0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today I'm in a county that breathed life into oxygen. So, where am I?
0:00:05 > 0:00:09Well, if you can hold your breath long enough, all will be revealed.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Today our house-hunting pair have left
0:00:28 > 0:00:31the wives at home as they go searching for a new family home.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34What do you think the good ladies would think?
0:00:34 > 0:00:35Well, I think they'll be fighting
0:00:35 > 0:00:38to know which one was going to have this as their kitchen.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41And their property shopping list is a rather tall order.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Plenty of character, plenty of charm.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Plenty of height.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47Plenty of height.
0:00:47 > 0:00:52Today I am in Wiltshire at the 18th-century Bowood House.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56And it was here in the summer of 1774 that the pioneering
0:00:56 > 0:01:00British scientist, Joseph Priestley, held a magnifying glass to
0:01:00 > 0:01:04focus the sun's rays onto a sample of mercury oxide.
0:01:04 > 0:01:08Now the surprising outcome was a gas which, for reasons which he
0:01:08 > 0:01:12didn't quite understand, made candles burn more brightly.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16However, it was a French chemist who actually named the gas oxygen
0:01:16 > 0:01:19just a few years later.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23A remarkable story and just like the Wiltshire countryside,
0:01:23 > 0:01:24a real breath of fresh air.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Wiltshire sits at the gateway to the West Country.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35Surrounded by six counties including Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39its landscape is mostly rural with two thirds of it lying on chalk.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43The region is famous for its Neolithic monuments
0:01:43 > 0:01:44including Silbury Hill.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47Built almost 5,000 years ago,
0:01:47 > 0:01:50the artificial chalk mass stands 30 metres high,
0:01:50 > 0:01:54making it the tallest prehistoric man-made mound in Europe.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The area's charming villages are straight out of an English
0:01:57 > 0:01:58countryside picture book,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01with the architecture reflecting the lie of the land.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05The village of Teffont Magna in the south has charming thatched
0:02:05 > 0:02:09cottages lining its streets and the county is awash with handsome
0:02:09 > 0:02:11stone houses, clay roof tiles
0:02:11 > 0:02:16and whitewashed cottages concealing the local chalk in their walls.
0:02:16 > 0:02:20So with its ancient history and eclectic architecture,
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Wiltshire certainly makes a very tempting place to call home.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Here in Wiltshire, the average price of a detached property is
0:02:28 > 0:02:32a tad under £300,000,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36now that's around £33,000 above the national figure.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40But although homes here do fall on the pricier side, with
0:02:40 > 0:02:44some of the finest landscapes and vistas that Britain has to offer,
0:02:44 > 0:02:49you can certainly see why. So let's meet today's buyers to discover
0:02:49 > 0:02:53exactly what attracts them to the beautiful Wiltshire countryside.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57Richard and his father-in-law Peter both work in the family
0:02:57 > 0:02:59printing business.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02They've taken on the task of finding their families a new home.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05And they've made the unusual decision of leaving
0:03:05 > 0:03:09the Portsmouth area and heading to Wiltshire in search of one big
0:03:09 > 0:03:11joint country house.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15There's going to be Anne, Peter's wife, Ruth, my wife,
0:03:15 > 0:03:19Peter's daughter, and our daughter Rebecca, who's four,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and Oliver, who's just turned four weeks.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27- The whole family all in together. It's going to be good fun.- Yeah.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31Their houses are currently a 25-minute drive apart
0:03:31 > 0:03:34and they get together at least four times a week.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37They decided that being on each other's doorstep could be
0:03:37 > 0:03:38mutually beneficial.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41Suddenly, it quite quickly became apparent to us
0:03:41 > 0:03:45that to buy two separate houses, would be one - very expensive,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- and two - neither of us would get actually what we wanted.- Mmm.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52The plan came together that we would pool our resources,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54and also get a live-in baby-sitter, so...
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Peter and his wife's Portsmouth home is under offer and Richard
0:04:01 > 0:04:04and his family live in a rented house near Portsmouth -
0:04:04 > 0:04:06they sold theirs 18 months ago.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09I'd love to stay here but for us to find the property
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and the space we actually want, we just can't afford to do it.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Part of the reason for only moving 90 minutes away is it's still
0:04:15 > 0:04:18within reach of coming back to visit friends and family,
0:04:18 > 0:04:22and it's a nice area, but it's just too busy.
0:04:22 > 0:04:26The whole family is excited about what a new life in Wiltshire
0:04:26 > 0:04:27will mean.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30We'd like to be able to open the windows in the morning
0:04:30 > 0:04:33and see, not bricks and smoke and tarmac roads,
0:04:33 > 0:04:37but to be able to see trees, fields... If we could see some
0:04:37 > 0:04:40hills as well, a little bit of water - well, how wonderful,
0:04:40 > 0:04:45but you know, we would like to see a more rural view than a city view.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47But they're realistic too.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52I think it would be foolish of us to say, "Oh! We are such perfect people - nothing could ever go wrong."
0:04:52 > 0:04:55We know that it could, and that is a risk.
0:04:55 > 0:05:01Having said that, we've had a close relationship since they got
0:05:01 > 0:05:07married in 2005, I think we feel we could work through the sort of...
0:05:07 > 0:05:09- Definitely. - The bad times, you know -
0:05:09 > 0:05:12all the little misunderstandings that we would have.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15But even if there are some bumps in the road, the two families
0:05:15 > 0:05:20coming together as one is something everyone is looking forward to.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24This move will change our lives very significantly.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28Anne and I have moved home so many times, in our life,
0:05:28 > 0:05:33this would be our final move, and also just knowing that we
0:05:33 > 0:05:36are able to continue this really close relationship that we have
0:05:36 > 0:05:42with Rebecca and Ruth and Richard, and with Oliver, as he grows up.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47We have that balance that I think a lot of people would love to have.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51This move will be fantastic. It will give us such a great lifestyle.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55Richard and Peter and their families are happy to consider moving
0:05:55 > 0:05:58anywhere in Wiltshire as long as they're no more than
0:05:58 > 0:06:00a 90-minute drive from Southampton,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02where Peter and Ann's son lives
0:06:02 > 0:06:04with Peter's mother living nearby.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06But before our pair take on the task
0:06:06 > 0:06:10of searching for their two-in-one family home, I'm meeting them
0:06:10 > 0:06:15in Wiltshire to find out more about their great expectations.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18So, Peter and Richard, this is a first for me,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21cos your wives have sent you out to find them the perfect property.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- Very much. - Yes, yes, they're very trusting.
0:06:24 > 0:06:25They're really trusting, yes.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Tell me exactly what it is you are after.
0:06:29 > 0:06:34Well, we're...um, very close, as families, and I love my granddaughter
0:06:34 > 0:06:38and my new grandson, so the thought of them moving away
0:06:38 > 0:06:43and us not being able to see them regularly would be a disappointment.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46And also we have a small printing business that we want to
0:06:46 > 0:06:49bring on-site as well, so that we can have a much, much better
0:06:49 > 0:06:54life-work balance, and we also want at least an acre of garden,
0:06:54 > 0:06:56so the kids can run around and enjoy the open air.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I've always wanted to have sort of a smallholding - animals,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01some chickens, maybe that, growing our own veggies, which
0:07:01 > 0:07:04when you're in the countryside, you've just got to do.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06So two families wanting to live together
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- but equally have their own space. - Very much so.- Yes.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11So how many bedrooms are we after?
0:07:11 > 0:07:13- Pretty much six bedrooms.- Yep.
0:07:13 > 0:07:15In a property that's dividable.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18That's interesting. So you don't mind a bit of a project, then?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20No, we're quite handy at that.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22I'm presuming we're looking for a large kitchen, are we?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25For me and Ruth and the kids, we'd love an open-plan,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28sort of dining area, sort of living space, a separate lounge
0:07:28 > 0:07:30or something like that would be nice.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33We want a really decent-sized kitchen.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36We also want a couple of other reception rooms.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40We're not ready for the one-bedroom granny flat just yet.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42So where's the compromise going to be?
0:07:42 > 0:07:44Because if you've done a lot of research
0:07:44 > 0:07:46- and I'm presuming you have...- Lots.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49Well, I've looked at nearly, um, nearly 100 properties,
0:07:49 > 0:07:51and more than that on paper.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55I'm off, I'm off! So 100 properties - you haven't found it?
0:07:55 > 0:07:59I'm feeling the pressure. No wonder your wives have sent
0:07:59 > 0:08:01you out looking, if you haven't got it already.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05We are realistic enough to realise that we're not going to find exactly
0:08:05 > 0:08:08what we might think we want on paper, but there needs to be enough
0:08:08 > 0:08:12there that makes us think, "Wow, this really is a dream house and this
0:08:12 > 0:08:15"is really somewhere we'd be happy to spend the rest of our lives."
0:08:15 > 0:08:20Do you want to be near a town, a village...?
0:08:20 > 0:08:22For us, people are just very important, you know.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25There needs to be a local pub with some nice beers
0:08:25 > 0:08:27but actually some nice people in there.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29I shouldn't have asked that question.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33I'm worried about the house. I've now got to get the whole community sorted.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36I can see why the ladies have sent you two out to me. So I've got
0:08:36 > 0:08:40to find this substantial property - two-in-one, I'm going to call it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44We want acres of land, want to be near a thriving community,
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- and all for...- £750,000.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Hmmm! Well, I've got to find an awful lot for £750,000, haven't I?
0:08:50 > 0:08:51- Hope you like a challenge.- Yep.
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Say we find you the perfect property,
0:08:54 > 0:08:56can we nudge up a little bit?
0:08:56 > 0:08:58- Yep, there's a little bit there. - Just a little.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01OK, so we've got three smashing properties lined up to show you.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Boys, shall we get started?
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Yes, fantastic.- Yes, yes. - Follow me.- Thank you.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Richard and Peter have a very generous budget between them
0:09:09 > 0:09:12and are prepared to go even higher for the right place.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16They need to accommodate six people in two separate properties -
0:09:16 > 0:09:19or one house with the potential to divide into two.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22They're planning to have the family printing business on-site -
0:09:22 > 0:09:26and they'd like a garden large enough to keep two growing children,
0:09:26 > 0:09:28and possibly some livestock, happy.
0:09:28 > 0:09:29We're joining Richard
0:09:29 > 0:09:32and Peter midway through a lengthy property search
0:09:32 > 0:09:37and they're hoping that we'll be the answer to finding their dream home.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40They'll be visiting three contrasting rural properties
0:09:40 > 0:09:44and only after touring each one will they discover its price.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46The final stop will be to the mystery house, which will
0:09:46 > 0:09:49offer them an added extra that will definitely give them
0:09:49 > 0:09:51something new to think about.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57Have you as a family, as an extended family,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00have you ever lived together or been on holiday together before?
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- We holiday every year together. - Do you?
0:10:02 > 0:10:05When we sold our house 18 months ago, we moved in with
0:10:05 > 0:10:08Anne and Peter for a period of time until we found a property to rent.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13- So you're - in a way, you've road-tested it.- Yep.
0:10:13 > 0:10:18As much as you can. Living day after day, week after week,
0:10:18 > 0:10:21is clearly different than just a couple of weeks on holiday.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27We're beginning our house hunt towards the centre of the county
0:10:27 > 0:10:32on the outskirts of the village of Enford, 15 miles north of Salisbury.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35The surrounding countryside is a designated area of outstanding
0:10:35 > 0:10:39natural beauty and the village with its hedge-lined lanes runs
0:10:39 > 0:10:41alongside the River Avon.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44There's also a church, a pub and a village hall in its centre
0:10:44 > 0:10:47so there are plenty of activities to keep locals both young -
0:10:47 > 0:10:50and slightly more mature - busy.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55Down a quiet country lane just set back from the middle of the village
0:10:55 > 0:10:58is our first property, this handsome Grade II listed brick
0:10:58 > 0:11:02and flint cottage - which has worn lots of hats in its lifetime.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Since the 17th century, it's been home to many diverse trades.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11It's got a...what you might call a wow factor, you know.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13I mean, it's not just the ordinary...
0:11:13 > 0:11:15- I like that.- Yep.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- Dates back to the 1600s.- OK.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19And over the years, it's had different businesses being
0:11:19 > 0:11:22run out of it. I'll explain more when we step inside.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- Are you ready? - Definitely, very much so.- Yep.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32Entering through one of the front doors, a large open reception area,
0:11:32 > 0:11:36once an ale house, leads to an impressive 28-foot sitting room.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39- Wow, that's big.- Yeah, it's nice and big, isn't it? Yeah.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41This would have been the butchers, this part.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45It has been opened up. Mind your heads, boys.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47You're nearly all right there, Peter, aren't you?
0:11:47 > 0:11:50Yeah, but I'm only six-one. Richard is six-three.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52It's a room you could entertain in very well,
0:11:52 > 0:11:57and bring the family all together, but the height is scaring me.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00I want to take us through to this next part of the property
0:12:00 > 0:12:03because this originally was the farrier's.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04Oh, right.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Oh, wow!
0:12:11 > 0:12:14I think there's enough room for you there, Richard - don't you?
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- I think so.- Yeah.- You do indeed.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21This is where the farrier used to work, obviously using that.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24- Oh, yes.- What do you think the good ladies would think, Anne and Ruth?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27Well, I think they'll be fighting to know which one is going to
0:12:27 > 0:12:29have this as their kitchen, you see.
0:12:29 > 0:12:33Downstairs in this charming cottage there is also a cloakroom,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37a utility room and a double bedroom with an en-suite
0:12:37 > 0:12:39and upstairs is full of personality too.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44So this is the master bedroom.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45- Wow, yes. Nice.- Wow.
0:12:45 > 0:12:50And you have three double bedrooms upstairs, and a family bathroom.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- OK.- Right, yeah. - So four bedrooms in total.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55Plenty of head height.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58I'll let you explore upstairs on your own in a little while,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01because it's time to see where your property might be.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Good, good.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Outside across a gravelled courtyard is a large double garage with
0:13:07 > 0:13:11potential to be used as a business setting - but that's not all.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16So right in front of us we have a second cottage.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Right, right.- Wow!- Now at the moment it's being rented out,
0:13:19 > 0:13:23and to the side of it, you've got a business area.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Yep.- OK.- But behind me, if that wasn't enough,
0:13:26 > 0:13:29you've got a studio flat with a mezzanine level.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33So that could be perfect for running the business,
0:13:33 > 0:13:37but let's see if the cottage is going to be right for you and Anne.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Great, yeah.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42This attractive detached cottage with its adjoining office
0:13:42 > 0:13:45was once home to the local smithy.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- Wow.- Wow.- I love the floor.- Yeah.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50- What a lovely space. - Tiled floor.- Yeah.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53You've got a kitchen, and you've got a downstairs shower room.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56- OK.- Upstairs there are two bedrooms.
0:13:56 > 0:13:57- Right.- Excellent.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00Next door, do you remember I mentioned there was an office?
0:14:00 > 0:14:02- Yes.- Yep.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05- I would be inclined to knock that through.- Yes.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08And then you've got some additional space for the downstairs.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- Yes, yes.- Yep.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13So, Peter, be honest - what's your impression of the cottage?
0:14:13 > 0:14:17I love the outside of the cottage, thought it looked really attractive.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18My immediate reservation is
0:14:18 > 0:14:21whether it was going to be big enough, but I think there's scope.
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Before Peter and Richard explore on their own,
0:14:25 > 0:14:27I want to show them the garden,
0:14:27 > 0:14:29which is laid out on different levels.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Now I seem to remember someone saying that they'd like chickens.
0:14:33 > 0:14:34Yes. Here they are.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36There they are.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Ah, wonderful, wow.- Wow.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40That's your vista.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42I think it's wonderful, really do, lovely.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44And the pub's only five minutes down the road.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46- We noticed that, yes. - Did you see as we drove in?- Yes.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48You can walk to the pub.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Location-wise, Southampton - it's important for you both to
0:14:51 > 0:14:54get down there, isn't it? It's about 50 minutes away.
0:14:54 > 0:14:58- Perfect.- That is fantastic, inside an hour. I mean, that is wonderful.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00We've seen the property,
0:15:00 > 0:15:03got to ask you know, how much is it on the market for?
0:15:03 > 0:15:07Well, my guess would be that it's on the market for 750,
0:15:07 > 0:15:08but, which is our budget,
0:15:08 > 0:15:12but there's quite a bit of money we would want to spend on it,
0:15:12 > 0:15:16so I would like to hope it might be on at 700.
0:15:16 > 0:15:18OK, so which figure are you going to give me?
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Um, I'm going to hedge my bets, and I'm going to say, I think
0:15:20 > 0:15:22- it's on for 750.- OK, Richard?
0:15:22 > 0:15:25I'm going to go in the middle. 725, I think.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27Interesting. It's more than that.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31The asking price is £795,000.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33In some ways, that doesn't surprise me.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35There is an awful lot of property here,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39but from our perspective, we have a budget and I think there would
0:15:39 > 0:15:43need to be room for negotiation in there before we could consider it.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Well, the owners are happy to have that conversation with you.
0:15:45 > 0:15:49Go and have another look. Give me a shout when you're ready to leave.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- We will do, yes, thanks.- Thank you.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55This beautiful thatched cottage with its bonus buildings may
0:15:55 > 0:16:00be £45,000 over Richard and Peter's budget but they did say
0:16:00 > 0:16:04they could nudge their limit up for the right property.
0:16:04 > 0:16:05And with a separate cottage on site
0:16:05 > 0:16:09and plenty of potential to accommodate their printing business,
0:16:09 > 0:16:10they're getting everything
0:16:10 > 0:16:14they've asked for, less than an hour away from family in Southampton.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17I think the room is probably slightly smaller than what
0:16:17 > 0:16:19I'd originally been thinking,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22but there's plenty of possibilities of doing stuff here.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Definitely the kitchen is absolutely stunning,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27and the ceiling height in there is absolutely fabulous for me.
0:16:27 > 0:16:32The lounge is a major issue for me - it's unfortunately too low.
0:16:32 > 0:16:36The annexe looks really nice. It seemed from the outside that
0:16:36 > 0:16:40it was likely to be small inside, and that's the way it turned out
0:16:40 > 0:16:44to be, but of course there is the studio. If Anne and I had
0:16:44 > 0:16:47both of those properties, I think we could make it work for us.
0:16:48 > 0:16:51- Now have you seen enough?- Yes, we have, thank you very much, yes.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56Yeah, and money aside, have we got close with our first property?
0:16:56 > 0:16:59Well, money aside, this is a really, really stunning property, yes.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01- Yeah - a good start? - Very good start, yeah.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04Excellent, cos it is only our first house,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06- cos I've got more to show you. - Ooh, looking forward.- Excellent.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11Richard and Peter both live near the sea
0:17:11 > 0:17:13and love sailing on the open water.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16Wiltshire may be landlocked but it has the Kennet
0:17:16 > 0:17:18and Avon canal running through it,
0:17:18 > 0:17:20so we've sent them to Bradford-on-Avon
0:17:20 > 0:17:22to the west of the county to meet Rob Dean,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26chairman of the Canal Trust, to see how they could make
0:17:26 > 0:17:29the most of this beautiful stretch of water when they make their move.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33I get to spend my days helping to look after this wonderful canal.
0:17:33 > 0:17:36It's only here because of the work of volunteers.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39Back in the 1950s, there was proposals to close the canal,
0:17:39 > 0:17:44fill it in, when a group of volunteers wanted to preserve it, wanted to restore it,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46and we spent 40 years working to help dig it out,
0:17:46 > 0:17:48get all the locks rebuilt,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51and now it's a fantastic sort of pleasure playground.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53So you've come from a sailing background?
0:17:53 > 0:17:56Yes, we're used to just a little bit more water than this.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58The sea's a bit wider than your canal here.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Well, it might be a ditch, but it's a very nice ditch.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- It's a lovely ditch. - And we look after it.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04And you can have a lot of fun on it.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09200 years ago, this impressive 87-mile man-made waterway
0:18:09 > 0:18:12transported goods between Bristol and Reading.
0:18:12 > 0:18:17But now 600 volunteers look after the canal and its surroundings,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20so that locals and tourists can benefit from it.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23Today Peter's going to get the chance to take the helm of a canal boat
0:18:23 > 0:18:26whilst Richard helps operate a lock
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- one of 104 along the canal.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31Right, this is Peter, our skipper for today.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33This is Peter and...Richard.
0:18:33 > 0:18:36SKIPPER PETER: Pleased to meet you. Welcome to the Barbara McLellan,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Peter, if you go on the helm with Brian -
0:18:38 > 0:18:41who'll fit you up with your life-jackets now,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45and Richard, if you'd like to go with Des and Pauline there,
0:18:45 > 0:18:47and they'll show you how to operate the lock gates.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49- Excellent, thank you very much. - Thanks.
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Des, we need to put some water in,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55- so if you'll go round the other side. - OK, I'll do that.
0:18:55 > 0:18:56Fantastic.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59I don't know whether you've operated a lock before.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00Not in many, many, many years.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02OK, would you like to have a go?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Nice and easy?- It is, very.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08As Richard turns the windlass - or handle -
0:19:08 > 0:19:11a small door in one of the lock gates opens,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13allowing water to flow in.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Outside of the lock and inside are level.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19On the boat, Peter's getting a lesson from crew member Brian.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21This little lever is the throttle,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24so it's forward to go forward,
0:19:24 > 0:19:25back to go back.
0:19:25 > 0:19:27The further you push it forward,
0:19:27 > 0:19:29the faster the propeller will turn.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30The faster the propeller goes,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32the faster the boat goes.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34- Yep.- That makes it harder to stop.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- Yes! - Which is the important thing, OK?
0:19:36 > 0:19:40We maintain a speed limit on the canals of about 4mph.
0:19:40 > 0:19:41Right.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46The Barbara McLellan is one of four boats on the canal that takes visitors on trips
0:19:46 > 0:19:50which take in the beautiful Wiltshire scenery.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Now we're pretty central, so we'll go forward into the lock.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57She's 65ft long and can carry up to 43 passengers.
0:19:57 > 0:19:58All of the volunteer skippers
0:19:58 > 0:20:02are professionally trained and qualified.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04As Richard turns the windlass again
0:20:04 > 0:20:07the water floods out of the lock door, lowering the boat
0:20:07 > 0:20:10just over ten feet so it can continue its journey.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16400 metres down the waterway,
0:20:16 > 0:20:17the boat has pulled up
0:20:17 > 0:20:20by one of most magnificent landmarks along the canal -
0:20:20 > 0:20:23the 14th-century tithe barn.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27The wall must have been built at the time of the canal.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29It was all falling down last year,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32but we got a crowd of our volunteers to repair it,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34and they learned techniques using old limestone mortar,
0:20:34 > 0:20:37and have put the wall back in excellent condition now.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Important work the volunteers also do
0:20:40 > 0:20:43is they clear all these banks.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45If you look down the canal here
0:20:45 > 0:20:46it's nice and wide now -
0:20:46 > 0:20:49about three, four years ago it was about a third of the width,
0:20:49 > 0:20:52and that's just volunteers chopping down the trees
0:20:52 > 0:20:54and getting rid of the undergrowth.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Under Rob's guidance, the volunteers are taught how to keep the canal
0:20:57 > 0:21:00and its surroundings in excellent condition,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03making it a real attraction in the Wiltshire landscape.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05It's part of the reason that we got
0:21:05 > 0:21:07the Queen' Award for Voluntary Service last year,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10which is the highest award any charity can get in this country.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11We're very proud of that.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14As volunteers, what do you guys get out of it?
0:21:14 > 0:21:15What makes you keep coming back?
0:21:15 > 0:21:18The waterway attracts lots of wonderful people -
0:21:18 > 0:21:19people are always happy along the canal.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22And the very best of those happy people come and volunteer with us,
0:21:22 > 0:21:24and help look after it.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I think we all enjoy just chugging down the canal
0:21:26 > 0:21:28on a nice afternoon like this,
0:21:28 > 0:21:30thinking of nothing...
0:21:30 > 0:21:33It's a great way to spend your time.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35That's wonderful. If we find our dream house down here,
0:21:35 > 0:21:37then I'm sure we'll be on your volunteer list.
0:21:40 > 0:21:44Travelling 36 miles west and crossing borders into Somerset
0:21:44 > 0:21:47leads us to our second property in the village of Buckland Dinham,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50ten minutes' drive from the town of Frome.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53The small farming village is perched on the side of a hill
0:21:53 > 0:21:56with uninterrupted views across the surrounding countryside.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58It has a great dining pub,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02a Grade I listed church - which in parts dates back 800 years -
0:22:02 > 0:22:06and a village hall which holds parent and toddler groups,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08amongst other gatherings for all ages.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12And a well-equipped playground is a two-minute stroll
0:22:12 > 0:22:13from our second house
0:22:13 > 0:22:15which sits on a quiet lane in the village
0:22:15 > 0:22:18with views to the famous Westbury horse.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21So you've probably noticed we've crossed the border.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- Yes. - How do you feel living in Somerset?
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- That's fine, yeah.- It's doable. - Looks very nice, doesn't it, yeah?
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Rather different from the first one we showed you.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31- Yes.- Yep.- I'm not seeing too many height issues.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35So it was built in 1974.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39I do quite like the idea of a bit of a newer property.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41The stone is locally quarried -
0:22:41 > 0:22:43it's blue and beige limestone.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- Well, it looks very attractive, doesn't it?- Very much so.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Let's get started.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50Crossing Wiltshire's west border into Somerset
0:22:50 > 0:22:52offers Peter and Richard more for their money
0:22:52 > 0:22:56and it's still only an hour and 20-minute drive from Southampton.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00Moving inside, a bright hallway leads to the sitting room.
0:23:00 > 0:23:02- Wow.- Very nice, isn't it? Yeah.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04It's a nice size.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06- Beams again.- Yeah.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08- Beams, but...- A lot higher.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11You're not going to hit your head. You won't hit your head on that beam!
0:23:11 > 0:23:13I think it looks very nice.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16I think there's scope for a little modernising, but it is very nice.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18A good start then, for us, isn't it?
0:23:18 > 0:23:20- Very good.- Follow me, we're going to go through the dining room,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22into the kitchen.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24A nice size.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26So, you've got doors here, should you want to close it up.
0:23:26 > 0:23:27Excellent.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29And not a bad sized kitchen, at all.
0:23:29 > 0:23:32No. No, it's nice. It's a nice size.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Yes, I think there's plenty of potential
0:23:34 > 0:23:36and scope for updating.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39- They call it the breakfast room, the owners.- Right.
0:23:39 > 0:23:40You've got views on to your garden.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43It's a lovely space, and it's free flowing, which is what we wanted.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45Just what you've shown us, so far...
0:23:45 > 0:23:47Yeah, I think there's quite a bit of potential there.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51- Definitely.- Well, on that note let's head upstairs.- OK.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55A galleried landing with a study
0:23:55 > 0:23:58leads to three double bedrooms.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00There's also a family bathroom,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03and at the back of the house, overlooking the garden,
0:24:03 > 0:24:04is the master bedroom.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09It's very light - the double aspect is fantastic.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11And a high ceiling.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14A high ceiling - no whacking your head, and...an en-suite.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17An en-suite, which we're... We love.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20We're going to go back downstairs, out the front door,
0:24:20 > 0:24:21because you, young man,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23have your own front door.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24Good, I like that!
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Follow me.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31Adjoining the property is an extension built in 1989.
0:24:32 > 0:24:39So, with its own entrance, we come to the second part of the property.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41- Yes.- Wow!
0:24:41 > 0:24:43You weren't expecting this, were you?
0:24:43 > 0:24:44- No!- That's very nice, yes.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46That's very deceiving.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49You've got kitchen, through there.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51You've got the bedrooms down the hallway,
0:24:51 > 0:24:53which I'm going to take you to,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55and you've got all of this space, as well,
0:24:55 > 0:24:56leading out to the garden.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58- Right, yes.- Wow.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Looks good.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02To the back of the annexe is the smaller bedroom
0:25:02 > 0:25:03with its own bathroom.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07So this would be the larger of the two.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09- That's a very nice size.- Yeah?
0:25:09 > 0:25:10Very nice.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12Generous bathroom, as well.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13- Ah, excellent.- Right.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15- The sun is shining.- Gorgeous!
0:25:15 > 0:25:17Let's take a look at the back garden.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18- Yep.- Have a bit more of a chat.
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- I'm also going to ask you about the price.- Yes.
0:25:22 > 0:25:24The mature gardens surrounding the property
0:25:24 > 0:25:27have been specially designed to be low-maintenance.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33Now, I, personally, think this is a charming garden.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It's been divided up - on that side you've got your vegetable patch.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39- Yes, yeah. - It looks really good.- Lastly...
0:25:39 > 0:25:42You're boys, you will have noticed it already...
0:25:42 > 0:25:43The garage.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45- Yes.- Oh, yes.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48In the back of our minds, we were thinking for the business.
0:25:48 > 0:25:49- Yes.- Yes.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- Do you like that idea? - Yep, we do.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55So, er, what are we thinking - asking price for this property?
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Well, I would guess...
0:25:57 > 0:25:59695.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01OK. All right. Interesting.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I'm going to go on the higher side of that - 750.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08750... Well, this is under your budget.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- Ahh...!- Ahh...!
0:26:10 > 0:26:11The asking price is...
0:26:12 > 0:26:15..650,000.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18- Ah. Right.- That definitely leaves a bit of space.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21- Well, that's, um... That is very encouraging.- Very.- Yes.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Do you fancy having another look around, now you know that price?
0:26:24 > 0:26:26- Very much.- I think we very much would like to, yes.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- Off you go, the two of you - explore.- Thank you.- Enjoy.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35A hefty £100,000 under budget
0:26:35 > 0:26:38means Peter, Richard and their families
0:26:38 > 0:26:41could make substantial changes to this detached house
0:26:41 > 0:26:43and its annexe to suit their needs.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45It's got just the number of bedrooms
0:26:45 > 0:26:46to accommodate the two families
0:26:46 > 0:26:49and a garden already set up for the good life -
0:26:49 > 0:26:52but with space for Richard's young children to play, too.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Now I think we'd need probably about
0:26:53 > 0:26:56- 20K to do this, and 20K to do your kitchen.- Yeah.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58I know we are eating the budget up,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00but at least it's there, isn't it?
0:27:00 > 0:27:01Yeah, we can do it.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05As far as this house is concerned, I'm excited enough
0:27:05 > 0:27:06to say I am virtually certain
0:27:06 > 0:27:08we will bring Anne and Ruth here,
0:27:08 > 0:27:10to have a look.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13I'm not a very emotional person with things like this,
0:27:13 > 0:27:15but it's got a LOT of the things we want,
0:27:15 > 0:27:19and the chance to put our own kitchen in how we'd want it,
0:27:19 > 0:27:23make the bedrooms and the outside space our own, as well...
0:27:23 > 0:27:24It would be very good.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26- How are we doing? - Very well, thank you.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29- Yeah, very good. - Seen enough on your own?
0:27:29 > 0:27:31Yes, thanks.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33So, two houses in one for our second property.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Yep, yep.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- Right, time for us now to hit the road.- Great.- Fantastic.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46It's the second day of our tour of Wiltshire
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and Richard and Peter from the Portsmouth area of Hampshire
0:27:49 > 0:27:53have the princely sum of £750,000 to spend
0:27:53 > 0:27:55on a two-in-one property for their families.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57They're hoping to find somewhere
0:27:57 > 0:27:59with the potential to base their business,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02and with a garden big enough for Richard's two young children
0:28:02 > 0:28:04to explore.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07We'll be asking them to employ a vivid imagination
0:28:07 > 0:28:08with our mystery house.
0:28:08 > 0:28:11It is a tremendous space, it has so much potential.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14And I'll be doing my bit to help restore one of the country's
0:28:14 > 0:28:16greatest cathedrals.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18I'm your apprentice.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25Peter and Richard have a high list of demands and requirements,
0:28:25 > 0:28:27looking for that perfect property for not one,
0:28:27 > 0:28:29but two families.
0:28:29 > 0:28:31Now, it is a tough ask,
0:28:31 > 0:28:33but I think yesterday's houses
0:28:33 > 0:28:36certainly gave them everything they wanted.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Now, although very different in terms of style and budget,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42it showed both our chaps the possibilities.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45So, I'm hoping today with our mystery house -
0:28:45 > 0:28:48well, it's going to push them just that little bit further.
0:28:48 > 0:28:53Travelling 31 miles north-east takes us back into Wiltshire
0:28:53 > 0:28:57and the village of Hullavington seven miles north of Chippenham.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00The village is situated on the edge of the so-called stone belt -
0:29:00 > 0:29:03the Wiltshire Cotswolds.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Many of its older houses are made from local rag stone,
0:29:06 > 0:29:08giving them a very distinctive look.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Hullavington is well serviced with a pub, a village hall,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13a parish church
0:29:13 > 0:29:15and a primary school.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18On the edge of the village is our third and final property,
0:29:18 > 0:29:21with a rather interesting addition that gives it the title
0:29:21 > 0:29:22of our mystery house.
0:29:22 > 0:29:23- Right.- Wow.
0:29:23 > 0:29:26Well, you've managed to find one even different to the other two!
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Yes! Very, very different.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Any ideas why it might be the mystery house?
0:29:31 > 0:29:34Erm...
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Possibly what's behind you?
0:29:36 > 0:29:38You spotted it!
0:29:38 > 0:29:40The Baptist chapel - not in use anymore,
0:29:40 > 0:29:43but...ripe for conversion.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45Ahhh!
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- So you said you didn't mind a project.- Yes.
0:29:47 > 0:29:49So you've got a very old cottage.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52- Yes.- Really nice. - This dates back to around the 1830s.
0:29:52 > 0:29:53- OK.- Right.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56- Shall we start with the chapel first?- Yes!- Shall we?- Why not?
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Between the house and the chapel
0:30:01 > 0:30:03lies a small graveyard.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06Because it's a work in progress, the chapel...
0:30:06 > 0:30:08- Thank you very much.- There we go.
0:30:08 > 0:30:10Right, are we ready?
0:30:10 > 0:30:11- Yes.- Yes.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14The detached chapel built from Cotswold stone
0:30:14 > 0:30:15dates back to 1820
0:30:15 > 0:30:19and until recently was used by a local farmer as a fodder store.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21So, gentlemen,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24here is your chapel.
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Right...!
0:30:26 > 0:30:28It is a tremendous space.
0:30:28 > 0:30:30It has so much potential.
0:30:30 > 0:30:32- Yes. So is it listed?- It is.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35The cottage isn't, but the chapel is.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37- Right.- But, the good news is,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39planning permission has already been granted.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42- Ahh...- OK.- The permission at the moment has been granted
0:30:42 > 0:30:45that you keep the mezzanine floor, so you've got two layers,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48and then you actually extend out, into the garden.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50- Right. - Two-bedroom chapel conversion.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Right, very interesting!
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Yeah! Richard, if you want to lead the way back to the cottage,
0:30:56 > 0:30:58we'll start on your accommodation.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Mind your heads.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05This period cottage has been extended twice,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08giving it just the space Richard needs for his young family.
0:31:09 > 0:31:10So, welcome to your cottage.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13Actually, I don't think we need these now, it's quite safe.
0:31:13 > 0:31:15- Good.- And here it is.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19As you can see, it's pretty big.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- It's huge.- Yes, it is. - Lovely-sized room.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24In actual fact, this used to be two cottages.
0:31:24 > 0:31:25- Right.- OK.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28Plenty of character, plenty of charm.
0:31:28 > 0:31:29Plenty of height.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Plenty of height.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34Just off the sitting room is another area,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36which could be a playroom for the children,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and off on the other side is the kitchen.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Now with this kitchen, as you can see... Look at the beams!
0:31:42 > 0:31:44Wonderful, aren't they?
0:31:44 > 0:31:45It's a long galley kitchen,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48and the way it's been designed makes the most of the views out the window.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50- Yes, lovely.- Lovely, very nice.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52It looks quite compact.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54I was hoping to get something a bit bigger,
0:31:54 > 0:31:57but I think there's scope here to do something different.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Downstairs there are also two studies and a conservatory
0:32:01 > 0:32:05and moving upstairs, the warren of rooms continues.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08- So there are two staircases. - OK.- Right.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- Because it did used to be two cottages.- Yes.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14So, on this side, you've got the master bedroom,
0:32:14 > 0:32:17and you've got the en-suite.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20and then on the other side - you could actually knock through -
0:32:20 > 0:32:22you've got two further bedrooms
0:32:22 > 0:32:24and another family bathroom.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- Right.- Excellent. Stunning view.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29Hopefully, the drizzle will have stopped,
0:32:29 > 0:32:30so let's head back downstairs,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32and you can tell me what you think
0:32:32 > 0:32:34all of this is on the market for.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39The landscaped gardens also feature a sun terrace
0:32:39 > 0:32:43and offers endless rural views over the neighbouring farmland.
0:32:45 > 0:32:46So you do have
0:32:46 > 0:32:48a delightful garden,
0:32:48 > 0:32:52and this is where the extension of the chapel would come out.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Right, yes, yes.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Stunning garden. Space for some animals.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59And we're north of the M4.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02- Right. OK.- So for you to get back to Southampton,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04we're thinking around an hour and 20 minutes.
0:33:04 > 0:33:06- Oh, brilliant. Very good.- Perfect.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08- An important part to discuss is the business.- Yes.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12Now, we don't have anything here, unless you wanted to put it on site,
0:33:12 > 0:33:15if you wanted to build like a bigger shed or something over there.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17But we've looked into it.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Malmsbury, which is beautiful, is only 15 minutes away.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22There is office space to be had there,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25and it works out about £5,000 per year.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27- Right.- Big saving on what we're paying now.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30How do you feel about the business being off site?
0:33:30 > 0:33:32Well, it's currently off site anyway,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35so it would have to be looked at - the commute there and back,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38And there is space here that we could possibly create something
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- within the boundaries of this property.- Yes, yeah.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43There's plenty of rooms in the house for an office.
0:33:43 > 0:33:48So how much, then, is our mystery house and chapel on the market for?
0:33:48 > 0:33:51I would like to think that it was 500,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54but my guess is, it might be 550 -
0:33:54 > 0:33:56500 to 550.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59- Give me your final figure? - 550.- OK.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01Erm, looking at what's here and what's to do, erm,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03I'm erring on the side of higher,
0:34:03 > 0:34:06so I think 625.
0:34:06 > 0:34:11The asking price for all of this - both properties -
0:34:11 > 0:34:13£500,000.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14- Oh!- Excellent!
0:34:14 > 0:34:18That does leave you a quarter of a million pounds to spend.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20But the one thing I will say is,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23you haven't found that perfect property.
0:34:23 > 0:34:24No.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27What this does is come way under budget,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29- and you could potentially create it. - Make it.- Yes.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32The mystery house and chapel hasn't scared you, has it, at all?
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- No, no. Not at all!- Inspired.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Good - "inspired". Go and be further inspired.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41Have another look around, and, well, tell me when you're ready.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43- Excellent, will do.- Will do. - Thanks, guys.- Thank you.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- Stay out of the rain. - We'll try.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48Our mystery house is offering Richard and Peter
0:34:48 > 0:34:51the chance to really put their own stamp on these two properties,
0:34:51 > 0:34:56coming in at an astounding £250,000 under budget.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00There are also various possibilities for their business,
0:35:00 > 0:35:02and sitting in three quarters of an acre of land,
0:35:02 > 0:35:05the children would love running around the beautiful gardens
0:35:05 > 0:35:08with its splendid views.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10I love it. I actually really do like it.
0:35:10 > 0:35:12Very excited about bringing the family here.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15I think our wives will think we've probably bitten off
0:35:15 > 0:35:17a little bit more than we can chew.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19If they fall in love with the garden and the house -
0:35:19 > 0:35:22and I think there's a lot to fall in love with there -
0:35:22 > 0:35:26I think they might be as enthusiastic about the project
0:35:26 > 0:35:27as, erm, we are. Yes.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31That's it, gentlemen, you've seen all our properties.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33It's gone so quickly.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35- Yes, it has, hasn't it, yeah? - Very quick.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38I'm interested now to find out, have we got close with any of them?
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Are the girls going to be revisiting them soon?
0:35:41 > 0:35:42I think so.
0:35:42 > 0:35:44Let's go and have a chat and find out.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Wiltshire is home to a fine display of architecture,
0:35:50 > 0:35:54and we've only scratched the surface on our visit here.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56But there's no denying
0:35:56 > 0:35:59one of the most resplendent examples in the county
0:35:59 > 0:36:01is 800-year-old Salisbury Cathedral,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04proudly showing off its early English Gothic construction.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Its 123-metre spire is the tallest in England.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11Robert Key's been closely involved with the cathedral
0:36:11 > 0:36:14since he was a young boy, when he joined as a chorister.
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Rob, I mean, Salisbury Cathedral -
0:36:16 > 0:36:18it is such an impressive, imposing building!
0:36:18 > 0:36:22You can see that spire for literally miles and miles around.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24It's breathtaking, isn't it?
0:36:24 > 0:36:26And every day people in Wiltshire know
0:36:26 > 0:36:28they're living with an engineering wonder,
0:36:28 > 0:36:30and the finest medieval cathedral in Europe.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32Why is it so special?
0:36:32 > 0:36:34Why is it head and shoulders above other cathedrals?
0:36:34 > 0:36:37It's relevant to our everyday life.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38And why's that?
0:36:38 > 0:36:42Because inside is the finest of the four surviving copies
0:36:42 > 0:36:43of the Magna Carta.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47The Magna Carta was a document drawn up which resulted
0:36:47 > 0:36:50in the birth of democratic English law
0:36:50 > 0:36:52which followed throughout the world.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54It meant there were laws of the land to abide by,
0:36:54 > 0:36:57taking power away from the king.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59So how old is the Magna Carta?
0:36:59 > 0:37:01800 years next year.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04On the 15th of June, 1215,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06it was sealed - never signed -
0:37:06 > 0:37:09the king didn't sign at Runnymede,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11and it was brought here
0:37:11 > 0:37:13and it has stayed here ever since.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17So this beautiful cathedral looks after one of the most important
0:37:17 > 0:37:19English historical documents -
0:37:19 > 0:37:21and it takes a lot of work
0:37:21 > 0:37:23to look after the building itself,
0:37:23 > 0:37:26to keep it in such pristine condition.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Hi, Gary. Good to meet you.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30Hi, Nicki. Nice to meet you.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Gary Price is responsible for a 32-year restoration project
0:37:33 > 0:37:36that started in 1986 -
0:37:36 > 0:37:38when he was just 17 years old -
0:37:38 > 0:37:41and it will finish in four years' time.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44So you're in charge of all the artisan stonemasons
0:37:44 > 0:37:46- that are helping to repair the cathedral?- Yeah.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49So, Gary, what causes the erosion?
0:37:49 > 0:37:50The weather, the elements...
0:37:50 > 0:37:53The wind and the rain, pollution, frost...
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Just looking at this particular stone here,
0:37:55 > 0:37:57it looks like it's crumbling before our eyes.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59Yeah, it is.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01If I just show you a little bit that's fallen off here,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05you can see that you can, literally, just crumble it away with your hands.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Basically, all the goodness has come out of that stone now.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09It's almost like a rotten bit of timber, really,
0:38:09 > 0:38:13we couldn't mortar repair, we couldn't conserve that particular stone,
0:38:13 > 0:38:15we'd probably need to replace it.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Gary has 11 stonemasons in the workshop,
0:38:19 > 0:38:22all skilled at chiselling the local Chicksgrove stone
0:38:22 > 0:38:26to replicate and replace or conserve the deteriorating pieces.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28Would you like to have a go?
0:38:28 > 0:38:32I would. I'm presuming it takes years and years of practice,
0:38:32 > 0:38:34- apprenticeship, to be good at it. - Yes, yes, it does.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37- I'm not going to damage anything, am I?- No, no, it's fine.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38It's just a practice piece.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41The stonemasons make it look so easy when they do it and you think...
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- They do!- ..and you think, "I could, I could do that," you know.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46How many years does it take to qualify?
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- Five years.- Go on, then, you show me. Here we go.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52- It's kind of slow and steady, really.- Right.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55You need to keep this going for eight hours, if you're a stonemason,
0:38:55 > 0:38:57so if you pretend you've got a bit of paper under your arm,
0:38:57 > 0:38:59and you need to keep that bit of paper there,
0:38:59 > 0:39:01that's how you do it.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Basically, what you're trying to do is nibble away at the stone,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07a little bit at a time.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09Gary, when we were standing by the cathedral
0:39:09 > 0:39:10and I was looking at the stone -
0:39:10 > 0:39:12obviously, I've an inexperienced eye -
0:39:12 > 0:39:15but they all look as if they were slightly different sizes.
0:39:15 > 0:39:17They are all slightly different,
0:39:17 > 0:39:20and because of that, we need to take bespoke templates
0:39:20 > 0:39:22for every single stone.
0:39:22 > 0:39:24That is why it's so time-consuming.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- Would you like to have a go? - I'd love to.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28I'm your apprentice.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30So, just...
0:39:30 > 0:39:33- That's it. - I don't want to go too deep.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36I'll look at Salisbury cathedral and think -
0:39:36 > 0:39:38I played a very small part in its conservation.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40This is a true art form, isn't it?
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- Be honest.- It is.- How am I doing? - Yeah, all right. Yeah.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47So, when this is finished, what's the next step?
0:39:47 > 0:39:48Where does it go?
0:39:48 > 0:39:52It will then go up onto the scaffold and be fixed on the building.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54And that's where we're heading next
0:39:54 > 0:39:57to see how these finely-crafted pieces of stonework
0:39:57 > 0:40:00find a home in the fabric of this splendid cathedral.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- We're going to have the best view in the house.- Yeah.
0:40:03 > 0:40:07An external lift is taking us up to the north-east side of the cathedral,
0:40:07 > 0:40:11the area that's currently undergoing restoration.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14This is the final resting place for our stone.
0:40:14 > 0:40:17As you can see here, we have new stone and old stone.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21The stone is exactly the same age, geologically -
0:40:21 > 0:40:24it's just that this has been above ground for 800 years more than this.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27I suppose in 100, 200 years it will start looking like that again.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Yes, yes, it will.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32So when it's done, will you have to start all over again?
0:40:32 > 0:40:34No, there will be maintenance to do on the cathedral,
0:40:34 > 0:40:36but it won't be the scale
0:40:36 > 0:40:39of scaffolding all over the building.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41It will be left for future generations to come.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44In two or three generations' time we'll pick up where we left off.
0:40:44 > 0:40:46Keeping it in the magnificence it deserves,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49the final resting place for the Magna Carta.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51- Yeah.- Gary, thank you very much indeed.- You're welcome.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03Well, I hope the weather hasn't dampened Peter and Richard's spirits
0:41:03 > 0:41:05when it comes to our property.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08But I wonder which one they'll be telling their wives about.
0:41:08 > 0:41:09Shall we go and ask them?
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Do you think you've done your wives proud
0:41:15 > 0:41:17with this house hunt here in Wiltshire?
0:41:17 > 0:41:20- Yeah, I think so.- Yeah.- Yes?
0:41:20 > 0:41:23So you're going to go home quietly confident.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Well, quietly confident that we have a couple
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- well worth their while viewing, yes. - Ahh, that's good.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31I think you've done them proud.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33So, tell me, which are the two?
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Well, I like your mystery house.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I'm quite excited with what we could do with that.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42You mentioned another property.
0:41:42 > 0:41:43Yep, the second property.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45It's very interesting.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47It has, again, a lot of potential there,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50at a price that we can actually make work for us,
0:41:50 > 0:41:53and bring up to our level of what we want.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Is there a preference?
0:41:55 > 0:41:56Or are they both equal?
0:41:56 > 0:41:58For me, the mystery house.
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Hmm. Peter?
0:42:00 > 0:42:02I think I would go for the mystery house.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04My only slight reservation is,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07we need to be able to fix the business up on site,
0:42:07 > 0:42:09and it isn't immediately obvious where that goes.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12But, yes, the mystery house.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14So, Peter, what's the next step going to be?
0:42:14 > 0:42:17- Well, we're definitely going to come back.- Excellent news.
0:42:17 > 0:42:18We want the two girls to come
0:42:18 > 0:42:21and see both the second and the third property.
0:42:21 > 0:42:22But, yes, we're quite excited.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25Brilliant. Well, listen, all the best.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27- Let us know how you get on, won't you?- We will!- Thank you.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Even though they think they're going to make the ultimate decision,
0:42:34 > 0:42:38we all know it's their lovely wives who are going to have the final say.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41But, nevertheless, I'm delighted that Peter and Richard
0:42:41 > 0:42:44feel confident enough to recommend two of our homes
0:42:44 > 0:42:46to their other halves.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49So, in my eyes, that's a job well done.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51See you next time.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54If you would like to Escape to the Country in Northern Ireland,
0:42:54 > 0:42:57Scotland, Wales or England
0:42:57 > 0:43:00and would like our help, please apply online: