0:00:02 > 0:00:04Well, this monument marks the isolated spot where,
0:00:04 > 0:00:05over 100 years ago,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08great waves were made in the world of communications.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Find out what happened here, and what county I'm in,
0:00:11 > 0:00:12in just a few moments.
0:00:30 > 0:00:35On today's show, our house-hunters have some firm ideas about decor.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37You know, some people will probably call it sacrilege
0:00:37 > 0:00:39but I'd be inclined to make it a bit more contemporary.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42And it turns out we need to accommodate more
0:00:42 > 0:00:43than just their family.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Is this sort of, you know, big enough garden?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48I'm struggling to see where I could put my ride-on mower.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Well, today, I'm in a very windy Cornwall,
0:00:52 > 0:00:56and it was from nearby Poldhu Wireless Station
0:00:56 > 0:00:59that Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi
0:00:59 > 0:01:02made the first-ever transatlantic radio transmissions.
0:01:02 > 0:01:08And it was heard all the way over in Newfoundland, Canada, back in 1901.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Now, Marconi loved the remoteness of this coastline
0:01:11 > 0:01:14cos it meant he was able to work away in secret.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Well, fortunately today this remains
0:01:17 > 0:01:21a very peaceful part of the world, in what is just a beautiful county.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26Cornwall is situated in the very south-west of England,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29bordered only by Devon and the Atlantic Ocean.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33It's surrounded by well over 300 miles of dramatic coastline
0:01:33 > 0:01:34consisting of granite cliffs,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37sand dunes, and striking headlands,
0:01:37 > 0:01:41making it one of the most varied coastal landscapes in the country.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44With no inland point more than 20 miles from the sea,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47it makes Cornwall a haven for all manner of water sports.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Across a man-made causeway, where legend has it a giant walked,
0:01:53 > 0:01:56is the spiritual island of St Michael's Mount,
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Topped by a medieval church and castle,
0:01:59 > 0:02:01it's accessible on foot at low tide.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05One of the county's most famous towns is St Ives.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Since the 1920s, it's been a mecca for artists,
0:02:09 > 0:02:13and in 1993, a branch of the Tate Gallery opened,
0:02:13 > 0:02:15confirming its cultural status.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19There are no shortage of reasons to visit Cornwall
0:02:19 > 0:02:22which speaks volumes about its appeal as a place to live.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32Well, at just over £260,000,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34the average price of a detached property in Cornwall
0:02:34 > 0:02:37pretty much reflects the national figure.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41However, highly sought-after areas, like Padstow on the north coast,
0:02:41 > 0:02:43still command the higher prices,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47thanks to the celebrity chefs, and tourism in the area.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49Now, if you look down on the south coast, though,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53the pretty villages of Coverack and Porthleven
0:02:53 > 0:02:56don't come with these designer price tags.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Also, if you look a little bit further inland,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00around Redruth and St Austell,
0:03:00 > 0:03:03it's going to be more affordable still.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05But let's find out where today's property shoppers
0:03:05 > 0:03:06would like to move to.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Our buyers today live in the town of Horsham, West Sussex.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15John, an electrician, and Esther, a human resources manager,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17are married, and both in their thirties.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20But their story together began at a much younger age.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24We first met when John was seven months old,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26and I was the older woman at two,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29and our parents, they knew each other before we were born.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32So my first sort of real memory is when John was probably about ten
0:03:32 > 0:03:34and they came to our house, then.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38But we met later when he was 18,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40and I was, I think, 19 at the time.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42So we got married in Cornwall, in Helston,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45which is where we're looking towards now, about 14 years ago.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49John and Esther are so focused on Cornwall
0:03:49 > 0:03:51cos that's where Esther grew up.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55The idea to move there was sparked by a change of job.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57When we were talking about me finding a new job,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59John was the one that initially said,
0:03:59 > 0:04:01"Why don't you look in Cornwall at the same time,
0:04:01 > 0:04:04"and see if there's an opportunity to get something down there?"
0:04:04 > 0:04:05So we did.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08And that's one of the jobs that I was offered,
0:04:08 > 0:04:10so that was the time to move.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14But it's not just Esther and John to be considered in this move.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16There are a few others.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18We've got four children, two boys and two girls.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20For them, it's the outdoor life,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23it's the ability to sort of just run free.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- In terms of house... - Something nice and rural.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29- Yeah.- No neighbours or not many neighbours.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32The noise in the house can get a bit deafening with four children,
0:04:32 > 0:04:35and we're conscious that the neighbours might complain
0:04:35 > 0:04:37so it would be quite nice to not have to worry about it.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40And they have a fair list of demands.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44We do like houses with character and original features
0:04:44 > 0:04:47but it would need to be at least three bedrooms, if not four bedrooms
0:04:47 > 0:04:49because, obviously, the children,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52and hopefully we'll have lots of friends and family visiting
0:04:52 > 0:04:54so we need to try and put them up somewhere.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56But it's the change of lifestyle
0:04:56 > 0:04:58that's the most important to the family.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01I think we're looking to move down to Cornwall because
0:05:01 > 0:05:04the better quality of life, possibly, and the less...
0:05:04 > 0:05:06not in the hubbub of being this close to London.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09At the moment we look out over a dentist and a busy road.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12It would be lovely to see something a bit more of interest,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14a sea or just rolling hillside.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17And given that parts of Cornwall are very affordable,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19they have a good budget.
0:05:19 > 0:05:24The budget for the move is £425,000 to £450,000.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29As Esther's parents live in Porthleven,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31in the far south-west of the country,
0:05:31 > 0:05:35we're keeping the search to within a 40-minute drive radius of the town.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37I'm meeting Esther and John in Cornwall
0:05:37 > 0:05:40to pin down the details of their proposed move.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- Hi, Esther, John. How are you both? - Hi, Nicki. Good to see you.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44Good, good.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Now, obviously other than the fact that it is just utterly beautiful,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50what is it that really attracts you about Cornwall?
0:05:50 > 0:05:54The wide-open space, the fresh air. I mean, look at it.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Where else can you get that? It's just stunning.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58And why is it that you want to actually move right now?
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Is there any particular reason for that?
0:06:00 > 0:06:03The time's just right for us. I've got a new job in Cornwall
0:06:03 > 0:06:06so that's obviously a very good reason for moving down,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09but our daughter starts secondary school,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11so it's perfect time for us to move, now.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Any later, we wouldn't want to move her out of secondary,
0:06:14 > 0:06:17so, you know, it's sort of now or never.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Now, it's obviously not just the two of you moving down here,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22you've got your four children to think about as well.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Do you want the house to be fairly sort of separate?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27Do you want to have your own private areas?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Or is it more of a kind of family unit?
0:06:29 > 0:06:31We are very much a family unit,
0:06:31 > 0:06:36and a nice big sort of living area would be lovely.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Somewhere we can sit down and spend time together.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40What's the kind of style?
0:06:40 > 0:06:42What kind of type of property are you looking for?
0:06:42 > 0:06:43We like a bit of character.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47I mean, our house at the moment obviously has got some of the
0:06:47 > 0:06:52sort of old features still remaining so we do like a bit of character.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56Are there any other kind of real must-haves for the new property?
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Space, I think.- Yeah.- John's...
0:06:58 > 0:07:02For me, a bit rural, I'd love to be able to justify a ride-on mower.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04Ah, OK, the gardener.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06Just somewhere the kids can run around.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08The boys have got loads of energy.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10Yes, so with four children you need quite a lot of space, don't you?
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- Yes.- Yeah. Well, fingers crossed.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14We've got three fantastic properties for you.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- Shall we go and have a look?- Yes, please.- Great, follow me.- Thank you.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22So, for £450,000,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24our buyers are looking for a characterful Cornish home,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26with generous living space,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28ideally four bedrooms,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30a large garden for the children,
0:07:30 > 0:07:34and all in a rural setting without too many neighbours.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37And we've got three great options to show them,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39but our house-hunters will have to estimate
0:07:39 > 0:07:41what they're on the market for,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43before I reveal the prices.
0:07:43 > 0:07:44And then there's the mystery house,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47a property they may not have looked at on paper,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50but which we believe might just hit the spot.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57Our search begins close to the small town of Helston,
0:07:57 > 0:07:58three miles in from the coast,
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and less than ten minutes' drive from Esther's parents.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05Helston, a former tin mining and cattle trading centre,
0:08:05 > 0:08:08is the most southerly town in the UK.
0:08:08 > 0:08:09It offers several good schools,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11and a great high street.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14Less than a mile from the town centre,
0:08:14 > 0:08:17down a country lane and set among fields
0:08:17 > 0:08:18is our first property.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Oh, wow.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Well, here is property number one.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25Feast your eyes on that.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Very nice.- Lovely.- Yeah. - Exactly the right style.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- There's the stone effect, yeah. - Exactly, well spotted.- Granite.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34It's got the granite stone, John, I hope you're pleased.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- Yeah, definitely.- It is actually a 19th-century barn.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40It was converted in 2010.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43So it has all the traditional features of a barn,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45but at the same time,
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- it's got that modern, you know, living to it as well.- Yeah.- Lovely.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Brilliant.- Now, I don't know whether you've spotted,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- but that is actually your front door.- Wow.
0:08:54 > 0:08:58- So we're going upstairs to the front door.- I like that idea.- That's nice.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- It's actually reverse sort of living.- Yeah.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03So you've got the living quarters upstairs,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- and then the bedrooms downstairs. - Right, OK, lovely.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08The children will like that.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Well, there are lots of positives to it,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13but I'm going to explain to you why, when we get inside.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- So shall we go and have a look? - Yeah.- Yeah.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19This house is part of a courtyard of buildings
0:09:19 > 0:09:21so there are some neighbours.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25It's built from local granite stone, and has a slate roof.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29With its upside-down configuration, the kitchen is on the first floor.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33- Come on in.- Wow.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Here is your open-plan kitchen and dining room.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Fantastic.
0:09:37 > 0:09:39- Look at that, the beams.- Wow.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41- You like that, don't you? - Stunning.- It is stunning.- Yeah.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- And a nice big kitchen for you.- Yes.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45Esther, I know you were going to going to try and do
0:09:45 > 0:09:47- a little bit of baking or cooking.- Yeah.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50Definitely because the kids love joining in, so you can see there,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- they can all be part of it... - Do it on both sides...
0:09:52 > 0:09:55- Even both sides.- ..because bits stick out.- Yeah, that will work
0:09:55 > 0:09:56and I'll still feel part of it.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59I don't feel like I'm shut off cooking or baking.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00And I think that's where life is changing
0:10:00 > 0:10:02as the children are getting older that,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05you know, the open space will work better.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Exactly, Mum's not hidden away in the kitchen.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- You can keep an eye on them having dinner here.- Yeah.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13- No, definitely...- Do you think the kids would enjoy it?- They'd love it.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- Yeah.- Definitely.- Brilliant.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Well, that means I think you're going to love
0:10:17 > 0:10:18what's round the corner.
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- And here is...- Oh, wow. Goodness me!
0:10:24 > 0:10:27- Oh, my life.- ..a pretty big open-plan living room.- Look at that.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- Is it big enough? - Yes, we could all sit in that.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Size of the sofa they've got in here already! So...- Ours would be lost!
0:10:35 > 0:10:37- And that fire right in the middle. - That is amazing.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39Now, obviously it's all open-plan,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42do you think that's going to work well as a family?
0:10:42 > 0:10:44Yeah, I can see the kids certainly enjoying it in here.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46Running around and...
0:10:47 > 0:10:49..fitting in, claiming their own spaces.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51There's plenty of room for them.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53They won't be tripping over each other
0:10:53 > 0:10:55by any stretch of the imagination.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57The size of what we've got up here
0:10:57 > 0:10:59means there's a lot downstairs as well that I'm very intrigued to see.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Well, it does. So I think we should go have a look downstairs.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03Yeah, let's do it.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09The overall living space upstairs with its 54ft living room
0:11:09 > 0:11:11is clearly blowing Esther and John away.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14The open feel has been retained from the building's original use,
0:11:14 > 0:11:17when the first floor would have been the hay and grain store.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Downstairs there is a small snug, which was once a milking parlour.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27It offers useful extra space away from the open-plan living area.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Next to this are three good-sized bedrooms for the children
0:11:30 > 0:11:34and set away on its own is the impressive master suite.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Possibly the most important room in the house.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- The very, very large master bedroom. - Yes.- Goodness.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43Very large master bedroom.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45- Is it big enough? - Yes, yes. Definitely.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- Full height and everything. Lovely, isn't it?- It is lovely, isn't it?
0:11:48 > 0:11:50And you've got an en-suite as well,
0:11:50 > 0:11:53so it's a really fabulous bathroom inside.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- Free-standing bath, you've got a separate shower as well.- Lovely.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- There we go.- Anything missing?- No.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02I'll just shut myself away in here, shall I?
0:12:02 > 0:12:04And a door outside as well from it.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- Yep. Very, very nice.- Amazing. - Beautiful.- Yeah.- Lovely.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- Stunning, love the features. - Big.- Love the space.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13- Good sense of space to have, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16- Even loving the reverse level. - Nice quirky feature, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Yeah. I'm intrigued to look outside. See what we've got outside.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22Well, start having a little bit of a think about
0:12:22 > 0:12:24- what this might cost...- Yeah.
0:12:24 > 0:12:25..and follow me.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31A generous utility room completes the package on the ground floor.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Outside, the land with the property is in several sections.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36A patio area to the side,
0:12:36 > 0:12:37a grassy bank to the rear,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39and a gravel and grassed area to the front.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Now, in terms of size, is this sort of, you know, big enough garden?
0:12:43 > 0:12:45Because I know that's really important
0:12:45 > 0:12:47for you both and the children.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50I'm struggling to see where I could put my ride-on mower.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51LAUGHTER
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Well, what about taking away some of this driveway...
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- Yep.- ..and putting some grass down?
0:12:58 > 0:13:00That, I thought, could be something that we could do anyway.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02Do it down this side a bit more, perhaps.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Exactly, cos it is a lot of space dedicated to the driveway.- Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Which seems like a bit of a waste of space.- Yeah.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09There's a lot of potential here.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11- Well, I hope you've been doing some thinking...- Yes.
0:13:11 > 0:13:15..because now it's the all-important question about the price.
0:13:15 > 0:13:16THEY CHUCKLE
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Esther, I think you should go first.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22What price do you think this property is on the market for?
0:13:22 > 0:13:27I think because of the inside space and the rural location,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29I would reckon it's near the top of our budget
0:13:29 > 0:13:31so I'm thinking about 440?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- And John, what about you? - Yeah, I think same.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38I would go 445 cos it's certainly towards the topper end
0:13:38 > 0:13:40of our budget, so 445, I reckon.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Right, OK. Well, good news. It's actually under that.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47It's £425,000.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49- Right, OK.- OK. Yeah.- That's a bit of a surprise then, yeah.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- So yeah, that is surprising.- I thought it would be more because
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- of the amount of space...inside. - Inside.- What it comes with.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58So now you know that this is what you can get for your money.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- Yeah, that's lovely. - That's good.- Yeah?
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- It's a really nice feeling, yeah.- All that.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Almost can't believe, yeah, we'd be able to live somewhere like that.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08- I thought we'd struggle to get a four bedroom...- Yes.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- ..for within that, so.- Yeah, so, no.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12That is, yeah. That's good.
0:14:12 > 0:14:17- Excellent, so all-round good news. - Reassuring.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Well, I think there's still lots more for you to see inside,
0:14:19 > 0:14:22so why don't you guys go and have another good look around
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- and we'll catch up here outside later on?- Brilliant.- Great.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27- Thank you.- See you later. - Lovely, OK.
0:14:28 > 0:14:3225,000 below budget at £425,000,
0:14:32 > 0:14:36this exceedingly spacious upside-down barn conversion
0:14:36 > 0:14:39offers four bedrooms, expansive open-plan living areas,
0:14:39 > 0:14:42and outside space which could be reconfigured to create
0:14:42 > 0:14:44more garden for the children.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46My thoughts with regards to the first property
0:14:46 > 0:14:49is that it has got an immense amount of space
0:14:49 > 0:14:51and that there's plenty of room for everybody.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53We're not tripping over each other.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55So, I can just see myself cooking in the kitchen,
0:14:55 > 0:14:57that idyllic country lifestyle,
0:14:57 > 0:15:01I suppose, while the children just sort of watch TV or play
0:15:01 > 0:15:03and they're just part of that as well,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06I'm not feeling shut off, sort of in a separate room.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09I think my initial concerns would be that the neighbours are quite close,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13so there are parts of the outside space where we're overlooked.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15What's nice about the layout of it is the open-plan-ness,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19being able to have the space that we could all spend time as a family,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21eating in the kitchen area,
0:15:21 > 0:15:23sitting here while we're cooking.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26The outdoor space would be something that would concern very slightly
0:15:26 > 0:15:28in the fact that the footprint is a good size
0:15:28 > 0:15:32but...maybe a little bit more outdoor space would be something
0:15:32 > 0:15:34that we perhaps would've looked towards.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Right, guys, all done? - Yep, great, thank you.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- Time for property number two. - OK.- Brilliant.
0:15:46 > 0:15:50All over Cornwall, signs of the county's mining past are evident.
0:15:50 > 0:15:55Tin production in the region stretches back to prehistoric times.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57With rich deposits to be exploited,
0:15:57 > 0:16:01by the early 1800s, Cornwall had over 2,000 tin mines.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06But with increased competition from abroad in the late 19th century,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10local production dwindled, and the landscape is now peppered
0:16:10 > 0:16:12with redundant chimneys, and engine houses.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16Poldark Mine in Wendron is the only complete underground tin mine
0:16:16 > 0:16:18open to the public.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21Esther and John are keen to learn more about Cornish heritage,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24so we've arranged for them to meet Chris Fletcher, the site manager.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Welcome to Poldark Mine,
0:16:26 > 0:16:28which is in the middle of the Wendron mining district,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30which is now a World Heritage Site,
0:16:30 > 0:16:34and there's been tin production on this site for over 2,000 years,
0:16:34 > 0:16:35up until about 1880.
0:16:36 > 0:16:382,000 years ago,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41tin extraction came from deposits in the rivers above ground,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43but in the 18th century,
0:16:43 > 0:16:47they began to dig down, to find the underground seams of tin oxide.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50Mine shafts were dug to 1,000ft deep,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53but today's visitors don't go down quite that far.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56We're about 40ft from the surface now,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58and this is what the miners were looking for.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00So this is tin, if you want to have a look.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03See, it's classed as a heavy metal.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06And the tin is found in this rock behind us,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08the blue rock, which is called cassiterite,
0:17:08 > 0:17:09which is tin oxide.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Were they any women that worked down here?
0:17:11 > 0:17:13No, the women would've been working on the surface.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15They were known as bal maidens,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18and they would be processing the ore, so crushing the rock,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21and then separating the tin oxide from the impurities.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24In the workings, there would have been obviously the miners,
0:17:24 > 0:17:27the men, and boys from about eight or nine years old.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29What were the working conditions for the men like down here?
0:17:29 > 0:17:31They'd have been working by candlelight.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33They'd be using tallow candles,
0:17:33 > 0:17:34which is unrefined animal fat,
0:17:34 > 0:17:37that gives off a very poor, very smoky flame.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40They wouldn't have had the nice wooden boards that we have today,
0:17:40 > 0:17:42so they'd have been working in running water all the time.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Water dripping in like it is today,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46and it would have been a very hard life,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48and very dangerous working conditions.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51So how long would they have spent down here?
0:17:51 > 0:17:54The men would've worked for about eight to ten hours a shift.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56In the time this mine was worked,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58probably seven days a week,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00up until the mid-1750s
0:18:00 > 0:18:02which was when the Methodist Church got established
0:18:02 > 0:18:04in this part of Cornwall,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06and the boys would've worked six to eight hours,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and at the time the boys would be earning about a penny a day.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- Penny a day!- So quite poor wages,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14but much better wages than if they were working in agriculture
0:18:14 > 0:18:15or fishing at the same time.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18Conditions were tough,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21and the methods for getting through the granite to the tin ore
0:18:21 > 0:18:23were very basic.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25One of the ways was to use one of these,
0:18:25 > 0:18:26which was called a gad.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So if you'd like to hold that there.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34- Little bit further down, that's it, hold it nice and tight.- OK.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36And then a sledgehammer,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38short handled sledgehammer for you.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41So what you do is very carefully hit the end of the rod
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and as you're hitting it,
0:18:43 > 0:18:45you need to turn it, so you then drill into the rock.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50And if you don't turn it fast enough, it will jam in.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53So you need to have a lot of trust in the person
0:18:53 > 0:18:55on the sledgehammer, as we're finding out.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00You'd usually have two miners with sledgehammers,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02one miner holding the gad
0:19:02 > 0:19:06and in the other hand holding their tallow candle.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09And as you hit the end of the gad, it would then shine,
0:19:09 > 0:19:11get nice and shiny,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15and it's like a button shining out and you've got a nice target to hit.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17You'd then pack the hole with black powder,
0:19:17 > 0:19:19which was an early form of gunpowder,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22you'd stem the hole, or seal it with clay,
0:19:22 > 0:19:25and then use goose quills, or goose feathers,
0:19:25 > 0:19:26which you'd put black powder in,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28put three or four of them in a line,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30push the goose quills through,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33light that off your tallow candle,
0:19:33 > 0:19:34and then you'd run for your life.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36And it would literally be run for your life.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41In its day, the work below ground was certainly arduous for the miners
0:19:41 > 0:19:45but today and above ground, we have our own work to be getting on with.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53For our second property, we're heading 12 miles north
0:19:53 > 0:19:55to the village of Kehelland.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59A small settlement with many attractive properties,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03it has its own school, as well as a well-supported charitable trust,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06which cultivates plants and produce to sell to the community.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08One mile out of the village,
0:20:08 > 0:20:09down a country lane,
0:20:09 > 0:20:11lies our next offering.
0:20:12 > 0:20:13No way.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- Well, here is property number two. - Goodness.- Wow.
0:20:17 > 0:20:21- It looks huge, doesn't it?- It's big again.- It is very big.- Yeah.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- And we're standing in a lovely big garden.- Plenty of space.- Yeah.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- 1.5 acres of land. - Goodness me.- Yeah.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- Sounds like a good amount of acreage.- Yeah!
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- John, I can see your eyes light up. - And I can get my mower out on this.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34He can see himself on his ride-on lawn mower already.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- It's definitely big enough for a sit-on lawn mower.- Yes.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42Cos you've actually got this garden, plus the same size over there,
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- and then it also curves round to the side of the house.- Wow.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50- So plenty of running room.- Exactly, it's a big playground.- Yeah.- It is.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51Fantastic.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54It's a Victorian cottage, sort of traditional farmer's cottage.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57You can probably see the two extensions either side.
0:20:57 > 0:20:58- Oh, right, OK.- Yeah.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- Shall we go have a look inside? - Yeah.- Let's go.- Let's do it.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04This property offers more of the outside space
0:21:04 > 0:21:06that John and the children are after,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09but will the house fulfil Esther's requirements?
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- And here is your kitchen.- Yeah. - Farmhouse-y kitchen, isn't it?
0:21:15 > 0:21:19- Yeah, it is farmhouse style, isn't it?- Yeah.- Good size.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- Very much is, very much is. - Quite like it, it's a nice little
0:21:22 > 0:21:24sort of farmhouse-y feel, as you say. Yeah, like it as well.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28I would personally prefer the more modern kitchen.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31- That would be my preference.- Yeah.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- So is this something that you would maybe consider changing?- Yes.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Can do, very easily.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37The style itself would not be my choice of style,
0:21:37 > 0:21:39but that doesn't mean that...
0:21:39 > 0:21:42We're not unhappy about doing something about that.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- Shall we go through to the living room?- Yes.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47There's a generous utility room off the kitchen,
0:21:47 > 0:21:48as well as a cosy snug,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51which showcases the historic bones of this house.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56- And here is your living room. - Oh, right, yeah.- Yeah.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58It's much bigger than I thought it would be.
0:21:58 > 0:21:59Yeah, and it's still light.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01There's that cosy feel to it.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05And you've got the really striking fireplace over there.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Marble fireplace.- Always a winner. - Yeah, we like that.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10That really does appeal.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12And the other thing you've also got from this room,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15it actually moves round. There's the fourth bedroom, which is
0:22:15 > 0:22:17downstairs, which is an en-suite,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20and it also leads onto a huge playroom,
0:22:20 > 0:22:23and it has another entrance to the playroom from the outside, so...
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Oh, right.- ..lots of options that you could do with that.- Yeah.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- I was thinking this was the end of the house.- Yeah.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30But I will leave that for you to see later.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- I think first of all we should go and see upstairs.- OK.- OK.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Upstairs there are two more children's bedrooms,
0:22:37 > 0:22:41and a family bathroom which serves each of the first-floor rooms.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46And into the master bedroom.
0:22:46 > 0:22:47Wow.
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Lovely and light and airy.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Especially with the double doors there.- Yeah, the balcony.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54That would be nice on a summer's evening, I think, wouldn't it?
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- Definitely.- Yeah, with the peace and quiet of outside.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Is there anything you'd want to change?
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Some people would probably call it sacrilege,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04but I'd be inclined to make it a bit more contemporary, so yeah,
0:23:04 > 0:23:05that would have to probably...
0:23:05 > 0:23:07We'd adapt that to our taste, but...
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- It wouldn't take much. - No, it wouldn't take much,
0:23:10 > 0:23:12- and the space is there to work with. - Right then, to the garden.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14- OK.- Lovely.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Esther is determined to have a contemporary interior to her rural property,
0:23:18 > 0:23:22so she might need to make some cosmetic changes to this house,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25but it's outside where this property really hits the mark.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28The plot makes for a perfect adventure playground.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31Wow, it's in its full glory here.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34In terms of the garden as well, you can see,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- you've got your first section here where the front door is.- Yeah.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40You've got this whole area which is basically the same again,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43and you've also got up there where you've got a shed as well.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46Is 1.5 acres enough for you, John, on your sit-on lawn mower?
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Sounds good, doesn't it?
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- More than enough, I think, yeah. - Yeah, I can work with that.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- Not too much to handle? - No, no, no, definitely not.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58So what price do you think this property is on the market for?
0:23:58 > 0:24:01395...I reckon.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03- Interesting.- Yeah.
0:24:03 > 0:24:04CHUCKLING
0:24:04 > 0:24:08- That's what I think, so...- So again, quite a lot under your budget.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11Yeah, I think just because the house,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14it needs a little bit of cosmetic attention...
0:24:14 > 0:24:15- Yeah.- ..shall we call it?
0:24:17 > 0:24:18But then I might be very wrong
0:24:18 > 0:24:20because of the size of the land with it, so we'll see.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24- I'll guess at that.- We will see. Esther, what about you?
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Yeah, I'm reckoning the same sort of area.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32It's hard to tell, with the extra land, but I think about 400.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35It's actually on at £465,000.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- Oh, right, OK.- Interesting. - A little bit higher.- Yeah.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43- The owner is actually open to sort of offers nearer your budget.- OK.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45- Which is good news.- Yeah.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47What do you think now that you know it's on at that price?
0:24:48 > 0:24:50I guess a lot of it is the land, and that may be
0:24:50 > 0:24:53where we've undervalued it, because of the amount of it.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Doesn't mean it's out of the question,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00but I think the stuff that we'd want to do to it would cost,
0:25:00 > 0:25:03therefore, whether we could stretch...
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Stretch to it would be another matter, yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08We always knew, you know, as with all these things,
0:25:08 > 0:25:09there'd have to be a compromise,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12and it helps us to see what that compromise might be.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Go inside, have a really good look,
0:25:14 > 0:25:16and I'll catch up with you in the garden later.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17- OK.- Great.- OK.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24For £15,000 over budget at £465,000,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27this secluded house offers four bedrooms and three living rooms,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29with a country decor throughout,
0:25:29 > 0:25:32and 1.5 acres of lawned gardens.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35It's pretty much as I expected inside,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I knew it wasn't going to be open-plan, but surprisingly,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40the rooms were a little big bigger than what I expected.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42The lounge and the bedrooms
0:25:42 > 0:25:44I thought would be a little bit smaller.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46It actually makes me realise
0:25:46 > 0:25:49that I think I do prefer the open-plan feel.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51We've not been used to that before,
0:25:51 > 0:25:53and our house is very much like this.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57It's certainly helping me to make my mind up about what I like,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00what I prefer, what I think I'd go for.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Nicki said that the house was on the market at 465,000.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06I guess I'm a bit shocked, you know,
0:26:06 > 0:26:10sort of the realisation of how much things now do cost down here.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12For what we'd like to be doing to the inside of it,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14I don't think we would have enough in our budget
0:26:14 > 0:26:17in order to be able to do that if we had to pay the price that it is.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- Seen everything you need to see? - I think so, yeah.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26- Think so, had a good look.- Have we given you lots to think about?
0:26:26 > 0:26:28- Yeah. - BOTH: Definitely.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- Yeah. A real contrast from the first house, so...- Brilliant.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- Yeah.- I think we're done here. Come on.- OK.- Let's go.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44It's the second day of our property search with Esther and John, who,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47with their £450,000 budget,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50are relocating from the town of Horsham, West Sussex,
0:26:50 > 0:26:51to Cornwall.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55Still to come, has the mystery house solved the style dilemma?
0:26:55 > 0:26:56It's the best of both worlds.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59It's the character of the outside, but just...
0:26:59 > 0:27:00amazing inside.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03And I turn my hand to the county's favourite dish,
0:27:03 > 0:27:05and get a lesson in crimping.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- This is where it all could go... - Yeah.- ..horribly wrong.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Well, great to see such positive responses
0:27:15 > 0:27:17from both John and Esther yesterday.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Although perhaps a slight difference in taste.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23I think John loved that characterful, Cornish cottage,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26whereas Esther preferred the more contemporary feeling
0:27:26 > 0:27:28of the converted barn.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Although I do think they both agreed on the idea
0:27:31 > 0:27:33of open-plan, modern-day living,
0:27:33 > 0:27:36and today's mystery house is really going to push that
0:27:36 > 0:27:38to a whole new level.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41So are these the first two properties
0:27:41 > 0:27:43that you both have actually seen?
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Yes, the two houses yesterday are the first that we've actually seen
0:27:46 > 0:27:47physically,
0:27:47 > 0:27:51so it makes it seem all the more real now that we are moving.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54- And all the more urgent? - Definitely, yeah.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56I start work in two weeks,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58so it feels very urgent, now
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and the need to sort of move by the end of term for the children.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Yeah, we need to get a move on.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09Speaking of urgency, we're about to arrive at our mystery house.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17For our mystery house, I'm taking Esther and John 15 miles west,
0:28:17 > 0:28:19and a little further afield,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21to the hamlet of Towednack.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Close by is the beautiful granite village of Zennor,
0:28:24 > 0:28:29where there is a pub, a folk museum, and a backpackers' hostel.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31With unspoilt views in all directions,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33Towednack feels very remote,
0:28:33 > 0:28:37but it is in fact just two miles from the seaside town of St Ives,
0:28:37 > 0:28:41which in the summer is a mecca for beach lovers.
0:28:41 > 0:28:45And surrounded by open countryside is our final property.
0:28:45 > 0:28:50- Well, here we are at the mystery house.- Wow.- Look at that.
0:28:50 > 0:28:51Any ideas what it is?
0:28:51 > 0:28:53It looks like an old chapel or something.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56- An old church or an old school? - Correct, well done.
0:28:56 > 0:29:00Ten points to John. It is indeed a converted chapel.
0:29:00 > 0:29:01- Yeah, that's lovely, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Ever thought of living in a chapel before?
0:29:03 > 0:29:07- That's one thing you wanted, wasn't it?- Yeah.- Really?- Yeah, no, I know!
0:29:07 > 0:29:11Oh, excellent! That's brilliant news.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14So, no, I know. We've always been sort of fascinated by sort of
0:29:14 > 0:29:17old buildings like that, that are converted for residential use.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Brilliant.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22Well, the reason we're actually here is not just because it's a chapel,
0:29:22 > 0:29:25but also because of what's on the inside, so follow me.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29The fact that our mystery house is an old Methodist chapel
0:29:29 > 0:29:31has pleased both John and Esther,
0:29:31 > 0:29:35and I expect the incredible conversion inside will do the same.
0:29:36 > 0:29:41- Well, come inside the Wesleyan Chapel.- Goodness me.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- It's pretty impressive, isn't it? - That's very impressive.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- Open-plan living?- It's stunning. - Beautiful, isn't it?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50But with a difference, but amazing open-plan living, yeah.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53That's amazing, isn't it? Something like that from the outside,
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- can look like this on the inside.- Yeah.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59In terms of style as well, Esther, are you happy with this?
0:29:59 > 0:30:01It's quite contemporary, and I know you kind of...
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Oh, yes, this is much more me.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06- Thought you might say that. - After yesterday, yeah.- Yeah.
0:30:06 > 0:30:08It's the best of both worlds.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11It's the character of outside but just...amazing inside.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13- Brilliant.- Yeah.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15- All right, then, we've got lots more to show you.- Yes, please.- OK.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19- I think we should go upstairs to your little mezzanine.- OK, yeah.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20Follow me.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25The living room, dining room and kitchen are all open to each other,
0:30:25 > 0:30:28but are also distinct functioning areas.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30With a new contemporary kitchen,
0:30:30 > 0:30:33it offers Esther the styling she clearly prefers.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Bedroom four is located on the ground floor,
0:30:36 > 0:30:40as is the family bathroom, and finally a small utility room,
0:30:40 > 0:30:43and there is more living space upstairs.
0:30:44 > 0:30:48- Come and have a look at your mezzanine level.- Wow.- Look at this.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52- I didn't expect this to be like this.- Not at all.
0:30:52 > 0:30:53So although you do have downstairs,
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- you do have an additional space up here.- Yeah.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58- Still very much open-plan.- Yeah.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- But still a separate area.- Yeah.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03That's perfect because I was just wondering
0:31:03 > 0:31:08whether we would have to sacrifice that bedroom as a separate area,
0:31:08 > 0:31:09but no, we've got this as well.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12No, still be like a chill-out area, a separate area for the kids again.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14That's what I'm thinking. This could be a children's area.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Off the mezzanine at one end of the house
0:31:18 > 0:31:20are two compact and angular bedrooms,
0:31:20 > 0:31:22with room for one bed in each,
0:31:22 > 0:31:23and they share a shower room.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27At the other end are stairs leading up to the master bedroom.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- Come on in to the master bedroom. - Oh, this is...- Look at that.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35- Take a good look around. - Yeah.- Good size.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37- Yeah.- Views again.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39The fog is clearing, we can see a view.
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- First impressions of the master bedroom?- Nice size.- Lovely, yeah.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45- Yeah, light.- With a view. Yeah, light.- Very big and light.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48We'd certainly fit in here, wouldn't we?
0:31:48 > 0:31:50- It's a bit bigger than I thought it was going to be up here.- Yeah.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53How's the size generally of the house feeling?
0:31:54 > 0:31:56Slightly smaller than...
0:31:57 > 0:31:58Not what I would've expected, but...
0:31:58 > 0:32:00We could work with it.
0:32:00 > 0:32:02I think the bedrooms are just the sort of query at the moment.
0:32:02 > 0:32:03Not this one necessarily,
0:32:03 > 0:32:06but more the children's because we currently have two children
0:32:06 > 0:32:10- in two of the bedrooms at home and have a spare one.- Yeah.
0:32:10 > 0:32:14And I'm not sure that this lends itself to enough space
0:32:14 > 0:32:16to fit two children in two of the rooms
0:32:16 > 0:32:18so that we might have to work with, but...
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- That's workable, I'm sure we can figure something out.- Yeah.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23- Configure it somehow.- Yeah, exactly.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26- And obviously waking up to views like that can't be beat.- Yeah.
0:32:26 > 0:32:27Beautiful.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Fabulous, Well, I think there's still quite a lot more
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- for you to see in the house. - Yes.- Yeah.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34But we're going to head to the garden next,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37- and you can take a look round later. - OK.- Brilliant.- All right.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39The garden, I think, is exactly what John and Esther
0:32:39 > 0:32:41are after for their children.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43A large expanse of lawn.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- John...- Yeah.- ..the important piece for you.- That's it.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49The last part of the puzzle.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53- Yeah, I like it.- What do you think? - Yeah, much better.- Good space.
0:32:53 > 0:32:55- Yeah, I like this.- Football pitch.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57It's very nice. Open, light.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Exactly, I mean, we're set in the middle of the countryside,
0:33:00 > 0:33:03you can see rolling hills for miles around you.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07Just about big enough for your sit-on lawn mower?
0:33:07 > 0:33:09I reckon it would justify it, wouldn't it?
0:33:09 > 0:33:11- I think you could justify that.- Yep.
0:33:11 > 0:33:14Well, I hope you've had your thinking caps on.
0:33:14 > 0:33:19Time to guess what price this property is on the market for.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23It's really difficult to judge because it's such a unique building,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27the views, its location, so I'm really struggling with this one.
0:33:27 > 0:33:33So just judging by the budget, I reckon it's...top budget is 450.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Wow, OK, so right at the very top of your budget,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38- and John, what about you? - Likewise, no idea.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41It's unique, it's got plenty of land,
0:33:41 > 0:33:43it's out in the open countryside,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I reckon again it's towards the top, so 445?
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Well, hopefully I've got some good news for you both.
0:33:49 > 0:33:54It's actually on the market for £395,000.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57- So...- Wow.- Considerably under your budget. Is that a bit of a shock?
0:33:57 > 0:33:59- Yeah, that's a big surprise. - That is a shock, yeah.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01I thought it would be quite bit more than it.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Well, there's still lots more for you both to see,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05so why don't you go back inside,
0:34:05 > 0:34:06take a good look round,
0:34:06 > 0:34:08and I'll see you out here in a couple of minutes?
0:34:08 > 0:34:10- OK.- Lovely.- Thank you. - Enjoy.- Thank you.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14For £55,000 under budget,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17this converted chapel is full of character,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19offering contemporary open plan living,
0:34:19 > 0:34:22four bedrooms, a child-friendly garden,
0:34:22 > 0:34:24and views out to open countryside.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26But will it be big enough?
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Yeah, when we started from outside I was chuffed to bits
0:34:30 > 0:34:33cos it was exactly the sort of thing that I'd had in mind, I think.
0:34:33 > 0:34:35A granite sort of style building,
0:34:35 > 0:34:38something that wasn't necessarily purpose-built as a house.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42It just looked lovely. I think the thing I liked about this property
0:34:42 > 0:34:43was the mixture of the old with the new.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47An old, really old chapel that had been converted
0:34:47 > 0:34:49into a very contemporary style living
0:34:49 > 0:34:51and it was a good mix, it worked well.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55My only concern is whether we could physically fit in as a family,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57with the four children that we've got.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01This is much more the sort of garden that I envisaged, I think.
0:35:01 > 0:35:06It's plenty of room for the children to play, it's nice and open.
0:35:06 > 0:35:10It's just a garden that I imagined, I suppose,
0:35:10 > 0:35:12something that I know that they would be happy to run around in
0:35:12 > 0:35:15and I wouldn't worry about, you know, what they might get up to.
0:35:18 > 0:35:19Great.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25Well, I think I've shown you three very distinctive properties,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27and each have their own kind of considerations,
0:35:27 > 0:35:29so I think it's time for us to go and mull it over.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31- OK.- Yeah.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37Whatever you come to Cornwall for, it's hard to leave this county
0:35:37 > 0:35:40without sampling its most famous culinary offering:
0:35:40 > 0:35:41the pasty.
0:35:41 > 0:35:42For over 500 years,
0:35:42 > 0:35:46this meat and three veg hand-held convenience food
0:35:46 > 0:35:48was popular with the region's miners,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51who needed sustenance during long days underground,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54and today, it remains a firm favourite.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59I'm off to find out more from third generation pasty maker, Ann Muller.
0:35:59 > 0:36:02Ann, thank you so much for having me down today.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Now, why is it that you're known as the Queen of the pasties?
0:36:05 > 0:36:07Well, maybe I've earned that reputation
0:36:07 > 0:36:10because I make very good pasties.
0:36:10 > 0:36:11So how did you learn to make pasties?
0:36:11 > 0:36:15Well, at my grandmother's or mother's knee, really.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19It's just something that was made every Saturday and, you know,
0:36:19 > 0:36:20you'd want to roll a little bit of pastry,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23and of course you'd want to bake your own.
0:36:23 > 0:36:25Now, Ann, I can't help but notice
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- but there's a very bright yellow building right behind us.- Uh-huh.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32And I think that could be your pasty shop. Tell us about it!
0:36:32 > 0:36:35I started making pasties here about 25 years ago,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38as a very little cottage industry really,
0:36:38 > 0:36:42just to sort of help out with the family finances,
0:36:42 > 0:36:47and demand made it grow into,
0:36:47 > 0:36:49well, a bigger cottage industry.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52- So how many pasties do you bake a year?- Oh! I don't know.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- A lot more...- Thousands? - Yes, I suppose thousands.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59A lot more in the summer than the winter,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01but a very busy day in the summer...
0:37:02 > 0:37:04At least 300.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Well, it's making me feel a little bit hungry.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- Can we go and take a look inside? - Yeah, come on, then.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12In 2011, the Cornish pasty was granted
0:37:12 > 0:37:14Protected Geographical Indication status,
0:37:14 > 0:37:17which protects classic regional foods
0:37:17 > 0:37:21by ensuring that only products genuinely originating in that area
0:37:21 > 0:37:23are allowed to be given that name.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Now, with this PGI status, is this pasty now protected?
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- Well, I'm afraid this is an illegal pasty if I call it Cornish.- Why?
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Because I crimp over the top.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34I see.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37The PGI definition pasty is a D shape, now,
0:37:37 > 0:37:40and crimped around the side.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42I would describe my crimping as an over-the-top crimp,
0:37:42 > 0:37:44and that is outlawed nowadays.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45Well, as far as I'm concerned, Ann,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47it looks like a traditional pasty to me.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Yeah.- Can we go and make one? - Yeah, come on, let's go.- Great.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54Despite disagreements about how the outside looks,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57the traditional Cornish pasty has always been filled with turnip,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00onion, beef and potato.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Right, are you going to show me how it's done?
0:38:02 > 0:38:06- OK, well, take some turnip and onion.- Small handful?
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Yeah, and just sort of spread that.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11About 2oz of beef.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15- Have I picked up too much? - No, maybe...
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Another, just one more. That's...
0:38:19 > 0:38:20That's about right for a pasty.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23- Now you use a layer of potato.- OK.
0:38:26 > 0:38:27OK.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29'With each layer lightly seasoned,
0:38:29 > 0:38:31'it's time for the crimping.'
0:38:32 > 0:38:36- Now, you can...- Dun, dun, dun! - ..bring the edges up to the middle.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39- This is where it all could go... - Yeah.- ..horribly wrong.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41Right, just pinch it all together...
0:38:41 > 0:38:43- OK.- ..along that seam.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46- OK.- I'll just start you off a little.- Yeah.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- If you just fold it inwards. - Mm-hm.- Like that, OK?
0:38:50 > 0:38:53'Folding over the edge of the pasty is the final element
0:38:53 > 0:38:55'to give it its classic shape.'
0:38:55 > 0:38:58It's definitely not as easy as it looks.
0:38:58 > 0:39:03No, but you are doing a very good job.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- I would disagree with you.- No!
0:39:05 > 0:39:07I think you're just being very polite.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10No, that will look near perfect when it comes out of the oven.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14The pasties take an hour to cook in a medium oven.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18Well, whether it's been crimped on top or down the side,
0:39:18 > 0:39:20this is what it's really all about.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23It's the fresh ingredients being made by hand,
0:39:23 > 0:39:25and it's why we're going to be eating pasties
0:39:25 > 0:39:27for many more years to come.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Now, finally the time has arrived.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31I can tuck in.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35After my taste of Cornish cooking,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37it's time to get back to the house hunt,
0:39:37 > 0:39:38for decision time.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43Well, we've shown John and Esther three very distinctive houses,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46and along the way they've liked different elements of each of them.
0:39:46 > 0:39:50But to be in this part of the country and also on their budget,
0:39:50 > 0:39:53a compromise is going to have to be made,
0:39:53 > 0:39:55and I'm just not sure which.
0:39:55 > 0:39:56So let's go and find out.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05- Well, what a great few days we've had.- Yes, definitely.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Now, I might have a bit of a sneaking suspicion, but tell me,
0:40:08 > 0:40:10is there a clear favourite for you both?
0:40:10 > 0:40:11- My front runner...- Yeah.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15..actually, I think, would be the first property.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- So that was obviously the open-plan living.- Yeah.
0:40:18 > 0:40:19- Topsy-turvy.- Yes.
0:40:19 > 0:40:23What was it that really, kind of, stands out for you for property one?
0:40:23 > 0:40:28The space and the fact that, with that space,
0:40:28 > 0:40:29it's in both areas,
0:40:29 > 0:40:33so it's upstairs in that house with the living space,
0:40:33 > 0:40:36but also downstairs with the bedrooms
0:40:36 > 0:40:40but, you know, the interior space all round, really.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41What about you, John?
0:40:41 > 0:40:46It's hard to have a top choice but I think possibly number one as well
0:40:46 > 0:40:50would definitely be number one if it had the outside space with it.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53I did like property number three, the mystery property,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55that was great. Not sure it's quite big enough.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57If it was big enough, then again,
0:40:57 > 0:40:59that would be a clear runner as well.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I'm sure it's a case of your heart's saying one thing
0:41:01 > 0:41:03- and your head saying the other. - Yeah.- Definitely.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06Yeah, if it was down to heart, I think number three, definitely.
0:41:07 > 0:41:13But I just cannot quite visualise how we'll all fit in,
0:41:13 > 0:41:15more with regard to the bedrooms
0:41:15 > 0:41:17than the actual, again, living space.
0:41:17 > 0:41:20So what does the future hold for John and Esther?
0:41:21 > 0:41:23I think we need to take some time to look at
0:41:23 > 0:41:25what else is available out there.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27So the next couple of weekends, perhaps?
0:41:27 > 0:41:30- You're going to be down here doing a lot of property hunting?- Definitely.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33- Yeah.- We'll be down here for half term as well which is shortly,
0:41:33 > 0:41:37and we'll continue to have a look around then as well, so...
0:41:37 > 0:41:40But, yeah, that's the thing. We want to definitely make sure
0:41:40 > 0:41:43that we're settled somewhere by Christmas.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46- You'll be busy house hunting for the next few weeks, I'm sure.- Yes.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48I hope we've really helped you on your journey,
0:41:48 > 0:41:52and really kind of understand what is actually important for you both,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54and we wish you all the best.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56- Good luck, and keep us posted. - We will do.- Will do.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Thank you very much.- It's been great fun, thank you both.
0:41:59 > 0:42:00Thank you.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Really interesting hearing what John and Esther had to say
0:42:07 > 0:42:08about the properties,
0:42:08 > 0:42:11and I think they're starting to realise it's going to be
0:42:11 > 0:42:14a bit tricky finding that balance between the inside
0:42:14 > 0:42:16and the outdoor space,
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and if they had all the time in the world,
0:42:18 > 0:42:21I'm sure they'd find that perfect property.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24But with Esther starting her job in a couple of weeks' time,
0:42:24 > 0:42:26they just don't have that luxury.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31So we wish them all the best finding their perfect home down in Cornwall.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33See you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37Our buyers returned during the half-term break
0:42:37 > 0:42:40and, I'm happy to say, after a week of intense hunting,
0:42:40 > 0:42:43found an old farmhouse with four bedrooms and land.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47To get it within budget, they decided on a restoration project,
0:42:47 > 0:42:50which will need several months of renovation.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52If you'd like to Escape To The Country
0:42:52 > 0:42:54in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England,
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