0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today I'm in a county that breathed life into oxygen. So, where am I?
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Well, if you can hold your breath long enough, all will be revealed.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Today our house-hunting pair have left
0:00:28 > 0:00:31the wives at home as they go searching for a new family home.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34What do you think the good ladies would think?
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Well, I think they'll be fighting
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to know which one was going to have this as their kitchen.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41And their property shopping list is a rather tall order.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Plenty of character, plenty of charm.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- Plenty of height. - Plenty of height.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52Today I am in Wiltshire at the 18th-century Bowood House.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56And it was here in the summer of 1774 that pioneering
0:00:56 > 0:01:00British scientist, Joseph Priestley, held a magnifying glass to
0:01:00 > 0:01:04focus the sun's rays on a sample of mercury oxide.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Now, the surprising outcome was a gas which, for reasons which he
0:01:08 > 0:01:12didn't quite understand, made candles burn more brightly.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16However, it was a French chemist who actually named the gas oxygen
0:01:16 > 0:01:19just a few years later.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23A remarkable story and, just like the Wiltshire countryside,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25a real breath of fresh air.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Wiltshire sits at the gateway to the West Country.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35Surrounded by six counties including Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39its landscape is mostly rural with two thirds of it lying on chalk.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43The region is famous for its Neolithic monuments
0:01:43 > 0:01:44including Silbury Hill.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46Built almost 5,000 years ago,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50the artificial chalk mass stands 40 feet high,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54making it the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56The area's charming villages are straight out of an English
0:01:56 > 0:01:58countryside picture book,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01with the architecture reflecting the lie of the land.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04So with its ancient history and eclectic architecture,
0:02:04 > 0:02:10Wiltshire certainly makes a very tempting place to call home.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12So let's meet today's buyers to discover
0:02:12 > 0:02:17exactly what attracts them to the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Richard and his father-in-law Peter both work in the family
0:02:22 > 0:02:24printing business.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27They've taken on the task of finding their families a new home,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30and they've made the unusual decision of leaving
0:02:30 > 0:02:34the Portsmouth area and heading to Wiltshire in search of one big
0:02:34 > 0:02:36joint country house.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40There's going to be Anne, Peter's wife, Ruth, my wife,
0:02:40 > 0:02:44Peter's daughter, and our daughter Rebecca, who's four,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47and Oliver, who's just turned four weeks.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51- The whole family all in together. It's going to be good fun.- Yeah.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55Their houses are currently a 25-minute drive apart
0:02:55 > 0:02:58and they get together at least four times a week.
0:02:58 > 0:03:01They decided that being on each other's doorstep could be
0:03:01 > 0:03:02mutually beneficial.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Suddenly, it quite quickly became apparent to us
0:03:05 > 0:03:09that to buy two separate houses, would be one - very expensive,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12- and two - neither of us would get actually what we wanted.- Mmm.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Peter and his wife's Portsmouth home is under offer and Richard
0:03:16 > 0:03:19and his family live in a rented house near Portsmouth -
0:03:19 > 0:03:21they sold theirs 18 months ago.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24I'd love to stay here but for us to find the property
0:03:24 > 0:03:28and the space we actually want, we just can't afford to do it.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32The whole family is excited about what a new life in Wiltshire
0:03:32 > 0:03:34will mean.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36We'd like to be able to open the windows in the morning
0:03:36 > 0:03:40and see, not bricks and smoke and tarmac roads,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43but to be able to see trees, fields...
0:03:43 > 0:03:46But they're realistic, too.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49I think it would be foolish of us to say,
0:03:49 > 0:03:52"Oh! We are such perfect people - nothing could ever go wrong."
0:03:52 > 0:03:55We know that it could, and that is a risk.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58But even if there are some bumps in the road, the two families
0:03:58 > 0:04:03coming together as one is something everyone is looking forward to.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07This move will change our lives very significantly.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Anne and I have moved home so many times in our life,
0:04:11 > 0:04:16this would be our final move, and also just knowing that we
0:04:16 > 0:04:19are able to continue this really close relationship that we have
0:04:19 > 0:04:25with Rebecca and Ruth and Richard, and with Oliver, as he grows up.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Richard and Peter and their families are happy to consider moving
0:04:29 > 0:04:32anywhere in Wiltshire as long as they're no more than
0:04:32 > 0:04:34a 90-minute drive from Southampton,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38where Peter and Ann's son lives with Peter's mother living nearby.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41But before our pair take on the task
0:04:41 > 0:04:44of searching for their two-in-one family home, I'm meeting them
0:04:44 > 0:04:49in Wiltshire to find out more about their great expectations.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52So, Peter and Richard, this is a first for me,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55cos your wives have sent you out to find them the perfect property.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- Very much. - Yes, yes, they're very trusting.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59They're really trusting, yes.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Tell me exactly what it is you are after.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08Well, we're very close, as families, so the thought of them moving away
0:05:08 > 0:05:13and us not being able to see them regularly would be a disappointment.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16And also we have a small printing business that we want to
0:05:16 > 0:05:20bring on-site as well, and we also want at least an acre of garden,
0:05:20 > 0:05:23so the kids can run around and enjoy the open air.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I've always wanted to have sort of a smallholding - animals, chickens.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29So two families wanting to live together
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- but equally have their own space. - Very much so.- Yes.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33So how many bedrooms are we after?
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- Six bedrooms.- Yep. - In a property that's dividable.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39That's interesting. So you don't mind a bit of a project?
0:05:39 > 0:05:41No, we're quite handy at that.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44I'm presuming we're looking for a large kitchen, are we?
0:05:44 > 0:05:47We'd love an open-plan, sort of dining area, sort of living space,
0:05:47 > 0:05:50a separate lounge or something like that would be nice.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53We want a really decent-sized kitchen.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55So where's the compromise going to be?
0:05:55 > 0:05:56Because if you've done a lot of research
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- and I'm presuming you have...- Lots. - Well, I've looked at nearly,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02um, nearly 100 properties,
0:06:02 > 0:06:04- and more than that on paper. - I'm off, I'm off!
0:06:04 > 0:06:09So 100 properties - you haven't found it. I'm feeling the pressure.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13We are realistic enough to realise that we're not going to find exactly
0:06:13 > 0:06:17what we might think we want on paper, but there needs to be enough there
0:06:17 > 0:06:20that makes us think, "Wow, this really is a dream house."
0:06:20 > 0:06:25So I've got to find this substantial property and all for...
0:06:25 > 0:06:27- £750,000. - Hmmm!
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Say we find you the perfect property,
0:06:30 > 0:06:32can we nudge up a little bit?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Yeah, there's a little bit there. - Just a little.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37OK, so we've got three smashing properties lined up to show you.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- Shall we get started? - Yes.- Yes.- Follow me.- Thank you.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Richard and Peter have a very generous budget between them
0:06:44 > 0:06:48and are prepared to go even higher for the right place.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51They need to accommodate six people in two separate properties -
0:06:51 > 0:06:54or one house with the potential to divide into two.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58They're planning to have the family printing business on-site
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and they'd like a garden large enough to keep two growing children,
0:07:01 > 0:07:04and possibly some livestock, happy.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07They'll be visiting three contrasting rural properties
0:07:07 > 0:07:11and only after touring each one will they discover its price.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15The final stop will be the mystery house, which will offer them
0:07:15 > 0:07:17an added extra that will definitely give them
0:07:17 > 0:07:19something new to think about.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28We're beginning our house hunt towards the centre of the county
0:07:28 > 0:07:33on the outskirts of the village of Enford, 15 miles north of Salisbury.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36The surrounding countryside is a designated area of outstanding
0:07:36 > 0:07:39natural beauty and the village, with its hedge-lined lanes,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42runs alongside the River Avon.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45Down a quiet country lane just set back from the middle of the village
0:07:45 > 0:07:49is our first property, this handsome Grade II listed brick
0:07:49 > 0:07:53and flint cottage - which has worn lots of hats in its lifetime.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57It's got a...what you might call a wow factor, you know.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00I mean, it's not just the ordinary...
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- I like that.- Yep. - Dates back to the 1600s.- OK.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06And over the years, it's had different businesses being
0:08:06 > 0:08:08run out of it. I'll explain more when we step inside.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11- Are you ready? - Definitely, very much so.- Yep.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18Entering through one of the front doors, a large open reception area,
0:08:18 > 0:08:23once an ale house, leads to an impressive 28-foot sitting room.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- Wow, that's big.- Yeah, it's nice and big, isn't it? Yeah.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29This would have been the butchers, this part. It has been opened up.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Mind your heads, boys.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34You're nearly all right there, Peter, aren't you?
0:08:34 > 0:08:36Yeah, but I'm only six-one. Richard is six-three.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39It's a room you could entertain in very well,
0:08:39 > 0:08:44and bring the family all together, but the height is scaring me.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47I want to take us through to this next part of the property
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- because this originally was the farrier's.- Oh, right.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Oh, wow!
0:08:54 > 0:08:58This is where the farrier used to work, obviously using that.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02- Oh, yes.- What do you think the good ladies would think, Anne and Ruth?
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Well, I think they'll be fighting to know which one is going to have
0:09:05 > 0:09:07this as their kitchen, you see.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10Downstairs in this charming cottage there is also a cloakroom,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14a utility room and a double bedroom with an en-suite,
0:09:14 > 0:09:18and upstairs is full of personality, too.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21So this is the master bedroom.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23- Wow, yes. Nice.- Wow.
0:09:23 > 0:09:28And you have three double bedrooms upstairs, and a family bathroom.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Outside across a gravelled courtyard is a large double garage with
0:09:31 > 0:09:36potential to be used as a business setting - but that's not all.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40So right in front of us we have a second cottage.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43- Right, right.- Wow!- Now at the moment it's being rented out,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46and to the side of it, you've got a business area.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49But behind me, if that wasn't enough,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52you've got a studio flat with a mezzanine level.
0:09:52 > 0:09:56So that could be perfect for running the business,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59but let's see if the cottage is going to be right for you and Anne.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01Great, yeah.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05This attractive detached cottage with its adjoining office
0:10:05 > 0:10:07was once home to the local smithy.
0:10:07 > 0:10:09- I love the floor.- Yeah.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- What a lovely space. - Tiled floor.- Yeah.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14You've got a kitchen, and you've got a downstairs shower room.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- OK.- Upstairs there are two bedrooms.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19- Right.- Excellent.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Next door, do you remember I mentioned there was an office?
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- Yes.- Yep.- I would be inclined to knock that through.- Yes.
0:10:26 > 0:10:29So, Peter, be honest - what's your impression of the cottage?
0:10:29 > 0:10:33I love the outside of the cottage, thought it looked really attractive.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35My immediate reservation is
0:10:35 > 0:10:39whether it was going to be big enough, but I think there's scope.
0:10:39 > 0:10:40I want to show them the garden,
0:10:40 > 0:10:42which is laid out on different levels.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47I seem to remember someone saying that they'd like chickens.
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- Yes.- There they are. - Ah, wonderful, wow.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Location-wise, Southampton - it's important for you both to
0:10:53 > 0:10:55get down there, isn't it? It's about 50 minutes away.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- Perfect.- That is fantastic, inside an hour. I mean, that is wonderful.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02Got to ask you now, how much is it on the market for?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- I think it's on for 750. - OK, Richard?
0:11:04 > 0:11:06I'm going to go in the middle. 725, I think.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11Interesting. The asking price is £795,000.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13In some ways, that doesn't surprise me.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15There is an awful lot of property here,
0:11:15 > 0:11:19but from our perspective, we have a budget and I think there would
0:11:19 > 0:11:23need to be room for negotiation in there before we could consider it.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26This beautiful thatched cottage with its bonus buildings may
0:11:26 > 0:11:31be £45,000 over Richard and Peter's budget but they did say
0:11:31 > 0:11:34they could nudge their limit up for the right property.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36And with a separate cottage on site
0:11:36 > 0:11:40and plenty of potential to accommodate their printing business,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43they're getting everything they've asked for, less than an hour away
0:11:43 > 0:11:45from family in Southampton.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Have we got close with our first property?
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Well, money aside, this is a really, really stunning property, yes.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- Yeah - a good start?- Very good start, yeah.- Excellent, cos it is
0:11:54 > 0:11:57only our first house cos I've got more to show you.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58- Excellent.- Looking forward.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Wiltshire is home to a fine display of architecture,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08and we've only scratched the surface on our visit here.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11But there's no denying one of the most resplendent examples
0:12:11 > 0:12:15in the county is 800-year-old Salisbury Cathedral,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18proudly showing off its early English Gothic construction.
0:12:18 > 0:12:23Its 123-metre spire is the tallest in England.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25Robert Key's been closely involved with the cathedral
0:12:25 > 0:12:29since he was a young boy, when he joined as a chorister.
0:12:29 > 0:12:30Rob, Salisbury Cathedral -
0:12:30 > 0:12:33it is such an impressive, imposing building!
0:12:33 > 0:12:34Why is it so special?
0:12:34 > 0:12:37Why is it head and shoulders above other cathedrals?
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Because inside is the finest of the four surviving copies
0:12:41 > 0:12:44of the Magna Carta.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47The Magna Carta was a document drawn up which resulted
0:12:47 > 0:12:49in the birth of democratic English law
0:12:49 > 0:12:51which followed throughout the world.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53It meant there were laws of the land to abide by,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56taking power away from the king.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58So how old is the Magna Carta?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01800 years next year.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04On the 15th of June, 1215,
0:13:04 > 0:13:08it was sealed - never signed - the king didn't sign at Runnymede,
0:13:08 > 0:13:12and it was brought here and it has stayed here ever since.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16So this beautiful cathedral looks after one of the most important
0:13:16 > 0:13:19English historical documents -
0:13:19 > 0:13:22and it takes a lot of work to look after the building itself,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25to keep it in such pristine condition.
0:13:25 > 0:13:29Gary Price is responsible for a 32-year restoration project
0:13:29 > 0:13:31that started in 1986 -
0:13:31 > 0:13:33when he was just 17 years old -
0:13:33 > 0:13:36and will finish in four years' time.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39So you're in charge of all the artisan stonemasons
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- that are helping to repair the cathedral?- Yeah.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44So, Gary, what causes the erosion?
0:13:44 > 0:13:48The weather, the elements, the wind and the rain, pollution, frost...
0:13:48 > 0:13:51If I just show you a little bit that's fallen off here,
0:13:51 > 0:13:52you can see that you can, literally,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55just crumble it away with your hands.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Gary has 11 stonemasons in the workshop,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03all skilled at chiselling the local Chicksgrove stone
0:14:03 > 0:14:07to replicate and replace or conserve the deteriorating pieces.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09Would you like to have a go?
0:14:09 > 0:14:13I would. I'm presuming it takes years and years of practice,
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- apprenticeship, to be good at it. - Yes, yes, it does.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18- How many years does it take to qualify?- Five years.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- It's kind of slow and steady, really.- Right.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23You need to keep this going for eight hours, if you're a stonemason.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26If you pretend you've got a bit of paper under your arm,
0:14:26 > 0:14:29and you need to keep that bit of paper there, that's how you do it.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Basically, what you're trying to do is nibble away at the stone,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35a little bit at a time.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38Gary, when we were standing by the cathedral and I was looking at
0:14:38 > 0:14:41the stone they all look as if they were slightly different sizes.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45They are all slightly different. We need to take bespoke templates
0:14:45 > 0:14:48for every single stone. That is why it's so time-consuming.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- Would you like to have a go? - I'd love to.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53I'm your apprentice. So, just...
0:14:53 > 0:14:55That's it.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57This is a true art form, isn't it?
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Be honest.- It is.- How am I doing? - Yeah, all right. Yeah.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04So, when this is finished, what's the next step? Where does it go?
0:15:04 > 0:15:08It will then go up onto the scaffold and be fixed on the building.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10And that's where we're heading next
0:15:10 > 0:15:13to see how these finely-crafted pieces of stonework
0:15:13 > 0:15:16find a home in the fabric of this splendid cathedral.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- We're going to have the best view in the house.- Yeah.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22An external lift is taking us up to the north-east side
0:15:22 > 0:15:27of the cathedral, the area that's currently undergoing restoration.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30This is the final resting place for our stone.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34As you can see here, we have new stone and old stone.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37The stone is exactly the same age, geologically,
0:15:37 > 0:15:41it's just that this has been above ground for 800 years more than this.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44I suppose in 100, 200 years it will start looking like that again.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45Yes, yes, it will.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49So when it's done, will you have to start all over again?
0:15:49 > 0:15:51No, there will be maintenance to do on the cathedral,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54but it won't be the scale of scaffolding all over the building.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It will be left for future generations to come.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Keeping it in the magnificence it deserves,
0:15:59 > 0:16:02the final resting place for the Magna Carta.
0:16:02 > 0:16:04- Yeah.- Gary, thank you very much indeed.- You're welcome.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Travelling 36 miles west and crossing borders into Somerset
0:16:14 > 0:16:18leads us to our second property in the village of Buckland Dinham,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21ten minutes' drive from the town of Frome.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24The small farming village is perched on the side of a hill
0:16:24 > 0:16:27with uninterrupted views across the surrounding countryside.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30And a well-equipped playground is a two-minute stroll
0:16:30 > 0:16:32from our second house
0:16:32 > 0:16:34which sits on a quiet lane in the village
0:16:34 > 0:16:37with views to the famous Westbury horse.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40- So you've probably noticed we've crossed the border.- Yes.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42How do you feel living in Somerset?
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- That's fine, yeah.- It's doable. - Looks very nice, doesn't it, yeah?
0:16:45 > 0:16:47So it was built in 1974.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51I do quite like the idea of a bit of a newer property.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53Let's get started.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Crossing Wiltshire's west border into Somerset offers Peter
0:16:56 > 0:16:58and Richard more for their money
0:16:58 > 0:17:01and it's still only an hour and 20-minute drive from Southampton.
0:17:01 > 0:17:06Moving inside, a bright hallway leads to the sitting room.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08- Wow.- Very nice, isn't it? Yeah.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10It's a nice size.
0:17:10 > 0:17:11- Beams again.- Yeah.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14- Beams, but...- A lot higher. - You're not going to hit your head.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17You won't hit your head on that beam!
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- A good start then, for us, isn't it? - Very good.- Follow me, we're going to
0:17:20 > 0:17:22go through the dining room, into the kitchen.
0:17:22 > 0:17:24A nice size.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27So, you've got doors here, should you want to close it up.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Excellent.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30And not a bad sized kitchen, at all.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33No. No, it's nice. It's a nice size.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36It's a lovely space, and it's free flowing, which is what we wanted.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Just what you've shown us, so far...
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Yeah, I think there's quite a bit of potential there.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- Definitely.- Well, on that note let's head upstairs.- OK.
0:17:46 > 0:17:50A galleried landing with a study leads to three double bedrooms.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53There's also a family bathroom,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56and at the back of the house, overlooking the garden,
0:17:56 > 0:17:58is the master bedroom.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01It's very light - the double aspect is fantastic.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04And a high ceiling.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08A high ceiling - no whacking your head, and...an en-suite.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10An en-suite, which we're... We love.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13We're going to go back downstairs, out the front door,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16because you, young man, have your own front door.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18- Good, I like that! - Follow me.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24Adjoining the property is an extension built in 1989.
0:18:26 > 0:18:32So, with its own entrance, we come to the second part of the property.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34- Yes.- Wow!
0:18:34 > 0:18:36You weren't expecting this, were you?
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- No!- That's very nice, yes. - That's very deceiving.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42You've got kitchen, through there.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44You've got the bedrooms down the hallway, which I'm going to
0:18:44 > 0:18:47take you to, and you've got all of this space, as well,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49leading out to the garden.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- Right, yes.- Wow.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53To the back of the annexe is the smaller bedroom
0:18:53 > 0:18:55with its own bathroom.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59- Peter, you said you wanted two bedrooms.- Yeah.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01So this would be the larger of the two.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04- That's a very nice size.- Yeah? - Very nice.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- Generous bathroom, as well. - Ah, excellent.- Right.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- The sun is shining.- Gorgeous!
0:19:09 > 0:19:11- Let's take a look at the back garden.- Yep.
0:19:11 > 0:19:13Have a bit more of a chat.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- I'm also going to ask you about the price.- Yes.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19The mature gardens surrounding the property
0:19:19 > 0:19:22have been specially designed to be low-maintenance.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27Now, I, personally, think this is a charming garden.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30It's been divided up - on that side, a your vegetable patch.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Yes, yeah.- It looks really good. - Lastly...the garage.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- Yes.- Oh, yes.
0:19:34 > 0:19:39- In the back of our minds, we were thinking for the business.- Yes.- Yes.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43So, er, what are we thinking - asking price for this property?
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Well, I would guess...
0:19:45 > 0:19:47695.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49OK. All right. Interesting.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53I'm going to go on the higher side of that - 750.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56750... Well, this is under your budget.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- Ahh...!- Ahh...! - The asking price is...
0:19:59 > 0:20:01650,000.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- Ah. Right.- That definitely leaves a bit of space.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- Well, that's, um... That is very encouraging.- Very.- Yes.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11A hefty £100,000 under budget
0:20:11 > 0:20:13means Peter, Richard and their families
0:20:13 > 0:20:16could make substantial changes to this detached house
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and its annexe to suit their needs.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22It's got just the number of bedrooms to accommodate the two families
0:20:22 > 0:20:24and a garden already set up for the good life -
0:20:24 > 0:20:28but with space for Richard's young children to play, too.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- How are we doing? - Very well, thank you.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- Yeah, very good. - Seen enough on your own?
0:20:33 > 0:20:37- Yes, thanks.- So, two houses in one for our second property.
0:20:37 > 0:20:38Yep, yep.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- Right, time for us now to hit the road.- Great.- Fantastic.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Peter and Richard have a high list of demands and requirements,
0:20:51 > 0:20:56looking for that perfect property for not one but two families.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Now, it is a tough ask, but I think yesterday's houses
0:20:59 > 0:21:02certainly gave them everything they wanted.
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Now, although very different in terms of style and budget,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09it showed both our chaps the possibilities.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11So I'm hoping today with our mystery house -
0:21:11 > 0:21:15well, it's going to push them just that little bit further.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20Travelling 31 miles north-east takes us back into Wiltshire
0:21:20 > 0:21:24and the village of Hullavington seven miles north of Chippenham.
0:21:24 > 0:21:28Hullavington is well serviced with a pub, a village hall,
0:21:28 > 0:21:31a parish church and a primary school.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34On the edge of the village is our third and final property,
0:21:34 > 0:21:36with a rather interesting addition
0:21:36 > 0:21:39that gives it the title of our mystery house.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Any ideas why it might be the mystery house?
0:21:43 > 0:21:44Erm...
0:21:44 > 0:21:47Possibly what's behind you?
0:21:47 > 0:21:51You spotted it! The Baptist chapel - not in use any more,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54but...ripe for conversion.
0:21:54 > 0:21:55Ahhh!
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- So you said you didn't mind a project.- Yes.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- So you've got a very old cottage. - Yes.- Really nice.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- This dates back to around the 1830s. - OK.- Right.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07- Shall we start with the chapel first?- Yes!- Shall we?- Why not?
0:22:09 > 0:22:13Between the house and the chapel lies a small graveyard.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16Because it's a work in progress, the chapel...
0:22:16 > 0:22:19- Thank you very much.- There we go.
0:22:19 > 0:22:20- Right, are we ready? - Yes.- Yes.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24So, gentlemen,
0:22:24 > 0:22:27here is your chapel.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Right...!
0:22:29 > 0:22:32It is a tremendous space. It has so much potential.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- Yes. So is it listed?- It is.
0:22:35 > 0:22:40- The cottage isn't but the chapel is. - Right.- But, the good news is,
0:22:40 > 0:22:42planning permission has already been granted.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44The permission at the moment has been granted
0:22:44 > 0:22:46that you keep the mezzanine floor, so you've got two layers,
0:22:46 > 0:22:50- and then you actually extend out, into the garden.- Right.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Richard, if you want to lead the way back to the cottage,
0:22:53 > 0:22:54we'll start on your accommodation.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Mind your heads.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01This period cottage has been extended twice,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05giving it just the space Richard needs for his young family.
0:23:05 > 0:23:07So, welcome to your cottage.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10Actually, I don't think we need these now, it's quite safe.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13- Good.- And here it is.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16As you can see...it's pretty big.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18- It's huge.- Yes, it is. - Lovely-sized room.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21In actual fact, this used to be two cottages.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- OK.- Plenty of character, plenty of charm.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- Plenty of height. - Plenty of height.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Now, with this kitchen, as you can see - look at the beams,
0:23:35 > 0:23:38wonderful, aren't they? - it's a long galley kitchen,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40and the way it's been designed makes the most of the views
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- out the window.- Yes, lovely. - Lovely. It looks quite compact.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46I was hoping to get something a bit bigger,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49but I think there's scope here to do something different.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Downstairs there are also two studies and a conservatory
0:23:53 > 0:23:57and moving upstairs, the warren of rooms continues.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- So there are two staircases. - OK.- Right.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03- Because it did used to be two cottages.- Yes.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06So, on this side, you've got the master bedroom,
0:24:06 > 0:24:09and you've got the en-suite.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12And then on the other side - you could actually knock through -
0:24:12 > 0:24:14you've got two further bedrooms
0:24:14 > 0:24:16and another family bathroom.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18- Right.- Excellent. Stunning view.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20Hopefully, the drizzle will have stopped,
0:24:20 > 0:24:22so let's head back downstairs,
0:24:22 > 0:24:26and you can tell me what you think all of this is on the market for.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34So you do have
0:24:34 > 0:24:36a delightful garden,
0:24:36 > 0:24:39and this is where the extension of the chapel would come out.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- Right, yes, yes. - Stunning garden.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44And we're north of the M4.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Right. OK.- So for you to get back to Southampton,
0:24:47 > 0:24:50we're thinking around an hour and 20 minutes.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51- Oh, brilliant. Very good.- Perfect.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54- An important part to discuss is the business.- Yes.
0:24:54 > 0:24:55But we've looked into it.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59Malmsbury, which is beautiful, is only 15 minutes away.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01There is office space to be had there,
0:25:01 > 0:25:04and it works out about £5,000 per year.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07How do you feel about the business being off site?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Well, it's currently off site anyway,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11so it would have to be looked at - the commute there and back.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14And there is space here that we could possibly create something
0:25:14 > 0:25:18- within the boundaries of this property.- Yes, yeah.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20There's plenty of rooms in the house for an office.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24So how much, then, is our mystery house and chapel on the market for?
0:25:24 > 0:25:26- 550.- OK.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30Erm, looking at what's here and what's to do...625.
0:25:30 > 0:25:35The asking price for all of this - both properties -
0:25:35 > 0:25:37£500,000.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38- Oh!- Excellent!
0:25:38 > 0:25:42That does leave you a quarter of a million pounds to spend.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44But the one thing I will say is,
0:25:44 > 0:25:47you haven't found that perfect property.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- No.- What this does is come way under budget,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- and you could potentially create it. - Make it.- Yes.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Our mystery house is offering Richard and Peter
0:25:56 > 0:26:00the chance to really put their own stamp on these two properties,
0:26:00 > 0:26:05coming in at an astounding £250,000 under budget.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08There are also various possibilities for their business,
0:26:08 > 0:26:10and sitting in three quarters of an acre of land,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13the children would love running around the beautiful gardens
0:26:13 > 0:26:16with its splendid views.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20That's it, gentlemen, you've seen all our properties.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- It's gone so quickly.- Yes, it has, hasn't it, yeah?- Very quick.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26I'm interested now to find out, have we got close with any of them?
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Are the girls going to be revisiting them soon?
0:26:28 > 0:26:32- I think so.- Let's go and have a chat and find out.- Yes.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37So, do you think you've done your wives proud
0:26:37 > 0:26:39with this house hunt here in Wiltshire?
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Well, quietly confident that we have a couple
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- well worth their while viewing, yes. - Ahh, that's good.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I think you've done them proud. So, tell me, which are the two?
0:26:48 > 0:26:50I like your mystery house.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53I'm quite excited with what we could do with that.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55You mentioned another property.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Yep, the second property.
0:26:57 > 0:27:00It's very interesting. It has, again, a lot of potential there,
0:27:00 > 0:27:04at a price that we can actually make work for us,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and bring up to our level of what we want.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09- Is there a preference? - For me, the mystery house.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10Peter?
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I think I would go for the mystery house.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15My only slight reservation is
0:27:15 > 0:27:17we need to be able to fix the business up on site,
0:27:17 > 0:27:20and it isn't immediately obvious where that goes.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22So, Peter, what's the next step going to be?
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- Well, we're definitely going to come back.- Excellent news.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27We want the two girls to come
0:27:27 > 0:27:29and see both the second and the third property.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31But, yes, we're quite excited.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Brilliant. Well, listen, all the best.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Let us know how you get on, won't you?- We will.- Thank you.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Even though they think they're going to make the ultimate decision,
0:27:43 > 0:27:47we all know it's their lovely wives who are going to have the final say.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50But, nevertheless, I'm delighted that Peter and Richard
0:27:50 > 0:27:53feel confident enough to recommend two of our homes
0:27:53 > 0:27:57to their other halves. So, in my eyes, that's a job well done.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00See you next time.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03If you would like to Escape to the Country in Wales, Scotland,
0:28:03 > 0:28:07Northern Ireland, England or perhaps even further afield to the continent
0:28:07 > 0:28:10and would like our help, please apply online: