0:00:02 > 0:00:04I'm standing in the flight path of a daring aviator,
0:00:04 > 0:00:07who took to these skies 1,000 years ago.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09Find out more in just a moment.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28Today, a green-fingered home-buyer goes in search of the perfect
0:00:28 > 0:00:30garden paradise.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34- Pond, greenhouse, vegetable garden. - Oh, this is nice.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35This is very nice.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39But her property wish list seems to be a movable feast.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40Originally, you said,
0:00:40 > 0:00:43"Oh, I'm going to live in the kitchen-diner and I'll have one more room."
0:00:43 > 0:00:46- Now you want a piano room and a... - A study.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49No, I don't need a piano ROOM, but I need space for a piano.
0:00:52 > 0:00:53Today, we are in Wiltshire.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57And this is Malmesbury Abbey, where, in the 11th century,
0:00:57 > 0:01:00there was a truly amazing attempt at human flight.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02A brave, or you could say foolhardy
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Benedictine monk by the name of Eilmer, strapped wings onto himself
0:01:06 > 0:01:10and jumped off a tower to prove that humans could defy gravity.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13He managed to stay in the air for an amazing 15 whole seconds
0:01:13 > 0:01:16and travelled 200 metres before crashing to the ground,
0:01:16 > 0:01:17breaking both his legs.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20So it wasn't a complete success, but it was literally
0:01:20 > 0:01:23a ground-breaking moment in Wiltshire's history.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27Sitting pretty in the south-west of England,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30landlocked Wiltshire is surrounded by six counties,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33including Somerset, Gloucestershire and Dorset.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35It may not be as recognised as its neighbours,
0:01:35 > 0:01:38but it has still got plenty to shout about.
0:01:38 > 0:01:43Much of its landscape is farmland, with sweeping 360-degree views
0:01:43 > 0:01:48over crop-filled fields, dense woodlands and grazing livestock.
0:01:48 > 0:01:51Many of the county's perfectly preserved villages,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55like Lacock and Castle Combe in the north-west, are steeped in history,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58and visiting them is like stepping back in time.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02Stone houses with brick chimneys stand tall along narrow lanes,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06wooden beams protrude from whitewashed facades
0:02:06 > 0:02:09and ornate windows gaze out from an eclectic mix of buildings
0:02:09 > 0:02:12in shades of red and brown.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Together, this blend of beautiful countryside
0:02:15 > 0:02:19and magnificent architecture gives Wiltshire a unique look.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24So let's meet today's buyer and find out what attracted them
0:02:24 > 0:02:27to the rural charms of this county.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Gardening enthusiast Rosie has enlisted
0:02:29 > 0:02:33the help of sister-in-law Caz in her search for a new home.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37She has decided to wave goodbye to the Victorian house she has lived in
0:02:37 > 0:02:40near Clapham Common, in south-west London, for the past eight years.
0:02:40 > 0:02:45It's a lovely area. It's very quiet, very green. And I love London.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48But it is time for something different. It is time for a change.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Rosie is pleased to have a kindred spirit to help her move
0:02:52 > 0:02:53away from the city.
0:02:53 > 0:02:55It's really nice for me cos I didn't have a sister.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59And so having a lovely sister-in-law is fantastic.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Caz is really good at houses.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- We have a similar taste. - We have similar taste.- In houses.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07And so I respect her views as well.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11It is Rosie's number one hobby that is the driving force
0:03:11 > 0:03:12behind her move out of London.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15What I'm looking for is a much bigger garden.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17I have become a very keen gardener.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19And I have done a lot of work on my garden.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22And it even has its own website and blog full of video.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25And it can come with me wherever I go.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28And so the blog will continue with the new garden.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30Our buyer isn't leaving the Big Smoke on her own,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33so the pair have two others to consider in the move.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36I will be moving with my two dogs - Pickle and Lottie.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38I hope that they will enjoy it
0:03:38 > 0:03:41because they'll have a much bigger lawn, a much bigger garden.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45She may be taking her four-legged friends with her,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47but sociable Rosie will be moving to a new area
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and leaving her many London friends behind her.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- I'm not going to know anybody when I get there.- No.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55You know, this is a new life for me.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58So I've got to make new friends, meet new people.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01And so I am determined to join lots of clubs.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04Although Rosie has lived in London all her adult life,
0:04:04 > 0:04:05she was brought up in the country
0:04:05 > 0:04:09and is looking forward to moving closer to her roots.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12I am looking to move to Wiltshire. Because it is a beautiful county.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15It is within striking distance of London.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18And it's a little bit closer to my family in Worcestershire
0:04:18 > 0:04:20than London is.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Oh, it will be lovely. It means we can see a lot more of her.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25So, with her house sold
0:04:25 > 0:04:27and the 16,000 followers of her gardening blog
0:04:27 > 0:04:31ready to read about her escapades in a new garden,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33our buyer is raring to go.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- I think it is time to move on a bit, don't you?- It's very exciting.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37It is very exciting.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Rosie is happy to consider anywhere in Wiltshire, as long as she is
0:04:42 > 0:04:46not too remote and ideally on the edge of a village.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48So, before we start our search,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51I want to chat to Rosie to find out exactly what she is dreaming of.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55- Welcome to Wiltshire. - Thank you.- Thank you.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Now, Rosie, it is your house tour, but I'm very conscious
0:04:58 > 0:05:01- you are here to give moral support, Caz.- Yes.- Where is your speciality?
0:05:01 > 0:05:03Is it more the houses or the garden?
0:05:03 > 0:05:06- The houses, definitely.- What are you looking for in the house?
0:05:06 > 0:05:08I'd like to have three to four bedrooms,
0:05:08 > 0:05:10a very large kitchen-dining room, if possible,
0:05:10 > 0:05:14with French doors or the possibility of creating French doors
0:05:14 > 0:05:16directly onto this beautiful garden.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18So this is so you continue your garden blog,
0:05:18 > 0:05:20so you can rush out and film things.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- Yes.- And four bedrooms? That is quite a lot of bedrooms.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- You mean for one person?- Yes.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27Well, I mean, I have quite a lot of clothes,
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- but I have a very large family. - So I suppose you can come and stay.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32Yeah, we're all going to come and stay with Rosie.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33Now, tell me about the garden.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36What is your sort of daydream of your perfect garden?
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Well, it would probably be a third to a quarter of an acre. Not too huge.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43What about the location?
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Are you looking for something remote or a bit more village-y?
0:05:45 > 0:05:48I'm looking for village-y and sort of edge-of-village,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50like everybody else.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Because I'm single, I want to be able to join a community.
0:05:53 > 0:05:54What else? Any dealbreakers?
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Yes, broadband.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59The broadband has to be at a sort of reasonable level.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02The other thing is that thatched cottages are something
0:06:02 > 0:06:05I'm not really interested in, for two reasons -
0:06:05 > 0:06:08one is the expense of the thatch, but the other is, they're always
0:06:08 > 0:06:12very eaved at the top floor and I have quite a large art collection,
0:06:12 > 0:06:16with big paintings. And so, you can't hang them on short walls.
0:06:16 > 0:06:19So, thatch is a no-no. Tell me about your budget.
0:06:19 > 0:06:23I can stretch to 600,000 if it is sort of ready to walk into.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- Well, we do have some lovely properties.- How exciting.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28And it is a beautiful county and beautiful weather,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30- perfect house-viewing weather. - Indeed.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- So let's not hang around, let's go and view some.- OK.- Follow me. - Perfect.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Rosie has a substantial budget to swap her city pad
0:06:40 > 0:06:42for a country dwelling,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45but she is expecting her money to stretch quite far.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47She wants a three-to-four-bedroom period property
0:06:47 > 0:06:49with a large kitchen-diner,
0:06:49 > 0:06:52with doors opening onto a well-kept garden.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55Good broadband speeds are important to be able to keep up
0:06:55 > 0:06:56her gardening blog.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58And she'd love to be near a vibrant village,
0:06:58 > 0:07:01where she can become a face in the local community.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04We've scoured the county and selected three fantastic properties
0:07:04 > 0:07:07to help Rosie make the transition out of the capital.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10And the house's price tag will only be unwrapped
0:07:10 > 0:07:12after she has paid it a visit.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Our last stop will be to the mystery house,
0:07:14 > 0:07:18which should both shock and please Rosie in equal measure.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24We are beginning our tour of Wiltshire in the south-west of the
0:07:24 > 0:07:28county, in the village of Hindon, 19 miles west of the city of Salisbury
0:07:28 > 0:07:32and located in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Award-winning Hindon holds the title of Best Kept Village in Wiltshire.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39It has a great community feel with many clubs
0:07:39 > 0:07:41and two pubs for locals to get to know one another.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45Just behind the high street is our first property.
0:07:45 > 0:07:47Here we have property number one.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51Wow, really cute.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53- Very pretty.- I love the mix of the stones and the brick.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Mm. It's local stone from the local quarry.- Yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Originally, this house was 17th century
0:07:58 > 0:08:01and actually would have been... Well, it was a thatch.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04But luckily for you, they've stripped the thatch off.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Or actually, it was burnt off in the 1700s.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09It was two cottages and it has been converted into one.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12- Immediate impression is - the garden is quite small.- Yes.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14- This is not all of the garden.- Good.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- Shall we have a look inside? - Love to.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20The rest of the garden is concealed behind the character cottage,
0:08:20 > 0:08:21to be revealed later.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23But first, the inside.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26And the burning question is, will the kitchen live up to Rosie's
0:08:26 > 0:08:30great expectations as the most important room in her house?
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- Wow!- Oh, wow, that's nice.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34Gosh! That's amazing.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36No, this is wonderful. And look at that size.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38I can sit and work there and look out
0:08:38 > 0:08:40and go out of the French doors - perfect!
0:08:40 > 0:08:42If you come through here,
0:08:42 > 0:08:46this will be your sitting area with your French doors.
0:08:46 > 0:08:47Wow!
0:08:47 > 0:08:50How did you find this? It's amazing.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52- This is beautiful.- It is.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Now, importantly for you, the present owners have told me
0:08:54 > 0:08:57they have ten megabytes per second download speeds here.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- Oh, wow.- Is that good?- Yes.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00Exactly what you need.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Folding doors from the kitchen lead through to the sitting room.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- It used to be a sort of UPVC conservatory.- Yes.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10The present owners have put these beams in and taken it right up
0:09:10 > 0:09:12to height and made a sort of permanent building.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15- Bless them!- It's lovely. - I hate conservatories.
0:09:15 > 0:09:19- I mean, I asked for one set of French doors onto a garden.- You've got...
0:09:19 > 0:09:20- This is two.- Two.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24You are already doing 200% better than I expected.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26I must say, I'm delighted.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Rosie certainly knows what she likes and what she doesn't
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and we already seem to have struck gold in our first house.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34I don't want to talk to soon, though.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37I just hope she is as happy with the first floor as we walk
0:09:37 > 0:09:40through the hallway study and head upstairs.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44This end is your private master suite.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45Wow.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Oh.- Completely separate from the rest of the house
0:09:48 > 0:09:50with a door at the bottom so you can be completely private.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- Yes.- Lovely, big en suite, sort of wet room/bathroom.
0:09:55 > 0:09:56Fantastic.
0:09:56 > 0:10:02But from a small double bedroom in London, this is somewhat tighter.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04Well, let me talk you through the bedrooms.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08Because in the guest wing, you have a double and a small single.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11And then a very nice bathroom for that wing.
0:10:11 > 0:10:15So it is really sort of 2.5, three bedrooms if you are an estate agent.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19But there is also planning permission longer-term
0:10:19 > 0:10:20above where the log burner is
0:10:20 > 0:10:23to take that out a little bit further and up.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26Rosie's enthusiasm hasn't carried upstairs,
0:10:26 > 0:10:29but I can't wait to show her the garden, which, with the kitchen,
0:10:29 > 0:10:32is the most important part of the property for her.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34This is the entirety of your garden.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36This portion and the bit on the other side.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40Where is my greenhouse? Where is my pond?
0:10:40 > 0:10:42For a start, you didn't mention a greenhouse
0:10:42 > 0:10:44and a pond in your wish list, but go on.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47I'm a gardener, I propagate. I need a greenhouse.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51- You can create one.- But it has got to fit on the lawn somewhere.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54It is going to be very difficult to plant as many trees and
0:10:54 > 0:10:58as many roses and shrubs and things like that as I need in this garden.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00The house seemed to score high points.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02And the garden, obviously, is a question mark.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04The other factor is, of course, the money.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07How much do you think this property is on the market for?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- I think about 545.- Mm-hm.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13I would say 465.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17- OK. So this is on the market for 595.- Whoa!
0:11:17 > 0:11:19That's a lot for a kitchen.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21You can look as cross as you like at me,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23but I didn't put it on the market at that price.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26I thought it'd be slightly less just because it's not quite so big,
0:11:26 > 0:11:28but it is in a lovely spot.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30It is in a lovely spot.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33It is in a lovely spot, it is a wonderful, wonderful kitchen
0:11:33 > 0:11:35that meets the brief totally.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40This rather unusual stone and brick cottage is just £5,000
0:11:40 > 0:11:42under the top end of our buyer's budget.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45And although it doesn't quite give her the amount of land
0:11:45 > 0:11:47she'd like to feature in her blog,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50the fabulous kitchen is what her dreams are made of.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52The property is right in the heart of the village,
0:11:52 > 0:11:56where sociable Rosie could become part of the local community.
0:11:56 > 0:11:57How are you feeling?
0:11:57 > 0:12:00- Disappointed.- Oh! I hate that.
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- Still, we've got more houses to see. - Yes.- Come with me.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10The diverse county of Wiltshire may be landlocked,
0:12:10 > 0:12:14but it has a very important waterway running through it.
0:12:14 > 0:12:17The Kennet and Avon Canal stretches for 87 miles,
0:12:17 > 0:12:21connecting Bristol - on the River Avon - to Reading, on the Thames.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Opened in 1810, it took 16 years to construct
0:12:24 > 0:12:27and was essential as a faster method
0:12:27 > 0:12:30than sea to transport goods between cities.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Close to the canal's highest point, near Marlborough,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38sits the Crofton Pumping Station, a remarkable feat of engineering
0:12:38 > 0:12:42which allows boats to travel to the top of the hill and continue their journey.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46I've come to meet the pumping station's chairman, John Willis.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49John, it looks like one of those amazing pieces of Victorian wizardry,
0:12:49 > 0:12:52with pumps and bells, is it?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- It is. It was built in 1809.- Wow.
0:12:55 > 0:12:59And it houses the oldest working beam engine in the world.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03And so the water is basically pumping from this pond here up,
0:13:03 > 0:13:04- is that correct?- That's right.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07This is the highest natural point of water.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11And it pumps the water from there just up 40 feet
0:13:11 > 0:13:12to the summit of the canal.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16In the 1950s, the pumping station became redundant,
0:13:16 > 0:13:21and after a major restoration project, was reopened in 1972.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23At the heart of the operation is the boiler room,
0:13:23 > 0:13:27which generates the power to make the pumping possible.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Wow! Look, they are like works of art.- It is a work of art.
0:13:31 > 0:13:33This is a Lancashire boiler.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35It weighs about 22 tonnes.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39And it holds 18,000 litres of water.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Wow! And in terms of the coal, how much do you use?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44We use about a tonne and a quarter.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47The boiler heats water to create steam,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50which travels along pipes into the engine room.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53- Ooh!- Come through to the driving platform.
0:13:53 > 0:13:58John uses ornate, wrought iron levers to control the valves
0:13:58 > 0:14:01which let the steam into the engine, which starts the mechanism.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Now, this is gravity pulling it back up?
0:14:03 > 0:14:06That's gravity taking it back up again.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10- And I'm controlling how fast it goes back up.- I see.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15The engine is like a giant seesaw.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18The steam pushes the piston of one end down,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20lifting the pump on the other end of the beam,
0:14:20 > 0:14:24drawing the water up 40 feet from the reservoir outside
0:14:24 > 0:14:28before pumping it into a channel, leading to the summit of the canal.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31It's a quiet...quiet old lady.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33ALISTAIR CHUCKLES
0:14:34 > 0:14:38- Oh, there you go.- There we go. It is now running by itself.
0:14:38 > 0:14:42- Very simple, elegant piece of early automation.- Incredible.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Each time a boat passes, it must travel through six locks.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50And this handsome beam engine has to work for 10 to 15 minutes
0:14:50 > 0:14:52to replace the water at the summit
0:14:52 > 0:14:55that has been used to allow the boat to pass.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Wow! And there it is.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59So this is the water coming out.
0:14:59 > 0:15:04- That is amazing.- So every stroke, a tonne of water comes out.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06Thank you so much for taking time out.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- Thank you very much for coming. - Thanks, John.- Thank you.
0:15:13 > 0:15:15For our second property, we are travelling
0:15:15 > 0:15:17to the west of the county, to the village of Sutton Veny,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20just three miles south-east of Warminster
0:15:20 > 0:15:24and 20 miles north-east of the cathedral city of Salisbury.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Found in the Wylye Valley,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Sutton Veny is surrounded by farmland and fields,
0:15:29 > 0:15:31perfect for a gentle stroll with the dogs.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35The village, with its assortment of architectural styles,
0:15:35 > 0:15:38is shrouded in history, with the Grade II listed St Leonard's Church
0:15:38 > 0:15:41dating back to the 12th century.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44A lane, leading from the centre of the village,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47takes us to our second property, a house of two parts.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50- Is it the whole house? - It is the whole house.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54- Nice lane.- Lovely lane. Really pretty views onto the fields.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57In terms of the house, historically, it is quite interesting
0:15:57 > 0:15:59because you've got an older part of the house,
0:15:59 > 0:16:00which dates from the 18th century,
0:16:00 > 0:16:03and then a second house that was built next to it
0:16:03 > 0:16:07as sort of a companion, almost 70 years later, so in the 19th century.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10You were disappointed with the garden at the last property,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12- so we're going to start with the garden here.- Lovely.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17A perfect garden is crucial to Rosie,
0:16:17 > 0:16:18so rather than leaving the best till last,
0:16:18 > 0:16:21I want her to get excited straightaway,
0:16:21 > 0:16:24which will hopefully stand us in good stead once we step inside.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28You wanted some views.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- Mm.- Oh, a ready-made pond!
0:16:30 > 0:16:34- Pond, greenhouse, vegetable garden. - Oh, this is nice.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- This is very nice.- This is nice cos you could do lots with this.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39- This is more you.- Yeah.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It is a much better setting.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Is a very peaceful, very pretty setting.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46- Good, so shall we have a look inside the house?- Yeah, love to.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49Well, my little plan has worked.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51And I think I have got both Rosie and Caz onside.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Now I just need the inside to live up to its outdoor counterpart.
0:16:57 > 0:17:01Step in. It's going to be hard to compete with the last kitchen.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03- Oh!- But...
0:17:03 > 0:17:05This is what it is.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07You've got the utility room.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Not French doors into the back garden yet, but a stable door.- Yes.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13And then the kitchen here. And if you come through here...
0:17:13 > 0:17:15This has really been opened up.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17This was the back wall of the property,
0:17:17 > 0:17:19and they have knocked this through.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20I think it is more you.
0:17:20 > 0:17:21- Do you?- Mm.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- It's not the same wow as the last one.- It's different.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27It's a different wow. But it might be a wow.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30I must say, Rosie is a tough cookie.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33But she said it, it might be a wow.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Now, moving onto the front of the house, is the sitting room,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38featuring striking exposed beams
0:17:38 > 0:17:42and an inglenook fireplace as its focal point.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Wow. That is quite a fireplace.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47Nice, big window. And a double aspect.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51- Is it big enough?- Um, yes, if it is the sort of front drawing room.
0:17:53 > 0:17:54What do you mean, the front drawing room?
0:17:54 > 0:17:58- If there is another drawing room.- I haven't mentioned the piano, have I?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Oh, no. There is not another room, this is your lot.
0:18:01 > 0:18:06- Originally, you said, "I'm going to live in the kitchen-diner and I'll have one more room."- Yes.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- Now you want a piano room and... - A study.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13I don't need a piano ROOM, but I need space for a piano.
0:18:13 > 0:18:18And if you remember, you said, "Four bedrooms, that is quite a lot for one person." And I explained why.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- Keep your hair on.- OK.- Come with me. - ROSIE CACKLES
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Heading upstairs, a wooden staircase
0:18:24 > 0:18:27leads to a galleried landing.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- This originally was a four-bedroom property.- Right.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34But the owners knocked through all the rooms to make two.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36So this was originally a bedroom, which they
0:18:36 > 0:18:38have turned into a sort of study.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41You could reinstate it as a bedroom by putting in a stud wall.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44There is another big bedroom there, which is the spare room.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48- And then they turned another bedroom into a bathroom.- OK.
0:18:50 > 0:18:53A door from the landing leads to the master bedroom,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55overlooking the fields at the front of the property.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59I like stripped floorboards. And the fireplace.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03Lovely. And it's got beautiful windows throughout the house.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- And lovely window ledges.- Mm.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07It is a very charming room.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10There may be less bedrooms than Rosie would like,
0:19:10 > 0:19:13but she still seems charmed by what she has seen so far.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16She has already fallen for the garden, but I want to take her
0:19:16 > 0:19:20outside again to show her the possibilities of this lovely home.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Even though it is in a conservation area,
0:19:22 > 0:19:27there is the possibility to pull out the back an extra four metres,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31so extend it basically to the end of this sort of little terrace area,
0:19:31 > 0:19:34which could give you a very nice sort of, like, sunny sort of
0:19:34 > 0:19:35addition to the kitchen.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39So, when they built the carport, it's a very finely constructed
0:19:39 > 0:19:43green oak construction and it has got very strong joists.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47The top part was always designed so it could be boarded over
0:19:47 > 0:19:48and turned into living quarters.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Obviously, you'd probably want to put dormers in.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53You can see, it has already got the window at the top.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56There's the possibility you could convert that into some more space.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58It would depend on the price, wouldn't it?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Ah, well, you bring us around to that very issue.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02How much do think it is on the market for?
0:20:02 > 0:20:05I think it will be about 525.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- Ah-ha.- I think it is on the market for...
0:20:08 > 0:20:10about...
0:20:10 > 0:20:11565?
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Well, in this case, Caz is completely right.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15It's actually on the market for 525.
0:20:15 > 0:20:19Which does give you, you know, up to your top budget, another £75,000.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20Yeah.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25A healthy £75,000 under the top end of Rosie's budget,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28this character cottage would give her plenty of change to make
0:20:28 > 0:20:32improvements and additions to the home to make it suit her.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33It may be smaller than she'd like,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36but there's the option to convert the two bedrooms back to three
0:20:36 > 0:20:40and it has a garden that would be a sanctuary for her and her dogs.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43Perched on the edge of a village, there are
0:20:43 > 0:20:47plenty of options for Rosie to have a full and fruitful social life.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- We are done, so shall we have a night off?- OK.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Another beautiful day of house-hunting here in Wiltshire.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03And it was very painful to see Rosie's disappointment yesterday.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05The first house - the garden too small.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07The second house - the house too small.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11And it did make me think, you know, she doesn't want to downsize,
0:21:11 > 0:21:13but even though Wiltshire is cheaper than London, I'm not
0:21:13 > 0:21:16sure it is half as cheap, so there has to be some compromises.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19Although, with the mystery house, we are
0:21:19 > 0:21:22doing our best to give her what she wants - a big garden, a big house.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25But as always, with a twist.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27For our final visit,
0:21:27 > 0:21:30we're travelling 7.5 miles north-west of Sutton Veny
0:21:30 > 0:21:33to the village of Corseley, just ten minutes' drive
0:21:33 > 0:21:36from Warminster and close to the Somerset border.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Corseley is in the shadow of the Longleat Estate,
0:21:39 > 0:21:41with stunning views encircling it.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44With our mystery house, we are taking a bit of a risk
0:21:44 > 0:21:47and going slightly off brief,
0:21:47 > 0:21:49showing Rosie this picture-perfect worker's cottage.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Ta-dah!
0:21:53 > 0:21:54- You were right, Caz.- Oh!
0:21:54 > 0:21:57- It has got a thatch. - It's very pretty.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59It's got nice views.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03- Look at the garden. And this is not all the garden.- Oh.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08- Right up to those trees at the back. - Ah. Now, that is exciting.- Yeah!
0:22:08 > 0:22:09So, for the mystery house,
0:22:09 > 0:22:11we thought we'd bring you to a thatch.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13I think this property has only been on the market a week
0:22:13 > 0:22:15- and it gives a lot of what you are looking for.- Great.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Plus it has got a thatch.- Yes.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20You can see, this is actually quite an unusual thatch in
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- the sense that it is a double-height house and then a thatch on top.- Yes.
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- I love it. I love the black and white.- I do.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28I think it is a very pretty shape.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- Well, let's have a look inside.- OK.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33The exterior of this beautiful four-bedroom,
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Grade II listed cottage has already won Rosie over,
0:22:36 > 0:22:39despite the thatched roof she thought she didn't want.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42I just hope she feels the same about the interior, which is
0:22:42 > 0:22:44just oozing charm and character.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48The front door leads straight into the dining room.
0:22:48 > 0:22:49Step inside.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Into the 17th century.
0:22:52 > 0:22:53Wow.
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- Oh, wow.- Gosh.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57Amazing.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59- What are your first impressions? - I love it.
0:22:59 > 0:23:00- Really?- I do, yeah.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04It is a very different offering from the first house, which was immaculately finished.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- Let's explore the sitting room.- OK.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10- Remember, this was the outside wall of the original cottage.- Right.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13This is an extension that they've put on since they have lived here.
0:23:13 > 0:23:14Lovely.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17- It's very nice.- It's very nice.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- Thumbs up?- Yes, looking good so far.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22Let's look at the kitchen.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Back through the dining room, a cosy snug leads to the
0:23:25 > 0:23:28all-important kitchen, which has windows to the front of the house.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- This is where it gets a bit tighter. - Yes.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34It does, but you could do things.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Yes, as long as one can knock walls down.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40If one is allowed to.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Yeah, well, this is the other thing to remember,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45this is a listed building, Grade II listed.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- With consent, you can, of course, take out internal walls.- Yes.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- But you'd have to have an RSJ or something like that.- Yes.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Even though the kitchen is a bit small, we do have...
0:23:53 > 0:23:56- four bedrooms...- No!- Yay! - ..in this house.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59A door from the snug takes us up to the stairway.
0:23:59 > 0:24:00It's through here.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Unlike many thatched cottages, the upstairs rooms in this one
0:24:04 > 0:24:07have plenty of wall space for Rosie to hang her artwork.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10This is actually quite a small room, it's not the biggest of rooms,
0:24:10 > 0:24:12but I wanted to show you, because it does illustrate that it
0:24:12 > 0:24:14has flat walls, just to prove
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- that not all thatched cottages are eave-y.- That's true.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19And it is nice and sunny. It is nice and bright.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- And it is quirky as well, it's not square.- No.
0:24:22 > 0:24:23- Which is rather nice.- Yes.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27Across the landing is another room with a view to the front...
0:24:27 > 0:24:29One overlooking the rear...
0:24:29 > 0:24:32And the master bedroom, plus en suite, which is
0:24:32 > 0:24:33also at the back of the house.
0:24:33 > 0:24:36There is also a family bathroom.
0:24:37 > 0:24:39Back downstairs, and Rosie and Caz
0:24:39 > 0:24:42had a glimpse of the gardens from the front. But at the back,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46they'll get the full picture of this gorgeous cottage's setting.
0:24:46 > 0:24:48It's lovely when you can have different parts of the garden,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50- isn't it?- Yeah.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55This is one of my favourite bits of the garden
0:24:55 > 0:24:57- cos it has got this lovely view. - Oh, look at that.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00I think the views are fantastic.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02It is beautifully planted as well.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04How much do you think this property with its...
0:25:04 > 0:25:07They say it's a third of an acre, I think it is probably a bit more.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Anyway... How much do you think it is on the market for?
0:25:10 > 0:25:11It's a tricky one.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14I will be consistent and say 565 again.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19I would go possibly 615.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Interesting, because this property is actually on the market for...
0:25:23 > 0:25:26- £545,000.- Oh, Rosie!
0:25:26 > 0:25:28- Wow.- So under both your guesses.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31- Yours considerably. - Mine considerably.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35And at £55,000 under Rosie's top budget,
0:25:35 > 0:25:38she would have plenty of cash spare to make changes to the property
0:25:38 > 0:25:40so it suits her and her needs.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43It has got just the number of bedrooms she wants,
0:25:43 > 0:25:44a fabulous garden
0:25:44 > 0:25:47and it sits in the heart of a vibrant village.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Have you had your thinking caps on?
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- ROSIE SIGHS Yes.- That was a big...
0:25:51 > 0:25:53That was a positive sigh or a negative sigh?
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- It was an "I don't know" sigh. - That's good. I'll settle for that.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58We are going to take you away from here and we're
0:25:58 > 0:26:01going to find somewhere quiet where we can talk about all the houses.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03- OK.- On you go.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10So, tell me where you are at.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Where have we left you after our week's house-hunting?
0:26:12 > 0:26:15I'm not really sure, is the truth.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19I definitely wouldn't buy house number one or house number two.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Mm, good. Let's move on to house number three then.
0:26:22 > 0:26:26It's tempting because it is so beautifully located
0:26:26 > 0:26:28and has such a lovely garden.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30I'm concerned, though,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34about the costs involved in turning it into
0:26:34 > 0:26:36what would be more suitable for me.
0:26:36 > 0:26:38I would need to re-jig the whole of the ground floor.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42Also, I'm sure I would have to do something about the flat roof.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- And that has got to be thatched. - Can I bring you in, Caz?
0:26:45 > 0:26:47What do you think about what Rosie has just said?
0:26:47 > 0:26:50I do think house number three is worth thinking about.
0:26:50 > 0:26:54I mean, you couldn't pick a better location. It is in a beautiful spot.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56Whereas you can do things inside a property,
0:26:56 > 0:26:59but you can't always find a good spot.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00What will happen next?
0:27:00 > 0:27:04I think it is, as Caz says, it is worth thinking about.
0:27:04 > 0:27:05I mean, we've only just seen it.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09I loved the garden. I loved the view.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11But I didn't fall in love with the house.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Well, in whatever little way we helped, I'm glad that we did.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17- And I wish you all the best in your house hunt.- Thank you very much.
0:27:17 > 0:27:18We've had a wonderful time.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Well, when you do find your perfect home,
0:27:20 > 0:27:24- make sure you send us the details. - I will.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29Rosie is a force of nature.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31I'm not entirely sure whether she didn't just tell us that we
0:27:31 > 0:27:33told her nothing new about Wiltshire or
0:27:33 > 0:27:37whether we opened her eyes to some new possibilities, ie - a thatch.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40In any case, it was a pleasure showing her and you around
0:27:40 > 0:27:44the county, so do join us next time for more Escape To The Country.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Not long after we met Rosie,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49her perfect country home came onto the market.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53It is on the Wiltshire-Dorset border, just south of Hindon,
0:27:53 > 0:27:54where she viewed our first house.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57And it has got the French windows opening onto the large garden
0:27:57 > 0:27:59she dreamed of.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03If you would like to escape to the country in
0:28:03 > 0:28:05Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales
0:28:05 > 0:28:08or England, and you need our help, why not apply online at...