0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to a special Escape To The Country,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06where we'll be unearthing some property treasures
0:00:06 > 0:00:08in one region with two sets of buyers.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10And because we're focusing on one county, we're going to be
0:00:10 > 0:00:15scattering our tips and hints about moving to and buying in that area.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17Today, we'll be centring on the home
0:00:17 > 0:00:20of the world's first ever skyscraper.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Find out where that is in just a moment.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43Today, we're looking back on two property searches.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47My house-hunting pair were in search of a new rural home
0:00:47 > 0:00:50and a new venture to keep them busy in retirement.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53You've gone off with the fairies, Martin.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56You dreaming about waking up here, or are you worried about woodworm?
0:00:56 > 0:00:58- No, no.- Woodworm!
0:00:59 > 0:01:03While my house-hunter recruited her sister to help her find a new
0:01:03 > 0:01:07home in an area she chose rather impulsively.
0:01:07 > 0:01:10And there were plenty of surprises along the way.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Oh, my goodness, I didn't even realise that was there.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16Oh, this is a fantastic room. What a wonderful space.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20Today, we're focusing on Shropshire,
0:01:20 > 0:01:23which is home to the Ditherington Flax Mill,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26the first multistorey iron-frame building in the world.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29It sounds so impressive, but what is it about Shropshire, Alistair,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31that you particularly love?
0:01:31 > 0:01:33Well, I do have a personal link there.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36I've got friends who live there and I've had some fantastic wintry
0:01:36 > 0:01:38weekends striding out along with the Long Mynd.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41And it's so rural that it's really easy to forget that it was
0:01:41 > 0:01:43the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45It does feel untouched, doesn't it? Preserved.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49For me, my vivid image of Shropshire would be the River Severn,
0:01:49 > 0:01:52obviously. That goes without saying, doesn't it?
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Ironbridge Gorge, which is truly stunning.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58And those black and white timber-framed houses,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01which you see dotted all around the countryside. Stunning.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04So, Shropshire may be famous as the birthplace for industry,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08but for those seeking a rural life, it offers much more.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Shropshire is located in the West Midlands area of England
0:02:13 > 0:02:16and is bordered by Wales to the west, plus the counties
0:02:16 > 0:02:20of Cheshire, Staffordshire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25One of England's most rural and sparsely populated regions,
0:02:25 > 0:02:27it has Britain's longest river, the River Severn,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30running through its crop-filled landscape.
0:02:30 > 0:02:34The striking Shropshire hills to the south of the county have been
0:02:34 > 0:02:38designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:02:38 > 0:02:42with their rocky hills forming gentle peaks and troughs of beige and green.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46The medieval market town of Ludlow in the south of the county,
0:02:46 > 0:02:51described by poet John Betjeman as England's finest town,
0:02:51 > 0:02:56has beautiful whitewashed buildings lining its narrow, winding streets.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59With its convenient central location, beautiful scenery
0:02:59 > 0:03:01and historic towns and villages,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Shropshire is a region that really does have it all on a plate.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11I had such a lovely afternoon filming on the Ironbridge Gorge.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15We'd knocked on this lady's door to see if we could film from her garden,
0:03:15 > 0:03:17cos it had the perfect view. You've got the 18th century bridge
0:03:17 > 0:03:20that way and then if you spun the camera around,
0:03:20 > 0:03:23you see these enormous 1970s cooling towers.
0:03:23 > 0:03:25But they had painted them terracotta
0:03:25 > 0:03:28to match the sort of history of the area.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Wow. Well, I was really lucky because I got to explore
0:03:30 > 0:03:34the whole county because my buyer didn't express a preference.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36- But that opens things up. - It does.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Mine wanted to be near Shrewsbury in the centre,
0:03:39 > 0:03:42but that actually is quite good, because in terms of property price,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45that steers us away from the hotspot, which is your favourite, Ludlow.
0:03:45 > 0:03:46Yes, I do love Ludlow.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49But as a rule, the county offers really good value for money,
0:03:49 > 0:03:50doesn't it?
0:03:50 > 0:03:54The average price is around £33,000 less than the national average.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56As is so often the case, it's a county of two halves.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Because we often go down into the southern part with
0:03:59 > 0:04:00the beautiful Shropshire hills.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02But you actually get much more for your money
0:04:02 > 0:04:04if you had up north towards the Welsh border.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06But there is so much countryside, isn't there?
0:04:06 > 0:04:09It's one of the least densely populated counties in the whole
0:04:09 > 0:04:14of the UK, so if you are after peace and quiet, it's fantastic news.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Which is exactly what my buyers were after.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21Retired planning manager Martin and his curtain-maker wife,
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Jacqueline, live in this four-bedroom detached house
0:04:24 > 0:04:28in Rufford, West Lancashire, and have been married for 26 years.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32But last year, 57-year-old Martin swapped the daily grind
0:04:32 > 0:04:34for a more relaxed pace of life.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38It's coming up to 16 months now I've been retired.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42I must admit, I have found it difficult adjusting to not working.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46I want to fill my time a bit more and I think a project would
0:04:46 > 0:04:49give me something to really get my teeth stuck into.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51We're looking at a new adventure together, really.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Possibly looking at running a bed and breakfast.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57And they've got their eye on central England for their country escape.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02We're looking to move to Shropshire because we visited it several times,
0:05:02 > 0:05:08we love the location. It's very quiet compared to where we live now.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11And with their house on the market, the time has come to find
0:05:11 > 0:05:14a new home that can double up as an exciting new business.
0:05:14 > 0:05:18Jacqueline's hoping to offer sewing lessons to the guests and Martin
0:05:18 > 0:05:21is sure he has also got the skills to make the B&B a roaring success.
0:05:21 > 0:05:26I've always been told I can do a very good poached egg.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36Jacqueline and Martin don't want to be too far away from their son
0:05:36 > 0:05:39in Leeds, friends in Lancashire and family in South Wales,
0:05:39 > 0:05:44so have decided to move somewhere around the Shrewsbury area,
0:05:44 > 0:05:47but will consider moving further afield if the house is right.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50'And before we kick off our search for a dual-purpose property,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53'I'm meeting them in the county to make sure
0:05:53 > 0:05:55'I know exactly what it is they're looking for.'
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Welcome to Shropshire, you two. Thanks for bringing me here.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00It's a lovely county. Tell me exactly your dream home.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04Well, we're looking for a detached house and we're
0:06:04 > 0:06:07looking for a property with potential for a bed and breakfast.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Ah!- So, about four to five rooms.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13And we're also looking for a room for me
0:06:13 > 0:06:14- to carry on my sewing business. - Yeah.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17What about you, Martin? In terms of the outside, are you a gardener?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20I'm becoming more of a gardener now I have more time on my hands,
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Alistair. Nothing too large. I don't want it too daunting.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25Maybe up to three quarters of an acre.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28In terms of the bed and breakfast, are you looking for sort of a...
0:06:28 > 0:06:31one of these ones where it is all separate or are you wanting them
0:06:31 > 0:06:34to kind of eat with you and live with you?
0:06:34 > 0:06:36We are really open on that.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39Ideally, it would be nice if it's separate, but if it is
0:06:39 > 0:06:43integrated in some way, we're quite happy to work around that, yeah.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Remind me of your budget. How much have we got to play with?
0:06:45 > 0:06:49Our budget is £500,000 and we don't mind doing some work, as well,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- within that budget. - Hopefully, we won't disappoint.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Let's go and look, cos the houses are ready and waiting.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Follow me.- Thank you.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Jacqueline and Martin's budget may be pretty generous for this
0:06:59 > 0:07:02part of England, but they are looking for a two-in-one,
0:07:02 > 0:07:05which presents a bit more of a challenge.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07They want a detached property with four to five bedrooms
0:07:07 > 0:07:11so two or three can be part of a new bed and breakfast business.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Jacqueline would also like a room to hold sewing classes
0:07:14 > 0:07:18and Martin would love to get stuck into a good-sized garden.
0:07:18 > 0:07:19And they'd like to be within
0:07:19 > 0:07:21arm's reach of local facilities.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25To get Jacqueline and Martin one step closer to realising
0:07:25 > 0:07:29their dream, we will be taking them to see three contrasting properties.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33And once they've toured each one, we'll let them know its cost.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Their final tour will be around the mystery house,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38a property whose exterior hides what lies within and,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40after more than 25 years of marriage,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43could see our duo taking another trip down the aisle.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52Our first property is located near the village of Maesbrook,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55just outside the larger village of Knockin.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57It's 12 miles north-west of Shrewsbury
0:07:57 > 0:07:59and five miles from the Welsh border.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Knockin is a pretty village, much of which was once
0:08:02 > 0:08:06owned by the Earl of Bradford, whose family name is still evident.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09There are many handsome and historic buildings,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11plus the essential amenities to hand,
0:08:11 > 0:08:14situated in a striking rural setting.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17Just under two miles away, back on the outskirts of Maesbrook,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19is our first property.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Come to the lawn and you can see the full splendour of house number one.
0:08:24 > 0:08:25- Wow!- Ta-da!
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Fabulous. Looks lovely. - Certainly characterful.
0:08:28 > 0:08:29- Isn't it just?- Yes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- This goes back to 1485.- Oh, my God!
0:08:31 > 0:08:34A lot of extensions in the 17th century
0:08:34 > 0:08:38and in the 20th century again, and then in 2008, completely modernised.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39- What do you think?- Beautiful.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43- Really nice.- Yes, it's got a hell of a history, hasn't it?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48We're heading to the back door, which would be the guest entrance
0:08:48 > 0:08:50if this property became a B&B.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54We're starting off in the large open-plan kitchen/diner.
0:08:54 > 0:09:00- Come on inside. Now you get an idea of the inside space.- Wow, beautiful.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01Very light and airy.
0:09:01 > 0:09:05You've got the kitchen, open-plan kitchen. Light on both sides.
0:09:05 > 0:09:07And you've got a little breakfast niche here,
0:09:07 > 0:09:10and then round there, you've got the dining room.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13It is a great area for a bed and breakfast, I think, as well.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15I just love the open-plan,
0:09:15 > 0:09:18the fact that you've got the dining area in the same place.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23And also the sitting area, with the wood-burner. It feels homely.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25'Moving through a dining room in the middle of the house,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28'we find ourselves in a large sitting room.'
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- More beams.- A really good size as well.- It is, isn't it?
0:09:32 > 0:09:35And this would be also perhaps quite nice as a sort of guest room,
0:09:35 > 0:09:40- if you wanted to have a separate room for your B&B guests.- That's right.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42Through here, there's a little study room
0:09:42 > 0:09:44which has another door out into the garden.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47We thought that could be a sewing room. You can explore that later on.
0:09:47 > 0:09:48But I want to show you upstairs
0:09:48 > 0:09:53cos that's where you'd be putting your guests and yourself.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57'On the first floor, there are three double bedrooms...
0:09:57 > 0:09:59'a single...
0:09:59 > 0:10:01'a family bathroom...
0:10:01 > 0:10:02'a shower room...
0:10:02 > 0:10:04'and at the front of the house, above the kitchen,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07'is the largest of the five bedrooms.'
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- This is the master bedroom. - Beautiful. Mm.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- And it has got an en-suite. - It's got- an en-suite. Which is good.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17And it's nice having the double windows either side.
0:10:17 > 0:10:18Plenty of light coming in.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21What's interesting here is you can see this is the crook construction.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- You see this big curved beam.- Yeah. - This is what makes the house
0:10:24 > 0:10:28historically interesting, because it is actually a fork crook. So, crooks
0:10:28 > 0:10:31are when you have the bent oaken sort of beams that meet in the middle.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34- So, quite unusual.- Very good.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37You've gone off with the fairies, Martin.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Are you dreaming about waking up here or are you worried about woodworm?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- No, no!- Woodworm!
0:10:43 > 0:10:46It's just so peaceful. I think that's what I'm finding.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49- It's just so quiet.- You wanted something nice, light and airy.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52You can't beat anything more than this, can you?
0:10:52 > 0:10:56'This centuries-old house seems to have taken Jacqueline
0:10:56 > 0:10:59'and Martin's breath away and it has real B&B potential.
0:10:59 > 0:11:03'Martin is determined to keep busy during his early retirement
0:11:03 > 0:11:07'and, if running a guesthouse isn't enough, I think the extensive
0:11:07 > 0:11:11'gardens, with mature shrubs and two orchards, would do just that.'
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Beautiful views all over the Shropshire hills.- Fabulous.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19So the garden is a good size. They say three quarters of an acre.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Right.- Got a big veggie patch over there, lovely kind of...
0:11:22 > 0:11:24Oh, look forward to seeing that.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- Double garages here, which could be your sewing studio.- OK.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29And then the other side here,
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- you've got a separate garden which you could have for your guests.- Mm.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35What do you think this is on the market for? That's the key issue.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- I'd say 495.- Mm-hm. Martin?
0:11:38 > 0:11:42- I'd possibly go 475.- 475.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45In this instance, Martin, you should listen to your wife
0:11:45 > 0:11:47- cos she is EXACTLY on the money. - Is she?- Really?
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- It's on the market for 495. - Oh, really? There you go.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53This detached house is full of character
0:11:53 > 0:11:57and is on the market just under Jacqueline and Martin's budget.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59It would give them £5,000 change.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02It's got exactly the number
0:12:02 > 0:12:03of bedrooms they're after
0:12:03 > 0:12:05for themselves and guests, plus
0:12:05 > 0:12:07a study and a garage with a workshop,
0:12:07 > 0:12:09either of which would be perfect
0:12:09 > 0:12:11as a sewing room for Jacqueline.
0:12:11 > 0:12:12The beautiful gardens would be
0:12:12 > 0:12:14a pleasure to look after
0:12:14 > 0:12:16and the property's location is rural
0:12:16 > 0:12:18but still close to amenities.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22I love the house. It is picture-postcard perfect.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25The negative points, really, for us, would be the upstairs,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28from the bed and breakfast point of view.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30The rooms are quite small, and I don't see an awful lot
0:12:30 > 0:12:35of scope to make them bigger or to put en suites in.
0:12:35 > 0:12:39- OK, guys. Are you all done?- Yes.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Well, even if you're not all done,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43you'll have to leave, cos that's our time over here
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- and we've got another house to visit.- OK.- Great.- Follow me.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57'Jacqueline and Martin are attracted to Shropshire's gorgeous
0:12:57 > 0:13:01'countryside, but the county is also proud of its industrial
0:13:01 > 0:13:02'and cultural background.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05'There are historical sites all over the region
0:13:05 > 0:13:09'and, over a century ago, it was known for its production of ceramics,
0:13:09 > 0:13:11'due to its proximity to clay deposits.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16'In 1872, the Craven Dunnill Jackfield works
0:13:16 > 0:13:20'were founded in the Ironbridge Gorge, a World Heritage Site
0:13:20 > 0:13:24'and home to the world's first arched iron bridge.
0:13:24 > 0:13:26'The factory produced ceramic wall and floor tiles,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28'which are still made here today.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31'The site is the oldest surviving purpose-built tile factory
0:13:31 > 0:13:34'in the world and it is now also a museum.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'I've come to meet curator Matt Thompson to find out a bit
0:13:37 > 0:13:39'more about its colourful history.'
0:13:39 > 0:13:42I don't think I've ever been to a tile museum before.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45There's not many of them around, to be fair.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47But what you've got here is a preserved example
0:13:47 > 0:13:48of a real model factory.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51The classic phrase they used was "from dust to dispatch".
0:13:51 > 0:13:54They made a lot of the tiles out of dust, they pressed them
0:13:54 > 0:13:57under hydraulic pressure, brought them in at one end of the factory,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00went through all the different processes
0:14:00 > 0:14:02and finally get to the saleroom just here at this side.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- Would you like to have a look inside?- Of course.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08'Currently there are 25 members of staff here
0:14:08 > 0:14:09'working in tile production,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12'and they produce around 1,000 tiles a day.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15'Jennifer Keller has been with the factory for 13 years,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18'and is going to show me how it's done.'
0:14:19 > 0:14:20This is the dust bit, is it?
0:14:20 > 0:14:22Absolutely, this has been dust pressed
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- on the original Victorian machines. - Amazing.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27And you can see here the pattern that's been put on,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29which shows the back stamp where the tile was made.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31So the smooth side, when they've been fired,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34is brought into this area and we're going to decorate it.
0:14:35 > 0:14:39'After the tile is made, an image is transferred onto it using charcoal.'
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- It's like dot to dot.- It is like a little dot to dot design,
0:14:42 > 0:14:43and then the idea is that
0:14:43 > 0:14:47we're going to follow those lines with the clay slip.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50'The slip is liquid clay, which provides an outer wall
0:14:50 > 0:14:53'for the design to stop colours running together.'
0:14:53 > 0:14:58The idea is that you don't touch the tile, keep it lifted up in the air,
0:14:58 > 0:15:01guide with one hand, squeeze with the other hand.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04'It's not the easiest thing I've ever witnessed,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07'but I'm a willing apprentice and I'm going to give it a go.'
0:15:07 > 0:15:08I've got to join up?
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Absolutely, try not to leave any gaps, and squeeze much harder.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- Harder, my gosh.- That's it, no, you're fine, you're fine.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- That's not bad. That's great. - You sound so surprised, Jennifer.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21- I'm going to let you finish it off. - OK, that's fine.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- You did really well. - Thank you very much.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26The speed is incredible at which you do this.
0:15:26 > 0:15:30'Once the outline of the design has dried, the colours are applied.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33'They look very different to the finished product.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35'The liquid glaze is made from powdered glass mixed with
0:15:35 > 0:15:40'metal oxides which give the colour, which are suspended in water.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42'Copper oxide will turn green,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46'and red iron oxide, or yellow ochre oxide, yellow.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49'When the design is complete, the tile is fired in the kiln
0:15:49 > 0:15:53'for two days at a temperature of 1,040 degrees.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57'This melts the powdered glass and creates a chemical reaction with
0:15:57 > 0:15:59'the metals in the dyes,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02'and the dull hues transform into vibrant shades.'
0:16:02 > 0:16:04Oh, look how much prettier they look!
0:16:04 > 0:16:06These are some of the Art Nouveau designs,
0:16:06 > 0:16:09and as you can see this one here is very similar...
0:16:09 > 0:16:13- It's like magic.- Absolutely, all the colours are exactly the same.
0:16:13 > 0:16:19And this one here, as you can see, is going to become that one there.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21Wow. Comes out looking very professional.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Absolutely, the kiln does marvellous things.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26Mm-hm, I'm not sure mine will look quite so beautiful.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28Well, I'm sure you'll be pleased with it when you get it.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Thank you so much! It's amazing, it's a real pleasure,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33and I'm sure I'll be spotting tiles everywhere I look
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- for the next few days.- Oh, I hope so.
0:16:42 > 0:16:46Travelling just over 35 miles south takes us to our second property,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48in the village of Clunton.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50It's almost 28 miles south-west of Shrewsbury
0:16:50 > 0:16:54and about a mile east of the town of Clun.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57Situated in the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59it boasts stunning vistas,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02especially from the ruins of the Norman Clun Castle.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06And it has a pretty town centre with an attractive mix of houses
0:17:06 > 0:17:09and there's a traditional pub.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11A three-minute drive and we're in Clunton,
0:17:11 > 0:17:12at our second property,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15which stands in the Arvon Centre -
0:17:15 > 0:17:1926 acres of woodland once home to the late playwright John Osborne
0:17:19 > 0:17:22and now a retreat for writers.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25Down a long, windy road, or rather up a long, windy road
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- into the hills and the forest to this.- Wow, OK!
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- Very different offering. - Mind-blowing!
0:17:33 > 0:17:35- It is totally different.- It is.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36It was an old coach house.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38You can see the arches where they would drive the coaches in
0:17:38 > 0:17:39- and also the stable.- Yeah.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42So it's been converted by the present owners.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45And unlike the one this morning, this is being run as a B&B.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- Is it?- Oh, right. That's interesting.
0:17:47 > 0:17:48So from the aspect,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51- do you think it's somewhere you could imagine living?- Yeah,
0:17:51 > 0:17:55I can imagine it would make a great bed and breakfast.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58'We're starting off our tour in the rather large sitting room,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00'with its fantastic views across the valley.'
0:18:00 > 0:18:03What is your vibe as you walk in?
0:18:03 > 0:18:04Great size.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07- Just the sort of thing we're looking for in a lounge.- It's cosy.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09And unlike the other property,
0:18:09 > 0:18:11this has a separate sitting room for your guests.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- Right.- So this would be your family space.- OK, OK.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19'Just behind the sitting room, in the main body of the house,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21'is the kitchen.'
0:18:21 > 0:18:23So, a smaller offering than the last.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28- Yes, it is a bit. - It's very dark and small.
0:18:28 > 0:18:29Small.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32- It feels a bit more oppressive in here, doesn't it?- It does.
0:18:32 > 0:18:33That's the only feeling.
0:18:33 > 0:18:34It's more, sort of, segregated
0:18:34 > 0:18:37in the sense that this would be your kitchen, where you cook,
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- and your guests would be at the other end of the house.- OK,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- that's a positive thing. - Yeah, yeah.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45But part of the reason we want to bring you here is to show you
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- the B&B set-up upstairs...- Yes. OK.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50- ..which I think is more what you're looking for.- All right.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54'On one side of the kitchen there's a utility room
0:18:54 > 0:18:57'and on the other, the guest dining room.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00'I can see Jacqueline and Martin taking it all in.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04'Maybe upstairs will help them see things more clearly.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06'There's a family bathroom,
0:19:06 > 0:19:09'a double bedroom which is used by the owner as the master,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12'two smaller rooms,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15'and the next room along is a guest sitting room,
0:19:15 > 0:19:17'with a rather attractive arched window.'
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- Fabulous, yeah. I like that! - All right.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24- This is a lovely, sunny aspect. - Yes, I love it. Very nice.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26This is currently what they use for the guests
0:19:26 > 0:19:30and then through here is one of the guest rooms.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33So there's a child's bedroom there
0:19:33 > 0:19:39- and then this is- the en-suite... OK. - ..top-dollar guest room.- OK.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42- Lovely view.- Yeah, it is.- Yeah, terrific views again.
0:19:42 > 0:19:43You've got two windows.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45It shows great self-sacrifice on the present owners' part
0:19:45 > 0:19:47- to give this to the guests!- Yes!
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- Well, let's go and have a look at the outside space...- OK.- Yeah.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52..find out the price
0:19:52 > 0:19:54- and then you can balance it all up.- All right.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58'Well, there's no doubting the fact
0:19:58 > 0:20:00'that this property is set up perfectly as a B&B.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03'Let's see how the outside space fares.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06'The double garage is currently being used as a games room
0:20:06 > 0:20:09'but there's scope to develop it into more guest rooms
0:20:09 > 0:20:11'or a sewing room.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15'We're going to the patio garden at the rear of the house.'
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- Oh, it's such a lovely spot! - Yes.- Very tranquil.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20It's not a huge garden.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21It's actually just up to this wall
0:20:21 > 0:20:23so it's really a small terraced garden,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26and the land out the front, there,
0:20:26 > 0:20:28- slopes down to the view over the valley.- Yeah.- OK.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- So very manageable. - Very easy to maintain.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33It's like a wooded valley, isn't it?
0:20:33 > 0:20:36It's like you're surrounded by...
0:20:36 > 0:20:37forest, really.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Looking at the outside, I think it would be a possibility
0:20:40 > 0:20:42that you could put an extension on
0:20:42 > 0:20:45- which would totally transform it. - Absolutely.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47In that case, we need to talk about budget.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49Would you have the money to do that?
0:20:49 > 0:20:51How much do you think this property is on the market for?
0:20:51 > 0:20:53I would say 460.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56I'd say...435.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- Well, in this instance you're both wrong.- OK!
0:20:58 > 0:21:01- It is actually on at 470. - Oh, OK. Oh, right.- Really?
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- So a little bit over what you thought.- Yes.- Mm.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07This Grade II listed coach house
0:21:07 > 0:21:11is on the market at £30,000 under Jacqueline and Martin's budget
0:21:11 > 0:21:14and it's all set up and ready to go as a B&B.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17There are three guest bedrooms, and the layout downstairs
0:21:17 > 0:21:20means privacy for the owners when welcoming guests.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23And although the garden isn't as big as they'd like,
0:21:23 > 0:21:27the house is set in a stunning estate with fabulous views.
0:21:27 > 0:21:28I think we...
0:21:28 > 0:21:30If we took a property like this,
0:21:30 > 0:21:32we'd want to adjust quite a few things on it.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35I think it would work very well as a bed and breakfast
0:21:35 > 0:21:39but I don't think that it's a good home for us.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Just taking in the tranquillity of the place.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- It's gorgeous.- Beautiful. - Very peaceful.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- Have you seen everything you need to see?- Think we have, yeah.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Yes.- It's been a long day. Let's find a place to relax
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- and mull over what you've seen. - OK.- Why not?
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- So, the first house seemed to go down better, I'd say.- It did.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I think they were really surprised
0:22:02 > 0:22:04at how light and bright it was inside the property.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08I think that's largely to do with the crooks, the full crook frame,
0:22:08 > 0:22:10or crucks as they're sometimes called.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12So a cruck frame goes from the very top of the property
0:22:12 > 0:22:15down to the floor and it's multiple A-frames?
0:22:15 > 0:22:18Cruck frames were used in big buildings in the medieval period,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21so sort of substantial barns and things like that,
0:22:21 > 0:22:22and they were a sign of prosperity.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26Later on, they were replaced by simple box-frame structures
0:22:26 > 0:22:28which were cheaper because they used less timber.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31So it's quite a rarity to find a cruck-framed building
0:22:31 > 0:22:33so if you come across one they are a big draw.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Well, unfortunately I didn't have a cruck frame up my sleeve but that's
0:22:36 > 0:22:40not to say that my buyers weren't impressed with what I'd shown them.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41Time to meet them again.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Music composer Pam has decided to leave the four-bedroom
0:22:46 > 0:22:50detached chalet bungalow on the banks of the Wey Navigation Canal
0:22:50 > 0:22:51in Addlestone, Surrey,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54and has enlisted one of her four sisters, Jin,
0:22:54 > 0:22:56to help her choose her next home.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Pam has a very busy life and makes the most of where she lives,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03but in recent years she's seen a lot of changes.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07The area is very frenetic, it's very busy.
0:23:07 > 0:23:08The roads are very busy.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11It's quite polluted as well, and I would like to be
0:23:11 > 0:23:15somewhere where the air is a bit clearer and cleaner and just nicer.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18But that's not the only reason for Pam's move.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Her two grown-up sons left home a long time ago, but the younger,
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Sam, who lived just two miles away, has just emigrated
0:23:25 > 0:23:28with his wife and two young children.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Because my son and his family have gone off to Australia,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34that was one of the significant moments.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37I've been thinking about moving for quite a few years, and I was just
0:23:37 > 0:23:41waiting for the right moment, and I think the right moment's come.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44And Pam decided on the location of her new home
0:23:44 > 0:23:46in a rather unusual manner.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51My daughter-in-law, she brought a magazine back from Shropshire,
0:23:51 > 0:23:53cos her parents live in Shropshire,
0:23:53 > 0:23:56and in the magazine were all these lovely houses you can buy
0:23:56 > 0:23:59for something that I could afford to buy,
0:23:59 > 0:24:01and I thought, "Wow, that looks pretty good,"
0:24:01 > 0:24:03so I started to investigate.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06And then I thought, "Well, let's have a go at moving to Shropshire."
0:24:06 > 0:24:09It's an interesting and exciting time really, now, for us,
0:24:09 > 0:24:10to see where she'll be next.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14And she's looking forward to making the most of her new surroundings.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17I want lovely scenery and beautiful rolling fields, so I can look
0:24:17 > 0:24:21out the window and get inspiration, cos that's really important.
0:24:21 > 0:24:25So, with her house on the market, her son gone and a head full
0:24:25 > 0:24:28of plans, there's nothing stopping Pam moving on to the next
0:24:28 > 0:24:30chapter in her active life.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35I think I'm most excited about the move because it's the unknown,
0:24:35 > 0:24:38and I love unknown.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41I think it will be really good, for just inspiration
0:24:41 > 0:24:43and starting just new things.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45I don't think she's finished yet with new ideas.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47- Oh, I'm not. No.- No!
0:24:47 > 0:24:48PAM LAUGHS
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Pam's open to considering anywhere in Shropshire,
0:24:56 > 0:24:59so the county is our oyster.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02And before we start the search for Pam's new pad, I'm meeting
0:25:02 > 0:25:06her and Jin in Shropshire to recap on exactly what it is that's
0:25:06 > 0:25:09on her property wish-list.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Tell us a little bit more about the property that you're after.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Well, I'm after somewhere where I can
0:25:15 > 0:25:18create an artistic environment for the community, inasmuch I would like
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- to make a mini concert hall somewhere.- Delightful.
0:25:22 > 0:25:27- How many in the audience?- Between 30 and 50.- I thought you said small.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29I shall be selling tickets at the gate.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31OK, so we need a building for that.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33I'm presuming an outbuilding or likewise?
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It can be anywhere on the property, it doesn't have to be attached,
0:25:36 > 0:25:39it can be a separate building altogether, but something which will
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- adapt itself to what I want.- Right.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- And you're happy to do a little bit of work, are you?- Yeah.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46Now, what about the house itself?
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Well, there are two rooms that are the most important rooms.
0:25:48 > 0:25:53One would be the kitchen, because my family are very gregarious.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56When we all get together, it's hilarity.
0:25:56 > 0:25:57- And it's noisy.- Yeah, it's noisy.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00And we need space. And the second one is, I need a
0:26:00 > 0:26:03dedicated room for my baby, which is my grand piano.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05How many bedrooms?
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Well, I'd like four, four or five,
0:26:07 > 0:26:10one of which will be on the downstairs,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13cos my mum, hopefully, will come and stay for periods of time.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- And how old is Mummy?- She's 92. - Ah!- And she's amazing.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19And I'd like to have a really nice garden,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22cos I love gardening, and I'm going to get a new dog when I move,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24so there has to be space for the dog to run around.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26And remind me of the budget we're working to.
0:26:26 > 0:26:30Well, I've got £450,000 to spend.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33We've got three splendid properties lined up,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36ready to show you, so I think we should just get started.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- Yeah, let's do that.- Let's get on with it.- Yep. Come on, then.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Pam has a pretty generous budget for the area,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47but her desires are lengthy.
0:26:47 > 0:26:51She'd like a quirky property, something like a barn conversion,
0:26:51 > 0:26:53with four or five bedrooms, with one downstairs
0:26:53 > 0:26:57for when her mum comes to stay, and there needs to be a space big
0:26:57 > 0:27:01enough to give a new home to her pride and joy, her grand piano.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04She'd love a large kitchen-diner to accommodate her extended
0:27:04 > 0:27:08family at gatherings, and is hoping for a room, annexe or
0:27:08 > 0:27:12outbuilding, which could be used as a concert hall, to share her
0:27:12 > 0:27:15love of music with friends, family and the community.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19And when Pam moves, she's planning to get a four-legged friend,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22so she'd like a good sized garden they can both enjoy.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30We're beginning our journey round Shropshire
0:27:30 > 0:27:33in the south-east of the county, in the hamlet of Underton,
0:27:33 > 0:27:38around three miles from the historic market town of Bridgenorth.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41Split into the high town and the low town by the River Severn,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Bridgenorth's pretty streets are lined with a good selection
0:27:44 > 0:27:46of local business and eateries.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50An eight-minute drive and we're back in rural Underton
0:27:50 > 0:27:53at our first house.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55Well, it looks really interesting.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57You can see there are a collection of properties here.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Although we're out in the countryside, you're not on your own.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Yeah, that's perfect for me, because I don't want to be
0:28:02 > 0:28:05stuck in the middle of nowhere with nobody to talk to.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09- Shall we step inside?- Oh, let's. - Let's do it.- Fantastic.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12This former barn is the only detached conversion in this
0:28:12 > 0:28:13group of three homes,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16something I'm sure the neighbours will be pleased of
0:28:16 > 0:28:19if Pam moves here. She's planning to make quite a noise,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21albeit a tuneful one.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23So, as you come through the front door,
0:28:23 > 0:28:26it's a bit drier in here, thank goodness.
0:28:26 > 0:28:31- You've got this wonderful living space.- I like it.
0:28:31 > 0:28:35Very high ceilings, leading to this beautiful fitted kitchen.
0:28:35 > 0:28:37Oh, this is a good kitchen
0:28:37 > 0:28:39cos you can have a nice sitting area over there,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42and you can talk to your friends as you're cooking. I mean...
0:28:42 > 0:28:45- The whole of the house, really, for you?- It is for me, yeah.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48And everybody congregating in the kitchen, rather than anywhere else.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50And there is somebody else in the family
0:28:50 > 0:28:52we've got to think of and consider.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54Next door...
0:28:54 > 0:28:56Let's see if you think she might like this.
0:28:56 > 0:28:58- I'm talking about Mummy.- Ooh.- Yeah.
0:28:58 > 0:29:02'This beautiful home has the five bedrooms Pam's hoping for,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05'and there's one with an en-suite on the ground floor.'
0:29:05 > 0:29:08So the good news is this barn has downstairs...
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Oh, it's perfect for Mum. It's a real Mum room, this.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14But is there a toilet attached?
0:29:14 > 0:29:16Can actually do a little bit better than that. We can give you
0:29:16 > 0:29:20- your own en suite.- Really? - Cor, wasn't expecting that here.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24'Well, that's Pam's mum sorted, but there's another very important
0:29:24 > 0:29:26'family member to accommodate, too.'
0:29:26 > 0:29:29So, as you can see, you've got a dining area here,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31but it's upstairs I want to show you.
0:29:31 > 0:29:32Ooh. Exciting.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37'I'm taking Pam and Jin to the top of the house.
0:29:37 > 0:29:39'Most of the second floor is currently used as a living
0:29:39 > 0:29:43'area, and there's a bedroom-cum-study at the other end.'
0:29:43 > 0:29:46Oh, this is a fantastic room!
0:29:46 > 0:29:49- Ooh! Yeah. Gosh!- Wow.
0:29:49 > 0:29:50What a wonderful space.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52It is! Amazing area.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54I'm thinking piano's up here.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Well, it's possible. I'm just a bit worried about the stairs.- Yeah.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Well, luckily, if you just look to the side, there is
0:29:59 > 0:30:02a stable door, so you could take the...
0:30:02 > 0:30:04You could take, you could manage it, if you...
0:30:04 > 0:30:06- You could get it here, could you? - You could.
0:30:06 > 0:30:10So I don't know if I could quite get the 50 people that you wanted
0:30:10 > 0:30:14to up here. However, you could have a lovely soiree, couldn't you?
0:30:14 > 0:30:16You could.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20On the first floor is a family bathroom, two bedrooms, both
0:30:20 > 0:30:23at the front of the house, and lastly there's the master,
0:30:23 > 0:30:26which also has access to the bathroom.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Oh! NICKI LAUGHS
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- I like showing you houses! - It's nice. It's really nice.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- This is a cosy room.- It is, yeah. Really lovely.- I like it.- Yeah.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39I like the whole house, so far we've seen.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43I know. I was hoping we might see something we didn't like, actually.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45It just has such a nice... It does have a nice feel about it.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Have we surprised you with our first property so far?
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Yeah, you have. Yeah.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53It's just house one of three, and we've already got two happy
0:30:53 > 0:30:57customers. Let's see what they make of the garden, somewhere Pam's
0:30:57 > 0:30:59planning on spending plenty of time.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01It's a lovely little space, isn't it?
0:31:01 > 0:31:03I mean, you've got lots of lovely beds.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- You've even got a pond behind us as well.- A pond?- Pond!- Got a pond, yes.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09So, manageable size garden.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Yeah, this is perfect, really. Enough for the dog to run around in.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14There must be something not quite right with this house.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16It's almost too good to be true.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19- Well, is it going to be the price? - Oh, wow.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Well, this is the big question.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24What do you think this barn is on the market for?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I would say it's over my budget. I would say...
0:31:27 > 0:31:31- 465.- Just over your budget.- Yeah.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Well, I think it's over budget too, but I was thinking more in the area
0:31:34 > 0:31:37- of maybe 460.- It's actually
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- under that.- Oh!- Never!
0:31:39 > 0:31:43- 445,000.- Oh, my goodness!- Wow.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46This fabulous detached barn is on the market just £5,000
0:31:46 > 0:31:49under Pam's top budget,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52and has the number of bedrooms she'd like, including
0:31:52 > 0:31:54one downstairs with an en-suite,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57ideal for when her mother visits.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00It's also got a spacious kitchen-diner, big enough to
0:32:00 > 0:32:02accommodate Pam's large family,
0:32:02 > 0:32:03and most importantly, there are
0:32:03 > 0:32:05options to give a home
0:32:05 > 0:32:07to her beloved grand piano.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09The great space on the second floor
0:32:09 > 0:32:11would be perfect for a recital
0:32:11 > 0:32:13or two, and the pretty garden has
0:32:13 > 0:32:15enough scope for Pam to plant
0:32:15 > 0:32:17to her heart's content.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29Close to Shrewsbury and sitting in 4,000 acres of parkland
0:32:29 > 0:32:30is Attingham Park,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33a splendid Neo-Palladian mansion,
0:32:33 > 0:32:35built almost 230 years ago
0:32:35 > 0:32:40and owned by just one family for more than 160 years,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44before being bequeathed to the National Trust in 1947.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47Currently eight years into a conservation project,
0:32:47 > 0:32:50the estate is managed by Mark Agnew.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53Now this is one imposing building, isn't it?
0:32:53 > 0:32:55What's the history of this house?
0:32:55 > 0:32:58There used to be a house here called Tern Hall,
0:32:58 > 0:33:02and the first Lord Berwick decided that wasn't good enough for him,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05now that he was very successful and had been ennobled,
0:33:05 > 0:33:10and he built Attingham wrapped around the original Tern Hall.
0:33:10 > 0:33:15'This fine house greets around 370,000 visitors a year,
0:33:15 > 0:33:18'which helps fund the ongoing conservation project on site.'
0:33:18 > 0:33:21What are you concentrating on now?
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Our big focus at the moment is repairing the roof,
0:33:24 > 0:33:28replacing and putting a new roof in on the picture gallery.
0:33:28 > 0:33:29Can I take a look today?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31- Of course. Come inside and have a look.- Thank you.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35This stunning property has over 80 rooms, and it's a lengthy,
0:33:35 > 0:33:39and costly, process to keep them in their splendour.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42The price tag is a cool £1.2 million a year,
0:33:42 > 0:33:47just for the house and estate to be able to open its doors.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50And one of the most resplendent rooms here is the imposing
0:33:50 > 0:33:52picture gallery, with its glazed roof.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55- Welcome to the picture gallery ceiling.- My goodness!
0:33:55 > 0:33:59'But it's hard to see its beauty right now.'
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Now, this is remarkable.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05So all of this is glass?
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Yep, it's individual panes of glass.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11When it was first built over 200 years ago,
0:34:11 > 0:34:14this roof may have looked spectacular, but it had
0:34:14 > 0:34:19design flaws, due to its curved structure, meaning plenty of leaks.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22Mark's hoping that the problems will be ironed out once and for all
0:34:22 > 0:34:26with a new glass roof covering the existing one.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29The joined panes of glass will be supported by steel beams,
0:34:29 > 0:34:34floating above the existing roof and acting as a canopy to protect it.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38The new roof will keep the water out, the old roof will
0:34:38 > 0:34:41carry on being the wow factor when you walk into our picture gallery.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45- Great. OK. One more floor, up we come.- Up we go, yeah.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Above us there are up to 20 skilled workers at any one time,
0:34:48 > 0:34:53painstakingly restoring this roof, not only to its former glory,
0:34:53 > 0:34:56but with a shiny new addition,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59weighing in at a hefty 20 tonnes.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02How long, Mark, do you think this new roof will last for?
0:35:02 > 0:35:06Well, we expect it will last about 100 to 200 years, but with
0:35:06 > 0:35:10regular maintenance we expect we can make it last a lot longer than that.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13It's finally going to be waterproof.
0:35:13 > 0:35:14That's what we're hoping.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17- Exciting times. Thank you so much. - Thank you very much.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28For our second property, we're travelling just under 29 miles
0:35:28 > 0:35:32north-west, past Shrewsbury, to the small village of Kinton,
0:35:32 > 0:35:36which is less than two miles from the larger village of Nesscliffe.
0:35:36 > 0:35:40Nesscliffe is dotted with houses built from smart red brick
0:35:40 > 0:35:44and sandstone, and there's a post office here, plus a family-run pub,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48serving locally-sourced food, where Pam could get to know the locals.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51A three-minute drive takes us away from Nesscliffe to Kinton.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56Our second property is this handsome detached barn conversion.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00- In front of us you've got the barn, which is about 250 years old.- Wow.
0:36:00 > 0:36:03To our right, you can see the extended buildings,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06- still part of the barn. They've been converted.- Right.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09If that wasn't enough, just behind us,
0:36:09 > 0:36:12over our shoulder there, is another barn.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16- Yep.- And then, cos I like to give you just that little bit more, we have,
0:36:16 > 0:36:19well, I would say it was a barn, but it seems to have lost
0:36:19 > 0:36:22its roof over the years, but ripe for a little bit of love and care.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25Yeah, it's a good space, isn't it? That's a good space...
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- And some outbuildings. - Wow. You've done well.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31So let's step inside and I'll explain more as we go round.
0:36:31 > 0:36:32Okey doke.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37We're starting our tour in a large, open-plan area.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40There's the kitchen, which was a sheep-shearing storage area
0:36:40 > 0:36:43in its day, and a dining room leading to a living room,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47which has no clue to the bull who once lived here.
0:36:47 > 0:36:48Is it a bit small?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Well.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54It's only the lay out that makes it look small.
0:36:54 > 0:36:55It's a bit like a railway station.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57- There's a platform, and another platform.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Are we on the train? I'm not sure we are, are we?
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- We haven't boarded, have we?- No. - We'll see where the journey ends.
0:37:03 > 0:37:07- I'm not mad keen on the layout. - No, but let's not be daunted with it.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09No, let's just get the full view first.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11- Full view. Overview.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14So we haven't got off to a great start on our trip round this
0:37:14 > 0:37:18barn, with its colourful history, but I'm not feeling defeated just
0:37:18 > 0:37:22yet, as I've got a rather special room to show Pam and Jin.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26A spectacular, semi-circular sitting room, with a fabulous vaulted
0:37:26 > 0:37:30ceiling, which was once home to a mill and working horses.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32- Gosh, this is a huge room. - Isn't it just?
0:37:32 > 0:37:35- What a nice shape. - Dramatic is what it is.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37You're not expecting this when you come out of the...
0:37:37 > 0:37:38Not at all.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41And you could fit your grand piano in, absolutely.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43It could go anywhere, it could go in any place.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45The acoustic is really good, yeah.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Ooh, things are looking up. - Really something.- Yeah?- Absolutely.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52Also on the ground floor are two bedrooms, both with doors to
0:37:52 > 0:37:54the outside.
0:37:54 > 0:37:57There's no en suite for Pam's mother, but there is scope to
0:37:57 > 0:37:59put one in.
0:37:59 > 0:38:03Then moving upstairs, there's a family bathroom and three
0:38:03 > 0:38:05further bedrooms,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08including two doubles, both in the eaves,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11and one with a skylight letting in plenty of light.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14This part is the master en suite.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17There's your en-suite shower room, bath.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Beautifully done.- Yep.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23Here is the master bedroom. Down a couple of steps.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26Oh, this is a nice room, isn't it? Yeah, lovely.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- So you've got your own wing, in a way.- Yes.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30It's quite nice.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33- Well, it's looking promising. - Yeah?
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Yeah. More promising than when we were in the kitchen.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37THEY LAUGH
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Well, this lovely home seems to have won back favour with both Pam
0:38:40 > 0:38:45and Jin, so although the weather has changed, I'm glad that spirits
0:38:45 > 0:38:48are still high, and I've got plenty more to show them.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51So, you've seen this splendid property,
0:38:51 > 0:38:55but when we walked in, I pointed out a barn on our right.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58That barn has had planning permission already granted.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Now it has expired, but it was given to make it
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- a three-bedroom dwelling.- Wow.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Crikey, that's quite an asset on the end of your house.
0:39:06 > 0:39:08That puts something else into the mix.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10- That's really confused me now. - And then behind me,
0:39:10 > 0:39:11you also have this building,
0:39:11 > 0:39:14so there's electricity and power in there, there's light.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17It could be a music studio even. There's all sorts of possibilities.
0:39:17 > 0:39:19- There is, isn't there? - Yeah.- All sorts.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22So how about the garden space?
0:39:22 > 0:39:26Well, the garden space is not as big as I would have wanted,
0:39:26 > 0:39:29but it's big enough for a dog to wander around in.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31We've got to put a price on this barn.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Probably 4... 460.
0:39:35 > 0:39:39I'm going to say 455. Still over budget, I think.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42in actual fact, this barn is,
0:39:42 > 0:39:44again, under budget.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Asking price is £439,000.
0:39:48 > 0:39:52- Gosh, that does really surprise me. - Really?
0:39:52 > 0:39:56This historic barn conversion, with its assortment of outbuildings,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59is on the market at £11,000 under Pam's budget.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02The kitchen may not be the large entertaining space that's so
0:40:02 > 0:40:06important to her, but the home does give her the number of bedrooms
0:40:06 > 0:40:10she would like, including one on the ground floor for her mother.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14There's a wonderful space to house Pam's precious grand piano
0:40:14 > 0:40:17and hold concerts, plus the various additional rooms and buildings
0:40:17 > 0:40:21mean that, with a little work, there are plenty of options to
0:40:21 > 0:40:24transform this property into more than a home.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27Well, this house is really something very different, and it's got
0:40:27 > 0:40:31so many possibilities, I'm actually a bit blown away by it all.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33I feel a mixture of emotions really.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36I feel quite daunted with the whole thing.
0:40:36 > 0:40:38I also feel very excited with the whole thing.
0:40:38 > 0:40:40A successful day?
0:40:40 > 0:40:42- Really successful. Very interesting.- Yeah, very.- Good.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45- Very successful and interesting. - And more to show you tomorrow.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Oh, well... SHE CHUCKLES
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Well, that is all going rather well.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- Were you feeling rather smug by this point, Nicki?- Smug, what a good word.
0:40:57 > 0:41:02I was, actually, because that barn was beautiful, even though
0:41:02 > 0:41:04the planning permission had expired.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06Because, of course, if you do apply,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09you have about three years to do the work from the time it is granted.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12If you haven't started the work, you've got to reapply again.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14So, in Pam's case, she'd have to reapply
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- but it would be OK because she had precedent.- I would have said so, yes.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21Right, back to my house hunt with Martin and Jacqueline,
0:41:21 > 0:41:23with their half-a-million-pound budget.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25I have to say I was crossing my fingers here
0:41:25 > 0:41:28because the mystery house was a bit of a leap of faith.
0:41:31 > 0:41:36Our final visit takes us 44 miles north-east to the town of Newport,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38a 40-minute drive from Shrewsbury
0:41:38 > 0:41:40and close to the Staffordshire border.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44'Newport is a Britain In Bloom finalist
0:41:44 > 0:41:48'and its centre offers locals a good selection of shops and eateries.
0:41:48 > 0:41:52'Just on the outskirts of town and down a tree-lined drive
0:41:52 > 0:41:54'is our third and final house.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57'The mystery is revealed at first sight.'
0:41:57 > 0:41:59Well...
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- The mystery house is a church. - It is.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03This, next door, is the old church,
0:42:03 > 0:42:06- which was knocked down to build this one.- Oh, right, looks very pretty.
0:42:06 > 0:42:08Character, isn't it?
0:42:08 > 0:42:10That's what screams at you when you first see it.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13And I can see it on the front of your flyers for your B&B.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16- It's certainly an unusual... - It will certainly attract people.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18- Let's look inside.- OK.
0:42:20 > 0:42:25'This striking Grade II listed church dates back to 1800
0:42:25 > 0:42:27'and was converted from a derelict shell,
0:42:27 > 0:42:31'making use of many reclaimed materials.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34'The ground floor is laid out in a rectangle, with an octagonal
0:42:34 > 0:42:37'room at the back and a tower at the front, which is where we are
0:42:37 > 0:42:40'entering the building and heading straight for the kitchen-diner.'
0:42:43 > 0:42:46- It looks a labour of love, doesn't it?- I like it.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48It is very nice, very unusual.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52There's some scope to make more use of the space, I think.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56And there is a utility room and larder and pantry through there.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58So more storage, all your white goods.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00- Let's head towards the altar.- OK.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05'Moving on from the kitchen of this beautiful church, there is
0:43:05 > 0:43:08'a small bedroom-cum-study and a shower room on the opposite
0:43:08 > 0:43:12'side of the house and we are entering the open-plan living area,
0:43:12 > 0:43:14'which takes up the rest of the ground floor.'
0:43:14 > 0:43:16- I love this room.- Oh, wow.- Oh!
0:43:17 > 0:43:20This is the centrepiece of the house, you can guess.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24- It is absolutely stunning. - So this would have been the altar.
0:43:24 > 0:43:27When you sit in a church, the windows are high,
0:43:27 > 0:43:31so you can't see out of them, so the problem with that, of course,
0:43:31 > 0:43:34if you're living here, you don't get any views. So they stepped it up.
0:43:34 > 0:43:37You can look out of these beautiful vaulted windows.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40Making the most of the view.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Wow, it's just really impressive.
0:43:42 > 0:43:48- Absolutely stunning.- It's just so different. But homely as well.
0:43:48 > 0:43:54- So the decision you have to make is how to make it work as a B&B.- Yes.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57'This beautiful conversion gives Jacqueline
0:43:57 > 0:44:01'and Martin the freedom to decide how they want to divide it as a B&B.
0:44:01 > 0:44:05'The first floor is smaller than the ground, as it's square.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08'There is a family bathroom with a feature window
0:44:08 > 0:44:11'and a further three bedrooms - one single,
0:44:11 > 0:44:13'and an en-suite double.
0:44:13 > 0:44:16'And at the front of the house is the master bedroom.'
0:44:18 > 0:44:23- It's lovely. Beautiful. - Big and spacious.- It is, yeah.
0:44:23 > 0:44:25Window, fabulous.
0:44:25 > 0:44:29- South-facing window and it has an en-suite which is in the tower.- Oh.
0:44:29 > 0:44:32- Lovely feel. - It's wonderfully done.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35'I think it would be hard not to be wowed by this property
0:44:35 > 0:44:38'and I'm sure it would hold great appeal for guests.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41'Outside, the landscaped gardens are a striking contrast to the
0:44:41 > 0:44:44'imposing red sandstone of the church.'
0:44:45 > 0:44:49- What do you think?- Very nice layout, it's very tasteful.
0:44:49 > 0:44:52- It's beautifully kept. - Beautifully kept.
0:44:52 > 0:44:56There's also this very big garage space here, which is huge
0:44:56 > 0:45:01and it could easily be turned into a workroom for you, or even converted.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05- OK.- So, a good vibe? - It's lovely.- A very good vibe.
0:45:05 > 0:45:08I'm just a bit lost for words. Staggered.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11Can I drag a few more words about the price out of you?
0:45:11 > 0:45:17- I'm going to go for 495, Alistair. - A little bit below at 485.
0:45:17 > 0:45:22Well, it is actually right at the top of your budget, 499,995.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25- OK.- So there's obviously space for a bit of negotiation.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27I think that sounds reasonable.
0:45:27 > 0:45:32- For a B&B, there's plenty to market, isn't there?- It's so unique.
0:45:32 > 0:45:36This listed converted church is only £5 under Jacqueline
0:45:36 > 0:45:39and Martin's budget, but there's always room for negotiation and it
0:45:39 > 0:45:43would make a great marketing tool to attract guests if it became a B&B.
0:45:44 > 0:45:46It has just enough bedrooms for them and guests
0:45:46 > 0:45:49and a garage that would be the perfect space
0:45:49 > 0:45:51for Jacqueline's sewing room.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53And the gardens may not be extensive,
0:45:53 > 0:45:56but they are striking and easy to look after.
0:45:56 > 0:45:59It is very different to everything we've seen so far.
0:45:59 > 0:46:04I think it would make a great bed and breakfast, very unusual inside.
0:46:04 > 0:46:10I just think it's such a unique opportunity to move outside
0:46:10 > 0:46:12the box, it's just unbelievable.
0:46:12 > 0:46:13OK, so that's the mystery house done.
0:46:13 > 0:46:16- All three properties seen.- OK.
0:46:16 > 0:46:18So let's go and find a place to have a cup of tea
0:46:18 > 0:46:20and then we can pick your brains about how it's been for you.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- Sounds great. - Plenty of food for thought.
0:46:28 > 0:46:29Let's cut to the chase.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32I want to know which of the houses is a contender.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36Well, every house was such a contrast.
0:46:36 > 0:46:40I think the last one is the most impressionable. For me, anyway.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42Yes, it was the mystery house. Definitely.
0:46:42 > 0:46:45Ah. What was it that finally swayed you on that?
0:46:45 > 0:46:49I was overwhelmed by, obviously, such the uniqueness of it,
0:46:49 > 0:46:53and I just feel what a unique opportunity to live in such a...
0:46:53 > 0:46:55stunning environment, really.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58I think it'll be great for a bed and breakfast.
0:46:58 > 0:46:59That's music to our ears.
0:46:59 > 0:47:02Have you found the whole experience has sort of geed you up?
0:47:02 > 0:47:04- Definitely.- Very much so.
0:47:04 > 0:47:06I mean, I'm fired up now to start planning
0:47:06 > 0:47:11what I would do, potentially, if we did put a bid in for that property,
0:47:11 > 0:47:15what rooms we could do and what we could utilise the space for.
0:47:15 > 0:47:19So it's given me a feeling like I'm excited that way to start a project.
0:47:19 > 0:47:24Well, I really hope that Shropshire provides pastures fresh for you.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26- I hope so as well.- And great if it was the mystery house,
0:47:26 > 0:47:28but do keep us in the loop.
0:47:28 > 0:47:31We will. We really enjoyed it. It's been a really good experience.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35- Likewise.- Yes.- Good luck. - OK, thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:47:41 > 0:47:45So the mystery house made the biggest impression, then.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47Church conversions, they are an interesting position
0:47:47 > 0:47:49- and there are certainly lots of them about.- There are,
0:47:49 > 0:47:51thanks to the Victorians, who seemed to build
0:47:51 > 0:47:53so many in the 19th century.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56Although this is an interesting fact - legally you are not
0:47:56 > 0:48:00- allowed to convert any church before 1969, when the law changed.- Really?
0:48:00 > 0:48:03- Now there are hundreds, thousands probably.- There are.
0:48:03 > 0:48:06But if you do see a disused church and you want to convert it
0:48:06 > 0:48:08into a family home, you've obviously got to get
0:48:08 > 0:48:11the local authority planning permission is sorted
0:48:11 > 0:48:14but also you've got to look at the church organisation as well because
0:48:14 > 0:48:18some of them have to give you permission before you can proceed.
0:48:18 > 0:48:20We'll find out what Jacqueline and Martin thought
0:48:20 > 0:48:22about the mystery house in just a moment.
0:48:22 > 0:48:26But let's get back to my search with the wonderful Pam.
0:48:26 > 0:48:32She was after the perfect rural retreat for £450,000.
0:48:32 > 0:48:36For our third and final visit, we're journeying 34.5 miles
0:48:36 > 0:48:38south-west, deep into the heart of
0:48:38 > 0:48:41the Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:48:41 > 0:48:44to the rural hamlet of Whitcott Keysett,
0:48:44 > 0:48:48which is just under two and a half miles from the small town of Clun.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51Clun, which gets its name from the river that runs through it,
0:48:51 > 0:48:53was once described by the poet
0:48:53 > 0:48:58AE Housman as the quietest place under the sun.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02A six-minute drive takes us to the sleepy hamlet of Whitcott Keysett
0:49:02 > 0:49:07and our mystery house, a recently converted 18th century cow shed.
0:49:07 > 0:49:09Oh, what a lovely place.
0:49:09 > 0:49:10NICKI LAUGHS
0:49:10 > 0:49:12It's a little bit special, isn't it?
0:49:12 > 0:49:13It is a bit special, it's a lot special.
0:49:13 > 0:49:16And this is our mystery house.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19- Mysterious.- It is.- Very.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22Any idea why this is the mystery house?
0:49:22 > 0:49:24Well, I'm thinking about this behind.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27Could this have something to do with it?
0:49:27 > 0:49:30Oh, my goodness, I didn't even realise that was there.
0:49:30 > 0:49:33- A rather large barn behind us. - Yeah.
0:49:33 > 0:49:37Because with our mystery house, not only do you have a splendid
0:49:37 > 0:49:40home, but there is also scope...
0:49:40 > 0:49:44- Yeah.- ..to have that little something extra...- Wow.
0:49:44 > 0:49:48- ..right on your doorstep. - Absolutely right. Crikey.
0:49:48 > 0:49:50This unusual home is built from stone
0:49:50 > 0:49:54with wood cladding covering the majority of its exterior.
0:49:54 > 0:49:57So, like the owners, come through the back door.
0:49:57 > 0:50:01- Right, OK. Bright and cheerful. - And it leads straight into
0:50:01 > 0:50:04this, I think, rather large kitchen.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06Mmm. Large-ish. OK.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09- I might be wrong. - THEY LAUGH
0:50:09 > 0:50:12I might be wrong, but I'm not feeling quite love.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15- Just needed to be a little bit bigger, maybe.- Really?
0:50:15 > 0:50:17I'm just thinking about where we would eat.
0:50:17 > 0:50:19You could take that away,
0:50:19 > 0:50:22- because I've got something else to show you next door.- OK.
0:50:25 > 0:50:27Oh, this is a lovely room, isn't it?
0:50:27 > 0:50:29- I like this one.- It's big, big space.
0:50:29 > 0:50:33Pretty impressive, and what do big spaces need?
0:50:33 > 0:50:35- Furniture.- And?
0:50:35 > 0:50:39- Pianos.- Pianos.- Yeah. Really nice. - Could work.- Yeah.
0:50:39 > 0:50:43My slight concern would be where are your guests going to sit?
0:50:43 > 0:50:45- Because this is the main sitting room.- Oh.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50Well, is there anything else they can sit in, further along?
0:50:50 > 0:50:53- THEY LAUGH - You want this as your music room.
0:50:53 > 0:50:56Well, it would be a nice music room, but if there are other options,
0:50:56 > 0:50:58we could have the music room somewhere else.
0:50:58 > 0:51:00- Well, it would be an amazing... - Like over there.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03- That's what we're thinking.- Maybe.
0:51:03 > 0:51:06And also on the ground floor is a bedroom with an adjacent
0:51:06 > 0:51:09shower room, suitable for Pam's mother.
0:51:09 > 0:51:14So up a couple of stairs... you've one bedroom up here.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17Lots of natural light, and then another bedroom just here.
0:51:17 > 0:51:21They're not the widest of bedrooms. They call them cattle bays
0:51:21 > 0:51:23because that's exactly what they were.
0:51:23 > 0:51:25'And up a few more stairs...'
0:51:25 > 0:51:29You've got a study/dressing room on that side.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31Family bathroom on this side, which leads
0:51:31 > 0:51:35- into the master bedroom.- OK.
0:51:35 > 0:51:37Oh, it's a nice, cosy room.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40I think it would be fair to say with this property,
0:51:40 > 0:51:42- the bedrooms are more functioning. - Yeah.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46You know, the space has actually gone into the kitchen
0:51:46 > 0:51:48and also that wonderful huge sort of sitting room.
0:51:48 > 0:51:50Yeah, that's true, it's true.
0:51:50 > 0:51:53The kitchen and bedrooms in this house might not be the size
0:51:53 > 0:51:57Pam was hoping for, but this is the mystery house and, unlike the
0:51:57 > 0:52:01previous two homes, the house is not the star here.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04It's the cavernous stone barn outside.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08It may require rather more work than Pam was hoping for, but it's
0:52:08 > 0:52:12a blank canvas just waiting for her to bring her visions to life.
0:52:12 > 0:52:15- Mind your head! - Oh, look at this!
0:52:15 > 0:52:18Wow! It is quite something. Just look at the roof.
0:52:18 > 0:52:21I mean, just look at these struts and all these beams.
0:52:21 > 0:52:23You could do something with this.
0:52:23 > 0:52:27- It would make a very nice, small theatre, wouldn't it?- It would.
0:52:27 > 0:52:31- It's exactly what I had in mind... - It is.- ..to actually convert
0:52:31 > 0:52:34into my mini concert hall.
0:52:34 > 0:52:38The house and barn sit in a beautiful country garden,
0:52:38 > 0:52:41with bursts of colour provided by flowers and a variety of
0:52:41 > 0:52:43fruit and vegetables growing here, too,
0:52:43 > 0:52:46all with a spectacular outlook.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49- Beautiful, isn't it?- Isn't it gorgeous?- Yeah.- Wow.- Really is nice.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52- Enough land for you?- Yeah. About right, this is.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56So what do we think it's currently on the market for?
0:52:56 > 0:52:59I think it's probably on for about 399.
0:52:59 > 0:53:01That's interesting. Jin?
0:53:01 > 0:53:04I think it's more likely to be about 430.
0:53:04 > 0:53:07I'm hoping you're going to be pleasantly surprised,
0:53:07 > 0:53:09because the asking price is
0:53:09 > 0:53:12£369,500.
0:53:12 > 0:53:14- PAM CHUCKLES - Just not very good at guessing.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19This property may have begun its days as a lowly cow shed, but it's
0:53:19 > 0:53:21grown into somewhere I hope that Pam
0:53:21 > 0:53:24could well imagine calling home.
0:53:24 > 0:53:25And although in our mystery house
0:53:25 > 0:53:27the stone barn is the main focus,
0:53:27 > 0:53:29and it might need a bit more work
0:53:29 > 0:53:30than she was planning
0:53:30 > 0:53:32to transform it into a concert hall,
0:53:32 > 0:53:35at a staggering £80,500 under budget,
0:53:35 > 0:53:38there's plenty of cash to play with.
0:53:38 > 0:53:42The kitchen may not be huge, but the large room next door is perfect
0:53:42 > 0:53:45for entertaining Pam's extended family.
0:53:45 > 0:53:46There are four bedrooms, including
0:53:46 > 0:53:48a ground floor room for her mum,
0:53:48 > 0:53:50with a shower room next door.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52And the garden, with its far-reaching views,
0:53:52 > 0:53:54would allow Pam to make the most of
0:53:54 > 0:53:57the stunning Shropshire countryside.
0:53:57 > 0:54:00- Oh, this is a nice room. - I like this.
0:54:00 > 0:54:03You could get two grandchildren in here without too much of a do.
0:54:03 > 0:54:05Oh, they'd love it. Kids would love this space.
0:54:05 > 0:54:07Well, I'm a bit confused about this property.
0:54:07 > 0:54:11The barn is definitely the one I think is going to be fantastic,
0:54:11 > 0:54:15but I'm not so...100% on the house.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18- How are we, ladies?- Oh, excited.
0:54:18 > 0:54:19Have we confused you?
0:54:19 > 0:54:21Totally.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24Never thought you'd find three properties with all
0:54:24 > 0:54:27the things on my wish list. Extraordinary.
0:54:27 > 0:54:29- So we've now got quite a lot to discuss, haven't we?- Yes.
0:54:29 > 0:54:32Made it harder now, cos you've really done the business.
0:54:32 > 0:54:35- NICKI LAUGHS - Let's go and have a chat. Come on.
0:54:40 > 0:54:44It's been an interesting few days, hasn't it?
0:54:44 > 0:54:46I'm not really sure which way you're going to go.
0:54:46 > 0:54:50Well, property number one, that was an absolutely stunning property.
0:54:50 > 0:54:55And that, to me, summed up all the things that I want in my home.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58Property number two was a difficult property,
0:54:58 > 0:55:01- in that there was so much of it. - Yes.- And property three -
0:55:01 > 0:55:05the barn, fantastic. House, not so wonderful.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09So out of everything we showed you, it sounds like our first property
0:55:09 > 0:55:13suited you the best, but could you see yourself living there?
0:55:13 > 0:55:16I could see myself living in that house. I just have to do a little bit
0:55:16 > 0:55:21- more researching about the area. It's quite daunting, actually.- Yes.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23This move is a huge leap of faith,
0:55:23 > 0:55:27- it is diving into the unknown. - What was going through my mind was,
0:55:27 > 0:55:30at the beginning Pam was so absolutely sure that this was the
0:55:30 > 0:55:34right place, and she was full of enthusiasm and she was going to go
0:55:34 > 0:55:37100% to it, and I was just thinking, "Whoa a minute."
0:55:37 > 0:55:40- I think it is time for a bit of a reality check.- Yeah.
0:55:40 > 0:55:42It's cos I'm not really sure,
0:55:42 > 0:55:46I'm not sure in my head, in my heart, whether that is...
0:55:46 > 0:55:49- whether Shropshire is the right place for me.- Right.
0:55:49 > 0:55:51If I'm completely, brutally honest about the whole thing.
0:55:51 > 0:55:55- And I think you have to be. - Yeah.- Well, whatever happens,
0:55:55 > 0:55:57- you're going to be happy, I know you are.- Oh, I will be.- Wherever you
0:55:57 > 0:56:01decide to go. Jin, thank you so much for all your support,
0:56:01 > 0:56:04invaluable support. It's been a delight, ladies.
0:56:04 > 0:56:06- Thank you so much.- And we've loved being with you too.
0:56:06 > 0:56:09- It's been a pleasure. A real pleasure.- All the best for
0:56:09 > 0:56:12- the future to both of you. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:56:17 > 0:56:20- Well, that was an unexpected conclusion.- I know.
0:56:20 > 0:56:22And that's what this whole process is all about, isn't it?
0:56:22 > 0:56:25Sometimes it's finding people the perfect property,
0:56:25 > 0:56:28sometimes it's showing them the search area they should be
0:56:28 > 0:56:31looking at, or perhaps it's questioning why they want to move.
0:56:31 > 0:56:35I think with Pam, she was really surprised by the outcome as well.
0:56:35 > 0:56:38It didn't dawn on her until we'd finished the whole process.
0:56:38 > 0:56:40She's decided to stay in Surrey for now
0:56:40 > 0:56:43and she's put relocation on hold for the time being.
0:56:43 > 0:56:44Well, good luck to her.
0:56:44 > 0:56:47And actually Martin and Jacqueline didn't go back
0:56:47 > 0:56:48and look at the mystery house.
0:56:48 > 0:56:50They did continue looking in Shropshire, though,
0:56:50 > 0:56:54and then, after all that, they decided they'd fallen in love
0:56:54 > 0:56:56with a property just a quarter of a mile
0:56:56 > 0:56:57- from where they already live.- No!
0:56:57 > 0:57:00They are now the proud owners of a B&B in Lancashire
0:57:00 > 0:57:03and they're going to be opening their doors this year.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05Exciting times for them.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07Well, I hope you've enjoyed our focus in Shropshire,
0:57:07 > 0:57:12and join us again for some more country escapes.
0:57:12 > 0:57:14If you'd like to escape to the country,
0:57:14 > 0:57:16in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland,
0:57:16 > 0:57:19and would like our help, please apply online at...