0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to Escape To The Country.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Today, I'm surrounded by towering rocks -
0:00:05 > 0:00:08some 400 million years in the making - in an area the Victorians
0:00:08 > 0:00:11affectionately called Little Switzerland.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14I haven't left the country, obviously, but where am I?
0:00:14 > 0:00:16Stay tuned to find out.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Today, I am helping a corporate couple carve out a new
0:00:37 > 0:00:39career in the countryside.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42Can you imagine sitting in bed in the morning with a cup of tea,
0:00:42 > 0:00:44looking out over that?
0:00:44 > 0:00:45It would be fantastic.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48And on the search for their dream property,
0:00:48 > 0:00:51will my buyers be ruled by their head or their heart?
0:00:51 > 0:00:54It's absolutely charming, but my practical side will kick in
0:00:54 > 0:00:57- in a minute.- And when Claire's practical side kicks in,
0:00:57 > 0:00:59then we know we've got trouble.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05Today, I am in North Devon, on the Exmoor coast,
0:01:05 > 0:01:06in the Valley of Rocks,
0:01:06 > 0:01:10which is a natural gorge between two ridges of hills.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14And the valley is shaped like a bowl, bordered by rock formations
0:01:14 > 0:01:16with names like Castle Rock, Ragged Rock
0:01:16 > 0:01:18and the Devil's Cheese Ring.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22This dramatic geology and natural beauty inspired
0:01:22 > 0:01:27great 18th-century romantic poets such as Wordsworth and Coleridge
0:01:27 > 0:01:31and continues to attract visitors from all over the world.
0:01:31 > 0:01:35However, many now come here for a more physically exhilarating
0:01:35 > 0:01:39experience, which I'll be trying out later on in the show.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Devon is the fourth largest county in England
0:01:43 > 0:01:45and the largest in the South West.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48It is sandwiched between the Bristol Channel to the north
0:01:48 > 0:01:51and the English Channel to the south. Its dramatic
0:01:51 > 0:01:57and varied 300 miles of coastline draws in visitors year after year,
0:01:57 > 0:02:00along with vivid countryside made up of elegant, meandering rivers,
0:02:00 > 0:02:04steep valleys as well as two national parks
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and five Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Today, we are focusing on the North Devon District that
0:02:11 > 0:02:13accounts for just over a quarter of the county.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16North Devon is home to Exmoor National Park.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Named after the River Exe, the county's main river,
0:02:19 > 0:02:23it has the longest stretch of naturally wooded coastline
0:02:23 > 0:02:25in the British Isles, the highest coastal cliffs
0:02:25 > 0:02:29in England, and the second highest tidal range in the world.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32For those more interested in water sports than walking,
0:02:32 > 0:02:36the 800-metre long sandy stretch of beach at Croyde Bay
0:02:36 > 0:02:41is a surfer's paradise, facing west to the high waves of the Atlantic.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45The county also boasts an abundance of traditional architecture,
0:02:45 > 0:02:50including around 20,000 houses made partly or entirely from cob,
0:02:50 > 0:02:53many dating back to the 15th century.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00At the moment, the average price of a detached property
0:03:00 > 0:03:01here in Devon is creeping
0:03:01 > 0:03:03just over £300,000.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06That's around 30,000 more
0:03:06 > 0:03:07than the national average.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10But if you head inland, you do get more for your money.
0:03:10 > 0:03:13And if it is the quiet countryside you are after,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17then it is the north of the county that is probably your best bet,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20as it is home to less than 10% of Devon's population.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23And here are two more people hoping to make this part
0:03:23 > 0:03:24of the country their home.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Today's house hunters, Nick and Claire,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30are from the town of Henley-on-Thames, in Oxfordshire.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32They have been married for four years and met at work.
0:03:32 > 0:03:34We met at a team meeting.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38And we discovered that we had a shared love of cooking.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41So we decided to get together and cook a nice dinner.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43And it all started from there.
0:03:43 > 0:03:47My love of baking, I think, has stemmed from my love of eating cake.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Fortunately, Nick really enjoys eating sweet things, too.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54So it is a very symbiotic relationship.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58They have always harboured plans, eventually,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01to retire to the countryside, but both being made redundant
0:04:01 > 0:04:04recently has prompted them to act sooner.
0:04:04 > 0:04:07It had been our plan to move to the West Country
0:04:07 > 0:04:10and start a holiday letting business.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12As we are both currently out of work, we thought,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14"Well, let's bring it forward."
0:04:14 > 0:04:17It seemed silly to go back into finding new jobs,
0:04:17 > 0:04:20so we thought we'd do our big move now.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Knowing the county well, they've decided Devon is the ideal
0:04:23 > 0:04:26destination for their home and business.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30So, I've had several family holidays as a child in Devon.
0:04:30 > 0:04:34- So I do know the area a little bit. - And also, I grew up in Devon.
0:04:34 > 0:04:37And when we have been down together, to have a look around, I think
0:04:37 > 0:04:40both Claire and I have really fallen for North Devon.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42And the countryside.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45To make their lettings business unique,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48they want to combine it with a personal passion of theirs
0:04:48 > 0:04:51in the hope it appeals to like-minded holiday-makers.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53We are both keen cyclists.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57One of the things we thought about is trying to attract cyclists.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01So we would make sure we have got a small workshop where people
0:05:01 > 0:05:06can work on their bikes and pre-plan a few routes and provide route maps.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11So, with the business mapped out and a sale agreed on their house,
0:05:11 > 0:05:12they are all set.
0:05:12 > 0:05:15And like all successful partnerships, they know their roles.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19I think my main role will be the handyman.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22I think that my main role in the business will be to meet
0:05:22 > 0:05:24and greet the guests and to look after their needs
0:05:24 > 0:05:27and make sure they are settled into their new holiday homes.
0:05:27 > 0:05:32Claire is the more outgoing of the pair of us.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35But lovely personality.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Just lovely girl.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40Aw! SHE GIGGLES
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Nick and Claire have asked us
0:05:45 > 0:05:48to focus their search in the rural areas of North Devon.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51With the advantage of great beaches on the coast as well
0:05:51 > 0:05:54as the green spaces of Exmoor, it is popular with holiday-makers
0:05:54 > 0:05:58and could be a great area to start up a lettings business.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01Welcome to Devon, Nick and Claire, lovely to meet you both.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03So, tell me why this part of Devon?
0:06:03 > 0:06:06Firstly, because it is beautiful.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10And I grew up in Devon and I just really love the county.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12I've brought Claire down a few times
0:06:12 > 0:06:14and I think she has fallen in love with it too.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17And I understand that time is of the essence.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19You've almost sold your home in Oxfordshire.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21Yes, we are due to exchange in the next couple of days,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24so we are going to be homeless within a couple of weeks.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26- So we really better get on with it. - We really had.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29And tell us what you'd like from a home here.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33We'd like a character farmhouse, three or four bedrooms,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36really lovely kitchen, or the potential to create a lovely
0:06:36 > 0:06:39country kitchen, a couple of reception rooms...
0:06:39 > 0:06:42I am quite up for having a bit of a project.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Some great potential to build
0:06:45 > 0:06:47a lovely little holiday letting business.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50I'd prefer to have something to build rather than
0:06:50 > 0:06:53necessarily buying an existing, ongoing business.
0:06:53 > 0:06:56It would be good to have something which has already got
0:06:56 > 0:07:00something going, in terms of some holiday cottages.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03But perhaps a bit more work to do.
0:07:03 > 0:07:05This doesn't sound very relaxing to me.
0:07:05 > 0:07:08You are obviously not coming to chill in the country.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11No, unfortunately, we still need to earn a living,
0:07:11 > 0:07:15so we are hoping that having five or six cottages, that we
0:07:15 > 0:07:19let out on a self-catering basis, will give us
0:07:19 > 0:07:23some free time during the week to enjoy this beautiful county.
0:07:23 > 0:07:26What things would absolutely put you off a property?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29Thatch. We are not particularly keen on thatch,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32or I am not particularly keen on thatched roofs.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Generally, modern houses is certainly not Claire's thing.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Or being overlooked or having a lot of neighbours.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Remind us of how much you have to spend, Nick.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46If it is something that is a project, then about a million.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49If it is a completely up-and-running business,
0:07:49 > 0:07:52up to as much as £1.25 million.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54I'll always take the top one, so...
0:07:54 > 0:07:57It's a great, healthy-sized budget,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01but it is not going to be easy to find a ready-made house with
0:08:01 > 0:08:05five or six holiday lets, like you mentioned, so I am glad,
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Nick, you've said you are prepared to put in a bit of work.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Are you as well, Claire? - Oh, absolutely.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11- And we make a good team.- Great.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Are you ready to see what I have up my sleeve?- Raring to go.- Absolutely.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17Shall we finish our tea first?
0:08:19 > 0:08:22So, Nick and Claire are not only looking for a dream home
0:08:22 > 0:08:24for themselves but also a business set-up,
0:08:24 > 0:08:30and they are armed with a very substantial budget of £1.25 million.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34For the primary accommodation, they'd like a character farmhouse
0:08:34 > 0:08:37with three or more bedrooms and a large country kitchen.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40But we must steer clear of thatched properties.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44They are also looking for some land, either with an existing
0:08:44 > 0:08:47holiday let business or the potential to start one up.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50They'd like a rural location with good access to the coast
0:08:50 > 0:08:52and the countryside.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56I have got three character properties lined up for our buyers,
0:08:56 > 0:08:59all offering extensive and varied accommodation
0:08:59 > 0:09:02as well as inspired ideas for their business set-up.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04I won't be revealing the price of each
0:09:04 > 0:09:06until they've had a guess themselves.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09Our last visit will be to my Mystery House,
0:09:09 > 0:09:10where I'll be pushing them
0:09:10 > 0:09:14on character and finding out how far they are willing to go to get it.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21We're kicking off our Devonshire house hunt
0:09:21 > 0:09:23just ten miles from Exmoor National Park
0:09:23 > 0:09:27and 15 minutes from the coast, in a rural North Devon location
0:09:27 > 0:09:30three miles outside the village of Braunton.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Perfectly positioned in close proximity to both stunning
0:09:35 > 0:09:38countryside and the sandy beaches at Croyde and Woolacombe,
0:09:38 > 0:09:43Braunton is a popular spot with surfers as well as holiday-makers,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46but it also offers good shopping with all the key amenities
0:09:46 > 0:09:48for locals. Just five minutes
0:09:48 > 0:09:50in the car from the village, into the countryside,
0:09:50 > 0:09:52is our first property,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54in a breathtaking rural position.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- This is house number one. - It's lovely!
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Yeah, I like the exposed stone on it.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04The original barn dates back to the 16th century.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07And the reason why I'm saying original barn
0:10:07 > 0:10:09is because this isn't a barn conversion.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13In fact, it is a new build. I know you didn't want it.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16- SHE LAUGHS - But what the current owner has done,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18he's a builder, he knocked it all
0:10:18 > 0:10:23down and rebuilt the house with the original stone about 15 years ago.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25But the owner has done a great job of keeping
0:10:25 > 0:10:28some of the original features of the area.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31- So, can you see those holes at the top?- Hm.
0:10:31 > 0:10:32Those are called bee holes.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34And they were used to attract pigeons,
0:10:34 > 0:10:37that eventually were shot. And there were only a few of them
0:10:37 > 0:10:40on the house and the owner put some more on.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- Enough character for you? - SHE LAUGHS
0:10:42 > 0:10:45From the outside, yeah. Definitely.
0:10:45 > 0:10:49- You want to get inside.- Oh, aching to. Can we?- Yeah, let's go.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54I'm glad the idea of a new build doesn't put them off
0:10:54 > 0:10:56because the character that has been preserved
0:10:56 > 0:11:00and added on the outside is continued on the inside.
0:11:00 > 0:11:03First, I'm taking them to the kitchen.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06You both said the kitchen was very important.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09- So I want your first impressions. - It's lovely...
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- It is a little small. - I knew there was a but.
0:11:12 > 0:11:17I mean, in terms of style, it is exactly what I wanted.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19- There is a utility back here.- OK.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23And a loo, so there is more space behind that door.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Let's show you the rest of the house
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- and then you can see it in context, yeah?- Yes, please.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Directly off the kitchen is a huge, light sitting
0:11:32 > 0:11:36and dining room with double-height doors and windows, making
0:11:36 > 0:11:39the most of the fantastic views of the gardens and countryside.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42So this is your living room.
0:11:42 > 0:11:47- Wow. Yeah, lovely.- Yeah. Really nice. Wood fire, wood-burning stove.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49And I love the exposed beams, too.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51That, actually, is from an old shipyard.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55And that feature over there was part of the original front door.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56Oh, wow!
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Yeah, no, it's a lovely room. - Yep.- Really nice.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Now, you asked for three bedrooms,
0:12:01 > 0:12:04and that's what this property has - three double bedrooms.
0:12:04 > 0:12:07- One of them is just up the stairs over there.- OK.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10- But let me show you the master, up these stairs.- Yes, please.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13The galleried landing leads to two of the property's
0:12:13 > 0:12:16three bedrooms on the first floor -
0:12:16 > 0:12:20a roomy double with an en-suite for guests as well as the large
0:12:20 > 0:12:21master bedroom.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27- Yeah, another lovely room. - I love this A-frame.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's beautiful, isn't it? It is a really pretty room. Really pretty.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- En-suite?- En-suite. In fact, all three bedrooms have an en-suite.
0:12:33 > 0:12:37- You've got three bathrooms as well. - That's perfect.- And a lovely view.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39With a balcony, a Juliet balcony.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42Can you imagine sitting in bed in the morning with a cup of tea,
0:12:42 > 0:12:44looking out over that? That would be fantastic.
0:12:44 > 0:12:49- I don't know if you've noticed the silver sockets near the floor.- No.
0:12:49 > 0:12:55- Those are for the central vacuuming system.- Oh, wow.- It is a wow thing.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00Plug-in and all the dirt gets sucked into one central point.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02That's bizarre! Amazing.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Neither of you have mentioned the other part of your search,
0:13:04 > 0:13:06but I know it has been going through your mind.
0:13:06 > 0:13:10There aren't the five or six holiday lets that you were ideally
0:13:10 > 0:13:13looking for, but there is a cottage that comes with this property.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- OK.- So do you both want to go
0:13:15 > 0:13:18and have a look at that? I'll take in the view here.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20- And then I'll meet you in the garden.- Perfect.
0:13:20 > 0:13:22Great, see you in a bit.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27As Nick and Claire are looking to start up a new business
0:13:27 > 0:13:30from the property, the fact that there is an existing
0:13:30 > 0:13:33holiday let should be a real benefit and a good starting point.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37The one-bedroom barn conversion is arranged over two floors.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39This is sweet.
0:13:39 > 0:13:44- It is, isn't it?- Wood-burning stove, which is great.- Nice.- This is sweet.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48The property stands in 1.3 acres of garden
0:13:48 > 0:13:51with access to a further paddock of around five acres.
0:13:51 > 0:13:56There is an additional oak-framed outbuilding with garage and workshop
0:13:56 > 0:14:00space that could also be converted as part of the lettings business.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- So, what did you think of the cottage?- Very sweet, yeah.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07- Really lovely.- Small, but it has been well done.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09I think that is the overriding feeling, isn't it?
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- It's small for you.- It is a bit.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14There is planning permission to extend the main house,
0:14:14 > 0:14:16that's already in place.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20But you'd have to ask about additional planning permission,
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- of course, for any holiday lets. - For the cottages, yes.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24And we would need more cottages.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27What do you think this house is on the market for?
0:14:27 > 0:14:33- I'm going to take a wild stab at £700,000.- OK.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36That's close to what I was going to say. I was going to say 695.
0:14:36 > 0:14:42- It is on the market for £725,000. - OK.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44Now that you know the price,
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- do you want to give the house one last look?- Yes.- Yes, we'd like to.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52- Good.- Thank you.- And I'll see you out the front soon.- OK.- See you.
0:14:53 > 0:14:55For nearly half a million pounds
0:14:55 > 0:14:56under Nick and Claire's
0:14:56 > 0:14:58maximum budget, this property
0:14:58 > 0:15:00has the character they asked for
0:15:00 > 0:15:02with three good-sized bedrooms
0:15:02 > 0:15:04and business potential to boot.
0:15:04 > 0:15:05It may only have one holiday
0:15:05 > 0:15:07cottage, but they could
0:15:07 > 0:15:08develop the site further,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10subject to planning permission.
0:15:10 > 0:15:11And they'd have a substantial
0:15:11 > 0:15:13budget to do the work.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17It's also in an ideal location to attract holiday-makers
0:15:17 > 0:15:20with access to both the countryside and to the coast.
0:15:20 > 0:15:24- So these are the other outbuildings, I guess.- Yep.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29You could probably squeeze two floors in here. Just about.
0:15:29 > 0:15:34I love the decor. It's got the right number of bedrooms. A lot of land.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37But it doesn't have enough outbuildings for what we are
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- looking for.- Location, a real winner.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45What lets it down is perhaps the lack of potential for building
0:15:45 > 0:15:48our holiday business. Although we could have two letting units,
0:15:48 > 0:15:51we really need five or ideally six.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59- Still a no?- I'm afraid so. - Yes, I think it's not for us.
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- Hopefully, better luck with house number two.- Yes.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Devon is associated with many dairy-based delicacies,
0:16:12 > 0:16:17from ice cream to clotted cream and, of course, Devonshire fudge.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Having met through a shared passion for food,
0:16:19 > 0:16:23we sent Claire and Nick to meet Andrew Gray at Partridge Farm,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26just north of Dartmoor, where he and his wife produce handmade
0:16:26 > 0:16:29fudge from their purpose-built fudge kitchen.
0:16:29 > 0:16:34Using local organic dairy produce, they supply a range of flavours
0:16:34 > 0:16:37to small businesses and sweet-toothed tourists
0:16:37 > 0:16:38throughout the county.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41What is the definition of fudge?
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Well, fudge is possibly something that was created
0:16:44 > 0:16:46out of a bit of an accident.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Someone was making some caramel,
0:16:48 > 0:16:51it all got a bit too hot and went a bit wrong,
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- and someone said, "Oh, fudge!" - THEY LAUGH
0:16:53 > 0:16:56- And then it was born. - And how long have you been here?
0:16:56 > 0:16:59We have been here about three years now.
0:16:59 > 0:17:01We moved from South Derbyshire
0:17:01 > 0:17:03looking for...
0:17:03 > 0:17:06land, space and...
0:17:06 > 0:17:08for a new thing to do in our lives.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Despite the simplicity of the ingredients in fudge,
0:17:13 > 0:17:16it has a reputation for being difficult to make.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20The key is in achieving the right temperature and timing when cooking
0:17:20 > 0:17:23to create the perfect flavour and texture.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27Andrew is showing Nick and Claire one of his most popular recipes
0:17:27 > 0:17:31featuring another delicious traditional Devonshire ingredient.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33Welcome to our kitchen.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37We are going to be making some Devon clotted cream fudge.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39We start with the sugar.
0:17:39 > 0:17:42We use an unrefined, golden, granulated,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44organic, fair trade sugar.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47That is about half of the ingredients, roughly.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- Mostly sugar. - HE LAUGHS
0:17:50 > 0:17:53The sugar is placed in a mixer along with double cream,
0:17:53 > 0:17:57clotted cream, butter and condensed milk.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59The ingredients are mixed for an hour,
0:17:59 > 0:18:01gradually heating to above boiling point.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04Three quarters of the way through cooking, the lid can be removed
0:18:04 > 0:18:08and the mixture constantly stirred to prevent burning.
0:18:08 > 0:18:12The brown mass is been emptied into a copper pot to be beaten.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14Why do you use a copper pot?
0:18:14 > 0:18:18It's a traditional thing. Copper is a very good conductor of heat,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20so it was an even spread of heat.
0:18:20 > 0:18:25As it cools, the mixture needs to be worked for around an hour
0:18:25 > 0:18:28to achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31It is still bubbling, isn't it? It's still really, really hot.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33It is still hot. At this stage,
0:18:33 > 0:18:36it'll still be hotter than boiling water temperature.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38Would you like to have a go at mixing some fudge, Claire?
0:18:38 > 0:18:41- Oh, yes, I'd love to. Thank you.- OK.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Cor! This gives you a good workout, doesn't it?
0:18:46 > 0:18:48It looks like hard work, yeah.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51You can see, it is actually a lot less runny already.
0:18:51 > 0:18:54Making fudge is a laborious task.
0:18:54 > 0:18:58A batch like this produces 20kg and takes up to four hours to make.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03On average, Andrew makes about 140kg a week.
0:19:03 > 0:19:04When the mixture no longer sticks,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07it is ready to be decanted into trays.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13So now we just spread the fudge through the tray.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16It is a little bit of a race against time because
0:19:16 > 0:19:19if it goes too much, it doesn't move very easily across the tray.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22And if you push too hard, then it can just break.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24It takes up to 30 minutes
0:19:24 > 0:19:28to set until it is firm enough to be able to slice cleanly with
0:19:28 > 0:19:30a knife and removed from the tray.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32That's it.
0:19:34 > 0:19:35Well, thank you, Andrew.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38It has been a fascinating day and we have really thoroughly enjoyed it.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40Can we please tuck in?
0:19:45 > 0:19:49For my next offering, I am taking our buyers 20 minutes
0:19:49 > 0:19:51round the coast, towards Exmoor, and four miles
0:19:51 > 0:19:54from the seaside resort of Combe Martin
0:19:54 > 0:19:56to the hamlet of East Down.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58Sheltered in a rocky cove,
0:19:58 > 0:20:01the village of Combe Martin's sandy beaches make it
0:20:01 > 0:20:06popular for numerous activities, from rock pulling to kayaking.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08For tourists, there is a selection of gift
0:20:08 > 0:20:12and surf shops as well as places to eat.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14A short drive back to East Down,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16property number two is perfectly positioned for those
0:20:16 > 0:20:20looking for great coastal access but with a more rural outlook.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24Lying in a gentle valley, it is approached through an unusual
0:20:24 > 0:20:28stone circular moon gate, leading to a private courtyard.
0:20:28 > 0:20:29Wow.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34- Awesome courtyard.- Yeah. Some huge set-up, isn't it?
0:20:34 > 0:20:36And huge is the key word.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38So this is the main farmhouse, a period farmhouse.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42It has been thoroughly modernised inside and there
0:20:42 > 0:20:44are lots of flexible living options
0:20:44 > 0:20:47and business options in there for you.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- So brace yourselves.- Sounds great.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54With an extensive range of outbuildings on site, I'm hoping
0:20:54 > 0:20:58this property won't disappoint in terms of business potential.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01But first, we need to tackle the main house.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Occupying a massive floor space of over 500 square metres,
0:21:05 > 0:21:08the ground floor centres on a large kitchen and dining room
0:21:08 > 0:21:11surrounded by two of the property's nine bedrooms
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and a number of reception rooms.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19- This is the main living room of the property.- Wow. Impressive.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- A fireplace.- Yeah, it's lovely. - Oh, that's lovely, isn't it?
0:21:22 > 0:21:24And there is actually a second reception room.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26That has also got a fireplace.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28You've got two reception rooms to choose from.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Wow, fantastic.
0:21:30 > 0:21:34Now the centre of the house is also a bit wow.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Let me take you straight there.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Directly off the living rooms is the huge kitchen space, complete with
0:21:41 > 0:21:44original beams, traditional slate floor
0:21:44 > 0:21:46and vaulted gallery area above.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Oh, wow.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52This is a really impressive room.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- So, is this big enough?- Definitely.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Because this is the biggest kitchen I've ever seen.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- Amazing, isn't it? - Yeah, it's a great room.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- There is a utility just through there.- Fabulous.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- And a larder.- Fantastic!
0:22:05 > 0:22:08I'm glad you like it because it is confession time now.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11No-one actually lives here.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12It is only used...
0:22:14 > 0:22:16..as a place of business for conferences
0:22:16 > 0:22:19and away days of businesses.
0:22:19 > 0:22:23- Oh, that's unusual.- Which means, there isn't really a master bedroom.
0:22:23 > 0:22:28- But I will take you to one of the rooms and then reveal the rest.- OK.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34Also downstairs are two office rooms beyond the kitchen area,
0:22:34 > 0:22:37which would work as a base for the business,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40as well as two substantial double bedrooms, both en-suite.
0:22:40 > 0:22:43Upstairs, the remaining seven bedrooms, all roughly
0:22:43 > 0:22:47equal in size, are accessed from one long corridor running
0:22:47 > 0:22:48the length of the house.
0:22:51 > 0:22:56- So, this is one of nine bedrooms. - Nine!- Seven of them have en-suites.
0:22:56 > 0:23:01Now, you could pick any one of them to be your master bedroom.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Or you could let the whole place out
0:23:03 > 0:23:07and live in the two-bedroom cottage across the courtyard.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10The other house, I know you didn't like the fact that it was only
0:23:10 > 0:23:11one cottage.
0:23:11 > 0:23:15Here, there are four or five other outbuildings as well.
0:23:15 > 0:23:18- So far, I love it. - Let's go back out to the courtyard.
0:23:18 > 0:23:21I'll point you in the direction of the cottage and outbuildings
0:23:21 > 0:23:24and then I'll meet you back outside.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- Excellent.- Yeah? Let's go.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I must say, I thought Nick and Claire would be
0:23:31 > 0:23:33put off by the majority of the accommodation being in the
0:23:33 > 0:23:36main house, but they seem to have really taken a shine to this house.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38And with various outbuildings,
0:23:38 > 0:23:41they seem excited about what this property could offer them.
0:23:41 > 0:23:45Outside, the array of outbuildings include a converted barn
0:23:45 > 0:23:49used as a conference centre, a large studio space with mezzanine,
0:23:49 > 0:23:52a number of traditional stone buildings that could be
0:23:52 > 0:23:55converted, as well as a furnished two-bedroom holiday cottage.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- Nice.- Yeah.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01- Another wood burner. - Yeah, everything you need.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03- A little kitchen.- Kitchen. It is quite small.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06But perfectly formed, I think.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08And a downstairs bedroom.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12- It is perfectly big enough, isn't it? - Yeah. No en-suite.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14Oh, I like this little cottage.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Aside from the business opportunities
0:24:16 > 0:24:18this property presents,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21there's also some stunning green space for Nick and Claire
0:24:21 > 0:24:23to enjoy, including a vegetable garden,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27a woodland area and a millpond with working water mill.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30I mean, you could make that into a great feature, couldn't you?
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- There is so much to this place, isn't there?- It just never ends.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41- Did you see the water wheel? - We did.- It's great.
0:24:41 > 0:24:45- And this is the millpond that feeds that wheel.- OK.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48So the current owners have restored it, and they say it could
0:24:48 > 0:24:52- actually provide enough energy to heat the house over the winter.- No!
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- Wow.- Yeah.- That's amazing. - You found a great one here.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57- Do you love it that much? - Oh, really good.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00- Oh, I am so pleased to hear that. - It's fantastic. I love it.
0:25:00 > 0:25:01Is this what you were looking for?
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Well, I think it has the potential to be what we are looking for, yeah.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Can you afford it is the big question.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10I am so glad it is Claire's turn to go first.
0:25:10 > 0:25:12It is Claire's turn to go first.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15- I think it is going to be right at the top of our budget.- Do you think?
0:25:15 > 0:25:18- I'm going to say 1.25 million.- Nick?
0:25:18 > 0:25:21Well, clearly there is a bit of money to be spent on it,
0:25:21 > 0:25:25so I'm hoping that it is not quite at the top.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27So I'm going to guess 1.15 million.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31It is currently on the market for 1.2 million.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36It was on the market for 1.4, so it has been reduced.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39And that is their bottom line, I'm afraid, 1.2.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Wow.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- Exciting.- We better do some sums. - I think we better had.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46They are so many bits to see, do you want to go
0:25:46 > 0:25:49and explore the bits you might not have seen?
0:25:49 > 0:25:51- Yes, please. - And I'll meet you out by the arch.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53- Excellent.- Thank you.- OK.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57This property offers Nick
0:25:57 > 0:26:00and Claire countless options for creating a gorgeous
0:26:00 > 0:26:02home as well as a business on-site,
0:26:02 > 0:26:03but it would require them
0:26:03 > 0:26:06to invest their maximum budget.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08The nine-bedroom house has a huge
0:26:08 > 0:26:10amount of flexible living space,
0:26:10 > 0:26:12including a kitchen and dining area
0:26:12 > 0:26:13that is exceptional.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Although there is a fair amount
0:26:15 > 0:26:17of work to do, the existing holiday
0:26:17 > 0:26:18cottage means they could get
0:26:18 > 0:26:20the business started and convert
0:26:20 > 0:26:22the remaining outbuildings over time.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28Wow.
0:26:28 > 0:26:30So much potential.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32You could have it as a games room.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Or you could convert it into one very big cottage.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40Obviously, there is a bit of work to do,
0:26:40 > 0:26:42but actually, I quite like the idea that.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46It is everything I could have asked for. That kitchen was amazing.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49And the gallery was just awesome.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51I was completely bowled over by it.
0:26:51 > 0:26:56If we can find a way to make it work from a budget perspective,
0:26:56 > 0:26:58then definitely, I can see us living here.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02- Do we really have to leave now? - Only for a bit.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Since you love the house so much, the drinks are on you, Nick.
0:27:06 > 0:27:07Perfect.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Claire and Nick are ditching their corporate lives to start afresh in
0:27:19 > 0:27:25the Devon countryside. With a very generous budget of £1.25 million,
0:27:25 > 0:27:28they're after a character cottage with enough land to start
0:27:28 > 0:27:30their own enterprise.
0:27:30 > 0:27:34Coming up, will the character of the Mystery House be a step too far?
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Oh, wow, yeah, these are really steep, aren't they?
0:27:38 > 0:27:41And I get a lesson in scaling the local landscape.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44This is not easy.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Not that I thought it would be easy, but...
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Yesterday, we showed Nick and Claire two extreme properties,
0:27:52 > 0:27:55but to be honest, I wasn't expecting such extreme reactions.
0:27:55 > 0:28:00House one wasn't for them. And they liked house two immediately.
0:28:00 > 0:28:02And so, with the Mystery House,
0:28:02 > 0:28:06what we really want to do is test those business ambitions.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09So it is the morning after...
0:28:11 > 0:28:13The day before. How are you both feeling?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16We loved the second property yesterday,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18so it was good to finish the day on a high.
0:28:18 > 0:28:20- And do you still love it after sleeping on it?- Yes.
0:28:20 > 0:28:25Still a strong contender as of this morning, yeah, definitely.
0:28:27 > 0:28:31And our first test will be on location, as our mystery property
0:28:31 > 0:28:35is south of Nick and Claire's ideal search area of North Devon.
0:28:35 > 0:28:38We are heading to the small farm hamlet of Corscombe,
0:28:38 > 0:28:40on the northern tip of Dartmoor,
0:28:40 > 0:28:44just over two miles east of the larger town of Okehampton.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49In the heart of rural Devon, Okehampton is a lively market town
0:28:49 > 0:28:51with a range of shops, cafes and pubs.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Visitors come to see the remains of the largest castle in Devon -
0:28:55 > 0:28:57Okehampton Castle.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59Now an English Heritage Site,
0:28:59 > 0:29:02it sits on a wooded spur above the River Okement.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05A short drive into the hills back to historic Corscombe,
0:29:05 > 0:29:08our Mystery House occupies an impressive
0:29:08 > 0:29:11plot of nearly five acres overlooking a valley.
0:29:11 > 0:29:14Although Nick and Claire said they wanted character,
0:29:14 > 0:29:16they were adamant they didn't want thatch,
0:29:16 > 0:29:20which may rule out our Mystery House from the very start.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21But if they stay with me,
0:29:21 > 0:29:25I'm hopeful its business credentials will impress our buyers.
0:29:25 > 0:29:30- Welcome to the Mystery House. - It's thatched!- Yes!
0:29:30 > 0:29:33I know it is thatched. I know you said you didn't want thatched.
0:29:33 > 0:29:36But I want you to consider this property
0:29:36 > 0:29:39because there is so much of what you will like
0:29:39 > 0:29:42and have asked for in this property and things that you
0:29:42 > 0:29:45haven't even got on your list but I think you'll like
0:29:45 > 0:29:48that I want you to consider
0:29:48 > 0:29:51- a part-thatched property.- OK.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55We have come a little bit more south than your search area.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57We are on the edge of Dartmoor here.
0:29:57 > 0:30:01The building is a Grade II listed farmhouse.
0:30:01 > 0:30:05Most of it, they think, dates back to around the 16th century.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09But there are also some medieval parts to it, too.
0:30:09 > 0:30:14- How interesting.- So are you ready for the grand tour?- Yeah.- Yeah, excited.
0:30:16 > 0:30:20Part of the impressive holiday let portfolio is this a detached
0:30:20 > 0:30:23converted barn, which we will deal with later.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26But the whitewashed farmhouse is divided into two sections.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30The 16th century thatched part being of cob stone
0:30:30 > 0:30:32whilst the newer bit is Victorian.
0:30:32 > 0:30:36Across a total area of over 3,000 square feet, the older half
0:30:36 > 0:30:39lies at the back of the house and the newer half at the front.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44Both are fairly equal in size with their own separate kitchen, cloak
0:30:44 > 0:30:48room and reception rooms and are linked by a central passage area.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51The accommodation could, of course, be reconfigured to Claire
0:30:51 > 0:30:53and Nick's liking.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55I'm taking them through the medieval-style passageway
0:30:55 > 0:30:57to the older part of the property.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05This is what I think would be your main living area.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06Cosy, yeah.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Lovely window seats.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10They date back to the 17th century.
0:31:10 > 0:31:13And the story is...is that the farm workers sort of used to
0:31:13 > 0:31:16sit on them, cap in hand at the end of the week,
0:31:16 > 0:31:17and wait for their wages.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20There are lots of lovely little features like that in here.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22And of course, the fireplace that you so love.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- Yeah, I know, it's a beautiful fireplace, isn't it?- Yeah, lovely.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28And just through there, there is a second reception room
0:31:28 > 0:31:29I think would make a lovely snug.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32At the moment, it is being used as a study,
0:31:32 > 0:31:33so you could have it is either.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36- I want to go into the kitchen. - OK.- Let's go.- Oh, yes.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Lead the way. Through there.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48- So, I know, much smaller than you'd ideally like.- Yeah.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Small and slightly low beams.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53- Yeah.- But a range. And a utility room.
0:31:53 > 0:31:58- And a laundry shed back there. - LAUGHING: A laundry shed?
0:31:58 > 0:32:02- Yes, exactly. Is this too small for you?- Yes, it is.
0:32:02 > 0:32:07Now, I've been showing you just one half of the house.
0:32:07 > 0:32:11Maybe I need to let you decide what half of the house you'd
0:32:11 > 0:32:13prefer to live in. But before that,
0:32:13 > 0:32:16let's show you the old part of the upstairs of this house.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20If the character features in this part of the house are too
0:32:20 > 0:32:22much for our buyers, they might prefer the light
0:32:22 > 0:32:25and airy rooms in the Victorian edition.
0:32:25 > 0:32:29It has a second kitchen and two good-sized reception rooms,
0:32:29 > 0:32:33complete with high ceilings and character fireplaces.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36Upstairs, the property has seven bedrooms in total.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Four in the Victorian part of the house, consisting of three
0:32:39 > 0:32:43spacious doubles, one with en-suite as well as a single room.
0:32:43 > 0:32:47And the remaining three are in the older part of the house,
0:32:47 > 0:32:48two of which are adjoining.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Oh, wow, yeah, these are really steep, aren't they?
0:32:51 > 0:32:54So, there are three bedrooms to this part of the house.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56I think you'd use this as your master
0:32:56 > 0:32:58- because of the dressing room attached.- Right.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00It is certainly filled with character.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02It might be a little bit too quirky for us, or maybe for me,
0:33:02 > 0:33:05- I don't know. - It is absolutely charming.
0:33:05 > 0:33:07But my practical side will kick in
0:33:07 > 0:33:10- in a minute.- And when Claire's practical side kicks in,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12then we know we've got trouble.
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Well, what I've done here is saved the practical
0:33:14 > 0:33:17side of the house for your guests.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19But indeed you may want to live in it yourself.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23And the house can be divided. Each would have its separate entrance.
0:33:23 > 0:33:26So you would have a three-bedroom semi, which would be yours,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28and the four bedroom that you could let out.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32- I think this might be quite appealing to guests, actually.- To tourists.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36- Yeah.- So go and have a look at the Victorian side of the house.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Go and have a look at the holiday cottages,
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- and then I will meet you outside. - Brilliant.- Great.- Thank you.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43I'll show you the way.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48And it looks like I might be making progress with this property,
0:33:48 > 0:33:51and they have yet to see the real selling points.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Also on site are two detached cottages
0:33:54 > 0:33:56already being used as holiday lets.
0:33:56 > 0:33:58The larger has three bedrooms
0:33:58 > 0:34:02and the second is an open-plan, one-bedroom converted barn.
0:34:02 > 0:34:04Come in. Oh, wow, this is lovely.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08- Oh, yeah.- Lovely kitchen.
0:34:10 > 0:34:13- Actually, we can have this one. - SHE LAUGHS
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Yeah, it might suit us better, mightn't it?
0:34:16 > 0:34:22- Oh, wow.- It is beyond luxurious for a one-bedroom holiday place,
0:34:22 > 0:34:23- isn't it?- It is.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Yes, this is pretty much the best cottage for renting, I think,
0:34:27 > 0:34:28we've seen.
0:34:28 > 0:34:33The outside of this property also benefits from its own pool,
0:34:33 > 0:34:36sauna, vegetable patch and wind turbine,
0:34:36 > 0:34:40as well as a number of entertaining and woodland areas.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45Who would like to guess the price first? You've already had a go each.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48I'm going to guess at...
0:34:48 > 0:34:51£1,050,000.
0:34:51 > 0:34:53- I was going to say 1.1 million.- OK.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55You are both a little bit over, actually.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- It is on for £985,000.- OK.
0:34:58 > 0:35:04So from your budget, you would have £265,000 left over.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07Well, do you want to go look at the rest of the land
0:35:07 > 0:35:09and then I'll meet you back out by the house?
0:35:09 > 0:35:11- Great.- Lovely, thank you. - See you soon.
0:35:13 > 0:35:18For £265,000 under their maximum budget, this huge,
0:35:18 > 0:35:22versatile property would give Claire and Nick a choice of styles
0:35:22 > 0:35:25and spaces for their own living quarters within this seven-bedroom
0:35:25 > 0:35:29farmhouse, leaving with them with a number of options for the business.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32They'd have a pot of money left over to do any work required.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34But with two up-and-running holiday lets,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37they'd also be able be in a position to get started straightaway.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41The plot of just under five acres also means they'd have plenty
0:35:41 > 0:35:46of outside space for themselves as well as their guests.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- Fantastic!- Oh, that is another bonus, isn't it?
0:35:49 > 0:35:51And it is a nice little sun trap as well.
0:35:51 > 0:35:54I did think it looked very attractive.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57And when we found out that certain parts of it were medieval,
0:35:57 > 0:35:59that really appealed to me.
0:35:59 > 0:36:04Unfortunately, the upstairs, it was not quite right for us.
0:36:04 > 0:36:06The letting cottages are lovely.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11They are a real plus point to this property. And the land is fantastic.
0:36:11 > 0:36:16But neither half of the house quite works for the way that
0:36:16 > 0:36:18we would like to live.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20Right, now you've seen everything,
0:36:20 > 0:36:22I have lots and lots of questions for you both.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26- OK.- Let's get a cup of tea and sit and discuss.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27That would be good.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35Tourism is one of Devon's largest economies.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38With the county attracting nearly six million visitors
0:36:38 > 0:36:42a year, it is worth in excess of £2 billion
0:36:42 > 0:36:45and accounts for some 12% of employment.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49With attractions ranging from historical sites to sandy
0:36:49 > 0:36:51beaches and national parks,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54visitors can enjoy a vast array of activities, from walking
0:36:54 > 0:36:57and hiking to sailing and surfing,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00as well as some rather more adventurous pursuits.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02One of those is rock climbing.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05I am in the Valley of Rocks, on the north coast of Exmoor,
0:37:05 > 0:37:09and I am meeting outdoor activity instructor Dan French.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- Hey, Dan.- OK. - What an office, this is stunning!
0:37:12 > 0:37:14It's not bad at all, is it?
0:37:14 > 0:37:17Yeah, I'm quite lucky to have a job which means
0:37:17 > 0:37:19I can come and work out here most days.
0:37:19 > 0:37:21Now, tell me about the Valley of Rocks.
0:37:21 > 0:37:25- Some of the rocks here date back nearly 400 million years.- Wow.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27It was formed all those years ago
0:37:27 > 0:37:29with silt and sand and mud layering up.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32And over millions of years, it has compacted.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34And this is the rock we've got here today.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36Now, I understand we are going to get up close
0:37:36 > 0:37:38and personal with one of these rocks.
0:37:38 > 0:37:41Yeah, we're going to head up to Castle Rock, we're going to go
0:37:41 > 0:37:43climbing and then we're going to do an abseil off the top.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- That sounds brilliant. Let's go.- Let's go!
0:37:47 > 0:37:50The Valley of Rocks is a dry valley that runs parallel to the coast
0:37:50 > 0:37:52rather than towards the sea.
0:37:52 > 0:37:56The breathtaking views from the top are what makes it such
0:37:56 > 0:37:59a popular climbing spot, or so I am told.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02- So is this the base of our climb? - This is where we are, yeah.
0:38:02 > 0:38:03This is Castle Rock.
0:38:03 > 0:38:06And then our abseil is going to come straight down off the top
0:38:06 > 0:38:08through there.
0:38:08 > 0:38:10- Let's get kitted up. - It's quite high.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14Rock climbing is an enormously exciting sport
0:38:14 > 0:38:17but can be extremely dangerous.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20First things first, it is important to ensure you have the
0:38:20 > 0:38:23correct safety equipment and that it is fitted properly.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25Right, so, step into your harness.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27You have got two loops there or your leg.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30You want to pull it up nice and high so it sits above your hips.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33- Right.- Now, if you tighten your leg loops...
0:38:34 > 0:38:36- Ready to go. - It is like a weird nappy.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38THEY LAUGH
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Beginners like me should always be supervised
0:38:41 > 0:38:44and instructed by an expert.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46Although I am climbing by myself,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48Dan will be at the top of the rock belaying me
0:38:48 > 0:38:52by controlling the friction in the ropes to guide and support me.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54Right then, how are you feeling there, ready to go?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57Yeah, I am raring to go, but where do I start?
0:38:57 > 0:39:00Right, the key thing is, look where you are going, OK?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03So don't get your body too close to the rock.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Use your hands, use those feet.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07The biggest muscles are in those the legs.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- Looking down, not holding on to the rope.- That's the first thing to do.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11Hands on the rock.
0:39:11 > 0:39:13- It's not easy to grip the rock. - That's it.
0:39:13 > 0:39:16Once you find a nice little ledge for those feet, straighten
0:39:16 > 0:39:20those legs, and that is how you can push yourself up and get the height.
0:39:20 > 0:39:21Here we go.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Are you ready? Three, two, one...
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Looking down, placing that foot.
0:39:30 > 0:39:33This is not easy.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36Not that I thought it would be easy, but...
0:39:38 > 0:39:40There we go.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- Go on, you can do it.- I think I actually almost nearly fell there.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47This is it, ready to...
0:39:47 > 0:39:48- That's it.- Tough out.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54Fantastic. High five.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56But before I get too enamoured with the view,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59it's time to work out how to get back down.
0:39:59 > 0:40:04According to Dan, the trick is not to look down and just go for it.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07I want you to sit yourself back into the harness.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10- When you are ready... - SHE LAUGHS
0:40:10 > 0:40:14Oh! That is quite good. Yeah, it is better a bit faster, actually.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15I feel like a ninja.
0:40:15 > 0:40:18Now, see, you are doing really well there.
0:40:20 > 0:40:21There you go.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Fantastic. Well done, brilliant.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30- I have abseiled the Valley of Rocks.- Yes, you have.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Well worth a trip to North Devon.
0:40:35 > 0:40:38Well, Nick and Claire have surprised me once again.
0:40:38 > 0:40:41They didn't fall for our Mystery House even though it had
0:40:41 > 0:40:44more of what they had asked for than the other properties,
0:40:44 > 0:40:47especially when it comes to the business they have in mind.
0:40:47 > 0:40:49So now it is time to do a little digging
0:40:49 > 0:40:50and find out how they think
0:40:50 > 0:40:53they are going to make house two work for them.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Right, it has been a busy couple of days
0:41:01 > 0:41:03with three very different properties.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06I thought, with the Mystery House, we were giving you
0:41:06 > 0:41:11more of what you wanted, especially with the business side of things.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14You had eight rooms to let there over three properties.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19- But actually, you're not so keen on that offering.- No.
0:41:19 > 0:41:25Well, as we said, kind of five to six letting cottages is our target.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28And it was a bit of a lack of opportunity perhaps
0:41:28 > 0:41:32to get that far in the Mystery House.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- So, are you still considering house number two?- Yes.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39House number two is still something that we will think further about.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- Probably go back and view it again. - Definitely.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45We need to think about whether or not house number two fits the model.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47And we will go and do those sums.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50And what has been unusual about this search is you are not just
0:41:50 > 0:41:52searching for a home,
0:41:52 > 0:41:55you are also searching for a fairly substantial business as well.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57Is either one a priority?
0:41:58 > 0:42:00Which one will you compromise on?
0:42:00 > 0:42:04We'll have to compromise on the house in order to get the business.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07- Well, good luck with house number two.- Thank you.
0:42:07 > 0:42:08And if that doesn't work out,
0:42:08 > 0:42:11I hope you find what you are looking for soon.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12Thank you very much.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17It's great that they ended up liking a property that they would
0:42:17 > 0:42:19have never gone to see themselves.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22And they want to make sure that they prioritise their business
0:42:22 > 0:42:24needs over the domestic ones
0:42:24 > 0:42:26because Nick and Claire aren't escaping to the
0:42:26 > 0:42:28country for a quieter life.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31Instead, they want to move here and build a business to set them
0:42:31 > 0:42:33up for life. We wish them well.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35See you next time on Escape To The Country.
0:42:37 > 0:42:39After looking into their finances, Claire
0:42:39 > 0:42:43and Nick decided against a second visit to property two,
0:42:43 > 0:42:46as they felt the work needed would push them over budget.
0:42:46 > 0:42:47With their house now sold,
0:42:47 > 0:42:51they are currently living in South Devon with Nick's father.
0:42:51 > 0:42:55It means they can at least start enjoying the Devon lifestyle
0:42:55 > 0:42:57whilst continuing their search.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00If you'd like to escape to the country in Wales, England, Northern
0:43:00 > 0:43:04Ireland or Scotland and would like our help, you can apply online at...