0:00:02 > 0:00:04This parish church behind me is the only one in the whole
0:00:04 > 0:00:09of England that has a complete set of original, medieval stained glass.
0:00:09 > 0:00:12Find out exactly where I am in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Today, a married couple celebrating a ten-year union
0:00:33 > 0:00:36are in search of their first home together.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38How are you feeling?
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- Excited, relieved.- Are you?!- Yeah!
0:00:40 > 0:00:41Not as much as me!
0:00:43 > 0:00:47And I'm striving to give our buyers exactly what they want.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51That's the happiest, Sue, I've seen Charles all day.
0:00:51 > 0:00:52He does like his en-suite.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Today, I'm in the Cotswolds at
0:00:56 > 0:01:00St Marys Church, in the small Gloucestershire town of Fairford,
0:01:00 > 0:01:05and there has been a church here on this site since the 1100s.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08But this present structure has its origins in the
0:01:08 > 0:01:1215th century, which is when it was adorned with 28 stained and
0:01:12 > 0:01:18painted glass windows, featuring a visual account of the Bible's story.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23Now, it's remarkable to think that, some 500 years later, these iconic
0:01:23 > 0:01:26panes have survived, largely intact.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29And provide a kaleidoscope of colour,
0:01:29 > 0:01:34and a captivating history, very much like the Cotswolds landscape itself.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39The Cotswolds is a range of hills in the south-west of England,
0:01:39 > 0:01:44lying between Oxford and Bristol and covering 790 square miles.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47It's a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:01:47 > 0:01:49which dominates most of Gloucestershire,
0:01:49 > 0:01:53but also spills into Oxfordshire, as well as four other counties.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58The area abounds with gentle rolling hills and farmland,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01dissected by hedges and trees, with livestock hugging hillsides,
0:02:01 > 0:02:07and wild flowers providing bursts of colour, breaking up the vivid green.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Local limestone supplies the honey coloured stone that gives
0:02:10 > 0:02:12the Cotswolds its unique look.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Towns like Bourton-on-the-Water -
0:02:14 > 0:02:18known as The Venice of the Cotswolds - and Lower Slaughter,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20in the North of the region, present perfect
0:02:20 > 0:02:25examples of the architectural beauty in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30This delightful area attracts an estimated 38 million tourists a year
0:02:30 > 0:02:33from around the globe, and less than two hours from London and
0:02:33 > 0:02:37close to Oxford, the Cotswolds is a popular choice for people choosing
0:02:37 > 0:02:42to escape city life, whether permanently or as a weekend retreat.
0:02:44 > 0:02:45As you can imagine,
0:02:45 > 0:02:48bargains are hard to come by here in the Cotswolds.
0:02:48 > 0:02:54Average prices for a detached home start at £500,000.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58that's almost double the national figure, and for a home in one
0:02:58 > 0:03:03of the more sought after villages, you can easily pay double that.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06So what exactly are today's buyers after?
0:03:06 > 0:03:09Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12French teacher Charles and his wife, Sue, from Hemel Hempstead, in
0:03:12 > 0:03:16Hertfordshire, have had a blissfully happy union for ten years.
0:03:16 > 0:03:22We met in 2004, it was at a school ball, my eyes met on Sue,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24and the next morning I woke up and I thought,
0:03:24 > 0:03:26"That's my little present from God,"
0:03:26 > 0:03:30and from that day to this, I haven't changed my mind.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34Four years ago, they decided to make their partnership official.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38We got married in 2010, we got married in the school chapel
0:03:38 > 0:03:41and we went on honeymoon to the Cotswolds, which is where
0:03:41 > 0:03:43we're hoping to move to.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47The Gloucestershire Cotswolds is very close to both their hearts.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52When we first met, Sue was actually living in the Cotswolds,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55so she's got a very strong attachment to it, and I used
0:03:55 > 0:03:58to go visit her there, obviously, as often as I possibly could
0:03:58 > 0:04:01and I feel a very strong affinity to it, it's a very special area.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04There is lots of lovely countryside, lots of lovely towns to visit.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07Sue and Charles live in a flat in the boarding school where
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Charles works in Hemel Hempstead, which couldn't be more different
0:04:10 > 0:04:12to the area of their dreams.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16It's large and sprawling and very populated,
0:04:16 > 0:04:21and I just can't wait to get back to more rural living.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24My lifestyle is wonderful, I love every aspect of it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:27I love my job, I have lots of activities in the area.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32I sing in the local choir, play chess, but I think that it's missing
0:04:32 > 0:04:36one or two key aspects, which is why we want to escape to the country.
0:04:36 > 0:04:37Checkmate!
0:04:37 > 0:04:40We wanted to have a place where we can have Sue's daughters,
0:04:40 > 0:04:43my stepchildren, to stay, where we can invite guests to come for
0:04:43 > 0:04:46the weekend and where we're a bit further away from London, as well.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50It's not just family and friends who are important in this move.
0:04:50 > 0:04:51Two-year-old Bertie,
0:04:51 > 0:04:54an English Pointer, will be heading to the country, too.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57We would like to be able to have a nice large garden
0:04:57 > 0:05:00he can run around in and hopefully, to be able to
0:05:00 > 0:05:04walk from the house, that is what I'm really looking forward to,
0:05:04 > 0:05:08- rather than clambering in the car every five minutes.- Yes.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Which is what we do now.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13So, with Sue's own house under offer and Charles'
0:05:13 > 0:05:16school flat kept on to accommodate him in term time, there's
0:05:16 > 0:05:21nothing stopping this lively couple from pursuing their rural dream.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24This is going to be the first property we've purchased together,
0:05:24 > 0:05:26I think it will be very exciting.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29- I expect Charles will end up doing as I say.- No change there!
0:05:29 > 0:05:34I'm hoping that we'll be able to buy and furnish it together,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38and so that he has his stamp on it, as well.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I think Sue will tell me what the perfect property is,
0:05:41 > 0:05:42and I will agree with her.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Sue adores the honey-coloured hues of Cotswold stone
0:05:48 > 0:05:50and they both love the Gloucestershire
0:05:50 > 0:05:53part of the region where the stone houses are abundant.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57So we're concentrating our search around the town of Cirencester.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00But before we begin our hunt for a country home for
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Sue and Charles, I've come to meet them
0:06:02 > 0:06:05to get a better picture of what it is they're looking for.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09So, Sue and Charles, welcome to the Cotswolds,
0:06:09 > 0:06:10beautiful part of the world.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13We are finding a home for both of you. That's correct, isn't it?
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- It's the first home you are going to have bought together.- It is.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18Sue, this is going to be your home full-time.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21Charles, you're going to come down as many times as you can.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22As often as I can, yes.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25So what are we looking for, then, with this perfect family home?
0:06:25 > 0:06:28- We want a detached house.- Yes. - With a nice garden.- Yes.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30A flat garden.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- And we want it somewhere near where we can walk the dog.- Right.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38And a nice fireplace and, most importantly, a nice little man cave
0:06:38 > 0:06:41that I can call my own, with a nice sturdy lock on the door.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44I do love your honesty, Charles. What about you, Sue?
0:06:44 > 0:06:46- Do you agree?- Um, yes. - What would you like?
0:06:46 > 0:06:50I could embellish. Stone, I think is important,
0:06:50 > 0:06:55ones in the Cotswolds, and I would stretch it from garden to land,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58I could quite see an acre, with outbuildings.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01- So, ideally you do want a bit of land.- Yeah.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04We also wanted to be within close reach of, sort of,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07a nice deli, coffee shoppy sort of place,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10so in the morning, you know, after a nice cooked breakfast
0:07:10 > 0:07:13I can stroll into town and have a coffee and...
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- Now, this is a first, normally... - A newspaper. Yes.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18..and I don't like to stereotype people,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21the gentlemen always want to be quite close to a pub.
0:07:21 > 0:07:22Edge of a village, close to a pub.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26You, Charles, have taken it to another league. A deli-stroke-cafe.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- That's it.- Any compromises?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30Is there a deal-breaker anywhere along the line?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Because I'm slightly concerned about the list of wants.
0:07:33 > 0:07:40I think that if I had to have a painted house, rather than
0:07:40 > 0:07:43a stone house, I'd compromise there, if everything else was correct.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Well, I'm certainly looking forward to the next few days, we've got
0:07:47 > 0:07:51some houses lined up to show you, remind me again of your budget.
0:07:51 > 0:07:56At the very top end, 550. Something for 500 would be perfect.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Well, I think we should finish our tea and coffee, because weather
0:07:59 > 0:08:02might be clearing and we can start with our first property
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Oh, brilliant. Looking forward to it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Sue and Charles have a generous budget, but they've chosen a pricey
0:08:10 > 0:08:14region and they've got some rather exacting requirements in mind.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17They'd like a detached stone house, with at least three bedrooms,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20so Sue's two daughters and friends can visit.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21They want big, level grounds
0:08:21 > 0:08:25for their dog Bertie to run around, with plenty of walking opportunities
0:08:25 > 0:08:28nearby, and they're hoping to be close to a community,
0:08:28 > 0:08:34where Charles is looking forward to enjoying local shops and cafes.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37We've searched the county and have chosen three excellent properties,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41one of which could become Sue and Charles' first joint home.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45And only after they've viewed each house will they find out its cost.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Our final visit will be to the Mystery House, which may be
0:08:48 > 0:08:51taking them slightly off-piste, but will hopefully give them
0:08:51 > 0:08:54something they didn't even know they wanted.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02How do you feel, Sue, about, you know, primarily living on your own
0:09:02 > 0:09:04every week, because it's only going to be the weekends
0:09:04 > 0:09:08and the holidays that Charles is going to come to see you.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10I think the weeks will go by so quickly,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14time just flies, anyhow, and Bertie - the dog, this is -
0:09:14 > 0:09:17he'll be a great companion for when Charles isn't there.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20So, Charles, are you looking forwards to spending
0:09:20 > 0:09:23weekdays at the school but then weekends escaping to the Cotswolds?
0:09:23 > 0:09:29I can't wait to having blissful weeks at school, able to leave
0:09:29 > 0:09:32my shoes where I like, the remote control in random places.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Able to find everything, because it won't have been tidied up!
0:09:35 > 0:09:38And then at the weekends, of course, going back to the countryside,
0:09:38 > 0:09:40are you looking forward to it, as well, Charles?
0:09:40 > 0:09:42I am hugely, actually.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47We're kicking off our trip in Gloucestershire on the eastern
0:09:47 > 0:09:49edge of the Cotswolds.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52The hamlet of Netherton, just on the outskirts of the village
0:09:52 > 0:09:56of Quenington, is eight miles east of Cirencester.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59Quenington displays the typical Cotswolds stone cottages
0:09:59 > 0:10:02and dry stone walls the region is famous for.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05It's home to a sociable community, with great country
0:10:05 > 0:10:07walks their dog Bertie would love.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10And the nearby market town of Fairford with its cafes, restaurants
0:10:10 > 0:10:14and shops will give Charles the thriving centre he's hoping for.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17An eight-minute drive takes us back to Netherton.
0:10:18 > 0:10:24So, our very first property, it's quite an unusual layout,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- it's the property right in the centre.- Wow!
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- So that's a different property there and a different property there?- Yes.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32- Right.- Victorian barn.- Yes.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Dates back to about 1850, and in 1995 they were converted into
0:10:35 > 0:10:38six separate dwellings,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- so you do have neighbours, I think it's fair to say.- Yes.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- Which wasn't on the wish list.- No.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48But I think this property does have merits.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50So what do you think? First impressions.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55I think it's very balanced looking, I love the stone,
0:10:55 > 0:10:56I like the roof tiles.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Charles, what's your first impression?
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- It's not detached.- It's not, no.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- Which was the number-one thing on our list.- Right.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06And who does this garden belong to? Is that jointly owned or...
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Yes, that's owned by the community.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09Is there more garden around the back?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- I can't give too much away, Charles.- OK.
0:11:11 > 0:11:14Can't give too much away!
0:11:14 > 0:11:16- But what do you think of the property itself?- It's lovely.
0:11:16 > 0:11:21Yes, I think it's all plus, apart from that they're attached.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23Well, let's step inside
0:11:23 > 0:11:25and see if the property itself changes your mind.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27OK. Thank you.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30This delightful barn may have next-door neighbours,
0:11:30 > 0:11:34but this area is one of the most costly in the country, and even
0:11:34 > 0:11:37on our buyers' generous budget of over half a million pounds,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41compromises have to be made to give them the space and garden they want.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Leading off a spacious hallway is the first reception room.
0:11:47 > 0:11:50- Charles is smiling at me!- Oh, that's very nice.- Yeah?- Yes.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- You're not going to get excited about a hallway, are you?- No.
0:11:53 > 0:11:57- No.- It is a very nice hallway.- I like him!
0:11:57 > 0:11:59OK, let's start with the sitting room.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04So, what do you make of the sitting room?
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Well, it's very light, which is very nice.
0:12:06 > 0:12:11Because you've probably gathered, this property isn't enormous.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13It's quite a small building, but I think they've made
0:12:13 > 0:12:16the most of it and the ceilings do give you much more space.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19Yes, it makes it airy. Yes.
0:12:19 > 0:12:25- So, apart from size, I think it's a lovely room.- Great.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28All of the downstairs rooms lead off from the hallway, and next
0:12:28 > 0:12:32to the sitting room is the kitchen, also with views to the garden.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37It's nicely appointed, it's very attractively done,
0:12:37 > 0:12:42but in my mind, I was thinking of, sort of, farmhouse table.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Right, yes.- Maybe a sofa.- Yep.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47So, it's a living kitchen, so the dog can be in the kitchen,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50you don't really want the dog all through the house.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Possibly it's not the right sort of size for our needs.
0:12:54 > 0:12:57- I actually quite like something quite small.- He likes small, yeah.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- I think it's just less hassle.- Yeah.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03Charles likes small and I always seem to want colossal,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06but we've got to try to get a happy medium.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09On the other side of the hallway is a dining room at the front
0:13:09 > 0:13:12of the house and a double bedroom and bathroom at the back.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15And upstairs, the rooms are in the eaves with skylights to the
0:13:15 > 0:13:17front and back.
0:13:17 > 0:13:21So, when this barn was originally converted, it was just
0:13:21 > 0:13:25the downstairs, and then the owners before decided to put two
0:13:25 > 0:13:29bedrooms upstairs, as well. So you've got a double here,
0:13:29 > 0:13:33you've got another bathroom and then one just across the way.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35Come on! Talk to me, Sue!
0:13:35 > 0:13:37Erm... Bijou.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Bijou. Good word.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42Very attractive, I'm looking for more space, you know,
0:13:42 > 0:13:47- a bit more elbow room.- Yeah. - Let's say.- And Charles?
0:13:47 > 0:13:49I always agree with Sue, because it's safer that way,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- but, actually I think I genuinely agree with her on this one.- Yeah.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I think it's beautifully done
0:13:54 > 0:13:57and I think the vendor has just done it absolutely stunningly.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03But I think what I feel is, I feel either side I've got people there.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06There's no getting away from the fact that this property isn't
0:14:06 > 0:14:09detached, but I'm hoping the beautiful gardens, which
0:14:09 > 0:14:13belong to this house, may change things as the outside space is
0:14:13 > 0:14:16so important to Sue and Charles - and their dog.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19So, it's quite formal, I don't know how your dog will cope.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21He would have this garden up.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24He would make short shrift of the plants.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26No! It's so stunning, isn't it?
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- It is stunning!- It's a beautiful garden.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31- Do you think so?- It's absolutely beautiful.- Stunning.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32- It is, yes.- Yes.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35I think this is one of the most beautifully kept gardens that
0:14:35 > 0:14:36I've seen.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38So I think we've discussed
0:14:38 > 0:14:40everything that there is to know about the barn, but we haven't
0:14:40 > 0:14:44put a price on it. So how much do you think it is on the market for?
0:14:44 > 0:14:50Well, it is a beautiful house but it is terraced, effectively,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54so I would put it on at 535.
0:14:54 > 0:14:59OK. Now, I might put it a bit more. 545?
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- 545. Now, your budget, your top budget was £550,000.- Yes.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- But you wanted, ideally, for a house around £500,000.- Yes.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Didn't you? The asking price for this property,
0:15:09 > 0:15:14and it's only just gone on the market, is £445,000.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- Oh!- I like it a lot more! - Wow.- Yeah.- Really?- Yes.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24I am absolutely amazed and it's a lovely surprise, actually.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Yeah. Well, why don't you explore, have another look on your own,
0:15:27 > 0:15:32- and give me a shout when you are ready. Off you go.- Thank you.
0:15:32 > 0:15:35It is the most perfect home.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38Perfect, but I think they're being honest.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42It's just that little bit too small for their needs.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Such a shame. Such a shame.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46But it's only house number one.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49This converted barn is full of character
0:15:49 > 0:15:53and comes in at £105,000 under our buyers' top budget,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56giving them plenty left in the pot to play with.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00It may not be detached, but it is built from the local stone
0:16:00 > 0:16:04Sue adores, and has just the number of bedrooms they want.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07It has superb gardens and is close to many scenic paths
0:16:07 > 0:16:11perfect for walking Bertie, and it's not too far from civilisation,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14which will suit Charles down to the ground.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Look at the strawberries!
0:16:17 > 0:16:19It's lovely, it's so well tended for.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Yes. That's a nice looking shed, that can be your man cave.
0:16:23 > 0:16:24Yes.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27I thought that it was very beautiful.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31I loved the stone, I loved the roof tiles but straightaway,
0:16:31 > 0:16:35very aware of the attached buildings either side.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38It's an absolutely lovely house, I think the garden,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41which is beautiful, and exquisitely done,
0:16:41 > 0:16:44I think our dog would tear it up in a moment.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Right, you two, how are you feeling?
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Well, it is a delightful, immaculately appointed house,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55but I don't think it is going to quite do it for us.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Just a little bit too small?
0:16:57 > 0:16:59- Just a little bit too small.- OK.
0:16:59 > 0:17:00- Well, it's only our first property.- Yes.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03- Got more to show you. - Brilliant.- Thank you.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Sue and Charles are animal lovers and foodies, so we've arranged for
0:17:11 > 0:17:14them to visit Hunts Court Farm in the Forest of Dean in the north-west
0:17:14 > 0:17:18corner of Gloucestershire, where Charles Martell, an award-winning
0:17:18 > 0:17:23cheese maker, makes a unique product from the milk from his local cows.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26You've come to Gloucestershire, so the one thing you'll expect to see
0:17:26 > 0:17:27are Gloucester cows.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30They are quite rare, so you won't see them in every field,
0:17:30 > 0:17:34but we keep about 14 of them, which we use for cheese making.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37How do you distinguish the old Gloucester cows?
0:17:37 > 0:17:40It's the white tail. The white tail and the white stripe on the back.
0:17:40 > 0:17:41How endangered is this breed?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Well, it's very endangered in the sense that there
0:17:43 > 0:17:48are about 500 females left, but in 1972, when we came to the farm,
0:17:48 > 0:17:50there was just 68 left in the world.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The region is famous for its double Gloucester cheese,
0:17:53 > 0:17:56but 20 years ago, Charles invented and developed a cheese
0:17:56 > 0:17:59he produces with milk from his herd.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03It's soft and pungent, and lives up to its name - Stinking Bishop.
0:18:04 > 0:18:10Do you think your cheese has made awareness of these beautiful cows?
0:18:10 > 0:18:12I'd say a massive yes, and that's been wonderful
0:18:12 > 0:18:14because those cows are all I care about.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16They are very, very handsome.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18I'm glad you think so, because I do, too!
0:18:18 > 0:18:22The milk from Charles' cows, plus more from neighbouring farms,
0:18:22 > 0:18:26produces about three-quarters of a tonne of the smelly cheese a week.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29He's the only producer in the world of his rather pongy invention
0:18:29 > 0:18:35and it's sold to 27 countries - including fromage-loving France.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38And ten years ago, Charles got a Royal seal of approval
0:18:38 > 0:18:42from one of his esteemed customers, the Prince of Wales.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45Right, here we've got cheese, it's quite pale in colour
0:18:45 > 0:18:48but when it's finished it has to be a dark red. Now, to encourage
0:18:48 > 0:18:52the red to grow, we need to wash it in perry.
0:18:53 > 0:18:57Perry is like cider but made from pears grown on Charles' farm.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00It's poured into a bowl of brine before the cheese's rind is
0:19:00 > 0:19:02washed in the liquid.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04The alcohol kills off mould
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and creates the right conditions for bacteria to grow on the rind,
0:19:07 > 0:19:11giving the cheese its distinct smell and flavour.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14The reason we called it is it's a very smelly cheese and
0:19:14 > 0:19:19we didn't want somebody who likes mild cheddar to buy it by mistake
0:19:19 > 0:19:22and get home and call the health man saying that my cheese has gone off!
0:19:22 > 0:19:24- Ah!- Now you can see the red growing.- Yes.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27This is what we want to grow, and that is the brevibacterium linens,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31and as part of its growing process, it gives of a smell.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Does it taste as strong as it smells?
0:19:33 > 0:19:36No, obviously the outside is pretty strong and smelly,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39but the flavour that permeates it is much more gentle.
0:19:39 > 0:19:42The cheese is washed in the brine and perry solution once every
0:19:42 > 0:19:46three days and after about a month, it's ripe and ready to eat.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49And on site, Charles also makes a perry spirit,
0:19:49 > 0:19:52an accompaniment to wash down the cheese.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57- Now, here's the finished product.- Wow!
0:19:57 > 0:20:00And you can see it's very, very pink, very smelly.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04- Oh, yes! Definitely!- Oooh! - Quite a different colour.- Yes.
0:20:04 > 0:20:06It's quite rich-looking.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Charles says his cheese's bark is worse than its bite.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12I wonder if Sue and Charles will agree, it's won
0:20:12 > 0:20:15the crown for Britain's smelliest cheese!
0:20:15 > 0:20:17It's very smelly,
0:20:17 > 0:20:19pungent but smooth,
0:20:19 > 0:20:22and it's no other flavour I've ever tasted before.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24It's got a very strong flavour at the end, I like it very much.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Well, you'll have to come and live in Gloucestershire and you can eat this day in day out.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29Oh, definitely. Thank you!
0:20:29 > 0:20:32- There's a bit more for you to send you on your way.- Oh, fabulous.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Thank you so much.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Travelling 28 miles west takes us to our second house in the hamlet
0:20:40 > 0:20:43of Harescombe, one and a half miles from the village of Haresfield and
0:20:43 > 0:20:45five miles south of Gloucester,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47it's on the western edge of the Cotswolds.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50The pretty village of Haresfield has a great dining pub
0:20:50 > 0:20:53and fantastic views from the Haresfield Beacon
0:20:53 > 0:20:55across the valley to the River Severn.
0:20:55 > 0:20:57And with the Cotswolds way passing through it,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00there are plenty of great walking opportunities.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Back in rural Harescombe, which sits in the valley at the foot
0:21:03 > 0:21:07of the Beacon, is our second house, a semidetached period cottage
0:21:07 > 0:21:12which I'm hoping will please Sue and Charles, despite the dreadful rain.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It might be grey, and it might be wet,
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- but here is your second property. - Is it the whole of the property?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Have you got your eye on the whole of the property?
0:21:23 > 0:21:26- I'd like to but it's...- OK.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It is semidetached, but it's not a terrace.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32For house number two, we have gone for semidetached
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- but the proportions are much, much larger.- Right.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40Originally, this would've been three or four cottages, can you believe?
0:21:40 > 0:21:47- Wow.- Our house, the one that we're looking at, has been extended out the back. And is quite substantial.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51I like the Cotswold stone, so, so far so good.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Well, on that note, come on, let's get out of the rain.
0:21:55 > 0:21:59This cottage dates back to the 1800s and was built from Cotswold
0:21:59 > 0:22:00stone and tiles.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03Moving inside, we're starting off our tour in the sitting room
0:22:03 > 0:22:07with a wood-burning stove as its centrepiece.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10We sort of gravitate towards the fire.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13Oh, it's a nice, large fireplace. Is it inglenook?
0:22:13 > 0:22:17It is it is an inglenook. It's got the original bressummer beam there.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- Makes a really nice feature. - So, what do we think,
0:22:20 > 0:22:21as we walk through the door?
0:22:21 > 0:22:25I like the character and I like the size, yes,
0:22:25 > 0:22:27I think it's a homely room.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- Charles?- It's less detached than I would've liked,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34and I'm still slightly battling with that one.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- I feel as a house, there is more to do with it.- Yes.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- I think, than house number one. - You are absolutely right.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43You'd need to put your own mark on it.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46Next to the dining room in the middle of the house is the kitchen.
0:22:46 > 0:22:50So, with this kitchen, you really are in the heart of the home,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and the way they've set it up, you've got your dining room there
0:22:53 > 0:22:57next door and it looks out onto your garden.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00I do like ranges and that's absolutely fabulous.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03What about the size though, Sue?
0:23:03 > 0:23:07If I had the money to do it I'd actually have it re-designed and
0:23:07 > 0:23:11make it one big kitchen, so it would be a kitchen-stroke-living area.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14And how does our French master feel?
0:23:14 > 0:23:16I do like this kitchen a lot.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Well, let's keep going through.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22On the side of the property is a recent addition.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24A wood and glass garden room.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28It's green oak, the owner built it himself.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- It's gorgeous.- And guess what? It's got under floor heating!- Oh!
0:23:33 > 0:23:37The way they designed it was that they could use it all year round.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39I love this aspect here, looking out.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41- You get to look at your gardens. - Yeah.- All the way around.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44- Surrounded by flowers. - Yeah, it's beautiful.
0:23:44 > 0:23:48The plants are all in full bloom aren't they? Look at those flowers!
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- Yes. It's beautiful.- It's a lovely room, it's lovely and warm.- Yes.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53- Especially on a cold day.- Yes.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56I'm not sure what to think of Sue and Charles' reactions.
0:23:56 > 0:24:00Can they see beyond the fact that this house is not detached?
0:24:00 > 0:24:04Moving to the first floor, I want to show them the sleeping quarters.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08So, upstairs, this is where the house was extended, that was
0:24:08 > 0:24:10originally the outside wall.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14- Right.- So you've got a bedroom behind us,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16a second bedroom there,
0:24:16 > 0:24:21family bathroom, and then, come on in,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23because the third bedroom is the master.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26- It also has an en-suite.- Ah.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- And can we have a look at the en-suite?- Go on, have a look.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32Thank you. Oh, it is quite big.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34- Oh, it's fantastic! - Yeah, it's a good size.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- Is there a bath in the house?- There is, next door, family bathroom.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40Oh, you just said that. I don't listen properly.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- That's a good size. - Yeah, it's lovely, it's very nice.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46That's the happiest, Sue, I've seen Charles all day!
0:24:46 > 0:24:48He does like his en-suite.
0:24:48 > 0:24:50So, the bedrooms are of a good size.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54I much prefer having space around me,
0:24:54 > 0:24:57- and I'm looking for a house with potential.- Yes.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59And this house has got potential.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Is it a feeling when you walk through the door?
0:25:02 > 0:25:08I wouldn't say any of the house wows me, but I think it's got potential.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Absolutely, it's got a very strong, warm, family,
0:25:11 > 0:25:16lived-in feel, which I think is a very strong feel to it.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Sue and Charles seem to be keeping an open mind about this house and
0:25:19 > 0:25:23I wonder if the question of its cost will help them make up their minds,
0:25:23 > 0:25:27as we head back downstairs to find out the all-important price tag.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- Right, well, should I go first this time?- You go first.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36I suggest 475.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38- Like that, Sue.- 475.- I like that.
0:25:38 > 0:25:43Well, the last house was 445, so I will say, on balance,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47I will go for 474. I'll go slightly under Sue.
0:25:47 > 0:25:53OK. The asking price is £525,000.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Wow. Yes.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57The owners are aware of your budget and they are happy to have a
0:25:57 > 0:26:02conversation, so why don't you have a wander, have a think. OK.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- I'll see you when you're ready. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11This 19th-century property comes in at £25,000 under budget,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14and has the local features Sue and Charles are looking for
0:26:14 > 0:26:15in their new home.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Its kitchen and dining room offer them the option to convert
0:26:18 > 0:26:21it into a space that would suit them and the new garden room with
0:26:21 > 0:26:26its splendid views of the grounds is certainly a very attractive feature.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Situated close to villages and towns means this house offers Sue
0:26:29 > 0:26:34and Charles a slice of country life with access to shops and cafes.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37You've shown us another great property, I have to say.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40I like this house because it's got a very warm, casual,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44relaxed, family, lived-in feel to it, which is wonderful.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48Overall, I think this house is very homely,
0:26:48 > 0:26:51probably a very robust dwelling, I would say.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I think this house has good potential,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58but whether it is right for us... I'm looking very much forward to
0:26:58 > 0:27:02seeing what we see tomorrow, for comparison.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06Now, I hope this awful weather
0:27:06 > 0:27:08hasn't dampened your spirits too much.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11- No, it's been wonderful to see the second property.- Yeah.
0:27:11 > 0:27:13The weather, well, it's England. We're used to the weather.
0:27:13 > 0:27:15We're remaining positive!
0:27:15 > 0:27:18Absolutely, we've had a wonderful day and I can't wait until tomorrow.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19That's the spirit!
0:27:26 > 0:27:30It's the second day of our house hunt for a Cotswold stone property
0:27:30 > 0:27:33in Gloucestershire for French teacher Charles and his
0:27:33 > 0:27:36wife Sue from the Hertfordshire town of Hemel Hempstead.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40They've got a budget of up to £550,000 to spend on a detached
0:27:40 > 0:27:45home with a large garden for their beloved dog Bertie to call his own.
0:27:45 > 0:27:46Still to come,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49we'll be setting pulses racing with our Mystery House.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52- That!?- Oh, my God! - It's lovely!
0:27:52 > 0:27:56And I'll be rubbing shoulders with three Olympic heroes.
0:27:56 > 0:27:59These are the two gold medal horses from London,
0:27:59 > 0:28:02this one is known as Uti and this one's known as Blueberry.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07So, we've shown Sue and Charles two of our properties here in,
0:28:07 > 0:28:09well, rather rainy Gloucestershire,
0:28:09 > 0:28:14but we haven't managed to find them their perfect detached home as yet.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17To be honest, we are struggling here in the Cotswolds
0:28:17 > 0:28:22with their requirements on their budget, but, not one to admit defeat
0:28:22 > 0:28:25we still have the Mystery House up our sleeve.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Now, this time, it is detached and, if they can get over
0:28:28 > 0:28:32their love of Cotswolds stone, we may be in with a fighting chance.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Was yesterday a little bit of a reality check for you?
0:28:39 > 0:28:44Probably, it's a bit daunting, but we haven't seen detached yet,
0:28:44 > 0:28:49which is, really, what we're trying to do by coming away from London,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53is to get the detached property in a plot.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56So any conclusions after the properties we showed you yesterday?
0:28:56 > 0:28:59I would conclude that I like the area even more than before.
0:28:59 > 0:29:04But I think we might have to make more compromises than we were prepared to at the outset.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06Travelling eight miles south is our final property
0:29:06 > 0:29:09in the hamlet of Windsoredge, on the outskirts
0:29:09 > 0:29:13of the market town of Nailsworth, 13 miles west of Cirencester.
0:29:15 > 0:29:18Nailsworth would be a haven for Charles, with its quirky shops,
0:29:18 > 0:29:22restaurants and that all-important deli, and it's just been voted
0:29:22 > 0:29:26one of the top 101 places to live in Britain by a Sunday broadsheet.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Five minutes' drive from Nailsworth and perched
0:29:31 > 0:29:34high above the Woodchester Valley is our last Gloucestershire offering,
0:29:34 > 0:29:38its rendered exterior may not be the Cotswolds stone home Sue is dreaming
0:29:38 > 0:29:42of, which has afforded it the title of our Mystery House, but it is
0:29:42 > 0:29:46detached and offers a great deal of home for Sue and Charles's money.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53I promise you, through this mist and rain the view will be worth it.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54Look at that!
0:29:54 > 0:29:55Because here...
0:29:55 > 0:29:56That's a stonker!
0:29:56 > 0:30:00..is the view, and here is your Edwardian Mystery House.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- That!?- Oh, my God! - Oh! It's lovely!
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Look, I've lost them already! Go on! Have a little look!
0:30:05 > 0:30:08That is the most beautiful thing I've seen since
0:30:08 > 0:30:10- I gaze at my wife of a morning.- Really!?
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Charles, you have all the lines.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15So why is this our Mystery House, then?
0:30:16 > 0:30:19Because it's really nice.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21It's not Cotswold stone.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25No, it isn't. Although the cottage is rendered, the colours used
0:30:25 > 0:30:30are very sympathetic, that's what I like, it's sympathetically done.
0:30:30 > 0:30:31Good.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34This handsome house dates back to the early 1900s
0:30:34 > 0:30:37and is laid out over three floors.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39We're going straight to the front of the property to the
0:30:39 > 0:30:44smallest of three reception rooms, just off the entrance hallway.
0:30:44 > 0:30:49I'm just going to say, probably one of the smallest rooms in this house.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Obviously, it's small. But that's fine, it's got a lovely wood burner
0:30:52 > 0:30:53It's very pretty. Yes.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Can you imagine yourselves in here?
0:30:55 > 0:30:57- It's very cosy. - You did want a man cave,
0:30:57 > 0:31:01- and I've managed to ignore that the past two houses, haven't I?!- Yes.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Quite successfully. Perhaps we need to find a man room for you, here.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07- Does that sound good? - That sounds promising!
0:31:07 > 0:31:11Next to this small sitting room is a rather impressive dining room.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14- Oh! Wow!- Wow. That's really nice!
0:31:14 > 0:31:20Come on through because I want to show you a second sitting room-stroke-reception room.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21It's really nice!
0:31:21 > 0:31:25Charles, we did talk about you having your own room, is this going to be a bit too large for you?
0:31:25 > 0:31:27No, no! It's absolutely fine!
0:31:27 > 0:31:29A good sturdy lock on the door and we're in business!
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- Now, you wanted space with this property.- Yes.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- You mentioned the dog sort of dominates.- Yes, he seems to.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37Is this sort of what you had in mind?
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Yes, yes. A nice lot of room.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Behind this sitting room is a utility room
0:31:43 > 0:31:46and just behind the dining room with windows overlooking both
0:31:46 > 0:31:51sides of the grounds is the kitchen, an extension from 2002.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54- Wow!- Another large space.- Yep.
0:31:54 > 0:31:55It's light, airy and full of joy.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57Fantastic.
0:31:57 > 0:32:02So, the downstairs of this property, how are you feeling?
0:32:02 > 0:32:05- Excited, relieved!- Are you?- Yes! - Not as much as me!
0:32:07 > 0:32:09It's all fantastic. After the first impressions,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12you could only go downhill and you haven't gone downhill yet.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16This Mystery House may not be built of local Cotswolds stone,
0:32:16 > 0:32:20but that doesn't seem to matter as Sue and Charles are totally smitten.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23And I think they'll fall for the first floor, too.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Just opposite the stairway is a family bathroom,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30there are four bedrooms and to the front is the master.
0:32:30 > 0:32:33Any idea how many bedrooms this house has in total?
0:32:33 > 0:32:35Because you wanted three, ideally.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38I'm going to go for three plus another little room.
0:32:38 > 0:32:42I'm going to say four. Four good size rooms.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44- I'm going to say five!- Really?
0:32:44 > 0:32:48- Three doubles, two singles. - Oh, fantastic!- Oh, wow!
0:32:48 > 0:32:50So on this floor, you've got four bedrooms in total
0:32:50 > 0:32:54and a family bathroom but you've got an additional bedroom
0:32:54 > 0:32:58up in the loft with an en-suite bathroom, as well.
0:32:58 > 0:33:02So, instead of a man cave, perhaps, Charles, I'm thinking man attic!
0:33:02 > 0:33:04- Man palace!- Man palace!
0:33:04 > 0:33:06Fantastic!
0:33:06 > 0:33:09Things couldn't have gone better on our tour of this distinguished
0:33:09 > 0:33:13house but the garden's just as important as the inside,
0:33:13 > 0:33:17especially for Bertie, Sue and Charles' beloved English Pointer.
0:33:17 > 0:33:20Outside the grounds surround the house, and we're headed to an
0:33:20 > 0:33:24elevated section with far-reaching views across the valley.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27Now, I'm not going to give you an acre of land
0:33:27 > 0:33:30because I don't have an acre of land to give you here,
0:33:30 > 0:33:34but I can give you quite a substantial garden - fenced.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36- Yes, fenced. - Perfect for the dog.- Yes.
0:33:36 > 0:33:39- You've got a very large garage behind us.- Yes.
0:33:39 > 0:33:43With plenty of storage. So, what do we think?
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- I can't find anything wrong with it.- Can you not?!- No.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48Now you're going to be in a bit of a quandary, aren't you?
0:33:48 > 0:33:50How much do you think the asking price is?
0:33:50 > 0:33:57Well, the top of our budget is 550,000, so I shall say 550,000.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02And I think that this is such a good house, so I think 575
0:34:02 > 0:34:05and then you're going to say it's actually 585,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07but there's room for negotiation.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12- Are you hoping?- Yeah.- Are you hoping?- I'm hoping for 420!
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Well, I can put you out of your misery, because it's not 420.
0:34:15 > 0:34:21The asking price is £550,000, you were spot on, Sue.
0:34:21 > 0:34:22Oh, she usually is.
0:34:22 > 0:34:25- So, how do you feel about that?- Oh, it's exciting!
0:34:25 > 0:34:30- I'm almost lost for words!- Almost?- Almost.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Not the last word.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35And on that note, I guess you do want to take a second look.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37- Oh, yes, please. - Be my guest, go on.
0:34:37 > 0:34:38- Thank you, thank you, Nicki.- Thank you.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40They are so comical,
0:34:40 > 0:34:43but more importantly, they love the Mystery House.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46Now, I was worried yesterday, we really struggled to find them
0:34:46 > 0:34:49what they wanted on their budget but this, the mystery,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52answers all their prayers.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55Bang on their upper budget, this detached period house
0:34:55 > 0:34:59goes above and beyond Sue and Charles's expectations -
0:34:59 > 0:35:02even giving them two more bedrooms than they asked for.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05It's got a safe garden perfect for their young dog to
0:35:05 > 0:35:08run around in, and it's close to a town with all the amenities
0:35:08 > 0:35:10that are important to Charles.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14It may not have the Cotswold stone exterior Sue was hoping for,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18but she's more than happy with the sympathetically painted render.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Oh, that's very sweet. You could get a bed or two in here.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24- It's a good size single, actually.- Yeah!
0:35:24 > 0:35:25Let's have a look down here.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Oh, this could be your man cave.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Oh, don't worry, I've got plenty of ideas.
0:35:29 > 0:35:34Oh, this is absolutely amazing, this Mystery House, it's such a wow,
0:35:34 > 0:35:40I'm just really excited and it does offer us virtually everything.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44I cannot think of any negatives. Absolutely brilliant.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46- So, this is the attic. - Now then, what's in here?
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Another double bedroom, you can't argue. It's fantastic.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51It's the house that keeps on giving.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53It's quite extraordinary, we just took one look at the view
0:35:53 > 0:35:56and I didn't even need to see the house, I'm really excited.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58Really excited.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01I actually feel quite guilty dragging you away
0:36:01 > 0:36:02from the Mystery House.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05Well, I feel as though I've already moved in! What about you?
0:36:05 > 0:36:08- I'll move in with you! - Oh, fabulous!
0:36:08 > 0:36:11He comes part of the deal. And look at the difference with the view.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- Now the sun's come out!- I know!
0:36:13 > 0:36:16So why don't we go somewhere quiet and perhaps have a little drinky
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- and we can discuss what your next move is going to be.- Super. Thanks.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28The scenic rolling landscape of Gloucestershire lends itself
0:36:28 > 0:36:32to horse riding, and Newent in the north-west of the county is
0:36:32 > 0:36:35home to a national equestrian champion.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Carl Hester was brought up on the Channel Island of Sark, which
0:36:38 > 0:36:42has no cars, and he's been riding all his life.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46In 2012, he was part of Team GB's Dressage team, who won
0:36:46 > 0:36:48gold at the London Olympics.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50I've come to his training ground to meet him,
0:36:50 > 0:36:52and his world-class horses.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56- So, Carl, good to see you!- Hi, Nicki, nice to meet you again.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59- Thanks for inviting us to your yard.- It's a pleasure.
0:36:59 > 0:37:00I can see you're hard at work.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Yeah, well, this is what goes on here at home,
0:37:02 > 0:37:05we train the young horses here, it's far from the glamour
0:37:05 > 0:37:10of the Olympics and championships that people normally see us at.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Here's where the daily training takes place in the arena.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16Dressage is a very intense sport, it takes probably five or six years
0:37:16 > 0:37:18to get the horse to Grand Prix standard,
0:37:18 > 0:37:23but dressage is such a huge part of everybody's routine with horses.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26"Dressage" is a French term meaning training.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28It has its roots in ancient Greece,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31and simply put, it's the highest level of horse training.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35Now, you mentioned Grand Prix, is that the very top level of dressage?
0:37:35 > 0:37:38Yeah, Grand Prix is what you see at Olympics.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40So, what are you looking for then here?
0:37:40 > 0:37:43Because it's all about the horse with the rider, isn't it?
0:37:43 > 0:37:45You couldn't put another rider on this horse?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Yes, it's about the harmony between the horse and rider,
0:37:47 > 0:37:52I mean, what we're looking at here is Amy's just teaching him to canter
0:37:52 > 0:37:53when she says, to trot when she says,
0:37:53 > 0:37:56to walk, so you're not supposed to be able to see the rider moving,
0:37:56 > 0:37:58you know, it's very discreet.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00You just see the horse doing the movements and the rider's
0:38:00 > 0:38:04supposed to look like they're steering. Almost like the perfect marriage between horse and rider.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07She makes it look so effortless!
0:38:07 > 0:38:10Well, this young horse is just at the beginning of his dressage
0:38:10 > 0:38:14career, but two of Carl's stallions are already champions.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17So, I've got some pressies Carl, are we allowed?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19They will be very happy to eat those, yes.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21- There we go, look at that. - This is Utopia,
0:38:21 > 0:38:26and these are the two gold medal horses from London, Utopia, Valegro.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29This one's known as Uti and this one's known as Blueberry.
0:38:29 > 0:38:32So what makes these horses so special?
0:38:32 > 0:38:35Well, they really are able to cope with any atmosphere, they are
0:38:35 > 0:38:39almost like police horses in a way so, you know, you could actually
0:38:39 > 0:38:42ride these two guys down the M25, they have that ability to be
0:38:42 > 0:38:46able to be relaxed in any situation, like the Olympics, like World Cup
0:38:46 > 0:38:50Finals, noise and a lot of people, and yet they have this incredible
0:38:50 > 0:38:55presence and energy when they're needed to er perform in the arena.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58I feel very lucky to be in the company of three Olympic gold medal
0:38:58 > 0:39:02winners, and Carl's going to give me a dressage display on 13-year-old
0:39:02 > 0:39:07Fine Time, who's the current British Dressage National Champion.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09I'll show you what a canter pirouette should look like.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12I'm going to canter him this short so that he's
0:39:12 > 0:39:16almost on the spot, and make it smaller and smaller and I'm looking
0:39:16 > 0:39:21to try and get six to eight steps and it should be on a dinner plate.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Now, I do ride, I'm a passionate rider,
0:39:25 > 0:39:29so I can appreciate how difficult that is.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Dressage is one thing you can get better
0:39:31 > 0:39:33and better at, so that's the good news for you, Nicki.
0:39:33 > 0:39:34There's hope for me?
0:39:34 > 0:39:36You are only going to get better with years.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40I've now done five Olympics and my best Olympics was my fifth one,
0:39:40 > 0:39:44so it does show, you know, 25 years of practice, you could also be taking
0:39:44 > 0:39:48a medal home maybe at that time, as well.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51I'm not sure I'll ever win a gold medal for Dressage, but let's
0:39:51 > 0:39:55see how I've done in my quest to find a perfect Cotswolds home.
0:39:58 > 0:40:01Well, yesterday was a little bit of a wash-out with Charles and Sue,
0:40:01 > 0:40:05but today has gone so well, they've fallen in love
0:40:05 > 0:40:08with our Mystery House, but how much do they love it?
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Will they put in an offer? Let's find out!
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Well, Charles and Sue, I have to say,
0:40:18 > 0:40:21we've had a very entertaining few days.
0:40:21 > 0:40:26So tell me, you know, we started off with this wish list.
0:40:26 > 0:40:28I must admit, I was struggling, you know,
0:40:28 > 0:40:33yesterday we didn't end on a high, we saw super properties,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35but they weren't quite right for either of you, were they?
0:40:35 > 0:40:40Well, the first two houses, as nice as they might have been,
0:40:40 > 0:40:44just weren't our cup of tea and then when you showed us
0:40:44 > 0:40:48the mystery property today, that was such a surprise
0:40:48 > 0:40:53because, by this time, I had expected the third house to be
0:40:53 > 0:40:58not to our taste and as soon as we looked at the front of the
0:40:58 > 0:41:04house, we both said, "Wow." This is definitely got something about it.
0:41:04 > 0:41:08So, here we are, we're already waxing lyrical about the Mystery House.
0:41:08 > 0:41:11I mean, it was right at the top of your budget,
0:41:11 > 0:41:13where do we go next with that property?
0:41:13 > 0:41:17Even though it's the top of our budget, there is always room for negotiation
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- and we're going to put an offer in.- You are!- We are.- We are, yes.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24I'm really, really, delighted.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26What is it about that house here in Gloucestershire that
0:41:26 > 0:41:28so works for you?
0:41:28 > 0:41:31To be honest, if I saw that house online, or the pictures,
0:41:31 > 0:41:33- I wouldn't have given it a second look.- Would you not?
0:41:33 > 0:41:35Nope, I wouldn't,
0:41:35 > 0:41:39because there is no way that any picture could justify the
0:41:39 > 0:41:45amazing views, the size, inside and out, you just can't encapsulate it.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Because of course, Sue, you didn't want hills, ideally, did you?
0:41:48 > 0:41:51You wanted flat land, you wanted an acre, you wanted outbuildings and
0:41:51 > 0:41:55then we show you the Mystery House and that seems to go out the window!
0:41:55 > 0:42:01Yes! You know, there was enough garden, good views, a solid house,
0:42:01 > 0:42:04enough character and enough age on it.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- You really have fallen in love, haven't you?- Yeah. It's lovely.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Well, I'm thrilled that we've been able to help you because of course,
0:42:10 > 0:42:13this is the first house that you will have bought together, you
0:42:13 > 0:42:16have made us all smile and chuckle, it's been an absolute pleasure.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19You are welcome to come and stay whenever you like, Nicki.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- And I will take you up on that offer!- Fantastic.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Charles, Sue - thank you so much.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24Thank you so much! Thank you.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32So after a bit of a rocky start with Charles and Sue, we eventually found
0:42:32 > 0:42:36them their perfect mystery property, and as we went to say goodbye,
0:42:36 > 0:42:40they were on the phone to the estate agent, putting in an offer.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44I'm thrilled for the both of them. I'll see you next time.
0:42:46 > 0:42:48Sue and Charles hoped to buy the Mystery House
0:42:48 > 0:42:51but, unfortunately, the sale fell through and they've
0:42:51 > 0:42:54since had an offer accepted on another property.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57If you'd like to Escape to the Country in England, Scotland, Wales,
0:42:57 > 0:43:01Northern Ireland or perhaps even further afield to the Continent,
0:43:01 > 0:43:08and need our help, please apply online at...