0:00:00 > 0:00:01This stunning stone relic
0:00:01 > 0:00:04behind me brought some 12th century French elegance to the
0:00:04 > 0:00:09wild and windswept landscape of medieval England
0:00:09 > 0:00:13but where in the country am I? We'll find out in just a moment.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Today's house-hunting couple are history lovers who want to
0:00:34 > 0:00:36put down roots for the future
0:00:36 > 0:00:39and our properties have quite a story to tell...
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- Oh, gosh. - It looks incredibly original.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45..giving them lots of ideas.
0:00:45 > 0:00:49That was like pressing a switch. Did you see her face?
0:00:49 > 0:00:52In which direction - up or down?
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Today I'm in North Yorkshire
0:00:55 > 0:01:00and these are the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey in the stunning North York Moors.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03Built by Cistercian monks, construction of the abbey
0:01:03 > 0:01:07started in the early 1100s and it went on to become
0:01:07 > 0:01:11one of the wealthiest monasteries in all of medieval England.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16This setting is timeless,
0:01:16 > 0:01:19for the Moors have always been a highly desirable place
0:01:19 > 0:01:22to set down roots as they were over 1,000 years ago.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29As the largest county in England, North Yorkshire covers
0:01:29 > 0:01:34over 3,000 square miles and is one of the most rural in the country.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36The region boasts two national parks -
0:01:36 > 0:01:40the Yorkshire Dales in the West and the rugged windswept North York Moors.
0:01:40 > 0:01:45Both have inspired authors and artists throughout the ages.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48On the edge of the Moors National Park, the vista from Sutton Bank
0:01:48 > 0:01:52overlooking the Vale of Mowbray has been described by author
0:01:52 > 0:01:56and vet James Herriot as England's finest view.
0:01:56 > 0:02:00In the Southern Dales is a dramatic limestone rock of Malham Cove,
0:02:00 > 0:02:05which inspired 18th-century writers and 21st-century film makers when
0:02:05 > 0:02:09it was used as a location for Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13North Yorkshire has its fair share of historic towns and villages.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18The market town of Helmsley received its charter in the 12th century
0:02:18 > 0:02:22and today, the streets retain much of that medieval feel.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25The 900-year-old castle still cuts an imposing figure
0:02:25 > 0:02:28despite being almost totally destroyed by Cromwell's army
0:02:28 > 0:02:31during the Civil War.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35But arguably, the county's hub is the city of York, whose ancient
0:02:35 > 0:02:39streets continue to infuse the books of many contemporary writers,
0:02:39 > 0:02:43including Kate Atkinson and history novelist Sheila Kelly.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49This idyllic county is perhaps more affordable than you may
0:02:49 > 0:02:53think, as prices here reflect the national average
0:02:53 > 0:02:57and come in around £267,000 for a detached home
0:02:57 > 0:03:01but if you want to get your hands on a slice of the Dales
0:03:01 > 0:03:04or the North York Moors, then expect to pay a premium of
0:03:04 > 0:03:09up to 20% for a house within the boundaries of the National Park.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11Although, with views like this,
0:03:11 > 0:03:14you could argue that they are worth every penny and that's why
0:03:14 > 0:03:19today's buyers have set their sights on finding a home here.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24University lecturer Hugh and carer Ruth met through an internet
0:03:24 > 0:03:27dating site almost two years ago. At the moment, they both live
0:03:27 > 0:03:32separately, Hugh in the town of Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria and
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Ruth in a semidetached property on the outskirts of the city of York.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41I live on a bus route, quite a busy route into York
0:03:41 > 0:03:44and it does start quite early with the buses.
0:03:46 > 0:03:50But tiring of the 75-mile journey that separates them,
0:03:50 > 0:03:53they're ready to take the plunge and buy their first shared house
0:03:53 > 0:03:56together, but it isn't just Hugh and Ruth to consider.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59This move would be the union of two large families.
0:03:59 > 0:04:06- Between us, I have six children and Hugh has three children.- So...
0:04:06 > 0:04:09- You've got four girls and two boys. - And you have...
0:04:09 > 0:04:11And I've got three boys, yeah.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14We're not sure how many of our children might actually be
0:04:14 > 0:04:20living with this but it could be at least three or four,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23potentially more because quite a few are away at uni.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Before they met, Hugh had been widowed for eight years
0:04:26 > 0:04:29and Ruth was bringing up her children on her own.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31The two single parents quickly realised
0:04:31 > 0:04:36they had a lot in common, not least a love of the countryside.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39I really like being out in the open.
0:04:39 > 0:04:44I love particularly hills and I love climbing and walking.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47- You love keeping animals, don't you?- Yeah.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51And chickens and so, open space, green space, trees.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54And if we get a nice sized plot of land,
0:04:54 > 0:04:57I can fill it with a lot of animals.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02And their decision to move to North Yorkshire is the perfect compromise.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08To me, as a Yorkshire lass, there isn't a finer county than Yorkshire.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10We've looked all over
0:05:10 > 0:05:14but we've decided we need to live within an hour of York
0:05:14 > 0:05:18and so the only viable option
0:05:18 > 0:05:21for us is the North York Moors.
0:05:23 > 0:05:26As well as an affection for all things rural,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Hugh and Ruth share a love of the past and between them
0:05:29 > 0:05:32have amassed a sizeable collection of historical artefacts
0:05:32 > 0:05:35from Roman Britain to the First World War and now
0:05:35 > 0:05:40they have ambitions to turn their passion into an income generator.
0:05:40 > 0:05:43We want to have a business based on those artefacts,
0:05:43 > 0:05:48so a kind of living museum where people come into the museum
0:05:48 > 0:05:53and they take part in activities which are related to history.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56But just what form this heritage business might take
0:05:56 > 0:05:59will depend on the kind of property we are able to find them.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03It could be that we run history weekends where people come
0:06:03 > 0:06:04and stay and they dress up.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08It could be that it suits more a sort of, um, tearoom...
0:06:08 > 0:06:11It's not just somewhere that we're going to live in.
0:06:11 > 0:06:15It's going to be our livelihood, our business, our passion, our interest.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19With plans to marry soon and a new home and business on the horizon,
0:06:19 > 0:06:22our quirky couple are excited about the next chapter.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25This is the beginning of a new life for us, isn't it?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27It's very exciting.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30I never thought I'd find anybody that was quite as in tune with me.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Quite as mad... Quite as mad as you!
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Well, we're both a bit mad and that's fine.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40Hugh and Ruth would like to be in or close to the North York Moors
0:06:40 > 0:06:43National Park but within an hour's drive of York for Ruth's work
0:06:43 > 0:06:46and for visiting her elderly mother,
0:06:46 > 0:06:50so we're concentrating our search with that travel time in mind.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53I met up with our couple in God's own country to discuss
0:06:53 > 0:06:55the detail of their proposed move.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Hugh and Ruth, welcome to the North York Moors.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01It is a beautiful spot but you must tell me,
0:07:01 > 0:07:05why do you want to buy a house in this part of the county?
0:07:05 > 0:07:07I can't think of anywhere I'd rather live, really.
0:07:07 > 0:07:13This is a gorgeous part of the country and for me, I can't beat it.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- But it's not just the two of you with this move.- Yeah.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19How many people are in this family?
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Nine children between us.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- So we're looking out for... We've got to think of 11 people?- Yeah. - And their needs.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27And also we've got Mum as well to consider, cos I'm sure she's
0:07:27 > 0:07:29going to want to come and stay occasionally, isn't she?
0:07:29 > 0:07:31Yes, I'm hoping weekends she'll come and stay.
0:07:31 > 0:07:34Because you've got all these wonderful business ideas going around,
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I'm taking there's going to be a degree of flexibility.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39You're going to be looking at perhaps finished houses,
0:07:39 > 0:07:42but also houses with potential to adapt for what you're after?
0:07:42 > 0:07:46- The word potential is a very good word for us.- Mmm.
0:07:46 > 0:07:52We'd like to excavate, uncover, develop, rebuild, rework -
0:07:52 > 0:07:54anything you like.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57And if you want to run a business, obviously, you don't
0:07:57 > 0:08:00- want to be too far off the beaten track, I'm guessing?- No, not really.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04- Preferably the edge of a village would be ideal.- Yes.
0:08:04 > 0:08:05No modern houses, please!
0:08:05 > 0:08:07So we don't want a new build.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- Probably wanting a house with lots of character and charm.- Yes!
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Potential is the big word.- Yes! - The keyword.- Yes.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- A castle!- OK, a castle.- That would do us. That would do nicely.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21OK, then. And well, let's see, you know.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Remind me again of your budget, please, you two?
0:08:24 > 0:08:29- Um, 580,000, thereabouts.- OK. - Yeah, a bit of flexibility.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Yeah, we're a bit flexible either way.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35I'm not going to find you a castle within the national park for that amount of money.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- We can live in hope! - You're meant to say no!
0:08:39 > 0:08:42- Yes, well, keep smiling and we'll see how we get on, shall we?- OK.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45Follow me and we'll get started. Come on.
0:08:45 > 0:08:50Hugh and Ruth have a maximum budget of £580,000 but ideally,
0:08:50 > 0:08:51they'd like to spend much less,
0:08:51 > 0:08:55leaving room to make improvements and to fund the business.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57They'd like at least three bedrooms,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59preferably with the potential to extend, to give them
0:08:59 > 0:09:03space for the older children to stay during the holidays.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07For Ruth, outside space is important to accommodate chickens
0:09:07 > 0:09:10and her smallholding ambitions and finally,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14the two history fans would like an older property with character.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17We've selected three distinctive vintage properties for them to view,
0:09:17 > 0:09:21which will indulge Hugh and Ruth's love of history.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25Each offers plenty of options to develop the home and business.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27The final property, the mystery house,
0:09:27 > 0:09:30could provide the ticket to a brighter future.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Our first house is in the village of Appleton le Moors,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42just within the North York Moors National Park.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44The village has a thriving community and social scene,
0:09:44 > 0:09:48centred on a well-regarded pub and village hall.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51The French Gothic-style church was described by John Betjeman
0:09:51 > 0:09:55as a little gem among moorland churches.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58Some of the village residents have grazing rights on Appleton Common
0:09:58 > 0:10:01and verges along the wide streets are part of the common,
0:10:01 > 0:10:05so it's not unusual to find sheep roaming here,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08something that might charm animal lover Ruth.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11House number one is positioned on the edge of the village
0:10:11 > 0:10:14and has a historic pedigree which should appeal to our buyers.
0:10:16 > 0:10:19So we're starting off actually in the National Park.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21We're just across the boundary -
0:10:21 > 0:10:23this will be the first village as you go across -
0:10:23 > 0:10:27to bring you house number one.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Gosh, it's unusual.- Yes.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32- I like the windows.- Yeah. It's like a coaching building.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Well, I think you're very close.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Because the original building dates back to around 1750
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- and it was a stable block... - Right, right.
0:10:41 > 0:10:44..attached to the farm next door and that's why you have those
0:10:44 > 0:10:48wonderful sandstone and limestone arches there.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50This is the land. There aren't acres behind us
0:10:50 > 0:10:53because you've actually got a farm behind and to the side of us
0:10:53 > 0:10:56and I think on that note, we should start looking at the house.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58- I'd love to.- Yeah, yeah. - Yes, thank you.
0:10:58 > 0:11:04This stone-built, arched-windowed stable block has been extended to the left-hand side.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06The property has an unusual layout
0:11:06 > 0:11:10but scope to provide accommodation for a themed holiday business.
0:11:10 > 0:11:13With that in mind, I'm showing our buyers the business option first
0:11:13 > 0:11:17since the entrance to the property leads into a small kitchen area
0:11:17 > 0:11:21which is part of the existing holiday cottage.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24It's quite an unusual start with our first property.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27I've brought you through the kitchen/dining area,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31because this side of the property is holiday let potential.
0:11:31 > 0:11:32- Right, OK.- Yeah, yeah.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35There's also, next door, a sitting room as well, if you want.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38- Ah, OK.- Or you could make that another bedroom.- Yes.
0:11:38 > 0:11:40So you've got potential.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42But if you wanted extra income, people coming to stay,
0:11:42 > 0:11:47perhaps a workshop, they wouldn't impose on the rest of the house.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51And the remainder of the house where Hugh and Ruth would live
0:11:51 > 0:11:52is back through the small kitchen
0:11:52 > 0:11:55and the sitting room looking out to the front.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59So I'm going to call this part your house, because we know that could be
0:11:59 > 0:12:03the business, so this is where your property, in a way, would start.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06This would be your main sitting-room.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12- This is light. This is lovely, light and spacious.- It is spacious.- Yeah.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15- I like the fireplace.- You've got to have a burner, haven't you?
0:12:15 > 0:12:17- You have, yeah. - Still more to show you.
0:12:21 > 0:12:24Now I can honestly say I don't think I've ever seen a kitchen ceiling
0:12:24 > 0:12:28- quite like that. - Gosh, that's er, unusual.
0:12:28 > 0:12:32- A slightly larger kitchen than the other one.- Yeah.
0:12:32 > 0:12:33You can sit in here.
0:12:33 > 0:12:38Not too bad, I'm not sure that we'd get our big table in here
0:12:38 > 0:12:41when it's full-on family occasions.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44If Ruth is worried about the lack of kitchen space,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47there is a generous utility room which could be knocked through to,
0:12:47 > 0:12:50along with a family bathroom on the ground floor.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53But we're heading upstairs to find once again,
0:12:53 > 0:12:56an unusual layout of rooms.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59There's a mezzanine bedroom above the kitchen and beyond that,
0:12:59 > 0:13:01a loft bedroom with restricted headroom.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03There's also a large storeroom for Hugh
0:13:03 > 0:13:06and Ruth's historical artefacts.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08The master is accessed via the mezzanine bedroom.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- So in a way, this is the modern part of the property.- Right.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Cos this is where the master bedroom is,
0:13:16 > 0:13:21- although it doesn't have an en-suite.- Quite small.- It is.
0:13:21 > 0:13:25It is. Now they did have permission to take it to the boundary edge,
0:13:25 > 0:13:27but thinking of the way you live your lives
0:13:27 > 0:13:31and how you want to run your business, I would extend out.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- I'd reapply for that permission. - I think so.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38- You could do quite a lot with that end of the house, I think.- Yeah.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41So Hugh and Ruth could create a double storey extension up to the fence,
0:13:41 > 0:13:45offering, subject to planning permission, a larger master
0:13:45 > 0:13:48and further accommodation below.
0:13:48 > 0:13:51The house sits in a quarter of an acre of land.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54There is a substantial garden at the front of the property
0:13:54 > 0:13:55offering space to keep chickens,
0:13:55 > 0:13:58along with a large garage workshop.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01But Hugh and Ruth are keeping their cards close to their chests
0:14:01 > 0:14:06and I'm keen to see what they really think of this converted stable block.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Very interesting. There's a lot of features in there.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13There's a lot more work that could be done on it. I do like it.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15- It is...- Yeah, I like it.- Yeah.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19I'm not sure it's big enough for the children coming back
0:14:19 > 0:14:24and the kitchen is fine, a bit on the small side.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Well, shall we see if you've got any money leftover in the pot to
0:14:27 > 0:14:30- perhaps make it perfect for you? - Mmm.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Shall we see who wants to go first, then, because I'm going to ask you?
0:14:33 > 0:14:37- I hate this part.- You've got to put a price on this property.- I know.
0:14:37 > 0:14:42- I think around about 400,000.- OK.
0:14:42 > 0:14:44But Ruth disagrees quite a lot.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- I think, because of where it is... - In the national park?
0:14:47 > 0:14:54In the national park and in a village, I think, five. 500.
0:14:54 > 0:15:00The asking price is £360,000.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- Wow! - Gosh, a lot less than what I thought.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- Well, we could build a separate museum.- Yeah, there you go.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09I want you to start thinking about this,
0:15:09 > 0:15:12because you haven't decided exactly what the business is going to be.
0:15:12 > 0:15:18- No.- No.- Fancy another wander on your own this time?- Yes. Thank you very much.- Please do.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Our first property comes in under budget,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24giving Hugh and Ruth over £200,000 left over to develop the house
0:15:24 > 0:15:27and historical holiday business.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's a former 18th-century stable block offering a separate
0:15:30 > 0:15:33holiday let, four potential bedrooms
0:15:33 > 0:15:36but it lacks the land for Ruth's smallholding plans.
0:15:36 > 0:15:38Good gracious me!
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- It's like being in a tent!- It is, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Like a sort of campsite. I think I know a little boy who'd like this.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51If we use the first two rooms for a business,
0:15:51 > 0:15:54then it would limit us on bedroom space for when the children
0:15:54 > 0:15:59come back from uni, so I think it could be problematic.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04I like its quirkiness, I like the features.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08I don't think we'd have enough room for all of our stuff, though.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Ah, you're finished. You've seen enough.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- Have we got close, that's my question?- Mmm...- Interesting.- Yeah?
0:16:17 > 0:16:23- Yeah.- Good area.- It's nice. I'm not sure about the lack of land.- No.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26I think you're being polite, now, aren't you? You're disappointed.
0:16:26 > 0:16:30Well, let's see how I get on with the next house with you two. Come on.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41As England's largest county with nearly half the area national park,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45North Yorkshire is not only a rural delight, it is also home to pretty
0:16:45 > 0:16:51stone villages and market towns, many of which contain historic gems.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53The handsome market town of Pateley Bridge in
0:16:53 > 0:16:55the south west of the county is an example
0:16:55 > 0:16:58as it's the home of what's believed to be the oldest sweet shop
0:16:58 > 0:17:02in the world, which has been trading continuously
0:17:02 > 0:17:03since the early 19th century.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07It is one of the few authentic sweet shops left still selling
0:17:07 > 0:17:09traditional sweets and chocolate.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12It is also a local business success story,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15so we're sending our entrepreneurial buyers
0:17:15 > 0:17:19to meet Keith Tordoff, whose family have owned the shop for 20 years.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21- Is it really that old?- Yeah.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24The building itself dates back to the early 1600s but the actual
0:17:24 > 0:17:29sweet shop started trading in 1827, so that is 184 years
0:17:29 > 0:17:32and it's absolutely validated in the Guinness Book of World Records.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35Clearly you have a lot of sweets here.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Oh, from very early times, we've got liquorice root, obviously,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42which is natural, where all liquorice products come from.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44We've got the traditional boiled sweets,
0:17:44 > 0:17:47the humbugs that people remember, and then obviously
0:17:47 > 0:17:50we go to the range of retro sweets like the raspberry bonbons,
0:17:50 > 0:17:54the fizz whizz, obviously bringing us more up-to-date.
0:17:59 > 0:18:04- It's a lovely building. Astonishing building. I like the fireplace.- Yes.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07The fireplace is totally original and that's where obviously
0:18:07 > 0:18:10the boilings would have been done over the fire.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12We've got equipment such as the original tills,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15the original Avery weighing scales.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21Although much of the confectionery is manufactured off-site,
0:18:21 > 0:18:24Keith's son Alexander still produces boiled sweets in the
0:18:24 > 0:18:29traditional way in the shop, boiling a sugar mix over the old fireplace.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33Once the colouring and aniseed flavouring has been added to the mixture, which is
0:18:33 > 0:18:39now around 250 degrees Celsius, it's shaped and left to cool down.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42So how long do you actually knead it for?
0:18:42 > 0:18:44The colourings you use can affect it.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48I mean, if these are black, it can sometimes stay a lot more hot for a lot longer.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Then the congealed sweet mix is fed through a Victorian rolling
0:18:51 > 0:18:54machine which helps form the sweet drops.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57Everybody should have a go at making sweets!
0:18:57 > 0:19:03- Everybody needs to do this. Can I take one?- Absolutely.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06- They are hardening up already. - Mmm! Still warm.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10To go hard - 10 or 15 minutes.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14I mean, to be fully set, it'll be about seven hours.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Keith's shop has a history stretching back 200 years
0:19:18 > 0:19:20and business hopefuls Hugh and Ruth are keen
0:19:20 > 0:19:23to find out the secrets of its long life.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Have you got any tips on running an historical business?
0:19:26 > 0:19:30- Number one, you've got to have an interest in what you do.- Mm.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33Ideally, a passion for it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:34That will rub off on people.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38Your customers will realise it, your suppliers will realise it,
0:19:38 > 0:19:39you gain a knowledge of your product
0:19:39 > 0:19:42and everybody then speaks to you about it.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45That's the dialogue which is so important in business.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Hopefully our buyers will have been motivated by Keith's business story
0:19:49 > 0:19:52and it will inspire them to develop their own venture.
0:19:52 > 0:19:55In the meantime, we need to find a home with business potential,
0:19:55 > 0:19:57so it's back on the road.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01For our second offering, it's a short hop
0:20:01 > 0:20:03to the village of Cropton,
0:20:03 > 0:20:05which lies on the border of the national park.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Cropton's a quiet settlement, dotted with attractive stone cottages.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14It's home to a family-run inn and micro-brewery
0:20:14 > 0:20:18and it's exactly one hour's drive from the centre of York.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Although the national park boundary divides the village,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23our second property is just outside the park
0:20:23 > 0:20:28and, therefore, not subject to its stringent building regulations.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31House two is situated on the high street in the heart of the village
0:20:31 > 0:20:35and is another property with a rich heritage.
0:20:35 > 0:20:37Ruth, you're looking puzzled.
0:20:37 > 0:20:39I'm trying to figure out which it is,
0:20:39 > 0:20:43whether it's the chapel or the house.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Come on and have a look at the house.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Which would you like it to be?
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Er, they both look very interesting.
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Yeah, I'm not sure whether I like the church, or the house.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56- Let's start with the house, attractive looking property?- Mm.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Very.- Very historical, I feel.
0:20:59 > 0:21:01So you can't decide which one you'd rather see.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03What if I told you that they actually come together.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- Oh! Wow!- Gosh, yeah.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09- Right.- That sounds good. - Yeah, we like that idea.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11This is the old schoolhouse.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14- So that is a school. - Ah, not a chapel.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17It does look like a church or a chapel but that's the old school.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20Both of them built around the mid-19th century,
0:21:20 > 0:21:22that's why they're so close together.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Which one do you want to look at first?
0:21:24 > 0:21:27I'd like to look at the school.
0:21:27 > 0:21:29- That's OK.- Yeah?- I'm happy with that.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- Happy with going with the school? - Yeah.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34Right, let's start with the school, then.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37Cropton's former village school dates back to 1874
0:21:37 > 0:21:42and retains many original features, including an arched mullion window.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45It's in need of restoration, but this building could make
0:21:45 > 0:21:49an excellent venue for Hugh and Ruth's planned business.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52So I can see you're itching to get in here.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Oh, gosh!
0:21:56 > 0:21:58Wow!
0:21:58 > 0:22:00So you've got a little anti-room in there.
0:22:00 > 0:22:04You've got this enormous space to work with.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07There's an additional room at the front, you access it to the left,
0:22:07 > 0:22:10so about a third of this again.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12- Really?- Good gracious me.
0:22:12 > 0:22:16- Oh, gosh. - It looks incredibly original.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Look at those doors.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I know, look at the fireplace.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Beautiful renovation project.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Furthermore, planning permission has already been granted
0:22:25 > 0:22:28to convert the former classrooms into a residential dwelling
0:22:28 > 0:22:31with three bedrooms, so Hugh and Ruth could simply
0:22:31 > 0:22:33begin the renovation project,
0:22:33 > 0:22:37or apply to change the use of the building to a business.
0:22:37 > 0:22:40The schoolhouse is a detached stone and pantiled roofed building,
0:22:40 > 0:22:43which has been tastefully modernised in recent years.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49So, just off this hallway, leads to our sitting room.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Now you're going to gather straightaway that this house
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- isn't enormous.- Mmm. - We can see that, yes.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- But what you do get is some wonderful high ceilings.- Yeah.
0:23:01 > 0:23:03- There's some very nice features.- Mm.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07- Do you like it?- I do. - I do, actually.- It's small.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09It's pretty perfect.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I'll take "pretty perfect".
0:23:12 > 0:23:15The downstairs layout also features a dining room
0:23:15 > 0:23:19with another Victorian-style fireplace and a utility room.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22So down this corridor...
0:23:24 > 0:23:25..you have your kitchen.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28- A country kitchen, I think, I'm going to call it.- Yeah.
0:23:28 > 0:23:33- This is fantastic.- It's smaller and darker than perhaps I would like.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36- Yeah.- But...
0:23:36 > 0:23:40- It does have that Victorian feel about it, doesn't it?- Yeah.
0:23:40 > 0:23:45What I haven't mentioned is that neither property is listed.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Ah...
0:23:48 > 0:23:51- Conservatory.- Ah, yes.
0:23:52 > 0:23:55- Your face just lit up. - We could extend.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58- Yeah, you could push out.- Mm-hm.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Yes, we'd have to look at the ground out there
0:24:01 > 0:24:05but, yeah, a conservatory would just make this lovely and light.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- A huge kitchen.- Yeah.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Although planning permission would be needed,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14there is scope to extend the schoolhouse,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16as there are no national park restrictions.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20Upstairs, the schoolhouse offers up three bedrooms -
0:24:20 > 0:24:22two doubles and a good sized single,
0:24:22 > 0:24:27as well as a large family bathroom with free-standing bath.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30We're heading to the master, which is at the front of the house.
0:24:31 > 0:24:32This is nice.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35- It's the master bedroom. - I like this.
0:24:35 > 0:24:36It's a very fine bedroom.
0:24:36 > 0:24:39- I like the floorboards. - Big, wide floorboards.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41- The fireplace.- Yeah.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Now the view is of your school/museum.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48I'm going to keep calling it the museum now,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50that business idea.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54- Despite quite small windows, there's still an airy feel to it.- Mm.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59I think the character of the school and schoolhouse
0:24:59 > 0:25:02has really captured the hearts of Hugh and Ruth.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Outside there's a gorgeous walled garden,
0:25:06 > 0:25:08which they could extend into
0:25:08 > 0:25:11and a gated paddock, ideal for grazing livestock.
0:25:13 > 0:25:18So...come and take a look at your paddock.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21A nice, square paddock with some beautiful, old trees.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23How much for this second property?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26You've got the schoolhouse, the school,
0:25:26 > 0:25:28you've got nearly an acre of land...
0:25:29 > 0:25:31What do you think?
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Oh, 560 to 570, personally.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39550?
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- Are you hoping it's 550?- Yes.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Are you? OK.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46Asking price...
0:25:48 > 0:25:50- ..£498,000.- Oh, oh, oh.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54- Really?- Really.- Wow!
0:25:54 > 0:25:56That's good, I like that.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58You should now go and take another look around
0:25:58 > 0:26:02because there was a lot to show you. Explore it on your own.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05I think we'll be exploring it with added interest, don't you?
0:26:05 > 0:26:08- Yeah, with new eyes.- Yes.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10Please, be my guest.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14Under budget, our second property is a unique find,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18a 19th-century former school and schoolhouse.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20The school itself requires renovation
0:26:20 > 0:26:23but, with over £80,000 left in their pocket,
0:26:23 > 0:26:27it could make an excellent space to develop their business.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Also, there's more bedroom accommodation for the older children
0:26:30 > 0:26:32when they visit.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35The house has three bedrooms and the land includes a large paddock.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38I'm thinking apartments.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- Mm, yeah, possibly.- Two or three?
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Two, or three. I think three.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47Yeah, and a little bit of workshop space.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50It's talking to me, this house.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Not whispering like the last one.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55It's got a nice feel to it.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56I like most things about this house.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58A touch on the small side.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02This house has excited me.
0:27:02 > 0:27:07I think the house itself was a little bit smaller than we wanted.
0:27:07 > 0:27:10To be honest, quite a lot smaller than we wanted.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13The other features make up for it.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17- It's quite exciting, given us lots of food for thought.- Good.
0:27:17 > 0:27:22- That's what we were hoping for. Happy, Hugh?- I'm very happy.
0:27:22 > 0:27:26- Yes, there's so much here for me to get excited about.- That's brilliant.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28What a way to end our day.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Guess what, we've got the mystery house lined up for tomorrow.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38It's the second day of our property search
0:27:38 > 0:27:42and, on a maximum budget of £580,000,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45we're helping history lecturer, Hugh and Ruth, a carer
0:27:45 > 0:27:49from the City of York, find their first shared home together
0:27:49 > 0:27:50here in North Yorkshire.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55Coming up, we mind the gap with the mystery house.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58How would you both feel living near a train station?
0:27:58 > 0:28:00- Excited.- Yeah?- I like trains.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04And I meet the next generation of national park rangers.
0:28:05 > 0:28:09This morning we're going to be show them our mystery property.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Our two, with the love of the unusual, are quite difficult to
0:28:13 > 0:28:15surprise but, with this house, I really think
0:28:15 > 0:28:18we're on the right track.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23For our third property, we are
0:28:23 > 0:28:27heading back into the national park and to the village of Glaisdale,
0:28:27 > 0:28:30which has a journey time of an hour and a quarter back to York.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33The hillside village lies on the banks of the River Esk
0:28:33 > 0:28:37and it's famous for Beggar's Bridge, a pack horse river crossing,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40built by Thomas Ferries in 1619.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43The village grew in the 19th century to house workers
0:28:43 > 0:28:46from the nearby iron ore mines.
0:28:46 > 0:28:48Glaisdale is popular with walkers,
0:28:48 > 0:28:52as Wainwright's coast-to-coast walk passes through the centre.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55The village also has a station, which is
0:28:55 > 0:28:58on the Middlesbrough to Whitby line, with four trains a day.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02I've brought us to the village of Glaisdale
0:29:02 > 0:29:07and I'm going to be honest, your mystery house is around here.
0:29:07 > 0:29:11How would you both feel living near a train station?
0:29:11 > 0:29:13- Excited.- Yeah.- I like trains.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16- What about you, Hugh? - Trains are fine by me.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20I had a student house next to the railway line once and I loved it.
0:29:20 > 0:29:25- How close to the railway line?- Oh, as close as that house behind us.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27- Really? That one there?- Yes.
0:29:27 > 0:29:31- That is the property we have lined up for you to see.- Really?
0:29:31 > 0:29:35- That is the mystery house. - Oh, my goodness.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38- Are you ready to take a look? - Yeah.- Come on, then.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42We'll have to look left and right, we have to cross these tracks. Come on.
0:29:43 > 0:29:48So our mystery house, built in 1867, was at one time the ticket office
0:29:48 > 0:29:51and upstairs the station master's quarters.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55So you have seen the mystery house from one side of the platform,
0:29:55 > 0:29:57- let me show it to you from the other.- Gosh.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00- It's quite a handsome building. - Yeah.
0:30:00 > 0:30:01It looks robust, doesn't it?
0:30:01 > 0:30:03What about living in a railway house,
0:30:03 > 0:30:05do you have any passion for the railways?
0:30:05 > 0:30:09- I love railways.- For locomotives?- My father was an engine driver.- Was he?
0:30:09 > 0:30:11He drove all the old steam trains,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13the Mallard, the Flying Scotsman and so on.
0:30:13 > 0:30:15It's sort of in the blood.
0:30:15 > 0:30:20- So the thought, perhaps of living in your own ticket office...- Oh, yeah.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22- Yes.- It's quite appealing.
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Right, well, I think we should start inside and then
0:30:26 > 0:30:28we will talk about the land afterwards.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31I thought our railway-themed mystery property would appeal
0:30:31 > 0:30:33to our two history buffs.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37This property doesn't just offer Hugh and Ruth an idyllic,
0:30:37 > 0:30:38if unusual, place to live,
0:30:38 > 0:30:43but also the opportunity to take on an up-and-running business.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45First, let's deal with the living space.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Let's bring you into the station master's house.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50This is where they would have sold the tickets.
0:30:50 > 0:30:54It has been adapted into the family home.
0:30:54 > 0:30:58Here is your kitchen but also a very large dining area.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00- Mmm.- I like this.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02It's a very nice kitchen.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05Before we continue through to the house, I just want to mention,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08you can see the conservatory, we walked through it.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10The owners have a licence
0:31:10 > 0:31:14and they have been serving afternoon tea, lunches.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18- They have even been opening in the evenings for dinner.- Right.- Gosh.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21They have been running it from Easter through to September.
0:31:21 > 0:31:25It's been extremely popular with the walkers, hikers and tourists.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28You would need to notify the local authority that it was
0:31:28 > 0:31:30a change of ownership but the licence is still open.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34If you did want to run a tearoom, or something along those lines...
0:31:34 > 0:31:36- There's a business. - I'm going to plant that seed.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38All right.
0:31:38 > 0:31:39As well as the kitchen/diner,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42there are two further reception rooms on the ground floor.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45You have got a small sitting-room there
0:31:45 > 0:31:49and then you have a second, much larger one, here.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53- Pleasantly surprised. - It's an absolutely beautiful room.
0:31:53 > 0:31:55- Good size? - Yes, it's a decent size.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57It's a reasonable size, yes.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Next door, you have got a large study/office.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03That originally was a bedroom
0:32:03 > 0:32:05but, for business reasons, they've changed it.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08You could convert that back into a bedroom, if you wanted to.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- I think we would probably have to, I think.- Mmm.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14You've also got a second conservatory.
0:32:14 > 0:32:18Let's go upstairs, look at the options there and perhaps potential
0:32:18 > 0:32:22of what else you might be able to do to make it right for the family.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26Upstairs has two bedrooms, both doubles
0:32:26 > 0:32:29and converting the downstairs study back to a bedroom,
0:32:29 > 0:32:32gives Hugh and Ruth the three they requested.
0:32:35 > 0:32:38This is where I do have my work cut out for me.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40This is the master bedroom.
0:32:41 > 0:32:46The reason I say that is because it's a good size, double aspect
0:32:46 > 0:32:52but with only two bedrooms, both of them en suite in this property.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56At the moment... That's the caveat, at the moment.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59It's not the biggest room I've ever seen.
0:32:59 > 0:33:01No, I might just fit my clothes in here.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04I don't think there will be room for yours!
0:33:04 > 0:33:06I tell you what you would get here, you know, if you fancied
0:33:06 > 0:33:09a lie in in the morning...
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- ..you can see your train going past. - Oh, gosh.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16As well as having excellent transport links,
0:33:16 > 0:33:20the property could be extended as, despite being in the national park,
0:33:20 > 0:33:23there are nearby dwellings with recent additions.
0:33:23 > 0:33:24At the rear of the house,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27the land extends to around a third of an acre, offering
0:33:27 > 0:33:31development potential and includes a large vegetable patch and lawn.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35I've really picked up that you love this property.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37- You love the mystery house but it's the size, isn't it?- Mmm.
0:33:37 > 0:33:41- It getting the whole family here. - It is a problem.
0:33:41 > 0:33:43We can't get around it,
0:33:43 > 0:33:46there isn't enough room for all the children and everybody.
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Or, can you?
0:33:48 > 0:33:50It's a station master's house,
0:33:50 > 0:33:52there's quite a lot of land at the side.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55We know that people love coming here for refreshments, for teas,
0:33:55 > 0:33:57- for supper.- Mmm.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59How about getting permission
0:33:59 > 0:34:04and putting in a railway carriage, somewhere in the garden.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09All those train enthusiasts, not only could they come for meals,
0:34:09 > 0:34:14but you could actually offer a B&B facility, as well.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18When the family came to stay, they could stay in the railway carriage.
0:34:18 > 0:34:20That was like pressing a switch!
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Did you see her face.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24In which direction, up or down?
0:34:24 > 0:34:27It was just like, "Whoa! I like that idea!"
0:34:27 > 0:34:29I like that idea, a lot.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31I'm now going to bring you back to reality.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33- You know what's coming, don't you?- Yeah.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36I want you to guess the price of the mystery house, please.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40I think around about 500,000 mark.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42450/475.
0:34:42 > 0:34:44- So 500,000, 475?- Yeah.
0:34:46 > 0:34:48Asking price is...
0:34:49 > 0:34:51..£380,000.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55- Right.- Ruth, speak to me.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58I've got a grin, but speak to me. Come on.
0:34:58 > 0:35:00I'm thinking railway carriages.
0:35:02 > 0:35:05Take another look around, have a think.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08You won't catch a train, not at this time but, at least, you can
0:35:08 > 0:35:12enjoy the peace and tranquillity and I'll find you when you're ready.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14- Thank you very much.- Thank you.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20Our final property comes in under budget giving Hugh and Ruth
0:35:20 > 0:35:24£200,000 to extend and develop the business.
0:35:24 > 0:35:28The former ticket office and station master's house is the character
0:35:28 > 0:35:31property with the sense of history they were after.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34It offers them the chance to take on an existing tearoom,
0:35:34 > 0:35:38three possible bedrooms and plenty of potential outside.
0:35:38 > 0:35:42Obviously, the railway connection for me is pretty cool.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46A bit on the small side but potential for extending.
0:35:49 > 0:35:50I'm bowled over by it.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53I think this mystery house is wonderful.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56It's full of possibilities.
0:35:56 > 0:35:58I think I love it.
0:35:58 > 0:36:01I think I'm very interested in it but I'm not quite sure.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I need to think about the space.
0:36:06 > 0:36:09Well, that's it. You've seen all our properties.
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Three mystery properties, I think.
0:36:12 > 0:36:13They're all unusual, aren't they,
0:36:13 > 0:36:16but then you're quite an unusual couple.
0:36:16 > 0:36:18So we're told!
0:36:18 > 0:36:21- You wouldn't be the first person to say that.- We love you for it.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23We're going to go somewhere quiet, let's have a chat
0:36:23 > 0:36:27because I can't wait to find out what your next move is going to be.
0:36:34 > 0:36:38The county's two national parks offer up some of our most treasured
0:36:38 > 0:36:42scenery and every year over six million visitors
0:36:42 > 0:36:45are attracted to the North York Moors National Park.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49But the vital skills and rural crafts,
0:36:49 > 0:36:51required to maintain these cherished landscapes,
0:36:51 > 0:36:54are under threat as there's a shortage of new blood
0:36:54 > 0:36:56ready to take up the reins.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02In 2002, the Moors Park Authority began a unique apprenticeship scheme
0:37:02 > 0:37:05to train the park rangers and farmers of the future.
0:37:05 > 0:37:08I've come to Sutton Bank to meet some of them.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10The supervisor is Steve Young.
0:37:11 > 0:37:15Good to meet you and you've brought me to the most spectacular part of the world.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18- Beautiful, isn't it?- What sort of apprentices do you have?
0:37:18 > 0:37:21We were running out of people with the traditional skills we needed.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24We need dry stone walls, we need fences, we need people that
0:37:24 > 0:37:28can look after habitats and we were struggling to find them.
0:37:28 > 0:37:31What we decided was, in 2002, let's train our own.
0:37:31 > 0:37:33Has it been a huge success?
0:37:33 > 0:37:35Are you getting hundreds of young people applying?
0:37:35 > 0:37:38- Yes, the first scheme we ran, we got 150 applicants...- Wow!
0:37:38 > 0:37:41..that we whittled down to eight.
0:37:41 > 0:37:43We've been getting an awful lot ever since.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45We know, over the last few years,
0:37:45 > 0:37:47apprenticeship schemes are being recognised.
0:37:47 > 0:37:51It's such a shame we lost them years ago, people are putting them back in place.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54What about when people say, "Well, actually, it's just a way of getting cheap labour."
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Yeah, you could say that but it's the skills that we give people.
0:37:57 > 0:38:00We give them the skills with their hands,
0:38:00 > 0:38:03knowledge and we get them ready for the world of work.
0:38:04 > 0:38:09The course is open to 16 to 24-year-olds and runs for 15 months.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12There are currently between 5 and 14 apprentices on the scheme,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15who make up a seventh of the authority's total workforce.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20This group of apprentices is working on building a bike trail
0:38:20 > 0:38:24on the top of Sutton Bank, using a limestone aggregate,
0:38:24 > 0:38:26in keeping with the natural environment.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30- Hi, guys.- Hi.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Here are some of our current apprentices. We've got Barry, Callum, Annabel and Laura.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38What are your dreams, your aspirations when you finish this course?
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Staying in this sort of work is something that I want do.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43Erm, whether it will be working for the parks,
0:38:43 > 0:38:45or with someone else, I'm not sure yet.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50I would like to, in the future, maybe set up my own self-employed tree surgery business.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53I want to stay in the environmental sector.
0:38:53 > 0:38:54Laura, what about you?
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- I want to farm.- Do you?- Mm-hm.
0:38:57 > 0:39:00What's the best part of being an apprentice, the best part of the job?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- Working as part of a team is quite good.- Is it?
0:39:03 > 0:39:05Yeah, we get to have a laugh and stuff whilst we're at work.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08- Do you ever get tired of that view? - When it's raining!
0:39:08 > 0:39:09ALL LAUGH
0:39:09 > 0:39:11When it's really cold, it can get a bit tiring.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Thank you so much, I know you haven't got long to qualify
0:39:14 > 0:39:17so I hope it all goes well. Whatever you choose to do afterwards,
0:39:17 > 0:39:21- that this has been a really good experience. Thanks very much.- Thank you.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34One lovely couple, nine children between them
0:39:34 > 0:39:37and we've shown them three properties.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39Have any of them come close?
0:39:39 > 0:39:40Let's find out.
0:39:42 > 0:39:46Hugh and Ruth, we started off with an idea
0:39:46 > 0:39:49that we were going to find you the perfect property.
0:39:49 > 0:39:53We were going to buy you acres and acres of land.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55We were going to come up with a business proposition.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58- We had question marks on everything, didn't we?- Mm.
0:39:58 > 0:40:02Have you managed to work out what it is you actually want now?
0:40:02 > 0:40:05You've done something very good.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08You've come in below budget on every single one,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11which surprised me. It really did surprise me.
0:40:11 > 0:40:15And you've given us properties which are completely
0:40:15 > 0:40:18and utterly interesting to us.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Two properties which are very interesting to us
0:40:22 > 0:40:24that we would want to go and see again.
0:40:24 > 0:40:27I think I know which two houses you're referring to but, go on,
0:40:27 > 0:40:28remind me just in case.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Property two and property three.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34The mystery house.
0:40:34 > 0:40:38What is it about those properties that really appealed to you both?
0:40:38 > 0:40:42The properties have lots to offer.
0:40:42 > 0:40:46They've got business potential.
0:40:46 > 0:40:49They're both intensely historical.
0:40:49 > 0:40:52The school is something that we are thinking about very,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55very carefully because that school offers us space, doesn't it?
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- It does. - It could be three apartments.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01It could be a wedding venue.
0:41:01 > 0:41:03It could be a museum.
0:41:03 > 0:41:05It could be all of those things.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07It actually doesn't narrow anything down.
0:41:07 > 0:41:11It also has a bit of land where you could put yurts on.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14The station will bring people to it. We can guarantee that.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16We know people come to that station.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21- It's a great mystery property, isn't it?- It's a lovely mystery property.- Fantastic, yeah.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Out of the two properties, which do you prefer, Ruth?
0:41:25 > 0:41:27Probably second at the moment.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32Despite my love of trains, the school is pulling me in more.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36I do feel that the family, you keep telling me, are the priority.
0:41:36 > 0:41:40For me, I would look at that second property
0:41:40 > 0:41:43because you can convert the school into additional rooms,
0:41:43 > 0:41:47family rooms, bedrooms but you're also in a wonderful position,
0:41:47 > 0:41:50perhaps two or three years down the line when they're not coming home
0:41:50 > 0:41:52quite so frequently, that you could rent it out
0:41:52 > 0:41:54or then have it to hold events.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Then you keep everybody happy.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58I think that's what's going through our minds,
0:41:58 > 0:42:02this balance of what's going to work out best overall.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05Please let us know how you get on, if you put an offer in
0:42:05 > 0:42:08on either of those properties because we'd love to hear from you.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11- We will.- We will.- I've so enjoyed it, thank you both very much.
0:42:11 > 0:42:12- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19For Hugh and Ruth, this move isn't just about a house,
0:42:19 > 0:42:22it's not just about a business,
0:42:22 > 0:42:24it's a balance between the two.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28I really think our school and schoolhouse will give them that.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32I hope that next viewing goes really well and the two families
0:42:32 > 0:42:37will finally be together under one roof here in North Yorkshire.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41We do wish them all the best for the future.
0:42:41 > 0:42:42I'll see you next time.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46Hugh and Ruth eventually ruled out the mystery house
0:42:46 > 0:42:48because of its distance from York
0:42:48 > 0:42:52but they did go back to see house number two and are just waiting
0:42:52 > 0:42:55for a sale on Hugh's house before they can proceed with an offer.
0:42:55 > 0:42:57So, fingers crossed.
0:42:57 > 0:43:00If you would like to escape to the country in either
0:43:00 > 0:43:03England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland
0:43:03 > 0:43:06and would like our help, then please apply online at...