0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:07This impressive standing stone was put up nearly 4,000 years ago,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10but what makes it so special and where is it?
0:00:10 > 0:00:12Well, join us in just a moment and I'll tell you.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33'Today's buyers are looking for
0:00:33 > 0:00:35'their very first shared home together.'
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Come on in, Fiona.
0:00:38 > 0:00:39Oh, wow!
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Proper farmhouse kitchen.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43But he seeks a private sanctuary,
0:00:43 > 0:00:47whilst she dreams of being a busy host.
0:00:47 > 0:00:48If that was landscaped outside...
0:00:48 > 0:00:52- Mm-hmm.- ..it would be perfect for the guests for their evening.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56Well, today we are in Yorkshire,
0:00:56 > 0:00:59and this is the Rudston Monolith.
0:00:59 > 0:01:04At 26 feet high, it's the tallest standing stone anywhere in the UK.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07So when you consider that it was probably hewn from the rocks
0:01:07 > 0:01:11over in the Cleveland Hills near Whitby, over 40 miles away,
0:01:11 > 0:01:14it gives you some idea of the enormous lengths
0:01:14 > 0:01:17that our prehistoric ancestors were prepared to go to.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19But that's the archaeology,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22the locals have a different explanation as to why it's here.
0:01:22 > 0:01:23They say that the devil,
0:01:23 > 0:01:27angered by the building of a church on what was a pagan hill,
0:01:27 > 0:01:28was so furious he threw this
0:01:28 > 0:01:31in a bid to try and knock the whole thing down.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34But as you can see, well...he missed.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Probably thanks to some divine intervention.
0:01:39 > 0:01:43Taking up a majestic 2.9 million acres
0:01:43 > 0:01:45of the northeast of England,
0:01:45 > 0:01:46the historic county of Yorkshire
0:01:46 > 0:01:49was once the largest county in the country.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52The area now consists of several modern counties,
0:01:52 > 0:01:56including north Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58The breathtakingly beautiful landscape
0:01:58 > 0:02:01features the heather-covered North York Moors,
0:02:01 > 0:02:03often cloaked in misty mystery,
0:02:03 > 0:02:06and the gentle rolling chalk hills of The Wolds,
0:02:06 > 0:02:09criss-crossed with delightful footpaths.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Miles of heritage coastline include Flamborough Head,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14witness to many an historic sea battle,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17whilst seaside towns such as Bridlington
0:02:17 > 0:02:21offer walks along wide promenades and golden sandy beaches.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Inland are Yorkshire's traditional market towns, such as Beverley.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28It's Minster, a Grade I listed building,
0:02:28 > 0:02:32is among the largest parish churches in the country.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And that's not the only Gothic masterpiece spawned here.
0:02:35 > 0:02:37Yorkshire is the literary backdrop
0:02:37 > 0:02:41to Charlotte Bronte's Wuthering Heights and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44But you don't have to be a novelist or poet
0:02:44 > 0:02:47to find inspiration in this haven from hectic city life.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53Now, Yorkshire has recently been voted
0:02:53 > 0:02:57as the third best place for tourists to visit in the world.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01So, no surprise that the locals like to refer to it as God's Own Country.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04But when you consider the enormous size of Yorkshire,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08it's no surprise that house prices can vary hugely.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Up in North Yorkshire,
0:03:11 > 0:03:13the cost of your average detached home at the moment
0:03:13 > 0:03:16is running at around about £271,000,
0:03:16 > 0:03:19that's some three grand below the national figure.
0:03:19 > 0:03:20But over in East Riding,
0:03:20 > 0:03:26there, prices can drop by a further 30%, so there's no escaping it.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31Here in Yorkshire you really do get some fantastic value for money.
0:03:31 > 0:03:35But where, in God's Own Country, do today's buyers want to move to?
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Keen cook Fiona and motorcycle enthusiast Duncan
0:03:42 > 0:03:44first met at primary school.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47But after losing touch for over 40 years, a chance encounter
0:03:47 > 0:03:50brought the couple back together.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53- We met in a local video shop.- Yes.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55- Yeah. Nearly eight years ago now. - You recognised me, didn't you?
0:03:55 > 0:03:58And I recognised you from school. And then we got together.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00About a year or so after that.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03About a year or so after that we got together, yeah.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07They're now engaged but still live a few miles apart in East Lothian.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Fiona in her large family home in Longniddry.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12within the commuter belt of Edinburgh,
0:04:12 > 0:04:16and Duncan in a smaller home three miles along the coast.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18I have lived here all my life.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21And I'm an incomer, I moved here when I was five.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24It's been the place that I've born and bred and brought up,
0:04:24 > 0:04:28but we're kind of looking to set up a new life together
0:04:28 > 0:04:30and have a change and move on.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35Duncan and Fiona share a love of countryside tranquillity,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39something they feel is increasingly lacking in their current locale.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41- Longniddry has got a lot bigger, hasn't it?- It has got bigger.
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Lots of housing development gone up since we knew it as children.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48I used to play in the fields down here, as well. They've all gone.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Aye. It all used to be fields.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53'With Duncan's job as an educational-book sales rep
0:04:53 > 0:04:55'coming to an end after 20 years,
0:04:55 > 0:05:00'they've seen an opportunity to reach for a new dream together.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03'Fiona is quitting her position as a medical receptionist
0:05:03 > 0:05:05'and hopes to set up a B&B,
0:05:05 > 0:05:08'whilst Duncan will be re-training as a garden designer.'
0:05:08 > 0:05:12I've had enough of being a sales rep and doing 40,000 miles a year.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13I do like being outside.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15I like being in different places
0:05:15 > 0:05:18and I want to do something reasonably creative.
0:05:18 > 0:05:21The move will change our lives in lots of ways,
0:05:21 > 0:05:22if not virtually every way.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25For starters I'm going to be back at college.
0:05:25 > 0:05:29What I really want to do is run a bed and breakfast,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31or something along similar lines,
0:05:31 > 0:05:33so that I can have people coming to stay,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36so that I can do my catering and cooking for people,
0:05:36 > 0:05:37which I love doing.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Yeah, it'll be great.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43The couple have their heart set on a move to Yorkshire,
0:05:43 > 0:05:45an area Duncan feels a deep affinity with
0:05:45 > 0:05:48even though he's never lived there.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50I'm from a Yorkshire family, never knew the county
0:05:50 > 0:05:54until my parents retired there, having grown up myself in Scotland.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56And I just feel I belong there.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59The first time I drove down to see my parents in their new house
0:05:59 > 0:06:01I was going through one of these achingly pretty villages
0:06:01 > 0:06:03that just litter the place down there,
0:06:03 > 0:06:06and I just didn't think that kind of Britain existed any more.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09- But it's all over the place down there, isn't it?- It is. Yeah.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10- It's lovely.- It really is.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12The hunt for their dream home in Yorkshire
0:06:12 > 0:06:14has a new sense of urgency
0:06:14 > 0:06:18as they've already found Fiona's 16-year-old daughter, Iona,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20a school close to where they plan to relocate.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22We've found a really good school in York
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and she's going into boarding until we can get sold
0:06:25 > 0:06:29and moved down ourselves, but she is just so excited about it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33And as well as needing to be in striking distance of York by train
0:06:33 > 0:06:35for Iona's new school,
0:06:35 > 0:06:38the couple also have to consider more than a few felines
0:06:38 > 0:06:40that will be joining them in the move.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42I have eight cats
0:06:42 > 0:06:46and I just seem to keep having more cats!
0:06:46 > 0:06:49And I have two cats,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51which is a bit more normal.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53But the biggest life change
0:06:53 > 0:06:55will be giving up their separate homes
0:06:55 > 0:06:57to buy their first-ever shared home.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01It will be the first time we've been living together.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I think we'll cope all right.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06If not, we'll just have separate living accommodation for ourselves.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- I'll be in my hut at the bottom of the garden, yeah.- You will be, yeah.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16So Fiona and Duncan have committed themselves to a life-changing move
0:07:16 > 0:07:20to more rural surroundings in beautiful Yorkshire.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23They want to be not much more than an hour by train
0:07:23 > 0:07:25from daughter Iona's school in York,
0:07:25 > 0:07:27with a location close to tourist hotspots
0:07:27 > 0:07:30to attract bed-and-breakfast guests.
0:07:30 > 0:07:31So it's time for us
0:07:31 > 0:07:34to get our search started in the county they've fallen in love with.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Well, Fiona and Duncan, welcome to Yorkshire.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41- Good morning.- Good morning, Jules.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44How does it feel to be getting your escape finally under way?
0:07:44 > 0:07:45It's absolutely fantastic.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48It's something I've been waiting on for a very long time.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51So it's great just to be able to finally make the move.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Now, give us an idea of the spec of the property
0:07:53 > 0:07:56that would really work for this business.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Something that's either going to give me enough rooms
0:07:59 > 0:08:00to do a bed and breakfast on site,
0:08:00 > 0:08:03or something that might not have quite as many rooms but has land
0:08:03 > 0:08:06so that I can put on yurts or wigwams or something like,
0:08:06 > 0:08:08and give a kind of camping experience
0:08:08 > 0:08:10or glamping experience to people.
0:08:10 > 0:08:12Now, the glamping experience would play very nicely
0:08:12 > 0:08:14into your horticultural ambition, Duncan.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16It would, because I could play with the outside area
0:08:16 > 0:08:19and get is designed and landscaped so it looks its best
0:08:19 > 0:08:20and gives the guests
0:08:20 > 0:08:23a bit of privacy from each other and what have you, as well.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Wow! So, how many bedrooms do we want?
0:08:25 > 0:08:29It would probably need to be a minimum of four or five bedrooms
0:08:29 > 0:08:31and I need to have a good kitchen.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33That is probably my biggest criteria.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36You've also mentioned doing evening meals,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39so it's not just a B&B, it's a B&B&D - and dinner.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41I'd like to provide that,
0:08:41 > 0:08:43to give them the opportunity to have a meal on site.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46It makes it a more pleasant experience for them to relax
0:08:46 > 0:08:47and enjoy themselves.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50You're very keen to have some separate space for you as a family.
0:08:50 > 0:08:53Exactly. I'm very supportive of the B&B
0:08:53 > 0:08:54and I would enjoy helping out,
0:08:54 > 0:08:57but, yes, I would need to have
0:08:57 > 0:08:59our own private space within it.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Now, just remind me of your budget.
0:09:02 > 0:09:03About £450,000.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08And that would be coming from the sale of my property
0:09:08 > 0:09:11and also there'll be additional monies
0:09:11 > 0:09:12from Duncan's property as well.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- Shall we go?- Let's go.
0:09:14 > 0:09:15Great. Come on, let's go.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23Fiona and Duncan have £450,000 plus some contingency
0:09:23 > 0:09:28to find the perfect place to set up home and start a business.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31They'd like a characterful home in a peaceful location
0:09:31 > 0:09:32with four or five bedrooms
0:09:32 > 0:09:35or enough land to create luxury camping accommodation.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39A good-sized well-appointed kitchen is a must-have for Fiona,
0:09:39 > 0:09:41whilst Duncan wants the option
0:09:41 > 0:09:44of private family space away from guests.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47We've chosen three distinctive properties to show them,
0:09:47 > 0:09:51but we won't be revealing the price until the end of each house tour.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53Our final property is the mystery house
0:09:53 > 0:09:56that aims to challenge them to consider their options
0:09:56 > 0:09:58from a whole new angle.
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Well, to find that dream home and successful business location,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12we're starting off in the village of Beeford,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14located in the East Riding of Yorkshire
0:10:14 > 0:10:16eight miles south of Bridlington
0:10:16 > 0:10:19and a 40-minute journey to daughter Iona's school in York.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24With a population of little over 1,000,
0:10:24 > 0:10:28the village sits around a crossroads and features a couple of pubs,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30a post office and stores,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33a butcher's and a fish-and-chip shop.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Our first property is situated in the heart of the village.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40There you go. What do you reckon?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- It's gorgeous.- It looks massive from the outside, yeah.
0:10:43 > 0:10:47For a modern building, it's got in-built period-type character.
0:10:47 > 0:10:50Now, it's not set up as a B&B at the moment,
0:10:50 > 0:10:52so we really need to think about
0:10:52 > 0:10:55how we reassign some of those areas within it.
0:10:55 > 0:10:59- Right.- It looks like it's promising. It would be nice to see it inside.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Right. Let's see what you think.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04The house was built in the year 2000,
0:11:04 > 0:11:08but with historical influences on the architectural style.
0:11:08 > 0:11:09Its location on a through road
0:11:09 > 0:11:12would make it easier to attract passing B&B guests,
0:11:12 > 0:11:15but will it suit Fiona and Duncan?
0:11:16 > 0:11:20- Now, this is currently the family dining room.- Wow!
0:11:20 > 0:11:23It could be guest dining,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25because it leads into...
0:11:25 > 0:11:27the kitchen, Fiona.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- Wow! That is amazing.- Good grief. - I could live with that.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33Yes. I guess you could live with it.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35Lots of dining space here.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37You could also have your own dining space there,
0:11:37 > 0:11:40which would give you that separation, Duncan,
0:11:40 > 0:11:42between the guests, perhaps next door...
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Yeah.- ..and you as a family in here.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47The kitchen leads at one end
0:11:47 > 0:11:51to the utility room and two sizeable garages.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55The way the ground floor is laid out could easily be divided
0:11:55 > 0:11:58to give Fiona and Duncan accommodation at one end
0:11:58 > 0:12:01and space for guests to relax and dine at the other.
0:12:01 > 0:12:04It would be straightforward to add an owners' entrance into the kitchen
0:12:04 > 0:12:08and convert the garages to private living space.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10At the other end of the ground floor,
0:12:10 > 0:12:12the current living room offers plenty of space
0:12:12 > 0:12:15that could be adapted for Fiona's B&B hospitality.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19There.
0:12:20 > 0:12:21- Good grief.- Wow!- Huge!
0:12:21 > 0:12:24It could be guest dining and guest living room.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29There's enough room in here to put a living space down that area,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31- so you've got it round the fireplace.- Mm-hmm.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35Also it would allow you perhaps to have a couple of separate tables -
0:12:35 > 0:12:37sideboard, breakfast stuff.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39It's got so much potential, it's incredible.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42- You're planning and scheming, aren't you?- I am planning and scheming.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46We currently have four bedrooms for you, so let's go and look at those.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53Now, this does have a fabulous landing,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56which is really nice to see in a modern house.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58- Mmm.- Wow!- There you go.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- It's absolutely huge.- Spacious.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03The landing leads to two good-sized doubles,
0:13:03 > 0:13:05a small box room, a bathroom
0:13:05 > 0:13:08and a very, very generously proportioned master suite.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13- And then finally this enormous space.- Wow!
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- Good grief.- That is huge.- It is.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17That's two bedrooms in one.
0:13:17 > 0:13:22It does have the most fabulous en suite through there with a Jacuzzi.
0:13:22 > 0:13:23- OK.- That sounds wonderful!
0:13:23 > 0:13:27So it's a very, very generously apportioned four-bed family home
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- at the moment. - That wouldn't be enough.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33We'd need to have more letting space to make it a viable business.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36There is one more thing though I want to show you,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38which is out in the garden.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39- OK.- Right.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42- You're going to like this.- OK.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45Now, across the gravel drive there's a garage,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48that's been converted in a rather unexpected way.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52There! Ha-ha. This is a surprise!
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- Ah! A bar!- Oh!- Come on in.
0:13:55 > 0:13:56It could be many things.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00Chequered plate down there, bikes in and a bar.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Oh, the motorcycle. It's a motorcyclist's dream, isn't it?
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Motorbikes and a bar to go with it.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06In the one room.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08There is currently no lawned area outside
0:14:08 > 0:14:12as the surrounding garden has been laid to gravel for low maintenance,
0:14:12 > 0:14:16but this does provide plenty of parking for guests.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22So this is really where you get a sense of the geography.
0:14:22 > 0:14:23All in all, quite a package.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25- The garden - this is it.- Yeah.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28And I'm thinking, for a man like yourself, Duncan,
0:14:28 > 0:14:31with a keen eye for garden design, you could really go to town on this.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34It's a bit of a blank canvas at the moment, there's potential.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37But let's think about the price. What's it worth?
0:14:37 > 0:14:41I would put it round about maybe... under budget slightly,
0:14:41 > 0:14:44- about maybe £435,000?- £435,000.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Fiona's the one who's been doing the research,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48so I'm just purely guessing,
0:14:48 > 0:14:51£475,000, but it's been on the market for a while or something.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52You're hoping.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Actually it's only been on the market for about four months.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- Right.- OK.- You have done your homework well, madam.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02This is on the market for £435,000.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04- Wow!- Oh! Well done!- Bang on!
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Good. Well, look, go inside, have a look around.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- Get creative, use your imagination.- OK.- Will do.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13- I will catch up with you a little bit later. Off you go.- Thank you.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19£15,000 below budget, this recently built home
0:15:19 > 0:15:23has Fiona's dream kitchen and is finished to a high standard.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25But, with just four bedrooms
0:15:25 > 0:15:27and not enough outside space to provide camping,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30Fiona and Duncan would need to get creative
0:15:30 > 0:15:32and spend some money reconfiguring the property
0:15:32 > 0:15:35to give it the accommodation they require.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37It's a good-sized dining area.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- Yeah.- It's got a nice aspect. If that was landscaped outside
0:15:40 > 0:15:43it would be perfect for the guests for their evening.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44Absolutely.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47The kitchen is absolutely to die for
0:15:47 > 0:15:51and it's got loads and loads of potential.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54And I particularly love the way it's modern
0:15:54 > 0:15:57but it's built with all the period features inside it.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00As it stands at the moment, there's not enough as far as bedrooms go,
0:16:00 > 0:16:02it would only give us two letting rooms.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06We really would need to have more letting rooms than that.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08So, we've got one property to come this afternoon
0:16:08 > 0:16:10but, in the meantime, who's for lunch?
0:16:10 > 0:16:13- Sounds good.- Sounds like a good idea.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20Fiona and Duncan's property search
0:16:20 > 0:16:22is not just about a change of location,
0:16:22 > 0:16:25they're looking for a lifestyle change too.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29So we found somewhere to appeal to both Fiona's fondness for cooking
0:16:29 > 0:16:30and Duncan's love of horticulture -
0:16:30 > 0:16:34a herb-grower's near Thirsk, North Yorkshire.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36Alison Dodd left her job in catering
0:16:36 > 0:16:38to set up her business 20 years ago,
0:16:38 > 0:16:42so she's perfectly positioned as a source for local ingredients,
0:16:42 > 0:16:44as well as local knowledge.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Herbs, salad leaves and edible flowers are grown here
0:16:47 > 0:16:51in 90 acres of fields and two further acres of polytunnels.
0:16:51 > 0:16:54How many different types of herbs do you produce here?
0:16:54 > 0:16:56We grow about 16 main herbs,
0:16:56 > 0:16:59you know, that are used generally now by everybody,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02and then I grow different speciality herbs,
0:17:02 > 0:17:05which is what the chefs are looking for, really.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08There must be about another 20 herbs we grow,
0:17:08 > 0:17:13but I trial them every year and some are kept and some move on.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15Most of the herbs are cut by hand,
0:17:15 > 0:17:19then packed and chilled to four degrees within 20 minutes,
0:17:19 > 0:17:20ready to send out.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22A lot of herbs are Mediterranean,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25so they do like it fairly warm and well drained.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29But things like Sweet Cicely and Chervil are woodland herbs,
0:17:29 > 0:17:32so they like it, you know, a bit shadier and a bit damper.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Do you have any top tips for growing herbs at home?
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Grow them near your kitchen door so you don't have far to go for them.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- OK.- And make sure that you keep cutting them.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44And certainly for the annual herbs,
0:17:44 > 0:17:48like your Corianders and Dills, sow them regularly.
0:17:48 > 0:17:49Which are your favourites?
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Well, I think Lemon Verbena has got to be top of the list,
0:17:52 > 0:17:56and although it's still a speciality herb, I'm sure that it will be,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59you know, grown a lot more widely, you know, as time goes on.
0:18:01 > 0:18:05- Thank you.- Thank you. That's got the most amazing smell.
0:18:05 > 0:18:07It's very lemony, but it's got a sweet tinge to it as well.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11That's got a very, very strong lemony flavour.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- Yes. This is super. - Yeah. Quite strong.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15Mmm. It's got a nice bitterness behind it as well.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17And you can use it for sweet or savoury.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19It's nice with chicken. It's good in a panna cotta.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's also good, you know, as a drink on its own.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26A more well-known herb is mint.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30But Alison grows several more unusual varieties,
0:18:30 > 0:18:33including pineapple, banana and even chocolate.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35I've got some chocolate mint here,
0:18:35 > 0:18:37which I thought you might like as tea.
0:18:37 > 0:18:40It's got a very powerful taste and smell of chocolate.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43I'll pop some into here and a few leaves into each,
0:18:43 > 0:18:47and then literally all you do is just pour boiling water onto it
0:18:47 > 0:18:49and then leave it to infuse
0:18:49 > 0:18:52so that the flavour comes through into the tea.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55And it's a very refreshing drink.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- See what you think to them. - Thank you.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00Thank you.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- Right.- OK.- Cheers!- Cheers!
0:19:05 > 0:19:09- Mmm. That is refreshing. Very minty.- Mmm. It is, absolutely.
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Can you taste the chocolate?
0:19:10 > 0:19:12You can, you can taste it coming through as well.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Just round the edges with a mint in the middle.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17And if all goes to plan,
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Duncan and Fiona could be growing their own herbs
0:19:20 > 0:19:22here in Yorkshire very soon.
0:19:27 > 0:19:2945 miles away, our second property
0:19:29 > 0:19:31nestles in the small village of Silpha,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35located in the North York Moors National Park,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38just six miles from Scarborough.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The real attraction here is the beautiful surrounding countryside,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44whilst nearby Scalby provides a small high street
0:19:44 > 0:19:48with boutique shops, a pub, hairdresser's and a chapel,
0:19:48 > 0:19:52all within a five-minute drive of the property in Silpha.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Now, look at this for a view.
0:19:56 > 0:20:01You probably never expected to come escaping to the country in Yorkshire
0:20:01 > 0:20:02and be greeted by the sea?
0:20:02 > 0:20:03- No.- That is incredible.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Lovely view for your yurts or your shepherd's wagons or whatever.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11- Yeah.- And what we've got for you is something a little bit older
0:20:11 > 0:20:12- than property number one.- Uh-huh.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15With this one I think we really should be thinking about
0:20:15 > 0:20:18- what you might want to do out in the paddocks.- Exactly.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23And the whole thing is almost surrounded by just under two acres.
0:20:23 > 0:20:27Now, the other thing to point out is that the owners had sold this
0:20:27 > 0:20:30and they were about 18 hours away from moving out.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- Mm-hmm.- Mm-hmm. - And, sadly, it all fell through.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35So, it is full of boxes.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37- OK.- Right.- They are hot to trot.- OK.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39So, when we get to the price,
0:20:39 > 0:20:41I suspect there is a deal to be done.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44So I think we've got you some business potential outside.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46- Definitely.- Yeah.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- Let's see what we can do with the inside.- Brilliant.- Absolutely.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53This home is a single-storey barn conversion
0:20:53 > 0:20:54configured in an L shape,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57with two wings leading off from the kitchen,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59which is where I want to start.
0:20:59 > 0:21:02Now, ha-ha... Come on in, Fiona.
0:21:04 > 0:21:05Oh, wow!
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Proper farmhouse kitchen.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09This is their primary dining area,
0:21:09 > 0:21:12and the vaulted ceiling with the skylights I think really makes it.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17I was going to say, it's not as posh as property one's kitchen
0:21:17 > 0:21:18but it's more authentic.
0:21:18 > 0:21:23- This is clearly painting more of a picture of the rural dream.- Yes.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- Than property one.- Yeah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26Have to hold ourselves back a bit
0:21:26 > 0:21:29- and keep the practical heads on a bit.- Yes.
0:21:29 > 0:21:32The kitchen sits between two wings of the house.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33I want to start by showing them
0:21:33 > 0:21:36the side I think could be the perfect place
0:21:36 > 0:21:38for their future guests.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42Have a look at this, this is the main living room at the moment.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Not overly big, but very, very nice.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Yeah. This feels more homely to me.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48It's more rustic and you get that sense
0:21:48 > 0:21:51of being more relaxed in this kind of an environment.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53- Remember the L shape?- Mm-hmm.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57This end of it could be their own kind of wing, if you like.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00You've got three bedrooms in this bit. There's one of them.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02- Yeah.- OK. Yeah.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04To be honest, they're not massive.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07- There's the bathroom that serves all of these.- OK.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09And there's another double down there
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- and a much bigger one at the far end.- Right.- Right. OK.
0:22:12 > 0:22:14- None of these are en suite. - Mm-hmm.- All right.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18But if you turned these three bedrooms into two,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21you could have two generous en suites.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23- Two en suites, yeah.- Right. - That would be a good idea.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Otherwise you could treat the whole thing
0:22:25 > 0:22:27essentially as a holiday cottage,
0:22:27 > 0:22:28as family accommodation.
0:22:28 > 0:22:30Ah! You're right. You could go down the holiday-let route.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32Have you thought of that, Fiona?
0:22:32 > 0:22:34I hadn't before, no, to be honest with you,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37- but that would make sense. - That's just presented itself.- Yeah.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39It's a good job you came!
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Come on, let's find you a bedroom.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46The other wing of the house provides a handy utility area
0:22:46 > 0:22:50and a loft room, currently used as a home office.
0:22:50 > 0:22:51It's also home to the master suite,
0:22:51 > 0:22:55where Duncan can find all the relaxing privacy he values
0:22:55 > 0:22:56away from paying guests.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03So there, right off the kitchen is the master suite.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07Good grief. Everything else has been kind of cosy, cosy,
0:23:07 > 0:23:09but this is just a little bit of glam.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11You've got room for your own seating area too.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16It also has a really nice en suite with roll-top bath.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19- Fancy one of those?- Yeah. - Oh, I love it, yeah!
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Now, there's one more bit, that's the courtyard garden.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25Let's have a look at that, you could develop that space into something.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27- Mm-hmm. OK. Cool. - Let's have a look.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30'As well as being surrounded by its own two acres of countryside,
0:23:30 > 0:23:33'the home features a private courtyard garden.'
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- What do you think of this space then, Duncan?- It is lovely.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39A lovely little self-contained sheltered garden
0:23:39 > 0:23:42that just contrasts with all the big, big countryside out the front.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45- It's just a nice space altogether, isn't it?- Mm-hmm.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49- That red-brick element, that's where your garages are.- OK.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52You would gain quite a lot of accommodation
0:23:52 > 0:23:54if you could turn that lot around.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58- Right.- Mm-hmm. It's got so many boxes ticked it's amazing.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00Let's see if we can tick another one, shall we?
0:24:00 > 0:24:01Let's have a think about the price.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05You went first last time, so we'll let Duncan kick it off this time.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08£450,000 is what you really want to spend.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12I think it's probably, just playing it safe, bang on £450,000.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17- Yeah. OK.- I think it might actually be a bit over budget.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20I reckon it might be about £460,000?
0:24:20 > 0:24:23It's £430,000.
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Oh! £430,000!
0:24:26 > 0:24:28- Where do we sign?- Yeah.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32That is amazing. Oh, that makes it doable.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34- Are you excited? - It's been Fiona's dream.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36It's been something that I've thought,
0:24:36 > 0:24:37well, we have to work with somehow,
0:24:37 > 0:24:39But I think I may be buying into the dream here.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42Fantastic. Good. Well, this is our last property of the day,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45so we've got bags of time left over.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Go and have a good old look around.
0:24:47 > 0:24:48- Once again, look at the garages.- Yeah.- OK.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51- I will catch up with you a little bit later.- Lovely.- Thank you.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53- Off you go.- Thank you.
0:24:53 > 0:24:54Brilliant. Well, there we are.
0:24:54 > 0:24:59Maybe we are finally beginning to realise Fiona's dream of a B&B,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01but not just any B&B -
0:25:01 > 0:25:04here in North Yorkshire a B&B by the sea.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09With a price tag that leaves them £20,000 to play with,
0:25:09 > 0:25:11this L-shaped barn conversion
0:25:11 > 0:25:14may only have four bedrooms in its current state,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17but it's rural coastal location and sizeable plot
0:25:17 > 0:25:19give it the potential
0:25:19 > 0:25:22to be everything Duncan and Fiona have dreamt of.
0:25:22 > 0:25:23There is plenty of scope here
0:25:23 > 0:25:25to create a bed and breakfast or glamping business
0:25:25 > 0:25:29without compromising that all-important private family space.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Wow! This is quite a big space.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36It is. This, in addition to what we've already got,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38it's everything we've been looking for.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41- It is. It's absolutely... It is a perfect place.- Mm-hmm.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44It could be made such a really good business
0:25:44 > 0:25:45and a really good home for us.
0:25:45 > 0:25:47It's amazing, coming into this house.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50It's a completely different feeling from the first house.
0:25:50 > 0:25:55I could see us being happy here and I could see it being our new home.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58I'm starting to believe this could actually happen now.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00It's always been Fiona's dream,
0:26:00 > 0:26:03but seeing this place has changed that for me,
0:26:03 > 0:26:05yes, I have bought into the dream, as it were.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Absolutely gorgeous, isn't it? - Quite a spot, isn't it?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- It is. It's absolutely amazing. - Have we sold it to you?
0:26:11 > 0:26:13- I think you might have.- Yeah.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- OK. That's it for the house tours today.- OK.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19However, they do make some pretty good beer up here.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21That's what I'm thinking about. Shall we?
0:26:21 > 0:26:23- I don't see why not.- Sure.
0:26:32 > 0:26:34It's day two on our house search
0:26:34 > 0:26:37for a property to fulfil Fiona and Duncan's dream move
0:26:37 > 0:26:40from Edinburgh's commuter belt in East Lothian
0:26:40 > 0:26:42to the rural surroundings of Yorkshire.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44With a £450,000 budget,
0:26:44 > 0:26:47it'll be their first home together.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50But Fiona wants somewhere to host a bed-and-breakfast business,
0:26:50 > 0:26:53whilst Duncan craves more private family living.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56And we've still got a mystery house up our sleeves.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58That's thrown a spanner in the works, hasn't it?
0:26:58 > 0:27:00It has. It's totally given us something to think about.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03And I'll be learning about the art of ploughing
0:27:03 > 0:27:06from a Six Nations champion, home-grown in Yorkshire.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Right then. We're all set.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Keep it tugging against the furrow, Jules.
0:27:14 > 0:27:19Well, yesterday it was all about trying to find Fiona her B&B.
0:27:19 > 0:27:23A place where she could satisfy her growing culinary ambitions.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26But Duncan, well, he still has his concerns
0:27:26 > 0:27:29about immersing himself in the whole B&B world.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31But at property number two
0:27:31 > 0:27:33all of those worries seemed to go out of the window
0:27:33 > 0:27:35as they came together,
0:27:35 > 0:27:38sharing a vision as to what that building could give them
0:27:38 > 0:27:40for the future.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43And I have to confess, last night I thought our job was done.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45Is it worth showing them another property?
0:27:45 > 0:27:47Well, of course it is, and we have one more to come -
0:27:47 > 0:27:49it's our mystery house.
0:27:49 > 0:27:50Now, I can assure you
0:27:50 > 0:27:54this is something they will not have looked at in the past,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56but I do think it could give them
0:27:56 > 0:27:59a particularly nice life for the future.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04With the challenge set,
0:28:04 > 0:28:06we're heading back to the East Riding of Yorkshire
0:28:06 > 0:28:10and the village of Huggate, located in the Yorkshire Wolds,
0:28:10 > 0:28:1313 miles northwest of the town of Beverley.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16Huggate is an archetypal Yorkshire village
0:28:16 > 0:28:19with a green, a duck pond, church and pub.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22It's surrounded by popular footpaths,
0:28:22 > 0:28:24including the 79-mile Wolds Way,
0:28:24 > 0:28:26which is located close to our final property
0:28:26 > 0:28:28in the centre of the village.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33So this is it, guys - our mystery house.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37And what we've got for you is a really exciting proposition.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42Because this one is predicated upon your passion for cooking, Fiona,
0:28:42 > 0:28:47and your desire to have a separate life away from the business.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49- Right.- OK.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52Lovely four-bedroom mystery house.
0:28:52 > 0:28:56- And, over here, what is currently a tearoom.- Wow!
0:28:56 > 0:28:58It was closed about nine years ago
0:28:58 > 0:29:02and everybody who walks this route regularly is forever saying,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05"When is the tearoom going to reopen?"
0:29:05 > 0:29:08- OK.- So it was a known spot on the way, then?
0:29:08 > 0:29:12Absolutely. This is a turnkey business. It's ready to go.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14My first question, though,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17is do we start with the house or the business.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21- Oh! The business.- I thought so. - Let's go.- Come this way.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27The tearoom was converted from a forge, originally built in 1898.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30On busy Bank Holiday weekends,
0:29:30 > 0:29:33they had a turnover of £800.
0:29:33 > 0:29:34Come in.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38- Oh! Look at this.- Bonnie!
0:29:38 > 0:29:41- Isn't that lovely? - So much character.
0:29:41 > 0:29:44Well, they've taken the fact that it was the old blacksmith's forge -
0:29:44 > 0:29:48quite literally they've created this sort of cameo
0:29:48 > 0:29:50of the blacksmith's shop,
0:29:50 > 0:29:53and everything you see will stay.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55That is amazing, isn't it?
0:29:55 > 0:29:58I'm not surprised the walkers want it opened up again, that's for sure.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Come and have a look over here. The fire is rather nice,
0:30:00 > 0:30:01and cosy as well.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Again, a nice allusion to the old forge itself
0:30:05 > 0:30:07- and all the tools and bits and pieces.- Yeah.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10The thought of not having to do everything from scratch
0:30:10 > 0:30:11and build up a customer base
0:30:11 > 0:30:14and just know that you'd come straight in
0:30:14 > 0:30:16and start living the dream and doing it is great.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20Accommodation here is a four-bedroom house.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24Built in 1987, it's been designed with a sympathetic nod
0:30:24 > 0:30:27to the Edwardian era, in keeping with the tearoom.
0:30:29 > 0:30:32There we are, your second kitchen.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34- This is nice, isn't it? - It's very nice.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37- It's a smaller kitchen but it's perfectly workable.- Yeah.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39it's a domestic kitchen and it's nice and clean and modern.
0:30:39 > 0:30:42You've got that lovely range there, pumping out loads of heat.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45Well, that'll be mine then, because you'll be playing down in the forge.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47And I think, with this one, of course,
0:30:47 > 0:30:49we can indulge ourselves a little more,
0:30:49 > 0:30:52because we're thinking of it not as a B&B and a business
0:30:52 > 0:30:54but, actually, as a simple family home.
0:30:54 > 0:30:55- Yeah.- Yeah.- Exactly.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- That'll put a big smile on your face as well.- Yeah.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02The ground floor also offers a utility area
0:31:02 > 0:31:06and a dining room which is currently being used as a snug.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08And then this is your main living room
0:31:08 > 0:31:11with, I suppose, something of a sort of dining area as well.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13It's a perfectly good size, isn't it?
0:31:13 > 0:31:16It is, and it looks like it's been properly, thoughtfully built in,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18and not just tacked on.
0:31:18 > 0:31:19Isn't it nice being able to relax
0:31:19 > 0:31:22- and just think about a home rather than a business?- Yes.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25And it is nice to have your own space at the end of the day
0:31:25 > 0:31:26to get back to.
0:31:26 > 0:31:28- Oh! Isn't it just.- Yeah. Yeah.
0:31:28 > 0:31:31So I came to your camp yesterday, now you're coming to my camp today.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33Yeah. Well, as long as you both agree.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37Upstairs there are three bedrooms
0:31:37 > 0:31:41serviced by a family bathroom and an additional master en suite.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46And this one we've kept for you.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48- This is quite a good size, isn't it? - It is. It's a lovely size.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Cosy but not cramped.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52And you've got the en-suite shower room in there.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- A lovely job of the dormer as well. - I like that.
0:31:55 > 0:31:56It's nice, having the beams.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00I didn't think anything could make me doubt yesterday,
0:32:00 > 0:32:02but this has made me doubt yesterday.
0:32:02 > 0:32:04Good. Well, that's the idea about the mystery house.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06There is one more bit I want to show you,
0:32:06 > 0:32:08and that is the garden, Duncan.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11There is no land here to offer camping,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13but the garden includes a well-maintained lawn,
0:32:13 > 0:32:17woodland walk, shed, summer house and a greenhouse.
0:32:17 > 0:32:21- The garden has been beautifully developed.- It has.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23That green door goes through to a bit of woodland
0:32:23 > 0:32:25and all of these little outbuildings
0:32:25 > 0:32:28the current owner has built lovingly.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30So, plenty, I think, to give this garden interest,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32- even though it's not acres.- Yeah.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35And you've got the greenhouse, you've got veg,
0:32:35 > 0:32:37eggs and apples, all for your little bistro.
0:32:37 > 0:32:39Yeah. Home produce right on the doorstep.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41There's nothing to be done here.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I wouldn't want to change a thing, really.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45OK. So, the price, then?
0:32:45 > 0:32:46I do think that might be over budget.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48I think it might be £455,000.
0:32:48 > 0:32:52- Mm-hmm.- Mmm. I'm going to agree with Fiona and say £455,000.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55Well, if it were, I think it would be worth stretching to.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58However, we can take the pressure off,
0:32:58 > 0:33:03because this is on the market at...£438,000.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05Good God!
0:33:05 > 0:33:06- And open to sensible offers.- OK.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09Right. So 8,000 more than yesterday.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11Mm-hmm. And no set-up costs.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13That's thrown a spanner in the works, hasn't it?
0:33:13 > 0:33:16That's totally given us something to think about.
0:33:16 > 0:33:19- You have got a lot to consider. - Yeah.- And a lot to explore.- Mm-hmm.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23- Go on. Off you go. Take your time. - OK.- Thank you.- OK. Thank you.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26Well, I am absolutely delighted.
0:33:26 > 0:33:29We do get spoilt, to be honest, with our mystery houses,
0:33:29 > 0:33:30but every now and then,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33one does come along which is absolutely sensational
0:33:33 > 0:33:37and, for these two, this property, with this proposition,
0:33:37 > 0:33:38I think, is perfect.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42£12,000 below their budget,
0:33:42 > 0:33:44the mystery house offers a viable business
0:33:44 > 0:33:47that would let Fiona cook to her heart's content.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49Plus a separate family home
0:33:49 > 0:33:52to provide Duncan with the private space he craves.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55Its idyllic location, close to popular footpaths,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59offers both rural seclusion and a regular source of customers.
0:33:59 > 0:34:01And, what's more, it's 40 minutes by car
0:34:01 > 0:34:04to daughter Iona's school in York.
0:34:04 > 0:34:08It's got so much potential to it and...what would I change in here?
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- Surely this is all already there, ready to go?- Oh, yeah.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13And when you're cooking in here and that's on,
0:34:13 > 0:34:15it's going to be a lovely, cosy little place.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17That would be fantastic.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21The mystery house has really made me consider something else.
0:34:21 > 0:34:23Another option I wouldn't have even thought about.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26This has really thrown us into a bit of a dilemma,
0:34:26 > 0:34:28so this is going to be interesting.
0:34:28 > 0:34:32Fiona and I, I think, both had our minds made up yesterday
0:34:32 > 0:34:34and this morning was going to be a formality,
0:34:34 > 0:34:36but it really has messed things up.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40A Scottish saying - our heads are full of mince at the minute.
0:34:40 > 0:34:44I'm so pleased we've been able to show this too you.
0:34:44 > 0:34:46It's something else, it really is.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48- Could be yours.- It could be.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50- It could be.- All you've got to do is say yes!
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- We'll think about. - Hold your thoughts.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- In the meantime, who's for a cup of tea?- Yes.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00Because we can't get one here now! Come on. OK.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12Farming has been central to the fabric of Yorkshire for centuries.
0:35:12 > 0:35:13And the region continues to have
0:35:13 > 0:35:17one of the strongest agricultural economies in England and Wales.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20So, it's fitting that York is set to play host
0:35:20 > 0:35:23to the World Ploughing Championships in 2016.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25To find out more about competitive ploughing,
0:35:25 > 0:35:27also known as match ploughing,
0:35:27 > 0:35:30I'm meeting Six Nations champion David Tomlinson
0:35:30 > 0:35:32at his Yorkshire farm near Deighton.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- David, how are you, sir? - Good morning, Jules.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41It's very nice to see you. This is an absolute beauty.
0:35:41 > 0:35:43This is my pride and joy.
0:35:43 > 0:35:48David's competition tractor is a 1971 Ford 3000,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51which he's owned and competed with for the last decade.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54- This is immaculate. Did you restore this machine, David?- Yes.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57This tractor spent most of its life on the North Yorkshire Moors,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00with a box on the back, feeding sheep.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02And when I bought it, it was in a sorry state.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05And a pal helped me restore it to its original...
0:36:05 > 0:36:09When it left the factory in the early '70s.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12But what is it all about, for anybody not in the know?
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Match ploughing, it's not about speed,
0:36:14 > 0:36:17it's just absolute attention to detail.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Straightness is important. No weeds showing.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23But you don't have to be a farmer to get involved?
0:36:23 > 0:36:25No. We have all kinds of tradesman.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28They sometimes plough better than the farmer.
0:36:28 > 0:36:29The reason being is that
0:36:29 > 0:36:32the farmer just wants to get the field ploughed quickly and sown,
0:36:32 > 0:36:35but, you know, attention to detail is very important.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38Well, your beautiful rig is all set up and ready to go.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40Just talk us through the anatomy of a plough.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42OK. Well, this is a proper match plough.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45This part here is called a moldboard.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48That turns the soil, inverts the soil over.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52The disc here, the disc coulter, that cuts the furrow.
0:36:52 > 0:36:55For the classic class David competes in,
0:36:55 > 0:37:00furrows must be kept to a strict depth of 17cm and even in width.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03So he needs to make skilful adjustments
0:37:03 > 0:37:05with the various handles and levers
0:37:05 > 0:37:07that control the ploughing mechanism.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09It'll be fascinating to see how it all works.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11- Yes.- From the hands of a champion.
0:37:11 > 0:37:13Well, I'll tell you what, Jules, I'll have a go,
0:37:13 > 0:37:15you walk behind the plough
0:37:15 > 0:37:17so you've got a nice understanding of the plough,
0:37:17 > 0:37:19and then I think it's time for you to have a go.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23OK, Jules, and off we go.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29See how the skimmers are peeling the stubble off, Jules?
0:37:29 > 0:37:30Beautifully, yeah.
0:37:31 > 0:37:35There are over 200 affiliated ploughing societies in the country
0:37:35 > 0:37:39with matches every weekend in autumn and early spring.
0:37:39 > 0:37:40During the competition,
0:37:40 > 0:37:44each ploughman is given a maximum of four hours
0:37:44 > 0:37:47to complete a 75-metre by 15-metre patch.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51That's considerably longer than the average farmer would take
0:37:51 > 0:37:53to complete an entire field.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56This levelling-box is keeping the furrows level.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59Yeah. You're doing a beautiful job.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01Barely a scrap of stubble.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03Yeah, that's not too bad actually. I'd be quite pleased
0:38:03 > 0:38:06- if it was doing a job like that at a ploughing match.- Yeah?
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Well, this should be now 17cm deep.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17And it's 17cm.
0:38:18 > 0:38:19- Well done, mate.- Thank you.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21It's absolutely beautifully done.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23A little bit of practice and we'll have you there.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25I can't wait to get going. Come on, let's get on.
0:38:30 > 0:38:31Just drive forward slowly
0:38:31 > 0:38:35until the front furrows into its working depth, and off you go.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Right, then. We're all set.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41Keep it tugging against the furrow, Jules.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42He's doing a good job.
0:38:43 > 0:38:48Humans first started ploughing British soil around 6,000 years ago.
0:38:48 > 0:38:51But the introduction of tractors in the last century
0:38:51 > 0:38:53saw great leaps in productivity.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56The quality of furrows can influence crop yields,
0:38:56 > 0:38:58so ploughing skills aren't just about medals,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00they can boost profits.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Ah! That was brilliant.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06For the first time you've driven a tractor and a plough,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08I think that's a pretty good job.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10The furrows look nice and even.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12Shall we get the tape measure out and see if it's 17cm?
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Oh, yes. All right, then. Yeah.
0:39:15 > 0:39:1817cm, spot-on. Well done, Jules! Well done.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21I'm not sure I would really be ready to enter a competition just yet,
0:39:21 > 0:39:24but it is one of those things that anybody can have a go at.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26- Absolutely. - Well, good luck to you, sir.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28I'm sure there will be many more trophies to come.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30I hope so. Thank you very much, Jules.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Well, this week Fiona and Duncan came to us
0:39:34 > 0:39:36with some pretty grand ambitions,
0:39:36 > 0:39:37so where better to find out
0:39:37 > 0:39:40if we've managed to help them realise those dreams
0:39:40 > 0:39:44than here in the rather lovely surroundings of Scampston Hall.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47Although, sadly, THIS isn't for sale.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57- Hello, Fiona.- Hello. - Hello, Duncan.- Hello, Julies.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59Now, we have left you to ruminate
0:39:59 > 0:40:03- and think upon all that we have shown you.- Yeah.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05Have we managed to find you a viable proposition?
0:40:05 > 0:40:08We haven't actually discussed with each other
0:40:08 > 0:40:09what our thoughts are as yet.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Hang on a minute. So you've been thinking on your own individually.
0:40:12 > 0:40:15- Yeah.- Yeah, we have.- And you haven't actually shared a discussion?
0:40:15 > 0:40:18- We thought it would be fun to do that now.- So you've waited for me?
0:40:18 > 0:40:21- Yeah.- Yes.- To be the arbiter of this conversation
0:40:21 > 0:40:23and, I suspect, some negotiation.
0:40:23 > 0:40:28OK. Well, you gave us quite a number - you know, a business,
0:40:28 > 0:40:32a new life, a B&B in Yorkshire,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34for £450,000.
0:40:34 > 0:40:36We had only three options to give you,
0:40:36 > 0:40:39to try and turn that dream into some sort of a reality.
0:40:39 > 0:40:41Fiona, what have you been thinking?
0:40:41 > 0:40:43I think there are two properties
0:40:43 > 0:40:46that we are going to have to revisit again,
0:40:46 > 0:40:47which is property number two
0:40:47 > 0:40:49and the mystery house.
0:40:49 > 0:40:53But you've not discussed this yet with Duncan. What does Duncan think?
0:40:53 > 0:40:58If she wants to go and view two again, we can go and view two again.
0:40:58 > 0:40:59Do you think you need to view two?
0:40:59 > 0:41:01I don't think I do, no.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03I would go for the mystery house.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06It tied in with something I'd suggested to Fiona
0:41:06 > 0:41:08a couple of times and she hadn't seemed interested in.
0:41:08 > 0:41:12And she just seemed to totally go for it there and then.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17And you've got the aspect of it being a business that's ready to go
0:41:17 > 0:41:19and saving the money as well.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23Might I venture to say that I think he's talking a lot of sense?
0:41:23 > 0:41:28As regards the fact that the mystery house is a business raring to go.
0:41:28 > 0:41:30Yeah. I do agree with that as well.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32And I do have to say that I felt such a buzz
0:41:32 > 0:41:36when I got into that little cafe and behind the little kitchen
0:41:36 > 0:41:39and looking out and thinking what could possibly happen there.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42What are you going to do about it? What happens next?
0:41:42 > 0:41:43I think we definitely need to go back
0:41:43 > 0:41:46and see the mystery house again, without any shadow of a doubt,
0:41:46 > 0:41:48and take Iona along with us as well.
0:41:48 > 0:41:51Yeah. The Scottish end has to come together quick now.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54Well, guys, it's been an absolute pleasure.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57I am hugely delighted, and as relieved as you both are,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01to think that we've now found you, I hope, a property and a business
0:42:01 > 0:42:04that really could help you map out your futures.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- So, here's to you.- Thank you. - Oh, thank you very much.
0:42:11 > 0:42:14You know, there are those who liken property hunting to an art,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18but there are times when it can feel like more of a science.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22Buyers, like buildings, have their own fingerprints, their own DNA,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25but trying to get a perfect match between the two
0:42:25 > 0:42:27can prove notoriously difficult.
0:42:27 > 0:42:30But, this week, I do think we've been able to do it.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34So, once again, Yorkshire seems to have worked its magic.
0:42:34 > 0:42:36And, maybe after all, the locals are right -
0:42:36 > 0:42:38perhaps it is God's own country.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Fiona and Duncan went back for a second viewing of the mystery house
0:42:44 > 0:42:46and are still considering making an offer.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49Their houses remain on the market.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51If you would like to escape to the country
0:42:51 > 0:42:54in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
0:42:54 > 0:43:00and would like our help, then please apply online, at...