Wiltshire Escape to the Country

Today I'm in a county that breathed life into oxygen. So, where am I?

Well, if you can hold your breath long enough, all will be revealed.

Today our house-hunting pair have left

the wives at home as they go searching for a new family home.

What do you think the good ladies would think?

Well, I think they'll be fighting

to know which one was going to have this as their kitchen.

And their property shopping list is a rather tall order.

Plenty of character, plenty of charm.

-Plenty of height.

-Plenty of height.

Today I am in Wiltshire at the 18th-century Bowood House.

And it was here in the summer of 1774 that pioneering

British scientist, Joseph Priestley, held a magnifying glass to

focus the sun's rays on a sample of mercury oxide.

Now, the surprising outcome was a gas which, for reasons which he

didn't quite understand, made candles burn more brightly.

However, it was a French chemist who actually named the gas oxygen

just a few years later.

A remarkable story and, just like the Wiltshire countryside,

a real breath of fresh air.

Wiltshire sits at the gateway to the West Country.

Surrounded by six counties including Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset,

its landscape is mostly rural with two thirds of it lying on chalk.

The region is famous for its Neolithic monuments

including Silbury Hill.

Built almost 5,000 years ago,

the artificial chalk mass stands 40 feet high,

making it the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe.

The area's charming villages are straight out of an English

countryside picture book,

with the architecture reflecting the lie of the land.

So with its ancient history and eclectic architecture,

Wiltshire certainly makes a very tempting place to call home.

So let's meet today's buyers to discover

exactly what attracts them to the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.

Richard and his father-in-law Peter both work in the family

printing business.

They've taken on the task of finding their families a new home,

and they've made the unusual decision of leaving

the Portsmouth area and heading to Wiltshire in search of one big

joint country house.

There's going to be Anne, Peter's wife, Ruth, my wife,

Peter's daughter, and our daughter Rebecca, who's four,

and Oliver, who's just turned four weeks.

-The whole family all in together. It's going to be good fun.

-Yeah.

Their houses are currently a 25-minute drive apart

and they get together at least four times a week.

They decided that being on each other's doorstep could be

mutually beneficial.

Suddenly, it quite quickly became apparent to us

that to buy two separate houses, would be one - very expensive,

-and two - neither of us would get actually what we wanted.

-Mmm.

Peter and his wife's Portsmouth home is under offer and Richard

and his family live in a rented house near Portsmouth -

they sold theirs 18 months ago.

I'd love to stay here but for us to find the property

and the space we actually want, we just can't afford to do it.

The whole family is excited about what a new life in Wiltshire

will mean.

We'd like to be able to open the windows in the morning

and see, not bricks and smoke and tarmac roads,

but to be able to see trees, fields...

But they're realistic, too.

I think it would be foolish of us to say,

"Oh! We are such perfect people - nothing could ever go wrong."

We know that it could, and that is a risk.

But even if there are some bumps in the road, the two families

coming together as one is something everyone is looking forward to.

This move will change our lives very significantly.

Anne and I have moved home so many times in our life,

this would be our final move, and also just knowing that we

are able to continue this really close relationship that we have

with Rebecca and Ruth and Richard, and with Oliver, as he grows up.

Richard and Peter and their families are happy to consider moving

anywhere in Wiltshire as long as they're no more than

a 90-minute drive from Southampton,

where Peter and Ann's son lives with Peter's mother living nearby.

But before our pair take on the task

of searching for their two-in-one family home, I'm meeting them

in Wiltshire to find out more about their great expectations.

So, Peter and Richard, this is a first for me,

cos your wives have sent you out to find them the perfect property.

-Very much.

-Yes, yes, they're very trusting.

They're really trusting, yes.

Tell me exactly what it is you are after.

Well, we're very close, as families, so the thought of them moving away

and us not being able to see them regularly would be a disappointment.

And also we have a small printing business that we want to

bring on-site as well, and we also want at least an acre of garden,

so the kids can run around and enjoy the open air.

I've always wanted to have sort of a smallholding - animals, chickens.

So two families wanting to live together

-but equally have their own space.

-Very much so.

-Yes.

So how many bedrooms are we after?

-Six bedrooms.

-Yep.

-In a property that's dividable.

That's interesting. So you don't mind a bit of a project?

No, we're quite handy at that.

I'm presuming we're looking for a large kitchen, are we?

We'd love an open-plan, sort of dining area, sort of living space,

a separate lounge or something like that would be nice.

We want a really decent-sized kitchen.

So where's the compromise going to be?

Because if you've done a lot of research

-and I'm presuming you have...

-Lots.

-Well, I've looked at nearly,

um, nearly 100 properties,

-and more than that on paper.

-I'm off, I'm off!

So 100 properties - you haven't found it. I'm feeling the pressure.

We are realistic enough to realise that we're not going to find exactly

what we might think we want on paper, but there needs to be enough there

that makes us think, "Wow, this really is a dream house."

So I've got to find this substantial property and all for...

-£750,000.

-Hmmm!

Say we find you the perfect property,

can we nudge up a little bit?

-Yeah, there's a little bit there.

-Just a little.

OK, so we've got three smashing properties lined up to show you.

-Shall we get started?

-Yes.

-Yes.

-Follow me.

-Thank you.

Richard and Peter have a very generous budget between them

and are prepared to go even higher for the right place.

They need to accommodate six people in two separate properties -

or one house with the potential to divide into two.

They're planning to have the family printing business on-site

and they'd like a garden large enough to keep two growing children,

and possibly some livestock, happy.

They'll be visiting three contrasting rural properties

and only after touring each one will they discover its price.

The final stop will be the mystery house, which will offer them

an added extra that will definitely give them

something new to think about.

We're beginning our house hunt towards the centre of the county

on the outskirts of the village of Enford, 15 miles north of Salisbury.

The surrounding countryside is a designated area of outstanding

natural beauty and the village, with its hedge-lined lanes,

runs alongside the River Avon.

Down a quiet country lane just set back from the middle of the village

is our first property, this handsome Grade II listed brick

and flint cottage - which has worn lots of hats in its lifetime.

It's got a...what you might call a wow factor, you know.

I mean, it's not just the ordinary...

-I like that.

-Yep.

-Dates back to the 1600s.

-OK.

And over the years, it's had different businesses being

run out of it. I'll explain more when we step inside.

-Are you ready?

-Definitely, very much so.

-Yep.

Entering through one of the front doors, a large open reception area,

once an ale house, leads to an impressive 28-foot sitting room.

-Wow, that's big.

-Yeah, it's nice and big, isn't it? Yeah.

This would have been the butchers, this part. It has been opened up.

Mind your heads, boys.

You're nearly all right there, Peter, aren't you?

Yeah, but I'm only six-one. Richard is six-three.

It's a room you could entertain in very well,

and bring the family all together, but the height is scaring me.

I want to take us through to this next part of the property

-because this originally was the farrier's.

-Oh, right.

Oh, wow!

This is where the farrier used to work, obviously using that.

-Oh, yes.

-What do you think the good ladies would think, Anne and Ruth?

Well, I think they'll be fighting to know which one is going to have

this as their kitchen, you see.

Downstairs in this charming cottage there is also a cloakroom,

a utility room and a double bedroom with an en-suite,

and upstairs is full of personality, too.

So this is the master bedroom.

-Wow, yes. Nice.

-Wow.

And you have three double bedrooms upstairs, and a family bathroom.

Outside across a gravelled courtyard is a large double garage with

potential to be used as a business setting - but that's not all.

So right in front of us we have a second cottage.

-Right, right.

-Wow!

-Now at the moment it's being rented out,

and to the side of it, you've got a business area.

But behind me, if that wasn't enough,

you've got a studio flat with a mezzanine level.

So that could be perfect for running the business,

but let's see if the cottage is going to be right for you and Anne.

Great, yeah.

This attractive detached cottage with its adjoining office

was once home to the local smithy.

-I love the floor.

-Yeah.

-What a lovely space.

-Tiled floor.

-Yeah.

You've got a kitchen, and you've got a downstairs shower room.

-OK.

-Upstairs there are two bedrooms.

-Right.

-Excellent.

Next door, do you remember I mentioned there was an office?

-Yes.

-Yep.

-I would be inclined to knock that through.

-Yes.

So, Peter, be honest - what's your impression of the cottage?

I love the outside of the cottage, thought it looked really attractive.

My immediate reservation is

whether it was going to be big enough, but I think there's scope.

I want to show them the garden,

which is laid out on different levels.

I seem to remember someone saying that they'd like chickens.

-Yes.

-There they are.

-Ah, wonderful, wow.

Location-wise, Southampton - it's important for you both to

get down there, isn't it? It's about 50 minutes away.

-Perfect.

-That is fantastic, inside an hour. I mean, that is wonderful.

Got to ask you now, how much is it on the market for?

-I think it's on for 750.

-OK, Richard?

I'm going to go in the middle. 725, I think.

Interesting. The asking price is £795,000.

In some ways, that doesn't surprise me.

There is an awful lot of property here,

but from our perspective, we have a budget and I think there would

need to be room for negotiation in there before we could consider it.

This beautiful thatched cottage with its bonus buildings may

be £45,000 over Richard and Peter's budget but they did say

they could nudge their limit up for the right property.

And with a separate cottage on site

and plenty of potential to accommodate their printing business,

they're getting everything they've asked for, less than an hour away

from family in Southampton.

Have we got close with our first property?

Well, money aside, this is a really, really stunning property, yes.

-Yeah - a good start?

-Very good start, yeah.

-Excellent, cos it is

only our first house cos I've got more to show you.

-Excellent.

-Looking forward.

Wiltshire is home to a fine display of architecture,

and we've only scratched the surface on our visit here.

But there's no denying one of the most resplendent examples

in the county is 800-year-old Salisbury Cathedral,

proudly showing off its early English Gothic construction.

Its 123-metre spire is the tallest in England.

Robert Key's been closely involved with the cathedral

since he was a young boy, when he joined as a chorister.

Rob, Salisbury Cathedral -

it is such an impressive, imposing building!

Why is it so special?

Why is it head and shoulders above other cathedrals?

Because inside is the finest of the four surviving copies

of the Magna Carta.

The Magna Carta was a document drawn up which resulted

in the birth of democratic English law

which followed throughout the world.

It meant there were laws of the land to abide by,

taking power away from the king.

So how old is the Magna Carta?

800 years next year.

On the 15th of June, 1215,

it was sealed - never signed - the king didn't sign at Runnymede,

and it was brought here and it has stayed here ever since.

So this beautiful cathedral looks after one of the most important

English historical documents -

and it takes a lot of work to look after the building itself,

to keep it in such pristine condition.

Gary Price is responsible for a 32-year restoration project

that started in 1986 -

when he was just 17 years old -

and will finish in four years' time.

So you're in charge of all the artisan stonemasons

-that are helping to repair the cathedral?

-Yeah.

So, Gary, what causes the erosion?

The weather, the elements, the wind and the rain, pollution, frost...

If I just show you a little bit that's fallen off here,

you can see that you can, literally,

just crumble it away with your hands.

Gary has 11 stonemasons in the workshop,

all skilled at chiselling the local Chicksgrove stone

to replicate and replace or conserve the deteriorating pieces.

Would you like to have a go?

I would. I'm presuming it takes years and years of practice,

-apprenticeship, to be good at it.

-Yes, yes, it does.

-How many years does it take to qualify?

-Five years.

-It's kind of slow and steady, really.

-Right.

You need to keep this going for eight hours, if you're a stonemason.

If you pretend you've got a bit of paper under your arm,

and you need to keep that bit of paper there, that's how you do it.

Basically, what you're trying to do is nibble away at the stone,

a little bit at a time.

Gary, when we were standing by the cathedral and I was looking at

the stone they all look as if they were slightly different sizes.

They are all slightly different. We need to take bespoke templates

for every single stone. That is why it's so time-consuming.

-Would you like to have a go?

-I'd love to.

I'm your apprentice. So, just...

That's it.

This is a true art form, isn't it?

-Be honest.

-It is.

-How am I doing?

-Yeah, all right. Yeah.

So, when this is finished, what's the next step? Where does it go?

It will then go up onto the scaffold and be fixed on the building.

And that's where we're heading next

to see how these finely-crafted pieces of stonework

find a home in the fabric of this splendid cathedral.

-We're going to have the best view in the house.

-Yeah.

An external lift is taking us up to the north-east side

of the cathedral, the area that's currently undergoing restoration.

This is the final resting place for our stone.

As you can see here, we have new stone and old stone.

The stone is exactly the same age, geologically,

it's just that this has been above ground for 800 years more than this.

I suppose in 100, 200 years it will start looking like that again.

Yes, yes, it will.

So when it's done, will you have to start all over again?

No, there will be maintenance to do on the cathedral,

but it won't be the scale of scaffolding all over the building.

It will be left for future generations to come.

Keeping it in the magnificence it deserves,

the final resting place for the Magna Carta.

-Yeah.

-Gary, thank you very much indeed.

-You're welcome.

Travelling 36 miles west and crossing borders into Somerset

leads us to our second property in the village of Buckland Dinham,

ten minutes' drive from the town of Frome.

The small farming village is perched on the side of a hill

with uninterrupted views across the surrounding countryside.

And a well-equipped playground is a two-minute stroll

from our second house

which sits on a quiet lane in the village

with views to the famous Westbury horse.

-So you've probably noticed we've crossed the border.

-Yes.

How do you feel living in Somerset?

-That's fine, yeah.

-It's doable.

-Looks very nice, doesn't it, yeah?

So it was built in 1974.

I do quite like the idea of a bit of a newer property.

Let's get started.

Crossing Wiltshire's west border into Somerset offers Peter

and Richard more for their money

and it's still only an hour and 20-minute drive from Southampton.

Moving inside, a bright hallway leads to the sitting room.

-Wow.

-Very nice, isn't it? Yeah.

It's a nice size.

-Beams again.

-Yeah.

-Beams, but...

-A lot higher.

-You're not going to hit your head.

You won't hit your head on that beam!

-A good start then, for us, isn't it?

-Very good.

-Follow me, we're going to

go through the dining room, into the kitchen.

A nice size.

So, you've got doors here, should you want to close it up.

Excellent.

And not a bad sized kitchen, at all.

No. No, it's nice. It's a nice size.

It's a lovely space, and it's free flowing, which is what we wanted.

Just what you've shown us, so far...

Yeah, I think there's quite a bit of potential there.

-Definitely.

-Well, on that note let's head upstairs.

-OK.

A galleried landing with a study leads to three double bedrooms.

There's also a family bathroom,

and at the back of the house, overlooking the garden,

is the master bedroom.

It's very light - the double aspect is fantastic.

And a high ceiling.

A high ceiling - no whacking your head, and...an en-suite.

An en-suite, which we're... We love.

We're going to go back downstairs, out the front door,

because you, young man, have your own front door.

-Good, I like that!

-Follow me.

Adjoining the property is an extension built in 1989.

So, with its own entrance, we come to the second part of the property.

-Yes.

-Wow!

You weren't expecting this, were you?

-No!

-That's very nice, yes.

-That's very deceiving.

You've got kitchen, through there.

You've got the bedrooms down the hallway, which I'm going to

take you to, and you've got all of this space, as well,

leading out to the garden.

-Right, yes.

-Wow.

To the back of the annexe is the smaller bedroom

with its own bathroom.

-Peter, you said you wanted two bedrooms.

-Yeah.

So this would be the larger of the two.

-That's a very nice size.

-Yeah?

-Very nice.

-Generous bathroom, as well.

-Ah, excellent.

-Right.

-The sun is shining.

-Gorgeous!

-Let's take a look at the back garden.

-Yep.

Have a bit more of a chat.

-I'm also going to ask you about the price.

-Yes.

The mature gardens surrounding the property

have been specially designed to be low-maintenance.

Now, I, personally, think this is a charming garden.

It's been divided up - on that side, a your vegetable patch.

-Yes, yeah.

-It looks really good.

-Lastly...the garage.

-Yes.

-Oh, yes.

-In the back of our minds, we were thinking for the business.

-Yes.

-Yes.

So, er, what are we thinking - asking price for this property?

Well, I would guess...

695.

OK. All right. Interesting.

I'm going to go on the higher side of that - 750.

750... Well, this is under your budget.

-Ahh...!

-Ahh...!

-The asking price is...

650,000.

-Ah. Right.

-That definitely leaves a bit of space.

-Well, that's, um... That is very encouraging.

-Very.

-Yes.

A hefty £100,000 under budget

means Peter, Richard and their families

could make substantial changes to this detached house

and its annexe to suit their needs.

It's got just the number of bedrooms to accommodate the two families

and a garden already set up for the good life -

but with space for Richard's young children to play, too.

-How are we doing?

-Very well, thank you.

-Yeah, very good.

-Seen enough on your own?

-Yes, thanks.

-So, two houses in one for our second property.

Yep, yep.

-Right, time for us now to hit the road.

-Great.

-Fantastic.

Peter and Richard have a high list of demands and requirements,

looking for that perfect property for not one but two families.

Now, it is a tough ask, but I think yesterday's houses

certainly gave them everything they wanted.

Now, although very different in terms of style and budget,

it showed both our chaps the possibilities.

So I'm hoping today with our mystery house -

well, it's going to push them just that little bit further.

Travelling 31 miles north-east takes us back into Wiltshire

and the village of Hullavington seven miles north of Chippenham.

Hullavington is well serviced with a pub, a village hall,

a parish church and a primary school.

On the edge of the village is our third and final property,

with a rather interesting addition

that gives it the title of our mystery house.

Any ideas why it might be the mystery house?

Erm...

Possibly what's behind you?

You spotted it! The Baptist chapel - not in use any more,

but...ripe for conversion.

Ahhh!

-So you said you didn't mind a project.

-Yes.

-So you've got a very old cottage.

-Yes.

-Really nice.

-This dates back to around the 1830s.

-OK.

-Right.

-Shall we start with the chapel first?

-Yes!

-Shall we?

-Why not?

Between the house and the chapel lies a small graveyard.

Because it's a work in progress, the chapel...

-Thank you very much.

-There we go.

-Right, are we ready?

-Yes.

-Yes.

So, gentlemen,

here is your chapel.

Right...!

It is a tremendous space. It has so much potential.

-Yes. So is it listed?

-It is.

-The cottage isn't but the chapel is.

-Right.

-But, the good news is,

planning permission has already been granted.

The permission at the moment has been granted

that you keep the mezzanine floor, so you've got two layers,

-and then you actually extend out, into the garden.

-Right.

Richard, if you want to lead the way back to the cottage,

we'll start on your accommodation.

Mind your heads.

This period cottage has been extended twice,

giving it just the space Richard needs for his young family.

So, welcome to your cottage.

Actually, I don't think we need these now, it's quite safe.

-Good.

-And here it is.

As you can see...it's pretty big.

-It's huge.

-Yes, it is.

-Lovely-sized room.

In actual fact, this used to be two cottages.

-OK.

-Plenty of character, plenty of charm.

-Plenty of height.

-Plenty of height.

Now, with this kitchen, as you can see - look at the beams,

wonderful, aren't they? - it's a long galley kitchen,

and the way it's been designed makes the most of the views

-out the window.

-Yes, lovely.

-Lovely. It looks quite compact.

I was hoping to get something a bit bigger,

but I think there's scope here to do something different.

Downstairs there are also two studies and a conservatory

and moving upstairs, the warren of rooms continues.

-So there are two staircases.

-OK.

-Right.

-Because it did used to be two cottages.

-Yes.

So, on this side, you've got the master bedroom,

and you've got the en-suite.

And then on the other side - you could actually knock through -

you've got two further bedrooms

and another family bathroom.

-Right.

-Excellent. Stunning view.

Hopefully, the drizzle will have stopped,

so let's head back downstairs,

and you can tell me what you think all of this is on the market for.

So you do have

a delightful garden,

and this is where the extension of the chapel would come out.

-Right, yes, yes.

-Stunning garden.

And we're north of the M4.

-Right. OK.

-So for you to get back to Southampton,

we're thinking around an hour and 20 minutes.

-Oh, brilliant. Very good.

-Perfect.

-An important part to discuss is the business.

-Yes.

But we've looked into it.

Malmsbury, which is beautiful, is only 15 minutes away.

There is office space to be had there,

and it works out about £5,000 per year.

How do you feel about the business being off site?

Well, it's currently off site anyway,

so it would have to be looked at - the commute there and back.

And there is space here that we could possibly create something

-within the boundaries of this property.

-Yes, yeah.

There's plenty of rooms in the house for an office.

So how much, then, is our mystery house and chapel on the market for?

-550.

-OK.

Erm, looking at what's here and what's to do...625.

The asking price for all of this - both properties -

£500,000.

-Oh!

-Excellent!

That does leave you a quarter of a million pounds to spend.

But the one thing I will say is,

you haven't found that perfect property.

-No.

-What this does is come way under budget,

-and you could potentially create it.

-Make it.

-Yes.

Our mystery house is offering Richard and Peter

the chance to really put their own stamp on these two properties,

coming in at an astounding £250,000 under budget.

There are also various possibilities for their business,

and sitting in three quarters of an acre of land,

the children would love running around the beautiful gardens

with its splendid views.

That's it, gentlemen, you've seen all our properties.

-It's gone so quickly.

-Yes, it has, hasn't it, yeah?

-Very quick.

I'm interested now to find out, have we got close with any of them?

Are the girls going to be revisiting them soon?

-I think so.

-Let's go and have a chat and find out.

-Yes.

So, do you think you've done your wives proud

with this house hunt here in Wiltshire?

Well, quietly confident that we have a couple

-well worth their while viewing, yes.

-Ahh, that's good.

I think you've done them proud. So, tell me, which are the two?

I like your mystery house.

I'm quite excited with what we could do with that.

You mentioned another property.

Yep, the second property.

It's very interesting. It has, again, a lot of potential there,

at a price that we can actually make work for us,

and bring up to our level of what we want.

-Is there a preference?

-For me, the mystery house.

Peter?

I think I would go for the mystery house.

My only slight reservation is

we need to be able to fix the business up on site,

and it isn't immediately obvious where that goes.

So, Peter, what's the next step going to be?

-Well, we're definitely going to come back.

-Excellent news.

We want the two girls to come

and see both the second and the third property.

But, yes, we're quite excited.

Brilliant. Well, listen, all the best.

-Let us know how you get on, won't you?

-We will.

-Thank you.

Even though they think they're going to make the ultimate decision,

we all know it's their lovely wives who are going to have the final say.

But, nevertheless, I'm delighted that Peter and Richard

feel confident enough to recommend two of our homes

to their other halves. So, in my eyes, that's a job well done.

See you next time.

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