Yorkshire Escape to the Country

Today, I'm in a county that first inspired millions of Britons

to grab a bucket and spade and escape to the seaside.

Find out where I am in just a moment.

'Today, a father-and-daughter team is searching for a shared home

'for their two families.'

Jenny would love it.

-Really?

-Yeah, she would, she'd love it.

'And I've certainly got my work cut out.'

-No, sorry.

-No?

-It's not me.

Today, you'll find me in the county of North Yorkshire,

and this is the UK's first-ever funicular, or cliff railway,

Scarborough's famous Spa Cliff Lift.

Now, it was constructed in 1873 for a cost of £800

and the tracks run more than 80 metres up this very steep gradient.

Originally powered by hydraulics using seawater,

the lift was designed to connect the South Cliff Prom

with Scarborough Spa,

whose mineral-rich waters established this town

as the original seaside resort in the UK.

Now, this lift certainly demonstrates

man's ability to overcome a problem,

while the North Yorkshire countryside reveals

the full and spectacular wonder of Mother Nature.

North Yorkshire is located in the North of England.

It's bordered by six other counties,

including West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire

and East Riding Of Yorkshire,

and the North Sea runs along its eastern edge.

Around 40% of the region is taken up by national parks,

offering dramatic moorland and a spectacular rugged coastline.

The remarkable North York Moors National Park

envelopes 554 square miles,

with panoramic vistas erupting

with great expanses of vivid purple heather.

But it's not all about the striking scenery.

North Yorkshire also boasts exquisite architecture,

such as York Minster, the Medieval cathedral

with its spectacular gothic-style exterior

and vibrant stained-glass windows.

So, with this gift from Mother Nature

coupled with villages packed with gorgeous stone houses,

North Yorkshire is an idyllic destination

for an escape from city life.

Despite a beautiful and impressive backdrop,

property prices here in North Yorkshire

command quite a reasonable price tag,

as the cost of an average detached home in the county

comes in at just over £269,000.

Now, that's just a few hundred pounds above the national average,

but, as the largest county in the UK,

prices can vary considerably throughout the region.

And I'm sure it'll come as no surprise that

the striking North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales

draw the highest premiums.

So, let's find out what attracts today's buyers

to this particularly picturesque part of the UK.

Secretary Penny and her retired father, Richard,

have lived in Ipswich all their lives.

Together, they've taken on the tall task of finding

a shared new home for themselves,

plus Penny's husband, Mark, and her mother, Jenny.

We share the same interests, we really get on together.

We do have a laugh and we do enjoy each other's company.

The idea would be to live in separate accommodation,

-cos, obviously, we all need our own space.

-Own space.

Yeah...

But there for each other if we're required,

which is basically what we've got now, really, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

Richard and Jenny currently live in a bungalow

on the outskirts of Ipswich,

and Penny and Mark four miles away in this detached house.

But they've decided that the time has come

to follow their country dream.

Well, Ipswich...

I was born and bred here,

and never five miles from the town centre.

But I remember it as a market town,

but now it's become more urbanised

and more congested.

So, it doesn't sort of live for a pleasant life,

as I saw it as a boy.

And it's North Yorkshire,

somewhere they've enjoyed visiting over many years,

that they've decided they want to call home.

When you go to places like Yorkshire,

you really see that it's not as built up,

there's more open space

and, to me, it's wilder.

And they're very, very friendly people.

They've got a lovely community spirit.

North Yorkshire, yeah, fantastic.

And the scenic North Yorkshire countryside

is perfect for the hobbies the two couples share.

We love walking together, bird watching,

anything to do with wildlife.

We get out and enjoy the country air...

..cos it's what we enjoy together.

But it's not just going to be about leisure time.

The two families are hoping to start up a new business

from their new home.

Hope the business side of things

will either have enough land to do glamping,

which is, basically, a glorified tent with a wood burner.

It's just a bit more glamorous than the average tent.

And, if we haven't got the land to do that,

hopefully, we might already have cottages that are already there.

And whether it's work or play,

both Penny, Richard and their families

are looking forward to a completely new start.

When we move to Yorkshire, I speak on behalf of all of us,

that we feel the pace of life will be slower.

I think I'm most excited about being in the countryside.

You know, just looking out your windows, seeing the countryside...

instead of being on a housing estate.

And, hopefully, peace and quiet and just wildlife around you.

It's time to move on, I think,

before it's too old, for me, anyway.

Penny and Richard love all that North Yorkshire has to offer

and are hoping to find a new family home close to the magnificent moors.

So, before we begin our search

for a slice of some of the most beguiling countryside

England has to offer,

I'm meeting them in the northerly county

to discover exactly what it is they're looking for.

Well, Richard and Penny, why did you pick this county?

Well, years ago, we used to motorhome, caravanning,

and we settled up here near Whitby.

And we had a fantastic time

and we do a lot of walking and we'd come across the moors.

So, we thought, "Oh, a nice place to set up a new ambitious dream

"of...either holiday lets or something similar."

Have you ever done anything like this before?

-No.

-No?

No. But then, new challenge.

We thought, "Well, why not have a go?"

Have you done any business plans, any research?

No business plan, I'm afraid.

The dream of the business is cottages, holiday lets, glamping.

Yeah, if we could, if we got the land.

So, in a way, for you, Penny,

would I be right in thinking the business is the most important?

Yeah, I think so, cos we've got to have some income.

Richard, for you and your wife?

-The house.

-The house.

But obviously, we'd chip in with the business.

We could be slightly pulling in different directions.

What are you looking for in this new home?

Traditional build would be nice

and a lovely surrounding area.

And what about you, Penny? What do you want?

I'd really like something that's not particularly modern,

with all this...a lot of properties now have a lot of glass in them.

-And in a nice area. You know, a lot of countryside round it.

-Yeah.

How many bedrooms?

Be happy with two, don't want particularly loads.

-Separate kitchen?

-Separate kitchen.

-Separate bathroom?

-Yeah.

-Separate lounge?

-Yeah.

-NICKI AND PENNY LAUGH

Huge house for you!

Absolutely, absolutely.

Remind us again of your budget.

£550,000.

And is there any flexibility on that if it needs doing up?

Are you happy to take on a project?

-Yeah, that's fine.

-Yeah?

-Yeah.

How much have we got left to do a little bit of a project?

I would say about 50.

OK, so, ideally the property's 550

-and, then, if we need to, we can dip in an extra 50.

-Yeah.

We are in the most beautiful part of the world.

There is so much here in North Yorkshire to see,

-so I think we should get started, don't you?

-Yeah, great.

-Come on then, follow me.

-OK.

With the proceeds from two house sales,

Penny and Richard will have a pretty generous budget,

with a little extra if needs be

to spend on their rural idyll.

But they're slightly at odds with what each family is looking for.

They're hoping that we can open their eyes

to different possibilities on offer.

What they do know is that they want two separate living quarters,

for Penny and her husband Mark,

and Richard and his wife Jenny.

and they want somewhere on site

that can be utilised as a holiday let,

or enough land to offer upmarket camping.

They're also hoping for somewhere rural, but not too remote.

I'll be taking them to visit three contrasting properties,

all offering them totally different living and business options

and once they've had a good look around each house,

its cost will be divulged.

The final visit will be to the mystery house,

which will open the doors to far-off memories

for both father and daughter.

We're kicking off our property hunt with our first house,

situated on the outskirts of the ancient market town of Pickering.

It's just under 50 minutes north-east of York

and on the border of the North York Moors National Park.

Pickering has the waterway, Pickering Beck, running through it,

and is also home to a splendid 13th-century castle.

There's plenty for visitors and locals to see and do,

with the steam railway a fabulous attraction,

and a great selection of quaint shops and cafes.

A one-and-a-quarter-mile journey from town,

and we've arrived at our first property.

Quite impressive.

Nice Yorkshire stone.

Yeah, traditional.

So, a converted barn.

-Do you like what you see?

-Yeah.

-I do.

I don't dislike it.

-Don't dislike it?

-No.

No-one's jumping up and down though, are they?

-But, as first impressions go?

-First impression's good.

-Let's step inside the barn.

-OK.

Lovely, thank you.

This handsome stone barn, with its pantiled roof,

is around a century old

and was converted almost 20 years ago

into a bright and spacious family home.

And I've got a surprise up my sleeve which is hidden from view,

but I'll let Penny and Richard in on the secret later.

So...

starting off with...

..pretty large dining room, in my book.

Nice high ceilings. My husband's tall.

Jenny would love it.

-Really?

-Yeah, she would. She'd love it.

-We've got to keep the missus happy, haven't we, Richard?

-Yeah, yeah.

Better inside than actually out.

It's how you might live life as two families here...

-Bear in mind.

-..potentially.

Food for thought.

Behind us, by the back door, there's a cloakroom,

and also, on the ground floor, is a utility room, a sunroom,

and a sitting room.

And leading off from the dining room is a kitchen diner

which opens onto the south-facing garden.

First impression for me,

the kitchen space is not very big.

The space is big, but the kitchen area...

-It's a kitchen-cum-diner, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's not...

Then again, you could do away with the dining area,

-cos you've got a dining area in there.

-Yeah.

You have to compromise, don't you? Not bad so far.

Good start then. We're doing well on the ground floor.

-Let's see how you feel about upstairs.

-OK.

'And we're headed straight for the master bedroom.'

That'd be ours.

THEY LAUGH Well, obviously, obviously.

I was going to say, "Who's going to have the master?"

Because it does have a very nice en suite behind, as well.

Oh, right, yeah.

-Do you like it?

-Mmm.

-I can't comment, cos it's not my room.

You've been told, Richard.

I've been told, so I'll be kept quiet.

Well, the barn has three bedrooms.

-It has the family bathroom.

-Mm-hm.

I don't know about you, but...

I think I'd find it quite difficult to cut it in half.

Definitely.

Would you want to live in this barn?

Individually, yes.

But as a family, no.

-Look at the view.

-That's what you want every day, isn't it?

To wake up to that.

Only one family can really live in this barn, I think.

I know, so what have you got

as the annexe then? THEY LAUGH

'Well, that's what Penny and Richard are about to find out.

'Outside and opposite the barn is a converted garage block.'

What you've got here is two large double garages,

plus this office area,

and a mezzanine floor upstairs.

Right.

But you've got so much space,

if you converted here and next door,

you could easily have a second home here.

Or, you convert this into a holiday let

and both families live in the big house.

-The potential's there, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-We've got you thinking, haven't we?

-Certainly have.

-Yeah.

-Didn't expect to think.

-THEY LAUGH

This beautiful stone barn with its additional buildings

sits in stunning North Yorkshire countryside.

We've seen there's the potential for two dwellings,

but how about space for paying guests?

Now, you wanted quite a bit of land to go with the business, didn't you?

It's about one and a half acres.

So, I'm thinking glamping,

I'm thinking yurts. You do have the space,

but you've also got a private garden, which is enormous.

It's lovely. Not too much looking after.

Let's see if you can afford it.

I really haven't got any clue,

but I would imagine,

it most probably is just under our budget.

Maybe at £549,950.

I would say just over budget.

575.

The original asking price, cos it has just come down, was 575.

-The good news for you two...

-Oh, really?

-Was it really?

..it's £550,000.

-Spot on.

-Ooh!

You haven't explored it all yet,

-so why don't you take a second look...

-Yeah.

..and then, when you're ready, come and find me.

-OK.

-That's right.

-Thanks very much.

-Have a wander on your own.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

This tastefully-converted barn is on the market

bang on Penny and Richard's budget,

leaving them no change,

but they do have a pot put aside

which they could dip into

if needs be.

They love the traditional property,

and there's potential to create

a separate abode,

if the garage and office block

were turned into a second home.

And with around two acres of land,

an acre and a half of that

a paddock,

they're glamping business

would be ready to go.

I was pleasantly surprised...

which was a bit of a shock.

I really, really quite like the inside,

more than I thought I would.

I personally could see myself living here.

The vibes from this house are quite good, actually.

First impressions, excellent.

Not quite sure about the annexe capabilities,

but the potential's there.

-Given us a bit of a problem, Nicki.

-Go on.

-We both love the barn...

-Do you?

-..so there'll be arguments.

But the annexe, it showed potential.

It does. I'm glad you can see that.

We wanted you to think with this first property.

-I think we've managed that.

-Absolutely.

But I've got more to show you, so let's go.

There's no denying North Yorkshire is brimming

with gorgeous countryside,

and a large amount of that is shrouded under

a dense canopy of trees.

Hundreds of years ago,

warriors would use local wood to create handcrafted weapons.

Penny and Richard both love nature,

so we've arranged for them to meet Ben Chester,

who makes the most of what the natural environment

has given the region.

He runs courses teaching traditional rural crafts

in Sessay in the Vale of York.

So I'm making an old English longbow.

-This is a...

-Fantastic.

..a piece of ash that we've selected out

to make a bow that is similar to that they used in Agincourt

and that they found on the Mary Rose,

so it's a very traditional type of bow.

Can you tell me, Ben, why you make them

and what the purpose is of them?

We make the longbows

because it's trying to keep the traditional skills alive.

After Ben has used an axe to cut the bow to the size he wants,

it's time to shape it using a double-handled knife.

He uses a wooden contraption called a shave horse

to hold the bow in place.

So, we use the draw knife,

with nice, long, even strokes

to take off small amounts of material,

to shave it down to the right size.

So, how long would it take to actually work your way down

to the...the lines of the bow?

It'll take two or three hours.

-Would you guys like to have a go?

-Yeah, sure.

-Give it a whirl.

-Take a seat.

That's great.

-You make it look easier.

-THEY LAUGH

It's only easy once you've been doing it for 12 years.

-Yeah.

-12 years?

I think when you've done it a little while,

it's a lot easier to get it smoother.

It's all about technique, really, isn't it?

It's all about technique and getting everything set up

that is right for yourself.

Making a traditional longbow is a skilled and lengthy process,

and after the bow's been shaped,

the next stage is the tillering process,

which puts the curve into the bow.

If you were to just make a bow, put a string on it, and pull it,

it would just snap straight in half.

So, this is a process where we're going to teach it to bend.

Teach it, want to move,

so we're going to stress the fibres a little bit,

and then stress it a little bit more, a little bit more,

so we actually get it so it'll pull

right the way back to your draw length,

which is how far you'll draw a bow.

So, what we're going to do is to bend the bow.

So, with the bow mounted in the tillering post,

we can pull down...

and we slowly work the bow.

So, over time,

we'll slowly be able to draw it further and further down

as the fibres in the bow give a little bit.

You'll probably end up doing this 1,500 to 2,000 times.

This is one of the most critical parts of bow making,

is the tillering process.

It can take three days to make a longbow,

and even a trained craftsmen can take a day and a half

before it's ready to be shot.

-This is a finished longbow.

-Right.

So, as you can see, it's about six-foot long.

This has a draw weight of about 60lbs, so it's not too heavy,

-and should fire about 140 yards.

-Gosh.

So, that is the same sort of bow they'd use in the medieval times?

Yes, yeah. It's a very faithful replica.

Right then. So, firing a longbow.

Face the target.

Drawing right back, firing.

So, you fire almost immediately!

You fire immediately, yes.

We have no sights or anything like that.

So, you have to feel for how you fire.

Penny and Richard have taken it all in,

now it's their turn to take a step back in time.

-Ooh...

-Fantastic.

-Got it in.

-Well done.

Fantastic, second one in.

-Yay! Well done, Penny.

-Fantastic, well done.

-Brilliant.

Your go.

Nice and gently, yeah.

-Almost.

-Try another one.

Not as easy as it looks, is it?

Draw back, a little be higher.

Fantastic. Almost a bull's-eye.

-Fantastic, that's really, really good.

-Well done.

-Thank you very much.

-Thank you very much.

Hope you really enjoyed your day.

-Three inches from bull.

-Almost.

-Can't be bad.

-Not bad at all.

-Well done.

-Thank you.

Travelling 50 miles north takes us to our second property

in the village of Goathland,

right in the middle of the North York Moors National Park.

Goathland forms part of the Duchy of Lancaster's private estate,

owned by Her Majesty, The Queen.

Here, sheep have grazing rights and roam freely.

This pretty village is quite the tourist attraction,

with the TV series Heartbeat having been filmed here,

plus Harry Potter at Goathland Station.

On the outskirts of the village is our second property,

a statuesque semi-detached house,

which will ask Penny and Richard to think outside the box.

So, this time we've brought you into the actual national park.

You've been to Goathland before?

-Yeah, we all have.

-Have you?!

-Yeah.

-Several times.

Driving through, you probably noticed

just how many tourists there are here.

When me and Mark came and we visited the church,

we actually walked past this property,

and sort of said, "Ooh, I don't reckon they're short of visitors."

-No?!

-So, it's a bit deja vu.

So it is a very successful B&B business.

It's got a great reputation, lots of returning customers.

How would you think about running it?

Two families side by side?

Yeah, it's something we've spoken about,

but not in great depth.

Erm... We were more swayed towards the holiday lets and the glamping,

but doesn't hurt to look at all your options.

Absolutely. Shall we step inside?

-Yes.

-Let's step inside.

-Thank you.

'This stone property is thought to date back to the 1800s,

'and has had a complete internal overhaul in recent years.

'Its impressive interior is apparent

'the second you step through the door.

'But with no separate living quarters for the two families,

'it will require looking at things in a different light.'

So, this is, one - a very large house,

and two - there's quite a lot to explain.

-But this is the private part of the house.

-BOTH: Right.

So, this would be the first sitting room that we're going to show you,

and then I'll explain more as we go on.

Reserve judgment.

I'm not getting the same expression as I had with the first property.

I know, cos you've spoiled us with the first property,

and this is completely different.

Well, it is, cos this is a business.

Roughly, how much do you think you could make a year?

-I wouldn't have a clue.

-Around £50,000 a year.

-Really?

-Is it really?

-Gosh.

-That's not bad income, is it?

-Not bad.

And this is one of the most successful B&Bs in this area.

That's what you're buying into.

But let's keep going, because Richard's not so keen on this room.

'As we move through this colourful sitting room

'in this dual-purpose home,

'we find ourselves in an equally vibrant kitchen.

'but will this room be to Richard's taste?'

-No, sorry.

-No?

-That's not me.

-Things can be changed if it's not...

-Of course.

-..quite right for you.

'In addition to the bold kitchen,

'there's a utility room and a private dining room.

'There's also one guest bedroom, a guest dining room

'and a further room in an extension.

'Moving upstairs to the first floor,

'there's another three guest bedrooms,

'each with an en-suite and each with a statement to make.'

So, this B&B has four different themed rooms.

I guess this is the black-and-white theme.

THEY LAUGH My goodness.

A bit overpowering for me, that one.

But, standing here, seeing how well this B&B's been done,

are you tempted?

I've always thought about it.

And it's always been my husband that has... "It's hard work."

'Running a B&B is hard work,

'but the rewards of working from home can be very beneficial.

'In this house, the owner's private living quarters

'are on the second floor.

'There's a family bathroom and three bold double bedrooms.'

I normally say, you know, "Would you change anything?"

-I don't think I need to ask that question.

-Everything!

Definitely the decor.

Decor for the private area?

Yeah.

Cos if you changed every room in this house,

-my goodness, it'd be an awful lot of work.

-Wow.

'There's certainly a lot of house here,

'and it's set in a stunning location too,

'which can be seen in all its glory as we step outside.'

So, this is your land,

and that's moorland, just there.

-Right.

-Quite close then.

It's got to be right from the business point of view,

but, I appreciate, it's also got to be right as a home.

So, let's see if the price makes any difference.

I think it's going to be considerably over our budget.

-Are you going to give me a price?

-I am...

585.

OK.

425.

Oh, my goodness!

I'm sorry, that'd be what it would be worth to me.

-Gosh.

-Who is closest? That's the question.

And it's going to be...

-Richard.

-Really?

-Yeah.

Asking price is £450,000.

-Gosh.

-Is it really?

I'm totally shocked.

-Look, your dad's even broken into a smile.

-I have, haven't I?

-That's a good sign.

-Yeah.

Why don't you take another look around?

-There's an awful lot of rooms to get though.

-There's more?

-Thank you very much.

-See you in a minute.

-Thank you.

-Have another look.

This semi-detached stone house

is a cool £100,000

under Penny and Richard's budget,

which would leave them

plenty of cash to give it

a makeover to suit their tastes.

And, as an existing

bed and breakfast,

if they choose it as their new home,

it would make them money too.

It's got enough bedrooms for them,

plus guests

and private living quarters.

And its location

couldn't be closer to nature.

Perfect for long family walks,

but not too far

from civilisation either.

This must be the dining room.

Not particularly my taste, but serves its purpose, doesn't it?

I may have to fight the corner for house two...

It's something for me to consider

and maybe talk to the others about.

But for me, I can really see the business potential.

My feelings about house two are very disappointing after house one...

..because, as a home,

it's going to be a no-no for Jenny and myself.

But as a business for Penny and Mark...

fantastic.

For me...it's a bit claustrophobic

to think that the four of us have got to live in here with the guests.

-It's impressive, isn't it?

-Yeah.

The location's brilliant,

but residential, for myself and my wife, no-no.

No? Not a home?

Aw, still got some work to do, haven't I?

-You have, I'm afraid.

-OK, let's go.

-Thanks.

It's the second day of our search

for a multi-purpose home in North Yorkshire,

for Penny and her father Richard, from Ipswich.

They've got a healthy £550,000 between them to spend

and are hoping to find somewhere for them and their families

where they can start up a new business,

either holiday lets or on-site glamorous camping, called glamping.

Coming up, I'll be bringing back memories with our mystery house.

Oh, my goodness. That is what I think.

Totally shocked.

And I'll be learning

how technicoloured stained-glass windows are made,

in all their glory.

Wow, it's fascinating.

Yesterday was the story of two halves.

Two homes, two families, tied together with one budget.

And I'm now really struggling to work out

where their priorities actually lie.

Because, well, for Penny, it's all about the business.

But, for Richard, it's certainly about the home.

Today, we're going to show them a different proposition,

and I'm really hoping they can see past

the quirkiness of our mystery house,

because then they may find a home that suits all their needs.

For our third and final visit,

we're travelling just under 11 miles north-east

to the village of Hawsker,

just south of Whitby,

and also part of the North York Moors National Park.

The traditional maritime town of Whitby,

where Captain James Cook supposedly trained as a seaman in the 1700s

has a busy harbour at its centre.

There's a welcoming sandy beach flanked by tall houses

sitting on the lap of a steep grassy cliff,

overlooked by the 13th-century Whitby Abbey,

all a great draw for tourists.

A seven-minute drive away, outside the village of Hawsker

is our last property,

in the shadow of a fully functional lighthouse.

So, I think when it comes to mystery properties...

Well, this one is in a league of its own,

because...it is a fog horn station.

Ever been to one before?

-Walked right passed that from Whitby.

-Have you really?

-Can't believe it.

-Yeah.

-What do you think?

-"Oh, my goodness!" That is what I think.

Totally shocked.

Have we really surprised you?

-Well, me, yeah.

-Really have.

And the good news is - this is a home...

-but it's also a business.

-Is it really?

-Yeah.

So, built about 1850.

Originally, it was a lighthouse, believe it or not.

Then it became a horn-blower cottage,

and that really ran until 1988.

'The fog horn used to sound four times every minute and a half,

'working alongside the lighthouse in stormy conditions,

'to warn passing boats of the cliffs below.'

Did you ever hear it in action?

1979.

-Did you?

-We'd B&B'd in Whitby and it was booming when the fog came in.

-So, yeah...

-So, you've actually heard it?

We actually heard it all night long.

Well, you both said that you like traditional homes.

Well, you know, with our mystery,

we're going to do something a little bit different.

And it is quirky,

but if you can see past the quirkiness,

then, well, you might realise there's full potential here.

'Part of this unique property is divided into two cottages,

'and we're entering the smaller of the two through a side door,

'leading straight into a dining area.

'I've got this cottage earmarked as Richard and his wife Jenny's.'

So, I'm going to start off, I think, with...

We'll make sure that Richard's happy with his part of the property.

This is your kitchen.

-Hmm...

-Different.

Now, you've been in this building.

Yeah, when it's been decommissioned.

So, it's going to be interesting to see the changes.

How well do you remember walking round?

Well, it was just a concrete floor...

-plaster... everything completely empty.

-Right.

It's nice. Quite surprising.

'This property is all on one floor,

'but the room next door to the kitchen

'is on a slightly higher level.'

So, just up a few stairs...

-and it leads us to an open-plan living space.

-Oh...

-Gosh.

-Lovely.

'This side of the old fog horn station

'is currently used as a holiday let,

'and included in the living room are the sleeping quarters,

'which could be partitioned off for added privacy.'

And then, behind us,

you've got a really beautifully-appointed bathroom.

Quite good, isn't it? It works, doesn't it,

for the style of the house?

Penny?

Totally different. Not at all what I expected.

Very light, airy...

..and spacious.

'So, we've seen just a small part of what's on offer here,

'and next door is another cottage,

'accessed through the first property's kitchen,

'or through an outside door.

'And down a long corridor is a large kitchen diner.'

We've divided up this property

with you being one side and Penny being this,

but you can fight amongst yourselves,

because this is much larger.

It's not terrible. It's not to my standard...

But...the space...

That's what you have to look at, isn't it?

Cos you can change everything else.

'Beyond the kitchen is a small sitting room,

'and beyond that, there are three bedrooms,

'all doubles,

'and the largest is dual-aspect with its own en suite.'

So, this is the master bedroom.

Mm-hm.

Nice size...nice light.

Lovely view of the lighthouse, and the sea, together.

-Wouldn't it be great to wake up to that?

-Very nice.

'So far, I've shown Penny and Richard a cottage

'for each of them and their partners,

'and the last stop is a third small annexe.

'Attached to the rest of the property,

'but with its own front door,

'it could work for their new business venture.'

This is a self-contained holiday let.

-Ah.

-Right, it goes on, doesn't it?

Double bedroom, bathroom

and then, sort of, kitchenette,

plus, sort of, sitting area.

First impression, a bit pokey.

First response, you're not living here.

True... No, it's a week, isn't it?

Also, you do have about an acre of land,

so if you still had the dream for glamping and your own yurt,

you could get a yurt there.

That's your land.

-A lot to think about.

-Yeah.

From what we've seen,

this one-off home with its spectacular views

is offering Penny and Richard everything they've asked for.

Plus, outside, there's also a shed, a garage and an outbuilding.

Now I want to show them the full extent of its unusual exterior

and its clifftop location.

So...standing here, you really can see the whole of the property.

-And, you can see, it's actually quite wide, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-It is.

-Let's put a price on this thing, shall we?

-Oh, my goodness!

Very difficult, but I'm just going to say 485.

Come on, Daddy, what do you reckon?

600.

Who is closest?

Asking price...

£525,000.

Oh! So I was nearest.

You were closest.

Well, take another look.

OK, thank you.

This extraordinary converted fog horn station is £25,000

under Penny and Richard's budget,

and offers them

two adjoining properties

for them and their partners,

plus a third,

perfect as a holiday let

with good earning potential.

It's set in around an acre of land

which could easily accommodate yurts,

and there are spectacular views

out to sea.

The property's in a quiet location,

a walker's paradise,

but not far from

the local village and town.

The mystery house to me is a complete shock, complete surprise.

Never in a million years would I ever have thought

you'd have brought me somewhere like this.

Well, the mystery house was a very, very pleasant surprise actually,

because I know the history of it, which is ironical.

When I first came, I said I didn't want anything quirky,

but now you've shown me something quirky...

I think I'm a bit more open minded,

cos it's totally and utterly different

to anything I would ever think of looking at.

The potential's there...

and...just got to go away and think about it.

This mystery house has certainly put the cat amongst the pigeons.

-Right.

-Hmm.

How are we feeling?

-Puzzled.

-Yeah?

-Exhausted.

-Yeah?

-THEY LAUGH

Takes it out of you, all this house hunting,

but, hopefully... we might have got close.

So, let's go somewhere quiet, sit down have a chat

-and work out what your next step's going to be.

-OK.

-Yeah, OK.

North Yorkshire is home to beautiful churches and cathedrals,

with exquisite stained glass gracing many a window.

St Mary's church in Everstone, towards the east of the region

has wonderful examples from the 19th century.

It's stained-glass artist Val Green's job

to keep them looking just as they did when they were first put in,

almost 150 years ago.

Now, this is a very unusual skill, isn't it?

Sort of working and replacing stained-glass windows.

Is this is something that's been in your family for a long time?

It goes back to great-grandfather,

-so that's 1884...

-My goodness.

..which is about the age of some of the windows in the church.

'And over 1,000 years ago, at the birth of stained glass,

'the intricately-designed windows weren't just there to look pretty.'

The people who came to church, they couldn't speak Latin,

so they couldn't understand the services.

So, they would gaze at the windows,

and the windows were the Bible of the poor.

So, they used them as a teaching tool, if you like.

'The beautiful windows in this church have stood the test of time,

'but not without a little help.'

Every, maybe 100, 150 years,

the windows have got to be taken out,

stripped down, the glass is cleaned.

Any broken pieces are replaced and then re-leaded.

So, this is where we come in with our workshop.

'Val has been repairing and restoring stained glass

'for the past 35 years,

'and she works closely with Andy Brepi,

'who removes the delicate glass, before either he or Val repairs it.'

We're removing the round piece at the top.

'Andy uses a hacking knife

'to carefully chip away at the surrounding cement,

'gently releasing the pane of glass which has a large hole in it.'

I mean, now, with it being so close to us,

you can really see the damage.

So, Val's going to be ready, is she?

Yes, so, if you could take that back for me, that'd be super.

-OK, I'll be the custodian.

-Yes, please.

'Val's workshop is 15 miles away in Cayton,

'where she repairs and restores

'around 20 churches' stained-glass windows a year.'

-So, Val...

-Hello.

Safely transported to your workshop.

-Oh, just look at that face.

-Yeah.

-That's beautiful.

It is a work of art.

'Val will use a sheet of antique glass

'to repair the hole in the window.'

It's called antique glass because it's made to the same recipe

as glass was made 1,000 years ago.

And if we don't do exactly what the original artist did,

we're not going to get a good copy, so this is our job today.

So, once we've got the glass and we've cut it to shape,

then we start painting.

And glass paint is powdered glass,

and it's just mixed with a pigment, it's either brown or black.

'The powdered glass is mixed with gum arabic,

'a natural glue, to help it stick,

and then, water is added to make the paint.

'And to create the effect of shading,

'the glass is covered in the paint,

'and when it's dry, the design is scratched off.'

So, Nicki, can you match that pattern on here?

Oh, my goodness, right, here we go.

So, and I can use my quill?

-You can try it with the quill.

-I love the fact I can use this,

OK, so...

I'm not too sure about the nib.

Try that, maybe that would be better.

Try that one then. OK, let's have a little go.

What you're doing is controlling the amount of light

that comes through that piece of glass.

So, it's not important the amount of paint you put on,

it's important the amount that you take off.

So, Val, I've got to take this opportunity to ask you,

just to show me how it should be done.

I think you've done very well, Nicki.

Here, they've taken all the paint off,

so I would... scratch away at the edges.

And maybe...a brush.

So, you can use all these different things

to get the effect that you want.

It's very painstaking.

It's not something you can rush, really.

But the glass, you can see, is already coming alive.

Yes, it's three dimensions.

It's adding another dimension to the glass.

How wonderful, and also rewarding, that everything that you do

is going to be around, not just for 150 years,

but a lot longer than that as well.

It is nice to be able to look at restored work and think,

-"Nobody knows it's been broken."

-Yes.

-That's the ideal, really.

-Yes.

I suppose that's the perfect compliment,

-if you can't see the join.

-Yes.

Yeah, wow, it's fascinating. Val, thank you so much.

It's been a pleasure.

Three different homes and three very different business ideas.

But what really shocked me was Penny and Richard's reaction

to our mystery house.

They certainly made the right noises.

Let's find out a little bit more.

You set us quite a challenge,

but have we challenged you over the last few days?

-You certainly have.

-Well, that leads us then to, you know,

what is the next move going to be?

With the last surprise one,

a possibility that we need to go back to our partners and say,

"We need to have a look at that one,"

and see what comes of it, because the potential's there.

We just don't know if all the figures will add up

to what...the dream we will achieve.

So, it does sound like, with the mystery house,

we've got tantalisingly close.

I would say so,

cos you've got the business, you've got the two houses,

you've got a lot of options.

We're thrilled that we have got as close as we can,

and there is a chance that that mystery house might work,

mightn't it?

If that doesn't happen, what are you going to do?

I'm thinking more me and Mark, maybe going it alone.

Maybe to do bed and breakfast.

So, Richard, how would you feel about that?

We're flexible, so...

-You wouldn't mind?

-I wouldn't mind.

-No...

-Not at all.

-No.

Well, listen, we wish you well. I'm not quite sure

which direction your lives are going to take is the honest truth.

It's been a really big thinking process, hasn't it?

-It has, for all of us.

-Yeah.

-Nicki LAUGHS

We started this house search with Richard and Penny

with a certain air of uncertainty,

and after two solid days house hunting here in North Yorkshire,

well, I don't think we're any further down the road.

However, what I hope we've done is shown them some possibilities

that they may not have considered before.

Now, I truly think the time is right for them to return to their partners

and seriously discuss what the best move is for the whole family.

Wherever they decide to live, either together or apart,

we wish them all the very best.

I'll see you again on Escape To The Country.

Penny and Richard and their families are thinking of

staying in the holiday let at the mystery house,

to get first-hand experience of what it's like

before they decide if they want to take it on

as their new shared home and new family business.

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