North Yorkshire Escape to the Country


North Yorkshire

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Today's programme is a special episode where we will be

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showcasing one region, revisiting the house searches of two families

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looking for their rural dream homes.

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As well as reminiscing, we will also be offering our own advice

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and thoughts about moving to the area.

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The region we are featuring today is England's largest county.

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Find out where in just a moment.

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Today, we're looking back on two previous house-hunts.

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Mine involved a mother and daughter duo who are looking for a property to entertain in.

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And one of our offerings seemed to hit the mark.

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-Wow!

-I think you've hit the nail on the head!

-I'm feeling a bit tearful!

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While today, my buyers were a father and daughter team searching for a

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shared home for their two families, and I certainly had my work cut out!

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No, sorry. That's not me!

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Well, today, we are in North Yorkshire,

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which represents a staggering 10% of England's landmass.

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And we were lucky enough to be able to explore

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both the county's dramatic National Parks.

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I was up in the North West, in and around the Dales.

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I was also north, but a little bit further east than Jules,

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near the North York Moors.

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But it's not just the scenic dales and moors, but the whole county

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that seems to attract those seeking a rural escape.

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North Yorkshire is located in the North of England.

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It is bordered by six other counties, including

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West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.

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The North Sea runs along its eastern edge.

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This region is home to two National Parks - the Yorkshire Dales to

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the west and the rugged

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and windswept North York Moors to the east.

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But it's not all about the striking scenery.

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North Yorkshire also boasts exquisite architecture,

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such as York Minster, the medieval cathedral with its spectacular,

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Gothic style exterior and vibrant stained-glass windows.

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Geographically, the county has much to offer.

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So it's perhaps not surprising that the region has become

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a popular option for those seeking a slower, more rural existence.

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What I love about North Yorkshire, Jules, is its character.

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-It has to be the proudest county ever, doesn't it?

-Without a doubt.

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I mean, I'm slightly biased because I've got family there,

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but two places I always recommend people see.

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One is Malham Cove, that incredible limestone formation, and

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if you want a Northern seaside town, you can't go wrong with Whitby.

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-Ah, a taste of Dracula!

-Yes!

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But for all that beauty, I think

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house prices up there are surprisingly attractive.

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When you consider that the average cost of a detached home

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is about £274,000,

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it is slightly under the national figure of £279,000,

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so it's well worth a look.

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But such a huge county, prices can vary, can't they?

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I always suggest people should look further away, perhaps forget

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the parks, move further south, it can be sort of £90,000 difference.

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But it was the parks that our buyers wanted,

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and frankly, who can blame them?

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I was helping a mother and daughter combo

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swap suburban Surrey for the delights of the Dales.

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Today's house hunters are mother and daughter Mel and Holly,

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who live in Worcester Park, Surrey.

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Mel, originally from North Yorkshire, is recently divorced

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and works as a speech therapy assistant.

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She has two daughters -

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Lily, who is about to go off to university,

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and Holly, who has just finished at sixth form college.

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They've decided that now is the time to make their move to the country.

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I've lived here nearly eight years,

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and the area is quite busy and congested

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and we'd like to escape that.

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Mel's been itching to get back to her roots in North Yorkshire.

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I've been thinking about moving to the countryside

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and especially to move back to the North East for about 13 years,

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but it's been put on the back burner.

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So, now I've got an opportunity, through getting divorced

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and selling this house, and now I can fulfil my dream.

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I love everything about North Yorkshire.

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-I love the dales, I love the moors, the villages...

-Yeah.

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-Ah, villages.

-Quaint houses and things. Chocolate box.

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Yeah, chocolate box.

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And mainly because of the people.

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Mel and Holly have had their fill of suburban life.

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We'd like to be in a village.

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And maybe on the outskirts rather than being right in the centre.

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-Yeah. Somewhere where there's quite a community.

-Yeah.

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And they do seem to be clear about what they want in their new house.

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We are looking for something with character.

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Kitchen-diner.

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-Three bedrooms would be great.

-Yeah.

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We would quite like to have something like holiday lets to have

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something where there's potential of some business and income.

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Life in North Yorkshire will be very different

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to living in the South East.

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A bit nervous. Obviously it's a big change and I'll be moving away

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from half my family, some friends and things, but it'll be...

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-But I'm very excited about it.

-Yes. No, I'm very excited.

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-Because I'll be with my family...

-Yeah.

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..for the first time in 26 years.

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Yeah, and there'll be a lot of opportunities

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-and things for us up there.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

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Mel and Holly are keen to move to a village property

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within easy reach of family in Darlington.

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But before our search begins, I'm meeting them to learn more

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about their proposed rural move.

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Well, Holly, Mel, welcome to Yorkshire.

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-Welcome back to Yorkshire for you, Mel.

-Mmm-hmm.

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-This is home, isn't it?

-Yes, it is. Yeah.

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-Now, it's obviously your idea to come back up here.

-Mm-hm.

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Did you take much persuading?

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Erm, no, not really.

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I'm in-between jobs at the minute, so I'm easy, I'm happy to move.

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Be a new chapter for me and open some new opportunities for me, so...

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So, give us an idea of the sort of property that you've pictured,

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Mel, for your return to this part of the world.

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It's got to have character, definitely,

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-cos we live in quite a new house, don't we?

-Yeah.

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So, it's got to have character.

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And are there any real no-nos in your wish list?

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-No new builds.

-Yeah.

-No bungalows.

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-No bungalows.

-I'm too young.

-Yeah.

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THEY LAUGH

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So, something nice and pretty - that, I think, is a given.

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But what does it need to have?

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How many bedrooms do you need, for example?

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Well, it needs to have three, three bedrooms and possibly four.

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-But we're quite relaxed on that, so...

-Yeah.

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And what about outside space, Holly?

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We'd possibly like a potential to maybe have holiday lets or

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extra space maybe to put up yurts or something in a garden

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-if we've got a big bit of land.

-Ooh, a bit of glamping maybe!

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-A bit of glamping.

-Yeah! Let's talk about the budget then.

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How much do you want to spend on this whole move?

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375,000.

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If you take £375,000 all the way up from Surrey,

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-the horizon does get much broader.

-Yeah.

-Yeah, it does.

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-And much prettier.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

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And that's the really exciting thing.

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Right then, let's go. Come on.

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Mel and Holly have £375,000 to spend on their new home.

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They'd like to be in a village setting within easy reach

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of family in Darlington.

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They're after a three-bedroomed house,

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with a large kitchen/diner and a garden.

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Although the house is their main consideration, if it did offer

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a business opportunity in the form of land or outbuildings, that would

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be a plus, although that might be tricky to achieve within the budget.

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We've lined up three varied properties to show them over

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the next couple of days, but I won't be revealing the price tags

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until the end of each house tour.

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Finally, our Mystery House will challenge what they think

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they want and test how much vision they have.

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Our first property is in the village of Melsonby, six miles from

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Darlington, so, convenient for visiting Mel's family.

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It's an attractive village with a green at its centre and a brook.

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There's a selection of old cottages and the property we're showing them

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is right in the heart of things.

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OK, ladies, come on in to property number one! What do you reckon?

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-Lovely. Absolutely lovely.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, it's really nice actually.

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Very pretty.

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I suppose the obvious thing to say is that it is, technically...

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Single storey.

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..a bungalow.

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THEY LAUGH

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If you think of it in terms of being a single-storey barn conversion

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-it takes on a completely different meaning.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

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Let's have a look inside.

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'Sadly, it doesn't offer business potential either.'

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Come in, Holly. There we are!

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What do you reckon then?

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-Yeah, really nice.

-Yeah.

-It's lovely.

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-Yeah.

-Quite modern, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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It's very modern, but it does have this nice country feel,

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the way the units are finished, this nice duck egg blue.

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Through there is a utility room, boiler and so on,

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and access to the courtyard, so all the white goods are tucked away.

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-Yes, very nice.

-Yeah.

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Now, how's the bungalow thing going with you?

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Erm... Yeah, it's all right.

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It's not bothering me too much at the minute.

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Yeah, I think we need to see the rest of it

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-and see what we think.

-Yeah, and make a decision.

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Yeah. Come and have a look at this.

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Now, I can quite see you two...

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cosied up in here.

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-Yeah.

-Yeah. I love the ceiling, love the beams.

-Yeah.

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It's not huge but it feels spacious.

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And for family gatherings, just imagine Christmas!

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Yeah, you can actually.

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Back through the kitchen to the other end of the house,

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there are three bedrooms -

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a cosy double,

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another double currently being used as a child's room,

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and also a neutrally decorated bathroom.

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But I'm taking them to the master bedroom.

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Now, I'm wondering if this is your room, Holly.

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-What, the master bedroom?

-Cos it's got the en suite, yeah.

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No, I think I'll have to give that to Mum, yeah.

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I could see that coming, yeah.

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-It's not a bad size.

-It's the biggest of the three.

-Yeah.

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The others are all doubles, so I guess you'd get first pick.

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-Yeah, and then Lily can have..

-Lily'll get what's left.

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Well, let's go outside and think about the price

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-and show you that courtyard.

-Yeah.

-OK.

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Maybe that will be the icing on the cake. Go on, after you.

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Outside, there's double-gated access to the walled front garden

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which is grassed with a raised patio area.

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At the back is a long, narrow paved garden with a well-planted border,

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and it's all pretty low-maintenance.

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-This is a perfect size...

-Yeah.

-..maintenance-wise.

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OK, so, how much is property number one on the market for?

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I think it's on for 345.

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345? Yeah. Holly?

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I was going to actually go a bit lower, say about 330.

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You have clearly done it before, cos it is on the market...

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-Is it?

-..for £345,000, yeah!

-Ah-ha!

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For £30,000 under their maximum budget,

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this single storey stone barn conversion

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provides an enormous open-plan kitchen-dining room,

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an impressive sitting room with vaulted ceiling,

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and three bedrooms, with the master being en suite,

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and outside there are low-maintenance gardens.

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I think the problem with house number one is that it's one storey.

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Obviously at home I'm used to having two storeys

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so it's something that I'd have to get used to if we were to move here.

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My overall thought on property one is it's a beautiful house,

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it's in a beautiful location,

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I think I just would struggle with the one level.

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Well, that's it. One down, two to go.

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Yeah.

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Is it a contender?

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-We need to see the others, don't we, first?

-Yeah.

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That's what everybody says. Come on.

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Richmond Castle is one of the finest and best-preserved

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Norman castles in Britain.

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After the Norman Conquest in 1066,

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William The Conqueror built castles across the North of England

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in an effort to control what he considered

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the unruly population of the North.

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I've come to meet curator Kevin Booth from English Heritage

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for a history lesson.

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-Kevin.

-Jules, nice to meet you.

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Very nice to see you, sir! This is gorgeous, isn't it?

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Why was the castle sited here in Richmond?

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Richmond Castle is a point of force

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and it's sitting on a promontory on the River Swale.

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It's got views both ways down the river

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and this is a point of control over the North of England.

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But it's one of the very first fortresses like this that's

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built up here after William wins the Battle of Hastings.

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Yeah, I mean, it's only four, five years

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after William comes through the South of England.

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So, what was the idea?

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It's control.

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It's a Northern population that haven't yet bowed

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to the rule of the Normans.

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Now, Kevin, I am assured that the view from the top of the keep

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-is absolutely fantastic.

-139 steps to the top.

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Yeah, we'll start counting, shall we?

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The keep is 100 foot high

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and was built from sandstone in the 12th century.

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From the top on a clear day you can see for over 40 miles,

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so advancing opponents could easily be spotted.

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There's your view, Jules.

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Wow, look at that! Fabulous!

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You can absolutely see how the town has grown up around this place.

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The castle is pulling in people, it's pulling in skills,

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it's a centre for money, for law and order, for justice,

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and it needs that town to support it and the town requires the castle.

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The military importance of the castle in this area

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lasted around 300 years.

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But by the 15th century, there was a lack of investment

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and it started to fall into decline.

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But the castle's history doesn't end just because it becomes a ruin.

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No, and certainly in the 19th century there was a great

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resurgence of its fortunes with the military adopting it -

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the local regiment's based here.

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But, as you get to the 20th century, there's a story with a very

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different slant, which perhaps we can go and see now.

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Absolutely. Yeah, I'm going to follow you.

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'During the First World War, although millions of men went

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'to the front line, there were those who refused to fight

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'on moral grounds and they were called conscientious objectors.

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'These men were given non-combative duties, but some had even

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'stronger objections and ended up incarcerated here.'

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Oh!

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Now, this is an atmospheric place.

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The centre of every castle should have its dungeon.

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Well, this one has a range of eight prison cells.

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But absolutely covered in graffiti!

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Pre-First World War up to the 1950s, but focusing,

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especially for my interest,

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on the work of these 16 absolutist conscientious objectors.

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These men were known as absolutists because,

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unlike conscientious objectors,

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they refused any duties connected to the war effort.

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In 1916, they were held here and became known as the Richmond 16.

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So, here we are, Jules, in one of these tiny little cells

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and this one probably has some

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of the most poignant material inscribed.

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They're so austere.

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So it's just lime wash and pencil annotation over the top

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and a whole series of messages from the religious, the personal,

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to quite bold and blatant political statements as well.

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Clearly, conserving these buildings is a challenge.

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We don't open it to the public but we are doing all we can to monitor,

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to understand the conditions that affect it and then to rectify it.

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Well, Kevin, thank you very much for this rather privileged

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and brief look into this story.

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It is a fascinating footnote to the story of the First World War.

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You're very welcome, Jules.

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Let's leave it to its damp past.

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Our second property is in the village of Scruton,

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half an hour's drive from Darlington.

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Scruton is a lively, social village with a church,

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a pub, and a village hall.

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The property we're showing Mel and Holly is an impressive stone

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cottage in the heart of the village.

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Well, here we are then.

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What do you reckon to this little gem?

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-It's gorgeous! It's really quaint.

-It's beautiful.

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And it's all just been done and renovated to a really,

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-really high standard. It's Grade II listed...

-OK.

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..but that doesn't need to worry you because it's all

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been sorted out. There's nothing you'd need to do here.

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I don't even think you need to paint it, to be perfectly frank.

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I mean, the finish is lovely.

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-Happy?

-Yeah, very.

-Yeah. Excited.

-Right then, let's have a look!

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'While there's no obvious business opportunity here,

0:17:030:17:06

'I think this house will really wow them.'

0:17:060:17:09

Right, look at this.

0:17:090:17:11

Ah-ha! Lots to tempt you with.

0:17:110:17:14

Let's start in here.

0:17:140:17:15

Oh, wow. I love this.

0:17:150:17:18

-Yeah?

-Yeah. Love it.

0:17:180:17:21

This is the living room.

0:17:210:17:22

It's not the only reception space you've got,

0:17:220:17:24

it's mirrored by the dining room, which is across the hallway.

0:17:240:17:27

Similar sort of size, similar spec, they've both got fireplaces.

0:17:270:17:30

And I think this is a great indication of the sort of finish

0:17:300:17:33

we can expect around the rest of the property.

0:17:330:17:36

Yeah. It is lovely.

0:17:360:17:37

Yeah, I love the beam.

0:17:370:17:39

Holly?

0:17:390:17:40

Yeah, I'm a bit speechless. I love the beam, yeah.

0:17:400:17:43

It feels nice. It feels...

0:17:430:17:45

Yeah, it's got a lovely feeling to it. It's very homely.

0:17:450:17:48

-Now, the kitchen is through here.

-OK.

0:17:480:17:50

It has something in you are going to really love.

0:17:500:17:52

Come and have a look at this.

0:17:520:17:54

There you go, Mel. Didn't you want one of those?

0:17:570:17:59

Oh, my goodness. Yes, I wanted a range.

0:17:590:18:03

-That's lovely.

-Yeah?

-Mmm.

0:18:030:18:06

A gorgeous fitted kitchen. And this is lovely -

0:18:060:18:09

how about that for a larder?

0:18:090:18:10

Oh, very nice. That is very nice.

0:18:100:18:12

That's nice and big.

0:18:120:18:14

-It's gorgeous, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:18:140:18:15

It's not the huge kitchen-diner, but I don't think it matters.

0:18:150:18:18

No. I don't think it would do the house justice

0:18:180:18:20

if it was a big kitchen-diner.

0:18:200:18:22

No. Yeah, it's very fitting.

0:18:220:18:24

I don't think I would change it actually. No, lovely.

0:18:240:18:26

Great. Come through here. Have a look at this.

0:18:260:18:28

Now this, to me,

0:18:320:18:33

is one of the really clever bits in this renovation.

0:18:330:18:37

You've got the old house behind us, you've got the old outhouse

0:18:370:18:41

and garage, and they've linked the whole thing with this...

0:18:410:18:44

well, amazing garden room.

0:18:440:18:46

What a family space.

0:18:460:18:48

Oh, it's beautiful.

0:18:480:18:49

And then, through there, a really well-equipped utility room.

0:18:490:18:53

Fridge-freezer is out there and then a door through to a garage,

0:18:530:18:56

so you've also got off-street parking if you need it.

0:18:560:18:59

-That's good, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:18:590:19:00

-It's beautiful. What a lovely addition. It's a very sociable area, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:19:000:19:04

-Happy, Holly?

-Yeah. I really like it, yeah.

0:19:040:19:07

Through the garden room, there's a study

0:19:070:19:09

and next to it, a cloakroom with shower.

0:19:090:19:11

The cottage has a steep staircase leading to three bedrooms -

0:19:110:19:16

a large double with a hand basin,

0:19:160:19:18

a smaller double being used as a dressing room,

0:19:180:19:21

and it has a beautifully fitted bathroom with another shower.

0:19:210:19:25

And then finally, Mel, this is yours.

0:19:260:19:28

-Oh, my gosh!

-Wow.

0:19:280:19:30

Oh, this is lovely!

0:19:300:19:32

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

0:19:320:19:33

This is beautiful. It's lovely.

0:19:330:19:37

-Isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Whoa-ho-ho!

0:19:370:19:39

I think we've hit the nail on the head!

0:19:390:19:41

I'm feeling a bit tearful!

0:19:410:19:43

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-You can see yourselves in here, then?

0:19:430:19:46

I really, really do like this, yeah.

0:19:460:19:48

Let's go down to the garden and get some fresh air, talk about the price.

0:19:480:19:51

'So, this place has hit the mark, but what will they make

0:19:510:19:53

'of the outdoor space?'

0:19:530:19:55

The cottage has a formal front garden enclosed by hedging

0:19:570:20:00

and at the back is a private garden with patio area.

0:20:000:20:04

So, Holly, I'm going to get you to guess the price first.

0:20:040:20:07

Where is property two on the scale of things?

0:20:070:20:11

Erm...

0:20:110:20:13

I think it's at our top end of our budget. 375.

0:20:130:20:16

I think it is...

0:20:160:20:19

365.

0:20:190:20:21

I hate you. You get it right all the time!

0:20:240:20:26

No! Did I?

0:20:260:20:28

-You did! You did, yeah.

-I'm too good.

0:20:280:20:31

£365,000.

0:20:310:20:34

-And it really is 365?

-It really is. It really is.

0:20:340:20:36

This Grade II listed stone cottage

0:20:380:20:41

is priced £10,000 under their maximum budget

0:20:410:20:44

and is in mint condition.

0:20:440:20:46

It has a beautiful country kitchen with range,

0:20:460:20:48

a bespoke conservatory and three bedrooms.

0:20:480:20:51

There are private gardens front and rear, as well as a garage.

0:20:510:20:55

They were really quite taken with that second property, weren't they?

0:21:000:21:03

It was gorgeous, and I really loved that garden room.

0:21:030:21:06

And we are seeing a lot more of them these days.

0:21:060:21:09

They are much more useful than a conservatory,

0:21:090:21:11

they become an extension to the living space, to the footprint

0:21:110:21:14

of a property, and they are so much more versatile.

0:21:140:21:17

Yeah, and you can use them all the year round.

0:21:170:21:20

They can be integrated with the main house's heating system,

0:21:200:21:23

whereas conservatories, legally, have to have independent heating,

0:21:230:21:26

which, let's be honest, in the winter months, can be quite a challenge.

0:21:260:21:30

-Yeah, and quite expensive to run.

-Yes.

0:21:300:21:32

But let's reacquaint ourselves with my buyers now,

0:21:320:21:35

a father and daughter who were looking to move

0:21:350:21:37

two generations of their family to North Yorkshire.

0:21:370:21:41

Secretary Penny and her retired father, Richard,

0:21:410:21:44

have lived in Ipswich all their lives.

0:21:440:21:47

Together, they've taken on the tall task of finding a shared new

0:21:470:21:51

home for themselves, plus Penny's husband, Mark, and her mother, Jenny.

0:21:510:21:55

We share the same interests, we really get on together.

0:21:550:21:59

We do have a laugh and we enjoy each other's company.

0:21:590:22:03

The idea would be to live in separate accommodation,

0:22:030:22:07

-because obviously, we all need our own space.

-Own space.

-Yeah.

0:22:070:22:10

But there for each other if we require it.

0:22:100:22:13

-Which is basically what we've got now, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:22:130:22:17

Richard and Jenny currently live in a bungalow on the outskirts

0:22:170:22:21

of Ipswich and Penny and Mark four miles away in this detached house.

0:22:210:22:25

But they've decided that the time has come to follow their country dream.

0:22:250:22:28

Well, Ipswich, I was born and bred here,

0:22:300:22:33

about five miles from the town centre.

0:22:330:22:36

But I remember it as a market town,

0:22:360:22:38

but now it's become more urbanised and more congested.

0:22:380:22:44

So, it doesn't sort of live for a pleasant life, as I saw it as a boy.

0:22:440:22:49

And it's North Yorkshire, somewhere they've enjoyed visiting over

0:22:490:22:53

many years, that they have decided they want to call home.

0:22:530:22:57

When you go to places like Yorkshire,

0:22:570:22:59

you really see that it's not as built up, there's more open space.

0:22:590:23:04

And to me, it's wilder.

0:23:040:23:07

You meet very, very friendly people, a lovely community spirit,

0:23:070:23:10

North Yorkshire is fantastic.

0:23:100:23:13

And the scenic North Yorkshire countryside is perfect

0:23:130:23:16

for the hobbies the two couples share.

0:23:160:23:19

But it's not just going to be about leisure time.

0:23:190:23:21

The two families are hoping to start up a new

0:23:210:23:24

business from their new home.

0:23:240:23:26

Hope the business side of things will either have enough land

0:23:260:23:29

to do glamping and if we haven't got the land to do that,

0:23:290:23:33

hopefully you might already have cottages that are already there.

0:23:330:23:37

And whether it's work or play, both Penny, Richard

0:23:380:23:42

and their families are looking forward to a completely new start.

0:23:420:23:46

When we move to Yorkshire, I speak on behalf of all of us,

0:23:460:23:50

we feel the pace of life will be slower.

0:23:500:23:54

It's time to move on, I think. Before it's too old for me, anyway!

0:23:540:23:59

Penny and Richard love all that North Yorkshire has to offer

0:24:030:24:06

and are hoping to find a new family home close to the magnificent moors.

0:24:060:24:11

I'm meeting them in the northerly county to discover exactly

0:24:110:24:15

what it is they are looking for.

0:24:150:24:17

Well, Richard and Penny, why did you pick this county?

0:24:170:24:20

Well, years ago, we used to motorhome, caravanning,

0:24:200:24:24

and we settled up here near Whitby and had a fantastic time

0:24:240:24:28

and we would do all our walking and we came across the moors,

0:24:280:24:31

so we thought, "Oh, nice place to set up a new,

0:24:310:24:35

"ambitious dream of either holiday lets or something similar."

0:24:350:24:40

-Have you ever done anything like this before?

-No.

-No?

0:24:400:24:45

But then, new challenge, we thought, "Well, why not have a go?"

0:24:450:24:48

The dream of the business is cottages, holiday lets, glamping?

0:24:480:24:54

If we could, if we got the land.

0:24:540:24:56

So, in a way, for you, Penny,

0:24:560:24:57

would I be right in thinking the business is the most important?

0:24:570:25:00

Yeah, I think so, because we've got to have some income.

0:25:000:25:03

-Richard, for you and your wife?

-The house.

-The house!

0:25:030:25:06

But obviously, we would chip in with the business.

0:25:060:25:08

We could be slightly pulling in different directions.

0:25:080:25:11

What are you looking for in this new home?

0:25:110:25:14

Traditional build would be nice, and a lovely surrounding area.

0:25:140:25:18

What about you, Penny? What do you want?

0:25:180:25:20

I would really like something that's not particularly modern -

0:25:200:25:23

a lot of properties now have a lot of glass in them -

0:25:230:25:26

-and in a nice area, a lot of countryside around it.

-Yeah.

0:25:260:25:29

-How many bedrooms?

-Would be happy with two.

0:25:290:25:32

-Don't want particularly loads.

-Separate kitchen?

-Yeah.

0:25:320:25:35

-Separate bathroom...

-Yep!

-Huge house for you!

-Absolutely, yes.

0:25:350:25:42

-Remind us again of your budget?

-550,000.

0:25:420:25:46

And is there any flexibility on that if it needs doing up?

0:25:460:25:49

-Are you happy to take on a project?

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Yeah?

0:25:490:25:52

How much have we got left to do a little bit of the project?

0:25:520:25:55

-I'd say about 50.

-OK. So, ideally, the property is 550,

0:25:550:25:58

and if we need to, we can dip in an extra 50.

0:25:580:26:01

We are in the most beautiful part of the world, there is so much here

0:26:010:26:04

in North Yorkshire to see, so I think we should get started, don't you?

0:26:040:26:07

-Yup.

-Come on, then, follow me.

0:26:070:26:09

With the proceeds from two house sales,

0:26:100:26:12

Penny and Richard will have a pretty generous budget,

0:26:120:26:15

with a little extra if needs be to spend on their rural idyll.

0:26:150:26:19

They want two separate living quarters

0:26:190:26:22

for Penny and her husband, Mark,

0:26:220:26:24

and Richard and his wife, Jenny.

0:26:240:26:25

And they want somewhere on site that can be utilised as a holiday let,

0:26:250:26:29

or enough land to offer upmarket camping.

0:26:290:26:32

They are also hoping for somewhere rural, but not too remote.

0:26:320:26:37

We're kicking off our property hunt with our first house,

0:26:420:26:45

situated on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Pickering.

0:26:450:26:49

It's just under 50 minutes north-east of York

0:26:490:26:52

and on the border of the North York Moors National Park.

0:26:520:26:56

Pickering has the waterway Pickering Beck running through it

0:26:560:26:59

and is also home to a splendid 13th century castle.

0:26:590:27:03

A one-and-a-quarter mile journey from town

0:27:030:27:05

and we've arrived at our first property.

0:27:050:27:08

-Mm!

-Quite impressive!

0:27:080:27:10

Nice Yorkshire stone for you, traditional!

0:27:100:27:13

So, a converted barn. Do you like what you see?

0:27:130:27:16

-Yeah, I don't dislike it.

-Don't dislike it.

0:27:160:27:18

No-one's jumping up and down, though, are they?

0:27:180:27:22

-But, as first impressions go...

-First impressions, good.

0:27:220:27:25

-Let's step inside the barn.

-OK.

-Lovely. Thank you.

0:27:250:27:29

This handsome stone barn with its pan tiled roof is around a century old

0:27:310:27:36

and was converted almost 20 years ago into a bright, spacious family home.

0:27:360:27:41

And I've got a surprise up my sleeve, which is hidden from view,

0:27:410:27:44

but I'll let Penny and Richard in on the secret later.

0:27:440:27:48

-So, starting off with...

-Mm-hm!

0:27:480:27:52

..pretty large dining room, in my book.

0:27:520:27:55

-Nice high ceilings. My husband is tall.

-Jenny would love it.

-Really?

0:27:550:27:58

She would, she would love it.

0:27:580:28:00

-Got to keep the missus happy, haven't we, Richard?

-Yeah!

0:28:000:28:04

Better inside than actually out!

0:28:040:28:07

Behind us, by the back door, there is a cloakroom and also

0:28:070:28:10

on the ground floor is a utility room, a sunroom and a sitting room.

0:28:100:28:15

And leading from the dining room is a kitchen-diner,

0:28:150:28:17

which opens onto the south-facing garden.

0:28:170:28:21

First impression, for me, the kitchen space is not very big.

0:28:210:28:26

-The space is big, but the kitchen area...

-More of a diner, isn't it?

0:28:260:28:29

-Yeah, it's not...

-But you could do away with

0:28:290:28:31

the dining area, because you've got one in there.

0:28:310:28:34

-You have to compromise, don't you? Not bad so far.

-Good start, then!

0:28:340:28:37

We're doing well on the ground floor,

0:28:370:28:39

-let's see how you feel about upstairs.

-OK.

0:28:390:28:41

And we're headed straight for the master bedroom.

0:28:440:28:47

That would be ours.

0:28:480:28:50

-THEY LAUGH

-Well, obviously, obviously!

0:28:500:28:52

I was going to say, who is going to have the master?

0:28:520:28:54

-But it does have a very nice en suite behind me as well.

-Yeah.

0:28:540:28:58

-Do you like it?

-Well, I can't comment because it's not my room!

0:28:580:29:01

-Well, you've been told, Richard!

-I've been told, so I'll be kept quiet.

0:29:010:29:05

Well, the barn has three bedrooms, it has the family bathroom.

0:29:050:29:12

I don't know about you, but I think

0:29:120:29:14

I'd find it quite difficult to cut it in half.

0:29:140:29:17

-Definitely.

-Would you want to live in this barn?

-Individually, yes.

0:29:170:29:22

But as a family, no!

0:29:220:29:25

Only one family can really live in this barn, I think.

0:29:250:29:28

I know, so what have you got as an annexe?

0:29:280:29:32

Well, that's what Penny and Richard are about to find out.

0:29:320:29:35

Outside and opposite the barn is a converted garage block.

0:29:350:29:39

What you've got here is two large double garages,

0:29:390:29:44

-plus this office area and a mezzanine floor upstairs.

-Right.

0:29:440:29:49

But you've got so much space, if you converted here and next door,

0:29:490:29:53

you could easily have a second home, here.

0:29:530:29:57

-The potential is there, isn't it?

-Yeah.

0:29:570:29:59

We've got you thinking, haven't we?

0:29:590:30:00

-Certainly have.

-Didn't expect to think!

0:30:000:30:03

This beautiful stone barn, with its additional buildings,

0:30:030:30:07

sits in stunning North Yorkshire countryside.

0:30:070:30:10

We've seen there's the potential for two dwellings,

0:30:100:30:13

but how about space for paying guests?

0:30:130:30:15

Now, you wanted quite a bit of land to go with the business, didn't you?

0:30:170:30:22

It's about 1.5 acres,

0:30:220:30:24

so I'm thinking glamping, yurts.

0:30:240:30:27

You do have the space,

0:30:270:30:29

but you've also got a private garden, which is enormous!

0:30:290:30:33

-Lovely. Not too much looking after.

-Let's see if you can afford it!

0:30:330:30:37

I really haven't got any clue, but I would imagine

0:30:370:30:41

it most probably is... just under our budget,

0:30:410:30:45

maybe at 549,950.

0:30:450:30:48

I would say just over budget.

0:30:480:30:50

575,000.

0:30:500:30:52

The original asking price - because it has just come down - was 575,000.

0:30:520:30:56

-The good news for you two...

-Really?

-..is £550,000.

-Spot-on!

0:30:560:31:02

This tastefully converted barn

0:31:030:31:05

is on the market bang on Penny and Richard's budget,

0:31:050:31:08

leaving them no change, but they do have a pot put aside

0:31:080:31:12

which they could dip into if needs be.

0:31:120:31:14

They love the traditional property

0:31:140:31:16

and there's potential to create a separate abode

0:31:160:31:19

if the garage and office block were turned into a second home.

0:31:190:31:22

And with around two acres of land -

0:31:220:31:24

1.5 acres of that are paddock -

0:31:240:31:27

their glamping business

0:31:270:31:28

would be ready to go.

0:31:280:31:30

North Yorkshire is home to beautiful churches and cathedrals

0:31:360:31:40

with exquisite stained glass gracing many a window.

0:31:400:31:44

St Mary's Church in Ebberston towards the east of the region

0:31:440:31:47

has wonderful examples from the 19th century.

0:31:470:31:50

It is stained-glass artist Val Green's job

0:31:500:31:53

to keep them looking just as they did when they were first put in,

0:31:530:31:57

almost 150 years ago.

0:31:570:31:58

Now, this is a very unusual skill, isn't it?

0:32:000:32:03

Working and replacing stained-glass windows.

0:32:030:32:06

Is this something that's been in your family for a long time?

0:32:060:32:10

It goes back to my great-grandfather. So, that's 1884.

0:32:100:32:13

My goodness!

0:32:130:32:14

Which is about the age of some of the windows in the church.

0:32:140:32:18

The beautiful windows in this church have stood the test of time,

0:32:180:32:23

but not without a little help.

0:32:230:32:25

Every maybe 100, 150 years,

0:32:250:32:29

the windows have got to be taken out,

0:32:290:32:32

stripped down, the glass is cleaned, any broken pieces are replaced,

0:32:320:32:36

and then re-leaded, so this is where we come in with our workshop.

0:32:360:32:41

Val's workshop is 15 miles away in Cayton,

0:32:410:32:44

where she repairs and restores

0:32:440:32:46

around 20 churches' stained-glass windows a year.

0:32:460:32:49

Val will use a sheet of antique glass to repair the hole in the window.

0:32:490:32:53

It's called antique glass

0:32:530:32:55

because it's made to the same recipe as glass was made 1,000 years ago.

0:32:550:32:59

If we don't do exactly what the original artists did,

0:32:590:33:03

we are not going to get a good copy. So, this is our job today.

0:33:030:33:06

Once we've got the glass and cut it to shape, then we start painting.

0:33:060:33:11

The powdered glass is mixed with gum arabic, a natural glue,

0:33:110:33:15

to help it stick, and then water is added to make the paint.

0:33:150:33:19

To create the effect of shading, the glass is covered in the paint

0:33:190:33:22

and, when it's dry, the design is scratched off.

0:33:220:33:26

-So, Nicki, can you match that pattern on here?

-Oh, my goodness!

0:33:260:33:31

Right, here we go. Try that one, OK, let's have a little go...

0:33:310:33:35

What you're doing is controlling the amount of light

0:33:350:33:38

that comes through that piece of glass.

0:33:380:33:40

So, it's not important, the amount of paint you put on,

0:33:400:33:44

it's important, the amount that you take off.

0:33:440:33:47

Val, I've got to take this opportunity to ask you

0:33:470:33:50

just to show me how it should be done!

0:33:500:33:53

I think you've done very well, Nicki.

0:33:530:33:55

Here, they've taken all the paint off,

0:33:550:33:58

so I would scratch away at the edges.

0:33:580:34:01

And maybe a brush. So you can use all these different things

0:34:020:34:06

to get the effect that you want.

0:34:060:34:08

It's very painstaking. It's not something you can rush, really.

0:34:080:34:13

How wonderful, and also rewarding, that everything that you do

0:34:130:34:17

is going to be around not just for 150 years,

0:34:170:34:20

but a lot longer than that as well.

0:34:200:34:22

It is nice to be able to look at restored work

0:34:220:34:25

and think nobody knows it's been broken. That's the ideal, really.

0:34:250:34:30

I suppose that's the perfect compliment,

0:34:300:34:33

-if you can't see the join.

-Yes.

0:34:330:34:35

-That's fascinating. Val, thank you so much.

-It's been a pleasure.

0:34:350:34:39

Travelling 15 miles north takes us to our second property,

0:34:450:34:48

in the village of Goathland,

0:34:480:34:50

right in the middle of the North York Moors National Park.

0:34:500:34:53

Goathland forms part of the Duchy of Lancaster's private estate,

0:34:530:34:57

owned by Her Majesty the Queen.

0:34:570:34:59

On the outskirts of the village is our second property,

0:34:590:35:02

a statuesque semidetached house

0:35:020:35:05

which will ask Penny and Richard to think outside the box.

0:35:050:35:08

So, this time we've brought you into the actual National Park.

0:35:090:35:13

It is a very successful B&B business, it's got a great reputation,

0:35:130:35:17

lots of returning customers.

0:35:170:35:19

How would you think about running it, two families side-by-side?

0:35:190:35:23

Yeah, something we've spoken about, but not in great depth.

0:35:230:35:27

Um, we were more swayed towards the holiday lets and the glamping,

0:35:270:35:32

but it doesn't hurt to look at all the options.

0:35:320:35:36

-Absolutely. Shall we step inside?

-Step inside.

-Thank you.

0:35:360:35:40

So, this is, one, a very large house,

0:35:450:35:48

and two, there's quite a lot to explain.

0:35:480:35:51

But this is the private part of the house.

0:35:510:35:54

So, this will be the first sitting room that we are going to show you.

0:35:540:35:58

-And then I'll explain more as we go on.

-Reserve judgment!

0:35:580:36:02

I'm not getting the same expression as I had with the first property!

0:36:020:36:05

Well, no, because you spoiled us with that one

0:36:050:36:07

and this is completely different.

0:36:070:36:10

Well, it is, because this is a business.

0:36:100:36:12

Roughly how much do you think you could make a year?

0:36:120:36:15

I wouldn't have a clue.

0:36:150:36:17

-Around £50,000 a year.

-Really? Gosh!

0:36:170:36:20

-That's not bad income, is it?

-Not bad!

0:36:200:36:23

As we move through this colourful sitting room

0:36:230:36:26

in this dual-purpose home,

0:36:260:36:28

we find ourselves in an equally vibrant kitchen.

0:36:280:36:30

But will this room be to Richard's taste?

0:36:300:36:33

No, sorry. It's not me!

0:36:330:36:35

But things can be changed, if it's not quite right for you.

0:36:350:36:38

In addition to the bold kitchen, there's a utility room

0:36:380:36:41

and a private dining room.

0:36:410:36:43

There's also one guest bedroom, a guest dining room

0:36:430:36:46

and a further room in an extension.

0:36:460:36:49

Moving upstairs to the first floor,

0:36:490:36:51

there is another three guest bedrooms, each with an en suite

0:36:510:36:55

and each with a statement to make.

0:36:550:36:57

So, this B&B has four different themed rooms.

0:36:590:37:03

Obviously, this is the black and white theme!

0:37:030:37:05

THEY LAUGH

0:37:050:37:07

My goodness! A bit overpowering for me, that one.

0:37:070:37:10

But standing here, seeing how well this B&B has been done,

0:37:100:37:15

-are you tempted?

-I've always thought about it.

0:37:150:37:18

And it's always been my husband that has... It's hard work.

0:37:180:37:21

In this house, the owners' private living quarters

0:37:210:37:25

are on the second floor.

0:37:250:37:26

There's a family bathroom and three bold double bedrooms.

0:37:260:37:29

I normally say, "Would you change anything?"

0:37:290:37:34

-I don't think I need to ask that!

-Everything!

-Definitely, the decor.

0:37:340:37:38

-The decor for the private area.

-Yeah.

-Mm-hm.

0:37:380:37:42

But if you changed every room in this house, my goodness,

0:37:420:37:45

-it would be an awful lot of work!

-Wow!

0:37:450:37:48

There is certainly a lot of house here,

0:37:480:37:50

and it's set in a stunning location too,

0:37:500:37:53

which can be seen in all its glory as we step outside.

0:37:530:37:56

-So, this is your land, and that's moorland. Just there.

-Right.

0:37:580:38:01

Quite close!

0:38:010:38:03

It's got to be right from the business point of view,

0:38:030:38:05

but I appreciate it's also got to be right as a home.

0:38:050:38:08

So let's see if the price makes any difference.

0:38:080:38:12

-I think it's going to be 585,000.

-OK.

0:38:120:38:16

-425,000.

-Oh, my goodness!

0:38:160:38:18

-I'm sorry, that's what it would be worth to me.

-Gosh!

-Who is closest?

0:38:180:38:23

That's the question. And it's going to be...

0:38:230:38:25

-Richard.

-Really?

-Yeah. Asking price is £450,000.

0:38:250:38:30

-Gosh!

-Is it really?

0:38:300:38:32

I'm totally shocked!

0:38:320:38:34

This semidetached stone house

0:38:360:38:38

is a cool £100,000 under Penny and Richard's budget,

0:38:380:38:41

which would leave them plenty of cash

0:38:410:38:43

to give it a makeover to suit their tastes.

0:38:430:38:46

And as an existing bed and breakfast,

0:38:460:38:49

if they choose it as their new home it would make them money, too.

0:38:490:38:53

It's got enough bedrooms for them,

0:38:530:38:54

plus guests and private living quarters.

0:38:540:38:57

And its location couldn't be closer to nature,

0:38:570:39:00

perfect for long family walks,

0:39:000:39:02

but not too far from civilisation, either.

0:39:020:39:06

I may have to fight the corner for house two!

0:39:060:39:09

Um, it's a something for me to consider

0:39:090:39:13

and maybe talk to the others about,

0:39:130:39:16

but for me, I can really see the business potential.

0:39:160:39:19

My feelings about house two, very disappointing after house one!

0:39:190:39:24

Because, as a home, it's going to be a no-no for Jenny and myself,

0:39:250:39:29

but as a business for Penny and Mark, fantastic.

0:39:290:39:33

-It's impressive, isn't it?

-Yup.

-Location, brilliant.

0:39:330:39:37

-But residential, for myself and my wife, no-no.

-No, not a home?

0:39:370:39:42

-Oh, still got some work to do, haven't I?

-I'm afraid.

0:39:420:39:45

-OK, let's go.

-Thanks.

0:39:450:39:48

As you can see, Jules, it was tricky finding a property

0:39:520:39:55

suitable for both sides of the family.

0:39:550:39:57

Penny's focus was on the business, but Richard's was on the home.

0:39:570:40:00

Well, we are seeing more of that -

0:40:000:40:02

with the recession and rising house prices,

0:40:020:40:04

generations coming together to pool their resources.

0:40:040:40:07

It does make sense, in fact, some estate agents claim

0:40:070:40:10

that half a million people have adopted that approach.

0:40:100:40:12

Well, I'm all for it - if it works, why not?

0:40:120:40:15

But let's get back to Mel and Holly

0:40:150:40:17

and see how their property search in Yorkshire was getting on,

0:40:170:40:22

with £375,000 to spend.

0:40:220:40:23

Our final property, the Mystery House,

0:40:260:40:29

is in the village of Carperby,

0:40:290:40:31

which is situated 30 miles from Darlington,

0:40:310:40:33

so quite a bit further than the other two houses

0:40:330:40:35

for access to family.

0:40:350:40:37

Carperby is a small village in the Dales

0:40:370:40:39

with a well-known hotel, The Wheatsheaf,

0:40:390:40:41

where author James Herriot and his bride spent their honeymoon.

0:40:410:40:45

Our house is stone-built and sits in the centre of the village.

0:40:450:40:49

It's very different from the other two houses

0:40:490:40:51

as it offers a separate annexe,

0:40:510:40:53

which could offer real business potential,

0:40:530:40:55

but this house does require some imagination.

0:40:550:40:58

Right then, here we are, Mystery House.

0:40:590:41:02

Hmm.

0:41:020:41:03

Now, it used to be a bungalow...

0:41:030:41:05

..but it's not any more.

0:41:070:41:09

20 years ago, they put a second floor on.

0:41:090:41:11

But, importantly, this one comes with a completely detached annexe.

0:41:110:41:17

Now, I know it wasn't something you had to have,

0:41:170:41:20

-but we are thinking ahead about what business may come your way.

-Yeah.

0:41:200:41:23

So we're thinking, if you do want a holiday-let business,

0:41:230:41:26

then it's got to be in a holiday area, and this is it.

0:41:260:41:28

Now, structurally it's all there,

0:41:280:41:30

but it is going to need a bit of TLC in terms of its decor.

0:41:300:41:36

Let's see what you think.

0:41:360:41:37

There.

0:41:410:41:42

-Slightly different from house two.

-Yeah.

0:41:420:41:45

Very different from house two,

0:41:450:41:46

-and I'm very conscious of the fact that we are...

-Compact.

0:41:460:41:49

..trying to compare one with another.

0:41:490:41:52

What this one lacks in terms of decor and finish

0:41:520:41:55

it makes up for in extra space because of the annexe next-door,

0:41:550:41:59

and the views, obviously.

0:41:590:42:01

-Yeah.

-I think we've spoilt you with number two!

0:42:010:42:04

I am keeping an open mind.

0:42:060:42:09

-Yeah, the fireplace is nice.

-Yeah.

0:42:090:42:11

The stone wall's nice. OK, we need to see a bit more.

0:42:110:42:14

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

-Let's continue.

0:42:140:42:16

Have a look in here. This is the kitchen.

0:42:160:42:17

There we go.

0:42:190:42:21

Again, I mean, this does need some updating.

0:42:210:42:24

-Yes.

-Yeah.

0:42:240:42:25

There's no cosy, warm feeling,

0:42:250:42:27

and obviously things aren't quite to our taste.

0:42:270:42:30

You're struggling with this,

0:42:300:42:31

because you've never really had to consider

0:42:310:42:33

what to do with a property before, have you?

0:42:330:42:35

No. No, I haven't.

0:42:350:42:36

So it's quite difficult to see past the current decor, I think.

0:42:360:42:41

Well, there's lots to see here.

0:42:410:42:42

Let's go upstairs and then we'll go out to the annexe.

0:42:420:42:45

Downstairs, the house also has a dining room

0:42:470:42:49

as well as a fourth bedroom.

0:42:490:42:51

Upstairs, there are three bedrooms -

0:42:510:42:54

a double being used as a single,

0:42:540:42:56

a good-sized double, and a large family bathroom with corner bath.

0:42:560:43:00

And then this is the master, Mel.

0:43:010:43:03

-Yeah. Yeah, this is nice. A good size.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

0:43:050:43:08

It has an en-suite shower room and, of course, those views.

0:43:080:43:12

-The views are beautiful.

-Yeah.

0:43:120:43:14

The main property itself is, frankly,

0:43:140:43:18

-almost as big as the annexe.

-Right.

0:43:180:43:21

So let's go and have a look at that,

0:43:210:43:23

and then we'll enjoy those views and talk about the money, yeah?

0:43:230:43:27

'I'm hoping that they'll like the annexe.

0:43:270:43:30

'It's currently used as a workshop,

0:43:300:43:32

'but it could easily be subdivided and let out to provide income.'

0:43:320:43:36

So it's arranged over two levels.

0:43:360:43:39

We're going to start with this one, though.

0:43:390:43:41

What do you think of this?

0:43:410:43:43

Wow.

0:43:430:43:45

You see what I mean? The footprint of this annexe is huge.

0:43:450:43:49

Yeah, it is huge. This is a massive space.

0:43:490:43:51

That door through there is a separate storeroom.

0:43:510:43:54

That could become, for example, a bathroom,

0:43:540:43:57

-if it needed to be.

-Yes, it could.

0:43:570:43:59

And upstairs you've got, already,

0:43:590:44:02

a kitchenette, a living room

0:44:020:44:05

and a double bedroom.

0:44:050:44:06

So this is just waiting for somebody to kind of take it on.

0:44:060:44:11

It's a bit more inspiring here.

0:44:110:44:13

Yeah, definitely could use this space.

0:44:130:44:16

Right then, money.

0:44:160:44:17

-Let's go and talk about it in the garden.

-OK.

-Come on.

0:44:170:44:20

'Outside, the property has a rear south-facing garden

0:44:220:44:25

'with amazing views over the Dales.'

0:44:250:44:28

So let's think about the price, then, of our Mystery House.

0:44:280:44:31

I think...

0:44:310:44:33

-285,000.

-285,000.

-Mm-hmm.

0:44:330:44:35

Holly?

0:44:350:44:37

I was going to go a little bit higher...

0:44:370:44:39

320,000.

0:44:390:44:41

It's not 320,000, I'm afraid.

0:44:410:44:43

It's on at 370,000.

0:44:430:44:46

Oh...

0:44:460:44:47

And that is the draw of THAT, and this part of the world.

0:44:470:44:51

This property is priced £5,000 less than their top budget

0:44:530:44:57

and would offer them a detached stone house

0:44:570:45:00

with superb views over the Dales.

0:45:000:45:02

There are four bedrooms,

0:45:020:45:03

with an en-suite master.

0:45:030:45:04

Next to the house is the annexe,

0:45:040:45:06

with a generous downstairs room

0:45:060:45:08

with upstairs living accommodation.

0:45:080:45:10

And outside there are south-facing gardens

0:45:100:45:12

and also a garage.

0:45:120:45:15

Oh, this is a great area, Holly.

0:45:150:45:17

Yeah, it's a nice space.

0:45:170:45:18

This would be brilliant for you, actually.

0:45:180:45:20

-Yeah. Friends and stuff in here.

-Mmm.

0:45:200:45:24

The price for the Mystery House was really high.

0:45:240:45:29

I got a bit of a shock, but then it does have the holiday-let potential,

0:45:290:45:34

so it's actually two houses.

0:45:340:45:37

But there's so much work to be done.

0:45:370:45:40

Look at that - a lovely Dales scene.

0:45:400:45:44

All our house tours are over.

0:45:440:45:46

We need to sit you down and get you to think about

0:45:460:45:48

all the options we've given you.

0:45:480:45:51

-Happy so far?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Very happy.

0:45:510:45:53

-Ready for a drink?

-Yes, please.

-Yeah.

0:45:530:45:56

Come on, then.

0:45:560:45:57

Well, girls, we gave you three properties to consider.

0:46:020:46:06

Let me have a stab at where we're at.

0:46:060:46:09

Property number one, our gorgeous barn conversion,

0:46:090:46:12

was certainly affordable

0:46:120:46:14

but, at the end of the day, you still thought it was a bungalow.

0:46:140:46:17

-Yes.

-Yeah.

-Single storey.

0:46:170:46:18

JULES LAUGHS

0:46:180:46:21

Our Mystery House had in the past been a bungalow

0:46:210:46:24

and then had been much extended

0:46:240:46:26

but, despite all of that, it still wasn't gorgeous enough.

0:46:260:46:30

No.

0:46:300:46:31

Which leaves property number two,

0:46:310:46:34

which I think you rather fell in love with.

0:46:340:46:36

-Yeah. We loved it.

-Yeah, we really did.

0:46:360:46:38

Beautiful.

0:46:380:46:40

So what happens next, then?

0:46:400:46:42

Well, we've had a think

0:46:420:46:44

and I think the next step is that we need to get Lily involved.

0:46:440:46:49

We'd really like Lily to see it, wouldn't we?

0:46:490:46:51

Yeah. I think she'll feel quite similar to how we feel.

0:46:510:46:54

It is a beautiful house,

0:46:540:46:55

but I have to tell you

0:46:550:46:57

that we have heard that the owners

0:46:570:46:59

are today considering an offer that has just come in,

0:46:590:47:03

so you are going to have to be pretty quick about it.

0:47:030:47:06

I don't know how fast you can get Lily up here,

0:47:060:47:08

but I suggest you make a phone call and get her on a train right now,

0:47:080:47:12

because it probably is a matter of a day or two

0:47:120:47:15

before they accept that offer.

0:47:150:47:18

But you're well within striking distance of bettering it.

0:47:180:47:22

-Yeah, OK.

-I think it's a cracking house.

-It is.

-Yeah. Yeah.

0:47:220:47:26

So all that remains is for me to wish you all the very best of luck,

0:47:260:47:30

-offer you a toast...

-Thank you!

0:47:300:47:32

..and perhaps remind you, if you do want property two,

0:47:320:47:35

-get your skates on. Cheers!

-Cheers!

0:47:350:47:39

-They massively underestimated the price on that one!

-Didn't they just!

0:47:440:47:48

And up to that point, Mel had been doing really well,

0:47:480:47:51

but it does go to prove, Nicki, that it's all about location.

0:47:510:47:54

Our Mystery House was the only one that was actually in the Dales,

0:47:540:47:57

but that can bring a £20,000 premium with it.

0:47:570:48:00

-Well, shall we see if my Mystery House got a better reception?

-Let's.

0:48:000:48:03

Back to Richard and Penny, with their £550,000 budget.

0:48:030:48:07

Did our final, unusual proposition

0:48:070:48:10

provide them with the rural property they were after?

0:48:100:48:13

For our third and final visit,

0:48:150:48:17

we're travelling just under 11 miles north-east

0:48:170:48:20

to the village of Hawsker,

0:48:200:48:21

just south of Whitby and also part of the North York Moors National Park.

0:48:210:48:25

The traditional maritime town of Whitby,

0:48:260:48:28

where Captain James Cook supposedly trained as a seaman in the 1700s,

0:48:280:48:33

has a busy harbour at its centre.

0:48:330:48:35

A seven-minute drive away, outside the village of Hawsker,

0:48:350:48:39

is our last property, in the shadow of a fully functional lighthouse.

0:48:390:48:44

So, I think when it comes to mystery properties -

0:48:440:48:48

well, this one is in a league of its own, because it is a foghorn station!

0:48:480:48:53

-Ever been to one before?

-Walked right past that, from Whitby!

0:48:530:48:58

-Have you really?

-Unbelievable.

-Yeah!

-What do you think?

-Oh, my goodness!

0:48:580:49:04

-That is what I think. Totally shocked.

-We've really surprised you?

0:49:040:49:09

For me, yeah.

0:49:090:49:10

-And the good news is, this is a home, but it's also a business.

-Really?

0:49:100:49:15

Yeah. Built about 1850, originally it was a lighthouse, believe it or not,

0:49:150:49:20

then it became a hornblower cottage, and that really ran until 1988.

0:49:200:49:25

The foghorn used to sound four times every minute and a half,

0:49:250:49:29

working alongside the lighthouse in stormy conditions

0:49:290:49:33

to warn passing boats of the cliffs below.

0:49:330:49:36

Did you ever hear it in action?

0:49:360:49:39

-1979.

-Did you?

0:49:390:49:41

We B&B-ed in Whitby, and that was booming when the fog came in.

0:49:410:49:44

-So, yeah...

-So you've actually heard it?

0:49:440:49:46

-We actually heard it, all night long!

-Did you?

-Yeah!

0:49:460:49:50

Part of this unique property is divided into two cottages,

0:49:500:49:54

and we are entering the smaller of the two through a side door,

0:49:540:49:57

leading straight into a dining area.

0:49:570:49:59

I've got this cottage earmarked as Richard and his wife Jenny's.

0:49:590:50:03

I'm going to start off, I think,

0:50:030:50:05

we'll make sure Richard is happy with his part of the property.

0:50:050:50:09

-This is your kitchen.

-Mm!

-Different.

-It's nice.

0:50:090:50:13

Quite surprising.

0:50:130:50:15

This property is all on one floor,

0:50:150:50:17

but the room next door to the kitchen is on a slightly higher level.

0:50:170:50:21

So, just up a few little stairs

0:50:210:50:23

-and it leads us to an open-plan living space.

-Gosh!

0:50:230:50:27

This side of the old foghorn station is currently used as a holiday let,

0:50:270:50:32

and included in the living room are the sleeping quarters,

0:50:320:50:35

which could be partitioned off for added privacy.

0:50:350:50:38

And then, behind us,

0:50:380:50:40

we've got a really beautifully appointed bathroom.

0:50:400:50:43

Quite good, isn't it? It works, don't it, for that style of house?

0:50:430:50:47

-Penny?

-Totally different, not at all what I expected.

0:50:470:50:51

Very light, airy and spacious.

0:50:510:50:55

So, we've seen just a small part of what's on offer here,

0:50:560:50:59

and next door is another cottage,

0:50:590:51:02

accessed through the first property's kitchen, or through an outside door.

0:51:020:51:06

And down a long corridor is a large kitchen-diner.

0:51:060:51:09

It's not terrible, it's not to my standard...

0:51:090:51:12

But the space, that's what you have to look at, isn't it?

0:51:130:51:17

Because you can change everything else.

0:51:170:51:18

Beyond the kitchen is a small sitting room

0:51:180:51:22

and, beyond that, there are three bedrooms, all doubles,

0:51:220:51:26

and the largest is dual-aspect with its own en suite.

0:51:260:51:30

-So, this is the master bedroom.

-Mm-hm. Nice size. Nice light.

0:51:320:51:38

Lovely view of the lighthouse and the sea, together.

0:51:380:51:41

-Wouldn't it be great to wake up to that?

-Very nice.

0:51:410:51:45

So far, I've shown Penny and Richard a cottage for each of them

0:51:450:51:48

and their partners.

0:51:480:51:49

And the last stop is a third, smaller annexe.

0:51:490:51:52

Attached to the rest of the property, but with its own front door,

0:51:540:51:58

it could work for their new business venture.

0:51:580:52:00

-This is a self-contained holiday let.

-Ah!

0:52:010:52:05

Right, it goes on, doesn't it?

0:52:050:52:07

Double bedroom, bathroom and then a kitchenette.

0:52:070:52:11

-Plus a sort of sitting area.

-First impression - a bit pokey.

0:52:110:52:14

You do have about an acre of land,

0:52:140:52:17

so if you still had the dream for glamping and your own yurt,

0:52:170:52:21

you could get a yurt there, that's your land.

0:52:210:52:24

-Lot to think about.

-Yeah.

0:52:240:52:26

From what we've seen, this one-off home with its spectacular views

0:52:260:52:30

is offering Penny and Richard everything they've asked for.

0:52:300:52:34

Plus, outside, there's also a shed, a garage and an outbuilding.

0:52:340:52:38

Now I want to show them the full extent of its unusual exterior

0:52:380:52:42

and its clifftop location.

0:52:420:52:44

-Let's put a price on this thing, shall we?

-Oh, my goodness.

0:52:440:52:48

Very difficult, but I'm just going to say 485,000.

0:52:480:52:53

-Come on, Daddy, what do you reckon?

-600,000.

-Who is closest?

0:52:530:52:58

Asking price...

0:52:580:53:00

£525,000.

0:53:000:53:02

Oh! So I was nearest.

0:53:020:53:04

This extraordinary converted foghorn station

0:53:060:53:09

is £25,000 under Penny and Richard's budget

0:53:090:53:12

and offers them two adjoining properties

0:53:120:53:14

for them and their partners,

0:53:140:53:16

plus a third, perfect as a holiday let

0:53:160:53:18

with good earning potential.

0:53:180:53:20

It's set in around an acre of land

0:53:200:53:22

which could easily accommodate yurts,

0:53:220:53:25

and there are spectacular views out to sea.

0:53:250:53:28

The property is in a quiet location,

0:53:280:53:30

a walker's paradise,

0:53:300:53:31

but not far from the local village and town.

0:53:310:53:34

When I first came, I said I didn't want anything quirky.

0:53:340:53:38

But now you've shown me something quirky...

0:53:380:53:41

I think I'm a bit more open-minded.

0:53:410:53:43

Because it's totally and utterly different

0:53:430:53:46

to anything I would ever think of looking at.

0:53:460:53:49

The potential is there.

0:53:490:53:50

And...just got to go away and think about it.

0:53:500:53:55

This mystery house has certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons. Right!

0:53:550:54:01

-How are we feeling?

-Puzzled.

-Yeah?

-Exhausted.

-Yeah?

0:54:010:54:05

Takes it out of you, all this house-hunting.

0:54:050:54:08

But, hopefully, you might have got close.

0:54:080:54:11

So let's go somewhere quiet, sit down, have a chat

0:54:110:54:14

and work out what your next step's going to be.

0:54:140:54:16

-OK.

-OK.

0:54:160:54:18

You set us quite a challenge.

0:54:230:54:27

-But have we challenged you over the last few days?

-You certainly have.

0:54:270:54:31

What is the next move going to be?

0:54:310:54:34

With the last surprise one,

0:54:340:54:36

a possibility that we need to go back to our partners and say

0:54:360:54:42

we need to have a look at that one

0:54:420:54:44

and see what comes of it, because the potential's there.

0:54:440:54:47

It does sound like, with the mystery house,

0:54:470:54:50

-we've got tantalisingly close.

-I would say so.

0:54:500:54:53

Because you've got the business, you've got the two houses,

0:54:530:54:56

you've got a lot of options.

0:54:560:54:57

We're thrilled that we have got as close as we can.

0:54:570:55:00

And there is a chance

0:55:000:55:02

that the mystery house might work, mightn't it?

0:55:020:55:05

If that doesn't happen, what are you going to do?

0:55:050:55:08

I'm thinking more

0:55:080:55:11

me and Mark maybe going it alone,

0:55:110:55:14

maybe to do bed and breakfast.

0:55:140:55:15

-So, Richard, how would you feel about that?

-We're flexible.

0:55:150:55:18

-So...

-You wouldn't mind?

-I wouldn't mind. Not at all.

-No.

0:55:180:55:23

Well, listen, we wish you well.

0:55:230:55:25

I'm not quite sure which direction your lives are going to take,

0:55:250:55:28

is the honest truth.

0:55:280:55:29

It's been a really big thinking process, hasn't it?

0:55:290:55:32

-It has, for all of us.

-Yeah!

0:55:320:55:34

-Nicki, what a perfect Mystery House.

-I know.

0:55:390:55:43

I think it has to be one of my favourites of all time.

0:55:430:55:46

The fact that Richard can remember

0:55:460:55:48

the foghorn going off when it was operational

0:55:480:55:50

has to be the icing on the cake.

0:55:500:55:51

-But is he going to hear it again?

-Are they moving in?

0:55:510:55:55

I'd love to sit here and say yes, but, sadly, no.

0:55:550:55:58

They did truly love the property,

0:55:580:55:59

but the fact it was so close to the cliff edge concerned them.

0:55:590:56:02

They were worried about insurance.

0:56:020:56:05

Now, the fact is, you can get specialist insurance

0:56:050:56:07

on practically any building, but the premiums would be higher.

0:56:070:56:10

I think that was their concern.

0:56:100:56:12

I think it really depends on how deep your pockets are,

0:56:120:56:14

how much you love the property and how much you want to take the risk.

0:56:140:56:18

Mel and Holly, they're still committed to moving up north

0:56:180:56:21

but they haven't yet sold their current home,

0:56:210:56:23

so they're stuck in that horrible forward chain.

0:56:230:56:26

My advice to anybody in that position would be,

0:56:260:56:29

wait until you've got a really serious buyer that's interested

0:56:290:56:32

before you start searching.

0:56:320:56:33

And, hopefully, it might wash away some of the inevitable frustration

0:56:330:56:37

and make the whole process a little bit quicker.

0:56:370:56:40

Yeah, it is frustrating. Good word for it.

0:56:400:56:42

In an ideal world,

0:56:420:56:44

you'd find a property that doesn't have a chain attached to it at all.

0:56:440:56:47

-If only it were an ideal world.

-Wouldn't that be lovely? Ah, well.

0:56:470:56:52

We hope you've enjoyed our journey through stunning North Yorkshire.

0:56:520:56:56

And you can join us again as we travel through more of rural Britain.

0:56:560:57:00

-See you again.

-See you next time.

0:57:000:57:01

If you'd like to escape to the country

0:57:030:57:05

in either England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland,

0:57:050:57:08

or maybe further afield to the continent, and would like our help,

0:57:080:57:12

you can apply online at:

0:57:120:57:13

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