0:00:02 > 0:00:05This parish church behind me is the only one in the whole
0:00:05 > 0:00:09of England that has a complete set of original medieval stained glass.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Find out exactly where I am in just a moment.
0:00:28 > 0:00:33Today, a married couple celebrating a ten-year union
0:00:33 > 0:00:35are in search of their first home together.
0:00:35 > 0:00:41- How are you feeling? - Excited, relieved.- Are you?!- Yeah!
0:00:41 > 0:00:42Not as much as me!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47And I'm striving to give our buyers exactly what they want.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51That's the happiest, Sue, I've seen Charles all day.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53He does like his en suite.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Today, I'm in the Cotswolds,
0:00:55 > 0:00:59at St Marys Church, in the small Gloucestershire town of Fairford,
0:00:59 > 0:01:04and there has been a church here on this site since the 1100s.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08But this present structure has its origins in the
0:01:08 > 0:01:1215th century, which is when it was adorned with 28 stained and
0:01:12 > 0:01:17painted glass windows, featuring a visual account of the Bible's story.
0:01:17 > 0:01:21Now, it's remarkable to think that, some 500 years later, these iconic
0:01:21 > 0:01:26panes have survived, largely intact.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28And provide a kaleidoscope of colour,
0:01:28 > 0:01:33and a captivating history, very much like the Cotswolds landscape itself.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38The Cotswolds is a range of hills in the south-west of England,
0:01:38 > 0:01:43lying between Oxford and Bristol and covering 790 square miles.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46It's a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49which dominates most of Gloucestershire,
0:01:49 > 0:01:54but also spills into Oxfordshire, as well as four other counties.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The area abounds with gentle rolling hills and farmland,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01dissected by hedges and trees, with livestock hugging hillsides,
0:02:01 > 0:02:06and wild flowers providing bursts of colour, breaking up the vivid green.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10Local limestone supplies the honey-coloured stone that gives
0:02:10 > 0:02:13the Cotswolds its unique look.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16This delightful area attracts an estimated 38 million tourists a year
0:02:16 > 0:02:20from around the globe, and less than two hours from London and
0:02:20 > 0:02:24close to Oxford, the Cotswolds is a popular choice for people choosing
0:02:24 > 0:02:30to escape city life, whether permanently or as a weekend retreat.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33So what exactly are today's buyers after?
0:02:33 > 0:02:36Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39French teacher Charles and his wife Sue, from Hemel Hempstead in
0:02:39 > 0:02:43Hertfordshire, have had a blissfully happy union for ten years.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48We met in 2004, it was at a school ball, my eyes met on Sue,
0:02:48 > 0:02:50and the next morning I woke up and I thought,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53"That's my little present from God."
0:02:53 > 0:02:56We got married in 2010, we got married in the school chapel
0:02:56 > 0:03:00and we went on honeymoon to the Cotswolds, which is where
0:03:00 > 0:03:02we're hoping to move to.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06The Gloucestershire Cotswolds is very close to both their hearts.
0:03:06 > 0:03:10When we first met, Sue was actually living in the Cotswolds,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14so she's got a very strong attachment to it, and I used
0:03:14 > 0:03:17to go visit her there, obviously, as often as I possibly could
0:03:17 > 0:03:20and I feel a very strong affinity to it.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22Sue and Charles live in a flat in the boarding school where
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Charles works in Hemel Hempstead, which couldn't be more different
0:03:26 > 0:03:28to the area of their dreams.
0:03:28 > 0:03:32It's large and sprawling and very populated,
0:03:32 > 0:03:37and I just can't wait to get back to more rural living.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40We want to have a place where we can have Sue's daughters,
0:03:40 > 0:03:43my stepchildren, to stay, where we can invite guests to come for
0:03:43 > 0:03:45the weekend and where we're a bit further away from London, as well.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50It's not just family and friends who are important in this move.
0:03:50 > 0:03:52Two-year-old Bertie, an English Pointer,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54will be heading to the country, too.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57We would like to be able to have a nice large garden
0:03:57 > 0:03:59he can run around in.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02So, with Sue's own house under offer and Charles'
0:04:02 > 0:04:05school flat kept on to accommodate him in term time, there's
0:04:05 > 0:04:10nothing stopping this lively couple from pursuing their rural dream.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13This is going to be the first property we've purchased together,
0:04:13 > 0:04:15I think it will be very exciting.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19I think Sue will tell me what the perfect property is and I will agree with her.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25Sue adores the honey-coloured hues of Cotswold stone
0:04:25 > 0:04:27and they both love the Gloucestershire
0:04:27 > 0:04:30part of the region where the stone houses are abundant,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33so we're concentrating our search around the town of Cirencester.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36But before we begin our hunt for a country home for
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Sue and Charles, I've come to meet them
0:04:39 > 0:04:43to get a better picture of what it is they're looking for.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45So, Sue and Charles, welcome to the Cotswolds,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48We are finding a home for both of you. That's correct, isn't it?
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- It's the first home you are going to have bought together.- It is.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Let's hear about this wish list, then.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56- We want a detached house.- Yes. - With a nice garden.- Yes.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58A flat garden.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- And we want it somewhere near where we can walk the dog.- Right.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07And a nice fireplace and, most importantly, a nice little man cave
0:05:07 > 0:05:10that I can call my own, with a nice sturdy lock on the door.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12I do love your honesty, Charles. What about you, Sue?
0:05:12 > 0:05:16- Do you agree?- Um, yes. - What would you like?
0:05:16 > 0:05:18I could embellish. Stone, I think is important,
0:05:18 > 0:05:23ones in the Cotswolds, and I would stretch it from garden to land,
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I could quite see an acre, with outbuildings.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30- So, ideally you do want a bit of land.- Yeah.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33We also wanted to be within close reach of, sort of,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36a nice deli, coffee shoppy sort of place,
0:05:36 > 0:05:38so in the morning, you know, after a nice cooked breakfast
0:05:38 > 0:05:40I can stroll into town.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43Is there a deal-breaker anywhere along the line?
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Because I'm slightly concerned about the list of wants.
0:05:46 > 0:05:51I think that if I had to have a painted house, rather than
0:05:51 > 0:05:55a stone house, I'd compromise there, if everything else was correct.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Well, I'm certainly looking forward to the next few days,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00remind me of your budget.
0:06:00 > 0:06:05At the very top end, 550. Something for 500 would be perfect.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09Well, I think we should finish our tea and coffee, because weather
0:06:09 > 0:06:11might be clearing and we can start with our first property
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Oh, brilliant. Looking forward to it.
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Sue and Charles have a generous budget, but they've chosen a pricey
0:06:20 > 0:06:24region and they've got some rather exacting requirements in mind.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27They'd like a detached stone house, with at least three bedrooms,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30so Sue's two daughters and friends can visit.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32They want big, level grounds
0:06:32 > 0:06:35for their dog Bertie to run around, with plenty of walking opportunities
0:06:35 > 0:06:38nearby, and they're hoping to be close to a community,
0:06:38 > 0:06:43where Charles is looking forward to enjoying local shops and cafes.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47We've searched the county and have chosen three excellent properties,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50one of which could become Sue and Charles' first joint home.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54And only after they've viewed each house will they find out its cost.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58Our final visit will be to the mystery house, which may be
0:06:58 > 0:07:01taking them slightly off-piste, but will hopefully give them
0:07:01 > 0:07:03something they didn't even know they wanted.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10We're kicking off our trip in Gloucestershire on the eastern
0:07:10 > 0:07:12edge of the Cotswolds.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15The hamlet of Netherton, just on the outskirts of the village
0:07:15 > 0:07:19of Quenington, is eight miles east of Cirencester.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Quenington displays the typical Cotswolds stone cottages
0:07:22 > 0:07:25and dry stone walls the region is famous for.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28It's home to a sociable community, with great country
0:07:28 > 0:07:30walks their dog Bertie would love.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33An eight-minute drive takes us back to Netherton.
0:07:34 > 0:07:39So, our very first property, it's quite an unusual layout,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42- it's the property right in the centre.- Wow!
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- So that's a different property there and a different property there?- Yes.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Right.- Victorian barn.- Yes
0:07:47 > 0:07:51Dates back to about 1850, and in 1995 they were converted into
0:07:51 > 0:07:53six separate dwellings,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57- so you do have neighbours, I think it's fair to say.- Yes.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02- Which wasn't on the wish list.- No. - First impressions.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06I think it's very balanced-looking. I love the stone,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09I like the roof tiles.
0:08:09 > 0:08:10- It's not detached...- It's not, no.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13- ..which was the number-one thing on our list.- Right.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16- But what do you think of the property itself?- It's lovely.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21Yes, I think it's all plus, apart from that they're attached.
0:08:21 > 0:08:22Well, let's step inside
0:08:22 > 0:08:27- and see if the property itself changes your mind.- OK. Thank you.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29This delightful barn may have next-door neighbours,
0:08:29 > 0:08:33but this area is one of the most costly in the country, and even
0:08:33 > 0:08:36on our buyers' generous budget of over half a million pounds,
0:08:36 > 0:08:41compromises have to be made to give them the space and garden they want.
0:08:42 > 0:08:46Leading off a spacious hallway is the first reception room.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- Charles is smiling at me! - Oh, that's very nice.- Yeah?- Yes.
0:08:49 > 0:08:53- You're not going to get excited about a hallway, are you?- No.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- No.- It is a very nice hallway. - I like him!
0:08:56 > 0:08:58OK, let's start with the sitting room.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04Well, it's very light, which is very nice.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Because you've probably gathered, this property isn't enormous.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11It's quite a small building, but I think they've made
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- the most of it and the ceilings do give you much more space.- Yes.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20- So, apart from size, I think it's a lovely room.- Great.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23All of the downstairs rooms lead off from the hallway, and next
0:09:23 > 0:09:27to the sitting room is the kitchen, also with views to the garden.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33It's nicely appointed, it's very attractively done,
0:09:33 > 0:09:38but, in my mind, I was thinking of, sort of, farmhouse table.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Possibly it's not the right sort of size for our needs.
0:09:42 > 0:09:45- I actually quite like something quite small.- He likes small, yeah.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I think it's just less hassle.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51On the other side of the hallway is a dining room at the front
0:09:51 > 0:09:54of the house and a double bedroom and bathroom at the back.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57And upstairs, the rooms are in the eaves with skylights to the
0:09:57 > 0:09:59front and back.
0:09:59 > 0:10:03So, when this barn was originally converted, it was just
0:10:03 > 0:10:08the downstairs, and then the owners before decided to put two
0:10:08 > 0:10:09- bedrooms upstairs, as well.- Mm-hm.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11Come on! Talk to me, Sue!
0:10:11 > 0:10:14Erm... Bijou.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Bijou. Good word.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19Very attractive, I'm looking for more space, you know,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23- a bit more elbow room.- Yeah. - Let's say.- And Charles?
0:10:23 > 0:10:27What I feel is... I feel either side I've got people there.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30There's no getting away from the fact that this property isn't
0:10:30 > 0:10:33detached, but I'm hoping the beautiful gardens,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35which belong to this house,
0:10:35 > 0:10:37may change things as the outside space is
0:10:37 > 0:10:40so important to Sue and Charles.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44- It's absolutely beautiful.- Stunning. - It is, yes.- Yes.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47I think this is one of the most beautifully kept gardens
0:10:47 > 0:10:49that I've seen. So I think we've discussed
0:10:49 > 0:10:52everything that there is to know about the barn, but we haven't
0:10:52 > 0:10:57put a price on it. So how much do you think it is on the market for?
0:10:57 > 0:11:01I would put it on at 535.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05OK. Now, I might put it a bit more. 545?
0:11:05 > 0:11:07The asking price for this property -
0:11:07 > 0:11:10and it's only just gone on the market -
0:11:10 > 0:11:13is £445,000.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- Oh!- I like it a lot more! - Wow.- Yeah.- Really?- Yes.
0:11:18 > 0:11:24I am absolutely amazed and it's a lovely surprise, actually.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26This converted barn is full of character
0:11:26 > 0:11:31and comes in at £105,000 under our buyers' top budget,
0:11:31 > 0:11:33giving them plenty left in the pot to play with.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37It may not be detached, but it is built from the local stone
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Sue adores and has just the number of bedrooms they want.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44It has superb gardens and is close to many scenic paths
0:11:44 > 0:11:49perfect for walking Bertie, and it's not too far from civilisation,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51which will suit Charles down to the ground.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56Right, you two, how are you feeling?
0:11:56 > 0:12:00Well, it is a delightful, immaculately appointed house,
0:12:00 > 0:12:03but I don't think it is going to quite do it for us.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- Just a little bit too small? - Just a little bit too small.- OK.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- Well, it's only our first property.- Yes.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Got more to show you. - Brilliant.- Thank you.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19The scenic rolling landscape of Gloucestershire lends itself
0:12:19 > 0:12:23to horse riding, and Newent in the north-west of the county is
0:12:23 > 0:12:26home to a national equestrian champion.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29Carl Hester was brought up on the Channel Island of Sark,
0:12:29 > 0:12:33which has no cars, and he's been riding all his life.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37In 2012, he was part of Team GB's dressage team, who won
0:12:37 > 0:12:39gold at the London Olympics.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41I've come to his training ground to meet him,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43and his world-class horses.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- So, Carl, good to see you!- Hi, Nicky, nice to meet you again.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- Thanks for inviting us to your yard.- It's a pleasure.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51I can see you're hard at work.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Yeah, well, this is what goes on here at home,
0:12:53 > 0:12:55we train the young horses here.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00Dressage is a very intense sport. It takes probably five or six years
0:13:00 > 0:13:02to get the horse to Grand Prix standard.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04"Dressage" is a French term meaning training.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06It has its roots in ancient Greece
0:13:06 > 0:13:10and, simply put, it's the highest level of horse training.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Now, you mentioned Grand Prix, is that the very top level of dressage?
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Yeah, Grand Prix is what you see at Olympics.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19So, what are you looking for, then, here?
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Because it's all about the horse with the rider, isn't it?
0:13:22 > 0:13:24You couldn't put another rider on this horse?
0:13:24 > 0:13:26Yes, it's about the harmony between the horse and rider,
0:13:26 > 0:13:28that's what we're starting with.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I mean, what we're looking at here is Amy's just teaching him to canter
0:13:31 > 0:13:32when she says, to trot when she says,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35to walk, so you're not supposed to be able to see the rider moving,
0:13:35 > 0:13:37you know, it's very discreet.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39You just see the horse doing the movements and the rider's
0:13:39 > 0:13:41supposed to look like they're steering.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44Almost like the perfect marriage between horse and rider.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Well, this young horse is just at the beginning of his dressage
0:13:47 > 0:13:51career, but two of Carl's stallions are already champions.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54So, I've got some pressies, Carl. Are we allowed?
0:13:54 > 0:13:56They will be very happy to eat those, yes.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- There we go, look at that. - This is Utopia,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03and these are the two gold medal horses from London, Utopia, Valegro.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06This one's known as Uti and this one's known as Blueberry.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09So what makes these horses so special?
0:14:09 > 0:14:13Well, they really are able to cope with any atmosphere, they are
0:14:13 > 0:14:16almost like police horses in a way so, you know, you could actually
0:14:16 > 0:14:19ride these two guys down the M25, they have that ability to be
0:14:19 > 0:14:23able to be relaxed in any situation, like the Olympics,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25like World Cup Finals, noise and a lot of people,
0:14:25 > 0:14:28and yet they have this incredible presence
0:14:28 > 0:14:32and energy when they're needed to perform in the arena.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I feel very lucky to be in the company of three Olympic gold medal
0:14:35 > 0:14:40winners and Carl's going to give me a dressage display on 13-year-old
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Fine Time, who's the current British Dressage National Champion.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46I'll show you what a canter pirouette should look like.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50I'm going to canter him this short so that he's
0:14:50 > 0:14:54almost on the spot, and make it smaller and smaller and I'm looking
0:14:54 > 0:14:58to try and get six to eight steps and it should be on a dinner plate.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02Now, I do ride, I'm a passionate rider,
0:15:02 > 0:15:06so I can appreciate how difficult that is.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Dressage is one thing you can get better
0:15:08 > 0:15:10and better at, so that's the good news for you, Nicki.
0:15:10 > 0:15:11There's hope for me?
0:15:11 > 0:15:13You are only going to get better with years.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17I've now done five Olympics and my best Olympics was my fifth one,
0:15:17 > 0:15:19so it does show, you know,
0:15:19 > 0:15:2225 years of practise, you could also be taking
0:15:22 > 0:15:24a medal home maybe at that time, as well.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28Carl, thank you for a glimpse into the dressage world.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Travelling 28 miles west takes us to our second house in the hamlet
0:15:41 > 0:15:44of Harescomb. One and a half miles from the village of Haresfield and
0:15:44 > 0:15:46five miles south of Gloucester,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48it's on the western edge of the Cotswolds.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51The pretty village of Haresfield has a great dining pub
0:15:51 > 0:15:54and fantastic views from the Haresfield Beacon
0:15:54 > 0:15:56across the valley to the River Severn.
0:15:56 > 0:15:59Back in rural Harescombe, which sits in the valley at the foot
0:15:59 > 0:16:03of the Beacon, is our second house, a semidetached period cottage
0:16:03 > 0:16:08which I'm hoping will please Sue and Charles, despite the dreadful rain.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12It might be grey, and it might be wet,
0:16:12 > 0:16:14but here is your second property.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17It is semidetached, but it's not a terrace.
0:16:17 > 0:16:21For house number two, we have gone for semidetached
0:16:21 > 0:16:25- but the proportions are much, much larger.- Right.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28Our house, the one that we're looking at,
0:16:28 > 0:16:32has been extended out the back and is quite substantial.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36I like the Cotswold stone, so so far, so good.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Well, on that note, come on, let's get out of the rain.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44This cottage dates back to the 1800s and was built from Cotswold
0:16:44 > 0:16:45stone and tiles.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Moving inside, we're starting off our tour in the sitting room
0:16:48 > 0:16:51with a wood-burning stove as its centrepiece.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55We sort of gravitate towards the fire.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59Oh, it's a nice, large fireplace. Is it inglenook?
0:16:59 > 0:17:02It is it is an inglenook. It's got the original bressummer beam there.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03Makes a really nice feature.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07It's less detached than I would've liked
0:17:07 > 0:17:09and I'm still slightly battling with that one.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14- I feel, as a house, there is more I need to do with it...- Yes.
0:17:14 > 0:17:15..I think, than house number one.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Next to the dining room in the middle of the house is the kitchen.
0:17:19 > 0:17:22So, with this kitchen, you really are in the heart of the home,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and the way they've set it up, you've got your dining room there
0:17:25 > 0:17:29next door and it looks out onto your garden.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32If I had the money to do it, I'd actually have it re-designed and
0:17:32 > 0:17:37make it one big kitchen, so it would be a kitchen/living area.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40I do like this kitchen a lot.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41Well, let's keep going through.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45On the side of the property is a recent addition -
0:17:45 > 0:17:47a wood-and-glass garden room.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- And guess what? It's got under-floor heating!- Oh!
0:17:51 > 0:17:53I love this aspect here, looking out.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- You get to look at your gardens... - Yeah.- ..all the way around.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Surrounded by flowers. - Yeah, it's beautiful.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- It's a lovely room, it's lovely and warm.- Yes.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- Especially on a cold day.- Yes.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06I'm not sure what to think of Sue and Charles' reactions.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10Can they see beyond the fact that this house is not detached?
0:18:10 > 0:18:14Moving to the first floor, I want to show them the sleeping quarters.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18So, upstairs, this is where the house was extended - that was
0:18:18 > 0:18:20originally the outside wall.
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- Right.- So you've got a bedroom behind us,
0:18:24 > 0:18:27a second bedroom there,
0:18:27 > 0:18:31family bathroom, and then, come on in,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34because the third bedroom is the master.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36- It also has an en suite.- Ah.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- And can we have a look at the en suite?- Go on, have a look.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41Thank you.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43Oh, it is quite big.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45Oh, it's fantastic! Yeah, it's lovely, it's very nice.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48That's the happiest, Sue, I've seen Charles all day!
0:18:48 > 0:18:50He does like his en suite.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53So, the bedrooms are of a good size.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56I much prefer having room around me
0:18:56 > 0:18:58and I'm looking for a house with potential.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04I wouldn't say any of the house wows me, but I think it's got potential.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07Absolutely. It's got a very strong, warm, family,
0:19:07 > 0:19:12lived-in feel, which I think is a very strong feel to it.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15Sue and Charles seem to be keeping an open mind about this house and
0:19:15 > 0:19:19I wonder if the question of its cost will help them make up their minds,
0:19:19 > 0:19:23as we head back downstairs to find out the all-important price tag.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29I suggest 475.
0:19:29 > 0:19:34Well, the last house was 445, so I will say, on balance,
0:19:34 > 0:19:38I will go for 474. I'll go slightly under Sue.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43OK. The asking price is £525,000.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Wow. Yes.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47The owners are aware of your budget
0:19:47 > 0:19:50and they are happy to have a conversation.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54This 19th-century property comes in at £25,000 under budget
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and has the local features Sue and Charles are looking for
0:19:57 > 0:19:59in their new home.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Its kitchen and dining room offer them the option to convert
0:20:02 > 0:20:05it into a space that would suit them, and the new garden room,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07with its splendid views of the grounds,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09is certainly a very attractive feature.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Situated close to villages and towns means this house offers Sue
0:20:13 > 0:20:19and Charles a slice of country life with access to shops and cafes.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20We're remaining positive!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Absolutely. We've had a wonderful day and I can't wait until tomorrow.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25That's the spirit!
0:20:31 > 0:20:34So, we've shown Sue and Charles two of our properties here in,
0:20:34 > 0:20:36well, rather rainy Gloucestershire,
0:20:36 > 0:20:41but we haven't managed to find them their perfect detached home as yet.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44To be honest, we are struggling here in the Cotswolds
0:20:44 > 0:20:47with their requirements on their budget,
0:20:47 > 0:20:49but, not one to admit defeat,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52we still have the mystery house up our sleeve.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Now, this time, it is detached and, if they can get over
0:20:55 > 0:20:59their love of Cotswolds stone, we may be in with a fighting chance.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Travelling eight miles south is our final property
0:21:07 > 0:21:09in the hamlet of Windsoredge, on the outskirts
0:21:09 > 0:21:13of the market town of Nailsworth, 13 miles west of Cirencester.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Nailsworth would be a haven for Charles, with its quirky shops,
0:21:18 > 0:21:23restaurants and that all-important deli, and it's been voted
0:21:23 > 0:21:27one of the top 101 places to live in Britain by a Sunday broadsheet.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31Five minutes' drive from Nailsworth and perched
0:21:31 > 0:21:35high above the Woodchester Valley is our last Gloucestershire offering.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Its rendered exterior may not be the Cotswolds stone home Sue is dreaming
0:21:38 > 0:21:42of, which has afforded it the title of our mystery house, but it is
0:21:42 > 0:21:46detached and offers a great deal of home for Sue and Charles's money.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53I promise you, through this mist and rain, the view will be worth it.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- Look at that!- Because here... - That's a stonker!
0:21:56 > 0:22:00..is the view, and here is your Edwardian mystery house.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- That?!- Oh, my God! - Oh! It's lovely!
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Look, I've lost them already! Go on! Have a little look!
0:22:06 > 0:22:08That is the most beautiful thing I've seen since
0:22:08 > 0:22:10- I gaze at my wife of a morning. - Really?!
0:22:10 > 0:22:13So why is this our mystery house, then?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Because it's really nice.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19It's not Cotswold stone.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23No, it isn't. Although the cottage is rendered, the colours used
0:22:23 > 0:22:25are very sympathetic.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- That's what I like, it's sympathetically done.- Good.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32This handsome house dates back to the early 1900s
0:22:32 > 0:22:34and is laid out over three floors.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37We're going straight to the front of the property, to the
0:22:37 > 0:22:41smallest of three reception rooms, just off the entrance hallway.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45Obviously, it's small, but that's fine. It's got a lovely wood burner
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- It's very pretty. - You did want a man cave
0:22:47 > 0:22:50and I've managed to ignore that in the past two houses, haven't I?!
0:22:50 > 0:22:52- Yes.- Quite successfully.
0:22:52 > 0:22:55Perhaps we need to find a man room for you here.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Does that sound good? - That sounds promising!
0:22:57 > 0:23:01Next to this small sitting room is a rather impressive dining room.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- Oh! Wow!- Wow. That's really nice!
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Come on through because I want to show you a second
0:23:07 > 0:23:10sitting room/reception room.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11It's really nice!
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- You wanted space with this property.- Yes.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- You mentioned the dog sort of dominates.- Yes, he seems to.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Is this sort of what you had in mind?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Yes, yes. A nice lot of room.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Behind this sitting room is a utility room
0:23:25 > 0:23:28and just behind the dining room with windows overlooking both
0:23:28 > 0:23:31sides of the grounds is the kitchen.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34- Wow!- Another large space.- Yep.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- It's light, airy and full of joy. - Fantastic.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41So, the downstairs of this property, how are you feeling?
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- Excited, relieved!- Are you? - Yes!- Not as much as me!
0:23:47 > 0:23:51This mystery house may not be built of local Cotswolds stone,
0:23:51 > 0:23:55but that doesn't seem to matter as Sue and Charles are totally smitten.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58And I think they'll fall for the first floor, too.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Just opposite the stairway is a family bathroom,
0:24:01 > 0:24:05there are four bedrooms and to the front is the master.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08So, on this floor, you've got four bedrooms in total
0:24:08 > 0:24:12and a family bathroom, but you've got an additional bedroom
0:24:12 > 0:24:16up in the loft with an en-suite bathroom, as well.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20So, instead of a man cave, perhaps, Charles, I'm thinking man attic!
0:24:20 > 0:24:22- Man palace!- Man palace!
0:24:22 > 0:24:24Fantastic!
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Things couldn't have gone better on our tour of this distinguished
0:24:27 > 0:24:30house, but the garden's just as important as the inside,
0:24:30 > 0:24:35especially for Bertie, Sue and Charles's beloved English Pointer.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Outside the grounds surround the house and we're headed to an
0:24:38 > 0:24:42elevated section with far-reaching views across the valley.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44Now, I'm not going to give you an acre of land
0:24:44 > 0:24:47because I don't have an acre of land to give you here,
0:24:47 > 0:24:52but I can give you quite a substantial garden - fenced.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54- You've got a very large garage behind us...- Yes.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58..with plenty of storage. So...what do we think?
0:24:58 > 0:25:01- I can't find anything wrong with it.- Can you not?!- No.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03How much do you think the asking price is?
0:25:03 > 0:25:10Well, the top of our budget is 550,000, so I shall say 550,000.
0:25:10 > 0:25:15And I think that this is such a good house, so I think 575
0:25:15 > 0:25:18and then you're going to say it's actually 585,
0:25:18 > 0:25:19but there's room for negotiation.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22The asking price is £550,000.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25You were spot on, Sue.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26Oh, she usually is.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- So, how do you feel about that? - Oh, it's exciting!
0:25:29 > 0:25:33- I'm almost lost for words! - Almost?- Almost.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38Bang on their upper budget, this detached period house
0:25:38 > 0:25:41goes above and beyond Sue and Charles's expectations -
0:25:41 > 0:25:45even giving them two more bedrooms than they asked for.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48It's got a safe garden, perfect for their young dog to
0:25:48 > 0:25:51run around in, and it's close to a town with all the amenities
0:25:51 > 0:25:53that are important to Charles.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57It may not have the Cotswold stone exterior Sue was hoping for,
0:25:57 > 0:26:02but she's more than happy with the sympathetically painted render.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05So why don't we go somewhere quiet and perhaps have a little drinky,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- and we can discuss what your next move is going to be?- Super. Thanks.
0:26:12 > 0:26:16Well, Charles and Sue, I have to say,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19we've had a very entertaining few days.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24Yesterday we didn't end on a high. We saw super properties,
0:26:24 > 0:26:26but they weren't quite right for either of you, were they?
0:26:26 > 0:26:31Well, the first two houses, as nice as they might have been,
0:26:31 > 0:26:35just weren't our cup of tea. And then when you showed us
0:26:35 > 0:26:39the mystery property today, that was such a surprise
0:26:39 > 0:26:44because, by this time, I had expected the third house to be
0:26:44 > 0:26:48not to our taste. As soon as we looked at the front of the
0:26:48 > 0:26:55house, we both said, "Wow." This is definitely got something about it.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Here we are, we're already waxing lyrical about the mystery house.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Where do we go next with that property?
0:27:00 > 0:27:02Even though it's the top of our budget,
0:27:02 > 0:27:03there is always room for negotiation
0:27:03 > 0:27:08- and we're going to put an offer in. - You are!- We are.- We are, yes.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- You really have fallen in love, haven't you?- Yeah. It's lovely.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Well, I'm thrilled that we've been able to help you because, of course,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17this is the first house that you will have bought together.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19You have made us all smile and chuckle,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21it's been an absolute pleasure.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23You are welcome to come and stay whenever you like, Nicki.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- And I will take you up on that offer!- Fantastic.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Charles, Sue, thank you so much. - Thank you so much! Thank you.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37So after a bit of a rocky start with Charles and Sue, we eventually found
0:27:37 > 0:27:41them their perfect mystery property. As we went to say goodbye,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45they were on the phone to the estate agent, putting in an offer.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49I'm thrilled for the both of them. I'll see you next time.
0:27:53 > 0:27:56If you'd like to Escape to the Country in England,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland
0:27:58 > 0:28:02and need our help, you can apply online at...