0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today, I'm between fact and fiction in an ancient kingdom far from the madding crowd.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07So where exactly am I?
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Find out in just a couple of moments.
0:00:27 > 0:00:29Today, we're helping a young family bid farewell to city life,
0:00:29 > 0:00:33as they start their search for their first country home together.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37- That's stunning.- That's just what I'd pictured in my mind.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Absolutely glorious, isn't it?
0:00:39 > 0:00:42But the path to the dream home doesn't always run smoothly.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- Is it big enough? - It's not big enough but...
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Has anything been big enough today?
0:00:47 > 0:00:48SHE LAUGHS
0:00:51 > 0:00:54You find me in the historic realm of Wessex,
0:00:54 > 0:00:57and this beautiful thatched cottage you see here is the birthplace
0:00:57 > 0:01:01of Thomas Hardy, one of our nation's most celebrated authors and poets,
0:01:01 > 0:01:05whose most famous works were based down here in the South West
0:01:05 > 0:01:09of England, in a semi-fictional land he called Wessex.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15The historical kingdom of Wessex is generally defined as the collection
0:01:15 > 0:01:19of the counties of Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset and Wiltshire.
0:01:19 > 0:01:21Today, we'll be homing in on the triangle where the
0:01:21 > 0:01:25borders of North Dorset, South Somerset and South West Wiltshire
0:01:25 > 0:01:30collide and combine to illustrate a beautiful English landscape.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Dorset is the archetypal green and pleasant land.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37There are far-reaching views over a fluid grid of fields to the sea,
0:01:37 > 0:01:39with livestock grazing, rolling hills
0:01:39 > 0:01:42and wild flowers providing flashes of colour amongst the meadows.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47Towns and villages like Shaftesbury and Cerne Abbas are desirable
0:01:47 > 0:01:51addresses with their stone cottages and brick chimneys standing tall,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55providing spectacular vantage points across the countryside.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Neighbouring Somerset is known for its honey-coloured stone buildings,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01whereas Wiltshire villages like Tisbury are built
0:02:01 > 0:02:04from more of a sandy hued stone, topped with old tiled roofs,
0:02:04 > 0:02:09with roses framing thresholds and thatched cottages aplenty.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12So whichever of Wessex's striking counties you might choose,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16you can be sure to be greeted with classic English, rural vistas.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Let's meet today's buyers and find out what's drawing them
0:02:19 > 0:02:22to this beautiful part of the world.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27Alice and her husband Rashid have lived in this Victorian maisonette
0:02:27 > 0:02:30in Tooting, south-west London, for four years.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33Their daughter Isla is 14 months old.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Five years ago, Alice and Rashid had no idea where a night out would lead.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41We met in 2009 in a bar,
0:02:41 > 0:02:44and yeah, the rest was history, really.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Rashid was born and brought up in Morocco
0:02:47 > 0:02:50and moved to England as a carpenter 22 years ago.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Officer's daughter Alice had a very different upbringing.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56I grew up pretty much in Dorset.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59My father is in the army, so we moved every two years.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02When we weren't abroad, we lived in Dorset, which is
0:03:02 > 0:03:04why I love the countryside, I think.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Moving to the country is very important for raising a family.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12Both Rashid and I grew up in the countryside, so it's what we know.
0:03:12 > 0:03:14And with plans to expand the family,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17a move back to the country makes sense.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20It's the right time because we're trying to have another baby.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24We are looking to move within a five or ten mile radius from my parents,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26who live in North Dorset.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29They live on the border of Wiltshire, Somerset and Dorset,
0:03:29 > 0:03:31so any of those three counties will do.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34As long as they are within a 20-minute drive
0:03:34 > 0:03:37for emergency baby-sitting, we will be happy.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40It's not just the baby-sitting facilities
0:03:40 > 0:03:42that are attracting them to the country.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45This young family make regular trips to the North Dorset area,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48and they're looking forward to calling it home.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Dorset has wonderful countryside, wonderful walks.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54I need to wake up in the morning with the birds singing.
0:03:54 > 0:03:55Not a car.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57HE LAUGHS
0:03:57 > 0:04:02The move will also save Rashid a daily four-hour round-trip to his
0:04:02 > 0:04:03North London workshop,
0:04:03 > 0:04:07as he's hoping to find a new home with a workshop on site.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12And full-time mum Alice is planning on being busy at home too.
0:04:12 > 0:04:13I'm a very keen cook.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I'd love to maybe explore taking that a bit further.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18So with their property on the market,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and plenty of plans up their sleeves, Alice and Rashid are excited
0:04:22 > 0:04:25about beginning their search for their dream country home.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28I think maybe because of my army background,
0:04:28 > 0:04:33I'm used to moving on, you know, you get a bit of itchy feet maybe.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36On the other hand, it would be nice to settle somewhere as well.
0:04:36 > 0:04:41But I can see myself settling in the country much more than in London.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Alice and Rashid don't mind which Wessex county they move to,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51but they'd like to be around 20 minutes from Alice's parents
0:04:51 > 0:04:54in the North Dorset village of Bourton.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58But if the house is right, they're happy to be a little further away.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00And before we start our search for their new family home,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04I'm meeting Alice and Rashid in Dorset to get a better idea
0:05:04 > 0:05:06of what they're looking for.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11So, here we are, beautiful countryside.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15I've got to say, it feels a long way from Tooting, doesn't it?
0:05:15 > 0:05:18- Yes, it does.- Is that what it's all about, this move?- Definitely.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22We want to get some more space, more green space for our daughter.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- Reasonable garden for her to run, basically.- Manageable, though.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28I haven't got very green fingers,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31so that's something I'm going to have to work on.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34- Rashid, are you being dragged here kicking and screaming?- Yes, I think.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37THEY LAUGH
0:05:37 > 0:05:38No, not really.
0:05:38 > 0:05:43Basically, what I'm looking for is a big house for my little family,
0:05:43 > 0:05:46- and with a workshop.- This workshop is integral to this move,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49because you've got to be able to earn when you come out here, haven't you?
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- Yeah.- So, the workshop is a must, I take it?- Yeah.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57I will make my furniture in the country
0:05:57 > 0:05:59and basically deliver it to the client.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03You have this dream house in your mind. What does it look like?
0:06:03 > 0:06:08In my mind's eye, it would be quite a traditional cottage,
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- preferably away from the big roads. - Yeah.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17- Big open-plan kitchen would be my dream.- OK.- Three bedrooms.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20But the living area is more important to us than the bedrooms.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- That sounds pretty easy!- Yeah.- OK.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26Are you good with your hands when it comes to doing a property up?
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- Yes, I am.- Yeah.- I'm not afraid of a big job.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32So, budget wise?
0:06:32 > 0:06:37- Our budget is 400,000.- £400,000. It's a good amount of money.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40If you're in a position to buy, we shouldn't stand here any longer.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42- Let's go.- Great.- OK.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46Alice and Rashid may have a good budget,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48but they're expecting a lot for their money.
0:06:48 > 0:06:52They'd like a detached character property with three bedrooms,
0:06:52 > 0:06:54a large kitchen for Alice to expand her home baking,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58and a garden for young daughter Isla to enjoy.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01Carpenter Rashid is hoping to work from home, so he's
0:07:01 > 0:07:05looking for a workshop on site big enough to accommodate his needs.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08The family has spent a lot of time in this area of Wessex,
0:07:08 > 0:07:11but are yet to begin the search for a new home.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14We'll be taking them to three contrasting properties,
0:07:14 > 0:07:18but only after they've toured each one will they find out its cost.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20The last visit will be to the Mystery House.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23It won't be exactly what they're expecting,
0:07:23 > 0:07:25but hopefully it'll be a welcome surprise.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33We're kicking off our tour of Wessex in North Dorset,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36in the village of Motcombe, 18 minutes from Alice's parents
0:07:36 > 0:07:40in Bourton, and just over three miles north of Shaftesbury.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Motcombe conveniently has all the necessary amenities in its centre,
0:07:44 > 0:07:48and has a real sense of community, which Alice and Rashid will love.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51OK, just mind this step on the way up.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55Just get your first impressions.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- Lovely. Very pretty.- Grand looking, villa style, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01Now, I've brought us here for a reason.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04I wanted to talk about the fact that you've got a bit of a road there.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07But I don't think you'd ever use this as the main entrance.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11The off-street car parking and the garage is round to the other side.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14I just wanted to deal with the fact that you could see it was
0:08:14 > 0:08:17semidetached from this side, you can't from the other side.
0:08:17 > 0:08:18Not happy?
0:08:18 > 0:08:22No, no, basically, let's see what is inside.
0:08:22 > 0:08:23- Let's go inside.- OK.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28This property may be semidetached, but it does offer
0:08:28 > 0:08:30Alice and Rashid quite a lot of house for their money.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33More space than they might get in a detached home.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36We're going straight to the side door, which leads into the most
0:08:36 > 0:08:39important room in the house for home baker Alice.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42Right, first room in the first house.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44OK. Yeah.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48Fit a kitchen table in here. Yes.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Small kitchen.- Would you change this kitchen?- Yes.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Make it... Push it that way a bit.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Yeah.- We could knock through if there's an eating room next-door.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Let me show you. I think you're spot-on. Follow me.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03As you can see, you've got a good-sized dining room here.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Yeah, I love it. I think it feels like a real family space.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10'Next to the dining room is another good-sized family room,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13'and behind it is a more formal sitting room.'
0:09:13 > 0:09:15- And this is beautiful.- Wow.- Lovely.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18The first "wow" we've heard from Rashid so far, which is good.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Much better.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22That makes me not worried about the kitchen at all, you know,
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- I could deal with it.- Because you've got other rooms to pour into?
0:09:26 > 0:09:30- Yeah.- Yeah. Let me take you upstairs to the bedrooms.- OK.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33'On the first floor, there's a family bathroom, a single bedroom,
0:09:33 > 0:09:36'a double, and at the back, above the sitting room,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38'is the master bedroom.'
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- This is the biggest bedroom of the three on this floor. - OK. Decent size.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47It's lovely. Nice big window, so it's lovely and light.
0:09:47 > 0:09:51Just looking at it, and looking at our room, the bedroom,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53it's quite small.
0:09:53 > 0:09:58- Is it a warehouse you're living in, in Tooting?- It's huge.- Is it?
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Is this a house you could see yourself maybe living in?
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- Yeah.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05'Rashid says yes, but I'm not convinced.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08'However, I've got something up my sleeve that should help him
0:10:08 > 0:10:11'feel a lot more at home. A garage-cum-workshop.'
0:10:11 > 0:10:15So, Rashid, this is your domain. Is it big enough?
0:10:15 > 0:10:19- It is not big enough, but... - Has anything been big enough today?
0:10:19 > 0:10:20ALICE LAUGHS
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Well, if it's not big enough, we've got a problem here, haven't we?
0:10:23 > 0:10:26I could compromise with the workshop,
0:10:26 > 0:10:27not having it in the house.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30'Rashid would love to work from home, but even a workshop
0:10:30 > 0:10:34'nearby would be an improvement on his current four-hour daily commute.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37'We're moving on to the outside space, which is
0:10:37 > 0:10:39'also important to both him and Alice,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42'and their young daughter, Isla.'
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- This is manageable.- Yeah.- Good. So, this house.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49It's the first time you've ever looked at a house in person.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- You've only ever looked on the internet before, haven't you?- Yes.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55How much do you think this place is on the market for?
0:10:55 > 0:10:58I think it's on at about 385.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- OK. Rashid.- I would say 360.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05This place, on the market, for offers around £400,000.
0:11:05 > 0:11:09So, are you bitterly disappointed at this price?
0:11:09 > 0:11:10No, no, not at all.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12Yeah, it's a really good space
0:11:12 > 0:11:14and it's got pretty much everything we want.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19This semidetached house is bang on Alice and Rashid's budget.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22And it's just under 20 minutes from Alice's parents,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25plus it gives them one more bedroom than they've asked for.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28There's potential to extend the kitchen into the dining room,
0:11:28 > 0:11:30giving Alice plenty of room to bake,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34and the garage could possibly be used as an on-site
0:11:34 > 0:11:35workshop for Rashid.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37The garden's just the right size for them to look after
0:11:37 > 0:11:40and for little Isla to enjoy.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Sounds like it could be a balance between home versus work,
0:11:43 > 0:11:45but maybe we can sort that out at another house
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- we're going to have a look at.- Yeah. - Yeah.- Let's go.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Dorset's streets are steeped in history
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and the market town of Bridport
0:11:58 > 0:12:00is home to a rather historic family business -
0:12:00 > 0:12:03a butcher's shop that has been a familiar face on the high street
0:12:03 > 0:12:06for a surprising number of years.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09I've come to meet Richard Balson, who's currently at the helm.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12And this is, I've heard,
0:12:12 > 0:12:14one of the oldest businesses in the country. Or is it the oldest?
0:12:14 > 0:12:18It's the oldest. We're 499 years old.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21So we're looking towards our quincentennial party next year,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24when we'll be 500, which is pretty amazing, really.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26What's changed over the past 100 years?
0:12:26 > 0:12:28- I mean, we eat differently now. - We do.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31I mean, just 40 years since I've been in the trade.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33You know, we had beef and pork sausages and that was it.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36- And now we have 20 different sorts of sausages.- Wow!
0:12:36 > 0:12:38You know, some real wacky ones, like kangaroo and cranberry,
0:12:38 > 0:12:40wild boar, venison...
0:12:40 > 0:12:44You know, all sorts of different meats now turned into sausages.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Would I be able to learn how to make a sausage?
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Well, we're going to show you today.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50You're going to put the hat on and put the coat on
0:12:50 > 0:12:53and I'm going to turn you into a butcher for the day.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57Richard has worked in the family business for over 40 years,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59since he was 15 years old.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02He produces up to 6,000 sausages a week
0:13:02 > 0:13:05and gets orders from as far away as Scotland.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Is this my uniform? - This is your uniform.
0:13:07 > 0:13:12One straw boater and these are only given to top professional people.
0:13:12 > 0:13:14You'd better get another hat for me, then.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17- These professionals, are they about eight years old?- They are!
0:13:17 > 0:13:19You should've known. Right.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22So I've got my extra small boater hat on.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24That's it. You're looking the part already. Marvellous.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- This thing here looks very modern. - This is an automated sausage filler.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34Inside there, we've got 60lbs of 80% good-quality pork sausage meat.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36Same recipe since 1515.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39So it's an old-fashioned recipe, which is top secret.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41- Is it really top secret? - Yeah. Tried and trusted.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44This is the hog intestine of the pig.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47This has to be put onto the nozzle,
0:13:47 > 0:13:49so that the sausage can go into the skin.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52You're just threading it on like that.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56'The sausage meat comes from local pigs from a farm five miles away.'
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- It's good to put a knot on the end. - Right. OK.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- Switch it on.- Whoa...!
0:14:01 > 0:14:03You see that? You're just sort of guiding it, really.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05You're not squeezing that hard.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Your forefinger and your thumb is stopping it creasing over, is it?
0:14:09 > 0:14:12Yeah. You just let a little bit come out at a time, like that.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Well, that looked worryingly easy.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18You made it look worryingly easy.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- Did I?- Yeah, you did.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23Whoa, whoa! Slow down. Slow down!
0:14:23 > 0:14:24- Have I lost you?- Slow down!
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Right, you can have a four-inch sausage,
0:14:26 > 0:14:30which is the normal sort of six, eight to a pound.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32So there's four inches,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34round the top, up through
0:14:34 > 0:14:38and then you're pulling it up to about four inches.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41We just hang them up there.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43'It looks simple. Now it's my turn.'
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- I'm looking for the end now. - That's it. Keep it going. That's it.
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- There we go, found it.- That's it. I think you've got it on there.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54'Some sausage casings are synthetic, but Richard's are all natural.'
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Yeah, you're nearly there.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Just tie a knot in it. That's right.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05'With the end of the casing secure, it's time to make my sausages.'
0:15:05 > 0:15:08It's going to shoot out quite quick, so don't worry about that.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Just try and hold it gently. - Oh, my God!
0:15:11 > 0:15:13Just take your knee off and it will stop.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Along with the 80% pork in the mixture,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19there's also a blend of 20% rusk, water and seasoning.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- OK, so we've run out of meat. - That's the end of it, yeah.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25For a first attempt, that's very good.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28OK, so you're doing four inches.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32That goes round there like that.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34OK, then you're holding that one there.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- Then you do your four inches again. - There's my sausages.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39Yeah, there's yours. And there's mine.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- That's how the experts do it. - That's 40 years' difference, Jonnie.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45'Well, I wouldn't say my sausages are going to win any prizes,
0:15:45 > 0:15:47'but Richard's have.
0:15:47 > 0:15:49'And I'm looking forward to having a taste.'
0:15:49 > 0:15:51This is how mine would never have looked.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- Can I?- Have a go.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Well, I'm an easy sell. I absolutely love sausages, so...
0:16:00 > 0:16:01They are lovely, aren't they?
0:16:01 > 0:16:04The thing is now, I mean, it hasn't changed a great deal.
0:16:04 > 0:16:06Can you see it changing much in the future?
0:16:06 > 0:16:10Oh, who knows what's going to happen in 50 to 100 years' time?
0:16:10 > 0:16:12If I'd have said to my father 40 years ago
0:16:12 > 0:16:15that we'd be selling kangaroo, ostrich and crocodile,
0:16:15 > 0:16:19he'd have said, "You're off your rocker, son."
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- Can I have a couple more of these? - Help yourself.- Thank you very much.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Travelling eight miles west takes us to our second property
0:16:30 > 0:16:33in the village of Cucklington, officially in Somerset,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35but just a few steps from Dorset's border
0:16:35 > 0:16:38and less than ten minutes from Alice's parents' home.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Cucklington sits in the Blackmore Vale,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45a wide valley in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48If you get to this corner of the garden,
0:16:48 > 0:16:50I think this is the best aspect of it.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52And this is where the estate agent took their photos.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- Beautiful, isn't it?- It's stunning.
0:16:54 > 0:16:56That's just what I pictured in my mind.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58Absolutely glorious, isn't it?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02The original part is this part to the left-hand side.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04And that dates back to the 18th century.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Then, later on, the extension through that gable end.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10But most importantly, because it would have been a tiny cottage,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12they extended to the back.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14And that's what gets us into
0:17:14 > 0:17:17your sort of family-sized cottage territory.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- Let's look inside.- OK.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23'This delightful stone cottage's picture-perfect exterior
0:17:23 > 0:17:25'has already drawn Alice and Rashid in.
0:17:25 > 0:17:30'And I'm hoping its tasteful interior continues to impress.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32'We're starting off in the dining room,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34'just off the hallway at the front of the house,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36'which is the original part of the property.'
0:17:36 > 0:17:39This is the heart of the house. This is the central room.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42- It's nice. - It's very nice. Very good size.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44- Let me show you the kitchen. - All right.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46OK, then.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48Very practical.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50Very nice. I like it.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51- Spacious.- Yeah.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53It's really lovely and light.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- Big enough? - Yes. Just big enough. Yeah.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57Yeah.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01This charming cottage seems to be charming both Alice and Rashid.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Let's see what they make of the large sitting room,
0:18:04 > 0:18:06an extension to the side of the house.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10Now, I think this is a lovely room. Hopefully, you both agree.
0:18:10 > 0:18:11Yes. Look at all the windows.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Oh, it's lovely. I have a good feeling.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16That's encouraging for me to hear.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19All right, let's see if those good feelings continue upstairs.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24'The footprint of the first floor is a blueprint of the ground floor.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26'There's a family bathroom and two bedrooms
0:18:26 > 0:18:28'in the original body of the house,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32'with a master bedroom in the most recent extension.'
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- This is lovely. - Would you keep this here?
0:18:34 > 0:18:36The sink, it would go straightaway.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Go, go, go.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40And the wardrobe, all the way.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Wow, OK. He's moving in, look.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Compare Rashid in the first house to here - different guy.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49Yeah, but it's a good feeling you feel,
0:18:49 > 0:18:53- like, when you want to buy a house, actually. You know?- Great.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55Let's see what's outside. Come on. Follow me.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00'This character cottage has certainly seen Rashid come out of his shell.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02'The outside space is important, too,
0:19:02 > 0:19:05'especially for their little daughter Isla.
0:19:05 > 0:19:06'And that's where we're headed next -
0:19:06 > 0:19:09'to the landscaped grounds of around half an acre
0:19:09 > 0:19:11'with beautiful countryside views.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14'But we're stopping off en route to see a workshop
0:19:14 > 0:19:16'with Rashid's name written all over it.'
0:19:16 > 0:19:18So let me tell you what we've got here.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Complete wood construction on a hard standing.
0:19:21 > 0:19:22It's got all the power in there.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27- And it's about five metres by just over five metres.- That is fantastic.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Happy days. The sun's coming out.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- Let's go and have a look at the garden.- Good.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34Come right to the top, actually. I'll show you what we've got.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36It's almost two levels.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40This part was later purchased from the farmer.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- And you've got views beyond, haven't you?- Stunning.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48So how much do you think this house is on the market for? Alice?
0:19:48 > 0:19:49I'd say 375.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52I think it's 350.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55This place is on the market for £435,000.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58What do you think? It's over budget.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01It would all depend on how much we sold our flat for.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04We wouldn't need to do any work, so...
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Yeah, it is lovely.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10'This three-bedroom stone cottage
0:20:10 > 0:20:13'is on the market for £35,000 over our buyers' budget.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15'But with their flat for sale in a buoyant market,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18'there's room to manoeuvre, if they sell at a good price.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21'It's very close to Alice's parents
0:20:21 > 0:20:24'and the kitchen is a good size for Alice to get baking.
0:20:24 > 0:20:25'The workshop on site
0:20:25 > 0:20:28'would mean Rashid could say goodbye to a lengthy commute.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32'And the extensive gardens are perfect for a growing young family.'
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Could this be the kind of house
0:20:35 > 0:20:38that you'd consider going over budget for, do you think?
0:20:38 > 0:20:40- I think so.- I think so. It ticks all our boxes, so...
0:20:40 > 0:20:42It does, doesn't it?
0:20:42 > 0:20:45But we've still got one more property to look at tomorrow.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47- Oh, right. - Let's take you back.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Well, I think yesterday's property number two went down so well
0:20:56 > 0:20:58because, as Rashid and Alice said,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00it gave them everything they said they were after.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Albeit slightly over budget.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04So for today's mystery property,
0:21:04 > 0:21:07I think it's going to give them a bit of a challenge.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Now, for Rashid, well, let's face it,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11his workshop at this house doesn't yet exist.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14But as it also gives them half an acre of gardens,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17there's more than enough space for him to build one there.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Now, Alice says she wants this open-plan kitchen-diner.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23Again, this house doesn't have one yet.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26But I'm hoping, with a bit of lateral thinking amongst all three of us,
0:21:26 > 0:21:29we might just be able to create one. Let's see how we go...
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Heading 17 miles south-west and we're back in Dorset
0:21:34 > 0:21:36and the village of Holwell,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38six miles south-east of the market town of Sherborne
0:21:38 > 0:21:42and just over 20 miles from Alice's parents in Bourton.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46Sherborne is an attractive town with eclectic architecture,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49independent retailers and a stunning abbey.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53As far as the Mystery House goes,
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- at the moment it's not revealing why it is the Mystery House.- OK.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- And I like that. But what do you think of it?- Very pretty. Lovely.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04I love that chimney. It's beautiful.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Let's go inside.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10'This 19th-century property was once the gatehouse to a very grand home.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14'And as we go inside, our first visit is to the kitchen.'
0:22:14 > 0:22:17It needs a little bit of updating, maybe.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Yes. Pragmatically put.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21It does. Especially for you, I think. Yeah.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24We know you want this big kitchen-diner.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27- You don't get it yet, do you? - Not here, necessarily.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30But there's options here, aren't there? Follow me.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33So looking at this...
0:22:33 > 0:22:36You can see that there's something standing in the way
0:22:36 > 0:22:37of your dream here.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39And that is that.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42- Can we move that?- Yeah, we can.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46And then you've got this massive country kitchen
0:22:46 > 0:22:49that leads on to that lovely dining room there. Look at that.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51That's great.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Let's just walk through this dining room and we go to the living room.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57'I'm glad that Alice and Rashid are open to a bit of remodelling.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01'But with a carpenter in the family, the odds were in my favour.'
0:23:01 > 0:23:04Lots of natural light pouring into this side of the house.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- Well, at this time of day.- Yeah.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08It's lovely. Nice family room.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09- Rashid?- Yeah.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12All right. You haven't said, "Wow!" yet. I've noted that.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Let's go upstairs.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17'Off a square landing is a family bathroom.
0:23:17 > 0:23:22'There are also two bedrooms and the master is at the front of the house.'
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- Right, this is the biggest of the bedrooms.- Oh, this is nice.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Yeah, it's nice. Good size. Good storage.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30- Big enough?- Yeah. I'd say so.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33How does this house measure up to the second house?
0:23:33 > 0:23:38Well, the second house is basically smaller. But this one...
0:23:38 > 0:23:39I don't have that feeling.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43'Maybe that will change as we step outside,
0:23:43 > 0:23:47'where we have around half an acre of land to play with.'
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Now, don't worry, Rashid.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52We've found you the perfect work environment.
0:23:52 > 0:23:53Yeah.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56Here it is.
0:23:56 > 0:23:58No, Rashid, I'm only pulling your leg.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00They've previously held planning consent
0:24:00 > 0:24:03- for a double garage over there.- OK.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05That has since lapsed.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07But you stand a good chance of getting it again,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09- as it's previously been granted. - OK.- All right?- Yeah.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13So the mystery element is you've got to build your own workshop.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- And you've got plenty of space to build it in, haven't you?- Oh, right.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19Shall we enjoy this garden?
0:24:19 > 0:24:20- Yeah.- Yes.- Follow me.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- Yeah.- Da-daaa!
0:24:25 > 0:24:27- This is a lovely, flat garden. - Definitely.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31So, how much do you think this place is on the market for?
0:24:31 > 0:24:32380?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35OK. Rashid?
0:24:35 > 0:24:36I think 410.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38- 410?- Yeah.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42OK, well, this place is on the market at the moment
0:24:42 > 0:24:46for offers around £399,950.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47- OK.- OK?- Yeah.
0:24:47 > 0:24:52- But it's been on the market 18 months at the same price.- OK.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53The estate agent says,
0:24:53 > 0:24:56"Look, you know, it's ready for a price reduction."
0:24:56 > 0:24:59And any bit you take off that asking price,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01you spend on the kitchen, don't you?
0:25:01 > 0:25:05- Making it that lovely family home. - Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07This detached house built from local stone
0:25:07 > 0:25:10is just a whisker under Alice and Rashid's top budget.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13It might not give them everything they want straightaway,
0:25:13 > 0:25:17but it does have the potential to be transformed into their dream home.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19And they're up for taking on a project.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22It's a little further from Alice's parents than they'd like,
0:25:22 > 0:25:24but there's the bonus of the possibility
0:25:24 > 0:25:26of a lovely, large kitchen for Alice
0:25:26 > 0:25:28and Rashid isn't fazed at the prospect of building
0:25:28 > 0:25:32his own custom-made workshop in the extensive grounds.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37- Right, then. All done inside? - Yeah.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40And out? You managed to get him out of that garden, did you?
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Well, hopefully, this has given you something to think about,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45compared against the other properties we've seen.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I think we should find you somewhere to have a bit of a chinwag
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- and we'll catch up later on. - OK.- Let's go.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57So after a bit of time to think things through,
0:25:57 > 0:26:00- do you have a favourite house? - Yes. For me, it would be number two.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02For me, it would be number two, as well.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05It was a real wow factor for us when we first saw it.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07Basically, it has everything that we need.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- Would you agree with that, Rashid? - Yeah.
0:26:10 > 0:26:11Just the garden, basically.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14It's quite a steep garden.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17So the only thing, basically, would be that issue.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20The trouble is, I suppose, if I'm playing devil's advocate,
0:26:20 > 0:26:23you wouldn't get those wonderful views without, you know,
0:26:23 > 0:26:25some undulation with your garden, as well.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28If number two's your favourite house, what do you want to do about it?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30What we thought we might do
0:26:30 > 0:26:34is have a look at a few more properties at that 435 level
0:26:34 > 0:26:37and then maybe put in a cheeky offer.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39A cheeky offer? No harm in that at all.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41If that house hadn't been £435,000,
0:26:41 > 0:26:44- would you be looking for other houses?- Probably not.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46If you want to do a couple more viewings, do them quick.
0:26:46 > 0:26:50- That house has been on the market for four weeks, or so.- Yeah.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- I'm tempted to say I don't think it'll hang around.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56Are you surprised with this sort of position you're in a moment?
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I almost can't believe how easy it's been
0:26:59 > 0:27:01to find our potentially dream house.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04You have to let me know what you decide,
0:27:04 > 0:27:08- because that was pretty close to your shopping list.- Absolutely.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10- Pretty much spot-on.- Good luck.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Let's hope your mum and dad like the look of it, as well.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- Thank you very much. - Yeah, thank you.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21Well, Rashid and Alice have had quite a couple of days, haven't they?
0:27:21 > 0:27:25From contemplating a move, living in their South London suburb,
0:27:25 > 0:27:26to two days later,
0:27:26 > 0:27:29not only looking at properties down here for the first time,
0:27:29 > 0:27:32but actually finding a house they really, really like.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36Now, let's face it, house number two is over budget.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38But it's only an asking price.
0:27:38 > 0:27:43That property could still be bought by them, maybe, within their budget.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46I can't wait to find out what happens next. See you next time.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50Alice's mother went to visit our second house
0:27:50 > 0:27:52and, although everyone loved it,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55they concluded it was a little too small for their family's needs.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58So their search for their perfect country home continues
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and we wish them the very best of luck.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03If you would like to escape to the country
0:28:03 > 0:28:05in England, Northern Ireland,
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Wales, or Scotland and need our help
0:28:07 > 0:28:10you can apply online at...