0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Escape To The Country. Now, if like me, you're a fan
0:00:04 > 0:00:06of the history of the Industrial Revolution
0:00:06 > 0:00:10and in particular our canals, this is a place you have to visit.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13The flight of locks behind me represents,
0:00:13 > 0:00:16arguably, one of the most impressive parts of the canal network
0:00:16 > 0:00:17anywhere in the UK.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20Find out where in just a moment.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40Today's house-hunting couple are heading to the countryside
0:00:40 > 0:00:42to be closer to their son,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45and they're not afraid of a property project...
0:00:45 > 0:00:49And I might even add a little utility room out there.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..as long as we get the colour right.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52I don't like yellow houses.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- THEY LAUGH Paint works, David.- I know.
0:00:58 > 0:00:59Well, today we are in Wiltshire
0:00:59 > 0:01:04and these are the Caen Hill Locks just outside Devizes,
0:01:04 > 0:01:08the jewel in the crown, if you like, of the Kennet and Avon Canal.
0:01:08 > 0:01:10Built some 200 years ago,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12they were the brainchild of one John Rennie.
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Now, he was the man tasked with directing the canal
0:01:15 > 0:01:17over the shortest route possible,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20and here the solution was to send it uphill.
0:01:20 > 0:01:21And the way he did it -
0:01:21 > 0:01:25he built 16 locks in close succession to one another.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27But here's the really clever bit.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29In order to keep enough water in the system,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31he also built this series of ponds,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34each one of which contains the same amount of water
0:01:34 > 0:01:37as two Olympic-size swimming pools.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41It is a fantastic feat of industrial engineering.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42And just goes to remind us
0:01:42 > 0:01:45that Wiltshire is a county brimming with history.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Known as the gateway to the West Country,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53landlocked Wiltshire is bordered by six counties,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57including Somerset to the west and Berkshire and Hampshire to the east.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01It's a picturesque county of rolling, chalky downland.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04Historic attractions include Salisbury Cathedral,
0:02:04 > 0:02:07with its 13th century spire, the highest in England,
0:02:07 > 0:02:09and the world-famous Stonehenge.
0:02:11 > 0:02:14Wiltshire's earliest inhabitants have left an extraordinary
0:02:14 > 0:02:17and sometimes mysterious archaeological footprint,
0:02:17 > 0:02:23from stone circles including Avebury to prehistoric burial mounds.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Wiltshire also has its fair share of pretty villages
0:02:26 > 0:02:28and attractive market towns.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30Marlborough, with its wide high street,
0:02:30 > 0:02:34is lined with fine, old buildings that make it a property hotspot.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36With a wealth of awe-inspiring architecture
0:02:36 > 0:02:37set in a timeless landscape,
0:02:37 > 0:02:42it's easy to see why people are attracted to this rural county.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45But what is it about Wiltshire that's attracted today's buyers?
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Well, time now to meet them and find out.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Jackie and David have been married for 30 years.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Jackie, who's originally from New Jersey in the US,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58met David when he was holidaying in Manhattan.
0:02:58 > 0:03:00It was because of the rain.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Dave was in a place and didn't leave because of the rain
0:03:04 > 0:03:08and I ran in with friends of mine because it was raining.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12And we wound up talking, and the rest is history.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15They're currently living in a three-bedroom rented property
0:03:15 > 0:03:19in Oxfordshire, having recently sold their Canterbury town house
0:03:19 > 0:03:20of six years.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24We put the house on the market and it sold extremely quickly.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27The people who bought wanted to be in the house
0:03:27 > 0:03:29within five, six weeks of the offer.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34For many years, David worked as a systems analyst in Brussels
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and commuted from Canterbury.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Jackie was a primary school teacher.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40But having both recently retired,
0:03:40 > 0:03:42they're now free of work constraints.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46We've always wanted to be west of London.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48This is our opportunity to do it.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50The main reason for David and Jackie's move
0:03:50 > 0:03:54to the Wiltshire countryside is their 30-year-old son, Nicholas.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56He's a captain in the Signals
0:03:56 > 0:03:59and has recently returned from his second tour of duty in Afghanistan.
0:03:59 > 0:04:00He's in the military
0:04:00 > 0:04:05and he's going to be based out towards Salisbury Plain,
0:04:05 > 0:04:08and we didn't want to be that far away from him,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11so that we can see him and his partner.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16The garden is key in what they want from their new home.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19And Jackie must have somewhere to grow her own produce.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22I grew up in an Italian-American family
0:04:22 > 0:04:25and everybody gardened in the family.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28So, it was something that I grew up with.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33I'm happiest when I'm in the garden - digging, planting, cropping...
0:04:33 > 0:04:37As well as gardening, the Wiltshire countryside will give Jackie
0:04:37 > 0:04:40and David the opportunity to indulge their other hobbies.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44I think that we'll be out walking and enjoying the countryside
0:04:44 > 0:04:47a lot more than we were able to in Canterbury.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49Yes, definitely. That would be nice.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54Our buyers have mentioned Marlborough
0:04:54 > 0:04:56as a town they'd like to be close to,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59so we are concentrating our search with that in mind.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03I'm meeting up with them in the attractive village of All Cannings,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05around ten miles from Marlborough itself.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10- Well, David and Jackie, welcome to Wiltshire.- Well, thank you.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- Very exciting to us. - It's a big adventure, yes.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15It is a big adventure. Well, it's a big county to explore, too.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18This is the village of All Cannings. Have you ever been here before?
0:05:18 > 0:05:21- We haven't been here before, no.- No.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23But, very excitingly, your search is off to a flying start
0:05:23 > 0:05:26because you sold your house in Canterbury in record time.
0:05:26 > 0:05:27How long does it take?
0:05:27 > 0:05:30Erm... Less than one day, actually.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32How many people watching this
0:05:32 > 0:05:34are wishing they could sell their house in a day?
0:05:34 > 0:05:37- So, the pressure is on to find you something...- Yes.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- ..to get this dream under way. - Absolutely.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Now, the budget it has given you is what?
0:05:43 > 0:05:45300,000 to 400,000, yeah.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48So, would you take on something that needs a bit of work,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51then, at the lower end of the 300s?
0:05:51 > 0:05:53- Yes.- We...we would love a project, yes.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56Well, let's think about the kind of property that you are after.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58Just describe it to me.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Probably three bedrooms, a decent kitchen, a garden.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The garden is the most important thing to me.
0:06:05 > 0:06:10A garage, if possible. Maybe, an outside workshop.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13But you're also very keen on securing somewhere
0:06:13 > 0:06:15with a real sense of community about it, aren't you?
0:06:15 > 0:06:20Yes. Very important to us to be in a very active type of village,
0:06:20 > 0:06:24so that we can be involved with our neighbours, yeah.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25Well, here's the thing.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27We've got the properties to show you,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29but our first one...
0:06:29 > 0:06:30is just down the road.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32This could be your village green.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Oh!- It's beautiful.- Yeah? - It's gorgeous, this.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Come and have a look at this.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40For a top budget of £400,000,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43David and Jackie are seeking a property with character,
0:06:43 > 0:06:45three bedrooms and a decent kitchen.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47They would happily take on a project
0:06:47 > 0:06:50and Jackie is after a garden with a vegetable patch
0:06:50 > 0:06:52while David would like a garage or workshop.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55They're keen to throw themselves into the local community
0:06:55 > 0:06:58and want to be positioned in or close to a dynamic village.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03We've uncovered an assortment of wonderful Wiltshire houses
0:07:03 > 0:07:04with which to woo our buyers,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08but I won't be revealing the price tags until the end of each tour.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12Our final offering, the mystery house, is awash with history,
0:07:12 > 0:07:14but does come with a big challenge.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18So, our first houses in the village of All Cannings.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21Lying at the base of the chalky Pewsey Downs,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24the award-winning village is centred on the Hall,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26which hosts a monthly garden club.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29This is what we want to tempt you with -
0:07:29 > 0:07:32our first offering in All Cannings. What do you think?
0:07:32 > 0:07:35- Oh, it's beautiful.- It's incredible. - Yeah?- It's nice. Yeah.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36Now, in terms of its style,
0:07:36 > 0:07:40it's built in 1912, very much in the Edwardian mode, I would suggest.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Now, you don't get all of it.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45You get this bit with the blue door.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- Now, in terms of workshop space, David, a garage here.- Uh-huh.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Yeah.- It's probably got your plans written all over it.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53I saw that first.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55To give you an idea of just how popular this village is,
0:07:55 > 0:07:57this has only just come on the market
0:07:57 > 0:08:00and they are considering two offers at the moment.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02I think this could be an absolute dream.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06- I do too.- It looks very interesting. Yes.- Yeah?- I do. Yes.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09- So, let's see what you think of the inside.- OK.- Yeah?
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Well, great reactions to the location
0:08:11 > 0:08:13and appearance of our first property -
0:08:13 > 0:08:16an extended Edwardian semi-detached cottage,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18which is packed with character inside.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21Well, let's start with the main living area.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- Oh!- There's good space.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25I love these high ceilings. I think that really makes it.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27And these lovely big windows.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29You've got some really lovely features here.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31- The parquet floor. - Look at this floor!
0:08:31 > 0:08:33Parquet floor. Yeah, that's beautiful.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37- This is a really good size. It really is.- So far, I'm impressed.- Yeah.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Good! Well, let's go through to the dining room and the kitchen.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- See what you think of this. Just across the hallway.- OK.
0:08:44 > 0:08:45There you go.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46Ooh, OK.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- Another great big, tall room, which I love.- Yes.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- It's a good space.- Yeah. - Nice and bright, too.- Yeah.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- And is that a range I see? - It is indeed a range, yeah.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57Oil-fired range for you.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Alluding to the kitchen behind this wall.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Now, the wall, itself, is obviously doing a job
0:09:02 > 0:09:03in supporting what's above it,
0:09:03 > 0:09:06but it wouldn't be a great job to remove that wall
0:09:06 > 0:09:10- and give you an enormous kitchen-diner.- Yes.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12- Family space.- I think so, yeah.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- Can we...- Absolutely.- ..see around the wall?- You get the idea.- Yes.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18And then this is the kitchen.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Functional, not massive, but again, you get the idea.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22If that wall wasn't there...
0:09:22 > 0:09:24- How much...?- We could transform this.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Could be beautiful.
0:09:26 > 0:09:30And I might even add a little utility room out there.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33But you could also pinch a bit of the garage.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- Of course.- Erm... We'll have to talk about this.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37No, you couldn't! No, you couldn't! It's a workshop.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43So, we're OK on character and downstairs space
0:09:43 > 0:09:48and both David and Jackie can see the potential this property offers.
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Upstairs, there's a period-style family bathroom
0:09:50 > 0:09:53with roll-top bath, four good-sized bedrooms,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56three of which could make excellent guest rooms.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59But we're heading to the master.
0:09:59 > 0:10:00Oh, this is nice.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02I mean, we're calling this the master.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05I mean, to be honest, you could sort of take your pick, really,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07out of almost any of them.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- But look at the view! Oh, it's beautiful.- Yeah.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13I think this is a really good, viable option for you.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17It is, of course, going to depend on two things.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21One, what you think of the garden and two, what you think it's worth.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- Price, yes.- OK.- Let's go and find some outdoor space.- OK.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29So, the house gets a thumbs-up,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32but Jackie also wanted a garden she could make her own.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36This house gives her a front lawn and a good size, mature garden
0:10:36 > 0:10:39at the back of the property with lots of potential.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41Oh!
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Vegetable patch out there.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44That's what they've got at the moment.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47You've got these old hurdles here, which are kind of delineating that.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51The interesting thing is you also get a chunk of that red building over there.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53There is one final question I have to ask you,
0:10:53 > 0:10:56and that is, what do you think it's worth?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- I'm thinking about 355.- Yeah.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Erm...
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- I'm going to say about 360.- 360?
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Yeah, I'm going to say about 360.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Well, I think 355, 360 would be fair enough,
0:11:10 > 0:11:15but the welcoming news is that this place is on the market
0:11:15 > 0:11:17for offers in excess of 3...
0:11:17 > 0:11:1925.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- Wow!- Ooh!- Room to improve.- Oh, yeah!
0:11:22 > 0:11:26- This one offers you lots to think about.- It sure does.- Yes.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Under their maximum budget by £75,000,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35this characterful, semidetached Edwardian property gives our buyers
0:11:35 > 0:11:37one more bedroom than they've asked for,
0:11:37 > 0:11:39a garage workshop for David
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and a garden for Jackie to put her stamp on
0:11:42 > 0:11:44and it's situated in the heart of a thriving
0:11:44 > 0:11:46and popular Wiltshire village.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Right. Out you come.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- Allow me, madam. There we are. - Thank you.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Well, I think that was rather exciting.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58- It really was. - It was very interesting.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- You've really taken to this house and the village.- Yes.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02- The village is beautiful.- Hm.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Of the many prehistoric monuments in Wiltshire,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16there are none as numerous as the various burial mounds,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19which scatter the chalky hills.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22One of the best preserved is the West Kennet Long Barrow,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25built around 1,000 years before Stonehenge
0:12:25 > 0:12:28and which, at one time, contained the remains of up to 50 people.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32Mass burial may have fallen out of favour for a while,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35but now one Wiltshire farmer is building the first new long barrow
0:12:35 > 0:12:37for thousands of years.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40I've come to the farm on the Marlborough Downs
0:12:40 > 0:12:45to meet owner Tim Daw to find out more about his tomb with a view.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50What gave you the idea to create a long barrow
0:12:50 > 0:12:534,000 years after the last one was probably built?
0:12:53 > 0:12:55One of those pub conversations.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58"Wouldn't it be lovely if we could rebuild something Neolithic
0:12:58 > 0:13:00"and somewhere where we could put our remains?"
0:13:00 > 0:13:02And what is it about Wiltshire, Tim,
0:13:02 > 0:13:06that's left us with this fantastic legacy of prehistoric archaeology?
0:13:06 > 0:13:08A lot of the land has not been touched.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11A lot of the original downland hasn't been ploughed up
0:13:11 > 0:13:13and it's been protected for various reasons.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16Well, I can hear the masons in there working away.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Can we go inside and see where they're up to?- Absolutely. Let's go.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Once finished, the barrow will contain several circular chambers
0:13:23 > 0:13:26lined with niches for the storing of pots of ashes.
0:13:27 > 0:13:29The chambers are being constructed
0:13:29 > 0:13:32using traditional dry stonewalling techniques.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Geraint Davies is the head stonemason.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38- Geraint, nice to see you. - Hello there.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40How's life in the Neolithic, then?
0:13:40 > 0:13:42Quite exciting, yes. Yes, quite exciting.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45This is extraordinary. So, this is one of the chambers.
0:13:45 > 0:13:46How many are you making here?
0:13:46 > 0:13:49We're going to have seven chambers off the central passageway.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51This is three down this side, three down that side
0:13:51 > 0:13:54and one at the far end, where that little post is over there.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56But what have been the real challenges with this?
0:13:56 > 0:14:00Erm, well, just to make it work in
0:14:00 > 0:14:02naturally bedded stone.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Maybe, it's not exactly the same as what they'd have done,
0:14:06 > 0:14:09but it's just nodding to their...
0:14:09 > 0:14:11what they had to work with and everything else, really.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13And how many people have signed up already
0:14:13 > 0:14:15to have their remains interred here?
0:14:15 > 0:14:18A couple dozen people have actually bought niches
0:14:18 > 0:14:20and are all very, very interested in it.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21And where's yours going to be?
0:14:21 > 0:14:23I've bagged the one in the far chamber,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25which is at the end of the corridor.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27So, hopefully, the sun will shine on my niche.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Well, I wish you all the very best of luck.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32If it keeps shining like it is now, it'll be a fantastic day
0:14:32 > 0:14:34when you're first midwinter occurs here
0:14:34 > 0:14:39and the whole thing is finished in, we hope, what, six months or so?
0:14:39 > 0:14:43It's thought that most Neolithic barrows were traditionally reserved
0:14:43 > 0:14:45for royalty and the social elite.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48But Tim's long barrow is open to anyone
0:14:48 > 0:14:51and, when full, will house the remains of up to 2,000 people
0:14:51 > 0:14:55in this peaceful setting in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02For our second property, we're travelling around 30 miles south
0:15:02 > 0:15:07to the village of Winterslow in the southern half of the county.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09About nine miles from Salisbury,
0:15:09 > 0:15:13Winterslow is a substantial village with a population of around 2,000
0:15:13 > 0:15:17that benefits from a range of different housing styles.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19House number two is situated on a country lane
0:15:19 > 0:15:22on the boundary of the village.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25- Oh, wow!- That's property number two. - That's amazing.
0:15:25 > 0:15:26Every American's dream.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29THEY LAUGH Oh, wow!
0:15:29 > 0:15:32This bit is about late 1600s, early 1700s.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34That's a newer extension.
0:15:34 > 0:15:35I say extension loosely
0:15:35 > 0:15:37because really it's doubled the size of the thing.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40And that was done in the '70s, but as you can see,
0:15:40 > 0:15:42- very sympathetically with another thatched roof.- Beautiful.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45I...I don't like yellow houses.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48This is...this is gorgeous.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50- Paint works, David.- I know. This is gorgeous.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52It's only paint.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54I have to see inside, yes.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56- All right, then.- Oh, good.
0:15:57 > 0:16:01Our second property is an altogether different proposition
0:16:01 > 0:16:04for David and Jackie as this 300-year-old thatched cottage
0:16:04 > 0:16:09is the finished article, having been completely remodelled inside.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Step down into here. We'll start with the dining room.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15It's beautiful. Look at that fireplace!
0:16:15 > 0:16:17- And you get the idea about the finishing here.- Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19And of course, we are not far from Salisbury,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22so, you know, you've got a great, great city on your doorstep.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Oh, yes. I need to see more.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Well, the kitchen is right through here,
0:16:26 > 0:16:30- and it sort of pops out through that little bar area.- Oh, OK.
0:16:30 > 0:16:31There you are.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- Oh, this is good.- Oh, this is nice.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Ah! There's another fireplace.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37- With a fridge in it.- With a fridge. Well, that's OK.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39That's OK. Yeah, it's good.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41But it's got a nice butler sink.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Good cupboards. They look good.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- It doesn't look like it needs any work at the moment.- No. Not really.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- No.- This is the late 1600s, early 1700s chunk,
0:16:50 > 0:16:55but the rest of it is all through there, in the modern extension.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- OK, let's go.- I say modern, you know? It's all relative.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02This is your living room.
0:17:02 > 0:17:03I wasn't expecting this.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- Oh, this is very pretty. - This is really nice.- Yeah.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Even though it's new, we've got beams here.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11Yeah, exactly, I mean, it's well spotted that,
0:17:11 > 0:17:15because back in the '70s, not everybody was into using old stuff,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18but they've brought that in from somewhere, reclaimed.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21And it's really just helped give it a sense of pedigree,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23to join the whole property together.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27And beautiful view outside both ways, because you're looking at a garden.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31We'll get to the garden a bit later, but first,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33I want Jackie and David to see the upstairs,
0:17:33 > 0:17:35which benefits from that modern extension,
0:17:35 > 0:17:38where there are three decent sized bedrooms.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40One of the doubles would make a nice guest room
0:17:40 > 0:17:43and another is being used as a study.
0:17:43 > 0:17:45There's also a large family bathroom.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48And the master is back in the older wing of the house.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52And then this is yours, we think.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55- Oh, this is very nice.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57- Very nice.- It's really nice.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Well, we've step back into the late 1600s, early 1700s
0:18:00 > 0:18:02at this end of the house. This is the old bit.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06So far, there's not much I would really want to change about this one.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10So...it's ready-made for us.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12- Come on let's finish off in the garden.- See the rest of it, OK.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17The only thing that might be a challenge in this property
0:18:17 > 0:18:19is the outside space.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Well, Jackie, this is the bit that I've been sort of dreading
0:18:22 > 0:18:25because the garden is not as big as we had in property one.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27The whole plot probably isn't far off it,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30but a lot of it is laid to patio over there.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33And of course, you've got the wood store and the workshop.
0:18:33 > 0:18:34Right. Yeah.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38But what we have identified are the village allotments,
0:18:38 > 0:18:42- which are just a couple hundred yards that way.- OK.- Oh!
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- And a very vibrant village horticultural society.- Oh!
0:18:46 > 0:18:51And we are assured that an allotment would be available shortly.
0:18:51 > 0:18:52Oh, that's good.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56- So, that's the compromise. - Yeah.- I guess.
0:18:56 > 0:19:00So, what do you think property number two is on the market for?
0:19:00 > 0:19:03I think it's going to be upper end.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06I think it's going to be closer to four.
0:19:06 > 0:19:09- David?- Everything is really well done in there.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- I think 425.- 425?- Yes.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Wow!
0:19:15 > 0:19:16He's right.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18THEY LAUGH
0:19:18 > 0:19:20That doesn't happen very often.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22He is absolutely on the money.
0:19:22 > 0:19:27425,000, but they're aware of your budget and they want to sell.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29Over budget by £25,000,
0:19:29 > 0:19:33the owners of this beautiful thatched cottage are open to offers
0:19:33 > 0:19:35and it's the finished article.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38The house offers David and Jackie the character they wanted,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41three bedrooms and the village location.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44And although the garden doesn't have a vegetable plot,
0:19:44 > 0:19:45there is a nearby allotment.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48So, how are we all feeling then
0:19:48 > 0:19:51about our first day of house-hunting?
0:19:51 > 0:19:53- Confused.- Really?- Yes.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- I don't think it's fair.- Why?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59Because you've shown us two beautiful houses in one day.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02That's what you've let yourself in for on Escape To The Country.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Good, well, a bit of confusion is all right.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07And we've got one more to come tomorrow, the mystery house.
0:20:07 > 0:20:09Ah...I know! I don't think I'm going to sleep tonight.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- Glass of wine will see that right. Come on.- OK.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Yesterday left David and Jackie in a bit of a quandary.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20They loved the potential of house number one
0:20:20 > 0:20:22and they certainly responded to the fact
0:20:22 > 0:20:24that house number two was kind of all done,
0:20:24 > 0:20:28but of course, it didn't have that all-important garden.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30But one thing, I think, is becoming clear,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33they are prepared to pay a bit less for a property
0:20:33 > 0:20:35provided they can do some work on it
0:20:35 > 0:20:37and make it exactly what they want it to be.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39So, that's what we're going with our mystery house.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41But when it comes to garden projects,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43well, this one really is at the top of the list.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47For our final offering,
0:20:47 > 0:20:50we're travelling to the village of Teffont in the south of the county.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Four-times winner of the Best Kept Village In Wiltshire Award,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Teffont has a strong sense of community.
0:20:57 > 0:21:02There's a gardening club for Jackie as well as an annual village show.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04And gardening is the theme of our mystery house.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Jackie wanted to get her hands dirty,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09but I'm keen to discover just how far she's willing to go.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14Here we are. Our mystery house in the lovely village of Teffont.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- Wow.- Wow.- Oh, that's beautiful! Interesting.- It's very interesting.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21- It's really interesting.- Yes.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- I think we've all spotted the windows.- Yes.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27And probably some of the work that might need to be done here.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Now, you can probably just also make out above that window,
0:21:31 > 0:21:35a little inscription that says 1773, I think.
0:21:35 > 0:21:39- So, this is one that does need some work. All right?- OK.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42- OK, we're not afraid. - Not least in the garden.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45So, I think we're going to break the tradition and start there.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- Brilliant!- Yeah?- I can see a lot of green, so...- Let's go.- OK.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53This 18th century period cottage built of local weathered stone
0:21:53 > 0:21:55has been extended by the current owner.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57The sloping garden is to the rear
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and offers an excellent view of the surrounding village.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04Just sort of how much of a garden project were you after?
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- This is good.- Yeah? - This is good, yeah.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10- It goes up really to where those trees are up there.- Really?
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- And overlooks the churchyard next-door.- Which is fine by me.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16- Yeah.- I like those kind of neighbours.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19A lot to do, but I think you'd make it your own.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21Me and my fork.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23No, we could do it, yeah.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28Jackie can't wait to roll up her sleeves,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31but first we need to see inside, which is packed with history.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- Come in, come in.- OK.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37This is a great point to really assess the layout of it.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41And I love this one because I think it really flows
0:22:41 > 0:22:43off of this central dining hall, as it were.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46The kitchen is up there. Up those steps.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49It's got a nice feel to it...when you walk in.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51It's a lot better inside than out, yes.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- Do you remember yesterday we talked about the beam in that...?- Yes.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Because this one came from Salisbury Cathedral.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- Really?- Yeah. How about that? - That's incredible, isn't it?
0:23:02 > 0:23:03Can we see some more, please?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Yeah, let's have a look in here. This is the living room,
0:23:06 > 0:23:11- with a whopping great inglenook fireplace.- Oh! I didn't expect that.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13- And another beam.- Yes.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16- That's not from the cathedral. - Oh, dear!
0:23:16 > 0:23:18I'm starting to notice a pattern.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20I think so. Yeah. Yeah, on the roof.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22This is offering more opportunity for us
0:23:22 > 0:23:24because it has a lot more character.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I'm glad David and Jackie can see the potential of this property.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31The possibilities continue in the kitchen at the back of the house,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33as there's planning permission already in place
0:23:33 > 0:23:36to extend this upwards and outwards into the garden.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40On the first floor, there's a family bathroom and three bedrooms.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43One of the doubles has a lovely stripped wooden floor.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47And there's a smaller single as well as the master.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49- Oh, this is a nice room.- Isn't it?
0:23:49 > 0:23:50It's a good size. It really is.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52- It's great. It's really light.- Yeah!
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- A surprisingly high ceiling, actually.- It's beautiful.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- I love the big windows, the ledges, the sills.- Yeah.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01So, this is the biggest project of the lot.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06But now you've seen the inside, how are you feeling about it?
0:24:06 > 0:24:08I really like this place.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- Let's go downstairs and talk about the price, shall we?- Price... Oh!
0:24:11 > 0:24:14- OK.- This is going to be really interesting, isn't it?
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- Yeah.- It is.- Follow me.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Well, our mystery house has worked its magic again,
0:24:19 > 0:24:23but it will require some cash to make those alterations.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25So, will there be enough left in the kitty?
0:24:25 > 0:24:29So, here we are, then, back where we started. We've explored the garden.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32We've shown you what this property has to offer,
0:24:32 > 0:24:34but is it one that you would want to take on?
0:24:34 > 0:24:37What price is it worth to you two, I wonder?
0:24:37 > 0:24:42It has work, but it has potential. And I'm going to guess 310.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45- 310, yeah, David?- I think I'm going to have to go a little higher.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48I think we're looking at around 325 for this.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50Well, I think you're in the right territory
0:24:50 > 0:24:55because this is on the market for offers around £330,000.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Now, saying that, it's been reduced to that figure,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00they're keen to sell and this isn't going to be for everybody.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03So, I think, you know, you're in the right area.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06- It's a definite, I think. - We are going to look at the maths.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09- Do the maths and get creative.- Yes.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Under their top budget by £70,000
0:25:12 > 0:25:14and with the owner also open to offers,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17this detached period cottage gives David and Jackie
0:25:17 > 0:25:20a character property in the heart of a popular village.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24A spacious hallway-cum-dining room, three bedrooms,
0:25:24 > 0:25:28a challenging garden project and the chance to put their stamp on a home.
0:25:28 > 0:25:33I think this has perhaps put the cat among the pigeons, has it?
0:25:33 > 0:25:34It has.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38- Lots of food for thought.- Lots of redesigning going on.- Lots of work.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I think it's really exciting, then. That's the key thing.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43So, we've given you three options.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Time to make your considerations and your deliberations.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- I'm ready.- Come on then.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56Here we are at the end of the process. How are you feeling?
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Tired.- Happy, though.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01- Good. Well, let's go with the happy. - OK.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03What have you really taken away from it?
0:26:03 > 0:26:05We've seen three very, very good houses.
0:26:05 > 0:26:09- The last one we think was pretty exciting.- The mystery house?
0:26:09 > 0:26:11- The mystery house.- OK.- Yes.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Lots of potential there
0:26:13 > 0:26:16and we've spent a lot of time talking about it.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19When we got to the mystery house, I was really excited about it.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Now, in many instances, that would have been a very, very hard sell.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27- Yes.- You absolutely picked up the ball and ran with it straightaway.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30I did because it's a blank canvas to me.
0:26:30 > 0:26:35If we do get this house, I plan on making terraces
0:26:35 > 0:26:39and doing something with the borders and something with the stone.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Wow! Wow! Really ambitious plans.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Yeah, we could see the potential there.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47It sounds like you've bought it.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49THEY LAUGH
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- But not yet.- No, we have to do our homework on it.
0:26:52 > 0:26:56So, are we going to hopefully hear that you might have put an offer in?
0:26:56 > 0:26:57- That's quite possible.- Yes.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Erm, because we're probably going to go in
0:27:01 > 0:27:03and do some talking to people today.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07- Really?- Yes. Yeah.- Well, we better not keep you here any longer.- No.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10No, we have work to do.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13- And a deal to be struck.- Yeah. - Well, this is very exciting.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15Well, it's been a real pleasure, both of you,
0:27:15 > 0:27:17having you on Escape To The Country.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19We wish you all the very best of luck.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23Thank you, Jules, it's been a real pleasure for us, too. It really has.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- It's been fantastic. Thanks a lot. - Here's to you. Best of luck.
0:27:30 > 0:27:31Well, throughout this house search,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34I don't think David or Jackie have really shied away
0:27:34 > 0:27:37from the challenges that they've given us.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39Yes, we had a very generous £400,000,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43but we were pitching it into a not inexpensive
0:27:43 > 0:27:46and very popular local housing market.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49But I think they found that in taking the long view
0:27:49 > 0:27:52and deciding to renovate by spending that little bit less,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55they will ultimately get an awful lot more -
0:27:55 > 0:27:58a home they can really make their own.
0:27:58 > 0:27:59I'll see you next time.
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