0:00:02 > 0:00:04This grand 18th-century country house is believed to be
0:00:04 > 0:00:06the largest privately owned home in the UK,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09bigger than Buckingham and even Blenheim Palace.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11But whereabouts in the country is it?
0:00:11 > 0:00:12Find out in just a moment.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35On today's house hunt, I'm helping some university sweethearts,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38recently reunited, looking to buy their first home together.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Our search brings out some differing opinions.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Well, the first house, done in a very much old style out of oak.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45This is more contemporary, isn't it?
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- Yes, I like it better.- Do you?
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Ah, I like the oak!
0:00:49 > 0:00:50Oh, do you?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53And some rather unusual offerings.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57A cross between a medieval castle and the Arabian Nights, isn't it?
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Yes. It kind of is, isn't it?
0:01:00 > 0:01:05Today, I'm in Yorkshire and this is the colossal Grade I-listed
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Wentworth Woodhouse, whose buildings alone cover around three acres.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Now, it was built in the early 18th century under the instruction
0:01:13 > 0:01:16of Thomas Watson Wentworth, the Marquis of Rockingham.
0:01:16 > 0:01:20Now, these six columns here form the centrepiece of the impressive
0:01:20 > 0:01:24facade, which when spanning over 600 feet, is thought to be
0:01:24 > 0:01:28the longest facade of any privately owned home in all of Europe.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Since 1999, it's been in the hands of the Newbold family,
0:01:31 > 0:01:34who are in the process of restoring this beautiful building
0:01:34 > 0:01:38to its former glory, a mammoth and expensive task that I'll be
0:01:38 > 0:01:40finding out more about later on in the show.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45The Yorkshire region is made up of four counties, including
0:01:45 > 0:01:49North Yorkshire, where today's search is based.
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Around 40% of the county is covered by national park, including
0:01:53 > 0:01:58the North York Moors, home to 44,000 acres of stunning moorland
0:01:58 > 0:02:02and the greatest concentration of ancient trees in northern England.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05The national park also extends east to where the Cleveland Hills
0:02:05 > 0:02:09meet the sea and the area has been designated as a Heritage Coast.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13At over 200 meters above sea level, the Jurassic Era cliffs at
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Boulby are the highest on the entire east coast.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Further south and roughly equidistant between London
0:02:19 > 0:02:23and Edinburgh, well-heeled Harrogate has been popular as a spa
0:02:23 > 0:02:25town since the 16th century.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29The first mineral waters were discovered here in 1571
0:02:29 > 0:02:32by William Slingsby at Tewit Well.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36In 1842, the Pump Room was opened to shelter the town's wealthy
0:02:36 > 0:02:38visitors as they took the waters.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41At the height of their popularity, they were attracting over
0:02:41 > 0:02:4415,000 people a year.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Today, the world-famous Betty's Tearooms continues to bring
0:02:47 > 0:02:50tourists to the area, while agriculture and hill farming
0:02:50 > 0:02:53are also mainstays of the region's economy.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58Despite its stunning countryside,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01the average price of a detached house in North Yorkshire is
0:03:01 > 0:03:06only £1,000 above the national figure at £269,000.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08However, the area between Harrogate, Leeds
0:03:08 > 0:03:12and York often referred to as the Golden Triangle, can attract a
0:03:12 > 0:03:15hefty premium, basically reflecting the fact that buyers get a slice of
0:03:15 > 0:03:20country life yet still good access back into the towns and cities.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23So what's attracting today's buyer to this beautiful part of the world?
0:03:23 > 0:03:25Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:25 > 0:03:28Today's house hunters are long-distance partners Kevin,
0:03:28 > 0:03:31a pharmaceutical engineer, and Amanda, a GP
0:03:31 > 0:03:33They've been together for five years,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36but have known each other for over 40.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39We were at university together in the early '70s
0:03:39 > 0:03:40and we did date then, didn't we?
0:03:40 > 0:03:42- We did.- We drifted apart.
0:03:42 > 0:03:47We kept in touch over the years because we are both from up north.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52- I was at his first wedding, his 40th birthday party.- You were.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55But it wasn't until years later, whilst Kevin was living and
0:03:55 > 0:03:59working abroad, that they rekindled their relationship after the
0:03:59 > 0:04:02death of a mutual friend prompted them to get back in touch.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05He was saying, "Well, I wouldn't be able to come to the funeral
0:04:05 > 0:04:06"living out in Holland.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08"Would I like to go out for a weekend?"
0:04:08 > 0:04:11So I did and the rest is history!
0:04:11 > 0:04:13Or will be when we get married very shortly.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17Kevin now lives in Farnborough, Hampshire, and fiancee Amanda
0:04:17 > 0:04:19in Leeds, West Yorkshire.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22With over 200 miles between them and both busy with jobs they
0:04:22 > 0:04:26love, quality time together has been a rare thing.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Up to now, we've only been together at weekends and on holidays.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33Amanda didn't want to leave her patients which she's
0:04:33 > 0:04:35known for over 20 years, some of them,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39and I'm in my employment more or less tied to Heathrow and
0:04:39 > 0:04:44Gatwick, so I had to be really based down here to have the air links.
0:04:44 > 0:04:45The problem with the long-distance
0:04:45 > 0:04:48relationships really is the travelling
0:04:48 > 0:04:51because even on a good day, it can take four hours.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55So we're finally, both of us are just about retirement age,
0:04:55 > 0:04:59so we're going to both retire in the summer and then get married
0:04:59 > 0:05:01and then we can finally be together.
0:05:01 > 0:05:04Both Yorkshire born and bred, they've decided God's Country
0:05:04 > 0:05:07is the perfect place to finally set up home.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10North Yorkshire, really. I mean, it's wild and wonderful.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13Some say you may have to be born there to enjoy it,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17but I just love it, the stone walls, the open spaces, the moors,
0:05:17 > 0:05:19everything like that.
0:05:19 > 0:05:20I've always known that
0:05:20 > 0:05:23when I've retired I'm going to go back to my roots anyway,
0:05:23 > 0:05:28so that was the game plan, and the fact that Amanda was in the game!
0:05:28 > 0:05:30- Came along.- Came along. - Conveniently.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33Just strengthened the game plan, really.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36With that plan now including a wedding and a new house
0:05:36 > 0:05:38purchase, there's a big year ahead.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Not to mention the fact they've never lived together before.
0:05:41 > 0:05:43But the happy couple aren't phased.
0:05:43 > 0:05:44I think we know each other well
0:05:44 > 0:05:48- enough to know that there will be difficulties.- No.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50- And we may get on each other's nerves.- No!
0:05:50 > 0:05:52But...
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Yeah, and we do marvel sometimes at how long we've been together
0:05:54 > 0:05:57- and not really ever had a... - A barney.- A major row.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Not a major one.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- Obviously, we have a little tiff. - No, we don't!
0:06:02 > 0:06:03Very funny!
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Retirement will not only mean more time to spend together, but
0:06:07 > 0:06:11for Kevin, more time to pursue other interests.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15I've been playing with cars for as long as I can remember, really.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18He has promised to rebuild me a Mini at some point.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21I rather foolishly promised that. Minis are Amanda size.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24She's always loved them.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27These two might have more life experience under their belt than the
0:06:27 > 0:06:31average newly weds, but this series of firsts is no less exciting.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34It's going to be a huge change, really, in that I'll no longer
0:06:34 > 0:06:38be working, I'll be married for the first time, we'll be together
0:06:38 > 0:06:41instead of having to just spend weekends with each other.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44It's going to be a really exciting time.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47I'm just looking forward to living with Amanda. That's it.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49There's nothing more.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55Our buyers are looking for a rural
0:06:55 > 0:06:57spot in North Yorkshire with
0:06:57 > 0:06:59good access to the open spaces
0:06:59 > 0:07:00of the Dales, the North York Moors
0:07:00 > 0:07:02and the coast.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04But with Kevin's family in Bradford,
0:07:04 > 0:07:05his children down south and
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Amanda's friends in Leeds,
0:07:07 > 0:07:11they want to be on the A1 corridor for access to the M1.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14I'm catching up with them to see what's on their property wish list.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17Well, you've picked a beautiful county, haven't you? Welcome back.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19Thank you.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20You're already living in Yorkshire.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25You're travelling massive distances up here.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27Well, we share it. We do it alternate.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30You're both on the cusp of retirement. How far away?
0:07:30 > 0:07:33Nine working days for me. Not that I'm counting.
0:07:33 > 0:07:34How about you?
0:07:34 > 0:07:35About 20 days.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38So let's try and find you a home where you can start your new
0:07:38 > 0:07:40lives here in Yorkshire together.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43What does this house look like in your mind's eye then?
0:07:43 > 0:07:44Built of Yorkshire stone.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Built of Yorkshire stone, OK.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- At least three bedrooms.- Right.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52We want a big double study.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Now, that could be a converted bedroom.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56That's so we don't get on each other's nerves.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58Is it? What else?
0:07:58 > 0:07:59- A nice...- Big kitchen.- Big kitchen.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01He took the words out of my mouth.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04- Who's...?- We're both cooks, yeah. We both like to cook.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05Outside?
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Yeah, reasonably-sized garden.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10Enough so that we can grown our own veg.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Is it character you're focused on or can we show you something modern?
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- I'd rather it had character. - I agree.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18How rural can you go? How can I push you there?
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- I think...- I wouldn't want to be too remote.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25I think I'm more relaxed about being remote than Amanda is.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27- Difference of opinion straight away. - That's right, yeah.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Let's talk budget. Remind me of what we're looking up to.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33Up to £650,000.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36That's a good amount of money, but I'm confident we can get you
0:08:36 > 0:08:37something you can get both excited about.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- I'm sure you will.- Are you ready to go?- Absolutely.
0:08:40 > 0:08:41- This way.- Let's go.
0:08:43 > 0:08:47Kevin and Amanda have a healthy budget of £650,000
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and are hoping for a character property ideally built of Yorkshire
0:08:50 > 0:08:53stone with a large kitchen, at least three bedrooms, meaning
0:08:53 > 0:08:57friends and relatives can come to stay, and at least one study area.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59They'd also like a large garden
0:08:59 > 0:09:01with space to grow some veg.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03With the three properties we've got
0:09:03 > 0:09:06lined up, I'm feeling hopeful we'll find our couple what they're after.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Three very different propositions, but the one thing they all
0:09:09 > 0:09:11have in common is character.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I'll be asking Kevin and Amanda to guess the price of each
0:09:14 > 0:09:16property at the end of the tour.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19The last will be the mystery house, which is designed to challenge
0:09:19 > 0:09:20their wish list.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22I've got a feeling they won't have seen
0:09:22 > 0:09:24anything quite like this one before.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Buy a house, retire, move in with
0:09:30 > 0:09:32each other for the first time, get married.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35You're doing so much in one short space of time.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37It's a recipe for disaster, really, isn't it?
0:09:37 > 0:09:39It's all of the high-stress things, you know - retiring,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41changing house, getting married.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- All at once. Do it all, get rid of it.- I mean, slow it down!
0:09:48 > 0:09:50Our search begins south of
0:09:50 > 0:09:52the North York Moors, six miles from
0:09:52 > 0:09:53the medieval city of York
0:09:53 > 0:09:56in Shipton by Beningborough.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00Traditionally a farming village, Shipton is in a popular position for
0:10:00 > 0:10:04buyers, half an hour from the North York Moors, but with city access.
0:10:04 > 0:10:08The locality includes a lively village pub, a shop and
0:10:08 > 0:10:11active community centre with sporting facilities, so
0:10:11 > 0:10:15plenty for retirees Kevin and Amanda to get involved with.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18Just over a mile from the village centre on a country lane is
0:10:18 > 0:10:22our first property, set around its own private courtyard.
0:10:23 > 0:10:24So house number one.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Always a bit of a litmus test to your reactions, so here we are!
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Wow.- Big.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- Big is good, though, isn't it?- It's excellent.- Big is excellent.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34It's not Yorkshire stone, but it does look attractive.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37It looks like a converted animal stable or something like that.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40Spot on. Obviously you've got a car port there
0:10:40 > 0:10:43and, for the man that wants to start whittling away with his tools
0:10:43 > 0:10:46and building cars and what have you, a double garage there with power.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48I had already spotted that!
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- Excellent, yeah.- Good news? - Excellent.- Sounds good to me.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52Let's go inside.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55It may not be made of Yorkshire stone, but this four-bed barn
0:10:55 > 0:10:58conversion does have heaps of internal character.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04Right then, this is where we get to find out if you guys like open plan.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07I love the big windows.
0:11:07 > 0:11:09I'm not so sure about the open plan all the way through.
0:11:09 > 0:11:11It's a huge space, though.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Well, let's focus on the individual rooms first, then. Now, kitchen.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17Lovely. My thing.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- You're not so sure? - No, that works, that works.
0:11:19 > 0:11:25If you don't like the idea of having all your living space in one
0:11:25 > 0:11:28room, there is an option and I will show you that now. Follow me.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33The living space could be partitioned off to create
0:11:33 > 0:11:36separate areas, but I think it would be a shame to break up such a
0:11:36 > 0:11:37fabulous space.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40From the kitchen then, there's a corridor leading to a utility
0:11:40 > 0:11:43room, downstairs cloakroom, a good-sized guest bedroom with
0:11:43 > 0:11:46en-suite as well as another reception room.
0:11:47 > 0:11:52Now then, you tell me if you could have this as a snug?
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- Or a dining room.- You could. - It's lovely.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59If you did want a separate room, this is it.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Equally, this could be an office.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04Yes. I would normally say it could be an office.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06You got two other offices to choose from here,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09you got a ground floor office the other end of the building.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13Let's walk back through and go upstairs to the bedrooms.
0:12:13 > 0:12:14OK.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Back past the living room, beside the dining area is a
0:12:18 > 0:12:21magnificent oak carved staircase leading to the other three
0:12:21 > 0:12:23bedrooms on the first floor.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Now, I just want to pop in here briefly
0:12:26 > 0:12:29because there's a fantastic bit of detail to this house.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- Look at this!- Ho, ho, ho!- Oh!
0:12:32 > 0:12:34Children that used to live on the farm
0:12:34 > 0:12:36here during the Second World War used to come up here and play.
0:12:36 > 0:12:41- Right.- And so this is a wall they drew on and you can see how the war
0:12:41 > 0:12:42has influenced them here, as you can see.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44Amazing. Yes, yes.
0:12:44 > 0:12:45And Charlie Chaplin.
0:12:45 > 0:12:47Amazing, it is, yeah.
0:12:47 > 0:12:48Would you keep it?
0:12:48 > 0:12:50I think I would, actually. I think I would.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53I think the great thing about this is there's three bedrooms up
0:12:53 > 0:12:56here, so this would always only ever be a guest suite,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59so it's kind of a nice, it's a nice feature for your guests to enjoy.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Yes, a feature, yeah.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02And you said you wanted character, lots of character.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04That's certainly character.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07The two guest bedrooms, both good-sized doubles, share a
0:13:07 > 0:13:12fantastic Victorian-styled family bathroom, complete with roll-topped
0:13:12 > 0:13:14bath and attractive exposed brickwork.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Right then, the master suite.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24It looks a little bit small at first glance.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28And the first thing you notice is there's no wardrobes.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32That's because, walk-in wardrobe area over there.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33- Fantastic.- Very nice, yeah.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- That's something I've always dreamed of.- Now, you get an en-suite there.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38Just have a quick peek at that actually.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41So what do you think? You said you wanted character, Amanda.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Are you getting character in this property?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Yes and no. Yes and no. - Right, what's the yes?
0:13:46 > 0:13:48The yes is there are beams,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51there's those beautiful big windows downstairs.
0:13:51 > 0:13:52The no?
0:13:52 > 0:13:55But the no is it does still feel a bit kind of
0:13:55 > 0:13:57modern conversion looking.
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Does it? You want genuine old character, is that what it is?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03I think I do. I certainly do.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Let's go outside and have a look at the outside space,
0:14:05 > 0:14:08but also start thinking about the price.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11How much is this house on the market for? All right.
0:14:13 > 0:14:17Outside, the property sits on a plot of just under half an acre.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19There's a large patio area with doors leading off from the
0:14:19 > 0:14:24living space and a generous lawned garden.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27- Now, you don't see a veggie patch here, do you?- We don't.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30But you could have one. South is thataway.
0:14:30 > 0:14:32So I'm thinking maybe vegetable plot there.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37It seems such a shame to dig up this lovely lawn.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39If you want to eat veg, you've got to break some ground.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- No pain, no gain.- You got it.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45Now, there's some other land beyond that post and rail fence,
0:14:45 > 0:14:46that driveway.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50I spoke to the farmer and he said he would consider selling it off,
0:14:50 > 0:14:53the paddock, if you couldn't bear to see marrows being
0:14:53 > 0:14:55grown on your lovely bowling green.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58There is an opportunity to maybe have a veggie patch somewhere else.
0:14:58 > 0:14:59OK.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02How much do you think this place is on the market for?
0:15:02 > 0:15:04I would say about £625,000.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06I don't think it's going to be that much.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Maybe £580,000, £590,000, something like that.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13All right. This place...
0:15:13 > 0:15:15is on the market for offers around
0:15:15 > 0:15:17£550,000.
0:15:17 > 0:15:18- Ooh!- Wow!
0:15:18 > 0:15:23Walking round the place, you've not been overjoyed by this house.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26I think the main thing's the open plan.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28And the fact that it doesn't have
0:15:28 > 0:15:31the character that I would want.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Well, I tell you what, go back into the house,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35look at the other rooms you haven't seen,
0:15:35 > 0:15:36look at the garages and stuff like that
0:15:36 > 0:15:39- and I'll meet you out the front whenever you've finished.- OK.- OK.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Coming in well under budget, this recent barn conversion
0:15:44 > 0:15:45wasn't an instant hit with Kevin
0:15:45 > 0:15:47and Amanda, but considering they can
0:15:47 > 0:15:50make a saving of around £100,000,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52it's definitely food for thought.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54It's not made of Yorkshire stone,
0:15:54 > 0:15:55but the inside has a wealth
0:15:55 > 0:15:57of character features, with four
0:15:57 > 0:15:58bedrooms, a large kitchen
0:15:58 > 0:16:01area and a separate study.
0:16:01 > 0:16:02The garden is extensive and has the
0:16:02 > 0:16:04potential to create the
0:16:04 > 0:16:06veggie patch they want, plus car-nut
0:16:06 > 0:16:07Kevin would have a double
0:16:07 > 0:16:09garage for all his tools.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13Ah-ha! This is what we want.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Yes, this is what you'd like, isn't it?
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Yeah. Work bench, Mini, perfect.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- All your tools.- I can do that.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24It's a very interesting house.
0:16:24 > 0:16:29The negative is the large open-plan area.
0:16:29 > 0:16:33Having said that, the rest of it is done in a very nice standard.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36I had originally thought that I would quite like a barn conversion.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39I think I'm looking for something a lot more traditional.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Very nice house for someone else, but not for me.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44So all done inside?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- Yeah.- Yeah. - Had a good look around everywhere?
0:16:47 > 0:16:49- We have.- Did you fall in love with the garage?
0:16:49 > 0:16:51- The garage was fantastic. Perfect. - I knew you'd like that.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54- OK, that's one down. Two more to go. - OK.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04The great oak trees that dominate the woodlands of the UK have
0:17:04 > 0:17:07become a national symbol for strength and endurance.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10Whilst Yorkshire's majestic oaks stand mighty on the local
0:17:10 > 0:17:13landscapes, they also hold great cultural significance,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16particularly in the village of Kilburn.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20It was here on the edge of the North York Moors that Robert Thompson
0:17:20 > 0:17:24began his career as a furniture maker in the early 20th century.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27Thompson's skills with oak earned him a notable reputation,
0:17:27 > 0:17:32whilst his signature carved mouse earned him the moniker, Mouseman.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35We sent Amanda and keen hobbyist Kevin to meet Thompson's
0:17:35 > 0:17:39great-great-grandson, Simon Cartwright Thompson at the Mouseman
0:17:39 > 0:17:43Visitor Centre to learn more about one of Yorkshire's famous sons.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Look at this!- Wow!- Wow!
0:17:46 > 0:17:50Good morning, well, this is where Robert Thompson's story begins.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Do you have any Mouseman items yourself?
0:17:53 > 0:17:55I've got some, just two little mice.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Yeah, well, those very earlier
0:17:57 > 0:18:00pieces are sort of quite highly collectible.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03There's a story behind the mouse, as well, that's quite nice.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Robert had a commission to repair a church roof.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09He was chatting amongst his apprentices.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12His apprentices were saying to him, "We're as poor as church mice."
0:18:12 > 0:18:14And while they were having their lunch,
0:18:14 > 0:18:16he decided to carve a mouse on one of the church beams.
0:18:16 > 0:18:17Oh, fantastic!
0:18:17 > 0:18:21And, I think that sort of set the seed for using it as a trademark.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25The furniture designed and made by Mouseman was born out of the
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Arts and Crafts movement that began in 1880
0:18:28 > 0:18:31and continued to have influence into the 1930s.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35Today, antique Mouseman pieces are highly collectible.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37OK, so we're into our workshop
0:18:37 > 0:18:41and here we can see two chairs that we're working on at the moment.
0:18:41 > 0:18:43This one is practically finished
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and this one we're about to start refurbing it.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48They're pretty similar. Are they the same age?
0:18:48 > 0:18:52This one here is from the '30s and this one we believe
0:18:52 > 0:19:00is from the '60s, but you can see on this mouse here, it's very narrow on
0:19:00 > 0:19:05the neck, whereas on the '60s chair they went to a slightly wider neck.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08We were finding the ears were getting knocked off,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11so it was an advantage to have them slightly chubbier.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14So how would you go about restoring this chair?
0:19:14 > 0:19:16First off, I would chemically strip it,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19then I would neutralise it with methylated spirits.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21It's actually the joints are loose on this,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23so it'd go into the workshop, we'd knock it to bits
0:19:23 > 0:19:27and then we'd re-pin it with new dowels and modern glue.
0:19:27 > 0:19:32Upstairs, we've got guys making new pieces of furniture.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34So, I mean, would you like to go and have a look at those?
0:19:34 > 0:19:35- Yes, please.- Absolutely.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38- OK, well, follow me then and we'll go upstairs.- Thank you.
0:19:40 > 0:19:43The Mouseman philosophy today is still devoted to handcrafting
0:19:43 > 0:19:47simple, solid and functional oak pieces for the home following
0:19:47 > 0:19:49the Arts and Crafts ethos that places value on high-grade,
0:19:49 > 0:19:54handmade design, rather than poorer quality mass production.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Well, I'm working on a cheese board here.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58I've just adzed it
0:19:58 > 0:20:01and you can see the undulations in the top.
0:20:01 > 0:20:03If you just run your hand over that, you can actually feel it.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05And then once we've adzed the top,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09we'll use a cabinet scraper, which is this item here.
0:20:09 > 0:20:16And what we do, we go with the grain and we take out any steps
0:20:16 > 0:20:18and tears that may be in the timber.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20- Would you like to have a go? - Thank you.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25- That's it.- So can I just ask you
0:20:25 > 0:20:26about the mouse itself?
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Is it carved separately and then added afterwards?
0:20:29 > 0:20:32You can see a cheese board that I haven't started here.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34There's the bit left on for the mouse.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36So that's where the mouse will get carved.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38OK, is that anything like?
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- Yeah, I think you'd make a good apprentice.- Thank you!
0:20:41 > 0:20:45So, after we've scraped it, we're going to sand,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48put sand paper on and, again, we're going to rub with the grain.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53With the board almost complete, the edges are softened with a
0:20:53 > 0:20:56bevel edge chisel before smoothing with a spokeshave
0:20:56 > 0:21:00to prevent splinters and then given a final sand.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02So with the possibility of a new hobby on the horizon for
0:21:02 > 0:21:06Kevin, it looks like he'll be needing that workshop even more.
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Our second property takes us 30
0:21:12 > 0:21:14miles north towards the Yorkshire
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Dales and the village of
0:21:16 > 0:21:17Well, conveniently positioned
0:21:17 > 0:21:1910 minutes from the A1.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22The village takes its name from St Michael's Well, one of the
0:21:22 > 0:21:26many springs feeding the river beck which runs through it.
0:21:26 > 0:21:30This ancient settlement has several historic buildings including the
0:21:30 > 0:21:3414th-century church and a row of alms houses and chapel dating
0:21:34 > 0:21:36back to 1758.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Our second property is on the edge of the village, down the road
0:21:39 > 0:21:42from the church behind a low stone wall.
0:21:43 > 0:21:47Now then, here we come to another conversion.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50What do we think? First impressions.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53I know what you're going to say. Go on.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- Yorkshire stone.- Yes!- Wonderful.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57- Yorkshire stone.- We got it.- It's fantastic.
0:21:57 > 0:21:58It's absolutely wonderful.
0:21:58 > 0:22:03Well, it's a converted schoolhouse, OK, and it's been done fairly
0:22:03 > 0:22:06recently but it's, again, very different in layout.
0:22:06 > 0:22:09- So let's see what you make of the inside.- OK.- OK.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Built in the 18th century, this former school was closed in the
0:22:15 > 0:22:181950s and has been sympathetically and skilfully converted into
0:22:18 > 0:22:20a two-storey house.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- Wow!- Look at this!
0:22:25 > 0:22:27- Like it?- Yes.- Yes.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29I'm going to allay any fears you may have.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30You have a separate living room.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- Right.- So this is just for your cooking and dining.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Which is a much nicer arrangement to me.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Well, the first house was done in a very much traditional old
0:22:39 > 0:22:41style out of oak.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43This, more contemporary, isn't it? What do you think?
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- It is, yes. I like it better.- Do you?
0:22:45 > 0:22:47- Ah, I like the oak!- Oh, do you?
0:22:47 > 0:22:49Well, you're going to have different tastes, aren't you?
0:22:49 > 0:22:52- Of course you are, yeah.- You can just see the doorway
0:22:52 > 0:22:53going out there to the garden.
0:22:53 > 0:22:56- There's planning consent there for a conservatory.- Ah-ha.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Which would make a great dining area and would also,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01I mean, you've got another separate room off the kitchen.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04First impressions, kitchen versus kitchen,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06first house versus second house.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08I love this one.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11Yes, oh, definitely second house so far.
0:23:11 > 0:23:12Good. OK.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Let me squeeze past you here and I'll show you the living room.- OK.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Very different again in here.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- Oh, yes!- Very nice.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Now you know you've got separate living areas
0:23:24 > 0:23:25with other bits going off it.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27Is this more what you had in mind or...?
0:23:27 > 0:23:31By a long way. A long, long way. It's lovely.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32- It's more cosy, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35I find that I love having a real fire.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37And then you've got a spare bedroom.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- Right.- Uh-huh.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42En-suite. And you've got a downstairs office as well.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43Oh, wonderful.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45On that note, we should keep positive,
0:23:45 > 0:23:47onward and upward to the bedrooms. Follow me.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52I'm really pleased Kevin and Amanda seem to appreciate this
0:23:52 > 0:23:55building's original character and despite the renovation, it
0:23:55 > 0:23:57doesn't feel too modern for them.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00In the sitting room, there's an open staircase leading to the
0:24:00 > 0:24:03upstairs landing where there are three further bedrooms.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Let's start with the master.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08You've got a cracking en-suite, separate bath and shower there.
0:24:08 > 0:24:09- Oh, yes.- Wonderful, yeah.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Now, I know you like a bit of storage space.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13You've got plenty here, haven't you?
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- Oh, you certainly have. - You have. And it's got height.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20You got three double bedrooms on this level.
0:24:20 > 0:24:24The bedroom at the far end, that's en-suite as well.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27So the middle bedroom has its own bathroom, essentially.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29- Wow!- Very good.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31There's nothing to do here at the moment.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34It's a canvas. You can put our stamp on it and, yeah,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36I like to have a major works, so, yeah.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38Well, I tell you what, let's go outside then.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41Let's have a look at some of the projects you can get involved in
0:24:41 > 0:24:44because, thankfully, it just means that this house stays the same.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- I think you know where I'm going with that.- Absolutely, yeah.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50And outside is where he can get his hands dirty. Follow me.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55The exterior of the property really is a blank canvas too.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59there's a large flat lawned garden, a paved patio for entertaining
0:24:59 > 0:25:02and a decked area enjoying views of the surrounding open fields.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07For Kevin and his cars, there's a large garage opening to a
0:25:07 > 0:25:12covered barn and, of course, the all-important veggie patch.
0:25:12 > 0:25:13OK, so let's look back at the house
0:25:13 > 0:25:16and see what you might be able to do to it.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18Project-wise, conservatory going,
0:25:18 > 0:25:20well, from one gable end to the other.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- It's just asking for it, really. - Made for it, isn't it?
0:25:24 > 0:25:25Wants it, yeah, definitely.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28And you'd have this stone wall on the inside which
0:25:28 > 0:25:30I always think looks fabulous.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32It would do. It'd look really good, love, it would.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34So you tell me, how much do you
0:25:34 > 0:25:36think this place is on the market for?
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Very difficult. I really don't know.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- £600,000?- Oh, right.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45I was going to say about the same but I'll stick my neck out
0:25:45 > 0:25:48and say £590,000.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Oh, you went the wrong way.
0:25:50 > 0:25:51This place is on the market
0:25:51 > 0:25:53for offers around £625,000.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54- Right.- OK.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56- But it's got all the ingredients, hasn't it?- It has.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- It has got all the ingredients. - Well, it's spitting with rain,
0:25:59 > 0:26:01so now is a good time to go back indoors.
0:26:01 > 0:26:03Have a look at the other bedrooms, take your time and I'll see you
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- whenever you're finished.- OK.- OK.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07- See you in a bit.- Thank you. - OK. What's in there?
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Have a look!
0:26:10 > 0:26:13See. Now, they're coming from very different places.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15They've never bought a house together
0:26:15 > 0:26:18but the one thing they're agreeing on is everything that's
0:26:18 > 0:26:21good about this place - the space and the style.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23I'm really glad I brought them here.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27At £25,000 under their top budget, this detached former school
0:26:27 > 0:26:29building has the four bedrooms Kevin
0:26:29 > 0:26:31and Amanda wanted as well as four
0:26:31 > 0:26:33bathrooms and a modern kitchen, big
0:26:33 > 0:26:35enough for them to cook together.
0:26:35 > 0:26:36With a study, a number of separate
0:26:36 > 0:26:38reception rooms and the
0:26:38 > 0:26:39option of an extension, it could
0:26:39 > 0:26:41make the perfect home to
0:26:41 > 0:26:43start their married lives together.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Much more positive about this house than the last one.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50It feels a lot more like a home, even though it's a
0:26:50 > 0:26:56conversion, it still has a lot of character, both in and outside.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58It's a lovely property. It's in a lovely area.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00It's in the country.
0:27:00 > 0:27:05It's got the veg plot, it's got the room to do the cars
0:27:05 > 0:27:06and the general work bench.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08You know, we love it.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12I do have, yeah, a bit of a feeling about it, yeah.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17- All done?- Yeah.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Now, is this house a maybe?
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- It's fantastic. - It's, yes, very much a maybe.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24That's all I want to hear. Let's go.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37I'm on the property hunt with soon-to-be-married Kevin and Amanda.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40With retirement looming, they're hoping their sizable budget of
0:27:40 > 0:27:45£650,000 will get them a rural marital home to be proud of
0:27:45 > 0:27:47in their homeland of North Yorkshire.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51Still to come, my buyers feel at home in the mystery house.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Could you see yourself entertaining in this house?
0:27:54 > 0:27:57- Yes. - Oh, yes, Lord and Lady of the manor!
0:27:57 > 0:28:00And I visit the widest property in Europe.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Oh!
0:28:02 > 0:28:03Wow!
0:28:05 > 0:28:07Well, I think we can be fairly confident that house number
0:28:07 > 0:28:09two was the clear winner yesterday.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11And today, another beautiful start to the day
0:28:11 > 0:28:13and we're off to see the mystery house.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Now, Amanda reckons she likes the idea of character
0:28:16 > 0:28:20and that often means your traditional period house.
0:28:20 > 0:28:22But that can also be interpreted as quirky
0:28:22 > 0:28:25and the mystery property is certainly that.
0:28:25 > 0:28:29In fact, if they can get their heads around its rather unique location,
0:28:29 > 0:28:33they could potentially be moving to a rather exclusive address.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39We're concluding our property hunt further south and closer to
0:28:39 > 0:28:40Amanda's current home in Leeds,
0:28:40 > 0:28:42in the village of Beckwithshaw,
0:28:42 > 0:28:44which is three miles outside the
0:28:44 > 0:28:46sought-after spa town of Harrogate.
0:28:46 > 0:28:49Originally a hamlet, the village grew when the nearby Moor
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Park Estate was built in the 1800s.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55Its cottages, farm and workshops meant the village was
0:28:55 > 0:28:57developed to service the workings of the estate with additions of
0:28:57 > 0:29:00a post office, chapel and school.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Our mystery property is on the Moor Park Estate, surrounded by
0:29:04 > 0:29:06200 acres of farmland.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12So, a pretty different kind of offering for our mystery house.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14- Oh, my!- It certainly is, isn't it?
0:29:14 > 0:29:16- Very different.- Very different.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Now, you've been pretty good at guessing their former uses.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Kevin, have a go at this.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Who knows?
0:29:24 > 0:29:25Water tower?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28THEY LAUGH
0:29:28 > 0:29:31It's... Part of it was a dovecote.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35- OK.- And they've kept some of the original, well, some
0:29:35 > 0:29:38of the original stonework that would have housed where the doves stayed.
0:29:38 > 0:29:40Now, first of all, I think we have
0:29:40 > 0:29:41to talk about where we are,
0:29:41 > 0:29:42this estate.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44Pretty different. What do you think?
0:29:44 > 0:29:48It's quite different to anything I'd imagined.
0:29:48 > 0:29:49I'm just intrigued.
0:29:49 > 0:29:54I can't work it out, you know. It just seems very, very, very strange.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Well, that makes it a true mystery house, doesn't it?- It really is.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58Yeah. You've certainly done the job.
0:29:58 > 0:30:01- Let's look inside. Follow me. - Sounds good to me.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Restored nearly 15 years ago, the estate, which was once owned
0:30:05 > 0:30:09by a single family, now comprises 36 separate dwellings, including
0:30:09 > 0:30:12the mansion house, which is divided into eight apartments and a
0:30:12 > 0:30:15range of buildings originally built for the workers.
0:30:15 > 0:30:18The Grade II-listed dovecot building is in the centre of the
0:30:18 > 0:30:22estate, overlooking one of the main courtyards and its tiered fountains.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Now then, just want to briefly pause here
0:30:25 > 0:30:26because I think it's worth doing so.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28- It's quite impressive, isn't it? - It is.- It is.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31This is the first room that your guests would come to.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34Let's look at, well, where would you lead your guests?
0:30:34 > 0:30:37Would you, let's say, come into the kitchen and have a drink
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- or would you take them into the living room?- Depends on the guest.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- What about me?- The kitchen.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42Come on then!
0:30:44 > 0:30:48The vaulted ceilings and exposed stone wall create a feeling
0:30:48 > 0:30:50of grandeur in this reception hall.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52Inside, the property is part-furnished.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57- Now then, this is not a dining kitchen.- No.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01So just for cooking sake, is this decent enough size for you?
0:31:01 > 0:31:05It's workable. You've got lots of work surface and storage space.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08But then, if this is just for cooking,
0:31:08 > 0:31:10well, look at this for a dining room.
0:31:13 > 0:31:14It's huge!
0:31:14 > 0:31:16Pretty huge, pretty big. Wooden beams. Lovely.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19Could you see yourself entertaining in this house?
0:31:19 > 0:31:23- Yes. - Oh, yes, Lord and Lady of the manor!
0:31:23 > 0:31:27One thing this house surprised me with was its proportions.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30It does. It does. Suddenly there's more of it than what you realise.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33You've got the hall there, kitchen, dining room
0:31:33 > 0:31:35and that flows quite nicely into the living room.
0:31:35 > 0:31:36Let's go and have a look now.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Now then, another decent size room.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43- Yes.- Yes.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47But empty. This house has been rented out.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52You don't sound massively enamoured with this place, but let me show
0:31:52 > 0:31:56you the bedrooms before you either write this off or fall in love.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- I think you could be the former. Come with me.- OK.
0:32:00 > 0:32:04Unfurnished rooms do require buyers to use a bit of imagination,
0:32:04 > 0:32:07but after such a great reaction to house number two yesterday,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12I'm not getting the same vibe from Kevin and Amanda here today.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14So you tell me what you think of this room.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16- Oh, my!- Wow!
0:32:16 > 0:32:17That's quite...
0:32:17 > 0:32:20It's like a cross between a medieval castle
0:32:20 > 0:32:22and the Arabian Nights, isn't it?
0:32:22 > 0:32:24Yes, it kind of is, isn't it?
0:32:24 > 0:32:26- But look at the view out of the window.- That's fantastic.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28In the morning, that is great.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32You've got a separate bathroom and two other bedrooms on this floor
0:32:32 > 0:32:36and upstairs you've got, well, another bedroom or I think it'd make
0:32:36 > 0:32:41a fantastic office or study cos that's the dovecot part of it.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44- The eagles eyrie.- Yeah, quite, yeah.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47You seem to have come alive a bit more up here.
0:32:47 > 0:32:49Yeah, it's an exciting room.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51Yes, it's like nothing you've ever kind of seen before, so.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54It never really occurred to have stone in a bedroom,
0:32:54 > 0:32:55but, yes, it really works.
0:32:55 > 0:32:59But, being so different probably makes it quite difficult to value.
0:33:00 > 0:33:01It does.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03Let's go back outside to one of the gardens.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06We'll go to the back garden, the more private one.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08And then I'll ask you to guess the price.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09- OK.- OK.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14Outside, the property benefits from two allocated parking spaces
0:33:14 > 0:33:16and a garage.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19It shares the extensive and well-kept communal gardens for
0:33:19 > 0:33:23which there's a service charge of around £135 a month.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25But it also has separate private gardens.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29So, Amanda, is this garden private enough for you?
0:33:31 > 0:33:33- Oh, yes.- Yeah?
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Yes, yes, that's nice.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38It's not massive. It's clearly the smallest we've seen so far.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41I mean, where would you have your veggie patch, do you think?
0:33:41 > 0:33:44In that corner or over there.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46But how do you price it?
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Ooh...
0:33:47 > 0:33:50£540,000?
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- Amanda?- I'm thinking that this would be more,
0:33:52 > 0:33:54near the top of our budget,
0:33:54 > 0:33:56so I would say £650,000.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58This place is on the market
0:33:58 > 0:34:01for offers around £649,999.
0:34:01 > 0:34:03- Well done.- Well done.- There you go.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06As you valued it at £540,000, Kevin,
0:34:06 > 0:34:09that sometimes reflects someone's opinion on the place.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13I think you may have a grain of truth in that analysis, yes.
0:34:13 > 0:34:14Yes, you're right.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16Well, the mystery property's always a gamble.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18This one doesn't look like it's paid off,
0:34:18 > 0:34:21although you must have a look at that dovecot room because it's
0:34:21 > 0:34:24pretty cool and I'll meet you whenever you're finished, all right?
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- OK.- OK.- Enjoy it.- Thank you. - See you in a bit.
0:34:27 > 0:34:30Just short of their maximum budget, this unique house is in a
0:34:30 > 0:34:32sought-after location and would
0:34:32 > 0:34:34offer Kevin and Amanda a very
0:34:34 > 0:34:35different lifestyle to our
0:34:35 > 0:34:37first two properties.
0:34:37 > 0:34:38It does have the four bedrooms on
0:34:38 > 0:34:40their wish list, living
0:34:40 > 0:34:42accommodation including a separate
0:34:42 > 0:34:43kitchen and a study and it's
0:34:43 > 0:34:44bursting with quirky
0:34:44 > 0:34:46character features.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48The garden is smaller than at our
0:34:48 > 0:34:49first two houses, but there's
0:34:49 > 0:34:51enough space for a veggie patch and
0:34:51 > 0:34:52they'd also have access to
0:34:52 > 0:34:54well-kept communal gardens.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57- Wow!- Wow!
0:34:57 > 0:34:58That's a bit different!
0:34:58 > 0:35:01- That certainly is a bit different, isn't it?- I love that window, yeah.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03- Lovely light area.- Isn't it?
0:35:03 > 0:35:06I think you could make a bedroom out of it,
0:35:06 > 0:35:11but I think it's probably better as an 'our space', you know.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15Yes. Well, this is a really, really different house.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17I mean, we asked for character
0:35:17 > 0:35:20and there's certainly a lot of character.
0:35:20 > 0:35:25It's got lots of interesting rooms. It's totally off the wall.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28The dovecot room at the top of the house was absolutely fantastic.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30That was really the best room in the house.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33I don't think we, really, are the type of people to live here.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35We're not the Lord and Lady of the manor type.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39So I don't think we'd feel comfortable in this setting.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41But it was very interesting to have seen it.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45Now, you tell me, did this live up
0:35:45 > 0:35:47to the expectations of a mystery house?
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Very much so. Certainly a mystery.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51So let's find you somewhere to have a bit of a conflab
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- and then we'll meet up later on.- OK. - Sounds good.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06Tucked away in the rural outskirts of Rotherham is a little-known
0:36:06 > 0:36:09family home with a large legacy.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Wentworth Woodhouse stands in grounds covering some 85
0:36:12 > 0:36:18acres and boasts the longest country house facade in Europe, at 615 feet.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21It's believed that when Thomas Watson Wentworth, the Marquis
0:36:21 > 0:36:24of Rockingham, had it built in the 18th century, the grand scale
0:36:24 > 0:36:28of the property was all for show, an attempt to impress local
0:36:28 > 0:36:33aristocrats and increase his chances of becoming a Member of Parliament.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36After generations in the family, the cost of running the property
0:36:36 > 0:36:39after the Second World War became so costly that the house slowly
0:36:39 > 0:36:41went into decline.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45Tenanted for years and eventually sold, architect Clifford
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Newbold has been restoring it for the last 15 years.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52I'm meeting Estate Manager Tom McWilliams to find out the
0:36:52 > 0:36:54plans for this magnificent property.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- Tom, good morning. How are you? - Hello, Jon. Thank you.
0:36:57 > 0:36:59What an amazing building.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03I'm told this is the widest facade of a residential building in Europe.
0:37:03 > 0:37:05- In Europe.- That's quite some accolade, isn't it?
0:37:05 > 0:37:08Yeah. This actually is the back of the house.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10The other side, the Baroque side is all built of brick.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12totally, totally different.
0:37:12 > 0:37:14So why have you got two different styles,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16the front and the back, Baroque and Palladian style?
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Well, the Baroque style was built by one of the Earls
0:37:19 > 0:37:23and when he died, he hadn't finished it, the next Earl decided he would
0:37:23 > 0:37:26build, put his stamp on it, if you like, and decided to build something
0:37:26 > 0:37:30grander, and that's when he put this style on it, the Palladian style.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32So taking over from their forbears,
0:37:32 > 0:37:35he just decided to completely change it, really build it back to front.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- Yeah, that's right.- Well, I'm dying to get inside.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40- Can we go have a look?- Yeah, sure. - Lead the way, sir.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43In the mid 18th century, the Marquis employed over 100
0:37:43 > 0:37:46servants and staff to run the house alone.
0:37:46 > 0:37:49There are a staggering 365 rooms,
0:37:49 > 0:37:53one for each day of the year, as well as 1,000 feet of corridors,
0:37:53 > 0:37:57some so vast they could be considered rooms in their own right.
0:37:57 > 0:37:58Ooh!
0:38:00 > 0:38:02Wow! What do you call this room?
0:38:02 > 0:38:05- Marble Saloon.- The Marble Saloon.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08- This is majorly impressive, isn't it?- Grand, isn't it?
0:38:08 > 0:38:11- So this is where you'd receive guests for maybe...- Yes, that's it.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13- ..a ball or something like that. - Ballroom.
0:38:13 > 0:38:14Yes, we used to hold balls here, yeah.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17- It looks in a remarkably good shape here.- It is.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20- Has it been renovated at all? - No. This is originally as it was.
0:38:20 > 0:38:21It's not been touched at all.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24What about its ownership over the years?
0:38:24 > 0:38:25It's not always been in family hands.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28During the war, the army did take over the house.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30I think in the early '60s and '70s
0:38:30 > 0:38:33the council took it over as a teacher training college
0:38:33 > 0:38:38for girls and actually this room was covered over in wood, so
0:38:38 > 0:38:39it wasn't seen, this floor.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41The girls used to play badminton in here.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42With such a huge building,
0:38:42 > 0:38:45I imagine there's projects that you've done that are going on.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48Have you completed anything that you're particularly happy with?
0:38:48 > 0:38:50We've done one big room, the Long Gallery,
0:38:50 > 0:38:53which has taken two years to do one room.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56In the early 1900s, the Watsons, who had over the generations
0:38:56 > 0:38:58become the Fitzwilliams, were thought to be the 6th
0:38:58 > 0:39:01wealthiest landowners in the country.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04They had a room for everything - one for the family barber, an
0:39:04 > 0:39:08upholstery room, a bakery, and even a room for candles.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12They also played host to some rather notable guests. In 1912,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15King George V and Queen Mary came to stay, requiring rooms for
0:39:15 > 0:39:19their total of 76 guests.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21If they were invited for a pre-dinner drink, they would
0:39:21 > 0:39:24have gathered in the Long Gallery.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28This is beautiful. How long is it?
0:39:28 > 0:39:32- 165 feet long.- Goodness me! Really?
0:39:32 > 0:39:37I mean, these rooms back in the day, they were for sort of walking
0:39:37 > 0:39:39up and down, weren't they? Parading up and down?
0:39:39 > 0:39:41Yeah, everybody used to meet in the Long Room Gallery.
0:39:41 > 0:39:43They'd sit here during the day.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47You think two years in one room, that's a long time, but this is...
0:39:47 > 0:39:48It's a row of terraced houses.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Well, yeah, got to say, this is a row of terraced houses!
0:39:51 > 0:39:53It's a good way of looking at it. Yeah, it's massive.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56The floor had to be re-sanded.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59It was black with the wax over the years.
0:39:59 > 0:40:00So it all had to be stripped down.
0:40:00 > 0:40:05It's a Grade I-listed house and we have to work with English Heritage,
0:40:05 > 0:40:08even down to the colours, has to be done traditional with the brush.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11English Heritage have to oversee it.
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Well, hopefully with this amazing work going on here, Tom, the public
0:40:14 > 0:40:17will get to enjoy it and it will become more popular as years go by.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20- I wish you the best of luck, Tom. Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25The renovation of the property is currently on hold due to subsidence.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29But with work hopefully resuming soon, plans include a museum
0:40:29 > 0:40:31and a hotel in the South Wing.
0:40:31 > 0:40:35It's a colossal task but Newbold and his team are determined not
0:40:35 > 0:40:38only to make it a viable home again, but to make it accessible for
0:40:38 > 0:40:42the local community, letting visitors share in its beauty.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48Well, I'm pretty sure that house number two is the only
0:40:48 > 0:40:51property still in the running, but is it good enough to become
0:40:51 > 0:40:54Kevin and Amanda's first marital home?
0:40:54 > 0:40:55Let's find out.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01We've had a good time here, haven't we?
0:41:01 > 0:41:02- We have.- We have.
0:41:02 > 0:41:05And I'm pretty confident I know your favourite house.
0:41:05 > 0:41:06The second property, right?
0:41:06 > 0:41:08- Correct, yes. - But how much do you like it?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Quite a lot.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12I think we'd like to have a second look.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14What do you hope to accomplish at the second viewing?
0:41:14 > 0:41:19Well, we want to find out a bit more about the planning permissions
0:41:19 > 0:41:24for the conservatory, maybe find out how much that might cost.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28We just need to have another little look, another poke around.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30You've embarked on an amazing journey, haven't you?
0:41:30 > 0:41:32You're finally getting together properly.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34You're buying your first house together.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36How will this house fit into that?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I mean, could house number two be that house that you do all this in?
0:41:39 > 0:41:40It's possible.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43- It would be good if it could. - Wouldn't it just?
0:41:43 > 0:41:45Yeah. One step at a time, we'll get there.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47Hopefully it'll be dotting I's and crossing T's,
0:41:47 > 0:41:49but whatever happens, make sure you tell me.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51- We will.- Let us know, won't you?
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- We will, definitely. - We will do, definitely.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Good luck in your retirement, your wedding and your new house.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- Thank you very much.- Thank you very, very much. Thank you.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Well, I note a bit of caution creeping in there,
0:42:07 > 0:42:08but it's understandable, isn't it?
0:42:08 > 0:42:10Let's face it, it's a lot of money
0:42:10 > 0:42:14and it's the first house that Kevin and Amanda are buying together.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16But the good news is they want to go back for a second
0:42:16 > 0:42:18viewing at property number two.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20And in a year that they're not only looking to retire,
0:42:20 > 0:42:23but they're also looking to get married,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26well, buying a property here amongst this beautiful Yorkshire
0:42:26 > 0:42:30countryside literally could be the cherry on top of the wedding cake.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32See you next time.
0:42:32 > 0:42:36Kevin and Amanda went back for another visit to property two,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39but still undecided, they resolved to keep looking.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42However, with Kevin now retired, he's moved in with Amanda.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46Finally sharing a home, they're at least one step closer to
0:42:46 > 0:42:48starting their new lives together.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51I hope the perfect property is just around the corner.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55If you'd like to Escape to the Country in Wales, Scotland, Northern
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Ireland, England, or perhaps further afield to the Continent, and
0:42:58 > 0:43:04need our help, please apply online at -