0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Although now a ruin, the building behind me
0:00:05 > 0:00:07played a vital role supporting the industries
0:00:07 > 0:00:10that once thrived in this part of the country,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13so much so that one area nearby was described
0:00:13 > 0:00:17as being the wealthiest place in all of Europe.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21So, where am I and how did this region make its money?
0:00:21 > 0:00:22Find out in just a moment.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Today's buyers are turning their backs
0:00:42 > 0:00:43on a tough couple of years
0:00:43 > 0:00:47to search for a new family home and business in the country.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49But let's get our priorities right.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50This is the ultimate man cave.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51THEY LAUGH
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- Workroom.- Sorry. Workroom. Workroom.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55'And we mustn't forget Mum.'
0:00:55 > 0:00:57I don't think we'd ever get Sarah out of that bath.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Where do you put the wine glass?
0:01:02 > 0:01:06Today, we're in Cornwall, and this is the Towanroath Engine House,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09which formed part of the Wheal Coates tin mine
0:01:09 > 0:01:12in St Agnes on Cornwall's northern coast.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16Now, during the 19th century, Cornwall was the most important tin-
0:01:16 > 0:01:19and copper-producing region in the world,
0:01:19 > 0:01:24boasting over 300 mines and employing over 40,000 people.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Copper production in particular made so much money
0:01:28 > 0:01:30that in one period of the 19th century,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33the nearby parish of Gwennap was hailed as
0:01:33 > 0:01:36the richest square mile in the Old World.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40Now a listed building, the Engine House was responsible
0:01:40 > 0:01:44for keeping water out of the mining shaft 185 metres below.
0:01:44 > 0:01:48And although the mine eventually closed in 1913,
0:01:48 > 0:01:50the county is still scattered
0:01:50 > 0:01:53with reminders of its glorious industrial past.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Coastal Cornwall sits in the southwest of England.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01Surrounded mostly by water,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05it's bordered by just one other county - Devon.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07Ever popular with tourists,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Cornwall reveals over 300 miles of dramatic coastline
0:02:11 > 0:02:15ranging from the popular sandy surfing beaches of Newquay
0:02:15 > 0:02:17to the rugged cliffs of The Lizard Peninsula -
0:02:17 > 0:02:19the most southerly point of the UK.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Here, the sheltered bays offer the perfect protection
0:02:23 > 0:02:25for fishing villages like Cadgwith,
0:02:25 > 0:02:28from where local fishermen still head out to sea every day.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33One of the county's largest towns is Falmouth.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Sitting at the mouth of the River Fal,
0:02:35 > 0:02:36it lies on the entrance
0:02:36 > 0:02:39to the third deepest natural harbour in the world
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and was one of the UK'S most important ports
0:02:42 > 0:02:44up until the mid-19th century.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Inland, as well as the scars of the heavy industry
0:02:48 > 0:02:51that once thrived here, the county has a varied landscape
0:02:51 > 0:02:56featuring rolling hills, farmland and wooded valleys.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00With Cornwall offering such a rich variety of countryside,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02coastline and industrial heritage,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05it's not hard to see why this region is so appealing
0:03:05 > 0:03:08to those seeking a new rural life.
0:03:12 > 0:03:13Property prices in Cornwall
0:03:13 > 0:03:16are pretty much bang on the national average
0:03:16 > 0:03:21at around £268,000 for a detached home.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23And the good news for house-hunters here
0:03:23 > 0:03:26is that prices are still around 10% lower
0:03:26 > 0:03:29than they were at their peak in 2008,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33although they can vary wildly within the county.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35For example, a home in one of Cornwall's
0:03:35 > 0:03:38fashionable fishing villages on the north coast
0:03:38 > 0:03:43can cost around three times more than a similar property inland.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46So, what is it about this part of the country
0:03:46 > 0:03:48that has so attracted today's buyers?
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:52 > 0:03:53For the last 17 years,
0:03:53 > 0:03:57Andrew and Sarah have lived in the town of Tring in Hertfordshire
0:03:57 > 0:03:59in a four-bedroom, post-war semi.
0:03:59 > 0:04:05We were introduced by a friend on a blind date...in 1993?
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- '93, yeah.- Yes, it's 20 years last year.- Absolutely.
0:04:08 > 0:04:10- And that was it, really. - Yeah. Sorted. Job done.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12Moved in six months later.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15- Married within two years, wasn't it?- Yeah.
0:04:15 > 0:04:19Andrew and Sarah's whirlwind romance and marriage led to children -
0:04:19 > 0:04:21nine-year-old Katie and Alex, who's 12
0:04:21 > 0:04:24and just starting at secondary school.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26The couple feel now is the right time
0:04:26 > 0:04:28for the family to leave Hertfordshire,
0:04:28 > 0:04:31where they've spent most of their lives.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33We're not running away from this house. We like this house.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35We've made it very much our own place.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37What we're trying to do is just find ourselves
0:04:37 > 0:04:40a different life out in the country.
0:04:40 > 0:04:41They've decided on Cornwall
0:04:41 > 0:04:45after spending some memorable holidays in the coastal county.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47We've been going down to Cornwall for 20 years.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- Yeah. Together.- Together.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51I went down as a kid a lot on holiday with my family.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53I used to go down before I met Sarah almost every year.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55We just love the county.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57It's a place that we've really fallen in love with.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59We've always thought we'd land up retiring down there
0:04:59 > 0:05:02but we suddenly had a eureka moment a couple of months ago,
0:05:02 > 0:05:04where we thought, actually, let's do it now.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06- Let's do it while we can enjoy it.- Yeah.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09It's a chance for us to start a different type of lifestyle,
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and we're really looking forward to it.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13But their desire for a slower pace of life
0:05:13 > 0:05:16has been partly motivated by Andrew's health.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Two years ago, he was signed off sick
0:05:18 > 0:05:21from his job as a marketing manager.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23We've had a tough couple of years
0:05:23 > 0:05:25and it seems like the right time to do it now.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29It's a good chance to make a clean break, really.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32It was when I was off sick trying to recover,
0:05:32 > 0:05:34I actually got into plastic modelling.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35It was a great hobby to get into
0:05:35 > 0:05:39because it involved a lot of detail work and concentration,
0:05:39 > 0:05:40and that was really good for me.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44And then, as I got on, I got more advanced into that,
0:05:44 > 0:05:46I started to think to myself,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49actually, there might actually be a business opportunity here.
0:05:49 > 0:05:50So, their hope is to build
0:05:50 > 0:05:53a plastic modelling retail business in Cornwall
0:05:53 > 0:05:55while Sarah continues working freelance
0:05:55 > 0:05:57in her civil service job.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01I've been in the corporate world for sort of 25 years.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Sarah's been working in different industries
0:06:03 > 0:06:08for a sort of similar amount of time, and been there and done it.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10And running a business from home
0:06:10 > 0:06:14will allow our buyers to maintain a better work/life balance.
0:06:14 > 0:06:19One of the key things for us is to spend time together as a family.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21The kids are both into shows -
0:06:21 > 0:06:23sort of, you know, am-dram type thing -
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and that's a good way of obviously getting to know new people as well.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28And of course parents get roped in to helping.
0:06:28 > 0:06:30So obviously getting involved with the school as well
0:06:30 > 0:06:33would be a great way of us getting to know people
0:06:33 > 0:06:35within the community we find ourselves.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37With their house in Tring now sold,
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Andrew and Sarah are taking charge of their destiny.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Moving to the West Country, moving to Cornwall
0:06:44 > 0:06:48will be a dramatic change for the family.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50It will be a complete reboot.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55And the idea of being able to sort of start afresh
0:06:55 > 0:06:58down in that neck of the woods that we love
0:06:58 > 0:07:01and build something for us is hugely exciting.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08Our buyers would like us to focus our house search
0:07:08 > 0:07:11within a reasonable distance of Truro and Falmouth.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13I'm meeting up with them in the south of the county,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16on the banks of the Helford River.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19So, Andrew and Sarah, welcome to Cornwall.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- BOTH: Thank you. - A big move is on the cards.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Your house has been sold.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25- You're ready to make a big change to your lives.- We are.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I've got to ask, why Cornwall? Why did you pick this county?
0:07:28 > 0:07:30It's a lifestyle change.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34It's a chance to start in a new part of the country
0:07:34 > 0:07:36where we want to bring the kids up and have a good time.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39Now, you mentioned the children. Are they keen to move to Cornwall?
0:07:39 > 0:07:40Our daughter's very keen.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43She's nine, very adaptable, she gets on with things.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46Our son, who's coming up to 13, is getting round to it.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- I think he'll love it down here. - We've had to bribe them with kayaks.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- THEY LAUGH - A good outdoor sport.- Absolutely.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55I think we're in the perfect location now, aren't we?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Spot on, yeah. - What about the property itself?
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Well, we want at least three bedrooms
0:08:00 > 0:08:03- cos we really don't want them to share.- That would be a nightmare.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06We'd like four if possible so that family can come and stay.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Our current house is sort of very open-plan,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11so we'd like the ability to do that if it's not that way now,
0:08:11 > 0:08:13cos that's how we work as a family.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- It's worked really well for us. - How we're used to it.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18We'd like a big garden if we could because we've got a big garden now.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Kids love having space.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22We've got a dog. We'd love to get chickens.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24The other aspect is we'll be starting a business down here,
0:08:24 > 0:08:28so we want to have the space to be able to set up the business -
0:08:28 > 0:08:31for an office, for a stockroom, a packing area, that sort of thing.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34So, we're looking perhaps for existing outbuildings.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37That would be great. Or some space perhaps to put up some sheds
0:08:37 > 0:08:39where we can start the business.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40So, that would be nice too.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44- So, for all this that we're looking for...- Yeah.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46..remind me of your budget, again.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48It's £350,000 is the budget.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51What would be the top, top mark, do you think?
0:08:51 > 0:08:54I'd say probably another £20,000 or £30,000 we could probably go up to.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57Well, we've got some smashing properties lined up to show you.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- Shall we get started? - I think we should.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00- Follow me.- Thank you.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05Our buyers have a budget of £350,000,
0:09:05 > 0:09:09but there could be an extra £30,000 to play with.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11They're easy on age and style of property,
0:09:11 > 0:09:14but it must have a minimum of three bedrooms.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17As for inside space, they're fans of open-plan living
0:09:17 > 0:09:20and we must account for Andrew's business ambitions,
0:09:20 > 0:09:22so an outbuilding or office.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24Sarah wants a decent-size garden,
0:09:24 > 0:09:27and they'd like to be located in a village environment
0:09:27 > 0:09:29close to schools for their two children.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31I'll be taking Andrew and Sarah
0:09:31 > 0:09:34to visit three very different Cornish homes.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36And once they've had a good look around each house,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38its price will be revealed.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41And our final property - the Mystery House -
0:09:41 > 0:09:43could turn everything on its head.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Exciting times because you're going to be starting up your own business.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52- Yeah.- Yeah, all change. - All change.- Exciting.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54I've been ill so I've been sort of recovering
0:09:54 > 0:09:56over an extended period of time,
0:09:56 > 0:09:59and that's been quite a good little bit of therapy.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01And do you think the change of lifestyle, you know,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04countryside, everything that you're craving, Andrew,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07do you think that's going to be good for you in all senses?
0:10:07 > 0:10:09Yeah. The idea of working for ourselves,
0:10:09 > 0:10:12taking the dog on the beach, picking the kids up,
0:10:12 > 0:10:13taking them down in the kayak...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16That's the sort of thing I think is going to work
0:10:16 > 0:10:17- really well for us as a family.- Yeah.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22Our first property option is in the village of Carnkie,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25situated in the heart of the county's former mining region.
0:10:26 > 0:10:31Overlooking the village on a beacon is the medieval castle of Carn Brea,
0:10:31 > 0:10:33remodelled in the 18th century as a hunting lodge
0:10:33 > 0:10:37by a local mining magnate and now operating as a restaurant.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39The village is centred on the Methodist church
0:10:39 > 0:10:41and a community hall.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44One and a half miles away is Four Lanes,
0:10:44 > 0:10:48a larger settlement and the location of the closest primary school.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Our first offering is situated on the edge of Carnkie
0:10:51 > 0:10:54and is one part of a complex of former farm buildings.
0:10:56 > 0:11:01- So, here is our first property in Cornwall.- Whoo!- Wow.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03Lovely. Absolutely.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- Show me more.- That's always a good start, isn't it?
0:11:06 > 0:11:07I even walked into you, didn't I?
0:11:07 > 0:11:10That's how excited I was to show you the house.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14- And it is a barn conversion. - Wow. Fantastic.
0:11:14 > 0:11:15Impressed? Surprised?
0:11:15 > 0:11:17What's the emotions going through your head?
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- Well, I'll tell you what, it's a solid-looking building.- Yeah.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23I love the stone. I like the slate.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26The good thing is this area is a proper little community.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29- Oh, good.- They're not holiday homes or holiday lets,
0:11:29 > 0:11:31which is something you have to think of
0:11:31 > 0:11:32if you're going to move to Cornwall.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The plus is - so popular with tourists.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38The downside is - you might have six months without any neighbours,
0:11:38 > 0:11:40which can be a little bit lonely.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42You know, this place is all year round,
0:11:42 > 0:11:46so you don't want it to be deserted or a sort of wasteland, yeah.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49- All right, well, let's take a look inside.- Absolutely.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51'Converted in the 1990s,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54'the former barn has retained many character features inside.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58'The main living area is accessed by a glass reception hall.'
0:11:58 > 0:12:01So, let's start off with the living room.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03- Fantastic.- Well, well, well.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05Impressive light fitting there for you.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07You wouldn't want to be too tall in this room.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- We're OK, then. - That's not a problem in our family.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Exactly, yes. Might notice at the end,
0:12:11 > 0:12:13you've got doors opening up onto a patio.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14- Wonderful.- Good stuff.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16What do you think of the actual room?
0:12:16 > 0:12:18- It's a nice size, actually, yeah. - It's long.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21- It's not desperately wide, but long and...- Yeah.
0:12:21 > 0:12:22But it's nicely proportioned.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25All right, well, it's only a start. I've got more to show you.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27- So, if you wouldn't mind leading the way.- No problem.
0:12:27 > 0:12:28'As well as the sitting room,
0:12:28 > 0:12:31'the ground floor also offers a small study -
0:12:31 > 0:12:34'an office for the business perhaps - and a double bedroom,
0:12:34 > 0:12:36'which would make a good option for guests,
0:12:36 > 0:12:39'located just beyond the kitchen.'
0:12:39 > 0:12:43- So, our kitchen. So, it's very long.- Yes.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- Quite a good width. Enough for a dining table.- Yeah.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48- It's looking good, isn't it? - Yeah. Nice units.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50Worktops look pretty good nick.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- Yeah, absolutely. - No, it's looking good.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56This looks to me that it would be that sort of mission control,
0:12:56 > 0:12:57that sort of hub of the house.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59It's the farmhouse kitchen idea,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01and that's what we've currently got in Tring.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04And put the table in place here and you can see, you know,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06the conversations going down the length of the room.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09I think it looks not too bad.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13'Andrew and Sarah are keeping their cards close to their chest,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17'but the tour of our ground floor seems to have gone down well.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19'Upstairs, there are three further bedrooms,
0:13:19 > 0:13:21'including a double and single for the children,
0:13:21 > 0:13:23'both with wooden floors
0:13:23 > 0:13:26'and a recently renovated family bathroom.'
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- Now, this is the master bedroom.- OK.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33- Behind you is an en suite shower room.- OK.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36However, because the family bathroom is next door,
0:13:36 > 0:13:39the current owners have converted the shower space
0:13:39 > 0:13:41into another rail for their clothes.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43- Ooh, wonderful.- Useful. - If you don't want an en suite,
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- you could make that a little walk-in wardrobe.- You could.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- But you do have an additional wardrobe there.- Oh, OK.- OK.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51So, if the main bathroom's just behind us,
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- we don't really need an en suite, to be honest.- No.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56So far, how do you feel about the property?
0:13:56 > 0:13:58- It's got a nice feel. - It's got some potential.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02'Not a ringing endorsement,
0:14:02 > 0:14:05'but I think this property is growing on our buyers.
0:14:05 > 0:14:09'Outside, the main garden extends to the rear from the patio sun terrace
0:14:09 > 0:14:11'and includes a decked area with garden shed,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15'a large grass lawn and timber workshop with electricity -
0:14:15 > 0:14:17'another option for the business.'
0:14:18 > 0:14:20So, how would you feel about the business
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- being slightly separated from the house?- No, that's spot on.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- How long a commute, do you reckon? - That's about acceptable.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28- It's a bit tough.- Yeah? Ten seconds? - Yeah, that's good.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- Into a covered walkway, you know.- It's great.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32So, what do you think it's on the market for?
0:14:32 > 0:14:36- I would go with £335,000.- OK.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- Andrew?- I'd go for around £300,000,
0:14:39 > 0:14:41because we're inland and a bit further up north.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45The asking price is under your budget.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Wow.- Right.- £339,000. - Ooh, I was close.
0:14:48 > 0:14:53- 339?- Ooh, OK.- OK. Right. It's interesting, to be honest.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56OK. All right, well, have another look around.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- Absolutely.- Take your time, have a good explore
0:14:58 > 0:15:00and I'll catch up with you when you're ready.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- Brilliant. Thank you. - All right, thanks.- Off you go.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Below budget by £11,000,
0:15:05 > 0:15:08our first property is a converted barn
0:15:08 > 0:15:10and gives Andrew and Sarah character features
0:15:10 > 0:15:12and spacious reception rooms,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14one more bedroom than they asked for,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18as well as room for the business and it's close to a primary school.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21It's a surprising house, actually, because at first I thought,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24"Ooh, gosh, like the stone. Like the look of it."
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Came in and thought, "Ooh, not so sure.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28"Perhaps it's not big enough for us."
0:15:28 > 0:15:30But, actually, the more I've looked at it,
0:15:30 > 0:15:33I've thought, "Yeah, actually, I could see us living here."
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- Oh, wow. - This is interesting, isn't it?
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Oh, this would work really well cos you could have this as a guest room
0:15:38 > 0:15:40with a really good sofa bed.
0:15:40 > 0:15:44- But you could also have Xbox room. - Have it as a den.- Den.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- Yeah.- Gaming room, you know. - Yeah, escape room.- Yeah.
0:15:47 > 0:15:48It's not the biggest.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50The living room is perhaps a little bit compact,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52but the rest of the house
0:15:52 > 0:15:55with all the different rooms and the configurations...
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Perhaps take a bit out here, put a bit in here.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59..I think could work.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02Well, I need to check with the boss about what she thinks,
0:16:02 > 0:16:04but as far as I'm concerned, this is definitely a contender.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Hello.- Hello. How are we feeling?
0:16:09 > 0:16:11Yeah, you've challenged us.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13You've done exactly what we wanted you to do
0:16:13 > 0:16:16and challenged some of our thinking about whether things could work.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Ooh, I'm liking that, and that's only our first property.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21- I know.- Got more to show you. - Gosh! What else can you show?
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- Well, come on, then. Let's see. - Let's go and have a look.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Just outside Newquay stands the largest building in Cornwall.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34At 63,000 square feet,
0:16:34 > 0:16:37this huge hangar was once home to the Nimrod,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40the RAF'S famous surveillance aircraft.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42Today, it preserves and showcases
0:16:42 > 0:16:46some of the world's greatest aviation inventions.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49The Classic Air Force Museum at RAF St Mawgan
0:16:49 > 0:16:51houses over 20 military aircraft,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54including relics of the Cold War, such as the Venom
0:16:54 > 0:16:57and Britain's first jet fighter, the Meteor.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01We sent Sarah and model plane enthusiast Andrew
0:17:01 > 0:17:04to experience some life-size versions.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06One of the most instantly recognisable
0:17:06 > 0:17:08is the Harrier Jump Jet,
0:17:08 > 0:17:10so called because it uses directional thrust
0:17:10 > 0:17:14to take off and land vertically without the need of a runway.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Is that the ejector seat?
0:17:16 > 0:17:18No, the ejector seat would be above your head.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- Oh, would it? Oh, OK.- Yeah.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22With their feet firmly back on the ground,
0:17:22 > 0:17:26they're meeting the museum's Harrier expert Ian Raymer.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27Don't you find how small the cockpit is?
0:17:27 > 0:17:30- You couldn't be much bigger than me. - Absolutely.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32- You've got to be five foot seven or five foot eight.- Oh, really?
0:17:32 > 0:17:35- Absolutely. - About the right height for me.
0:17:35 > 0:17:36There's not much room to move,
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- yet there's so many things to do. - Very little room.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40If you were any higher than five foot eight,
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- your knee would obscure the vital instruments.- Oh, no!
0:17:43 > 0:17:46The history of this sort of way of flight with vertical take off,
0:17:46 > 0:17:50post-Second World War, there was lots of interest in having
0:17:50 > 0:17:53- an aircraft that didn't have to use a conventional runway.- Yeah.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55So, if we think about the Cold War,
0:17:55 > 0:17:57there was a very good chance that an airfield such as St Mawgan
0:17:57 > 0:17:59would have been badly bombed,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02would be totally inactive to conventional aircraft.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03This particular one -
0:18:03 > 0:18:06built in 1969 as a ground attack aircraft,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- so it's for close support of troops on the ground.- OK.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13This early version of the Harrier was sent to keep the peace
0:18:13 > 0:18:15during the Belize conflict in the 1980s
0:18:15 > 0:18:18and later used for training pilots.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20It ended its operational life
0:18:20 > 0:18:23at a naval base on The Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26where it was left exposed to the elements.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28The museum is currently in the middle
0:18:28 > 0:18:30of restoring the Harrier to her former glory.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Having dealt with the corrosion caused by the sea air,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36Ian's in the process of painting the aircraft.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- This is what we're working on at the moment.- Oh, wow.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41There's a large amount of stencilling
0:18:41 > 0:18:43to do on the aircraft, as you can imagine.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46So, these, I make myself because you can't find them anywhere,
0:18:46 > 0:18:47you can't buy them.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49What we thought is because of your background,
0:18:49 > 0:18:51you might like to have a little bit of a go
0:18:51 > 0:18:53at spraying something on the actual aircraft.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56- One-to-one scale? - One-to-one. Full-size.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- Wow.- I'm used to, like, these little sheets
0:18:58 > 0:18:59- where you spend hours, so... - Absolutely.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02- ..that'd be fantastic. - Here we go. There's the paint.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05- Brilliant. Thank you.- Have a go.
0:19:07 > 0:19:11With over 80 individual designs to create and paint,
0:19:11 > 0:19:12it's a labour of love
0:19:12 > 0:19:16and a chance for Andrew to leave his mark on aviation history.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19- Right, moment of truth.- Wow.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22OK. Right, we'll take it off from this side.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23Take that off first.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28OK, here we go. Really carefully.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- Wow. Look at that.- Fantastic. - All your own work. Well done.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33Fantastic.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36The museum is mainly staffed by volunteers,
0:19:36 > 0:19:39so Andrew could well find himself back here
0:19:39 > 0:19:42if we manage to find them a home in the county.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48And for our next property offering,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52we're making a short three-mile trip to the hamlet of Trevarth.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55It's a stone throw away from Lanner, an old mining village,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57which has a convenience store and a pub.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00House number two is found in the middle of the hamlet.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03To get the full extent of what's on offer,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06we're starting our tour at the back of the property.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- So, our second offering here in Cornwall.- Gosh!
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Interesting. Look at that garden.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15It's a grown-up house, this one.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17- It is a grown-up house. - It's a grown-up garden.
0:20:17 > 0:20:20- Yeah.- Well, you wanted a little bit of land.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Oh, it's fantastic. And the treehouse and the trees to climb.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I know a little daughter who might be rather keen on the tree...
0:20:26 > 0:20:28It looks as though it might need a bit of therapy but...
0:20:28 > 0:20:30She's fine, but what about the two of you?
0:20:30 > 0:20:32What do you make of the house?
0:20:32 > 0:20:34So far, so good. Yeah. Looks lovely and big.
0:20:34 > 0:20:35It's intriguing, yeah.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- I want to see what's inside. - So, plenty of land.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- Enough space perhaps to put a garage if you wanted to.- Yes.- Yes, yes.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46- Shall we take a look inside? - I think we should.- Sounds great.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48'Our second offering dates back 300 years
0:20:48 > 0:20:51'and has some quirky features inside.'
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- So, do mind your head as you come in.- Oh, yeah.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56It's like a little hobbit door.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- A door for little people. - Absolutely.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Because this cottage is sort of 300 years old.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Yeah, it's lovely, isn't it?- Wow.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Well, luckily, we're not tall in our family, so...- No.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07OK, don't need to worry.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09- So, you walk straight into your kitchen...- Lovely.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12..which, as you can see, is sort of divided up.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16It's open-plan, but very much clear that this is the kitchen
0:21:16 > 0:21:19and then you've got the dining area and the second half.
0:21:19 > 0:21:20Yeah, that works for us.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22That's how we've sort of got ours at home, anyway.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24I think it'll fail the table test, though.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26I don't think our big table would fit there
0:21:26 > 0:21:28so might have to treat ourselves to a new one.
0:21:28 > 0:21:29Absolutely. We will have to change that.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32Early days but a good start, do you think or...?
0:21:32 > 0:21:35- Yeah.- Yes, it's giving us rather than...
0:21:35 > 0:21:38It's giving us sort of a cottagey feel, which is what we wanted.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39- It's lovely.- Brilliant.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43- OK, all right, well, let's see what else there is.- Fantastic.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45'As well as the kitchen/diner,
0:21:45 > 0:21:47'the ground floor also offers a cosy snug -
0:21:47 > 0:21:49'a den for the kids perhaps -
0:21:49 > 0:21:51'as well as a walk-through study area.'
0:21:51 > 0:21:56- I think this is your sitting room. - Oh, yes.- Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Oh, isn't it lovely?
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- So, you have access to your garden - patio doors.- Wonderful.- Right.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03- So, you can see the huge garden.- Yeah.
0:22:03 > 0:22:08Now, this room is dominated by a huge brick fireplace.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Which is sort of not intending to be original, I don't think.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14- I would look at actually taking that out.- Yeah, I agree.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- Yeah, cos it's quite a lot of space it would gain, isn't it?- It is.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I like the beam across the top of it.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- That's interesting. - Yeah, the bressumer beam.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23That could go against the wall.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25You could keep that and use it for something else.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28'Removing the fireplace would certainly boost
0:22:28 > 0:22:29'the ground floor space.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31'Unlike our first property,
0:22:31 > 0:22:34'all the bedrooms in this house are on the first floor.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37'There are four in total, including two large singles -
0:22:37 > 0:22:41'perfect for the children - and a further guest bedroom.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43'There's also a large family bathroom.'
0:22:43 > 0:22:46So, upstairs, the quirkiness continues.
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- Low ceilings.- Window seat.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50And this is the master bedroom.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51- Right.- I love the window seat.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54I always wanted a house with a window seat. It does feel compact.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57Obviously, this room here's got a lot of built-in furniture,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00which gives you a lot of storage but takes up a lot of space.
0:23:00 > 0:23:05I know for a fact that our six-foot bed would not fit in,
0:23:05 > 0:23:10so it would be a question of losing some of these lovely cupboards.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13'So, out go the wardrobes along with the downstairs fireplace,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16'but the fact they're already remodelling the house
0:23:16 > 0:23:18'in their heads is encouraging.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21'I have one ace up my sleeve which I hope will convince them,
0:23:21 > 0:23:23'and it's back outside.'
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- So...- Oh, wow.
0:23:25 > 0:23:29- So, what's all this about, then? - This is your studio-cum-workshop.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30Oh, wow. This is fantastic.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- This is the ultimate man cave. - Workroom.- Yes.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- Sorry. Workroom. Workroom. - I am thinking business.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- Yes, I was thinking business.- Oh, OK.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40You're thinking hobbies and play area.
0:23:40 > 0:23:44- No, no, business. No, this is great. - This is exactly what we wanted.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47This is so much better than a shed, isn't it?
0:23:47 > 0:23:51This could easily be either the sort of storeroom
0:23:51 > 0:23:54or the packing room, or it could be the main office
0:23:54 > 0:23:56where Sarah and I could have our office space...
0:23:56 > 0:23:58It could be both, actually.
0:23:58 > 0:23:59..and the packing room. It's a huge space.
0:23:59 > 0:24:02What a great asset to have in your garden.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05Yeah, for a fledgling business to have a building
0:24:05 > 0:24:10that we can use from the get-go is a great advantage.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Absolutely solid, water-tight and just ready to go.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14We don't have to do anything to it. Just move in.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17- Put some racking in and a desk or two.- Then we're done.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19See, this is an added bonus to our cottage, isn't it?
0:24:19 > 0:24:23Oh, it makes a huge difference. Absolutely. It really does.
0:24:23 > 0:24:26Our buyers have already had a peek at the garden
0:24:26 > 0:24:29which wraps itself around the house and is mainly laid to lawn.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32These are grounds. This is not a garden.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35It's huge and there's bags of scope.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38We've obviously got the fantastic existing building.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40There's scope for more garden buildings
0:24:40 > 0:24:42if we need them as we grow.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45It feels like a real family garden but also a party garden.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47You know, a real sort of social garden.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50- It's a marquee-sized garden. - It's sounding really positive, guys.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53So, on that theme, got to put a price on it.
0:24:53 > 0:24:57I think this is probably £370,000, £380,000.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00Which one do you want to go for - £370,000 or £380,000?
0:25:00 > 0:25:04- Split the difference - £375,000.- OK.
0:25:04 > 0:25:10I'm hoping it's a little bit less. Um, I'm going to say £365,000.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13The asking price is...
0:25:13 > 0:25:17- Andrew, you're spot on.- £375,000? - £375,000.- Really?- Interesting.
0:25:17 > 0:25:22- However, the owners are really keen to sell quite quickly.- OK.- OK.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25So, there is a little bit of a margin there.
0:25:25 > 0:25:26I think you could negotiate.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29So, why don't you take another look around
0:25:29 > 0:25:31and give me a shout when you're ready?
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Fantastic. Thank you. Great.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39Over their ideal budget by £25,000 but just within their maximum,
0:25:39 > 0:25:42our second property is a 300-year-old detached family home
0:25:42 > 0:25:44set in large grounds.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47The hub of the home is the open-plan kitchen/diner
0:25:47 > 0:25:50and the property offers Andrew and Sarah four bedrooms -
0:25:50 > 0:25:52one more than they asked for.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55A separate studio gives Andrew his business premises
0:25:55 > 0:25:58and the house is located on the edge of a village
0:25:58 > 0:26:01with a strong community spirit and a primary school.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05It's a really, really unusual house.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Very quirky inside, which I really like.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10And I really like downstairs.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12I like the fact there's a room for the children
0:26:12 > 0:26:14to have for their den
0:26:14 > 0:26:17but there's a nice sort of family, grown-up space.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Seduced by the grounds. Absolutely amazing grounds.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23I'm worried particularly about the upstairs of the house.
0:26:23 > 0:26:25The bedrooms are small.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27And trying to divvy the bedrooms up between the kids,
0:26:27 > 0:26:30us, spare room - that's tricky.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- Have you seen enough? - Ooh, I think so.
0:26:34 > 0:26:36- Had a good explore?- Mm, yes.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39An interesting day house-hunting, I feel.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42Yes, I think you've given us a lot to think about.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44You two are going to be discussing houses all night, aren't you?
0:26:44 > 0:26:46- And guess what.- Head's spinning.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48I've got another house to show you tomorrow.
0:26:48 > 0:26:49Let's hit the road.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59It's the second day of our property search in Cornwall,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02and with a budget of £350,000,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05we're helping Andrew, Sarah and family
0:27:05 > 0:27:06from Tring in Hertfordshire
0:27:06 > 0:27:10find a slice of rural life in the West Country.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Coming up, the Mystery House puts the left in field...
0:27:13 > 0:27:16It's quirk with a capital Q. It's just amazing.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20..and I strike gold with the county's classic rock.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Extremely hot right now so we'll pop it into some water
0:27:23 > 0:27:27- just to cool it down.- Ooh!- OK.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31Well, I thought yesterday went rather well.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34We gave Andrew and Sarah everything they asked for
0:27:34 > 0:27:36with our two properties here in Cornwall -
0:27:36 > 0:27:39the four bedrooms, the large garden
0:27:39 > 0:27:41and the outbuildings with business potential.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45But what will happen if we substitute all of that
0:27:45 > 0:27:46for a unique house,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49one within walking distance to the beach?
0:27:49 > 0:27:51It's time for our mystery property.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56So, for our final offering,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58we're heading towards the north Atlantic coast
0:27:58 > 0:28:01and to the seaside village of Porthtowan.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Backed by cliffs and always under the watchful eye of the locals,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09the west-facing, sandy beach is ideal for surfing
0:28:09 > 0:28:14and its Blue Flag status makes it a popular holiday destination.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16Along the beachfront are a variety of cafes,
0:28:16 > 0:28:19restaurants and surfing shops.
0:28:19 > 0:28:21House number three is located just outside the village
0:28:21 > 0:28:25in a rural valley a mile away from the beach.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Andrew and Sarah are sea-lovers and whilst our mystery property
0:28:28 > 0:28:31is the closest to the coast we've seen so far,
0:28:31 > 0:28:36it will challenge them to rethink some of their other aspirations.
0:28:36 > 0:28:40- Welcome to...- Wow. - ..our Mystery House.
0:28:40 > 0:28:42- Goodness me.- Fantastic.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45It's a little bit of a feast on the eye, isn't it?
0:28:45 > 0:28:48- It's just amazing, isn't it? - There's a lot to take in.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50It's like a dream home, really, isn't it?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53- Look at those fantastic windows. - This is wacky.- Yes.
0:28:53 > 0:28:55- Yeah.- Now, I think, right at the beginning,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58you said you like unique houses.
0:28:58 > 0:29:00- Quirky.- Yeah.- Quirky, unique.- Yeah.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03And that is why it's our Mystery House.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05You want a change of lifestyle.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08I think what this Mystery House does is it embraces all of that.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11- It's a different way of living. - Okey dokey. Wow.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13- Shall we start the tour? - Oh, I think so.
0:29:14 > 0:29:18Our architect-designed Mystery House is only four years old
0:29:18 > 0:29:21and is very much the product of the current owner's vision.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Andrew and Sarah would have to use some imagination
0:29:24 > 0:29:27to see how it could be made to work for them.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30So, this really is an unusual house.
0:29:30 > 0:29:33- Fantastic.- Goodness me.- How unusual.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36This is very much the core of the house. You can just tell.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38There's everything going on here.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40There's food, there's eating, there's craft, by the look of it.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42- There's enough space. - Yeah.- Absolutely.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45But behind me, you've actually got a utility room as well.
0:29:45 > 0:29:46- Yeah.- Right, that's clever.
0:29:46 > 0:29:49But being open-plan, it's all in the one room.
0:29:49 > 0:29:53I'd say this is the model we like. This is taking quirk to a new level.
0:29:53 > 0:29:54A new mystery level.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57There's a bit of design in it, though,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59and I'm a bit of a sucker for interesting design.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03'Our buyers appear to like it.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07'Whether they want to live in our Mystery House remains to be seen.'
0:30:07 > 0:30:08Perhaps, not surprisingly,
0:30:08 > 0:30:12all the bedrooms in this unusual property are on the ground floor -
0:30:12 > 0:30:16three in total, including two decent-sized rooms for the children,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18as well as an impressive family bathroom.
0:30:18 > 0:30:23We do have a continuing theme with this property,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25- and that's the word unusual.- Wow!
0:30:25 > 0:30:27I don't think we'd ever get Sarah out of that bath.
0:30:27 > 0:30:28Where do you put the wine glass?
0:30:28 > 0:30:30SHE LAUGHS
0:30:30 > 0:30:32Let's take a look at the master bedroom,
0:30:32 > 0:30:33which literally is next door.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38So, all the bedrooms are on the ground floor.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39That's a fairly big bed.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42I think ours would probably fit with the headboard at the back there,
0:30:42 > 0:30:45so that's possible. And there's some quite big furniture in here.
0:30:45 > 0:30:46There is. Time has come, though -
0:30:46 > 0:30:50and this is the bit that excites me - taking you upstairs.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53'With the bedrooms and kitchen taken care of,
0:30:53 > 0:30:55'that leaves one last room upstairs
0:30:55 > 0:30:58'and I think I'll let Andrew and Sarah decide
0:30:58 > 0:30:59'how they'd use this one.'
0:31:00 > 0:31:04- Gosh!- Have you ever seen an upstairs like this before?
0:31:04 > 0:31:07- No.- What's going on here, then?
0:31:07 > 0:31:11Wow! My goodness. It's incredible, the way it's done.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14- It's...- Somewhat... What's that? Is that a...?
0:31:14 > 0:31:16- It's like a mezzanine sort of... - It is.
0:31:16 > 0:31:18That's my study area up there.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21You've actually got another bathroom through there.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23- Oh, really? OK.- OK.- Yes.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26Because if you have anyone to stay on your mezzanine level...
0:31:26 > 0:31:27They've got a guest bathroom.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30- So, that could be your fourth bedroom.- Mm.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32- You've got a study here.- Yeah.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36And then you've got area for, you know, whatever - music, dining.
0:31:36 > 0:31:37This is crazy.
0:31:37 > 0:31:42Wow. It's quirk with a capital Q. It's just amazing.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45If that wasn't enough, you've got your own balcony.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49- Ah, no, that terrace looks fantastic, doesn't it?- Goodness me. - Yeah.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51- Do you like it?- I like the design.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53The question is whether we want to live in that design.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55So we need to sort of keep looking and thinking,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57"Yeah, this could work, this could work"
0:31:57 > 0:31:59or, "Crikey, that's too strange." But, yeah...
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Feels like it would make a fantastic holiday home,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04but you've got my mind racing now
0:32:04 > 0:32:06as to how we could do things and make it work.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09- Well, it's an interesting property, isn't it?- Yes.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11- It's stretching you. - It is definitely.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12It's stretching you.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14So, we've seen the living accommodation,
0:32:14 > 0:32:16but we've also got to discuss the business,
0:32:16 > 0:32:18- cos that's equally important.- We do.
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- Let's go back outside and see what our options are.- OK.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24'This being the Mystery House,
0:32:24 > 0:32:26'business options are more limited here.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28'In terms of outside space,'
0:32:28 > 0:32:30there's a parking area we saw as we came in
0:32:30 > 0:32:33and the garden slopes up to the side of the property
0:32:33 > 0:32:36to form a thin strip of levelled-off land.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39But as it stands, there are no outbuildings for an office
0:32:39 > 0:32:42or storage space for the modelling business.
0:32:42 > 0:32:45The garden is a bit of a climb, but it's worth it.
0:32:45 > 0:32:51- It's certainly worth it because look at your property.- Wow.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53So, although we don't have
0:32:53 > 0:32:55the business premises here at the moment,
0:32:55 > 0:32:58could you visualise putting something on this spot?
0:32:58 > 0:33:01I think it's less practical than some we've looked at.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04This house offers a different lifestyle,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06so it's, as always, another compromise
0:33:06 > 0:33:08or a blend of issues.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10So, it gets us thinking.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13So, let's talk money now, because we are closer to the sea.
0:33:13 > 0:33:18- Right.- How much do you think the Mystery House is on the market for?
0:33:18 > 0:33:24I'm going to make a really, really wild guess and say £345,000.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27I'd say £350,000.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29You are both remarkably close.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33In fact, one of you is spot on - Sarah.
0:33:33 > 0:33:38- Really? - £345,000 is the asking price.- OK.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42It's certainly a stunning house for the right family.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46- Yes.- Is it yours? Go and take another look.- Thank you.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Under budget by £5,000,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53our mystery property is a quirky, contemporary home
0:33:53 > 0:33:54a mile from the sea.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58It offers Andrew and Sarah a modern, open-plan living space,
0:33:58 > 0:34:02the three bedrooms they asked for in a coastal village location.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04However, it lacks a large garden
0:34:04 > 0:34:06and will mean Andrew would have to construct something
0:34:06 > 0:34:08for the business.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12Mystery House is spectacular. It's completely bonkers.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15It's wonderful, quirky.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Beautiful - absolutely beautiful -
0:34:17 > 0:34:20with quite a lot of scope to do things perhaps slightly differently.
0:34:20 > 0:34:25I really like the kitchen. I love the terrace upstairs.
0:34:25 > 0:34:29I'm concerned about the size of the bedrooms
0:34:29 > 0:34:31and potentially storage space for things.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34The problem for me is where we could run the business from.
0:34:34 > 0:34:36There's lots to think about
0:34:36 > 0:34:38as to where we would live our lives in the house.
0:34:38 > 0:34:40That's the challenge.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45Whether we could live here sort of 365 days a year,
0:34:45 > 0:34:46I'm not sure.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Right, mystery tour finished.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51- Have you seen enough? - I think so, yeah.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Yeah? And that is all of our three houses.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55So, let's go and have a chat
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- and find out what your next move might be.- OK.- OK.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05While our buyers may be moving to Cornwall
0:35:05 > 0:35:08for its stunning coastline and lovely countryside,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11the county also has a proud industrial past
0:35:11 > 0:35:15which has left an indelible mark on its landscape.
0:35:15 > 0:35:19Although tin mining flourished here in the 18th and 19th centuries,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23by the turn of the 20th century, due to competition from abroad,
0:35:23 > 0:35:24it was in decline.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28The abundance of tin in the area was a perfect material
0:35:28 > 0:35:30for Cornwall's metal workers and jewellers,
0:35:30 > 0:35:35firms like family-run business Wearnes Jewellers in Falmouth.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37Founded in 1890 by William Wearne,
0:35:37 > 0:35:40today, it's William's great-granddaughter Sarah Corbridge
0:35:40 > 0:35:43who's keeping the family tradition alive,
0:35:43 > 0:35:44and I've come to meet her.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48- Hi, Sarah.- Hi, Nicki.
0:35:48 > 0:35:52So, a family-run jewellers business, but obviously the jewellery business
0:35:52 > 0:35:54has changed dramatically, I should think,
0:35:54 > 0:35:57from when your great-grandparents first opened the shop.
0:35:57 > 0:35:58I mean, I'm looking here.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01Would this be an example of what they would have sold in those days?
0:36:01 > 0:36:04These are some hollowware items.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07We manufactured these in the 1930s approximately.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10And these were made out of pure Cornish tin,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12as you can see from the marks on the bottom of these.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15Now, I've never heard of hollowware before.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18Is that a type of tin or a type of...?
0:36:18 > 0:36:21No, hollowware basically refers to items such as tankards,
0:36:21 > 0:36:26- teapots, little trinkets pots, even. - Now, I like this one.
0:36:26 > 0:36:31Well, this is a replica of a tankard that was made by my grandfather.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34It was presented to King George VI on his coronation tour to Cornwall.
0:36:34 > 0:36:36It really does sum up quite wonderfully
0:36:36 > 0:36:40that, you know, the Cornish people are so proud of their heritage,
0:36:40 > 0:36:41their mining industry,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44that when a member of the royal family comes,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46that's what the king is presented with.
0:36:48 > 0:36:49'Fast-forward to the present day
0:36:49 > 0:36:53'and Sarah is using Cornish tin in a very different way.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57'She's created a unique alloy by mixing Cornish tin with gold'
0:36:57 > 0:37:01to make a variety of jewellery items in her basement workshop.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03Because the Cornish tin mines have now closed,
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Sarah has found another way to source local tin.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Now, I was not expecting this. When we were talking tin,
0:37:10 > 0:37:12I was expecting, like, a little piece of tin.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15- This looks like it's been at the bottom of a sea.- It's heavy.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17- It's really, really heavy as well. - Yeah. Where's it been?
0:37:17 > 0:37:21This has been under the sea since 1863.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23A shipwreck called the SS Liverpool
0:37:23 > 0:37:26collided off North Wales some years ago
0:37:26 > 0:37:28and it was carrying ingots from Cornwall.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29It's remarkable.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33It's a lovely, lovely historic piece of Cornwall.
0:37:33 > 0:37:34We have to clean all of this up
0:37:34 > 0:37:37and make sure what we get down to is just the pure tin
0:37:37 > 0:37:40before we start mixing it into the gold.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43The two metals are mixed together off-site by a specialist company
0:37:43 > 0:37:47and returned to Sarah as small grains of the gold and tin blend.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51I'm going to try and help make one of Sarah's most popular pieces -
0:37:51 > 0:37:53a Celtic cross.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54What's the next step?
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Well, what we have to do now to form a piece of jewellery
0:37:57 > 0:37:58is to melt it down.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01So, here, I've got some nine-carat Cornish tin and gold.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05What we're going to do now is we're going to take this micro welder here
0:38:05 > 0:38:08and I'm going to open the gas for you.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Looks like quite a vicious flame there.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14- So, just put it straight in?- Yeah.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17The gas flame heats up the solid metal to its melting point -
0:38:17 > 0:38:20around 900 degrees for nine-carat gold.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Turn that off.
0:38:22 > 0:38:27Now, that's extremely hot right now so we'll pop it into some water.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30- So, I'm going to let you do this. So, it's all yours.- In there?
0:38:30 > 0:38:32Just drop it in there - that's just water -
0:38:32 > 0:38:33just to cool it down.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- So, that's a piece of gold.- Ooh!- OK.
0:38:37 > 0:38:39The cooled molten metal is then taken over
0:38:39 > 0:38:42to a milling machine and rolled into a flat sheet.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46Grafting intricate jewellery like this is a meticulous process
0:38:46 > 0:38:49and involves etching the design with a sharp tool
0:38:49 > 0:38:51and cutting out shapes with a piercing saw,
0:38:51 > 0:38:53all done by hand.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55Sarah gives me a head start.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59What I've left you to saw out is this straight line here.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01- So, I'm going to get you to sit down...- Right.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05..so that you're at the right eyelevel, really,
0:39:05 > 0:39:06with what you're working at.
0:39:06 > 0:39:11And I've got you some very funny head magnifiers here
0:39:11 > 0:39:12just so that you can see...
0:39:14 > 0:39:16..the markings much clearer on there and see where you're sawing.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19Oh, that's much... Oh, yes. Now, right...
0:39:21 > 0:39:24- OK, so, pick it up. - So, that's it. You hold that steady.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26See if you can just follow that line.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32'The jewellery piece is only half an inch long
0:39:32 > 0:39:35'and since I only have one shot at getting it right,
0:39:35 > 0:39:39'the magnifying goggles will help me guide the saw.'
0:39:39 > 0:39:42- Don't think that's too bad, is it, Sarah?- That's fantastic.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44All right. There we go. Hand that to you.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47OK, what I'm going to do now is I'm just going to take it away
0:39:47 > 0:39:48and give it a polish.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51After a quick file of the edges and a polish,
0:39:51 > 0:39:53the nine-carat gold and tin Celtic cross
0:39:53 > 0:39:56is finished off with a customary ring and chain,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58ready to be worn.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02- Here you go, Nicki. Your necklace. - That is quite fabulous.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Cornish tin and gold to take away.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07- Thank you.- You're more than welcome.
0:40:11 > 0:40:13Well, Sarah and Andrew have been positive
0:40:13 > 0:40:15about all three of our properties,
0:40:15 > 0:40:18so I'm not sure what the next step's going to be.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Let's find out.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Well, Andrew and Sarah, you've sold your house in Tring,
0:40:28 > 0:40:33the car is practically packed with dog, cats, children, luggage.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36Have we found you a new home in Cornwall?
0:40:36 > 0:40:40I'm not sure. You found me two possibilities.
0:40:40 > 0:40:42You found me a head house and a heart house.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Ooh, that's interesting. OK, let's start with the head house.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Which one? Cos I must admit,
0:40:47 > 0:40:49I haven't got any idea where you're going to go next.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53Really? Oh, well, my head house is the barn conversion -
0:40:53 > 0:40:54house number one.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57It gives us the flexibility of space that we were after.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00We can change uses of rooms quite easily.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04It's got a lovely big garden. It's got space for the business.
0:41:04 > 0:41:06And it's at a good price, which is the head bit.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09But my heart's in the other house with the garden and the studio.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12- Number two. - Yeah, number two.- Really?
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Yeah, I absolutely love that house.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19I love the garden and I love the studio.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23The house itself isn't necessarily ideal.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26I suppose my concern is, it's top-end of budget
0:41:26 > 0:41:28so we wouldn't have much left to do anything else.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30So, could we live in it for however long
0:41:30 > 0:41:32before we could do something else?
0:41:32 > 0:41:34So, that's the dilemma I'm facing.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38Ooh, that's interesting. Andrew, what are your thoughts?
0:41:39 > 0:41:41Not too dissimilar, to be honest.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44House number three, the Mystery House, was fascinating -
0:41:44 > 0:41:46we loved it - but it wasn't practical for us.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49It wasn't practical for us as a family or the business.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53The barn - house number one - I felt very comfortable with
0:41:53 > 0:41:56pretty much as soon as I walked in the front door.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58My one concern, though, is the location -
0:41:58 > 0:41:59where it is in the county,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01where it is in relation to the village.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03We've obviously got some thinking to do
0:42:03 > 0:42:04because you have shaken us up.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06You've made us rethink.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09I think our initial thoughts are
0:42:09 > 0:42:12that we might try a bit of a sneaky, cheeky offer on the second place
0:42:12 > 0:42:16- and see what happens.- Ooh! - And then take it from there, really.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19- But number one, again, could be an offer as well.- Yeah.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22That's fantastic news... Cos I don't want to worry you,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25- but you have sold your house. - I know. I know.- Yes.- Yes.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28- And we would like to go home with an offer in the bag.- Yeah.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32We would love you to return home with an offer in the bag.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34That sounds so promising. My goodness!
0:42:34 > 0:42:37Well, all the best. Thank you both so much.
0:42:37 > 0:42:38- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:42:42 > 0:42:47So, Sarah and Andrew are giving two of our properties another viewing,
0:42:47 > 0:42:48and in my book,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51that's a pretty successful couple of days house-hunting
0:42:51 > 0:42:52here in Cornwall.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55However, it does remain to be seen
0:42:55 > 0:42:57whether they put an offer in on either of them.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59I'll see you again.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02If you would like to escape to the country
0:43:02 > 0:43:05in either England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland
0:43:05 > 0:43:06and need our help,
0:43:06 > 0:43:09you can apply online at...