0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello and welcome to a special Escape to the Country where Jules
0:00:04 > 0:00:06and I will be reflecting on our time spent
0:00:06 > 0:00:08in one of our favourite counties.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Along the way will be giving you plenty of advice and tips
0:00:11 > 0:00:14on moving to and buying in our chosen part of the UK.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Today, we are focusing on a county which is home to
0:00:17 > 0:00:19the world's biggest cider mill.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Find out where in just a moment.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Today we are looking back on two property searches.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45My buyer was looking for a rural home for himself and his fiancee.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48He brought his cousin along to help him.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52Exactly how helpful he actually was, is another matter.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53I'm thinking sauna, gym.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- I could see of bar going in there. - A bar?
0:00:56 > 0:00:59You're supposed to be the voice of reason.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02While there was a continental feel to my property hunt.
0:01:02 > 0:01:06As my multilingual couple sought a translation to a more rural setting.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09And our delightful selection of properties seemed to
0:01:09 > 0:01:11work in any language.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- Cosy, cosy.- Yeah.- Snug, snug.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19Well, today we are homing in on Herefordshire
0:01:19 > 0:01:21where, just outside Hereford itself,
0:01:21 > 0:01:24you can find the world's largest cider mill.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26But I should, Sonali, declare an interest here.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28I liked the county so much I made it my new home.
0:01:28 > 0:01:30Well, there's a ringing endorsement.
0:01:30 > 0:01:31It's an area I love too,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34particularly around the stunning River Wye.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36It's absolutely gorgeous and it's often been described to me
0:01:36 > 0:01:39as a county that always has a view,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42a picture of the English countryside at its best.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45But what does it offer those seeking a rural life?
0:01:47 > 0:01:49Situated in the West Midlands,
0:01:49 > 0:01:54Herefordshire borders Worcestershire to the east and Wales to the west.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56As one of England's most remote counties,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Herefordshire's patchwork landscape
0:01:58 > 0:02:02has been shaped by centuries of agriculture.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05On its banks lie many wonderful historical settlements
0:02:05 > 0:02:10including picturesque Ross-on-Wye with its striking 17th-century
0:02:10 > 0:02:14market house and towering 700-year-old church.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18Venture away from the towns and you'll find peaceful hamlets
0:02:18 > 0:02:19and villages like Eardisley,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23with its famous 800-year-old oak tree.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26With the River Wye meandering through a county with one of the lowest
0:02:26 > 0:02:32population densities in the country, Herefordshire is as rural as it gets.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39One of the things I love about Herefordshire is the quiet.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43It fits that idyllic image I have in my head of the countryside.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47It feels almost as if not that many people have discovered it yet.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49You know, it's really interesting you say that.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51When you look at population densities,
0:02:51 > 0:02:55residents per square mile in Herefordshire, 220.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58In Greater London, 13,500.
0:02:58 > 0:03:02So you do get the idea it is a pity tranquil part of the world.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03And that low population density is
0:03:03 > 0:03:05reflected in the county's property prices.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10The average cost of a detached home is £14,000 lower than
0:03:10 > 0:03:14the national average at just over £265,000.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16But, of course, as with anywhere there are hot spots,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19particularly the south-east of the county
0:03:19 > 0:03:22with its really good transport links out to the rest of the UK.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25So my advice has always been, if you want a bit more for your money
0:03:25 > 0:03:27head north or west over to the border with Wales.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30We weren't able to utilise your advice though, where we?
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- Absolutely, I know.- Both of our couples asked us to base
0:03:33 > 0:03:36their searches in the south-east. That's not to say we didn't find
0:03:36 > 0:03:38- some excellent properties though. - Indeed.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Time to meet my buyers once again.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Gareth, who's an airline pilot, has been living in Bridgend,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46west of Cardiff, in Wales.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Home has been six bedroom property since it was built 11 years ago.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53But next year he's getting married
0:03:53 > 0:03:56and he and fiancee, Sophia, are both ready for a quieter pace of life
0:03:56 > 0:04:01and are keen to find their first home together in the country.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Sophia, who also has a career in the airline industry,
0:04:04 > 0:04:06is often out of the country for work.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08So Gareth has enlisted his cousin and
0:04:08 > 0:04:11close friend Stephen to help him with the search.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13He's a voice of reason.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16So I've brought him along to, kind of, help me out is with this project.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21He's a bit of a mentor really. He's somebody I look up to and admire.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24He's very impulsive, very driven, funny.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27He's very generous and will always help you out.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30He's a million miles an hour basically.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Gareth and Sophia have chosen Herefordshire as the county
0:04:33 > 0:04:35they'd like to begin their new life in.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37And Gareth has strategically pinpointed a
0:04:37 > 0:04:39specific area within it.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42I've decided to move to the area Ross-on-Wye.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45You've got the Forest of Dean and some beautiful countryside there.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49And what it means for us is, she's just an hour from her family,
0:04:49 > 0:04:52I'm an hour from my family
0:04:52 > 0:04:57and we also get the option of just having a peaceful lifestyle there.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00When it comes to homeowning, Gareth is quite the handyman
0:05:00 > 0:05:02and isn't afraid of a project.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05Over the years I've built several extensions.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07I converted the attic
0:05:07 > 0:05:12and then my garage, I turned into a gym, put a sauna in there.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14Jack of all trades, master of none.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- You're a master of your flying. - Yeah, just the flying.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I'm OK with the flying.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Flying is most definitely Gareth's big passion.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26He's been at it since he was 18 years old and as well as being
0:05:26 > 0:05:30a commercial pilot, he runs his own flying school.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Having always lived quite a high-speed, jet set lifestyle,
0:05:34 > 0:05:36even Gareth is a little surprised by
0:05:36 > 0:05:39his new-found desire for a quiet country existence.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42It would be nice to just walk out the front door in the morning
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and then just go for a walk in the peace and listen to the birds.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- Sounds a bit boring really, doesn't it?- It's not like you.- I know.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50Well, midlife crisis.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00To ensure they're not too far from both of their families,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02we're sticking to Gareth and Sophia's
0:06:02 > 0:06:04chosen area around Ross-on-Wye,
0:06:04 > 0:06:08staying within half an hour's drive of the town.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10I'm meeting up with Gareth and cousin Stephen
0:06:10 > 0:06:12to learn some more about the move.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Welcome to Herefordshire, gentlemen.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Gareth, Stephen, lovely to meet you.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19But we are, of course, missing a fiance.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23We are. Unfortunately, Sophia is a little bit busy at the moment.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25So I'm, sort of, going on ahead and scouting the area.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Gareth, what's on your property wish list?
0:06:28 > 0:06:32A nice, spacious property with a nice sized kitchen
0:06:32 > 0:06:35and possibly a dining area that's adjacent to the kitchen.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37It may be even be open-plan.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Something with a nice garden.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43The ideal situation would be a little bit of land
0:06:43 > 0:06:45associated with the property.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48If I really got lucky, something big enough to land a light aircraft in.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51How much space which you need to land a plane?
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Ideally, say 300-400 metres.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56That's the first time I've had that request,
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- but I'll put it on my list. - Yeah.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01What about the look and feel of a property?
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I like houses with a bit of character, a nice shape to them
0:07:03 > 0:07:05and not just a square box.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08What are your deal breakers, your absolute no-nos.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11A house that's overlooked. Or very, very close neighbours.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13That's a big thing.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- And Soph said to remind you no beams.- No beams, yeah.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18Stephen, as the outsider to the relationship,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22where do you think the compromises will be made?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25From Sophia's point of view I think the compromises will be more outside than inside.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29- There wouldn't be a compromise on... - She doesn't need somewhere to land a plane?
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- She doesn't need to land the plane. - She's all right about that? - She's fine.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34I think Sophia would want the inside, the kitchen,
0:07:34 > 0:07:38dining and entertaining area as the fundamental part of the house.
0:07:38 > 0:07:39So remind us of your budget.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42My budget I've set for this is £450,000.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Because I like to negotiate maybe properties slightly above that.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- So there is a little bit of wiggle room?- There is, yeah.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Well, we've got three fantastic properties for you to choose from.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54- Let's get going.- Great.- Thanks.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00With a generous budget of £450,000
0:08:00 > 0:08:02Gareth and Sofia are hoping to find...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22We've lined up three properties for the guys to have a look at
0:08:22 > 0:08:24and with each of them I'll get them
0:08:24 > 0:08:27to have a guess at the price before I reveal it.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31One will be the mystery house which definitely has character but will
0:08:31 > 0:08:35it be the kind of character that Gareth and Sophia are envisaging?
0:08:40 > 0:08:43We begin our house-hunt seven miles south of Ross-on-Wye,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47in the wonderfully unique village of Symonds Yat.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50The community is actually divided in two by the River Wye.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54There's Symonds Yat West on the Herefordshire side of the river
0:08:54 > 0:08:58and Symonds Yat East on the opposite bank in Gloucestershire.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Our first property is on the Herefordshire side of the river
0:09:01 > 0:09:03in Symonds Yat West.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- So what you think of house number one?- It's very pretty.
0:09:07 > 0:09:08Yeah, it is pretty.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Ideal location, good access to the roads.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14And the property itself, it's been modernised couple of times
0:09:14 > 0:09:16and had couple of extensions.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18So there is a lot more than you can just see here.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Yes, it does look a little bit small from this angle.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23- Let's get inside.- OK then.
0:09:24 > 0:09:28The recent extensions were added by the current owners in 2010
0:09:28 > 0:09:33but the original cottage is thought to date back as far as 300 years.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36So you walk right into the kitchen.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38This is actually one of the extensions.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40So the original cottage ended here.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- So this has all been put in the last few years.- OK.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46What you think of the size of it?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- It's a little bit small...- Is it? - ..to what I'm used to.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52The kitchen itself, the shape and style is lovely.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56I just think for your entertaining this would be too small for Sophia.
0:09:56 > 0:09:58The kitchen, I know you said you wanted something quite open,
0:09:58 > 0:10:01does lead straight into the dining room.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- So let me show you that.- OK then.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08So the family that live here, obviously are in the middle
0:10:08 > 0:10:10- of a move, hence the boxes.- Yeah.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13My first thoughts are you could possibly, with a bit of development,
0:10:13 > 0:10:16make this a bit more open-plan and
0:10:16 > 0:10:18create this exact space that I was thinking of.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20So the kitchen could extend into here, yeah.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23I love the fire. I love the cottage feel but
0:10:23 > 0:10:26I don't think the floor goes with it whatsoever.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28I don't agree because all of my furniture is modern.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31My dining table is marble and it's a light marble
0:10:31 > 0:10:32so it would work beautifully in here.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35He's already moving his furniture in.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Moving through into the second new extension,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41we pass through a utility area and a handy boot room.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45So the family use this as their lounge.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48This is their second extension.
0:10:48 > 0:10:52- Right.- You've seen the downstairs now, what are your thoughts?
0:10:52 > 0:10:56That open space feel, I'm not getting it at the moment in this house.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58Even though it's beautiful and I like
0:10:58 > 0:11:00the character inside with all the shapes.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03It just seems a bit more compact to what I'm used to.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06Well, this property has the four bedrooms that you asked for.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Shall we go and have a look at them because maybe that might change your mind about this property?
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Yeah, that would be great.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Upstairs the family bathroom with its floor-to-ceiling
0:11:17 > 0:11:19limestone tiles should, I think,
0:11:19 > 0:11:23match Gareth's taste for simple, modern interiors.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26Of the four bedrooms, the three that are in the old, original part
0:11:26 > 0:11:29of the house have fairly modest dimensions
0:11:29 > 0:11:32but directly above the living room, we've just seen
0:11:32 > 0:11:34in the rear extension, is the fourth bedroom.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39It's larger so we've earmarked I as Gareth and Sophia's.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42Before you look at the master itself, look at the views.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Wow.- Now, that is nice.- Look at that. - Imagine waking up to that every day.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48It's like a painting, not a window.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50And here you got an en-suite.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52- Right.- OK.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- And a walk-in wardrobe.- Ahh.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58My feelings at this stage are that it's an absolutely beautiful property...
0:11:58 > 0:12:01- It's just too small. - ..it's got a lot of character.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03It's just a bit small, isn't it, Steve?
0:12:03 > 0:12:05For you and Soph and your lifestyle, yeah.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07OK, so not enough space inside for you
0:12:07 > 0:12:09but actually there is a lot of outside space.
0:12:09 > 0:12:15- So let's go and see that and then start thinking about the price.- OK.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18A bit of an underwhelming response to the house
0:12:18 > 0:12:20and it's clear that size is the issue.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Outside though, as well as a gravelled patio area
0:12:23 > 0:12:27and a generous terraced garden, there's a decent sized paddock.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29With its sloping hillside setting,
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Gareth won't be able to fulfil his home landing strip fantasy
0:12:33 > 0:12:36but there's definitely scope to keep a few animals.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40So this is the main part of the garden.
0:12:40 > 0:12:44But this property actually comes with one and a quarter acres of land.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45- OK.- Right.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48I was thinking more of a square field,
0:12:48 > 0:12:51sitting on a driving lawn mower.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54It would be difficult to manage on such a steep hill.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- The overwhelming observation is the view.- Yes.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58- Stunning, isn't it?- Stunning.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00It's time to guess the price of the property.
0:13:00 > 0:13:05- I'm going to ask you first, Gareth. - Well, my guess would be £350,000.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08OK, what about you Stephen? £429,950.
0:13:08 > 0:13:13- Well, the property is actually on the market for £415,000.- OK.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20£35,000 below Gareth and Sophia's maximum budget,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22this characterful hillside
0:13:22 > 0:13:24cottage has...
0:13:40 > 0:13:43There's nice character inside
0:13:43 > 0:13:47but overall there's just not as much space as I've been used to.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58In the heart of Herefordshire lies the county town of Hereford,
0:13:58 > 0:14:00which in the seventh century was the capital
0:14:00 > 0:14:03of the Saxon kingdom of Mercia.
0:14:03 > 0:14:08The stunning centrepiece to the town is its spectacular cathedral.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10It bears many extraordinary treasures
0:14:10 > 0:14:13but perhaps the most celebrated and precious of all
0:14:13 > 0:14:15is its Mappa Mundi.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18An intriguing medieval map painted on a single sheet of vellum
0:14:18 > 0:14:22or calf skin, which is recognised by UNESCO
0:14:22 > 0:14:25as an exceptionally important artefact.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Today, I'm having the privilege of being shown this unique relic
0:14:28 > 0:14:32by the cathedral's Chancellor, Canon Chris Pullin.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- Wow, so this is the Mappa Mundi. - It certainly is.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42It's the largest medieval world map in existence.
0:14:42 > 0:14:47It was made around 1300 and seems to have been at Hereford Cathedral
0:14:47 > 0:14:49since it was made.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51And what exactly does it show?
0:14:51 > 0:14:56It shows the habitable part of the northern hemisphere.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59It's centred upon Jerusalem because it's a map of spiritual
0:14:59 > 0:15:03significance rather than geographical information.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06Although there is some geographical information in it.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08And show us where Britain is. So that's Europe.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- Yes, Britain's there. - Oh, yes.- Quite prominent.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17This labyrinth of intricate drawings depicts 420 cities and towns,
0:15:17 > 0:15:1915 Biblical events as well as
0:15:19 > 0:15:22plants, animals and mythical creatures.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26And provides a fascinating insight into how 13th century
0:15:26 > 0:15:31scholars interpreted the world in spiritual and geographical terms.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34And so all these dark areas...?
0:15:34 > 0:15:37That's the sea and originally it was a beautiful emerald green colour.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40But it's oxidised over the years and it's got dirty as well
0:15:40 > 0:15:43so it looks very unattractive to us.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47But the original Mappa absolutely glowed with colour.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50The map is housed in a temperature controlled building that was
0:15:50 > 0:15:54purpose-built in the 1990s to preserve the priceless artefact.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58But the building also houses another of the cathedral's
0:15:58 > 0:16:00remarkable treasures, a chained library.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03From the Middle Ages until around is the 18th century,
0:16:03 > 0:16:06chaining reference books was quite a common practice.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09But today very few of these libraries
0:16:09 > 0:16:11remain even partially intact.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Overseeing the cathedrals exceptional collection is
0:16:14 > 0:16:17librarian, Dr Rosemary Firman. Hello, Rosemary.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Hello, nice to meet you.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Lovely to meet you and what an unusual library.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23It is, it's only one that survives
0:16:23 > 0:16:25that still has all of the books chained.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29It's a way of letting lots of people sit down and read the books
0:16:29 > 0:16:33at the same time without the books being in danger of being taken away.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Can we take one of the books off the shelf?
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Here's the key. Would you like to try?
0:16:38 > 0:16:42Of course I would.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45These books were made well before the era of printing presses,
0:16:45 > 0:16:49so each one was painstakingly transcribed and bound by hand,
0:16:49 > 0:16:53making them highly prized and extremely valuable items.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55The one that Rosemary has unleashed from it's chains is
0:16:55 > 0:16:58a law book, which is written in Latin.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- This one dates from the early 14th century.- Can I touch it?
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- You can open it.- Oh, wow.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10The pages are made of animal skin, either sheep, goat or deer.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13So the book's divided into sections and at the start
0:17:13 > 0:17:15of each major section there is one of these beautiful
0:17:15 > 0:17:17medieval, miniature paintings.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Have you ever thought about digitising the collection?
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Well we already have digitised the Mappa Mundi and we hope to go on
0:17:24 > 0:17:27to digitise some of our other unique manuscripts.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31Hopefully it's a way of preserving them for another thousand years.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Oh, that would be wonderful. Thank you so much.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36It's been a fascinating day.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Continuing our search we journey seven miles east just over
0:17:49 > 0:17:52the border into Gloucestershire, to the village of Ruardean
0:17:52 > 0:17:56which is a quarter of an hour's drive from Ross-on-Wye.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Nestled on a hillside with exceptional views, there's
0:18:00 > 0:18:04plenty of scope for those secluded walks Gareth is hankering for.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07And the house we are about to look at is just a
0:18:07 > 0:18:08few minutes drive away.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11I want your thoughts on house number two.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14It's very impressive. A lot bigger than house number one.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Fantastic location. Yeah, it looks nice.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- I'm glad this is sounding more positive already.- Yeah, yeah.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25- Yes, it's beautiful. - Well, let's get inside.- OK
0:18:26 > 0:18:29The house, which is made of stone from the local quarry,
0:18:29 > 0:18:32is thought to date back to 1790.
0:18:32 > 0:18:3414 years ago the previous owners
0:18:34 > 0:18:36added a sizeable two-storey extension.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39We're starting off in the original part of the house.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43This would be your lounge. Is this to your style and taste?
0:18:43 > 0:18:46It's quite rustic, isn't it? The walls, the inside, yeah.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50- You wanted character.- Yeah, it's got character and it's a bit more spacious.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53I think because of the ceilings are a bit higher than the last one we looked at.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Obviously the decor isn't your style but there's loads of potential
0:18:56 > 0:18:59for you to put your stamp, your and Sophia's stamp on this room.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00I love these sash windows,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03traditional sash windows, they're beautiful.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- So, so far so good? - Yeah, very much so.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07I'd like to see some more of the house, if possible.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10Into the kitchen we go.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Heading back via the very spacious entrance hall
0:19:13 > 0:19:16we move through to the more recently built extension.
0:19:18 > 0:19:20How's this for an entertaining space?
0:19:20 > 0:19:23Yeah, it's beautiful. It's more like it, more like what I was after.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27- This hits the nail on the head. - Yeah.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- And off the living room area, there's a cloakroom, a utility room...- Oh, wow.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33..and lovely doors out into your garden.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34Yes, inside, outside.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36You are going to have to make a compromise though
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- because upstairs you asked for four bedrooms.- Right.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- There are five.- Five? Ah, right.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44- I wasn't expecting that- That's the compromise you like, isn't it?
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- Shall we go?- OK.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Upstairs there's a family bathroom with a wonderful
0:19:51 > 0:19:53original exposed stone wall.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57The five bedrooms also have some beautiful original features
0:19:57 > 0:19:59which are all of a fairly good size.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02The smallest of them has a built in mezzanine bed.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05And the largest, which occupies the new extension,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07we've saved for Gareth and Sophia.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Welcome to the master bedroom.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- Wow.- Beautiful.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20I think it's more like a master suite, actually.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22- Yeah.- That is stunning.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24Oh, I love it and I'm starting to
0:20:24 > 0:20:27- like beams all of a sudden.- Yes.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30- Oh, you won't hit your head on those ones.- No. It looks almost church like.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32You're both looking up but you haven't looked out there.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36- There's also a balcony...- Oh, wow. - ..that looks out into your garden.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- Yeah, I did miss that.- And what would Sophia think about this.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42- Oh, she'd love this.- Is that an en-suite?- This is an en-suite.
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- Wow.- What?- It's like the size of a bedroom in there.
0:20:47 > 0:20:52- That's huge. There's a roll-top bath.- And a shower.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55So you've got all of your bases covered there.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57This is bigger than most family bathrooms.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00A roll-top bath was another thing on the list.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03I'm really thrilled by their reaction to this house which
0:21:03 > 0:21:07has been quite a contrast to the way they received the first property.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It does, however, come with less land.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11There's about a third of an acre here.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13What it does have though is really beautiful.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16The garden is wonderfully established with
0:21:16 > 0:21:19plenty of mature shrubs and trees.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22And there's a bonus feature that I think Gareth might approve of.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- This is your south facing garden. - Beautiful.
0:21:25 > 0:21:29- And this is a summer house. - Oh, wow. I'm thinking sauna, gym.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32- You took the words right out of my mouth.- Yeah.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- I could see the bar going in there. - A bar?
0:21:35 > 0:21:38You're supposed to be the voice of reason.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- So have you already moved in? - Almost. It all depends on the price.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45I got a funny feeling you might have been a bit cruel and found me
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- house I can't afford.- Let's start with you this time, Stephen.
0:21:48 > 0:21:51- What you think it's on the market for?- £462,000.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Gareth, what do you think?
0:21:53 > 0:21:57I'd say probably nearer my budget. Maybe £445,000.
0:21:57 > 0:22:02The property is on the market for just under £400,000
0:22:02 > 0:22:04at £399,950.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- Right.- Wow. - It ticks a lot of boxes.
0:22:07 > 0:22:11£50,000 below Gareth and Sophia's maximum budget,
0:22:11 > 0:22:15this attractive period house has the space they're after and more.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18There's the...
0:22:35 > 0:22:38With someone like Gareth, who's renovated properties before,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41it's great to be able to show him buildings with potential and
0:22:41 > 0:22:45I think the summerhouse in property number two had that.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47But wasn't he going to try and convert it into a sauna?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I mean, I suppose you could do under current planning laws.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53As long as the outbuilding's footprint isn't changing
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and it's only going to be used for incidental purposes, so you're
0:22:56 > 0:22:57not going to work in it or live in it,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00you don't need planning permission. But it's always wise to double-check
0:23:00 > 0:23:02because planning restrictions can change.
0:23:02 > 0:23:05Absolutely, always look very closely at the small print.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08Well, for my Herefordshire movers, it was less about saunas
0:23:08 > 0:23:10and more about boomerang children.
0:23:10 > 0:23:12So let's meet them again and remind ourselves of
0:23:12 > 0:23:14what they were looking for.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18Today's buyers are French tutor Victoria and
0:23:18 > 0:23:21her Dutch husband Lucas, a retired computer software engineer.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24They currently live in the town of Thatcham, in Berkshire,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27and met 32 years ago at work.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31We worked for the same company and we started on the same day in Holland.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34On the 1st of October 1982.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38And then we took a Christmas party
0:23:38 > 0:23:39outing in Amsterdam and...
0:23:41 > 0:23:43It got us really together.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47We came to the UK just after we got married.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50It was the very end of 1985.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54And home in the UK is now on a classic suburban housing estate.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57We've been living here for 14 years.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00It seems to be getting busier and busier.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03We've gone past the stage of living on an estate now.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06I'd really, really like to have rural views, the more of them
0:24:06 > 0:24:09the better as far as I'm concerned.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11But the draw of rural life, however,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14is not a desire for a rural isolation.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17It would be nice to join in more in the local community
0:24:17 > 0:24:19and do things on a voluntary basis.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23It's a good way of meeting new people that way as well.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26The decision to move to Herefordshire is also driven by
0:24:26 > 0:24:27a wish to be near Victoria's
0:24:27 > 0:24:31ageing parents in the neighbouring county of Gloucestershire.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33But they also have to think about a 23-year-old son, Robert,
0:24:33 > 0:24:37who is studying for a masters degree and 21-year-old Laura,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39who is away at university.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Initially, it will be our son who is definitely moving with us.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Our daughter will be doing one more year at university
0:24:45 > 0:24:49but then, who knows, she might come back to live at home with us.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52But for the time being it will just be our son.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55In the move a good kitchen is a priority as Lucas comes
0:24:55 > 0:24:57from a family of bakers.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01My grandfather was a professional patissier in Holland.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06My father and his brother were also in the bakery.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09I worked in the bakery as a small person.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12I was sort of seven, eight, nine.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13It is in the genes.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18And Victoria has a passion for the piano, which must also be
0:25:18 > 0:25:21accommodated in their new home.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Garage space will also be important as Lucas has a small
0:25:24 > 0:25:26collection of cars.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28But just getting away from the commuter rat run
0:25:28 > 0:25:31of the current area is the most important part of the move.
0:25:31 > 0:25:37Herefordshire offers us a more of a place to live, less people
0:25:37 > 0:25:40So I think it will be a more relaxing way of life for us.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46We're keeping our house hunt in the southern part of the county
0:25:46 > 0:25:50to stay near to Victoria's parents in English Bicknor, Gloucestershire.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53I'm meeting up with Lucas and Victoria in Herefordshire
0:25:53 > 0:25:56to go over the details.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00Well, Lucas and Victoria welcome to Herefordshire on a glorious day,
0:26:00 > 0:26:01it has to be said.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Now, give us an idea of the specifics of what
0:26:03 > 0:26:06you're looking for, Victoria, in your new home.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09OK, we'd like four bedrooms, if possible en suite,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11and ideally three reception rooms.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15I'd like a separate room for my piano and it would be lovely to have a
0:26:15 > 0:26:20big kitchen where you can eat in and maybe have a sitting area at one end.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22We need a garage definitely.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26Garage for me, yes, because there are a few cars to accommodate.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28And outside space?
0:26:28 > 0:26:29Yeah, garden but not too big.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32I'm not a green fingered person.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34And I would love open views.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36I really want my country views.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39We should just mention your children Rob and Laura.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Yes, definitely. They're coming and going.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Robert will be living with us for the next couple of years probably.
0:26:44 > 0:26:49And can you picture a style of property that would fit the bill?
0:26:49 > 0:26:51I think we just want something with character.
0:26:51 > 0:26:53It doesn't really matter if it's modern.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I think are going to know it when we see it.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58Let's just remind ourselves of how much you want to spend
0:26:58 > 0:27:00on this enterprise, Lucas.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Maximum of £500,000.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04Really maximum.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05- Ready to go?- Yes.
0:27:05 > 0:27:07- Let's go and spend some money. - Thank you.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10With £500,000 to spend,
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Victoria and Lucas are looking for...
0:27:36 > 0:27:39We're starting our house-hunt in the village of Hoarwithy,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42which is located in the heart of the Wye Valley.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Hoarwithy itself has a pub with a community shop attached to it
0:27:45 > 0:27:50and it's all overlooked by the splendid church of St Catherine's.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52And this is property number one.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54It's a really interesting proposition this one.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57It's quite a sprawling complex. But I thought we'd start here
0:27:57 > 0:27:59- because this really is the pretty face of it.- Yes.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02But it all will make sense as we go around the back.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- Come and have a look at this.- OK.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08This substantial, red sandstone property is
0:28:08 > 0:28:09currently used as a B&B.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12It offers six bedrooms in the main house as well as some other
0:28:12 > 0:28:14interesting accommodation options.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17It's good for housing family and all their hobbies.
0:28:17 > 0:28:20Now this, I think, is where this complex begins to make
0:28:20 > 0:28:21some sort of sense.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Lots of parking, as you can see, but no garaging at the moment.
0:28:24 > 0:28:27And it also comes with this building here which I'm thinking might
0:28:27 > 0:28:31be of interest to one or either of the children.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32Definitely.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Let's see what you think.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37The separate cottage is a large studio and would suit
0:28:37 > 0:28:39a family member or visiting guests
0:28:39 > 0:28:42but it's just one of many options this house has to offer.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47Well, let's start with the kitchen which, for most people really,
0:28:47 > 0:28:48is the heart of it.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50I gather you're bit of baker too?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Yes, I can do some baking.
0:28:53 > 0:28:57There's an oven there, a hob. Reasonable work space.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Very farm-housey I think.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02Yes, lots of storage. I like it.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03Good start.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05There's a lot more down here to explore as well.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08We've already tempted you with the annexe that's out in the yard there
0:29:08 > 0:29:11but there is another two-bedroom annexe through there.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14- So potentially your children could have one each.- Really?
0:29:14 > 0:29:15LUCAS LAUGHS
0:29:15 > 0:29:18- See what they'd make of this.- OK.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21This self-contained annexe is extremely spacious,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Comprising of a kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom
0:29:23 > 0:29:25and a living room.
0:29:25 > 0:29:29So you've got the kitchen area here
0:29:29 > 0:29:32and this is the living room to the annexe.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34- Wow, it's huge.- Yeah.- Yes.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36What you think the kids would make of it,
0:29:36 > 0:29:38if they were following us around now?
0:29:38 > 0:29:39I think they'd be amazed.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42All this space, I think they would really, really appreciate.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Well, we've only just scratched the surface.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47There's plenty more space to explore.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Just off the main kitchen in the other direction is a dining room,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53currently used for the B&B guests
0:29:53 > 0:29:55and there are two further living rooms.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58This is what the owners currently use as their
0:29:58 > 0:30:00space away from the B&B.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- Arguably it's perhaps the smallest reception room.- Quite snug.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Yes, lovely wood burner.
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Next door there's an enormous reception room,
0:30:07 > 0:30:11currently used as bedrooms and maybe that's one for the piano.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14- Yes, indeed.- I think this has rather surprised you, Victoria.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17- It has. Yes, the size of it.- Yes, the size.
0:30:17 > 0:30:18It's just amazing.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Well, there's plenty more to see upstairs. Come and have a look at this.
0:30:21 > 0:30:23- After you.- Thank you.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26On the first floor of this property are four rooms,
0:30:26 > 0:30:28of which three are en suite bedrooms,
0:30:28 > 0:30:31and another room, currently used as the guest's sitting room,
0:30:31 > 0:30:34with a balcony overlooking the Wye Valley.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38But there's even more accommodation on the second floor.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41So we've saved this one until last because it's right on the very top.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- The owners at the moment use this as their floor.- OK.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46So this is the master, if you like.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49It has an en-suite shower through there.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Across the landing there is another room which similarly sized
0:30:52 > 0:30:54which they are using as an office-study.
0:30:54 > 0:30:56But it does have lovely views.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58Yes, there's so much scope in this house.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01- It goes on and on and on, doesn't it?- It does.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03But what do we think of the price, I wonder?
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- We'll have to have a think about that one.- I think you will.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09Let's go and get some fresh air, you might need it.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13Outside there's a modest amount of land, around one third of an acre
0:31:13 > 0:31:16but it's been imaginatively landscaped.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18- This is lovely.- Yeah.- Oh!
0:31:18 > 0:31:21The garden has got some lovely little features,
0:31:21 > 0:31:23a little sunroom back up there.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26- And, of course, you've got the annexe down there in the courtyard. - Very unusual.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29So have you been able to consider how much property one might
0:31:29 > 0:31:30be on the market for?
0:31:30 > 0:31:33OK, I think it's fairly close to the top of the budget.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35I'm going to got for £475,000.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37£475,000. Yeah, Lucas?
0:31:37 > 0:31:41That is what I would hope for but I think it is a bit higher.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43£485,000 is my guess.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Your hunch is right but it is under budget but only just.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49It's on at £499,500.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52OK.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54With £500 change from their top budget,
0:31:54 > 0:31:58this substantial three-storey house offers...
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Oh, this is a good room.
0:32:18 > 0:32:20I like the character of the beam.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23- I think I can see Robert in here, can't you?- I think so, yeah.- Yes.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25Well, the children would be delighted.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Whether or not that might be too much space
0:32:27 > 0:32:31when they do finally fly the nest, I'm not sure.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34Well, I think we've had a brilliant start with this one.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36So it's lunchtime, let's go and check out the pub.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38- Excellent.- Excellent.- Thank you.
0:32:45 > 0:32:49Croft Castle, near Leominster, home to the Croft family for
0:32:49 > 0:32:52nearly 1,000 years is now a lavish country mansion.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55But it started life as a Norman stronghold
0:32:55 > 0:32:57to guard the border with Wales.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00Today, its National Trust custodians are fighting
0:33:00 > 0:33:03a different sort of battle, how to find an environmentally friendly
0:33:03 > 0:33:06way of heating the vast property.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09But can a building with hundreds of years of history have an
0:33:09 > 0:33:11eco-friendly future?
0:33:11 > 0:33:15I've come to meet operations manager Ian Grafton to find out more.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- Wow, this is the life, isn't it?- It is. Welcome to the saloon, Jules.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20- This is gorgeous.- It's beautiful, isn't it?
0:33:20 > 0:33:23I am astonished that any building, frankly, can
0:33:23 > 0:33:27remain in the hands of the same family for nearly 1,000 years.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30- How have they managed it here? - It is astonishing. I think they've
0:33:30 > 0:33:31just been very good with their money.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34They've also been a very honourable family. But eventually, as happened
0:33:34 > 0:33:37to many of the big country houses, they just couldn't afford to run it.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41So they gave it to the National Trust in 1957.
0:33:41 > 0:33:45The future of the castle is very much in your hands now.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48You've had to do an awful lot of restoration and renovation here, haven't you?
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Yes, we've reroofed it, we've put new services in. We're about to put in
0:33:51 > 0:33:53new heating systems.
0:33:53 > 0:33:56We've probably spent around £2.5-£3 million in the last 10 years.
0:33:56 > 0:33:57Now, you talk about heating systems.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00I live in a lovely, old house, not as big as this, I hasten to add,
0:34:00 > 0:34:02but my heating bill is horrendous.
0:34:02 > 0:34:03Yours must be astronomic.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07We spent last year about £19,000 on heating oil which, as you can tell is a massive amount.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09JULES LAUGHS
0:34:09 > 0:34:13And not sustainable going forward because heating oil prices are due to rise, as we know.
0:34:13 > 0:34:16- So what do about it, looking ahead? - Well, we're surrounded by woodland here.
0:34:16 > 0:34:191,500 acres of woodland and, of course, if you go back 300 years
0:34:19 > 0:34:22the house would have been heated by burning wood.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25So we're going to put in a biomass boiler that burns wood chip
0:34:25 > 0:34:29and go back, if you like, 300 years but with 21st-century technology.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32As well as being more cost effective than other heating systems,
0:34:32 > 0:34:35wood fuelled heating is a low carbon option.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38After allowing the wood to dry for 12 months, it's chipped
0:34:38 > 0:34:41and will be stored in purpose-built huts before it's ready to be
0:34:41 > 0:34:43used in the biomass boiler.
0:34:43 > 0:34:47The process is sustainable as long as new trees are planted.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50I'm meeting the project manager Joe Dimitri.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53Now let's be clear, you're not going to fell all of Croft's woodland.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56- Absolutely not. - This is an managed process.
0:34:56 > 0:34:58It's a very carefully managed process.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00But how long can you keep the new boilers going for
0:35:00 > 0:35:03with what's available here at Croft?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06By thinning out the woodland and widening the rides
0:35:06 > 0:35:08we think we've got about 19 to 20 years worth of wood
0:35:08 > 0:35:10that we can fuel the biomass.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Well, I think I can hear a chainsaw over there.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Shall we see what's going on? - Let's see, yeah.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19This is one of five sustainable energy pilots being
0:35:19 > 0:35:24undertaken by the National Trust at properties across the UK.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28Each scheme is being monitored with a view to being rolled out across the Trust,
0:35:28 > 0:35:32cutting its total annual heating bill of £6 million in half.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Wow, well done, mate.
0:35:36 > 0:35:37That was quite a thud, wasn't it?
0:35:37 > 0:35:40- So now all you've got to do is chip it.- And then we've got our fuel.
0:35:40 > 0:35:41Brilliant.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44So with the new biomass boiler set to be installed in the coming
0:35:44 > 0:35:47weeks, this project will soon go live.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50And it aims to provide 75% of the heating at Croft Castle,
0:35:50 > 0:35:54saving 50 tonnes of carbon dioxide is every year.
0:35:54 > 0:35:58Not only helping the environment but freeing up money to be
0:35:58 > 0:36:00spent on vital conservation work.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08For our next property we're border hopping into Gloucestershire
0:36:08 > 0:36:12to the village of Longhope, close to Victoria's parents.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15The village is small but has plenty of amenities, including
0:36:15 > 0:36:18the Post Office and shop, allotments,
0:36:18 > 0:36:20a school and several pubs.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22And in the heart of it is our second offering.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Right, just settle down here because that is what
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- I want you to feast your eyes on. - Oh, gosh.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30THEY GASP
0:36:30 > 0:36:32- That's amazing.- You wanted character.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Well, this has it in spades.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36It's a little bit older than our first property.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38This one's about 1670.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Is this the sort of thing you would have considered, Lucas?
0:36:41 > 0:36:44Certainly on the, sort of, age and how it looks and...
0:36:44 > 0:36:46It is definitely special.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49I love it. Let's see what you think. Come on.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54This is a grade II listed, five bedroom property
0:36:54 > 0:36:56and without a doubt delivers on their desire
0:36:56 > 0:36:58for a house with character.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00There we go.
0:37:00 > 0:37:01THEY GASP
0:37:01 > 0:37:03- An island!- Very nice.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05- Yeah?- Yeah.- Loads of character.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08- It's not huge but it just feels nice.- Yeah.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11Through there you've got a huge utility room with pantry.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14- Wow, just up my street, a pantry. - Exactly.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- Your pantry, yes.- Let's go through here to the living room.- OK.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23I love these little latches.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Come on in. What do you think?
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Wow!
0:37:27 > 0:37:28I'm not saying anything.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30THEY LAUGH
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Nice stove fire.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35It's light, you know, it's got plenty of light coming in. I like it.
0:37:35 > 0:37:40It's too big for a snug but snug enough to sit in.
0:37:40 > 0:37:42Yeah, I take your point, yeah. OK, it's snug enough.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44There's a lot to like about this room.
0:37:44 > 0:37:48I adore it. You can probably tell I'm a bit biased but there you go.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56There, a little bit of fine dining for you.
0:37:56 > 0:37:58- Wow!- What a room!
0:37:58 > 0:38:02- Gosh.- There is your piano space. - My piano could go there.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- Is that another fireplace?- Yes, you've got a lovely burner in here.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07And some lovely details.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10I mean, look at these hinges, handwrought hinges.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13- Is it working its historic charm. - Oh, yes.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16On the one to ten scale, where are we?
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- Nine.- Nine?- I was going to say nine as well.- I'll take nine.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24- Let's see if we can find that extra point upstairs.- OK.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27There are two upstairs floors, accessed via
0:38:27 > 0:38:29a stone and oak staircase.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33On the first floor is a small landing-cum-study room,
0:38:33 > 0:38:37the properties only bathroom as well as three of the five bedrooms.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Two are good sized doubles, not including the master.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44And we're thinking this would be your bit.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46HE LAUGHS
0:38:46 > 0:38:47Look at that bed!
0:38:47 > 0:38:49It's a beautiful room.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Really beautiful.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54- Views both sides.- Yeah, over the garden here.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56Yes, that's amazing.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59- I love it.- I think you do love it. - Yes.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02I can see that you might have a few reservations somewhere though.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04- I don't know if we've got to ten yet?- The staircase...
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- The staircase will be the main issue for me.- Yes.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Now it is OK but in ten years...
0:39:09 > 0:39:11It's a good consideration, you know.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14It has to work long term, doesn't it?
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Upstairs there are two further bedrooms.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18So you've got five bedroom in all.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- But I think now we should retire to the garden...- OK.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- ..and talk about the money.- OK. - Come on then.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29The top floor has not only two good sized bedrooms
0:39:29 > 0:39:32but also an adjoining lounge-study area.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36It could make an almost independent suite for their son Robert.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38Outside the gardens are spectacular
0:39:38 > 0:39:41and in the past have been open to the public.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45I mean, what a time of year to see this garden. It is just beautiful.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49A really mature garden this is
0:39:49 > 0:39:51with all these different rooms.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53- Have a seat.- Thank you.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- Let's relax a while.- OK.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59At the end of our house tour.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00It's beautiful.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03It is a splendid property.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05But what do we think it's on the market for?
0:40:05 > 0:40:08Hmm, I'd go higher this time.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10£499,950.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13So 50 quid short of your budget, yeah? Victoria?
0:40:13 > 0:40:14I think it's got to be above budget.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17I would say £525,000.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20I would have thought so myself, I have to say,
0:40:20 > 0:40:22if I'd walked in here without knowing how much it is.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25But here's the thing, this could be yours for
0:40:25 > 0:40:28£475,000.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32That is a surprise.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34- Now look...!- A big surprise.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36..the Dutchman's smiling again. This is all good.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43Priced at a surprising £25,000 under budget...
0:41:07 > 0:41:11Again, property two was a stronger contender than the first house.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15It was but they did have concerns over that rather steep staircase.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Now, they could have put in a stairlift of course,
0:41:17 > 0:41:18but it is a listed building
0:41:18 > 0:41:21and to do that you would require listed building consent.
0:41:21 > 0:41:23But you shouldn't be afraid of listed buildings
0:41:23 > 0:41:26and certainly from my experience of living in Herefordshire,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28the conservation officers are pretty understanding,
0:41:28 > 0:41:32- particularly with regards to those additions.- Always worth checking. - Always worth checking.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Now, back to my couple and Gareth was looking for a family home in Herefordshire with
0:41:36 > 0:41:40a budget of £450,000 and the help of his cousin Steven.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Now, I think we got pretty close with the second house
0:41:43 > 0:41:48but let's see how they got on with the mystery house.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52Travelling 25 miles across the border back into Herefordshire,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55we reach the tiny hamlet of Kerry's Gate which is half an hours
0:41:55 > 0:41:57drive from Ross-on-Wye,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00and the final stop on our search.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02A handy place to pick up provisions five
0:42:02 > 0:42:05and a half miles away is the attractive village of Peterchurch,
0:42:05 > 0:42:09which has a beautiful setting in the stunning Golden Valley.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13About a ten minute drive away is our final offering.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Boys, may I present to you your mystery house.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- Wow. - Can you tell why it's a mystery?
0:42:20 > 0:42:22Not immediately.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- It's got a lot of timber framing... - Yeah.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27..which means a lot of beams.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29- Some low ceilings.- Are there? Right.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32One of your other big no-nos was
0:42:32 > 0:42:34you didn't want to be overlooked and, of course,
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- you've got neighbours that do overlook onto your property...- OK.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39- ..and your garden.- Yeah.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41I know I've thrown a lot of information at you
0:42:41 > 0:42:45- and your minds are ticking, so let's get inside.- OK.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48This beautiful, oak-timbered house is grade II listed
0:42:48 > 0:42:51and dates back to the 1700's.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Since then, two extensions have been added to it.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Into the hallway we go.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00When I said low ceilings, I really did mean low ceilings.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02I feel like I've walked into a fairytale home.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05- Let me take you into the kitchen. - OK.
0:43:07 > 0:43:10- OK.- I know it's small...- Yeah.
0:43:10 > 0:43:12..but actually there's a, sort of, second
0:43:12 > 0:43:15kitchen-utility room through there.
0:43:15 > 0:43:18And I did speak to the owner earlier who said that she did enquire
0:43:18 > 0:43:20- about knocking down that wall... - Right.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22..but never ended up really doing it.
0:43:22 > 0:43:25- That is an option.- There's a different feel to it slightly.
0:43:25 > 0:43:28I think it doesn't feel that small.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32There's just so much character in this house.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35- I think that's the key, the character.- Yeah.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37- Let's go into your dining room.- OK.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46- Yeah.- Stunned into silence.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49- It's beautiful.- Yeah.- Very spacious.
0:43:49 > 0:43:53You're saying spacious but low ceilings, exposed beams everywhere.
0:43:53 > 0:43:54How are you feeling about those?
0:43:54 > 0:43:57It is low ceilings but the room's quite wide and quite long.
0:43:57 > 0:43:59There's plenty of light coming in.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02- Shall I show you a new element of the house?- OK.- Yes.
0:44:02 > 0:44:03- The lounge.- Great.
0:44:07 > 0:44:09Wow, that fireplace is magnificent.
0:44:09 > 0:44:11This is my favourite room downstairs.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14- I've just noticed out the window... - Fantastic.
0:44:14 > 0:44:18The owner said to be that on a sunny day you can see right to the Black Mountains.
0:44:18 > 0:44:20Wow. It reminds me I'm still close to Wales.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23You're messing with my head. I thought I knew what I wanted but...
0:44:23 > 0:44:25- I never even thought... - That's what I'm here for.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28I never even thought of a place like this, you know,
0:44:28 > 0:44:31- like a quaint cottage and... - You said you wanted character.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35I know, it's... Well, it's got more character then you could ever wish for, hasn't it, this place?
0:44:35 > 0:44:38I'm very pleasantly surprised that Gareth seems to
0:44:38 > 0:44:40actually like the fairly low beams here.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43I think he is too, which is a good thing
0:44:43 > 0:44:47because they're a real feature upstairs in the family bathroom
0:44:47 > 0:44:49and in some of the four bedrooms,
0:44:49 > 0:44:51all of which are good size doubles
0:44:51 > 0:44:53and have windows offering plenty of light.
0:44:54 > 0:44:57I think this would be the master bedroom that
0:44:57 > 0:44:59- you would use, Gareth...- Right.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02..because it has an en-suite attached.
0:45:02 > 0:45:06Now I know it's not as big as the master in house two
0:45:06 > 0:45:10but the advantage you have with this property is that the other
0:45:10 > 0:45:13- three bedrooms are also double bedrooms.- Right.
0:45:13 > 0:45:14You know, this is big enough.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16If you were to move into this place, Gareth,
0:45:16 > 0:45:19would you be prepared to buy another vehicle.
0:45:19 > 0:45:21Definitely, there's never enough vehicles for a man.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25Because you did mention a sit on lawnmower.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27Ah, right, yeah.
0:45:27 > 0:45:29I think this garden could accommodate that. OK.
0:45:29 > 0:45:32- Shall we go and have a look?- Yeah, let's have a look.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36But it's not just the garden he'll be attending to,
0:45:36 > 0:45:40this place also has three paddocks, a veggie plot,
0:45:40 > 0:45:43a recently built stable block
0:45:43 > 0:45:45and even a wildlife pond.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49- You would have almost two acres of land with this property.- Wow.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52Is there enough room to land a plane here?
0:45:52 > 0:45:56Maybe a microlight but you could definitely land a few helicopters.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59You did say though that being overlooked,
0:45:59 > 0:46:01especially into your garden, was the deal-breaker.
0:46:01 > 0:46:04It might be a very small compromise to make to live
0:46:04 > 0:46:07in such a fantastic location. It's beautiful.
0:46:07 > 0:46:09Shall we find out how much you might need to spend?
0:46:09 > 0:46:11I'm guessing it's going to be over budget this one.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14So I'm guessing about £480-490,000.
0:46:14 > 0:46:15What about you, Stephen?
0:46:15 > 0:46:18I think £469,950.
0:46:18 > 0:46:22Well, it is actually on for just under £500,000
0:46:22 > 0:46:25at £499,995.
0:46:25 > 0:46:26Right, OK.
0:46:26 > 0:46:30- But we have spoken to the owner and she is willing to negotiate.- Wow.
0:46:30 > 0:46:33- You did say you had some wiggle room.- I did, yeah.- I think you'll need it.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35- It's time to wiggle.- Yeah.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38Although this wonderful,
0:46:38 > 0:46:40grade II listed home is almost
0:46:40 > 0:46:43£50,000 above Gareth and Sophia's budget,
0:46:43 > 0:46:46it does have plenty to justify to using that wiggle room.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48Including...
0:47:01 > 0:47:05The best thing about this house for me is the fact that there is so
0:47:05 > 0:47:08much to the property other than just the house.
0:47:08 > 0:47:11It would be the type of house where you could invite your family
0:47:11 > 0:47:14and friends and just have a sense of pride in knowing that
0:47:14 > 0:47:16when they come, they're going to love it.
0:47:18 > 0:47:20- Are you happy?- Yes.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23I think it's been a life-changing couple of days for you.
0:47:23 > 0:47:25- Yeah, it has, yeah. Amazing. - A rollercoaster.
0:47:25 > 0:47:29- We need to go and sit down and have a good old chat.- Yeah, OK.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38Well, lads, it's been quite a day.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42This morning I was under the impression that you were
0:47:42 > 0:47:44pretty ready to put an offer into house two,
0:47:44 > 0:47:46- especially if the decision had only been yours.- Yeah.
0:47:46 > 0:47:47Was that the right impression?
0:47:47 > 0:47:50If this was just a two house adventure then definitely
0:47:50 > 0:47:53I would have put an offer in on the second house.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56- But it's a three horse race.- It's a three horse race
0:47:56 > 0:47:58and today you completely swung me.
0:47:58 > 0:48:00I fell in love with it almost straight away.
0:48:00 > 0:48:04One of the things that really struck me about the mystery house, Sophia loves animals.
0:48:04 > 0:48:07You could have all sorts of small animals within that property
0:48:07 > 0:48:09and I think that which really appeal to Sophia.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12What happens now? Will you go to see both houses?
0:48:12 > 0:48:15The first thing I'll do is maybe take Sophia and go
0:48:15 > 0:48:17and see the house, the mystery house.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20And if she likes that as much as I did then we'll see
0:48:20 > 0:48:23whether or not we can negotiate something small within my budget.
0:48:23 > 0:48:27It was a lovely property. Yeah, it just makes you smile looking at it.
0:48:27 > 0:48:31Well, I cannot wait to hear what happens. So you must let us know.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35- We'll let you know straight away. - I want to know as well.- Yeah.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44Wow, your mystery house seems to have blown them out of the water.
0:48:44 > 0:48:47Yes, often a preconceived no-no can prevent you from going to see
0:48:47 > 0:48:49a property that is actually perfect for you,
0:48:49 > 0:48:52such as Gareth's aversion to beams.
0:48:52 > 0:48:55Yeah, overcoming those preconceptions is so important
0:48:55 > 0:48:58and I think these days, in this online world of property shopping,
0:48:58 > 0:49:01it's easy to see something on the screen or indeed on paper,
0:49:01 > 0:49:04that you think doesn't have what you're looking for.
0:49:04 > 0:49:07But there's no substitute for going through the door and taking it in
0:49:07 > 0:49:09and giving each property its due.
0:49:09 > 0:49:13It's so important to see as many properties as you can in person.
0:49:13 > 0:49:17Now, I can tell you what happened next in Gareth's house search
0:49:17 > 0:49:19but you're going to have to wait until the end of the programme.
0:49:19 > 0:49:21Well, we are all looking forward to that.
0:49:21 > 0:49:24But in the meantime, let's get back to Lucas and Victoria.
0:49:24 > 0:49:26Just to remind you they were trying to move
0:49:26 > 0:49:27from Thatcham to Herefordshire
0:49:27 > 0:49:29with a cool half a million pounds.
0:49:32 > 0:49:35For our final property we're heading to the western side
0:49:35 > 0:49:37of Herefordshire, on the Welsh border,
0:49:37 > 0:49:39where the nearest village is Ewyas Harold.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42It's an area of gently rolling countryside and the village has
0:49:42 > 0:49:48some foodie appeal with two pubs, a chippie, butchers and tearooms.
0:49:48 > 0:49:51The mystery house is a much more rural option than the previous two,
0:49:51 > 0:49:52being not in the village
0:49:52 > 0:49:57but a ten minute drive up the valley to a glorious elevated position.
0:49:57 > 0:49:59Climb up and enjoy the view.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02- Look at that!- Oh!
0:50:02 > 0:50:04Oh, that view.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07And you get this. And we are a bit more rural here.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09We're not on the edge of a village.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12You've got three or four local shops
0:50:12 > 0:50:15and post offices within about a three or four mile radius of year.
0:50:15 > 0:50:18So let's see what you think of it. Come and have a look inside.
0:50:18 > 0:50:21It's not right in the heart of a community, which is what Lucas
0:50:21 > 0:50:23and Victoria wanted, but this house
0:50:23 > 0:50:26gives spectacular, uninterrupted views.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29It's a three-bedroom, 19th-century stone cottage which comes
0:50:29 > 0:50:32with its own separate one-bedroom unit.
0:50:32 > 0:50:35Inside, the main house has a very traditional layout.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37Let's start with this one.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40- Oh, this is sweet.- Cosy, cosy.- Yeah?
0:50:40 > 0:50:43- Snug, snug. - Very cosy with that wood burner.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47Well, next door used to be a dining room but they've gone for the reception room option.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50But having said that, they have done quite a lot for remodelling
0:50:50 > 0:50:53the kitchen, at the back of the house, to give you quite a big
0:50:53 > 0:50:55open-plan kitchen diner. So...
0:50:55 > 0:50:56Right.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58- ..maybe that's all you need.- OK.
0:50:58 > 0:50:59Let's have a look.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03And then this is the kitchen and diner.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06Oh, I like this.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08Fantastic. Yes.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10I like this.
0:51:10 > 0:51:11Yes, our island.
0:51:11 > 0:51:14- Your range. - A range cooker!- Yeah.
0:51:14 > 0:51:16And doors out to the garden there.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18I love it.
0:51:18 > 0:51:20- I really love it.- Marvellous.- Yes.
0:51:20 > 0:51:23Well, we have got three bedrooms upstairs for you. OK.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25Come and have a look at this.
0:51:27 > 0:51:30So the kitchen is definitely a winner in this house
0:51:30 > 0:51:34and off the kitchen there is also a utility room and a WC.
0:51:34 > 0:51:38Upstairs, there is a shared family bathroom and three bedrooms.
0:51:38 > 0:51:41There are two good doubles, either of which could be used
0:51:41 > 0:51:43by their daughter.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45And finally, this one.
0:51:45 > 0:51:48- Oh, this is pretty. - Your pretty room.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50Very pretty. I love the wallpaper.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53Normally I wouldn't go for something like this but I do like it.
0:51:53 > 0:51:55- I like the beams up here.- Yeah.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58- They give a bit of character to the room.- Yeah.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00And you've got the views, of course, from here.
0:52:00 > 0:52:03Well, I think the pair of you would be very happy over here,
0:52:03 > 0:52:06so let's take a walk across the garden now
0:52:06 > 0:52:09and have a look at the annexe-cottage
0:52:09 > 0:52:11and think about the children because I think they'd like it.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13- OK, let's go.- After you.
0:52:14 > 0:52:18Across the back of the courtyard garden is a separate store house
0:52:18 > 0:52:21and then the two-storey, self-contained cottage
0:52:21 > 0:52:24which I think will be the ideal for this family's set-up.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28Now, what would the kids make of this?
0:52:28 > 0:52:30LUCAS LAUGHS
0:52:30 > 0:52:32Oh, he would love this, Robert would.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34Oh, an L sofa. L shaped...
0:52:34 > 0:52:39He's been talking about having an L shaped sofa for ages now.
0:52:39 > 0:52:42This used to be a garage so it was just a great, big empty box, really.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44But they've managed to incorporate a kitchen area there
0:52:44 > 0:52:46and then upstairs there's this really nice
0:52:46 > 0:52:49bathroom and a huge bedroom that overlooks the views again.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52He would be over the moon with this place.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54This is absolutely super.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58As the cottage used to be garage, there is now no garage
0:52:58 > 0:53:00for Lucas's cars.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03But there is no shortage of land upon which to build one.
0:53:03 > 0:53:07Well, here we are then, the final bit of our mystery house tour.
0:53:07 > 0:53:09And part of the reason it's our mystery house is
0:53:09 > 0:53:12- because it comes with five acres...- Five?!
0:53:12 > 0:53:14- ..up there.- Five acres?!
0:53:14 > 0:53:18Along with that stable block over there.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21So what do we think our mystery house is on the market for?
0:53:21 > 0:53:25I think it's got to be top of the budget. I would say £500,000.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27£500,000. Lucas?
0:53:27 > 0:53:29I'm hoping for £450,000.
0:53:29 > 0:53:31£450,000!
0:53:31 > 0:53:36- Well, so you're hoping for £50,000 change?- Yes.
0:53:36 > 0:53:39- That's a bit optimistic. - I'm always optimistic.
0:53:39 > 0:53:43This is how much change you would get from your half a million.
0:53:43 > 0:53:44£5
0:53:44 > 0:53:46£5
0:53:46 > 0:53:50It's on at £499,995.
0:53:50 > 0:53:53- All right.- OK. There you are, treat yourself.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00So for just under their top budget, this stone cottage offers...
0:54:17 > 0:54:20I think you do get a feeling as you walk into a house that you know it
0:54:20 > 0:54:23could be for you
0:54:23 > 0:54:27and I do actually feel, you know, that it could be the one.
0:54:28 > 0:54:31- After you, madam. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:54:31 > 0:54:34Well, I think that was all rather useful, actually.
0:54:34 > 0:54:36- What a great house tour.- Yeah. - Definitely.
0:54:36 > 0:54:39And we managed to get you some change of a fiver.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46But I think, all in all, we have given you plenty to consider this week, haven't we?
0:54:46 > 0:54:48Oh, definitely, most definitely.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51- Right then, let's go and find that coffee. Come on.- OK, thank you.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00So, we came here looking for a home.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03- Have we found you one?- Probably.
0:55:03 > 0:55:06- Probably.- The mystery house is top.
0:55:06 > 0:55:08Two nice rooms, snugs.
0:55:08 > 0:55:11When you take out the big furniture then it will work.
0:55:11 > 0:55:13And that fabulous kitchen.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17And, of course, that annexe for Robert. He'd be really, really pleased with that.
0:55:17 > 0:55:18And it came with some fabulous views.
0:55:18 > 0:55:21Yes, the views were just outstanding.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23So what happens next, Victoria?
0:55:23 > 0:55:26Well, I think we go home, discuss things with our son.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29And I think we also need to look into how far the house
0:55:29 > 0:55:33is from amenities, exactly where it is, where the nearest
0:55:33 > 0:55:37community would be and take it from there.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41Well, it is a really gorgeous bit of Herefordshire. So just let us know.
0:55:41 > 0:55:44- I can't wait to hear.- Yes, and thank you so much for your help.
0:55:44 > 0:55:46It's been a fabulous experience.
0:55:46 > 0:55:48Yes, thank you very much.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57Well, I thought the mystery house was the one.
0:55:57 > 0:56:00But they went back with their children for a second viewing
0:56:00 > 0:56:03and decided, ultimately, that it wasn't going to be for them.
0:56:03 > 0:56:05How frustrating. But there is some good news.
0:56:05 > 0:56:07They have found a house in Bullinghope,
0:56:07 > 0:56:10just down the road from Hereford itself.
0:56:10 > 0:56:11So there is a happy ending.
0:56:11 > 0:56:13- I do have some new neighbours. - It worked out in the end.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15It did indeed. But what about Gareth?
0:56:15 > 0:56:17Well, Gareth took Sophia to see the mystery house.
0:56:17 > 0:56:19She loved it too.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22They put in an offer, it was accepted.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25However, they soon discovered there was a public footpath that
0:56:25 > 0:56:28went through the property's land, so they withdrew their offer.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31Well, in a county like Herefordshire, you're going to have to expect that.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33There are some 4,000 that run around the county,
0:56:33 > 0:56:35one of which goes through my land.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38So it's not a deal breaker.
0:56:38 > 0:56:39Absolutely, but it's easy to check.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41There's a document which shows the position
0:56:41 > 0:56:44and the status of every public right of way
0:56:44 > 0:56:47and councils have a legal duty to keep it updated.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49So it's very easy to check.
0:56:49 > 0:56:52And ultimately it is good news from Gareth and Sophia.
0:56:52 > 0:56:55They found another property and are now fully embracing country
0:56:55 > 0:56:57life in Monmouth, so just beyond the Herefordshire border.
0:56:57 > 0:57:02- Brilliant. So actually, all in all, pretty good result I would say.- Yes.
0:57:02 > 0:57:06So we wish both of our couples all the very best for their new, rural lives.
0:57:06 > 0:57:10And do join us again for yet more country escapes.
0:57:10 > 0:57:12If you'd like to escape to the country in either
0:57:12 > 0:57:15England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland
0:57:15 > 0:57:19and would like our help, then please apply online at...