0:00:02 > 0:00:05Welcome to a very special edition of Escape To The Country.
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Alistair and I are going to help two couples find their rural dream in one county.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11As well as featuring some top property, we're also going to
0:00:11 > 0:00:14be giving our advice about making the move to the countryside.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Today's destination is a pastoral delight,
0:00:17 > 0:00:20so find out which county we are heading to in just a moment.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42Today I'm helping a couple who are keen to leave their city home of 27 years,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45and they're intrigued by our properties.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47It's very interesting.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48Interesting.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50That's interesting.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54And I've found a fantastic selection of properties to tempt my buyers,
0:00:54 > 0:00:56but there's one word we need to avoid...
0:00:56 > 0:00:59I'm not going to say nice.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03- This is one of the nicest rooms in the house, actually.- Oh, nice!
0:01:03 > 0:01:06I wasn't going to say the nice word, was I?
0:01:08 > 0:01:11- Today we are off on a house hunting mission to Herefordshire.- Indeed.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And for me, all my memories of that county revolve around
0:01:14 > 0:01:18the beautiful, sinuous River Wye and its amazing wooded valley.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Well, I have to put my hands up here and declare an interest,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24because I loved Herefordshire so much, it's now become my new home.
0:01:24 > 0:01:25- Congratulations. - Thank you very much.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29So take it from me, as a county, there is plenty to recommend it.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Situated in the West Midlands, Landlocked Herefordshire
0:01:36 > 0:01:42borders the counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire, with Wales to the west.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44The landscape is mainly rural
0:01:44 > 0:01:48and agriculture plays a key role in the local economy.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51The rich, fertile soil is excellent for fruit growing,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55and apple orchards are a common feature across the county.
0:01:55 > 0:01:59The capital, the city of Hereford, is dominated by its cathedral,
0:01:59 > 0:02:03and the pretty streets are lined with striking lack and white houses.
0:02:05 > 0:02:08With the River Wye meandering its way through scenic,
0:02:08 > 0:02:11unspoilt countryside, Herefordshire is arguably
0:02:11 > 0:02:14one of the most peaceful counties in Britain.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20Jules, as a newly minted resident of Herefordshire,
0:02:20 > 0:02:22you can tell us what's so good about it.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26I've always loved it, and I love that history that goes with the Borders.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28The landscape, the architecture,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31and of course it represents really good value for money.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Indeed. And it's also, I read,
0:02:34 > 0:02:37one of the most sparsely populated counties in the country.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39It is, which means, of course, you get lots of space,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41and some gorgeous landscapes.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43One of my new neighbours said the thing
0:02:43 > 0:02:46she loved about Herefordshire was that wherever you looked,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48there was always a view, and I have to agree.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49And quite reasonably priced.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52I think the average price for a detached house is 260,000.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55That's pretty much on a par with the national average.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57It rates very well, particularly when you compare it to the
0:02:57 > 0:03:00neighbouring Cotswolds where the prices are astronomical.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Who were you showing around the county?
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Well, I had a very crafty couple, you might say,
0:03:04 > 0:03:09who were determined that space should really define their new life in Herefordshire.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13And my buyers were college sweethearts who were desperate
0:03:13 > 0:03:16to leave the hubbub of suburbia for the calm of the countryside.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21John and Joy live in this four-bedroom house in Bournville,
0:03:21 > 0:03:23a suburb of Birmingham.
0:03:23 > 0:03:27But with Joy now retired and university professor
0:03:27 > 0:03:30John about to follow suit, it's time for a change.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Other members of our family have already moved into the country
0:03:34 > 0:03:37We're probably the only people left who live in the city.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41So we just want to move out, do something different,
0:03:41 > 0:03:46and feel that it's a new part of our lives to start again.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49For the past 27 years they have lived in the Birmingham home
0:03:49 > 0:03:51where they brought up their three children.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54But three years ago tragedy hit the family
0:03:54 > 0:03:58when John and Joy's daughter, Vanessa, died unexpectedly.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02So, leaving the family home behind with all its memories will be hard,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05even though they are drawn to the countryside.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09When we go on holidays, trips, we just love the serenity
0:04:09 > 0:04:11and the tranquillity of the countryside,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15and you just feel you're in a different space.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18And with work no longer tying the couple to Birmingham,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22they're looking forward to spending more time with the family.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26It will reduce our journey to see our son and grandchildren
0:04:26 > 0:04:29by approximately an hour, which will enable us,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32actually, to go and see them for the day.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35John and Joy already have an offer on their home,
0:04:35 > 0:04:38and know how much money they've got to play with.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42The budget for the move is £400,000 max.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Although we're starting our property search
0:04:47 > 0:04:51in Herefordshire, John and joy are open to living in the surrounding counties,
0:04:51 > 0:04:55as long as they're close to their son and grandchildren in Cardiff.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57I've come to meet them on Herefordshire soil
0:04:57 > 0:05:00to find out more about their ideal home.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02- Welcome to Herefordshire.- Thank you.
0:05:02 > 0:05:03Lovely weather we have, very nice setting.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07But we are going to go off on an odyssey, so are you ready to see some properties?
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- Definitely.- We certainly are. - Very excited.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15Thinking about the house, what is it that you are looking for in terms of the property itself?
0:05:15 > 0:05:19Well, we want somewhere that has character,
0:05:19 > 0:05:22but why that we don't necessarily mean the oldest house.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25It could be modern, but still have character.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29How much space do you need for people to come and stay, realistically?
0:05:29 > 0:05:36I think we probably do need two rooms for my oldest son's family,
0:05:36 > 0:05:41and one room for my younger son at Christmas, particularly.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43So that would be four bedrooms in all.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45What are you looking for in your kitchen?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Well, size definitely, that's important.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52A fantastic view would be an extra bonus, a big bonus.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Let's talk briefly about the garden. What sort of garden would you like?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Well, I think I quite like wildish gardens.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02I like gardens that look after themselves a little bit,
0:06:02 > 0:06:07but I don't mind riding one of those little mini mowers.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Everybody likes a mini mower. - They're such fun, aren't they?
0:06:10 > 0:06:13That's the whole point of moving to the countryside, to get one.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- Exactly!- How good are you at making decisions?
0:06:16 > 0:06:20Is it an impulsive thing, or do you use your head rather than your heart?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22- We know what we want, obviously.- Yes.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24- Of the heart has to follow, very much so.- Yes.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27And I think that feeling of passion about somewhere.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Well, we've got three lovely properties lined up for you.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I hope that you like them all, but do feel free to tell us
0:06:32 > 0:06:36- what you like and what you don't like.- OK.- So let's get started.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41For a maximum budget of £400,000, John and Joy want a house
0:06:41 > 0:06:45with character, but don't mind whether it's old or new.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48It must have four bedrooms to accommodate visiting family,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50a spacious kitchen and a garden
0:06:50 > 0:06:52with a view of the surrounding countryside.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Location is also important,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57as this move is about being closer
0:06:57 > 0:06:59to their grandchildren in South Wales.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I'm hoping our buyers will be pleased with
0:07:03 > 0:07:05the selection of properties I'm going to show them
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and I'll be revealing the all-important price tag
0:07:08 > 0:07:10at the end of each house tour.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12And our mystery house will offer John and Joy
0:07:12 > 0:07:15the chance of a different life to the one they've planned.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24For our first property, we're heading to Great Brampton Park,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27which is about seven miles from Hereford.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29A mile down the road,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32surrounded by Herefordshire countryside, is our first house.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37OK, so, it's a little disorientating because clearly,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- not all of this is up for sale.- Aww!
0:07:39 > 0:07:42This is slightly different from what you asked for,
0:07:42 > 0:07:44but we couldn't resist showing you this property,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47because it's a beautiful, beautiful home.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50- But, as you can see, it is part of a complex.- Yeah.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55So this used to be a cider farm, built in the 19th century, 1870s.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59And converted ten years ago. Any thoughts about that?
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Yeah, I like the idea in many ways,
0:08:01 > 0:08:03because they're all fairly individual.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07And it gives a sense of a community, which is never a bad thing.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10So it's certainly not a deal-breaker by any means.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Yeah, I mean, we might need to interview the neighbours.- One by one!
0:08:14 > 0:08:16JOY LAUGHS
0:08:16 > 0:08:19John and Joy seem open to the idea of living within a community
0:08:19 > 0:08:23and this long barn conversion is one of 13 properties on the site.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31So, come in and have a look at the kitchen with its very fine rafters.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33They look quite old, don't they?
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Yes, it's a bit of sort of agricultural archaeology.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- Although you don't have to dig much. - Perfect!- That's true. Nice, tall ceilings.
0:08:41 > 0:08:42And come in here.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46I think this is a lovely, this is sort of heart of the home, really.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- Oh, I like this.- I love the floor.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- The floor, and just the whole feel. - Yes.
0:08:52 > 0:08:58- And what about the space? - The space is good, the space is very good, actually, I mean,
0:08:58 > 0:09:03you could easily get our family into here with no problem at all.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06OK, well, let's go and look at the sleeping quarters.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Hmm, so far, so good.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12And the ground floor living area also features a utility room
0:09:12 > 0:09:15and a family bathroom off the kitchen.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17There are four bedrooms in the property.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19Three are on the ground floor.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Of those, two are doubles and there's one single.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25But there's also a double bedroom upstairs
0:09:25 > 0:09:29with its own adjacent bathroom. A perfect suite for guests.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Let's hope the positivity continues in the master bedroom,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36which is on the ground floor.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39I think this is not much bigger than our bedroom at home.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42And one of the things I rather like the idea of
0:09:42 > 0:09:45is increasing the size of our bed.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48You snuck that in, because you didn't mention that before!
0:09:48 > 0:09:50LAUGHTER
0:09:50 > 0:09:52Well, it's an interesting property because, obviously,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54most of them are all on one level.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58- This one does have an en-suite shower room.- Well, that is a plus.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00OK, well, let's go outside and talk about the price
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- because then you can explore it properly.- Thank you.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08I fear we may have hit a wall with the size of the master bedroom,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11but there's still the garden to see.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13It's all at the front of the property
0:10:13 > 0:10:16and includes this sunny patio seating area.
0:10:16 > 0:10:17But will it be up to size?
0:10:20 > 0:10:21- Compact.- Compact?
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Is that code for "not big enough"?
0:10:24 > 0:10:29I think, to be honest, it is. I have to be honest.
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- And not simply not big enough, we do not have the views. That's for sure. - That's true.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39And possibly, we don't even have the privacy from the other properties.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43- No.- Well, it is all much more communal than private.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45What do you think it's on the market for?
0:10:45 > 0:10:49I would say about £320,000.
0:10:49 > 0:10:50Uh-huh.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52I would say close, 330.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55330. Well, you are both in the right ballpark.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58It's actually a little bit more expensive.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- It's on the market for 350.- OK.- OK.
0:11:03 > 0:11:07Under budget at £350,000, our first house is a converted barn
0:11:07 > 0:11:10which was once part of a working cider farm.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Renovated ten years ago,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16it retains much of the fabric of the original building.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19The accommodation features a kitchen, breakfast room,
0:11:19 > 0:11:22and a spacious living room with vaulted ceiling.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24There are four bedrooms in total,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27including an upstairs guest bedroom with an en-suite.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31And as one of a number of properties on the former farm complex,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34you're living amongst a friendly community.
0:11:34 > 0:11:38It's ingenious what the owners have done with the space up there,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40but I think it's going to be too cramped for John and Joy,
0:11:40 > 0:11:45- because it's already feeling a bit squeezy here. All right, guys?- Yes.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- All done.- Very good. So, pull the door. Let's head to property two.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Excellent.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Herefordshire is perhaps best known as a food-producing region,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02famous for its apple orchards and beef.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Its rich and fertile soils also make it a popular location
0:12:05 > 0:12:08for growing soft fruits.
0:12:08 > 0:12:1130% of the UK's blackcurrants are grown in the county,
0:12:11 > 0:12:16the vast majority sold on to make a well-known British cordial.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18But in these tough economic times,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21Herefordshire farmers are diversifying and some
0:12:21 > 0:12:25are using the blackcurrant to make something a little more potent.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29I've come to meet one of those entrepreneurs, Jo Hilditch.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33- Welcome.- Hello. So this is your family blackcurrant farm?- Yeah.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- How long has it been in the family? - Four generations.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38Oh. It's quite an impressive field.
0:12:38 > 0:12:39Is this the only one, or do you have many?
0:12:39 > 0:12:44No, this is about 25 acres and we've got about 125 acres.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48The soil suits it, the weather suits it and the way the land lies,
0:12:48 > 0:12:49the frost runs away down the hills.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52So how many tonnes of currants do you produce?
0:12:52 > 0:12:57Depending on the season, something between 300 and 350 tonnes.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59We do keep a bit back for ourselves
0:12:59 > 0:13:02because we've diversified into making our own cassis.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Cassis originates from France, where the blackcurrant liqueur is mixed
0:13:07 > 0:13:12with wine to make the cocktail kir, or champagne to make kir royal.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16Jo first came up with the idea of producing it herself after
0:13:16 > 0:13:20trying the drink when she was 18 on a French exchange programme.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26- So this is the bottling room. - Oh, it's very petite. Hello.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29And this is James, the juice master. James Moss.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33So James, what's the process? I mean, how do you make it from the...
0:13:33 > 0:13:36Well, once we've got the juice back from the press,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39we just ferment it with a champagne yeast and British sugar. That's it.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44Use a champagne yeast because you get a higher alcohol yield over a time.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Before being bottled, the juice stays in the barrels for up to
0:13:47 > 0:13:52six months until it reaches an alcohol level similar to wine.
0:13:52 > 0:13:53And then, it's ready to taste.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59Well, here's to your alcoholic fruit empire.
0:14:02 > 0:14:03Mmmm!
0:14:04 > 0:14:06- That's nice. - It is nice, isn't it!
0:14:06 > 0:14:10It's good to see that diversification here, at least, is paying off.
0:14:10 > 0:14:16But now, let's get back to John and Joy's house hunt.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20For our second property,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23we're crossing the border into Gloucestershire
0:14:23 > 0:14:25and venturing 25 miles south-east
0:14:25 > 0:14:27to the village of Ruardean Woodside,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29which is on the edge of the Forest of Dean.
0:14:29 > 0:14:34This is the property I want to show you.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37- Interesting! Wow!- Taken aback?- Yes.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40What are your thoughts from the outside?
0:14:40 > 0:14:45I love the stone and the rocks and all the higgledy-piggledy sizes.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47It's absolutely gorgeous.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50It's holding a lot of promise. Let's say.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Let's see if the promise is fulfilled inside.- Well...
0:14:53 > 0:14:55Built in the mid-19th century,
0:14:55 > 0:14:58our second property was at one time a schoolhouse, then a chapel,
0:14:58 > 0:15:02which fell into dereliction before the present owners converted it.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Come on in.- Oh, this is lovely.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- Oh, yeah, I agree. Hmmm.- Yes.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14- It's got a good feel. A very good feel.- Yes, it has.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Describe the feeling. What are you feeling?
0:15:17 > 0:15:21Warm and fuzzy. Tender moments.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Yes. It's got lovely views from the windows.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27We'll see what comes next.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29Come into the kitchen.
0:15:29 > 0:15:32Oh! Yes.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37It's got a cottagey feel, but modern-ish at the same time.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40So, you've got all the handmade bespoke oak cupboards,
0:15:40 > 0:15:45- and this is all local oak. - It's very interesting.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48You've said that word a lot. What does the word "interesting" mean for you two?
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- It means I haven't quite made up my mind.- Oh, good.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55- I'd love to see a bit more. - I'm afraid not, no.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57- JOHN LAUGHS - Come with me.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06This is all the new bit. This is the extension.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Sort of garden room or a sitting room.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- Yes.- And that sort of entrance into the garden...
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- Is lovely, with the trees behind.- Yes.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Yes.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21Good. So far, not a grumble. Let's see what you think of upstairs.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Upstairs there are three bedrooms,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26one less than our previous property,
0:16:26 > 0:16:29but they're all big enough for double beds,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31and there's a good-sized family bathroom.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34So, we come into the master bedroom.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37Oh, this is lovely. Very spacious.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42Windows strike you straightaway and are very pretty indeed.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- And size is good as well.- Yes.
0:16:45 > 0:16:49- Yes, it feels spacious, doesn't it? - Yes, yes.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52And you've got this very nice sort of walk-in wardrobe.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- Oh, yes.- Oh, yes.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56And if you have a look in the bathroom,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58- this is a particularly good one.- Ah!
0:16:58 > 0:17:04Oh, this is a lovely bathroom, isn't it? Look at the shower.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06Oh, now, that's what we're after, isn't it?
0:17:06 > 0:17:11Well, this is much more the idea I had in mind.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15The drawback with this property is that it only has three bedrooms.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18But let's have a look at outside, and the garden.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22As well as a double garage, the grounds include this large
0:17:22 > 0:17:26landscaped, terraced garden set into the hillside with a patio area
0:17:26 > 0:17:30with more flagstones, a vegetable patch and a pond.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35What are your first impressions coming out into the fresh air?
0:17:35 > 0:17:38I think the house looks really sweet from this angle, actually.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41Sometimes with the extension, it looks like an add-on,
0:17:41 > 0:17:46- a stick-on, but that is really working, isn't it?- Yes.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49I think this garden has a real wow factor.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51If you brought people here, they'd be like, "Wow!"
0:17:51 > 0:17:56- Yeah, I'd agree with that.- And how much would you think it all costs?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58I would say...
0:17:58 > 0:18:04probably about 360,000.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07I was going higher, 385.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10OK, well, the truth is a little in between.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15- It's on the market just a shade under 380.- Both quite close.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19On the market for just shy of £380,000,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23our second offering is still under John and Joy's top budget.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28It's a converted 19th-century former schoolhouse then chapel, retaining
0:18:28 > 0:18:32many of the original features, including stained-glass windows.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34There is a large dining room and separate kitchen
0:18:34 > 0:18:36and it has three double bedrooms.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40The rear garden is large and landscaped
0:18:40 > 0:18:43with views of the surrounding countryside.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Anyway, that's our houses for the day. Let's go and rest and regroup.
0:18:49 > 0:18:50Good idea.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59So, after singing the praises of Herefordshire,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02you skipped over the border into Gloucestershire.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Yes, well, it is a county that has a lot of the same appeal.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- Still, we do have the mystery house to come.- Indeed.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09We shall catch up with the story there a little bit later.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11But in the meantime, let's now meet our second couple,
0:19:11 > 0:19:15who themselves are hoping to engineer a move to the countryside.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- JULES:- Steve and Yvonne currently own this four-bedroom house
0:19:18 > 0:19:21in Wheatley on the outskirts of the city of Oxford.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26Their desire to live in a more rural setting has been on the cards for a while.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Just under ten years ago, I retired
0:19:28 > 0:19:31and the master plan was to spend two years round the country
0:19:31 > 0:19:33on a narrow boat that I'd just bought,
0:19:33 > 0:19:35but that never came to fruition.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39The move was put on hold as Yvonne gave up her teaching job
0:19:39 > 0:19:42to become a full-time carer for her elderly father.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Sadly, he died this year.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47Leaving their home will be emotional,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49but they feel it's time for a change of scene.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52What I won't miss, I suppose, is the closeness of everything
0:19:52 > 0:19:56and the noise and the traffic. I hanker for wider spaces.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00And having that space around them
0:20:00 > 0:20:05is probably a good thing as Steve has some particularly noisy hobbies.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08I've always tinkered about playing guitar
0:20:08 > 0:20:11and one of the things I always said I'd like to do when I retired
0:20:11 > 0:20:14was to learn to play the drums.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17And I'm just looking forward to going somewhere
0:20:17 > 0:20:20where I can start to learn and bash away.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22And when he's not hammering the drums, he's keen to work
0:20:22 > 0:20:26on the new house, having completely renovated their current home.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28I have a go at most things.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31You know, brickwork, plastering, plumbing.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33I've done a lot of woodwork
0:20:33 > 0:20:37and also built some bespoke sheds for myself and Yvonne.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Fortunately, Yvonne prefers quieter pursuits.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44I spend a lot of my spare time in the craft studio
0:20:44 > 0:20:46that Steve built for me.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Although I call it a shed, but it's posher than a shed.
0:20:49 > 0:20:53I do crochet, I do needlework, I do artwork.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56I also love my gardening. I grow veggies as well.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59When I'm not doing that, I go swimming.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01So, I'm a busy girl, really.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04All that's left is to find out how much money they've set aside
0:21:04 > 0:21:07for this move to rural Herefordshire.
0:21:07 > 0:21:13The budget for the move... Well, between £600,000 and £700,000.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Although if we find the right property,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19we could push ourselves to 750,000.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26Steve and Yvonne aren't fussy about a specific location
0:21:26 > 0:21:29in Herefordshire, but want lots of space around them.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33So, for a change, we have a free rein with our property search.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35I'm meeting them to go over the details of what they want
0:21:35 > 0:21:37from their country relocation.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Welcome to Herefordshire.- Thank you.
0:21:40 > 0:21:43So, just paint us a picture, Yvonne, of what this new life is going to comprise.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Peace. Quiet.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48Just time to spend to do the things I want to do.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51I mean, I know you're an engineer, Steve, and I know that you've done
0:21:51 > 0:21:54quite a bit of work on previous properties that you've owned.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58How involved are you intending to get with this new building,
0:21:58 > 0:21:59whatever it's going to be?
0:21:59 > 0:22:02If you've got the right place in the right location,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05if it's done and finished and shiny, that's fine.
0:22:05 > 0:22:09- Obviously, that will reflect the budget variation.- Yeah.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12If it was a rural barn that wanted fitting out,
0:22:12 > 0:22:14but was the right place
0:22:14 > 0:22:16and the right location, then I'd take that on as well.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19So, the specification of this property, Yvonne.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23Like everybody, I'd like a spacious kitchen. I love open plan.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27I'd like more accommodation downstairs than upstairs.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30- Outbuildings. I love outbuildings. - Yeah, don't we all!
0:22:30 > 0:22:32So that I can do painting and flap about in it
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and make mess without having to tidy it up. Just leave it.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Now, you said more space downstairs than upstairs.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41- How many bedrooms do we need? - Three's OK, but four would be fine.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44Just remind us of the budget for this move.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Well, we said sort of 600,000 to 700,000,
0:22:47 > 0:22:52but obviously, if the right place came along, we'd push to 750.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56The property market in this part of the world is absolutely superb
0:22:56 > 0:23:01- and you've got a budget to match it. - Excellent.- That's good.- Follow me.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07For a maximum budget of £750,000,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Steve and Yvonne want a house with space around them
0:23:10 > 0:23:12and far-reaching views.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15In terms of layout, they prefer open-plan accommodation
0:23:15 > 0:23:18and favour the downstairs space over the bedrooms,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21although they would like at least three of those.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22Yvonne would like a large kitchen
0:23:22 > 0:23:24and an outbuilding for her artwork.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29We've arranged three stunning properties for Steve and Yvonne
0:23:29 > 0:23:30to view here in Herefordshire
0:23:30 > 0:23:34and at each one, I'll be putting their pricing skills to the test.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Our last, the mystery house,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39may leave our buyers brewing with excitement.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50For our first property, we're heading to the village
0:23:50 > 0:23:52of Kerne Bridge in the south of the county.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55And the house we're showing them is nestled
0:23:55 > 0:23:59into the hillside, on the edge of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03So, there is property number one.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05- Mm-hm.- All right.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08But you did say location was everything,
0:24:08 > 0:24:09- and that view...- Yeah, stunning.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- ..I think really kind of makes this property.- Yeah.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16- That certainly is a view, Jules. - So, what do you think, Yvonne?
0:24:16 > 0:24:19I think the views are stunning, absolutely stunning, yeah.
0:24:19 > 0:24:24- But what about our property? - Um... Well, I'll wait to see.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27The outside looks promising. I'm eager to see the inside.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30- But in terms of setting. - Oh, yeah, sure.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33I mean, obviously, it speaks for itself, the setting.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35- Let's have a look.- Yeah.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38It's a thumbs up for the location, but let's hope
0:24:38 > 0:24:40that this 19th-century building,
0:24:40 > 0:24:42which has been extended over the years,
0:24:42 > 0:24:44continues to deliver once we get inside.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47We're accessing it via the conservatory.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Right, we're going to start with the principal living room,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56which is this one.
0:24:56 > 0:24:57Yes...
0:24:57 > 0:25:01- It's, uh... I'm not going to say nice.- You can do.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- Nice is the gist of it.- It's...
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Yeah, it's oldy looking, isn't it?
0:25:07 > 0:25:10It's in keeping. It has mega views.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- Well, that's what it's all about. - Mega views.- Yeah.- Mega views.
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- Through that door over there, is a little study area.- Right.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18And the boiler room.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20Um, and of course, you've got the great big fireplace as well.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22Which you could put a log burner in.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Let's see what you think about the dining room.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27Follow me up the steps and through the hallway.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32And then this is the dining end,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35which also goes out into the conservatory, which we saw already.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37- Yeah.- Right, yes.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40I don't know, something is worrying me about your reactions to this one.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43- Uh... I'm not moved at the moment. - You're not moved?
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- I can't fault that view, but...- No.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I mean, the views are excellent, absolutely.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48But it has got to be more than a view.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- Let's keep going, let's see if we can find a bit more for you.- OK.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Come and look at the kitchen.
0:25:55 > 0:25:56Oh, yeah.
0:25:57 > 0:26:01- I wanted something a bit bigger than this.- Yes.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- Probably a bit more open plan as well.- Yeah.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06- I'm finding it a little bit boxy.- Mm.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09One of the issues we sort of faced with your very generous budget -
0:26:09 > 0:26:10in this part of the world,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- we could find you something absolutely enormous.- Yeah.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- And arguably too big.- Yeah. - So we've tried to strike a balance
0:26:16 > 0:26:18- with our first property.- Yeah, nice to have that.
0:26:18 > 0:26:19Just to complete the picture,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21you've got a little utility room through there,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24which is very handy, and another door out to the front.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- But that's pretty much the principal areas downstairs.- Yep.
0:26:27 > 0:26:32- Let's go up.- OK.- I'm crossing everything, maybe we can find a way.
0:26:32 > 0:26:33All right.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Not the best of starts with the downstairs tour of our first house.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42I fear it is just not grabbing Steve and Yvonne.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Perhaps we can do better upstairs, where there are four bedrooms,
0:26:45 > 0:26:48all of which are good-sized doubles.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52One of those offers a large en suite and could make a good master.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56But I've another bedroom in mind for our buyers.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01- So this, we're thinking, would make a very nice master.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:27:01 > 0:27:06This is a good size. Plus it's got a nice feel, this room.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09- It's cosy.- Yeah.- It may not be the biggest room up here and, of course,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12- it doesn't have the en-suite that exists down the corridor.- No.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- But with the little box room next door...- You could knock through.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17- That's what we're thinking.- Yeah.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19This is one of the nicest rooms in the house, actually.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Yes, lovely feel.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- So, we didn't get a wow, but we did get a nice.- Yeah.- Oh, nice!
0:27:24 > 0:27:26I wasn't going to say the nice word, was I?
0:27:26 > 0:27:28You think it deserves it?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Cos lying in bed, looking at those views, must be fabulous.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34But the downstairs doesn't do justice to it at all.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39Well, one other factor on your wish list are, of course, outbuildings.
0:27:39 > 0:27:40Yep.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Let's go and have a look at those and we'll talk about the price.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Cos that will be interesting to gauge where we're at with this one.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49- Follow me.- Yep.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52The gardens include a planted rockery, shrubs
0:27:52 > 0:27:56and lawned areas with stunning views over the Wye Valley.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59There's a large double garage with a generous office space
0:27:59 > 0:28:01at the back, as well as two further outbuildings -
0:28:01 > 0:28:05one could make an excellent workshop or craft room
0:28:05 > 0:28:08and there's an additional one for storage.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11There's also a swimming pool, which should keep Yvonne happy.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- Now, some buyers, of course, insist on the pool.- Yeah.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16You've got one as a bonus.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Now we're going to talk about the price on this one.
0:28:18 > 0:28:23I'm certainly going to go on the low side. That is going to be about 575.
0:28:23 > 0:28:27- 575?- It's even under the lower part of the budget we set.- Yeah.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- I would say 585, just fractionally more.- 585.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33But I'm just saying that to play devil's advocate, really.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36Well, you know, it is all in the eye of the beholder,
0:28:36 > 0:28:38and that is you two on this occasion.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40This is on the market for offers in excess
0:28:40 > 0:28:44- of 635.- Is it?- Oh, not too far over.
0:28:46 > 0:28:50Priced at offers over £635,000,
0:28:50 > 0:28:52our first property is well within budget,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55with money to spare to make adjustments.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58It is a 19th-century home, situated on a hillside
0:28:58 > 0:29:00overlooking the River Wye.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03The downstairs accommodation includes a large living room
0:29:03 > 0:29:05and kitchen and breakfast room.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07All the four bedrooms are of a good size.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10The outside space includes two outbuildings.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12And from the garden, there are stunning views
0:29:12 > 0:29:14of the surrounding countryside.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19- Right, out you come. Grab the door, Steve.- Uh-huh.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- Something tells me you are not going to be opening that again.- No.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24- I don't think so.- No.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26Well... Tough sell, I suppose.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28In some respects, if it has got this issue with levels
0:29:28 > 0:29:32and the space, but I am confident property number two is going
0:29:32 > 0:29:35- to be more what you are looking for. - Good.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37- I'm crossing everything. - Let's be positive.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49On Escape To The Country, we get to show buyers around
0:29:49 > 0:29:52all manner of different houses, some of which are historically
0:29:52 > 0:29:56and architecturally important enough to have listed building status.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58But what does that mean when it comes to buying
0:29:58 > 0:30:03and renovating one of the hundreds of thousands of listed buildings?
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Herefordshire has around 6,000 examples,
0:30:06 > 0:30:07and I have come to one of them -
0:30:07 > 0:30:11Wellbrook Manor - to meet Laura Norris of the Vivat Trust,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14a charity which specialises in restoring listed properties
0:30:14 > 0:30:18and turning them into exclusive holiday lets to pay for the work.
0:30:18 > 0:30:22- And this is Wellbrook Manor. - This is Wellbrook Manor.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- Isn't she beautiful? - Absolutely stunning.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28Now, what grade of listing is Wellbrook?
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- Wellbrook is a Grade 1. - Is it?- Grade 1 listed.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- So that is as high as it gets. - Exactly.
0:30:33 > 0:30:35The same as Buckingham Palace.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38But what is it about this building that makes it so special?
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Number one, it is from 1340.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42So that is kind of a bit of a marker.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45It is a medieval hall house that sits on the border of England
0:30:45 > 0:30:47and Wales. It is a very unusual.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49And you don't really see that outside.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52What you see is a lovely building.
0:30:52 > 0:30:54Inside, it tells a different story.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- Come on, then, give me the tour of it.- All right, then.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00Wellbrook Manor was altered in the late 16th century
0:31:00 > 0:31:01and restored in the 1920s.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Laura's charity is in the process of correcting the previous
0:31:06 > 0:31:08restoration work that, at the time,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11was considered good building practice.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14The first stage was to remove a cement pebble dash render
0:31:14 > 0:31:17applied a century ago to keep the moisture out
0:31:17 > 0:31:20that has revealed the original medieval timbers
0:31:20 > 0:31:22and now allows the building to breathe again.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25The work will now move to the inside of the house,
0:31:25 > 0:31:27where the manor is slowly revealing its secrets.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29Tell us how this building has evolved
0:31:29 > 0:31:31and what you have learned about it.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33- Well, Jules, see that ceiling?- Yes.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35In 1340, that's not there.
0:31:35 > 0:31:40A vandal in the 1700s came and put that ceiling in.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42So this should be a double-height space
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- and it should have another wing running down the side...- Should it?
0:31:45 > 0:31:48..where the lawn is. That would have been the service wing.
0:31:48 > 0:31:49Going back to the fact that it is listed
0:31:49 > 0:31:52- and that it is at the top of the listing scale...- Yeah.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54..are there any compromises that you had to
0:31:54 > 0:31:58make in terms of the repair and conservation of this building?
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Actually, no, because what we have done is we have listened to
0:32:01 > 0:32:06the building and dealt with it appropriately for its listing.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09That said, not many people are as fortunate as we are.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12We are not going to use it as a permanent residence,
0:32:12 > 0:32:15it will be holiday lets, so you don't need as much storage,
0:32:15 > 0:32:18you don't need as much clutter space.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21You need something that is beautiful.
0:32:21 > 0:32:22It is quite a holiday let.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25THEY LAUGH
0:32:25 > 0:32:29The older a building is, the more likely it is to be listed.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32Grade 1 buildings are of exceptional interest,
0:32:32 > 0:32:35often considered to be internationally important.
0:32:35 > 0:32:39But the vast majority, around 92%, are Grade 2.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Whatever the grade, listing doesn't mean you can't change anything,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45it simply means that consent is required to make any
0:32:45 > 0:32:49alterations to the building which might affect its special interest.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53Anyone can suggest a building for listing for English Heritage,
0:32:53 > 0:32:56although the decision on whether to list rests with the Government.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59One of the reasons this building is listed
0:32:59 > 0:33:02is its impressive medieval timber-framed roof.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06I mean, going back to the date of this, 1340,
0:33:06 > 0:33:09again, how much of this is original?
0:33:09 > 0:33:10Quite a bit of it.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14And, yes, it has been supported and it has been mucked around by various
0:33:14 > 0:33:18generations, but the majority of this, particularly the roof...
0:33:18 > 0:33:21- Yeah.- ..is 1340.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24- I mean, this is why we celebrate listed buildings.- Exactly.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Because of the history and the character that they have.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30But I meet a lot of people on Escape To The Country who would run
0:33:30 > 0:33:32a mile from a listed building.
0:33:32 > 0:33:33They are not to be feared.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36No, they are not, they are to be embraced.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Although the listing is there to protect buildings
0:33:38 > 0:33:39such as Wellbrook Manor,
0:33:39 > 0:33:42they need to be lived in in order to survive.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45And it's exciting to think that it won't be long before this
0:33:45 > 0:33:49historic treasure will be opening its doors to the general public.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56For our second property,
0:33:56 > 0:34:01I've got to confess that, like Alistair, I also indulged in a spot of border hopping.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05We're heading into Worcestershire, to the village of Callow End.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Although we have left Herefordshire, we are much closer to Oxford
0:34:09 > 0:34:12and Steve and Yvonne's friends.
0:34:12 > 0:34:13Here we are, our second property.
0:34:13 > 0:34:18Not a bad spot and, actually, not a bad looking property.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20- No, it does look nice. - It looks OK from here.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22- Looks good.- Steve, the wheels are turning, what is happening?
0:34:22 > 0:34:24- So far, so good.- So far, so good.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28I mean, give us a sense of what you make of its look and character.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31- Because it certainly has a bit more about it than number one.- Yeah.
0:34:31 > 0:34:32No... I mean, there's no comparison.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35It's got a lot more character. You got the black and white outside.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38You know, you can see the old brick-style cottage.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42You can see, you know, the new side, all done very sympathetically.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46- Happy?- Yeah.- Relieved?- We'll see.
0:34:46 > 0:34:47Come on.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52It is a slightly better reaction to our second house,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54which is a large, part-timbered property
0:34:54 > 0:34:58that traded as a public house until the early 20th century.
0:34:58 > 0:35:01But the interior has been substantially remodelled
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Let's start with the big kitchen-diner you are after.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09- Yeah, it's nice.- Yes?- Yeah.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- That's very nice. - This is more like it.- Yeah.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14- More like it. - I thought this might be.- Yeah.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17It's all new, it's all been done in the last three or four years.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19There is a very generous utility room through there
0:35:19 > 0:35:22and a really nice downstairs shower room, as well.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24- Yep.- Should you need it.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26- Yeah, excellent so far. - No, it's nice. Ah!
0:35:26 > 0:35:27I'm not using that word nice.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- It's OK. - It's very pleasing to the eye.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32Let's go with nice.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Let's enjoy the word nice and soak up all that it means.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- Because it is nice, it's gorgeous!- It is, it is.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41You don't very often get a wow out of Yvonne,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43but very nice is probably...
0:35:43 > 0:35:44We might be building towards it, Steve.
0:35:44 > 0:35:48- Yeah, could be, you never know. - Let's see if we can get one. Come this way.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53As well as the open plan kitchen-breakfast room, there is
0:35:53 > 0:35:57a large entrance hallway and, off that, a spacious study.
0:35:57 > 0:36:02And then this is your main living area. Come right into this room.
0:36:02 > 0:36:06- Because it's quite a lot to take in, actually.- Yeah, it's ni...ce.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09There's that word again. But I love the beams.
0:36:09 > 0:36:14- Yep. Good size, actually. Dual aspect, nice views.- Exactly.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17- The dual aspect is unusual in a house this wide.- Yeah.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20- Nice feel. Relaxing. - It does have a nice feel.- Relaxing?
0:36:20 > 0:36:22You said earlier that, obviously,
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- it was the downstairs that mattered more.- Yeah.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- I don't think the upstairs is going to disappoint you.- OK.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30- OK.- I'm crossing everything.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33You never know, we might get a wow at some point.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37There are four good-sized bedrooms on the first floor,
0:36:37 > 0:36:41including a large double and two smaller rooms.
0:36:41 > 0:36:44They are all serviced by a large family bathroom,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46which just leaves the master suite.
0:36:46 > 0:36:52And then finally, his and hers basins in your own en suite.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Nice freestanding bath in there.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57And then, this is obviously the master bedroom itself.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59- Very nice.- Very nice.- Yeah?
0:36:59 > 0:37:03- The way the en-suite through there... It flows lovely.- Yeah.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05You know, it's not... It doesn't look like it's stuck on the end
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- or anything, it's lovely.- Curiously,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10it also has this little sort of mezzanine dressing area
0:37:10 > 0:37:14- up there in the roof space itself. - Interesting.- That is really sweet.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18You could have it as a kind of master snug if you wanted to.
0:37:18 > 0:37:21A little sofa in there, a TV. So how are we doing?
0:37:21 > 0:37:23You are doing pretty well.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27In addition to the main house, our second property comes with
0:37:27 > 0:37:30a range of outbuildings in the grounds.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33These include a laundry room and garden stores,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35but there is also this red-brick building,
0:37:35 > 0:37:38which houses a garage and workshop and, on the upper floor,
0:37:38 > 0:37:42a vast loft space offering plenty of options for Yvonne's artwork
0:37:42 > 0:37:44and Steve to tinker around with.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48The gardens are extensive.
0:37:48 > 0:37:50Most of it is laid to lawn,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53but there is also a terrace with an ornamental pond.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56The property even comes with its own apple orchard.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Now, grounds wise,
0:38:02 > 0:38:06- it is just under, just under an acre.- Yeah.- Oh.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10- All right? But I love that view. - Yeah, it's gorgeous.- It's nice.
0:38:10 > 0:38:16Now, the Severn, the River Severn is just a few yards that way.
0:38:16 > 0:38:18So, you know, it is kind of on your doorstep.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21- So, it is an interesting property in terms of its location.- Yeah.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24It's imposing, but it hasn't lost its cottage sort of feel.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27No, and it is not over the top.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30So, let's think about the price, then.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32It has got to be top end of our budget.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34740, 750.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37740, 750, yup.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39Yeah, well, I'm going to come down a little bit from that.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41I'm going to come down to, say, about 720.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45- I myself would expect this to start with a seven.- Yeah.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48The exciting news is that it starts with a six.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52- Does it?- £685,000.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Oh, that's good.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56- It's gone the other way this time, you see?- Yeah,
0:38:56 > 0:38:57we have gone over the top.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05On the market at offers around £685,000,
0:39:05 > 0:39:08our vast second property is still within budget.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10It is a part-timbered former pub,
0:39:10 > 0:39:13parts of which date to the 17th century.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16The interior has been redesigned in recent years
0:39:16 > 0:39:19and includes a large, open-plan kitchen-diner.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21There are four bedrooms as well as the additional room
0:39:21 > 0:39:23off the master suite.
0:39:23 > 0:39:25The property comes with a range of outbuildings
0:39:25 > 0:39:29and it is all set in a acre of land on the banks of the River Severn.
0:39:29 > 0:39:34The last rays of sunshine after a busy day.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35This is just lovely.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- Hello.- Hiya.- Talking of lovely...
0:39:38 > 0:39:40- How is our lovely house, then? - It's lovely.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43It's lovely.
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- But is it the one? Who knows? - Who knows?
0:39:46 > 0:39:49Maybe for one of us, maybe not the other one, I don't know.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53Let's go and sleep on it and prepare ourselves for the mystery house.
0:39:53 > 0:39:54- Yeah.- Excellent.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- Only you would find them a converted boozer to move into. - JULES LAUGHS
0:40:06 > 0:40:09But as you can see, it had bags of space and bags of character.
0:40:09 > 0:40:13But for all that, it was certainly dividing opinion between Steve and Yvonne.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15But what about you? How are you getting on?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18John and Joy, they've got £400,000 to retire with.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20After day one, not sure.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Reading of the situation would suggest it was struggling a bit.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25I don't think they loved the first two properties,
0:40:25 > 0:40:27but the mystery house, it gave them lots of space,
0:40:27 > 0:40:30but it also came with a big challenge.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34We're crossing back over the border into Herefordshire to find
0:40:34 > 0:40:37our mystery house, and travelling to the village of Blakemere
0:40:37 > 0:40:40at the foot of the Black Mountains.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43It's ten miles from the historic market town of Hay-on-Wye,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46which is famous for its second-hand bookshops
0:40:46 > 0:40:48and annual literary festival.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Hay is naturally popular with tourists and that's
0:40:51 > 0:40:54one of the things I want John and Joy to bear in mind when
0:40:54 > 0:40:58I show them today's mystery house, as I hope it will challenge our
0:40:58 > 0:41:02retirees to consider a new business opportunity here in the country.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06And it's not just Jules who has the monopoly on converted boozers.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11This is a mystery and a half, this house.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13It's a very old property, the oldest property we've shown you.
0:41:13 > 0:41:18It goes back to the 1640s and it was a cider house, like a pub.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- What are your first thoughts? - That it's old.
0:41:21 > 0:41:27- It certainly has got character in spades.- Yeah. So far, so good.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Joy, I can see that you're thinking deeply.
0:41:30 > 0:41:33No, I'm being Yorkshire!
0:41:34 > 0:41:35Safer!
0:41:35 > 0:41:38Well, I'm actually not going to show you the house straightaway,
0:41:38 > 0:41:42because first of all, I'd like you to point out the beautiful garden.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45I tell you what, I love that bush there. I'm not sure what it is.
0:41:45 > 0:41:49- It's a Chinese tree peony. You've got a fantastic magnolia.- Yes.
0:41:49 > 0:41:50- I love magnolias.- Yes, yes.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53There's some beautiful trees planted in the garden
0:41:53 > 0:41:57- and you have an acre of garden. - Goodness me.- That's interesting.
0:41:57 > 0:42:02But the thing that makes this the mystery is not that, but through here.
0:42:02 > 0:42:06Our mystery public house comes with an outbuilding,
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- but it's one with a few strings attached.- Ooh!
0:42:10 > 0:42:14- Something is under construction. - Something is under construction.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15My goodness.
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Now this makes this property very unique, because bearing in mind
0:42:18 > 0:42:22we're ten miles away from Hay, one of the most popular destinations.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26- We love it.- But actually, what you have here is a really
0:42:26 > 0:42:32substantial second property in the grounds of your house.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36With access from the road and planning for a holiday let.
0:42:36 > 0:42:40Basically, it's being sold as the sort of planned shell
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- for a property that you would complete.- Mm.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47So when you said you don't like to do DIY, this is the challenge.
0:42:47 > 0:42:49- Ba-doom!- Massive challenge.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- Well, that is the mystery. - It certainly is.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- It is a mystery.- Yes.- Shall we go and look at the main house?- Yes.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57Let's do that.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59The current owners of the property believe that this half-built
0:42:59 > 0:43:05three-bedroom holiday let could make £500 a week at full capacity.
0:43:05 > 0:43:09But John and Joy are after a house and they need to fall in love with that before they could
0:43:09 > 0:43:13consider the business potential of our mystery property.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16And there may be some work to do there, too.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20OK, so this is... This is the old kitchen.
0:43:20 > 0:43:23Yes. Yes.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Bear in mind that this is an old cottage and it's sort of,
0:43:26 > 0:43:29you know, has been kept sort of as it was
0:43:29 > 0:43:31so you've got the lovely black and white beams.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35- Which are gorgeous, I have to say. I do like...- And good head height.
0:43:35 > 0:43:39But I think this wouldn't be the room where you'd want the kitchen.
0:43:39 > 0:43:42- Ah! That's interesting.- Follow me.
0:43:43 > 0:43:50- This room, however...- Oh, this is lovely, isn't it?- Oh, wow! Yes.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53- This is...- Loving it. - This is lovely. Yes.
0:43:53 > 0:43:55My first thought was, you know,
0:43:55 > 0:43:58this would be a lovely kitchen/ dining room.
0:43:58 > 0:44:00I agree with you. Yes.
0:44:00 > 0:44:03- Actually, that could then be your utility room.- Yes.
0:44:03 > 0:44:05- You could put a big range here.- Yes.
0:44:05 > 0:44:09- And some, you know, some sort of sympathetic units.- Yes.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11- That could be rather nice, yes. - It would, wouldn't it?
0:44:11 > 0:44:14So the thing to remember with this property, however,
0:44:14 > 0:44:16- is that it's a Grade II listed building.- Ah.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18So that limits what one can do.
0:44:18 > 0:44:21It limits what you can do, but it doesn't mean you can't do anything.
0:44:21 > 0:44:22It's a great area.
0:44:22 > 0:44:27I mean, the actual size of the room is perfect, really, isn't it?
0:44:27 > 0:44:31There are two further reception rooms downstairs, a cosy living area
0:44:31 > 0:44:36with a log burner, and a breakfast room off the current kitchen.
0:44:36 > 0:44:39There are three good-sized bedrooms upstairs, all in the eaves,
0:44:39 > 0:44:44with exposed timbers and they all share a large family bathroom.
0:44:46 > 0:44:49This is the master bedroom.
0:44:49 > 0:44:54- A sort of classic cottage upstairs. - Oh, it is. Yes. Yes.
0:44:54 > 0:44:59- Beams aplenty.- Like it. Yeah. First feeling.- Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
0:44:59 > 0:45:03It feels like a lovely little house in the sense that it's got
0:45:03 > 0:45:06- a good atmosphere.- Oh, it has. Oh, yeah, and this room, definitely.
0:45:06 > 0:45:10Yes. Well, you said you wanted something different from what you've got.
0:45:10 > 0:45:13- It couldn't be more different, could it, really?- This fits the bill.
0:45:13 > 0:45:17Our buyers have already said they liked the front garden,
0:45:17 > 0:45:20but there's so much more round the back, including a substantial
0:45:20 > 0:45:24lawn area, a summer house, and a large veggie patch.
0:45:24 > 0:45:26One acre of land in total.
0:45:28 > 0:45:32But there's still the price of the whole package to consider.
0:45:32 > 0:45:35What do you think it's going to cost? Clearly you're going to have to spend some money.
0:45:35 > 0:45:38Well, yeah. This is our big concern, really, I think.
0:45:38 > 0:45:40Well, I just...almost finding it impossible,
0:45:40 > 0:45:42but I know I have to give a figure.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45For it to come into budget with the sort of work we would need
0:45:45 > 0:45:51to do, I think the bottom line price would need to be 320-330.
0:45:52 > 0:45:57Yeah, I probably think I would go probably with 300,000
0:45:57 > 0:46:00and I know I may be a bit low, but that would give us
0:46:00 > 0:46:05a clear 100,000 to do the garden, the barn and everything else.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09This is, actually, I'm afraid, quite high in your budget,
0:46:09 > 0:46:12- actually, over your budget. It's on at 410.- Mmm.
0:46:12 > 0:46:16- I'm not surprised at that figure. - Yeah.- I'm really not.- Yeah.
0:46:18 > 0:46:23At £410,000, our mystery house is slightly more than what John and
0:46:23 > 0:46:25Joy originally wanted to spend,
0:46:25 > 0:46:28but does offer them a potential income.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31It's a Grade II listed former cider house,
0:46:31 > 0:46:34parts of which date back nearly 400 years.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37The accommodation includes three large reception rooms
0:46:37 > 0:46:40and three double bedrooms.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42It's set in one acre of gardens
0:46:42 > 0:46:45and comes with a half-finished holiday let,
0:46:45 > 0:46:48offering business potential in the future.
0:46:48 > 0:46:51Now that John and Joy have seen all of our houses,
0:46:51 > 0:46:55I'm going to find out if any of them have taken their fancy.
0:46:55 > 0:46:56Usually at this point,
0:46:56 > 0:47:00I have a pretty clear idea about which properties you don't like.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03I have to say, with you two, I have a slightly sinking feeling that
0:47:03 > 0:47:05you may not like any of them.
0:47:05 > 0:47:07Is that...is that fair?
0:47:07 > 0:47:12I think I can speak for both of us for once in saying that we both loved the third property.
0:47:12 > 0:47:14Well, there's a turn up for the books.
0:47:14 > 0:47:18The house proved a bit of a surprise, because as we were standing
0:47:18 > 0:47:24outside the front door, I thought, "This is going to be so small."
0:47:24 > 0:47:28But it actually turned out to be bigger than I'd thought.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31The views from there were absolutely tremendous.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35How lovely to live at the foot of the Black Mountains.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39- Now, what's happening next, because obviously, your house is pretty much sold.- We hope so.
0:47:39 > 0:47:43Seems to be, that's right. Close to exchanging contracts.
0:47:43 > 0:47:47I think we are going to think further about that third one.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49I mean, it has potential.
0:47:49 > 0:47:51It would be a lot of challenges
0:47:51 > 0:47:55and ones that we need a bit of time to get our heads around.
0:47:55 > 0:48:00- Do you feel that, actually, you want to leave Bournville?- Hmm.
0:48:00 > 0:48:06Yes. It's more than just a normal move.
0:48:06 > 0:48:12For us, Bournville meant a part of our lives when we had our family.
0:48:13 > 0:48:18We haven't got all our family now and we need to move.
0:48:18 > 0:48:21At the same time, we will be very sad,
0:48:21 > 0:48:24- so leaving memories behind is a double-edged sword.- It is.
0:48:24 > 0:48:27- Very much so. - It's very much a double-edged sword.
0:48:27 > 0:48:29We're only going to do this once, I think,
0:48:29 > 0:48:31so we've got to get it right now.
0:48:31 > 0:48:34- Well, it feels like we've given you a little shove.- Definitely.
0:48:34 > 0:48:36- I think so.- Towards the country,
0:48:36 > 0:48:40and I hope that the rest of the journey goes very smoothly.
0:48:40 > 0:48:41- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51So, a very moving end to the journey.
0:48:51 > 0:48:53Yeah, they'd held it together throughout the whole filming,
0:48:53 > 0:48:57and I think sitting down and really contemplating the move
0:48:57 > 0:49:00and everything that move entailed, and the memories they would
0:49:00 > 0:49:04- leave behind in that house was just the tipping point.- Yeah.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07- What about Steve and Yvonne?- Well, a very different kind of story there.
0:49:07 > 0:49:10They had three quarters of a million pounds to spend on just
0:49:10 > 0:49:13the pair of them, and we were heading to our mystery house.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16- Did you find a goodie? - I think we did.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19I think we got into classic Escape To The Country mystery house territory,
0:49:19 > 0:49:23and we had to, because frankly our first two properties hadn't wowed them at all.
0:49:23 > 0:49:25So we had it all to do.
0:49:25 > 0:49:27So, for our mystery, we gave them something big,
0:49:27 > 0:49:31something beautiful, and something that was all done.
0:49:31 > 0:49:34- JULES:- For our final property, we are heading back over the border
0:49:34 > 0:49:37into Herefordshire, into the hamlet of Canon Frome.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40The area has a long hop-growing tradition,
0:49:40 > 0:49:43and in its former life, our mystery house played an important role
0:49:43 > 0:49:46in the brewing industry here in Herefordshire.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48It's packed with character and history,
0:49:48 > 0:49:51but it isn't the isolated property Steve and Yvonne were after,
0:49:51 > 0:49:54so I'm crossing my fingers with this one.
0:49:54 > 0:49:59So this, I think, is the best place to really take in our mystery house.
0:49:59 > 0:50:04- Yes.- It certainly is. It is - an old oast house. It is enormous.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06It is about 4,000 square feet.
0:50:06 > 0:50:09The only compromise, Steve, is the fact that there is a farm next door.
0:50:09 > 0:50:13- Yeah.- OK? But that way... - Yeah.- ..there's nothing.
0:50:13 > 0:50:16- I think... I'm not too uneasy with that.- Good.
0:50:16 > 0:50:19- Let's get in our mystery house and sell it to you.- OK.- Come on.
0:50:20 > 0:50:24I'm relieved that Steve isn't put off by the neighbouring farm
0:50:24 > 0:50:27because our spacious mystery house really is worth seeing.
0:50:27 > 0:50:32Built around 1895, the former hop barn was completely
0:50:32 > 0:50:35renovated by the current owners three years ago.
0:50:35 > 0:50:38- Now, what a greeting!- Wow!- Wow.
0:50:38 > 0:50:39A wow! Two wows.
0:50:39 > 0:50:41Wow. Yeah.
0:50:41 > 0:50:43- Isn't it gorgeous? It is. - Yes, it is.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47We don't normally sort of linger in hallways on our house tours,
0:50:47 > 0:50:50but this is one that is worth spending some time in,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53because it really is the hub of this building.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56- Yeah.- What they have done is totally renewed the floor.
0:50:56 > 0:50:59This is local stone from the Black Mountains. Underfloor heating.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01Big kitchen-diner?
0:51:01 > 0:51:02This way, madam.
0:51:04 > 0:51:06So, Yvonne...
0:51:07 > 0:51:09..come on up, let's explore.
0:51:09 > 0:51:11- Gosh!- Yes?- Yeah, it's lovely.
0:51:11 > 0:51:15You have got the boiler room through there and utility room as well.
0:51:15 > 0:51:17- And you have got this view, yeah. - They are all bifolds.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21- They will open up, exactly. So on a nice, hot summer's day...- Love it.
0:51:21 > 0:51:23Come on, give us a score out of ten.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25Well, I used to teach, and I never gave ten out of tens,
0:51:25 > 0:51:27so I'll give it a nine.
0:51:27 > 0:51:29I'll take that as a ten, then.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33As well as the kitchen, there are three other rooms off
0:51:33 > 0:51:35the spacious entrance hallway,
0:51:35 > 0:51:38including a generous study and a cosy snug,
0:51:38 > 0:51:42but I want to show our space-loving couple the largest reception room.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45- Yeah.- Like that.- Yeah?
0:51:45 > 0:51:50Yeah, I like the open stonework on the wall there. Nice feel, too.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52Just a nice relaxing feel again here.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55You've got some lovely bits of detailing
0:51:55 > 0:51:57- like this old door and so on. - That's stunning, isn't it?
0:51:57 > 0:51:59And look at the width of it.
0:51:59 > 0:52:02I mean, that is the joy of converting an agricultural,
0:52:02 > 0:52:04industrial building like this, is that you get these
0:52:04 > 0:52:06proportions you don't get in a modern building.
0:52:06 > 0:52:08Tell a few stories, that one.
0:52:08 > 0:52:13Let's go and take a look at the upstairs and find you a sumptuous master bedroom.
0:52:16 > 0:52:19There are four large bedrooms off the first floor landing
0:52:19 > 0:52:23as well as a family bath and shower room with exposed brickwork.
0:52:23 > 0:52:26There is one large double and two of the bedrooms have separate
0:52:26 > 0:52:31stairs access to two further rooms on the second floor of the property,
0:52:31 > 0:52:36ideal for storage or as extra office space, which just leaves the master.
0:52:36 > 0:52:39Quite an unusual layout in many respects.
0:52:39 > 0:52:41- Beautiful, isn't it?- Yeah. It is.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43Now, when we first met,
0:52:43 > 0:52:45you said very clearly that what really mattered
0:52:45 > 0:52:47- was the downstairs space.- Yeah.
0:52:47 > 0:52:52- But this place clearly delivers over and above upstairs.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:52:52 > 0:52:55- Definitely.- Definitely. Nine double plus.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58A nine double plus? Excellent! I like that, good.
0:52:58 > 0:53:04Now, this is the master because it has this very unusual en suite.
0:53:04 > 0:53:05You liked open plan, you said,
0:53:05 > 0:53:08how about a bit of open-plan bathing?
0:53:08 > 0:53:11- That is, isn't it? - Well, that's different, isn't it?
0:53:11 > 0:53:13It's very different. It's the sort of thing you might find
0:53:13 > 0:53:16- if you go to a boutique hotel these days.- Yes.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19My guess is that you might give yourself a little
0:53:19 > 0:53:21bit of our project here, Steve,
0:53:21 > 0:53:23by continuing these walls,
0:53:23 > 0:53:26- maybe even rearranging the access with a door.- Yeah.
0:53:26 > 0:53:29But I think in some cases, you have to live in a place
0:53:29 > 0:53:31first before you decide what you are going to change.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33- Yeah.- Get to know it, around it.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35Well, I get the feeling that this really has struck a chord
0:53:35 > 0:53:37with both of you.
0:53:37 > 0:53:38- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:53:38 > 0:53:43The house has certainly passed with flying colours, but I am
0:53:43 > 0:53:46keen to see if we we'll get top marks with the garden and grounds.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49Although there are fewer outbuildings here
0:53:49 > 0:53:52than at our last property, just this timber carport
0:53:52 > 0:53:56and adjoining shed, there is a generous 2.3 acres of land,
0:53:56 > 0:53:59including three paddocks as well as a large lawn.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03So this is one of the paddocks. Friendly sheep looking on.
0:54:03 > 0:54:07And there, of course, is our mystery house.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10- And you like what you see. - I do, I really do.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12- So do I.- Nine triple plus.
0:54:12 > 0:54:15- Nine triple plus! We'll never get a ten out of you, will we?- No.
0:54:15 > 0:54:19- But will it score highly on the price?- 750.
0:54:19 > 0:54:23Straight in at the top end of the budget. OK, no messing.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25It has got to be around that area, isn't it?
0:54:25 > 0:54:27- I think it is 750, really. - Shall we agree on 750?
0:54:27 > 0:54:29Let's go for 750.
0:54:29 > 0:54:31I would if I were you, cos that is what is on the market for.
0:54:31 > 0:54:33- Right.- Spot-on.- We got one right.
0:54:33 > 0:54:36- Spot-on.- Excellent.
0:54:36 > 0:54:38- You are not fazed at all, are you, by that?- No.- No.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41I'm just thinking about I'd rather it be spent on that than leave
0:54:41 > 0:54:44- it in the bank, quite frankly.- Well, you get more fun out of it here.
0:54:44 > 0:54:46- Yeah.- That's for sure.
0:54:48 > 0:54:53On the market at £750,000, our mystery house is as far as Steve
0:54:53 > 0:54:55and Yvonne are willing to go on price.
0:54:55 > 0:54:59It is a former oast house, which has been renovated in the last
0:54:59 > 0:55:02few years, but retains much of its character.
0:55:02 > 0:55:04The accommodation includes a large sitting room
0:55:04 > 0:55:08and kitchen as well as four good-sized bedrooms.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12It sits on 2.3 acres of land, which includes paddocks for stabling
0:55:12 > 0:55:14and the property has views of
0:55:14 > 0:55:17the surrounding Herefordshire countryside.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21- Well, I think we might have arrived at our destination...- Yep.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23..as far as your future is concerned. Who knows?
0:55:23 > 0:55:25- I think you have done really well with this one, certainly.- Good.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29Right then, I'm going to whisk you away out into the rain. Come on.
0:55:33 > 0:55:35Well,
0:55:35 > 0:55:38- what a week it has been with you two, hasn't it?- Yep.
0:55:38 > 0:55:40Three very different properties.
0:55:40 > 0:55:44Now, I'm guessing there is only one real contender here.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47Yeah, number three, the mystery house.
0:55:47 > 0:55:49- Why?- Oh, cos it just had everything.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51It had space, open plan...
0:55:51 > 0:55:55- It just blew me.- There's no competition with the rest.
0:55:55 > 0:55:58I mean, the space is all there, the architecture is lovely
0:55:58 > 0:56:01cos it's a bit of a quirky building, which is nice.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04But is it your new home?
0:56:05 > 0:56:10Well, potentially we are going to, on the way back, go and have
0:56:10 > 0:56:13another look around it, and then we'll take it from there, I think.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16I think it would be a great base for you from which to launch,
0:56:16 > 0:56:19- well, this new chapter in your lives.- Yep.
0:56:19 > 0:56:20- I've got one concern.- Go on.
0:56:20 > 0:56:23Well, if we ever invite our friends across there,
0:56:23 > 0:56:25then we're going to have a job getting rid of them, aren't we?
0:56:25 > 0:56:27I think you will! I think you will.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30- But you're going to have plenty to keep you busy in the garden.- Yeah.
0:56:30 > 0:56:32- Because you really can start again with that.- Yeah.
0:56:32 > 0:56:34- It is a blank canvas.- Yes, it is.
0:56:34 > 0:56:37I am already ticking off all sorts of things I could do.
0:56:37 > 0:56:39I'm delighted that we have got you that bit closer to
0:56:39 > 0:56:42realising your new dream and what could be, I hope,
0:56:42 > 0:56:45your new home, our mystery house. Well done.
0:56:50 > 0:56:53We saw six different properties, and, in a way,
0:56:53 > 0:56:55we had contrasting challenges, but in the end
0:56:55 > 0:57:00we got the same outcome - a big, spacious mystery house won the day.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03That's what I love about house hunting on the borders.
0:57:03 > 0:57:07Whatever your budget, you will never be short of that all important space.
0:57:07 > 0:57:11And it was interesting for me, cos I think for John and Joy it was challenging.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14They really wanted this new start,
0:57:14 > 0:57:16they really wanted to move to the countryside,
0:57:16 > 0:57:20but they had enormous tenderness for their family home in Birmingham, and I think we forget that.
0:57:20 > 0:57:23We get so excited about the challenge and the excitement of moving away,
0:57:23 > 0:57:26but then we also have to think about what we're leaving.
0:57:26 > 0:57:30Well, moving is rated as one of the most stressful things you can do,
0:57:30 > 0:57:34and we tend to think about all the hassle of packing and boxes, and all the rest of it,
0:57:34 > 0:57:36but actually, for me, I think for many people,
0:57:36 > 0:57:39- it's the emotional hurdle that's the real challenge.- Indeed.
0:57:39 > 0:57:42Anyway, that's all we have time for on this special edition
0:57:42 > 0:57:46- of Escape To The Country, but do join us next time. - We'll see you, then.
0:57:46 > 0:57:50Steve and Yvonne are still looking for their dream home.
0:57:50 > 0:57:54And John and Joy have now bought a property in Ross-on-Wye.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56If you'd like to escape to the country in
0:57:56 > 0:58:00Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, Wales or even further afield
0:58:00 > 0:58:02to the continent and would like our help,
0:58:02 > 0:58:07then please apply online at: