0:00:02 > 0:00:04It's recently been revealed that the small town behind me
0:00:04 > 0:00:07is officially the UK's oldest continuous settlement.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09It lies within a county
0:00:09 > 0:00:12that's scattered with world-famous historic sites.
0:00:12 > 0:00:14So, where exactly am I?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Join me in a few moments and I'll let you know.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Today's house-hunting couple are hoping to kick off retirement
0:00:37 > 0:00:39in rural bliss.
0:00:39 > 0:00:40Real country.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Certainly a room with a view.
0:00:42 > 0:00:43Certainly is, isn't it?
0:00:43 > 0:00:48And I'm hoping we can exceed expectations with our choices.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I'm wondering whether we need to go and see any more houses.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Oh, well, that's really good.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Today I'm in Wiltshire, and more specifically, Amesbury,
0:00:59 > 0:01:04near Stonehenge, where experts have recently uncovered evidence
0:01:04 > 0:01:07which proves this town has been continuously inhabited
0:01:07 > 0:01:10since 8820 BC.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Now, it was previously thought that Thatcham, in Berkshire,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18held this title but carbon dating has verified that Amesbury is,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21in fact, at least 1,000 years older.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25Findings also unearthed a variety of animal bones
0:01:25 > 0:01:28and it turns out that ancient residents here
0:01:28 > 0:01:33were eating frogs' legs long before they became a delicacy in France.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36And here we are, more than 10,000 years later
0:01:36 > 0:01:40and people continue to call this beautiful part of the country home.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46Wiltshire is a landlocked county in the south west of England,
0:01:46 > 0:01:50bordering six counties including Berkshire and Somerset.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53Wiltshire's landscape is interwoven with its rich history,
0:01:53 > 0:01:57from its epic standing stone circles in Stonehenge and Avebury,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00to its Iron Age forts and hillside chalk carvings
0:02:00 > 0:02:03such as this 19th-century white horse on Hackpen Hill.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Many of Wiltshire's busy market towns
0:02:06 > 0:02:09also share in the county's historic past.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12The beautiful Georgian town of Marlborough was largely rebuilt
0:02:12 > 0:02:16after a brutal battle in 1642,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19when the town supported parliament against King Charles I.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23One of the buildings to survive was St Mary's Church
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and it still bears the scars of battle today.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29In the heart of the county is Salisbury Plain,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32a 300 square mile area of chalk downlands
0:02:32 > 0:02:35situated 12 miles north of Salisbury.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39It's the largest remaining area of its kind in north-west Europe.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44Owned and used by the MOD, this impressive stretch of wild grassland
0:02:44 > 0:02:47also offers some incredible long-distance walks
0:02:47 > 0:02:48where you might be lucky enough to see
0:02:48 > 0:02:52the recently reintroduced county bird, the great bustard.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55The deep-rooted history and culture of Wiltshire,
0:02:55 > 0:02:58immersed in its rural beauty, makes it easy to understand
0:02:58 > 0:03:01why so many want to make this county home.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06At the moment, the average cost of a detached property here in Wiltshire
0:03:06 > 0:03:10is almost £299,000,
0:03:10 > 0:03:14a figure of nearly 30,000 above the national average.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17And it's the attractive market towns in the east of the region
0:03:17 > 0:03:18which are the most sought after,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21as many lie within an hour and a half's commute of London.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25But if you venture west, towards the Somerset border,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28you'll find you get better value for money.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30So where in this wonderful county
0:03:30 > 0:03:33are today's buyers hoping to relocate to?
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Rose met Tim when he was in the Royal Navy.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43They've been married for 40 years and have two grown-up daughters.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46They currently live in the town of Sandhurst, Berkshire,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49in a four-bedroom detached house.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51We've only had two houses in our married life
0:03:51 > 0:03:54and we walked into the garden here and saw the pond
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and I remember just looking at each other and just going, "Yes."
0:03:57 > 0:04:01And I just hope to get that same feeling with another house.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03And it's not just a water feature
0:04:03 > 0:04:05that Rose is looking for in a new home.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07She's also keen on her plants.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10When I look at the garden now, I love thinking,
0:04:10 > 0:04:12"Well, that came from some friends in Anglesey,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14"that came from Auntie Mary's house in Devon,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17"that was a cutting from somebody else,"
0:04:17 > 0:04:20and so the garden in itself does have some memories, too.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Since they moved here 27 years ago,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Sandhurst has undergone major development
0:04:26 > 0:04:30and with plans in the pipeline for a further 1,500 new homes,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33Tim and Rose would now like to move somewhere more peaceful.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37We are definitely looking forward to escaping the traffic.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40When we first moved here I would pop into town, now I think twice
0:04:40 > 0:04:43about going because you just join the traffic and having
0:04:43 > 0:04:46looked around Wiltshire there just isn't the same amount of traffic.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48As you go west from Sandhurst,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51traffic seems to die off tremendously.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Almost seems to be going back ten, 20 years in time
0:04:54 > 0:04:56because there's so little traffic on the roads.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02Rose has just retired after 41 years as a teacher and Tim,
0:05:02 > 0:05:05a transport consultant, is now semi-retired
0:05:05 > 0:05:07and no longer limited to a particular location.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09They're both keen for a change
0:05:09 > 0:05:11and would like to move to east Wiltshire.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Well, when we move, I am looking forward to having
0:05:17 > 0:05:21some new places to go for some long walks with the dog.
0:05:21 > 0:05:23We've been here now too long.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I have a friend who lives in Marlborough,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29so we know some of the area for walking and it is beautiful.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31They also hope that their new home in the countryside
0:05:31 > 0:05:35will offer some much needed space for their new hobbies.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Tim has just completed a furniture restoration course
0:05:38 > 0:05:40and would love his own workshop.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43I'm looking forward to getting rid of my disreputable old shed
0:05:43 > 0:05:45and getting a nice workshop in place.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49So that I shall then be able to attend to whatever challenges
0:05:49 > 0:05:51come my way with the new house.
0:05:51 > 0:05:54In fact, I can see that we'll actually start furnishing our house
0:05:54 > 0:05:57with bits of furniture that I've restored.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00For Rose, it's a chance to explore new places with her dog,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02Bertie, that most excites her.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06I'm looking forward to having new places to walk our dog, Bertie.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09I'm just ready for something new.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13And there's a final reason why outside space is important.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17At the moment the caravan is slotted into a very small space at the side
0:06:17 > 0:06:22of the house, as you can't possibly tow it in or out of the driveway.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25When we want to go away on holiday with the caravan,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29it actually takes an hour or so to get everything sorted out
0:06:29 > 0:06:32and it would be nice just to hitch up the caravan and go.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Once they've escaped to their dream house
0:06:34 > 0:06:38they just have to get used to living in it together.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I'm sure it will have a big change for two reasons.
0:06:41 > 0:06:46One is that we'll have to be far more outward-going.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48The other is, because we're both retiring,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51we're going to be spending more time in each other's company,
0:06:51 > 0:06:56so that'll be the, er, breaking... No, not the breaking point!
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- Thank you!- I think I'd better start again.- The challenge.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00That will be the challenge!
0:07:05 > 0:07:08'Tim and Rose have already sold their house and have set
0:07:08 > 0:07:11'their sights on a new life in the Wiltshire countryside.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14'But they don't want to lose touch with their old friends.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17'They've asked us to find somewhere to the east of the county
0:07:17 > 0:07:19'that will allow them to get back to Berkshire
0:07:19 > 0:07:21'in under and hour and a half.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24'But before we start our search for their rural idyll,
0:07:24 > 0:07:28'I want to dig into the nitty-gritty of their property wants.'
0:07:28 > 0:07:31- Well, Tim and Rose, welcome to Wiltshire.- Thank you.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34But you haven't had too far to travel, have you, from your home?
0:07:34 > 0:07:36No, we haven't, which is really quite nice.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39One of the reasons we want to move here is because it's not too far away
0:07:39 > 0:07:41from all the friends and family in Berkshire.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45But what is it about Wiltshire you think can deliver everything
0:07:45 > 0:07:46that you're after?
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Wiltshire has got rather more space to live in.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53Little villages, towns,
0:07:53 > 0:07:57without the huge rush of traffic that we get in Berkshire.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00Remind me, how many years in your current home?
0:08:00 > 0:08:01- 27 years.- Oh!
0:08:01 > 0:08:03But ready to leave?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Yes. I think it's now or never.
0:08:05 > 0:08:06I have just recently retired,
0:08:06 > 0:08:10I can't imagine being in the house another 20 years, much as we love it.
0:08:10 > 0:08:11We just want something new.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14What are we looking for with this new pad?
0:08:14 > 0:08:16We want an individual house
0:08:16 > 0:08:20because all our married life we've lived on estates.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23So our house has been much the same as the house next door.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Bit of character. What else are you looking for?
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Bit more space.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30We've got very restricted parking where we are at the moment.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33We've got a caravan, a trailer, couple of cars.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36We just need to be able to get in without shuffling them all around.
0:08:36 > 0:08:40- What about land?- Yes, we'd like a larger garden, as well.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42Anything, perhaps, between half an acre, an acre.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44And Rose loves her gardening, as well.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- But what about the actual property? - Really we'd like three bedrooms.
0:08:47 > 0:08:48I'd love a conservatory.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52A nicely proportioned lounge but we were prepared
0:08:52 > 0:08:55to look at anything that we feel that we can then do to make it our own.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57So, we bring you to look at these properties
0:08:57 > 0:09:00and you've injured your leg, haven't you, Tim?
0:09:00 > 0:09:01HE CHUCKLES
0:09:01 > 0:09:03- Are you going to be all right walking round these houses?- I am.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06And remind me of your budget again.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10600,000 is really the maximum we want to go to.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13We've got three very interesting properties
0:09:13 > 0:09:14to show you here in Wiltshire.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16I'm not going to go too fast,
0:09:16 > 0:09:18cos I'm a little concerned about your leg.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20We'll take it easy but shall we get started?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- Love to.- Great.- Come on, then.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26With a healthy budget of £600,000,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29Tim and Rose are looking for a light and airy property
0:09:29 > 0:09:31in Wiltshire with some character
0:09:31 > 0:09:33and a minimum of three bedrooms.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Outside they're hoping for a south-facing garden
0:09:36 > 0:09:39and Tim would love a garage or workshop.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41They need plenty of space for parking
0:09:41 > 0:09:44but are hoping to avoid being close to traffic.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Finally, location is key.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48They want to be within an hour and a half's drive away
0:09:48 > 0:09:51from friends and family in Berkshire.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55We've got a tasty trio of houses to tempt our buyers
0:09:55 > 0:09:59but I won't be revealing the prices until the end of each house tour.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01The final offering will be the mystery house.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03It's further away
0:10:03 > 0:10:07but its unique character could more than make up for the extra miles.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14The first house we've found for Tim and Rose is in the hamlet
0:10:14 > 0:10:18of Winterbourne Monkton, lying on the edge of the Marlborough Downs.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21It's less than two miles away from the village of Avebury.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Standing in the centre of a prehistoric complex,
0:10:24 > 0:10:28Avebury is home to one of the most impressive henges in Britain
0:10:28 > 0:10:32and the biggest standing stone circles in the world.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35It also has a number of shops, a museum
0:10:35 > 0:10:38and a popular pub that's a welcome place to take a break
0:10:38 > 0:10:40once you've explored the famous stones
0:10:40 > 0:10:44and the miles of inviting countryside that surround them.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47A five-minute drive from here takes us to our first property
0:10:47 > 0:10:49in Winterbourne Monkton.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54So, here is our first property.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57It looks good. It's nicely spread out.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59How do you feel about being semidetached?
0:10:59 > 0:11:02- I don't mind. - We haven't got a problem.- No.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05So long as there is somewhere in the garden that still feels private.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07So, it's an impressive approach
0:11:07 > 0:11:10and you've probably noticed a rather large driveway.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13- I know, great!- Straight away, yes.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16Cos we have lots of vehicles, don't we, that we need to take care of.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19So plenty of scope there.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22So, a very positive start, shall we take a look inside?
0:11:22 > 0:11:23- Love to.- Love to.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29The house was originally built as a farm workers' cottage in 1890
0:11:29 > 0:11:32but in 2000 the current owners built a large extension,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35painstakingly matching the brickwork to the original.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39They turned their three-bedroom semi into a four-bed,
0:11:39 > 0:11:43added a reception room and this impressively large kitchen.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48So, mind the step cos we're going to start off with, I think,
0:11:48 > 0:11:50a very delightful kitchen.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52This looks really nice.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54It's light and there's a view.
0:11:54 > 0:11:55ROSE CHUCKLES
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- There's a view of the garden.- Yes.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00And I like the units, I think they're a really nice colour.
0:12:00 > 0:12:01They are nice.
0:12:01 > 0:12:03Nicely fitted. It's a bespoke kitchen.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05But behind me you've actually got a utility room.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07- Right.- That's good.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10With an additional sink and access to the garden, as well.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13- Good.- That's where the dog goes when he comes in muddy after a walk.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Right, OK. Well, let's continue through.
0:12:16 > 0:12:17Thank you.
0:12:18 > 0:12:20'To the back of the house is a sitting room with a view.'
0:12:22 > 0:12:26Another little step, which leads us into...
0:12:26 > 0:12:28In a way, this is the third sitting room.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- We've got two small ones either side...- Third sitting room?!
0:12:31 > 0:12:32This is the third sitting room.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35And this has got the view of the garden.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- It looks fantastic.- But this is why they built this room
0:12:38 > 0:12:43because the sun comes round, open the patio doors onto the terrace
0:12:43 > 0:12:46- and then you have the view of your garden.- Fantastic.- Looks lovely.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50So, what sort of impression is this house making on you?
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- I truly do love it.- Do you? - Yeah, I do.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- Yeah, it's quite quirky. - I really do.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Right, well, we've still got more to show you,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59so let's take a look upstairs.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03'I think the downstairs has dazzled them.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06'Let's hope what's upstairs keeps them smiling, too.'
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- So, pretty spacious upstairs.- Mm-mm!
0:13:13 > 0:13:15Bedrooms aren't of a huge size
0:13:15 > 0:13:17but luckily this one, the master, is.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20And it's a good size.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- It's also got an en-suite, which has been beautifully done.- Wow.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- Great.- Family bathroom's behind us
0:13:26 > 0:13:29- and you've got three more bedrooms upstairs.- That's good.
0:13:29 > 0:13:33Now, they're not huge, they are generous singles.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- Mm-hm.- But the large landing means it feels a spacious house.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38It does.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40How about this room? Cos you are the important couple.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Yeah, there's enough space here, yes, definitely.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44More to the point,
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- there's room for a dressing room for somebody next door, as well.- Yes!
0:13:47 > 0:13:49Always something I would've liked!
0:13:49 > 0:13:50Any man that suggests a dressing room,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53that's the way to my heart, you're absolutely right.
0:13:53 > 0:13:54THEY LAUGH
0:13:54 > 0:13:56There's one more thing I just want to point out
0:13:56 > 0:14:00to the two of you as we head into the all-important garden.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05'The interior is a hit and I'm hoping that what they're about
0:14:05 > 0:14:09'to see outside is going to be the icing on the cake.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12'A large garden that's nearly three-quarters of an acre.'
0:14:13 > 0:14:16So, if you stand here you can really appreciate, you know,
0:14:16 > 0:14:20your side of the property but also how secluded you are from next door.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21Very secluded.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Yeah, not overlooked at all. - It's so pretty.
0:14:24 > 0:14:26- It really has got character, hasn't it?- Yes.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27It's an individual place.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Well, in a way, this garden is divided up into three
0:14:31 > 0:14:33because you've got a little paddock to the side
0:14:33 > 0:14:35which continues down and they've left it all the way down
0:14:35 > 0:14:37to the bottom of the garden where there's a stream.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41- They've, sort of, left it quite wild, which is lovely.- Ah, really?
0:14:41 > 0:14:43And then it, sort of, wraps its way round,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46and then you have this more formal garden here.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49So, you've got another pond, which is the wild pond,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52and then you've got another little pond here.
0:14:52 > 0:14:53A two-pond house.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55A two-pond house.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57But it's so beautifully looked after,
0:14:57 > 0:15:00you can see it's really loved and cared for, isn't it?
0:15:00 > 0:15:02'And, as if the garden wasn't enough,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05'there's even a little something that I've held back.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08'An annexe with a large, en suite bedroom and a garage.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10'It could be just the place for Tim to develop
0:15:10 > 0:15:12'his furniture restoration skills.'
0:15:12 > 0:15:13It looks like a huge garage,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16in actual fact it's a self-contained flat.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17- Oh, really?- No!
0:15:17 > 0:15:20- Just the other side of the shrubs, yeah.- Fantastic!
0:15:20 > 0:15:21Downstairs you've got the kitchen,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24you've got a downstairs bathroom and then upstairs,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27although it's eaved, you've got a massive bedroom.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28That's fantastic.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31That's just perfect for our friends from Germany,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34who want to come and spend time with us each year.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36It's an awful lot to take on board and that, I think,
0:15:36 > 0:15:40is the hidden extra which I know you didn't ask for but, hey, wonderful.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43And it doesn't encroach on the house at all.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45No. It's fantastic.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48So, we've got to try and put a price on all of this, haven't we?
0:15:48 > 0:15:50I wonder who wants to go first.
0:15:50 > 0:15:53I can't believe that all this can be in our budget,
0:15:53 > 0:15:54so I'm going to go for 600.
0:15:54 > 0:15:58Yeah, I think it's going to be in the region of 580, 585.
0:15:59 > 0:16:00Asking price...
0:16:02 > 0:16:03..£575,000.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06- No!- Really?- That's incredible.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10And it's giving us virtually everything we've been looking for.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- Great.- Please explore on your own.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:16:15 > 0:16:19It is a fabulous first property.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22Under their budget, with the added benefit of an annexe,
0:16:22 > 0:16:28plus land, gardens, literally everything that they asked us for.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Under their maximum budget
0:16:33 > 0:16:35by £25,000, this characterful
0:16:35 > 0:16:37semidetached Victorian property
0:16:37 > 0:16:39offers a lot for their money.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41Under an hour and a half from
0:16:41 > 0:16:43Berkshire, it's a good location.
0:16:43 > 0:16:44It has light rooms,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46large gardens for Rose,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48a whole annexe for guests
0:16:48 > 0:16:49and Tim's workshop
0:16:49 > 0:16:51and a huge drive where they could
0:16:51 > 0:16:54park their cars and beloved caravan.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57I love the character, the individuality,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00the fact that it's got an annexe, the ponds and, of course,
0:17:00 > 0:17:04the gardens, particularly the way there's a formal garden
0:17:04 > 0:17:07and an informal, wild garden.
0:17:07 > 0:17:08Perfect.
0:17:08 > 0:17:09This house is amazing.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11It's fulfilled so many of our requirements.
0:17:11 > 0:17:14We just don't know how you're going to be able to top it
0:17:14 > 0:17:15for the next two houses.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18That seemed to be a cracking start.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- Certainly was. I couldn't believe the price.- Good.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24And it's given us everything, and more, that we've asked for.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27I'm wondering whether we need to go and see any more houses
0:17:27 > 0:17:28Oh, well, that's really good.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30But we'll keep our options open
0:17:30 > 0:17:33because we have got something else up our sleeve.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34Let's go and take a look.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43Deep in the north-east corner of the county,
0:17:43 > 0:17:44on the edge of the Savernake Forest,
0:17:44 > 0:17:49is a fiery business which is one of Britain's oldest crafts.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It is thought that blacksmiths emerged during the British Iron Age
0:17:52 > 0:17:55of 800 BC and although many of the factories and furnaces
0:17:55 > 0:17:58may have disappeared there is still an influx
0:17:58 > 0:18:02of contemporary artistic blacksmiths keeping the flame alight.
0:18:02 > 0:18:06Keen to create something ornamental for their new home,
0:18:06 > 0:18:09we're taking our buyers to meet artist and master blacksmith
0:18:09 > 0:18:13Melissa Cole at her forge just outside Marlborough.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15I understand you do art blacksmithing.
0:18:15 > 0:18:19What's the difference between that and making shoes for horses
0:18:19 > 0:18:20and that sort of thing?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22People who shoe horses and make shoes for horses
0:18:22 > 0:18:26are called farriers these days, it's a very specialist field.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29I tend to work more as an artistic blacksmith,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34so I make decorative items, either for people's homes,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36or for their gardens, or for public spaces around the country.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40So I'm very much trained traditionally as a blacksmith
0:18:40 > 0:18:42but do more contemporary, designed work.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47Artist blacksmiths combine spiffing craftsmanship with art designs.
0:18:47 > 0:18:50Melissa manipulates metal through heat, using hammering
0:18:50 > 0:18:54to create structural, ornamental and decorative ironwork.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Before setting up on her own, she learnt her blacksmithing skills
0:18:57 > 0:18:58from her father.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02After I finished my art degree I came and shared a workshop
0:19:02 > 0:19:05with my father, who is a traditional blacksmith,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08and he trained me in all my traditional techniques.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Then I decided to take those techniques
0:19:11 > 0:19:13and put a contemporary twist on them.
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Well, I'm really looking forward to it today because, years ago,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20when I was a little lad, my uncle was a blacksmith, and then when
0:19:20 > 0:19:23I went to college in the Royal Navy I actually did some smithing there.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Oh, fantastic. I'm sure it'll come flooding back the moment
0:19:26 > 0:19:28you get in front of the anvil and get a hammer in your hand,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30- it'll be brilliant.- Yes!
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Melissa is teaching Rose and Tim to use her coal-fired forge
0:19:33 > 0:19:37and transform their steel bars into something beautiful.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43We're aiming to get our metal yellow-hot, OK, so think sunshine.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49They must repeatedly heat their bars up to a sizzling 1,300 degrees
0:19:49 > 0:19:52before quickly wielding them into shape with hammer and tongs
0:19:52 > 0:19:54on their steel anvils.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59OK, I want you to do one, two, three, four, five,
0:19:59 > 0:20:00and then turn the metal.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03This is great.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09As a blacksmith, your dead time is when you're stood here
0:20:09 > 0:20:11with your metal in the fire.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Which is where those old expressions,
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- "Too many irons in the fire," come from.- Oh, yeah!
0:20:15 > 0:20:17When you've got two pieces of metal in
0:20:17 > 0:20:19cos you're heating one up while you're hammering the other.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Slide it out, have a look at the colour.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23- It's fine.- Beautiful job, yeah. Perfect.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Tim's going to be hammering at home now, after this.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Yeah, he's going to have a forge when he looks for a house now,
0:20:31 > 0:20:33he'll say, "I want one with a forge, please."
0:20:33 > 0:20:35SHE LAUGHS
0:20:35 > 0:20:38The next stage is one of the trickiest, as they must hammer
0:20:38 > 0:20:41the metal at various angles to turn it into a particular shape.
0:20:41 > 0:20:45OK, so it's braced against the surface of the anvil
0:20:45 > 0:20:48but you're applying pressure as you move it.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51It's a bit like patting your head and rubbing your tummy.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Finally, they use a scrolling fork to forge shapes into their bars
0:20:55 > 0:20:57and to create their desired design.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00Let's have a look at your finished pieces.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Wow, fantastic.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05I think it's a walking stick, actually, for my bad leg.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Your bad leg, yes.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08That's the first bit of metalwork I have ever done.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12Oh, well, I think you've both done a brilliant job
0:21:12 > 0:21:15in a very short space of time, so congratulations.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Thank you very much. That was great fun, brilliant.
0:21:18 > 0:21:20Good.
0:21:22 > 0:21:26For our second property, we're just ten miles east
0:21:26 > 0:21:29of house number one, in the village of Ogbourne Maizey, less than
0:21:29 > 0:21:33a five minute drive away from the historic town of Marlborough.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Crucially, it's also just an hour's drive away from friends
0:21:36 > 0:21:39and family in Sandhurst, Berkshire.
0:21:39 > 0:21:42Ogbourne Maizey sits in the valley of the River Og.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46It has a close-knit community, a thriving local pub
0:21:46 > 0:21:49and it even hosts an open-air theatre every year.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Rose and Tim would find plenty to explore with their dog.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56A ten-minute walk down the road is the village Ogbourne St Andrew,
0:21:56 > 0:22:00whose centrepiece is a magnificent 12th-century church,
0:22:00 > 0:22:03which shows evidence of Saxon and Medieval burials.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Located in Ogbourne Maizey,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09our second property also has its own history.
0:22:09 > 0:22:14It dates back to 1662 and still has some original features,
0:22:14 > 0:22:19including its own 20ft well that in the 1920s was one of the main
0:22:19 > 0:22:21freshwater sources for the village.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- Absolutely an English thatched cottage, isn't it?- It is.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28- Really sweet.- It's certainly thatched. Is it listed?- It is.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29It's Grade II listed
0:22:29 > 0:22:32and we're also in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
0:22:32 > 0:22:35as well, so everything that is done on the cottage has to be done
0:22:35 > 0:22:37within those confines.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40- Yes.- Yeah.- Let's see what you make of this one.- OK.- OK.
0:22:40 > 0:22:44I'm so glad the thatched roof doesn't trouble them.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Let's see what they make of the interior.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51There's a dining room, a snug, and this impressive room.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55So, off the hallway,
0:22:55 > 0:22:59you have this very high ceiling vaulted sitting room.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- I didn't expect to see that in here.- No.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04I wondered how dark it was going to be,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08so this is a really nice surprise, with three aspects.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12- Patio doors out onto the garden.- Sun streaming in today.- Which is lovely.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15And if that's the case, we're not going to need the huge fire, are we?
0:23:15 > 0:23:19- Oh, that's lovely.- You've got a multi-fuel burner there as well.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21- Do you like this room so far? - Like this room very much.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25- This is a lovely room. - Let's see what you make of the rest.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33So, through into the kitchen, which, granted, is not
0:23:33 > 0:23:37the largest of kitchens, but you do have a utility next-door as well.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39That helps, doesn't it?
0:23:39 > 0:23:43I'm just looking around, thinking, after having seen the one you
0:23:43 > 0:23:46showed us this morning, which was fantastic, it's slightly darker.
0:23:46 > 0:23:49They've actually put on an additional building.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Now, they use that...
0:23:51 > 0:23:54It's sort of like a sunroom, but they use it for their plants,
0:23:54 > 0:23:56but also on this ground floor,
0:23:56 > 0:23:59we've seen that wonderful sitting room, but you've got
0:23:59 > 0:24:03- an additional dining room and quite a good size office as well.- OK.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06So, I can't give you large open-plan,
0:24:06 > 0:24:10what I can give you is smaller rooms, smaller dimensions,
0:24:10 > 0:24:13- but there is that quirkiness, there is that character.- Mm-hm.
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Yes, it's certainly got plenty of character, this place.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Which continues, I have to say, upstairs.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I know they're after character,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25but I fear this may be just a little too quirky.
0:24:25 > 0:24:28But let's see if the upstairs will sway them.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32There are three good-size bedrooms, as well as a family bathroom
0:24:32 > 0:24:34and a WC.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39- Now, this is the master bedroom. - Mm-hm.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Funnily enough, I can't offer you an en-suite,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46but I can offer you an additional bedroom, just through that door.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50It's lovely and bright, very white, isn't it? And pretty colours here.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52With this cottage, we are
0:24:52 > 0:24:55showing you a property that has the three bedrooms that you asked for.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58I think we'll have to think very carefully about the floor
0:24:58 > 0:25:02layout of this one and how it will actually work in practice.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Is this cottage big enough? That's the question.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08That's a very good question. I'm not sure at the moment.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12There's one last feature that I'm really hoping could appeal to
0:25:12 > 0:25:16craftsman Tim, a workshop garage with an office on top.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21So, in total, you've actually got more garden than it appears
0:25:21 > 0:25:23because you've got this formal garden here with these
0:25:23 > 0:25:27wonderful mature trees, but in actual fact,
0:25:27 > 0:25:29the paddock at the back belongs to this house.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32- Oh, really? - Makes it a very good size.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36- Yeah. It's about 0.6 of an acre. - Right.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Additionally, if you look back at the house,
0:25:38 > 0:25:41just to the right of there, you've actually got a garage.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43It's been split up into two,
0:25:43 > 0:25:47so they've got the workshop in there at the moment, there's a storage
0:25:47 > 0:25:50room, but above that, it's been converted into a wonderful study.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Beautifully done, which could work really well for you, for your
0:25:54 > 0:25:57workshop, or if ever you fancied it, you could make it into an annexe.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00A smaller project, I think, a little bit of work which
0:26:00 > 0:26:04might need to be done, but we've got to put a price on it.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06It's Grade II-listed, it's thatched.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10I think it's going to be just over 600,000. Perhaps 610,000.
0:26:10 > 0:26:16I think it could even be as much as 620.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20OK. It's on the market for 595,000.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23- Pleasantly surprised! - Yeah, under your budget.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27But that does still give us a little bit of money to perhaps change
0:26:27 > 0:26:31- the top of the garage into a bedroom and en suite.- Yeah.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Why don't you go and have a look at that first on your own?
0:26:34 > 0:26:37Have a chat between you, see what you think and then go back
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and take a second look at the cottage.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42- Thank you.- Thank you.- Thanks.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46It's interesting because showing them this property,
0:26:46 > 0:26:50I wasn't entirely sure how they felt about it.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53The layout of the rooms, they're much smaller than the first.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57The reaction I got from them was more muted,
0:26:57 > 0:27:01but by the sounds of things, they actually like it, rather a lot.
0:27:03 > 0:27:08Just £5,000 under budget, this Grade II listed country retreat has
0:27:08 > 0:27:12plenty of character and the three bedrooms they're looking for.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14With a large garden and a paddock,
0:27:14 > 0:27:18Rose's green fingers would certainly have plenty to keep them busy
0:27:18 > 0:27:21and Tim could use the garage as his furniture workshop.
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Ideal for my workshop.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26I don't think there's quite room for your gardening stuff in here though.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29There must be somewhere for my gardening things.
0:27:29 > 0:27:32I think maybe an old shed at the top of the garden!
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Very different from house number one.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36We loved house number one so much, I almost had to try
0:27:36 > 0:27:40and forget it to really concentrate on house number two.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41I liked the downstairs,
0:27:41 > 0:27:45I'm a little bit worried about upstairs bedrooms being too small.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48It's something to think about.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52I found that the rooms didn't flow particularly well,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56but also, the space outside, although there is quite a lot
0:27:56 > 0:28:00of space, I don't think there's room for the cars or the caravan.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04How was that second tour on your own this time?
0:28:04 > 0:28:07- Well, it's certainly a quirky property.- It is, isn't it?- It is.
0:28:07 > 0:28:11- Very different.- Food for thought, quite definitely!- Yeah.
0:28:11 > 0:28:15Two extremely different properties today. Well, that's it.
0:28:15 > 0:28:16Go back and relax now.
0:28:29 > 0:28:32It's the second day of our property hunt in Wiltshire
0:28:32 > 0:28:36and with a top budget of £600,000, we're helping Tim
0:28:36 > 0:28:39and Rose from Sandhurst, Berkshire, find a country home to
0:28:39 > 0:28:44give them a new lease of life, as they begin retirement.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Coming up, the mystery house lives up to its name,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49with quite a few surprises.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52It's quite unusual for me to bring you to a garden and say,
0:28:52 > 0:28:55"If you fancy a game of golf, you can here."
0:28:55 > 0:29:00And I'll be having a ball in a very special British factory.
0:29:00 > 0:29:01- Is it secret?- Of course!
0:29:04 > 0:29:07Having shown Tim and Rose our two properties yesterday,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11there was one clear winner - the Victorian semi, which,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14in their own words, gave them everything they were after,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17plus that much coveted annexe.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20Today, we think it's worth going deeper into Wiltshire
0:29:20 > 0:29:22for our mystery house.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25Now, we might be taking them away from their ideal catchment area,
0:29:25 > 0:29:28but in our opinion, it's a journey worth making.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32On our way now for our mystery house.
0:29:32 > 0:29:34Have you given it much thought?
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Tim's got a hunch as to where he thinks it's going to be.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40And he's sure that because of his leg, it's got to be a bungalow.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44- SHE LAUGHS - You're hoping it's going to be a bungalow because of your leg,
0:29:44 > 0:29:47- are you?- Yes, that's right. - Where's your hunch?
0:29:47 > 0:29:50Where do you think it's going to be?
0:29:50 > 0:29:54I think it's... I think it could be a bit further west.
0:29:54 > 0:29:59- Why do you think we're heading west? - Actually, I don't know that at all!
0:29:59 > 0:30:02- LAUGHTER - Shall I let you...?
0:30:02 > 0:30:05I've just realised we've gone round in a circle
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- because the road was closed! - LAUGHTER
0:30:11 > 0:30:13For our mystery house,
0:30:13 > 0:30:17we're travelling 30 miles west to the village of Bratton.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Surrounded by open farmland and with the plains
0:30:19 > 0:30:22and downs on its doorstep, Bratton village is the perfect
0:30:22 > 0:30:25starting point for keen walkers like Rose.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29At the heart of the village is the 18th century Duke pub and with
0:30:29 > 0:30:33more than 900 residents, there is a lively atmosphere,
0:30:33 > 0:30:35with social clubs and annual fetes.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38To the south side of Bratton is the largely 13th century
0:30:38 > 0:30:42St James' Church, complete with medieval burials.
0:30:42 > 0:30:47And on the downs, Bratton even has the oldest white horse in Wiltshire.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50Our mystery house may be further west than Tim
0:30:50 > 0:30:53and Rose would like, but I'm hoping that the charm of the village
0:30:53 > 0:30:57and the character of its build will make it worth it.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- Here's our mystery house. - It's a mystery!
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- It looks incredible. It really is... - Interesting.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06It is in fact an 18th-century property.
0:31:06 > 0:31:10I think it's got quite a Gothic look to it. It's very striking, isn't it?
0:31:10 > 0:31:11It is.
0:31:11 > 0:31:15So, the reason we picked this is it is west of the area that
0:31:15 > 0:31:19you've been looking, but we think it's worth coming this far over,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21just to see this unusual house.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23It's certainly worth coming to see it
0:31:23 > 0:31:26because it's not the sort of place that we expected to see at all.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29You might have noticed that there isn't a driveway.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32- Well, I did wonder where our caravan was going to go.- Yeah.
0:31:32 > 0:31:35And there's quite a few steps to come up to this property,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38but we do have some solutions for the caravan.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Because it is the mystery. Come on.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44Formerly part of the Longleat Estate,
0:31:44 > 0:31:47it's believed a mill owner lived here.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50At just over an hour-and-a-half drive to Sandhurst, Berkshire,
0:31:50 > 0:31:54is it too far west for Time and Rose to consider?
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Let's see if the interior makes it worth the distance.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02So, as you walk into this property, there's two sitting rooms,
0:32:02 > 0:32:04one either side of the hallway.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08I picked this one cos it's got all the sunlight coming through.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13- Nice high ceiling.- You've got two good-size sitting rooms.- Yeah.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17It's very nice, isn't it? One for him and one for me!
0:32:17 > 0:32:19So far, so good.
0:32:19 > 0:32:24This could even rival house number one and that's just the beginning.
0:32:24 > 0:32:29- Now, the end of the hallway is... - Gosh!
0:32:29 > 0:32:33- Oh, what a lovely size room.- It's a large kitchen, isn't it?- Yes.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I don't think I've ever been in a house like this.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38It's unusual, isn't it?
0:32:38 > 0:32:40We always like the mystery to surprise people.
0:32:40 > 0:32:44You've got actually quite a large utility room, just off the side.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- It's in a galley style.- Mm-hm. - And then it's open-plan.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50You've got your dining area here with a downstairs cloakroom.
0:32:50 > 0:32:53- You also have a basement, which is very large.- Oh, right.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56They sort of use it as an office come storage room.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It's not something I'd ever consider, or ever thought of,
0:32:59 > 0:33:01a house like this. But it's great.
0:33:01 > 0:33:06- I'm glad you're enjoying the tour. - Very, very much, yes.- Good!
0:33:06 > 0:33:10And there are more possibilities to reveal in the mystery house.
0:33:10 > 0:33:12Upstairs, there's a lovely family bathroom,
0:33:12 > 0:33:16three double bedrooms, and at the very top of the house,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20not only a study, but also this - the master bedroom.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24- I just love it.- It's great. - I love how unusual it is.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27- And just look over your shoulder. - Real country.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29Certainly a room with a view.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32It certainly is, isn't it? You like your friends to come and stay.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34Do you think they'd enjoy coming round here
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- and seeing your future home? - Definitely.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41I think everyone, friends and family, would like coming here
0:33:41 > 0:33:44because it's so different from what we've had before.
0:33:44 > 0:33:48Tim seems to have really embraced this characterful house and
0:33:48 > 0:33:52I hope that the tiered garden with ponds and plants will seduce Rose.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55And who knows what they'll make of this sporting feature?
0:33:58 > 0:34:01So, it's quite unusual for me to bring you to a garden and say,
0:34:01 > 0:34:04"If you fancy a game of golf, you can here,"
0:34:04 > 0:34:09but in all seriousness, it does make the best place to see these views.
0:34:09 > 0:34:11- What a view!- And the garden...
0:34:11 > 0:34:14Well, as you can see, it's been terraced quite cleverly
0:34:14 > 0:34:18because we are on a slope, so right at the top, if you're a sun
0:34:18 > 0:34:21worshipper, you've got the perfect place to sit and relax.
0:34:21 > 0:34:25You've also got a sun house and then, as you go down, there's two ponds.
0:34:25 > 0:34:28As garden lovers, both of you, especially you, Rose,
0:34:28 > 0:34:29it's quite a project.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33It certainly is, but it has been very cleverly done already.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36We haven't mentioned the C word, the caravan.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39The much-loved caravan.
0:34:39 > 0:34:42With the mystery house, it doesn't have a driveway
0:34:42 > 0:34:45and it doesn't have a garage. However, all is not lost.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49We found a neighbour who would be happy to lease out their
0:34:49 > 0:34:53garage for their cars and a few miles away, there's a caravan park.
0:34:53 > 0:34:58- You never get everything on your wish list, do you?- No.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02- You're right. That could be the compromise, the caravan.- Yeah.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05So...might be quite difficult on this one.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09Can we put a price, for the final time, on the mystery?
0:35:09 > 0:35:12It's a difficult one, this one.
0:35:12 > 0:35:13I think it's under budget.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17I would say 560.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21I'm going to put it at 535.
0:35:21 > 0:35:25The asking price is 599,950.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27- Oh!- Really?- Yes.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30There's definitely room for negotiation and a discussion
0:35:30 > 0:35:33- and they're happy for us to say that to you.- That's good.
0:35:33 > 0:35:37- So perhaps, in a way, put that amount to one side.- Yeah.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Take a second look. Don't let it colour your judgment.
0:35:39 > 0:35:40That's what I'm trying to say.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43I think it's always good to explore on your own.
0:35:43 > 0:35:45You've still got the bedrooms and a lot more to see.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47Take your time. It is our mystery house.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50You tell me when you're ready to go.
0:35:50 > 0:35:52- Thank you.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58Our mystery house is nearly bang on budget.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01With four bedrooms, two spacious living rooms
0:36:01 > 0:36:04and a huge kitchen, it has an abundance of space,
0:36:04 > 0:36:08which is matched by its 18th-century character.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11The mystery house has certainly lived up to the expectations.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13There are parts of it that I really do like.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16I think, though, that for the two of us,
0:36:16 > 0:36:18we would end up living in just the back room.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21It was so spacious and absolutely superb.
0:36:21 > 0:36:24And I think it is more a family house.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27It's an amazing place, both inside and outside.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29It's a house that is a bit of a challenge,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32but could be a really good home.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35We've always been used to having a caravan right next to the house,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38so it's very easy to load and unload.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42So I'm not altogether sure that it would work.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44So that's it. You've seen all of our properties.
0:36:44 > 0:36:46The even better news is,
0:36:46 > 0:36:48you're not going to have to deal with any more steps.
0:36:48 > 0:36:51- Thank goodness for that! - You've done so well.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54- So let's go and have a sit down and have a proper chat.- Lovely.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07During the summer months, Wimbledon fever catches on
0:37:07 > 0:37:11and Wiltshire's many tennis courts are packed with wannabe Murrays.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13The game of tennis is widely thought to have originated
0:37:13 > 0:37:16from a court game played in 12th-century France,
0:37:16 > 0:37:18but the game of real tennis
0:37:18 > 0:37:21is considered to be a classic British sport
0:37:21 > 0:37:23that was even enjoyed by Henry VIII.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26The manufacture of tennis products has largely moved overseas,
0:37:26 > 0:37:30where better profit margins make it more viable.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33However, there is one longstanding British company
0:37:33 > 0:37:36still going strong based in Wiltshire.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39'It's the only remaining ball factory in the UK.
0:37:39 > 0:37:45'Coincidentally, the company started producing tennis balls in 1936,
0:37:45 > 0:37:46'the same year that Britain
0:37:46 > 0:37:49'had its first winner at Wimbledon, Fred Perry.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53'Founded by Joseph Price, it's now run by his son, Derek,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55'who, in turn, hopes to pass this bouncing business
0:37:55 > 0:37:57'on to his daughter.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00'I'm visiting their factory in the village of Box
0:38:00 > 0:38:03'to see how this proudly-British company still operates.'
0:38:05 > 0:38:07- Hi, Derek, good to meet you.- Hi.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09Now, I understand you're in the business of balls,
0:38:09 > 0:38:11manufacturing mainly tennis balls.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13We are indeed, yes.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16My father came here in 1936
0:38:16 > 0:38:18and we came in 1937.
0:38:18 > 0:38:23It started off with tennis, a few tennis balls, and retreading tyres.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25So, it was all about rubber in those days, was it?
0:38:25 > 0:38:27Yes, in rubber conversion, yeah.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30'Surprisingly, the manufacturing process has changed
0:38:30 > 0:38:33'very little since 1936.
0:38:33 > 0:38:35'Derek still uses the original machinery
0:38:35 > 0:38:38'and processes to produce the balls.'
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Mind your head. This is where we make the halves of the balls.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45'Derek makes balls of all sizes for children and adults,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48'all from his own specially-mixed rubber.'
0:38:49 > 0:38:53Every product has its own compound, or mix, as we call it.
0:38:53 > 0:38:57Obviously, this is my own mix for this particular product.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00- Is it secret?- Of course.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02'The rubber pellets are placed into trays
0:39:02 > 0:39:04'to form the two halves of the ball.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07'The trays are placed under the original 200-tonne press
0:39:07 > 0:39:11'and heated to 145 degrees Celsius for two and a half minutes.'
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Then you open the press and then you...this is what you've got.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18This is the start of the ball?
0:39:18 > 0:39:22That's the start, that's half of the ball. Half of the rubber core.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27'After the halves are sealed together, they are hand-covered.
0:39:27 > 0:39:30'Derek's daughter, Louise, who has recently joined the business,
0:39:30 > 0:39:31'shows us how it's done.'
0:39:32 > 0:39:34This is a regular tennis ball,
0:39:34 > 0:39:36but the cloth's applied in the same way.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38You have two halves.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40They start...the figure eight looks like this.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- It's applied onto the ball in two sections.- I see.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48And then the edges are neatly joined together.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51'Ultimately, Derek hopes to pass on the business
0:39:51 > 0:39:53'to continue the family legacy.'
0:39:54 > 0:39:59Came back to learn from the master how to make tennis balls
0:39:59 > 0:40:03and many other things, and fallen in love with the place.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05And you must be very proud that your daughter's joined you.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07More than proud, yes.
0:40:07 > 0:40:09So I know this ball isn't quite finished,
0:40:09 > 0:40:11so it might be a little unfair, but, well,
0:40:11 > 0:40:13the proof is in the bounce, isn't it?
0:40:13 > 0:40:15- Yes, indeed, yes. - Shall I give it one go?
0:40:15 > 0:40:17- Yep.- Come on, then.
0:40:19 > 0:40:21- There we are.- Not bad at all!
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Well, we've shown Tim and Rose
0:40:27 > 0:40:29our three properties here in Wiltshire,
0:40:29 > 0:40:33but have we found them their future home? Let's find out.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41So, Tim and Rose, you've sold your house.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44You spent quite a while looking yourselves.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48Question is, have we been successful finding you your next home?
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Well, the short answer is, yes, you have.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53- Ah!- Yes.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56- I'm sitting up already. Come on. - It's very exciting.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59- I expect you can guess which one. - I'm taking it house number one?
0:40:59 > 0:41:01- Correct, yes. - Well done, that's the one.- Yes.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03It's got everything we want.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06It's got plenty of grounds around it,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09a nice layout of rooms within the house,
0:41:09 > 0:41:12and the house has got lots of character in it.
0:41:12 > 0:41:13It was a Victorian cottage.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16And although it's been extended, it's been done very well.
0:41:16 > 0:41:19- Beautiful gardens. - Absolutely beautiful garden.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21- Potential for workshops.- Yes.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24And enough work that's what I would call man's work
0:41:24 > 0:41:26in the garden for Tim to do. NICKI LAUGHS
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Well, that's brilliant news!
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Because when we were looking around the house,
0:41:30 > 0:41:34you both seemed to be very taken with it practically straightaway.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- And the annexe seemed to be the icing on the cake.- That's right.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41- You're in a great position because you've sold your house.- We are.
0:41:41 > 0:41:42So if the green light goes on,
0:41:42 > 0:41:45will you be putting an offer in soon, do you think?
0:41:45 > 0:41:46- Oh, definitely.- Almost certain.
0:41:46 > 0:41:50- As certain as you can be that we'll put an offer on.- Oh, I'm so happy!
0:41:50 > 0:41:53Now, you can be honest now. We're relaxed, we've got the tea,
0:41:53 > 0:41:56we've found out that you love our house.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Did you think at the beginning that we might get close to finding
0:41:58 > 0:42:00you the perfect home, honestly?
0:42:02 > 0:42:04- No. - THEY LAUGH
0:42:04 > 0:42:06- I love you, Tim!- We hoped so.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09I have to say, you're a delightful couple to go house-hunting
0:42:09 > 0:42:12here in Wiltshire with, so thank you very much.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15- Thank you.- Yes, thank you very much for all the hard work.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21It seems there's one clear winner
0:42:21 > 0:42:23on our house-hunt with Tim and Rose,
0:42:23 > 0:42:25and that's the Victorian cottage.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29So much so that they're soon off for a second viewing.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32Let's hope their long search is finally over
0:42:32 > 0:42:35and they're able to call Wiltshire their new home.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37I'll see you again.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41'Tim and Rose didn't waste any time and, after a second viewing,
0:42:41 > 0:42:45'they put in an offer on the first house that was accepted.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48'They've already moved in and have started their new life
0:42:48 > 0:42:50'in the Wiltshire countryside.'
0:42:50 > 0:42:53If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Wales,
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Northern Ireland or Scotland
0:42:55 > 0:42:59and would like our help, please apply online at: