0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to what promises to be a very exotic edition
0:00:04 > 0:00:05of Escape To The Country
0:00:05 > 0:00:09because today you find me surrounded by a Himalayan garden.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11But I haven't travelled to the foothills
0:00:11 > 0:00:13of those famous mountains in order to find it.
0:00:13 > 0:00:16They, of course, are thousands of miles away.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20So, where have I come to experience this slice of Asian paradise?
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Well, join me in just a few moments and I'll tell you.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43On today's show,
0:00:43 > 0:00:46the road to finding the perfect home for our house hunters
0:00:46 > 0:00:47is a bumpy one.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49We're not growing, are we?
0:00:49 > 0:00:53It's not sticking. Desperately trying.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54Desperately trying.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56But I do love a challenge,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59especially if I have some aces to play.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02- I can see myself living here, Mark. - That's what I was waiting to hear.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04So that's just the kitchen and we're moving in.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Well, today we are in Conwy in North Wales,
0:01:09 > 0:01:11and this is the Himalayan garden
0:01:11 > 0:01:14at the heart of the world-famous Bodnant Gardens.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Now, although the gardens here were laid out back in the 1880s,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21this is the first time that this particular part of the garden
0:01:21 > 0:01:22has been open to the public.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25As you can see, it's packed with some beautiful
0:01:25 > 0:01:27and actually quite rare plant species,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30many of them brought here by intrepid 19th century plant hunters
0:01:30 > 0:01:33who went out scouring the world
0:01:33 > 0:01:36feeding the Victorian obsession for exotic gardening.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38Now, later on in the show, I'll be back here
0:01:38 > 0:01:40exploring all that Bodnant has to offer.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44But take it from me, this really is a jewel in the crown of North Wales.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50Today's house hunt takes place in the counties of Conwy and Gwynedd
0:01:50 > 0:01:52up in the north of Wales.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55They are home to the Snowdonia National Park,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58the third largest national park in the UK.
0:01:58 > 0:02:03Established in 1951, it covers a massive 800 square miles.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07It's dominated by the highest peak in England and Wales, Mount Snowdon.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11At 1,085 meters high, it's a popular climb,
0:02:11 > 0:02:14but for those wanting the view without the trek,
0:02:14 > 0:02:18there's been a train running to and from the summit since 1896.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22Outside of the park, this region also has a coastal history.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25The harbour town of Porthmadog was once a busy port
0:02:25 > 0:02:27used to ferry Welsh slate from the nearby mining town
0:02:27 > 0:02:31of Blaenau Ffestiniog all over the globe.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33When the industry declined, the famous railway line
0:02:33 > 0:02:36which brought the slate to the coast was saved
0:02:36 > 0:02:40and the steam train restored and is now a huge tourist attraction.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43It really is a spectacular region to visit.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46And for those lucky enough, one to live in, too.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Now, when it comes to property prices here in North Wales,
0:02:53 > 0:02:54there is some good news
0:02:54 > 0:02:57because despite beautiful backdrops like that,
0:02:57 > 0:02:59things are remarkably affordable.
0:02:59 > 0:03:01In the case of your average detached,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03well, here you could pay over £85,000 less
0:03:03 > 0:03:05than them and the national figure.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07And that's despite hotspots,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10particularly within the borders of the Snowdonia National Park itself.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12There, you could a bit of a premium.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Step outside the park,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16and your money will certainly go that little bit further.
0:03:16 > 0:03:20Now, as a landscape, for me, this has always sold itself.
0:03:20 > 0:03:21But let's now meet today's buyers
0:03:21 > 0:03:23and find out why they think this part of the world
0:03:23 > 0:03:25could be their new home.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Our house hunters today are Mark, a retired car designer,
0:03:30 > 0:03:31and his wife, Buddug,
0:03:31 > 0:03:35an NHS manager who currently live in the town of Southend, Essex.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37They got together ten years ago.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41We met in Italy on a skiing holiday
0:03:41 > 0:03:45and then we both got onto separate coaches and went our own ways.
0:03:45 > 0:03:50Then, we bumped into each other in a bar a couple of nights later.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53It's fate. Destined to meet.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56We got married in Snowdonia National Park
0:03:56 > 0:04:00and we had our wedding breakfast on the Blaenau Ffestiniog railway.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04I managed to hire a carriage and they decorated it.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06It was a good start to our marriage, wasn't it?
0:04:07 > 0:04:10The strong ties to Wales originally came from Buddug.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12I was born in Wales.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14I lived there until I was, gosh, going on 21.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I think about Snowdonia... It's memories from home.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19I've gone back with Mark and his family
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and it's just such a wonderful place to be
0:04:21 > 0:04:23and such a wonderful countryside.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25How could anybody not want to live there?
0:04:25 > 0:04:29And it's a far cry from their current home in Southend.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Well, I mean, Southend, we have lived here for nearly ten years.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34For us, while we are working,
0:04:34 > 0:04:39the southeast is a particularly good place for employment.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42We find now because we're getting older
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and we're slowing down, we want a slower pace of life,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48and if we can start a small business ourselves and work together,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51we think that's what that will give us.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54And the small business they'd like to take on together
0:04:54 > 0:04:55would be in hospitality.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59We'd like to get a place with maybe a couple of cottages on
0:04:59 > 0:05:01so we could do holiday lets,
0:05:01 > 0:05:05or if we saw a particularly nice house in a particularly nice area
0:05:05 > 0:05:09with the other criteria, maybe even bed and breakfast.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12They've spending their last nine years getting their current home
0:05:12 > 0:05:13the way they want it,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16but are very flexible about the style of any new property.
0:05:16 > 0:05:19We just want some space inside but we don't need a big house.
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I think my benchmark, I've always said,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24as long as I can't poke the fire by sitting in the settee
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and there's enough space for that, that'll be fine.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29And Mark has some conditions, too,
0:05:29 > 0:05:32which come from his passion for motors.
0:05:32 > 0:05:38I have a classic car collection from sort of 1976 up to 2000,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41and a number of motorcycles.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45I tend to buy cars that the engines are broken
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and then I bring them back to life.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51Buddug's concern is the house and really my main concern is the garage.
0:05:51 > 0:05:55And there are other activities they'd like to continue as a couple.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56We love dancing.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Started a number of years ago and haven't been able to stop.
0:05:59 > 0:06:00We were going to learn to jive
0:06:00 > 0:06:02and then from jiving we sort of got caught
0:06:02 > 0:06:03in to doing a number of other dances.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07Recently taken up Argentine tango which is great fun.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10So definitely when we move to Wales we want to continue that.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13With their house under offer, the move will bring to fruition
0:06:13 > 0:06:16a long-held dream to be living in the Welsh countryside.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20We've talked about it for a long time from when we holidayed years ago
0:06:20 > 0:06:22and we've stayed in some lovely houses
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and we've always said it would be smashing to have a house like this.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Hopefully that's what we'll end up with now.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Something where you wake up and you look out of each window
0:06:30 > 0:06:32and there's a view.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34That's what we really want, isn't it?
0:06:38 > 0:06:41Mark and Buddug are looking to move to their cherished North Wales
0:06:41 > 0:06:43and in particular, the Snowdonia National Park,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47which provides some of the finest scenery in the UK.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49But first, I need to find out a little more.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54Well, Mark, Buddug, welcome back to Snowdonia.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56- Yes, thank you.- Look at it.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59There it is shrouded in clouds with a little bit of sunshine.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Geez, stunning scenery.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Every road you drive around you're hit with just a spectacular view.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- But this is kind of coming home for you, isn't it?- It is coming home.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10It's where we holidayed for years and it's home for me, Wales.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12- Big smile, isn't it?- I know.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13We talked about it for so long
0:07:13 > 0:07:16and now I feel like we are actually taking the steps.
0:07:16 > 0:07:17Fantastic. Can't wait.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18And the house that you have in mind,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22is it your classic stone-built North Walian cottage?
0:07:22 > 0:07:25I'm not so fussed about what it looks like on the outside.
0:07:25 > 0:07:26I don't think...
0:07:26 > 0:07:29In fact, you could give me a tent popped over nice grounds like this
0:07:29 > 0:07:31and I wouldn't care about the house to be honest.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34You want to be careful what you wish for. That's quite interesting.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35First of all, yes,
0:07:35 > 0:07:40thinking typically stone-built Welsh cottage that maybe needs some work.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44We're quite keen to put up our own stamp on wherever we live, really.
0:07:44 > 0:07:49I'm not one for sitting still, so a project wouldn't frighten us.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51It doesn't have to be old, it doesn't have to be new,
0:07:51 > 0:07:55- but it does have to have somewhere for six cars...- Four motorbikes.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59- Four motorbikes. - Oh, and possibly in income.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02Now, let's talk about the income because this is where the budget
0:08:02 > 0:08:04gets a little bit challenged, doesn't it?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06You've got ideally £400,000,
0:08:06 > 0:08:09but you would be prepared to go to maybe £450,000.
0:08:09 > 0:08:10- Sure.- You're thinking holiday lets.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Thinking holiday lets or potentially bed and breakfast.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15We wouldn't mind a small bed and breakfast.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Something that I could give up work and we could be together
0:08:18 > 0:08:20and have our own little business working from home.
0:08:20 > 0:08:21We don't need a big house, do we?
0:08:21 > 0:08:24But we've gotten used to having space so we do want space.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27I like the idea of the big kitchen/family room.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30That's the hub of the house where we were before so that's what we want.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32- A nice big kitchen. - And how many bedrooms?
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- Three, four?- Three? - Let's see what we can find you.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36We've got three properties lined up,
0:08:36 > 0:08:40one of which is our mystery house, which is really interesting...
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- I think.- Great.- Can't wait.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44- Let's get to property one. Come on.- Fantastic.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51So for a maximum budget of £450,000,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53our buyers are looking for a traditional Welsh property
0:08:53 > 0:08:57with three to four bedrooms, a large farmhouse kitchen for Buddug,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and space to build a garage for Mark's motor collection.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03They're seeking some kind of holiday business potential
0:09:03 > 0:09:05and are happy to take on some remodelling work.
0:09:07 > 0:09:09We've uncovered three excellent options
0:09:09 > 0:09:12which are all set in stunning scenery.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15With each property, I won't be revealing how much
0:09:15 > 0:09:18they're on the market for until after our house tour.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Our final offering, of course, is the mystery house,
0:09:20 > 0:09:21which gives our house hunters
0:09:21 > 0:09:24something they won't have been expecting.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34Now, have you ever run a B&B or holiday let business before?
0:09:34 > 0:09:36No, but we're not frightened of hard work.
0:09:36 > 0:09:37We know it's going to be hard work
0:09:37 > 0:09:40and we've been working for ourselves so we like the idea of that.
0:09:40 > 0:09:42And I say it's my 'hiraeth', you know, you just can't...
0:09:42 > 0:09:44'Hiraeth' is a really good word.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46I was talking about this the other day to somebody.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47This sense of homecoming.
0:09:47 > 0:09:52It's a really romantic yearning for Wales and the mountains.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Yeah, it's really interesting, the 'hiraeth'.
0:09:54 > 0:09:55So you've got plenty of 'hiraeth'?
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- I'm full of 'hiraeth'. - Homecoming.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59To kick off our Welsh house hunt,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02we're starting within the eastern boundaries
0:10:02 > 0:10:05of the Snowdonia National Park and the town of Bala.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09It's a small, historic market town with shops, restaurants,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12and amenities for residents and visitors alike.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15In season, the area attracts tourists who use Bala
0:10:15 > 0:10:17and the surrounding villages as a base to explore
0:10:17 > 0:10:20the scenic Welsh countryside.
0:10:20 > 0:10:21Four miles from Bala itself
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:10:24 > 0:10:25is our first property.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30Right, then, this is our number one.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- We've gone for the traditional, classic Welsh stone.- Yeah.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38And these are some stones. Look at them. Absolutely enormous.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41And of course, it has that outbuilding,
0:10:41 > 0:10:45which I think, comfortably, is at least two holiday lets.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- It needs a bit of work. - Needs a bit of work, yeah, yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- But we have thought about that, OK? - I like the look of the house.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I really like the look of it. The scenery is fantastic.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55I love where it is.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57I'm just conscious - I think I can hear the road.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59I don't want to be negative but I think I can hear the road.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01There's a little hum in the distance,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04but then that's where the business comes from, I suppose.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06No, that's right. And I'm forgetting that.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08We don't want to be somewhere that's so isolated
0:11:08 > 0:11:09that people can't get to.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13So yeah, yeah... I'll go with that. Let's look.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14- Shall we?- Let's look. - Come on, then.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17So the road in the distance has raised a concern
0:11:17 > 0:11:20but this traditional 300-year-old Welsh stone cottage
0:11:20 > 0:11:24set in six acres of countryside is a classic Snowdonian retreat,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and is currently used as a holiday property.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30But will the inside entice them any more?
0:11:30 > 0:11:31Follow me in, Buddug.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Let's start with the living room.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Nice feature beams. Lovely.
0:11:37 > 0:11:43- Ooh, a bit quieter than I was expecting from you all.- Yeah.
0:11:43 > 0:11:44I like the stone.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48I think would come from sort of quite a large house
0:11:48 > 0:11:53so the initial reaction, you know, is the reason why I'm slightly subdued.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56One of my criteria was that I didn't want to be able to sit on my settee
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and poke the fire.
0:11:58 > 0:12:01It's nice, it's cosy, and it's warm, but it seems small.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- Let it grow.- Yes.- Yes, yes. - Let it grow. Come into the kitchen.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08Having said they don't want a big house,
0:12:08 > 0:12:11it does seem like size is important.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Luckily, this house can deliver
0:12:13 > 0:12:16on Buddug's desire for a good farmhouse kitchen.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Oh, I like that.- OK.- Yeah? - That's a family sized kitchen.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23The kitchen, you know, you could happily start again with this,
0:12:23 > 0:12:24you know? And update it.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27But as a space, the kitchen, I don't dislike it at all.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29And the floor.
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- I mean, that's a Welsh floor, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32I can see another room in there.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35Yeah, there is a little sort of utility area through there
0:12:35 > 0:12:38and there's also another room downstairs
0:12:38 > 0:12:42which they've got currently as a room with bunk beds in.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Mm-hm.- Let's go up.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49This downstairs fourth bedroom could be turned
0:12:49 > 0:12:53into a further living space as there are three bedrooms upstairs.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57One currently is used as a twin, another a reasonable double,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00and finally, the principal bedroom.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03This is the one that we are saying is the master,
0:13:03 > 0:13:04just cos it is the biggest.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Surprisingly big, actually, given the vaulted ceiling.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11I think after downstairs it's bigger than what I imagined.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14- But, yeah, it's OK. - Family bathroom across the landing.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18We're not growing, are we? It's not sticking.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21Desperately trying, desperately trying.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23When you said three bedrooms upstairs I imagined,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25"Oh, gosh, they're going to be really, really small."
0:13:25 > 0:13:30But they're not. It's spacious and they like the sp... I'm not sure.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32Perhaps I need to just walk around a bit more.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Come on, let's go have a look at the outside
0:13:35 > 0:13:36to see what you make of that.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40The cottagey dimensions don't seem to be appealing to Mark and Buddug,
0:13:40 > 0:13:41but I'm not giving up yet.
0:13:41 > 0:13:44There is a large outbuilding to explore which could throw up
0:13:44 > 0:13:47some interesting options.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50So let's get our creative...hats on.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52Look at this.
0:13:52 > 0:13:57- Now, as you can see, it does need a little bit of...sorting out.- TLC.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I mean, I look at this and think, you know, the walls are all good.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Yeah, it's a usable space for sure.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06It's certainly big enough for two very comfortable lets.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10Or maybe let the cottage and have this as your living accommodation.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13What is the view through there? I can't see anything.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15Well, it's pretty overgrown at the moment,
0:14:15 > 0:14:18but two of your six acres, more or less, are in that direction.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22So you could give yourselves your own view.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24I'm liking the idea of living in here.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Nice open kitchen/dining room. Nice views.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28Little wood burner on the side.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Yeah, just wondering how long it's going to take and when can we start.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34Well, let's think about the money first.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Come on, let's find somewhere for a chat.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38As there is planning permission to convert this barn
0:14:38 > 0:14:40into a two to three bedroom dwelling,
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Mark and Buddug are finally seeing this as a good prospect,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46but it does all depend on the price.
0:14:46 > 0:14:51- So, you wanted a view?- We wanted a view. We got a view, didn't we?
0:14:51 > 0:14:56I think it's got more potential than when I first...
0:14:56 > 0:14:59when we first rolled up earlier on.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I would want to develop the barn to live in
0:15:01 > 0:15:04and maybe rent the cottage out.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06There's plenty of space for cars.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09- Well, all of that's going to depend on the price.- Sure.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12So, make me an offer, Buddug. Property number one.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- OK, it's a lot of land...- Mm-hm.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16And potentially you've got two buildings
0:15:16 > 0:15:19but you can't count that as the building yet, so...
0:15:19 > 0:15:24I don't even think £300,000. £280,000? £290,000? I don't know.
0:15:24 > 0:15:30I wouldn't want to pay over £300,000 for it, so around... Sub £300,000.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32£295,000, something like that.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34That's what I would be looking to pay for it, too,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- cos it's on the market at £295,000. - No way!
0:15:39 > 0:15:42So there's £150,000, potentially left over.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- And of course it's open to offers. - Sure.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47So, it's well under budget.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- I might be liking it more and more. - Money talks, doesn't it?
0:15:52 > 0:15:53The sun is shining.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56I'm going to give you a little bit of time to wander around
0:15:56 > 0:15:58- at your leisure. Go on, then. Off you go.- Excellent.
0:15:58 > 0:16:00I'll catch up with you a little bit later on.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04With £150,000 worth of change from their maximum budget,
0:16:04 > 0:16:08this traditional Welsh stone cottage could offer them two options.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10The first, a four bedroom home
0:16:10 > 0:16:12with a barn to be converted into holiday lets,
0:16:12 > 0:16:15or a barn to be developed into a home for Mark and Buddug
0:16:15 > 0:16:18with a ready-made holiday cottage alongside.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21And there is space to build a garage for Mark's cars.
0:16:21 > 0:16:22I like the outside look of the house.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Traditionally what you'd imagine for a Welsh property,
0:16:25 > 0:16:27a Welsh country cottage.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29The space inside the house I like.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I think it's nice as a holiday home
0:16:31 > 0:16:33but I think to live in permanently,
0:16:33 > 0:16:34I think it's just a little bit too small.
0:16:34 > 0:16:38I mean, it is traditional, oldy-worldy type cottage.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42My initial thoughts were that's what we probably wanted.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45I'm not 100% sure on that now.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48Looking round and looking at the land,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51the potential of the barn
0:16:51 > 0:16:53and the possibility of letting out the cottage
0:16:53 > 0:16:55becomes a better proposition.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00- All done?- All done.- Very good.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06Well, an uphill climb with this one in many respects, but, £295,000.
0:17:06 > 0:17:08And open for offers.
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- It's worth thinking about. - Yeah, potential.- Come on.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21As our buyers are keen dancers and want to continue their hobby
0:17:21 > 0:17:23when they moved to Wales, we've arranged for them
0:17:23 > 0:17:25to experience more North Walian culture
0:17:25 > 0:17:27by learning a traditional dance.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31We're sending them to the now disused slate quarry of Dinorwig,
0:17:31 > 0:17:33in the shadow of Elidir Mountain.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37All will be revealed by folk dancer, Idwal Williams.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41'Croeso', welcome to the National Welsh Slate Museum in Llanberis.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44Now the reason I'm here is because one of the things
0:17:44 > 0:17:47that the slate quarry workers would do over time
0:17:47 > 0:17:49is they would clog.
0:17:49 > 0:17:51What's the history behind Welsh clogging?
0:17:51 > 0:17:53Well, the workers here, some were local,
0:17:53 > 0:17:57but some came from Anglesey and they'd have to stay in the barracks.
0:17:57 > 0:17:58They would entertain themselves.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Part of the entertainment would be singing,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05part would be reciting, telling stories, but they also clogged.
0:18:05 > 0:18:06Not every night, of course,
0:18:06 > 0:18:11because it was hard work up in these quarries.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Was it for everyone the clog dancing or just the quarry folk?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18No, it was for everybody. The local farm workers would do it as well.
0:18:18 > 0:18:22It would be used for competitions in the local fairs.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26- Are you ready to go in and see what we've got?- Yes, come on, let's.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28The miners would have worn wooden shoes
0:18:28 > 0:18:31with a horseshoe nailed into the bottom to add grip
0:18:31 > 0:18:33and were known to dance on the slate in these clogs.
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Clog dancing is now a firmly established Welsh tradition
0:18:37 > 0:18:40at the world-famous Eisteddfod cultural festival.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44Idwall and his wife, Bethan, have been folk dancing for 40 years
0:18:44 > 0:18:47and will be taking Mark and Buddug through the paces.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50We'll start with the basic strut.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55The clogs are used musically.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Striking the heel and toe to the floor adds percussion to the dance.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02That's the simple part. We're going to go...
0:19:09 > 0:19:12Oh, are we?
0:19:12 > 0:19:17That's what I would call a shuffle that comes after the basic heel-toe.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- Shall we just do a scissors? - Yes, let's.
0:19:19 > 0:19:23So we need to start with our feet...
0:19:23 > 0:19:24And then we're going to cross.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28And apart. And cross behind.
0:19:30 > 0:19:31And apart.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34So, shall be the sequence together? All of it with the music.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35That would be quite nice.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38So we'll put the scissors in at the end and do it altogether.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43MUSIC PLAYS
0:19:43 > 0:19:46Shuffle.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Skips back.
0:19:49 > 0:19:50Scissors.
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- Oh, well done! - We got a nice click there, didn't we?
0:19:58 > 0:20:00Bethan, you're frock's fantastic. Is that traditional?
0:20:00 > 0:20:02Yes, it is traditional.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03And the harp and the fiddle,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- are they traditional instruments, as well?- They are.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09They're what you would have used in Wales for the last 300-400 years.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12Guys, how about you show us how it's really done?
0:20:12 > 0:20:14Well, we've got a little sequence that we put together
0:20:14 > 0:20:16so we're going to try it off for you.
0:20:33 > 0:20:34Gosh, well done, guys.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38Well, having taken their first steps in Welsh clogging,
0:20:38 > 0:20:41it's time to point those feet back to the house hunt,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43as we've got plenty more to see.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50For our next property, we're heading to the western edge
0:20:50 > 0:20:54of the Snowdonia National Park to the pretty village of Beddgelert.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Set in a beautiful valley with the River Colwyn running through,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00in holiday season it's a tourist hotspot.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04There are classic stone buildings, a picturesque bridge,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06and dramatic mountain scenery as a backdrop.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10Ten minutes from Beddgelert in a secluded valley
0:21:10 > 0:21:12running along the Dolfriog Woods
0:21:12 > 0:21:15is the appealing location of our second property.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Well, chaps, property number two.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20I'm very excited about this one
0:21:20 > 0:21:23because as you can probably see, this is a different proposition
0:21:23 > 0:21:26entirely to property number one.
0:21:26 > 0:21:27I'm excited.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29And we've not seen the property.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32There was a slight road issue with property number one.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- How quiet is this?- Yes.- Nice.- Yeah, this is...- You can hear the river.
0:21:35 > 0:21:41- This is more like it.- You've got 14 acres here.- Gasp!- Yeah!
0:21:41 > 0:21:4314 acres, a series of outbuildings.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48I think this could be a real solution.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50- There you are. I've stuck my neck out.- Yes.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52But I'm really excited about this one. Come on.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56The setting here is one of this property's major draws
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and would be tempting to holiday-makers.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03At the heart of it is this single storey converted barn.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05There. Now, I suppose technically this is the back of it
0:22:05 > 0:22:08but I think it's really gives you a sense of what's on offer.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10This kind of U-shape.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Basically kitchen/diner there.
0:22:12 > 0:22:17- Living rooms and so forth, and then into master suite at that end.- OK.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20- What do you think, Buddug? - I don't know.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22It looks narrow but I need to get inside.
0:22:22 > 0:22:24I went to get inside and have a look. I love the spaces.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27It's fantastic. I need to see more. I want to see more.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29- This is more exciting, Mark, isn't it?- Yeah, this is exciting.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32There is potential here. Straightaway, you can see it.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35- Right, let's see what you think of the inside. Come on.- Cool.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Well, a better start this time,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39but Buddug is still worried about internal space
0:22:39 > 0:22:41in this three bedroom property.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44I think her fears will vanish once we get inside.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49- So what about this, then?- Oh.- That's more like it.- Yeah, I like it.- Yeah?
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Yeah, that's a sizable room, isn't it? That's a more usable kitchen.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54That's why I like kitchens.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58Somewhere to sit when you're cooking, lovely.
0:22:58 > 0:23:03It's just a totally different scenario from the cottage.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06It is, indeed. Look at your face. This is brilliant.
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- I can see myself living here, Mark. - That's what I was waiting to hear.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13- So that's just the kitchen and we're moving in.- You're moving in already?
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Well, let's see if we can keep it going. Have a look at this.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20This is the living room. I think you might like this, too, actually.
0:23:20 > 0:23:25Yeah, you come in and it feels...it feels like home. It feels nice.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- It feels open.- Wheels are turning, aren't they?- Yeah, they are.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31- Absolutely.- In a good way?- Yeah.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33For sure.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35There is a family bathroom and currently three bedrooms,
0:23:35 > 0:23:39but a slightly unconventional layout makes it right for remodelling.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41There's one stand-alone double room
0:23:41 > 0:23:43and the other two bedrooms are adjoined.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49Now, technically this is bedroom two of three,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52but they use it as a sort of annexe to the master bedroom
0:23:52 > 0:23:56which is through there, giving you something of a sort of...
0:23:56 > 0:23:59your own little sitting room, or dressing room, or whatever.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02- Is it better and bigger than you thought?- Yes.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05I did worry outside, "Oh, gosh, it's another small place again."
0:24:05 > 0:24:06And be don't need a big house
0:24:06 > 0:24:08but I just don't want to feel like I'm in a small place.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10Yes, so I like the space.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13There you go.
0:24:14 > 0:24:18My initial thought is this could come out.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23- Yeah.- And make a, you know, a really nice en suite.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Hm, I wonder. Lots of thoughts. This is good.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28- There's lots more constructive thinking going on.- Yeah, absolutely.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30But, it's outside, isn't it?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33It's the holiday lets we really need to explore.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35You see, you forgot all about it!
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- You got sucked into just buying a home.- Yeah, one of us has.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40THEY LAUGH
0:24:40 > 0:24:43So the inside of this house delivers everything Buddug can ask for,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46and I'm hoping outside will be just as positive for Mark.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51So, 14 acres you know about, and of course these outbuildings.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53Now, I think these are quite interesting.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55This one here has had a bit of work done on it.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57The roof's very sound, the floor's been done.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Obviously needs to be finished to a domestic spec.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02I would say probably a one-bedroom let.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05- Yes.- That one is currently a stable block.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09It's a bit bigger and I think that would probably do on its own,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12but the nice thing is you've got these two very independent buildings
0:25:12 > 0:25:14which have their own space.
0:25:14 > 0:25:18And, they're separate from you in the main house back down the drive.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21They both really milk that view.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24I don't think I'm quite taking it all in just how much land there is.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27- There's a lot of land. - What's it worth, then?
0:25:27 > 0:25:29- Oh, gosh.- Gosh.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31I'm saying top budget. Is it £400,000? Is it that much?
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Is it £400,000, Mark?
0:25:33 > 0:25:39I'd like to think, thinking of our budget, around about £350,000.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43It's only been on the market four weeks, but it's on the market for...
0:25:44 > 0:25:48- ..£430,000.- Yeah.- All right?
0:25:48 > 0:25:50I wish it were £350,000, mate,
0:25:50 > 0:25:53but I think, bearing in mind we are right in the heart of the park.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56- Yeah.- I'm not surprised you've said that but in my head, obviously,
0:25:56 > 0:26:02I got our budget and to manufacture two holiday lets
0:26:02 > 0:26:06out of the property that we've got is going to be a big chunk.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10- But it's worth thinking about. - Oh, yeah.- It's open to offers.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12But in the meantime, go and explore these outbuildings
0:26:12 > 0:26:14and see what might be needed.
0:26:14 > 0:26:16See if you can make it work.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17Off you go. I'll catch you later.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Dipping £30,000 into their contingency fund,
0:26:22 > 0:26:25this converted barn gives Mark and Buddug
0:26:25 > 0:26:27the big sociable kitchen they're after,
0:26:27 > 0:26:28good outbuildings to make
0:26:28 > 0:26:30some spectacular independent holiday lets from,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34and plenty of room for a garage as it's all set in 14 acres
0:26:34 > 0:26:36of magnificent Welsh scenery.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Oh, nice slate floor. It looks like it's watertight as well.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Could you not just put like a mezzanine in with just the bed, no?
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Studio apartment maybe with the stunning views outside.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51First thoughts...
0:26:51 > 0:26:52To be honest, I wasn't sure,
0:26:52 > 0:26:55but once we got inside, I really liked it.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I like the kitchen - the size of it, the feel of space,
0:26:58 > 0:27:00the light through the windows.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02And I think the business potential here
0:27:02 > 0:27:04is more than we thought of
0:27:04 > 0:27:06and I think we'd really need to look at that
0:27:06 > 0:27:07and how we're going to manage that.
0:27:07 > 0:27:12It's a big project. There is a huge amount of land out there.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15Outbuildings, which need a lot of money spending on them.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19But, a great place and I think a lot of talking tonight
0:27:19 > 0:27:21with Buddug and myself.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Where have they got to?
0:27:24 > 0:27:27There are certainly plenty of places to get lost around here. Hello?
0:27:27 > 0:27:31- Hello!- Where are you? - We're here.- Ah, out you come.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35- What do you think of this one, then? - It's a big plot of land.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40- It's a very exciting prospect.- Lot to see.- Good day.- Lots to think about.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- I think our day is finished on a high.- On a high, definitely.
0:27:43 > 0:27:44Let's go celebrate. Come on.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55It's the second day of our house hunt with Mark and Buddug
0:27:55 > 0:27:58who are swapping a hectic life in Southend, Essex,
0:27:58 > 0:28:00for a house and holiday rental business
0:28:00 > 0:28:02in Snowdonia, in North Wales,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05with a budget of £450,000.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08Coming up, the house hunt continues to be a challenge.
0:28:08 > 0:28:09You are a conundrum to me.
0:28:11 > 0:28:14- That's what he's said before. - Get used to it.
0:28:14 > 0:28:17And I visit one of the region's hidden treasures.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22Well, of course it is now our final day of house hunting
0:28:22 > 0:28:24and we have one more property to see.
0:28:24 > 0:28:28But today is going to be something of a first for Escape To The Country
0:28:28 > 0:28:31because when you think about the breadth and depth
0:28:31 > 0:28:32of the housing market,
0:28:32 > 0:28:36it shouldn't be surprising that there may just be an occasion
0:28:36 > 0:28:38when having shown a property to one set of buyers,
0:28:38 > 0:28:41we might also think that it's relevant to another set.
0:28:41 > 0:28:43And that is what is about to happen
0:28:43 > 0:28:45because although our hidden mystery house is just that,
0:28:45 > 0:28:48a mystery to Mark and Buddug, it's not to me,
0:28:48 > 0:28:50cos I've been there before.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55For our final property, I'm taking Mark and Buddug
0:28:55 > 0:28:58outside of the national park to the village of Carno.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03Officially in Mid Wales, it's just 20 minutes from the park boundary,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06but a world away in terms of affordability.
0:29:06 > 0:29:08There's a local church here, a pub,
0:29:08 > 0:29:13and it's still set in the kind of rural Welsh landscape they're after.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16A five minute drive from the village and set down a small country road
0:29:16 > 0:29:19is our mystery house which I have high hopes for.
0:29:21 > 0:29:25- Well, here we are at last. Our mystery house.- Mystery house.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27- Yeah, initial, I like the look of it.- Good.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30As you approach it out like the look of it. It's symmetrical.
0:29:30 > 0:29:32THEY LAUGH
0:29:32 > 0:29:35It's a really pretty cottage, this. Very, very cosy.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38But the reason we're here, well, there are many factors at play.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41We've come out of the park to get you that bit more for your money.
0:29:41 > 0:29:46Here, they have two holiday lets that are ready to go.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48It's a turnkey business, this.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51What's more, this isn't the first time we've shown this property
0:29:51 > 0:29:53on Escape To The Country.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57- Ah.- Because we were here about three years ago and we'd sold it.
0:29:57 > 0:29:59But, unfortunately, the deal fell through
0:29:59 > 0:30:01so I'm going to turn the tour on its head slightly.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03We'll come back to the cottage in a minutes.
0:30:03 > 0:30:05Let's deal with the lets and the business end
0:30:05 > 0:30:09and see if that whets your appetite for what might be the future.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15A converted barn screened from the main house by a hedgerow
0:30:15 > 0:30:18offers two generously-sized holiday lets.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23Now these are huge. Both of these lets have two double bedrooms each.
0:30:24 > 0:30:28One there, one there, all right? And then this is rather nice.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32The kind of living room and diner as it were.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35Quite a nicely appointed kitchen through there.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39What would you think if you came on holiday to this?
0:30:39 > 0:30:42I think if you were here on holiday for a week it's very nice, isn't it?
0:30:42 > 0:30:44- Yeah.- It's nice and clean, open, I like the wooden floor.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47- This is just one? - This is just one, yeah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49The next one is upstairs.
0:30:51 > 0:30:52Needing no major work,
0:30:52 > 0:30:56I think these are definitely peaking Mark and Buddug's interest.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01- Oh, wow.- So this one is, again, and exact duplicate of what's below.
0:31:04 > 0:31:07Then in here, once again, you're living/diner.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10It's very nice, isn't it? It's spacious.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12- So you are smiling quite nicely at the moment.- You're winning.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I'm starting to like it and I didn't want to like it.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18I'm out of North Wales. I'm out of my comfort zone.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19I like it.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- And we haven't seen the cottage yet. - My plan is working. Come on.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27There's a third unfinished space to this barn which currently houses
0:31:27 > 0:31:31a workshop and office, but the main property is a handsome
0:31:31 > 0:31:33three-bedroom traditional stone farmhouse.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39Now this has a very different kind of feel, I think,
0:31:39 > 0:31:41to the holiday lets.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- That's nice.- Yeah.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48- It's welcoming, isn't it? - Yeah. Yeah, it's nice. It's nice.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51I'm struggling because it's not where I wanted to be.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55It's out of North Wales at the moment. That's all it is.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57There's also a large connecting room
0:31:57 > 0:31:59which is currently used as a dining space.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03Then leading off the dining room is the kitchen.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Now I know what you're going to say...
0:32:06 > 0:32:08It's not the big farmhouse kitchen
0:32:08 > 0:32:10- that I know you've been talking about.- Yeah.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13- This isn't small. - No. No, it's not small.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15It's kind of a big galley kitchen, I suppose.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18I like it better than the other one as well. Than house number two.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- I do. I like the kitchen better than house number two.- Do you?- Yes.- Wow.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24- This is...- You are a conundrum to me.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28- That's what they've said before. - Get used to it!
0:32:28 > 0:32:31Yeah, well, I am getting used to it. Let's have a look upstairs.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37Off the kitchen, there's a utility room and a WC,
0:32:37 > 0:32:39which completes the rooms on the ground floor.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Upstairs, there's a particularly large family bathroom,
0:32:44 > 0:32:46two good-sized doubles,
0:32:46 > 0:32:48and then the master bedroom.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50Now this, we're saying, is the master.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52It's by far the biggest.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54It's got lots of storage.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58Yeah, I like it. It's stretched. A bit of cupboard space, yeah.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00- It's a big room. - Yes, it's a big room.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02There's plenty of room on either side of the bed.
0:33:02 > 0:33:03There's plenty of length.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Our bed's bigger than that, but it still big enough, is it?
0:33:06 > 0:33:08Now, I remember at property one,
0:33:08 > 0:33:09the price when it was revealed
0:33:09 > 0:33:12- did make quite a difference to your thinking.- Yeah.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17- Let's go outside and talk numbers. - OK.- Yeah? Go on, after you.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23The garden is a relatively modest half an acre
0:33:23 > 0:33:26but the plot is surrounded by glorious countryside.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32Let's think about the price then, Buddug.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36Now I'm worried now cos I wasn't sure I'd like it at first.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40Now I think I might like it and I'm afraid I might not like the price.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44So, you've got £450,000 for the right thing.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46What's our mystery house worth, then?
0:33:46 > 0:33:50I think because it's got the up and running business already,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52I think we're looking near the top of our budget.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54I think looking at about £430,000.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- £430,000, yeah? - I'm of the same opinion.
0:33:58 > 0:34:03It's an up and running business. I think it's over £400,000 for sure.
0:34:03 > 0:34:07If it was around the £400,000 mark, would it be interesting?
0:34:08 > 0:34:09Yeah, absolutely.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12I would say it would be very interesting
0:34:12 > 0:34:17if it was on the market for £369,999.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21- That's £80,000 under budget.- Yeah, yeah, yeah.- And it's ready to go.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23That's a new car, Jules.
0:34:23 > 0:34:24That's not a new car, Mark.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27That gives you the money to get a website up and running
0:34:27 > 0:34:29and get that third holiday let up and running.
0:34:29 > 0:34:30Well, go and have a look around.
0:34:30 > 0:34:32Think about what that offer might be,
0:34:32 > 0:34:36and just imagine what you might do with the spare cash
0:34:36 > 0:34:38to get this into the kind of business
0:34:38 > 0:34:40you want it to be in a hurry.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43- That's not a new car. Come on. - Off you go. It's not a new car.
0:34:43 > 0:34:46That's an argument that's going to go on, and on, and on.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Now, very unusually, as I said when we arrived,
0:34:48 > 0:34:51we have seen this property before on Escape To The Country.
0:34:51 > 0:34:56We very nearly sold it then. Can we sell it again, I wonder? We might.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04For well under their top budget of £450,000,
0:35:04 > 0:35:06this is a fantastic prospect.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09On offer is a generous three-bedroom main house,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11two large and ready-to-go holiday lets,
0:35:11 > 0:35:13views to fantastic rural scenery,
0:35:13 > 0:35:16and just about enough land to house Mark's vehicles.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19But, can they get their heads around being located
0:35:19 > 0:35:21that little bit further south?
0:35:23 > 0:35:27- Oh, wow. This is good. - OK, some space, isn't there?
0:35:27 > 0:35:31- It's a fair size.- What would you do, kitchen?- Get all the stuff out.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- Kitchen/diner, kitchen/lounge.- Yeah.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37I think it's OK. I think it's good. I'm excited.
0:35:37 > 0:35:40My initial thoughts to this mystery house
0:35:40 > 0:35:42were that I didn't want to get out of the car.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45I felt we had driven too far away from where I felt I wanted to be,
0:35:45 > 0:35:46which is North Wales.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48Possibly I've been proven wrong
0:35:48 > 0:35:51because the holiday lets are just fantastic.
0:35:51 > 0:35:57I think it's really turned my opinion is the fact... Is a budget.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59It's at our lower end of budget
0:35:59 > 0:36:04and the fact that Buddug and I can be here together a lot quicker.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06Well, it's certainly on the possibility list.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08I think of the three properties we've seen,
0:36:08 > 0:36:10this is the one that would want to look at again.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16Buddug, Mark, look at you two. Happier house hunters, I think.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Happy, I know. - Very happy. Very excited.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Well, look, two properties, really, here.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23And what a price.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Yeah, there's a lot of room for thought
0:36:26 > 0:36:28and a lot of room for what you could do here for that.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30- Well, let's go and think about it. - Let's.- Come on.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40Set in the hilly and wooded countryside
0:36:40 > 0:36:44of the Conwy Valley lies one of the UK's most treasured gardens.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47The Bodnant Garden was created in 1874
0:36:47 > 0:36:51when industrialist Henry Pochin, who found fame and fortune in soap,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54bought the estate and began with Victorian zeal
0:36:54 > 0:36:58to plant a garden filled with new and fascinating species.
0:36:58 > 0:37:03140 years on and I'm meeting garden supervisor, Bill Worrell,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05to examine this horticultural gem.
0:37:06 > 0:37:08- What a beautiful garden!- Yes.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10I mean, this is such a good setting, isn't it?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Well, you're seeing it on an absolutely fantastic day.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- Tell us the story. - Well, the family moved here in 1874.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18They started developing the garden, really, from there.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22The terraces here were built between 1904 and 1914.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24So, they really set about capturing that view
0:37:24 > 0:37:26of the Carneddau, didn't they?
0:37:26 > 0:37:28Yes, this is the absolute archetypal burrowed landscapes.
0:37:28 > 0:37:30You've got the wonderful landscape in the garden,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33but then it burrows from the fantastic mountains just over there.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37Now you've got this rather exotic Himalayan garden, I understand.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Absolutely. It was put together in the 1880s,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43so the first time in 130 years, people can actually see it.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46It's full of wonderful Rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48We're just really excited people can now see it.
0:37:49 > 0:37:52The rugged environment of Snowdonia proved to be well suited
0:37:52 > 0:37:54to many Asian plants,
0:37:54 > 0:37:58particularly Himalayan examples like Rhododendrons.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Well, Bill, this is an absolute picture. What is it?
0:38:01 > 0:38:03This is a Rhododendrons called Pink Diamond.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07It's got wonderful, big, pale pink blooms which are absolutely huge.
0:38:07 > 0:38:08Then of course it has a lovely scent as well.
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- I've never seen one like this before.- Yeah, it's great.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Oh, that's gorgeous. It's a really soft but rich smell, isn't it?
0:38:15 > 0:38:16Fantastic.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23It has a certain exoticism
0:38:23 > 0:38:25and a certain sense of the tropical down here, bizarrely.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28You've got this wonderful mature canopy with the mature trees
0:38:28 > 0:38:30like your oaks, and your ash, and your sycamore..
0:38:30 > 0:38:33Then, of course, you've got exotics like your American Skunk-cabbage
0:38:33 > 0:38:35underneath which is the rather aromatic, shall we say,
0:38:35 > 0:38:37large-leaf plant over there.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39I was going to say, is that what I can smell?
0:38:39 > 0:38:41- There is the most astonishing smell here today.- Absolutely.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43That's beloved of bears.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46They get up in the spring and that's their favourite snack
0:38:46 > 0:38:48when they wake up after hibernation.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Many of the rare species at Bodnant were gathered on daring expeditions
0:38:52 > 0:38:54down Chinese gorges
0:38:54 > 0:38:57and up to the Himalayan mountain tops in the early 1900s
0:38:57 > 0:39:01by famous plant hunters, George Forrest and Frank Kingdon-Ward.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Now is there any of the planting here that original from those days,
0:39:04 > 0:39:07from seeds that were brought back by those expeditions?
0:39:07 > 0:39:09We think that this wonderful large Rhododendron,
0:39:09 > 0:39:11which is huge for a Rhododendron, was grown from seeds
0:39:11 > 0:39:14from one of those expeditions from either Forrest or Kingdon-Ward.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16- Isn't that incredible? - Yeah, wonderful thing.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19And now for the first time this year it's open to the general public.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21- You must be very excited. - Yeah, we're delighted.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24We think the paths were laid down in the 1880s, of course,
0:39:24 > 0:39:27the public haven't really been able to see it until now, so it's great.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Now the work of opening up the remaining 80 acres of Bodnant
0:39:30 > 0:39:31- is ongoing.- It is, indeed.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34We've got another ten acres down the bottom of the garden.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36- The far end. I'd love to show you that.- Let's go.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42A team of gardeners and dedicated volunteers are working hard
0:39:42 > 0:39:45to get this next area ready for the first visitors.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Well, Bill, you really have kept the best for last.
0:39:51 > 0:39:55I just love a water feature and this is beautiful.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57We're standing next to the skating pond.
0:39:57 > 0:40:00Which, of course, people skated on in days gone by.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02Hard to imagine on a day like today.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06It did really freeze very hard three years ago, 2010, that winter.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09And what do you think old Henry Pochin would've made of the garden
0:40:09 > 0:40:12now 140 years on from when he first laid it out?
0:40:12 > 0:40:15I think he wouldn't recognise it but I think he'd absolutely love it.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17And I would have to agree.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Hopefully, treasures like this will be on the doorstep
0:40:20 > 0:40:22for our house hunters very soon.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Well, we have certainly covered some miles this week here in Wales
0:40:28 > 0:40:32trying to find Buddug and Mark their home for the future.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35I'm crossing everything that we might just have done it.
0:40:39 > 0:40:42So, you two, we've given you some time to think about everything
0:40:42 > 0:40:44we've had the chance to show you.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48We came in here looking for a home and a business.
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Have we managed to get there with our properties?
0:40:51 > 0:40:55- Well, think we have, haven't we? - Yeah.- Unbelievably, I think you have.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58Oh, ye of little faith.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02It was an interesting route that we took,
0:41:02 > 0:41:06both in terms of geography and emotion, I think.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08So, then, let's cut to the quick.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10When we arrived at our mystery house,
0:41:10 > 0:41:13you did seem quite reticent if I'm honest,
0:41:13 > 0:41:17despite the veneer of optimism that you brought to the day.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21But at some point your mood completely changed. When was that?
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Well, I didn't like it initially because of where it was.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25We were driving to Mid Wales
0:41:25 > 0:41:27and that wasn't where I wanted to be.
0:41:27 > 0:41:31That said, I think seeing the holiday accommodation all set up,
0:41:31 > 0:41:34ready to go, that house swayed me because that's what we want.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36We want a business that we can work on together
0:41:36 > 0:41:39and that gives us that there ready, now. Ready to go.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43You've obviously had time to let it sink in and consider the options.
0:41:43 > 0:41:45I've seen change in many respects
0:41:45 > 0:41:47from where you thought you wanted to be,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50but it still offers you some really interesting possibilities.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Yeah, absolutely.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57I have realised that we were probably stretching our budget
0:41:57 > 0:41:59to get... Have an up-and-running business,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01but we're not out in Mongolia.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04We're a few miles out of the national park.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07The mystery property has jumped right into our box.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10So what happens next, then?
0:42:10 > 0:42:12We are going to go away.
0:42:12 > 0:42:14We're going to have a serious think,
0:42:14 > 0:42:16but my gut reaction is that this is the property
0:42:16 > 0:42:19that we would probably make an offer on.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- Well, best of luck to you two. - Thank you.- Pleasure.
0:42:27 > 0:42:31Now, of course, we started up north in the mountains of Snowdonia
0:42:31 > 0:42:36and we've ended up here in the heart of Mid Wales. But I think that's OK.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39Throughout our search, Buddug in particular has talked about
0:42:39 > 0:42:44that lovely Welsh word, 'hiraeth' - homecoming, a longing for Wales.
0:42:44 > 0:42:48Well, now with any luck, we found her a home in which she can remain.
0:42:48 > 0:42:49I'll see you next time.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:53 > 0:42:55in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland,
0:42:55 > 0:42:57or England and would like our help,
0:42:57 > 0:43:00then please apply online at: