0:00:02 > 0:00:04Built in the 14th century, the hexagonal building behind me
0:00:04 > 0:00:07is one of the best preserved examples of its type in Europe.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09But what was it used for? And where am I?
0:00:09 > 0:00:11Find out in just a moment.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Today, our house-hunting duo are turning their backs on
0:00:32 > 0:00:36all they've ever known in search of a peaceful country life.
0:00:36 > 0:00:37Yes, we like it, Nicki. We like it.
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- We do?- We do, we do, we do.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41We do, we do, we do!
0:00:41 > 0:00:44And things go from good to even better.
0:00:44 > 0:00:45Oh, yes!
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- What do you make of this?- Oh!
0:00:49 > 0:00:50- Wow!- Beautiful!
0:00:51 > 0:00:53Today, I'm in Somerset
0:00:53 > 0:00:57and this is the abbot's kitchen in the grounds of Glastonbury Abbey.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00Standing 76 feet high,
0:01:00 > 0:01:04the palatial scale of the kitchen is testament to the immense
0:01:04 > 0:01:07wealth of the abbey which, during medieval times,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10was the richest monastery outside of Westminster.
0:01:10 > 0:01:13Now, the kitchen featured four huge fireplaces,
0:01:13 > 0:01:15each with a specific purpose,
0:01:15 > 0:01:19be it baking, boiling, roasting and washing up.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23And the whole operation would have been staffed by an army of cooks.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Visiting royals and dignitaries would be treated to sumptuous meals
0:01:27 > 0:01:29and records document that,
0:01:29 > 0:01:33for one such royal visit by Edward III in 1331,
0:01:33 > 0:01:38a total of £800 was spent hosting him and his entourage.
0:01:38 > 0:01:44Now, in today's money, that's the equivalent of £350,000.
0:01:44 > 0:01:49But lavish hospitality isn't all this wonderful county has to offer.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56The county of Somerset is found in the heart of the West Country
0:01:56 > 0:01:59and is bordered by Devon and Dorset to the south
0:01:59 > 0:02:00and Wiltshire to the east.
0:02:00 > 0:02:04The landscape here is complete with peaks and valleys of browns
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and greens, giving the appearance of an intricate puzzle
0:02:07 > 0:02:09bordered by dense hedgerows.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13The region is home to some 400 villages, like Montacute
0:02:13 > 0:02:16in the south-east of the county, which displays fine examples
0:02:16 > 0:02:20of local hamstone houses with characterful old tile roofs,
0:02:20 > 0:02:24leaded windows and roses framing doorways.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Somerset also has a great selection of grand architecture,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31standing proud against a vivid backdrop,
0:02:31 > 0:02:33including Dunster Castle in the west,
0:02:33 > 0:02:35perched high on a wooded hill.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39And Wells Cathedral in the centre of the county dates back
0:02:39 > 0:02:43to the 12th century and is a superb example of Gothic design,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47with over 300 carved figurines peering out from its exterior.
0:02:50 > 0:02:53So, whether it's culture or nature, bricks or mortar,
0:02:53 > 0:02:54or flora and fauna,
0:02:54 > 0:02:58Somerset is definitely a jewel in England's crown.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02So, with all this history and beauty,
0:03:02 > 0:03:07you would imagine homes here carry a hefty price tag.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12Yet, at an average of around £274,000 for a detached house,
0:03:12 > 0:03:17Somerset is only some £5,000 above the national figure.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21So it seems this area represents really good value for money,
0:03:21 > 0:03:25especially when you consider across the border in neighbouring Dorset,
0:03:25 > 0:03:30you could pay around £50,000 more for an equivalent property.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33So what exactly are today's buyers after?
0:03:33 > 0:03:34Let us meet them and find out.
0:03:36 > 0:03:38School nurse assistant Maria and butcher Gary
0:03:38 > 0:03:43from south London have known each other for 44 years.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47- We met at school.- Yeah.- We were... What? 12?
0:03:47 > 0:03:48- Yeah.- We were 12.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51First year of high school. And...
0:03:51 > 0:03:55Well, we've known each other all that time. We've been married 30...
0:03:55 > 0:03:56Ss...
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- 38 years?- 38 years, yeah.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01And in that time, these childhood sweethearts have spent their lives
0:04:01 > 0:04:04in the same London borough.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06We were both born and bred in Croydon.
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- In fact, the same hospital, we were born in.- That's right.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12So, we've been here for ever.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16Family means the world to Maria and Gary.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19They brought up four children in their end-of-terrace home
0:04:19 > 0:04:21and they've got a granddaughter, too.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24We are a very tight-knit family.
0:04:24 > 0:04:25We all get on very well.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28And we socialise with them all the time.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30So, after a lifetime in South London
0:04:30 > 0:04:33and many trips to the green grass of Somerset, Maria and Gary
0:04:33 > 0:04:38have decided they want to call this West Country county home.
0:04:38 > 0:04:43For me, mainly, it's to get out of all the hustle of Croydon.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46I like the open space and the views.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49We've spent all our lives in Croydon
0:04:49 > 0:04:51so it's quite a big, big move for us.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55And then move is going to be a family affair.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58We're hoping our daughter is going to be able to join us
0:04:58 > 0:05:00with the granddaughter and her husband.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02So, yes, it's going to be wonderful.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06Gemma is moving with us because she wants a bit of a change as well
0:05:06 > 0:05:09and I think her young daughter, Madison,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12would have a much better life down in the West Country.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14So, to think they're coming down with us...
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- We're over the moon with it. - Mm.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19But Gemma, her husband and Madison
0:05:19 > 0:05:22aren't the only beloved family members
0:05:22 > 0:05:23joining them in their move.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26Their youngest daughter, Ashley, is coming, too.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28And Gary's 30 koi carp.
0:05:28 > 0:05:30The fish are his joy.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33It's lovely to watch and go out there and handle them and feed them
0:05:33 > 0:05:36and the granddaughter loves them.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38So, yes, they're welcome. They can come with us.
0:05:38 > 0:05:40That's right. You don't mind.
0:05:40 > 0:05:44It's not just Gary's fish that are going to keep him busy.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47His butcher shop's sold, but he wants to carry on selling to local
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- farmers' markets when they move. - I'm too young to retire completely.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54And also I've got to be kept busy.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56So with me land and me bit of butchery,
0:05:56 > 0:06:00hopefully I will carry on working for a few more years.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02And with plans in the pipeline
0:06:02 > 0:06:05to develop a holiday let on-site too,
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Maria and Gary are certainly not going to be twiddling their thumbs.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11With their house about to go on the market, they're finally
0:06:11 > 0:06:14cutting ties with their roots and looking to the future.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16It's been a long time, hasn't it?
0:06:16 > 0:06:19- We've had family to look after all the time.- Yeah.- It's time for us.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21To enjoy our lives out there.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24And we think Somerset's going to be the thing for that.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Like, if we don't do it now, I think we'll regret it.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30- And we don't want no regrets, so... - The time is now.- Yes.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- We have decided.- We have decided. - It's going to happen.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Maria and Gary have fallen in love with the villages, countryside
0:06:41 > 0:06:43and views of Somerset and are open to calling
0:06:43 > 0:06:45anywhere in the county home,
0:06:45 > 0:06:47but would prefer to be not too far west
0:06:47 > 0:06:50so they still have good links back into London.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53I've come to meet them in the county to get to grips with exactly
0:06:53 > 0:06:55what it is they're looking for.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- So, Gary and Maria, well, welcome to beautiful Somerset.- Thank you.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02Tell me, does it feel like home to you
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- when you drive across the border? - It's amazing.
0:07:04 > 0:07:05We come down very often
0:07:05 > 0:07:10- and as soon as we hit the Somerset sign on the road, he perks up.- Yes.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13And as we go back home and we go past it, he starts going down again.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17Really? But this move, it's not just about the two of you, is it?
0:07:17 > 0:07:19We obviously have to bring our youngest daughter with us,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22who has just finished her A-levels, but hasn't decided what she's
0:07:22 > 0:07:26going to do with herself. But the oldest daughter
0:07:26 > 0:07:29and her family have decided they want to join us.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33So we're now looking for two houses on one plot.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38But we also want outbuildings, (A) for his cutting room and
0:07:38 > 0:07:42(B) for a holiday let. And we need plenty of land to pop his fish into.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45At least one acre, with uninterrupted views is...
0:07:45 > 0:07:49- another big wish-list thing.- That is quite a tall order, isn't it?
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- Very.- Absolutely.- Let's talk about the budget for this huge move.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It sounds like we've got the Waltons coming with us, doesn't it?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57The maximum budget is 800,000.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00But if we find somewhere where we need a bit of work doing to it,
0:08:00 > 0:08:02we don't mind that at all.
0:08:02 > 0:08:03Do you think you're being realistic?
0:08:03 > 0:08:06Um... We have hopes.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- I like that, hopes!- We're also...
0:08:10 > 0:08:12If we have the land and we have outbuildings, we are
0:08:12 > 0:08:16quite happy to convert one into a new house.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18We do have three splendid properties to show you.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21One of course is a mystery house.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24That's going to get you thinking, isn't it? So, looking forward
0:08:24 > 0:08:25- to the next few days?- Absolutely.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- Come on, then, let's get started.- Lovely.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34Maria and Gary and their daughter Gemma will be using
0:08:34 > 0:08:38the proceeds from the sale of both their houses to fund their move.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40So together they have a pretty generous budget.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43They're looking for two three-bedroomed homes on one plot,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46one for them and one for Gemma, her husband,
0:08:46 > 0:08:48and her young daughter, Madison.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51They'd like a good-sized garden with views and outbuildings,
0:08:51 > 0:08:54one that can be used as a butcher's work space for Gary
0:08:54 > 0:08:57and one that has the potential to be a holiday let.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00And we mustn't forget Gary's 30 koi carp.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Now their youngest children have turned 18,
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Maria and Gary are looking forward to a change of lifestyle.
0:09:07 > 0:09:10We'll be showing them three quite different houses,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14but only after they've toured each one will its price be revealed.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Their final tour will be around the mystery house.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20Something that at first glance might not be quite what they're
0:09:20 > 0:09:24looking for, but is sure to offer them a whole array of added extras.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30We're beginning our house hunt in the middle of Somerset,
0:09:30 > 0:09:34in the village of Edington, which is nine miles west Glastonbury.
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Edington is equipped with a convenience store in its centre.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40There's also a village hall which holds mother and toddler groups,
0:09:40 > 0:09:43which could suit Gemma and Madison.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47The nearby rural village of Catcott, a mile away, has a 17th-century
0:09:47 > 0:09:51pub and also a handsome church dating back to the 13th century.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54Plus, the area is already a draw for people wishing to
0:09:54 > 0:09:56spend their holidays here.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00A good sign for anyone thinking of starting up a holiday let.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03A two-minute drive takes us back to the village of Edington
0:10:03 > 0:10:06and our first house.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11So, Gary and Maria, how do you fancy stepping back to around 1540?
0:10:11 > 0:10:16- Oh, Lord!- 1540?!- That's a long way. - It is a long way back.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19And it's an awful lot of house to take a tour around.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21- So shall we get started? - Oh, yes.- OK.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- We're going to go through the back gate.- Lovely.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27The original part of this 16th-century house is built from
0:10:27 > 0:10:32beautiful blue limestone, quarried from the very site it's built on.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Through the garden, you really get to appreciate this property
0:10:36 > 0:10:38from a different aspect.
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- It's lovely.- That is something. Nice.- Beautiful stone.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45I love the way it's... different ups, downs, ins, outs.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49Sort of square block... It's beautiful.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51We're going straight to the centre of the house, which is
0:10:51 > 0:10:54thought to have originally been a cow shed.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56I wanted to bring you into the heart of the home,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59and you've got this huge reception room here.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I like the way it's got timbers,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04but they're sort of whited out and not heavy and oppressive.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07- We've never seen a period property, have we?- We've never been in...
0:11:07 > 0:11:09No, we've not viewed anything like this before.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Well, there is certainly plenty to view here.
0:11:12 > 0:11:16And just next to the sitting room is a large kitchen, once a hayloft.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19You have a very old range here.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23People in the country, they love their ranges, don't they?
0:11:23 > 0:11:25This one dates back to around 1940s.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29What's going through your heads as you look around? First impressions?
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Well, personally, for me, I'd have to modernise the kitchen.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I'd have to put my own mark...
0:11:34 > 0:11:36I mean, it's a nice space to do that, isn't it?
0:11:36 > 0:11:40- So far, so good. - That's what I like to hear.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43And we're only a fraction of the way around this historic home.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45Just on the other side of the stairway is a rather
0:11:45 > 0:11:48magnificent dining room.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- Wow!- Wow, look at that big... Phwoar!
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- That is your inglenook fireplace. - It's amazing.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It's got very low beams, though, for your head.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00- What is that over there, then? - Now, that is a bacon smoker.- Oh!
0:12:00 > 0:12:03I can see me legs of pork on there now, being smoked. I really can.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Of all the people I could take round this property...
0:12:06 > 0:12:10A butcher who wants to smoke his own hams. It's absolutely ideal.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13On the ground floor, there's also a characterful sitting-room,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16a utility room, a bright study
0:12:16 > 0:12:21and another spacious reception room leading into a contemporary sunroom.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- Let's head upstairs.- OK.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28The first floor is also brimming with period character.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31There's a shower room plus a family bathroom.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Then, at the back of the house, there is a large double bedroom
0:12:34 > 0:12:37and another at the front with feature beams.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- There's also a compact single and the master bedroom.- Wow!
0:12:41 > 0:12:43The height of that ceiling!
0:12:43 > 0:12:46And with the master bedroom, you have the luxury of an en-suite.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49Ah, that's good. Yeah, lovely.
0:12:49 > 0:12:52- But I still want to show you another part of this property.- OK.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58So far, we've seen there's plenty of space for Maria
0:12:58 > 0:13:00and Gary and 18-year-old Ashley.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03But we still need to accommodate daughter Gemma and her family.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Back downstairs and accessed through the sitting room,
0:13:08 > 0:13:11or through an outside door, is a self-contained annexe.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15On the ground floor, there's a large sitting room which
0:13:15 > 0:13:17leads around the stairway to the kitchen.
0:13:17 > 0:13:23There's also a shower room and a study. And through this door...
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- It just keeps going on!- It just keeps... Yeah!- ..is the annexe.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- Where has this come from? - This is to the side
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- of our cottage.- Wow!
0:13:33 > 0:13:37And then up those stairs, you've got two bedrooms and a bathroom.
0:13:37 > 0:13:38- Two more bedrooms as well?- Yeah.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42I'd personally prefer to live in this part and give Gemma that part.
0:13:42 > 0:13:46I don't know about you, I mean, we don't need that much space, do we?
0:13:46 > 0:13:49- I like the modern feel of this. - Plenty to think on.- Yeah.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52So it's not two separate properties.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56The other idea is that you all live in that side and you could
0:13:56 > 0:13:58actually rent this out separately.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02I mean, this as a holiday let, would be absolutely brilliant.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Well, so far, this cottage is offering Maria
0:14:06 > 0:14:08and Gary plenty of options.
0:14:08 > 0:14:11And outside, there's a garage with a loft space above it,
0:14:11 > 0:14:15which could provide Gary with a perfect butcher's workshop.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19The house sits in and around a third of an acre of land with
0:14:19 > 0:14:22beautifully landscaped gardens.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25So you have this wonderful garden.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Really private, not overlooked by anybody.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31- Yeah, this is very interesting. - It hasn't quite got the acreage
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- you were hoping...- No, I haven't got me acreage.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36And I've got to go on tiptoe to get the view, I suppose.
0:14:36 > 0:14:38You can't get everything, Nicky,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40so we've got to compromise on something.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43It's going to be difficult, but you've got to put a price on this.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45How much do you think the cottage is on the market for?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48There's so much of it. It's got to be pretty close to the top.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52I would say...785.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54I'll say 750.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56- A cheeky 750.- Cheeky 750, yeah.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00OK. The asking price is...
0:15:00 > 0:15:02- £675,000.- Wow, I didn't expect that.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05- Didn't think it would be that cheap, actually.- No.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08That gives us a lot of scope to put our mark on it, as such.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11- Do you fancy having a wander around now on your own?- Yeah, very much so.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- See you in a minute.- Thank you.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17Well, it is an amazing, amazing property.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20And I cannot get over the asking price.
0:15:20 > 0:15:26£675,000, two families could live side-by-side here
0:15:26 > 0:15:28in perfect harmony.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30Well, that's in theory, anyway.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33This bluestone house
0:15:33 > 0:15:36is on the market at £125,000 under
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Maria and Gary's top budget.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41And still has managed to give them more or less
0:15:41 > 0:15:43everything they've asked for.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45It has four bedrooms in the main part of the property,
0:15:45 > 0:15:48with a further two in a self-contained annexe
0:15:48 > 0:15:50which could be used for daughter Gemma's family,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52or as a holiday let.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55There's a garage with loft space which could become Gary's
0:15:55 > 0:15:58butcher's workshop. And although the grounds don't offer quite
0:15:58 > 0:16:01the space or views they'd hoped for, they're beautifully laid out
0:16:01 > 0:16:04with pretty flower beds and a variety of fruit trees.
0:16:04 > 0:16:08And just enough space to build a pond for Gary's fish.
0:16:08 > 0:16:13- And another room!- Wow.- How many reception rooms has this got?
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- That's a lovely size as well.- It's lovely.- It's a lovely size.- Yeah.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19The house just went everywhere.
0:16:19 > 0:16:25I lost track of it, there was just so much of it. It's very old, very new.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28It's everything you want. It's a lovely house.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30I like it very much and I could see, perhaps,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33we could even split he house in two.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Cos my daughter likes the older part, really.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39And I do prefer the newer part. So I think it could work.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41I think I've picked the best spot there.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43And I didn't want to rush you, because I know there's
0:16:43 > 0:16:47- an awful lot to get around. But have you seen enough?- I think so, yeah. It's a lovely house.
0:16:47 > 0:16:50It just keeps going on and on. Just get our heads around it now, really.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52So your daughter would like it?
0:16:52 > 0:16:54- I think she'd like the older part, yeah.- Good.
0:16:54 > 0:16:55Well, it's only our first property.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- So let's hit the road, because I've got more to show you.- Lovely.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10Retired butcher Gary has had an interest in food production
0:17:10 > 0:17:13since he first worked in a butcher's shop when he was 11 years old.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17And in Somerset's Cheddar Valley, one of England's best-loved foods
0:17:17 > 0:17:21is produced, and it's not the world-famous cheese.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Strawberry growing here dates back to the 1890s,
0:17:24 > 0:17:28when the old strawberry line railway transported the fruit from
0:17:28 > 0:17:32hundreds of producers in the area to London and around the country.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37National cuts saw the line closed in 1965, and now there are just
0:17:37 > 0:17:40three strawberry producers left in Cheddar.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44Cliff has been growing the juicy red fruits since 1991.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49I never knew Cheddar was associated with strawberries.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Well, actually, Cheddar is very famous for strawberries.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57And certainly between the wars - 1930-1970 -
0:17:57 > 0:18:00there was well over 400 growers of strawberries in the Cheddar Valley.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03Every field you see at the foot of these hills would have been strawberries.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05So how long have you been involved in strawberries?
0:18:05 > 0:18:07I started off with a council allotment
0:18:07 > 0:18:09and I filled it up with 1,000 strawberry plants.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Basically made enough money to pay for a holiday.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16That was the original idea. I entered a few competitions.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20I got first prize on a lot of the strawberries and what have you,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23because we're a bit fanatical about strawberries over this way.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26Cliff's early success gave him the strawberry bug,
0:18:26 > 0:18:28and led him to sell his house and buy this plot,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32where he now produces around 100,000 punnets of the red berries
0:18:32 > 0:18:36a year, which he sells at farmers' markets around the county.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40The Cheddar Valley's microclimate is perfect for growing the fruit
0:18:40 > 0:18:43and gives it a head start over other counties,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46as here the fruit is ripe, ready to pick and sell earlier.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51To pick them...you literally cup your hands,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54you just pick it from behind, and you leave about a centimetre
0:18:54 > 0:18:56of stalk on the back of the strawberry.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59If you pick them with no stalk on, they literally won't last a day.
0:18:59 > 0:19:02With a stalk on, how long would they last?
0:19:02 > 0:19:05To be honest, in the fridge, it could keep for about a week.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- Seven days.- And when do you pick for selling?
0:19:08 > 0:19:10We always pick the day before the market.
0:19:10 > 0:19:13So if you buy them from the farmers market, it's picked the day before.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- And you get beauties like this.- You do.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- They are delicious. I just can't wait any longer.- Go for it.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23Mm!
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Absolutely. delicious.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Mm!
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- Delicious, aren't they?- Wonderful.
0:19:31 > 0:19:33So if we were to grow some at home, would you give us
0:19:33 > 0:19:36any tips on what to be growing and when?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39If you want to grow your own, look for the Juneberries, Elegance,
0:19:39 > 0:19:41Cambridge Favourite...
0:19:41 > 0:19:44There are quite a few varieties which are really simple to grow.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48You will plant them in October. You'll get a big crop in June.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51From his weekly visits to local farmers' markets,
0:19:51 > 0:19:55any produce Cliff doesn't sell is turned into home-made jam.
0:19:55 > 0:19:593,000 jars a year end up at the markets too.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02OK, well, we couldn't let you leave without some
0:20:02 > 0:20:03strawberry jam and scones.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- Lovely.- Have a try.- Oh, thank you.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10- Oh.- That looks really good. - There we go.
0:20:10 > 0:20:11Want to join me?
0:20:11 > 0:20:12I think I will join you.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15Mmm.
0:20:15 > 0:20:17Mmm.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- Oh, that's...- So what do you think?
0:20:19 > 0:20:22Oh, I can certainly taste that strawberry jam, it's beautiful.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24If we've got a plot, some of these are going in.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26Yeah, I think, definitely, we've got to do that.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29We'll be back. Thank you.
0:20:35 > 0:20:36For our second visit,
0:20:36 > 0:20:39we're travelling 12 miles west to the village of Spaxton,
0:20:39 > 0:20:42which is 5.5 miles west of Bridgwater
0:20:42 > 0:20:46and just over 4.5 miles away from the larger village of Nether Stowey.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Nether Stowey sits in the foothills of the Quantock Hills,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53England's first designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,
0:20:53 > 0:20:55which would offer Maria and Gary
0:20:55 > 0:20:58the magnificent views they're in search of.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01It's an attractive village with a traditional pub,
0:21:01 > 0:21:04named after the famous poem The Ancient Mariner,
0:21:04 > 0:21:08as the author Samuel Taylor Coleridge lived opposite.
0:21:08 > 0:21:11An 11-minute drive south-east takes us to the village of Spaxton
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and our second offering,
0:21:13 > 0:21:17a vibrant set of buildings arranged against lush green surroundings.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- It looks lovely.- Very nice.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Well, as you can see, it is a converted barn
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and you've got your outbuildings here that have also been converted.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29We're not quite sure how old the barn is -
0:21:29 > 0:21:31it goes back centuries, we know that -
0:21:31 > 0:21:33but it was actually converted about 12 years ago.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35It's beautiful
0:21:35 > 0:21:37and it looks like there's plenty of space in there.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- Well, let's step inside and see what you make of the barn.- OK.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46'These beautiful, red stone barns are just oozing with personality,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49'as Maria and Gary will see as we enter through the back door
0:21:49 > 0:21:50'into the kitchen.'
0:21:50 > 0:21:52- Whoa.- Wonderful size.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54This is a proper country kitchen, isn't it?
0:21:54 > 0:21:56It is and it's what I like -
0:21:56 > 0:22:01the idea of having a kitchen, dining, living area.
0:22:01 > 0:22:02- First impressions?- Oh, very good.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04- Let's hope it continues...- Yes.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- ..as we go through the barn.- Indeed.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10So, you have dining in the kitchen
0:22:10 > 0:22:12but you've also got more formal dining in here.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- Wow.- It's a good size.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Then up a couple of stairs here,
0:22:16 > 0:22:21- you have this huge space.- Wow.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23How's that for a reception room?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26- Wonderful.- That is a large reception room, isn't it?
0:22:26 > 0:22:29We're not really into all these heavy beams
0:22:29 > 0:22:33but in here, I think this does work quite well, doesn't it?
0:22:33 > 0:22:37'On the ground floor, there's also a utility room and a study.'
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Let's see what you make of the bedrooms upstairs.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46'On the first floor, the landing leads to a family bathroom,
0:22:46 > 0:22:47'a single bedroom,
0:22:47 > 0:22:49'a double with an en-suite
0:22:49 > 0:22:53'and we're heading to the biggest of the three bedrooms on this floor,
0:22:53 > 0:22:55'the master.'
0:22:55 > 0:22:57- Oh, yes.- Oh, it's a nice-sized bedroom, isn't it?
0:22:57 > 0:23:00That's quite a good size and look at the windows, three sides.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03- Also got- an en-suite. Yes.
0:23:03 > 0:23:05Where are we going to put everybody else?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07I'm sure you have a secret up your sleeve...
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Do you think? All right, let's head back downstairs.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11- Gary, you lead the way... - I'll lead the way.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14..cos we've got another section to show you.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18'Just above us in the eaves of the property
0:23:18 > 0:23:20'is a fourth bedroom with its own dressing room
0:23:20 > 0:23:22'and downstairs on the ground floor.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25'There's also another wing to the house.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28'These converted barns are laid out in a C shape
0:23:28 > 0:23:30'and beyond the study of the main house,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33'there's an annexe with its own sitting room, kitchen,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36'two bedrooms, a bathroom and a studio.'
0:23:38 > 0:23:41On this section, these outbuildings have been converted
0:23:41 > 0:23:43and it's been made into a holiday let.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46That would be the second property,
0:23:46 > 0:23:49unless you all want to live together in that big house
0:23:49 > 0:23:51as one big, happy family.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- Right.- Right, yeah.- Lovely.
0:23:53 > 0:23:56'I'm thrilled we've managed to find Maria and Gary
0:23:56 > 0:23:59'another property that gives them so many options
0:23:59 > 0:24:02'and as we enter the annexe, we're headed straight for the kitchen.'
0:24:02 > 0:24:05- Very nice.- It's a good-sized kitchen for a holiday let.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07You've got your own sitting-room through there,
0:24:07 > 0:24:09two bedrooms and then at the end of the hallway,
0:24:09 > 0:24:11you've got an extra bathroom.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13So, you've got to think about your daughter
0:24:13 > 0:24:15and her family and the little girl.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18- Yes.- That would be the sacrifice -
0:24:18 > 0:24:20you won't be able to let this out
0:24:20 > 0:24:23unless you were all prepared to live in the big main house together.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Yes, that's something to think about, though,
0:24:25 > 0:24:26- cos this is very nice.- Yes.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31'There's definitely food for thought here
0:24:31 > 0:24:34'and outside, there's even more to digest.'
0:24:34 > 0:24:38What you get with this barn, the barn conversion, is land.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39- Wow, that's nice.- Yes.
0:24:39 > 0:24:44You have a total of two acres including the footprint of the barn.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46You've also got a stable block here.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- That easily could be converted if you wanted to convert it.- Yes.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53In a way, there's a bit of a quandary, isn't there?
0:24:53 > 0:24:58- We've got two separate houses for you, we've got the land.- Yes.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01You can run your business - the compromise is
0:25:01 > 0:25:04whether you're prepared to give up the holiday let or not.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Let's talk money, though, while you're mulling that over.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- Obviously there's a price to be had for all of this.- Yes.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Who wants to go first?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18- Me.- It's going to be you, Gary.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Right, well, it is a lot larger than the last property
0:25:21 > 0:25:23and the land, there's much more land here
0:25:23 > 0:25:25so, 780, I'd go for.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Right, Maria?
0:25:27 > 0:25:29I'm going to go for 750 and hope.
0:25:29 > 0:25:32I like the hope bit. OK, well, to put you out of misery,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35the asking price is...
0:25:35 > 0:25:38- £795,000.- 795, yeah.- Top of budget.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Doesn't surprise me really because it is a lovely property.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- It is.- You just confused us really...
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Well, I was about to say how do you feel! Oh, are you really confused?
0:25:46 > 0:25:47- Yeah.- I'm a bit confused, yeah.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49So, why don't you take another look around
0:25:49 > 0:25:52and see if you can come to some sort of decision?
0:25:52 > 0:25:53- Yeah?- OK.- We'll have a look.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55Hopefully it will give you some clarity. Off you go.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- Thanks.- Thank you.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01'These beautiful, converted red stone barns
0:26:01 > 0:26:04'are at the top end of Maria and Gary's budget
0:26:04 > 0:26:07'and would give them just £5,000 change,
0:26:07 > 0:26:08'but they do get six bedrooms
0:26:08 > 0:26:11'in two separate living quarters for the money,
0:26:11 > 0:26:14'even though they'd have to decide between home and holiday let
0:26:14 > 0:26:19'with the annexe. The extensive land is double what they were hoping for,
0:26:19 > 0:26:23'meaning plenty of room to rehouse 30 koi carp
0:26:23 > 0:26:24'and with two outbuildings,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27'there's somewhere for Gary's butcher's work space
0:26:27 > 0:26:29'and there's always the option of gaining planning permission
0:26:29 > 0:26:32'to create another dwelling.'
0:26:32 > 0:26:33It's a nice little room.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35- What a lovely little workshop, isn't it?- Yes.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37Oh, dream house.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39If we could divide that into two,
0:26:39 > 0:26:41I can't see why we couldn't both live there.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44I can just see my granddaughter coming across to the door
0:26:44 > 0:26:47and just knocking, "Granny, coming in."
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Oh, the holiday let side was really lovely.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53You know, for a two-bed holiday let like that, I mean,
0:26:53 > 0:26:55I could live in there quite easy, I think.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57How are you feeling?
0:26:57 > 0:26:59- Oh...- A bit confused.- Yeah, I bet.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01There's lots to think about with this property.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02Well, there is and if you buy this house,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04- you can have your own sheep on your land.- Yes.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07There you go, I'm going to leave you with that thought for today.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11- We'll have to teach him to knit. - We will, so that's it -
0:27:11 > 0:27:13we're going to go back, because tomorrow,
0:27:13 > 0:27:15- I've got one more house to show you. - Right.- Lovely.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28'It's the second day of our trip around Somerset
0:27:28 > 0:27:31'to find Maria and Gary from Croydon, South London
0:27:31 > 0:27:34'two properties on the same piece of land for them
0:27:34 > 0:27:36'and their daughter's family.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39'They've got a healthy £800,000 to spend on their dream home
0:27:39 > 0:27:43'but there's a long list of requirements that comes with it.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47'Coming up, I'll be mixing things up a bit with our mystery house...'
0:27:47 > 0:27:51- Oh, my goodness.- Dear, oh, dear, what a room.
0:27:51 > 0:27:55'..and I'll be visiting a very British local business.'
0:27:55 > 0:27:58How fascinating, something we see in the military every single day
0:27:58 > 0:28:01throughout the world was actually developed here in Somerset.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Yesterday, we showed Gary and Maria
0:28:06 > 0:28:09two impressive properties here in Somerset,
0:28:09 > 0:28:12but what soon became apparent is even though
0:28:12 > 0:28:14they have a large pot of money,
0:28:14 > 0:28:17their requirements for the extended family and their business ideas,
0:28:17 > 0:28:21well, it was going to stretch that budget to the limit -
0:28:21 > 0:28:25two separate properties plus the holiday let business and land?
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Hmm. We have struggled.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Today, with our third property, the mystery house,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33we're going to put their wish list to one side
0:28:33 > 0:28:35and show them a home that provides, well,
0:28:35 > 0:28:39luxurious communal living for one and all.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44'Our third and final visit takes us just under 3.5 miles north-east
0:28:44 > 0:28:47'to the outskirts of the village of Cannington,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50'which lies three miles north-west of Bridgwater.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53'Cannington sits on the west bank of the pretty River Parret
0:28:53 > 0:28:57'and enjoys good local amenities, including five pubs.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00'With its proximity to the Quantock Hills,
0:29:00 > 0:29:02'the village attracts many visitors.
0:29:02 > 0:29:03'There's also a primary school,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06'which could be perfect for granddaughter Madison
0:29:06 > 0:29:08'in a few years' time.
0:29:08 > 0:29:12'Half a mile away is our final property, the mystery house -
0:29:12 > 0:29:14'a converted barn with a former milling room,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17'dating back to the 1800s with a pond at its entrance
0:29:17 > 0:29:21'which I know someone could well have their eye on.'
0:29:21 > 0:29:27So, you have your own gates leading into the mystery house.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29Wow.
0:29:29 > 0:29:30This is all one house?
0:29:30 > 0:29:33This is all one house.
0:29:33 > 0:29:35- Wow.- Well, it doesn't look like a doer-upper.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38We thought we're going to show you something completely different -
0:29:38 > 0:29:45a house that can give both families a fabulous standard of living.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48How about all under one and the same roof?
0:29:50 > 0:29:53That would be fine as long as we've got enough space for each other,
0:29:53 > 0:29:55and it looks like there's plenty of space in there.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58- I want to get in.- Do you?- Yes! - Well, that's a good point.
0:29:58 > 0:29:59Come on then, let's go.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01'This grand barn conversion
0:30:01 > 0:30:03'has certainly stepped up from its humble roots
0:30:03 > 0:30:06'to create this rather majestic family home
0:30:06 > 0:30:10'that should do just the trick for not one but two families.'
0:30:10 > 0:30:14So, Maria, you were keen to step inside...
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Oh, yes.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20- What do you make of this? - Oh...- Wow.- Beautiful.
0:30:20 > 0:30:21What a beautiful entrance.
0:30:21 > 0:30:24So, I'm presuming as first impressions go, it's up there?
0:30:24 > 0:30:26Oh, it is way up there.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28Nicki, are you teasing us?
0:30:28 > 0:30:31Because this does look a very expensive house. Are you teasing us?
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- The rest...- Or is it in budget?
0:30:33 > 0:30:35I'm not giving anything away,
0:30:35 > 0:30:39but what I will say is the rest of the house is of similar high spec.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41- Oh, dear.- Wow.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44'Off the square reception hall is a sitting room.'
0:30:44 > 0:30:46- This is a nice cosy room, isn't it? - It's a lovely room.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Beautiful.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51- Yes, we like it, Nicki, we like it. - We do?- We do, we do.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53- We do, we do, we do?- Yes, we do.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Wonderful. All right, still more to see.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00'Off the hallway at the back of the house and up a small stairway
0:31:00 > 0:31:04'is another reception room, a huge space with a curved outer wall.'
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Oh, they just keep getting better.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- Oh, my goodness.- Dear, oh, dear, what a room.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11- This would have been the old mill...- Really?
0:31:11 > 0:31:15..the flour mill, yes, so the horses would have gone round in a track
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- and you'd have had two stones in the middle.- Yes.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20The rest of the barn, believe it or not, was a cow shed or cow barn.
0:31:20 > 0:31:21- Really?- Yeah.- Wow.
0:31:21 > 0:31:23Oh, well, it's come up in the world.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25There's a lot of history here, then, isn't there?
0:31:25 > 0:31:29'So far, the fact that our mystery house would mean Maria and Gary
0:31:29 > 0:31:32'and their daughter's family all living under one roof
0:31:32 > 0:31:36'doesn't seem to have put them off, but I can see why -
0:31:36 > 0:31:38'there's bags of room here...
0:31:38 > 0:31:41'including in the kitchen-diner.'
0:31:41 > 0:31:45I'm thinking large families, busy mealtimes.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47It's a lovely family kitchen-diner, isn't it?
0:31:47 > 0:31:49Even our dining table will fit in there.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- And then, well, Gary, look at that for a kitchen.- That looks gorgeous.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56You know, the butcher in you, I'm sure, is impressed.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Yes, I can see the old meat block in here, absolutely lovely.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02I see some meat hooks, that's a start up here.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06- Hang the saucepans up.- There we go, he's starting to feel at home.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09'Beyond the kitchen is a good-sized utility room
0:32:09 > 0:32:12'and upstairs is just as impressive as the ground floor.
0:32:12 > 0:32:15'Off a galleried landing, there's a shower room,
0:32:15 > 0:32:17'a single bedroom,
0:32:17 > 0:32:22'four double bedrooms all overlooking the front of the house
0:32:22 > 0:32:24'and the biggest of the four has its own en suite.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26'At the back of the house, up a few stairs,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30'is the largest of the six bedrooms.'
0:32:30 > 0:32:33So, right at the top of the property,
0:32:33 > 0:32:36- we have the master bedroom. - It's the master.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38- Look at the size of it. - What a lovely shape.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41Obviously this is where the grinding things came through.
0:32:41 > 0:32:44Yeah, we're right at the very, very top.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46And then just to your right...
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- Oh.- ..is- the en-suite. Oh, nice.
0:32:49 > 0:32:50I'm sold, I like it.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52- Yeah.- Good.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58'Our mystery house is selling itself,
0:32:58 > 0:32:59'but there's still more to see,
0:32:59 > 0:33:03'and the back of the property is just as splendid as the front.
0:33:03 > 0:33:07'The cleverly designed gardens are simply beautiful
0:33:07 > 0:33:10'and there's an outbuilding, currently used as a gym,
0:33:10 > 0:33:14'which could be Gary's butcher's domain. But that's not all...'
0:33:14 > 0:33:17There is one final thing I need to show you.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19- Oh!- Oh, dear.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21- Oh, it's me koi pond. - No, it's not.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23- You found me somewhere to put me fish.- Oh...
0:33:23 > 0:33:26You've got barbecue area cum bar...
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Koi pond, bar...
0:33:28 > 0:33:29- Is there?- ..that's you sorted.
0:33:29 > 0:33:31Wow, a bar as well, yes.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34So, what price are you going to put on this converted barn?
0:33:34 > 0:33:37- I think you've blown it...- Do you? - ..completely out of the water.
0:33:37 > 0:33:39I would go in at...
0:33:39 > 0:33:42I don't know, 830.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45- OK.- I'd say bang on budget, 800.
0:33:45 > 0:33:46Interesting.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49The asking price for this property is...
0:33:49 > 0:33:51£725,000.
0:33:51 > 0:33:53Wow, 725.
0:33:53 > 0:33:55- That is very, very good. - That's amazing.
0:33:55 > 0:33:56That is an amazing price.
0:33:56 > 0:33:59I'm just going to add that if you did have a holiday let business,
0:33:59 > 0:34:02you'd have to rent it out for quite a few months to make up...
0:34:02 > 0:34:04- Yeah, to get the difference. - You would, yes.
0:34:04 > 0:34:06- ..that sort of money, wouldn't you?- Yes.
0:34:06 > 0:34:09- That is very, very good. - That's a compromise that works.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Now you know the price, why don't you take some time,
0:34:13 > 0:34:14have a look on your own
0:34:14 > 0:34:16and then I'll catch up with you when you're ready.
0:34:16 > 0:34:18- Lovely, OK, thank you.- Thank you.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24'This striking converted barn
0:34:24 > 0:34:28'is a huge £75,000 under Maria and Gary's budget,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31'and although it doesn't have the holiday let potential,
0:34:31 > 0:34:35'the huge underspend could mean they don't need that extra income.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37'Although it doesn't offer separate living quarters
0:34:37 > 0:34:39'for their daughter's family,
0:34:39 > 0:34:42'there's more than enough room to see them living together.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46'The landscaped gardens aren't huge, but they are beautiful,
0:34:46 > 0:34:48'and there's a ready-made pond for Gary's fish at the front
0:34:48 > 0:34:51'and a pool for the family at the back.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54'There's even an outbuilding which could see Gary
0:34:54 > 0:34:57'carry on his butcher's trade from home.'
0:34:57 > 0:34:58Absolutely blown away.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03It looked more of a mansion than a house and then when we came in...
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Ah.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07It was just absolutely gorgeous.
0:35:07 > 0:35:12The one, maybe sticking point, sharing that kitchen.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14Oh, me koi ponds, it's just what I wanted.
0:35:14 > 0:35:18It's all built in, ready, I can see me fish swimming about in there.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22It's heated as well, which mine is at home, so it's home from home.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24It's just absolutely ideal for it.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27No-one's going to get a chance to swim in it. That's the koi pond.
0:35:30 > 0:35:32All right, you two?
0:35:32 > 0:35:33- Oh, yes.- That's very nice.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Now, having had the time to look around on your own,
0:35:35 > 0:35:37do you still love it just as much?
0:35:37 > 0:35:40A bit more.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42- Sorry.- Well, we need to go and have a chat, don't we?- Indeed.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45That's it, you've seen all three of our properties here in Somerset
0:35:45 > 0:35:47and, yeah, discussions need to be had.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- Yes.- Absolutely, yes.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59'Sheep are a familiar sight on the Somerset hills
0:35:59 > 0:36:02'and their coats have kept one local company in business
0:36:02 > 0:36:05'for almost 250 years.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09'Fox Brothers of Wellington in the south-west of the county
0:36:09 > 0:36:12'have been producing woollen cloth since 1772.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15'I've come to meet MD Douglas Cordeaux
0:36:15 > 0:36:18'to find out more about this very local luxury cloth.'
0:36:18 > 0:36:20What is it about this part of the world
0:36:20 > 0:36:22that can produce articles like this?
0:36:22 > 0:36:24Originally it was the climate,
0:36:24 > 0:36:26also the colour of the surrounding countryside.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28You'll see that the colours in this room
0:36:28 > 0:36:31are the very essence of the hills that we are surrounded by -
0:36:31 > 0:36:34we have Exmoor, we have the Quantock Hills.
0:36:34 > 0:36:35You'll see that the tweeds here
0:36:35 > 0:36:39really pick up on the natural gorses, the heather colours,
0:36:39 > 0:36:44and so you end up with very understated cloth patterns
0:36:44 > 0:36:46but they really, really revert back
0:36:46 > 0:36:48to the countryside that we're sat in.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54'But it's not just the cloth's shades the company is known for.
0:36:54 > 0:36:56'It's the texture too.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00'Douglas is proud that flannel was invented here,
0:37:00 > 0:37:04'a fabric woven from short fibres, giving it an incredibly soft feel.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07'It's graced the back of many a prestigious gentleman,
0:37:07 > 0:37:10'from Cary Grant to Winston Churchill.'
0:37:10 > 0:37:12It's still pretty much a guarded secret
0:37:12 > 0:37:15on how we do get that final finish.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18All of our flannel goes to luxury suit manufacturing,
0:37:18 > 0:37:22whether it's from Savile Row or to Parisian fashion houses.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26'It's not only high society
0:37:26 > 0:37:29'whose backs are adorned by the company's cloth.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33'In the 1890s, a request came from the Ministry Of Defence
0:37:33 > 0:37:36'for a camouflage colour to be developed to dress the British Army,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38'as their uniform was rather bold.'
0:37:40 > 0:37:43It was basically because soldiers were wearing bright red,
0:37:43 > 0:37:47which wasn't ideal in a desert environment,
0:37:47 > 0:37:50so we came up with a chemical solution of dying khaki,
0:37:50 > 0:37:52khaki as we know it today.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55But how fascinating, something that we see in the military
0:37:55 > 0:37:57every single day throughout the world
0:37:57 > 0:38:00- was actually developed here in Somerset.- Absolutely, yes.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05'The archive room we're standing in houses a fascinating historic record
0:38:05 > 0:38:08'of thousands of swatches of cloth,
0:38:08 > 0:38:10'dating back to the birth of the company,
0:38:10 > 0:38:13'but it's not just the fabric that's kept on file.'
0:38:13 > 0:38:16These archive books here hold all of the patterns
0:38:16 > 0:38:20- that have been woven over the years. - My goodness.
0:38:20 > 0:38:24What's really special, that many of the patterns in menswear history
0:38:24 > 0:38:27- originate from these actual books. - Do they?
0:38:27 > 0:38:31We actually have the earliest book here in our archive,
0:38:31 > 0:38:36which is the 1773 hand-held guardbook.
0:38:36 > 0:38:40This would be cloths that the salesman would have been selling
0:38:40 > 0:38:41at that particular point.
0:38:41 > 0:38:45- I'm amazed at the colours, they're so bright.- It's incredible.
0:38:45 > 0:38:47I particularly love these cobalt blues,
0:38:47 > 0:38:51the rich reds that we had which, you know, relates to the local soil.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54I had no idea that a gentleman of the day
0:38:54 > 0:38:56would wear such vibrant colours.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58We often associate menswear
0:38:58 > 0:39:00with black and white pictures of the era,
0:39:00 > 0:39:03but if you were to see those same pictures in colour,
0:39:03 > 0:39:05then I think we would have all been quite amazed
0:39:05 > 0:39:08by how bright and actually quite dandified
0:39:08 > 0:39:11- they were in that day and age.- Yes.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16'Little has changed here over the years, although today,
0:39:16 > 0:39:19'all of the action takes place in the modern weaving shed
0:39:19 > 0:39:21'just across the road.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24'Up to 4,000 metres of cloth is produced here every week,
0:39:24 > 0:39:28'but before the fabric is woven, it's got to be prepared for the loom
0:39:28 > 0:39:32'and it's a painstakingly skilled process.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35'Alison Harvey has worked here for 23 years,
0:39:35 > 0:39:38'like three generations of her family before her.
0:39:38 > 0:39:40'She prepares every end of yarn
0:39:40 > 0:39:42'before it goes to the loom to be woven in to cloth.'
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Right, this is the drawing-in process of making cloth
0:39:48 > 0:39:52where each individual end is drawn through one of these eyes...
0:39:52 > 0:39:53My goodness.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56..into the correct pattern, ready for weaving.
0:39:56 > 0:39:58And every single one of them's done by hand?
0:39:58 > 0:40:00Every single one is done by hand.
0:40:00 > 0:40:04How long will it take you to thread a piece of cloth this wide?
0:40:04 > 0:40:06This would take a morning.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- Would it really?- Yeah. - That seems pretty quick to me.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11It's fairly quick, yeah.
0:40:12 > 0:40:18'Alison can draw in up to 8,000 individual yarns per piece of cloth.'
0:40:18 > 0:40:20Has there been any change? Or is it still exactly the same way
0:40:20 > 0:40:21when you first started?
0:40:21 > 0:40:25It's the same way I did it on the very first day I came here.
0:40:25 > 0:40:26- Is it really?- Yeah.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- Lovely, well, thank you very much. - No problem.
0:40:32 > 0:40:35'It's good to see a historic Somerset business still in action.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39'But time to find out how we've done with our Somerset houses.'
0:40:44 > 0:40:48So, we've shown Gary and Maria three very impressive properties here,
0:40:48 > 0:40:49all under their budget.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Let's hear what they've got to say about them.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02Well, Gary and Maria, you certainly set us a task, didn't you?
0:41:02 > 0:41:06I think all of the properties had something,
0:41:06 > 0:41:10but this last house just had the wow factor, should we say.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12- The mystery house. - The mystery house.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14The house is absolutely outstanding.
0:41:14 > 0:41:18The rooms were absolutely gorgeous, the gardens were lovely,
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- the swimming pool... - Koi ponds.- Well...
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Koi ponds, quickly, I like the way he quickly chips in with that.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Yes, that was an added bonus.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Those fish really are the way to your heart, aren't they?
0:41:29 > 0:41:31Yes, they've got to be looked after first.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Get the fish looked after and then we'll sort the family out.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36Well, we do have to consider your daughter.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39If she's got any sense, she'll love it.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41So, what is the next step, Maria?
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Erm, it's going to be a phone call,
0:41:44 > 0:41:45explain what we've seen
0:41:45 > 0:41:47and ask her to come up and have a look round, I think.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49If she loves it,
0:41:49 > 0:41:52would you be quite happy all living there under one roof?
0:41:52 > 0:41:53- Yeah.- I do think it would work.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54Let us know how you get on.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that the family love that house
0:41:57 > 0:41:58as much as we all did.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01All the best with the move and with your semi-retirement as well.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- Thank you very much, Nicki. - Thanks.- Thank you, Nicki.
0:42:07 > 0:42:12Well, Gary and Maria certainly set us a challenge here in Somerset
0:42:12 > 0:42:15and although I think we got close with our mystery house,
0:42:15 > 0:42:20trying to keep two families happy was always going to be a tough ask.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24They've admitted they are going to struggle to get everything they want
0:42:24 > 0:42:25on their budget,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28but at least now they seem to realise that a move here
0:42:28 > 0:42:31is worth a compromise.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35See you again on Escape To The Country.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38Maria and Gary showed her daughter the details of the mystery house
0:42:38 > 0:42:40and although she loved it too,
0:42:40 > 0:42:44she decided that she really does want her own kitchen,
0:42:44 > 0:42:47so the search for the perfect Somerset property continues
0:42:47 > 0:42:50and we'll wish them all the very best of luck.
0:42:50 > 0:42:52If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:52 > 0:42:55in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England
0:42:55 > 0:42:59or perhaps even further afield to the continent and need our help,
0:42:59 > 0:43:00you can apply online at...