Devon

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04This beautiful chapel, parts of which date back to the 6th century,

0:00:04 > 0:00:07is thought to be one of the oldest standing buildings

0:00:07 > 0:00:10in today's county. Find out where I am in just a few moments...

0:00:28 > 0:00:31On today's show, we're helping a couple of childhood

0:00:31 > 0:00:35sweethearts relive their youth in a countryside setting.

0:00:35 > 0:00:38At one property, size is everything...

0:00:38 > 0:00:42- Not big enough.- Too small.- Ooh!

0:00:43 > 0:00:45But then the outlook improves...

0:00:45 > 0:00:47Now, what do you think about the position?

0:00:47 > 0:00:50- Well, the view's... - The view is breathtaking.- Wow!

0:00:52 > 0:00:56Today, I'm in Devon and this is the chapel at Bickleigh Castle,

0:00:56 > 0:00:59the foundations of which date back as far as the 6th century,

0:00:59 > 0:01:02although the walls of the structure as it stands today were added

0:01:02 > 0:01:04some 600 years later.

0:01:04 > 0:01:08Bickleigh Castle itself is actually a fortified manor house

0:01:08 > 0:01:11and has a fascinating history of its own.

0:01:11 > 0:01:13In the 15th century, it was in the hands of the Courtenays,

0:01:13 > 0:01:16who embroiled in the violent dynastic struggles

0:01:16 > 0:01:18known as the Wars Of The Roses.

0:01:18 > 0:01:22But gladly, the castle is known less for war these days

0:01:22 > 0:01:24and more for love, as you can get married here.

0:01:24 > 0:01:27But as you're about to see, this is one of many gems you'll

0:01:27 > 0:01:30find across this beautiful county.

0:01:32 > 0:01:35The fourth largest county in England, Devon is bounded by

0:01:35 > 0:01:39the English Channel in the south and the Bristol Channel in the north.

0:01:39 > 0:01:42It's a landscape of rolling hills with the rugged upland

0:01:42 > 0:01:46area of Dartmoor dominating the southern half.

0:01:46 > 0:01:49Devon is a farming county with a mild climate and is a popular

0:01:49 > 0:01:54tourist destination, but it wasn't always so accessible.

0:01:54 > 0:01:56It was the arrival of the railway that led to the

0:01:56 > 0:01:58growth in its seaside towns.

0:01:58 > 0:02:01Brunel's line reached Exeter in 1844

0:02:01 > 0:02:04and, by the turn of the 20th century, coastal settlements

0:02:04 > 0:02:09like Ilfracombe had blossomed into sizeable holiday centres.

0:02:09 > 0:02:12And during the Elizabethan era, the county became closely

0:02:12 > 0:02:16associated with England's maritime successes, thanks to explorers

0:02:16 > 0:02:19such as Sir Walter Raleigh and Sir Francis Drake,

0:02:19 > 0:02:22whose ships set sail from Plymouth to the New World.

0:02:29 > 0:02:31But what is it about this beautiful county that's captured

0:02:31 > 0:02:35the hearts of today's buyers. Well, let's meet them and find out.

0:02:37 > 0:02:41Childhood sweethearts Karen and Steve met at a party

0:02:41 > 0:02:44when she was 16 and he was the ripe old age of 20.

0:02:44 > 0:02:47Home is this five-bedroom detached house in the North London

0:02:47 > 0:02:51suburb of Pinner, but it's not the same as it was.

0:02:51 > 0:02:55It's a nice little area, conservation area, but it's

0:02:55 > 0:02:59becoming more and more London and it's not what we want any more.

0:02:59 > 0:03:02It's got busier. Far more cars.

0:03:02 > 0:03:05Our buyers both hail from the Glasgow area,

0:03:05 > 0:03:06and Steve grew up in a Scottish village.

0:03:06 > 0:03:08Now free of job constraints

0:03:08 > 0:03:11and with their children away at university, they're keen to

0:03:11 > 0:03:15fulfil a long-held dream and return to a more rural setting.

0:03:15 > 0:03:19They decided on Devon after doing their homework...

0:03:19 > 0:03:23I want hills, so I looked at a geographical map of Britain

0:03:23 > 0:03:25and where are there hills.

0:03:25 > 0:03:28I want nice weather so it had to be south coast

0:03:28 > 0:03:31and I want good mainline links into London.

0:03:31 > 0:03:35But both the location and the layout of the property will need to

0:03:35 > 0:03:37take account of Karen's health.

0:03:37 > 0:03:40I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1998.

0:03:40 > 0:03:45But unfortunately, in 2010, I had a very bad year

0:03:45 > 0:03:49and it's meant that kind of reality has hit home

0:03:49 > 0:03:53and that we have to be very careful in what we look for in a new house.

0:03:53 > 0:03:57It's very important that we're in the catchment area

0:03:57 > 0:04:00for a good neurologist and good MS care team.

0:04:00 > 0:04:04It's also important that we have the facility to have a ground floor,

0:04:04 > 0:04:07basically live on the ground floor at some point in the future.

0:04:07 > 0:04:10Despite spending over 30 years together,

0:04:10 > 0:04:13they don't always see eye to eye...

0:04:13 > 0:04:14I would love some land.

0:04:14 > 0:04:16A little bit of land is fine.

0:04:16 > 0:04:20We saw one house on the internet that had 30 acres -

0:04:20 > 0:04:22his idea of heaven!

0:04:22 > 0:04:25Absolute heaven, but, come on, we're retiring.

0:04:29 > 0:04:31Karen wants to be close to either Exeter or Barnstaple,

0:04:31 > 0:04:34where there are hospitals with MS specialists,

0:04:34 > 0:04:37so we're concentrating our search in the north-east of the county.

0:04:37 > 0:04:39We're meeting in Devon to run over the finer

0:04:39 > 0:04:42details of their proposed relocation.

0:04:42 > 0:04:43So welcome, both of you, to Devon.

0:04:43 > 0:04:46- You've recently retired... - Yes.- Is this the big change?

0:04:46 > 0:04:49Is this, "Right, let's do something we both want to do for ourselves?"

0:04:49 > 0:04:51It's kind of like the change I've always waited for.

0:04:51 > 0:04:53How big does this house have to be?

0:04:53 > 0:04:55It has to have at least three bedrooms,

0:04:55 > 0:04:58I would say, and at least three reception rooms.

0:04:58 > 0:05:00- OK.- Big kitchen.

0:05:00 > 0:05:03I would like a big utility room, having lived without one

0:05:03 > 0:05:07for a long time. We're not so fixed on what the house needs

0:05:07 > 0:05:10to look like and be, because we can change that.

0:05:10 > 0:05:14We can't change the location, we can't change the views

0:05:14 > 0:05:18and we are perfectly happy to extend, or convert,

0:05:18 > 0:05:21or do what we need to to make it the perfect house.

0:05:21 > 0:05:23- OK.- We've done quite a lot of looking online.

0:05:23 > 0:05:25Which leads me onto my next point...

0:05:25 > 0:05:29- Yep.- I have with me... - Uh-oh.- ..a list.

0:05:29 > 0:05:33This list is of no less than 18 properties that you've viewed.

0:05:33 > 0:05:39Too big, too small, great house, wrong location, town location,

0:05:39 > 0:05:45too remote, poor broadband. I mean...

0:05:45 > 0:05:46We don't ask for much, do we?

0:05:46 > 0:05:47This is fine.

0:05:47 > 0:05:51So, lastly, how much money are you looking to spend for this

0:05:51 > 0:05:53big move of yours?

0:05:53 > 0:05:56The budget that we've been working on is £900,000.

0:05:56 > 0:06:01However, we would be prepared to go above that budget

0:06:01 > 0:06:03if the house was really perfect.

0:06:03 > 0:06:06Tell me throughout this process what you really like

0:06:06 > 0:06:07- and what you don't like. BOTH:- OK.

0:06:07 > 0:06:09- Happy?- Yep.- Absolutely.- Let's go!

0:06:11 > 0:06:14Armed with a very generous budget of £900,000,

0:06:14 > 0:06:17Steve and Karen are seeking a property with three reception rooms

0:06:17 > 0:06:19and at least three bedrooms.

0:06:19 > 0:06:23Karen is after a large modern kitchen with a utility room

0:06:23 > 0:06:26and the option to live on the ground floor should her condition

0:06:26 > 0:06:28make stairs difficult in the future.

0:06:28 > 0:06:29Steve's hoping for some land

0:06:29 > 0:06:33and they're both up for making alterations to suit Karen's needs.

0:06:34 > 0:06:37We've lined up three delightful Devonian properties to tempt Steve

0:06:37 > 0:06:42and Karen, and I'll be revealing the price at the end each tour.

0:06:42 > 0:06:44Our final offering - the mystery house -

0:06:44 > 0:06:46will require some lateral thinking.

0:06:54 > 0:06:57'Our first property is found to the north of the county

0:06:57 > 0:07:00'in the village of Landkey, three miles from Barnstaple.

0:07:00 > 0:07:04'The village has a population of around 2,000, and is

0:07:04 > 0:07:08'placed within a ten-minute drive of a medical specialist for Karen.

0:07:08 > 0:07:11'House number one is tucked away on the outskirts of the village,

0:07:11 > 0:07:13'next to the parish church.

0:07:13 > 0:07:15So let's pause a moment and take it all in.

0:07:15 > 0:07:17What do you think? First impressions?

0:07:17 > 0:07:20- Gorgeous.- It's beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

0:07:20 > 0:07:22You could have just painted it really this morning,

0:07:22 > 0:07:24couldn't you? It's just...it's beautiful.

0:07:24 > 0:07:27Excellent, I'm glad you like it. Now the house itself,

0:07:27 > 0:07:31parts of this date back as far as the 15th century.

0:07:31 > 0:07:34- Our kids will love that!- Yeah, our kids will.- Will they?- Oh, yeah.

0:07:34 > 0:07:36- Huge history buffs. - Let's go inside.- Yep.

0:07:38 > 0:07:41A strong start to our first house tour.

0:07:41 > 0:07:44This historical gem was at one time an open hall house,

0:07:44 > 0:07:47with alterations made in the 17th century.

0:07:47 > 0:07:50It is, however, listed - a Grade-II-star property -

0:07:50 > 0:07:55and that can put some people off. We're starting in the dining room.

0:07:56 > 0:07:59OK, let's quickly pause

0:07:59 > 0:08:02in one of the few reception rooms we've got here.

0:08:02 > 0:08:04What's your first impressions?

0:08:04 > 0:08:06It's very nice. I'm worried about the step getting in.

0:08:06 > 0:08:09Could be an issue for me in the future.

0:08:09 > 0:08:11- Right, OK. You wanted a big kitchen?- Yep.

0:08:11 > 0:08:13Let's see if this is big enough.

0:08:15 > 0:08:19So, the heart of your home.

0:08:19 > 0:08:22- Not big enough.- Too small.- Ooh!

0:08:23 > 0:08:24From such highs outside!

0:08:24 > 0:08:28I know. It's smaller than the kitchen we have already.

0:08:28 > 0:08:30Yep, quite considerably.

0:08:30 > 0:08:35Not really what we're after, unless we could extend it

0:08:35 > 0:08:39or knock walls down, but I've got a funny feeling it might be listed?

0:08:39 > 0:08:42- This is Grade-II-star listed. - Ouch!

0:08:42 > 0:08:45I'm keen on finding how much bigger a kitchen might need to be?

0:08:45 > 0:08:46To give you an example,

0:08:46 > 0:08:49my hob at home stretches from here to the wall.

0:08:49 > 0:08:52Let's not get into who's got the biggest hob here.

0:08:52 > 0:08:53THEY LAUGH

0:08:53 > 0:08:59Your hob... You're telling me your hob is a metre wide?

0:08:59 > 0:09:01Wider.

0:09:01 > 0:09:04Joking aside, although Karen and Steve say they like character

0:09:04 > 0:09:06and history, I wonder if they're going to find

0:09:06 > 0:09:09the size of kitchen they want in an older building.

0:09:09 > 0:09:11This kitchen is almost 20 square metres

0:09:11 > 0:09:13and comes with a utility room.

0:09:13 > 0:09:16There are other ground-floor rooms to consider, though,

0:09:16 > 0:09:18in this sizeable property,

0:09:18 > 0:09:21including a spacious slate-tiled hallway,

0:09:21 > 0:09:24a sitting room with original beams and a study.

0:09:26 > 0:09:30Now, this house has, well, two or three,

0:09:30 > 0:09:34depending on how you use them, reception rooms. This is...

0:09:34 > 0:09:36Well, the owner currently uses this as a snug.

0:09:36 > 0:09:39- It's lovely.- You've also got another room at the back there. Now that,

0:09:39 > 0:09:42at the moment, is currently used as a ground-floor bedroom.

0:09:42 > 0:09:45- Oh, OK.- Right.- Which we thought maybe some time in the future... - Suit me.

0:09:45 > 0:09:46Single-floor living.

0:09:46 > 0:09:49- There's also a ground-floor bathroom here as well.- Right.

0:09:49 > 0:09:52So you could have completely single-storey living.

0:09:52 > 0:09:53The steps are an issue.

0:09:53 > 0:09:57It would take a lot of work to put in ramps or level out floors,

0:09:57 > 0:10:00and I'm not sure we'd even be allowed to do that.

0:10:00 > 0:10:03It was always going to be a gamble taking Steve and Karen

0:10:03 > 0:10:06to a listed building, but this house has been

0:10:06 > 0:10:09renovated in recent years despite being Grade-II-star,

0:10:09 > 0:10:12showing it is possible to make alterations with the proper consent.

0:10:12 > 0:10:15But I'm not convinced Steve and Karen like the house enough

0:10:15 > 0:10:17to consider it.

0:10:17 > 0:10:19Upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms -

0:10:19 > 0:10:21three doubles and a single.

0:10:21 > 0:10:24They include the master bedroom with dressing room

0:10:24 > 0:10:28and en-suite cloakroom, along with two family bathrooms.

0:10:28 > 0:10:32We're heading to the older part of the property...

0:10:32 > 0:10:34Now, unfortunately, another couple of stairs there,

0:10:34 > 0:10:36but then look at this.

0:10:36 > 0:10:37Oh, wow!

0:10:39 > 0:10:41- Beautiful.- This is a room.

0:10:41 > 0:10:45- This is part of the 15th-century building.- Yes.

0:10:45 > 0:10:48Now, the lord of the manor would have been sleeping up here.

0:10:50 > 0:10:51I fear it's all a bit academic,

0:10:51 > 0:10:55but I still want Steve and Karen to see the outside options.

0:10:55 > 0:10:57The gardens are comprised of a generous front lawn

0:10:57 > 0:11:00and a paved terrace. And to the rear,

0:11:00 > 0:11:03there's a triple garage together with a vegetable patch.

0:11:04 > 0:11:05To the side of the house,

0:11:05 > 0:11:08there's also a self-contained, single-storey annexe

0:11:08 > 0:11:10which features a living room with kitchenette,

0:11:10 > 0:11:12two bedrooms and a bathroom -

0:11:12 > 0:11:16a good space to accommodate their children during university holidays.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20How much do you think this place is on the market for?

0:11:20 > 0:11:22I'd guess about 785.

0:11:22 > 0:11:25Oh! I was going to say 795!

0:11:25 > 0:11:29This place is on the market for offers around £700,000.

0:11:29 > 0:11:31Oh, OK.

0:11:31 > 0:11:33So, it's a bit of a shame,

0:11:33 > 0:11:36but clearly this isn't suitable for you guys.

0:11:36 > 0:11:37Not too downhearted?

0:11:37 > 0:11:40- No, good start.- A bit disappointed after the initial view...

0:11:40 > 0:11:42- Well, that's true. - Yeah.- ..to be honest.

0:11:42 > 0:11:44Under budget by £200,000,

0:11:44 > 0:11:47on paper this beautiful listed period manor house

0:11:47 > 0:11:50gives Steve and Karen everything they asked for -

0:11:50 > 0:11:53three reception rooms, more than three bedrooms,

0:11:53 > 0:11:57and the option of ground-floor living for Karen.

0:11:57 > 0:12:01Beautiful home, but ultimately, practically, not really for you.

0:12:01 > 0:12:02- Yep, not for us.- Not for us.

0:12:02 > 0:12:05- OK, well, I've learnt quite a lot, let's go to the next place.- OK.

0:12:14 > 0:12:16Sitting in the heart of the Devon countryside,

0:12:16 > 0:12:19on the banks of the River Culm, is the village of Uffculme.

0:12:19 > 0:12:23From the 16th century, the village became a favoured location

0:12:23 > 0:12:26for the wool industry in Devon, thanks to a plentiful supply

0:12:26 > 0:12:27of running water to drive the mills

0:12:27 > 0:12:31and its proximity to sheep-grazing land.

0:12:31 > 0:12:33The industry reached its height in the 18th century

0:12:33 > 0:12:37when this mill was built and the wool was sold internationally.

0:12:37 > 0:12:40Today, the Coldharbour Mill is a working museum.

0:12:40 > 0:12:43I've come to meet museum administrator Peter Fisher

0:12:43 > 0:12:45to find out more about the village's links

0:12:45 > 0:12:48with Devon's famous fluffy export.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51So, Peter, it looks like we're surrounded by some industrial

0:12:51 > 0:12:53history, when did it all start?

0:12:53 > 0:12:57It all kicked off in 1799 when a fella called Thomas Fox,

0:12:57 > 0:13:00who was a wool merchant over in Wellington, Somerset,

0:13:00 > 0:13:03decided he'd like to build a mill so he could start

0:13:03 > 0:13:06- spinning on the new machinery of the time, spinning jennies.- Yes.

0:13:06 > 0:13:08He needed a site where there was going to be

0:13:08 > 0:13:09a good water supply.

0:13:09 > 0:13:11Uffculme had a lot of people who were spinners and weavers,

0:13:11 > 0:13:14so he was hoping they'd be persuaded to come and work in his mill.

0:13:14 > 0:13:18The Industrial Revolution, it was so fast paced that

0:13:18 > 0:13:21I imagine this water mill, did it become obsolete fairly soon?

0:13:21 > 0:13:22I mean, how did that change?

0:13:22 > 0:13:27Well, they carried on with that sort of early process till the 1860s.

0:13:27 > 0:13:31But by 1865, most of the weaving was being done on machines as well.

0:13:31 > 0:13:33- Right.- And that meant that the mill had to change

0:13:33 > 0:13:36- to a different sort of spinning. They needed much more power.- Right.

0:13:36 > 0:13:39So they had to introduce steam engines as well.

0:13:40 > 0:13:44For nearly 200 years, the family-owned mill ran successfully.

0:13:44 > 0:13:46But after the Second World War,

0:13:46 > 0:13:49it became hard for the mill to compete with cheaper imports.

0:13:49 > 0:13:52It finally closed in 1981,

0:13:52 > 0:13:54but a local Community Trust raised some money

0:13:54 > 0:13:58to buy Coldharbour Mill from the Fox family.

0:13:58 > 0:14:00Since reopening, the mill has continued to produce

0:14:00 > 0:14:03high-quality knitting yarn on its historic machinery,

0:14:03 > 0:14:05which charts the progress of innovation

0:14:05 > 0:14:07during the Industrial Revolution

0:14:07 > 0:14:11from power sources, including this 1867 beam engine,

0:14:11 > 0:14:15to spinning machines, such as a spinning jenny from 1907

0:14:15 > 0:14:18and this Hattersley loom, which is creating the Devon tartan.

0:14:18 > 0:14:21The green colour represents the countryside, and the blue,

0:14:21 > 0:14:24the county's two coastlines.

0:14:24 > 0:14:25So I kind of get the picture...

0:14:25 > 0:14:29What I'm noticing as well, you're making a tartan?

0:14:29 > 0:14:30This is Devon!

0:14:30 > 0:14:33Well, one of the very early ideas, actually,

0:14:33 > 0:14:35when the museum first opened,

0:14:35 > 0:14:39- was to design a special cloth that would be unique to us.- Right.

0:14:39 > 0:14:42And one of the... In fact, one of the weavers came across

0:14:42 > 0:14:44and designed us two Devon tartans,

0:14:44 > 0:14:48which we then got registered with the Scottish authorities.

0:14:48 > 0:14:52So this is what you're looking at, it's the official blue tartan.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55It's just lovely to see the end of this process.

0:14:55 > 0:14:58Now, this has been... This has been made here, I understand?

0:14:58 > 0:14:59That's right, yes.

0:14:59 > 0:15:02- I mean, that's the bluebell. - It's beautifully soft.

0:15:02 > 0:15:06What's the aim of the trust for the future, what are the goals?

0:15:06 > 0:15:08Well, the aim is to preserve the mill

0:15:08 > 0:15:12and to continue to show people how the process is worked.

0:15:12 > 0:15:15But obviously, to be sustainable, we need to be making money as well.

0:15:15 > 0:15:17And you've no shortage of volunteers, I imagine?

0:15:17 > 0:15:19No, we're very dependent on our volunteers.

0:15:19 > 0:15:21I've got to say, it's been a fascinating process.

0:15:21 > 0:15:24I wish you and the volunteers all the best for the future.

0:15:24 > 0:15:26I'll keep an eye out for that Devon tartan.

0:15:26 > 0:15:29- That's great, thank you. - Thanks again.- Bye-bye.

0:15:38 > 0:15:41For our second offering, we're heading eight miles north-east

0:15:41 > 0:15:44to the large village of Bratton Fleming.

0:15:44 > 0:15:47Situated on the edge of the Exmoor National Park,

0:15:47 > 0:15:48the village is well placed

0:15:48 > 0:15:50for access to Barnstaple's medical facilities,

0:15:50 > 0:15:55and offers a shop, post office and a Victorian church.

0:15:55 > 0:15:56Set in two acres of land,

0:15:56 > 0:15:58our second property sits in a secluded spot

0:15:58 > 0:16:00on the edge of the village,

0:16:00 > 0:16:03with spectacular views over open countryside.

0:16:03 > 0:16:07This...is the second property

0:16:07 > 0:16:08- BOTH:- It's lovely.

0:16:08 > 0:16:10Victorian, not listed.

0:16:10 > 0:16:11Yay!

0:16:11 > 0:16:14THEY LAUGH

0:16:14 > 0:16:15What do you think about the position?

0:16:15 > 0:16:18- Well the views... Wow! - The view is breathtaking.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22'A good first impression, although I've heard that before!

0:16:22 > 0:16:24'However, I'm hopeful that the interior

0:16:24 > 0:16:28'of this detached period cottage will live up to expectation

0:16:28 > 0:16:32'as it's been restored and extended in recent years.'

0:16:32 > 0:16:35Now, let's start off with the kitchen...

0:16:37 > 0:16:40It's a bit small, but we could make it bigger.

0:16:40 > 0:16:41In what way?

0:16:41 > 0:16:44Obviously you said it's not listed, and there's already a conservatory,

0:16:44 > 0:16:48which means there's a possibility to extend that way.

0:16:48 > 0:16:51I'm... You know, I'm pleased to hear you're open-minded. Absolutely.

0:16:51 > 0:16:53- Let's keep walking through, shall we?- Yep.

0:16:53 > 0:16:56'The ground floor also offers a dining room

0:16:56 > 0:16:58'which opens out onto a double-aspect sitting room

0:16:58 > 0:17:01'with stone fireplace and wood-burning stove.

0:17:01 > 0:17:05'Off this, there's a potential study and spacious utility room.

0:17:05 > 0:17:10'And just beyond the kitchen, another living room.'

0:17:10 > 0:17:13So this is one of two reception rooms. OK.

0:17:15 > 0:17:18- What do you think of this so far? - It's a nice, relaxing room.

0:17:18 > 0:17:22- It's a lovely view.- I can't get my eyes off the view, really.

0:17:22 > 0:17:23Those steps?

0:17:23 > 0:17:26- They're not ideal. - Could you not make this practical?

0:17:26 > 0:17:29- It's how long it would remain practical for...- Sure.

0:17:29 > 0:17:32- ..which is, you know, crystal-ball time.- Yes.- I have no idea.

0:17:32 > 0:17:35- Now, I'm sure you've just peeked a glance.- Yeah, we have.

0:17:35 > 0:17:37That's your ground-floor double bedroom,

0:17:37 > 0:17:40- with an en suite there as well. - OK, great.- Right.

0:17:40 > 0:17:43So, if you can get up these steps, you're future-proof!

0:17:43 > 0:17:48- It's just these steps, isn't it?- Yep.

0:17:48 > 0:17:50Despite the possible problem with the steps,

0:17:50 > 0:17:51I think Steve and Karen can see

0:17:51 > 0:17:54how they might be able to arrange this house

0:17:54 > 0:17:55to suit them in the future.

0:17:55 > 0:17:59And that's a big improvement on our last viewing.

0:17:59 > 0:18:03Upstairs, there are four good-sized bedrooms - two are large doubles,

0:18:03 > 0:18:07although one of those is being used as an office.

0:18:07 > 0:18:10There's also a single, and a half-tiled family bathroom.

0:18:12 > 0:18:15The master bedroom...

0:18:15 > 0:18:17What do you think of this?

0:18:17 > 0:18:20Lovely room, but storage?

0:18:20 > 0:18:21Where do we put the wardrobes?

0:18:21 > 0:18:25- Next door? In the other bedroom? - Possible.- Yeah.

0:18:25 > 0:18:28We're definitely spoilt for choice with this property -

0:18:28 > 0:18:29not least when it comes to bathrooms,

0:18:29 > 0:18:32as there's also a large en suite off the master bedroom

0:18:32 > 0:18:34with a raised bath and separate shower.

0:18:34 > 0:18:37Heading outside, there's access to the attached garage,

0:18:37 > 0:18:39and above that, a large loft room

0:18:39 > 0:18:42that could be transformed into more living space,

0:18:42 > 0:18:44subject to planning consent.

0:18:44 > 0:18:46And let's not forget the land.

0:18:48 > 0:18:52At last, you get to see the view up close and personal.

0:18:52 > 0:18:53Yeah, spectacular.

0:18:53 > 0:18:57For a man that wanted outside space, you've got a bit more of it here.

0:18:57 > 0:18:58You've got two acres in total,

0:18:58 > 0:19:01- you've got that paddock the other side...- OK.

0:19:01 > 0:19:03..this garden here, as far as you can see,

0:19:03 > 0:19:04just the other side of that leat,

0:19:04 > 0:19:07- which is that stream running through the garden there, look.- OK.

0:19:07 > 0:19:11Follow the hedge line, and... that paddock there.

0:19:11 > 0:19:14So how much do you think this house is for sale for?

0:19:14 > 0:19:16I would go at 725.

0:19:16 > 0:19:22Yeah, and I'm thinking these views add a bit to that.

0:19:22 > 0:19:23I'll say 795.

0:19:23 > 0:19:29Well, this house is on the market for offers around £749,950.

0:19:30 > 0:19:32OK.

0:19:32 > 0:19:34Possibility!

0:19:34 > 0:19:38Again under budget, this time by £150,000,

0:19:38 > 0:19:40our second property, a stone-built cottage,

0:19:40 > 0:19:44gives Steve and Karen the space they wanted both inside and out -

0:19:44 > 0:19:49with five bedrooms, three reception rooms and two acres of land.

0:19:49 > 0:19:51Plus, there's plenty left in the pot

0:19:51 > 0:19:54to make the alterations for Karen's convenience.

0:19:54 > 0:19:57- What do you think? Do you like it? - Yes.- Yeah, very much.- Yes.

0:19:57 > 0:20:00Hopefully it's given you something to think about this evening.

0:20:00 > 0:20:01- Yep, a lot.- Good, let's go back.

0:20:11 > 0:20:13After yesterday's two house tours,

0:20:13 > 0:20:17I'm wondering whether Steve and Karen really want a period property,

0:20:17 > 0:20:19because of all the work that goes with it.

0:20:19 > 0:20:22I genuinely think the house that you're after...

0:20:23 > 0:20:27..hasn't been built or hasn't been built to your specifications.

0:20:27 > 0:20:30The house that you get may well need a lot of work.

0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Which is fine.- Which is fine.

0:20:32 > 0:20:34That's one of the options, you know,

0:20:34 > 0:20:39the mystery house is taking us somewhere that needs a lot of work.

0:20:39 > 0:20:41So let's see if Karen's right...

0:20:41 > 0:20:44For our mystery house, we're heading south, deeper into Devon,

0:20:44 > 0:20:47and to the small village of Down Saint Mary.

0:20:47 > 0:20:50Conveniently placed between Exeter and Barnstaple

0:20:50 > 0:20:51for Karen's medical care,

0:20:51 > 0:20:55it boasts a pretty village green and a 19th-century church.

0:20:55 > 0:20:58The mystery house itself sits in a beautiful river valley,

0:20:58 > 0:21:01half a mile from Down Saint Mary.

0:21:01 > 0:21:03With this house, we're giving Steve and Karen

0:21:03 > 0:21:04a lot of what they dreamt of,

0:21:04 > 0:21:09but it will require big alterations to make it right.

0:21:09 > 0:21:12It's also Grade-II listed, and after our first house tour,

0:21:12 > 0:21:16I'm concerned this property might also be a step too far.

0:21:16 > 0:21:20First things first, you like thatched houses.

0:21:20 > 0:21:24Well, what we're looking at is a building with parts of which

0:21:24 > 0:21:28date back to the 16th century, there are more modern additions

0:21:28 > 0:21:30- scattered around the land.- Yep.

0:21:30 > 0:21:32There's a lot to this.

0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Let's have a look.- OK.

0:21:34 > 0:21:37The former mill house was later improved in the 17th century

0:21:37 > 0:21:39and retains many original features.

0:21:39 > 0:21:41And as I've already hinted,

0:21:41 > 0:21:45the house isn't the only building on the sizeable plot.

0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Very grand entrance hall.- Wow!

0:21:48 > 0:21:50- Follow me.- That's beautiful.

0:21:53 > 0:21:55This is your dedicated living room.

0:21:55 > 0:21:58- Very nice. - Very nice. Very cosy.- Yep.

0:21:58 > 0:22:03So, the fireplace you saw as you walked in, the back of it,

0:22:03 > 0:22:05- old bread oven.- Yeah, I just spotted that. Nice feature.

0:22:05 > 0:22:08The floor is sloping, so we'd have to do something with the floor.

0:22:08 > 0:22:10But as first impressions go?

0:22:10 > 0:22:13- Yeah, no, it's... - The beam's nice, it's cosy.

0:22:13 > 0:22:16I think the changes, to make this house work for you,

0:22:16 > 0:22:18- will start from the kitchen onwards.- OK.

0:22:18 > 0:22:21All right, just mind your step on the way back up.

0:22:21 > 0:22:22'Being a listed building,

0:22:22 > 0:22:26'Steve and Karen will need consent to make any alterations,

0:22:26 > 0:22:29'but they seem to be open to the idea in principle.'

0:22:29 > 0:22:33Now, the kitchen as it is, I think, is lovely,

0:22:33 > 0:22:37- but we know your need for space.- Yes.

0:22:37 > 0:22:38It'll need to grow a wee bit.

0:22:38 > 0:22:40It is a bit on the dinky side for us.

0:22:40 > 0:22:43- But it's a really nice kitchen. - It's...

0:22:43 > 0:22:46'Dinky it may be, but this isn't the only kitchen in this house,

0:22:46 > 0:22:49'and I have an idea up my sleeve which will give our buyers

0:22:49 > 0:22:53'the huge open-plan cooking and eating area they're after.

0:22:53 > 0:22:56'But it will mean installing at least one stairlift.'

0:22:58 > 0:22:59- So there's the issue.- Yep.

0:23:02 > 0:23:05Now, once you've walked through that summer kitchen, if you like,

0:23:05 > 0:23:08you come to this wonderful sunroom.

0:23:08 > 0:23:10- It's a very nice room.- It's lovely.

0:23:10 > 0:23:13You've got a ground-floor bedroom with an en suite next door to it.

0:23:13 > 0:23:17- If you can put some form of lift here...- Yep.

0:23:17 > 0:23:19- ..or in the kitchen there...- Yep.

0:23:19 > 0:23:21..all the rooms you went through then

0:23:21 > 0:23:25are divided by a stud partition only.

0:23:25 > 0:23:26'My plan would be to knock down the walls

0:23:26 > 0:23:28'between the second kitchen and garden room

0:23:28 > 0:23:30'to create a huge kitchen/dining space

0:23:30 > 0:23:33'next to the downstairs bedroom.

0:23:33 > 0:23:36'There are three further decent-sized bedrooms upstairs,

0:23:36 > 0:23:39'arranged along a long corridor, and all with exposed timbers.

0:23:39 > 0:23:42'There's also a family bath and shower room.'

0:23:42 > 0:23:44So, right at the end of that corridor,

0:23:44 > 0:23:46you've got an en suite there.

0:23:46 > 0:23:47Good-sized bedroom as well, isn't it?

0:23:47 > 0:23:51- This is a nice room.- It's a very nice room.- Yes.- Lots of light.

0:23:51 > 0:23:53The floors undulate a bit,

0:23:53 > 0:23:55I think you'd probably have to look at some over-boarding here.

0:23:55 > 0:23:58- Yes, it would be an issue. - Well, it's something to think about.

0:23:58 > 0:24:00We're going to now go outside,

0:24:00 > 0:24:05- because, Steve, you're going to like this - there's lots of it.- OK.

0:24:06 > 0:24:10Adjoining the main house is a separate, self-contained cottage

0:24:10 > 0:24:13which is occasionally used as a holiday let and guest accommodation.

0:24:13 > 0:24:17It consists of a modern kitchen, sitting room,

0:24:17 > 0:24:20and three bedrooms - one on the ground floor and two upstairs,

0:24:20 > 0:24:22both with their own en-suite bathrooms.

0:24:22 > 0:24:25There's also a further two-storey outbuilding

0:24:25 > 0:24:29containing an office, gym and storage facilities.

0:24:29 > 0:24:31The gardens include large lawn and terraced areas

0:24:31 > 0:24:34and a raised ornamental fish pond.

0:24:34 > 0:24:36But that's not all that's on offer here.

0:24:37 > 0:24:41So, Steve, at last in the great outdoors.

0:24:41 > 0:24:43Where would you like your land to go to?

0:24:43 > 0:24:46- SHE LAUGHS - Somerset?

0:24:46 > 0:24:52Well, you've almost got it, mate. That river is the River Yole, right?

0:24:52 > 0:24:55That river goes through your land.

0:24:55 > 0:24:58That disused vineyard is included

0:24:58 > 0:25:00and it comes back down, all the way around,

0:25:00 > 0:25:03that paddock's yours, 19 - one-nine - acres.

0:25:03 > 0:25:06- SHE LAUGHS - Oh, this is going to be too much!

0:25:06 > 0:25:08This is going to be too much.

0:25:08 > 0:25:13So how much do you think this substantial property and land

0:25:13 > 0:25:14is on the market for?

0:25:14 > 0:25:16- Wow.- This is... This is going to eat up

0:25:16 > 0:25:20virtually all of our budget, I think. I'd put this 830...

0:25:20 > 0:25:22- Ooh!- 840.

0:25:22 > 0:25:27I'm going to try and be positive and say 875.

0:25:27 > 0:25:29It's just come on the market

0:25:29 > 0:25:32at offers around £895,000.

0:25:32 > 0:25:34Thought so.

0:25:35 > 0:25:37At £5,000 under budget,

0:25:37 > 0:25:40this former mill house offers Steve the rural dream he was after,

0:25:40 > 0:25:43but it may need some future-proofing.

0:25:43 > 0:25:46There are more bedrooms than they wanted - four in the main house

0:25:46 > 0:25:48and another three in the adjoining cottage.

0:25:48 > 0:25:52The 19 acres of land is made up of meadows and a former vineyard.

0:25:54 > 0:25:57- So are you glad we brought you here? - Yes.- Very.

0:25:57 > 0:25:59You are as well, Karen?

0:25:59 > 0:26:01It's given us a huge amount to think about.

0:26:01 > 0:26:05Well, let's find you somewhere to do just that. Let's go.

0:26:11 > 0:26:15I've been thinking that...well, this morning the second property

0:26:15 > 0:26:18was in the running, but seeing your reactions with the mystery house,

0:26:18 > 0:26:22I wasn't sure whether that would still be here to be thought about.

0:26:22 > 0:26:26- We like them both, for very different reasons.- Yes.

0:26:26 > 0:26:28And we can't reconcile the two of them.

0:26:28 > 0:26:31It's kind of bizarre, because when we arrived

0:26:31 > 0:26:32at the mystery house,

0:26:32 > 0:26:35our initial reactions were, "Nah, it's not really for us."

0:26:35 > 0:26:39But as we went further around it,

0:26:39 > 0:26:43we just really began to fall in love with the place

0:26:43 > 0:26:45because it's got such a lovely feel.

0:26:45 > 0:26:47It kind of went downhill when I looked out the windows

0:26:47 > 0:26:50and saw that I couldn't really see a view.

0:26:50 > 0:26:53Does one of you like one property more than the other?

0:26:53 > 0:26:56I don't know if I even like one property more than the other.

0:26:56 > 0:27:00- That surprises me.- I loved the land with the mystery house.

0:27:00 > 0:27:02What's next for you guys? How are you going to reconcile

0:27:02 > 0:27:05the differences between property number two and the mystery house?

0:27:05 > 0:27:07We will go and see both of them again.

0:27:07 > 0:27:10Let us know what you decide because we seem to have gone so far.

0:27:10 > 0:27:13- I know.- I want to find out what you do at the end.

0:27:13 > 0:27:14- You will.- Please.

0:27:14 > 0:27:17- We will.- Promise. - Good luck.- Thank you.- Thank you.

0:27:23 > 0:27:25I must say, when I first met Steve and Karen

0:27:25 > 0:27:28and they told me how they wanted such different things from a house,

0:27:28 > 0:27:31I wasn't surprised that they'd been to, what,

0:27:31 > 0:27:3518 properties before, and discounted each and every one of them.

0:27:35 > 0:27:36So I'm pretty chuffed to be stood here

0:27:36 > 0:27:40with not one but two houses under serious consideration.

0:27:40 > 0:27:44And whilst I have no idea which of the properties will come out on top,

0:27:44 > 0:27:47hopefully a second viewing will flush out a winner.

0:27:47 > 0:27:49I do hope so. I'll see you next time.

0:27:51 > 0:27:54Steve and Karen did go back to view both properties again,

0:27:54 > 0:27:57but decided the work that might be needed to alter them

0:27:57 > 0:28:02to meet Karen's future needs was going to be too much.

0:28:02 > 0:28:04If you'd like to escape to the country in

0:28:04 > 0:28:06England, Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland,

0:28:06 > 0:28:08and need our help, you can apply online at...