South Devon Escape to the Country

Welcome to Escape To The Country. This stunning waterfall behind me is located in the heart of one

of Britain's most celebrated and rugged landscapes.

But where is it and what's its story?

Well, stay with us and I'll tell you.

'Today's house hunters want to get out of suburbia to pursue

'a life with land.'

You've got about 2.6 acres with this one.

-BOTH:

-Wow!

'And they get swept up in the romance of it all.'

-It is, yeah.

-Traditional English house.

You've made me feel like I'm a lady of the manor of something.

THEY LAUGH

Well, today we are in Devon, and these are the Becky Falls

on Dartmoor. They take their name from the Becka Brook

which rushes down over that column of rocks behind me.

In 1903, they opened as a tourist attraction

and soon became popular with Edwardian visitors who were making

use of the emerging rail network and the advent of the charabanc

to get out of our towns and cities and explore the countryside.

They were also popular with writers like Virginia Woolf

and Rupert Brooke.

No surprise then, that back in 2009,

these were voted as the most

beautiful spot in Devon, and that's quite a claim in a county

which, quite frankly, can leave you spoilt for choice.

Devon lies to the southwest of the UK, and is bordered by Cornwall

to the west and Somerset and Dorset to the east.

Devon is the fourth largest county,

and being one of the least densely populated,

it remains a place of classic English countryside,

with rolling hills and a patchwork of fields.

It also includes the national park of Dartmoor,

spanning in at almost 368 square miles,

this windswept moorland is home to the famous Dartmoor ponies.

Its varied coastline takes in rugged landscapes

and good surf to the north along with a 22-mile stretch

of seaside towns dubbed The English Riviera in the south.

As the River Dart travels out to sea, it passes through the

medieval seaport of Dartmouth, with a history of sailing going back

nearly 1,000 years.

Today the port is still thriving and the town's cobbled streets

are full of cafes, galleries and boutiques.

With all this on offer, it's no wonder that Devon is still

one of the most popular destinations in the country.

Now, when it comes to property shopping,

Devon is not the cheapest county in the country.

Your average detached house here will set you back £288,000.

That's some 30,000 above the national figure.

And if you want to live by the sea,

particularly around hotspots such as Dartmouth and Salcombe down on

the south coast, well you could expect to spend a premium of up

to 60% on top of that.

They're popular with the sailing community

and are fast becoming known as the new English Riviera.

But of course Devon has two coasts, so if you do still fancy a bit of

seaside time, well I'd head north up towards North and South Molton.

There, you will certainly get a little bit more for your money.

So time now to meet today's buyers

and find out which bit of this glorious county they fancy.

Today's house hunters destined for Devon are Cliff, a research

scientist, and Cindy, an accountant, who met each other in later life.

We first met through mutual friends.

When someone told me that it's Cliff who is alone and they said,

"Why don't we write to this guy?"

So we start communicate each other by e-mail.

20 e-mails later, I got a positive reply, so I had to drop

everything and leave the office before she changed her mind.

THEY LAUGH

They married five years ago but Cliff and Cindy

didn't do the traditional thing.

None of our friends believe it. We've been married five...

-Over five years.

-Yeah.

And we're just quite happy living in two separate houses

five minutes apart.

However, just over a year ago they finally took the plunge

and moved into one house

but life in suburban Kingston, Surrey, has lost some of its appeal.

What Kingston misses for us is a little bit of freedom.

We just feel everybody's on top of each other here.

-We're too near neighbours.

-Yeah.

-I mean, we love our neighbours,

don't get us wrong.

HE CHUCKLES

We have really nice neighbours and we got on really well with them

-but they're literally on our doorstep.

-Doorstep.

And they both have fond childhood memories of a rural upbringing.

I'm from the Caribbean.

When I was at school, we were running a poultry farm.

-Those are the sort of things I'd like to...

-Yeah...

I'd like to go back to.

I was born in the country in Hong Kong,

and we had about two, three acres

of land just growing vegetables.

It's just a different way of life.

I love growing thing and I've grown this garden.

So I need to move to country so I can grow to my heart desire.

And the perfect property will need to house not just Cliff and Cindy.

Cars really started as a passion about 30, 40 years ago.

When we do relocate,

it will give me a chance to drive my vehicle. My six cars.

-You can't have six cars.

-OK, I'll have seven then.

With their pooled resources, they have a great budget

for their search.

The budget for the move is

between £500,000 and £600,000.

As Cliff and Cindy want inspiring rural beauty

and have a healthy budget,

we're concentrating our search around the beautiful area

of South Devon, sandwiched between its coastline and

Dartmoor National Park.

And I'm joining them

in their chosen county to learn more about the planned move.

Well, Cindy, Cliff, welcome to Devon.

We are very excited.

Now, given that you've got the entire UK to choose from, why Devon?

We're both of an inquisitive nature and I think we feel

that Devon's got a lot of things for us to explore together.

Give us an idea of the sort of property that you have in mind.

Is it quintessentially English?

Yes, that's what I'm looking for.

It has to have a big kitchen/diner and also a garden.

Yeah, we're looking for two to three acres roughly, um...

-You own an orchard, don't you?

-Yes. Yeah, I love the orchard. Yes.

I think we're also contemplating some kind of smallholding for

-poultry...

-Yes.

-And maybe a few donkeys perhaps from the sanctuary.

-You see, my main concern was your cars.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

But suddenly now, we've got a whole kind of, you know, farm going on.

-BOTH:

-Yeah.

-He like his cars.

-Yeah.

-We got six at the moment.

Yeah, I'd like space not just to contain my existing stock

but also to expand.

So we want lots of space outside for the garden, the orchard,

plenty of room for the cars, Cliff, room for entertaining inside.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Three to four bedrooms?

-BOTH:

-Yes.

So just remind us of the budget for this enterprise.

You're the accountant, Cindy. Tell us how much you've got to spend?

Between 500,000 to 600,000.

But Cliff, I gather, there is a bit more too.

I have got some money in my back pocket which I haven't mentioned

but we can include that to about 100,000 more.

So you've ring-fenced 100,000 to make improvements

-but ideally, this house isn't going to cost us any more...

-Yes.

-..than 600 grand.

-That'd be brilliant.

Look, I think we've got three very interesting properties to show you.

You're clearly very excited and impassioned about what this

move means for you so I think without further ado,

we should go and find you a home.

-Wow, yes.

-Well, yep.

-Shall we?

-Yes, please.

-We can't wait.

-Let's go.

-After you.

-Thank you.

For a maximum price tag of £600,000, Cliff and Cindy are after

a quintessentially English rural retreat with three to four bedrooms,

spacious living rooms, a large garden for growing produce

and bags of outside space for Cliff's car collection.

We've got three fantastic houses that fit the bill but I won't be

revealing how much they're worth until our buyers have had a guess.

And I've got the Mystery House up my sleeve, which promises to

question what they think they want from their rural relocation.

We begin our search five miles in from the coast in the town

of Newton Abbot.

'It was during the 13th century that Newton Abbot was first given

'the right to hold a Wednesday market

'and it's a tradition which is still thriving over 750 years later.

'The town centres on the medieval St Leonard's tower,

'all that remains of a chapel which was founded in 1220.

'It offers every kind of shop and service

'and just two miles outside of the small hamlet is our first property.'

OK, here we are then.

-BOTH:

-Wow.

Yeah, my little matchbox.

Matchbox or chocolate box, do you think?

THEY LAUGH

It's not big enough to be my chocolate box yet.

Now we talked about the sort of quintessential Devon property.

This one is modelled - and I say modelled, cos that's the clue -

on a Devon longhouse.

But this one was built in 2009.

-Wow, that's amazing...

-Yes.

..because I have to say, first impression is that it's a vintage...

-Should be old.

-Yeah.

-This is interesting as well, Cliff.

-Oh, wow.

-Yeah.

I've earmarked... That was one of the first things I've earmarked.

You've also got a toolstore-cum-workshop there too.

-So, we like what we see then?

-BOTH:

-Yes.

It's a new take on a classic, old Devonian design, if you will.

-So let's see what you make of it.

-Yes.

-Yes, absolutely.

Well, it's good first impressions for the outside,

let's just hope it continues.

Come in here, Cindy. Let's start with the kitchen.

Wow.

This is very...

-BOTH:

-Compact.

THEY LAUGH

-It's not as big as I first imagine it to be.

-No?

-No.

-Yeah.

Through there is a very generous utility area with lots more

storage...

-OK...

-..and a downstairs cloakroom as well.

My first impression is the quality of the finish does

meet our requirements, doesn't it?

In terms of the finish.

Are you going to cook here?

Well, yes, we could discuss that.

JULES LAUGHS

-But essentially, it's workable.

-Yeah, workable.

-Good.

Let's cross the hallway into the living room. Have a look at this.

Hm, a bit small.

Still a bit small?! Is it really that small?

Um, by comparison what we already have - yes.

-It is nice.

-It is nice.

-I'm not saying it's not nice, it's just tiny.

There is also, also, another reception room through there

-which has got another wood burner in it.

-OK.

-All right.

-You can have a look at that a bit later on.

-Yes, yes.

But there is a lot more to it.

SHE LAUGHS

That's the thing to point out before we go upstairs.

-Let's have a look upstairs.

-BOTH:

-OK.

The finish is high-end throughout, but size is clearly an issue.

I'm having to work hard on this one.

I love these beams. Look at them.

-They beckon you up.

-Oh, wow, they are nice, aren't they?

You've got two very generous double rooms down there.

-Very funky family bathroom...

-Yep.

-..in there.

-Yes.

-And then this is your bit. Come right on in.

-Hm.

-Nice size.

-Yeah, nice size.

-Again, kind of dominated with the beams.

I mean, I love that view down the hallway there

because you've got all of these beams running down it.

To me, it looks like the ribs of a whale.

-It has character.

-Yeah, it does add character to the rooms.

I think that beams would probably grow on you.

-They're a good feature of the property.

-Yes, very good feature.

-It is quite tall.

-Yeah.

-Hm.

Yeah, so you won't struggle, will you, you two?

Especially you two.

THEY LAUGH

The other thing of course it's got is its en suite which is in there.

Have a look at that.

Kind of integrated wet room and so on.

-I kind of like that.

-Yes, I like that.

-It's very practical.

That would work for us.

-I would say it's a quality, compact house.

-A quality, compact house.

That's a mouthful, isn't it?

-Shall we have a look at the garden?

-Yes, please.

-Yes.

-Is it going to be compact again?

-It might be.

-THEY LAUGH

-It might be compact, yeah.

As the master is en suite, the two guest doubles share

the other bathroom which has both a freestanding slipper bath

and shower.

But I fear the dimensions just aren't doing it for Cindy.

So...

Let's have a look at the back of our newly-built Devon long house.

-Compact.

-This is the garden?

-Yeah.

-That's it?

It needs a bit more development of the flowerbeds and so on.

There are some fruit trees here,

but arguably not the orchard I know you were perhaps dreaming of.

What we've tried to do with this one is to really give you

a sense of something which is both characterful

and which doesn't need a huge amount of work doing to it.

So, who's going to go first?

And guess the price on property one?

-I think you'll take the first plunge.

-OK.

I think...

£545,000.

£545,000, yeah. Cliff?

Well, I'm go in a little bit higher at about £575,000.

That's interesting because this is currently

on the market at £535,000.

-Oh, wow.

-OK.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

So you don't have too spend all of your proposed £600,000

and you certainly don't have to touch your 100 grand.

I can keep that in my back pocket.

It's burning a hole in your back pocket.

-But I think this is definitely food for thought.

-Yeah, yeah. Absolutely.

-Definitely, yes.

-Yeah.

-Right then, off you go.

-BOTH:

-OK.

-Go and do some thinking.

-OK.

For £535,000, this modern thatched Devon long house provides

three large bedrooms and two living rooms with

a wealth of traditional features, a double carport and workshop,

and all set in a garden with the beginnings of an orchard.

I like the house.

It's just the kitchen is not big enough for my kind of usage.

And the other thing I'm concerned about is the garden.

I'm looking for one acre and all I have here is about 200m.

Very tiny.

And I can't really grow anything in that garden.

When I first walked up to this property,

my first thoughts were that it was very imposing.

It kind of said to us, "Come in and have another look."

The finish of the kitchen was a very, very high quality but I think

for my wife, the kitchen would probably be a little bit too small.

Extend it though, couldn't you?

-Yeah, it's just, where will my other...

-How we doing there?

-..four cars fit?

-Yeah, we're just admiring the carport.

I absolutely love them and they're perfect for what you have in mind.

I would struggle to fit the other four.

-You can't put them on bunk beds, can you?

-No.

-Come on, let's go and find another one.

-BOTH:

-OK.

It's clear that Cindy is committed to the idea of having enough land

to grow her own food.

And for that, they've picked a great county to move to.

With its mild climate, Devon is known for its home-grown produce

and agricultural heritage.

Across the region, there's a plethora of small independent

growers, one of which is the South Devon Chilli Farm.

They've been growing the fiery variety of pepper for 10 years

and we've arranged for Cliff and Cindy to meet owner and founder,

Steve Waters.

So, Steve, what made you start a chilli farm in Devon?

I was very lucky about 12 years ago to be offered

a working-from-home job.

And while I was doing that,

I got interested in growing chillies in a greenhouse.

The hobby got bigger and bigger

and at some point I had to make a decision - hobby or day job.

So that's how it all started.

So how many type of variety of chilli in this farm?

-Typically we've got maybe 200 varieties growing.

-That many?!

-I didn't realise you got 200 type of...

-Varieties, yes.

-Oh, yeah, yeah.

Are the chillies you grow here all of the same heat?

They're all across the whole spectrum of heat range.

We've got from the mildest to the very hottest.

Um, but that's only one of the reasons why we select a chilli.

So it's either a very heavy cropping plant that we've got a good

yield off that we can turn into a sauce.

It dries easily,

-it has a particularly interesting flavour when it's dried...

-Mm-hm.

..or for a pot plant, it's edible

but it's also very attractive - it has multicoloured fruits,

so there's lots of reasons.

Can we go and see them?

Yeah, this is our main harvesting time so we can go

and pick some now, if you like?

-Yeah, we would love to do that.

-Let's follow Steve.

Chillies get their heat from capsaicin,

an oil found in the seeds and inner ribs on the chilli peppers.

The amount of heat in a chilli is dictated by how much capsaicin

is present, and is measured by a scale known as the Scoville scale

So here's some chillies that are ready.

What have we got here?

-This is a variety called big bomb...

-Oh!

..which is a bit like a variety that we grow many more of

which is a cherry bomb but a bit larger.

Is it true - the smaller they are, the hotter they are?

That's a good general rule of thumb.

So if it's a small chilli, it's likely to be a hot chilli.

There are some new varieties where they're breeding plants

more for their look but generally, small chilli - hot,

large chilli - not so hot.

How do you grow chilli and how do you look after them?

We tend to put them in when the soil gets up to temperature

in the spring.

So we're looking for a temperature of about 20 degrees for the plant

to grow happily.

I mean, that's the same sort of thing if you're growing at home.

They like warm, well-drained soil and they like to be watered

when they're fairly dry, watered well and then left alone again.

-And if you're hungry already?

-Shall we pick some?

-CINDY & CLIFF:

-Yes, please.

This is a nice sort of fleshy chilli.

It gives you a lot of ingredient in the salsa.

-They look so pretty, don't they?

-Yeah, very pretty.

Shape, colour, texture.

So I think we've got plenty there for our fresh salsa.

Shall we go and chop up the rest of the ingredients

and see how it comes out?

-Yeah, let's do it.

-Right. There we go.

-Thank you.

The success of chilli growing in South Devon

is in part down to its milder climate.

The warm weather of spring arrives earlier than other

places in the country, giving more time for the crop to flourish.

Greenhouses and polytunnels keep the temperature up

and protect the crop.

But of course, the point of growing chillies is to eat them.

So what we're going to have a go at today is just a very simple

tomato salsa.

OK.

The salsa is made of chopped tomato, garlic, spring onion,

the freshly picked big bomb chillies, coriander and lime juice.

So, we'll just put a little squeeze of this on the top as well.

So this is just a very, very basic fresh salsa. There we go.

-So, just um, have a go.

-OK. All right.

-Get a corn chip.

-Wow.

OK.

I have to try one.

Yeah. So this is as fresh as it gets really.

Mm, nice.

Really tasty. Can feel the chilli kicking in.

-Yeah, it's not too hot a chilli but it's enough...

-This is fantastic.

-Thank you.

-Yeah, that's really nice.

With a bit of luck, our buyers will the cultivating their own crop

in the months to come.

For our second property,

I'm taking Cliff and Cindy further south to the village of Dittisham

which is in one of the most sought-after areas of South Devon.

Just two miles upstream from Dartmouth, Dittisham

sits on the west bank of the River Dart.

At the heart of the village is the local pub which is also a

post office, shop and community library service.

And five minutes up the road is our second property.

There we are.

That is property number two.

-Yes.

-Wow.

-It look nice.

-Yes.

-This house have the wow factor.

-Does it?

-Yeah, yeah.

-Why?

It just attracts you. Your attention goes straight there.

-Yeah, there's the decking at the front as an example.

-Yeah,

-look at that, the plant...

-Very unusual, yeah.

-Now, in terms of parking...

-Yes.

Perfect.

-This is just a bit of it.

-Yes.

This is just a bit of it.

-Can you see that garage there?

-Yes.

-That's just one of the garages that are here.

-One of them?

-One?

Well, all in all, you've got about 2.6 acres with this one.

-BOTH:

-Wow!

THEY LAUGH

-Externally, I think it's definitely ticking...

-Tick, tick, tick!

-..some of the criteria.

-Excellent.

-Yeah.

-Come and have a look.

Well, I couldn't have asked for better reactions on the outside.

The amount of land has clearly impressed.

Let's just hope the inside does the same.

Come in, come in.

Oh, that's nice.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

-Wow. This is good.

-Yeah, this is good.

This is space. It looks like a good dimension.

-You feel warmer in here.

-Yes, definitely.

-And brighter as well,

I think because of that window.

I love it and I think in many respects it probably has

more of that country feel...

Country feel to it.

-It feel warmer and also feel slightly bigger, doesn't it?

-Yes, it does.

You see, I knew telling you how much land it had would help.

THEY LAUGH

It opened my eyes a bit wider, yes.

-You'll make it work, you'll make it work.

-BOTH:

-Yes.

-Focus has shifted.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

There's an awful lot out there to explore

-but we've got a lot in here to get through as well.

-Yeah.

-OK.

-So we're happy with the kitchen?

-Yes. Yes,

-I'm happy with the kitchen.

-Come this way then.

Off the kitchen is a good-sized utility room

with access to the outside.

Got the living room here

but then it goes through those lovely curtains to the dining end.

-Yes.

-Mm-hm.

-Which also has a hatch connecting it to the kitchen.

-Hm, sounds good.

-Right, OK.

-This is quite a big room.

Yeah, I mean, it's a complete through way.

-One imagines the sun would come this side...

-And you've also got

-a garden to look at.

-Yeah.

-The garden wraps itself all around the property

-so you've got views of that from everywhere.

-Yeah.

You know, from the outside to the kitchen, to here, we've ticked...

-You've ticked every single box of mine.

-I think we've ticked three

-boxes.

-Well, let's see if we can tick some more.

-THEY LAUGH

-Come on then.

On the ground floor, as well as the dining room, there is

a bedroom which is currently being used as an office, a bathroom

and a conservatory which leads out to a summerhouse.

Now, look at this.

You've got dressing area there,

-fantastic shower en suite.

-Wow.

-Yes?

-Yes.

-And then this is the main bit.

-Gosh!

Quite big, isn't it?

Yes, well, first impression is,

you've got one self-contained room here.

It's almost like a flat.

You've also got this lovely kind of sitting area over here with

the window and the light.

And again, it goes up there, you know, to the eaves.

-There's a lot of space here.

-Yes.

So, we're happy so far, aren't we?

We've got two and a half acres or so to go and explore.

Jules, I think you've really done it this time.

-You nearly forgot about the land, didn't you?

-Yes.

-Come on.

Let's have a look at this.

As well as the massive master suite, there are two further

good-sized bedrooms upstairs, one of which is en suite.

But I'm keen to show Cliff what I've got in mind for his car collection.

-OK, Cliff.

-Mm-hm.

Come on in.

-Can you see what I'm thinking?

-Absolutely.

Your new carport.

Well, at the moment it's quite an elaborate woodworking shop.

You would comfortably get four, maybe more cars in here.

-Some workbenches could be retained...

-Yeah.

But it could just be, you know, cars could just be housed here,

couldn't they?

-Yes, yes.

-As my potential paradise. You wouldn't see me.

-That's true.

-I'd be here.

THEY LAUGH

Go on, then.

As a place to store cars, the workshop has hit the mark,

and there are still 2.6 acres of land to show them.

So, here it is.

You get this paddock,

the one beyond it, up to that fence line,

and then it runs up this hedge line

and encompasses all of those outbuildings and of course,

property number two itself and all the drives and all the parking, etc.

-We're very impressed actually.

-Yeah, both internally and externally.

-Yeah.

-Well, let's see if we can keep those smiles on your faces.

They've been with us all day, it's terrific.

But we have got to get to the difficult bit

and that is how much this is going to cost you.

-I think it's on the top end of our budget.

-Mm.

I'll go for 599,999.

-So, the best part of £600,000...

-That's correct.

-..with lots of nines in it.

-Yes.

-Cliff?

And I'm going with £575,000.

-Oh.

-Oh.

-Hm.

-You've surprised us both with that one.

-Yes.

-Really?

-Little bit optimistic, maybe.

-Yes.

OK. This is on the market for

£599,000.

Wow. I win.

Yeah, I mean, we expected it to be sort of in that area.

I think it's a really good price for what you're looking for.

You can afford it.

-The potential both internally and externally, for us...

-Yes.

-..is brilliant.

-Yes.

Well, we had a wow on the way in,

-we've kept the wow all the way through.

-We did, yes.

-I am delighted.

-Yes.

-Off you go. Go and explore.

-OK, right.

And I will come and find you a little bit later.

So, at the top end of their budget, £599,000 gets them a detached rural

property with four bedrooms, two living rooms and a country kitchen.

There are enough outbuildings to house all of Cliff's cars

and on top of that, there's 2.6 acres of land

to start a smallholding.

Oh, there's another pond.

Oh, yes! Oh, look.

And what looks like a chicken coop.

-I can have my chicken.

-Yes.

-And maybe ducks there.

-And then we have fresh eggs.

-Yeah, all grazing out here...

-Yes.

Away from our main premises.

The potential for the workshops is brilliant.

This is absolutely what I've been looking for, for a long, long time.

We're really, really excited.

One word to describe this house - wow.

It is a lovely-looking house from the front, to inside, to the back.

If Cliff happy with it as well, I think

I probably want to make an offer.

I really like this house. It has such a good feel about this house.

-This is a winner, isn't it?

-Yes.

Is it worth us going to see our Mystery House tomorrow morning then?

-Absolutely, we're still going to see the house tomorrow.

-Yes.

-But it has got something to beat, hasn't it?

-Very hard to beat.

Come on.

It's the second day of our property search in Devon, with Cliff

and Cindy from Kingston, Surrey,

who have a budget of £600,000 to spend on a rural home.

'Coming up, our house hunters get the option to super-size.'

There are two other parcels. One is of 20 acres...

-BOTH:

-20 acres!

'And I meet the monks of Buckfast Abbey.'

Your forebears would probably have a word or two to say.

They'd probably think we're a bit soft.

Now, it's not unusual as we head into our final day of property

hunting on Escape To The Country to feel like our property search

is like a road without an end.

But at the close of play yesterday,

well it seemed as if we might have reached our final destination.

They absolutely loved property number two, which means of course

that our Mystery House has got an awful lot to beat.

But true to form, it has an awful lot to offer.

So, our journey continues.

-Well, yesterday finished on a high, didn't it?

-Yes, it definitely did.

And as we went through our two houses, it seemed to me that...

..the more land you could have, the happier you would be.

Yes. Because we like land, don't we?

So, if you had more land, both of you, what would you do with it?

We were talking about that last night.

There was two options, actually.

-One is to become a semi-commercial farmer...

-Yes.

The other option was potentially to become a holiday let

with a few caravans on the site.

So actually, this country dream is now turning into something

of a business opportunity.

As you know, my profession's accountant.

We always make ways to make money.

HE LAUGHS

For our Mystery House, we're moving further inland to

a village in the heart of Dartmoor National Park,

Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

Its location within the spectacular moorland is its primary draw,

and walkers pass through all year round, drawing sustenance

from its two cafes and two pubs.

The church of St Pancras is known as the Cathedral of the Moors,

due to its 120 ft tower which can be seen for miles around.

And just to the northeast of the village is our Mystery House,

which offers a lot more than meets the eye.

Well, here it is.

Our Mystery House.

Wow, this is awesome, isn't it?

This is a chocolate box.

-THIS is a chocolate box.

-CINDY & CLIFF:

-Yes.

Now, we started with a reproduction of some classic

Devonshire architecture. This however, is the real thing.

It's about 17th century.

Thatched again, as you can see. Now, this is quite a complicated one

and this is why its our Mystery House because

it comes in several packages.

It's a pick and mix, if you like.

Obviously, the central package is the property which we're

going to explore in a moment. But there are also a couple of other

options in terms of land-holding that come with it.

-But we like what we see?

-Yes, I like what I see.

Yes, we do, yes. It's very idyllic.

-Jules, that's ready for investigation.

-Let's investigate.

Come on then.

This handsome 17th-century farmhouse has an attached annexe with

a living room and a bedroom.

It's just one of the extras this place has to offer.

Right, let's explore.

Come in, Cindy.

This is what I call a country kitchen.

Yes, this is a traditional kitchen here.

-It has that wow factor here.

-Yes.

-I like it.

-It's warm.

-Mm-hm.

-That's the thing that's drawn me here.

That's the joy of the range. They give off this fabulous heat.

There is only one thing like it.

But as you say, it is a classic farmhouse kitchen this,

-in every respect.

-Yes.

-Yes.

-There's a lot of space here for you.

-Yes, I've got space.

I mean, the beams just...

-Biggest part of, you know.

-..just gives the character.

-You can't not like these beams.

-No, no, no.

They're actually quite nice.

These are real beams.

THEY LAUGH

Well, we've got some more through here. Come and look at this lot.

How about those ones then?

-Oh, nice and cosy.

-Oh, lovely. Lovely drawing room.

-Yes.

It has that...instant feel.

It feels more of a drawing room than living room because of this height.

-Yeah.

-And that fabulous fireplace with...

-That certainly has got the centre of attention.

-Yes.

You've made me feel like I'm a lady of the manor, or something.

THEY LAUGH

Well, why not? Live the dream, Cindy, you know, I would.

-You know, it's why I like those drawing room, isn't it?

-Yeah, it is.

Traditional English house with the lady who sit there knitting.

Well, aligned to this rather fabulous dining room

that's through there, you know,

you certainly have got this degree of elegance about the place.

-Yes, it has.

-Which I think you two would rather welcome.

-Yes.

Be rather good actually.

I love it.

Exactly the kind of things we're dreaming about.

Well, my heart's beating fast.

Too fast. I don't know about yours.

-Yes.

-Let's keep it moving. Come on, let's get upstairs.

The ground floor also offers a large utility room

and a generous conservatory with views over the Moor.

Upstairs, there are two guest bedrooms, one of which

is currently used as an office, a family bathroom and separate WC.

And then this is you.

-This is the master.

-Nice, cosy little bedroom.

-Yeah.

-Very comfortable, very cosy.

-Yes.

-Still a lot of space though.

-Yes.

-And you've got light coming in.

-Yes.

Loads of light cos you've got this double aspect going on.

And the view through there, even in the mist, is quite dramatic.

-Oh, wow.

-That's an amazing view.

-Yeah, I can even sit here...

-That's your window view.

-..and read my book.

First things first, let's get outside

and we'll think about how much this little lot is worth

-before we start spending more.

-CINDY & CLIFF:

-Yes.

A converted shower cubicle in the main bedroom rounds up

the interior of this house.

But it's outside where things could get complicated.

Now the garden, Cindy, that comes with the property,

is pretty much what you see.

-Oh, quite small then.

-I think it's not bad.

There's room over there for a polytunnel, you can see,

-there's quite a well-established sort of vegetable area.

-Yes.

Certainly big enough for chickens and growing your own produce. So...

Our farmhouse, our annexe and all what we have seen thus far,

and the garden...

What's it worth?

I think I'd go for £600,000.

600,000, yeah.

OK, I'm going for the location here.

This is really top-of-the-range location, the property,

er, the character.

-So I'm going to go little bit higher at £625,000.

-Mm-hm.

This is on the market for

£595,000.

You're kidding me?

-Wow.

-So you're not far off.

-BOTH:

-Yes.

There are two other parcels on offer.

One is of 20 acres.

-BOTH:

-20 acres!

THEY LAUGH

OK. And one is of two and a half acres, but

with loads of outbuildings

and I mean outbuildings.

-Wow.

-Yeah. Outbuildings are good for me.

-Yes, yes.

Let's go and look at those. Come on.

Yes, wow.

-20 acres?

-20 acres.

-Can you manage 20 acres?

-No.

The additional land and outbuildings are located just across the road.

-So, Cliff, you've got two garages there.

-Two garages.

-Yeah.

-You've got one, two, three, four stables.

-Wow.

-Four stables?

-You all right?

-Yeah.

-Two loose boxes.

-Yes.

-Mm-hm.

-Can you see that?

-Yes.

That lovely building, you've got two of those.

-Two of those?

-Two of those. One here...

-Yes.

-..and one down there.

-Plenty of room for cars.

-Plenty of room for cars and expansion.

And you've got some acres down here.

So, where's the end of the wood?

-Can you see down at that wall at the bottom?

-BOTH: Yes.

-Can you see it?

-Yes.

-And you've got that field shelter too.

-Yes.

-Ah-ha.

For the 2.6 is acres and this fabulous range of buildings,

it's going to set you back an additional £80,000.

That's OK.

Now, the other package of 20 acres is over there.

That...

..is an additional 90,000.

And my thinking is, you can't afford them both.

Yeah, there's just so many options at the moment

that's available to us.

Go on. Off you go. And I will come and find you later.

For £595,000, this 17th-century farmhouse offers three bedrooms,

a warm country kitchen, an annexe for guests and a garden.

There are also two packages of land

and outbuildings on offer for an additional cost.

It looks so nice, it's like a picture card house,

so even the first impression, I thought,

I'm going to like this house.

And then when I walk in and then I saw the kitchen,

the traditional English kitchen, it just blew me away.

I really like this house. In fact, in a way,

I like this house even more than I like the second house.

I think the first thing that struck me was the location

and the remoteness of it all.

It's very idyllic here and the cottage itself has got

a lot of character.

The 20-acre scale is possibly a bit beyond us.

The two-and-a-half acre scale is manageable...

..and potentially with the outbuildings,

that would be the package we'd be looking to pursue.

-After you, Cindy.

-Thank you.

-There you go, Cliff.

-Thanks.

Well, that was all very exciting, wasn't it?

Yes, it's so, so exciting.

-So much to think about.

-Yeah.

-It's blown us away.

-Yes.

-In terms of...

-I don't know what to do now.

Well, let's go and have a think about it, shall we?

-BOTH:

-Yes.

-Come on.

Not far from our Mystery House,

on the edge of Dartmoor is the magnificent Buckfast Abbey.

This Benedictine monastery sits on the site of an earlier building

destroyed in the 1500s, during Henry VIII dissolution of the monasteries.

In 1882, monks exiled from France arrived

and set up a community on the site.

And in 1905, this community began the rebuilding of the church

led by Abbot Anscar.

I'm meeting Abbot David, to tell me more about its fascinating history.

Now, to look at it, anyone would think it was several hundred

years old but the story is, it's not.

It's actually a 20th-century building.

But it's probably the third Buckfast Abbey church on this site.

The first being Anglo-Saxon, the second - Norman,

and this one - early 20th century.

Buckfast does have a remarkable history,

it stretches back 1,000 years. Well, it will be 1,000 years in 2018.

Because in 1018, the famous King Cnut

gave a charter to found this monastery.

-So we're approaching your millennium.

-We are, um...

five or six years' time, yes.

What is remarkable is that this was constructed by

just a handful of monks.

Where did they find the skills?

Abbot Anscar sent one of the monks, a German,

called Brother Peter Schrode

to farms to learn the building arts, the building trade.

And he came back and basically taught the others

so they learnt on the job.

Well, you've mentioned the millennium coming up in 2018,

you are clearly in the midst

of some pretty heavy-duty preparations for that.

We can hear the builders rattling away in the background.

-Can we go and have a look at what you've achieved inside?

-Absolutely.

The current conservation work began two years ago, and whilst

the outside is now finished, the interior still has some way to go.

This is where it really comes to life.

Looking up at these graceful arches.

I mean, if you didn't know that it was, what, 100 years old,

it would be hard to tell.

Well, it's looking pretty pristine at the moment

because the walls have just been cleaned.

This is white Bath stone

so it perhaps looks fairly new at this moment.

Now we've talked at length about those early monks who built

this building from scratch.

How many of the current order have been involved in the restoration?

Not actually in doing the cleaning, no.

THEY LAUGH

But certainly cleaning up afterwards, yes.

But as I say, we've not been hands-on.

We've not been putting the stone slabs down on the floor

-if that's what you're asking.

-So really, your forbears would probably

have a word or two to say.

They would probably think we're a bit soft.

THEY LAUGH

Also undergoing painstaking restoration is

the Abbey's Corona Lucis, an exquisite brass candelabra.

Made by renowned German goldsmith Bernhard Witte in 1932,

it usually hangs over the altar.

Now, this is the corona I've heard so much about.

Can we have a closer look at it?

Yes.

Wow, look at that.

And how long has it taken you to clean? Where did you start?

We've got a team of five conservators here who've been

working on it solidly for three weeks.

And today is the last day, so we're busy wrapping up, polishing,

-the final stages.

-Let's have a polish.

I feel like I should give you a hand if this is your last day.

And what do you clean this with?

We have conservation grade metal de-corroders

that work specifically on the corrosion.

Once finished, the corona which weighs three tonnes, will be hoisted

back up to the ceiling.

Well, Emma, thank you very much indeed for letting us

into the world of conservation here at Buckfast.

I'm not sure I've really added very much to this process

but it's been a lot of fun, and best of luck in continuing

the rest of the renovations ready for 2018.

Can't wait to come back and see it all finished.

-Oh, perfect, thank you.

-Nice to see you.

-OK.

And I'm sure the incredible monks who built the Abbey will be

pleased to see the work going on today.

Well, with the eye of faith it is tempting to think that at long last,

the mist is lifting from this otherwise glorious landscape

here in Devon,

but is it beginning to lift from the minds of both Cliff and Cindy.

They are certainly confused and we have spoilt them for choice.

Now, I do think there are two clear frontrunners,

but which one could be their new dream home?

Well, as ever, there's only one way to find out.

And that's to ask them.

Well, this has been an interesting few days, isn't it?

Yes, very interesting.

We've got property two and our Mystery House as the contenders.

-BOTH:

-Yes.

-We have given you a choice.

-Yes.

-And we have clearly split opinion between you.

-Yes.

-Yes.

If I had to make you choose between the two,

which one would you pick, Cindy?

From my heart, it would be the third house, the Mystery House.

It just had that feel of homeliness and the kitchen is

so country-looking and that's exactly the kind of kitchen,

I want to cook in, and to entertain with.

-Cliff, I'm asking you the same question as Cindy.

-Mm-hm.

Of the two of them, which one would you choose?

Out of the two, I would definitely go with house number two.

I like the layout, the location...

But it hasn't got that country feel though.

That homeliness that I've felt in number three, the Mystery House.

Yeah. I think what would help is maybe if we had a return visit...

Yes, I think it would.

..and just to sort of highlight some of the key things

or the key areas that

we're kind of disagreeing or need to be cleared up at the moment so...

This discussion is clearly going to go on for several more days,

if not weeks.

-Yes.

-But, whatever you do decide, do let us know how you get on.

And I and the rest of the gang wish you all the very best of luck.

Thank you.

Well, what a week and what a couple.

Cindy and Cliff,

two people who started out their lives in very different parts

of the world have now combined their efforts here in the West Country.

Their sense of fun, enthusiasm and passion for this whole new

chapter in their lives has kept us going all week long.

They are certainly going to bring a lot to this county

and I think in return, Devon is going to give them an awful lot

back too. In fact, a whole new life in the countryside.

I'll see you next time.

Cliff and Cindy went back for another viewing of property two,

but still couldn't agree.

After so many years of living in separate houses,

finding the perfect home that suits them both is a real challenge.

But their hunt in Devon continues.

If you would like to escape to the country

in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and would like our help,

then please apply online at bbc.co.uk/beonashow