0:00:02 > 0:00:03Back in the 19th century,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05these buildings were part of a great estate.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07They were home to a scientist
0:00:07 > 0:00:11who the locals referred to as the Thunder and Lightning Man.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Now, let's face it, that is quite a claim -
0:00:13 > 0:00:15so who was he, and where are we?
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Well, join me in just a few moments, and I'll tell you.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36On today's show,
0:00:36 > 0:00:38I'm helping two career hotshots
0:00:38 > 0:00:41who now want a shot at the good life.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43It's one of my trickiest house hunts...
0:00:43 > 0:00:46You're not saying very much, Mark. Which is worrying me.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48..as not everyone sees eye to eye.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- Is it going to be a bedroom or a studio?- Studio.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53I say bedroom.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55LAUGHTER
0:00:55 > 0:00:57Well, today we are in Somerset,
0:00:57 > 0:01:01and these are the remains of Fyne Court.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Now, back in the early 19th century,
0:01:03 > 0:01:05this was once the site of a great mansion.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09It was destroyed by a fire in 1890, but back then,
0:01:09 > 0:01:12it was home to a local scientist called Andrew Crosse.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16He was playing around with the newly discovered power of electricity.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20In one trial, he placed a small volcanic rock into a bath of acid
0:01:20 > 0:01:23and passed a current through it.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25Tiny mites were said to have emerged from it,
0:01:25 > 0:01:28leading many to claim that he was playing God
0:01:28 > 0:01:29and trying to create life.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Now, in fairness to Crosse himself,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34it wasn't a claim that he would ever have made,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36and in a lecture explaining his findings
0:01:36 > 0:01:38it's thought that one of his visitors
0:01:38 > 0:01:40was none other than Mary Shelley.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43The locals here like to believe that Crosse was the inspiration
0:01:43 > 0:01:45for her Dr Frankenstein.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48Now, of course, we'll never really know the truth of that,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51but it's one of the lovely myths and legends that, for me,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54makes Somerset so enticing.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Set in the southwest of England,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01the county of Somerset is bordered by Wiltshire to the east,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Dorset to the southeast
0:02:03 > 0:02:05and Devon to the southwest.
0:02:06 > 0:02:11Somerset is best-loved for its varied and undulating landscape,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14featuring the hill ranges the Mendips, the Quantocks,
0:02:14 > 0:02:15and the Blackdown Hills.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Its ancient and historic terrain
0:02:19 > 0:02:21is home to world-famous natural wonders,
0:02:21 > 0:02:24such as Britain's largest gorge at Cheddar,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27with its dramatic cliffs rising 450 feet.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32Through the centre of the county runs the Somerset levels and moors,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36one of the UK's most important wetlands,
0:02:36 > 0:02:39and where the iconic Glastonbury Tor rises out of the landscape -
0:02:39 > 0:02:42its 15th century tower visible for miles around.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Built from the local hamstone,
0:02:46 > 0:02:50the county is peppered with pretty villages and towns.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54All-in-all Somerset shapes up as a vision of classic rural England.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Now, here in Somerset,
0:03:01 > 0:03:06your average detached property will set you back £264,000.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10That's 7,000 more than the national figure for pretty much
0:03:10 > 0:03:11the same kind of property.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14And, of course, there are the predictable hotspots.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Anything within Chew Valley could cost you another 15% on top of that.
0:03:18 > 0:03:19Why?
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Well, it's beautiful,
0:03:21 > 0:03:22it has some fantastic schools
0:03:22 > 0:03:25and, of course, it's commuter country for all those people
0:03:25 > 0:03:27working in both Bristol and Bath.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31So, if you want my advice, and you want a bit more value for money,
0:03:31 > 0:03:34head further south towards Chard and Crewkerne -
0:03:34 > 0:03:37there you will be spoilt for choice, I can assure you.
0:03:37 > 0:03:39So, time now to meet today's buyers
0:03:39 > 0:03:41and find out what they're looking for.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46Southerner, Mark, and Julie from Scotland are IT consultants
0:03:46 > 0:03:49from opposite ends of the British Isles.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51They met at work, and three years ago decided
0:03:51 > 0:03:55it was time for Mark to move into Julie's existing home in Edinburgh.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58I bought this house just for me and the cat.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00It was big enough for the two of us, and, erm...
0:04:00 > 0:04:04since Mark's moved in, the house is just groaning at the seams.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06Every cupboard is stuffed full.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08The garage is stuffed full.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10With all this stuff we have between us,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14it's been quite a challenge to find homes for everything.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16Now a new job for Julie in Bristol
0:04:16 > 0:04:20is giving them the chance not only to trade up the house,
0:04:20 > 0:04:24but also offering a much-wanted change of lifestyle.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28I think our interests always have been rural.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32Out of choice, we would have always lived out in the countryside, anyway.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35It's just... If you want a career you've got to be in a city.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37When we go down to the West Country,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40we are looking for the outdoor space,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42we like to be around animals,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44we want to do more stuff outside.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Home is currently a compact three-bedroom house
0:04:48 > 0:04:51in Edinburgh's commuter belt.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53What this area doesn't provide for us,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56is the peace and quiet that we're really looking for.
0:04:56 > 0:04:57So this is an estate.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00The houses are very close together.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02There's just too much noise.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05We just want complete peace and quiet.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08I'm looking forward to the only thing waking me up in the morning
0:05:08 > 0:05:12to be a cow mooing, a sheep baaing or birdsong.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16This will be the first time they've bought a house together.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20It gives us the opportunity to have something that we can call "ours".
0:05:20 > 0:05:24Where we've had properties before, it's either been mine or Julie's,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and this is the time for us to go and get something
0:05:27 > 0:05:30that's going to be what we want.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33There are certain things we agree on, but there are lots of things
0:05:33 > 0:05:36that we don't, in terms of what we want in the property.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39If we could have a wing each, it would be great.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42But there's one thing that they are in complete agreement on,
0:05:42 > 0:05:46the need for Julie's messy hobby of making stained-glass,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48to move out of the main house.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Just, practically, cutting glass in a house...
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Shards of glass go everywhere.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57And it also takes up a huge amount of space.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00You really need a purpose-built room
0:06:00 > 0:06:03that you can actually just leave things exactly where they are,
0:06:03 > 0:06:07and you can go away and come back at a later date to continue it.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11For their bigger, quieter new home they have a decent pot of money.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15The budget for the move is £500,000.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22As Julie and Mark want a rural property
0:06:22 > 0:06:25no more than an hour from central Bristol,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27I'm concentrating our search in central Somerset
0:06:27 > 0:06:30within striking distance of the M5,
0:06:30 > 0:06:33and I'm joining them to find out more about the specifics
0:06:33 > 0:06:35of their planned move.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- Well, welcome to Somerset. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- This is a long way from home for you, isn't it?- A very long way.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43- Now this is all motivated by your new job, isn't it?- Yes.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46This is a chance for the pair of you to buy a house
0:06:46 > 0:06:49- that's actually both of yours. - Correct.- Yeah.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Something that we hope will be a bit bigger,
0:06:51 > 0:06:55which has a bit more character to it, and certainly has a rural feel.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Yeah. We wanted to experience retirement before we retire,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00basically.
0:07:00 > 0:07:01HE LAUGHS
0:07:01 > 0:07:04So, country life is your way of retiring early.
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- Yes, definitely. - But still working.- OK.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11Now, just give me some idea of what this house might look like.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14How many bedrooms, and that sort of thing, do you need?
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Minimum three?
0:07:15 > 0:07:20We'd like a bit of land for keeping animals such as
0:07:20 > 0:07:24sheep, pigs, er, chickens, quail...
0:07:24 > 0:07:26- Quail?!- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:07:26 > 0:07:29A very refined taste you have! Is it quail eggs you're after?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Absolutely.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35So it's a bit of a...menagerie, really.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37But the house has got to be large.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Now, getting you a bigger house, I'm not worried about.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42My only concern, really, is this thing about land.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Because what you're describing to me, is a smallholding.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50And, yes, you've got a very handsome budget of £500,000.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52The need to be closer to Bristol,
0:07:52 > 0:07:56obviously puts us into Bristol's own commuter belt
0:07:56 > 0:07:59which comes with a price tag at a premium.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03One other element that we do need to satisfy are your hobbies.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06So we want a nice workshop/outbuilding.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Because it's a great thing that you're doing with the stained-glass.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12There is a lot of use of blowtorches and smelly tallow
0:08:12 > 0:08:15and chemicals and things, that you really don't want in your house,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18so we really do need somewhere outside the house.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Again, outbuildings I don't think are a problem with half a million.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- Are you ready to spend it? - Yep.- Yeah.- Good!
0:08:23 > 0:08:26Well, we've got three very interesting properties
0:08:26 > 0:08:28to tempt you with, including our mystery house
0:08:28 > 0:08:31which we'll look at first thing tomorrow morning.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- In the meantime, let's get going. After you.- Thank you.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58It's quite a shopping list
0:08:58 > 0:09:01but we've three properties lined up which all offer something
0:09:01 > 0:09:07different and, as usual, I won't be revealing their prices immediately.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09And for the final offering, the mystery house -
0:09:09 > 0:09:13I've something up my sleeve they really won't be expecting.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21We're kicking off the house search six miles east of the M5
0:09:21 > 0:09:24in the rural village of Catcott.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Surrounded by fields and farmland,
0:09:26 > 0:09:31Catcott is one of the 12 villages of the Polden Hills.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35It's home to a Grade I listed church dating back to the 13th century,
0:09:35 > 0:09:37and with a population of around 500,
0:09:37 > 0:09:40is the epitome of peace and quiet.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42But should the tranquillity become too much,
0:09:42 > 0:09:45this small settlement boasts two pubs.
0:09:45 > 0:09:50And not far from the centre of the village is our first property.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Right, in you come. In you come.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57What do you think to all this, then? Come over here.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00This is our first property for you.
0:10:00 > 0:10:01Looks good so far.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Loving the stone.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04Isn't it lovely?
0:10:04 > 0:10:07That bit is the oldest bit - about 300 years old.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09It's an old barn that's been converted and this bit was added
0:10:09 > 0:10:11about three years ago,
0:10:11 > 0:10:14with some wonderful oak beams in it, wood burner, and so on.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16One thing we have to be upfront about, is that we don't have
0:10:16 > 0:10:18acres and acres for you here.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21As you can see, it is quite an enclosed garden set up,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24but we do have access to somebody up the road
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- who regularly rents out paddocks. - OK.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29So, if this little village community is for you,
0:10:29 > 0:10:33and if this house is for you, I think we can satisfy every end.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36But it is a fantastic property, this.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38Looking forward to seeing inside it.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40Come on, then, let's have a look.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43With the option of land for animals off-site,
0:10:43 > 0:10:45this magical walled garden does fulfil their desire
0:10:45 > 0:10:47for a restful retreat from work,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50and I'm hoping the inside will impress.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53So, this is the new bit.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55- What do you reckon?- Very nice.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Fantastic. Loving the wood. - I like the woodwork.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Isn't it beautiful?
0:11:00 > 0:11:02- And I love the stove!- Yep.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05And the light, as well. Coming in from the skylights.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Is this the sort of thing that would work?
0:11:08 > 0:11:12It's definitely a place that you can relax...and chill.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14And it goes on into the kitchen.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Which is here.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17A nice open plan.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20There's a larder and a utility room through that door there.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- But it's got a lovely kind of flow to it, I think.- It is.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27And it's nice and country-feeling, too.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30You're not saying very much, Mark. Which is worrying me, slightly.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32What's going on in my mind, is -
0:11:32 > 0:11:36does it give us that formal space for formal dining?
0:11:36 > 0:11:39Yeah. We don't mind doing the sort of informal things,
0:11:39 > 0:11:40if we've just got house guests,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43but when it comes to big occasions like Christmas, etc,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46we do like to have the formal dining space.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49I mean, there is the snug next-door that could become a dining room.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53You can adapt part of that enormous living room through there.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- It does have a lot of options. - OK. Let's continue this way.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00It might not have a ready-made dining room,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03but, as well as a separate WC,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05there is a downstairs third bedroom
0:12:05 > 0:12:08with its own en suite shower and sauna.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10And upstairs, there is a further guest double
0:12:10 > 0:12:12as well as the master bedroom.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Now, there are two bedrooms up here.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18None of them are en suite
0:12:18 > 0:12:22but they are served by a very big family bathroom right next door.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26- OK.- This is currently the master bedroom.- Good.- Nice size.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Good high ceilings, fantastic light.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33I want to finish off with this, I think, amazing studio in the garden.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35It's currently set up as an en suite,
0:12:35 > 0:12:38so it's a great annexe for your guests,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41but could it be your workshop? Let's have a look.
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Overlooking an ornamental pond,
0:12:45 > 0:12:46this single-storey cabin could
0:12:46 > 0:12:49make a fantastic stained-glass studio for Julie.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- What are you think?- Oh, wow.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- Not bad, is it?- It's very nice!
0:12:55 > 0:12:59The question is, does it stay as a bedroom,
0:12:59 > 0:13:00with en suite through there,
0:13:00 > 0:13:02or is it going to be a studio?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Studio.- I say bedroom.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07THEY LAUGH
0:13:07 > 0:13:09We're not going to agree on this one, I don't think.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12But I actually quite like that this is separate from the house,
0:13:12 > 0:13:16and your guests have got the flexibility that they can get
0:13:16 > 0:13:19up whenever they want, go to the bathroom without disturbing you
0:13:19 > 0:13:23and all that sort of stuff. They can more or less be independent.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- But no, he wants them in the house. - East Wing and West Wing.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30No, it would definitely make a good studio.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33But, as I say, I like the fact that it's got the en suite.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36It means that you don't have to traipse in and out
0:13:36 > 0:13:40if you are covered in chemicals... Lead and acid
0:13:40 > 0:13:43and all the other stuff that you play with.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45And there was another outbuilding currently being
0:13:45 > 0:13:49used as an office and extra bedroom which could also be
0:13:49 > 0:13:53made into a workshop or more guest accommodation.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55Have you got any idea of what property number one
0:13:55 > 0:13:56is on the market for?
0:13:56 > 0:14:01I'm going to go for... Top end of the budget, I think.
0:14:01 > 0:14:08- I would go for 495.- I am going to go a lot less.- OK.- 425?
0:14:08 > 0:14:13This is on at £475,000. Obviously open to offers, but...
0:14:13 > 0:14:15You do get quite a lot for it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:16The only issue, I suppose,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20is whether or not you can compromise on the lack of obvious acreage.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- Mm.- And whether the whole animal issue is one
0:14:23 > 0:14:26that's going to really take hold of your minds,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29and you want to pursue more fully.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33But as a property to come and live in, I think it works.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36For a property to live in it hits the mark for me.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- And you've yet to see that little studio outside.- Yes.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Go on, then. Explore to your heart's content.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03But is it enough house and garden?
0:15:03 > 0:15:08Walking into that lovely family room. That was a revelation.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12I loved the oak beams, I loved the space, I loved the light.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Whether it is a contender or not I'm not sure,
0:15:15 > 0:15:17because we really do want some more outdoor space.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19It's a beautiful house.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22It's got lots of things that we really like.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I just think it lacks one room downstairs,
0:15:25 > 0:15:29which is either a dining room, or a separate living area.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30Ah! There you go.
0:15:30 > 0:15:31I was rather enjoying this.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34I thought you were going to take a bit longer.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36I thought you'd found the kettle and made us a cup of tea.
0:15:36 > 0:15:37Lots to see, lots to think about.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Well, I think this is a great start certainly,
0:15:40 > 0:15:43but I think we still have some way to go. Let's get going.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52The scenic rural landscape of Somerset
0:15:52 > 0:15:55has long been shaped by its thriving agricultural industries.
0:15:55 > 0:16:00On the edge of the Mendip Hills, a new venture is making its mark.
0:16:00 > 0:16:05The community farm is a 22-acre plot run by volunteers.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07This not-for-profit scheme focuses on producing food
0:16:07 > 0:16:10that buyers can trace.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13It also aims to teach people how to grow their own produce.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18As Mark and Julie are looking for a property with land for an orchard,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20and space to grow their own vegetables,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23we've arranged for them to meet farm manager
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Andy Dibbon to give them a head-start on setting up
0:16:26 > 0:16:29for a more self-sufficient lifestyle.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31So, can people come and get involved?
0:16:31 > 0:16:32That is our main aim, really.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35To encourage people to come and share the site with us -
0:16:35 > 0:16:38whether that be just enjoying the beautiful location
0:16:38 > 0:16:41and being in the fresh air and getting some good healthy exercise.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45Obviously, learning about how to grow and harvest and store vegetables.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48And that education side goes right from the very beginner,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50right up to quite high-end professionals
0:16:50 > 0:16:52who want to hone their skills more.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55We're looking for a house in this area with a couple of acres.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- Can we get some advice from you? - Definitely.
0:16:57 > 0:16:58That's what we're all about.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00What I can do today is run you through
0:17:00 > 0:17:02some of the basics of growing your own veg,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- give you some advice and, hopefully, help to get you started.- Great.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08Right, come with me then.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Having only dabbled with growing a few potatoes before,
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Julie and Mark could do with a few pointers.
0:17:14 > 0:17:18So I'm going to start off with some basic seed sowing techniques.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20This is called a plug tray.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22The first thing is to fill it.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24So we've got a good ol' dustpan, here.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Just put a big pile of compost on top of the tray like this,
0:17:28 > 0:17:32and then with your hands move this around.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34The next thing we do is the seed.
0:17:34 > 0:17:39I just push them slightly down into the middle of each cell.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42Like that. I might pass the job on to you.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45So put your hand out... I'll pour these into your hand.
0:17:47 > 0:17:49Is the depth important here?
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Yeah, the depth is important.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54If they're too deep, they might not germinate.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58And if they are too shallow, they might dry out too quickly.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00These are lettuce seeds.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04And it's best to put three in each cell, just in case some don't grow.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Now that the seeds are all planted,
0:18:06 > 0:18:08we're going to water them a little bit,
0:18:08 > 0:18:10make sure there's enough moisture in there
0:18:10 > 0:18:13to soften that seed and get it to germinate.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16The cell trays allow lots of seeds to be planted in a small space,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18but once they start to grow
0:18:18 > 0:18:22the lettuces are transferred into polytunnels.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26This crop will end up being sold to the public in seasonal delivery boxes.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Volunteers harvest the farm's produce throughout the year,
0:18:29 > 0:18:33and the current crop ripe for picking is the runner bean.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36This is the nice end of the operation.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39This is where we get to harvest some of the hard work over the year.
0:18:39 > 0:18:44These rows harvest between 60kg and 70kg of beans each week.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47So, let's see how much Mark and Julie can contribute
0:18:47 > 0:18:49towards that impressive load.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51So off you go, see how many beans you can get...
0:18:51 > 0:18:54If you're struggling to find any lower down,
0:18:54 > 0:18:56track the plant right up to the top
0:18:56 > 0:18:58and there'll be some nice bigger beans.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Would this be something we could grow on our smallholding?
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Almost definitely.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05It's one of the first crops I'd plant anywhere - runner beans.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Most things, if you're growing them on a small scale, I'd have a go at.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11And that's where you learn. It's trial and error, really.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Over the year, the farm produces around 50 different varieties
0:19:16 > 0:19:19of fruit and vegetables, all of which are organic,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and almost all of which are harvested by hand.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24That's a lovely one there, Mark.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Looks like you've got enough beans now for your tea.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29I think we'll go and see what else we can find to add to that, shall we?
0:19:29 > 0:19:33- I don't think that's bad pickings. - It's magic.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39With dinner sorted, it's back to the property hunt.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41And we've found a gem.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48The search is taking us south to the village of Othery,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52which is just on the edge of Julie's maximum commute to Bristol
0:19:52 > 0:19:53of one hour.
0:19:53 > 0:19:55The village was established back in 1515,
0:19:55 > 0:19:59and given that today it has a small population of around 600,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Othery has rather good amenities,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05including a bakery, a pub and a village shop.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09And just a short walk away is our second property.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12What have we got here for you?
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- What about this?- That's nice. - Yeah?- Really nice.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- What do you make of number two? - Very pretty.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22I like the stone, I love the front door, it's absolutely gorgeous.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26- It looks like it's got a fair amount of character.- Oh, yes.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30If I tell you it goes back to between 1400 and 1500...
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Oh, fantastic. - ..you've got loads of character.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36There is also that enormous barn attached to it
0:20:36 > 0:20:38which I'm going to describe as a kind of party barn.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41It is a really good space and I know we've talked about friends
0:20:41 > 0:20:44and family coming down and you entertaining.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Clearly, the dining room is a good indication of your need to entertain.
0:20:48 > 0:20:49That's a great spot.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51- Great spot. - I'm excited to see inside, now.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- This I am excited about, as well. - Good.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57'That's a great reaction for the outside of the property
0:20:57 > 0:21:00'and I think Mark and Julie will be impressed with how much house
0:21:00 > 0:21:03'they'll get for their money on this one.'
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Let's start with one of the three
0:21:05 > 0:21:08reception rooms this place offers you.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Very nice.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12- Yeah?- I do like this. - Very impressive.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13What's working?
0:21:13 > 0:21:15The fireplace, the size of the room,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18the height of the beams, just at the right height.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22- This is working well, isn't it? - It is, so far.- So far.
0:21:22 > 0:21:23I want to see more.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Right, let's go to the kitchen.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29'There are two further living rooms, both with exposed beams
0:21:29 > 0:21:31'and inglenook fireplaces.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34'In this house they're spoilt for choice as to where
0:21:34 > 0:21:36'that formal dining room would go.'
0:21:36 > 0:21:38This is the kitchen, guys.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Very nice. Very nice.
0:21:42 > 0:21:43Bigger than the last one.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47- Yeah?- Far more cupboards which is something that we're looking for.
0:21:47 > 0:21:48- Oh, yeah.- I like the worktops.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50THEY LAUGH
0:21:50 > 0:21:54There's definitely more smiles coming from you on this one.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Come on, there's so much to get through.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Follow me.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01'A corridor leading to a rear conservatory
0:22:01 > 0:22:04'concludes the downstairs layout and the spacious ground floor
0:22:04 > 0:22:07'is definitely ticking boxes for Mark.
0:22:07 > 0:22:12'Upstairs offers just as much, with four good-sized bedrooms
0:22:12 > 0:22:14'full of period features and one family bathroom.'
0:22:15 > 0:22:19This is what we've got in mind for you two.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- A nice size.- Yeah. - It's a good size.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Plenty of room for furniture, plenty of room for the wardrobes.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Nice and light with the windows on either side.- Good.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33Similarly to our first property you've got the annexe
0:22:33 > 0:22:35with another double bed in it
0:22:35 > 0:22:37but I really want to finish off in the garden
0:22:37 > 0:22:40and we'll talk about the price of property number two, as well.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43- OK.- After you, lead on.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46'The space in this house is clearly a winner
0:22:46 > 0:22:49'and the annexe gives them more than expected, too.
0:22:49 > 0:22:53'With three rooms downstairs and a mezzanine bedroom upstairs,
0:22:53 > 0:22:57'there is plenty of space to house both the workshop and guests.'
0:22:59 > 0:23:01So, as you can see, here is the rest of the garden.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04We had a glimpse of it when we arrived back there.
0:23:04 > 0:23:08Within its half an acre it's got some interesting little zones.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11I think you've got room enough, certainly for plenty of
0:23:11 > 0:23:15vegetable gardening and, indeed, for some chickens and maybe some quail.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17As a garden, it works for me.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21- Does it work for you because I know space is the key issue?- Mmm.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23It's not far off it.
0:23:23 > 0:23:28Before I send you off, I want you to go away armed with the price.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30You've got half a million to spend,
0:23:30 > 0:23:34where do you think property number two comes on the scale?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Near the top, 485,000.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38485,000, yeah, OK.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42- I'm going to go 490,000.- 490,000.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46You're both wrong but you're not far off, in fairness to you.
0:23:46 > 0:23:50This one is bang on the budget at £500,000.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53How do we feel about that?
0:23:53 > 0:23:55- Quite good.- Yeah? I would.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58It surprises me because it's a lot of house...
0:23:58 > 0:24:00- It's a huge amount of house! - ..for £500,000.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04I know it hasn't got everything but it's got an awful lot going for it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07You haven't been in there yet.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Go on, off you go, go and find a studio
0:24:09 > 0:24:12and I'll catch up with you later on.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Brilliant, I'm very happy.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18'So bang on the budget at £500,000,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21'this converted farmhouse offers all the space they could
0:24:21 > 0:24:25'wish for with four bedrooms and three spacious living rooms.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28'There's enough land to start their bid for the good life
0:24:28 > 0:24:31'as well as the huge annexe and an unconverted barn,
0:24:31 > 0:24:33'which might need a bit of vision.'
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- This is some space, isn't it?- Yeah, what would you do with it, though?
0:24:39 > 0:24:42All those things we've got to store,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- we've got somewhere to store them now!- That's true, yeah.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48House two has been a bit of a surprise, actually.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51Inside, the rooms are full of period features.
0:24:51 > 0:24:56It's quite quirky in its layout and the garden's plenty big enough.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Lots of potential out there for growing.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01I could definitely see myself living here.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03This house is definitely a contender.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07The amount of space we've got, the rooms downstairs,
0:25:07 > 0:25:08the bedrooms...
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Bonus features, the outdoor annexe,
0:25:12 > 0:25:16which would easily convert into an office, as well as a studio.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18The barn, well, what a space.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Loads of potential there.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22It's just got, generally, a really good feel to it.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Right, out you come.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26You have had a lot to explore,
0:25:26 > 0:25:30we've given you loads of time on this one but well worth it, I think.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33- Yes.- Yes.- Is it a contender? - Absolutely.- Yes.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It should be, I love it, I was very excited to show you this one
0:25:36 > 0:25:38but it's been a long day.
0:25:38 > 0:25:40We've got our mystery house awaiting us tomorrow morning
0:25:40 > 0:25:44so time now for some supper and a drink, maybe.
0:25:44 > 0:25:45- Yeah.- Come on, then.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53'It's our last day of house hunting here in Somerset.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57'For a budget of £500,000, Mark and Julie want to
0:25:57 > 0:26:01'relocate from Edinburgh to a beautiful country retreat.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04'Still to come, we face a difference of opinion on the finer
0:26:04 > 0:26:05'points of architecture.'
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I'm loving the wonky walls.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- I think you're more interested in the wonky walls than he is.- Yeah.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13'And I discover an unusual way to brush a horse's tail.'
0:26:13 > 0:26:16You have to be careful with your knuckles.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21Well, guys, I thought yesterday ended rather well
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- with our second property. - It did, yeah.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25But something else has cropped up
0:26:25 > 0:26:28and I'd like you to share it with the rest of the world.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32This cow, tell us how you've ended up with a cow.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36I did some interview coaching for a colleague at work.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38When he got the job he said,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41"When I get my first bonus I'll make sure you're looked after"
0:26:41 > 0:26:46and I had said, "Don't bother, your dad owns a dairy and beef farm,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49"so I'll just have one of your cows." That was the deal.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51- He got the job and you got a cow?- Yeah.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53THEY LAUGH
0:26:53 > 0:26:55Our final property, our mystery house,
0:26:55 > 0:27:00will offer you more land but, as always, there's a bit of a catch.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02It's not thatched?
0:27:02 > 0:27:03I couldn't possibly say.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11'For our final property I'm taking Mark and Julie
0:27:11 > 0:27:15'six miles further south to the small town of Langport,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17'just over one hour from Bristol city centre.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21'This ancient market town was once an important trading post.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25'Many of the historic buildings have been lovingly restored, including
0:27:25 > 0:27:30'the curious hanging chapel which sits on an archway over the road.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34'With shops, doctors and a library, all amenities are covered
0:27:34 > 0:27:38'and just a mile up the road is today's mystery house.'
0:27:38 > 0:27:42So you remember in the car, you said, "Is it going to be a thatch?"
0:27:42 > 0:27:45- Mm-hm.- There it is.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47It is a thatch and I know you've got some
0:27:47 > 0:27:51misgivings about thatched properties. You're not alone.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54There are many misconceptions about thatched properties,
0:27:54 > 0:27:57that they are going to burn down, they leak, they're damp and all the rest of it.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- That they cost a fortune to insure, none of which is true.- OK.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03Thatch has been around for thousands of years.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07It is a brilliant and very durable material.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10It does create the classic kind of chocolate box image
0:28:10 > 0:28:12of your new country home.
0:28:12 > 0:28:13JULIE CHUCKLES
0:28:13 > 0:28:17We've got you 1.63 acres that run up behind here
0:28:17 > 0:28:20through a lovely range of gardens
0:28:20 > 0:28:24up to orchard, paddock and so on and so forth.
0:28:24 > 0:28:25- OK.- Let's have a look, then.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Yeah, let's see what you think of it.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33'I'm relieved the thatch hasn't put them off because the land
0:28:33 > 0:28:37'behind this charming cottage, with annexe, could make it a winner.'
0:28:38 > 0:28:41To start with, downstairs loo and shower room in there
0:28:41 > 0:28:45and a little cloakroom and then this is the kitchen.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Oh!
0:28:47 > 0:28:48Small.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50- Well, we've spoilt you, haven't we?- You have.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53We've spoilt you with what we've seen already,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55but that's the kind of compromise.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58I like the beams and the way it's been done out
0:28:58 > 0:29:00is actually really nice.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03It is all done, there's not a great deal to have to worry about.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05Yeah, it is that bit smaller.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09- Let's see the rest.- Yeah, come on.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11You're thinking it won't take long.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13Next to the kitchen, the dining room, obviously.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- This is important to you. - That is nice.
0:29:16 > 0:29:18- Yeah!- Yeah.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20I really like the way they've made a feature of the brickwork
0:29:20 > 0:29:22and rendering halfway up the wall.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26It's very cosy and it is very, very pretty.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28- Right then, living room.- Yeah.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32Across this little hallway is the living room.
0:29:32 > 0:29:33Watch your heads.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35HE CHUCKLES
0:29:36 > 0:29:38- Very nice.- Yes.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40This has got a great, big smile from you, Mark.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- Yeah, it's just, er... - The fireplace.- The fireplace.
0:29:43 > 0:29:46- We've not been short of an inglenook or two this week.- No.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48There's lots of features in here to recommend it.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52The annexe is self-contained at the moment but you can access it
0:29:52 > 0:29:56through that little door there which takes you into a little lobby.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58We'll get you to have a look at that a bit later on.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03On a practical level, seriously, would this suffice?
0:30:03 > 0:30:05It would me.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08I still think it's a room short downstairs but, as you say,
0:30:08 > 0:30:09you've got this annexe next door.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14Yeah, certainly you could spill through into there if you wanted to.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Erm, you'd still have to duck.
0:30:16 > 0:30:17THEY LAUGH
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Because you couldn't chop the beam out
0:30:19 > 0:30:22but, for all of its size,
0:30:22 > 0:30:27bizarrely, it's got four bedrooms upstairs, not including the annexe.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30- Really?- Yeah, come and have a look at this.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33'With exposed beams throughout, there is
0:30:33 > 0:30:37'one double room and two smaller ones for visiting friends and family.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40'And then there's the master.'
0:30:43 > 0:30:44Come on in.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- Very nice.- Yeah?
0:30:46 > 0:30:48I'm loving the wonky walls. I love that.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50It gives so much character to the room.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- I think you're more interested in the wonky walls than he is.- Yeah.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55THEY LAUGH
0:30:55 > 0:30:56OK.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59All right, but, you know, in terms of your classic slice
0:30:59 > 0:31:03of country living, as it were, you know, this is the picture, isn't it?
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- Yeah, definitely.- It's a bigger room than I expected.- Yes.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Of course, the other thing is that you get a really good sized
0:31:09 > 0:31:12en suite through there. Go and have a look.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16It is the bathroom up here so your guests have got to use the shower room downstairs.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20- It's a nice size.- It is a nice size. Nicely kitted out too.- Yeah?
0:31:20 > 0:31:25OK, well that more or less concludes the property, as such,
0:31:25 > 0:31:28with the exception of the annexe, which I'm going to let you
0:31:28 > 0:31:30explore at your leisure later on.
0:31:30 > 0:31:35Next, however, I think we should get to the main event which is outside.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38The garden and the paddock and somewhere for this cow.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40Yeah? Come on.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45'For Julie's stained glass making there are outbuildings aplenty
0:31:45 > 0:31:48'with a garage, three sheds and a stable
0:31:48 > 0:31:53'and across the formal lawns is the land that I think is the real draw.'
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Now then, we talked about the good life and self-sufficiency,
0:31:58 > 0:32:01what about that for a bountiful vegetable patch?
0:32:01 > 0:32:02Yeah, and a compost heap.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- Compost heap, you've got two greenhouses.- Yeah.
0:32:05 > 0:32:09It's kind of all here and we haven't got to the rest of the land yet.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12- Ah.- Keep going.- Yeah, come on, then.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14'The ready-made vegetable plots would give them
0:32:14 > 0:32:17'a head start on their dreams of a smallholding
0:32:17 > 0:32:20'and this property offers them just under an acre of paddock,
0:32:20 > 0:32:23'more than enough for Julie's new cow.'
0:32:23 > 0:32:25So this is it.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28This is the paddock and orchard.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32- So, Mark, would this work? - It would work, definitely.- Good.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35Even the way it's been laid out is
0:32:35 > 0:32:38not dissimilar to something I would have done myself.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40OK, good.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44So, madam, you can go first for our last guess.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Make us an offer on the mystery house.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Well, we've gone smaller on the house,
0:32:49 > 0:32:53- bigger on the ground, so bang on our budget of 500,000.- Mm-hm. Mark?
0:32:55 > 0:32:58I am going to go over budget at 520,000.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00£520,000.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02You're not bad at this, you two, to be fair.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06On this occasion you, madam, are right.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Yes, at £500,000.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11That gets you the mystery house. Happy?
0:33:11 > 0:33:12- Yeah, very happy.- Good.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Off you go, keep smiling
0:33:14 > 0:33:17and I'll catch up with you a little bit later on.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20Brilliant! Well, as you've probably gathered,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23this has not been the easiest house search.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25We've had an awful lot to accommodate within
0:33:25 > 0:33:28the confines of a budget, albeit a very generous one.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31On top of that, this morning I discover there's also a cow
0:33:31 > 0:33:33being thrown into the mix.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35But, at long last, I think we might have got there.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38Once again, our mystery house might just have done it.
0:33:38 > 0:33:43'For £500,000 this chocolate box farmhouse offers four bedrooms,
0:33:43 > 0:33:45'two living spaces
0:33:45 > 0:33:49'and just over 1.5 acres, including formal gardens,
0:33:49 > 0:33:51'vegetable patches and a paddock,
0:33:51 > 0:33:55'plus a self-contained annexe which could be remodelled.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58It would make much more sense if it was part of the main house.
0:33:58 > 0:34:00Yeah, it might be better.
0:34:00 > 0:34:03So if you use this end of the house as a kitchen and do something else
0:34:03 > 0:34:06with the other end of the house, like a family bathroom.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08I absolutely love the mystery house.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12It's everything that I could want and a little bit more.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15I love the wonky walls, I love the quirkiness of the place.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19I love the exposed beams, everything I could want in a garden and that
0:34:19 > 0:34:22little bit extra being the paddock, as well,
0:34:22 > 0:34:23it's absolutely perfect for me.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25A cracking house.
0:34:25 > 0:34:30Didn't expect to find a house of this kind of character.
0:34:30 > 0:34:34The gardens are wonderful, the different areas.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37My only reservations would be what to do with the annexe.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40If there was a way through into that annexe
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and we could change the format of the rooms, to give us
0:34:43 > 0:34:45a bigger kitchen, I think we would definitely be on to a winner.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47What are you thinking about the thatch, then?
0:34:47 > 0:34:50- Are you still agonising over thatch? - I'm afraid so.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53I thought this might have been a turning point.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- I think we have given you three very interesting options.- Yes.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00- Maybe we found you a solution? - Mm.- Who knows?
0:35:00 > 0:35:03Yeah? Shall we go and have a cup of tea and think about it?
0:35:03 > 0:35:04- Yeah.- Come on, then.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12'Somerset is essentially a rural county
0:35:12 > 0:35:15'but over the years it's also been a centre for industry
0:35:15 > 0:35:19'with coal mining, quarrying, wool, weaving and textiles.
0:35:19 > 0:35:23'Much of this manufacturing declined long ago
0:35:23 > 0:35:25'but, thankfully, some is still thriving
0:35:25 > 0:35:28'and today I'm visiting the south Somerset town of Castle Cary
0:35:28 > 0:35:32'to see the last remaining horsehair weavers in the UK.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38'Established in 1837 by a travelling Scotsman called John Boyd,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42'today it's run by managing director, Anna Smith.'
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Hello, Anna.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46I'm Jules, very nice to see you.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50This is what I was hoping to see, a classic old-fashioned
0:35:50 > 0:35:52kind of weaving shed.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- Here you are holding some of the famous horsehair.- Yes.
0:35:55 > 0:35:59What is it about horsehair that makes it such a fantastic fabric?
0:35:59 > 0:36:01It's a very unusual fabric.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03It a very, very strong, resilient fabric.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06It will last more than 100 years if it's properly upholstered.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09It was the original fabric used by Chippendale, Hepplewhite,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Rennie Mackintosh. So if you have a good piece of furniture,
0:36:12 > 0:36:14it's the right fabric to put on it.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18To many people the idea of making anything from horsehair might seem quite unusual.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21It's a fashion that's kind of disappeared, really. Why?
0:36:21 > 0:36:24It was very popular in Victorian times.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27Originally they used local horses and then when the car was invented
0:36:27 > 0:36:30in 1890 there just wasn't as much horsehair available.
0:36:30 > 0:36:31So we would travel up to London,
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- we'd meet hair brokers from overseas...- Yeah.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36- ..and source the hair. - Hair brokers?
0:36:36 > 0:36:39- That's like a commodity broker but dealing in horsehair?- Yes, yeah.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41- Where do you get it from now? - It comes mainly from Mongolia
0:36:41 > 0:36:44and Siberia where they still use working horses.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47- That's incredible and yet here it is in Somerset.- Yeah.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51'To prepare the hair for weaving, it's first washed and then dyed.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54'Each tail starts off in its natural state
0:36:54 > 0:36:58'and is stained to order from a choice of over 200 colours.
0:36:58 > 0:37:02'Once dyed, and before it can be weaved,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05'the hair needs to go through one more traditional process.'
0:37:07 > 0:37:08- Duncan...- Hi, there.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12How are you? Chief wizard of the dying process.
0:37:12 > 0:37:13Yeah.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16And also of hackling. This is hackling, is it?
0:37:16 > 0:37:20This is hackling, yeah. This is done to remove the short and broken hairs.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23- Potentially quite dangerous by the looks of it?- It is, yeah.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25You have to be careful with your knuckles.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27But also, I imagine, quite cathartic, is it?
0:37:27 > 0:37:29It's not too bad, it gives you time to think.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32- Can I have a go?- Of course you can.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35Just hold it tightly there and start at the end.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Start at the end? - Yeah, and work your way up.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39- Look at that, it's lovely.- OK.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42Flaxen hair, lump of mane, look at that.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44So you just flop it on?
0:37:44 > 0:37:47Just flop it on the end and pull it through.
0:37:47 > 0:37:48- That's it, you feel it.- Oh, yeah.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Then you go a bit further next time.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52I'm with you, just working your way down.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Yeah, pulling the knots away.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58How much hackling do you have to do on one of these pieces of hair?
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Until it runs through smoothly. Basically...
0:38:01 > 0:38:03It varies.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06It can take a couple of minutes, it can take five or ten minutes.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Once you've finished your hackling, I guess it's ready to go onto the looms.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13'Incredibly the looms at this factory
0:38:13 > 0:38:17'are the originals, making them around 150 years old.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20'The lengthwise threads, known as the warp,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22'are made of cotton, silk or linen.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24'The horizontal threads, known as the weft,
0:38:24 > 0:38:27'are the individually inserted horsehairs
0:38:27 > 0:38:32'and each loom can produce just two to three metres of fabric a day.'
0:38:32 > 0:38:34Here it is, finished, and what I love about this is you can
0:38:34 > 0:38:37still see the individual horse hairs.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Just remind us how many there are to the inch?
0:38:39 > 0:38:41There's 90 hairs in one inch of cloth
0:38:41 > 0:38:43and they're all put in individually.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46And here we have it in its applied form, the finished product,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48- doing what it's supposed to do. - Yeah.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51Is this what we might expect to see in royal palaces, for example?
0:38:51 > 0:38:54Yes, we supply to royal palaces both here and also overseas, as well.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59'In fact, its durability and unique lustre
0:38:59 > 0:39:01'have made it a much sought-after textile.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05'Fabric woven here in Somerset graces some of the world's finest
0:39:05 > 0:39:08'interiors from the Ritz to the Thai Royal Palace
0:39:08 > 0:39:11'and Hampton Court to the White House.'
0:39:11 > 0:39:13So is it a market that's now growing again?
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Yes, we're very fortunate a lot of contemporary designers are showing
0:39:16 > 0:39:19more interest in the product because of its unusual properties.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22I think it's absolutely fabulous and it's a real treat to see
0:39:22 > 0:39:24that it's a tradition that's very much alive and well
0:39:24 > 0:39:26here in Somerset.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29'And let's hope it's a skill that can continue
0:39:29 > 0:39:33'for at least another 150 years.'
0:39:35 > 0:39:38Well, the show is almost over but, of course, there is
0:39:38 > 0:39:41one final thing we need to do and that is to sit both Mark
0:39:41 > 0:39:44and Julie down and find out if we have managed to find them
0:39:44 > 0:39:46their new home of the future.
0:39:46 > 0:39:49There is no getting away from the fact they've certainly
0:39:49 > 0:39:51made us sing for our supper this week
0:39:51 > 0:39:55and the challenge, it seems to me, has got greater as the days have gone by.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56Have we managed to crack it?
0:39:56 > 0:39:58Let's go and ask them.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- Well, this has been an interesting week.- It has, indeed.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08It has, indeed.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12Have we managed to find you a new home?
0:40:14 > 0:40:16No, I think is the short answer.
0:40:16 > 0:40:19Erm, but given us some really good properties to look at
0:40:19 > 0:40:22and lots of things to think about.
0:40:22 > 0:40:23His face said it all.
0:40:23 > 0:40:24THEY LAUGH
0:40:24 > 0:40:28Can I pick bits of each three, one bit from each?
0:40:28 > 0:40:32You would not be the first buyers to want to put all of our
0:40:32 > 0:40:35properties into a bag, shake it all up and pull out your dream home.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39- Mmm.- But have you taken away
0:40:39 > 0:40:43a clearer vision of what it is you are now looking for?
0:40:43 > 0:40:46I think we have. Yeah.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49The land is important
0:40:49 > 0:40:53but probably not as important as the size and the rooms in the house.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56You see, that's why I thought property number two
0:40:56 > 0:40:58was going to be the one.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01The scale of the property that was on offer.
0:41:01 > 0:41:02It was massive.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06I think it was kind of what to do with that big barn at the end,
0:41:06 > 0:41:08and stuff. We felt that was a money pit.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12Party barn! You don't need to do anything with it!
0:41:12 > 0:41:15But we then tempted you with our mystery house this morning,
0:41:15 > 0:41:19which offered you bags of land and that certainly seemed to resonate with you, Mark?
0:41:19 > 0:41:21It did, it was perfect.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24You know, you had everything in that garden.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27- And the "but" was the size of the property?- Yeah.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30- Mainly the size of the kitchen. - Really?
0:41:30 > 0:41:35So if we could put property two in property three's location...
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- In the middle of property three's location... - THEY LAUGH
0:41:38 > 0:41:40- It would be perfect.- Right.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43But I guess you are understanding now perhaps a bit more
0:41:43 > 0:41:48clearly the limitations on what the budget can do?
0:41:48 > 0:41:52So, actually, we've sent you off having to find more money
0:41:52 > 0:41:55and still as confused as you were when you arrived!
0:41:55 > 0:41:56We're not... I'm not confused.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58It has been a great experience
0:41:58 > 0:42:02and seeing the contrast between the three different houses, you know,
0:42:02 > 0:42:04it's built a good story for me to,
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- from what I need to look at in the future.- Yeah.
0:42:06 > 0:42:10Well, I certainly enjoyed it, you can't beat house hunting in Somerset.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Whatever the outcome, best of luck to you.
0:42:13 > 0:42:14- Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Now, in making sense of this week's show,
0:42:20 > 0:42:22you might think it's a bit disappointing
0:42:22 > 0:42:25that we haven't managed to sell any one of our houses
0:42:25 > 0:42:28but, in truth, Somerset's property market itself
0:42:28 > 0:42:30didn't really disappoint.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32We had three fantastic options.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35What it has done, of course, is bring into sharp focus
0:42:35 > 0:42:37for Mark and for Julie three key things.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39One, what's available.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41Two, what THEY really want and, finally,
0:42:41 > 0:42:44what it's now going to cost to actually get them there.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47Who knows what their future really does hold?
0:42:47 > 0:42:49I'll see you next time.
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