0:00:02 > 0:00:04Hello and welcome to a special Escape To The Country.
0:00:04 > 0:00:07Alistair and I will be reflecting on our time showing two couples
0:00:07 > 0:00:09property gems from one region.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12And throughout the show we'll be scattering our own hints and tips
0:00:12 > 0:00:15about rural house-hunting in this area.
0:00:15 > 0:00:19Today, we're focusing on a region that's home to England's
0:00:19 > 0:00:22smallest traditional county. Find out where in just a moment.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Today, we're revisiting two house searches.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45I was helping a couple of first-time buyers who were looking to swap
0:00:45 > 0:00:50the bright lights of the city for a quieter life in the countryside.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53We were on the hunt for the perfect period property and while some
0:00:53 > 0:00:58showed potential, others offered our buyers more than they bargained for.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01I love the idea of having two staircases.
0:01:01 > 0:01:04I'm not sure why. Maybe it will make me fitter.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08While my husband and wife team were planning to escape city life
0:01:08 > 0:01:10to enjoy an active retirement.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13And it turned out size does matter.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16So this could be the sticking point.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18Yeah, a little bit small.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24On today's show we're concentrating on the East Midlands
0:01:24 > 0:01:27where you'll find England's smallest county - Rutland.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30Now, the East Midlands is made up of various counties including
0:01:30 > 0:01:34Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Northamptonshire.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36And my search was focused on Derbyshire,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39which I've always thought as a jewel of a county.
0:01:39 > 0:01:42There's something quite intimate about the scale of its landscape.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46And plenty of the big families of the UK agree with me
0:01:46 > 0:01:48since it's thick with stately homes.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51I was house-hunting along the Northamptonshire/Leicestershire
0:01:51 > 0:01:54border, and when I think of that part of the country,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I always think of value for money.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00Without doubt this is an attractive slice of rural England,
0:02:00 > 0:02:03but we're here to explore why these counties
0:02:03 > 0:02:05so appeal to people looking for a country life.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12The region of East Midlands is located in the centre of England
0:02:12 > 0:02:15and takes in six different counties.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18I was searching across the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire border.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Popular with commuters due to their convenient road
0:02:21 > 0:02:24and rail links to Birmingham and London,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27the counties also provide a varied rural landscape
0:02:27 > 0:02:31from rolling farmland and woodland to winding rivers.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Further south into Northamptonshire,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37the Pitsford reservoir near Brixworth is the third largest in the UK.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Its seven miles of waterside track and woodland trails
0:02:40 > 0:02:45are perfect for walking, cycling and wildlife spotting.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49In spring and summer, over 60 species of bird are known to breed here,
0:02:49 > 0:02:53making it the perfect spot for bird watchers as well as those
0:02:53 > 0:02:55just looking to soak up the scenery.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Derbyshire is landlocked by seven other regions, including
0:02:59 > 0:03:03South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
0:03:03 > 0:03:08It's home to the UK's first national park - the Peak District -
0:03:08 > 0:03:11which contains a magnificent undulating landscape
0:03:11 > 0:03:16rippling under lush green grass with beautiful far-stretching views.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19And the county is also home to the furthest point from the sea
0:03:19 > 0:03:23in the UK, at around 70 miles from the edge of the Wash in Lincolnshire.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26So, with its stunning countryside, Derbyshire is definitely
0:03:26 > 0:03:30one of the unsung heroes in Britain's rich landscape.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36I'm always delighted to go to Derbyshire.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39I feel if it's good enough for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr Darcy,
0:03:39 > 0:03:40it's good enough for me.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42And I particularly like the north of the county,
0:03:42 > 0:03:43the Peak District National Park.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45And that's where my couple were looking to buy.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48That's a beautiful part. Let's talk house prices, shall we?
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Now, the average cost of a detached home at the moment
0:03:50 > 0:03:53is just over £279,000.
0:03:53 > 0:03:57So, if you're looking at best value county in the East Midlands,
0:03:57 > 0:04:00Lincolnshire comes top. You'd pay around £100,000 less.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Nottinghamshire after that. About £80,000 less.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05So, quite considerable.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08And there's a sort of league table of affordability cos
0:04:08 > 0:04:10prices go up towards the national average,
0:04:10 > 0:04:14so the next one up is Derbyshire, my county, £70,000 under.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16And then you have Leicestershire, £35,000.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18And the most expensive is Northamptonshire.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21But that's still £32,000 under the national figure.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Yeah, it does really change, does it? Really varies.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27Well, my county is more expensive on paper than yours,
0:04:27 > 0:04:31and my couple had a smaller budget, so I had my work cut out.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Today's house hunters, James and Sarah, are first-time buyers.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38They're renting this one-bedroom flat
0:04:38 > 0:04:41in the trendy North London borough of Islington.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44Both moved to the capital in their early 20s.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48James is a digital marketing manager and Sarah is a lawyer.
0:04:48 > 0:04:49But after ten years,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53the buzz of life in the capital is starting to wear off.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55We don't enjoy London like we used to any more.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57It used to be the case that we'd meet after work
0:04:57 > 0:04:58with friends and stuff,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01but now since we got married we just want to come home from work
0:05:01 > 0:05:03and spend time with each other,
0:05:03 > 0:05:06so we're not making the most of London any more.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11And it's not just the city itself that no longer suits their needs.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13One of the things that we're definitely missing is space.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Storage is one issue, but also it's a one-bedroom flat,
0:05:16 > 0:05:18so if we have people to come and stay,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21not really able to accommodate anybody in that regard.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25Unfortunately, outside space is something that's also
0:05:25 > 0:05:26in short supply.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28I'm looking forward to having a sizable garden
0:05:28 > 0:05:31so that I can perhaps start a vegetable patch.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35We really enjoy cooking, so having some fruit and vegetables from
0:05:35 > 0:05:39the garden that we can play around with will be a really great start.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42And James' home county of Leicestershire
0:05:42 > 0:05:43is number one on the list.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Having grown up in Leicestershire, I know it's a great place
0:05:46 > 0:05:49to raise a family, but then also I think it will be a bonus for me
0:05:49 > 0:05:50to be closer to my family,
0:05:50 > 0:05:53and we're not too far from Sarah's family, so...
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Ready to return to their roots
0:05:56 > 0:05:59and with the flexibility of being in rented accommodation,
0:05:59 > 0:06:02there's nothing stopping them from pursuing their countryside dream.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05This is our first house, the first time either of us have bought,
0:06:05 > 0:06:09so it's kind of nice that we're doing it together,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11it makes it feel even more special.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Yeah, it's a big change,
0:06:12 > 0:06:14and with any big change comes a bit of nerves,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16but overall we're really excited.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23James and Sarah have chosen the East Midlands for its excellent
0:06:23 > 0:06:26train links to London, as Sarah will need to commute
0:06:26 > 0:06:28for work at least a couple of days a week.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31They'd like a village location in good proximity to James' family
0:06:31 > 0:06:35in Market Harborough, but they're otherwise open-minded.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38So, we're searching for properties across the villages
0:06:38 > 0:06:41and towns of Leicestershire and neighbouring Northamptonshire.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45I'm meeting up with them to pin down the details.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Well, Sarah and James, I have to say, welcome to the East Midlands.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Thank you.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53And why's the time right for you both to make this very important move?
0:06:53 > 0:06:56We're looking for a little bit more space.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58We'd like to start a family soon.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01We'd also like to get a dog, if that's possible.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04And I think that our London flat would be a bit of a squeeze.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07So, what are you both looking for with this new property
0:07:07 > 0:07:09that you're after?
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Three bedrooms, minimum. Four, if possible.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14A big kitchen, possibly with a family dining area.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16A little work space for me, if possible.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18I'm going to be working from home a little bit,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21so either an office area or perhaps if there's a fourth bedroom
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I can convert into an office area.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26And then a big garden, if possible.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30And what about the architectural style of this perfect property?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Well, we both definitely agree that a period property,
0:07:33 > 0:07:35or an older property is what we're after,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38but with modern features inside that's maybe been renovated,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40so I don't think we'll be able to do too much work.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43So, you're going to be still commuting into London?
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I'm going to be commuting into London,
0:07:45 > 0:07:47so we'd like to be near enough a train station
0:07:47 > 0:07:50that comes into the area of London that I work in,
0:07:50 > 0:07:54but at the same time a good position for James.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57I'm looking to move up here job-wise as well.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59- Right.- Double move for me.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02And you're renting at the moment, so I take it you can move pretty quickly
0:08:02 > 0:08:05if we find you that perfect property.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07- That's right.- Hope so.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09And let's remind ourselves of your budget
0:08:09 > 0:08:11for this area in East Midlands.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Sure. We're looking at a maximum of £400,000.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Let's hope we can achieve that for you over the next few days.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20We've got three wonderful properties lined up to show you.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- So, shall we get started?- Yeah. - Let's go.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27James and Sarah are hoping their budget of £400,000
0:08:27 > 0:08:31will not only get them on the first run of the property ladder,
0:08:31 > 0:08:34but will afford them a dream period home to start a family in.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37They'd like a minimum of three bedrooms.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42A large kitchen with dining space and an office where Sarah can work from.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46As they're also looking to get a dog in the future, they want a garden
0:08:46 > 0:08:50with enough space to fulfil Sarah's dreams of growing vegetables.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52Last but not least, the property needs to be within
0:08:52 > 0:08:56a reasonable distance of a train station with good links to London.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01We've sourced three great houses for James and Sarah to view.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03All have plenty of period character
0:09:03 > 0:09:06and the potential to make great family homes.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09At the end of each house tour, I'll ask them
0:09:09 > 0:09:11to price each property before I reveal it.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15And with the last one, the Mystery House, I'll be testing how far
0:09:15 > 0:09:19I can push them both with location and character.
0:09:23 > 0:09:27To start our search, I'm taking our buyers 20 minutes
0:09:27 > 0:09:30south of James' hometown of Market Harborough
0:09:30 > 0:09:32to the Northamptonshire village of Brixworth.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36The village offers a mixture of new houses and older properties
0:09:36 > 0:09:39constructed from Northamptonshire ironstone
0:09:39 > 0:09:43sourced from the local quarries worked until the late 19th century.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45The property I'm showing them
0:09:45 > 0:09:49is in the heart of the village overlooking the village green.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52And here is your first home.
0:09:52 > 0:09:53It's a lovely setting.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56I love the contrast between this front
0:09:56 > 0:09:59- and the old stone at that back. - There's Northamptonshire ironstone.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03So, what do you think of the cottage because it is semidetached?
0:10:03 > 0:10:06It is. Well, we're hoping for a detached property,
0:10:06 > 0:10:08but we're not close to anything at this stage,
0:10:08 > 0:10:11so we'll happily embrace the semidetached and have a look.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- I like that.- Yep.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Well, you said you like traditional homes.
0:10:15 > 0:10:17Let's see how we get on with this one.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19- OK.- Let's have a look.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21This cottage has heaps of character,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23which I think will appeal to James and Sarah,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26but has the advantage of having been modernised throughout
0:10:26 > 0:10:29so they wouldn't need to take on any major work.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32As you walk in...
0:10:32 > 0:10:35it leads straight into your sitting room.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39- This is a lovely sitting room. - It's got a beautiful country feel.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41It feels very modern as well.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43But you do walk straight into it.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47Yes, that's probably not our favourite in terms of layout.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- Yeah.- But not a definite no-no.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Let's keep looking through.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54The sitting room leads through a substantial dining room
0:10:54 > 0:10:56on to the kitchen
0:10:56 > 0:10:59where these two keen cooks should feel right at home.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01It's lovely and light.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05You love cooking together. Are you going to get under each other's feet?
0:11:05 > 0:11:08It's got a lot of work service space, which is always handy.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11It's got a little room for a dining table as well.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- A kitchen/diner, like that.- Yeah.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15You've now got three different rooms, haven't you?
0:11:15 > 0:11:18You've got that sitting room, a large dining room
0:11:18 > 0:11:19and then obviously this kitchen.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22You've also got some storage
0:11:22 > 0:11:25and a downstairs bathroom with a separate toilet.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- Oh, OK, that's good. - That's helpful.- Yeah.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30So, shall we head upstairs, look at the bedrooms?
0:11:30 > 0:11:31- Let's go.- Let's have a look.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33An interesting feature of this house
0:11:33 > 0:11:36is that it has two different staircases.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39One at the back of the house leading straight up into the third bedroom
0:11:39 > 0:11:40and one at the front
0:11:40 > 0:11:43which takes us from the sitting room to the main bedroom.
0:11:43 > 0:11:48- Wow.- Lovely and light and a really high ceiling, which is great.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49Yeah, love the high ceiling.
0:11:49 > 0:11:53- And you have your own en suite. - Great.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Just across that very small hallway is another bedroom.
0:11:56 > 0:12:01A really good size which leads to your third bedroom.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04OK, so you go through one to get to the other.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07When you get to the third bedroom, you go down those other stairs
0:12:07 > 0:12:09and that will bring you out by the dining area
0:12:09 > 0:12:13and the downstairs bathroom and toilet.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15I love the idea of having two staircases.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18I'm not sure why. Maybe it will make me fitter.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- I like it as well. It's quirky. - I think it's a nice feature.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Yeah. So, let's go outside, take a little look at the garden.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29And then I'm going to ask you how much do you think it's all worth?
0:12:29 > 0:12:32The layout may not be ideal,
0:12:32 > 0:12:36but I'm hoping this property might be scoring extra points for its quirk.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39The kitchen opens onto a patio outside
0:12:39 > 0:12:42with steps up to an lawned area.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46- So, not half an acre.- No. - ..as you probably guessed.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Probably couldn't quite fit your vegetable patch into this.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50That's true.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55It's a nice shape. It's an interesting garden to look at.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I think in terms of having dogs and children and things,
0:12:58 > 0:13:00it could be a bit tricky, not quite enough lawn space.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Yeah, but we've got the rockery section there.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Down there, sort of more barbecue, dining area.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09And this part overlooks the green.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13And the final piece of information I want to give to you is this commute.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16You've got Market Harborough, you've got Kettering,
0:13:16 > 0:13:18you've also got Wellingborough,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21which is slightly further away, but closer to London.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23All within 20-26 minutes drive.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28Probably a little bit further than the ideal for me, but not too far.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Right.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33OK, then, how much do you think the asking price is?
0:13:33 > 0:13:36I would guess £365,000.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39Right. James?
0:13:39 > 0:13:42I think I'd go slightly less. I'd go 355.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Now, your top budget was £400,000.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49- Yep. - Asking price on our first property...
0:13:49 > 0:13:50£335,000.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- We're both out.- OK.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56This house would give our buyers the period style they wanted
0:13:56 > 0:14:02in a top village location for an impressive £65,000 under budget.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05The quirky layout means they'd need to think carefully about how best
0:14:05 > 0:14:09to use the space, but with three bedrooms and a separate dining room,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12there are options for Sarah's work area,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16plus the kitchen has the family dining space they're looking for.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20The garden may not be extensive, but is low-maintenance and attractive.
0:14:20 > 0:14:22I genuinely really like the house.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25I think it's got some really nice quirky features,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28nice period bits to it, feels like a nice home.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31But I think there are also some negatives for us,
0:14:31 > 0:14:33the garden, I think, is not really big enough.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36The journey to the train station is a little bit further
0:14:36 > 0:14:38than I would like. For the right house we might do it,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40but I'm not sure this is the right house for us.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43BELL RINGS
0:14:43 > 0:14:46You see, I'm calling time on this house tour.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49- Have you seen enough? - Yes.- I think so.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52- How are you feeling?- Good. Very positive, I think.- A good start.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54And it is only our first property.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- Exactly.- So, let's keep going. - All right.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05There is a food revolution happening in the UK
0:15:05 > 0:15:08and its epicentre can be found in the heart of Lincolnshire.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12Despite being cultivated for over 2,000 years
0:15:12 > 0:15:14and being the most widely eaten green vegetable
0:15:14 > 0:15:15until the Middle Ages,
0:15:15 > 0:15:19kale, a brassica and distant descendant of the wild cabbage,
0:15:19 > 0:15:22is now the new king of the superfoods.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26I've come to meet Alex Boughton from the Discover Kale campaign
0:15:26 > 0:15:30to find out a little more about this apparently versatile vegetable
0:15:30 > 0:15:32and why it's now so popular.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36As a child growing up, I don't remember ever eating kale.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38No, well, I think it was...
0:15:38 > 0:15:40people would have viewed it as being cattle food
0:15:40 > 0:15:42cos it would have been fed to cattle in the past.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45But I think now, people are really getting behind it
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and realising its versatility and how good it is for you
0:15:47 > 0:15:50and so people are actually starting to eat it much more.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53Over the last two years, sales have gone up by more than 100%.
0:15:53 > 0:15:57Andy Blair has been working on the farm for just over ten years.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00- Hi, Andy.- Hi there.- Good to meet you. - Pleased to meet you.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02So you're the farm manager here.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04How many acres are you responsible for?
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Well, we're currently in about a 20-acre field.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09We're growing about 850 acres of kale.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12And am I right in thinking that nearly all the kale that we can buy,
0:16:12 > 0:16:14or the vast majority in supermarkets,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17is actually produced here in Lincolnshire?
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Most of it is grown in this county, yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23And this new demand for kale has changed the way it's grown.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Traditionally, it always was considered
0:16:25 > 0:16:27to be a winter vegetable for people to eat.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Now, the way that food trends are going,
0:16:30 > 0:16:32it's becoming a year-round vegetable.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And then the harvesting process, we're all hand harvested
0:16:35 > 0:16:39and as long as we leave the centre of the plant still growing,
0:16:39 > 0:16:43then it will regrow again and form another harvest.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45So, basically, you'll get two crops out of every single plant?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Yeah, well, this early crop, through the summer,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- we'll get about three crops. - Three?- Yeah.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54Three harvests a year is a fantastic return from just one crop.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56That's great business for the growers.
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Alex wants to show me how versatile kale can be.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03It doesn't just have to be boiled. It can be added to stir-fries,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06soups, casseroles, salads or even drinks.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09We're going to make a kale juice/smoothie.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11I'll get this blendified up.
0:17:12 > 0:17:16Alex is making his smoothie with pineapple, apple...
0:17:19 > 0:17:22..kale, a little bit of ginger...
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- And then the last ingredient? - A little bit of yogurt.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- So, I'll just pour a bit in here. - Tell me when.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32A bit more. Perfect.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35The kale will add taste to the drink and colour.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37I'm dying to try it.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41- Right.- Cheers. Moment of truth. - Cheers. Let's see if I like it.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46What do you think?
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- It's delicious. - It is tasty, isn't it?
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- Well done, you.- Cheers. Thank you.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Back on the road, we're crossing the county border into Leicestershire
0:18:01 > 0:18:04and heading to the village of Bruntingthorpe,
0:18:04 > 0:18:07just under three miles to the larger village of Gilmorton
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and half an hour to Leicester.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Residents of this small village head to the neighbouring village of
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Gilmorton for the nearest post office and primary school.
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Five minutes in the car through the surrounding South Leicestershire
0:18:18 > 0:18:21countryside takes us back to Bruntingthorpe.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23Alongside the village church
0:18:23 > 0:18:27and just yards from its popular pub is our second property.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30So, if you're wondering why I've brought you into the back garden,
0:18:30 > 0:18:35there's a good reason because this is the front of your second property.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39- Wow.- Oh, wow. Look at that. - That's pretty amazing.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- Any idea what is used to be? - A barn of some sort.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44I'd say coach house or...
0:18:44 > 0:18:47That's exactly right. It is a coach house.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Converted about 30 years ago,
0:18:50 > 0:18:53but this, believe it or not, dates back to about 1774.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- Wow.- Goodness.- That's amazing.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- Shall we get started? - Yes, let's have a look.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01I love the historical features of this property.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Built of brick with a graduated local slate roof,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07its magnificent height meant that the horse could be ridden into
0:19:07 > 0:19:10the coach house without the need to dismount.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13Its conversion has turned it into a great family home.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18So, with this house you enter into the kitchen,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21- not a sitting room.- I like it.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Yeah, it's a good size for us.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26I like the beams running across the ceiling and it's nice and light.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28It needs a bit of modernising maybe,
0:19:28 > 0:19:31but probably just more cosmetic than anything else.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I think it's ready for your own personal touch.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37And it's not listed even though it's a very old coach house.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39That's even better.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42I really think all this place needs is a little vision.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44A long corridor leads through a dining area
0:19:44 > 0:19:48and past a downstairs cloakroom towards the living room.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52Yeah, it's a really interesting layout.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- And again, a really nice light room. - Yeah.- And a good size.
0:19:55 > 0:19:57The beams here, I love the beams.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00And the patio doors lead out onto your garden.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02- That's south facing.- Oh, that's nice.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06You've got friends, family, years to come, little ones,
0:20:06 > 0:20:10nice easy access to your garden and it's walled, so it's pretty safe too.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13And good for a dog.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Making our way upstairs, there are three bedrooms.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20The two guest doubles are served by a family bathroom.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25On this side of the house you've got the master bedroom.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28It's a little on the small side, I think.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32- OK.- I think it might be the ceiling that makes it feel...
0:20:32 > 0:20:34You could be right. It feels a lot smaller.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36- You've got an en suite there.- OK.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38I don't know if I'm right or wrong with this,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41but I get the feeling that you want everything bigger.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44I think I would find it hard to move from a one-bed flat to a
0:20:44 > 0:20:47three-bedroom house where the bedroom was smaller
0:20:47 > 0:20:50than our current bedroom. I think that's what it is.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55Yeah. So let's go back outside and we can discuss what it's all worth.
0:20:56 > 0:20:57After a strong start,
0:20:57 > 0:21:01it's a slightly disappointing reaction to the first floor.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Outside to the front of the property there's a double garage
0:21:05 > 0:21:08offering great storage space or the potential to be
0:21:08 > 0:21:10converted into a study for Sarah,
0:21:10 > 0:21:15as well as a timber summerhouse and a pond in the well-kept garden.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19I really like the fact that this garden is self-contained.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20It's beautiful.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24And just to the side of us, you can see there's a bit of a rockery there.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- That would be fantastic for a vegetable patch.- Yeah.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30But the commute back to London is going to be about 23 minutes
0:21:30 > 0:21:31to Market Harborough.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34That would be the closest station for you from here.
0:21:34 > 0:21:35That's not too bad.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Well, let's see how you feel about the actual price.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41How much do you think this converted coach house is on the market for?
0:21:41 > 0:21:45I would say this one, maybe 325.
0:21:45 > 0:21:50I'd go slightly higher. Probably similar to my previous 355.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52I think you're both going to be quite shocked.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- In a good way?- We're ready.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59£399,000 is the asking price.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00- Wow.- Gosh.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Coming in just within budget, this historic property would give
0:22:07 > 0:22:11James and Sarah three bedrooms and the family kitchen they asked for.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Although it doesn't have a study in the main house,
0:22:14 > 0:22:16there's plenty of space in the garage
0:22:16 > 0:22:18if they were up for taking on a project.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22Its south-facing walled garden would be suitable for a dog
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and could provide the vegetable patch Sarah's been dreaming of for so long.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29The train connections from nearby Market Harborough
0:22:29 > 0:22:31mean a commute to London of just over an hour.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34There were loads of things I liked about this house.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36The ground floor had pretty much everything we needed.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39It's a good-sized kitchen, a nice living room.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Unfortunately it was just the top floor of the house was not quite
0:22:42 > 0:22:46what we were expecting in terms of the size of the bedrooms.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49How we feeling this time?
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Good.- Yeah, I think two brilliant properties.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54Guess what's tomorrow?
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Mystery House time.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59- That's it for today. You can now relax.- Exciting.- Look forward to it.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06I think the commute was quite a big issue for them, wasn't it?
0:23:06 > 0:23:07It was a big issue.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11And the market reflects now that more 30-somethings than ever are
0:23:11 > 0:23:15looking to buy in commutable areas, which of course is putting prices up.
0:23:15 > 0:23:19My tip would be, take a really long hard look at your journey
0:23:19 > 0:23:21and try and work out where you can improve it.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Perhaps you can cycle or drive to a different station
0:23:24 > 0:23:27or perhaps go to a station that could be further from the house,
0:23:27 > 0:23:29but the link is speedier.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32And my tip would be to always look at the Network Rail website
0:23:32 > 0:23:35because they have a development page and you can see where the new lines
0:23:35 > 0:23:38are going and that of course is going to drive prices up.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Definitely.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Back to my buyers. They didn't give a hoot about commuting, so I had
0:23:43 > 0:23:47the full gamut of Derbyshire's beautiful countryside to explore.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51Retired teachers Cheryl and Rick from Leicester
0:23:51 > 0:23:54have lived in their four-bed detached for 16 years.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59With a grown-up daughter of 24 and work ties to Leicester no longer,
0:23:59 > 0:24:02Cheryl and Rick have decided to put the wheels in motion
0:24:02 > 0:24:04for a big life change.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07We feel now it is the time where we want that little more peace
0:24:07 > 0:24:09and quiet,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11have that rural aspect, go out and enjoy ourselves
0:24:11 > 0:24:15and get away from the city, big city, really.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18I think if we don't do it now, then we're never going to do it.
0:24:18 > 0:24:19Probably not.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21And they've decided that it's Derbyshire
0:24:21 > 0:24:24to the northwest of Leicester where they want to settle.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28We've visited Derbyshire several times and the countryside is
0:24:28 > 0:24:31just stunning, and it's what we really want now, isn't it?
0:24:31 > 0:24:33Just to have that on your doorstep
0:24:33 > 0:24:37and not having to drive out to meet it, so to speak.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40And as long as they're not too far from civilisation,
0:24:40 > 0:24:41Cheryl will be happy.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44The thought of Cheryl not being able to go shopping
0:24:44 > 0:24:47will be horrendous, really.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50We don't want to be isolated, let's put it that way.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53Wherever it is they choose to lay down roots, both Cheryl
0:24:53 > 0:24:56and Rick are ready to up sticks and begin their new country life.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05They've asked us to concentrate our search for their new home in
0:25:05 > 0:25:08the southern half of the county to allow easy access to friends
0:25:08 > 0:25:13and family still in Leicester and Cheryl's father in London.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16And before we commence our house-hunt, I'm meeting Cheryl and
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Rick in the county to discover the finer details
0:25:18 > 0:25:21of their property wish list.
0:25:21 > 0:25:22Welcome to Derbyshire.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25So, what are planning for your retirement home?
0:25:25 > 0:25:26What's the spec of it?
0:25:26 > 0:25:28We want a detached property.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32We don't want to be isolated, but we don't want to be overlooked either.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34- OK.- We would like some rural aspects.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36- So, views?- Yes, some views.
0:25:36 > 0:25:40- And inside?- Four bedrooms, or three bedrooms and a study.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44At present we've got quite a large dining room, which we don't use
0:25:44 > 0:25:47very often, so it would make sense to have perhaps a diner kitchen.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Maybe a conservatory attached to the end would be lovely.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52I love conservatories.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54I want the wish list. I want everything that you're dreaming of.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57And an en suite because I've never had an en suite.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59We've got my daughter to consider as well,
0:25:59 > 0:26:02cos she's actually going to be part of the move,
0:26:02 > 0:26:04so I think if we can try and accommodate her a little bit.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Erm, other than that...
0:26:05 > 0:26:08A garden that's got some colour in it will be absolutely fine.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11And the style of the property, what sort of style would you like?
0:26:11 > 0:26:12Barn conversions are nice.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Right, sort of open contemporary feel.
0:26:15 > 0:26:16I don't mind the outside being old
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- as long as the inside's a bit more...- Spacious.- Yes.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22- More open plan than what we've got at present.- What about price?
0:26:22 > 0:26:24Remind me how much money we've got to play with.
0:26:24 > 0:26:28- Well, we're looking, I would say... £450,000.- Good.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30Well, we've found three lovely properties.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- Shall we go and see them? - Oh, please, thank you.- Follow me.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38Cheryl and Rick have a good budget to spend in Derbyshire,
0:26:38 > 0:26:41but they do have quite a list of requirements.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43They'd love a barn conversion with four bedrooms,
0:26:43 > 0:26:45or at least three, plus a study,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47so they've got room for not only visitors,
0:26:47 > 0:26:50but their daughter, Victoria, who's making the move with them.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53They're after a large kitchen diner,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55as this will become the heart of their home.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58And Cheryl's pinning her hopes on a conservatory as well.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00And although they'd like a pretty garden,
0:27:00 > 0:27:04they don't want something so big it's unmanageable.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05Plus, they'd rather not cover
0:27:05 > 0:27:07too many miles to get to the shops,
0:27:07 > 0:27:09so that Cheryl can keep her passion
0:27:09 > 0:27:10for shopping alive.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19We begin our journey round Derbyshire
0:27:19 > 0:27:22towards the centre of the county in the tiny village of Wheatcroft,
0:27:22 > 0:27:26around three and a half miles from the larger village of Crich.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30Crich, with its distinctive stone houses, is a friendly community
0:27:30 > 0:27:33overlooked by the memorial tower.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35And the village pubs, shops, and eateries
0:27:35 > 0:27:39mean Cheryl and Rick are within arm's reach of retail therapy.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42Around a ten-minute drive
0:27:42 > 0:27:45and we're on the outskirts of Wheatcroft at our first property,
0:27:45 > 0:27:50one of four in this attractive complex of conversions.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54- Wow.- Wow. That is impressive. - Look at the view.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- Absolutely terrific.- Unbelievable. - Absolutely terrific.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59You wanted aspects.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01- We did want aspects. - We have got aspects, haven't we?
0:28:01 > 0:28:05- As you can see, it's not a detached property...- No.
0:28:05 > 0:28:06..but it is a barn conversion.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09It's only ten minutes to two big towns where you can do shopping.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11Yes. Thank you.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14What are you first impressions of the location and the property?
0:28:14 > 0:28:17Beautiful. Lovely. I love the stone work.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19I'm not sure about the not being detached but, you know,
0:28:19 > 0:28:22that's something we can, maybe when we go inside, see how it works.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25- Let's walk inside.- Thank you. Can't wait.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30This handsome stone barn began life as a cow shed
0:28:30 > 0:28:32and was converted in 2003.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35It successfully marries its old-style charm
0:28:35 > 0:28:37with a top-notch high-spec interior,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40with little clue to its former use.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- Mind the step.- All right.
0:28:44 > 0:28:46And this is the main living space.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Lovely beams. It's got real character to the room.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Completely new engineered oak floor.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55- And the big log burner. - That's fantastic, is the log burner.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58We need a reasonably sized lounge where we can relax
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- and I think this... - And bring friends in.- This is ideal.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05But, yeah, this will do for what we need, definitely, size-wise.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08We may just be at the beginning of our voyage around Derbyshire,
0:29:08 > 0:29:11but Cheryl and Rick are making all the right noises.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13And I hope they continue,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15as we head to the most important room in the house to them,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17the kitchen diner.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- Hmm.- Right.- Hmm.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24That was a... What's that about?
0:29:24 > 0:29:27Er...yeah! It's...
0:29:28 > 0:29:30- ..smaller than I'd hoped for.- A-ha.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33I was wondering what your chuckles were about.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34But it's very tasteful.
0:29:34 > 0:29:39I think it's got real warmth about the house. Real warmth.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42Also on the ground floor is a study and a cloakroom.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45But does upstairs provide the all-important en suite
0:29:45 > 0:29:47Cheryl and Rick have never had?
0:29:47 > 0:29:51Well, there's a family bathroom and two single bedrooms...
0:29:53 > 0:29:56..but also a double room with an en suite.
0:29:56 > 0:29:58Plus the main bedroom, which is full of character
0:29:58 > 0:30:02and where we're headed next. This is the master bedroom.
0:30:04 > 0:30:06Hmm...is that big enough?
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Well, there is only two of us, after all, but it is smaller.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12Well, hold your horses, because you've got a...
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Through there you've got an en suite shower room.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17The en suite, definitely, that is definitely a plus.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19That looks nice.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21- And through here, you've got a walk-in wardrobe.- Ah.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24- I have got a lot to accommodate. - Yes, you have.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26But let's poke our heads outside in the courtyard.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- OK.- I'll go.- Thank you.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33The property has a pretty private garden to the front,
0:30:33 > 0:30:37with a raised decked area offering a spectacular view.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41And to the back is a designated area in the U-shaped courtyard.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44And your boundary is this sort of diagonal line,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- so it's a sort of rectangular garden.- Oh, right.- Oh, I see.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48So it's only half of this sort of upper terrace
0:30:48 > 0:30:50and half of that lower one.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52You do lose a little bit of privacy there, don't you?
0:30:52 > 0:30:54You do, don't you, really?
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Yeah, so basically your garden is out the front.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58But again, the property looks beautiful from this side,
0:30:58 > 0:31:00as from the front.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02So what do you think it's on the market for?
0:31:02 > 0:31:07I think, because of its presentation, cos it's beautiful,
0:31:07 > 0:31:12but the fact it's not detached, I'm going to go for 425.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14425.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16Because it's a barn conversion, because of its location,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19I think it's going to be the top end of our budget,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- so I think it's going to be 440. - Well, you are right.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24It is actually right at the top end of your budget.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26It's on at 449,950.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28449...OK.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32Of course, the benefits of that is because it's so well decorated,
0:31:32 > 0:31:34you'd have actually nothing to do to it.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36You could just walk straight in there really.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Which is what we want, isn't it?
0:31:38 > 0:31:39This converted barn is on the market
0:31:39 > 0:31:41just a whisker
0:31:41 > 0:31:42under Cheryl and Rick's budget.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45But as Rick says, they could move in
0:31:45 > 0:31:46and not lift a finger.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48It may not be detached,
0:31:48 > 0:31:50but it is the barn they asked for
0:31:50 > 0:31:53and it's beautiful inside.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55The kitchen diner might not be
0:31:55 > 0:31:57quite as spacious as they'd like,
0:31:57 > 0:31:58but there are the four bedrooms
0:31:58 > 0:32:00they wanted, meaning plenty of room
0:32:00 > 0:32:01for daughter Victoria.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03And there's also a study.
0:32:03 > 0:32:04Plus, the outlook from
0:32:04 > 0:32:06the front garden offers views
0:32:06 > 0:32:08that money just can't buy.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09When I first walked into this house
0:32:09 > 0:32:12I thought, "Wow, this is, this is impressive."
0:32:12 > 0:32:15And it's got a lovely aspect, both front and back.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18But as you get to the nitty-gritty, and you look at the rooms
0:32:18 > 0:32:19and look at the space,
0:32:19 > 0:32:21then perhaps there are too many compromises
0:32:21 > 0:32:23that we're going to have to make to live here.
0:32:23 > 0:32:25When I first approached the house,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29I was actually quite taken aback by the surroundings.
0:32:29 > 0:32:32I felt, I felt very happy.
0:32:32 > 0:32:34Having walked through the front door,
0:32:34 > 0:32:37those feelings changed slightly.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40I felt a little bit more sort of enclosed.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43I think this is too small.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46I was wondering whether this, actually, front garden
0:32:46 > 0:32:49was about the right size for you, Richard?
0:32:49 > 0:32:52I think it's big enough, Alistair, really.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54I don't want a massive garden,
0:32:54 > 0:32:56but as long as we've got somewhere we can have a sit
0:32:56 > 0:32:58and have a drink and just relax.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- And enjoy the sunshine. - Good to bear in mind.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02- Yeah, thank you.- OK, let's press on.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Not only home to spectacular countryside,
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Castleton, in the Peak District in Derbyshire
0:33:14 > 0:33:19is also proud to have a rare and unique stone in its very core.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24Blue John stone was first discovered in 1750
0:33:24 > 0:33:28and today, only two local sites continue to mine it.
0:33:28 > 0:33:30One is owned by Vicky Turner,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33who is the third generation of her family to work here
0:33:33 > 0:33:35in Treak Cliff Cavern.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Vicky, it's been a long time since my geology lessons at school,
0:33:40 > 0:33:43so I've no idea what Blue John is. Can you enlighten me?
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Blue John is a very rare form of a very common mineral
0:33:46 > 0:33:48which is fluorite, or fluorspar.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52Formed about 240 million years ago, um, and in Treak Cliff,
0:33:52 > 0:33:55the banding and the different colours that it has,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57it makes it totally unlike any other fluorite
0:33:57 > 0:33:58anywhere else in the world.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- So, is it only available in Derbyshire?- Yes.
0:34:01 > 0:34:05It's Gary Ridley's job to find the Blue John vein
0:34:05 > 0:34:07amongst the layers in the limestone rocks
0:34:07 > 0:34:09that have taken millions of years to crystallise.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- I'll give you that.- Brilliant. - We'll go this way.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18- Oh, that's quite a hole you've got there.- Yeah.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Is this what you've been working on already?
0:34:20 > 0:34:23Yeah, we came in here last year, last winter and dug this out.
0:34:23 > 0:34:25As you can see, we've just been going round
0:34:25 > 0:34:26and getting wider and wider.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29So, that bit there looks like quite a big crystal.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30Is that what you're looking for?
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Yeah, a good slab. We can get a good slab out.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34I can see the Blue John there,
0:34:34 > 0:34:37but how do you actually free that out of its surroundings?
0:34:37 > 0:34:41What we do, we drill holes, both below the vein,
0:34:41 > 0:34:43and then we put wooden pegs into the holes
0:34:43 > 0:34:46and then we hammer chisels into the wooden pegs
0:34:46 > 0:34:48and that hopefully cracks the limestone
0:34:48 > 0:34:51so that we get a nice good-size piece.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57It was in Victorian times that this stone was a la mode
0:34:57 > 0:35:00and began to be crafted into trinkets and accessories.
0:35:00 > 0:35:03But it takes some hard work to turn what looks like
0:35:03 > 0:35:05a rather dull lump here in the mine
0:35:05 > 0:35:08into something worth adorning yourself with.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Hello, Pete.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14Pete Sharp has been a craftsmen in the workshop here for 11 years.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Is that a piece of Blue John?
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Yes, this is a nice big chunk of Blue John stone
0:35:18 > 0:35:20that's just come out of the cave.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22And we're just getting a nice shade going on there
0:35:22 > 0:35:24and eventually should end up with a nice bowl
0:35:24 > 0:35:26that we can present and sell in the shop.
0:35:26 > 0:35:29Normally, it comes out with a load of clay wrapped around it.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31And we've got a nice big chunk over on the side here,
0:35:31 > 0:35:34and we'll just give that a good old wash
0:35:34 > 0:35:36then we'll put it into our storage racks
0:35:36 > 0:35:37down near the winch house there.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39- Probably for about say a month or two.- A month?
0:35:39 > 0:35:41About a month or two, yeah.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43- So, that's washed and dry? - That's all washed and dried.
0:35:43 > 0:35:46It's all nice and clean ready to go.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49When the stone's been allowed to dry naturally,
0:35:49 > 0:35:54it's then warmed up in a drying oven at 80 degrees centigrade for a week
0:35:54 > 0:35:56to get the last drops of moisture out
0:35:56 > 0:35:59before it's covered in clear resin to seal it
0:35:59 > 0:36:03ready to be turned into objects, like these striking bowls.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06These are the ones you're holding now in your hands,
0:36:06 > 0:36:08the left-hand side is Cliff Blue Vein.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11That's where you've been with Gary doing the mining,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14that's pretty much where that came from. This is the Miller's Vein.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17You've got some really nice colours going on there, the iron oxide.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19That gives it more the yellowy colours.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22Pete, it amazes me that these things come just from this one hill.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25That's the thing that kind of boggles my brain a bit.
0:36:25 > 0:36:27That's it, yeah. I mean, we've got the 14 veins,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29and we've only got the two,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31just found in this one part of the hillside
0:36:31 > 0:36:32in the entire world, if you like.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35- And that's a special reason to come to Derbyshire.- Yeah.
0:36:47 > 0:36:51For our second property, we're travelling 40 minutes southwest,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53nudging just into Staffordshire
0:36:53 > 0:36:55and the village of Stanton.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Five and a half miles away, back in Derbyshire,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00is the charming market town of Ashbourne.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03Ashbourne boasts over 200 listed buildings,
0:37:03 > 0:37:08plus plenty of quaint shops, places to eat and welcoming pubs,
0:37:08 > 0:37:12including The Green Man where Queen Victoria once stayed.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Just over a ten-minute drive and we're on the edge of Stanton,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19on the doorstep of the Peak District National Park
0:37:19 > 0:37:24where we find our second property, this beautiful converted barn.
0:37:24 > 0:37:29So, don't bite my head off, but this is another attached property.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33- Right, OK.- Oh, right. - But take a deep breath, because...
0:37:33 > 0:37:35- Cos I think you're going to like this.- OK.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37It's a much simpler layout, so there's only two properties.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41- This one, yours.- Oh, right. - And this one here.- OK.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44So, this is the communal space, at the front.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46And you have a private garden at the back.
0:37:46 > 0:37:47Oh, right. It's really tidy.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50- Exciting to see what it looks like inside.- It is, actually.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Yeah, I've got a good feel on this one.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55- A better feel?- Yes, I think so.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57This barn, built from limestone,
0:37:57 > 0:37:59with a smart roof of Staffordshire blue tiles,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02was originally an outbuilding belonging to a farm
0:38:02 > 0:38:04dating back to the 1870s.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08It was part of the Earl of Shrewsbury's estate.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13Converted 16 years ago, it's now a spacious family home.
0:38:13 > 0:38:17Step in...to your farmhouse kitchen.
0:38:17 > 0:38:19- Oh, that's lovely.- Oh.
0:38:19 > 0:38:22Now that's what I call a dining kitchen.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24So, you've got a big smile on your face?
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Well, it's more, it's more of what I had in mind, yes.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29I'm quite excited now to see the rest of it.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32Well, let's continue the tour of the living room. Come with me.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Oh, my God.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40- Oh, wow, I wanted space, didn't I? - You did want space.- Yes.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43It's more in keeping with what I had in mind, yeah.
0:38:43 > 0:38:45And then at the back there,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47- you've got another sort of separate dining space...- That's right.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50..which has double doors looking out into the garden.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Gosh, I wouldn't have guessed this from the outside.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Next to the L-shaped living room dining area
0:38:56 > 0:38:58is a large family bathroom,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00and next to that is a bright bedroom.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03Then across a hallway, currently in use as a study,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05is the master bedroom.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Again, we've got quite a lot of space.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10- Good size. - Plenty of fitted wardrobes.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13- Which is... - Which is what we wanted, really.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Well, you wanted for your clothes.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- You've got an en suite here. - Oh, good.- Nice, with a bathtub.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22- Yeah, this is nice, very nice. It's a good size.- It is a good size.
0:39:22 > 0:39:27And I do like the little features there, and definitely the en suite.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29Above this section of the ground floor
0:39:29 > 0:39:31are two further bedrooms in the eaves,
0:39:31 > 0:39:34bringing the total number of bedrooms to four.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36And moving outside, I want to show our buyers
0:39:36 > 0:39:40the rather substantial grounds and their wonderful views.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45This is a bit more of a garden.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47Just a little bit.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50- This is a garden and a half, Alistair.- Wow.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53- It's great, isn't it?- It's huge. - It is huge.- Absolutely huge.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56So, you've got the lovely dry-stone wall
0:39:56 > 0:39:58which takes you all the way around here, the formal garden.
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Around that pine tree
0:40:00 > 0:40:04- you've got a lovely veg patch with a chicken run.- Yeah.- Oh, wow.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07Well, this is not all of it, because through this gate,
0:40:07 > 0:40:11- you've got an acre paddock. - Never in this world.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15Wow. I love it. I absolutely love it.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17I think it's got a lot going for it, let's put it that way.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19So, what do you think it's on the market for, this...
0:40:19 > 0:40:21this very splendid barn conversion?
0:40:21 > 0:40:24Well, I think this is...well over our budget,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28I'm going to go for...470.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30I think it's going to be over our budget,
0:40:30 > 0:40:33but not quite as much as that. I think it's going to be 455.
0:40:33 > 0:40:38Well, it is over your budget, it's actually on at £475,000.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42- Right.- OK. - But it has been on since last year
0:40:42 > 0:40:44- and the vendor is willing to negotiate.- Yeah, OK.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48- That's something for us to... - Mull over.- Mm-hm.
0:40:50 > 0:40:55This converted barn is £25,000 over Cheryl and Rick's budget,
0:40:55 > 0:40:57but with a vendor happy to consider offers,
0:40:57 > 0:41:01there's every chance they could snap it up for the sum they've got.
0:41:01 > 0:41:02It may not be detached,
0:41:02 > 0:41:06but inside it's got all the room they were hoping for.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08The fabulous kitchen diner is spot-on for Cheryl,
0:41:08 > 0:41:12and there are enough bedrooms to accommodate daughter Victoria,
0:41:12 > 0:41:14plus visiting guests.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The garden may be rather bigger than they were imagining,
0:41:17 > 0:41:21but as retirees, they'll have plenty of time to potter in the grounds
0:41:21 > 0:41:22and enjoy the space.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30They seem to prefer the second house to the first.
0:41:30 > 0:41:31They certainly did.
0:41:31 > 0:41:32Although it was over budget,
0:41:32 > 0:41:34the owners were open to negotiation,
0:41:34 > 0:41:36and I think it's really important,
0:41:36 > 0:41:38don't rule out a property just because it's over budget.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40Yeah, find out how long it's been on the market for.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42If it's been on for quite a while,
0:41:42 > 0:41:44there could be some flexibility with the price.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47And also, it's worth doing some of your own research, isn't it?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50There are websites that can tell you what the going rate is.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Properties that have been sold recently in that area.
0:41:52 > 0:41:54And you can go to the Land Registry direct as well.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59Now, back to James and Sarah who wanted to escape from London's
0:41:59 > 0:42:02busy Islington with a budget of £400,000.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07For our final offering I'm taking James and Sarah back into
0:42:07 > 0:42:11Northamptonshire, 30 miles further south to the village of Denton,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14just six miles from Northampton.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17The picturesque village centres on a village green
0:42:17 > 0:42:21with a variety of properties, many built of local stone.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23The mystery property is in the heart of the village
0:42:23 > 0:42:27in a distinctive building it's hard to miss.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30So, it is time for our third and final property -
0:42:30 > 0:42:32the Mystery House,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35Or in this case I'm going to show you the Mystery Chapel.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38- Oh, wow.- Oh, my goodness. Look at that.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40- That is a surprise.- Yeah. It's beautiful.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I wasn't sure how you were both going to react,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45- so that's pretty favourable. - I love it.
0:42:45 > 0:42:46On top of the hill as well.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50It is built around 1870, converted in the 1990s.
0:42:50 > 0:42:55Now, the reason it's our mystery is because it's an unusual building,
0:42:55 > 0:42:57but also, this time we've brought you
0:42:57 > 0:43:00much further into the south of Northamptonshire.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02In actual fact, we're very close to Bedfordshire
0:43:02 > 0:43:04and also Buckinghamshire
0:43:04 > 0:43:07- but still within a village environment.- Fantastic.- Brilliant.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Right, well, I think it's time for us to step inside
0:43:09 > 0:43:13- our mystery, don't you? - Yes.- Definitely, let's have a look.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16Set back in an elevated plot, the grand steps of this striking
0:43:16 > 0:43:20chapel lead us to the commanding entrance.
0:43:20 > 0:43:24- Two huge wooden doors there.- Oh, wow! - That's a pretty grand entrance.
0:43:24 > 0:43:25I think it's the first property...
0:43:25 > 0:43:28- We've got a hallway!- We've a hallway! This is good news!
0:43:28 > 0:43:33You have your own hallway. Parquet flooring, high ceilings.
0:43:33 > 0:43:37- This is a good start.- So let's see what you make through this door.
0:43:39 > 0:43:44- So here is your main living area. - Oh, wow!- Wow!
0:43:44 > 0:43:45LAUGHTER
0:43:45 > 0:43:48Look at the fireplace, that's beautiful.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51- That is an amazing fireplace. - A bit of a surprise?
0:43:51 > 0:43:53- Yes, I really like it. - A big surprise, yeah.
0:43:53 > 0:43:55And you even have a mezzanine floor.
0:43:55 > 0:43:57- Oh, yes!- Wow!
0:43:57 > 0:43:59I love that they've still got the stone floor as well.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02- It's working for, is it?- Definitely. - Yes, I really like it.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05- On that note we're going to keep going.- OK.
0:44:05 > 0:44:08The kitchen is the largest we've seen on our search
0:44:08 > 0:44:12- and I've got a hunch it'll go down well.- Yes. Yeah, lovely.
0:44:12 > 0:44:16I don't think you could ask for a better country-style kitchen.
0:44:16 > 0:44:18It's been really nicely done.
0:44:18 > 0:44:22You might have noticed no dining table because just behind us...
0:44:22 > 0:44:24- Oh, there it is.- ..is your own dining room.
0:44:24 > 0:44:25Another big reception room.
0:44:25 > 0:44:28- Wow!- That's great.
0:44:28 > 0:44:30We'd be able to move straight in and just get living.
0:44:30 > 0:44:34Don't get me too excited, all these positive comments.
0:44:34 > 0:44:36- Shall we head upstairs? - Yeah, let's.- Yes.
0:44:36 > 0:44:38'Passing back through the living room,
0:44:38 > 0:44:41'the staircase is at the front of the house.
0:44:41 > 0:44:44'Along the mezzanine corridor are two double bedrooms of equal
0:44:44 > 0:44:49'size as well as a family bathroom leading to the master suite.'
0:44:49 > 0:44:51- Great size.- I love it. - Yeah, really nice.
0:44:51 > 0:44:55I love the old features as well, they're still there, the beams.
0:44:55 > 0:44:59- You also have an en suite bathroom. - Good to hear.
0:44:59 > 0:45:03Could you see yourself potentially living in a property like this?
0:45:03 > 0:45:08- I could.- I really could, yeah. - Well, that's very positive.- Yes.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11We've got to go outside and have further discussions, haven't we?
0:45:11 > 0:45:13Oh, yeah, we haven't seen the garden yet.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15- Yeah, James, you lead the way. - Will do.
0:45:15 > 0:45:19'Although there's no separate space for Sarah's study,
0:45:19 > 0:45:21'it doesn't seem to have put them off.
0:45:21 > 0:45:25'She could easily create an area in one of the ample reception rooms.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28'Let's hope we can keep up the momentum as we head outside.'
0:45:30 > 0:45:32So our outside space.
0:45:32 > 0:45:36Now, I'm going to start off by saying that chapels often don't
0:45:36 > 0:45:38have very much outside space around them
0:45:38 > 0:45:40and think it would be fair on this one.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43However, we do have quite a pretty courtyard.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45- BOTH: Yeah.- It's lovely.- I really like the shape, the U-shape of it.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48You could have different sections for different things.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50You could leave some of it paved
0:45:50 > 0:45:52- and maybe lay grass on another section.- Yeah.
0:45:52 > 0:45:54And we're enjoying our day out in the country
0:45:54 > 0:45:57- but I've got to bring it back to work matters, haven't I?- Yes.
0:45:57 > 0:45:59- That all-important commute back to the city.- Mm-hm.
0:45:59 > 0:46:03Wellingborough would be the closest station. It's about 20 minutes.
0:46:03 > 0:46:05- Oh, that's not bad.- That's OK, yeah.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08So how much do you think it's currently on the market for?
0:46:08 > 0:46:11I would say 389.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14I think a bit higher, I think this one is 399.
0:46:14 > 0:46:15I think top of the budget.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18Asking price on the converted chapel...
0:46:18 > 0:46:20- Are you ready for this?- Ready.
0:46:20 > 0:46:24£349,950.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27- Hmmm.- Wow!- That is a very pleasant surprise.- That is, yeah.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31For £50,000 under their maximum budget,
0:46:31 > 0:46:34this magnificent converted chapel
0:46:34 > 0:46:38is bursting with character but also has the contemporary living space
0:46:38 > 0:46:40that appeals to James and Sarah.
0:46:40 > 0:46:43It's got a large practical kitchen and dining space
0:46:43 > 0:46:46and three roomy bedrooms.
0:46:46 > 0:46:49Although the walled garden isn't ideal in its current form,
0:46:49 > 0:46:52with a little bit of work, Sarah could easily turn it
0:46:52 > 0:46:55into an attractive green space that works for them.
0:46:55 > 0:46:58Being further south, Sarah would be that much closer to London
0:46:58 > 0:47:02and just 20 minutes to the station at Wellingborough.
0:47:02 > 0:47:04I absolutely love the Mystery House.
0:47:04 > 0:47:07The entrance, the hallway, I really like the mezzanine level
0:47:07 > 0:47:09that goes through into the living room.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11The main thing that we need to think about a little bit more
0:47:11 > 0:47:14is the garden area.
0:47:14 > 0:47:17We'd like a bit of grass so if we were to buy the house, we'd have
0:47:17 > 0:47:20to be committed to changing the garden.
0:47:20 > 0:47:23This is the first property we've seen that I could definitely see us
0:47:23 > 0:47:24making this a home.
0:47:26 > 0:47:31Ah, smiling faces. Now, you two have enjoyed this house tour, haven't you?
0:47:31 > 0:47:32- Yes, we have.- Definitely.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35Yes, I think the Mystery House has served us well.
0:47:35 > 0:47:37- Good.- A lot to talk about.- Yes. - We really do.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39Well, let's go and have a chat somewhere quiet, shall we?
0:47:39 > 0:47:41- OK.- Let's go.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51Sarah and James, let's talk about these properties because,
0:47:51 > 0:47:54in my mind, there was one that I think we might have
0:47:54 > 0:47:56got close to for you.
0:47:56 > 0:47:58The first property came close for us
0:47:58 > 0:48:01but the Mystery House really stood out, really had that wow factor.
0:48:01 > 0:48:04So, James, what was it about our Mystery House, the third property?
0:48:04 > 0:48:07It had the really nice entrance hall,
0:48:07 > 0:48:10it had the big living room that really had a wow factor to it
0:48:10 > 0:48:12and then the big country kitchen as well,
0:48:12 > 0:48:15leading through to the separate dining room.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18I think the way it was decorated definitely helped as well.
0:48:18 > 0:48:19It was all really nicely done.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22There's a couple of things for us to think about, we need to
0:48:22 > 0:48:25- learn a bit more about the area because it's a new one to us.- Yeah.
0:48:25 > 0:48:28So a bit of the research for us, I think, and to learn
0:48:28 > 0:48:30a little more about refurbishing a garden.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33So does that mean you might be going for a second viewing?
0:48:33 > 0:48:36- I'd like to, yeah.- Yeah, we will.
0:48:36 > 0:48:38- We wish you all the best.- Thank you.
0:48:38 > 0:48:40And if you do put an offer in, let us know, won't you?
0:48:40 > 0:48:43- BOTH: We will.- Thank you.
0:48:46 > 0:48:49- That was a really lovely Mystery House.- It was.
0:48:49 > 0:48:52Although, I think they probably would have wanted to do some work on that courtyard
0:48:52 > 0:48:55- to make it suit their needs.- Yeah, Sarah said she'd turn it into a lawn
0:48:55 > 0:48:58which surprisingly, isn't super-expensive.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02Turf costs between £5-15 a square metre.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04Obviously, you have labour on top of that
0:49:04 > 0:49:07and if your garden's overgrown or perhaps it's an uneven level,
0:49:07 > 0:49:10it might cost you just that little bit more.
0:49:10 > 0:49:12So with my amazing mathematical brain,
0:49:12 > 0:49:14with a courtyard that size it's probably about £1,000.
0:49:14 > 0:49:17- That's not bad, is it?- No.
0:49:17 > 0:49:21So back to our lovely couple Cheryl and Richard who were in Derbyshire
0:49:21 > 0:49:24looking for a house at £450,000.
0:49:26 > 0:49:29For our final visit, we're travelling just over 22 miles
0:49:29 > 0:49:32northeast to the village of Ashover.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34The pretty village, in the valley of the River Amber,
0:49:34 > 0:49:38is home to good pubs, meaning it wouldn't take long to get to know
0:49:38 > 0:49:41the locals and become part of the community.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44On the edge of the village is our third and final property,
0:49:44 > 0:49:47a cottage built from local sandstone with a slate roof,
0:49:47 > 0:49:49dating back to 1830.
0:49:51 > 0:49:53Mystery House!
0:49:53 > 0:49:56And, as you can see, it is detached.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58I know, I'm so pleased, thank you.
0:49:58 > 0:50:02I just think it's beautiful and the setting is ideal.
0:50:02 > 0:50:04I mean, you've got all this, the brook.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07I think the outlook is terrific, really.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09It's a beautiful looking property.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12- Do you notice what's at the side there?- A conservatory, yes.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15- A conservatory!- Ticked!
0:50:15 > 0:50:18Our Mystery House may not be the barn conversion Cheryl
0:50:18 > 0:50:21and Rick have asked for but it is the first detached home we've been
0:50:21 > 0:50:25'able to show them for their budget and it's full of period charm.
0:50:25 > 0:50:29'So if they can wipe the slate clean of their expectations, I think
0:50:29 > 0:50:32'they could be pleasantly surprised.'
0:50:32 > 0:50:35'The front porch leads straight into the hallway-cum-dining room'
0:50:35 > 0:50:37and off that is a living area
0:50:37 > 0:50:39which retains plenty of original character.
0:50:39 > 0:50:42Well, it's cosy, isn't it?
0:50:42 > 0:50:45It's probably smaller than I initially thought about having but
0:50:45 > 0:50:48- actually it's got quite a nice feel in it.- Good.
0:50:48 > 0:50:50It's got a warm feeling, hasn't it?
0:50:50 > 0:50:52Well, this is the Mystery House, this is the challenge
0:50:52 > 0:50:55because it's not what you asked for, it's not big and contemporary
0:50:55 > 0:50:57and spacious, it's small and character and cosy.
0:50:57 > 0:51:01It's definitely food for thought. Good start.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03A good start, indeed.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05And I have a feeling that things are only going to get better as
0:51:05 > 0:51:09we move next door into the beautiful light-filled conservatory.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12- Whoa.- Oh!
0:51:12 > 0:51:15- A conservatory, just what I wanted. - I know.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18Wow, this is just a bonus, this.
0:51:18 > 0:51:20Cheryl also wanted a big kitchen/diner but this is
0:51:20 > 0:51:26the Mystery House, so our duo expect to be a little challenged.
0:51:26 > 0:51:29So this could be the sticking point.
0:51:29 > 0:51:31Yeah, a little bit small.
0:51:31 > 0:51:34But although this is your kitchen/work area,
0:51:34 > 0:51:37if you put your head through there, there's quite an extensive
0:51:37 > 0:51:40- utility room.- Oh, wow! It's big, isn't it?- Yep.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42That's a large area.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44And there's a downstairs bathroom at the other side.
0:51:44 > 0:51:46- Actually that is quite big.- Yeah.
0:51:46 > 0:51:49I mean, they've done some nice touches to it and I love the floor.
0:51:49 > 0:51:52- Bear it in mind.- Put it into the pot and stir it around.
0:51:52 > 0:51:55I'm going to have to.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57There's no doubt this period cottage is bursting with
0:51:57 > 0:51:59personality, which continues upstairs
0:51:59 > 0:52:03where there are four bright bedrooms, a double to the front
0:52:03 > 0:52:08and the two at the back of the house, built into the sloping land outside.
0:52:08 > 0:52:11Back at the front is an attractive family bathroom
0:52:11 > 0:52:13with a master next door.
0:52:15 > 0:52:17Step inside.
0:52:17 > 0:52:19SHE GASPS
0:52:19 > 0:52:22- I can't get over the size of this.- They're big, aren't they?
0:52:22 > 0:52:25- They are big.- It's a strange house because upstairs almost feels
0:52:25 > 0:52:27bigger than downstairs and it's brighter
0:52:27 > 0:52:30because of the geography of the house with the hill behind it.
0:52:30 > 0:52:33If you open that window there, I'm sure you'd hear the sound of the brook, wouldn't you?
0:52:33 > 0:52:37You certainly would. We've got only an upstairs bathroom, so no en suite, sadly.
0:52:37 > 0:52:40Although I'm disappointed because it's something I really wanted,
0:52:40 > 0:52:43I'd prepared myself for the fact it wouldn't be here, for some reason.
0:52:43 > 0:52:46That's just turning even more things round in my mind now.
0:52:46 > 0:52:50- I'm quite curious to see what lies beyond now.- You mean the garden?
0:52:50 > 0:52:53- Yeah.- Then let your curiosity lead the way.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58Outside, the garden follows the lie of the land
0:52:58 > 0:52:59and there's plenty of it.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02As you can see, it's a, sort of, quite interesting terraced garden.
0:53:02 > 0:53:05You've got one, two, three, four terraces
0:53:05 > 0:53:08and over there you've got a rather nice eating area
0:53:08 > 0:53:12and some beds as you go down for vegetables and then a herb garden
0:53:12 > 0:53:16and a little area there to sit and enjoy the sun.
0:53:16 > 0:53:18I just think it's very tranquil.
0:53:18 > 0:53:20So how much do you think it's on the market for?
0:53:20 > 0:53:23Well, I think it's going to be round about top end of our budget.
0:53:23 > 0:53:25I think it's going to be 455.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28- Cheryl?- I'm going to go over that.
0:53:28 > 0:53:33I just think the location, with the brook, the space.
0:53:33 > 0:53:35Oh, I'm going to say it anyway, 480.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37Well, we wouldn't be that unkind
0:53:37 > 0:53:42but it is actually on the market for £460,000.
0:53:42 > 0:53:43- OK.- OK.
0:53:43 > 0:53:45Again, there's room for manoeuvring there as well.
0:53:47 > 0:53:49This beautiful 19th-century detached
0:53:49 > 0:53:52stone cottage might be £10,000
0:53:52 > 0:53:53over budget but with a
0:53:53 > 0:53:55little negotiation
0:53:55 > 0:53:56I'd like to think that Cheryl
0:53:56 > 0:53:58and Rick could get it for a price
0:53:58 > 0:54:00more in keeping with their cash.
0:54:00 > 0:54:01Although it's not
0:54:01 > 0:54:03a converted barn,
0:54:03 > 0:54:05in our Mystery House every room
0:54:05 > 0:54:06has something to offer.
0:54:06 > 0:54:08The kitchen may be on the small side
0:54:08 > 0:54:10but with the utility room next door,
0:54:10 > 0:54:12it could definitely work for them
0:54:12 > 0:54:14and the bedrooms are all
0:54:14 > 0:54:15a good size.
0:54:15 > 0:54:17The unusual garden could give both
0:54:17 > 0:54:18Rick and Cheryl their own project
0:54:18 > 0:54:19to work on.
0:54:19 > 0:54:23I wanted a lot of space. I don't get the same space in here
0:54:23 > 0:54:27but actually it's got so much warmth and character.
0:54:27 > 0:54:31We need to sit down and say, look, could this be a possibility now?
0:54:33 > 0:54:35So the Mystery House all done.
0:54:35 > 0:54:38Yes, we've seen it, I think, several times through now, haven't we?
0:54:38 > 0:54:40- More food for thought.- Yeah.
0:54:40 > 0:54:43- That's all the houses so let's go and find somewhere to discuss them. - Perfect, thank you.
0:54:48 > 0:54:51How's it left you, what are you feeling at the end of the week?
0:54:51 > 0:54:54Muddled. Really confused.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57I think it's just given us an insight into what
0:54:57 > 0:55:00we could have that we haven't actually thought about.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03I get the impression that house one and two are out of the running, is that true?
0:55:03 > 0:55:08There were lovely features in both but probably not quite for us.
0:55:08 > 0:55:10So it's the Mystery House, that's the contender, is it?
0:55:10 > 0:55:12That's the favourite at present.
0:55:12 > 0:55:15I think when I stood outside that house with all those views
0:55:15 > 0:55:17and everything I just think the country, oh yeah.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21- You wanted a conservatory, which you've got in the Mystery House, haven't you?- Yeah, lovely.
0:55:21 > 0:55:23You wanted an en suite which we didn't have but I think it's
0:55:23 > 0:55:27got a lot going for it but we just need to have another look at.
0:55:27 > 0:55:30I think we need to convince ourselves that this would work
0:55:30 > 0:55:33because it is so different from what we'd planned
0:55:33 > 0:55:37and I think a second viewing with our daughter because another pair
0:55:37 > 0:55:41of eyes as well, to look at things differently, to give us an honest opinion.
0:55:41 > 0:55:43Well, it's a big financial commitment
0:55:43 > 0:55:45but it's a massive move for us as well, anyway,
0:55:45 > 0:55:48so if we are going to put an offer in then we want to make sure
0:55:48 > 0:55:49it's the right house for us, really.
0:55:49 > 0:55:52Well, I hope it all happens. It's been lovely showing you around.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55- It's been a marvellous experience, thank you very much.- Yeah.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57Our pleasure.
0:56:01 > 0:56:04So did your couple go back to the Mystery House with their
0:56:04 > 0:56:06daughter for another viewing?
0:56:06 > 0:56:09In the end Richard and Cheryl didn't go back for a second viewing
0:56:09 > 0:56:11because I think that downstairs kitchen was just too much
0:56:11 > 0:56:13of a compromise size-wise.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16In fact, they decided they couldn't leave all their friends
0:56:16 > 0:56:19in Leicestershire, so they are still looking in their home county.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22Oh, it's difficult, isn't it, to leave friends and family behind?
0:56:22 > 0:56:25I mean, that's a really good point and I think
0:56:25 > 0:56:26if you do decide to move away,
0:56:26 > 0:56:30if you can, it's perhaps worth staying in a B&B for a week
0:56:30 > 0:56:33and really get a flavour for the area before you commit.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35Yeah, yeah. And what about your couple?
0:56:35 > 0:56:37James and Sarah loved our Mystery House
0:56:37 > 0:56:40but James was offered a fantastic job in London,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42so they've decided to stay and they've continued to rent.
0:56:42 > 0:56:45In both cases we didn't lure them from their home circle.
0:56:45 > 0:56:47We didn't, no.
0:56:47 > 0:56:49Nonetheless, we wish both our couples all the best
0:56:49 > 0:56:51and I hope that you've enjoyed our little sally
0:56:51 > 0:56:55through our house-hunting in East Midlands as much as we have
0:56:55 > 0:56:56and that you'll join us next time
0:56:56 > 0:57:00for more flights of fancy in rural Britain on Escape to the Country.
0:57:00 > 0:57:02See you again.
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