0:00:02 > 0:00:05Today, I'm at the border of two counties separated by a unique boundary.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07So where am I? Stay tuned to find out.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27On today's show, we're helping a couple of expats find a home
0:00:27 > 0:00:30back in England after 22 years abroad.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33- And we hit the ground running... - Nice floor as well.
0:00:33 > 0:00:34Oh, wonderful flagstones, look.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38- The floor's quite nice.- The floor, the floor! You and your floors.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- He always likes his floors.- He does.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42..before eventually finding our feet.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45We thought it was just in our dreams, didn't we?
0:00:45 > 0:00:47It exists, and you're in it.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53Today, we're in Devon, but only just, because the trees over there,
0:00:53 > 0:00:54they're in Cornwall.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57The Tamar here runs almost the entire length
0:00:57 > 0:00:59of the border between the two counties,
0:00:59 > 0:01:02a perfect natural boundary.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05It starts in north Cornwall, about four miles inland,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08just below the town of Bude, and travels 50 miles south
0:01:08 > 0:01:11to meet the English Channel at Plymouth in Devon.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14On its way, the river runs through an area that was designated
0:01:14 > 0:01:18as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1991,
0:01:18 > 0:01:21and supports a whole range of wildlife on its journey
0:01:21 > 0:01:24through some of the UK's finest countryside.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30The West Country county of Devon shares its border with Cornwall
0:01:30 > 0:01:34in the west and Somerset and Dorset in the east.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39Devon is home to two national parks, the largest of which is Dartmoor -
0:01:39 > 0:01:44almost 400 square miles of dramatic moorland with exposed granite tors,
0:01:44 > 0:01:49glistening streams and rivers, and its own indigenous breed of pony.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52The Dartmoor landscape still bears the scars
0:01:52 > 0:01:55of its industrial past.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Locally quarried granite has been used in famous British landmarks
0:01:58 > 0:02:02such as Nelson's Column, and tin has been mined here
0:02:02 > 0:02:04since medieval times.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07The tin industry centred on prosperous market towns
0:02:07 > 0:02:08such as Tavistock,
0:02:08 > 0:02:12where the profitable metal was assessed and sold.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Set amongst Dartmoor's wide open wilderness
0:02:15 > 0:02:18are a number of picturesque villages, such as Lustleigh,
0:02:18 > 0:02:23which features thatched cottages and a 12th-century church at its centre.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27The region is the source of much of the county's drinking water,
0:02:27 > 0:02:30stored in a number of man-made reservoirs, including
0:02:30 > 0:02:35Roadford Lake, the largest area of freshwater in the Southwest.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38With appealing villages, moody moorland and two separate
0:02:38 > 0:02:43coastlines, such rich variety gives Devon an enduring appeal.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49At the moment, the average price of a detached house here in Devon
0:02:49 > 0:02:52is edging just over £300,000.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55That's around 30,000 more than the national average.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59And if you head to the coastal resorts of Salcombe in the south,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02you may have to dig a little deeper, as it's now one of the most
0:03:02 > 0:03:05expensive seaside towns in the whole country.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08But in the north and the east of the county,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11there are plenty of properties available for considerably less
0:03:11 > 0:03:14than the national average. Some of them are even on the coast.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18With all this in mind, let's meet today's buyers.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Childhood sweethearts Roger and Paulette
0:03:20 > 0:03:24have been married for 45 years and recently returned from France,
0:03:24 > 0:03:27where they'd living for more than two decades.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30Their temporary home is a semi-detached property
0:03:30 > 0:03:32in Alderholt, Dorset.
0:03:32 > 0:03:33With their two grown-up daughters
0:03:33 > 0:03:36and four grandchildren back in the UK, Roger and Paulette
0:03:36 > 0:03:40want to spend the next chapter seeing much more of their family.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44The reason we decided to move back to the UK was the fact that we
0:03:44 > 0:03:47weren't seeing the grandchildren and they were rapidly growing up.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50Roger won't mind me saying that he never got his head
0:03:50 > 0:03:52around the French language.
0:03:52 > 0:03:56Also the property now is just much too large for us,
0:03:56 > 0:04:00so we would like to create the same kind of dream, but in Devon,
0:04:00 > 0:04:02if possible, on a smaller scale.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04And the couple have had their hearts set on Devon
0:04:04 > 0:04:09since spending their honeymoon in the county's famous national park.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12We have always had a love affair with Dartmoor.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14It's just something that magical that happens
0:04:14 > 0:04:19when we drive into the moor. It feels wonderful.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Until her retirement, Paulette ran a theatrical business
0:04:23 > 0:04:26and Roger is a freelance photographer.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Now that he's reduced his workload, they'll both be able to enjoy
0:04:29 > 0:04:33their hobbies, including a shared love of ping-pong.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35My wife has always said, wherever we go,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37"Can we have a table tennis table?"
0:04:37 > 0:04:40Because she's a fiend at table tennis, and she always wins.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44So we have got a table tennis table, and we will hopefully be able
0:04:44 > 0:04:46to put it on something level rather than on hills.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49Yes, we've got a sloping garden here, which is a bit awkward.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52And as well as providing a space for the ping-pong table,
0:04:52 > 0:04:55they'd also like a garden that attracts animals.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58I love wildlife, and particularly birds.
0:04:58 > 0:05:03Roger did promise me, for my 60th birthday, an owl box.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07Five years later, I'm still waiting for it, and I would love one.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11I know my children find it hilarious when I get really excited
0:05:11 > 0:05:16- when I see a bird. But it does excite me.- I know, it does.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Although they've sold their French home,
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Roger and Paulette still need to sell a second property in Alderholt,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24which is currently on the market.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27They're under no illusions that the Devon move will be a life-changing
0:05:27 > 0:05:30experience, but they're looking forward to it.
0:05:30 > 0:05:32It was very, very hard to leave France.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35The reasons for coming back all made absolute sense,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38but it was still extremely difficult.
0:05:38 > 0:05:42I think the move means a tremendous amount to our family.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44The grandchildren are already excited.
0:05:44 > 0:05:48They're talking to us all the time about what we're going to do,
0:05:48 > 0:05:51and the dogs were going to get, and the Jeep we're going to buy,
0:05:51 > 0:05:53and the fun we're going to have.
0:05:53 > 0:05:57So it means a lot to our family, which means a lot to us.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Our buyers would like us to concentrate our search
0:06:08 > 0:06:12in and around the fringes of the Dartmoor National Park.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17I'm meeting up with them on Dartmoor to go over their property wish list.
0:06:17 > 0:06:21Roger, Paulette, welcome to Devon. How does this compare to France?
0:06:21 > 0:06:23You can't beat Dartmoor. There's nothing like Dartmoor in France.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26- There's something romantic about Dartmoor, isn't there?- Absolutely.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28You can't describe it,
0:06:28 > 0:06:31but there's something about this place we absolutely adore.
0:06:31 > 0:06:32- Right, let's get down to business. - Mm.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36How do you want your house to look and feel?
0:06:36 > 0:06:39We love old and quirky.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41We like character.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Paulette and I will know the instant we see something if it's right.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- It always has been the case. - We always agree.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49It's the ambiance of the whole place, it's the feeling.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51Like in Dartmoor, you just love it.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53So you're going to go with your gut,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57- but what are the practical things that you need?- Well, you say.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00We need two bathrooms because when there are ten of us
0:07:00 > 0:07:02- all staying together, that is a must.- Yeah.
0:07:02 > 0:07:07We would like to have four bedrooms, and a reasonable sized garden,
0:07:07 > 0:07:08not huge,
0:07:08 > 0:07:12but enough room to do various things like maybe have a barn owl
0:07:12 > 0:07:14who comes to visit us, apart from lots of space for the children
0:07:14 > 0:07:18- to play in.- A large kitchen in which one could have
0:07:18 > 0:07:21- a really enormous table.- Yeah.
0:07:21 > 0:07:26Hub of the family, eating and having fun. A snug.
0:07:26 > 0:07:27A snug would be great, wouldn't it?
0:07:27 > 0:07:30We did have a snug in France, and it was a very special place.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32The children used to love going down there.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35They used to think it was a proper cinema. Well, the little ones did.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Yes, they did. Absolutely.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Are there any things that would absolutely put you off a property?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43- I think it needs to be detached. - Mm.- Would you say?
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- We'd prefer detached, yes. - I mean, we've done...
0:07:46 > 0:07:49We've done communal living before, which was great.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52- But we don't want to do it again. - So, neighbours, but not too close?
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Yeah.- Yeah, absolutely. - And remind me of your budget.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00It's £450,000, but we could possibly push it just a little bit further.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03Maximum, absolute maximum, £475,000.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05Roger, you know I'm going to take the high figure.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07475,000, thank you. very much.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10475,000, but may be knocked down to 450,000.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13That's a lovely sized budget for this area, and I really think
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- we can find you something fantastic. - Good.- Well, I hope so.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Are you ready?- Yeah, let's go. - Thank you very much.
0:08:22 > 0:08:27With a maximum budget of £475,000 to spend,
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Roger and Paulette are after an older detached house with character.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34It must have at least four bedrooms,
0:08:34 > 0:08:37a large kitchen that should feel like the hub of the home,
0:08:37 > 0:08:41and a reasonably sized garden for when the grandchildren come to stay.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Ideally, they'd like a snug in addition to the main living room,
0:08:44 > 0:08:48and some degree of privacy from the neighbours.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52We've lined up three quirky Devon homes to whet Roger and Paulette's
0:08:52 > 0:08:55appetite, but I'll only reveal the price of each property
0:08:55 > 0:08:57at the end of the viewings.
0:08:57 > 0:09:01With our final offering, the mystery house, could the neighbours prove
0:09:01 > 0:09:02too close for comfort?
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Our first property is located just outside the village
0:09:09 > 0:09:13of Broadwoodwidger, to the west of the Dartmoor National Park
0:09:13 > 0:09:16and close to the Cornish border.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Standing on a steep hill overlooking the Wolf Valley,
0:09:19 > 0:09:21Broadwoodwidger has a real rural charm
0:09:21 > 0:09:26and centres on a village green and 15th-century church.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28The nearby village of Lifton is larger
0:09:28 > 0:09:31and provides a range of amenities for locals and visitors
0:09:31 > 0:09:34to the national park, including two hotels.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40Set into the hillside a mile from Broadwoodwidger and with unrivalled
0:09:40 > 0:09:44southerly views across to the national park is our first house.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48So the sun has come out just in time for our first viewing.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52- Oh, this is lovely.- What an amazing view.- Isn't that gorgeous?
0:09:52 > 0:09:56- Look at that. That beats a river in France.- I think it does.
0:09:56 > 0:10:01- That is lovely.- Devon one, France nil.- So far, yes!- Absolutely.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03- Definitely.- And what do you think of the property itself?
0:10:03 > 0:10:07- It looks very interesting.- It's not modern, I can tell you that.- No, no.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- I can see that.- Cob walls.- Oh, brilliant.- Some stone there, too.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13- It looks really interesting. - Sweet little windows.
0:10:13 > 0:10:17- Let's see if the inside is just as good.- Please.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21'Part of a former farm complex, this traditional cob and stone farmhouse
0:10:21 > 0:10:23'has been improved by the current vendor,
0:10:23 > 0:10:27'but still retains many original features inside.'
0:10:27 > 0:10:31So I wanted to bring you into the dining room first, because
0:10:31 > 0:10:35I think this room really shows off the quirkiness of the house.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38- It certainly does.- Yes, it does. It's a good size for a dining room.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42- And a proper wooden floor. Not a laminate.- No, it's very, very nice.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- And the dining room leads straight to the kitchen.- OK.- Good.
0:10:49 > 0:10:54- Come in.- Mm. This is a very, very adorable kitchen.
0:10:54 > 0:10:56- How is this for size?- It's good.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Because you have the dining room as well.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01It's still big enough to put a huge table in here.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03- Well, even a round table could go in here.- Yes.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05It looks like our kind of kitchen.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10- It's not all matching and it's all a bit quirky.- Yeah.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13I like the floor as well. So that's two lots of floors.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15I like the floor, I like the window out onto the garden.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18- It's very us, isn't it?- Oh, yeah.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21This is just the sort of kitchen you always imagined you'd have.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- Yes, it is.- Isn't it? Even to the plate rack.- Aye.
0:11:26 > 0:11:28An excellent start to our first house tour.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32The rustic feel of the farmhouse kitchen seems to appeal
0:11:32 > 0:11:34to Roger and Paulette's taste.
0:11:34 > 0:11:36Just to the back of the kitchen, there's a spacious outhouse
0:11:36 > 0:11:39providing rear access to the garden.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42It incorporates a utility room with a sink, a workshop
0:11:42 > 0:11:44and boiler room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47At the other end of the house, there is a study leading
0:11:47 > 0:11:50to a washroom, offering potential for a downstairs bedroom
0:11:50 > 0:11:53as well as the main sitting room.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54- Look at that view.- Mm.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Wherever you look out, there's a wonderful view.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- And we've got furniture just like that that can go there.- Yep.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Everything we have would fit. - With a lot of thought, it would.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06There are some things that are very tall that probably wouldn't.
0:12:06 > 0:12:08On the other hand, they didn't fit in our previous place.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10No, so it's decision time, isn't it?
0:12:10 > 0:12:13There's no reason why we can't lose a few things.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16It sounds as though our buyers are already making plans to move in
0:12:16 > 0:12:18and we've yet to see upstairs.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22'The main staircase provides access to three good-sized bedrooms,'
0:12:22 > 0:12:25including an L-shaped room being used as a study
0:12:25 > 0:12:28and a smaller double, both with views to the front.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32There's also a family bathroom with a Jack and Jill arrangement.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36A second staircase in the kitchen leads up to the fourth bedroom,
0:12:36 > 0:12:42- which could make a good guest room. And finally, there's the master.- Oh!
0:12:42 > 0:12:44This is one of four bedrooms upstairs.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- And there's a little en suite shower room just there.- Perfect. Perfect.
0:12:47 > 0:12:50- Bonus. It's a proper cottage bedroom.- It certainly is.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53- You couldn't define it any more than that, could you?- No.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57- So that's the inside of the house. - Good. Love it.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59- Yes.- Absolutely.- We do.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03- But you want to see the outside as well?- Yes, please.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Because it's the first thing that hits you when you see this. The view.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Let's go and fully appreciate the outside.- Go on, then.- OK.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Take us out to the garden.
0:13:13 > 0:13:14At just under an acre,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17the grounds include a pretty walled garden at the front of the house,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20a large paddock with southerly views,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22as well as a young apple orchard.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25The property also comes with a range of outbuildings
0:13:25 > 0:13:27including a stable block and a disused piggery
0:13:27 > 0:13:32which could be converted, subject to planning permission.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35One acre of garden, or just under, is just right, isn't it?
0:13:35 > 0:13:37- It's perfect for us. - And it's in separate little areas.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39It's not just one.
0:13:39 > 0:13:40But you feel as if you've got more
0:13:40 > 0:13:43because of the beautiful fields and the view all around you.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45So I know you love the house,
0:13:45 > 0:13:47but how much do you think it's on the market for?
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I think it's probably at the upper end of our budget.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53I would say £470,000.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56I was going to say £465,000.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Well, Roger is closer to the mark.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It's on for £475,000.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Right. I can understand that, it's lovely.
0:14:03 > 0:14:05Yes, it is. It's the position.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Apart from the house, the position, the view...
0:14:08 > 0:14:10- You don't get this for nothing. - Without paying for it, no.
0:14:10 > 0:14:13Do you want to go and see all those outbuildings that you haven't
0:14:13 > 0:14:17- seen yet?- Yes.- And I'll meet you at the front door.- OK, thank you.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18All right.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23At the very top of their budget,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26our first property is a traditional Devon farmhouse and offers
0:14:26 > 0:14:31Roger and Paulette the character and quirkiness they were after.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34It comes with a large country-style kitchen and four bedrooms.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37The views towards Dartmoor are outstanding
0:14:37 > 0:14:39and there is nearly an acre of land
0:14:39 > 0:14:40for the grandchildren to explore
0:14:40 > 0:14:42when they visit.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45The kids would love this, wouldn't they?
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Oh, exploring, can you imagine? We'd never see them.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50You've got a stables here, or something.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53There's a lot of scope here.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55It's in such a beautiful position.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58You couldn't ask for a more stunning view.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02The house itself is quaint and cottagey and quirky,
0:15:02 > 0:15:05and just everything that Roger and I are looking for.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08There's just a feel about the place.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10It's got a certain sort of sense about it
0:15:10 > 0:15:14that it feels very cottagey and very...
0:15:14 > 0:15:17I can't put into words, it's just lovely.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20If anything, I suppose the bedrooms are a little on the small side,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22but we could adapt to that.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24I just love it, and I know Paulette does as well.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29Do I even need to show you any more houses?
0:15:29 > 0:15:33- I can't believe how lovely this house is.- A hard act to follow.- Very hard.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36If anything else you're going to show us is equal to this,
0:15:36 > 0:15:37we're going to have a problem.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- Well, shall I give you the problem, and then you can handle it?- OK.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- We'll try. Thank you very much. It's gorgeous, isn't it?- Yes.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Nestled in woodland on the fringes of the Dartmoor National Park
0:15:58 > 0:16:00is the Barn Owl Trust,
0:16:00 > 0:16:05a charity established in 1988 with the aim of conserving the barn owl.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08The species declined in the 20th century,
0:16:08 > 0:16:12largely due to intensive farming and loss of habitat.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15The trust's aviary near Ashburton offers sanctuary
0:16:15 > 0:16:20to around 50 birds, many of whom could never survive in the wild.
0:16:20 > 0:16:24But it also has an active release programme for injured owls.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Since Paulette is passionate about wildlife
0:16:27 > 0:16:28and would like to keep a barn owl,
0:16:28 > 0:16:33- we sent her and Roger to meet head of conservation, David Ramsden.- Hi.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you. Roger.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39- Hi, welcome to the Barn Owl Trust. - Thank you very much. Wonderful place.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42- Beautiful.- So you're going to live in Devon?- We hope so.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45- We certainly hope so. It would be really, really nice.- Fantastic.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48My wife particularly loves owls to such an extent
0:16:48 > 0:16:52we would consider possibly trying to keep one in captivity.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53What sort of a commitment is that?
0:16:53 > 0:16:56The thing that we suggest people do, rather than have birds
0:16:56 > 0:16:59in captivity, is actually to encourage owls in the wild.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03And that's a worthwhile thing to do from a welfare point of view.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06So if we wanted to encourage owls to live in our garden,
0:17:06 > 0:17:08what would be the best way of going about it?
0:17:08 > 0:17:12You could create habitats so wild owls could come
0:17:12 > 0:17:15hopefully into perhaps the bottom of your garden and find food.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17And also putting up nest boxes is a wonderful thing.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21- I think that's something we'd much rather do, actually...- Absolutely.
0:17:21 > 0:17:22..to just encourage them.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27The best habitat for a barn owl is rough grassland, as it
0:17:27 > 0:17:32provides a home for the barn owls' main prey, voles, shrews and mice.
0:17:32 > 0:17:36By leaving a section of grass to grow and fall back on itself
0:17:36 > 0:17:40over the course of a year or two, it's possible for Rodger and Paulette
0:17:40 > 0:17:44to create their own barn owl hunting ground in their garden.
0:17:44 > 0:17:48The other thing barn owls need are nest boxes to hide in,
0:17:48 > 0:17:51and David is taking Roger and Paulette to a field
0:17:51 > 0:17:56not far from the trust which offers the ideal location for a hideaway.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58So why particularly this tree?
0:17:58 > 0:18:01Well, it's an isolated tree. That's the first thing to say,
0:18:01 > 0:18:02because barn owls aren't woodland birds,
0:18:02 > 0:18:06so a tree like this in a wood is not likely to be used.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10So really you want a tree that's isolated or in an hedgerow, perhaps.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13And you want to put the box up so that it's going to be visible.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15In fact, it's the hole that needs to be visible.
0:18:15 > 0:18:17Barn owls aren't really interested in boxes,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- they're interested in holes. - I understand, yeah.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22What about the height at which you'd mount the box on the tree?
0:18:22 > 0:18:27This one is going to go up about 3.5m, 4m high.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31The minimum, I'd say, is 3m, which is about ten feet.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- Birds like to feel safe and height helps with that.- Right.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36I have this miraculous bit of wood in my hand.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40Very, very simple, really. We simply fix that onto the tree.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Once that's on the tree, then this piece of wood on the back
0:18:43 > 0:18:47of the box will locate on here and the box will simply hang off it.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Ideally, nest boxes should be made of rot-resistant wood
0:18:52 > 0:18:55and covered with a heavy-duty felt lining.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58They should only be cleaned out between November and January
0:18:58 > 0:19:01as it's an offence to disturb breeding barn owls.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03So how long do you think it will be, David,
0:19:03 > 0:19:07before an owl spots that box and comes in and makes a home there?
0:19:07 > 0:19:09If there's lots of good habitat, lots of food, and not enough
0:19:09 > 0:19:13places like this to hide and nest, then it could be really quickly.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16We have people contact the Barn Owl Trust and say,
0:19:16 > 0:19:18"It was literally two weeks and we got owls in our box!"
0:19:18 > 0:19:22- That would be brilliant.- But frankly, some boxes are never occupied.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25It does depend partly on how well it's positioned,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27and that's a really, really good position.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31With useful advice on how to attract barn owls into their garden,
0:19:31 > 0:19:35we just need to find Roger and Paulette their own perfect habitat.
0:19:44 > 0:19:46For our second offering, we're hopping over the border
0:19:46 > 0:19:50into Cornwall and travelling to the historic town of Launceton.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53Situated a mile from the Tamar River boundary with Devon,
0:19:53 > 0:19:57Launceston is a market town with a long history.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It was once the ancient capital of Cornwall,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and the 11th-century castle still dominates the skyline.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07Centred on the market square, the town's network of pretty lanes
0:20:07 > 0:20:12feature a range of independent shops selling locally-sourced produce.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14House number two is found on the edge of the town,
0:20:14 > 0:20:19surrounded by open farmland and accessed via a quiet country lane.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24- This is house number two.- Oh, look! - That looks interesting.
0:20:24 > 0:20:28- It used to be an old granary. It's Grade II listed...- Ooh.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- ..and it dates back about 200 years. - Yes.- So again, not modern at all.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33No.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36What are you doing to us today?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38- Messing with your mind!- Yes!
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- And you wanted character.- Mm-hm. - You're about to be hit with it.- Wow.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Character. Come on, then.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48Built of stone and roofed in slate, the former granary has been
0:20:48 > 0:20:51sympathetically furnished and decorated by the current owner...
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Your favourite flowers as well.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56'..and I'm hoping its quirky, characterful charm will make'
0:20:56 > 0:21:00former expats Roger and Paulette feel right at home.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01Come in.
0:21:02 > 0:21:07- It's quite an entrance.- Oh, it is. That's a lovely staircase.
0:21:07 > 0:21:09It's slightly reminiscent of France, isn't it?
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- I didn't expect to see that.- No. And that lovely area down there.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- It would just be a little snug. - You're finding France everywhere.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19- It seems like it.- Let's see if you see it in here.- OK.
0:21:23 > 0:21:24ROGER GASPS
0:21:24 > 0:21:29- Oh, wow.- Wow. This is an incredible kitchen.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- You did ask for a big kitchen. - And you found us one.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34You can get your enormous table in here.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- All ten of us could easily sit round there together.- I love this.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42- I love those cupboards. Look at those cupboards.- Look at the lamps.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45- The beams.- And the beams!- That's a beautiful beam, that one there.
0:21:45 > 0:21:48- They're really, really old. - So, quirky enough for you?
0:21:48 > 0:21:49Oh, definitely.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- Everywhere you look, there's so much to take in.- Goodness.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56- So have you seen the hatch? - I thought it was a mirror.- So did I.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- That's actually a hatch into the living room.- Oh, nice.
0:21:59 > 0:22:00- Let me show you.- OK.
0:22:07 > 0:22:08Oh!
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- Cor.- The magic continues. - It's a big living room.- It is.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16It's sort of what we're used to, this sort of size.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20- The old wheel. - I just spotted that.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- What a feature.- This is definitely a party room.- Oh, yeah.- I know.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27And I just love those beams. All the bolts and things sticking through.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Yeah, the character in here is fantastic.
0:22:30 > 0:22:32More character than you would ever imagine.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- It's a lovely, lovely sitting-room. - Wonderful flagstones, look.- Yeah.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39I keep referring to the floor, don't I? But they are lovely.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41PAULETTE LAUGHS
0:22:41 > 0:22:44- It's very much done in our style, actually.- Yes.- We love red walls.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46The current owners have their TV in here,
0:22:46 > 0:22:49but there's another living room which I think would work well
0:22:49 > 0:22:52as a snug if you wanted to make that your TV room and keep this
0:22:52 > 0:22:54as sort of an entertainment room.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- You've already got one centrepiece, you don't need another one there.- No.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00That really is beautiful.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03I thought the French farmhouse feel of our second property
0:23:03 > 0:23:05would appeal to our buyers.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08'Hopefully, their joie de vivre will continue upstairs, where
0:23:08 > 0:23:11'there are four good-sized bedrooms, three of which benefit'
0:23:11 > 0:23:15from the late afternoon sun at the back of the house.
0:23:15 > 0:23:20There's another front-facing bedroom along with a large family bathroom.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22And then there's the master.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- Oh, goodness.- Another amazing room.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- It continues.- Yes. Beautiful sized bedroom.
0:23:28 > 0:23:32- And beams in the bedroom, we are used to.- We have a sofa like that.
0:23:32 > 0:23:36- We have a chaise longue.- Are you sure this isn't your house, Roger?
0:23:36 > 0:23:38- It's beginning to feel a bit creepy. - We have a big wardrobe like that.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40We do indeed.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43And there's a lovely walk through wardrobe area,
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- perfect for a dressing table. - You always wanted one of those.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48I have always wanted that, yes.
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- And then a quite decent sized en suite, actually.- OK.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55- It is a lovely bedroom.- Oh, goodness.- What a lovely view, too.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- And there's more.- OK. - No, there can't be.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00I don't think I can take any more.
0:24:00 > 0:24:03Well, they're going to have to, as there is a whole other world
0:24:03 > 0:24:06upstairs in the roof space of the property -
0:24:06 > 0:24:09a large open plan attic room.
0:24:09 > 0:24:13- Oh, you're joking.- Somewhere for your tennis table!
0:24:13 > 0:24:16Table tennis table!
0:24:16 > 0:24:19- Oh, that is incredible. - This is amazing.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22We could do so much in here. We could have other games in here.
0:24:22 > 0:24:24We've got a carpet like that.
0:24:24 > 0:24:28- This is your house, come on. - It is amazing.- It is.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32- Well, you've seen pretty much the whole house now.- Yeah.- Well...
0:24:32 > 0:24:34I really don't know...
0:24:34 > 0:24:38- You look weary.- I'm not weary, I'm just speechless.- Confused?
0:24:38 > 0:24:39We'll go into the garden,
0:24:39 > 0:24:43I'll show you what else the house has to offer, and then we'll chat.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- All right.- OK.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- He's shell-shocked.- He is indeed.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55To one side of the house, there's an adjoining garage and a parking area.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58The opposite side wall supports a connecting section
0:24:58 > 0:25:01of the waterwheel that dominates the sitting room.
0:25:01 > 0:25:05To the rear of the house, a patio, perfect for summer entertaining.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09The gardens are mainly lawn with a hedge and tree-lined boundary.
0:25:09 > 0:25:13Through a gap in the hedge, there's also a small wooded area
0:25:13 > 0:25:15which backs onto the River Kensey.
0:25:15 > 0:25:18I never thought a place like this would exist. It's just...
0:25:18 > 0:25:22Well, we thought it was just in our dreams, didn't we?
0:25:22 > 0:25:27- It exists, and you're in it.- Yeah. - We could be in it.- It's gorgeous.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29How much are you going to have to pay for this, though?
0:25:29 > 0:25:32I think it's probably over our budget.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34I think it's probably £480,000, at least?
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Roger thinks I've been naughty and gone over your budget.
0:25:37 > 0:25:38I think you've been even naughtier.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41I think it's probably £485,000, or something like that.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43You're both going to love me.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45It's on the market for £450,000.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48Oh! 450.
0:25:48 > 0:25:52- It's a possibility then. - It's a smile from Roger.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55- Yeah, this is lovely. - And almost little wet eye, I feel.
0:25:55 > 0:25:59This is a certain contender, isn't it? Yes, it's wonderful.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02- Do you want to go have another look around?- Could we do that?- Yes.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- We might be some time. - That's fine, I'm patient.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Well, not really, but I will be for you two.- Thank you very much.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11- Only because you're both so happy. - All right, thank you very much.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13- No need to say thank you to me. - Enjoy.
0:26:15 > 0:26:20I thought we'd done well with house number one! Even I'M confused now.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23Under maximum budget by £25,000,
0:26:23 > 0:26:25this Grade II listed former granary
0:26:25 > 0:26:29is bursting with character and charm, and tempts Roger and Paulette
0:26:29 > 0:26:31with a huge farmhouse kitchen,
0:26:31 > 0:26:33a sizeable entertaining space
0:26:33 > 0:26:37with a former waterwheel, providing a real talking point.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39It comes with four double bedrooms
0:26:39 > 0:26:43and a huge attic room running along the entire length of the house.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Yeah, that's amazing. Look at that!
0:26:45 > 0:26:49The only thing we'd have to watch out for is the grandchildren,
0:26:49 > 0:26:54- the boys in particular, climbing up it.- We'd have to tell them not to.
0:26:54 > 0:26:58House number two has completely blown me away.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02When I walked into this kitchen, I just felt like I'd come home.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07It's everything that I would want in a kitchen. It's absolutely amazing.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09The character just hits you.
0:27:09 > 0:27:15It is everything that we had ever dreamed could be put into a house.
0:27:15 > 0:27:19I said at the very beginning when we started looking, we would know,
0:27:19 > 0:27:22we would know that feeling when something just clicked.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24And I have to say, this just clicks.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27We know this is the place.
0:27:27 > 0:27:32There isn't anything I would change about this house. It's beautiful.
0:27:32 > 0:27:33It's totally us.
0:27:36 > 0:27:42So what's the score, Roger? France nil... Devon/Cornwall...
0:27:42 > 0:27:43Two?
0:27:43 > 0:27:44Two, definitely.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56It's the second day of our property search,
0:27:56 > 0:28:01and with a budget of £475,000, we're helping Roger and Paulette,
0:28:01 > 0:28:05who are returning to the UK from France after two decades,
0:28:05 > 0:28:09to find a rural home in the heart of Devon.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Coming up, our mystery house offers our buyers a surprising encore.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Could you say that again, please?
0:28:15 > 0:28:17'And I brave the rapids to explore one of the county's
0:28:17 > 0:28:19'celebrated rivers.'
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Yesterday, our houses provoked an overwhelming response
0:28:24 > 0:28:26from Roger and Paulette.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29With two serious contenders already in the bag, I think
0:28:29 > 0:28:32we can afford to take a bit of a gamble with the mystery house.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Roger and Paulette wanted detached,
0:28:34 > 0:28:35they wanted an edge of village location,
0:28:35 > 0:28:38and they didn't want to be overlooked.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41So what will they make of our final offering?
0:28:43 > 0:28:47For our final property, we are crossing back over into Devon
0:28:47 > 0:28:51and heading into the national park to the village of Sticklepath.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54Located on the River Taw, the popular village offers a choice
0:28:54 > 0:28:57of two traditional pubs and a tea room.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Sticklepath was an important centre of the Methodist movement
0:29:00 > 0:29:02in the 19th century,
0:29:02 > 0:29:07and is home to the last working water-powered forge in England.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09At one time, our historic mystery house,
0:29:09 > 0:29:11located in the centre of the village,
0:29:11 > 0:29:13also harnessed the power of the river
0:29:13 > 0:29:17since it's part of a collection of former mill buildings which
0:29:17 > 0:29:21have been converted into a small community of residential homes.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23Having shown Roger and Paulette two properties
0:29:23 > 0:29:27in private locations but with little or no money to spare
0:29:27 > 0:29:28from their budget,
0:29:28 > 0:29:32the final house has a pleasant surprise up its sleeve.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36- So this is the mystery house.- Oh!
0:29:36 > 0:29:38Another waterwheel!
0:29:38 > 0:29:41The original mill dated back to the 12th century,
0:29:41 > 0:29:45- but was then rebuilt in the early 1800s.- I like the boarding.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47- I like the boarding.- I like the decking on the veranda up there.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51But you are very overlooked here, which is something you didn't want.
0:29:51 > 0:29:54I don't know if you are absolutely done with community living,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57but I'm asking you to at least consider it.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- We've done the communal living, haven't we?- Yes.
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- But community is different to communal, isn't it?- It is.
0:30:03 > 0:30:08And the idea of the wheel, it sort of invites you in, doesn't it?
0:30:08 > 0:30:11And that appealing waterwheel isn't merely for show.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14It has potential to produce electricity by connecting
0:30:14 > 0:30:15a new generator.
0:30:15 > 0:30:19But will the inside of our mystery property energise our buyers?
0:30:19 > 0:30:23I wanted to bring you into the kitchen first, because while it's
0:30:23 > 0:30:27an old building, this actually was only put in a couple of years ago.
0:30:27 > 0:30:32- Oh.- It's a very surprising kitchen. - And look how big the table is.- Yes!
0:30:32 > 0:30:35- The tables are getting bigger, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:30:35 > 0:30:37And have you noticed just there?
0:30:37 > 0:30:39- What's that?- The original millstone. - Oh!
0:30:39 > 0:30:42That's where they've kept it in and cut the tiles around it.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46- Oh, that's lovely.- The floor's quite nice...- You and your floors.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49- He always likes his floors.- He does, yes.- That is a nice floor.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51This is nice, I like it very much.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55So the kitchen diner comes through into the lounge.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Oh, that's nice, isn't it? That's really snug.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02- Is that the only sitting room in the house?- It isn't.
0:31:02 > 0:31:07- There is another study area that you could also make into a snug.- Right.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11- It's time to reveal another part of the mystery.- Oh...
0:31:11 > 0:31:13So, from the outside,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16yes, the property looks like a detached house,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19but if you look over there, it's semi-detached,
0:31:19 > 0:31:22because we're attached to that white building there.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Put a big tree up in front of them.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27It depends how good the rest of the house is.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31No, that's a consideration.
0:31:31 > 0:31:33The semi-detached nature of our mystery house
0:31:33 > 0:31:36hasn't put our buyers off completely,
0:31:36 > 0:31:40but we have a job on our hands to knock house two off the top step.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43The main stairs lead up to three good-sized double bedrooms,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46two of which overlook the back of the property.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48There's also a three-piece family bathroom.
0:31:48 > 0:31:51'But a second staircase, located in the study,
0:31:51 > 0:31:54'provides access to the master suite.'
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- That's very nice. - Oh, that is nice, yes.
0:31:59 > 0:32:02Of course you have your en suite and a little dressing area there too.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05This is more reminiscent of the height of the bedroom
0:32:05 > 0:32:07- we had in France, isn't it?- It is, yes.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08The A-frame, I think, is lovely,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11and the fact that they've kept the bricks exposed up there.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14- It's been done very sympathetically, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16How are you feeling about our mystery house so far?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19To be honest, it is quite small.
0:32:20 > 0:32:24The bedroom's fine, but the little rooms downstairs seem to be
0:32:24 > 0:32:26smaller than we would have liked.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31So despite giving Roger and Paulette the number of bedrooms they wanted,
0:32:31 > 0:32:35the downstairs space of our mystery property is a bit of a concern.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38Across the drive from the house, there's a garage
0:32:38 > 0:32:40and a further space for parking.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43The main garden is at the front of the property,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and comprises a number of mature trees and shrubs as well as
0:32:46 > 0:32:49a wooden decked area which overlooks the river.
0:32:50 > 0:32:55- Oh, this is nice. This is private. - Oh, yes, it's very sweet, isn't it?
0:32:55 > 0:32:57- It's very bijou, isn't it? - Reminds me a bit of Monet's garden.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00- The bridge over there does, doesn't it?- Yes, it does.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02So, lovely, but not for you?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05Had this been the first viewing, we would have thought, "Wow, OK..."
0:33:05 > 0:33:07It's not right, but it's really quite nice.
0:33:07 > 0:33:09It is a lovely house, it's fascinating,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12and the history of it, it's really lovely.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14I think our heart has been set upon what we've seen previously.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Difficult to draw you away. Do you want to know how much it is?
0:33:17 > 0:33:21- Because that might...you know. - Do we get to guess?- Yes, you have to.
0:33:21 > 0:33:22Who'd like to go first?
0:33:22 > 0:33:25I'm thinking, even though we're saying it's maybe not
0:33:25 > 0:33:28- the one for us, because it's actually in Dartmoor...- Yes, it is.
0:33:28 > 0:33:29..in the national park,
0:33:29 > 0:33:31it's probably going to bump the price up a bit.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35- Yeah.- I'm going to say £465,000.- OK.- Oh, right.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38OK. I was going to say £450,000.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41It's actually on the market for £385,000.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43Oh.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46- Could you say that again, please?- £385,000.
0:33:46 > 0:33:48So 90,000 in your back pocket.
0:33:48 > 0:33:52Don't carry it around all at once, of course.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55It would make a difference to what you could do with the place.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57It would get rid of the some of the things that you didn't like
0:33:57 > 0:33:58and create something you did.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01But we still don't get away from the fact that...
0:34:01 > 0:34:05It's that house we saw yesterday that, I'm afraid, has set it for us.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08Yeah. I cannot change your mind at all, can I? Anyway, I've tried.
0:34:08 > 0:34:10You have.
0:34:10 > 0:34:11Go and have another explore,
0:34:11 > 0:34:15- and then I shall meet you by the waterwheel. How about that?- OK.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Yes, the one that can generate electricity.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20- Thank you.- Thank you very much. - See you in a bit.
0:34:24 > 0:34:28Significantly under their maximum budget, the former mill building
0:34:28 > 0:34:32would give Roger and Paulette some spare cash to make alterations.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34It gives them the four bedrooms they asked for,
0:34:34 > 0:34:36and a spacious kitchen diner,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40and while it is in a central location, it's semi-detached
0:34:40 > 0:34:42and overlooked by other properties.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45It's a nice village.
0:34:45 > 0:34:47It's a village that I think we could be happy living in.
0:34:47 > 0:34:50And the house looked very good from the outside.
0:34:50 > 0:34:54Unfortunately, although it's been beautifully converted
0:34:54 > 0:35:00and sympathetically done, the downstairs area is too small for us.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04I like a lot of things about the mystery house.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08It's got quirkiness. It's certainly got lots of character.
0:35:08 > 0:35:12The front garden is lovely. It leads you into different areas.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15The drawback about the front garden is that just the other side
0:35:15 > 0:35:18of the hedge is the next door neighbour's garden.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22So one feels a little bit exposed.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28You both only have eyes for house number two, don't you?
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- I think you know us so well already. - I'm afraid so.- That's OK.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34Don't apologise. The main thing is you found the one.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36- Yep, I think we have. - Let's work out your proposal.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Wow, let's go and do that.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Many of Devon's rivers begin their life on Dartmoor, rising up
0:35:52 > 0:35:55from the heathlands and blanket bogs.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57On the edge of the national park, one of them,
0:35:57 > 0:36:01the River Plym, drops down through beautiful dense oak woodland
0:36:01 > 0:36:03on its journey to the sea at Plymouth
0:36:03 > 0:36:08in a succession of waterfalls, pools and natural whirlpools.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12'I've come to Dewerstone Woods to experience the River Plym
0:36:12 > 0:36:15'from a different perspective.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18'I'm meeting Charlie Chambers, who's going to give me a lesson
0:36:18 > 0:36:23'in the increasingly popular outdoor activity known as gorge scrambling.'
0:36:23 > 0:36:26So, Charlie, tell me all about gorge scrambling. What is it exactly?
0:36:26 > 0:36:29- What are we going to be doing? - It's an exploration, really.
0:36:29 > 0:36:32It's an exploration of the river, but from inside the river.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36And why is this spot in particular good for gorge scrambling?
0:36:36 > 0:36:38This is a great spot for gorge walking,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40mainly because you've got a good consistency with the water
0:36:40 > 0:36:43and the river. There's lots of interesting little features on there,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47so some little things that we can crawl through, little slides.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50So it's a great spot, cos you can tailor it to anybody, really.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54And we're all fully kitted out. How wet are we going to get?
0:36:54 > 0:36:57- We're going to get wet.- Good. OK. We're dressed for it.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01Yes, so buoyancy aids, straight over your head.
0:37:01 > 0:37:04'Although gorge scrambling can be enjoyed by all ages,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06'you do need to be careful.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09'It's easy to lose your footing in the rapids, so lifejackets
0:37:09 > 0:37:12'and protective head gear help minimise the risk of injury.'
0:37:12 > 0:37:15That's it. Ready for action.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Like many of the county's rivers,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20the Plym was historically tapped for its tin.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23The earliest form of extraction was by taking tin deposits
0:37:23 > 0:37:25from the riverbed.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27Today, people come here for walking, swimming
0:37:27 > 0:37:29and of course gorge scrambling.
0:37:31 > 0:37:32So we're going to head in.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35A couple of things for you to know before we get in there.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38First thing is, it's going to feel quite slippery to start with,
0:37:38 > 0:37:41so it will take a little while to get your river feet.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43So just take it steady, take it slow.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47Unlikely, but if you get a foot trapped in there, take a deep breath,
0:37:47 > 0:37:49it's OK, just think about which way your foot went in
0:37:49 > 0:37:52and give it a wiggle, just pull it back out the other way. Is that OK?
0:37:52 > 0:37:54I'm ready.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57'All of Dartmoor's rivers are called torrent rivers.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59'They are fast-flowing,
0:37:59 > 0:38:02'acidic in content due to the soil they run through,
0:38:02 > 0:38:06'and subject to rapid water level fluctuations because of rainfall.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10'Today, though, it's just the water temperature that's concerning me.'
0:38:10 > 0:38:12- Forget the slipperiness. - It's the wobbliness.
0:38:12 > 0:38:17- No, it's how cold the water is! - Yeah.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20'The first challenge is to climb up through a natural hole
0:38:20 > 0:38:21'between two boulders.'
0:38:21 > 0:38:23Just take it slow, I'll head through first,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25and I'll see you on the other side.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27And is it on my hands and knees, really?
0:38:27 > 0:38:30Yeah, pretty much hands and knees, yeah.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34'Charlie goes first, and as I make my way through the gap in the rocks,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37'the power of the water rushing towards me hampers my assent.'
0:38:41 > 0:38:43- That's good.- Right, well done!
0:38:43 > 0:38:47'But just as I'm finding my feet, the river gets the better of me.'
0:38:47 > 0:38:48SHE SCREAMS
0:38:51 > 0:38:54'With my pride dented the little, Charlie takes me further upstream
0:38:54 > 0:38:56'to a waterfall.
0:38:56 > 0:38:58'I've tackled a plastic water slide before,
0:38:58 > 0:39:01'but this one's made from granite.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04'As the bottom of the river falls away beneath me, the only option
0:39:04 > 0:39:08'is to battle the rapids and make a grab for the boulder.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12'Fortunately, Charlie is a pro and shows me where to put my feet.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14'Just some final advice on the best way down
0:39:14 > 0:39:17'to avoid unnecessary bruising.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25'After the thrill of the slide, Charlie's final challenge
0:39:25 > 0:39:27'is for me to experience another waterfall
0:39:27 > 0:39:29'from an alternative angle.'
0:39:29 > 0:39:32We're going to head over into the little waterfall now,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35a bit of a final finish off after heading up that climb.
0:39:35 > 0:39:38That looks a bit more chilled out than what we've just done.
0:39:38 > 0:39:39Yeah, it's a great way to finish off.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43We'll go and sit behind it and watch the world go by.
0:39:43 > 0:39:45Charlie, thank you so much. It's been brilliant.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50'With its combination of climbing, swimming and paddling,
0:39:50 > 0:39:54'gorge scrambling is definitely something I'd try again.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58'As I relax in the natural whirlpool, it's time to see whether
0:39:58 > 0:40:01'any of the properties have WHET our buyers' appetites.'
0:40:04 > 0:40:06It's very clear that Roger and Paulette
0:40:06 > 0:40:09have their heart set on house number two.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11Now it's time to find out how they're going to make sure
0:40:11 > 0:40:13they can call it home.
0:40:19 > 0:40:24- Hello.- Hello.- Hi.- So, tell me,
0:40:24 > 0:40:28what was it about house number two that made you fall in love?
0:40:28 > 0:40:31- You go.- To start with, the kitchen.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33I can't stop thinking about the kitchen.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35It was just amazing.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39It is the nicest kitchen that I've ever seen in my life...
0:40:39 > 0:40:42- ..and the most spacious.- Yes.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44But just done the way that I would do a kitchen
0:40:44 > 0:40:47if I was asked to make a perfect kitchen.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51- It was like stepping into our own place, wasn't it?- It was.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Immediately, it felt very, very homely. It felt it was ours.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58- What were your favourite bits, Roger?- The garden particularly.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02I really loved that garden. It led you into different areas.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06And the secrecy of that big patch of garden around the left-hand side,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- I never imagined that was there. - That was such a surprise.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12It WAS a surprise. And the grandchildren would love that.
0:41:12 > 0:41:14You asked us to find a house for you in Devon,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17- and actually the one you liked... - ..we found in Cornwall.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21- You love Cornwall now.- Well, we've always loved Cornwall, too.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25- But it was only just into Cornwall. - Yes.- Just on the edge.
0:41:25 > 0:41:29So how are we going to make sure, as it's so perfect,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31that you get this property and make it your home?
0:41:31 > 0:41:36We're down here for another few days, another week.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39And next week we're going to go for a second visit, and we'll talk
0:41:39 > 0:41:42to the present owner, and I think we're going to put in an offer,
0:41:42 > 0:41:44aren't we?
0:41:44 > 0:41:47We can try, and see if they're acceptable, even though
0:41:47 > 0:41:50we haven't sold our property in Dorset yet.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Well, let us know how you get on. As it's so perfect,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55- I really, really hope you get it. - We will, we will indeed.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57We're really excited about that,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01and we have to say thank you for showing it to us. It was lovely.
0:42:01 > 0:42:03- Just invite me round for one of those parties.- We will.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05They'll be quite a few of those.
0:42:12 > 0:42:15I couldn't be happier that Paulette and Roger
0:42:15 > 0:42:17have found the house of their dreams.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19After coming back to Britain from France,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22they wanted a property that would suit them and their whole family.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25And house two is exactly that.
0:42:25 > 0:42:29It's almost as if it was made for them and their love of entertaining.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32If they can sell their second home quickly, I think Paulette and Roger
0:42:32 > 0:42:35could be partying in Cornwall very, very soon.
0:42:35 > 0:42:38See you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:40 > 0:42:44Roger and Paulette have a potential buyer for their Dorset home,
0:42:44 > 0:42:48and hope to make an offer on house number two very soon.
0:42:48 > 0:42:51If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Wales,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Northern Ireland or Scotland, and would like our help,
0:42:54 > 0:42:59you can apply online at: