38:15 > 0:38:19but fortuitously the house was hired as a location
0:38:19 > 0:38:22for the Oscar and BAFTA-winning film Atonement,
0:38:22 > 0:38:25starring Kiera Knightley, which gave the restoration
0:38:25 > 0:38:27a quick nudge in the right direction.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Was the film a big turning point?
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Yes, it really was.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Before Atonement, this house was completely obscure.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Nobody had ever heard of it, really.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41The house appeared on the big screen
0:38:41 > 0:38:44and suddenly there was a huge amount of interest.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47And it's made it possible to open it
0:38:47 > 0:38:50and to share it with other people.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53That must've been a huge injection of lifeblood into the house.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Oh, it was absolutely brilliant.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58Rooms will be decorated to fit the film's period.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00And part of the set still remains,
0:39:00 > 0:39:02as an attraction for the visiting public,
0:39:02 > 0:39:05with Keira Knightley's bedroom being a favourite.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Having spent almost 20 years renovating the house,
0:39:08 > 0:39:11Caroline still has more work to do.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13But she isn't deterred.
0:39:13 > 0:39:14Oh, wow! Which room was this?
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Well, these are the old kitchens.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21But in terms of the future of the hall,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24what would you do with this room, for example?
0:39:24 > 0:39:29This, could make a wonderful tea room for the house, I think.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32For the events that happen in the house,
0:39:32 > 0:39:34or when we have visitors coming.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36So you just keep things ticking over until...
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Until things either improve,
0:39:38 > 0:39:41or until I can see another way forward.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- Or, maybe, if I'm very lucky, have another film!- Ah, yes!
0:39:45 > 0:39:46Anyway, thank you so much.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50I know you've got lots to do, but it's been a real joy looking around.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53And lovely, as well, not just to see the extraordinary house,
0:39:53 > 0:39:54but to hear your story.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57Well, thank you. It's been a pleasure showing you round.
0:39:57 > 0:40:01I hope Caroline is successful with the renovations at this beautiful house
0:40:01 > 0:40:05for more people to enjoy, and we wish her all the best.
0:40:05 > 0:40:10Time now to find out if John and Pauline have come to a decision.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12I have to say that until this afternoon,
0:40:12 > 0:40:16I thought property one was a dead cert.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20But it looks like the Mystery House may have stolen Pauline's heart,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22even though John, I think, is still very keen on the first house
0:40:22 > 0:40:24we showed them down in Ludlow.
0:40:24 > 0:40:29It will be interesting to see if she where she's using her spreadsheet
0:40:29 > 0:40:31to persuade him of the error of his ways.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38Now, correct me if I'm wrong,
0:40:38 > 0:40:42but it seems like property number two isn't really in the running.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45So it comes down to property number one, which you seemed to like,
0:40:45 > 0:40:47and property number three, the Mystery House
0:40:47 > 0:40:50which you suddenly seemed to find your favourite.
0:40:50 > 0:40:54I think you're right in saying that property two is out of the running.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56I think the Mystery House, when we discussed it,
0:40:56 > 0:40:59we thought it had everything as a house.
0:40:59 > 0:41:04And it would be lovely to be able to lift the Mystery House
0:41:04 > 0:41:07up with its garden and its land
0:41:07 > 0:41:12and drop it into where the first house was.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14If we can find some land
0:41:14 > 0:41:17that we could rent or buy
0:41:17 > 0:41:20next to property one,
0:41:20 > 0:41:25then that would give us everything that we required.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30Clearly, there's a qualified preference for house number one,
0:41:30 > 0:41:34a sort of wistful look back north to house number three.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37But, so, what is going to happen next?
0:41:37 > 0:41:42We're certainly going to go back and look at property one again,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45because we do really like it, and I think the key thing there
0:41:45 > 0:41:48is just to see whether we can get in touch with
0:41:48 > 0:41:51whoever owns the land around there
0:41:51 > 0:41:54and whether they would be willing to either rent us or sell us
0:41:54 > 0:41:55a small piece of land.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58So if you couldn't get land for property one,
0:41:58 > 0:42:01property three might become a contender again?
0:42:01 > 0:42:03It might be, yeah.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Well it's been a great joy showing you around.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07And I hope we've shown you a bit of Shropshire
0:42:07 > 0:42:09that you hadn't considered before.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11And whichever house you choose, that you're very happy.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14- Thank you.- Thank you very much.
0:42:18 > 0:42:19I have to say I was surprised.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23I thought Pauline was going to twist John's arm and make him
0:42:23 > 0:42:24love house number three.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26But, in the end, to be fair,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29she let her head rule her heart
0:42:29 > 0:42:30and they went for house number one.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34Although it was good to see they discovered the joys of north Shropshire,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36and when you look at how beautiful the county is,
0:42:36 > 0:42:37you can understand why.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39So that's us done for the day,
0:42:39 > 0:42:42but do join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45John and Pauline looked into the possibility of land
0:42:45 > 0:42:48around the first house near Ludlow,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51but unfortunately the house went under offer to another buyer,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54so sadly their Shropshire search continues.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57It just goes to show that sometimes you have to be quick
0:42:57 > 0:43:00to clinch that textbook rural escape.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02If you want to escape to the country in Northern Ireland, Wales,
0:43:02 > 0:43:05Scotland or England, and need our help,
0:43:05 > 0:43:08please apply online...
0:43:12 > 0:43:14Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd