0:00:02 > 0:00:05This memorial behind me was erected to honour one of the countless acts
0:00:05 > 0:00:07of heroism that occurred during World War II.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10But who exactly does it commemorate and where am I?
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Find out in just a moment.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33Today, our house hunting couple is hoping we're the final stop
0:00:33 > 0:00:37in their ongoing search for their dream country home.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39Fantastic, this is a Christmas tree hall.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Isn't it just?
0:00:42 > 0:00:45And there are plenty of surprises along the way.
0:00:45 > 0:00:46Oh, I didn't expect this.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- The windows are gorgeous.- Yeah.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53Today, I'm close to the Devon-Somerset border.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57And this is the Maclaren Memorial in Exmoor National Park.
0:00:57 > 0:01:01Now, during World War II, Exmoor was under military control
0:01:01 > 0:01:04and was used as a weapons testing and training area.
0:01:04 > 0:01:09But in May 1941, when a prototype rocket malfunctioned
0:01:09 > 0:01:12during a demonstration to military and government personnel,
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Colonel R H Maclaren of the Royal Engineers
0:01:15 > 0:01:18threw himself on the device and was killed instantly.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22Remarkably, due to his swift and selfless action, nobody else
0:01:22 > 0:01:25was injured. And this memorial, erected in his honour
0:01:25 > 0:01:27as it says by his brother officers,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31stands as a poignant reminder to all those whose service
0:01:31 > 0:01:34to king and country included the ultimate sacrifice.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40The counties of Somerset and Devon lie in the southwest of England
0:01:40 > 0:01:44and share a border that covers around 75 miles.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46The Somerset and Devon border is home to some of Britain's
0:01:46 > 0:01:48most picturesque countryside.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50From the gentle hills of the Quantocks
0:01:50 > 0:01:53and traditional seaside villages, such as Porlock
0:01:53 > 0:01:55and nearby Porlock Weir,
0:01:55 > 0:01:59to the spectacular beauty of Exmoor National Park.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Exmoor is a potent mix of moorland, woodland and farmland
0:02:03 > 0:02:07with high cliffs that plunge straight into the Bristol Channel.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10The fast flowing River Barle runs through the national park.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12And deep within its woodland valleys,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14there's a unique way to cross it.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18These tar steps, thought to be at least 600 years old,
0:02:18 > 0:02:21are what's known as a medieval clapper bridge.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24They cross the 55-foot river in 17 spans of flat stone,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27each weighing around two tonnes.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29The nearby village of Dunster
0:02:29 > 0:02:31is another well-preserved medieval example.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35The octagonal yarn market in the centre still remains as testament
0:02:35 > 0:02:39to the area's days as an important centre of the wool trade.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Today, tourism is a big part of the local economy
0:02:42 > 0:02:44and perhaps no-one helps visitors enjoy the area more
0:02:44 > 0:02:47than the West Somerset Railway.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50England's longest preserved steam railway regularly carries
0:02:50 > 0:02:55over 200,000 passengers in a season and its beautifully kept stations,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58run by volunteers, make the perfect starting point for an outing
0:02:58 > 0:03:01in this beautiful part of the countryside.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07The Devon-Somerset borders are a popular choice
0:03:07 > 0:03:09for those looking for their own slice of country life.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13But as you might expect, that's reflected in property values.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15In Devon, the average price for a detached house
0:03:15 > 0:03:17is just over £300,000.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21That's around £25,000 above the national figure.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24You do, however, get more for your money over in Somerset.
0:03:24 > 0:03:26In fact, prices there are around 8% cheaper
0:03:26 > 0:03:28than back over the border in Devon.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31So which part of this corner of England are our buyers
0:03:31 > 0:03:33looking to make their own?
0:03:33 > 0:03:34Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Chas and Debs have been married for 26 years
0:03:38 > 0:03:40and have two grown-up children.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42They're currently living in a rented flat in Bristol
0:03:42 > 0:03:44after selling their house in the Midlands.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46It was just meant to be a temporary base
0:03:46 > 0:03:48before they escaped to the country.
0:03:48 > 0:03:53We lived in the Midlands for 25 years. And we started living here
0:03:53 > 0:03:56a year ago, and we've been desperate to move.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- Getting a bit frustrated.- Yeah.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01City's lovely...but the country's nicer.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04With most of their things in storage, they're desperate to move
0:04:04 > 0:04:06somewhere with more space.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08In this flat, there's no room for...
0:04:08 > 0:04:11well, for us to get involved in the things we want.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13And they're craving tranquillity
0:04:13 > 0:04:15away from the city's hustle and bustle.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19There's a siren going past at least once an hour.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22The city never stops because we're right in the middle of the city.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24It's noisy all through the night.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Chas is a copywriter who can work from home.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34And now their children have flown the nest,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37they feel it's the perfect time to move somewhere new.
0:04:37 > 0:04:42We can move anywhere and we feel that we're young enough to, sort of,
0:04:42 > 0:04:45start over again in a different place
0:04:45 > 0:04:50and get friends and just enjoy life, really.
0:04:50 > 0:04:55So a mixture of, sort of, work-life balance would be better.
0:04:55 > 0:04:59Yeah, definitely. Yeah, I want to spend more time away from my desk.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Debs is not only a keen gardener but also a keen cook,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04and she hopes a move to the countryside
0:05:04 > 0:05:07will finally allow her to realise her dream of self-sufficiency.
0:05:07 > 0:05:12I've been gardening for about 30 years now
0:05:12 > 0:05:17and had an allotment where we used to live for about 20 years.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21And I'd really love to, sort of, be growing more vegetables.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23And develop her seamstress skills.
0:05:23 > 0:05:28I've made a lot of clothes for myself and my daughter.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31And I'm hoping that when we move,
0:05:31 > 0:05:35that maybe I might be able to turn that into a small business.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38For Chas, it's the chance to pursue his love of foraging.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42We're always out looking for...in the autumn, for fruits,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45for fungi...things to eat.
0:05:45 > 0:05:47And he's even going to buy a dog to help him.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50Well, Debs wanted a dog. I'd be in my element.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54So with plenty of plans up their sleeves, Chas and Debs can't wait
0:05:54 > 0:05:56to leave the city behind them and start living out
0:05:56 > 0:05:58their country idyll.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04They're looking for rural tranquillity
0:06:04 > 0:06:07around the Somerset-Devon border and are happy to settle
0:06:07 > 0:06:09in West Somerset or East Devon.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13They've already seen more than 30 houses over the past 12 months.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16So before we start our search, I'm going to dig a bit deeper
0:06:16 > 0:06:18to find out exactly what they're hoping to find.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20What has brought this big move about?
0:06:20 > 0:06:21You've lived in the countryside
0:06:21 > 0:06:23before, in the Midlands, haven't you?
0:06:23 > 0:06:28We just wanted to be nearer really nice countryside and...yeah.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31The kids left home as well, so it's a chance to start afresh.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32- Coastline?- Yeah.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Being within striking distance of the coast would be nice.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36What do you call striking distance?
0:06:36 > 0:06:38Getting there within an hour would be fantastic.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40Took us three hours from where we lived before.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Course it does. That's why I'm a bad swimmer, I'm from the Midlands too.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46Do you want to be on the edge of a village or do you want to be
0:06:46 > 0:06:49in the middle of...well, rural Devon or Somerset?
0:06:49 > 0:06:52Oh, it'd be fantastic if it's on the edge of a village cos
0:06:52 > 0:06:56we've come from a community and we really want to be part of one again.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58Yeah, there'd be no other way of getting to meet people
0:06:58 > 0:07:00unless we're in the middle of a community.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Talk to me about the property itself, what does it look like?
0:07:03 > 0:07:06We have no preconceptions about the house.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09You say that, come on, everybody says that.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- Well, I don't want to have a modern house.- OK.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16Wouldn't want to be on an estate, be a bit unhappy about thatch.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18If we could avoid listed, we'd be happy with that.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21We don't want anything that looks like an executive house.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23That would be horrible. That's a nasty term.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26If it's got some character and period features, that'd be lovely.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27What about conversions?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29Like barn conversions or anything like that?
0:07:29 > 0:07:30- Ohh.- I'm keener than Deb -
0:07:30 > 0:07:32she doesn't like them at all and I don't mind.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Yeah no, no. A lot of them were done in the '80s
0:07:35 > 0:07:38and they tend to have very dark '80s windows.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40How big does it need to be?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Two bedrooms, a work room for Deb, two rooms downstairs
0:07:43 > 0:07:45and an office somewhere for me, which could be a double garage
0:07:45 > 0:07:48converted or an outbuilding, I think we'd be there.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51- Deb's dead keen to have a garden, half an acre at least.- Yeah.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- I need somewhere to work from. - Stop there.
0:07:54 > 0:07:55- Half an acre of garden?- Yeah.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57What are you going to do with all this?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00I'm going to grow vegetables, fruit.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I've been doing that on an allotment before,
0:08:03 > 0:08:06but I'd kind of like to have it all in one place now.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10If there was space, I'd have a meadow and just, sort of...
0:08:10 > 0:08:11Oh, right...
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- OK, all right.- You can find it. - So half an acre of garden...
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Yeah, where is this house?
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Or even a meadow. Right, OK.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23Now, Chas do you need some outside space, any interests you've got?
0:08:23 > 0:08:24I'm a keen woodworker.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27If there was a workshop somewhere, that'd be fantastic.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30I'm fairly keen to grow some Christmas trees, as well.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33If there's the tiniest plot, I could have half a dozen Christmas trees
0:08:33 > 0:08:35and trim my own each year - that'd be fantastic.
0:08:35 > 0:08:37I'm sorry I even asked that question.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- We've got a lot of outside space now, haven't we?- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Christmas trees...
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Only a small plot...gardening plot.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45OK, then, let's talk through the budget.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48All this, of course, comes at a price.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50What are we looking up to?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Well we could possibly spend up to £475,000,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56but we'd really rather spend about £450,000.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57OK, that's fair enough.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00And that's a good budget for what you're looking for.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01Devon - not a cheap part of the world.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Somerset's slightly cheaper.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06I think maybe for our search, these three properties,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08we could have skirmishes either side of the border.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10- How does that sound? - Sounds good.- Sound.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11Yeah? Let's get started, shall we?
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- Yeah.- This way.- Yeah.
0:09:13 > 0:09:18For their top budget of £475,000, Chas and Debs are looking for...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26And they're not keen on modern houses, listed houses
0:09:26 > 0:09:30or thatched roofs, but character is good.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41We've found a trio of houses to tempt our buyers.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44And at each one, I'll be asking them to guess the price
0:09:44 > 0:09:45before I reveal it.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48The final stop will be our mystery house.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51And today, I'm hoping Debs and Chas will award it full marks.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01The first house we've found for Chas and Debs is in West Somerset,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03in the heart of West Bagborough,
0:10:03 > 0:10:06a small village just eight miles away from the county town of Taunton
0:10:06 > 0:10:09and around a half an hour drive to the sea.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Just 350 people are lucky enough to call West Bagborough home.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16This charming village lies in the Quantocks -
0:10:16 > 0:10:18the first area in England to be accredited
0:10:18 > 0:10:21An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1952 -
0:10:21 > 0:10:24and it remains unspoilt today.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27The local pub serves hearty fare that provides good fuel
0:10:27 > 0:10:30for a walk up to the Quantock Hills that can be accessed directly
0:10:30 > 0:10:33from the bridleway that runs beside it.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37And if your feet fancy a break, the local trekking centre offers
0:10:37 > 0:10:39the chance to enjoy the views by horseback.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44Our first house lies in the heart of the village.
0:10:44 > 0:10:46- Right then.- Ah, OK.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- So lovely little village.- Yeah.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50And house number one is this.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53Fantastic. Yeah, no, looks good so far, the village looks great.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55We like the village, we know this area.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58You know this area? You've researched this before, have you?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00Not this village, but we know this area.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Quantocks is right behind, we know that, absolutely.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04The pub we just walked past, it was lovely.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- Let's talk about the house. - Looks all right.
0:11:06 > 0:11:07- Quite homely looking, I'd say.- Yeah.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Yeah, yeah...come on, give a bit more.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13No, it does...it does look quite nice...yeah.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Of course, it's what's inside that counts. Let's go and take a peek.
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- Yeah.- OK.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20This detached cottage was built in the 1960s
0:11:20 > 0:11:23and its exterior is giving nothing away.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26We begin our tour of the inside in a large sitting room
0:11:26 > 0:11:29just off the entrance hallway on the right-hand side of the house.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Well, let's start off with this...very bright living room.
0:11:33 > 0:11:34- Oh, yeah. Nice.- Yeah.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Yeah, dual aspect, which is good.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40Yeah, and a lovely view of the garden. That's very tempting.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Just through that doorway, they've got a really nice sun room.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Yeah, we could see that from outside. It looked quite nice.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47I can see from here, it looks very nice,
0:11:47 > 0:11:48that looks thoroughly light and airy.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51I don't know whether that would be suitable for your office,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54maybe too bright and probably not enough storage especially for books.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Mmm, don't know about that, OK. - But it's an option, isn't it?
0:11:57 > 0:11:59- Yeah, it's an option. - So first impressions?
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Actually, it's nicer inside than it is on the outside, I think.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05Yeah, I was kind of getting your luke warm...
0:12:05 > 0:12:06I think it feels quite homely.
0:12:06 > 0:12:10Yeah, I think, on the outside, it looked more modern
0:12:10 > 0:12:15than maybe we like, but inside, it feels much more homely.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18I'm glad Debs and Chas have warmed up.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21The outside of the house might not have delivered,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24but the inside certainly has...so far.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28Across the hallway is the kitchen, also very bright and airy.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Yeah, it's...good. - I quite like that as well.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34I like the space again.
0:12:34 > 0:12:35Dining room's just through there.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38Yeah, it's a nice family room, this, actually, isn't it?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41No, I like this kitchen a lot, space works for me.
0:12:41 > 0:12:43Yeah, it's lovely, actually. Yeah.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46'Just off the other side of the kitchen from the dining room,
0:12:46 > 0:12:49'there's a good size utility room, offering more storage
0:12:49 > 0:12:50'for the kitchen overspill.'
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Let's go upstairs,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54maybe look at some bedrooms or even an office, Chas?
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- OK.- Yeah, OK.
0:12:57 > 0:13:00'As we go upstairs, the first room we come to is a study
0:13:00 > 0:13:03'which could be a work room for Debs or Chas.'
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Now, Chas, obviously a lot smaller than the conservatory...
0:13:07 > 0:13:10- Whoooa.- ..but a dedicated office.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- I'd struggle to work in here, actually.- Yeah.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16You've got three other bedrooms.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18- Is this the smallest of the bedrooms?- Yes.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- Oh, well, if that's the smallest, that's not too bad.- Yeah.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23If this room doesn't measure up as Chas' study,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26there's also another bedroom at the front of the house
0:13:26 > 0:13:28as well as a good size double.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30On the other side of the landing,
0:13:30 > 0:13:32there's a contemporary family bathroom.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34And next door is the master, with its own en-suite
0:13:34 > 0:13:36running the width of the bedroom.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- Now, I think you might like the master.- Oh, yeah.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Yeah, that's a nice, good size.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44A lovely view.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47I quite like this, nice big cupboards, not a huge room but...
0:13:47 > 0:13:49No, it's big enough though, I think, as a...
0:13:49 > 0:13:51We don't want a monstrous bedroom but...
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Two- to three-bedroom houses don't have two or three big bedrooms.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58And that... I think that's something we'd remind ourselves of.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Debs and Chas might feel the bedrooms
0:14:00 > 0:14:01are a little on the small side,
0:14:01 > 0:14:05but they do have one more to play with than they asked for.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Next stop is the garden, complete with mature trees and shrubs.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11And on a clear day, there are stunning views of the Brendon Hills
0:14:11 > 0:14:14and Exmoor in the distance.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- No, too small for me...sorry. - JONNIE SIGHS
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- Bang down to earth. - It's not overlooked.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24South facing, views of the hills and the valley but...not enough of it.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26No, it's not a gardener's garden.
0:14:26 > 0:14:29It's a lovely garden if you just want to sit and relax.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33And there's a nice patio. And if you just want to sit
0:14:33 > 0:14:35and look at the garden, then that's fine.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38But when you're a gardener, you actually want to be gardening.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41So let's have a go at guessing the price, who's going first?
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- Deb's going first. - OK, um...- She's so keen.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46About 375?
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Right...OK. Chas?
0:14:49 > 0:14:52I'm in the same ballpark. Maybe the village adds a bit,
0:14:52 > 0:14:56so let's say, I don't know, a bit more 380, possibly.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58This place is on the market...
0:14:58 > 0:15:02For offers around £465,000.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04My goodness!
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It's an asking price, who knows where it'll settle,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08don't be disheartened too much.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09- We're not.- Yeah, no, no.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11All right, but do go back into the house and have a look around.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I'll meet you out the front whenever you're finished.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- OK.- Brilliant.- See you in a mo. - Thank you, thanks.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19This detached house is almost half a century old.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21And although it's £10,000 under
0:15:21 > 0:15:22our buyers' budget,
0:15:22 > 0:15:24there's a possibility the vendor
0:15:24 > 0:15:26might accept an offer even lower.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43It's nice and airy in here.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45It is, yeah. Could it be an office?
0:15:45 > 0:15:50Yeah, I can see coming in here on a winter's day, it'd be nice.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53The house feels quite nice and homely, it's very simply laid out,
0:15:53 > 0:15:56so I could feel like I'm at home here, and I think Deb could too.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Inside, it's quite a nice house.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02I like the space. But the garden is far too small for me.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07Well, I know you didn't get lost in the garden,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09but you got to see all the internal accommodation, yeah?
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Yeah.- Yeah.- OK.- We're happy.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14I think it's been a bit of a learning curve, hasn't it?
0:16:14 > 0:16:16For me, finding out what your priorities are,
0:16:16 > 0:16:18but also for you guys, I suppose, finding out what you get
0:16:18 > 0:16:20for your money in this part of Somerset.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- Onwards and upwards, let's go to property two.- OK.- OK.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32When they make their move, foraging fans Debs and Chas
0:16:32 > 0:16:34are looking forward to getting a four-legged friend
0:16:34 > 0:16:36which could help them sniff out truffles,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39a prize fungus which grows underground and is better known
0:16:39 > 0:16:42for being searched out by pigs.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45So to give them a master class in hunting for this delicacy,
0:16:45 > 0:16:47we've arranged for them to visit Martock,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50on the edge of the Somerset Levels, to meet Marion Dean,
0:16:50 > 0:16:55who runs truffle-hunting classes for canines on her three-acre farm.
0:16:55 > 0:16:56And is this a proper truffle-hunting hound?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Yes, she is. This is my most experienced dog.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03She knows lots about truffles.
0:17:03 > 0:17:04And what breed is she?
0:17:04 > 0:17:09She's an Italian lagotto. Because of their excellent noses,
0:17:09 > 0:17:11they were drafted into truffle hunting.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14Truffles have been described as the diamond of the kitchen
0:17:14 > 0:17:19and black gold, and don't come cheap at over £2,000 per pound in weight.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23Marion has 650 trees here whose roots have been impregnated
0:17:23 > 0:17:27with truffle spores so she can grow her own truffles.
0:17:27 > 0:17:28It's not an easy crop to grow.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31They can take five to 15 years to appear
0:17:31 > 0:17:34or they might not turn up at all.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37So do you need this breed of dog to go truffle hunting?
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Absolutely not.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44I think temperament is the biggest thing to go for.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47When training begins, dogs like Mufty are first introduced
0:17:47 > 0:17:50to the truffle scent so they know what they're searching for.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Are you starting out with pieces of real truffle or truffle oil
0:17:53 > 0:17:55or something doused in truffle oil or what?
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Yes, I train so that when Mufty
0:17:59 > 0:18:02smells a truffle, she sits down,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05and often the truffle's between her paws.
0:18:05 > 0:18:09To see Mufty in action, it's off to some shady woodland nearby.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Marion has permission from the owner
0:18:11 > 0:18:13to search for and harvest truffles here.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17The illusive fungus grows wild here courtesy of mother nature,
0:18:17 > 0:18:19and this patch is full of beech trees,
0:18:19 > 0:18:21which makes it terrific truffle territory.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24They're an extremely generous truffle host.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30She's obviously getting keen now that we're in the woods,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33what sort of signals are you giving her?
0:18:33 > 0:18:38Well, obviously, I give her the command to start working.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42And then she goes off looking for a truffle.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47She'll keep looking back at me for eye contact as if to say,
0:18:47 > 0:18:49"Are you paying attention?
0:18:49 > 0:18:53"If I tell you about a truffle, are you listening?"
0:18:53 > 0:18:56OK, shall we see if we can find any?
0:18:56 > 0:18:59- Let's go, yes, yes. - Come on, Mufty, this is up to you.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02Sit...working...truffle.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07So will she always stay within sight of you?
0:19:07 > 0:19:11She's fairly well trained to work at close quarters.
0:19:11 > 0:19:12Truffles are very popular
0:19:12 > 0:19:14with squirrels and other woodland animals,
0:19:14 > 0:19:19so hopefully the locals here have left some for Mufty to sniff out.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Wait. Clever girl.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24It looks like Mufty's hit the jackpot.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29That's so good. She's actually knocked it out of the ground.
0:19:29 > 0:19:30- That is fantastic.- Yeah.
0:19:32 > 0:19:33- Fantastic.- Wow.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36So is this your first wild truffle?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39It certainly is, that's amazing.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41If you're hunting for truffles, you need to do your homework
0:19:41 > 0:19:45so you know what's safe to eat, as some fungi are poisonous.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47A truffle that feels heavy for its size and is hard
0:19:47 > 0:19:50with an unbroken coat is a good sign.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52Is it a good one?
0:19:52 > 0:19:56It smells very nice indeed.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I'm a little concerned because it's got some give in it.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03A soft truffle isn't a good trait as it could be the beginnings
0:20:03 > 0:20:04of it going off.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07They're best eaten fresh and don't last for more than around
0:20:07 > 0:20:09seven to ten days maximum.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12They're usually used in pasta or risotto dishes,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16but Marion uses them in a slightly more unconventional manner.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Today, she's got bread and butter pudding made with truffle
0:20:19 > 0:20:21that's cooking at home.
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Right. Now, then how is that?
0:20:24 > 0:20:28Cor, the smell is intensified, isn't it?
0:20:28 > 0:20:30- Yeah.- It's fabulous, isn't it? - There we are.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- Thank you.- Tuck in.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Well, we'll start with a small portion.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40Off you go, Debbie, have a try. And tell me what you think.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Mmm...it's really lovely.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Mmm that has changed bread and butter pudding completely.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Fantastic. Well, let's tuck in. Don't let it get cold.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00For our second property, we're crossing over the border
0:21:00 > 0:21:03to Devon and driving nearly 60 miles from house number one
0:21:03 > 0:21:05to the village of Roborough.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08It's about a 40-minute drive to the sea and just 13 miles away
0:21:08 > 0:21:12from Barnstable, North Devon's capital.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14Chas and Debs would find a welcoming community to join
0:21:14 > 0:21:16in the village of Roborough.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20At the heart is a 16th-century pub which hosts live music.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23And there's a village hall that holds a number of events.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Surrounded by beautiful countryside, there could also be plenty of places
0:21:26 > 0:21:29to dig out those truffles.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31House number two is just a seven-minute walk
0:21:31 > 0:21:33from the centre of Roborough.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Actually, this is quite nice.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38Definitely much more positive than the last one.
0:21:38 > 0:21:40Look at these reactions, these are so much better
0:21:40 > 0:21:41than the first house, aren't they?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43- This feels like the kind of place we'd live.- It does.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45Whereas the other one didn't much.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- Say no more. Let's go inside.- OK.
0:21:48 > 0:21:52This substantial house was originally a cottage built in 1952.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55It was then extended and converted into a family home
0:21:55 > 0:21:57around 40 years later.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59It's set out over three floors. And the front door leads straight
0:21:59 > 0:22:01into a large entrance hall.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03First impressions?
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Fantastic. This is a Christmas tree hall.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Isn't it just?
0:22:08 > 0:22:10All the Christmas trees in here.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13I'm liking this a heck of a lot and I can imagine inviting
0:22:13 > 0:22:16several families to come and stay at once in the summer here,
0:22:16 > 0:22:17our friends from the Midlands.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Off the back of the hallway down a few stairs
0:22:20 > 0:22:23is an expansive square reception room.
0:22:23 > 0:22:24So the owner calls this the party room.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27I think it's fairly easy to see why.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Yeah, nice.
0:22:30 > 0:22:31- It's big.- It's big, isn't it?
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Yeah, it is, yeah, you'd get loads of people in here.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36Underneath this flooring is under floor heating.
0:22:36 > 0:22:40Got two French windows opening out onto this balcony that overlooks
0:22:40 > 0:22:42beautiful southern landscape there.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Yeah, a lovely valley down there.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48OK, so this is good, you've ticked a few boxes already.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Well, we've definitely kicked things off on the right foot,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53so it's all smiles as we head to the kitchen-diner
0:22:53 > 0:22:55back on the ground floor
0:22:55 > 0:22:58with its impressive bi-fold doors opening onto a decked balcony
0:22:58 > 0:23:01offering breathtaking views.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04It's lovely, really nice, yeah. Another big tick.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07I like that throw-open effect there.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Yeah, I've always wanted that.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12And to open it out onto that lovely countryside...
0:23:12 > 0:23:14It's a picture frame, isn't it?
0:23:14 > 0:23:16It is, it is.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19I feel as though I ought to be in the Alps or something so that...
0:23:19 > 0:23:23I don't know, something about this is quite nice, definitely.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25A lot of the brick you see is reclaimed brick
0:23:25 > 0:23:27from a cottage that was here.
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Through there, where the cottage was, you've got a utility -
0:23:31 > 0:23:34separate utility - and a downstairs loo and shower room,
0:23:34 > 0:23:36somewhere to wash the dog off after foraging, maybe?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38Fantastic, yeah.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40It feels like it could be our home.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Also on the ground floor, there's an office and a dining room
0:23:43 > 0:23:47both of which could be put to different uses.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49And on the first floor, in the beamed eaves,
0:23:49 > 0:23:53there's a large landing leading to two of four bedrooms -
0:23:53 > 0:23:57one with an en-suite and another next door to a bathroom.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Then down a few stairs, there's a third smaller bedroom
0:24:01 > 0:24:04next to the bright and spacious triple aspect master,
0:24:04 > 0:24:05which is en-suite.
0:24:07 > 0:24:10- Views, views, views. - Yeah, definitely.
0:24:10 > 0:24:14Whoa, OK, we've got three views and we've got a dressing room.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16- And a balcony. - And a small balcony.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- This is brilliant. - We like this room.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Don't you?- Yeah. - It's got masses of character.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25It goes on and on, this house, doesn't it?
0:24:25 > 0:24:27- We're liking this a lot. - Yeah, a lot, yeah.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30I hope so, yeah, cos after your reaction to the first house,
0:24:30 > 0:24:33I thought the next one has to be about the outside space
0:24:33 > 0:24:35as much as the inside space.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37- Yeah.- Good.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40There's so much room in this house that it offers lots of options,
0:24:40 > 0:24:43plenty to think about as we head outside.
0:24:43 > 0:24:47Now, I imagine this is probably more what you had in mind for a garden.
0:24:47 > 0:24:51Definitely, definitely. It's fantastic. It's a blank canvas.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54This all in all...plot size is around an acre,
0:24:54 > 0:24:58but this garden's south facing. I mean it's beautiful...
0:24:58 > 0:25:01Behind that hedgerow, you've got nearly two acres...
0:25:01 > 0:25:04- Oh, that field is...as well? - ..of paddock. Yeah.
0:25:04 > 0:25:05- Do you like that?- Yeah.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Yeah, we like that. Not sure what we'd do with that, but that's...
0:25:08 > 0:25:09Lots of things we could do, I'm sure.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12If you just come round here a bit more with me...
0:25:13 > 0:25:15You've got, well, essentially, it's like an annexe, isn't it?
0:25:15 > 0:25:17It is.
0:25:17 > 0:25:20- First floor...office.- Yeah.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23Ground floor...workshop.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25- Fantastic.- Anything we want to do, we can do here.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27There's no question about that.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29Yeah, masses and masses and masses of space. Great.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32So how much do you think this is on the market for?
0:25:32 > 0:25:37Well, it's got everything we want and much, much more.
0:25:37 > 0:25:42I think it's way over the budget. And I'm going to guess £500,000.
0:25:42 > 0:25:43All right, Chas?
0:25:43 > 0:25:47Well, I don't think you'd push us that far, so...
0:25:47 > 0:25:51so I'm going to say it's right at the top - £475,000.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53OK, well, I'll put you out of your misery.
0:25:53 > 0:25:58It has previously been quoted on the market closer to your guess -
0:25:58 > 0:26:01£500,000 - but having met the owner,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03he's now quoting an asking price
0:26:03 > 0:26:07of £475,000.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10- Not bad news?- No, that's... - No, no, that's quite good, yeah.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12I mean, it stretches us to the limit,
0:26:12 > 0:26:14but we get everything we want here.
0:26:14 > 0:26:17He would be prepared to reduce the price further
0:26:17 > 0:26:19if you didn't take the paddock or the field.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21There's so much of this property you haven't seen.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23See, we'd never feel cramped here.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Go and explore it then, I'll catch you whenever you're finished.
0:26:26 > 0:26:28Thanks very much.
0:26:28 > 0:26:29This substantial detached house
0:26:29 > 0:26:31is right at the top
0:26:31 > 0:26:32of Debs and Chas's budget,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34but happily there is room
0:26:34 > 0:26:35for negotiation.
0:26:56 > 0:27:01Wow...got a...workshop, as well.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05Yeah, it's big enough for any project I could imagine doing here.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08It's just exactly what I expected of a house.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13It's...the space we could easily work with.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16And having a meadow, as well,
0:27:16 > 0:27:20it's just above and beyond what I expected.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23It's not the sort of place we would ever have come to look at,
0:27:23 > 0:27:27too Swiss, too...I don't know. But when we got here...
0:27:27 > 0:27:29I think we've fallen in love with it.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32But we have been searching for quite a while and of all the places
0:27:32 > 0:27:34we've looked at, this is probably the most intriguing.
0:27:34 > 0:27:39It's probably the biggest we've ever looked at and...
0:27:39 > 0:27:44it's the place we could most easily, yeah, lose ourselves in.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48- I thought you pair had gone foraging.- Yeah, definitely.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51So much to see in the house, but outside, as well, wasn't there?
0:27:51 > 0:27:53- Brilliant.- Masses. - Masses and masses to see.
0:27:53 > 0:27:54We like this place a lot.
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Well, there's something to think about tonight then over dinner.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Then tomorrow's a new day. I'll take you back.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01Thanks.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12It's the second day of our journey around the Somerset-Devon border
0:28:12 > 0:28:14on the hunt for the perfect property
0:28:14 > 0:28:17for Debs and Chas from Bristol to call home.
0:28:17 > 0:28:21They've got a good budget of up to £475,000 to spend
0:28:21 > 0:28:22on their country retreat.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26And they're looking for somewhere with a fabulous garden.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30Coming up, will our mystery house be top of the class?
0:28:30 > 0:28:34- This is the kitchen I've been looking for, actually.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37And I'll be getting bogged down on Exmoor.
0:28:37 > 0:28:39Goodness me it's, literally, like a sponge.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42Yeah, it's very absorbent.
0:28:42 > 0:28:46Well, yesterday, for Chas and Deb, big was certainly better, wasn't it?
0:28:46 > 0:28:50But I do think we've got a clear contender now with house number two.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53So much so that for the mystery property, as usual,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55I think we can afford to take a bit of a risk.
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Now, there are a few areas of concern here.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01First of all, they've said they're not particularly keen on conversions
0:29:01 > 0:29:02and listed properties.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05Guess what, the mystery property is both of those.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08But the other area of concern for me now is I think we might have
0:29:08 > 0:29:12spoilt them with all that outside space with house number two.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14For the mystery property, they're going to have to think
0:29:14 > 0:29:16laterally about how they use the gardens.
0:29:19 > 0:29:22For our final property, the mystery house, we're travelling back
0:29:22 > 0:29:25to Somerset, 45 miles from the second property,
0:29:25 > 0:29:29to the hamlet of Yarde, which lies on the edge of Exmoor National Park.
0:29:29 > 0:29:33It's under a 15-minute drive to the coast and just a five-minute
0:29:33 > 0:29:36drive from the nearby town of Williton.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Originally a small Saxon settlement,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42today Williton is home to over 3,500 residents.
0:29:42 > 0:29:46It's on the West Somerset Railway line and has its own newspaper,
0:29:46 > 0:29:49which was founded in 1860.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53There's a farm shop selling local produce, a number of cosy pubs
0:29:53 > 0:29:56and a great fish and chips shop.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59The mystery house is just three miles away, in the small
0:29:59 > 0:30:02but perfectly formed hamlet of Yarde.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05This is our mystery house. What's your thoughts?
0:30:05 > 0:30:06Pretty unusual.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09A converted school, built around 1819,
0:30:09 > 0:30:13it was then the village hall and is now a very impressive house,
0:30:13 > 0:30:15I think...right up your street.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17But at the moment, what are you thinking?
0:30:17 > 0:30:20It looks nice from the outside. I quite like it.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21I like the look of it.
0:30:21 > 0:30:26It's intriguing, that's lovely. That one appeals to me immediately.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- Good. All right, let's go inside.- Yeah.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34This extremely unusual 19th-century building is Grade II listed
0:30:34 > 0:30:38and a conversion - not what our buyers wanted -
0:30:38 > 0:30:40but this is our mystery house.
0:30:40 > 0:30:43It was converted into a residential property in 1972.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46And at the back, there's a smaller house attached at one wall,
0:30:46 > 0:30:48which isn't part of this sale.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52We're heading straight to the kitchen-diner to begin our tour.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55Now then, prepare to be amazed.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- Oh, wow.- Look at the size of this.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03- Yeah, this is the kitchen I've been looking for, actually.- Is it?- Yeah.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06- It feels lovely.- It does.- I quite like the look of the kitchen.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08It feels really homely already.
0:31:08 > 0:31:12- Great start.- Yeah.- Let's keep walking through.- OK, lead on.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15Next stop is an equally spacious sitting room.
0:31:15 > 0:31:19I wasn't expecting this cos I thought having a big room next door, the...
0:31:19 > 0:31:21- Might be compromised here? - Yeah, yeah, no this is...
0:31:21 > 0:31:24Even bigger. You can do anything you like with this room.
0:31:24 > 0:31:29And having the doors that go onto the garden is brilliant.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31Just off the sitting room is a single storey room
0:31:31 > 0:31:33which could work well as a study.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36And as we go upstairs, we're heading straight for another big space,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40which could be...well, whatever they want it to be.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43Is this an office? Is this a hobby room?
0:31:43 > 0:31:44Who gets first dibs?
0:31:44 > 0:31:45Oh, I didn't expect this.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48Or is it a bedroom? It'd make a fantastic bedroom.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51The windows are gorgeous.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53- This is more joyful than the room downstairs, actually.- Yeah, it is.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56I don't know whether this would be a place where you'd sit
0:31:56 > 0:31:59most of the time and watch telly or whether it's a bedroom.
0:31:59 > 0:32:03On this floor there's also a family bathroom and three double bedrooms.
0:32:03 > 0:32:07Two are good size doubles, both with fabulous arched windows.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09And at the other end of the landing, there's the master.
0:32:11 > 0:32:13You got an en-suite, lovely en-suite as well, actually.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17- Yeah.- Yeah, no this is good.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19It's a really nice master bedroom.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21It's a very nice, cosy room, actually.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24And you probably need the odd cosy room in this house,
0:32:24 > 0:32:25cos everything else is so big.
0:32:25 > 0:32:27Yeah, exactly, yeah.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30It's hard to imagine this 200-year-old building once had
0:32:30 > 0:32:32the sound of the school bell ringing through it.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35It's been converted into a truly fabulous home which could
0:32:35 > 0:32:39offer Debs and Chas a country retreat with so many options.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Let's find out if the outside space gives Debs the garden paradise
0:32:42 > 0:32:44she's dreaming of.
0:32:44 > 0:32:48So garden's... Well, not conventional for you.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50You're going to have to create one, I think, with this house.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54You can see, you've got quite a bit of space here.
0:32:54 > 0:32:55Yeah, yeah, definitely.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59The house has got loads, the garden...not so much, I think.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03So let me explain what else you get here that you haven't yet seen.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Big double garage, with power, most importantly.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09- That's good. - That's workshop for you, I imagine.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12Just there you get a good deal of that shed there, if you like.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15It's an old skittle alley.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18- Ha.- Ooh. - OK, yeah, no that's good.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20OK, it's a lovely looking building.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Now, price wise, how much do you think this mystery house
0:33:23 > 0:33:25is on the market for?
0:33:25 > 0:33:27I wouldn't be surprised to see this on the market for half a million.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30But I don't think you're going to push us that far. I trust you.
0:33:30 > 0:33:32So let's say £470,000 this time.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34OK, Deb?
0:33:34 > 0:33:38I'm going to hope...you've gone under budget,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42so I'm going to go £430,000.
0:33:42 > 0:33:47All right, well this place is on the market for
0:33:47 > 0:33:50offers around £450,000.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52OK, yeah.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56- That's a lot of house for £450,000. - Isn't it just?- Yeah, yeah.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59Now is your opportunity to have a look around this place on your own.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01You got the outbuilding there, the skittle alley,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03you've got this garage, you've got all the other rooms
0:34:03 > 0:34:05you haven't yet seen.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06Have a walk round everywhere you want
0:34:06 > 0:34:09and I'll meet you whenever you're done, all right?
0:34:09 > 0:34:12- Let's look at that skittle alley. - OK.- See you in a bit.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14This striking old school is
0:34:14 > 0:34:16a generous £25,000 under
0:34:16 > 0:34:17Debs and Chas's budget
0:34:17 > 0:34:19giving them a healthy kitty
0:34:19 > 0:34:20to spend as they wish.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22There's the potential to have
0:34:22 > 0:34:24four bedrooms here plus a couple
0:34:24 > 0:34:26of options for Chas's office and workshop.
0:34:26 > 0:34:28The kitchen-diner is the perfect
0:34:28 > 0:34:30entertaining space for Debs.
0:34:30 > 0:34:31And the garden is just waiting
0:34:31 > 0:34:34for her to make it her own.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Wow, another big space in here.
0:34:37 > 0:34:39You'd get the table tennis table in here.
0:34:39 > 0:34:40Yeah, absolutely.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45It really is quite a fantastic house, actually.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49Inside is just more than I could ever dream of.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51I think this place is fantastic.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54It's the biggest house we've looked at since we started searching,
0:34:54 > 0:34:55about a year ago.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57More space than you know what to do with here.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00This house has given us a lot to think about.
0:35:00 > 0:35:05It's almost... Inside is almost our dream house.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Outside, it's not so big. So there's kind of a dilemma.
0:35:09 > 0:35:14And this garden isn't a couple of acres, it's much smaller,
0:35:14 > 0:35:18but could work really well for us, I think, if we use the space
0:35:18 > 0:35:20a little bit differently.
0:35:20 > 0:35:26So has the mystery property at least challenged house number two?
0:35:26 > 0:35:28- Definitely, yeah.- Yeah, yeah.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30Difficult to choose between them at the moment.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32And that's exactly what you need to do now.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35I'm going to find you somewhere to have a bit of a confab
0:35:35 > 0:35:36and we'll catch up later on, how's that?
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- OK, that sounds good. - OK.- Let's go.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Exmoor National Park covers 267 square miles and straddles
0:35:50 > 0:35:53both West Somerset and North Devon.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57Its Uplands are home to around 5,000 hectares of bog land,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00formed over 5,000 years and made up mainly of peat,
0:36:00 > 0:36:05which is mostly water and partially decomposed plant remains.
0:36:05 > 0:36:08In the early 19th century, thousands of drainage ditches were cut
0:36:08 > 0:36:10into this naturally waterlogged land
0:36:10 > 0:36:13by entrepreneurial landowner John Knight
0:36:13 > 0:36:17in the hope the water would run out and the great expanse of moors
0:36:17 > 0:36:19could be used as farmland.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22His mission was successful and he got the grass he wanted,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26but there were devastating consequences to wildlife.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28The bogs dried out causing vegetation to die,
0:36:28 > 0:36:32and with it, the birds and insects that relied on it.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Maddie Davy is part of a project to re-wet and restore
0:36:35 > 0:36:392,000 hectares of peat land by 2015.
0:36:39 > 0:36:42So, Maddie, standing in this huge swathe of land,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44I mean, first of all, it doesn't really feel much like a peat bog.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46You're about to tell me otherwise though.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50Well, there is peat under our feet, but it's probably not what
0:36:50 > 0:36:55you would call healthy peat, so the peat is dry and degrading.
0:36:55 > 0:36:59I can see this big machinery going on here behind us.
0:36:59 > 0:37:00What are they doing?
0:37:00 > 0:37:04They are blocking the drainage ditches.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06So what they are doing is they are putting in wooden planks
0:37:06 > 0:37:09across the ditch, supported by upright posts,
0:37:09 > 0:37:12and then covering the whole structure in peat.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16So you're basically undoing the drainage work that was done before?
0:37:16 > 0:37:17Yes, yeah.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20What makes peat bogs so important then in the world?
0:37:20 > 0:37:24A healthy peat bog can naturally filter the water.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Rainfall runs down the surrounding hills and into this moorland.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32The restored bog will store the water before it slowly makes
0:37:32 > 0:37:35its way to nearby streams, where it ends up providing drinking water
0:37:35 > 0:37:37to the southwest of England.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Water running through a dried out bog turns brown,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43as the decomposed peat is washed along with it
0:37:43 > 0:37:46and has to be removed before it can be used to drink.
0:37:46 > 0:37:50The re-wet land here is not only valuable to two-legged locals.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53Will that be useful to farmers, as well, some of this work that
0:37:53 > 0:37:56you're doing? Will they be able to graze animals on a peat bog?
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Yeah, the blocks will create little pools which will be ideal,
0:37:59 > 0:38:03in this weather anyway, for the livestock to drink out of.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06A team of volunteers come here once a month to help maintain
0:38:06 > 0:38:09the peat blocks plugging the ditches.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Wendy and Ken have been offering their services here
0:38:11 > 0:38:13for the past four years.
0:38:14 > 0:38:16You two guys look like you're earning your lunch at least.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19Certainly are, yes, we're busy today.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21- There's two spades over there. - Oh, oh.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23OK, well tell me what you're doing then.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26We're creating what we call a ditch block.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- These are drains that were put in in the 19th century.- Yeah.
0:38:29 > 0:38:33All the water runs off...runs off down the hill to Exeter
0:38:33 > 0:38:36and floods Exeter.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39The surrounding towns and villages in Somerset are particularly
0:38:39 > 0:38:42prone to flooding, so anything that helps prevent such devastation
0:38:42 > 0:38:46is hugely valuable to both the land and the locals.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48I want to get my hands dirty. Where do I start?
0:38:48 > 0:38:51You pick a bit along this side and you take off a piece
0:38:51 > 0:38:54so that we can take it over there and put it onto the ditch block
0:38:54 > 0:38:56and help to stop it up.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Feels like a building block, Wendy.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Yeah, exactly, that's exactly what it is.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Right, if you could pop it in there, that'd be perfect.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Just right in this hole here?
0:39:05 > 0:39:07That's right, stop that bit up, stop it running through.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11- Am I just...?- And just stamp it down a bit, that's it.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13- OK.- Then Maddie's can go in next to it.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16That'll block that hole up nicely, won't it?
0:39:19 > 0:39:22This area's a work in progress, but nearby, there's an area
0:39:22 > 0:39:24of bog land that is fully restored.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28So this is potentially the end result.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30How long has this been restored?
0:39:30 > 0:39:35This is one of the first sites that we restored, so over ten years ago.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38At the heart of this is a certain type of moss, is that right?
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- Yes, sphagnum moss. - Sphagnum moss.- Yeah.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Here, this is what we'd call an aquatic version of sphagnum moss,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47- so it lives in the water.- Right.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50Sphagnum moss can be up to 70% water.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52So would you like to give it a squeeze?
0:39:54 > 0:39:55Goodness me, it's literally like a sponge.
0:39:55 > 0:39:57Yeah, it's very absorbent. Yes.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59- Up to 70% water?- Yes.
0:39:59 > 0:40:01Does it have any other properties to it?
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Has it been used for anything in the past at all?
0:40:03 > 0:40:07Well, interesting fact, World War I, they used it to dress wounds
0:40:07 > 0:40:09because of its absorbent properties.
0:40:09 > 0:40:10Oh, really?
0:40:10 > 0:40:13When they ran out of bandages on the front line, that's what they used.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Fantastic, what a beautiful environment to work in.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Well, I wish you a steady and regular flow of volunteers.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20- Thank you. - And best of luck for the future.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23I'm going to go before I fall in. I think I almost have.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30Well, after great reactions yesterday afternoon
0:40:30 > 0:40:33at house number two and today at the mystery property,
0:40:33 > 0:40:35I think it's between those houses.
0:40:35 > 0:40:37It's funny though, isn't it? They couldn't be more different.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40But I don't think we've necessarily split the camp.
0:40:40 > 0:40:44But I do think we've got Deb and Chas scratching their heads.
0:40:44 > 0:40:45Let's find out their thoughts.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Now then, I'm all ears,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55cos I think there's a big decision here, isn't there?
0:40:55 > 0:40:59I've set my stall out and I reckon it's between house number two
0:40:59 > 0:41:00and the mystery property.
0:41:00 > 0:41:02It's not a big guess, is it really?
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- No, definitely house number one was ruled out straight away.- Yeah.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07So what's it to be?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09I think we're going to go and see both.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11- Yeah, we're going to see both of them again.- Right, OK.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- Both of them have got things in their favour.- Neck and neck.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16So does either of you favour one or the other?
0:41:16 > 0:41:18I don't favour one or the other at the moment.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20- Neck and neck for you? - For me, yeah.
0:41:20 > 0:41:25I would go for the mystery house more than house number two,
0:41:25 > 0:41:30only because the house itself didn't need any work doing to it.
0:41:30 > 0:41:35The garden was smaller, so I've compromised quite a lot on that.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38It's great that you've got two favourite houses.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40What's going to help you make your minds up then?
0:41:40 > 0:41:41What's the next step?
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Look round both areas fully and check it out.
0:41:44 > 0:41:45Yeah, see what goes on in the community.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48- You're not in a bad position are you?- No, no.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50No, there's a nice choice, good position to be in, yeah.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Look, whatever you decide, do please let us know, won't you?
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- We shall.- We will do.- Definitely.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- Good luck with your viewings. - Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03So after a year of looking in vain on their own, Chas and Deb
0:42:03 > 0:42:06are now in the enviable position of having two houses
0:42:06 > 0:42:08and they can't choose between them.
0:42:08 > 0:42:10On the one hand... Well, it's funny, isn't it?
0:42:10 > 0:42:12..you've got a house that's almost too big for them -
0:42:12 > 0:42:14property number two - versus the mystery property.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16And certainly in terms of outside space,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19that's on the cusp of being just big enough.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23So hopefully their second viewings will help them decide
0:42:23 > 0:42:26which of the two properties comes out on top.
0:42:26 > 0:42:29I wish them the very best of luck.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31Debs and Chas decided to re-visit the mystery house.
0:42:31 > 0:42:34They still loved it, but concluded that the garden
0:42:34 > 0:42:37was a little too small and were worried about the large windows
0:42:37 > 0:42:41letting in the cold and what it would cost to double glaze them.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44They're now continuing their search in the area, hoping to find
0:42:44 > 0:42:46their country home.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49If you'd like to escape to the country in either England,
0:42:49 > 0:42:53Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland and would like our help,
0:42:53 > 0:42:54please apply online at...