0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07Today, I'm standing on the oldest golf course in the whole of England,
0:00:07 > 0:00:09which dates way back to 1864.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11So, where am I?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13Find out in just a moment.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33On today's show, we're helping a very youthful newly-retired couple
0:00:33 > 0:00:36find their first, long-dreamed-of, rural home together.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39Unbelievable the amount of ground that's with this house.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40- You've got a river!- I know.
0:00:42 > 0:00:44And the impact of one of the properties knocks them
0:00:44 > 0:00:46a little off course.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47Are you serious?!
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Serious. Come back to me, Paul. Come back.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57Today, I'm in North Devon, on the championship course
0:00:57 > 0:00:59of the Royal North Devon Golf Club.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02Now, this 150-year-old course is
0:01:02 > 0:01:06regarded as the St Andrews of the South, with sand dunes
0:01:06 > 0:01:10that provide the perfect terrain for a classic links course.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14You can still play on these original fairways that golfers used to
0:01:14 > 0:01:18practice on, including local legend John Henry Taylor,
0:01:18 > 0:01:23who went on to win five Open Championships in the late 19th
0:01:23 > 0:01:25and early 20th century.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Now, the course became popular with tourists
0:01:28 > 0:01:31when the railway made its way to the local town of Bideford.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35And although trains don't run to the town anymore, there's no shortage
0:01:35 > 0:01:39of visitors flocking to this most beautiful part of the county.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Lying in the southwest of England, Devon borders Somerset to the
0:01:46 > 0:01:50east and Cornwall to the west, and has an unhurried, tranquil appeal.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53Its picturesque, rural landscape is dotted with close
0:01:53 > 0:01:57to 4,000 exquisite thatched cottages, thought to be
0:01:57 > 0:02:01the largest concentration of historic thatch in the world.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Providing contrast to its charming villages is the wide-open wilderness
0:02:04 > 0:02:08of Exmoor, whose evocative heathland has inspired
0:02:08 > 0:02:10the work of many artists and writers,
0:02:10 > 0:02:16including Henry Williamson's 1927 masterpiece Tarka The Otter.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19A little further along the coast is Woolacombe, repeatedly voted
0:02:19 > 0:02:21one of Britain's best beaches.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24This three-mile, golden, sandy expanse
0:02:24 > 0:02:27is perennially popular with families and surfers alike
0:02:27 > 0:02:31and is just another glimpse of what this gorgeous county has to offer.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39So, what is it about this beautiful region that has
0:02:39 > 0:02:42so attracted today's buyers?
0:02:42 > 0:02:44Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Since they met 11 years ago, Helen and Paul have been living
0:02:47 > 0:02:51in a three-bedroom new-build in the town of Stevenage in Hertfordshire.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53During that time, the location has offered them
0:02:53 > 0:02:56a handy commute for their jobs in London,
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Paul as a Class 1 lorry driver for a large food firm
0:02:59 > 0:03:03and Helen as a detective sergeant for the Metropolitan Police.
0:03:03 > 0:03:07But just a few months ago, after working for close to 30 years
0:03:07 > 0:03:10in their respective jobs, the two of them decided to retire,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14giving them the freedom to leave their urban environment behind.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19What we'd like is a little bit more ground, somewhere
0:03:19 > 0:03:21that, you know, you're not overlooked so much
0:03:21 > 0:03:25and really to get away from that whole commuter belt
0:03:25 > 0:03:27that we've been doing for so many years.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30We've got a chance to move away and start a new chapter.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34A lot of Helen's family live in Wales,
0:03:34 > 0:03:37so it makes geographical sense for them to move to Devon,
0:03:37 > 0:03:40but it's not just for practical purposes that
0:03:40 > 0:03:42they've singled out the county as their new home.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46We've both fell in love with north Devon,
0:03:46 > 0:03:50so we've stayed there, we've been on holiday there and it's just great.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53If it hadn't been for their job ties, Paul and Helen
0:03:53 > 0:03:55would have moved to the country years ago
0:03:55 > 0:03:58because both of them are happiest when they're outdoors.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00It's just nice to be outside and do things.
0:04:00 > 0:04:01You feel better in yourself.
0:04:01 > 0:04:06Most of the things we like to do as well, you know, are outside-based -
0:04:06 > 0:04:07walking, cycling.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11I'd like to get some chickens and a few beehives and...
0:04:11 > 0:04:12Not too sure about the bees.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15..definitely a vegetable patch, live the dream, as they say.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17THEY CHUCKLE
0:04:17 > 0:04:20While Helen found her 30 years with the Metropolitan Police
0:04:20 > 0:04:24fulfilling, it was a very demanding and all-consuming career.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28I'm looking forward to, I suppose, embarking on sort of doing things
0:04:28 > 0:04:30for me now and for us.
0:04:30 > 0:04:33I'd like to do some voluntary work -
0:04:33 > 0:04:36I'd like to help the elderly -
0:04:36 > 0:04:38and I'd like to do a bit of photography as well.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42The couple are aware that finding a new rural home may require
0:04:42 > 0:04:46some compromises, and as to how those compromises will be
0:04:46 > 0:04:49arrived at, Paul seems to have it all worked out.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Apart from the outside's living, doing, barbequing, gardening,
0:04:53 > 0:04:56then my only up would be the kitchen.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00That's where I enjoy cooking. So if I could have the land or the ground
0:05:00 > 0:05:03outside to do my little projects and a big enough kitchen
0:05:03 > 0:05:07to do what I'd like to do - which is cook - then Helen could have
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- the rest of the say. - Well, thank you very much.
0:05:09 > 0:05:10That's all right.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17Paul and Helen would like easy access to family in Wales,
0:05:17 > 0:05:20so we're concentrating our search to the north of the county.
0:05:21 > 0:05:25I'm meeting up with them to find out more about their move.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26So, Paul and Helen,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30exciting times for the two of you having just retired.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Yes, looking forward to new challenges and a new life ahead.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35What about the actual property itself?
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Ideally, it would be a nice, detached...definitely detached,
0:05:38 > 0:05:43probably three beds, nice big kitchen, plenty of land.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Let's talk a little bit about the actual location of this new home.
0:05:46 > 0:05:50Ideally rural or would you rather be on the edge of a village?
0:05:50 > 0:05:52On the edge of the village, I think, would for us...
0:05:52 > 0:05:54What about the style?
0:05:54 > 0:05:57Are you after old, period property character or new?
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Something with a little bit of character, we'd like.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01Yeah, fairly open though.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05Hmm. Maybe a fireplace, nothing too modern, I don't think.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08We'll see. Depends what you've got lined up for us.
0:06:08 > 0:06:09Yeah, open fireplace.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11And how much work are you prepared to do with this property?
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- None at all.- No.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Open your suitcase, move straight in.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Remind me of your budget.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Between 300,000 and 400,000.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20So have you sold your property?
0:06:20 > 0:06:22No, it's on the market.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24So, we're just waiting for it to be snapped up
0:06:24 > 0:06:25and then we're good to go.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Well, of course we have got our three properties lined up
0:06:28 > 0:06:31to show you. The first one is not too far away.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32So, shall we get started?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Absolutely.- Brilliant.- Follow me.
0:06:36 > 0:06:40With a maximum budget of £400,000, Paul and Helen are hoping
0:06:40 > 0:06:43to find a characterful, detached home with three bedrooms
0:06:43 > 0:06:47and a large, well-kitted-out kitchen for chief cook Paul.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50Outside, they'd like enough land to grow the produce he'll be
0:06:50 > 0:06:52using to whip up those fabulous meals,
0:06:52 > 0:06:56and space for bees and chickens would be a bonus.
0:06:56 > 0:06:57Lastly, they'd like to be within
0:06:57 > 0:06:59walking distance of a village.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02We've lined up some excellent houses to show them
0:07:02 > 0:07:05and I'll be getting them to try and guess the price of each one
0:07:05 > 0:07:06before I reveal it.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10One will be the mystery house, which wasn't always a house,
0:07:10 > 0:07:13so will our couple be converted by its unique charm?
0:07:15 > 0:07:18We begin our search in the village of Berrynarbor,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21which is a mile inland from the north coast.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24This peaceful settlement nestled in the beautiful
0:07:24 > 0:07:27and sought-after Sterridge Valley is a five-times winner
0:07:27 > 0:07:29of The Best Kept Village award.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32A short and scenic stroll from the village on a quiet, no-through road
0:07:32 > 0:07:34is our first offering.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37And here is your house.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39- Wow.- Wow.- Blimey.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42It's got lots of character about it.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Nice size, isn't it? - I bet you're now keen to get inside.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46Definitely, let's go.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49Seven years ago,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52this charming cottage underwent major refurbishment,
0:07:52 > 0:07:55which included new electrics and plumbing.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57This should please Paul and Helen, who are keen to
0:07:57 > 0:08:01avoid having to do any significant work on a new property.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05So let's start off with our drawing room,
0:08:05 > 0:08:06and as you can see...
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- Cosy.- Oh, I like it. - It's lovely, isn't it?
0:08:08 > 0:08:10It's got a lot of character.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11It has - fireplace.
0:08:11 > 0:08:12Fireplace, yeah, lovely.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14And this is as big as you'd want for a lounge.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Yeah, I mean, there's... At the end of the day,
0:08:16 > 0:08:17there's only the two of us.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20Now, the all-important kitchen.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- I've got to look at Paul for that, haven't I?- You have.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25- Cos we've heard this is his domain. Let's see if...- My room, yeah.
0:08:25 > 0:08:26..if it comes up to scratch.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- Let's see.- OK.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35So, Paul, it's all down to you - the kitchen.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37- Yep, that'll do.- Yes?
0:08:37 > 0:08:39That'll do, lovely.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41And especially with that big cooker there, Paul.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43That is perfect.
0:08:43 > 0:08:44I like watching his face.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46He was in a world of his own then looking round.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48I'm conjuring up a meal!
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I can see you're really happy, it's wonderful.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Beautiful, really nice.- Good.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55- So far so good.- So far so good.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Let's see what you make of upstairs.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Upstairs, off the split landing, there's an attractive,
0:09:02 > 0:09:04newly-decorated family bathroom
0:09:04 > 0:09:07and three bedrooms which include a good-sized double,
0:09:07 > 0:09:11an L-shaped room which could be a handy space for Helen's photography
0:09:11 > 0:09:15projects and another double which we've earmarked for Paul and Helen.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18And so here is the master bedroom,
0:09:18 > 0:09:20complete with your own little fireplace.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24It's, again, a lovely, light room.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27- Those windows really make a difference.- They do.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28- I love the doors.- Bit small.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29- Do you think?- Yeah.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- But what the master does have is- an en-suite. Ah.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38OK, but then also, I mean, you're only here to kind of sleep.
0:09:38 > 0:09:40Perhaps this is where we'll disagree then.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42- This could be the compromise. - It could be, yeah.
0:09:42 > 0:09:46Now, I know outside space is really important to the two of you.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- Yeah.- Especially for the gardener. - The gardener.
0:09:48 > 0:09:49Let's see what you make of that.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55Paul might have found the master bedroom a little on the small side,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57but I'm fairly confident he'll be more than satisfied
0:09:57 > 0:10:00with the space outside, which includes a lawned garden,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03an attractive stone storage shed,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06patio areas - perfect for those barbecues they're envisaging,
0:10:06 > 0:10:09and a garage just a little further down the road.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14This is all your garden, including the greenhouse.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16And behind us,
0:10:16 > 0:10:19you've got about an acre and a half of woodland.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- SHE LAUGHS Blimey.- It's with the house?
0:10:21 > 0:10:22With the house.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- Blimey.- I'd like to get up there. - Are we going to lose you?
0:10:26 > 0:10:29What I haven't told you - there's an additional piece of land
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- just across the road. - All that down there?- Yep.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35- Seriously? Wow.- We'll go there, look at the babbling brook.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39In terms of outdoor space, this property just keeps on giving.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42As well as the garage I mentioned earlier, the land on
0:10:42 > 0:10:45the other side of the house includes parking space for around six cars
0:10:45 > 0:10:48and another substantial lawned area,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50making up a total of just under two acres.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55So, I think in a way, I might have left the best till last,
0:10:55 > 0:10:57because this is your land as well.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59I can't believe it, I really can't.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01All this down there?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Yeah, you've got the babbling brook going through.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07Unbelievable the amount of ground that's with this house.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- You've got a river!- I know.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12How much is this cottage on the market for?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16I think it's going to be towards the top end of our budget,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18390,000.
0:11:18 > 0:11:19400 dead.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23The asking price for the cottage, nearly two acres of grounds...
0:11:23 > 0:11:24..£365,000.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26THEY LAUGH
0:11:26 > 0:11:31- We were kind of, way out then, really.- Blimey.
0:11:31 > 0:11:35A significant £35,000 below Paul and Helen's budget,
0:11:35 > 0:11:38this characterful cottage has a cosy sitting room with
0:11:38 > 0:11:41a wonderful inglenook fireplace, a country kitchen that
0:11:41 > 0:11:43more than meets with Paul's approval
0:11:43 > 0:11:45and upstairs, there are three bedrooms.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49Outside, there's almost two acres of land, which includes
0:11:49 > 0:11:51a woodland area, a brook and plenty of space
0:11:51 > 0:11:53for Paul's veggies and bees.
0:11:53 > 0:11:55Have we inspired you?
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Great start, property number one.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00Good. And guess what, more to show you.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01Come on.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Rivers form a commanding feature of the Exmoor landscape.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Close to 300 miles of them
0:12:10 > 0:12:13carve their way through this beautiful region.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16One of those rivers is the Mole, which provides a vital element
0:12:16 > 0:12:20in the production of one of the worlds' most expensive delicacies
0:12:20 > 0:12:22at a pioneering local business -
0:12:22 > 0:12:26the UK's first and only caviar farm.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29The river runs right through this rural enterprise, which was
0:12:29 > 0:12:33launched four years ago, and I'm here to quite literally immerse
0:12:33 > 0:12:38myself in it by learning more from one of its founders, Ken Benning.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40So, what exactly is caviar?
0:12:40 > 0:12:45Caviar is the sturgeon's salted roe.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- So is that the eggs? - That is physically the eggs, yes.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Proper caviar only comes from the sturgeon.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53The River Mole is key to your production of caviar.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- Yes.- So what's so special about this water?
0:12:55 > 0:12:56Well, let me show you, Nicki.
0:12:57 > 0:12:58The water straight from the river...
0:13:00 > 0:13:01..absolutely fresh.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03This is probably, I think,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05one of the best water sources in the world.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Are you ready? - Yeah, I say I don't
0:13:07 > 0:13:08want to be falling over in this river.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13Each day 40 million gallons of fresh,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Exmoor spring water flows through the farm's tanks,
0:13:16 > 0:13:19creating a more natural environment for the fish,
0:13:19 > 0:13:20unlike most sturgeon farms
0:13:20 > 0:13:23elsewhere that rely on temperature-regulated,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25recirculated water.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26There. There you go.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28- Now, I was not expecting this.- Yep.
0:13:28 > 0:13:31I thought a sturgeon was going to look like a fish,
0:13:31 > 0:13:32but this looks prehistoric to me.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Sturgeons predate the dinosaurs.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- Do they?- They are a species that have been around
0:13:37 > 0:13:39for 250 million years.
0:13:39 > 0:13:43After years of overfishing sturgeon are an endangered species,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46so sustainable farming like this gives populations in the wild
0:13:46 > 0:13:48a chance to recover.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51And how long do you keep them for in total?
0:13:51 > 0:13:53They will grow before they're
0:13:53 > 0:13:56produced or processed for the caviar, or for the meat,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58they will grow about seven to ten years.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Ooh, look at him, he's lively.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I'll put him back there.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05These ancient fish come with an impressive pedigree.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09Back in the 1300s, they were classified as a royal fish
0:14:09 > 0:14:10by King Edward II,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13so before Ken was able to begin rearing them
0:14:13 > 0:14:16he had to receive special permission from the Queen.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20My goodness.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24Look at her.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- She's a big girl.- She is, isn't she?
0:14:27 > 0:14:30And is this sort of the optimum age to produce caviar?
0:14:30 > 0:14:33She is fully mature, ready for production.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36And is this why caviar is so expensive,
0:14:36 > 0:14:39because the process from start to finish takes so long?
0:14:39 > 0:14:41It's taken... This girl, she's probably, I'd say,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43ten to 12 years of age.
0:14:43 > 0:14:44But she wants to go back in.
0:14:44 > 0:14:45She does.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52It's not just the caviar that's taken from the humanely-culled fish,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55the meat is smoked and sold too, so nothing is wasted.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59I'm going to be cheeky, I've got to ask,
0:14:59 > 0:15:01how much is that amount of caviar worth?
0:15:01 > 0:15:04In a London food hall, about £600.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05- Really?- Yes. - SHE GASPS
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Cornish sea salt is added to the roe to help bring out
0:15:09 > 0:15:10the flavour.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13It's then packed into tins where, after three to four months,
0:15:13 > 0:15:17the salt will have fully merged with the eggs.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Now you try this.
0:15:22 > 0:15:23Right, here we go.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- This is something else. - It's very clean.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Very clean, wonderful texture.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Ken, here I am, standing with a hair net on,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35eating one of the most expensive foods in the world,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38but in my head, I'm in a posh restaurant in St Tropez.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- It's absolutely delicious. - Close your eyes and taste it.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Thank you very much indeed. I will.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55Travelling 25 miles further south, we reach
0:15:55 > 0:15:58the village of Buckland Brewer, the second stop on our house hunt.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01Set in a beautiful wooded valley, this tranquil,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04rural settlement can be located from miles around
0:16:04 > 0:16:09by the 75ft-high tower of its 500-year-old church.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Another main focal point here is the 13th-century,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16award-winning pub which happens to be within walking distance
0:16:16 > 0:16:21of our second property - a Victorian home that was built in 1830.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23Here is your second property.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Oh, wow, that's nice.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26Looks gorgeous.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Very impressed. It looks like it's well maintained as well.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32Well, the logical way to get in would be through the front door.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34- Hmm.- But guess what. - We're not.- It's not.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36We're in the country,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- we're going to use the tradesmen's entrance. Follow me.- OK.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42I say tradesman's entrance, but in actual fact,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44we're entering through an extension that was added
0:16:44 > 0:16:48to the property in the early 1990s to create a wonderfully
0:16:48 > 0:16:51bright conservatory which leads through to the kitchen.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55But of course this is where the magic's going to happen,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- isn't it, Paul? - THEY LAUGH
0:16:57 > 0:17:00So you've got a long...well, I'm not going to call it a galley
0:17:00 > 0:17:03because I don't think that's fair. It's wider than a galley kitchen,
0:17:03 > 0:17:06but it is very long. And you've got a dining area right at the end.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08I think it's nicer in a way
0:17:08 > 0:17:13because the dining area is kind of separated from the kitchen.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15It's not in the actual kitchen.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17It's a nice kitchen, not as nice as the first one.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20Ah, Chef's not quite happy, is he?
0:17:20 > 0:17:24But I'm just going to add that Chef does have an informal dining area,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28but Chef also has the formal dining area through those doors there.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30- Ah.- OK, that's the trade off.
0:17:30 > 0:17:31- And it's quite large.- OK.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33OK, let's continue through here.
0:17:36 > 0:17:42First impression - I'm thinking a bit smaller than I thought in here.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45Fireplace is lovely. And I love the bay window.
0:17:45 > 0:17:50From the outside, I think you conjure up a larger property.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Yeah.- But when I came through the kitchen door there,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56- I thought, "Ooh, it's quite small." - Yeah.- I agree.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Let's see what you think of upstairs.- OK.- OK.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02A slightly less enthusiastic response here
0:18:02 > 0:18:06compared to our first property, and size seems to be the issue.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Upstairs, there are three generous doubles plus another small room
0:18:10 > 0:18:12that is being used as a study.
0:18:12 > 0:18:13There are no en-suites,
0:18:13 > 0:18:17but there's a family bathroom as well as a shower room.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Now, none of the bedrooms sort of say master.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25- I picked this one to show you because of the views.- The view, hmm.
0:18:25 > 0:18:26Fantastic views, aren't they?
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Yeah, imagine waking up to that in the morning.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32Yeah. And because it's got three and a half bedrooms up here,
0:18:32 > 0:18:36you could commandeer that study and make it into a dressing room.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- Itching to see what's outside? - Itching,- Itching.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Back down the stairs then, please.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Outside, the third-of-an-acre plot stretches up behind the house,
0:18:48 > 0:18:51where a path leads to an established orchard
0:18:51 > 0:18:53and a wonderful wooden summer house.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57There's also plenty of scope for Paul's gardening ambitions.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02Now, here, you have your own little oasis,
0:19:02 > 0:19:07because this part of the garden has been completely terraced.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09We have our own little pond down there.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- Lovely.- All these vegetable patches, your own greenhouse.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17- It is fantastic.- And the seating area down there is lovely.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Just below that, you've got a huge garage.
0:19:20 > 0:19:23The owners, they use that obviously for work,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25and it's a wonderful workshop.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29And if this wasn't enough, just look over your shoulder.
0:19:29 > 0:19:33You've got a beautiful lawned garden behind us.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36Plus, right at the back, you've got some free-standing
0:19:36 > 0:19:39where they can park about seven cars,
0:19:39 > 0:19:42and access to the back of the property again.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45The garden, the grounds are fantastic.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48So now, I want you to guess the asking price of this property
0:19:48 > 0:19:50with the land.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52I reckon 385,000.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57I think it's 420,000.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02Asking price is £390,000.
0:20:02 > 0:20:05- Ah!- Ching ching. - You were the closest.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07You are the closest.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10£10,000 below their maximum budget,
0:20:10 > 0:20:12this appealing period home has
0:20:12 > 0:20:14a recently-renovated kitchen/diner
0:20:14 > 0:20:16and a separate formal dining room.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18There are also two reception rooms,
0:20:18 > 0:20:20three bedrooms and a study.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22Outside, the third-of-an-acre plot
0:20:22 > 0:20:24includes a ready-made veggie garden,
0:20:24 > 0:20:26an orchard and that large workshop,
0:20:26 > 0:20:28perfect for Paul's gardening
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and beekeeping equipment.
0:20:30 > 0:20:31Well, that's it for today.
0:20:31 > 0:20:32I've shown you our two properties,
0:20:32 > 0:20:35but we have another one lined up for you tomorrow.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37We've got an awful lot to talk about tonight.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- We have.- Good, that's a good sign.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Paul and Helen are desperate to move to the country,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52and I think yesterday we got pretty close
0:20:52 > 0:20:54to finding them that perfect property.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Both the gardens they saw had the land that Paul
0:20:57 > 0:20:59so desperately craves.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01He wants to grow tonnes of vegetables,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04he wants to keep bees, he even wants a few chickens.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06But the houses themselves,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09perhaps they thought they were on the small side.
0:21:09 > 0:21:10I didn't think so.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13It's time for our final offering - the mystery house.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Now we're going to show them a property that's immersed
0:21:16 > 0:21:17in village life.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Well, it has to be, it's right in the heart of it.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23And being in the heart of the village means there's
0:21:23 > 0:21:26a significant compromise for Paul.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27The village is Chittlehamholt,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30and to get there we've journeyed 17 miles inland.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33In the 16th century,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36the settlement was on the main Barnstable-to-Exeter route,
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and the attractive inn that once served the many coaches
0:21:39 > 0:21:42coming through is still a popular hub today.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45A more recent addition to the village is a much-valued
0:21:45 > 0:21:49community shop that was set up by a group of dedicated locals
0:21:49 > 0:21:52after the post office closed here in 2009.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56A stone's throw from the shop is our final property,
0:21:56 > 0:21:58which once served a vital community role of its own.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03How about this as your mystery house?
0:22:03 > 0:22:05Looks lovely from the outside.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07So any idea what this building used to be?
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Looks like an old school.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- Do you know what? You're right.- I love the look of the brickwork.- Yes?
0:22:12 > 0:22:14It's obviously got that history element to it.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16And it's all on one level?
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- Ish.- Is it? Ish?
0:22:18 > 0:22:21Well, I think we should start with the inside, don't you?
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Sounds good.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24Made from local Devon stone,
0:22:24 > 0:22:28this old schoolhouse dates back to around 1830.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31It's had many makeovers since then, and the most recent was by
0:22:31 > 0:22:35the current owners who purchased the property three years ago.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38So, welcome to the school.
0:22:39 > 0:22:40I like it.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44- Wow, it's lovely. I'm amazed. Really.- That's good, isn't it?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47- Nice size as well, I think. - I'm impressed.- Impressed so far.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51- That's great. Shall we make our way down the hallway?- Yeah.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Just off the living room is a downstairs bathroom.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59And next to that, there's a separate shower room.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01But now we're going to take a look at what's at the other end
0:23:01 > 0:23:02of the house.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07So you have a dining room leading on to...
0:23:07 > 0:23:09the all-important kitchen.
0:23:09 > 0:23:10What do you think, then?
0:23:10 > 0:23:14- Well, along with the separate diner, that's brilliant.- Yeah.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- Definitely.- I like it. - Sold it to the chef.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20You were worried, weren't you, that there weren't any stairs
0:23:20 > 0:23:21- in this property?- Yes.
0:23:21 > 0:23:24Yeah, thought it'd be on one level. Are you going to surprise me?
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- Shall we explore? Shall we?- Let's.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Well, most of the accommodation is this one level
0:23:32 > 0:23:35and comes off the main hallway, but there's also a staircase
0:23:35 > 0:23:38that leads to some rather interesting additional rooms.
0:23:41 > 0:23:42Come on in.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Cos I'm going to explain the layout with the school.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47Look at it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50Downstairs you've got two double bedrooms.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54But up here, you've got a single bedroom behind us
0:23:54 > 0:23:58and then a double here with a huge dressing room.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01I don't know what to say. I'm completely shellshocked.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I never expected anything like this up here.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06- Loving it so far.- Loving it?
0:24:08 > 0:24:09Mystery house is working its magic.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11It definitely is.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14Time now, though, to go outside. See what you make of that.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17They didn't seem at all fazed
0:24:17 > 0:24:19by the unconventional upstairs rooms.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22In fact, I think they rather like this place.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25I'm now just hoping that their enthusiasm isn't diminished
0:24:25 > 0:24:27by what's on offer outside,
0:24:27 > 0:24:29because being within a village
0:24:29 > 0:24:31this property has quite a lot less land
0:24:31 > 0:24:33than the other two we showed them.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37So, who wanted chickens?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39- I did. - THEY LAUGH
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- There they are specially for you. - Fantastic.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- Brilliant, isn't it? - What about for you for size, then?
0:24:45 > 0:24:48- That's the important thing.- Yeah, this is the compromise, isn't it?
0:24:48 > 0:24:51It's a nice-sized garden, very manageable,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- I like it.- Do you?- I like it.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55It was the one bit I was slightly reserved about.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57But when you weigh everything up,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00- you've got to compromise with something.- Yes.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03What price are you going to guess it's on the market for?
0:25:03 > 0:25:05I reckon, 420,000.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08I reckon it's over our budget. 440,000.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10The asking price...
0:25:10 > 0:25:13£355,000.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15THEY GASP
0:25:15 > 0:25:16Are you serious?
0:25:16 > 0:25:17Serious.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19Come back to me, Paul.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22Come back, come back.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- Come on, come back.- I'm laughing.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27What do you think?
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- Cor, where do we sign?- I thought this was going to be well over.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33- You've gone a bit emotional, haven't you?- I know.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36But that's good, that's what you want with a property.
0:25:36 > 0:25:37It's about a feeling,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40it's about a change of life, it's the cheapest of all the houses.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43It's the cheapest of the three and the best.
0:25:43 > 0:25:47A substantial £45,000 below Paul and Helen's maximum budget,
0:25:47 > 0:25:49this attractive schoolhouse
0:25:49 > 0:25:52certainly delivers the character they're looking for.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55It has a large living room with a high-vaulted ceiling
0:25:55 > 0:25:56and a sleek kitchen
0:25:56 > 0:25:58with adjoining formal dining room.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01There are two good-size bedrooms downstairs
0:26:01 > 0:26:02and two more upstairs
0:26:02 > 0:26:04in the unique beamed loft.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Outside, the garden might not be big enough to accommodate bees
0:26:07 > 0:26:10but there is room for chickens.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Well, shall we go somewhere quiet and we can have a proper chat
0:26:13 > 0:26:15and find out, really, where you go next?
0:26:15 > 0:26:16Think we need to, yes.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24So, Paul and Helen, we've had a fabulous few days -
0:26:24 > 0:26:26blue skies, the sun has shone -
0:26:26 > 0:26:29but did we manage to find you your perfect property?
0:26:29 > 0:26:31I think it's gone really, really well.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35I mean, you've shown us three quite different properties,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37and of course the mystery house was
0:26:37 > 0:26:40the one that neither of us expected, I think,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42and has somewhat blown us away.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44We could see ourselves living in the property,
0:26:44 > 0:26:48but whether it's in the location or the village,
0:26:48 > 0:26:53we just need to explore that just a little bit more, just a tad further.
0:26:53 > 0:26:54But what happens next?
0:26:54 > 0:26:59I guess we're going to need a deep and meaningful conversation,
0:26:59 > 0:27:03possibly take a second viewing
0:27:03 > 0:27:07and then, if all goes well, maybe speak to the estate agents.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10And how quickly are you going to have that second viewing?
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Hopefully tomorrow morning. - Oh, my goodness!
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Really positive.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16Well, we're absolutely thrilled.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Whatever happens, let us know, won't you? Please keep in touch.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21- We will, most definitely.- Great.
0:27:21 > 0:27:22Thanks, both, very much, and by the way,
0:27:22 > 0:27:24enjoy your retirement. I'm very jealous!
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- Thank you. - Thank you so much as well.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35Well, a successful couple of days house hunting, and there's always a
0:27:35 > 0:27:39real sense of achievement when they fall in love with our mystery house.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43And acres of land - ha, who needs it?
0:27:43 > 0:27:46It just remains to be seen whether Paul and Helen will fall in love
0:27:46 > 0:27:49with the village as much as they did our mystery property.
0:27:49 > 0:27:54And if so, then maybe their North Devon dream could soon
0:27:54 > 0:27:56become a reality.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Join me next time on Escape To The Country.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02If you would like to escape to the country
0:28:02 > 0:28:04in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England,
0:28:04 > 0:28:07or perhaps even further afield to the Continent,
0:28:07 > 0:28:08and would like our help,
0:28:08 > 0:28:13please apply online at...