0:00:02 > 0:00:04This zip wire is the longest and fastest in England,
0:00:04 > 0:00:09stretching over 600 meters, reaching speeds of 60mph
0:00:09 > 0:00:13whilst flying over three climate zones, tropical rain forests
0:00:13 > 0:00:16and a giant wooden ship set in a sea of tea leaves.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20So where on earth could I be? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Today's house hunters are hoping to escape urban life
0:00:41 > 0:00:43and find peace in a rural setting.
0:00:43 > 0:00:46Who wants to wake up looking at a view like that?
0:00:46 > 0:00:49- I do.- Oh, we do.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51And our houses more than hit the mark.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53- Is that what we wanted?- Wow.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- Good, isn't it?- There you are. - Isn't that good?- Yes, thank you!
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Today we are in Cornwall, and I'm at the Eden Project,
0:01:03 > 0:01:08an educational charity that houses over one million plants
0:01:08 > 0:01:11and the world's largest rainforest in captivity.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15There are two separate domes encasing a range of flora.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And just to give you an idea of the scale,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22you could fit the Tower of London in this rainforest dome alone.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25We'll be revisiting this beautiful bounty of botany
0:01:25 > 0:01:26later in the show.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30And who knows, I may even have a go on that terrifying zip wire.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34The Celtic county of Cornwall is a peninsula
0:01:34 > 0:01:37in the most south-westerly region of Great Britain.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40It's bordered by Devon to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the west
0:01:40 > 0:01:43and the English Channel to the south.
0:01:44 > 0:01:46With nearly 300 miles of coastline to explore,
0:01:46 > 0:01:51Cornwall is a haven for cliff walkers and seafarers alike,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54with endless beaches and some of the best surf in the country.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58Bodmin Moor in the northeast shows the wild side
0:01:58 > 0:02:01of Cornwall, with dramatic skies and wide-open moorland.
0:02:01 > 0:02:05Bodmin inspired the celebrated author Daphne du Maurier,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08who drew on the history of this desolate backcountry to write
0:02:08 > 0:02:11one of her most famous novels - Jamaica Inn.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14On the south coast below Bodmin
0:02:14 > 0:02:17is the appealing fishing village of Polperro.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21Generations of sailors are said to have smuggled contraband here
0:02:21 > 0:02:24during the 18th century in reaction to sky-high taxes
0:02:24 > 0:02:27imposed on goods during the Napoleonic War.
0:02:27 > 0:02:29Its smuggling days over,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32the village is now a popular destination for tourists who come
0:02:32 > 0:02:37to explore the winding lanes and, of course, enjoy a pasty or two.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41With all this on offer, it's little wonder that is lovely region
0:02:41 > 0:02:45remains a draw for holiday-makers and home-buyers alike.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50At the moment, property prices here in Cornwall
0:02:50 > 0:02:53are just under the national average,
0:02:53 > 0:02:57coming in at around £266,000 for a detached home.
0:02:57 > 0:03:02What's more, Cornish homes are still valued over 10% less
0:03:02 > 0:03:05than they were back at their peak in 2008.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10But across the county, prices can fluctuate wildly.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13For example, a home with a sea view in one of Cornwall's
0:03:13 > 0:03:17fashionable seaside villages on the south coast can cost as much
0:03:17 > 0:03:22as 50% more than a similar property just a few miles inland.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26But what is it about this wonderful region that has attracted
0:03:26 > 0:03:27today's buyers?
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32Elaine and John have been married for nearly 30 years
0:03:32 > 0:03:34and met on a blind date.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37A lady working in my office, she said to me,
0:03:37 > 0:03:39"Well, I want you to come out for a drink."
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Then said, "We are just going to pick up Elaine."
0:03:43 > 0:03:47And I thought, "Who is Elaine? What's that about?"
0:03:47 > 0:03:52So, anyway, they took me around to Elaine's house and...
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- I just moved into a brand-new house. - Yep.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Three weeks I'd moved in.
0:03:57 > 0:04:02I gave them all the guided tour, as you would, of a brand-new house.
0:04:02 > 0:04:05And John has delighted ever since in being able to say that he
0:04:05 > 0:04:09was in my bedroom within ten minutes of meeting me.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11HE CHUCKLES
0:04:12 > 0:04:14Both now retired,
0:04:14 > 0:04:17they are keen to relocate somewhere quieter where they can
0:04:17 > 0:04:20enjoy walking with their cherished Westies, Bobby and Harry.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24We love our dogs. They both have problems walking.
0:04:24 > 0:04:28Harry has had both his back legs operated on.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30And Bobby, now he's got older,
0:04:30 > 0:04:33he's got a problem with his back knees.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35So now we have to take them round in a pram
0:04:35 > 0:04:36when we take them for a walk.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42- But we're quite happy to do that. They enjoy it and we enjoy it.- Yeah.
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- They are our life.- That's right.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47A lot does revolve around Bobby and Harry and, you know,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49- so will the new property.- Yeah.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53We're hoping we going to find a place with a nice garden, possibly
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- a few trees with a few squirrels just to keep them entertained.- Yep.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59They currently live in a detached four-bedroom property
0:04:59 > 0:05:02in a large private housing estate on the outskirts
0:05:02 > 0:05:03of Reading in Berkshire.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07We live in Lower Earley. It's very urban.
0:05:07 > 0:05:13We've been living here now for 26 years and we now feel,
0:05:13 > 0:05:17with me retiring, that we could actually now move.
0:05:17 > 0:05:20John's family and my family have passed away.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23My son died ten years ago.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26And so there isn't anything really to keep us here, so...
0:05:26 > 0:05:29John's already retired two years ago.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33We can follow our dreams and it's on our bucket list.
0:05:33 > 0:05:38They are making a big change moving over 200 miles, but the lure of a
0:05:38 > 0:05:42new way of life together near a cosy Cornish village seems irresistible.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46We're just looking forward to a totally different way of life,
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and it will be different.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52I think, for me, the move is going to be all about us
0:05:52 > 0:05:55being able to spend time together.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57It's going to be a challenge,
0:05:57 > 0:06:01- but I think we are both looking forward to that challenge.- Yeah.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Drawn to the sea and countryside views,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09they've set their sights on the southeast of Cornwall.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12And ideally, they'd like to live in the picturesque triangle
0:06:12 > 0:06:15between Launceston, St Austell and Plymouth.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Before we embark on our search for the right Cornish dwelling,
0:06:18 > 0:06:20we are meeting in the county
0:06:20 > 0:06:23so I can dig a little deeper into their property wants.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- John and Elaine, welcome to Cornwall.- Thank you.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30Exciting times, really, because you're both retired.
0:06:30 > 0:06:32- Elaine, for you, quite recently. - That's right.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35- I'm guessing this is an exciting new chapter.- It is.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- We are really excited.- Are you?
0:06:37 > 0:06:40- We hope you're going to find us something lovely.- So do I. So do I.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Cos you've been in your current home in Berkshire a long time,
0:06:43 > 0:06:44haven't you, John?
0:06:44 > 0:06:48- Yeah, we have. Nearly 30 years. - So what is the pull of Cornwall?
0:06:48 > 0:06:50Because you got so many counties to choose from,
0:06:50 > 0:06:52why this one in particular?
0:06:52 > 0:06:56We just like the countryside and knew that as soon as I retired
0:06:56 > 0:06:59and the time was right, we would be heading in this direction.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02But it wasn't going to be Somerset because they have brown sea,
0:07:02 > 0:07:07so I had to come further out to find blue sea, and here we are!
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Tell me about this property then.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11What are we looking for with this house?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14- Erm, not dark and pokey.- OK.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Not small windows. Not too many steps.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19What about the outside of this property, Elaine?
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Imposing.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24I like attractive houses from the outside.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I think it needs to be good-looking on the outside
0:07:27 > 0:07:29as well as the inside.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33If it looks really dull and plain, I can't warm to it.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- What about detached, semidetached? - Detached, must be detached.- Oh, OK.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Definitely. Wouldn't go back. No.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Don't want to hear flushing toilets and things going up the stairs.
0:07:44 > 0:07:46No, I've done all that. Not any more.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50And what about the location? Are you looking for ideally sea views?
0:07:51 > 0:07:54- Well, that would be very nice, sea views.- Wouldn't it?
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Sea views, rural views, country views.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00As long as we don't see a roof top, that's all.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03At the moment, where we live, there's a house and a roof, and
0:08:03 > 0:08:07a house and a roof, and a house and a roof, and I don't want any of it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09You're sold on the countryside.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11You're sold on the rural way of life.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- But getting your head around a new home...- Yes.
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- That sometimes can be quite difficult, can't it?- That's right.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21It can, although I'm looking forward to a challenge in a way to, yeah,
0:08:21 > 0:08:24sort of put in our own touches on any property, really.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28- Touches or projects? - Well... Touches, really.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32I'm sort of not into getting too adventurous doing things.
0:08:32 > 0:08:36Well, let's remind ourselves of your budget for this part of the world.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37Tell me again.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40- It's £460,000.- OK.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46But we can go up a little if we really felt we wanted that house.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48Well, I'm looking forward to this
0:08:48 > 0:08:51cos we've got three fantastic properties lined up to show you.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Yeah.- So, shall we?- Yes. - Indeed.- Come on then.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59With a very healthy budget of £460,000,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02Elaine and John are looking for a contemporary detached house
0:09:02 > 0:09:04with a minimum of three bedrooms.
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Rural views are key, and if the sea is in sight, then even better.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11They'd like a good-sized garden which is safely enclosed
0:09:11 > 0:09:13for their beloved Westies.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16And finally, they'd like to be in the southeast of Cornwall.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21We found three houses all set in beautiful Cornish countryside.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25I'll be keeping the prices secret until the end of each tour.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28Our last stop will be a mystery house chosen to challenge
0:09:28 > 0:09:31their wish list, which has a few secrets of its own.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38We begin our search in the middle of open countryside
0:09:38 > 0:09:41in South East Cornwall, near Quethiock.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Our buyers are keen to join in with the local community,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47and the nearby village of Pillaton, just over four miles away,
0:09:47 > 0:09:50could be just what they're looking for.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Central to Pillaton is the church of St Odulphus.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Dedicated in 1259, it takes its name from St Odulph,
0:09:57 > 0:10:00a monk and missionary from North Brabant in the Netherlands.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04There's a local choir and, with the church's recently cast bells,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07it has one of the best peals in the area.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10It even offers weekly bell-ringing sessions.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14Pillaton also has a local pub, a lively skittles league,
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and a village hall that often holds events.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21Our first house is found within an eight-minute drive of Pillaton.
0:10:21 > 0:10:26So, here is our very first property in Cornwall to show you.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- It looks very interesting.- Yeah. I like it so far.- Do you?- Yeah.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- First impressions are good. - Yeah.- Good.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Just have a little look over your shoulder.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38THEY GASP Wow, that's gorgeous!
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- That's fantastic, isn't it? That really is.- Absolutely fantastic.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44- You can really see it from upstairs. - It will be hard to beat, I think.
0:10:44 > 0:10:48- It will be hard to beat.- And that's what you're after, isn't it?
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- That's what we're looking for. - Keen to step inside?
0:10:50 > 0:10:51- Yeah.- Very much so.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56- Let's take a look inside round your first property.- Lovely, thank you!
0:10:56 > 0:10:59This former smithy was built in the 1850s
0:10:59 > 0:11:02and formed part of the historic Pentillie estate.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Eager to add value and space, the current owners have transformed it
0:11:05 > 0:11:07by extending the original outbuilding
0:11:07 > 0:11:09into an extra living area.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13And we are starting with this impressive vaulted kitchen.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15We've come in through the back door cos that's what people seem to do
0:11:15 > 0:11:17- in the country, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19They don't use the front door. What do you think?
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- It's not quite as modern as I would have perhaps liked.- OK.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28Although obviously the kitchen is more Elaine's domain than my own.
0:11:28 > 0:11:30You know, sort of no cupboardy space
0:11:30 > 0:11:35- and it is sort of darker than... I like bright and airy.- Yeah.
0:11:35 > 0:11:39- And I feel this probably isn't bright and airy.- Fair enough.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44There's also a downstairs bedroom.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46But we are heading to the living room.
0:11:46 > 0:11:47So through here...
0:11:48 > 0:11:51..you've actually got your sitting room which, I didn't know,
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- what is it - 26 feet or something? It's pretty big.- Yeah.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57It does have beams.
0:11:57 > 0:12:01However, these beams way above you, and they have been painted white.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- Yes.- It's definitely a farmhouse feel.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Not sure if a farmhouse is actually something we'd be looking for.
0:12:09 > 0:12:10We are more contemporary.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- Behind us, impressive wooden stove. - Yes.- Multi-fuel actually.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19And you love fireplaces. Just at the end, we've got a second one.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20- Ahh.- Right.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24We've got a study through there, perfect for an office.
0:12:24 > 0:12:26Next-door to that is the dog room.
0:12:26 > 0:12:29- So the dog room just leads off the front door.- OK.
0:12:31 > 0:12:35'This older farmhouse style seems not to be quite to their tastes,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37'but perhaps what is upstairs might change their minds.'
0:12:37 > 0:12:40The thickness of these walls, you can tell
0:12:40 > 0:12:43- you are in an old building here, that's for sure.- Mm, yes.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- But look at that.- Wow, that is... - Really nice.- That is amazing.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- That's lovely, that.- Who wants to wake up looking at a view like that?
0:12:52 > 0:12:55- I do.- Oh, we do.- Yeah? - We definitely do. Yes.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58That is the best part, that's for sure.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- You've got this as the master bedroom.- Yes.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03It's not an en suite, as you've probably just gathered.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05Next-door is the family bathroom,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09but you've got another double bedroom plus a good-sized single.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13- OK.- OK.- So the one thing I would suggest is making that
0:13:13 > 0:13:16single into a dressing room.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17Yeah.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19And then that's all you need is that view.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Well, it's certainly that view that is selling it at the moment.
0:13:22 > 0:13:24It's perfect, yeah.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27- Yeah.- Can't tempt you with your own dressing room?
0:13:27 > 0:13:30- Well... I'd have to see, I think. - Not at the moment.
0:13:30 > 0:13:32ALL LAUGH
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- Well, we love the view, so let's go outside.- Thank you.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40The views certainly seem to have made an impression on John,
0:13:40 > 0:13:43so let's hope the large garden complete with outbuildings
0:13:43 > 0:13:45will help convince Elaine, too.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49The good thing about this garden is it's dog-proof.
0:13:50 > 0:13:53It's fenced all the way around and you've got, in a way, a split view.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56You've got a view in one direction then you got a view in the other.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- Yes, lovely views.- That is lovely.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01And you might have noticed just to our left as we came in,
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- you've got the garage and you've also got a workshop.- Yes.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- I think it's about £390,000. - OK. John.
0:14:11 > 0:14:16I think it would be a bit more than that. I would've said near £410,000.
0:14:16 > 0:14:21- Split the difference and that's the asking price.- Oh.- OK.- £400,000.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26- Ah, yeah.- OK. That's interesting. - £60,000 left in your budget.
0:14:26 > 0:14:28- Yep.- Yes, exactly.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Why don't you go around and have a look to see
0:14:30 > 0:14:32if those changes would make the difference.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37- Only you two can tell, so be my guest.- Yes.- Have a second viewing.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- Thank you.- Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Under the top budget by £60,000,
0:14:43 > 0:14:46this converted smithy offers the peace and quiet they're after.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59- Let's just have a look at the view now.- Lovely, isn't it?- It's gorgeous.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03That's quite a steep step.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- It is a big step down, isn't it? - It's lovely.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Yeah, I can see us drinking a glass of wine here.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Yeah, I'm sure you would. THEY LAUGH
0:15:12 > 0:15:17I've tried to see it in maybe a light that we might be able
0:15:17 > 0:15:19to do some things to it.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22But unfortunately,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27I know in my heart that this is not the house for me.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30I don't think Elaine, unfortunately,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32could see herself living in the property.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34Certainly not as it stands.
0:15:34 > 0:15:38I'm not too...I'm not too sure that she's convinced
0:15:38 > 0:15:43that it could be converted into what I think, you know, is a possibility.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47So you've had a chance to look on your own. Any change of heart?
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- Not sure yet. We'll keep that as a secret.- All right.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53I like that, I like that.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56- We'll think about it.- Cos I have got more to show you.- OK.- Let's go.
0:15:56 > 0:15:57- Lovely.- Thank you.
0:16:01 > 0:16:04Cornwall may be famed for its beautiful coastline,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07but we are keen to show Elaine and John just how diverse this
0:16:07 > 0:16:11county is and to immerse them in some local history.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15Just outside Truro, the county's only city, lies Trewithen -
0:16:15 > 0:16:18a privately-owned estate and one of Cornwell's most
0:16:18 > 0:16:21elegant examples of 18th-century architecture.
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Built in 1750 by two London architects,
0:16:24 > 0:16:29it's been home to the same family for nearly 300 years.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31- Hello.- Welcome here. - Pleased to meet you.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- Welcome to Cornwall and welcome to Trewithen.- Thank you.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36- Lovely to have you here.- Thank you. - Thank you very much.
0:16:36 > 0:16:39This is actually quite a place of history, so it's good to be able
0:16:39 > 0:16:43to show it with nice people who have come down to look at Cornwall.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- Is it a listed building?- Yes, it is. It's a very high listing indeed.
0:16:46 > 0:16:47Very high listing.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49It has a delicacy about it
0:16:49 > 0:16:52and an intimacy which other houses this time down here don't.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56Cornish houses by and large are a huge, solid-granite unit.
0:16:56 > 0:16:57You know, we are in the Atlantic,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59we're going to withstand the storm, all that stuff.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03There is a delicacy about this which makes it really quite special.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- Is it open to the public? - Yes, it is.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08We're a spring garden here, and all the magnolias,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11rhododendrons are really flowering at their height between February
0:17:11 > 0:17:14and the end of June. So we are open to the public in that period.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17I think that it's very important that as many people as possible
0:17:17 > 0:17:20can savour and understand the speciality of Trewithen.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22I think it's, you know, a rather nice place.
0:17:24 > 0:17:26The estate covers 40 acres
0:17:26 > 0:17:29and is home to a staggering collection of beautiful gardens,
0:17:29 > 0:17:33lush trees and plants famous for their international variety.
0:17:33 > 0:17:38And in 2012, Michael Galsworthy decided to enrich his woodlands
0:17:38 > 0:17:42by welcoming back some very special guests - red squirrels.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47So this is our great project.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Very exciting project of getting red squirrels back into the wild
0:17:50 > 0:17:52eventually.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55What inspired you to start the project?
0:17:55 > 0:17:57In a word - childhood memories.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59When I grew up here as a child in the '50s,
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I can remember red squirrels gambling all over the lawn.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04Red squirrels. No greys.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08The red squirrel is the UK's native breed.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11But they have been decimated by the introduction of the grey squirrel
0:18:11 > 0:18:14from America in the 19th century.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16The large greys carry a poxvirus
0:18:16 > 0:18:18which can be fatal to the red squirrel.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22What we're trying to do now
0:18:22 > 0:18:25is to encourage the breeding of red squirrels.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28We are part of the calling Red Squirrel Project,
0:18:28 > 0:18:30which has the patronage of the Prince of Wales.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35The reintroduction of the red squirrel is key
0:18:35 > 0:18:37not only to the survival of the species
0:18:37 > 0:18:40but also to help put a hold to the greys' reign of terror.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43The greys supplement their diets of nuts with wild birds' eggs,
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and they strip bark from trees.
0:18:46 > 0:18:48It's estimated that the damage they've caused has cost
0:18:48 > 0:18:52commercial forestry over £50 million a year.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55We just hope that the public at large understand the damage done
0:18:55 > 0:18:59to the natural environments by grey squirrels. It really is colossal.
0:18:59 > 0:19:00I can give you an example.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03We planted 16 acres of sweet chestnut here many years ago.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07- We lost 50% of them - all ringed by grey squirrels.- Oh, gosh.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Is there anything that the people of the public,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12even ourselves, for instance, can do to help the project?
0:19:12 > 0:19:16The most important thing is really for the general public to be aware
0:19:16 > 0:19:18of what it is the Red Squirrel Project is trying
0:19:18 > 0:19:21to do, which is reintroduce the native squirrel to England.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24So the damage being done to trees
0:19:24 > 0:19:26and wild birds by grey squirrels is intense.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27So that's the message to put out.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30I don't want to eradicate every grey squirrel there is,
0:19:30 > 0:19:32but there needs to be a balance.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35In July 2012, Prince Charles,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38president of the Red Squirrel Survival Trust,
0:19:38 > 0:19:41introduced a male red to the two female residents.
0:19:41 > 0:19:46And in 2014, the family was gifted with two baby red squirrels.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49They'll be released in other areas of the country
0:19:49 > 0:19:52and it's hope that we go once again see plucky red squirrels
0:19:52 > 0:19:54populating British woodland.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01For our second property, we are
0:20:01 > 0:20:04less than a ten-minute drive southwest of our first house
0:20:04 > 0:20:09in the village of Menheniot, with Plymouth 15 miles to the southeast.
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Crucially, it means we are staying within Elaine
0:20:11 > 0:20:13and John's favourite southeast triangle.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18The meaning of the name Menheniot is sanctuary of Neot,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22and this unspoilt village remains a haven for visitors and locals alike.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Towards the centre of the village sits the church of St Lalluwy.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29It's original 12th-century tower is still intact.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32There is a local shop, a pub, a post office
0:20:32 > 0:20:36and a thriving farmers market the second Saturday of every month.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39Our second house lies just on the edge of the village.
0:20:41 > 0:20:46So let's see if we have any luck with our second offering.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49- Here is your property. - Looks big.- Big.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51ALL LAUGH
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- Well, you're together on that one. - Yes.- Yes, yeah.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57I get the impression that that bit is original
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- and this bit has been added on? - Elaine, you'd be absolutely right.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- This is seven years old. - Right.- Right.- Oh.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05So is that screaming out contemporary?
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Contemporary, it is. Modern.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09This part of the property, which I think looks very attractive,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11is a little bit older, shall we say.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13- OK.- OK. It looks good.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- It's got character and charm, hasn't it?- Yes.- It does.
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- Yes, it does, yeah.- I know you didn't want to see rooftops...- No.
0:21:20 > 0:21:24- But we do.- There's a few around. - But we'll see.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- Let's see if that's manageable. - OK. Indeed.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30- So, should we get started? - Yes, please.- Love to.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35The original part of the house is 300 years old,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38but seven years ago, the current owners branched out,
0:21:38 > 0:21:41adding a new wing that includes this kitchen, which
0:21:41 > 0:21:45I hope will be more in keeping with Elaine's more modern taste.
0:21:45 > 0:21:49- Is this contemporary enough? - I think so.- Yes! Good. Good.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53- Is this much more of what you had in mind?- Yes, it is. Yeah.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57- Clean lines, modern layout. - Yes.- Beautifully tiled.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Practical flags on the floor.- Yeah.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02I like size of the kitchen and it's nice
0:22:02 > 0:22:05and straightforward, which I quite like.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07You know, I don't like too many nooks and crannies
0:22:07 > 0:22:09so it looks pretty good, really, in that respect.
0:22:09 > 0:22:11- Good size?- It's a good size.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Through that door, you can see we've got a large living room
0:22:14 > 0:22:15- through there.- Yes.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19And then upstairs on that side, you got two bedrooms
0:22:19 > 0:22:21and a family bathroom.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- However, I want to show you this side.- OK.- OK, thank you.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28Going through to the original part of the house,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32there's a cosy study, a light dining room
0:22:32 > 0:22:35and the main living room that, I hope, will impress them.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38So from the kitchen, we walk through a study.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41You've got a downstairs cloakroom, that lovely big dining room.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46- And then, it leads into this.- Yes. - So this is your second living room.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Yeah.- Yeah, that's... - The fireplace is quite nice.
0:22:49 > 0:22:50It's got a log burner.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Yeah, got a log burner here and
0:22:52 > 0:22:54just as we walked through that dining room,
0:22:54 > 0:22:55there's another fireplace there.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58You could have both fires roaring in the winter if you wanted to.
0:22:58 > 0:23:00Yeah, it'd be nice.
0:23:00 > 0:23:04It's older than perhaps I would have liked, but, you know...
0:23:04 > 0:23:07- Is it the furniture that is giving that impression?- It could be.
0:23:07 > 0:23:11Because I think the room, actually, is quite neutral.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14Would you actually think of the space itself? The room size.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Well, it's a good-sized room.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19I think I agree with John that, again, we are
0:23:19 > 0:23:23getting an olde-worlde feel of a property.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26Which is difficult because we want the setting,
0:23:26 > 0:23:30which you wouldn't really get if you had totally modern.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34I think a few changes might do that. But we would...
0:23:34 > 0:23:36We have to sort that out and see.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39It would be interesting to see how the rest of the place...
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Let's see if I can persuade you, shall we? Keep going.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49I don't sense much enthusiasm so far, but perhaps the original
0:23:49 > 0:23:53generous-sized bedrooms upstairs will inspire them.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- So we have in this part of the property...- This is nice.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01- ..two double bedrooms.- Yeah. - With a family bathroom next-door.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- So you can live in one side.- Yeah. And John could live in the other.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07THEY LAUGH
0:24:07 > 0:24:12- This is the master.- Yeah.- OK. Looks very nice. It's a very good size.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- Yeah.- But I can see rooftops, loads of them.
0:24:15 > 0:24:20Yeah. Do you know what? You said it's all in the curtain test.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23I was thinking, "I might draw those curtains."
0:24:23 > 0:24:26I was thinking, "I wonder if she will notice." Yes, she has.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29- Yeah, that's the problem. - They're not as close as the ones...
0:24:29 > 0:24:31- No, they are not. - ..that we see from our window.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34And there is a view beyond if you look over the rooftops.
0:24:34 > 0:24:37- That's something, anyway.- Are you trying to convince me or you?
0:24:37 > 0:24:39THEY LAUGH Good question.
0:24:39 > 0:24:42- Well, I don't want you to write this off quite yet.- Yep.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Because we've still got to talk money.- Yep.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Then you got to explore the other half, or John's part of the house.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- Yeah, John's side. - Let's go into the garden.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52But start putting a price on it for me.
0:24:54 > 0:24:57I'm really hoping that the garden views
0:24:57 > 0:24:59and the price might change their minds.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03So you've got this decking area along here and a sunken hot tub.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Yes.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08Yeah, that's not something we are used to, but we won't throw it away.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10THEY LAUGH
0:25:10 > 0:25:13Well, you're making it sound like you quite like this house now.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16And two more things to mention, lastly.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19Here is her garden with a couple of sheds just at the back.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21And then of course we do have that view.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23That's the last thing I'm going to say
0:25:23 > 0:25:26because we've got to see what you think of the price.
0:25:26 > 0:25:27- Right.- Right.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30What amount to think it's on the market for?
0:25:30 > 0:25:35I would say that it's probably on the market for probably about £430,000.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39- Right. Elaine. - I think it's about £410,000.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42The asking price is £400,000.
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- Oh.- Oh, is it? OK.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- So it's interesting, isn't it? - Yeah.- It is.
0:25:46 > 0:25:51- Again, way under your budget - 60,000 under.- It is indeed.- Yes.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53You know, that again leaves you a lot of money
0:25:53 > 0:25:55if you want to make the changes.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57- It gives a couple of changes, yes. - Yes.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00So why don't you take another look around because, again,
0:26:00 > 0:26:01having that figure in your head,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03is it worth making those adjustments?
0:26:03 > 0:26:05- That would be my question.- OK.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- We'll think about it.- Help yourself. Thank you.- Thank you.
0:26:11 > 0:26:16It's really interesting because I thought this house was going
0:26:16 > 0:26:17to be contemporary enough for them.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20The fact that half of it is 300 years old,
0:26:20 > 0:26:22you would never know inside.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24But, sadly, not.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Under their maximum budget by £60,000,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31this extended property offers a lot for the price.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47The best features of the house, I thought, were the kitchen
0:26:47 > 0:26:49and the bathroom.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53They have been updated and therefore they are much more to my taste.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55If they came down to price,
0:26:55 > 0:26:58I'd rather spend the money on house number one.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59It's got the views,
0:26:59 > 0:27:04it's got a bigger garden and we could just change the inside.
0:27:05 > 0:27:11But here... The inside is nice, but we can't change how it is. Rooftops.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16I don't think we've got it right with this house, sadly. Let's see.
0:27:18 > 0:27:20Hello, you two.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24Now, judging by those faces, have we cracked it with this property?
0:27:24 > 0:27:29- No.- Not quite, I'm afraid.- OK. Well, one more house to show you.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31It is, of course, our mystery house.
0:27:31 > 0:27:34- Let's see if it weaves some magic on you tomorrow.- Yes.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36- Shall we make a move? Come, on.- Thank you.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46It's the second day of our property hunt,
0:27:46 > 0:27:49and with a healthy budget of £460,000,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53we are helping retired couple Elaine and John to leave their urban
0:27:53 > 0:27:56housing estate in Reading, Berkshire,
0:27:56 > 0:27:58in favour of a Cornish retreat.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01Still to come, our mystery house comes as a shock.
0:28:01 > 0:28:03But is it a good one?
0:28:03 > 0:28:06- Oh, look, you're getting all emotional on me, John!- I am.
0:28:06 > 0:28:10And I'll be taking a bird's-eye view of Britain's largest rainforest.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13Whoa! Oh, my word!
0:28:13 > 0:28:15Wow!
0:28:18 > 0:28:21It's the start of a new, rather misty day here in Cornwall
0:28:21 > 0:28:24and I'm hoping we are going to have more luck finding the right
0:28:24 > 0:28:26property for John and Elaine.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29With a rather handsome budget, I thought we would have got
0:28:29 > 0:28:33a better reaction from yesterday's two spacious properties.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36However, on reflection, I think what they want isn't
0:28:36 > 0:28:39so much contemporary, but a new build.
0:28:39 > 0:28:44Something that is hard to find in a rural setting with tremendous
0:28:44 > 0:28:46views and without any neighbours.
0:28:50 > 0:28:53To reach our mystery house, we are driving 20 minutes
0:28:53 > 0:28:57northeast of our second house, close to the village of St Domonic,
0:28:57 > 0:29:00between the majestic moors of Bodmin and Dartmoor.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04It's just over three miles from the busy town of Callington.
0:29:04 > 0:29:05In the 18th century,
0:29:05 > 0:29:09Callington was one of the most important mining areas in the UK.
0:29:09 > 0:29:12Today, there are no active mines, but the town is thriving
0:29:12 > 0:29:16and has a growing population of nearly 5,000 people.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20With shops, pubs, the beautiful St Mary's Church
0:29:20 > 0:29:22and with a countryside on its doorstep,
0:29:22 > 0:29:26Elaine and John would find plenty to keep them busy here.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30Ten minutes from Callington, our imposing mystery house dates
0:29:30 > 0:29:35back to 1850 and used to be owned by the Marquess of Northampton.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38With some modern additions, I think it's got the style they want,
0:29:38 > 0:29:42but it does come with a catch, and it's a big one for Elaine -
0:29:42 > 0:29:45it's semidetached.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49- Come on through into your courtyard. - Oh, my goodness!- Because...
0:29:49 > 0:29:51ELAINE LAUGHS
0:29:51 > 0:29:54- ..this is your mystery house. - Oh, gosh.- Wow!
0:29:54 > 0:29:57- Oh!- That is something.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- I love that.- Yeah.- I just love that. - Yeah, it looks nice.- Good.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Very imposing.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04That part of the barn and the house,
0:30:04 > 0:30:08this old sort of working farmhouse, or as it was, is the mystery house.
0:30:08 > 0:30:13The part here to my left is actually owned by the current owners.
0:30:13 > 0:30:16- Right.- Now they are converting all of this side
0:30:16 > 0:30:20and the idea is they have windows and everything on the other side,
0:30:20 > 0:30:22because they don't want to be looking at you,
0:30:22 > 0:30:25and in a way, you're not going to want to be looking at them.
0:30:25 > 0:30:29So the idea is - this is your drive, and then they use the other side.
0:30:29 > 0:30:30So it's private.
0:30:30 > 0:30:35- Open mind?- Yeah, so far.- Yeah, yeah. - Come on, then.- Thank you.
0:30:38 > 0:30:41'I thought with the neighbours, so close they would be put off.
0:30:41 > 0:30:42'But they love it.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45'Let's hope the interior also makes the right impact.'
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- So we are going to start off our tour with this kitchen.- Wow.
0:30:49 > 0:30:53- Oh, this is lovely.- Yeah? - Really nice, this is. Really nice.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55Oh, looks just so light and airy.
0:30:55 > 0:30:58Yeah, light and airy, that's what we wanted.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02It's got a huge range they are. It's going to be pumping out some heat.
0:31:02 > 0:31:03But you might have noticed,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07- you've got a conventional oven just to the left.- Oh, right. OK.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10And we came through the boot room.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Which has got a sink as well, which will be handy for the dogs.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15- Oh, absolutely. Yeah.- Perfect.
0:31:15 > 0:31:18As far as kitchens go, I'm thrilled.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20- Yeah, so am I. - I'm absolutely delighted.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Absolutely delighted. It's a wonderful kitchen.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25So I bet you are keen to see a little bit more now, aren't you?
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- Oh, definitely.- Very much so.- OK. We've got a dining room in there.
0:31:28 > 0:31:30Next door to that,
0:31:30 > 0:31:33- you've got a sitting room with a great little vista.- Good.- OK.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Elaine and John are clearly impressed, and I think that this
0:31:38 > 0:31:40modern extension is going to keep them beaming.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45So this is a really unusual house, our mystery house,
0:31:45 > 0:31:51- because this part is the barn. That L-shaped. It's contemporary.- Yeah.
0:31:51 > 0:31:54- It's modern. It's ten years old. - Yes.- It's absolutely amazing.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56- It's fantastic.- Lovely.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59- Yeah, very nice. I really like it. - I love the floor.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01- What a wonderful floor. - Yeah, love the stone floor.
0:32:01 > 0:32:06- Underfloor heating in this part of the property.- Yes.- Wonderful.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09- You are liking it, aren't you, John? - Yeah.- You are liking it.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Just at the back is a conservatory to die for.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14You're going to lose your hearts in there.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16I think we'll put in an offer already.
0:32:16 > 0:32:19- ALL LAUGH - Don't get me too excited!
0:32:19 > 0:32:24- So the old and the new are sitting together. It works?- Yes.- It does.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- Very much it does.- It all works so far.- Lovely.- It's beautiful.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30Well, let's go back into the old part of the house
0:32:30 > 0:32:32and take a look at the bedrooms.
0:32:32 > 0:32:33Thank you.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37'They like what they've seen so far, and I think that the generous
0:32:37 > 0:32:41'bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs could seal the deal.'
0:32:41 > 0:32:43So upstairs, we have our bedrooms,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46- and guess what I want you to do. - Ahh!
0:32:46 > 0:32:49- The curtain test. - Oh!- Off you go.- Fantastic.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52This is where I open the curtains and...
0:32:52 > 0:32:56- Oh, my word! Not a roof.- Wow.
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- Good, isn't it? Isn't that good? - Yes, thank you! Perfect.
0:33:00 > 0:33:05Just one of the three bedrooms up here.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09- Lovely.- It's really nice. - All en suite.
0:33:09 > 0:33:10- All of them?!- All en suite?
0:33:10 > 0:33:12I'll have to find a cleaner.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14ALL LAUGH
0:33:14 > 0:33:19- We do like it?- I do.- I absolutely love it. Absolutely love it.
0:33:19 > 0:33:20- Excellent.- Everything.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23So, I mean, practically everything you've seen...
0:33:23 > 0:33:27- I know.- Everything so far has been absolutely perfect.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29One more thing that you were desperate for...
0:33:29 > 0:33:31And that was the garden, wasn't it?
0:33:31 > 0:33:34- I do have just a little bit more of garden to show you.- Really?- Yeah.
0:33:34 > 0:33:36- Come on.- Oh.
0:33:37 > 0:33:43'I can practically see the sold sign, but can they afford it?'
0:33:43 > 0:33:47And the final parts of our mystery house tour is, of course,
0:33:47 > 0:33:51- the garden.- And the views! - Look at those rolling hills.
0:33:51 > 0:33:58- Oh, my goodness.- Spectacular.- Just get the wine out and we'll enjoy it.
0:33:58 > 0:34:01- Lovely decked area.- Lovely. - It's great.- Really lovely.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04You've got that other bit of garden around the side that you saw.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07That's actually the front of the property, believe it or not,
0:34:07 > 0:34:09because we came through the back door.
0:34:09 > 0:34:12And then, the garden, you've got all of these mature shrubs and trees.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14But if you look at the palms just to my left,
0:34:14 > 0:34:18- pass that going down is a bit more of your garden.- Really?
0:34:18 > 0:34:22- Oh, my goodness.- You've got to decide whether you can afford it.
0:34:22 > 0:34:26- We are only a mile from Callington. - Yes.- 25 minutes from Plymouth.- Yeah.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29Would you be proud to show your friends and family your house?
0:34:29 > 0:34:32- Would you be welcoming them to come to stay?- Definitely.- Absolutely.
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- Yeah.- No question about it.
0:34:34 > 0:34:38Is it under? Is it on budget? Or is it over?
0:34:39 > 0:34:42I think it's going to be a bit over our budget, unfortunately.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44I think it's going to be about £480,000.
0:34:45 > 0:34:50I think it's going to be £460,000 because it's a semidetached.
0:34:51 > 0:34:54The asking price is...
0:34:54 > 0:34:57under your budget. £455,000.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00- Ey!- It's sold!
0:35:00 > 0:35:05- Are you serious?- Hold the sold sign up. Absolutely!- Ohhh!
0:35:05 > 0:35:08I didn't think... I didn't think this moment was going to happen.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09No, neither did we.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12- Do you love it?- Absolutely. - Oh, it's absolutely wonderful.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15It's, yeah, we are very excited.
0:35:15 > 0:35:17- Oh, look, you getting all emotional on me, John!- I am, I am.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Are the dogs going to like it? Oh, they're going to love it.
0:35:20 > 0:35:21They're going to love it.
0:35:21 > 0:35:23- You still have got so much... - They better do.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25They had, cos you bought it.
0:35:25 > 0:35:28You've got so much more to explore on your own, haven't you?
0:35:28 > 0:35:31- Be my guest. Please do. Take as long as you like.- Thanks very much.
0:35:31 > 0:35:32Thank you.
0:35:34 > 0:35:36Nothing else to say, really, is there?
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Listen, she's shouting, "Sold! Sold!"
0:35:38 > 0:35:40as she walks back into the house.
0:35:40 > 0:35:45What more can I say? Fabulous house. We took a huge risk. It's paid off.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47What's more, it's under budget.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55Just within their budget by £5,000, this slate-roofed house
0:35:55 > 0:35:58offers an appealing mix of contemporary and character features.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01It's semidetached but doesn't look out onto the neighbours
0:36:01 > 0:36:03and has its own private courtyard,
0:36:03 > 0:36:05a decked area,
0:36:05 > 0:36:06and a good-sized garden
0:36:06 > 0:36:08with stunning views.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12Perfect. Yeah, I think the place is perfect.
0:36:12 > 0:36:16It ticks all the boxes and even boxes we didn't know needed ticking.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19I think she'll divorce me if I say we can't have it.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25- What a surprise.- I know! - Who would have thought it?- Not me.
0:36:25 > 0:36:28- I think your faces say at all, don't they?- Oh, definitely.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- You two look so happy. - Yeah, we are.- We are.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34- I've got to drag you away now. - Oh, that's a shame.- Come on.
0:36:40 > 0:36:45Britain's diverse geography creates some extreme natural microclimates.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49And Cornwall benefits from some of the warmest temperatures in the UK.
0:36:49 > 0:36:53And tucked in to a 50-metre deep crater overlooking St Austell Bay,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55the county is home to man-made
0:36:55 > 0:36:59microclimates in the form of the Eden Project.
0:36:59 > 0:37:02These giant biomes house the largest indoor rainforest
0:37:02 > 0:37:06as well as over one million plants from around the world.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10A charity-run enterprise, the Project promotes sustainable
0:37:10 > 0:37:15living and educates visitors about man's relationship with nature.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17I've arranged to meet Dr Jo Elworthy,
0:37:17 > 0:37:20director of interpretation for a tour.
0:37:21 > 0:37:23Jo, I have to say, I've been really excited about this visit
0:37:23 > 0:37:27because it's the first time I'll have been to the Eden Project.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29- Well, welcome to our home. - Well, thank you.
0:37:29 > 0:37:33So who had the vision to create all of this from scratch?
0:37:33 > 0:37:35It was Sir Tim Smit.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39He wanted to create the biggest global garden in the world
0:37:39 > 0:37:41to show how we all could reconnect to nature
0:37:41 > 0:37:44and put it in a place where you couldn't see it from a mile away.
0:37:44 > 0:37:47- He has certainly done it, hasn't he?- He certainly did.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Can I ask you about the actual structures themselves?
0:37:50 > 0:37:54To me, it looks like giant bubble wrap. Now, what's the purpose?
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Does it conserve energy?
0:37:56 > 0:38:00It conserves energy and it's called Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02I'm glad you said that.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04There's three layers of it, so it is like bubble wrap.
0:38:04 > 0:38:06It's like a giant duvet.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09It keeps the plants warm, but it also transmits daylight,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12complete daylight so they have the right light inside.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15Well, I am really looking forward to walking around and exploring,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17so shall we go?
0:38:17 > 0:38:19- Let's go and have a look at the world.- Thank you.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23I'm heading to the rainforest biomes.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Standing at a staggering 55m high,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29it covers nearly 16,000 square meters.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33Home to around 4,000 species of plants,
0:38:33 > 0:38:38it includes rubber trees, cocoa beans and chewing gum plants.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41What really hits you is the heat.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44- 40 degrees.- Gah! You're telling me.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48But you feel like you are in the centre of a tropical rainforest.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Absolutely. We've got the whole tropical rainforests here
0:38:50 > 0:38:52and all the different rainforests of the world,
0:38:52 > 0:38:54so we are in Malaysia at the moment.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58- And what have we got behind us here, growing so well?- Rice.- Rice?
0:38:58 > 0:39:00Yeah, this is rice in water.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03The temperature is perfect for it here and it's next to our Malaysian
0:39:03 > 0:39:07garden, so it is semi-between the wild and a garden crop.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- I've never seen wild rice grow. Ever.- Yeah.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12And behind you, you've got the miracle tree
0:39:12 > 0:39:13which is used for everything.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16You can eat the leaves, the roots, you can use the seeds to
0:39:16 > 0:39:20- purify water, you can use it for oil to make watches work.- Oh, goodness.
0:39:20 > 0:39:21All sorts of things.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Truly fascinating. And thank you.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27Looking up at the trees is one thing,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29but when botanical scientists in the tropics want to navigate
0:39:29 > 0:39:33out-of-reach canopies, they often employ zip lines.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Taking inspiration from them, the Eden Project
0:39:36 > 0:39:39has built England's longest and fastest zip line.
0:39:39 > 0:39:42Let's see if I've got the bottle to try it.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47I don't mind admitting I'm absolutely petrified.
0:39:47 > 0:39:48'Mike is going to launch me
0:39:48 > 0:39:52'from the terrifyingly high platform from where I'm going to fly for
0:39:52 > 0:39:59'660 meters, as fast as 60mph along what they call the SkyWire.'
0:39:59 > 0:40:03Mike, you are sure this is the best view of the Eden Project?
0:40:03 > 0:40:07- Very, very sure.- Right. I am ready. Here we go.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Three, two, one.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Whoa. Oh, my word!
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Wow!
0:40:16 > 0:40:20This is truly amazing.
0:40:21 > 0:40:23I can see everything.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27Whoa!
0:40:27 > 0:40:29I seem to be going so fast!
0:40:32 > 0:40:33Oh!
0:40:39 > 0:40:41With my feet firmly back on the ground,
0:40:41 > 0:40:46I can't wait to find out Elaine and John's thoughts on our properties.
0:40:46 > 0:40:48We've got to talk about properties, haven't we?
0:40:48 > 0:40:50- Indeed, yeah.- We have, haven't we?
0:40:50 > 0:40:54- Because we know yesterday wasn't great.- No, it wasn't great at all.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58It wasn't great, however, today, the sun came out.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02It shone on us. And the mystery house... Well, you tell me.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06- Well, it was everything. - It was everything and more.- Yeah?
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- Everything and more. - Yeah, we loved it.
0:41:09 > 0:41:10I was worried.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13I said this to you when we first walked into the property
0:41:13 > 0:41:16because your brief to us was modern,
0:41:16 > 0:41:20views, no neighbours,
0:41:20 > 0:41:22and we took you to the mystery house
0:41:22 > 0:41:24that had a neighbour right next door.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26- I know.- And it was attached.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29The property just overrode that in every sense.
0:41:29 > 0:41:34And the views and everything, that was what we really wanted and...
0:41:34 > 0:41:37everything else just seemed to be insignificant.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39We knew we could be happy there.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42I could tell from straight first, like,
0:41:42 > 0:41:4460 seconds that I'd be happy there.
0:41:44 > 0:41:45- Could you really?- Yeah.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48I mean, we're talking like it's a done deal,
0:41:48 > 0:41:51and I realise I haven't probably asked the most significant
0:41:51 > 0:41:54question out, which is - are going to put an offer in?
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- Definitely.- Definitely.- Yes.- Yes.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00- We wish you all the best with the move.- Thank you much.
0:42:00 > 0:42:01You can drop by any time.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10We started off our property search with a clear criteria from John
0:42:10 > 0:42:12and Elaine.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16They wanted a detached, modern property with fabulous views
0:42:16 > 0:42:18and definitely no neighbours.
0:42:18 > 0:42:22And guess what - our 19th-century mystery house threw
0:42:22 > 0:42:24most of that up in the air.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26And I'm predicting that this wonderful couple with
0:42:26 > 0:42:30their beloved dogs will be calling this part of Cornwall home
0:42:30 > 0:42:31very soon.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33I'll see you again.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37John and Elaine didn't wait around and, after a second viewing,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39they put in an offer on the mystery house.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42And I'm happy to say it was accepted.
0:42:42 > 0:42:45They are about to move in and can't wait to start their new
0:42:45 > 0:42:47life in Cornwall.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50If you'd like to escape to the country in England, Wales, Scotland
0:42:50 > 0:42:54or Northern Ireland, and would like our help, you can apply online at...