0:00:02 > 0:00:04This impressive structure is the oldest
0:00:04 > 0:00:08single span railway bridge in the world.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12It's also a symbol of this area's very impressive industrial heritage.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14Find out where I am in just a moment.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32This week, I'm helping a father and daughter-in-law duo
0:00:32 > 0:00:37looking for a sizeable rural home to suit three generations.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42- I think there's enough space here. - Should be.- Only just!
0:00:42 > 0:00:44But after a shaky start,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47it looks like I might have found a plot to please them.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51That something special makes it a very nice property.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55Today I'm in County Durham.
0:00:55 > 0:00:58This is Causey Arch, which was built in 1725
0:00:58 > 0:01:00by a consortium of mine owners
0:01:00 > 0:01:03who wanted to transport the coal over the Burn here.
0:01:03 > 0:01:07At the time, it was the largest single span bridge in Britain
0:01:07 > 0:01:12and at its peak, it was seeing more than 900 horse-drawn carts
0:01:12 > 0:01:15crossing back and forth every single day.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17Then, after about ten years,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19the bridge and the collieries nearby went into decline
0:01:19 > 0:01:22and it was 200 years later in the 1980s
0:01:22 > 0:01:25that it was restored, as a symbol of this area's
0:01:25 > 0:01:27rich industrial heritage.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32County Durham in the north-east of England borders north Yorkshire,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35Cumbria and Northumberland to the North.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38The region boasts some of the most breathtaking countryside
0:01:38 > 0:01:40and dramatic coastlines in Britain,
0:01:40 > 0:01:44including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:44 > 0:01:46and the famous Durham Dales,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49encompassing the valleys of Teesdale and Weardale.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52The rolling farmland
0:01:52 > 0:01:55and rugged moorland is broken up by meandering rivers
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and is scattered with picturesque villages and market towns.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03The county takes its name from the city of Durham,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07which offers an appealing mix of history and contemporary culture.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The old English university city's winding cobbled streets
0:02:10 > 0:02:13are crowned with the dramatic cathedral
0:02:13 > 0:02:16and Castle World Heritage Site,
0:02:16 > 0:02:18which makes for a stunning city setting.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21But is it the place for our buyers today?
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Today's house-hunters hail from the city of Sunderland
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and are a father-and-daughter-in-law team, Doug and Anne.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33Anne is married to Doug's son, Jeremy,
0:02:33 > 0:02:37and has three children, Alex, Christina, and Jonathan.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40They first met 15 years ago.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43We enjoy each other's company because we like the same things.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45I love the way he doesn't let the grass grow under his feet.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48We'll suddenly think of an idea and then, the next thing,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51we're doing it. And that's what great about him.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53He's dynamic and just good company.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56I'll give her the 20 quid later!
0:02:58 > 0:03:01It was one day 18 months ago that the pair came up with
0:03:01 > 0:03:04the brainwave of selling their separate homes in order to buy
0:03:04 > 0:03:07one big property to fit the whole family.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Doug will be joining Anne, Jeremy and the children,
0:03:10 > 0:03:13as well as Anne's mother, Eileen.
0:03:13 > 0:03:17My idea is to have everybody around, not living in each other's pockets,
0:03:17 > 0:03:23but just a stone's throw away so we can be there if we're needed.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26Anne and her husband have lived in their five bedroom home in Seaburn,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30just outside the city centre, since getting married 14 years ago.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32With their children fast growing up,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Anne feels it's time for a change of scenery and pace.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38I do have a natural pull to the country.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40When I visit the country,
0:03:40 > 0:03:44I would love to be part of that life on a permanent basis.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Currently just a five-minute drive away,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50Doug is keen to remain close to his only son and grandchildren
0:03:50 > 0:03:53and, despite being 76, he's up for a new adventure.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55I'm at a stage in my life where
0:03:55 > 0:03:59I'm prepared to look at anything and everything.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Armed with a long wish list and seven people to consider,
0:04:02 > 0:04:04the pair have a lot of responsibility
0:04:04 > 0:04:09resting on their shoulders to find the perfect extended family home.
0:04:09 > 0:04:10The bottom line is,
0:04:10 > 0:04:15I've reassured the family that I have everybody's interests at heart
0:04:15 > 0:04:17and of course, Doug's coming along with me anyway,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20so it's going to be a joint enterprise.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27The family want to be within an hour of Sunderland
0:04:27 > 0:04:30for Anne and Jeremy's work and Doug's social commitments.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34They are otherwise open-minded so we are looking all over County Durham.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36I'm catching up with Anne and Doug
0:04:36 > 0:04:39to talk through the details of their proposed move.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Welcome to County Durham.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Let's go through what you're looking for.
0:04:43 > 0:04:44Let's start with you, Doug.
0:04:44 > 0:04:46What would you like to get out of the move?
0:04:46 > 0:04:48I would like separate accommodation,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51either a cottage or something where, perhaps,
0:04:51 > 0:04:57we may have to do some work on, to create that separate accommodation.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Anne, your mum is coming, too - is she going to want a separate house, too?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03I'm afraid so, yes. If possible.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Would Eileen be prepared to be in the house if push came to shove?
0:05:07 > 0:05:12I think it would be preferred to be a self-contained annexe if possible.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13How much land are you looking for?
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Just a couple of acres, really just maybe a nice garden.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20You also want some horses, for your middle daughter, isn't it?
0:05:20 > 0:05:22My middle daughter who likes to ride, yes,
0:05:22 > 0:05:24and yearns for her own horse.
0:05:24 > 0:05:25What about your house -
0:05:25 > 0:05:28how many rooms do you want in the house for you and your family?
0:05:28 > 0:05:32Probably a minimum of five. Or six.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35At least a couple of bathrooms, if possible.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38What about location - are you keen to be way out in the countryside
0:05:38 > 0:05:40or more in a community?
0:05:40 > 0:05:43It would be superb to be within a community,
0:05:43 > 0:05:47within a village or a hamlet as long as it was commuting distance.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Remind me again of your budget, Doug?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52The budget would be about 700,000.
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Of course, there is a little bit of flexibility in that.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59So we've got three beautiful properties lined up.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02They are going to require a little bit of head scratching and,
0:06:02 > 0:06:05"How is this going to work for us?" So, put on your compromise hats.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07- Let's go and look at them.- Right.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12For a joint maximum budget of £700,000,
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Anne and Doug are hoping to find their family a main property
0:06:15 > 0:06:16with five or more bedrooms,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19a separate cottage or annexe for Doug,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22and either a second annexe or an extra bedroom in the main house
0:06:22 > 0:06:25for Anne's mother, Eileen.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Outside, they're after two acres of land and a paddock for a horse.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32We've found them three unique properties,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34all of which could suit the family setup.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37After each tour, I'll be asking them to guess the property price.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40The final offering will be our mystery house,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43designed to really test their appetite for a challenge.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50We're starting our search five miles south of Durham city
0:06:50 > 0:06:53in the sought-after Tudhoe Village.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57This conservation village centres on an attractive village green,
0:06:57 > 0:07:00surrounded by character properties of various ages and styles.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Our first house lies on a quiet corner of the village green,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06adjacent to open countryside.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Here we go. House number one.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12All for sale.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15We've got a lovely annexe which is actually the oldest part,
0:07:15 > 0:07:18it dates back to the 1700s. The whole thing is a conversion.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20The present owner took it back to the foundations
0:07:20 > 0:07:21and built it up again.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24And then we would have to convert this.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26That's the job that you'd have at hand,
0:07:26 > 0:07:28to give Eileen a separate building.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Yes, the footprint's there. I think it's very smart.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34I think the annexe looks good.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37The house, probably... We are flexible,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40but it does seem to me quite modern.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44- Yes.- Let's have a look inside.- Lovely.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46A mixed reaction to the outside,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49but I am hoping they'll like what's to come.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Come into the main heart of the house.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55This is the sitting room.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- Lovely room.- Nice size. I like the French doors leading onto the patio.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- Mm-hm.- Both sides.- Both sides, yes. So, very nice. Very spacious.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07So, through those, there's a snug, and over here's the kitchen.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Recently converted, this property has a modern feel.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12The work has been done to a high standard,
0:08:12 > 0:08:16so the family could move straight in without any further effort.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Nice double doors into the kitchen-dining room.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20I think this kitchen is lovely.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23What about the dining area? Because it's not a massive table
0:08:23 > 0:08:25- and there's a lot of you. - It's big enough.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29- And there's a study which would have to be another bedroom.- Right.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32If you wanted all your family in this bit...
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- ..that would have to become another bedroom.- Right.- Ah-ha.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- OK?- Good, yes.- I can see all this sort of going on in your head.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I want to know what it is.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43- But tell me in your own good time.- OK.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46Back through the lounge on the other side of the property
0:08:46 > 0:08:48are two good-sized double bedrooms,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50the family bathroom and a separate toilet,
0:08:50 > 0:08:53as well as the master bedroom with an en suite.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Well, Anne, this would be yours and Jeremy's room.- Yes.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00- The dressing room's nice. - Yes and en suite.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- Smaller than our existing room. - Right.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07However, we have our wardrobes in the existing room.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09So, that's a nice touch, that you don't have now.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11I'm conscious that we haven't shown you
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- where you're going to live. - Yes.- So let's go and look. - I am all right, Jack.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15ANNE LAUGHS
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Jokes aside, I'm sensing Anne wasn't overly impressed
0:09:20 > 0:09:22with the size of the master bedroom.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25One area I'm confident will deliver on their desire for space
0:09:25 > 0:09:27is the detached annexe.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32So this is the annexe for you, Doug.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Oh!- It's LOVELY.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37Oh, it looks as though it's been very well done.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41- Very nice. - And you have two rooms, really.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43This could... It's being used as a bedroom,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46- but it could be a, sort of, sitting room or study.- Yes.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49And through there you've got a big bedroom with an en suite
0:09:49 > 0:09:51- and quite a lot of storage. - Oh, very good.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It looks ideal. First impressions are very good.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Well, that's good, one happy customer.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- I want to show you the garden, the outside space.- Lovely.- Good, good.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Outside, the annexe has its own small garden area
0:10:03 > 0:10:05off the central courtyard.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08To give Eileen her own space, they'd need to convert
0:10:08 > 0:10:11the garage, currently used as a workshop.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Beyond the main house, there's a larger garden
0:10:14 > 0:10:15backing onto open fields.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- Oh, so green.- Oh, it's lovely.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- So, this purple hedge is the end of your property.- Right.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28- I'm afraid there isn't a paddock or a stable block.- Right.- Yes.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31Um, but...it does have a lot going for it.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33It's a beautiful garden.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34I thought this was going to be the garden
0:10:34 > 0:10:36and I thought, perfect size for the garden.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- And you also thought there was going to be a paddock?- I did, yes.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42OK, well, we need to find out how much it's on the market for.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44So what you think the price of this property is?
0:10:44 > 0:10:48I would think it's probably on the market for about 670.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50I think 600,000.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53OK, so THIS property
0:10:53 > 0:10:56- is on the market for £695,000.- Oh!
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- It's right at the top of your budget.- Right.- Right.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02And that's a lot to do about where it is, I think.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04It does, to me, seems expensive.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09For £5,000 short of their maximum budget,
0:11:09 > 0:11:12these converted farm buildings offer the family a main house
0:11:12 > 0:11:16with three bedrooms and a study to be converted as a fourth.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19There's a separate two-bedroom annexe that could suit Doug
0:11:19 > 0:11:22and a large garage that could be converted
0:11:22 > 0:11:24to give Eileen her own space, too.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26Unfortunately, there's no paddock here,
0:11:26 > 0:11:29but the gardens are a good size and the property is within easy
0:11:29 > 0:11:31commuting distance of Sunderland.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- Got all your information? - We have, yes.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Well, we've got another house to do it all again.- Good, well.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- Good stuff.- Let's see.- Thank you.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50County Durham is known as one of the earliest and largest
0:11:50 > 0:11:52mining areas in the country.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Its mineral-rich shallow seams with close proximity
0:11:55 > 0:11:57to the coast meant coal could be dug
0:11:57 > 0:12:00and quickly shipped around the country.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Since the mine closures in the 1980s,
0:12:02 > 0:12:06the county, and in particular the ex-colliery villages, have welcomed
0:12:06 > 0:12:10the addition of new industry and entrepreneurship.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13A new business on the outskirts of Durham City hoping to help
0:12:13 > 0:12:16with the revival is Durham Distillery.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18I've come to meet owner John Chadwick to find out more
0:12:18 > 0:12:20about this craft industry.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23So this is a juniper wood.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27We're in the biggest juniper wood in England.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Obviously, essential for gin, and I'm quite intrigued
0:12:30 > 0:12:33because I don't associate gin with County Durham.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37No. We are the first legal distillery in Durham
0:12:37 > 0:12:39since Henry VIII.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41How did the idea come around?
0:12:41 > 0:12:45I was in America and I came across a whole load of really beautiful
0:12:45 > 0:12:48little micro distilleries mainly on the East Coast.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51And then the moment we said "Durham gin",
0:12:51 > 0:12:55it was such a lovely concept, we kind of thought we had to do it.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00In 2012, it was reported that a fungus infection was found
0:13:00 > 0:13:03to be present on juniper bushes in Northern Britain.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Already a declining supply, it became a protected species.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09Due to the volumes needed at the distillery,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12John imports his juniper from Europe.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16But with a small supply of the local strain, his plan is to regrow it
0:13:16 > 0:13:20with the aim of becoming self-sufficient within five years.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22So what's the basic of a gin?
0:13:22 > 0:13:25By law, it must be juniper.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27I think you would want to have a balance
0:13:27 > 0:13:29of some nice very English flavours,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33so we use things like elderflower, celery and Angelica.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37And you'd want to balance that with some slightly sort of
0:13:37 > 0:13:39more exotic flavours,
0:13:39 > 0:13:43so we use pink pepper and a bit of coriander and cardamom.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Compared to a commercial distillery that produces
0:13:46 > 0:13:49thousands of bottles a day, this is a small operation.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53Each batch of just a few hundred bottles at a time
0:13:53 > 0:13:56takes several days. At the forefront of what they do here
0:13:56 > 0:14:01are the craft techniques and skill of the distiller, Jessica Tomlinson.
0:14:01 > 0:14:05At 25, Jessica is the youngest female distiller in the country.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07- This is your baby.- It is, yes.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10A 400-litre copper pot still.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14It was handmade for us in Portugal and Spain so it's bespoke to us.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15So just talk me through it.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19So, into our main still here we put grain neutral spirit,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21which is just ethanol,
0:14:21 > 0:14:26mineral water which is from Durham itself and a selection of botanicals.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28We've got the hand-crushed junipers in there.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31And we cold-macerate that overnight,
0:14:31 > 0:14:36so that means all of those oils are infused into the ethanol overnight,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39and then in the morning we add another selection of botanicals
0:14:39 > 0:14:40into there and close that up,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43and once we turn the boiler on it all heats up.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47During the distillation process, the ethanol separates from the water
0:14:47 > 0:14:49and infuses with the botanical oils.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Over several hours, the liquid starts to evaporate.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56The vapour then passes through a copper tube, called a Lyne arm,
0:14:56 > 0:14:59and into what is known as the gin basket,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01containing a third and final set of botanicals.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05The hot vapours just pass over those.
0:15:05 > 0:15:10Yes. And then we pass down here and in to our worm tub.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12- Worm tub?- Worm tub, yeah.
0:15:12 > 0:15:17As the hot vapour hits the cold metal, it condenses and passes
0:15:17 > 0:15:18all the way down through here
0:15:18 > 0:15:20and then comes up through the parrot spout.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22So this is where the finished product comes out.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25It does, yes, and we collect that from there.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27And presumably that's super strong.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- It is.- Roughly kind of 75-80%.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- And then you dilute it? - We dilute it down with water
0:15:33 > 0:15:34to the legal 40%.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Have you got any of the good stuff?
0:15:37 > 0:15:38We do, yes.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Yeah.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It definitely has... I wouldn't typically drink neat gin.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Especially given how early in the morning it is.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51We always say try it like that
0:15:51 > 0:15:54and you can see what your gin's actually like.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It's quite strong, but it does have lots of taste to it.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00Brilliant. Well, all the best and congratulations.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03- I hope it's going to be a long career in distilling ahead of you. - Thank you.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14For our next property, we are heading towards the market town of Bishop Auckland,
0:16:14 > 0:16:1712 miles from Darlington.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19The town grew rapidly in the 19th century,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23but was of historical significance much earlier.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Home to the magnificent Auckland Castle,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28it's been the principal residence of the Bishops of Durham
0:16:28 > 0:16:29since the 12th century.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Six miles south-west in the small village of Evenwood Gate,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36we find our second property in a rural setting
0:16:36 > 0:16:38half a mile from the main road.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43This is an old Durham longhouse,
0:16:43 > 0:16:45dating back to 1630.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Oh, lovely.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49And you can see the period, the lovely mullioned windows
0:16:49 > 0:16:52- that were boxed up between the window taxes.- Oh, yes.- Yes.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56It looks more right than the other one, to me.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- But I warn you there will be compromises.- Yes.- Yes, well.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02Nothing in life's perfect, is it?
0:17:02 > 0:17:04- Except me!- Ha-ha!
0:17:04 > 0:17:07Let's go.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09Doug may not be expecting to be blown away,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12but I have got a good feeling about this farmhouse.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17So this house has one...
0:17:17 > 0:17:19TWO sitting rooms.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23- Big size.- It is, lovely.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- Perfect.- Oh, ha-ha!- Yes.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Love the inglenook fireplace.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29I love the sash windows, as well.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31Not only does this house have two sitting rooms,
0:17:31 > 0:17:35it actually has two dining rooms, which is a first on the show.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37- Yes, well.- Lovely.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40- We could easily make use of that. - Yes, I'm sure we can.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- This is dining room number one.- Yes.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And then through the kitchen, dining room number two.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Wow.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- I think there's enough space here. - There should be! Good Lord!
0:17:54 > 0:17:56Only just!
0:17:56 > 0:18:00But this dining room is wonderful. Lovely.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02The real issue, of course, is bedrooms,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and here you are going to have to think creatively.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08- I'm just warning you.- I'm happy to.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Despite the abundance of space downstairs,
0:18:14 > 0:18:17the upstairs might be a bit of a squeeze.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19There are three double bedrooms for the children,
0:18:19 > 0:18:22a single bedroom, currently used as a study,
0:18:22 > 0:18:24as well as a family bathroom.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28At the far end, there is a light and spacious master bedroom.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30Here we have the master suite.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33This is a lovely room, isn't it?
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Absolutely delightful.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39You've got an en suite and a sort of walk-in wardrobe affair here.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Similar to the last property but much bigger.
0:18:41 > 0:18:42The windows are lovely.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45You and the family are sorted.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48We might have somewhere for you lined up.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51We need to think creatively and find a solution,
0:18:51 > 0:18:53which is always possible,
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- to find somewhere lovely for Eileen to stay.- That would be nice.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Get your thinking caps on. We shall explore the annexe.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03We might not have found a solution for Eileen yet,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06but, first things first, I need to show Doug the annexe.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10Currently used as a holiday let, it has its own entrance
0:19:10 > 0:19:13and should give him the independent living he's after.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Doug, come and look at your home-to-be.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Wow.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24This is a sort of sitting room area, you've got your bedroom in there,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26and a sort of galley kitchen here.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28And a bathroom here.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- More compact.- Ideal.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33One of the other things you need to see is the land.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- Yes.- Let's do that.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41The property sits on an impressive plot of over three and a half acres
0:19:41 > 0:19:45and includes an outbuilding providing useful storage,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48a patio area and a huge lawned garden.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50It's also got the paddocks they were looking for
0:19:50 > 0:19:53and comes complete with its own stream.
0:19:55 > 0:20:01- You have your three acres, including two paddocks.- Yes.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04And then you also have your own stretch of river.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Including a little bar.
0:20:08 > 0:20:12That's something special, makes it a very nice property.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15How much do you think this property is going to set you back?
0:20:15 > 0:20:18I would say about 700.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- What about you?- 675.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24This three-acre plot with the house and the annexe
0:20:24 > 0:20:28and the river is on the market for...
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- £575,000.- Wow!
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Which gives you, like, £100,000 to think seriously about...
0:20:35 > 0:20:38you'd have to build something for Eileen.
0:20:38 > 0:20:43At that price, you would be able to afford, no bother.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46And this is not a listed building, it's not a conservation area,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49so planning, particularly if it's a relative coming to live with you,
0:20:49 > 0:20:50they're quite keen to support that.
0:20:50 > 0:20:55The third property that we're going to see will have to be something
0:20:55 > 0:20:57to beat this, without a doubt.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01You've thrown down a gauntlet.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05For a significant £125,000 under their maximum budget,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08this property works hard to give the family
0:21:08 > 0:21:10practically everything they're after.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13With five bedrooms, four reception rooms and an annexe,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16all it's missing is a separate space for Eileen.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21But with a sizeable plot and coming in well under budget,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23they could easily build her what she wants.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Good. Let's draw a line under today and get ready for tomorrow.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29That's excellent.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I may have been a little hasty in saying the sun always shines
0:21:38 > 0:21:41in County Durham, but this morning we've brought Doug and Anne
0:21:41 > 0:21:43into the interior of the county,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46where the landscape is very striking and very beautiful
0:21:46 > 0:21:47and very sparsely populated.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51We're playing the remote card with the mystery house
0:21:51 > 0:21:53and also throwing down the gauntlet about building
0:21:53 > 0:21:55because they are going to need to build those annexes,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58but that's what the mystery house is about.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00A challenge.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Heading inland to the heart of the Durham Dales,
0:22:03 > 0:22:06our mystery property is in Upper Weardale,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09in the traditional Dales village of St John's Chapel.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13A popular tourist spot for walkers and cyclists,
0:22:13 > 0:22:17visitors come to the area to explore its famous scenic routes
0:22:17 > 0:22:20including the highest road in the UK.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24A mile from the village, our mystery property occupies
0:22:24 > 0:22:28a secluded position with fantastic views of the Dales.
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- The mystery house. - Looks very nice.- It's lovely.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35One of the reasons we really wanted to bring you here is this
0:22:35 > 0:22:39- is a house with a huge plot of land. It comes with 13 acres.- Wow.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42It's a big offering that gives you potential to do things
0:22:42 > 0:22:44that the other properties perhaps couldn't.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49The house is very big, so it could accommodate everybody in the house.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54It means you would have to build or convert to even give you
0:22:54 > 0:22:56an annexe, so it's a bit more work,
0:22:56 > 0:23:00so in that sense it's a bit more of a challenge.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- That's good. - We don't mind challenges.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Obviously, we would like to see inside.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Because it's you, I'll let you.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Originally built in the late 1800s,
0:23:14 > 0:23:17this farmhouse is an impressive modern conversion.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Across three floors, it offers a generous seven bedrooms
0:23:20 > 0:23:22and substantial living space.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- This is the main sitting room. - Very nice.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I think it's lovely, lovely and comfortable.
0:23:33 > 0:23:34Let's look at the kitchen.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38Accessed from both the main sitting room and another lounge,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41the family kitchen is spacious and bright
0:23:41 > 0:23:43and runs the length of both rooms.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48This is a lovely room, I think.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52I think it's really nice and I could see myself in here.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54I wanted to show you upstairs
0:23:54 > 0:23:58- because you have seven bedrooms in this house.- Lovely.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Also on the ground floor,
0:24:00 > 0:24:04there is a stunning beamed room used as a study.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07Heading up to the first floor are five of the seven bedrooms -
0:24:07 > 0:24:09all good-sized doubles.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12None are en suite, but there is a family bathroom
0:24:12 > 0:24:13and a separate shower room.
0:24:15 > 0:24:16This is being used as the master
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- because it has a walk-in wardrobe over the staircase.- Lovely.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23So when push came to shove, when you were building,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- you could have everybody in the house.- While we were building, yes.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30But let's go outside and look at the footprint of those houses.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Outside is where this property's real potential lies.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36With a garage, a number of outbuildings
0:24:36 > 0:24:41and a vast plot of land, the family could build separate accommodation
0:24:41 > 0:24:42for Doug and Eileen.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47It really is a stunning view, and this is your field.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49This and the field beyond it is your field,
0:24:49 > 0:24:54- so it's 10 acres of hayfields. - Oh, right!
0:24:54 > 0:24:55You've got that outbuilding up there.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59So you can see they've already put the footings down
0:24:59 > 0:25:02for a giant... This was going to be a barn for the hay,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05so they got that passed no problems and they were suggesting
0:25:05 > 0:25:09if you went with the same architect with some plans for a dwelling,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12you can probably get that through as well.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- But that's all subject to planning so we can't promise that.- Course.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17- Exciting prospect, isn't it?- Yes.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19How much do you think this is all on the market for?
0:25:19 > 0:25:22600,000.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- My guess is 500,000.- 500,000.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29That's a bit of a wild card because this is on the market
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- for 650,000.- Ohh, right.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34So a little wide of the mark.
0:25:34 > 0:25:36The owners might be open to negotiations.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Of course, that's true.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42At £50,000 under their top budget,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44this property and its lovely location
0:25:44 > 0:25:48could give Anne and Doug the rural family lifestyle
0:25:48 > 0:25:50they've been discussing for so long.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53This substantial three-floor conversion with seven bedrooms
0:25:53 > 0:25:56should have more than enough space for the family.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59The 13 acres of land would keep the kids busy
0:25:59 > 0:26:02and there are paddocks for a horse and a number of outbuildings,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05meaning, subject to planning permission, they could give
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Doug and Eileen purpose-built separate annexes,
0:26:08 > 0:26:12but whether it's too rural, only they can decide.
0:26:12 > 0:26:14Hold your thoughts, because we are going to find
0:26:14 > 0:26:15a nice County Durham pub,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and that's where we'll have our final discussion.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Thank you so much for bringing us to this lovely part of the world.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28I don't think we've ever been here before.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- Was it a good trip for you? - Without a shadow of a doubt.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33I don't think we're naive enough, or certainly I'm not,
0:26:33 > 0:26:36to believe that there is a perfect property out there.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41There will be a part-perfect property, which we think we've seen,
0:26:41 > 0:26:45and we'll have to put a lot of work effort
0:26:45 > 0:26:50to make that property perfect.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Which one are we talking about? Which is the part-perfect property?
0:26:53 > 0:26:58Well, perhaps Anne and I are at odds here.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- Mine was the last one. - And yours?
0:27:00 > 0:27:03I'm thinking property two is slightly less remote,
0:27:03 > 0:27:07but I can see Doug's point regarding property three.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10I think it does have huge potential.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I very much value my husband's opinion, too, and I have
0:27:13 > 0:27:18every intention of arranging to go back to both properties.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20That's good. So, you did give us a very tall order.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Did we measure up in any shape?
0:27:22 > 0:27:26Yes, it's been excellent
0:27:26 > 0:27:30and I'm a lot more knowledgeable about the marketplace
0:27:30 > 0:27:33and, as Anne said, we will follow it up.
0:27:33 > 0:27:36- Very good.- Thank you.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38It's been a great pleasure and thanks again for bringing us
0:27:38 > 0:27:40to this lovely county.
0:27:42 > 0:27:46I think we did a pretty good job here in County Durham,
0:27:46 > 0:27:50because Doug and Anne are keen to revisit not one but two of our properties.
0:27:50 > 0:27:54So claps for us and claps for you for watching and do join us
0:27:54 > 0:27:57next thing for another challenge on Escape To The Country.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01If you'd like to Escape To The Country
0:28:01 > 0:28:04in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07or perhaps even further afield to the Continent,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09and would like our help, please apply online.